https://Voice.club - Theatrics - by Margarida Brei
The discussion was on cheating. We had mere minutes to think before embracing a controversial subject. The word ‘cheating’ spun like a hurricane in my head, dragging up numerous unsavoury sludge-filled thoughts. Cheating on a partner was immoral and distasteful. Of course there was cheating on a test—again, dishonest and unethical. Cheating on taxes was just so wrong. The word ‘cheating’ vomited a pollution of terrible words. “Two-timing, adulterous, dirty, foul, unjust, unfaithful…” slammed into my sternum. RhymeZone had a seemingly endless list of shameful words. There was not one pleasantry associated with the term ‘cheating.’ It was interwoven with deceit, misconduct, fraud, and dishonesty.
Well, obviously cheating was centred on behaving dishonestly to get what you wanted! Whether it involved plagiarism, collusion, or AI fraud, academic cheating was low and unethical. It should be followed by disciplinary action and expulsion. So wrong not to acknowledge someone else’s work as his!
Instantly, the discussion heated up, and tempers rose like a pot of water about to boil over.
One female student always dressed theatrically with layers of diaphanous fabrics. They were so delicate and thin as to be almost transparent. Yet, they were completely covered in black-as-night clothing, as like a grieving widow. A variety of scarves added intrigue. Her clothes touched the floor dramatically. In fact, everything about her was dramatic, from her twitchy fingers and emotional, swinging arms to her deep sighs. It was rumoured that the male professor had really paid a retired actress to bring more colour, richness, and theatrics to our discussions!
The student stood up suddenly, wrapping her numerous scarves around her head in a measured way to heighten the tension.
In a low voice rich with pauses and added drama, “Look at me and weep! I was no more than a young naive girl. Innocent and fragile as a delicate flower. I gave him the best years of my life. I was always honest, loving, and true. How did he repay me after my many years of sweet love? He cheated!” She pointed an accusing finger at the now ashen professor.