CATHY: (Brushing her hair back from her brow with the back of her hand.) With God as my witness, I will never—never be poor again.

(SHE slumps to the floor. THREE STUDENTS are sitting in a semicircle around her. There is a fourth, empty chair. WHEATLEY is standing behind the students, holding a clipboard with arms crossed.) WHEATLEY: (After a moment to allow the melodramatic effect of CATHY’s peroration to subside.) Well? Comments? Criticism? Somebody? Anybody? Come on—you people are supposed to be our best and brightest.

PATTY: (Enthusiastically, as CATHY gets up off the floor and takes the empty chair.) I thought it was good.

WHEATLEY: “Good” and “bad” tell me nothing. Remember, your first job as a critic is to understand, then explain.

CHARLES: (Warily, in light of