text: “Nefarious. N-E-F... Could you use the word in a sentence please?” The spelling Bee pronouncer nods affirmatively. “Of course Miss Spangler. Devon was nefarious for being a bully.” Jillian Spangler nods and replies, “Oh yeah. Thank you. Nefarious. N-E-F-A-R-I-O-U-S. Nefarious.” “That is correct Miss Spangler. Please take your seat. Mr. Henry Waldrop, please come to the microphone,” the pronouncer says, while Jillian goes back to reoccupy her folding chair onstage. A face she’s known since kindergarten awaits her in the neighboring chair. “Wow Miss Spangler--I mean Jilly. At first I thought you were going to blow it!” Roddert Hardley whispers as she retakes her seat. “Me too Roddert. For a minute I couldn’t remember if the word had one F or two in it,” she whispers. “Yeah, me neither. But you got it right Jilly. That’s all that counts,” Roddert whispers back. “Yeah Roddert. I’m just glad they don’t ask us what these big words mean. The words they give us are tough enough for us sixth graders to spell as it is.” “You got that right Jilly.” “Oh. Shhh,” Jilly warns, with her index finger laid perpendicular across her lips. “Merissa Ogglemeyer is up now. People say she’s the best speller in the whole city.” Merissa Ogglemeyer stands at the microphone, glaring down at the pronouncer. “Miss Ogglemeyer, the word is prerequisite.” Merissa sneers in contempt. “Prerequisite. You’re kidding me right?” she says flatly, then lectures. “In case you haven’t heard, this is a City-wide spelling Bee. And I’m a championship speller. And all you can come up with is... Nevermind. Could you give me something harder?” The pronouncer unconsciously stiffens her back then draws her glasses closer to her eyes. “Uh, pardon me? Miss Ogglemeyer. I don’t believe you really heard me. Your assigned word is prerequisite. And I must warn you. You now have only forty-seven more seconds to spell it, or you will be disqualified,” the pronouncer says, sliding her glasses back down the bridge of her nose. “Are we clear?” Merissa had gotten as close to the line of gross insubordination as she dared. But declined to cross it. “Okay, okay. You don’t have to get so touchy lady. Prerequisite. P-R-E-R-E-Q-U-I-S-I-T-E. Prerequisite.” “That is correct Miss Ogglemeyer. Please kindly return to your seat. Roddert Hardley please come to the microphone.” Merissa’s chair is one over from Jilly and Roddert’s. She takes her chair with an air of superiority, and whispers covertly to Jilly and Roddert as she seats herself. “You two snotty nose C+ spellers might as well give up now. I’m the best speller in the city and everybody knows it. It’s down to just me, you two, and that Waldrop kid sitting over there. So why don’t you two go home and save yourselves some cry-baby tears.” Roddert tenses, but doesn’t take the bait. “Don’t listen to her Jilly. She’s just trying to psyche us out,” he whispers his reply. Merissa nods her head once, and again whispers. “Yeah Jilly. Listen to Ro-dirt. I’m just trying to psyche you out. Especially since you almost blew that last word you just spelled.” The pronouncer intrudes via the amplification of her microphone. “Excuse me children. We’re on a schedule. Talking, or talk-whispering while on stage isn’t really encouraged,” she says in a discouraging voice, and then re-invites. “Mr. Roddert Hardley please come forward.” “Yes ma’am,” Roddert swiftly acknowledges. Once Roddert settles his feet in front of the microphone stand, the pronouncer immediately pronounces Roddert’s challenge word. “Mr. Hardley, the word is pompous.” “Yes ma’am, Pompous,” he says and freezes, with his eyebrows nettling up as though his mind were stuck in the middle of what to do. The pronouncer notices and asks, “Mr. Hardley. Do you need me to repeat the word?” Roddert shakes his head no, and with firm resolve gives the pronouncer his spelling. “Pompous. M-E-R-I-S-S-A O-G-G-L-E-M-E-Y-E-R. Pompous.” The pronouncer takes a split moment to stare at Roddert and consider what she had just heard. Or thought she heard. But recovers quickly. With a sympathetic tone she begins to inform Roddert of his error. “I’m very sorry Mr. Hardley that is incorr...” One of the judges, to the pronouncer’s left, cuts her off by holding a finger up in the air to signal her to wait. She wonderingly does so, while all of the judges huddle inwards towards each other to debate. The buzz from the audience is deafening. In as little time as it takes to peel two ripe bananas, all of the judges turn to the pronouncer raising up their thumbs in proud approval. The audience gives their blessings as well, in a pandemonium of clapping and cheering! When the pronouncer can speak again, without shouting, she vocalizes the judges’ ruling. “Mr. Hardley. I believe you have just broken some very new ground in a spelling Bee contest. Because the judges unanimously agree with your altered spelling of the word pompous. Congratulations. You may take your seat.