At the heart of much speculative fiction (and fiction in general) is a question. What if? On Tuesdays I like to throw one out there and see what you make of it. Do with it as you please. If a for-instance is not specified, feel free to interpret that instance as you wish. And if you find this becomes a novel-length answer, I'd appreciate a thank you in the acknowledgements. 😉
What if you ran into your high school bully, who had you help them cheat in their biology class, and this bully was now a doctor?
(This was an actual plot point in a TV show I tolerate--that is, I watch it, but only because nothing else is on--and it irked me so much that this what if was born.)
I'd hope that meant he'd turned it around. He might still be a bully, but difficult to cheat your way through medical school.
ReplyDeleteI would hope he would be a good doctor and that I wouldn't have to see him as a patient. I don't think I would have much respect for him, no matter if he did turn his life around.
ReplyDeletebetty
Since I was bullied and I was asked to help them (although not in Math class), I chose not to even if it meant they would bully and threaten more, which happened. If I did help and they became a Dr and never recognized my help, I still would know and so would the bully. I would just hope they were a good doctor and not a Frank Burns. Regardless, I had the choice and if that helped them then look at the positive...they would not have made it without me:)
ReplyDeleteOh and I thought of you when I saw this video of these little kitten all wearing crocheted hat-one was a mouse, another a bunny, another a panda and so on...it was cute
DeleteSounds cute. The video, I mean. Not the bully. How amazing that you didn't help. I don't think I would have had that strength in high school.
DeleteI'd think that he/she finally turned things around, stopped being a bully, and stopped cheating.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lovely answer.
DeleteI tend to agree with Chrys, at least with hope, and am reminded of an episode of "House M.D."
ReplyDeleteVery hopeful.
DeleteOh, that wouldn't end well for them. Probably not for me either, but the police would have to catch me first.
ReplyDeleteWell I guess I'd be glad that they were contributing something positive to the universe now.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I would believe that. Some doctors became doctors so that they could bully their patients...
DeleteI had to read that again. I thought I was a new patient of his. What would I do? If I were quick-witted, I'd say something like "You're welcome. I'm glad I could help you in biology." After all little mouse me let me be used by him.
ReplyDeleteI'd say something snarky like, "Still picking on people smaller than you? Now you have a license... " I might even say it loud enough, if in a public place like a reunion or a pub.
ReplyDeleteI have a terrible problem letting go of grudges. And I've only maintained contact with only about 3 people from high school because high school was awful.
(All that said, I didn't really have a "bully". I was 5'10" by my junior year, and a loner. I kept to myself as much as possible.)
I didn't have a bully, either. I like the saying something just loud enough for others to hear.
Deletemany people made mistakes in life, but there is always second chance.
ReplyDeleteHappy wednesday
Perhaps. I wonder in this case, though.
DeleteI'd think they grew up and learned it for themselves if they were able to get into medical school and pass it. But who knows :) What's the show??
ReplyDeleteI would hope so, but I would wonder. The show is Suits on USA.
DeleteI would hope he had turned himself around. But I have a feeling that most bullies don't turn themselves around; they just become adult bullies.
ReplyDeleteYeah. That's another concern.
DeleteFirst..
ReplyDeleteNot sure that I would want them as a doc....but as for them being a bully back then I would hope that has changed and we could laugh about the cheating now...but in the back of my mind I would still wonder how they got through med school and be sure I was never in their care!
I know, right? That's what bothered me. If you want to be a doctor, wouldn't you enjoy biology? I would hope...
DeleteInteresting how much people judge based on who you were as a teenager. Most people I think aren't much like they were back then but who knows. I didn't have a bully. Would be weird I guess but then I've not run into anyone from high school in a good 15+ years so that in itself would be weird regardless who they were. lol
ReplyDelete