The Perks and Benefits of Being in The "Popular" Group Act I Scene I Sullivan reaches into his bag of pumpkin seeds, his mind racing. About to head upstairs for the night, he walks into the shadowy darkness. As he climbs the brass marble staircase, he nods to the butler standing by the main stained glass window. He opens his engraved door to his "chamber". Merely a room, the inside of it containing a fully-functional fireplace, a king size bed accentuated by its royal blue comforters, and a balcony just around the corner that could be reached by descending the three stairs by its entrance. 4 hours later Sullivan: Mother! I've finished my homework! Shall we begin piano lessons? Cartridge [Sullivan's acting mother] : Sure, hon. As you please! Sullivan: Alright, let's descend. But need I remind you that my exams begin next week, I and require preparation before failure knocks my door. Cartridge: Nonsense! You are smart. And do not pay mind to those foolish children around you. The name "nerd" will strengthen you with the enlightenment that you will one day dominate them with your superior knowledge. Sullivan: Of course mummy. I know that, you've said it to me a thousand times! Cartridge: It's just because I love you so much. Sullivan: Promise you'll never leave me? Or hurt me? Cartridge: No, of course not. Sullivan: Mum, I trust you. I hope you never abandon me. End Act I, Scene I Here it should be noted the character "Sullivan" is desperate in pleasing his mother. The social pressure of her expectations are palpable in Sullivan's sensitive and eager obedience. This cycle continues for the next several years. Eventually the child will grow to yearn for these expectations himself. Meet the "smart" boy. Act I Scene II In the Saint Thomas High School, the school's students and teachers gather before the gymnasium's stage, eyes focused upon the engraved wooden podium upon it. Mr. Vix, the principal, introduces the event. Vixen: Thank you all so much for coming here. I'm so happy to see our parents' faces over there, as well. We would like to award some exceptional students for consistent demonstrations of our school's motto: Intelligence, dignity, and exceptionality. Will you please come to the stage: Annabelle, Julie, Mark, Sullivan, David, Tina. The six walk up to the stage from their respective seats. Mrs. O [The Math Director] : Thank you for coming onstage, all of you. I will now read aloud your accomplishments and achievements this year, for which the school is grateful for being able to congratulate you on. Sullivan, congratulations on earning an English award, Biology award, Functions and Vectors award, and Calculus award, as well as a secure position in the honour roll for the third successive time. Sullivan phases out the rest of the recognition ceremony. He cannot stop thinking about all those eyes on him. Were they judging? Jealous? Envious? Mad? He could not tell. All he was aware of was that he was most likely disliked. Despite all the effort he put into cultivating a charismatic and charming personality, he could not stop believing his mother's warning words. End Act I, Scene II This short scene packed a whole lot of foreshadowing. Sullivan's doubt has amplified his pessimistic assumption of others' opinion on him. Consequently, he compensates for his insecurities by accentuating his charm and banter. This provides him with established trusted friends, as well as several useful acquaintances or friends. When this untapped power rears its head in later years, it will be domesticated by the ability to seize control of its steering wheel. This ability is characterized by an intuistic, mature, and narcissistic attitude. Act II Scene I Sullivan: Hey, El, wanna come to Samantha's party with me? El: Uh, sure. I didn't really know parties were your thing. Sullivan: Well, they're not... I just want to get some experience, you know? Also, it's not like I don't care about these people. El: Okay, just saying. When is it? Sullivan: I believe 10:30? I'm not sure. El: Okay, just remind me later. End Act II, Scene I To you dear readers, I don't intend on carrying you through the entire process. I'm quite sure that you are all capable of understanding it yourself, sans the walkthrough. So I will keep it brief from here on out. However, a commentation on the recent development in the play is in due: They ignited it. They have discovered their desired status within the school. Thus, they have unveiled their untapped potential, and are aware of it. This provides them with the wisdom to control it, and use it as a means to gain popularity and status within the school. This being fact, they go through their lives relatively normally, except for their tendency to hang around more popular people and groups. Their notoriety as awarded to them by the school creates an aura of mystique and perfection around them that nobody seems able to look past. The popular group are more than happy to accept him into their group due to his consistent recognition by both students and staff alike. The positive reinforcement almost glows off of him in waves of warmth, charm, and attractiveness. He glowed like this everywhere he went, seemingly unaware of its hypnotizing presence. This appearance of being nonchalant, chill, and modest attracts more people to him. They dove in swarms, those who were too late to feast left by the corner in a neverending state of starvation. He begins to be invited to more parties. Progressively, the staple item becomes hard liquor. Vodka, their drink of choice, was frequently featured at their parties. Sullivan's attractiveness is a beacon for thirsty girls. This exclusiveness offers to their party a high social value. Sullivan's recognition and attractiveness make him a "trophy" of sorts; a prize to be yearned for in the form of jealousy and manipulation to obtain status. This climb, as is experienced by the majority of the young girls, offers validation to Sullivan's group; thus, it becomes the new popular group. This change is often so subtle that few to none of the teachers recognize it, and not even all of the students do, either. His perfect exterior protecting him from backlash, his personal life protected by the admiration of him at school, he is essentially invulnerable to any criticisms. This unwieldy power gives him the freedom to exert his control over numerous previously unavailable avenues, such as lying, manipulating, deceiving, and puppeteering. This further reinforces his power, and the cycle continues without a foreseeable end. The ball continues rolling until it becomes a hard, immovable boulder that you learn has been in your yard all this time without you even taking notice.

