A conversation with “Lucky,” a fifth-grader who I tutor in math:

Me:  “…and if you fill up the whole chart, you get a prize!”

Lucky:  “What kind of prize?”

Me:  “Well, you can pick.  I’ve got Rubik cube pencils, Japanese erasers, Slinkies, glow-in-the-dark super balls, –”

Lucky:  “I need some new games for my Xbox.”

Me:  “Sorry, I don’t have anything for Xboxes.”

(Another kid, who snapped to attention for the first time all morning):  “Did you say you’re giving away Xboxes?”

Me:  “Ha!  If only they paid me that kind of money!”

The next day…

Lucky:  “Hey, Ms. L.!  You owe me big time.”

Me:  “Why?”

Lucky:  “I told (Mr. Vice Principal) you were complaining that he doesn’t pay you enough.  He said he was going to talk to you.  I think he’s going to give you a raise!”

Funny, but it’s been a whole week, and the only raise I’ve seen has been in my blood pressure.