Leaf Flashcards
Schwarzy: Have you ever been in the Department of TFMA before?
I’ve never been in a film before.
Rona: But remember, to get here each child had to win–
Oh but I–
Marcy: Leaf! Phone!
Thanks! I got it! Hello, Leaf speaking. Uh, huh. Uh, huh. Uh, huh. You’re kidding? I’m gonna represent the Basin in the bee? Wow, I can’t believe it.
Leaf’s Dad: What’s up, Leaf?
I made the county finals in the spelling bee!
Leaf’s Mom: Oh sweetheart, no, you came in third honey.
I know! but they just called and said the person who came in first has to go to their bat mitzvah, and the person who came in second… has to attend to the bat mitzvah, so they want me to do it!
Leaf’s Mom: You understand the other kids will have all won their district bees?
Yeah but well but
Panch: Capybara
What?
Panch: Your word is Capybara.
Is that a word?
Panch: That’s a word, yes.
No way– what does it mean?
Panch: A tails legally aquatic South American rodent often exceeding four feet in length.
Awesome. What else can I ask?
Panch: You’re allowed to ask for the word’s language of origin or to have the word used in a sentence…
Oh-can you use it in a sentence?
Yes. “Don’t look now Pedro but I think that tailless, largely aquatic four-and a half foot rodent swimming next to you may be a capybara.”
Wow, that didn’t help at all!
Panch: Are you ready to spell the word Mr. Coneybear?
No, but it was fun to come here-
Hi guys- my whole family’s here which is really…
C-A-P-Y-B-A-R-A Capybara
Panch: That is correct.
It is?
I can’t believe it.
Panch: Miss Ostrovsky
It’s unbelievable, I just said the first letters that came into my head, and that “y” was really…
Rona: Marcy Park is new to our County, having placed ninth in Nationals last year, as a representative of Virginia.
Beautiful country.
Schwarzy: Cystitis. I think I studied this one with my dads.
Segue.
Schwarzy: S-E-G-U-E
Good. Siphon.
S-I-P-H-O-N
Good. Cystitis.
Schwarzy: S-
No. Think.
Schwarzy: C-
Good.
I-
No! Logainne- are you concentrating?
Dan Dad: Maybe it’s time for a break?
Dan, we’re in the middle of a word here.
Dan Dad: You know she doesn’t spell well when her blood-sugar is low, Carl.
We gotta build up her stamina- The bee could last three hours.
Dan Dad: Don’t you talk to me about stamina, Carl!
Daddy conference. Now.
Panch: ACOUCHI
A-what?
Panch: Listen to the whole word, please. Acouchi.
At a spelling bee!??
What’s it mean?
Panch: “A South American rodent of the genus Myoprocta, resembling an agouti”
It’s funny how I keep getting South American rodents.
Panch: Hilarious
Look. Honestly? I’ve never heard this word before – and I have no idea how to spell it.
Panch: Mr. Coneybear!
I’ve forgotten the word.
Panch: Oh my God. Acouchi.
Right, the rodent resembling the other rodent - what was the other…
A-C-O-U-C-H-I Acouchi.
Rona: It’s a hard age for girls.
I fell
Chip: Leaf, that girl [in the second row in the fuzzy sweater] is that your sister?
Yeah, that’s Marigold.
Schwarzy: JESUS CHRIST, WHAT ABOUT ME?
Practice you’re breathing, Logainne.
Schwarzy: WHICH IS WHY I GOTTA WIN THIS SPELLING BEE
Take another picture for her B.M.
Dan Dad: Don’t call her that, Carl.
Sorry. Her “Birth Mother.”
Panch: Correct. Mr. Coneybear. Please spell VULPINE
Vulpine. V-U-L-P-I-N-E. Vulpine.
Panch: Correct. Mr. Coneybear [incomprehensibly fast word]
[incomprehensibly fast word]
Panch: Noun.
Chloro-what?
Schwarzy: L-I
V-A
Panch: I’m sorry, that is incorrect.
It is?
Rona: That is correct. What is wrong with you? Olive comforts Schwarzy
Thanks Sweetie, I’ll take it from here. Can we have a little privacy please? Breathe, Logainne. You’re okay, buck up.
Oh that’s no good.
No, no, let that dry.
Pulls Schwarzy aside
The foot, we have to disable the foot.
Schwarzy: What foot?
The magic foot.
Schwarzy: Wouldn’t that be wrong?
Do you want to win?
Schwarzy: Yes, but I believe in ethical conduct.
And isn’t having a magic foot an unfair advantage.
Schwarzy: I don’t have a magical foot.
Or a mother?
Marcy: …it did not live up to expectations. She is very happy.
Leaf Coneybear has cats.
