Witchcraft

Dear Tolkien:

I almost cried in class. Nearly just broke down and left. But I didn’t. I pulled through- like a champ.

As I said in my last post, Law school has been tough on us this last semester. So to make it a little more exciting, I made a game of it.

Now, it sounds childish and silly, but we’re always so serious, I wanted us to lighten up. Law school is a game- you have to play the game and play it hard. Therefore, I should play my own game.

It worked, too. I think that is what made them the most upset. But I am skipping ahead.

In property I was bored (that class is dull, and long, and no one knows what is going on) and I felt a headache coming on. So I asked the girl next to me if she had any Tylenol. She told me she didn’t, but someone else did. Thanking her I turned to that person, and sure enough, I got some drugs. Chuckling, I mumbled “10 points to Slytherin.”

“I’m Slytherin?” she paused. “what is she?” and so it started. I started dividing people into Houses (I don’t own Harry Potter, sir. That completely and totally belongs to J.K). By the time contracts roll around, everyone was sorted and I made the announcement.

For cold calls, stolen questions, and well raised points= +5

For volunteering=+10

For oral argument=+20

Late to class: -10

Phone goes off: -20

Laptop: -30

And so it started. People who had never raised their hands began to participate; questions and answers were going left right and center- a spark had caught. A few weeks went by, everyone was having a great time, but we had to find more ways to earn more points.

We started a “word of the day” which is something that a lot of law schools do- a comedian discusses it in one of his acts. It was a great idea- we could test how clever we were. Who ever said it, earned 50 points. Unless the Professor called us out. Great idea: bullet proof.

Friday: nothing

Monday: nothing

Tuesday: during oral arguments, a fellow Hufflepuff says “phasers” the classroom goes dead silent- we have to hold in our giggles. It is said a second time, we all nearly die.

Wednesday: Said once.

Thursday: Thor’s hammer did indeed fall. We shuffled into Class, awaiting a moment to use the word (conquistadors, how apt).

We will never get the chance. Our professor took a serious stance before us “Whatever game you are all playing, knock it off.” We look at each other, surely he can’t me us. We’ve done nothing “the wrong people have found out, e-mails are being sent, the deans and the president are not happy.”

A brave soul questions: “Sir, all we’re doing is playing a Harry Potter game”

“Exactly. The wrong people found out, and now the school is being accused as being associated with witchcraft.” Everyone’s jaws drop, and my heart flutters. I’m shaking. I have effectively hurt my fellow classmates and jeopardized my education (not logical leaps, but I failed the games on the LSAT). I was shocked. Terrified.

But as class went on, I realized: we have four Quiddich teams- the Deans asked if any law students wished to play. We have a Tolkien course. Our professors LOVE C.S. Lewis.

Long story short- it had nothing to do with witchcraft, but everything to do with the word of the day. The deans had found out that we were “playing” games in class and being disruptive, which I understand. However, the order came down that the game was to end or our work load doubled.

Sir, I don’t know if you’ve ever met an American Lawyer- but law school is no easy walk in the park. It’s a constant barrage of reading and thinking and never sleeping. It’s having a job 24 hours, seven days a week that forces you to question your moral and logical fiber. In a single semester alone, I have read over 6,000 pages of law- memorized rules, elements, and procedures. Double our workload? For no substantial interest?

I’m not paying for that. I didn’t bargain for that. My professors aren’t paid for that. Not one bit. That’s retaliation in the purest form, not to mention abuse of discretion and power.

Also, the school claims that we are adults. If so, why didn’t they come and talk to us like “adults”? We are TARM, we would have easily amended our practice- we understand. We want the biggest bang for our buck- so why not talk to us. That’s what lawyers do- settle.

So that is what happened. We stopped playing the word of the day, however, I would like to inform you that we never stopped awarding points. We just became more underground and smooth about it.

And that’s law school, where they try to destroy your personality and imagination.

But I fought for that imagination, Sir. I will never allow it to be taken. I will not submit.

Even if I must stand alone- but I usually don’t. For being cut throat law students, my peers have stood behind me one hundred and ten percent. I guess you can say, they are my own Fellowship.

And for that, I am grateful.

Sincerely,

N. R.