Ms. Li and Helen in “Unfinished Business”

Hello, Mrs. Morgendorffer, this is Angela Li, principal of Lawndale High.

Helen

Yes, Ms. Li, how may I help you?

[over the telephone] Mrs. Morgendorfer, I'm afraid I have some rather bad news. Your daughter Daria appears to have been involved in an act of vandalism.

Helen

What?

Mrs. Morgendoffer, your daughter collaborated with Jane Lane in the creation of a poster for our art contest.

Helen

Yes, I'm aware of that.

We found part of the poster unacceptable. So it was altered prior to it's entry. Unfortunatley someone defaced the poster while it was on display and since your daughter and Miss Lane were objecting to changing it, I must assume that they were the vandals. I'm going to have to take drastic action.

Helen

Wait a moment. You're saying the girls were against changing the poster but entered it into the contest anyway?

It was entered for them.

Helen

I was under the impression that participation in this contest was voluntary.

Yes, but your daughter refused to volunteer, so in her case I made it mandatory.

Helen

All right, Ms. Li, let me make sure I have this straight. You took my daughter's poster from her, altered its content, exhibited it against her will, and are now threatening discipline because you claim she defaced her own property, which you admit to stealing?

[flustered] That's not what I said at all!

Helen

Ms. Li, are you familiar with the phrase "violation of civil liberties"?

I...

Helen

And the phrase "big fat lawsuit"?