Too much freedom is bad
Too little freedom is bad
I have

too much freedom.
So now I stand here, in front of this microphone waiting for my mind to






click
"Irrelevant" the announcer said
"Irrelevant. I-R-R-E-L-E-V-A-N-T." I repeated slowly.
"That is correct."
I returned to my seat and watched the next speller go up.
I looked at her spelling number.
1-6-0-5, 1-6-0-5, 1-6-0-5. The number seemed to go on forever. I understood numbers like no one else could. 1605 meant losing and defeat.
"I'm sorry that is incorrect."


Losing, I was right
other spellers went up.
Finally... It was only me.
"Speller 7155."
I rose as if I were in a trance and met the microphone.
"Viscous."
"Viscous. V-I-S-C-O-U-S."
CONGRATULATIONS! You have won the national spelling bee." The announcer howled.
I didn't move.
I wasn't happy
I wasn't sad
I received the trophy




and left.