(Jan and Linda are headed to class where a midterm test awaits.)

Jan: So, you ready for the midterm?

Linda: Yup. Bring on the test.

Jan: How late were you up last night?

Linda: Around 2am, I think.

Jan: Wow, you did more studying than me. I couldn't keep my eyes open past midnight. Did you figure out the difference between error confidence and a t-square?

Linda: Uh, not really.

Jan: Well, a t-square is when you're evaluating the odds of an event occurring, when you have multiple causes, and an error confidence is the odds that something will fall outside of the given parameters.

Linda: Oh, I see. OK. You think there'll be a lot of t-squares on this test?

Jan: Well, seenig as we spent the last two weeks on t-squares, I'd guess it will have a big part.

Linda(deadpan): Great.

Jan: Don't worry. There's a final at the end of the year, and I hear it's easier than the midterm. I figure even if I get a 'C', here, I can ace the final, and get a 'B'.

Linda: Oh, good thought. I'm really nervous about this test.

Jan: Don't be. If you were up until 2am studying, you'll be fine. You remember how to do standard deviations, right?

Linda (trying hard to remember): Sorry, brain fade. I guess I'm not in test mode, yet.

Jan: Test mode?

Linda: Yeah, I have to get into test mode to take tests. I'm just not there, yet.

Jan: Well, you'd better get there. The test is in 10 minutes.

Linda (screws eyes shut, then comes out of it. Confidently): OK, I'm there.

Jan: OK, what's the difference between the mean and median?

Linda (semi-confidently): Uh... one is the average and the other is the middle.

Jan(disappointed at the answer): And, which is which?

Linda: Uh... Median is ... no... uh... I always get those two confused.

Jan: Linda! This is first week stuff! You mean that you don't KNOW? Haven't you been studying?

Linda: Well, here and there, but there's been so many things getting in the way this semester, I guess I've been putting it off.

Jan: Putting it off? For what??

Linda: My car needed an oil change last week, and I didn't have any other time. It was my dad's birthday, last week Monday, and I had to go see him. And Bloomingdales was having a white sale! You know I can't miss that sale! It only comes once a year!

Jan: But you studied all day yesterday, right?

Linda: Well, I forgot to renew my license Tuesday, so I had to do that before I got pulled over, and then my sister called and needed to talk, and before I knew it, it was past dinner time. So, I ate.

Jan: OK, well, if you were up until 2am studying, last night, certainly you came across mean and median.

Linda: Well, I wasn't exactly studying.

Jan: What do you mean "wasn't exactly".

Linda (realizing that she made several bad choices): My roommate was going to the midnight movies, and they always have a blast when they go, so I decided to that, instead.

Jan (exasperated): How do you expect to pass this test, if you haven't studied?

Linda: Well, I meant to study. I had every intention of studying. That should count for something.

Jan(sarcastically): Yeah, just put a note at the top of your test, I'm sure Mr. Meyer will give you a few points, because you had "good intentions."

Linda: You think so?

Jan: No, Linda, I don't. And your time is up. Come on. (Walks off.)