remodeling? no

“I’m not sure if what you ask is possible,” Principal Huo said.  He was in his office, speaking to Mr. Qinghu, Instructor of Mathematics.

“It’s only for the boy’s benefit,” Mr. Qinghu said.  “The loss of concentration for the -- what --”

“I believe the penumbra has been timed as averaging at two minutes, with an umbra of fifteen seconds.”

“He can’t afford to be out of touch for that long, every class,” Mr. Qinghu said.

“It doesn’t seem to present a problem in the other subjects,” Mr. Huo said.  He looked through the student file in front of him.  “He has excellent marks in every other class.  And of course we know about his obedience, which is exemplary.”

“Math is different,” Mr. Qinghu said.  “He has to listen to every minute.  The other day, he couldn’t answer a question about quadratics because he had been in . . . penumbra . . . when I explained the formula.”

“You could always plan the lesson around the draw,” the principal pointed out. “Remember, the draws are timed exactly, to the minute.”

“I’m afraid that’s not possible.  And anyway, I thought we’re not supposed to pay any attention to that when teaching.”

The principal was a little miffed at the math teacher’s obstinacy, but decided the best course was accommodation. “What do you propose?”

“That the draws be rescheduled so that they don’t happen during my class.”

“You must know that is impossible.  They have to be evenly spaced.”

“Then . . . can you transfer him to another math class?”  There were three in that grade. It was a big school, with over a thousand students.

The principal exhaled.  He called in Ms. Tung, the Vice Principal.  “Do you think Zui-da can be transferred to Ms. Chung’s class?  Or maybe Ms. Fui’s?”

Ms. Tung made a few taps onto her tablet.  “Possibly Ms. Fui’s.”

The principal looked at Mr. Qinghu.  “I suppose you know this means you will have to change rooms, just for sixth period.  We’re not going to rip up the floor for this, you know.”

Mr. Qinghu looked out the window and sighed.  As it happened it was recess for Group III, and the boy ran past, having kicked the ball toward the goal.  “I’ll let you know what I prefer.”