It's a whole new neighborhood.

This is the last day of testing, and I will now be eligible for the big prize! You see, to emphasize how critical it was for all teachers not to be absent this week because we were needed to administer these tests, the names of us who have perfect attendance will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 gift card from Applebee’s.

The service I provide, educating the next generation, has just had a price tag put on it—a chance to win a $25 gift card to Applebee’s. Not a gift card mind you, but a chance to win a gift card.

Listen to me, “a price tag on my services.” I sound like a whore. What’s even worse is that I can’t even be that high-class, Julia Roberts, fairy tale whore. I’m a $25 corner gal.

I’ll show them. Maybe next year I will just won’t show up one day during testing. Maybe I’ll take off and go eat $25 worth at Applebee’s out of spite. Let’s just check the old wallet here. Hmm, perhaps $10 would be a strong enough statement—or an appetizer and some water.

Maybe I would like that gift card, now that I think about it.