Someone Should

Setting:  Anywhere Elementary School, the hallway.  This rather new school building has large carpeted hallways with great lighting and nice big windows.  In the middle of the hallway is unsightly litter strewn here and there.  It is a few minutes after dismissal on a Friday afternoon.

Two fifth graders walk through the hall:

Boy I:            What a mess!  I can’t believe the trash in this hallway.
Boy II:           You said it.  They should pick up this gross mess.  Who dumped all
                       this litter here anyway?
Boy I:            I don’t know but someone should pick it up.  It’s disgusting.
Boy II:           Let’s get going, or I’ll be late for practice.

Three teachers walk through the hall next.

Teacher I:     Oh my goodness someone should tell the principal about this mess.
Teacher II:     I just can’t understand why these kids are so slovenly.
Teacher III:   You wonder what their bedrooms look like.  Can’t we get someone to
                       pick this litter up?
Teacher II:    We must bring this problem up at our next staff meeting.  Someone
                       should do something about this.
Teacher I:     Someone should, but I’m late for an appointment.  Have a nice
                       weekend!

Two administrators come down the hall next.

Administrator I:   We can’t have our buildings looking like this.  Someone should
                               make a report about this trashy hallway.
Administrator II:  It hasn’t been called to my attention before, but you’re right.  This
                               hallway is a disaster.  Someone should get on this problem right
                               away.
Administrator I:  How does your schedule look for next week?
Administrator II:  I could squeeze a meeting in next Wednesday.
Administrator I:  Great!  Let’s plan to discuss how someone should alleviate this 
                              problem.

One kindergartner is walking down the hall after school.

Kindergartner:    Wow, what a mess.  It does look yucky.  I guess it wouldn’t take 
                              long to pick it up.  It really isn’t hard to do because the trash can is
                              just a few steps away.  I’ll just quickly do it and go home.  There,
                              that looks better.  The first thing I’ll do when I get home is wash
                              my hands!