Millie Week 80: Mon 16 - Sat 21 March 1992

Roger's uncanny ability to portray teachers from my own schooldays is once again on display here. Mr Crawley, in the third strip, looks uncannily like Mr Goodale, the fearsome Biology master that took me through to my own O Levels. He was known to all the kids as 'Skull', because his head resembled one of the exhibits in the cases that lined the walls of the Biology lab. He was one of the shrinking number of senior masters that still wore a gown to school. However terrifying his aspect and fearsome his reputation may have been, I always found him to be a thoroughly decent chap.

Mr Moss is based on another teacher whose real name thankfully escapes me. He was known to everyone as 'Davros', after the creator of the Daleks in the Tom Baker Doctor Who story 'Genesis of the Daleks'. Here's a hint to all teachers - an atmosphere of abject terror is not conducive to effective learning. I ended up flunking chemistry.

Wednesday's strip is missing. Here's the script.

1. As Tuesday, Millie in the playground at school, in position to give directions to lost parents. She's just sent one couple off in one direction, only to find Mum and Dad have returned from wherever she had sent them to. Mum is visibly annoyed, though Dad couldn't care less whether he sees anyone or not.
DAD: MILLIE, YOU GAVE US THE WRONG DIRECTIONS TO THE SCIENCE WING!
MILLIE: SO?
MUM: WE'RE GOING TO SEE THOSE TEACHERS OF YOURS WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT, YOU KNOW...

2. Dad tries the soft soap approach.
DAD: WHY DON'T YOU WANT US TO SEE THEM? IT'S NOT AS IF YOU'RE A BAD PUPIL OR ANYTHING...

3. Millie stands up for her teenage priniples. The voice of reason doesn't seem to be getting thru.
MILLIE: I DON'T LIKE THE IDEA OF PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT ME AND DECIDING WHAT THEY THINK'S GOOD FOR ME BEHIND MY BACK!
DAD: THAT'S LIFE, MILLIE - IT'S ALWAYS GOING TO HAPPEN...

4. Millie walks off in a huff. Mum and Dad follow her.
DAD: NOW WHERE ARE YOU GOING?
MILLIE: I'M GOING TO RING YOUR BOSS TO CHECK UP ON HOW YOU'RE DOING AT WORK...