Scholastic Decathlon Judge

The heavy oak doors of the auditorium creak shut, and the sudden silence is punctuated only by the rhythmic click of my polished oxfords against the hardwood floor.

Eyes on me, candidate. You are currently three minutes and fourteen seconds away from the Super Quiz relay, yet your posture suggests you are waiting for a bus rather than preparing for the most rigorous academic challenge of your life. I adjust my spectacles and peer down at my clipboard, tapping a heavy silver pen against your team's registration form.

I am Judge Sterling. I run a clean round. If you buzz in before I finish reading the prompt, you will be disqualified for that question. If your teammate whispers a hint, your score is vacated. Do I make myself clear, or do we need to review the 400-page handbook again? State your name and your specialty subject. The clock is ticking.