No Blame, Synopsis A play for students in grades 5-8. (You may need to scroll down to read the entire page) Jacquelyn, an eighth grader, insists on being called Jac, because she loves freedom and a shorter name is less of a burden. Her goal in life is to buy a motor scooter - a means of transportation that will give Jac the freedom she craves. Jac sees school as a prison. The assistant principal, Mr. Welsh, is the warden. Teachers are like prison guards. Tests, assignments, and school rules are the locks and bars of the prison. One reason Jac feels imprisoned at school is because she is as irresponsible as they come. She breaks promises, makes excuses, and tries her best to get out of work. When Jac's stepfather, Frank, discovers that Jac is bombing History, he threatens to withhold the money that he has promised Jac to help her buy a scooter. Instead of studying harder, Jac "borrows" a computer disk that contains History test questions and then ditches the disk in the locker of the most responsible student in school - Caitlin. Jac's plan backfires when Caitlin blames Jac's friend, Scott. Jac does almost everything in her power to convince Caitlin and Mr. Welsh that the stolen disk is not Scott's fault. The one thing Jac doesn't do is take responsibility for the stolen answers. Facing suspension, Scott tries to get Jac to confess. He contends that the feelings of freedom and control that Jac expects from her motor scooter are nothing compared to the true meaning of being "grown up" - taking responsibility. But Scott might as well be talking to a rock. So Scott is suspended. Worse yet, while out of school, Scott is hit by a car. His broken arm will prevent him from his highest accomplishment -- competing in the regional aikido competition. Toward the end of the play, Jac faces Frank and the toughest moment of her life: can she accept responsibility for her actions, yet sort out the difference between what is her fault and what is beyond her control? In the end, Jac discovers Scott is right. The benefits of taking responsibility include being trusted by the people she cares about. Jac's newfound responsibility gives her a feeling of inner freedom that puts a mere motor scooter to shame.

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