In Episode 629, Cork Grease, of the Scriptnotes podcast, John and Craig once again perform their infamous Three Page Challenge, where they take three pages of several scripts submitted by their listeners and submit them to rigorous criticism.

In this episode one of the scripts is entitled Megha Genesis by Priti Trivedi.

Now Craig Mazin takes issue with the first bit of description on the first page:

EXT. ZILKER PARK, AUSTIN, TEXAS – DAY

Weaving through the crowd of white folks in athleisure is petite brown figure on a skateboard. This is MEGHA (37, whose short hair and slight frame make strangers routinely confuse her for a 13 year old).

Says Craig:

No, they don’t! Nobody who is almost 40 is confused for a 13 year old.

Hmmm.

Craig, let me tell you a story.

My mother Arlene was a petite woman, about an inch or two shy of five feet. One Sunday afternoon when I was about twelve, meaning she was about, um, 37, our family went to visit some relatives.

When we got there, they had another visitor, a Very Distant Relative whom we had never seen before, and as far as I know, we’ve never seen him since, so I don’t recall his name.

Anyway, we must have lined up and were being introduced to this Very Distant Relative.

First up was my younger sister Donna, and the Very Distant Relative wanted to know what grade she was in. “Second,” she replied.

I was next in line and I told him I was in seventh grade.

Then the Very Distant Relative turned to my mother and without prompting asked, “And what grade are you in?” 

When she explained that she was our mother the Very Distant Relative was extremely embarrassed, but she told him not to be as she was very flattered.

She told and retold that story endlessly in the days and weeks afterward.

So yes, Craig, it is possible for a 37 year old woman to be confused for a teenager.

I think this photo was taken a few years later.