In the '00s, the French state desperately needed to kick their linguistically behind nation into the 21st century. Hence, the jobs in the Parisian language schools were plenty, and they would hire just about anyone, including me. On a dare, I made a bet that I could get a teaching job in a Parisian language school more or less just by showing up, having a university degree, and being able to spell my name. I won the bet. I got the job, and I got a story.