(A football pitch on the grounds of the Institute for the Advancement of Dictatorships. Late afternoon. The lake is visible beyond the far goal. One of the students has been appointed referee. Most of the others are on the pitch, some playing for Blue, some for Red. The First Student sits on a folding chair at the sideline, a coat over his shoulders.)

(Play is underway. The Blue Striker shoots. The ball crosses the line.)

The Blue Striker
Goal!

The Referee
(without hesitation)
Offside.

The Blue Striker
I was not offside.

The Referee
I was in the best position.

The Blue Striker
(to the First Student)
You saw it.

(The First Student looks at the lake. The game continues.)

(Some minutes pass. The light begins to soften. Suddenly, there is a swift attack from the Reds. The ball rises and passes well above the crossbar.)

The Blue Defender
Phew.

The Referee
(without hesitation)
Goal.

The Blue Defender
It went above the bar.

The Referee
It did not.

The Blue Defender
By a metre.

The Referee
I was in the best position. It went straight into the net.

The Blue Defender
(to the First Student)
You saw it.

(The First Student looks at the lake, then stands. He folds his coat over his arm and looks at the Referee.)

The First Student
Well played.

(He walks inside.)