Mark Miller (book chapter)

*If you're looking for the student allegedly referred to as Mark Miller, see Benjamin Nushmutt. If you're looking for the student in Miss Zarves's class, see Mark Miller.*

 — Narration

### Next chapter

"Bebe's Baby Brother"

"**Mark Miller**" is the second chapter of *Wayside School Is Falling Down*.

## Synopsis

Benjamin Nushmutt joins Mrs. Jewls's class, but everyone thinks his name is Mark Miller.

## Plot

This chapter opens with Mrs. Jewls ringing her cowbell to calm down the class, as she introduces a new student named Mark Miller who comes from Magadonia. He awkwardly stands at the front of the room, knees shaking. He sweats in the front of the room. He hates being shown off like this, feeling as though Mrs. Jewls brought him in for show and tell. He feels like a weirdo, just wishing he could sit at a desk like everyone else. The narrator also reveals that his name isn't really Mark Miller. His name is actually Benjamin Nushmutt, and he's from Hempleton, rather than Magadonia. However, Benjamin is too afraid to correct the teacher. Mrs. Jewls asks if he has anything to say, but he stands still, silent, wishing he was actually Mark Miller, thinking Mark Miller would probably have plenty to say. After staying silent for so long, Mrs. Jewls sits Benjamin in an empty desk between Todd and Bebe.

Todd is the first to greet Benjamin, saying that he'll like it at Wayside School. He says Mrs. Jewls is the nicest teacher, only for Mrs. Jewls to remind him he shouldn't talk during class. She has Todd write his name under the discipline list. Bebe also introduces herself to Benjamin. Benjamin decides that he'll have to tell Mrs. Jewls his actual name at recess, but the thought of doing so makes him cringe, because he's always had trouble revealing his name to people, and he's never understood why. The narrator paints a situation in which Benjamin would struggle to say his name to an adult about five times until they finally figure it out. Eventually the recess bell rings, and Benjamin walks up to Mrs. Jewls's desk. She asks how he feels, and Benjamin says he's feeling fine. He shrugs and walks away, figuring that if he were to tell his name now, he'd be considered weird for not telling his name sooner.

He sits at the top of the stairs, figuring there's no reason to go down for recess, which is only ten minutes long. He feels ashamed of his name, he has no friends, and doesn't want to walk up and down that many stairs. He repeats his false name, and thinks it rolls off the tongue easily, thinking Mark Miller would have plenty of friends at this point. Suddenly, Benjamin hears a large rumble, thinking there's an earthquake, but it's actually just all the other students running upstairs. They tell him that they were worried because they didn't know where he was, and Benjamin is glad to see everyone actually cares about him, or at least they care about Mark Miller. Mrs. Jewls brings everyone back inside, and has Todd put a check next to his name for being late. Mrs. Jewls has Dameon hand out a stack of worksheets, which he hands out to all the students. Benjamin isn't sure if he should sign his name as Benjamin or Mark. When Louis comes inside, however, he says that Benjamin's mom brought him a lunch, but Mrs. Jewls notes that she knows the names of all the students in her class, and there isn't a Benjamin anywhere in her class. After Louis leaves the lunch on his desk and leaves, Benjamin worries that Mrs. Jewls would think he's making up his real name for a free lunch, and writes "Mark Miller" at the top of his paper. However, Benjamin knows that someday, he'd have to reveal his real name. For now, he'll just have to embrace his new identity.

## Characters

* Mrs. Jewls
* Benjamin Nushmutt (debut)
* Todd
* Bebe Gunn
* Deedee
* Ron
* Jason
* Calvin
* Sharie
* Dameon
* Louis
* Mrs. Nushmutt (mentioned, debut)

## Trivia

* Benjamin Nushmutt is introduced in this chapter, making him the last student to be named in the books.
* The place Benjamin Nushmutt is presumed to hail from, Magadonia, could perhaps be a nod to the Northern Greek region, Macedonia.

## Gallery

Joel Schick illustrationAdam McCauley illustration
### Foreign editions

Peter Allen illustration (UK)Peter Allen second illustration (UK)Unknown illustrator (China, Traditional Chinese)Satoshi Kitamura illustration (Japan)