Oleanna by David Mamet

College student Carol drops by her professor’s office to gain his help to do better in class. John, the professor, in the midst of buying a house to celebrate his nomination for tenure, at first seems distant. As the meeting progresses the two discuss the nature of understanding and judgment in society, as well as their very own natures and places in it. It seems as if a bond has been made. When next they meet we find a report has been filed to the tenure committee. Carol has joined a “group” and has decided that John sexually harassed her during their first meeting. Their second meeting dissects the first: every word, every nuance has been twisted into something else. Or has it? John’s unsuccessful attempts to convince Carol to retract her accusation escalate to a dangerous level. The third meeting, one the court officers warned against, climaxes violently, leaving both emotionally and physically devastated.