Alex sat in his math class, bored to tears. He'd missed so many classes that catching up seemed impossible at times. Even worse, on the few days he was in school nothing important was covered.

He sighed and forced his attention back to the lesson just in time to catch the homework.

"As I'm sure you all know, Sunday is pi day. So, for Monday I'd like everyone to memorize the first fifteen digits of pi. You can do more for extra credit if you'd like," the teacher said.

Alex groaned. Great. More memorization. Just what he needed.

"Sir? What's the point? In real life will we ever need to know the first fifteen digits of pi?" Tom asked, and Alex couldn't help but agree.

The teacher looked flustered. "Well, um…What if an armed man came up to you and said he'd shoot you unless you could recite pi?"

"Sir, I don't think that's a very good reason. I mean, that's never going to happen," Tom persisted.

The teacher appeared even more uncomfortable and let out a relieved sigh as the bell rang. "Good-bye class! Have a nice weekend, and don't forget the assignment."

"But sir, you didn't answer-"

"Good-bye!"

======= Two Weeks Later

Alex was having a bad day. A very, very bad day. He'd been sent to infiltrate an organization of math fanatics a few days ago. All had been going well up to that morning when he must have done something to make them suspicious. He was currently facing their leader, a man known as Dr. Derivative.

"Alex Rider. You do not appreciate math. You can't understand the beauty of a perfectly balanced equation or the wonders of a gently oscillating sine curve. Tell me why I should not just kill you now," Dr. Derivative said.

"You're making a mistake, I do appreciate math! Just give me a chance to prove it to you!" Alex was desperately trying to avoid blowing his cover and getting shot.

"Fine. You have one chance to live. Tell me the first fifteen digits of pi or I will shoot you."

Alex had never been happier in his life that he'd done his homework.

Happy Pi Day! I know this isn't very good, but I had to do something to celebrate.