The conflict of Andrew Clements' No Talking reaches its climax when, feeling the children are being insubordinate by not talking, Mrs. Hiatt, the school principle, yells at Dave at lunch in front of the whole school. Through her bullhorn, she yells at Dave to start talking immediately. Dave, feeling he is being unjustly bullied, yells right back, reminding Mrs. Hiatt of his legal "right to remain silent!" (p. 108). By standing up to Mrs. Hiatt then later apologizing to her and explaining how the contest of silence came about, Dave wins over Mrs. Hiatt, who apologizes for her behavior and even joins in on the game.
A problem, however, is that Dave said 27 illegal words when he stood up to Mrs. Hiatt, and his whole class kept count of his illegal words; therefore, Dave expects to lose the contest and for Lynsey to draw a great big L on his forehead with the marker. But, within the last 15 seconds of the contest, Lynsey surprises all by standing up in the cafeteria and making a speech:
I have to say this. My whole opinion changed. About boys. You really did the honor system great. And being quiet? Also, great, everyone together. So ... thanks. (p. 119)
Since the speech also contains exactly 27 illegal words, Lynsey had thrown the contest by giving the speech, making the score of the contest an even tie and ending the personal feud between she and Dave in newfound friendship.
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