Beth (Heather Burns) just wants the best for her high school aged son, Teddy (Charlie Besso). We meet the two at the beginning of the wickedly funny new short Princeton’s in the Mix. As the short opens we find mother and son living in a pristine upper-middle-class home. Teddy is practicing piano, while Beth slices up watermelon in the kitchen. Each stammer on the keys in the other room makes her wince in physical pain.

Teddy comes into the kitchen and Mom suggests that he make some time to study for the SATs, however, Teddy would much rather dabble with the ivories. Time is running out too since Teddy’s score will barely get him into any acceptable school, much less the best ones, and the tests are coming up. Then Beth discovers an insidious loophole to buy more time. While having tea with fellow parents Jane (Syra McCarthy) and Simon (Nate Duncan) we learn that Jane’s son was granted a disability extension after impaling his hand with a butcher knife. The solution is clear. Stab Teddy’s hand to buy more time to study for the big test.

Writer-director Jonathan DiMaio puts together a joyously cynical little short about the lengths a parent would go to ensure their child’s success. Burns’ comedic performance as a driven mom with a laser focus on her goal is campy fun. This is Serial Mom if the mom demanded an Ivy League school out of her kid. It’s quick, well-paced, and zany. This could easily be developed into a feature with some work, a few glorious set pieces, and a handful of enemies to pick off. Who doesn’t side with a mother who only wants the best for her kid? Sure Beth might harm her son to buy him more time, but in her mind, the end justifies the means.

DiMaio has a little gem of a short on his hands with Princeton’s in the Mix. Catch this one on the festival circuit and hope that it gets developed into a feature.