Dead Poets Society Page #15

As the boys walk around the courtyard again, they begin to

walk together in step. Soon it becomes like a march,

producing a one-two-three-four cadence. Keating begins to

clap.

KEATING (CONT'D)

There it is Hear it?

(clapping louder in time)

One two, one two, one two, one two

ANGLE THROUGH A WINDOW

McAllister sits in his empty classroom, reading a book. He

sees the commotion in the courtyard and watches.

ANGLE FROM ABOVE

The marching boys get into it. The class joins in clapping.

Soon the tour boys are marching vigorously to the rhythmic

clapping of the entire class.

NEW ANGLE:

Inside his second-story office, Nolan is looking out his

window at the marching boys below.

ANGLE ON KEATING

KEATING (CONT'D)

All right, stop. You way have noticed

how at the beginning Mister Overstress

and Pitts:
seemed to have a different

stride than the others, but soon they

were all walking in the same cadence.

Our encouragement made it even more

marked. Now this experiment was not to

single out Pitts or Overstress. What it

demonstrates is how difficult it is for

any of us to listen to our own voice or

maintain our own beliefs in the presence

of others. If any of you believe you

would have marched differently, then ask

yourself why you participated in the

clapping. Lads, there is a great need in

all of us to be accepted. However, that

need can be like a nasty current,

whisking us away unless we're strong and

determined swimmers. Don't insist on the

separate path simply to be different or

contrary, but trust what is unique about

yourselves even if it's odd or unpopular.

As Mr. Robert Frost said, "Two roads

diverged in a wood, and I... I took the one

less traveled by, And that has made all

the difference."

A bell rings, signifying the end of class. Keating walks

off.

ANGLE ON NOLAN IN HIS OFFICE

Nolan moves away from the window.

ANGLE ON McALLISTER IN HIS CLASSROOM

Amused at Keating's antics, he turns back to his book.

66 INT. ENTRANCE TO THE DEAD POETS CAVE - NIGHT 66

Todd. Neil, Cameron, Pitts, and Meeks sit around. A fog has

moved in and the trees sway in the breeze.

MEEKS:

where's Knox?

PITTS:

Getting ready for that party.

CAMERON:

What about Charlie? He's the one who

insisted on this meeting.

NEIL:

I went to the woods because I wanted to

live deliberately. To live deep and suck

out all the marrow of life-~

In the woods there is a noise the sound of girls' laughter.

GIRL'S VOICE

I can't see a thing.

CHARLIE'S VOICE

It's just over here.

Charlie and TWO GIRLS arrive at the cave. One is pretty, the

other is plain. The girls are about 20, blonde, beers in

their hands. They aren't the type to be seriously interested

in Charlie or the other boys. They're just here for a good

time.

CHARLIE:

Hey guys, meet Gloria and...

PLAIN GIRL (TINA)

Tina.

CHARLIE:

Tina and Gloria, this is the pledge

class of the Dead Poets society.

GLORIA:

It's such a strange name! Won't you

tell us what it means?

CHARLIE:

I told you, that's a secret.

GLORIA:

Isn't he precious?

Gloria gives Charlie an affectionate hug. The other members

or the club are flabbergasted. These girls are wild, exotic

creatures, the kind whose unashamed love of men causes young

boys' hearts to come to rest in young boys'

The girls giggle.

TINA:

I can't call you Charlie anymore?

(Puts her arm around

Charlie)

What does Numama mean, honey?

CHARLIE:

It's Nuwanda, and I made it up.

GLORIA:

I'm cold.

Charlie puts his arm around Gloria.

MEEKS:

Let's build a fire.

Charlie shoots Meeks a look. As the boys move off to gather

wood, Charlie scrapes some mud off the wall of the cave and

wipes it on his face like an Indian brave. Me shoots Gloria

his sexiest stare, then goes off with the other boys. The

girls whisper and giggle together.

67 EXT. THE DANBURRY HOUSE - NIGHT 67

Knox parks his bicycle along the side of the house. He takes

off his overcoat, and stuffs it in the bike saddle bag. He

straightens his tie, then goes to the front door. He knocks.

He can hear music inside. He knocks again. Finally, since no

one comes to the door, Knox opens it.

68 INT. THE DANBURRY HOUSE - SAME 68

Knox enters. "Open the Door to Your Heart" by Darrell Banks

is playing on the Hi-Fi. On the entrance hall couch is a

couple, making out like crazy. Up and down the stairs are

other couples doing the same. Knox stands there, not knowing

what to do. Momentarily, Chris walks through, her hair an

uncombed mass.

KNOX:

Chris!

Chris turns and sees Knox.

CHRIS:

Oh, hi. I'm glad you made it. Did you

bring anybody?

KNOX:

No.

CHRIS:

Ginny Danburry's here. Look for her.

KNOX:

But, Chris...

CHRIS:

I gotta find Chet. Make yourself at

home.

She exits. Knox watches her. He slumps in dejection.

69 EXT. THE WOODS AROUND THE CAVE 69

Charlie is gathering wood. Neil, Pitts, Todd and the other

boys surround him.

NEIL:

Charlie...

CHARLIE:

It's Nuwanda.

NEIL:

Nuwanda, what is going on?

CHARLIE:

Nothing, unless you object to having

girls here.

PITTS:

Well, of course not. It's just that...

You could have warned us.

CHARLIE:

I thought I'd be spontaneous. I mean,

that's the point of this whole thing,

isn't it?

NEIL:

Where'd you find them?

CHARLIE:

They were walking along the fence past

the soccer field. Said they were curious

about the school so I invited them to the

meeting.

Rate this script:4.0 / 1 vote