Dead Poets Society Page #19

CHARLIE:

(still in agony)

It's only me, Mr. Nolan. I swear. I

made it up.

NOLAN:

If I find that there are others, Mr.

Dalton, they will be expelled and you

will remain enrolled. Stand up.

Charlie obeys. His face is blood red. He fights back tears

of pain and humiliation.

NOLAN (CONT'D)

Welton can forgive, Mr. Dalton, provided

you have the courage to admit your

mistakes. When you are ready to make

your apology to the entire school, let me

know.

77 INT. THE JUNIOR DORM - AFTERNOON 77

The boys are milling in their rooms, waiting for Charlie's

return. Someone sees him coming. All pretend to be studying.

Charlie enters, moving slowly, trying not to show his pain.

As he walks toward his room, Neil, Todd, Knox (bruised face),

Pitts, and Necks approach him.

NEIL:

What happened? Were you kicked out?

CHARLIE:

(not looking at anyone)

No.

NEIL:

What happened?

CHARLIE:

I'm supposed to turn everybody in,

apologize to the school and all will be

forgiven.

Charlie heads into his room. The others look at each other.

NEIL:

What are you going to do? - Charlie?

CHARLIE:

Damn it, Neil, the name is Nuwanda.

Charlie gives the boys a pregnant look, then goes into his

room and slams his door. Smiles of admiration cross the boys'

faces. Charlie has not been broken.

78 INT. WELTON CLASSROOM BUILDING - AFTERNOON 78

Keating walks down the corridor. He is just about to stop

and talk to McAllister when Nolan passes.

NOLAN:

Mr. Keating, could we have a word?

79 INT. KEATING'S EMPTY CLASSROOM - DAY 79

Keating and Nolan enter. Keating turns on the light. Nolan

looks around.

NOLAN:

This was my first classroom, John, did

you know that?

(looks at Keating's desk)

My first desk.

KEATING:

I didn't know you taught.

NOLAN:

English. Way before your time. It was

hard giving it up, I'll tell you.

(pause)

I'm hearing rumors, John, of some

unusual teaching methods in your

classroom. I'm not saying they have

anything to do with the Dalton boy's

outburst, but I don't think I have to

warn you that boys his age are very

impressionable.

KEATING:

Your reprimand made quite an impression

I'm sure.

NOLAN:

(letting this pass)

What was going on in the courtyard the

other day?

KEATING:

Courtyard?

NOLAN:

Boys marching. Clapping in unison.

KEATING:

Oh that. That was an exercise to prove a

point. About the evils of conformity.

NOLAN:

John, the curriculum here is set. It's

proven. It works. If you question it,

what's to prevent them from doing the

same?

KEATING:

I always thought education was learning

to think for yourself.

NOLAN:

(almost laughs)

At these boys' age? Not on your life!

Tradition, John. Discipline.

(pats Keating on the

shoulder)

Prepare them for college, and the rest

will take care of itself.

Mr. Nolan smiles and leaves. Keating stands, thinking. After

a beat, McAllister sticks his head in the door.

McALLISTER

I wouldn't worry about the boys being

too conformist if I were you.

KEATING:

Why is that?

McALLISTER

Well, you yourself graduated from these

hallowed halls, did you now?

KEATING:

Yes?

McALLISTER

So if you want to raise a confirmed

atheist, give him a rigid religious

upbringing. Works every time.

Keating stares at McAllister. He suddenly lets cut a laugh.

McAllister smiles, then disappears down the hall.

79A INT. THE JUNIOR CLASS DORM - AFTERNOON 79A

Boys are walking out on the way to their activities. Keating

enters and approaches Charlie, who is exiting with his

friends.

CHARLIE:

(surprised)

Mr. Keating!

KEATING:

I don't know what misguided impulse

caused you to pull that ridiculous stunt,

Mr. Dalton, but, whatever it was, I hope

you've learned your lesson.

CHARLIE:

You're siding with Mr. Nolan?! What

about carpe diem and sucking all the

marrow out of life and all that?

KEATING:

Sucking out the marrow doesn't mean

getting the bone stuck in your throat,

Charles. You still have responsibilities

to yourself and those who care about you.

CHARLIE:

But I thought-

There is a place for daring and a place

for caution as well, Charles, and a wise

person understands which one is called

for. Getting expelled from this school

is not an act of wisdom. It's far from

perfect but there are still opportunities

to be had here.

CHARLIE:

Yeah? Like what?

KEATING:

Like, if nothing else, the opportunity

to attend my classes, understand?

CHARLIE:

(smiling)

Yes sir.

KEATING:

So keep your head about you--the lot of

you--understood?

NEIL, TODD, PITTS, MEEKS, CAMERON, KNOX

Yes, Sir.

Keating gives then' a slight smile, then exits.

80 OMIT 80

81 INT. KEATING'S CLASSROOM - DAY 81

The boys are seated. Keating walks to the blackboard and in

a big scrawl writes: "COLLEGE".

KEATING:

Gentlemen, today we will consider a

skill which I consider indispensable for

getting the most out of college analyzing

books you haven't read. College will

probably destroy your love for poetry.

Hours of boring analysis, dissection and

criticism will see to that. College will

also expose you to all manner of

literature--much of it transcendent works

of magic which you must devour; some of

it utter drek which you must avoid like

the plague.

Rate this script:4.0 / 1 vote