THIRD_GRADE 104pages
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THE THIRD GRADE
by
glenn
H. whittaker, jr.
glenn H. whittaker, jr.
P.O. Box 188
Glen Carbon, IL 62934
618-692-9347
1.
INT. DRUG STORE
A
nine-year boy wearing a red and blue stripped tee shirt is knocking boxes of
candy off the isle shelves, then kicking them along the floor.
At the
end of the isle the drugstore owner, Bob Swartz, peers around the corner at the
noise.
The boy keeps knocking boxes to the floor while looking at Swartz.
Swartz
jogs down the isle, his arms outstretched, but slips on the candy bars and
lands on his butt.
Ohweeeee. Stop that boy or I’m gonna break yous neck.
Swartz gets up slowly then carefully slides his feet, pushing the candy bars aside.
The
boy keeps knocking boxes to the floor, but moves a little faster toward the end
of the isle.
When
Swartz is two feet from the boy, the boy runs down the isle and out the front
door.
Swartz
limp jogs after the boy.
2.
EXT. SIDEWALK MAIN STREET – DAYLIGHT
There
are few people walking on the sidewalk and very few cars driving on the street.
The
boy runs a hundred yards on the sidewalk, then crosses an empty intersection. He then runs up the steps that lead into the
Public Library and enters the doors, looking back to see Swartz following.
Swartz
limps jogs after the boy and sees him enter the library. Swartz climbs the Library steps and stop to
catch his breath before opening the doors.
3.
INT. PUBLIC LIBRARY
Swartz
walks up to the Librarian Desk and tips his hat to the Librarian, Dolly.
Yous see a boy in a red and blue tee shirt just come in here?
Hay Bob. Sure did. Them boys are right over there.
(points)
On the floor sit three red headed boys, identical triplets, in red and blue tee shirts.
Swartz shakes his head. Walks over to the boys and grabs the closest boy by the shoulder, pulling him up to his feet.
BOB SWARTZ
Boy yous goin' to jail. Rite now!
LUKE
Me? What? Help! Help! Let go you masher.
The other two boys, Geramy and Tyron, jump up and begin kicking Swartz’s shins.
GERAMY
Let go our brother. Help. Help!
TYRON
Let him go you big brute.
DOLLY
Quiet!
Dolly shakes a large, brass bell.
The boys quiet and look at Dolly.
Swartz grabs another boy by the ear lobe. He pulls both boys over to Dolly's desk.
SWARTZ
Call the sheriff!
Dolly dials 911.
4. EXT. PUBLIC LIBRARY
A police car, siren and lights on, speeds onto the library street. It’s brakes lock and the tires squeal and bounce over the curb, sliding onto the library lawn before stopping.
Sheriff Boope hops out of his patrol car, the siren still screeching. He trots to the front doors, his official police revolver held high above his head.
5. INT. PUBLIC LIBRARY
Sheriff Boope quick slams his self against the inside wall; his pistol now aimed at Swartz.
Swartz is holding onto the two boys’ ears.
SWARTZ
Put that thang away! These here only boys.
SHERIFF BOOPE
(holsters pistol)
What's the deal? Dolly said yous collared the gangsters what robbed the store.
SWARTZ
I said, 'They what ruined my store, hows they ganged up, but I had 'em by the collar. See. There's three of 'em.
Let
go. I aign't no gangster. I'm a kid. I been here readin' books. Aign't it so
mame?
Well sheriff, seems like they been here a long while. But only two of 'em. One of you boys just got here.
(points
at one boy)
You. Ah, no, it was you.
(points
at different boy)
Well maybe it was you. They look so alike, I can't be positive.
(hands
aside her cheeks)
All three boys begin whimpering defenses.
Not
me.
GERAMY
I been here.
LUKE
I'm reading Ben Hur.
Dolly rings the bell again. The boys quiet.
One these here boys tore through my store, knockin' candy everywhere. I followed him to here.
(pulls
one ear)
Ohweee, not me.
Swartz yanks the other boy's ear.
GERAMY
Eyohowee. Not me! I been reading.
SHERIFF BOOPE
Stop it! Okay. I got the picture. Two of yous boys waz here reading. That right Dolly?
Dolly nods yes. In turn she points at each boy.
That one, those two, no those two. That one?
I'll figure it. What's yous name?
(faces boy by desk)
TYRON
(grins innocently)
Tyron Turner, sir.
SHERIFF BOOPE
Waz it yous at the drugstore?
(finger against his nose)
TYRON
No sir I was reading Ben Hur.
(points at book on floor)
SHERIFF BOOPE
Well then it waz one of yous brothers. Which one?
(grabs Tyron’s ear)
Now talk. Which one tore up that store?
TYRON
(squirms)
Ohw! Okay okay. Let go, I’ll talk.
Sheriff Boope lets go of Tyron’s ear.
Well sir it was him.
(points
to Geramy)
No it wasn't, it was him.
TYRON
(points to Luke)
Well then ah sir, honestly. I aign't so sure. They both look alike. I aign't sure, could have been either of 'em. But I know for sure it weren't me!
SHERIFF BOOPE
Well they do look alike. At least we know it wazn't Tyron.
Sheriff Boope stands in front of Geramy.
SHERIFF BOOPE
Alright, what's yous name?
GERAMY
I'm Geramy Turner. I was here getting a book for my aunt. It weren't me.
(rubs an absent tear)
SHERIFF BOOPE
Alright Geramy. If I believe yous, then it waz yous.
(points at Luke)
Yous boy! Must have been yous. Yous the only one left!
LUKE
They's liars, born liars. I was reading about rabbits. Aunt Ruth's got rabbits, some 'em sick. I even talked to Dolly. I did. They's liars.
DOLLY
(nods yes)
One of 'em asked about the fees.
SHERIFF BOOPE
(leans close to Luke)
So yous innocent too. Okay maybe yous are, maybe. Which one of your brothers waz here with yous in the library?
Luke slaps Swartz’s hand free from his ear. He goes near Tyron and looks at him up and down real slow.
Luke
then goes over to Geramy and slowly looks him over. Then he faces Sheriff
Boope.
Well officer. I can't say for sure. Could have been either of 'em. They look so much alike. I just couldn't say for sure. But it weren't me. I knows that for sure. I was here reading 'bout rabbits.
Sheriff Boope grabs Luke and pushes him over by Tyron. Standing before them, cowering down at them.
Let's get the facts straight. Yous name is Luke. And yous Tyron.
LUKE and TYRON
Yes. Yes.
SHERIFF BOOPE
(points at Geramy)
Yous say it wazn't yous.
GERAMY
Wasn't me sir. I was here.
SHERIFF BOOPE
(points at Tyron)
And yous say yous waz here. It wazn't yous. That right?
TYRON
(nods yes)
For sure. I know I was here.
SHERIFF BOOPE
That's what I thought.
Sheriff Boope spins around on his heals and put his finger on Luke's chest.
SHERIFF BOOPE
It had to be yous!
Luke stands quiet shaking his head no.
Sorry Sheriff, yous wrong.
SHERIFF
BOOPE
What! What yous mean! Yous lying to me boy?
I don’t lie.
Boy yous the lair. Had to be yous. Both yous brothers swear they waz here. Yous a liar. Yous tore up that store. Didn't yous!
(his fat finger against Luke’s nose)
LUKE
Nope. Wasn’t me, I swear it.
Boy yous lyin’. Yous know’d it and I know’d it.
Not fair. Two agin one. They’s liars.
Sheriff Boope turns to look at Geramy and Tyron.
Luke
darts around behind the Sheriff.
Swartz
lets go of Geramy and grabs at Luke.
BOB SWARTZ
Hay! He’s getn’ away.
Sheriff Boope turns back around.
Luke runs to his brothers and they grasp hands and spin around and around. They stop and face the Sheriff.
Sheriff Boope looks at the three identical faces.
SHERIFF BOOPE
Pretty cute. Yea real cute. Okay Swartz, yous called. Yous seen 'em tear up yous store. Who waz it? Which one of 'em?
BOB SWARTZ
I never got a good close look. They, he, just ran down the isle knocking off the boxes. I kinda saw 'em. I followed, run right in here after 'em. He, they, one of 'em there did it. It waz one of 'em.
(points quick at each boy)
SHERIFF BOOPE
Yea. I believe ya Swartz. But who. Which one?
BOB SWARTZ
Well sir. I aign't for sure. I, they look so alike. Same clothes and shoes and faces and hair and, and I can't say. But it waz one of 'em. Arrest 'em all. Put 'em all in jail till they talk.
SHERIFF BOOPE
Good idea. Let’s go boys.
DOLLY
(shakes her head no)
You want a false arrest agin you. Two them boys been here since noon. This here is America, Swartz not Cuba.
SHERIFF BOOPE
Yous got away this time, but I'll be watching yous, each and every one of yous. One little slip up and yous mine. Come on Swartz, I'll give yous a ride back to the store.
BOB SWARTZ
You Turner boys aign't welcome in my store, not for anything. And I'm telling your Aunt Ruth.
Sheriff Boope and Bob Swartz leave the library.
The Turner boys slap hands.
A young woman, Miss Smythe, wearing dark rimmed glasses comes from behind Dolly’s desk.
MISS SMYTHE
Boys. I saw the whole thing. That was a terrible prank. Do you go to school here?
LUKE
Yes mame. We’re in forth grade this year.
MISS SMYTHE
I’m teaching third grade this year. I’m going to inform the principal what I’ve seen here today. So you’d better not try that prank at school.
LUKE
Yes mame. No pranks.
The Turners run out of the library laughing.
Miss Smythe turns to Dolly.
MISS SMYTHE
This is my first year teaching. Thank god they’re going into the forth grade.
DOLLY
(smiles)
Ha ha. I know what you mean.
6. INT.
ELEMENTRY SCHOOL – CLASSROOM OF MISS SMYTHE
Miss
Smythe is sitting at her desk paging through a textbook. She jerks her head up and looks nervously at
the empty children’s desks.
She
quickly gets up and goes to the tall cabinet in the corner behind her. She
reaches inside a large black carrying bag, pushing a button. She makes sure the small opening in the
front of the bag is facing the classroom, then returns to her desk.
She
looks at the open hallway door. Then she looks out the classroom windows.
The
Jake the janitor is picking up loose paper near the playground swings. He puts
his trash bag down and sits in one of the swings, then looks at Miss Smythe.
Miss
Smythe turns away from the window and looks at her wristwatch.
The silver bell above the hallway door clangs. Miss Smythe's head jerks up, looking at the open door.
The chorus of a hundred hurrying feet reaches her ears.
Then bursting through the open classroom door comes a flood of bustling energetic fingers and hands; arms waving, bodies bumping pushing squealing turning circles and caroming off desks.
The fastest children take the desks closest to the windows, the pets sit near the teacher and the nappers sit in the back. The shy kids stay standing in the back of the room, waiting.
The desks are filled quickly.
The second bell rings.
Miss Smythe closes the textbook and carefully slides it in between the books held aright by cast iron elephant heads on the left corner of her large drawerless desk.
Miss Smythe stands up behind her desk, waving her note card in one hand and gesturing to be quiet with her finger over her mouth.
Soon all of the students stand or sit quiet.
MISS SMYTHE
Alright class, be quiet. I'm your teacher, Miss Smythe. The first thing we are going to do is your desk assignments.
Suddenly a half dozen students rush up to Miss Smythe.
She is surrounded by tiny fingers holding slips of paper thrust for her eyes only.
Two girls stand before her, eyes wide at their new teacher.
AMANDA MONKS
What's your name? What subject do you teach? Can we sit together, please?
AMANDA MARTIN
I don't like that Bobby Rains, he's a big bully. I won't sit near him. I won't. I don't have to cause my daddy's the bank president and he says I don't have to sit next to any bully.
Soon the students have completely surrounded her desk. The tiny slips of paper hit her face.
A boy, Regional, pulls Miss Smythe’s shoulder length hair, causing her to sit down in her chair.
REGIONAL
See it's not a wig.
Miss Smythe shrieks in pain. Enraged, she spins in her chair grabbing at Regional. She bolts out of the chair and it slams against the blackboard, "Blam!"
(shrieks)
Quiet!
The students near her duck and run back to their desks and sit quiet with their hands folded.
Ms Smythe takes two steps after Regional, but stops still. She looks at the black bag, then at the quiet class. Then she returns to behind her desk.
MISS SMYTHE
(softly)
Quiet please. Please take your seats.
The shy kids standing silently in the back remain standing. The chatty students keep talking.
(louder)
Quiet please. Take your seats please.
The chatty kids continue talking.
Miss Smythe picks up her desk chair a few inches and slams it to the floor hard, "Bam!" and then hard again, "Bam!"
MISS SMYTHE
(shrieks)
Quiet!
This time the entire class quiets and looks at Miss Smythe holding her chair up in the air.
The
silence is broken by long loud static on the wall speaker above the clock.
Good
morning Peabody Elementary School students and staff. Welcome. This is your principal.
Is everybody happy?
Miss Smythe grins and nods yes.
The
entire class of third graders mimics her.
Miss
Smythe lowers her chair to the floor and sits down behind her desk.
PRINCIPAL
BRUBAKER (O.S.)
For lunch today the cooks have prepared: peanut butter on white bread, carrot chips,
PRINCIPAL BRUBAKER
(continues)
pear halves, vanilla or chocolate ice cream cups, milk. Please raise your hands if you intend to eat the cafeteria food. Thank you. Teachers remember to mark your lunch count on the absentee slip. I want to wish everyone a good year. And remember my door is always open. Have a nice day.
The static blares briefly over the speaker, then silence.
Please raise your hands if you are going to eat the cafeteria food.
All the students raise their hands.
MISS SMYTHE
This won't do. Twenty desks, twenty kids. Will everyone please take a seat? Sit down please.
Miss Smythe points at the kids standing in the back.
The shy children along the back row slowly move toward empty desks. Two sit down.
Three kids just stand by the desks looking at the nametags taped at the top of each.
Please just take a seat. I've got to get this attendance lunch slip done.
Two of the girls sitting raise their hands.
(pointing to the dark girl)
The Janice points at the nametag.
This is Amy's desk, not mine.
AMY
And this one says Patrick T.
Miss Smythe puts her left hand on her forehead.
Oh
that's right. We haven't done desk assignments yet.
All the students begin pointing to the nametags. Animated gestures, protests and complaints rumble from them. They quickly begin pointing at the desks in other isles.
That's
mine. There's Bobby's. I see Juli's. Where's mine? Get out of my desk. This one
is mine. I'm in my own seat, how about that.
The students are all up and out of their desks, looking and pushing, pointing and bumping each other to find their own seats.
Miss Smythe jumps up, her hands before her, waving them back down.
MISS SMYTHE
Class sit down. Sit down, take your seats. Just take a seat, it's okay for now.
RANDOM STUDENTS
I am. Where's my seat? Cool it teacher. I don't have a seat. I am, see teacher.
Most of the students find their names and sit at their desks.
Two girls grab-push the boys standing aside their desks acting lost. The boys land in their seats.
MISS SMYTHE
(shrieks)
Quiet. Quiet quiet!
The students sit still and very quiet.
Three
boys remain standing, far from a vacant desk.
Miss
Smythe very slowly goes to the closest vacant desk and touches the nametag.
George M.
The boy in the black rimmed safety glasses calls.
GEORGE M.
That's
me.
She motions for him to come to her.
George walks to the desk.
This is yours, please take your seat.
GEORGE M.
Thanks teach’.
(quickly sliding in)
Miss Smythe goes to the next vacant desk.
Tommy T.
A boy with shoulder length brown hair trots to the desk and sits.
Miss
Smythe walks around to the next vacant desk then asks the sandy hair boy
standing by the vacant desk.
What's
your name lad?
Johnson. James Johnson.
Miss Smythe points at the nametag on the desk.
MISS SMYTHE
Johnson J.
James, quick and quiet, takes his seat.
Miss Smythe looks about the class, then walks over to the remaining vacant desk, touching the nametag.
MISS SMYTHE
(loudly)
Amanda M.
AMANDA MONKS,
AMANDA MARTIN
Here. Here.
(giggling)
He he he te he.
Miss Smythe looks at the far corner desk, eyeing one girl sitting on the lap of another girl.
What are you girls doing? One person to a desk please.
He he
he te he. This is my desk. This is my name.
Both girls point at the nametag on the desk.
(in
unison)
Amanda M.
Miss Smythe hurries to their desk.
Amanda M. Sure is. What is your full name?
Amanda Monks.
Mine is Amanda Martin.
Oh. That's what happened.
Miss Smythe takes the girl on top by the hand.
Come with me Amanda Monks. You sit over
there.
Amanda Monks goes and sits down. She looks at her friend Amanda Martin.
(giggle)
He he he te he.
Miss Smythe hurries to the first row, first desk.
Alright. Everyone look at the nametag on your desk. Is everyone sitting at the right desk?
ALL STUDENTS
(in unison)
Yes. Uh huh. Think so.
MISS SMYTHE
Everyone is in their own desk? Good, very good. You will sit there everyday. The books in the desks are yours to use. You are responsible for them. Lose them or ruin them and you will pay for them. Is that understood?
ALL STUDENTS
(softly in unison)
Yes teacher.
MISS SMYTHE
Good. Now class, take out your Business Today book and ...,
All the desktops begin popping open and slamming shut as the textbooks appear.
Alright
class. Does everyone have a Business Today book?
(holding
books up)
Yes. Uhuh. Got it.
MISS
SMYTHE
Very good class. Put the books down, quietly.
Some books go back in their desks, some on the desks, some on the floor.
No no
no class! Put your books on top of your desks.
Miss Smythe lowers her book to the top of her desk.
All the students put their books on top of their desks.
Miss Smythe holds her book up with her left hand, front cover facing the class. Points to it with her right hand.
MISS SMYTHE
Does everyone have this book on their desks?
ALL STUDENTS
(holding books up)
Yes. Uhuh. Got it.
MISS SMYTHE
No no no class! Put the books on top of your desks.
The
books are slammed down, "Bam bam bam wam!"
Miss
Smythe gets up from her seat and slowly walks in front of each isle looking at
their books.
Then
she returns to stand in front of her desk and slowly opens the front cover
Class please open your books to the inside cover.
Miss Smythe holds her text high before she opens it.
Quickly the noise of hardback covers plop on the desks. Some students open books to the front cover; others to the back cover and others are still closed.
Everyone please open the front cover to this page. Is any name already written on this page?
ALL STUDENTS
No. What?
MISS SMYTHE
Alright class, quiet please. Take a pencil from your...
The desktops fly open as hands grab pencils. Soon the desks tops are closed, pencils on top of the desks.
MISS SMYTHE
Alright class. Quiet please.
(finger on her lips)
Now everyone will print their name on the inside cover. Print your name on these lines.
Miss Smythe points to the lines stamped for name and date on the inside cover of her book held high.
The students begin to print their names. Some of the students show their classmates where to print.
A boy in the back row raises his hand.
REGINAL
Teacher, teacher.
Miss Smythe quick glances at the seating chart.
Yes
Reginal, what is it?
I can't see what you are doing, it's too far.
MISS SMYTHE
Reginal, do you have your book open to the first page?
REGINAL
(loudly)
Yes. I think so.
MISS SMYTHE
Are you looking at the stamped lines on the inside cover?
(pointing at open page)
REGINAL
(dumfounded)
Well, I don't know. What do they look like?
Miss Smythe goes to the blackboard. Takes a piece of white chalk and quickly draws a large rectangle with a wide line down the middle. Then on the left side she begins drawing a stack of six lines a few inches apart.
(pointing
at board)
Class
this is the name line stamp. You are to carefully print your full name on the
first line. Here.
As she turns to face the class her eyes just glimpse the flying paper airplane about to crash into her. She swats it out of the air as she ducks.
The students burst a loud laugh.
ALL STUDENTS
Ha ha ha he he te he.
MISS SMYTHE
(shrieks)
Quiet!
She slams her foot against the hardwood chair, which slams loudly against the desk, "Bam!"
The students quiet and return to their careful name printing.
Soon the books slam closed, the students’ hands folded waiting for the next task.
Miss Smythe takes a deep breath, ignoring the crumpled airplane. Glancing quickly at the board she puts her left index finger to the top of the right cover page.
MISS SMYTHE
Now class. Print my name at the top of the right page.
M I S S S M Y T H E.
She slowly pronounces each letter as the class looks and prints her name.
MISS SMYTHE
Now print the date,
(very slowly)
09-03-93.
(waits a few seconds)
Is anyone still printing?
REGINAL
Teacher?
MISS SMYTHE
What is it Reginal?
REGINAL
Teacher? How do you spell that name, Mrs. Smith?
MISS SMYTHE
No. Not Mrs. Smith, it's MISS SMYTHE.
Quickly erasers begin wiping over their misspellings, pushing the dirty balls of rubber to the floor.
Try
it again, M I S S S M Y T H E.
After a few seconds Reginal raises his hand.
Ha ha ha ha he te he.
She grabs her desk chair, raising it high and slams it hard on the floor, “Blam!”
The students freeze silent in their desks.
There
will be no throwing in school. Never again. No paper airplanes, no pencils, no
erasers, no books, no balls. Nothing! No throwing! Not in my class!
Miss Smythe carefully picks up each airplane. She returns to her desk and addresses the class.
MISS SMYTHE
(stern and calm)
If I catch anyone, and I mean it, boy or girl throwing in my class, this will be your head!
Miss Smythe slowly crushes and wads the paper airplanes between her fingers.
The students moan softly.
ALL STUDENTS
Ahhhhhhhhhhhggghh.
Miss Smythe then places the wad of paper on the shelf just below her black bag. She spins around and faces the class pointing at the wad with her left index finger. With her right hand she slowly points at each innocent face.
MISS SMYTHE
That wad of airplanes represents you and it will stay there on that shelf all year to remind you to not, not never, throw in my class!
She returns to her desk, sits down, takes a deep breath and glances at her note card.
Alright
class. Time to put your books and pencils away.
The
students slam their books and pencils into their desks. Then sit with folded
hands atop their desks.
MISS SMYTHE
Very good class. Alright boys and girls now we discuss the rules of classroom behavior.
Miss Smythe gets out of her chair and goes to stand in front of her desk.
MISS SMYTHE
You will raise your hands when you wish to speak. I will point to you and then you will ask your question. You will stay in your desks at all times. You will not, you will never go near my desk. You will raise your hand if you want something. Are there any questions?
ALL STUDENTS
(in unison)
Yes. Yes. No. No. I don't understand. Me neither.
MISS SMYTHE
Quiet. Quiet class! You will raise your hand if you have any questions. I will then point at you and call you by name, as soon as I learn your names, then you will ask your questions. Do you understand?
ALL STUDENTS
(in unison)
Yes. Yes. No. Uuhuh. Understand. Not me.
MISS SMYTHE
Quiet. Quiet class. Raise your hand if you have something to say or some question to ask.
All the students raise their hands.
(in
unison)
Yes. Yes. Yes. No. No.
Miss Smythe shakes her head. She takes a deep breath.
Quiet! And lower your hands.
The students put their hands down and sit back quietly.
I am
Miss Smythe, your Business Today teacher. You will raise your hand first if
you have a question or something to say. Now class does anyone have a question?
All the students’ hands silently pop up.
Everyone in the first row raises their hands up.
Miss Smythe points at the first seat and the girl stands beside her desk.
JAMIE
Miss Smythe. I want to know...
MISS SMYTHE
Please sit down. You don't have to stand to talk.
JAMIE
But we do have to stand. It's the rule Miss Smythe.
Many students nodded their heads in agreement.
The school's rule, Miss Smythe. We all had to stand to talk last year.
(looks for support)
Miss Smythe slowly shakes her head no, walks over to Jamie’s desk and puts her finger on the nametag.
MISS SMYTHE
Jamie. I am the teacher. I make the rules in my class. So Jamie, you will sit down. And you will stay in your seat to talk. Please take your seat Jamie.
Jamie sits back down.
JAMIE
Yes teacher.
Ms Smythe walks backwards to her large drawerless desk.
MISS SMYTHE
Alright class. I will repeat the rules. You will stay in your seats at all times. If you have something to say or a question to ask, you will raise your hand. I will call upon you and then you will talk. You will talk sitting down. Alright class. Are there any questions?
All the students quietly raise their hands.
Miss Smythe takes another deep breath, slowly shakes her head then walks over to stand in front of the first row.
MISS SMYTHE
Alright class. Put your hands down.
Everyone does. A few girlish giggles slip amidst the hands flopping on the desktops.
Does anyone in the first row have a question?
Everyone in the first row raises their hands.
Miss Smythe points to the brown-eyed boy at the second desk.
BRANDN
(stands up)
Mrs. Smith, do we have to...
MISS SMYTHE
Stop. Sit down. I said everyone will stay sitting down to talk.
Miss Smythe stands steadfast with her arm rigid, pointing at his chair.
Brandn stands quiet, frozen.
Jamie breaks the long silence with her protest.
JAMIE
Miss Smythe you skipped me. I didn't get to ask my question.
Miss Smythe jerks her glare to Jamie, still sitting in the first desk with her hand held up.
Brandn
is still standing.
Jamie,
yes you did. You stood up and told about the old rule of standing to talk. And
I said that was last year's rule. This year is my rule of no standing. Always
sitting. Everyone always sitting to talk.
(hand
held up)
Yes Miss Smythe that's what you said. But my question was not about standing to talk. That's what you wanted to talk about. It's not what I wanted to talk about. So you see, I still haven't gotten to ask my question.
(grins)
Miss Smythe stares at Jamie, then looks at the clock, then glances at her black bag.
MISS
SMYTHE
Well Jamie. I think you are right. You didn't get to ask your question. You didn't get to ask your question because you were standing up. Yes yes that's what happened.
(looks
at Brandn)
Well it seems it's still Jamie's turn. Please take your seat.
Brandn’s boot catches the front legs of the desk, scooting it back just enough to cause him to miss sliding onto the seat. As he sprawls to aright himself, it slides into the other desks. He lands hard in the seat about the same time his desk crashes against Milli's desk.
Milli screams at the motion and the collision.
EEEEEEEEEEEEKKK.
BRANDN
(embarrassed, startled)
Shut up. You're alright. I'm the one 'bout busted his butt. Sorry mame. These desks are real slippery. I'm okay, 'xcept maybe a bruised butt.
Brandn slides his desk back into its opening in the first row. His hand held gingerly on his left hip.
The students let loose a large laugh and finger points at him as he continues acting of pain.
ALL STUDENTS
Ha ha ha ha he he te he.
Miss Smythe returns to her desk, looking at the class seating chart. She waits a few moments for the laughter to subdue, then holds her hands high, waving them downward.
MISS SMYTHE
Quiet. Quiet class. Are you sure you are alright Brandn?
BRANDN
Well, I think so.
MISS SMYTHE
I can give you a slip to see the Nurse. Maybe she should look at that bruise.
Some students laugh and taunt him.
Ha ha ha. See your butt, see your butt. He he te he.
No no,
it's okay.
Milli
are you okay?
Yes Miss Smythe, thank you for your inquiry. I'm quite satisfactory. The ruffian only startled me. Though I'd settle for a cup of tea and a crumpet.
Milli holds her chin up as she whisks the dust from her skirt.
MISS SMYTHE
Well Milli. I think you'll have to wait for...
The bell rings.
Alright class, you will have four minutes. Get a drink, or go to the bathroom or you may remain at your desks.
The entire class bolts from their desks, running toward the door. Pushing, shoving, squealing they packed against each other, forcing a double row of bodies through the doorway to stream into the hallway.
Miss Smythe jumps up, waving her hands.
MISS SMYTHE
Stop. Stop. Wait. Slow down. Walk. One at a time. Stop.
Miss Smythe protests go unheard as even the shy kids are pushing and being pushed along by their fellow classmates. Within seconds the room is empty.
MISS SMYTHE
Six more hours of this. I think I can get through this, just stay calm that’s the key.
7. INT. ELEMENTRY SCHOOL – MAIN HALLWAY
Miss Smythe is walking down an empty hallway carrying her black bag.
The hallway speaker statics-on.
PRINCIPAL BRUBAKER (O.S.)
Good afternoon Peabody staff and students. I trust you all had a good day. There were no accidents reported. Remember we are going for the record. If we break last year's record, we all will have a travel trip to the zoo and a party in the park next spring. Keep up the good behavior.
The static blared briefly, then silence.
8. EXT. ELEMENTRY SCHOOL – PLAYGROUND
Two kids slide down the long winding, shinning metal.
Jamie
lands on her feet and begins running. Then Brandn lands on his feet and runs
after Jamie. Jamie giggles running left and then right as Brandn grasps at her
long pigtails.
Suddenly
Brandn stops and runs back toward the slide. Then Jamie stops running away and
begins chasing Brandn around the slide then through the swings.
Miss
Smythe smiles at their game of chase as she walks across the empty playground.
She
then crosses the street and walks to the front door of a small white frame
house.
9.
INT. MISS SMYTHE HOUSE – LIVING ROOM
Miss
Smythe locks the front door.
She
then takes the black bag to TV/VCR. She
takes out a small cam recorder and a stack of videotapes. She inserts a tape.
She
goes to the couch and ons the VCR with the remote. The TV screen shows her
speaking with her students. She then
begins making notes on a legal pad.
10.
INT. ELEMENTRY SCHOOL – CLASSROOM - MISS SMYTHE
There are no students in the classroom.
Miss Smythe is adjusting her black bag on top of the tall corner cabinet.
She walks to her desk, pulls out her chair, then looks at the clock above the hallway door: 8:01.
Suddenly Jake the janitor appears in the doorway.
MISS SMYTHE
(nervously)
Good morning. Is there something you need?
JAKE
(tips his cap)
Yes mame there is.
The bell rings.
Jake grins her, puts both his hands in his overall pockets and leaves.
Moments later the rush of running feet resounds through the hallway door. A second later the students rush into Miss Smythe’s classroom pushing and shoving each other hurrying to their desks.
Miss Smythe stands and slow motions with both hands to sit down.
Soon all the students are sitting in their desks chatting with each other.
The bell rings.
MISS SMYTHE
Quiet. Quiet please. Everyone please be quiet. Quiet!
All the students sit quietly facing Miss Smythe.
The
silence is broken by long loud static on the wall speaker above the clock.
Good
morning Peabody Elementary School students and staff. Welcome. This is your
principal. Is everybody happy?
Miss Smythe grins and nods yes.
The
entire class of third graders mimics her.
PRINCIPAL
BRUBAKER (O.S.)
Students today is locker day. Your teachers will give you your locker number and the combination number. You
PRINCIPAL BRUBAKER (O.S.)
(continues)
should keep this number a secret. Having a locker is a right, but keeping it is a privilege. No one can look in a your locker without an official police warrant. Not even your teacher or your parents. Those lockers are your private personal spaces. No one can get in unless you let them. And you keep these locker privileges for free the entire year, unless. Unless you violate the school rules of conduct. The rules are posted in each room and your homeroom teacher will review them with you. My door is always open. Have a nice day.
The static blares briefly over the speaker, then silence.
Class. Now I will pass out these envelopes. Your name is on the outside. On the inside is your locker number and combination.
Miss Smythe hands the first student in each row the exact number of envelopes for that row.
Just take your envelope and pass the rest backwards.
The students take their envelopes and pass the rest backwards.
Does everyone have the envelope with your name?
ALL STUDENTS
Yes. Yes. Think so.
MISS SMYTHE
Now we will go out into the hallway and find your lockers and practice opening them. We will go out one row at a time. We will not talk or push or shove. Understand?
ALL STUDENTS
Yes. Yes. Yes. No. Okay.
ANDREA
(raises hand up)
Teacher, teacher. What if I forget my number?
MISS SMYTHE
Good question. Only Principal Brubaker has the master list of names and numbers in his vault. None of the teachers know your numbers. You should keep the envelope in your pocket until you can remember the number. Now let’s go practice opening the lockers.
Miss Smythe stands by the first desk in the first row.
MISS SMYTHE
Jamie you have the first locker number for this class, number twenty. Please lead your row out into the hallway and then stand in front of your locker. When the first row is at their lockers, I will point to the second row and they will go quietly to their lockers. When everyone is at their lockers I will tell you how to open your lockers. Okay, first row go.
(points to Jamie)
Jamie leads her row of students out the hallway door.
11. INT. ELEMENTRY SCHOOL – MAIN HALLWAY
The
twenty students of Miss Smythe are standing in front of their wall lockers.
Some are turning the locker dials. Many students have their doors open.
Miss Smythe is standing against the opposite wall.
MISS SMYTHE
Alright class. Quiet. Stand still. Face your lockers. Close them if they are open.
All the students turned to their lockers. The open locker doors are slammed shut.
Alright class to begin, turn the dial until the zero is at the top of the red mark. Go.
(waits
and watches)
Now slowly turn the dial left, and stop when the first number gets to the top red mark.
Reginal turns around, his hand up.
REGINAL
Teacher, which way is left?
Some of the students laugh.
RANDOM STUDENTS
Ha ha ha he he te he.
MISS SMYTHE
Quiet. Quiet. It is very easy to get confused. Reginal the hand you have in the air is your left hand. When you turn the dial the numbers will turn toward your left hand. Go ahead and try that.
Reginal faces his locker and turns the dial.
REGINAL
Turning it left, all the way around. Zero is at the top.
MISS SMYTHE
Very good. Now Reginal, look at your first number and turn it to the left until it is at the top, at the red mark. Have you done that?
REGINAL
Yes teacher. Five is at the top.
MISS SMYTHE
Okay. Class, everyone has done the first number. Now to do the second number, turn to the right slowly. As soon as the second number is at the red mark, stop.
(waits and watches)
That is the second number done. To do the third number, turn the dial to the left slowly until the third number is at the red mark. Go.
(waits and watches)
Damn
the hell! Went past it. Now what, damn the hell.
That's okay. Just wait till we practice the next time. Alright class. Lift the handle. Hold it up and pull the door open.
Clink, clank, waffled open all the doors except three: Brandn’s and the two Amanda M. girls, who are giggling.
MISS SMYTHE
Alright class, try opening your lockers on your own. I will try to help those having trouble.
Miss Smythe goes over to Amanda Monks and tries to open her locker, but it won’t open.
Miss Smythe goes over to Amanda Martin and tries to open her locker, but it won’t open either.
Brandn manages to get his open, as do most of the other students.
Jake the janitor stops beside Miss Smythe.
JAKE
(wide grin)
Ya need my help?
MISS SMYTHE
I can not get these two girls’ lockers to open.
JAKE
(hand open)
Combination slips please.
Jake looks at the number on the slip then at the lockers. Then grabs each girl by the shoulder and pushes them from one locker to the other. Then hands each the appropriate locker slip.
Now
try 'em.
The Amanda M. girls giggle then fast twist the dials and pop the doors open. They turn to face Jake.
Oh
Jake you are so smart. Thanks Jake.
Jake tips his hat to them. He faces Miss Smythe, stepping very close to her.
JAKE
They're just a little mixed up, 'at's all. Ya call me when ya need, ya hear.
(wide grin)
Miss Smythe slowly edges backwards.
Well,
ah. Jake, ah, thanks.
(faces
students)
Alright
class, the hour is almost over, back inside.
As the students disappear into the classroom, Miss Smythe turns to watch Jake slowly stroll away.
12. INT. MISS SMYTHE HOUSE – FRONTROOM
The TV is playing a video recording of Miss Smythe and her students.
Miss Smythe is sitting in a chair making notes on a legal pad. Occasionally she laughs.
MISS SMYTHE
Those two Amanda girls are real pistols, he he. I'll have to keep an eye on them.
13. INT. ELEMENTRY SCHOOL – CLASSROOM - MISS SMYTHE
Miss Smythe finishing writing on the chalkboard the words: THE WORLD OF WORK
Some of the students are watching her; most are chatting or staring out the window.
MISS SMYTHE
Alright class. Quiet. Quiet please.
Miss Smythe’s hands wave the voices to lower.
The morning sunlight reflects shimmers of rainbow colors off the tiny strands of crystal woven into the hem, waist band and cuffs of her full length off-white dress.
The glimmering reflections capture the class' attention long enough to quiet them.
Get out you Business Today textbooks.
All the students open their desks and take out their books, then slam down the desktops, “Bam”.
MISS SMYTHE
Alright class quiet. From now on please open and close your desks quietly. Please open your books to the first chapter page 6.
(waits and watches)
For the next few weeks we will be learning, first hand, about the nature of work. The world of business, jobs, careers. The 9 to 5 grind, the treadmill you have heard your parents speak of.
(raises
hand)
Miss Smythe. I saw the movie “9 to 5”. It was about a business office. My father said his office is like that.
MISS
SMYTHE
Yes Millie, I am sure it is. Now let’s continue.
(looks
at note card)
Briefly, we work to stay alive. Plant and harvest food to eat. Make clothes for warmth. Shoes to protect your toes. Houses to keep warm and
MISS SMYTHE
(continues)
safe in. Cars and buses to ride in. Schools to learn in. All these things were made by your parents and your grandparents. That is what work is. Teachers, doctors, dentists, nurses, policemen, firemen, sales people, moviemakers, actors. These are jobs, types of work called careers.
REGINAL
(raises hand)
Teacher, teacher. My mom says that my uncle is a career criminal. What’s that?
MISS SMYTHE
I’m sure he is Reginal. I’m sure he is. Now let’s continue. In the beginning, long long ago, the cave men and women and children had nothing. They were cold and frightened and hungry most of the time. They had to find fruit when it was ripe on the trees or a dead animal lying in the grass or they starved. They didn't even have clothes.
The entire class giggles, acting as if freezing.
That's right class. In the cold snow, in the cold rain they were naked and freezing. No houses, no fires. A few had caves to live in. Some of the adults had dead animal skins, fur coats to wear, but the children were seldom so fortunate, many died.
The students shivered and moaned.
Robbie
B. in the last desk nearest the window feigned dying, sliding lifeless to the
floor.
Alright you in the back, get up. That was a long time ago. People got smart. They learned to work together, learned how to control fire, learned how to cut trees to make houses. They learned how to make and use tools, spears to catch and kill animals for food and to use their skins for clothes and shoes. Yes, the shoes you wear today were cows walking about a pasture yesterday.
Many young faces leaned over looking at their feet.
Moo
moo mooooo.
They learned how to plant food, corn, vegetables and fruit trees, wheat, beans. And most importantly how to preserve, how to store the food to last through the winter until the next harvest in the fall. They learned how to talk, to read, to communicate, to share ideas, to become friends, to understand each other from different parts of the world, to have peace, to live as friends with many people, to cooperate, to do work and to play together.
BRANDN
(raises hand)
Is that why we have sports on TV today?
MISS SMYTHE
Yes. In a way it is. People learned how to divide work into teams, where each person would do only one part of a job. That ten people, each doing just one job and doing that job well, could get more work done and done quickly and correctly. That’s how houses get built so quickly. Working as a team is better than working alone.
BRANDN
(raises hand)
Basketball has a team of five, but football has a team of eleven. Why is that?
MISS SMYTHE
I’m not sure, ask the coach. Please ask questions about work, not sports.
BRANDN
But football players get paid money. People get paid money to work, that’s what my dad says.
MISS SMYTHE
Your dad is correct. Many sports players do get paid. Sports is a career, a type of work. But I don’t know why there are eleven people on a football team. Ask your dad, he knows so much.
BRANDN
Okay Miss Smythe. I’ll ask him tonight. Should he write a report for you?
MISS SMYTHE
Ah, ah. Sure, if he wants to. Now let’s continue. In Business Today, we will be studying some of the history of the world of work and some of the problems in today's work world that you have heard about on the television news or overheard your parents speaking of at the supper table.
MILLIE
(raises hand)
Miss Smythe. Miss Smythe. We don’t speak at the supper table. Mother says it is not proper to eat and speak.
MISS SMYTHE
(rubs forehead)
Well Millie, your mother is right, you should not speak with food in your mouth. Now let’s continue. In this class we will try to understand what management bargaining is. And what retirement and unemployment is. What layoffs are. What a picket line is. Food stamps, unions and strikes...
Miss Smythe is rambling, walking back and forth from one side of the room to the other, quick staring at the ceiling for key phases, extra pieces of information. She reaches her hand into the air and grabs an invisible thought and then the words fly.
Many
students are nearly asleep. Some are watching Jake as he stares in through the
back window at Miss Smythe.
Jake
the janitor is outside the windows. He has a window washer bucket of suds was
in his left hand and the rubber squeegee in his right. The bottom half of one
window is dulled in a thick soap scum.
Miss
Smythe stops and looks at her note card. Then she looks up at the students. She
notices half of them starring Jake the janitor, who is looking at her.
Their
eyes meet.
Miss
Smythe looks at the clock, then back at Jake.
Jake
begins to wipe the soap from the window. The rubber squeegee makes a loud
squeaking.
All of
the students look at Jake washing the windows.
Miss
Smythe walks to the back window and looks down at Jake.
Jake
grins at her.
Miss
Smythe pushes open the next window, bends down speaking through the open crack.
Really. Must you do that now? You are distracting my class.
Jake puts his face aside hers, his mouth near touching hers.
Yes
mame. Windows is on my list for today.
Well if you must, but can't you do it quietly?
JAKE
(wide grin)
Yes mame. I can do it loud or quiet, anyways ya like it.
Miss Smythe leans back, slowly standing erect.
Jake licks his lips.
Miss Smythe grabs the window handle and tugs it closed. Then she quickly turns each window's blinds closed.
Some of the students complain.
RANDOM STUDENTS
Hay I can’t see. What’s with the blinds. Open em’ up.
MISS SMYTHE
We don’t want to distract Jake from his work. He could make a mistake.
Miss Smythe goes to the blackboard and writes in bold letters: WHY WORK.
Alright
class. Remember to raise your hands. Why do people go to work?
Many students’ hands shot skyward.
Alright
class. We are looking for ten different answers.
Money; have to; fun; mom makes ya; pay taxes; dad's job; like to; makes me happy; part of team; want to.
Very good class. Now everyone will slowly, quietly take out your pad of paper and a pencil. Go.
Desks tops up, pads on lap, pencils on pads, tops back down, almost in unison the desk lids slam closed and the pads and pencils flop upon the desks.
MISS SMYTHE
Alright class. Today, right now, we will begin to learn about the world of work. For the next few weeks I will pretend to be your boss, not your teacher. And you will be my employees, my workers.
The students’ glance about, feet shuffle, soft mumbles begin, and many little hands quickly rise.
MISS SMYTHE
Wait class until I finish, then we'll take questions. We will call this part of the class, 'The Job'. And during The Job you will call me 'Sir Boss' and I will call you 'Worker'. You will write on the pads. My company makes and sells words on paper as decorations for prison cells. So each day you will write, print, on a piece of paper and turn the paper into me. I will then pay you money, actually a candy snack which represents money that people get for working.
REGINAL
(raises hand)
Teacher. You really going to give us candy?
MISS SMYTHE
Yes. The candy represents money. Remember, I am going to be your boss. You all will be my workers, not students.
MILLIE
(raises hand)
Miss Smythe, I am not allowed to eat candy. It is not good for my teeth.
MISS SMYTHE
Class. You do not have to eat the candy. You can throw it away or give it to your friends. The candy is like pretend money. It is for the classroom work lesson. Alright class. There are a few minutes left. Please copy the list of ten reasons for work from the blackboard onto your paper.
The students copy the list of work reasons.
Miss Smythe walks down one isle looking at the student’s work. Then she returns to her desk.
MISS SMYTHE
Alright class. Hand your papers forward to the front desk, where I will collect them.
Miss Smythe takes the candy box from her desk. Then goes to the first desk of the first row.
Some students raise their hands and protest.
RANDOM STUDENTS
Not done teacher, boss, sir boss. I'm not done. Me either. Not done, a couple more.
MISS SMYTHE
Quiet workers. It's okay. The papers don't have to be full. That will be enough for today. Hand the papers forward quickly.
Miss Smythe exchanges the stack of paper work from the front seat person for a small plastic wrapped caramel candy, one per student.
MISS SMYTHE
That's the money, the pay for today's work. The Job is now done. Now you are students and can not eat until lunchtime or after school.
The first bell rings.
The desktops raise and pads and pencils disappear and so do many pieces of candy into wet mouths.
Do not eat in the classroom. Eat in the lunchroom. You have four minutes, go.
The students bolt from their desks, pushing, shoving and bumping their bodies toward the door, but no one was getting into the hallway.
Miss Smythe looks at the doorway and sees three boys wedged, blocking the entrance. She hurries to them, pulling giggling students backwards, out of her way.
MISS SMYTHE
Boys. Stop it! Stop it!
The Regional, George and Tommy are wedged such that they can not squeeze out the doorway. Some girls are pushing them.
Miss Smythe pulls the center boy, George’s, shoulders.
MISS SMYTHE
Quiet. Quiet. You girls quiet! Back. Back. Everyone get back.
Suddenly the whole group shifts themselves backwards.
Miss Smythe looses her balance and falls backwards, pulling two boys down to the floor.
Brandn sits up. Tommy, is crying.
A large set of hands pick picks up Tommy and brushes back the boy’s tears with a handkerchief.
JAKE
Let's see here. Any cuts or blood? No. Any scratches? No. Can ya stand up? Yes. Okay back in ya go. The nurse got no time for fakers.
TOMMY
(quiets)
I'm okay Jake. Just a bump. I'm okay.
Jake reaches to Miss Smythe.
Can
ya stand?
Miss Smythe takes his hand and stands up.
Yes.
Just a bump. I'm okay Jake. Thanks. Glad you came along.
Good. I got windows to do today.
Jake
leaves.
Miss Smythe watches him disappear through the hallway door.
14. INT. MISS SMYTHE’S HOUSE – FRONTROOM
Miss Smythe is watching a videotape on the TV.
The TV screen shows her students listening to her explanation of the WORK lesson. She pauses the tape and goes close to the screen.
The screen shows Jake with his squeegee and bucket outside a back window, but he is not washing the window, he is staring at her.
Miss Smythe returns to her chair. Looks at the screen for a while, fidgets in her chair.
MISS SMYTHE
I've no time for men just now. Besides, he's just a janitor. Probably married with a half-dozen rug rats.
Miss Smythe turns off the TV.
15. INT. DUNKEM’ DONUTS – 7 a.m.
Miss Smythe is sitting at a small table along the wall of the donut shop, eating a glaze donut.
A large hand taps her shoulder from behind.
Good
mornin’ Miss Smythe.
Miss Smythe looks into a shinny belt buckle bearing a skull and crossbones, then looks up at his face.
Oh. It's you. Ah, well, ah good morning.
Jake puts his cup on the table opposite her and sits in the empty chair.
Saw ya
come in. So I stopped. Okay to join ya?
(tips
Pirates baseball cap and grins)
MISS
SMYTHE
(glances
at wrist watch)
Ah, well. Yes you may. Ah, but, I really have to go very soon. Lots to do before class.
JAKE
Yea I know. Me too. Sort of surprised to see ya uptown this close to starting. Ya do donuts, do ya?
Jake takes a large gulp of the black coffee.
Miss Smythe finishes her chocolate milk then dabs her lips dry with the small paper napkin.
No.
Not usually. I awoke early and had this impulse to treat myself.
(smiles
warmly)
Jake finishes his coffee, stares into her eyes.
Well
no time for seconds. Them kids really can rile ya. I seen ya with 'em. Ya real
good. Got a nice way with 'em. It'll get easier more'n they gets used to ya.
Any them older boys give ya a hard time, just let me know, I'll set 'em square
for ya.
Jake tips his cap and slips a fifty-cent piece aside the cup from a hidden vest pocket. From the other pocket he extracts a thin round watch.
Fifteen
minutes till bell. We'd better go.
Ah, yes, right.
Miss Smythe puts a dollar on the table and follows Jake to the door.
Jake holds the door open for her.
16. EXT. DUNKEM’ DONUTS – CITY STREET – 7:15 a.m.
Miss Smythe jogs across the street to her car. Starts the engine and looks around for Jake.
Jake is riding a bicycle with large saddlebags. He disappears around a far corner.
17. INT. ELEMENTRY SCHOOL – CLASSROOM - MISS SMYTHE
Miss Smythe stands in front of the forth row handing out candy. She then returns to her desk. She puts the paperwork and the candy box down and picks up a small handbook.
Alright class quiet. The hour is almost over and we have an important change to make. First off, let me apologize to you all. I am truly sorry. I have made an err. I have watched you all jam yourselves in and out of that door after the bell. And I did nothing. Yesterday someone could have been terribly hurt. Luckily no one was.
Miss Smythe holds up her instructor's handbook.
MISS SMYTHE
Alright class. Here is what we, you all are going to do from now on. Every time you leave this room it will be as if we are having a fire drill. When the first bell rings you will put your books
MISS SMYTHE
(continues)
away. I will stand in front of each row and when everyone is ready, I will raise my hand up. That row will stand up and slowly leave the room. Then the second row, then the third and then the forth. That way there will be no jamming at the door. Does anyone have a question?
All the students shake their heads no.
Very good. And before entering the classroom. All of you will line up against your lockers quietly. I will stand at the door and motion you to come in just before the second bell rings. Does anyone have a question?
All the students shake their heads no, but many give doubtful looks to one another.
The bell rings.
The
students quickly put their books and pads and pencils in the desks and then sit
quiet.
Miss
Smythe stands in front of the first row, then motions for them to leave.
The
first row students get up and slowly walk out the door.
Miss
Smythe then stands in front of the second row and motions for them to leave.
The
second row students get up and slowly walk out the door.
18. INT. ELEMENTRY SCHOOL – PRINCIPAL
BRUBAKER’S OFFICE
Principal Brubaker sits behind his desk facing the teachers sitting in folding chairs arrayed in a half moon.
A tray
of coffee cups is on his desk.
(smiles)
One
week down and thirty-two to go.
The
older women laugh softly.
Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha.
Coffee
or tea on the tray. Help yourself.
The teachers take a cup from the tray.
(raises
his cup)
May we keep our heads on straight.
The same older women laugh softly. Then raise their cups.
Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha.
Miss Smythe looks at the other young woman teacher, Mrs. Locke. They both grin, then face Mr. Brubaker.
Well ladies here we are again at the start of another year.
(extends
his open hands in a greeting gesture)
A large heartfelt welcome to our two newest. Mrs. Locke comes to us from Chicago, a fifth year art teacher.
Mrs. Locke stands and addresses the group.
MRS. LOCKE
I look forward to my work here and allow me to say we truly intend settling here.
PRINCIPAL BRUBAKER
Yes, yes. I'm sure you will. This is such a wonderful area. The people here are honest, hard workers and are committed to their children's education. The parents know fully that the successful child got his start at the elementary level. Next allow me to introduce Miss Smythe. Although she is fresh to the field of education, she comes to us highly recommended with top honors in her field of Business. I'm looking forward to the integration of her innovative techniques.
Miss Smythe stands up, smiling at each member.
MISS SMYTHE
Thank you sir. I look forward to sharing my ideas with the staff. And I hope you all will support me in my fire drill approach to leaving and entering the classroom.
Mrs. Trowler leans forward.
Is that why the third grade has been lining up against the lockers all day?
MISS SMYTHE
(proudly)
Yes.
MRS. TROWLER
Well dearie. I don't like it. Don't like it at all. Two fights already. Pushing and shoving, blocking some of the fourth graders from their lockers.
MISS SMYTHE
(defensive)
Oh. I didn't know. It works leaving the classroom. They line up nice and quiet, very orderly.
MRS. TROWLER
Yes. Yes. They are supposed to leave that way. That is how we have been teaching them to leave the classroom for years. Yes for years. But they can not stand in the hallway before class starts.
MISS SMYTHE
Well no one told me. They were crashing into each other at the door like a cattle stampede until I began doing the fire drill.
MRS. JONES
Didn't you read your Elementary School Teacher Orientation booklet? It's on the second or third page.
MISS SMYTHE
Well, ah, I read so much material. There was just so much to do. I just got in my house the day before school began. Well I'm not sure I recall reading that.
MRS. JONES
Well I did happen to see them pushing by the lockers at that end, but I was to far away to do anything. Then the bell rang. So that was the reason.
(looks at Mrs. Trowler)
MRS. TROWLER
Yes Mable, that's what happened. Those nasty fourths find any reason to start trouble and they will. We have to put a stop to this hallway line up right now before a brawl begins.
PRINCIPAL BRUBAKER
I do concur.
MISS SMYTHE
Well sir. I stand corrected. My apologies. I will stop them first off Monday.
The group of teachers sit quiet, looking at the principal.
Mr.
Brubaker is jotting furiously into a large spiral bound booklet. After a few
moments, he puts his yellow #2 pencil down. Looks at the quiet group of
teachers before him, glances at his wristwatch.
Well
ladies, I think we are going to do just fine. Just fine this year. Are there
any other ideas, comments or suggestions?
All the teachers shake heads no.
Then
this first session is over. See you all same time, same place next Friday.
19.
INT. MISS SMYTHE’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM
Miss Smythe is making notes on a legal pad while watching videotapes of her third grade students.
After a few minutes she becomes fidgety and offs the TV/VCR.
She puts on a light jacket and takes her car keys off the table.
20. INT. DUNKEM’ DONUTS – MORNING
Miss Smythe sits at a window table eating a donut and sipping coffee.
She alternates from looking around the café and looking outside through the window.
She goes up to the counter, smiles at the teenage clerk.
MISS SMYTHE
Excuse me miss. Do you know Jake the janitor? He works at my school.
MARY JO
Yes mame I do. He was the janitor when I was there.
MISS SMYTHE
Ah. Ah does he come in here very often on Saturdays?
MARY JO
No mame. I’ve been working part time here a couple years and Jake only comes during the week.
MISS SMYTHE
Oh. I was just wondering. Ah, ah I’ll take a dozen glaze to go, thanks.
Mary Jo smiles and begins putting donuts in a sack.
21. INT. ELEMENTRY SCHOOL – CLASSROOM - MISS SMYTHE
Miss Smythe is arranging the black bag on top of the tall cabinet when the bell rings. She jumps up nervously and looks around at the still empty classroom.
She goes to her desk and looks over her note card as the first students hurry in to their desks.
Soon all the students are sitting and chatting.
MISS SMYTHE
Good morning class. Quiet please. The weekend is over and it's time to return to schoolwork.
The overhead speaker crackled on.
PRINCIPAL BRUBAKER (O.S.)
Good morning Peabody staff and students. Is everybody happy?
Miss Smythe and all the students nod yes.
PRINCIPAL
BRUBAKER (O.S.)
I want to remind everyone to please walk in the hallways. Running or skipping inside the school is very dangerous. Also screaming and shoving inside the school is not allowed. Have a nice day.
The speaker static goes silent.
MISS SMYTHE
Alright class. Everyone please take out your Business Today textbooks, some paper and a pencil.
All the students noisily get out their books, paper and pencils. Then sit quietly facing Miss Smythe.
MISS SMYTHE
Today’s lesson in Business Today
is about layoffs. Your work assignment, your “job” to do today for me, your
“boss”, is to copy the first review question at the end of the chapter 1.
Everyone open their books to page 15.
(waits and watches)
The company received fewer orders for our work yesterday. So today we won't need all of the employees. Two workers will be laid-off. That means two of you will not copy the question. In this job lesson two of you will not get any money, candy. Are there any questions?
Many hands rise up.
MISS SMYTHE
Alright class. Let me explain after you do ‘The Job’. I think you all will see what I mean after we do the lesson of job layoff.
Miss Smythe goes to the blackboard and prints: JOB LAYOFF.
Then back at her desk she glances at the seating chart.
MISS SMYTHE
Darci M. and Bobby T. you two are the job layoffs for today. Please come to the front of the class and stand by the blackboard.
Darci and Bobby walk up to the blackboard.
MISS SMYTHE
Everyone else please copy question one now.
The students copy the question.
Miss Smythe takes the box of candy from her desk and goes over to the first row.
MISS SMYTHE
Alright class. Please hand your work forward.
She exchanges pieces of candy for the stack of paper from the first student in each row.
MISS SMYTHE
One candy for everyone except Bobby and Darci. They do not get any candy, any money, because they did not do any work. They did not get to do any work because they were laidoff. The company did not need two workers today. That is what Job Layoff means. Alright Bobby and Darci you can return to your desks.
Bobby and Darci go back to their desks.
Miss Smythe goes to her desk and puts the box of candy in a drawer.
Darci is sitting beside her desk with her hand up.
Yes
Darci, you have a question?
Yes boss sir. Why was I laid-off today? I do good work.
(smiles)
That's a very good question Darci. A very difficult question that has many different answers. We will discuss some of the reasons in our lesson for today.
Miss Smythe prints on the blackboard: SENIORITY
MISS SMYTHE
Seniority. That means that the employees that have been working at the company for the longest time get to stay working. The newest hired people get laid-off first.
DARCI
But we all started school on the same day last week.
MISS SMYTHE
Yes, that's true, but for this job lesson you each got hired at a different time. You didn't all walk into the room at the same time, did you? You came in one at a time. And so the people who came in first would be like people being hired first. Understand?
BOBBY
(hand raised)
But teacher. I was the first one in here last week. I remember 'cause I wanted to get a seat by this window.
REGINAL
No you weren't. I was. You were last. Yea last. I ‘member you came in after the bell.
TOMMY
(hand raised
The oldest should get to be the workers and should get the candy.
BRANDN
(hand raised)
Miss Smythe, I would like to be laid-off.
MISS SMYTHE
Why?
BRANDN
I hurt my writing finger playing ball yesterday.
JOAN
(hand raised)
Can I be laid off next?
MISS SMYTHE
Why?
JOAN
I always wanted to be a martyr.
MISS SMYTHE
Alright class. Quiet. The workers don’t decide who gets laid off, the company does.
Reginal, Tommy, Brandn, Joan raise their hands.
Everyone
put your hands down and be quiet. I'm the boss here. And I pick who gets
laid-off and who doesn't. That's what working for a company is.
Miss Smythe slams her fist upon her desktop.
A single hand slowly raises.
Miss Smythe looks at the seating chart.
MISS SMYTHE
Yes Milli.
MILLI
As a worker, an employee, do I have the right to quit a job I don't like?
MISS SMYTHE
Yes Mary. In
America the employee does have that right and many more. A very good question.
And we will be discussing that issue as the year progresses. But as students,
you can not quit. How would you learn if you didn't participate? Alright class
the bell is about to ring. Put your books away.
22.
INT. ELEMENTRY SCHOOL – FRONT DOORS
Looking through the glass doors Miss Smythe watches the last bus full of students pull away.
She
turns back toward the long main hallway. She takes a few steps to the right,
then stops to look at a sign with a red arrow on the wall: JANITOR’S OFFICE
As she
turns back to follow the arrow, a loud crash causes her to look the other way.
The Turner triplets walk out of the bathroom to stand near Mrs. Trowler.
What's all that racket in there? You break something?
Mrs. Trowler's wobbly fingers reach for the closest boy.
The Turner boys duck and bolt passed her, screaming.
LUKE, TYRON, GERAMY
Ahhhhhh. The troll, the troll's after us! The troll. The old troll. Ahhhhh.
The Turner boys run past Miss Smythe and disappear out the front doors.
Mrs. Trowler smiles at the approaching Miss Smythe.
MRS. TROWLER
Two more years and I'm history. Just two more. Should have taken early retirement. Mrs. Jones and I both could have. Thought we'd like to work a little longer. Who would know. Who could know those wild Turner boys would transfer here. No respect. None at all for their elders or their teachers. And from the stories I hear at Wednesday Bingo, they are worse on their parents.
(shakes head)
Might as well go on in and see what damage the little hellions did.
23. INT. ELEMENTRY SCHOOL – BOYS BATHROOM
Scattered on the floor are hundreds of wadded up paper towels.
Mrs. Trowler tries to pull the tall upturned metal wastebasket toward her.
A sudden howl from within causes her to yip and clutch her chest.
MRS. TROWLER
Who's in there? Who's under that wastebasket?
Mrs. Trowler steps forward and kicks the basket.
From under the wastebasket comes a muffled voice.
GEORGE
Hmmmmmlllppphhh.
MRS. TROWLER
Come out of there. Right now! (she kicks it again)
GEORGE
Hmmmmmmmmmllppphhh.
Miss Smythe is holding in her laughter behind her hands.
Jake saunters past them. He grabs the top of the wastebasket and slowly pulls it up.
Underneath, wrapped round and round with thin toilet paper, small mummy eyes stare helplessly at them.
Oh
my word!
Jake carefully pulls the layers from George’s mouth.
Ya
okay son?
George nods yes.
Jake quickly unwraps George.
GEORGE
Thanks. There waz three of ‘em. I didn’t hav’ a chance.
JAKE
It’s okay, so long as yous aign’t hurt. Run along home.
George runs out the bathroom.
Jake, Mrs. Trowler, Miss Smythe walk out into the hallway.
24. INT. ELEMENTRY SCHOOL – MAIN HALLWAY
JAKE
They used to 'tp' houses, now it's each other.
MRS. TROWLER
Two more years. Only two more years.
Mrs. Trowler walks away toward her classroom.
MISS SMYTHE
I heard you call him son. That your boy?
JAKE
Na. I call 'em all that. Boy or son. It's like they all mine for a while. It's as much being a dad as I got.
Miss Smythe looks into his sad eyes.
JAKE
Best I git the broom to this.
Jake walks past her.
Miss Smythe grabs his arm.
MISS SMYTHE
I looked for you this morning.
JAKE
I was a little late getting here. Did ya leave a note on the desk? Didn't see one. What ya need?
(leans toward her)
MISS SMYTHE
No. Not here. At the donut shop. I thought you might stop in.
(her eyes widening)
JAKE
Oh. At the coffee place. I usually make my own. Got a large thermos.
(slides his hands into his pockets)
They stand silent a long while.
Jake turns and leaves toward his office.
Miss Smythe takes one step to follow him, then stops and turns back toward her classroom.
25.
EXT. ELEMENTRY SCHOOL – PLAYGROUND – LUNCH
The playground is full of students and teachers watching them play.
Sitting
on the top rungs of the pyramid bars, Peter, Paul, Mary of fifth grade are in a
heated discussion.
Look. I know from where I speak. My sister is in college.
PETER
That doesn't make it true.
PAUL
Look. We are just like laboratory rats in an experiment.
MARY
Whose experiment?
PAUL
My sister is in Psychology. They put rats in mazes. They watch them. They experiment with them. They give them food when they do it right.
MARY
Live rats? Not live ugly, hairy rats.
PAUL
Look. I haven't seen them, mind you. My sister says they climb walls, crawl through tunnels and get cheese if they beat the clock.
(faces Peter)
Tick tick tick tick tick tick.
(finger back and forth)
PETER
Tell him Mary. We are humans. Not rats. I think Miss Smythe is being nice.
MARY
She's not too bad, not yet anyway. This is only the second week.
PAUL
Look. My sister says it's the cheese that gets them rats to do the experiment. Cheese or candy. It's all the same thing. Don't you get it? The candy is the cheese. We are her rats.
(holds up a candy)
Here you go little rats.
MARY
(reaches for candy)
Squeak, squeak.
Paul pops the caramel candy into his mouth, letting the plastic wrapper float through the bars below.
The
plastic wrapper lands on Betty.
Paul shakes his head no.
MARY
How much money?
BETTY
A nickel in my locker.
PETER
A whole nickel for one lousy caramel?
BETTY
I didn't get one today. I was laid-off.
PAUL
(lowers his voice)
Your class gets candy too?
BETTY
Yes for copying questions in the business book for Miss Smythe.
26.
INT. ELEMENTRY SCHOOL – CLASSROOM - MRS. TROWLER
Mrs. Trowler’s head is resting on her desk, her eyes are closed.
The
students hurry in and take their seats.
Luke
Turner waves a ‘charge’ gesture to his two brothers.
Luke,
Tyron, and Geramy slide their desks into the isles. Then they inch slowly forward toward Mrs. Trowler’s desk.
The
rest of the students are holding their laughter behind their hands.
Luke
is the closest to Mrs. Trowler. When he reaches over his desk and touches Mrs.
Trowler's desk the entire class bursts into laughter and slap their knees.
Ha. Ha. Ha. Haw. Haw. Humph.
Mrs.
Trowler raises her head. She grabs a book and slams in down on her desk three
times, just missing Luke’s hand.
Back. Back. Back you beasts. How dare you! Put those desks back this very minute! This very minute I say.
The Turner boys begin scooting their desks backwards.
Luke
slips and falls out onto the floor.
Ha. Ha. Ha. Haw. Haw. Humph.
Geramy
gets to his place, but tips over, landing on the floor with the desk atop him.
Ha. Ha. Ha. Haw. Haw. Humph.
Tyron
gets out of his desk and slowly pulls it back to its proper place. Then sits
down and gestures himself the winner.
Ha. Ha. Ha. Haw. Haw. Humph.
Mrs. Trowler stands in front of the class very stern, very rigid until the Turner boys are back in place.
Soon
all the students are sitting quiet.
Today we will begin multiplying fractions. The first row will go to the board. You will solve the problem written on the board. Put your name by your work. Everyone at their desks will work the problem on paper to be turned in at the end of the hour. When the problems are done on the board the class will evaluate them. Alright. The first row will line up at the board.
The first row goes quietly to the board. They quickly write down the answers. Then return to their seats.
Mrs. Trowler stands by one of the problems.
Does anyone have a different answer for this problem?
Most of the class raises their hands.
Geramy Turner please come back to the board.
Geramy scuffs his feet and a few kids giggle.
Te he te he te he he.
MRS. TROWLER
Now class quiet. There's nothing funny about making mistakes. That's how we learn. It's how you know when you have done something wrong. Then you get to learn how to do it right for the next time. Class that's why you are in school. And believe you me, you will make many, many more mistakes before you graduate. All of you will, so let's not have any more laughter at someone's math mistakes.
Geramy is standing beside Mrs. Trowler pretending to kick her shins and making weird faces at her.
Some of the students point at him.
Mrs. Trowler quickly looks down at him. Then she shows him the answer book.
MRS. TROWLER
See, 1/4 x 2/3 = 2/12 not 2/7. You added the 4 and 3 to get 7. But this is a multiply problem, the 'x' means to multiply 4 times 3 to get 12. Do you understand?
Geramy looks at the book and silently nods yes.
Okay, correct it please.
Geramy erases the 7 and puts a 12 in its place.
Very good. Now try another one.
Mrs. Trowler writes similar problem on the board.
Again Geramy makes kicking gestures and ugly faces behind her back.
MRS. TROWLER
Go on. Multiply this one.
Geramy makes the same error, adding the denominator.
No no
Geramy. Not adding. This is a multiply problem. Don't you understand? Look. 3/4
x 1/2 = 3/8 not 3/6. The little 'x' means for you to multiply. The little '+'
means to add. You learned that last year didn't you?
Geramy shakes his head no.
What do you mean no? Didn't you go to school here last year?
No Mrs. Trowler. We went to school in Chesterville.
Oh that's right, you are a transfer student. You and your brothers. But you were in school last year, weren't you?
Yes.
Yes.
Well then you had to have learned that '+' means to add.
(her
hands on her hips)
Geramy shakes his head no.
But you had to. All third graders learn that. Even second grade adds and subtracts.
(defiantly)
Well I didn’t.
MRS. TROWLER
Are you sure? Let's try a few simple problems. Maybe it will come back to you.
Mrs. Trowler erases the board clean.
Then she puts a series of single numbers on the board and put a '+' sign beside the bottom number. Then she draws a line under the column of numbers.
MRS. TROWLER
See this plus sign.
Suddenly a big splat of wet paper wad hits and sticks right on top of the '+' sign.
Mrs. Trowler lurches backwards, grabs her chest with her right hand, squeaks out a short high pitched alarm, then slowly looks at the class.
No one moves.
Alright Geramy. Take your seat. Everyone will do the odd problems on page 18. Turn them in at the end of the hour. Alright begin.
All the students begin to do the assignment.
Mrs. Trowler opens her purse and takes out a small gold pillbox. She extracts a red pill, then swallows it.
27.
INT. ELEMENTRY SCHOOL – CLASSROOM – MISS SMYTHE
Alright. Alright. Quiet down class. Today’s lesson is about getting more money, candy, for the same amount of time worked, is called a raise. A company will offer and give raises for many reasons. All this week we will be studying some of those reasons.
MILLI
(hand raised)
Does that mean you are going to give the workers two pieces of candy?
MISS SMYTHE
Very good Milli, that’s just what I’m going to do.
MILLI
What about the workers who are laid-off?
MISS SMYTHE
No work, no pay. Doesn’t that make sense to you?
MILLI
Yes I understand no work, no pay. But it doesn’t seem fair to give a raise of two candies for the same amount of work.
MISS SMYTHE
Are you saying you don’t want the extra candy?
REGINAL
Shut up Milli. I want two candies.
AMY
(hand raised)
But Reginal, I’ve been laid-off and I don’t get any. It’s not fair.
REGINAL
My dad says life aign’t fair, to bad for you and more for me.
AMY
I should get to go back to work and get one of your candies.
MILLI
I agree with Amy. That would be fair.
MISS SMYTHE
But you have to understand this from the company viewpoint. The company doesn’t have enough work to re-hire any workers.
MILLI
If they don’t have enough work how can they give out raises?
MISS SMYTHE
A good question. Usually the answer is because the company is charging more. The customers have to pay more to buy the paperwork. There are other reasons and we will discuss them later in the year.
28. EXT. ELEMENTRY SCHOOL – PLAYGROUND – LUNCH
Paul is outside Miss Smythe’s classroom. He is peeking in the window at Miss Smythe.
29. INT. ELEMENTRY SCHOOL – CLASSROOM – MISS SMYTHE
There are no students in her classroom.
Miss Smythe is at her desk. She opens her black bag and puts both hands inside. Then she takes out a videotape and writes a number on it. Then she puts the videotape back into the bag.
She takes the bag back to the tall cabinet and carefully aims it at the desks.
30. EXT. ELEMENTRY SCHOOL – PLAYGROUND – LUNCH
Paul ducks down below the window seal and duck walks to the back classroom windows.
Then he runs to the pyramid bars and motions to Peter and Mary.
PAUL
I was just watching Miss Smythe. She’s got something in that black bag she keeps on the cabinet. I think it’s a movie camera. I saw her put a videotape in the bag.
PETER
A video tape. Maybe it’s a rent-a-movie tape. That doesn’t prove there’s a movie camera in there. And so what. That’s her bag, her stuff. It’s her business not ours.
MARY
Yea Paul. My mom says her purse is her private property and nobody can look in it without her permission. Not me, dad, not even the cops.
PETER
Mary is right. A purse or a black bag, it’s the same thing. It’s her private stuff, not our business.
PAUL
What if she is filming us with a camera that would make it our business? She doesn’t have our permission.
PETER
Why would she film us? We’re just kids.
PAUL
Cause it’s some kind of experiment, just like my sister said.
MARY
Maybe Paul is right. We should tell the principal.
PETER
Wait a minute. If Paul is wrong we could be in big trouble accusing a teacher.
PAUL
Peter is right. We need more proof before we tell Mr. Brubaker. We’ll have to look in the bag to make sure there is a camera in there. We need a plan.
MARY
After class when she’s getting ready to leave, she puts the bag on her desk. We'll surround her then. You and Peter ask her a bunch of questions. Then I’ll look inside.
PAUL
That's a good plan. Can you do it?
MARY
Yes I can, but you two got to get her turned around.
PETER
(hesitant)
You two been watching too much spy television. It's harmless. So she gives us some candy. It's like money for dad at work. She's teaching us about the real world.
PAUL
Maybe the candy for work is harmless, maybe not. If she is filming us for some experiment without our permission, that’s a violation of our privacy.
MARY
We need proof. We've got to get a look inside that bag. Peter you have to help.
PAUL
Come on Peter. Just come up to the desk with us. You don't have to do anything. Just stand there. I’ll ask all the questions. And Mary will peek inside.
MARY
(leans close to Peter)
Come on Peter, we need your help. She won’t see a thing. She won’t know what we’re really doing.
PETER
Oh well. Alright. But don’t let her see you.
31. INT. ELEMENTRY SCHOOL – CLASSROOM – MISS SMYTHE
The students are leaving the classroom.
Miss Smythe gets down her black bag, then puts it on her desk.
Paul and Mary and Peter come into the classroom as the last students go out the door.
Miss Smythe is standing, straightening up her desk.
Paul and Peter go to the right side of Miss Smythe and Mary goes around to the left side of the desk.
PAUL
Miss Smythe. I got some questions. . .
PETER
(fearful)
No. Let’s get out of here.
Peter turns and starts to leave, but Paul grabs him around the waist. They fall to the floor.
Miss Smythe steps around her desk and goes to the boys.
MISS SMYTHE
Stop it. Stop it!
Miss Smythe bends down, and tries to separate the boys.
MISS SMYTHE
Stop it. I said!
Mary grabs the top latch and leans the black bag open toward her. She quick looks inside then lets it stand aright. She then leaves the room.
Miss Smythe gets Paul standing on her left and then Peter standing on her right.
MISS SMYTHE
(calmly)
Okay. Okay. What are you boys fighting about?
PAUL
He changed the price of a caramel after I already paid him.
MISS SMYTHE
Is that the story Peter?
PETER
Well sort of.
MISS SMYTHE
How much did he charge you?
PAUL
I was sure he said a nickel. But after I gave him one, he said it was two nickels.
PETER
He called me a liar. Two nickels is the price.
MISS SMYTHE
Well boys, fighting over a nickel is not too smart.
(she gives Peter a dime)
MISS SMYTH
(continues)
This time I'll settle it, next time you'll both go to the principal's office. Do you understand?
(her hands on her hips)
Paul and Peter nod their heads yes.
Now you boys shake hands and get along.
32.
EXT. ELEMENTRY SCHOOL – MAIN HALLWAY
Mary is standing beside her open locker.
Peter
and Paul hurry to Mary.
You were right. It’s a movie camera and there was a stack of blank videotapes.
PAUL
I knew it! I told you so.
PETER
What now? Tell Mr. Brubaker?
PAUL
No. Not yet. Let me talk to my sister. See what she thinks. Don’t tell anybody about this. Nobody. Not yet.
Peter and Mary nod okay, fingers on their closed lips.
33. INT. DUNKEM’ DONUTS – MORNING 7:25 a.m.
Miss Smythe is standing at the counter looking over the variety of donuts and pastries.
MISS
SMYTHE
Well I don't know, maybe a jelly filled or well maybe....
JAKE
Try the lemon pudding.
(faces
Jake)
Oh hi Jake. Thanks. I'll try one of those.
MARY JO
Okay. How about you Jake?
JAKE
(staring at Miss Smythe)
Well Mary Jo. I need a mixed dozen today for the staff. Fix me up the usual box will ya?
MARY JO
Sure. Be just a minute.
Mary Jo hands the lemon pudding to Ms Smythe. Then begins filling a cardboard box with variety.
MISS SMYTHE
(smiles)
You buying those for the office?
JAKE
Yea for the office pool. Five of us. So once a week I buy. Surprised to see ya. Where's ya car?
MISS SMYTHE
(warmly)
Oh it was such a nice morning I walked here.
JAKE
Ya goin' to have to run back.
MISS SMYTHE
Huh, why?
Jake points to the clock on the far wall.
Oh my. Sure took longer than I thought. I'll never make it in time.
I got my truck. Give ya a ride if ya don't much mind the looks.
(sighs)
Thanks. Running isn't my cup of tea.
34.
INT. JAKE’S PICKUP TRUCK – CITY STREETS
Jake is driving and Miss Smythe is sitting passenger.
This is really nice, you fix it up?
Jake nods yes then puts his right hand upon her knee.
Miss Smythe looks at his hand on her knee. Her breath quickens and her face flushes red. She sits immobile holding the lemon pudding filled donut.
A glob of lemon pudding lands on her lap. She jumps and coughs.
MISS SMYTHE
Oh no.
Jake puts his right hand back on the steering wheel.
(perplexed)
Miss Smythe grabs the glob up with her right hand, holding the dripping donut at him with her left hand.
The pudding fell out.
(grins)
35.
EXT. ELEMENTRY SCHOOL – PLAYGROUND - LUNCH
Peter, Paul and Mary sit on top of the pyramid bars.
Look. My sister and I had a long talk last night. She brought her new boy friend home from college.
In the guestroom down stairs, nosey. Well I told them everything.
Bob said, 'Rats, yep. More rats at the cheese'.
He thinks your house has rats?
No you dumbbell. You're the rat, me, her, all of us are Smythe's rats. Bob said it’s some kind of psychological experiment. Probably to make her some kind of a doctor.
That's hogwash. She's already a teacher. Why be a doctor?
MARY
You don't know much do you. Being a doctor is better, more money and a nicer car and a big house. Vacations in Europe. What would you rather be?
That doctor stuff sounds okay. Maybe that's what I'll do.
Fine, but I don't like being her laboratory rat. Do you?
PETER
Well the candy's nice, aign't it?
Peter takes a caramel from his pocket.
Paul knocks it down to the ground and two girls grab for it, rolling on the ground.
Not if you're laid-off. Actually I'm getting angry at this candy stuff. You wave them around like you're so special.
I am.
PAUL
For a rat!
MARY
There's lots of kids mad at this. We've been discussing this candy stuff on my bus. There was almost a fight. The bus driver had to stop to quiet the kids in the back seat. He was really mad at us.
PAUL
We should do something to stop her experimenting on us.
36.
INT. ELEMENTRY
SCHOOL – CLASSROOM – MISS SMYTHE
Miss
Smythe gets up from her desk.
Alright class. Hand forward your questions work.
Miss Smythe takes the box of candy from a drawer. Then goes to the first row.
Jamie
hands her a single piece of paper.
Miss
Smythe looks at the paper:
Miss Smythe looks at the other front row desk.
None
of the students have any paperwork for her.
Miss
Smythe looks at the single piece of paper again. Then she returns to her desk
and puts the box of candy in a drawer.
The
bell rings.
All
the students put their books away then leave the room quietly.
37.
INT. MISS SMYTHE’S
HOUSE – LIVING ROOM
Miss Smythe is sitting on the couch talking on the telephone.
That’s right Dr. Skinner. Every one of my classes went on strike today. No one did any of the paperwork.
DR. SKINNER (O.S.)
That is remarkable. And you have not discussed what a strike is?
MISS SMYTHE
No sir. That’s scheduled for next week. I wanted to gather some more playground behavior data before planting that idea in their heads.
DR. SKINNER (O.S.)
The strike statement was the same from each class?
MISS SMYTHE
Yes. The same paper, the same type of print. It appears to be very organized. I was so shocked I didn’t know what to say. I said nothing during each hour, acted as if each class would do their work per usual.
DR. SKINNER (O.S.)
Yes my dear. You have a very organized strike on your hands. Seems as if the students have been conferring behind your back. Has any of the staff approached you?
MISS SMYTHE
No one has said anything. I’m not sure the staff knows or cares that I’ve been rewarding the students with candies.
DR. SKINNER (O.S.)
I will be very interested to learn what happens next.
MISS SMYTHE
This unexpected pre-emptive strike cuts down on my raw data. But I am sure I have enough material for my Doctorate Thesis. If the school doesn’t fire me, I’ll just follow the routine lesson plan for Business Today.
DR. SKINNER (O.S.)
Using a video camera to help you become a better teacher is a viable excuse, if they threaten you with some legal hocus-pocus. But I don’t think it will come to that. No one has been harmed. Call me tomorrow.
MISS SMYTHE
Thank you Dr. Skinner for all your help. I’ll try to get the first draft to you before the holidays. Good bye.
38. INT. ELEMENTRY SCHOOL – CLASSROOM – MISS SMYTHE
Miss Smythe writes on the blackboard: STRIKE, then under that she writes: UNIONS, then faces the third grade students.
MISS SMYTHE
Well class, you have my congratulations. I was very surprised at your strike. But I am very proud, very pleased. The whole school formed a union. You made a formal protest against working conditions you all found unbearable. Excellent. Alright class. Turn to page ninety in your Business Today books.
All the students look at each other, nervously. They quickly and quietly get out their books.
MISS SMYTHE
We will begin the chapter on Unions and Strikes. You all get an Excellent for the first three weeks of Business Today, the workers unit. I am closing down the factory. Everyone is laid-off.
ANDREA
(hand raised)
The candy. What about our candy?
MISS SMYTHE
Well class, remember the candy was money for the workers. But now there aren't any workers. So no candy for anyone. Everyone is back to being just a student. You are students. I am the teacher. Do you get candy from any other teacher?
All the students shake their heads no.
Do
we still have to copy the questions?
You mean copy the questions at the chapter's end?
REGINAL
Yes. The stuff we were getting candy for.
MISS SMYTHE
Yes class. Everyone. The whole school will still be copying questions. That is part of your learning process. You are here to learn.
39.
INT. ELEMENTRY
SCHOOL – CLASSROOM – MRS. TROWLER
At the blackboard are four students standing with their hands at their sides, shaking their heads no.
We can’t do the problems cause we’re on strike.
I said put the problems on the board!
Geramy and Tyron Turner stand up at their desks.
Strike. Strike. Strike.
Mrs. Trowler turns to face Geramy and Tyron.
At
the blackboard, Luke writes STRIKE.
Mrs. Trowler turns and faces Luke.
Strike. Strike. Strike.
Mrs. Trowler slams her book down on her desk.
That does it. I've had enough of you boys. You Turner boys. Everyone take your seats!
The four students at the board scamper to their desks.
Alright. Luke, Geramy, Tyron Turner. Front and center. Right now!
The Turner triplets remain sitting in their desks.
The Turner triplets grin and wink at each other. They remain immobile and silent.
(stamps foot)
Mrs. Trowler goes toward Luke with her hands outstretched.
At once all three Turners bolt from their seats and run to the back of the room.
TURNER TRIPLETS
(in unison)
Strike. Strike. We're on strike.
Mrs. Trowler trots toward them. And a low, fearsome growl comes from her.
The
Turner boys run back to the front and hide down behind her desk.
Mrs. Trowler trots to her desk and stands in front.
You boys are going with me to the principal's. Right now! You're going to be expelled!
Mrs. Trowler pushes a book off the right side of the desk. Then she lunges to the left in time to grab two of the boys’ shirts.
LUKE and GERAMY
Hay! Let go! Owhee!
Tyron goes around the desk and kicks Mrs. Trowler in the shin.
(screams)
Ohweeeee! Damn you, you little devils. Damn you!
Mrs. Trowler knocks the row of books from the front corner of the desk at them. Some of the books hit the boys.
Damn you. You 'ol witch. Strike. Strike. We're on strike.
Mrs. Trowler lunges and slips on a book. She falls to the floor.
(screams)
Ohweeeeee! My hip. My hip.
Two girls rush up to her.
MRS. TROWLER
No. Becky go get Mrs. Locke. Then go tell Mr. Brubaker. Robyn tell the class to stay seated, to read their books.
The Turner triplets run out of the classroom.
40.
INT. ELEMENTRY
SCHOOL – MR. BRUBAKER’S OFFICE
Mr. Brubaker sits behind his desk. A tray of coffee cups is on his desk.
The
teachers sit in folding chairs facing Mr. Brubaker.
Mrs. Trowler fell down in her classroom and was taken to Family General Hospital last hour. Mrs. Locke you were with her at the end, what did she tell you?
MRS.
LOCKE
It was those terrible Turner boys. They enticed the class to go on strike. No one would do their board work. The Turners kept chanting, 'Strike Strike'. They refused
MRS. LOCKE
(continues)
to go to your office. When she confronted them, one of them kicked her. She chased them around the desk and fell. That's about it. Those awful boys.
Yes. That's about it. The Turners frightened the class. Made them agree to a strike against Hazel. Said they'd beat the other kids up. So the class just sat quiet after she assigned board work. Then the Turner boys began yelling, 'Strike'. That's about it.
The other teachers begin looking and chatting to each other.
Those awful boys. I feel for her. That's a bad fall. They’re nothing but trouble. Pranksters, troublemakers, no good. Can't do a thing with them. Get rid of 'em. String 'em up.
Now now ladies. Let's remember who and where we are. Have those Turner boys been causing all of you trouble?
The teachers nod yes and begin to chat again.
Well ladies. What we, what I need are reports. Documented evidence. Over the weekend write down any incidence of trouble those Turners have caused or you suspect them of causing. Especially this strike thing in Hazel's class. Come Monday I'll have her class write individual accounts. Then I'll turn the Turners over to the Trustees. Maybe we'll just be able to transfer them.
41.
INT. ELEMENTRY
SCHOOL – MAIN HALLWAY
Miss Smythe is the last to leave Mr. Brubaker’s office and enter the hallway.
As all
the other teachers disappear into their classrooms, Miss Smythe pauses,
starring at the sign on the wall: JANITOR’S OFFICE.
She
takes one step toward her classroom then stops and walks toward the arrow
pointing to Jake’s office.
Oh well. Why not. The experiment is over. And I deserve it.
42.
INT. ELEMENTRY
SCHOOL - JANITOR’S OFFICE
Miss Smythe slowly pushes Jake’s office door open.
The office is empty.
She starts to leave, but hears a sound. She walks through the office to a dark doorway.
A shaking rattle sound comes from the dark room.
Miss Smythe flips on the light.
Bare arms untangle. A woman and Jake sit up.
Jake pulls a cover over their laps.
JAKE
(grins)
Ya need some, ah, help, Miss Smythe?
MISS SMYTHE
(turns head away)
Ah, well. No no. I've got a project to do. I won't. No. I guess not. Sorry.
Miss Smythe flips off the light out and hurries out to the hallway.
43. INT. ELEMENTRY SCHOOL – MAIN HALLWAY
Miss Smythe runs down the empty hallway to her classroom.
44. INT. ELEMENTRY SCHOOL – CLASSROOM – MISS SMYTHE
Miss Smythe slams her classroom door behind her. She locks the door.
She then turns and stands against the door. She looks at the empty desks, then looks at her black bag.
She walks over to the windows and stares out at the empty playground swings.
### the end.
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