SCENE I:Small classroom filled with desks. At each desk sits the class (random FEMALE students wearing what they would wear to school any day.) Class is doing what they would do if it was a real school day. Courtney is sitting at a desk near the front but not the first row, reading the newspaper article under her desk. Teacher is standing at the blackboard talking enthusiastically and lecture-y to the class, snapping a meterstick in her hand. Teacher wears whatever they would wear if they were actually teaching.
TEACHER: You gotta know how to do it, if you wanna pass the finals. You divide fractions by changing the operation and finding the reciprocal. You NEED to pass the exams. Once you get past ninth grade, it won't be so easy. The exams help determine your future ... (if more time is needed the actress may make up the appropriate lines or repeat ones already said.)
Camera shows the newspaper article in Courtney's hands as the teacher is talking. About five seconds pass.
TEACHER hits COURTNEY's desk with the meterstick. COURTNEY jumps and almost drops the newspaper article.
TEACHER: Courtney, PAY ATTENTION: This is class, not recess! You can read all you want then! Actually...
TEACHER takes the article from COURTNEY.
TEACHER: Let's discuss this article. Is there really a zombie? Or is it just a tale Mrs. Eliza's Mom told to keep the stupid kids off her property?
COURTNEY: Yes, there is! I trust Thelma Woodlin to tell the truth!
TEACHER [sarcastic]: Oh there is a zombie then? Why don't I get some garlic? And what is under the zombie's hood? Courtney, what do you think is under the zombie's hood?
COURTNEY: Uhh... zombie brains?
THE CLASS starts laughing, making the teacher very angry.
TEACHER: Courtney! Detention, tomorrow! I expect to see you there, or you'll lose your school dance privileges.
THE CLASS abruptly stops laughing.
COURTNEY: But--
TEACHER: No buts. You will come, Courtney, or no dances! And I'll be keeping this article until the end of the day.
COURTNEY sighs.
COURTNEY: okay.
TEACHER: That's more like it.
TEACHER rants about reciprocals and exams and is cut off by the beginning of the next act.
Back to Act II
Contents
On to Act IV