Plot: After having a run in with another teacher, a British, arrogant teacher is forced to share the same class with the teacher he strongly dislikes. However when several deaths occur in each of the families of these teachers, their feelings for each other change as they learn to get along.
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SCENE 0: INTRODUCTION.
SOUND EFFECTS
(synth quietly and soothingly starts)
Company logos for Swan Hill College, Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC) (as Film Finance Corporation Australia) and Timothy Mitchell Films.
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SCENE 1: MR. BRUSHMORE’S HOUSE. EARLY MORNING. INT.
The screen fades from black to a man peacefully sleeping in his bed. We slowly move around the room until we see his clock on his dresser. The time is 7:29.
OT (Opening titles): Film Finance Corporation Australia presents
The clock changes to 7:30.
SOUND EFFECTS
(alarm clock beeping)
The man, whose name is Isaac Brushmore, slowly and wearily opens his eyes, groans and presses the snooze button on his clock.
SOUND EFFECTS
(beeping stops)
Mr. Brushmore groans, throws back the covers, gets out of bed and sits up. We have a close up of his feet from the ground as he puts his slippers on and walks out of the room.
SOUND EFFECTS
(music “The Pursuit Of Happyness” main theme)
OT: in association with Swan Hill College
Mr. Brushmore walks into the bathroom and shuts the door.
OT: and Timothy Mitchell Films
In the bathroom, Mr. Brushmore turns the sink taps on. Water rushes out of it. He bends over and washes his face, trying to get the sleep out of his eyes. We now have a close up of water running down the plug hole.
OT: a (producer’s name) production
We now look over at the towel rack. Mr. Brushmore takes a towel.
OT: a (director’s name) film
Mr. Brushmore dries his face with the towel. When he has finished, he puts the towel aside.
OT: (name of actor playing Mr. Brushmore)
He looks in the mirror and inspects himself. He pays particular attention to his chin and whiskers. After deep consideration, he stoops down, opens a cupboard and pulls out some shaving cream and a razor. He shuts the door.
OT: (name of actor playing Miss Janet Lindsey)
Mr. Brushmore turns the tap on again and shaves. (Puts shaving cream on, shaves with razor, washes off shaving cream, etc.) We watch from a distance.
OT: The Teachers
In the kitchen, Mr. Brushmore sits at the table. He reads the newspaper and eats a piece of toast with Vegimite. He also occasionally drinks from a cup of tea. Opening titles also appear during this sequence. (This scene should be filmed for at least 1-1.5 minutes before “Cut” is called. It is also advised that there are some close ups of certain objects, ie. plate, and then the camera moves up to Mr. Brushmore’s face.)
Later, Mr. Brushmore walks into his bedroom and closes the door. We briefly see Mr. Brushmore pull out items of clothing from his wardrobe. Later, Mr. Brushmore walks out of his bedroom dressed in a suit, or close to a suit. He walks into the bathroom. Our view stay focused on the bedroom door. Another opening title.
Back in the bathroom, Mr. Brushmore is cleaning his teeth. (There are lots of rooms for close ups in this scene. At one point, have a close up of the sink plug whole, with the water running, similar to earlier on.) Later, after Mr. Brushmore has cleaned his teeth, he wets his hair with a sprayer bottle and then brushes his hair back with a brush.
Mr. Brushmore then walks into his office. He turns his computer on. It starts up. (We watch the computer screen start up. We also switch between Mr. Brushmore and the computer. The computer start up sequence may have to be cut down to reduce boredom.) Mr. Brushmore then checks his e-mail via Outlook Express. There are no new messages.
ISAACISAAC BRUSHMORE
(with English accent) (sighs) Oh, god.
He exits the program, shuts his computer down and leaves the office. We focus on the computer screen shutting down. Another opening title.
Mr. Brushmore grabs his keys and walks out the door.
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SCENE 2: MR. BRUSHMORE’S HOUSE. EARLY MORNING. EXT.
Mr. Brushmore walks out of his house, locks the door, walks down the garden path, crosses the road and walks down the street to work.
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SCENE 3: NEAR SCHOOL GROUNDS. MORNING. EXT.
Mr. Brushmore can be seen walking towards the school. He is still very far off. (The camera is focused on him and stay still as he gets closer.) Opening titles appear. // Finally Mr. Brushmore arrives on the school campus. He walks up the footpath and into the front office of the school.
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SCENE 4: FRONT OFFICE. MORNING. INT.
Mr. Brushmore walks into the front office.
RECEPTIONIST
Morning, Mr. Brushmore.
ISAACISAAC BRUSHMORE
Morning, Kathy.
Mr. Brushmore continues through into the school grounds.
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SCENE 5: SCHOOL GROUNDS. MORNING. EXT.
Mr. Brushmore walks through the school grounds until he reaches his classroom.
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SCENE 6: CLASSROOM. MORNING. INT.
Mr. Brushmore walks into the corridor outside his classroom. All his students are waiting for him.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Morning all. Sorry I’m late.
He gets out his keys, unlocks the door and enters the classroom alone.
JORDAN
You’re late again, Mr. Brushmore! Half an hour we’ve been waiting here!
A female student (fairly nerdy, yet attractive, with glasses) approaches him. She is looking at her watch.
ISABELLE
Actually, more like...32 minutes and...23 seconds.
JORDAN
Well, there you go! 32 minutes and 23 seconds we’ve been waiting for you!
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Uh, huh! Now I’m waiting on you. So you want to get in here so we can start the lesson or what?
Jordan groans. The student enter the classroom and sit at the tables.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
(whilst the class is entering the room) Quickly! Quickly! Her majesty, the queen, craps on the toilet faster than you lot!
At last the students are seated at the tables ready to start the lesson.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Right. Good morning, everybody. Um...I apologise for being late...again. Ah...obviously my car has not as yet been mended, but...ah...life goes on. Now today, for the remaining 20 minutes of this lesson, we’re going to start learning about sentence structure.
The class groans.
JASON
God, there’s 20 minutes left! Do we have to start something like that now?
Mr. Brushmore turns to him.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
My dear boy, this is an English class. What do you expect me to teach you? Arithmetic? Science? Visual design? (pause) Hooking? Now, could everyone get out a clean sheet of paper, and write down this heading?
The class groans.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Shut up! (pause) Do it! (pause) Geez, you people!
He turns back to the white board. As the class open their folders/books/get out sheets of paper, Mr. Brushmore writes on the board “Sentence Structure” as a heading. He turns to the class.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Now today, we’re going to look briefly at clauses. Now, a clause is a group of related words that contain a subject and a predicate. And in an average sentence, there are 2 clauses used. There may be more. I don’t know. But if I’m wrong, at least I’m open enough to admit that I was wrong. But in English, there are two clauses that make sentences. They are called...
Mr. Brushmore writes these names on the board.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
(whilst writing) ...the principal or main clause, ... and the subordinate clause.
When finished writing, Mr. Brushmore turns back to the class.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Now, what’s the difference between the two? Well,...a principal clause is a simple sentence, or part of a complex sentence which can exist on its own.
STUDENT #1
Duh! Any part of a sentence can exist on its own!
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Yes, but it may not mean anything on its own, though. A principal clause is a simple sentence which can stand on its own, mean something on its own, and not need the assistance of any other words or phrases. For example...eh, could some give me a sentence please?
A student puts his hand up. Mr. Brushmore picks him.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
You. Give me a short sentence that can stand on its own.
The student puts his hand down and states his answer.
STUDENT #2
“We had sex.”
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
OK. “We had sex.” Let’s go with that one.
He writes it down on the whiteboard.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Now, that is a principal clause, because it is simple sentence, it stands on it own, and you know what it means without the aid of any other phrase.
The boys nods to themselves with pleasure.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Alright. Now that we’ve discussed that, can anybody tell me what a subordinate clause is?
Nobody answers.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Anybody?
A student puts her hand up.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Yes?
STUDENT #3
A sentence which can’t stand on its own?
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Bravo! Give yourself a pat on the back! At least we have one person who isn’t a dumb ass in this class. Anyway! As (student’s name) has just said, a subordinate clause is a part of a sentence which cannot exist, or have any meaning, on its own. Eh...could somebody give me a sentence, please? Isabelle?
Isabelle thinks, and then says her answer nervously.
ISABELLE
“It was...good”?
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
OK. We’ll go with that.
He writes it down on the whiteboard.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Now, that is a subordinate clause because it doesn’t mean anything on its own. “It was good.” Well, what was good? Was it maths? Was it English? Was it Mass? Was it my Indian grandmother’s chillies? “It was good” does not have any real meaning, and therefore is a subordinate clause.
JANET LINDSEY
That’s not correct, Mr. Brushmore.
Mr. Brushmore looks at the door. He see Miss Janet Lindsey walk in the door. He scowls. Miss Lindsey greets the class.
JANET LINDSEY
Morning, everyone.
CLASS
Morning, miss Lindsey.
ISAAC BUSHMORE
What do you want, Janet?
JANET LINDSEY
I hate to break up your lesson, but your subordinate clause theory is not correct.
ISAAC BUSHMORE
What do you mean it’s not correct?
JANET LINDSEY
(to the class) Well, a subordinate clause is a part of a sentence which can’t make sense on its own. “It was good” is not a subordinate clause because it’s not part of the same sentence. It’s a completely new idea. It has to be in the same sentence as “We had sex” to be a subordinate clause. Can somebody think of a phrase we can use as a subordinate clause?
A student puts their hand up.
JANET LINDSEY
Yes.
STUDENT #4
“With Mr. Brushmore’s mum.”
Mr. Brushmore scowls.
JANET LINDSEY
OK, then. “With Mr. Brushmore’s mum.”
She rubs out “It was good” and writes “with Mr. Brushmore’s mum” up on the whiteboard next to “We had sex”.
JANET LINDSEY
“We had sex with Mr. Brushmore’s mum.”
The class sniggers. Mr. Brushmore scowls again.
JANET LINDSEY
That is a complete sentence. The “We had sex” part is a principal clause because it’s a standard sentence on its own. You easily know what it means without the aid of any other phrases. Why? Because we all know what “We had sex” means. We simply means we had sex.
STUDENT #5
Yeah, Jack.
JACK
Shut up!
JANET LINDSEY
“With Mr. Brushmore’s mum”, on the other hand, is the subordinate clause because it doesn’t mean anything on its own. “With Mr. Brushmore’s mum.” Well, what about Mr. Brushmore’s mum? Is she sick? Is she fat? Is she a slut? Is she HIV positive? Is she...?
Mr. Brushmore clears his throat.
JANET LINDSEY
“With Mr. Brushmore’s mum” doesn’t mean anything.
JORDAN
Yeah! With Mr. Brushore’s mum doesn’t mean anything at all.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
(impressed) That’s righ...
Mr. Brushmore suddenly realises that Jordan made a mean joke about his mum.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
You can see me after class.
SOUND EFFECTS
(school bell rings)
The whole class packs up. Jordan rush-idly packs up and runs out of the room. Mr. Brushmore reacts.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Hey, wait a minute! You get back here, young man! I’m gonna give you a bloody good talking to when I find you!
By this time, Isaac Brushmore is standing at the doorway yelling into the corridor.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Nobody messes with me! I will rip your throat out! Do you hear me?! And I will find you!
As the other students exits, Mr. Brushmore shakes his head, heads back into the classroom and packs up.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Well, thankyou for your help, Janet. But it wasn’t really necessary. I had everything under control.
JANET LINDSEY
Under control? God, Isaac! You don’t even know what a subordinate clause is! And what the hell were you thinking teaching with a sentence like “We had sex”? That’s kind of irresponsible for a teacher like you!
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Janet, in society today, pop culture is over run by sex and sexuality. And as the irresponsible teenagers as they are, I find it effective to teach my students using a language they understand. Now if you’ll excuse me, miss Janet, I have a class to take.
They walk out of the classroom into the corridor.
JANET LINDSEY
A language they understand? God, you are such a pig!
They both stop in the corridor.
JANET LINDSEY
Not every teenager in this school has sex on their mind!
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Of course, they do, Janet.
He beacons to a random female up yonder.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Look. I’m going to ask her is she can spare me a quarter.
JANET LINDSEY
A quarter? That is so American for 25 cents.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Every little bit helps.
Isaac approaches the female teen.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Excuse me. My name’s Isaac Brushmore. I’m an English teacher here. (pause) Sex?
In disgust, the female looks at him other.
FEMALE TEEN #1
Hell, no! Not with you!
She continues on her way.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
(mutter to himself) OK.
He returns to miss Lindsey.
JANET LINDSEY
See? Not everyone has sex on their mind.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Don’t be ridiculous! She was just greedy, that’s all.
He spies a male teenager up yonder.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Maybe I’ll get a different approach from him.
JANET LINDSEY
I think you will.
Mr. Brushmore approaches the male teenager.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Excuse me, sir. My name’s Isaac Brushmore. I’m an English teacher here. (pause) Sex?
There is a awkward moment of silence. Finally the male teen answers.
MALE TEEN #1
(happily) I thought you’d never ask.
He hugs Mr. Brushmore. Miss Lindsey approaches them.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
You see, Miss Lindsey? He just agreed to give me a quarter.
MALE TEEN #1
Mate, I’ll give you the whole thing!
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Um...just a quarter is fine, thankyou very much. Ah...could I have it now please?
The teen stops hugging him and looks at him.
MALE TEEN #1
What? Now?
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
If you’re going to give me a quarter, can I please have it in my hand now? ‘Cause I really have to go.
Mr. Brushmore holds out his hand. There is more silence. At long last, the teen smiles and friendly like punches Mr. Brushmore in the shoulder.
MALE TEEN #1
(aroused) Oh, you little devil, you!
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Go on with you.
The male teen continues on his way to his class. Mr. Brushmore approaches miss Lindsey.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Now, if you don’t mind, I want you to stop interfering with my English class again. (pause) You don’t mind, do you?
JANET LINDSEY
Oh! Of course, I mind.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Well, suck it!
He turns and exits out the door.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
(after walking out the door) Bi-atch.
He walks down the ramp to his next class.
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SCENE 7: MR. BRUSHMORE’S HOUSE. AFTERNOON. INT.
Mr. Brushmore walks in the front door of his house. He carries his things from school and the mail.
SOUND EFFECTS
(music “Gladiator”)
He takes his shoes off, and heads to his office. All the time, he is looking through his mail. // In his office, he looks through the mail. He notices there is a letter from England. He opens it and reads the letter inside. (As he reads the letter, the words of the letter are read out via a voice over.)
VOICE OVER
Dear Isaac; How are you over there in Australia? Your father and I miss you so much. Britain hasn’t been the same since you left.
Mr. Brushmore laughs.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Sure. They always say that!
VOICE OVER
It’s impossible to deny the fact that we can’t talk to you face to face any more because you are so far away. I know it is a long way off, but we hope you can come down for Christmas. Don’t forget it’s as cold as hell down here.
Mr. Brushmore looks up.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
“...as cold as hell...”. Is that supposed to be irony?
He shrugs and continues to read the letter.
VOICE OVER
We are all fine down here. Nothing else different. Your father still has the gout, your younger sister’s still a lesbian, and Tony Blair’s still a sucky prime minister. It’s raining a lot, your father’s still a drunk, prince Harry is still in a lot of trouble, our pound is down, and your older brother’s got a job at the local brothel. There is no place like home, and we wish you were here. Your sister misses your looks and thinks you’re cute for a guy, even though she’s a lesbian. And your brother...well, he envies your job for the money.
Mr. Brushmore chuckles.
VOICE OVER
Anyway, have a great life over in Australia. We all miss you very much, especially me. Compare to the rest of your siblings, you’re the only one who’s smart, got a good life and a decent job. Many blessings, your loving mother. PS. How is your friend Russell at the old peoples home going? Tell him we say hi! PPS. I’ve enclosed a photo of your sister Melanie with her new girlfriend Veronica. As you can see from this picture, they are completely in love with each other.
Mr. Brushmore puts the letter down. He picks up the photo enclosed and looks at it.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
(in shock) Oh, god!
He drops/throws the picture away in shock due to its graphic/pornographic/homosexual content. (The camera does not see the photo.) Isaac tries to recover from his (rubs his eyes, massages his temples, etc.).
ISAAC BRUSHMOE
(panting) Oh, god! Lesbian porn! (pause) Oh, my god! Oh, god.
He shreds the photo. He takes out a clean sheet of paper and a pen, and starts writing a reply letter. (There is a voice over which reads out what he is writing.)
VOICE OVER
Dear mother and father, thankyou for your lovely letter. I really do miss you so much over there in Britain, and always look forward to hear from you. I can clearly see that Melanie is clearly in love with Veronica, but I can also clearly see that none of you have taken up those lessons on how to use Adobe Photoshop to censor out all the graphic content. But, nevertheless, she is my sister and I must respect her for that. (pause) Russell is going fine. I’ve been visiting him once a week at the old peoples home. I am so glad I’ve managed to catch up with him. He has no extended family, and is so grateful I come to visit him each week. (pause) Everything is fine over here...except for one small problem. There is another teacher who is trying to take over my year 10 English class. I don’t mind saying this, but she is one saucy bi...
SOUND EFFECTS
(telephone rings)
Mr. Brushmore stops writing and answers the telephone.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Hello? Isaac Brushmore speaking.
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
Ah, hello, Isaac. It’s Mr. Brookshore speaking. How are you?
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
I’m very well, thankyou. How are you?
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
Well, to be honest, I’m not very happy about some of the things I’ve been hearing about you.
There is a awkward moment.
SOUND EFFECTS
(music “Elegy For One”)
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Things you’ve been hearing about me?
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
Yes. I was wondering if you could swing by my office about now?
Isaac looks at his clock. It reads 5:30pm.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Can we make it first thing in the morning? I’m free first period.
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
Alright. But make sure you turn up. Otherwise you’ll loose your job.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Alright. See you then.
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
OK. Bye.
SOUND EFFECTS
(dial tone)
Mr. Brushmore hangs up. He then sits in his office chair confused for a while.
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SCENE 8: PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE. MORNING. INT.
Principal Brookshore is working at his desk.
SOUND EFFECTS
(knock on door)
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
Come in.
The door opens and Isaac enters the room.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
You wanted to see me, sir?
Principal Brookshore looks up.
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
Oh, yes. Isaac Brushmore. Thank God you’re here. I was starting to doubt whether you’d make it or not. Please, take a seat.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
(confused) “Take” a seat? Why? What’s going on? Where are we going?
Principal Brookshore manages a fake laugh.
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
Very funny! Very funny indeed! (serious) I actually meant for you to park your ass on a chair.
Slowly, Isaac sits down on the chair.
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
Now, Isacc, I’ve recieved a complaint from another staff member about your...”teaching techniques” and your attitude towards the students.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
W...what do you mean, sir? I haven’t done anything wrong.
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
Everyone says that, Isaac. No need to dick about, as you say where you come from.
Isaac stares blankly at principal Brookshore because he just made a racist joke.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
It’s “cock around,” Mr. Brookshore, and only the idiots on Top Gear say that.
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
Quite right, quite right. Can’t be too careful about this kind of thing...
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Look, are you going to tell me what’s on your mind, or are you going to (imitating Mr. Brookshore) “dick about” (normal voice) all morning. I have a class 2nd period.
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
Oh, I’m sorry, Isaac. It’s just that I can’t find any other professional way to say this.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Well, then, just come out and say it already.
The principal nods. There is a slight pause.
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
A fellow staff member has told me you were asking students for sex.
Isaac looks shocked.
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
You also encourage sexual conversations in the classroom while you’re teaching.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
That is insane! Who would say something like this?
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
How do you react to these accusations?
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
How do I react? First of all, I want to know who made this complaint.
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
I don’t have to say who made the complaint.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
(calmly) Just tell me, sir. I just want to know who it is. I won’t get angry. I promise.
There is a moment of silence.
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
Well, if you won’t get angry, (suspenseful pause) it was Janet Lindsey.
Isaac immediately stands up.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
(outraged) THAT BITCH!
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
Now, take it easy, Isaac. You said you weren’t going to get angry.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
I’m sorry sir, but I know for a fact that those accusations aren’t true!
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
Oh, yeah? Well, tell me about...eh...the...the encouragement of sexual conversations in the classroom then. How do you explain that?
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
First of all, it was not a conversation about sex. I was teaching them about principal clauses and subordinate clauses.
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
Involving sex? Isaac, these kids are only year 10! They’re far too young for this sort of topic.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Mr. Brookshore, year 10s are constantly involved with sex and sexual activities and relationships. I know that for a fact. Sex is all these students have on their minds. And that is why I find it useful to teach my students in a language they can understand, using a simple past time to get knowledge around their heads.
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
Oh, really? I guess that’s probably why you went up to a couple of random students and asked them for sex. I mean, what was that for? A reward for getting good marks on their English exam?
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
I did not ask students for sex. I did that to prove a point! I asked the students if they could loan me a quarter.
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
With sex?
Isaac shrugs.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
It’s the only they understand.
Mr. Brookshore immediately stands up.
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
Look, Mr. Brushmore! I appreciate what you’re trying to do here. But the fact is you’re going about it the wrong way. Now, what I need you to do is continue on with your teaching, but I want you to eliminate any references to sex whatsoever.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Are we not here to educate young minds? Are we not here to make education simpler? It’s all they think about. I’m just using it as a teaching tool.
Principal Brookshore looks Isaac straight in the eye. There is a dramatic silence.
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
How much do you actually value your students?
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
(after a slight pause) What?
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
You say sex is the only thing these students think about. (pause) And every time you say that, you’re downgrading your own students and yourself, as an employee, as a teacher, as a human. (pause) Now I want you to think about your teaching techniques a lot more carefully now before you take your next class. And I want you to think “How much do I really value these kids?” Do we understand each other?
There is a slight pause.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Yes, sir.
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
Good.
He sits down again.
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
If I hear another complaint like this again, I’m gonna have to let you go.
Isaac nods and heads for the door.
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
Um...
Isaac turns around.
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
...you won’t give miss Lindsey a hard time for turning you in, right?
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Of course not, sir.
... ... ... ... ...
SCENE 9: OUTSIDE B-BLOCK. MORNING. EXT.
Janet Lindsey is walking B-block. She carries folders, teachers stuff, etc. Suddenly Isaac comes up behind her and firmly places his hand on her shoulder. Startled and in fright, Janet turns around.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
(icily) Are you trying to get me fired?
JANET LINDSEY
(icily in return) What hell are you talking about?
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Don’t scrap with me, you damn morphodite! You reported me for supposed accusation I did not commit!
JANET LINDSEY
Well, suck it!
Janet continues on her way, by Isaac follows.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Oh, that’s right! Got nothing to say! Walk away! Walk away like the bloody skank you are!
Janet stops in her tracks. She slowly and aggressively turns around and looks him straight in the eye. There is a slight pause.
JANET LINDSEY
(aggressively, quietly) Nobody calls me a skank!
Isaac gets his face as close as he can to hers.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
(slow, with strong pronunciation) S-kan-k.
Janet slaps him in the cheek. Isaac reacts to this by feeling his cheek.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Ow! Damn! What the hell is wrong with you, woman?
Without warning, Janet punches/knees him in the crotch.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Oh! God.
Isaac falls to pieces and collapses to the ground. He is in pain.
JANET LINDSEY
Next time, you won’t be (obscenity, except f--king) lucky!
She hurriedly turns and leaves in furry. Isaac is still on the ground, clenching his crotch in pain. He is also groaning.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
(groan) (imitating James May) Oh, cock! (continues groaning)
SOUND EFFECTS
(music “Follow Me” by Uncle Kracker)
He lays there for a while. We see him lying on the ground from a birds eye view. The camera slowly zooms out. (The zoom can be via during the editing.) Isaac should lie on the ground for a total of 8-10 seconds in pain.
... ... ... ... ...
SCENE 10: VARIOUS SCHOOL ROOMS. RANDOM. INT.
(Throughout the song, there are switches between more than one day/instance/scenes, indicating that some time has gone by. They will be numbered. All dialogue is muted.)
1) CLASSROOM. Isaac is filing all the students into the class. He goes over to his desk to mark the roll. He opens it and finds the roll has already been marked. He looks up curiously, counts all the students and finds that all the students who have been marked off are here. He looks back at his roll, flicks back a few pages and finds a note. It reads “Courtesy, Janet Lindsey.” In rage, Isaac scrunches up the note and throws it in the bin.
2) CLASSROOM. Isaac is teaching class about pronouns. After explaining after a while, a student puts his hand up. Isaac picks him. The students asks the question. Isaac explains in great detail. He suddenly notices that miss Janet Lindsey nearby enters the room and starts criticising him. She then answers the student’s questions, goes to the whiteboard and changes a few things around, correcting Isaac’s mistakes.
3) PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE. Isaac storms into the principal’s office, who then looks up from his desk. Isaac angrily starts telling off Janet Lindsey taking over his class.
For the rest of the song, there are 8 more instances where miss Lindsey has come into Isaac’s classroom - either correcting his teachings, or just to hand something in to Isaac.
There are also 6 more instances where Isaac is shouting in front of the principal. Of those 6 instances, 2 of them contain Janet following Isaac into the principal’s office. 1 of those incidents involve Janet and Isaac shouting at each other in the principal’s office, with the principal rolling his temples, etc.
... ... ... ... ...
SCENE 11: CLASSROOM. MORNING. INT.
Janet Lindsey is walking past Isaac’s English class. She notices that all the students are stilled lined up outside, and that Isaac is not in the class.
JANET LINDSEY
What’s going on here?
JACK
Mr. Brushmore’s late. Again.
ISABELLE
He’s going to be 30 minutes late again! I don’t think there’s any point me turning up anymore.
Janet thinks about this. At last, she pulls out her keys, chooses a key and unlocks the door.
JACKS
What are you doing?
JANET LINDSEY
Well, until Mr. Brushmore arrives, I’ll take your class.
She opens the door.
JANET LINDSEY
Coming?
Jack shrugs and walks into the class. He is then followed by the other students, with Miss Lindsey bringing up the rear. As she walks in, she closes the door behind her. She then walks up the front.
JANET LINDSEY
Alright. So what have you been learning about last class?
STUDENT #2
Well, we only just started on language analysis. Something about contentions. But we already know what a contention is: it’s the writer’s main purpose.
JANET LINDSEY
Uh, huh. So what’s your contention for coming to this class?
STUDENT #2
Ah...
JANET LINDSEY
What was Mr. Bush’s contention for the Iraq war?
STUDENT #2
Wha...?
JANET LINDSEY
What’s the contention of life?
There is a brief pause.
STUDENT #2
I don’t know, miss Lindsey.
JANET LINDSEY
Exactly. And until you have learnt that, you have learnt nothing. (to whole class) Now, a contention is the writer’s main point of view. It is the reason why he is writing his article or response. (pause) Are you with me so far?
The class nods.
JANET LINDSEY
Now, in most dictionaries, the word “contention” is sometimes stated as a heated disagreement, like a dispute, argument, conflict, knock yourself out... OR a claim, a statement, especially one maintained in argument. So in general, it’s just an opinion.
A student put his hand up.
JANET LINDSEY
Yes?
The student puts his hand down.
STUDENT #5
How do you know what the writer’s contention is?
JANET LINDSEY
Oh, that’s easy: you have to read the article.
The class groans.
STUDENT #1
But I hate reading!
JANET LINDSEY
Us teachers have to read through your essays, exams and test just so you can get a good mark! Do you think we enjoy doing that?
There is a moment of silence.
SOUND EFFECTS
(music “Heirloom”)
JANET LINDSEY
Not everyone, even teachers like me... not eveybody likes reading, (student’s name). (pause) But it’s just something we have to do.
There is a moment of silence. The students looks around at each other. Some students nod.
JANE LINDSEY
When Mr. Brushmore taught, he personally believed that your generation was too run down or consumed by the concept of sex to...to achieve anything in your lives. (pause) And whilst I do not think this is true, I do believe that when it comes to learning, students of this generation always have higher priorities. And it’s not just your romantically lives I’m referring to.
Janet looks around the room. She picks out a student.
JANET LINDSEY
Zach. (pronounced “Zack”)
Zach looks up.
JANET LINDSEY
You play cricket on the weekends. What’s it like?
ZACH
Well, I’m a fast bowler. And I have to be super focused if I’m gonna perform my best.
Janet nods in acknowledgment. She picks another student.
JANET LINDSEY
And Seri, you’re in the theatre group. Tell me about that.
SERI
Well, as it happens, we’re putting on another production this weekend, and I have major part, so...
JANET LINDSEY
Let me guess - you need to focus.
SERI
Yeah.
JANET LINDSEY
(to another student) And Chris, you... (thinks about it, but comes up with nothing) (sighs hopelessly) What do you do?
CHRIS
(real Aussie/bogan) I play footy, mate!
He grins.
JANET LINDSEY
I see. And what do you need to focus on playing football?
CHRIS
Well, it’s like I gotta run, ...and then gotta, like, I gotta tackle people, mate. And then, it’s just, like, (bumbling on about footy, but for not too long)... it’s like frickin’ awesome, mate!
JANET LINDSEY
I...see. Do you need to concentrate for this?
Chris puts his hands on his cheeks in shock/surprise.
CHRIS
Aw, my gawd, mate! Are you shitting me? (pause) It’s, like, friggin’ hard work tacklin’ people to the ground, mate!
ZACH
Big woop, guys! Everybody likes watching cricket as opposed to anything else!
SERI
Oh! Cricket, my eye! Everyone’s gonna wanna watch me perform!
CHRIS
Mate, you got no idea what you’re talking about!
SERI
No, you...
Zach, Seri and Chris irrupt into a huge argument full of shouting at each other. Eventually, other students join in. (Be in mind that this is a short argument.) Eventually, Janet tries to break up the argument.
JANET LINDSEY
(normally, getting louder) Hey, hey, hey. Hey. Hey! Hey! (shouting over the top) HEY!
The arguing students stop and look at Janet.
SOUND EFFECTS
(music “Chariots Of Fire” main theme)
JANET LINDSEY
(normal tone) Look, the point isn’t about who the public is more likely gonna wanna see. The point is that each and every one of you have higher commitments other than learning. (pause) Now just once in your life, can you please do yourself a favour and just focus on learning for, at least, half an hour? (pause) Adults of my generation aren’t gonna be here forever. We’re gonna die out, and the world will be left to you guys. (pause) So are we gonna leave this world to responsible, knowledgeable people who can achieve something in their lives just because they did well at school? (pause) Or are we going to leave the world to a bunch of low-down, rebellious, sexed-up, shit-sucking, retarded bunch of ass- fuckers because they didn’t give at least a minute of their lives to learning? (pause) The choice is in your hands, guys. Do you want to succeed in life? Or do you want to spend the rest of your days in the gutter crawling back to Centrelink for your weekly payments with the most action you’ll ever get is going to the Salvos and buying second-hand Barbie dolls and blowing them up, and I don’t mean with explosives?
The students looks at each other. Some students nod in acknowledgment at each other.
JANET LINDSEY
So, what do you say, guys?
The students look at Janet.
STUDENTS
(happily agreeing all at once)
Janet smiles.
JANET LINDSEY
Then let’s get to work!
Our view now looks at the clock. It reads 9:15.
... ... ... ... ...
SCENE 12: CLASSROOM. MORNING. INT.
We start with a view of the same clock from the previous scene. It now reads 9:35. The students are doing an exercise of some kind. Janet is walking slowly around the students looking at there work. She gets to one student and looks at their answer.
JANET LINDSEY
(quietly to student) Are you sure about that answer?
She points at it. The students look at the question and his answer. He then understand.
STUDENT #6
Oh! I get it now!
He rubs out his answer and write a new one.
JANET LINDSEY
Very good.
Janet walks slowly back to the front.
JANET LINDSEY
OK, everybody.
The class stops what they’re doing and look up.
JANET LINDSEY
Now after today, you should know what the difference between contentions and connotations are. If you still don’t know, come and see me.
JASON
Or Mr. Brushmore?
JANET LINDSEY
Come, see me. You might live longer. It is...
She looks at her watch.
JANET LINDSEY
...25 to 10. I think we’ve got enough time. Everyone get out a blank piece of paper. We’ll start on alliterations.
Everyone gets out a blank piece of paper. Janet turn to rub everything off the whiteboard. Suddenly, they hear the footsteps of Isaac Brushmore.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Sorry, I’m late, everybody. It’s good to see you’re already in cla...
As Isaac stands in the door way, he sees Janet at the head of the class. Janet looks at him. There is an awkward moment of silence. Isaac is in shock.
JANET LINDSEY
You were late, so I brought them in and took your place until you arrived.
Isaac, now in rage, slowly turns around and closes the door behind him. He then turns around and takes a deep breath in.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
(in rage, shouting) THAT’S IT!!
... ... ... ... ...
SCENE 13: PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE. MORNING. INT.
Isaac storms into the principal’s office, Janet following him.
JANET LINDSEY
Isaac, this is freaking insane! All I did was temporarily take your class until you arrived. It’s nothing to be upset about!
Isaac fiercely turns around at her.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
(fiercely, through gritted teeth) I told you to stay the hell away from my class, and you bloody disobeyed me! Don’t ever think disobedience is nothing to get up set about!
He turns and storms into the principal’s office. Janet follows.
JANET LINDSEY
Isaac, please! Can’t we just talk about this?
Isaac reaches the principal’s desk. Mr. Brookshore looks up.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Mr. Brookshore, this pathetic excuse of a teacher has crossed the line for the last time!
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
Why? What has she done?
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
She is taking over my class!
JANET LINDSEY
Please, Mr. Brookshore. It’s not how you think.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
I turned up to my class, and there SHE was - taking my class as if it were her own!
JANET LINDSEY
It’s not like that! I happened to be walking past his English class, and...
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Oh, just happened to be passing by, eh? Like all those other time before?
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
Please, Isaac. Just let the woman explain.
He beckons Janet to continue.
JANET LINDSEY
Well, I was passing his class, and I noticed that Isaac hadn’t arrived. He has been continually late whenever he has this class at this precise period. So, as an act of compassion, I thought I would take the class until he arrived. And when Isaac finally did, he shouted at my face!
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
Isaac, she was just doing you a favour. Can’t you, at least, thank her?
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Thank her? Oh, my god, Mr. Brookshore! Are you out of your mind?
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHOURE
Yes. That’s why I’m principal.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
(over the top) Have you not forgotten my previous complaints about this woman? She is taking over my class literally!
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
Please, Isaac. Just calm down. You’re being melodramatic.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
(melodramatic) Oh, I’m melodramatic? I’m melodramatic?! Never in my entire life have I ever been melodramatic. This is BULL CRAP!!
He thumps his fist onto the desk.
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
Take it easy, Isaac! Please! Calm down! (pause) Look. I know you’re upset about Janet invading your personal teaching circle. But I really have no choice but to give your English class to her.
JANET LINDSEY
Yes!
Isaac looks at Janet and then back at the principal.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
But what about me?
PRINCIPAL BRUSHMORE
I’m sorry, Isaac. But appears she seems to have a better reputation than you with the students of this class.
Isaac is deeply raged. He comes closer to the principal.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
(really ticked, by quietly) I have spent my whole career trying to educate these young minds. I have spent 3 years at Oxford University just to be here. And I am not about to give up my English class just ‘cause some other teacher has a better fucking reputation than I do! (pause) Do you understand that, sir?
There is an awkward silence as Isaac straightens his back.
JANET LINDSEY
I think it would be great for students. I’m a suitable role model, I’m a good motivator, I’m on time...
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Well, what’s wrong with me?
JANET LINDSEY
You don’t even know what a subordinate clause is!
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Of course I know what a subordinate clause is! It’s just your stupid Australian grammar that’s wrong, jackass!
JANET LINDSEY
Bloody pom!
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Stupid twat!
JANET LINDSEY
Freaking dipshit!
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Useless mother f...
Mr. Brookshore immediately gets up.
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
(shouting) HEY!!
Janet and Isaac stop arguing and look at Mr. Brookshore.
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
This is ridiculous, guys! How do we expect our students to be kind to one another if us as staff members can’t stop bitching (at/with) each other for 5 seconds? (pause) Now, you two need to learn to get along with each other. So that is why I’m going to make you both teach that class together.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE/JANET LINDSEY
What?! Teach? With (her/him)? Absolutely not!
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
Why not? You’d be perfect for one another.
Simultaneous, Isaac and Janet both cross their arms in exactly the same way.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE/JANET LINDSEY
Screw that! I’d rather burn in hell!
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
After you, Janet.
Janet looks at Isaac.
JANET LINDSEY
Go, blow up a doll, Isaac!
Isaac turns to her.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Why don’t I just root you instead? You’re thick in the head like a doll!
Janet immediately turns to him.
JANET LINDSEY
Fu...
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
It’s settled, then!
Janet and Isaac look at him.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE/JANET LINDSEY
Huh?
PRINCIPAL BROOKSHORE
You’ll be teaching the same class together. You’ll start tomorrow.
There is a moment of awkward silence.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
(at long last) (imitating James May) Oh, cock!
... ... ... ... ...
SCENE 14: OUTSIDE PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE. MORNING. EXT.
SOUND EFFECTS
(song “I’m Not Gonna Write You A Love Song” by Sara Bareilles)
Isaac and Janet walk out of the principal’s office. As the intro of the song plays, they argue.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
This is all your fault, Janet!
JANET LINDSEY
Oh! My fault?
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
None of this would’ve happened if you just did what I asked you to and stayed way from my class!
JANET LINDSY
God! It’s all about you, isn’t it?
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
No...
JANET LINDSEY
It’s all about you!
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
I did not say it was all about me!
JANET LINDSEY
Well, you’re freaking acting like it! (continues to argue)
They walk off. The conversation fades out.
... ... ... ... ...
SCENE 15: CLASS. MORNING. INT.
A caption reads “The next day”. The students enter the class room. Janet is outside seeing the students in and Isaac is standing by the whiteboard.
SONG
♪ Head underwater
And you tell me to breath easy for a while,
Breathing gets harder;
Even I know that. ♪
The last student enters the room. Janet follows after them, shutting the door on her way in. As Janet walks up the front, she and Isaac exchange glances. Janet pulls the chair out from the desk and marks the roll. She calls names out and the students respond. All dialogue will be muted during the song. Throughout the roll marking, Isaac may be rolling his eyes, mocking Janet, distracting the students, etc. The rest of the cast will have to work with this and improvise.
SONG
♪ I’m not gonna write you a love song
‘cause you asked for it,
‘cause you need one, you see.
I’m not gonna write you a love song
‘cause you tell me
it’s make or breaking this
If you’re on your way
I’m not gonna write you to stay... (song continues) ♪
After Janet has finished marking the roll, she closes the roll book and gets out of her seat. (The music fades and dialogue resumes.)
JANET LINDSEY
Alright. Now that we’ve got that out of the way...
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
(mocking Janet)
JANET LINDSEY
(quietly, through gritted teeth, to Isaac) Shut up.
ISABELLE
What are we going to learn about today?
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Rhetorical questions.
JANET LINDSEY
(same time as Isaac) Alliterations.
Isaac looks at Janet.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Excuse me. I’m in charge of this class.
JANET LINDSEY
Not anymore. We both are now. And I’ve chosen to learn teach this class alliterations.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Why don’t we take a vote, then?
He turns to the class.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
OK, everybody. Listen up! Today you get a choice! Would you like to learn about: (exciting) a. rhetorical questions? Question you ask that don’t really require an answer. Take control of people’s minds, change their thinking patterns, all with the power of rhetorical questions! (slight pause)
Janet clears her throat.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
(suspenseful) Or b. (dryly, boring) Alliterations.
There is silence.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Now, take your time, students. I know it’s a hard decision, but...
STUDENTS
Alliterations!
Isaac turns to Janet, who is smiling.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
They’re all yours.
Janet nods in acknowledgment. She steps forward and Isaac walks past her (bumping her on the shoulder on his way past), behind her and across to the other side of the room.
JANET LINDSEY
Well, since you guys have spoken, we are going to learn about...
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
(groaning)
Janet looks over a Isaac, who is trying to pull the desk over to his side of the room. Janet and the class watch him struggle for a while. After a long time of trying and no success, Isaac looks around, spots a free table in front of him, drags it over to a particular spot up the font, takes a chair and sits behind the table facing the student body with his feet on the table. After putting his feet on the table and notices Janet watching him, he beckons her to continue.
ISAAC LINDSEY
Go on.
Janet turns to the class and starts teaching about alliterations.
JANET LINDSEY
OK. Alliterations. Now, an alliteration is the repeated occurrence of the same sound, whether it be a consonant sound or a vowel sound, somewhere in more than one word in a complete phrase.
From now, whilst Janet is talking, Isaac is getting bored and starts picking out hair from his eyebrows and eating them. This is all unbeknownst to Janet. Some students notice this and must react accordingly.
JANET LINDSEY
Now, a classic of this would be the famous Mother Goose tongue-twister - “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.” Alliterations are quite commonly used in tongue- twisters. In fact, that would basically describe the very existence of tongue-twisters. Just listen for the alliteration in this famous tongue-twister:
JANET LINDSEY
Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,
A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked.
If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,
Where's the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?
But if Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,
Were they pickled when he picked them from the vine?
Or was Peter Piper pickled when he picked the pickled peppers
Peppers picked from the pickled pepper vine?
At the end of the tongue-twister everyone in the class, including Isaac, is looking at Janet in surprise and astonishment. There is a long pause.
JANET LINDSEY
Did you learn anything from that?
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Yes - that you’re a freak!
Janet scowls at Isaac. She smiles back to the students.
JANET LINDSEY
How who can tell me what the alliteration to that small piece was?
... ... ... ... ...
SCENE 16: CLASS. MORNING. INT.
SOUND EFFECTS
(school bell finishes ringing)
After the lesson, the students file out of the classroom and depart. Isaac and Janet are packing up after the lesson.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
(commenting on the tongue-twister) You...are so bloody queer.
Janet looks at him.
JANET LINDSEY
What was that for?
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Reciting a whole damn tongue-twister without mistakes. I mean, come on! Nobody does that!
JANET LINDSEY
I’m just doing to try and break things up, you know? Put some fun back into learning.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Fun? With that?
JANET LINDSEY
Who doesn’t love a classic tongue-twister?
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Janet, these are year 10! Not...bloody kindergarteners!
JANET LINDSEY
Well, how do you suggest we put fun back into learning for a year 10 English class, apart from showing porn movies during classtime?
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Well, having that been said, all my teaching methods have just gone down the drain.
Isaac leaves the class. Janet watches him go out with a grossed out expression on her face.
JANET LINDSEY
(after a slight pause) You prick!
She follows him out of the class.
... ... ... ... ...
SCENE 17: VARIOUS SCHOOL ROOMS. RANDOM. INT.
SOUND EFFECTS
(song “You’re The Voice” by John Farnham)
(Throughout the song, there are switches between more than one day/instance/scenes, indicating that some time has gone by. They will be numbered. All dialogue is muted.)
1) STAFF ROOM. PERIOD 3-4. Janet is sitting at one of the tables of the staff room. There are not many people inside the staff room. She is drinking a cup of coffee. She also has a pile of papers (possibly tests) next to her.
SOUND EFFECTS
(school bell rings)
Janet notices the school bell, finishes her cup of coffee, get up, takes her papers and leaves, throwing her foam coffee cup on the way out. As she goes out the door, another teacher walks past her into the staff room and bumps her on her way out. Janet drops her papers everywhere. She quickly scrambles to pick them up. When she has everything she needs, he gets up and walks away. 2 seconds later, the teacher that bumped her opens the door and peers outside. It’s Isaac. After inspecting the area, he smiles to himself, chuckles and goes back inside.
2) LIBRARY. Isaac is on the computer. He is checking his E-mails. He then finds he has an E-mail from Janet saying frequent abusing messages. After reading this, Isaac is filled with rage, and replies the E-mail with a lot more suggestive comments, including one use of the word f--k (spelt without the c). After he has clicked the Send button, he chuckles to himself.
FEMALE VOICE
You spelt “fuck” wrong.
Isaac turns around to see who spoke. He then gets a nasty shock - it’s Janet.
ISAAC BRUSHMORE
Oh, god!
CLASSROOM. Isaac is teaching in class. He is talking. After while, Janet notices that he has says something wrong. He gets up and start speaking about it, but Isaac sends her back to her seat, which she retreats to sulkily.
4) CLASSROOM. Janet is writing a bunch of words on the whiteboard underneath the heading “Spelling Words”. The eighth word she rights down is “humor”. Noticing this, Isaac approaches her, talks to her, rubs out “humor” and replaces it with “humour”. Discussed at this, Janet tries to grab the whiteboard eraser, but Isaac keeps pulling it away from her. She tries to grab it, but Isaac changes the position of where he holds it - sometimes up high, to the side, etc. At last, he hold the eraser as high as he can above the ground. Janet tries to reach for it. At times, she even tries to jump to reach it, but she still can’t reach it. Isaac smiles and chuckles.
5) STAFF ROOM. Isaac is reading a newspaper. He picks up a glass of coke, takes a sip from it and puts it back down and continues to read his paper. Whilst reading his paper, unbeknownst to him, Janet comes along and pours some milk into his glass of coke. When she has put the desired amount of milk in, she hurries away. After a while of reading the paper, Isaac reaches for his glass and drinks from it. He then realises the foul taste and tries to inspect what has happened. Suddenly, he has a sickening feeling. He then runs off (possibly off camera) to the nearest bin.
SOUND EFFECTS
(vomiting)
6) CLASSROOM. Janet is teaching up the front of the class. Some students are writing down notes. Isaac, who is sitting facing the class with his feet on a table, takes out a pair of glasses with a fake moustache attached to it, and puts them on. Some student notice this and get distracted. Isaac does various random things, such as poking out tongue, make silly faces, move eyebrows up and down, move/roll eyes around, etc. Some student giggle. Janet notices this, and immediately looks at Isaac, who has taken the glasses off and acts like nothing has happened. Janet scowls. Isaac shrugs. Janet then turns to the glass and continues teaching. Isaac puts the glasses back on, gets out a baggy hat, puts it on his face and goes to sleep.
7) STAFF ROOM. Janet is reading a novel, preferably To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. She then picks up a bottle of diet coke and drinks from it. She then puts it down and continues to read. Whilst she is reading, unbeknownst to her, Isaac comes and swaps her diet coke for a bottle of Tabasco sauce. He then clears off. After reading a while, Janet reaches out for the bottle of Tabasco sauce and drinks from it. It is hot, and burns her mouth. She reacts accordingly to this. (This may include coughing.) She may even run off camera for a drink of water.
8.) CLASSROOM. Isaac is teaching in class. The student listen to him. We see a separate shot of Janet filing her fingernails. After doing this for a while, Isaac holds out his hand, as if to say “I’m confiscating this from you!” Sulkily, Janet gives Isaac the files, which he then uses briefly and then puts in his pocket. He continues to teach. Janet then puts some chewing gum in her mouth, but Isaac does the same thing. Sulkily, Janet puts the chewing gum in his hand. Isaac carries it over to the rubbish bin. He then sniffs it and, content by the smell, puts the chewing gun (already mushed) in this mouth. He chews it for a while, but dislikes the taste, taking it out of his mouth and throwing it in the bin. He then smiles sarcastically at Janet, and then continues to teach the class. Janet pokes her tongue out at him. After this, whilst he is teaching, Isaac scratches the side of his cheek (facing Janet) with his middle finger as a disguised version of flipping the bird. Janet then sulkily crosses her arms.
9) LIBRARY. Isaac goes over to the photocopier. He wants to photocopy the English language analysis and sentence structure test. When he arrives at the photocopier, he puts the test in the feeder and types in 20 as the number of copies he wants. He then realises that Janet has lined up behind him and wants to copy something as well. Isaac then changes the number of copies he wants from 20 to 1. He pressed OK. The original is read and copied. Isaac takes them and copies the other side of the original (the test is double sided). It comes out again. Isaac then take the original back and photocopies it again. He does this manually over and over, taking as much time as possible. // Time goes by, and Isaac is still copying. Janet and a number of staff members are still waiting in line. After a while, Janet taps Isaac on the shoulder and jerks over to the door with her thumb. Isaac shrugs and after the last copy has gone through, he takes the original and all of his photocopies with him. (The pile of photocopies he has made is huge.) He takes this and leaves. Janet proudly steps up to the photocopier, puts down what she wants to copy and presses the OK button. She then gets a message saying there is no paper in the tray. Because of this, she gets annoyed.
10) CLASSROOM. The students are doing a test. One by one, they finish. Isaac collects the test on one side of the class and Janet collect the test on the other side. They then come to one student and they both take his test. They both fight over the student’s test, pulling at it until the test rips in two pieces. The two teachers just stare at the broken test. There is a long pause. Finally, Isaac goes to the desk at the front of the class, grabs another spare copy of the test and gives it to the student.
SOUND EFFECTS
(school bell rings)
All the students exit the class. The student whose test has been ripped up gets up to leave, but Isaac tells him to stay and finish his test. The boy sits down sulkily and starts the test again.
11) STAFF ROOM. Janet is sitting down on one of the cushiony seats reading the Bible. A while after, she looks up to see Isaac walking past her glaring at her. She puts down the Bible, flips him two birdies and resumes reading the Bible. She then notices a verse which says “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:44). She realises this irony compared to what she just did. She pouts, closes the Bible, puts it down, picks up a Harry Potter book and starts reading it. Her expression then changes to satisfaction.
... ... ... ... ...
[to be continued in part 2]
This is a screenplay I wrote back in 2009, one of my earliest screenplays, especially with the new screenplay format.
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