Update:Turns out I will be able to get on the internet while I'm here, in this previously internetless place, so the updates will keep coming on a daily basis.
Disclaimer: I do not own Dead Poets Society. Otherwise I wouldn't be writing fanfiction.
INT. TODD AND NEIL'S ROOM AT WELTON-EARLY AFTERNOON
Todd and Neil are moving around the room, finishing unpacking.
NEIL
Let's go see who else is back!
TODD
Okay.
Todd and Neil walk out of their room, expecting to have to knock on the doors of the other Dead Poets. However, the other Dead Poets are already standing in the hallway. The faces of all the boys light up when they see each other.
CHARLIE
Neil! Todd!
NEIL
Guys!
MEEKS
Hello!
PITTS
Hi!
TODD
Hey!
KNOX
Hiya!
CAMERON
Hello.
NEIL
Meeting tonight?
CHARLIE
Yes!
KNOX
Wonderful.
MEEKS
Cool.
PITTS
Awesome.
CAMERON
Alright.
TODD
Can't wait.
EXT. OLD INDIAN CAVE-NIGHT
The Dead Poets are all sitting around the cave. The poetry book sits in Todd's lap, forgotten. The Dead Poets are exchanging stories about their winter breaks.
MONTAGE we hear just snippets of stories from all of the Dead Poets.
CHARLIE
...and then my uncle got drunk like he does every year...
PITTS
...my three year old cousin tried to climb me, because she thought I was a tree...
CAMERON
...I had some fascinating conversations with my great uncle about business practices...
KNOX
...I contemplated finding my way to Chris' house to surprise her, but that didn't really work out...
MEEKS
...My great aunt spent all of Christmas dinner talking loudly about zoos...
TODD
...Neil hit me with snowballs...
NEIL
...Jeffery isn't what I expected him to be, I honestly don't know why we all looked up to him when we started here and he was a senior...
CAMERON
...my baby cousin spit up on me...
PITTS
...I got stuck decorating the tree since apparently I'm the only one tall enough to reach the top of the tree...
CHARLIE
...snuck some of my parent's alcohol...
MEEKS
...came up with an idea for a way to improve our radio, Pitts...
KNOX
...my cousins thought I was making Chris up, and then teased me because they think she has a boy's name...
NEIL
...I rarely ever saw Todd's father, he's like a hermit or something...
TODD
...yeah, a work addicted, bite-your-head-off-if-you-so-much-as-say-the-wrong-thing hermit...
INT. ENGLISH CLASSROOM-AFTERNOON
It is the first day back in classes after break. Class has just ended. The boys are packing their books up, and heading out of the room.
KEATING
Mr. Anderson, if you'd be so kind as to hang back for a moment.
TODD
Yes, Captain.
Neil hesitates in the doorway.
KEATING
Go on, Mr. Perry, your Walt Whitman will be along in a minute.
Neil walks out of the room, a confused look on his face. Todd looks very nervous.
KEATING
Relax, Todd, you've done nothing wrong. I merely wanted to recommend a book to you.
TODD
Oh...okay.
KEATING
It's called Diffracting Darkness. I know for a fact that it's not in the library here, but I believe there is a copy at the public library. It's about Walt Whitman, both a short biography and a collection of some of his work. I think you'll find it quite interesting, and you might even find some things in there that you relate to.
TODD
Thank you, Captain.
KEATING
You're welcome, Todd. Now run along to class, I don't want to be responsible for you being late.
TODD
Yes, Captain.
INT. CHEMISTRY CLASSROOM-AFTERNOON
The chemistry teacher is lecturing at the front of the room. Todd slips into the classroom and manages to sit down in his seat without being noticed. Todd is opening is his chemistry notebook when Neil, who sits next to Todd, leans over and whispered conversation.
NEIL
Nice ninja skills.
TODD
Thanks.
NEIL
What did Keating want?
TODD
I'll tell you after class.
Neil nods and both boys turn their attention to the teacher.
INT. STUDENT LOUNGE-EVENING
The Dead Poets are sitting around a table-textbooks and notebooks open in front of all of them.
CHARLIE
[groaning]
God...can't it be summer already?
MEEKS
Come on, Charlie, we just got back from winter break.
CHARLIE
Yeah, well, you actually enjoy studying.
MEEKS
Learning is fun! You should try to enjoy it more.
Charlie opens his mouth to argue back but Neil cuts him off.
NEIL
Come on guys, don't argue. We've got homework to do!
Meeks turns back to his work happily. Charlie groans, but turns back to his work as well. The boys all work silently for a bit. Todd seems a bit distracted.
NEIL
Todd, you okay?
TODD
Yeah, why?
NEIL
You just seem a bit distracted.
TODD
Nah, just thinking. Can I see your chemistry notes, since I missed the beginning of class?
NEIL
Of course.
Neil shuffles through his notes before finding his chemistry notes from that day.
TODD
Thanks.
INT. TODD AND NEIL'S ROOM-NIGHT
Todd and Neil are both moving around the room, getting ready for bed.
TODD
[bashfully]
Can...can we share a bed tonight? I got so used to it over break, and I missed it last night...
NEIL
[snarkily]
Oh, I don't know...how much do you want it?
TODD
A lot. I like being able to cuddle with you, to be able to touch you. Not in any sort of sexual way, of course, but when I wake up in the middle of the night and your body is just there, I...well...it just makes me feel less alone.
NEIL
Well shit...I'd have to be the world's biggest idiot to say no to that.
INT. DINING HALL-MORNING
The Dead Poets are all sitting together, eating breakfast. The dining hall is filled with the noise of conversations of all the boys gathered there.
TODD
How do you get to the public library from here?
PITTS
Why do you need to know?
TODD
Mr. Keating recommended a book to me that's not in the library here.
NEIL
I'll show you where it is. It'll be nice to get off campus for a bit, even if we did just get back.
TODD
Okay.
NEIL
You want to go today after classes are done?
TODD
Sure.
NEIL
Great.
EXT. OUTSIDE THE PUBLIC LIBRARY-AFTERNOON
Todd and Neil are outside the public library, which has big windows. Through these windows we can see Mr. Perry, who does not seem to have noticed Neil and Todd.
NEIL
Shit...what is my father doing at the library? I can't go in there now!
TODD
We can come back...
NEIL
No, it's ok. I-I'll just meet you at the candy store down the street. You won't be that long, right?
TODD
I'll be quick. I'll see you soon.
Todd and Neil go separate ways.
INT. PUBLIC LIBRARY-AFTERNOON
Todd is walking towards the desk to check out his book when he passes a stack of fliers on a table. "Poetry Reading" is printed across the top of the fliers. There is smaller writing under that which is harder to make out. Todd looks around, almost as if he's scared of someone seeing him looking at the fliers. He grabs one and stuffs it in his pocket.
