Chapter 7 - Sympathy, or lack of it
Outside, Afternoon
All the cliff-hanger guys are sitting on the oval, all except Jason who is talking to Peter. The cliff-hanger guys are talking about Jason and his father.
Auggie: (Confused) Why doesn't he tell someone bout his father?
Scott: He's scared of him.
Auggie: But if he's locked then he can't do anything.
David: Maybe he respects him. (Everyone looks at him like he's mad) What? (Defensive)
Scott: He hates him.
David: So? You can hate someone but still have respect for them, for what they've accomplished. (They all stare at him confused) What? You guys are freaking me out, have I grown another head?
Ezra: No, just the two.
David: (Glares at Ezra) Funny, you guys are weird. (He gets up and leaves)
Ezra: The mind of a teenager is a dark and mysterious place. (Everyone is still confused)
Guys' dorm - afternoon
Jason is still with Peter. David is sitting on his bed reading a letter he has just received. He looks annoyed.
Scott: (Talking about Jason) I'm really worried bout him, he won't open up.
David: (Putting down the letter) I just reckon he should get over himself, so what his father liked to hit him, big deal. It's in the past, he should just put it behind him, it's not as if he has to have anything to do with his father. He should get over himself and join the human race.
Scott: God! I never realised you were that much of a wanker! Can't you ever say anything nice? (David stands up ready to punch Scott)
David: That's just the way I am and I'm not gonna change for anyone, including you!
Scott: If you don't you're gonna have a shit life cos everyone will hate you!
David: Everyone already hates me.
Scott: That's cos you're a fucking bastard!
David: I wish I was a bastard!
Scott: Your father probably feels the same way! (Not knowing what he's talking about, he's just angry.)
David: He does! Why do you think I'm here?
Scott: Your father has nothing to do with this.
David: Fine, then don't talk about him, he's the wanker!
Scott: Why do you hate him so much? He's better than you'll ever be, you're the wanker!
David: (just stands there, doesn't know what to say.) I never thought I'd say this but you're right. (He says this coldly, he is beyond being angry) I will never be the man my father is and I will never live up to anyone's expectations, so stop trying to fuckin' change me! I am what I am and if I'm a wanker then I'm a wanker.
Scott: You put other people down to make yourself feel better, that's sick!
David: Not as sick as you fucking your stepmother! (Scott punches David in the nose, blood goes everywhere)
Scott: (Yelling) At least I didn't almost kill someone! (David puts his hand up to his nose then pushes Scott over and starts kicking him)
David: (Still kicking Scott, Auggie is trying to pull him off, but he's too strong) You (Kick) want (Kick) me (Kick) to (Kick) almost (Kick) kill (Kick) someone (Kick) again? (Kick) Huh? (Auggie and Ezra pull David off, Scott gets up holding his ribs)
Peter's Office
Peter: What's gotten into you? You were going so well. (David doesn't say anything) I think after this incident it would be better if you stayed here at Horizon.
David: (Not really disappointed) Ok.
Peter: You can go.
David: I don't get a punishment? (Confused)
Peter: (Thinking David hates being at Mt Horizon.) I think you staying here is a fairly harsh punishment in your case.
David: Yeah. (He leaves)
The next day - Maths class The teacher has been called out of the class. Scott produces a rope he found earlier.
Scott to Ezra: Hey man, I dare you to hang Mr Bolton's chair out the window with this rope. (Smiling)
Ezra: No way man, you do it!
Juliette: How sad.
David: I'll do it (Scott looks at him surprised and chucks him the rope hoping David will get in trouble. David walks up the front and ties one end of the rope around a leg of the chair and the other end around a hook in the window frame. He lifts the chair and lowers it out the window. Everyone looks at him. He walks back to his seat smiling, the chair now hanging out a second storey window. A couple minutes later the teacher comes back in.)
Mr Bolton: Get back to work. (Scott bursts out laughing; Mr Bolton looks at him confused. He goes to sit down, but his chair isn't behind his desk.) Mr Bolton: (looking around the classroom) Where's my chair? (Just then the rope breaks and the chair falls down to the pavement outside. Mr Bolton hearing it looks out the window and sees his chair all twisted below on the ground. He turns around and sees Scott and Ezra laughing. David is trying not to laugh.)
Mr Bolton: Who did this?
Ezra: Don't know Sir. (Seeing Mr Bolton and Peter couldn't prove who it was they got away with it.)
Group: That night
Peter: Ok, what do you want to talk about tonight?
Ezra: Not anything touchy feely.
Peter: Ok, what does everything about the latest scandal in the news.
Scott: Which one?
Ezra: Boring
Peter: The one where they've discovered new recruits in the army are getting seriously bashed by commanding officers.
Juliette: Oh yeah! I saw a photo of some guy and he has been beaten with a belt and he had all these gashes on his back, it was gross! (David is just sitting there going white; he suddenly gets up and runs out with his hand over his mouth. Peter gets up to follow. Ezra stands up and stops Peter.)
Ezra: I'll go. (Ezra follows David to their dorm. David runs into the bathroom and throws up. Ezra waits outside the bathroom. David comes out he is very white and is shocked to see Ezra there.)
Ezra: You alright?
David: Yeah, it must be a bug or something.
Ezra: (Not believing him) Oh, ok. (He notices that David is shaking.) Dinner'll be ready soon, you comin?
David: Nuh, I'm not hungry.
Ezra: Ok (He leaves)
Next Day - English class, morning
David and Scott are arguing (friendly) about what a poem means, (Scott has forgiven David for before.) Scott grabs David's pen and points to the paper with it. David takes Scott's pen and throws it out the window.
Scott: Hey! You can go get it now!
David: Yeah right, why'd I do that? I don't want the pen!
Scott: Fine. I'll get it!
David: You do that. (Scott waits for the teacher to write on the board then he walks over to the window and jumps into the garden outside. He bends down and picks up the pen)
Teacher: Scott, (Scott freezes, the teacher is still facing the board, he doesn't know Scott is outside.) What year was this poem written?
Scott: (Still outside) Um, 1956 (David is trying not to laugh.)
Teacher: Right, (Still facing the board) (Scott jumps back into the room before the teacher looks around. As Scott is running back to his seat the teacher turns around and sees him sitting back down, he looks at Scott confused then continues.)
Teacher: David, what is the poem about? (David starts laughing. Scott looks away trying not to laugh as well.)
Outside, Afternoon
All the cliff-hanger guys are sitting on the oval, all except Jason who is talking to Peter. The cliff-hanger guys are talking about Jason and his father.
Auggie: (Confused) Why doesn't he tell someone bout his father?
Scott: He's scared of him.
Auggie: But if he's locked then he can't do anything.
David: Maybe he respects him. (Everyone looks at him like he's mad) What? (Defensive)
Scott: He hates him.
David: So? You can hate someone but still have respect for them, for what they've accomplished. (They all stare at him confused) What? You guys are freaking me out, have I grown another head?
Ezra: No, just the two.
David: (Glares at Ezra) Funny, you guys are weird. (He gets up and leaves)
Ezra: The mind of a teenager is a dark and mysterious place. (Everyone is still confused)
Guys' dorm - afternoon
Jason is still with Peter. David is sitting on his bed reading a letter he has just received. He looks annoyed.
Scott: (Talking about Jason) I'm really worried bout him, he won't open up.
David: (Putting down the letter) I just reckon he should get over himself, so what his father liked to hit him, big deal. It's in the past, he should just put it behind him, it's not as if he has to have anything to do with his father. He should get over himself and join the human race.
Scott: God! I never realised you were that much of a wanker! Can't you ever say anything nice? (David stands up ready to punch Scott)
David: That's just the way I am and I'm not gonna change for anyone, including you!
Scott: If you don't you're gonna have a shit life cos everyone will hate you!
David: Everyone already hates me.
Scott: That's cos you're a fucking bastard!
David: I wish I was a bastard!
Scott: Your father probably feels the same way! (Not knowing what he's talking about, he's just angry.)
David: He does! Why do you think I'm here?
Scott: Your father has nothing to do with this.
David: Fine, then don't talk about him, he's the wanker!
Scott: Why do you hate him so much? He's better than you'll ever be, you're the wanker!
David: (just stands there, doesn't know what to say.) I never thought I'd say this but you're right. (He says this coldly, he is beyond being angry) I will never be the man my father is and I will never live up to anyone's expectations, so stop trying to fuckin' change me! I am what I am and if I'm a wanker then I'm a wanker.
Scott: You put other people down to make yourself feel better, that's sick!
David: Not as sick as you fucking your stepmother! (Scott punches David in the nose, blood goes everywhere)
Scott: (Yelling) At least I didn't almost kill someone! (David puts his hand up to his nose then pushes Scott over and starts kicking him)
David: (Still kicking Scott, Auggie is trying to pull him off, but he's too strong) You (Kick) want (Kick) me (Kick) to (Kick) almost (Kick) kill (Kick) someone (Kick) again? (Kick) Huh? (Auggie and Ezra pull David off, Scott gets up holding his ribs)
Peter's Office
Peter: What's gotten into you? You were going so well. (David doesn't say anything) I think after this incident it would be better if you stayed here at Horizon.
David: (Not really disappointed) Ok.
Peter: You can go.
David: I don't get a punishment? (Confused)
Peter: (Thinking David hates being at Mt Horizon.) I think you staying here is a fairly harsh punishment in your case.
David: Yeah. (He leaves)
The next day - Maths class The teacher has been called out of the class. Scott produces a rope he found earlier.
Scott to Ezra: Hey man, I dare you to hang Mr Bolton's chair out the window with this rope. (Smiling)
Ezra: No way man, you do it!
Juliette: How sad.
David: I'll do it (Scott looks at him surprised and chucks him the rope hoping David will get in trouble. David walks up the front and ties one end of the rope around a leg of the chair and the other end around a hook in the window frame. He lifts the chair and lowers it out the window. Everyone looks at him. He walks back to his seat smiling, the chair now hanging out a second storey window. A couple minutes later the teacher comes back in.)
Mr Bolton: Get back to work. (Scott bursts out laughing; Mr Bolton looks at him confused. He goes to sit down, but his chair isn't behind his desk.) Mr Bolton: (looking around the classroom) Where's my chair? (Just then the rope breaks and the chair falls down to the pavement outside. Mr Bolton hearing it looks out the window and sees his chair all twisted below on the ground. He turns around and sees Scott and Ezra laughing. David is trying not to laugh.)
Mr Bolton: Who did this?
Ezra: Don't know Sir. (Seeing Mr Bolton and Peter couldn't prove who it was they got away with it.)
Group: That night
Peter: Ok, what do you want to talk about tonight?
Ezra: Not anything touchy feely.
Peter: Ok, what does everything about the latest scandal in the news.
Scott: Which one?
Ezra: Boring
Peter: The one where they've discovered new recruits in the army are getting seriously bashed by commanding officers.
Juliette: Oh yeah! I saw a photo of some guy and he has been beaten with a belt and he had all these gashes on his back, it was gross! (David is just sitting there going white; he suddenly gets up and runs out with his hand over his mouth. Peter gets up to follow. Ezra stands up and stops Peter.)
Ezra: I'll go. (Ezra follows David to their dorm. David runs into the bathroom and throws up. Ezra waits outside the bathroom. David comes out he is very white and is shocked to see Ezra there.)
Ezra: You alright?
David: Yeah, it must be a bug or something.
Ezra: (Not believing him) Oh, ok. (He notices that David is shaking.) Dinner'll be ready soon, you comin?
David: Nuh, I'm not hungry.
Ezra: Ok (He leaves)
Next Day - English class, morning
David and Scott are arguing (friendly) about what a poem means, (Scott has forgiven David for before.) Scott grabs David's pen and points to the paper with it. David takes Scott's pen and throws it out the window.
Scott: Hey! You can go get it now!
David: Yeah right, why'd I do that? I don't want the pen!
Scott: Fine. I'll get it!
David: You do that. (Scott waits for the teacher to write on the board then he walks over to the window and jumps into the garden outside. He bends down and picks up the pen)
Teacher: Scott, (Scott freezes, the teacher is still facing the board, he doesn't know Scott is outside.) What year was this poem written?
Scott: (Still outside) Um, 1956 (David is trying not to laugh.)
Teacher: Right, (Still facing the board) (Scott jumps back into the room before the teacher looks around. As Scott is running back to his seat the teacher turns around and sees him sitting back down, he looks at Scott confused then continues.)
Teacher: David, what is the poem about? (David starts laughing. Scott looks away trying not to laugh as well.)