(Miss Pettibone addresses her unruly class)

Miss Pettibone: Okay, okay, settle down. Now that many of you have been accepted into college, I know you think you can coast through the rest of the term, but you are all sorely mistaken. (Nick makes a farting sound, which she ignores) As I was saying, the abysmally low quality of your assignments this week was only exceeded by Nick-

Nick: (Waves proudly) Thank you, thank you all so very much!

Miss Pettibone: ... Who couldn't even be bothered to turn on in? I don't suppose you'd care to offer an explanation.

Nick: (Pretends to think, then shrugs) I got nothin'.

Miss Pettibone: Shocker. And for the record, it's "I haven't got anything." There is, however, one ray of light. One composition that touched me with the authenticity of its emotion. I'd like that person to recite his work for us. Richard Foley.

Richie: ... Do I have to?

Miss Pettibone: Yes, stand please. Read your poem.

(Richie hesitantly gets out of his seat and walks to the front of the class)

Frieda: Don't mess up!

Richie: (Good-naturedly) Shut up. "Dreamer in Disguise"
An eagle's just another bird
Until he can spread his wings
A river is just a sheet of ice
Until it turns to spring

And though the clouds may block the sun Don't mean that it's left the sky
Just when you think you've seen it all There's more than meets the eye

Like things I dream
And things I feel
There's more to me than I reveal

And cuz I shine in quiet ways
I'm someone you don't recognize
I'm a diamond in the rough
A dreamer in disguise
An eagle's just another bird
Until he can spread his wings...

That's it.

(All of the girls sigh)

Miss Pettibone: Thank you Mr. Foley. Alright class, comments? (No one responds) Well, don't all raise your hands at once. Come on, anyone?

Virgil: (More to himself than anyone else) ... Beautiful.

Miss Pettibone: (Desperately) Virgil Hawkins? Excellent! Speak up, please, and share your thoughts with the class.

Virgil: ... It was just beautiful.

Ray: "Beautiful?" Like "Oh beautiful for Amber waves of gay?" Nice one, boner boy!

Richie: Shut up, Ray.

Miss Pettibone: Go on, Virgil. How did the poem speak to you?

Virgil: ... Just 'cuz something or somebody seems one way, it doesn't mean it is that way.

Francis: Oh my God! I'm gonna hurl!

Virgil: Will you SHUT UP?!

(The bell rings)

Miss Pettibone: Quiz tomorrow! I suggest you all brush up on Tuck Everlasting. The book, not the movie. Now get outta here.

(Richie hangs back and eyes Virgil who's putting his stuff in his backpack)

Nick: C'mon, Rich. We got a Prom committee meeting.

Richie: I'll be there in a minute. You go ahead.

Nick: 'Kay. (He leaves)

(Francis hangs back and watches)

Richie: ... Virgil. (He quickly glances up, confused and irritated) Um... That was nice- What you said about my poem... Look, about what happened yesterday with, y'know. I don't know why I- things got out of hand, and I just wanted you to know-

(Virgil, noticing Francis, assumes it's a prank)

Virgil: Haven't had enough, Richie?! Do you really think you can just go on tricking me for the rest of my life?!

Richie: What? Virg, I-

Virgil: DON'T EVER CALL ME THAT! (He storms off, leaving Richie stunned)

Francis: Yeesh. What a temper. (Richie doesn't answer) Rich?

(No answer. Francis shrugs and leaves)

Richie:
For years
You look
You look at someone passing by
And then one day you see him
One day you finally see him

My God!
He shook
And then he looked me in the eye
I'd never seen him angry
I hate I made him angry

He...
He's always been there!
I... I never knew!
I felt as though
This boy revealed himself to me
And now I know
That once you see, you can't unsee