Disclaimer: I do not own Dead Poets Society. Otherwise I wouldn't be writing fanfiction.
INT. ANDERSON HOUSE-FOYER-AROUND NOON
Todd, Neil, and Mrs. Anderson are standing in the "foyer." Mr. Anderson has walked down a hallway, presumably to his study.
MRS. ANDERSON
Todd, darling, why don't you show Neil your room. I've set up an air mattress in there.
TODD
Yes, mother.
Mrs. Anderson moves off down the hallway.
TODD
[sighing]
Well, come on, then.
Todd starts walking. Neil follows. We follow the two up a staircase and down a hallway. Todd stops in front of a closed door. Todd turns the doorknob and opens the door.
TODD
So, this is it.
We scan the room with Neil. It is fairly plain. There is a bed, a desk, a wardrobe and a small bookcase-all of which are plain, somewhat dull colors.
TODD
Sorry it's so boring.
NEIL
No, it's very you.
TODD
So I'm boring?
NEIL
No, far from actually. But, just like the room, all the interesting stuff is under the surface.
TODD
Well, if you say so.
Neil looks down at the air mattress on the floor.
NEIL
Well, I don't think that's going to get much use.
TODD
And why is that?
NEIL
Because I'd rather sleep in your bed with you. Unless you object.
TODD
I'd have to be crazy to object an offer like that.
Neil smiles. There is a knock on the door. Todd opens the door to reveal Mr. Anderson.
MR. ANDERSON
Your mother has made sandwiches. When you're done unpacking you can eat. Your mother and I are going to pick Jeffery from the airport now. We'll be back in a few hours.
TODD
Yes, sir.
Mr. Anderson turns and walks down the hall. Todd closes the door.
NEIL
Well, your parents are...interesting.
TODD
More like awful.
NEIL
Come on, they're not that bad. They let me stay here over break, didn't they?
TODD
That's true.
INT. ANDERSON LIVING ROOM-AFTERNOON
Todd and Neil are sitting on the couch pouring over a book. We can hear the front door open and close.
MRS. ANDERSON
[off-screen]
Todd, darling, come say hello to your brother.
TODD
Yes, mother.
Todd closes the book and stands up. Neil stands up as well. They both walk into to "foyer" where Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, and a man who is in his early twenties, are standing.
JEFFERY
Hello, Todd.
TODD
Hi, Jeffery. This is my roommate, Neil; he'll be staying with us for break.
JEFFERY
Hello.
NEIL
Hello.
Neil and Jeffery shake hands. There is a moment of silent awkwardness until Mr. Anderson speaks.
MR. ANDERSON
Well, I have work to do. I will see you all at dinner.
Mr. Anderson retreats to his study.
JEFFERY
Mother, I'm going to go unpack.
MRS. ANDERSON
Yes, darling.
There is a clear difference in the way that Mrs. Anderson says "darling" when she's speaking to Jeffery, as opposed to when she speaks to Todd.
INT. TODD'S ROOM-AFTERNOON
Todd storms into his room, Neil close behind him. Neil closes the door.
TODD
[angrily]
I thought me being at Welton was going to make things better!
NEIL
Todd...it's ok.
TODD
[accusingly]
Is it?
NEIL
Maybe not, but it will be, after I do this.
Neil kisses Todd. Todd pulls away.
TODD
What was that for? Kisses can't cure everything!
NEIL
Todd...I'm sorry, I was...trying to help.
TODD
Yeah, well, you didn't.
NEIL
[softly, almost in defeat]
Yeah, I can see that.
TODD
Neil...I-I'm sorry, it's just...spending time around my parents and Jeffery always stresses me out.
INT. ANDERSON DINING ROOM-EVENING
The Andersons and Neil are sitting around the dinner table, eating. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson each sit at an end of the table, Todd and Neil sit next to each other and Jeffery sits across from them.
MR. ANDERSON
So, Neil, what does your father do?
NEIL
He sells car insurance, sir.
MR. ANDERSON
[looking a bit unimpressed]
Very good.
There are a few moments of awkward silence as everyone eats.
MRS. ANDERSON
[to Todd and Neil]
How were your finals, boys?
TODD
[just loud enough to be heard]
Fine, mother.
NEIL
I'm fairly certain they went well. Todd and I are a part of a study group, so we all helped each other be as prepared as possible.
MR. ANDERSON
Jeffery, you weren't in a study group, were you?
JEFFERY
No, sir.
MR. ANDERSON
See, that's the type of man you want to be boys. A man who doesn't need help from anyone else to succeed.
Neil looks like he wants to say something, but realizes it's probably best to stay quiet. There is more awkward silence as they finish their meal.
INT. TODD'S ROOM-NIGHT
Todd and Neil walk into the room, clearly having just finished dinner.
NEIL
Please tell me I'm having some crazy dream right now, and that you father did not just say that.
Neil spits out the last word, obviously very upset. Todd seems surprisingly unflustered.
TODD
[very matter-of-factly, although there is a slight hint of sadness]
He did.
Neil sputters for a few moments, unable to find words.
NEIL
How...you...how do you manage to live with these people?
Todd shrugs.
TODD
Learn to make do, I guess.
Neil looks at Todd in awe for a moment before speaking.
NEIL
You're a lot stronger than I thought.
TODD
What?
NEIL
When I first met you...you were this...shy, meek guy, and I thought, you know, that you weren't very strong, and I was pretty much okay with that. But then out of nowhere you'll just come out and do something and I'll find myself thinking holy crap Todd is so much stronger than he seems. And...and in that one simple sentence I-I was reminded how strong you are.
Todd checks to make sure that door is closed, and then launches himself at Neil. Todd engulfs Neil in a bone crushing hug. Todd's head is on Neil's shoulder, so when Todd speaks, his voice is muffled in Neil's neck.
TODD
No one has ever called me strong before.
NEIL
So, what's my prize?
TODD
This...
Todd gives Neil a kiss.
INT. TODD'S ROOM-VERY LATE AT NIGHT
The room is dark. Both Todd and Neil lay in Todd's bed.
NEIL
[his voice soft]
I still need to do some Christmas shopping.
TODD
[his voice just as soft, if not softer, than Neil's]
Me too. There are some shops we can walk to. If we're lucky my father might let me borrow the car, but I wouldn't bet on it.
NEIL
Mm...okay.
Neil yawns.
NEIL
Can we go to sleep now?
When Todd speaks you can hear the smirk that has spread across his face.
TODD
No.
NEIL
[sleepily]
Shut up, Todd, I'm trying to sleep.
TODD
No.
NEIL
Seriously, Todd, be quiet. Silent actually. I don't know what's gotten into you, you used to be awesome at that.
TODD
[jokingly]
Is that so?
NEIL
Yeah. You are the real Todd, right? You're not some alien who's taken over my boyfriend?
TODD
Would I tell you the truth if I was an alien?
NEIL
Stop being so brilliant and go to sleep.
TODD
Okay, okay. Good night, Neil.
NEIL
Good night, Todd.
EXT. THE SNOWY STREETS OF A NEIGHBORHOOD-LATE MORNING/EARLY AFTERNOON
Todd and Neil are walking, bundled up against the cold.
NEIL
I can't believe he wouldn't let you use the car! It's not like he was using it!
TODD
Yeah, well, can you really say you're surprised?
NEIL
No, but it's still unfair.
TODD
Maybe...but that's my dad for you.
Todd and Neil continue walking in silence.
EXT. STREET LINED WITH SHOPS-EARLY AFTERNOON
TODD
Bookstore?
NEIL
Bookstore.
Todd and Neil walk into the bookstore halfway down the block.
INT. BOOKSTORE-EARLY AFTERNOON
Todd and Neil look around, wondering where to begin.
NEIL
Don't look now, I want your present to be a surprise.
TODD
Good. I want yours to a surprise too.
Todd and Neil move off in different directions.
INT. ANDERSON HOUSE-FOYER-LATE AFTERNOON/EARLY EVENING
Todd and Neil walk in through the front door, both of them shedding layers-coats, scarves, gloves and hats.
MRS. ANDERSON
[off screen]
Todd, is that you?
TODD
Yes, mother.
MRS. ANDERSON
You two need to wash up; dinner is almost ready.
TODD
Yes, mother.
INT. ANDERSON DINING ROOM-EVENING
The Andersons and Neil sit around the dinner table again, in the same seats they were in last time.
MRS. ANDERSON
Neil, I don't know if Todd has mentioned it, but every year we host a Christmas party on Christmas Eve.
Neil gives Todd a quizzical look.
NEIL
No, he hadn't. I do enjoy a good party.
MRS. ANDERSON.
Yes, well. Everyone has chores to do to prepare the house. You wouldn't mind helping, would you?
NEIL
No, of course not.
MONTAGE INT. ANDERSON HOUSE-VARIOUS ROOMS-VARIOUS PARTS OF DAY
Todd and Neil can be seen around the house doing various chores. Occasionally we see Jeffery or Mr. or Mrs. Anderson. Days pass.