Disclaimer: I do not own Dead Poets Society. Otherwise I wouldn't be writing fanfiction.
INT. TODD AND NEIL'S ROOM-AFTERNOON
Todd is sitting on his bed, his head hanging. We can hear him sniffling, and his body is shaking slightly. It is clear that he is crying. Neil bursts through the door in a panic. Todd does not look up, even as the door bangs against the wall.
NEIL
Todd...I...
TODD
[sniffling]
I know what you're going to say. You're going to tell me that it isn't all about you, and that it's about me plenty. But it's not Neil, it's not. And most of the time I'm okay with that, but...but sometimes I want to be in the spotlight, because I wonder what it's like. Sometimes I want people to listen to every word I say, pay attention to everything I do. Care about it all. But then I get scared, and I don't let people do any of those things, because if you don't put yourself out there, than they can't ignore you and make you feel like crap.
NEIL
[dumbstruck]
Shit, Todd...I had no idea you feel that way. And I...I don't know what to say or do to make it better.
TODD
[sniffling-louder than before]
You can...I think I'd like to be alone right now.
NEIL
[softly]
Okay.
Neil backs out of the room.
INT. DINING HALL-EVENING
The Dead Poets are sitting together, eating dinner. Todd is absent, and Neil, who looks defeated, is much quieter than normal.
PITTS
Where's Todd?
NEIL
[shrugging]
Our room, probably.
MEEKS
Is he okay?
NEIL
Um-hm. He just wants to think things through.
KNOX
So...what exactly is the matter?
NEIL
I...I don't know. I don't think he really knows either. I'm just gonna let him figure it out.
CHARLIE
But don't you think he'd appreciate someone to talk to about it?
NEIL
I already tried that. He asked me to leave him alone.
PITTS
He kicked you out of your room?
NEIL
Yeah, I guess you could say that.
CHARLIE
Well, shit. If Todd's yelling and kicking people out of rooms, who knows what'll happen next.
INT. TODD AND NEIL'S ROOM-EVENING
Todd is sitting on his bed, reading the book he checked out from the library. He is no longer crying, but it is clear that he is still upset, although in that weird calmed state that sometimes comes about after crying for a long time. Neil pushes open the door hesitantly.
NEIL
Can...am I allowed to come in now?
Todd nods, not looking up from his book.
NEIL
I brought you some food, since you missed dinner.
Todd doesn't say anything.
NEIL
Todd...you can't just ignore me.
Todd turns a page in his book, silent.
NEIL
Okay, okay, I guess you can. I'll just leave the food on your desk.
Neil sets the plate of food on Todd desk. He then sits down on his own bed and starts working on his homework.
The lighting changes-indicating the passing of a few hours.
TODD
[his voice sounding completely normal-as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened earlier that day. He does not look up from his book when he speaks]
Did you know that Walt Whitman was a homosexual?
Neil looks very surprised to hear Todd's voice so out of the blue.
NEIL
What?
TODD
[still looking down at the book]
Yeah. He's kind of my hero now.
NEIL
Is he, now?
TODD
Mm-hm. I mean, he's a homosexual poet. How could I not look up to him?
Todd finally looks up at Neil at this point. His eyes are now sparkling from happiness and not tears.
NEIL
[jokingly]
Even though you called him a sweaty-toothed madman.
Todd's face falls.
NEIL
Todd...I'm sorry, I didn't mean it.
TODD
Then why did you say it?
NEIL
I...I guess I was trying to cheer you up.
TODD
It didn't work.
NEIL
I realize that.
TODD
Can I go back to reading now?
NEIL
Whatever you want, Todd.
There are a few moments of silence until Neil speaks again.
NEIL
No, wait, I want to talk about what happened earlier.
TODD
I don't.
NEIL
I really think we should.
TODD
And I think that's a stupid idea.
NEIL
Well, you should eat at any rate.
Todd looks back and forth between the food on his desk and Neil a few times.
TODD
Fine.
Todd and Neil sleep in their own beds that night.