Disclaimer: I do not own Dead Poets Society. Otherwise I wouldn't be writing fanfiction.
INT. TODD AND NEIL'S ROOM-MORNING
Todd and Neil are still curled together in Todd's bed. Neil is awake, Todd still asleep in his arms. Todd's eyes flutter open.
NEIL
Good morning.
TODD
[smiling]
Morning.
Todd's face freezes, and then falls as he remembers what is happening later.
TODD
You know how you said things would look better in the morning?
NEIL
Um-mm?
TODD
They don't.
NEIL
Todd...everything is going to be fine.
TODD
You keep saying that, but you have no way of knowing.
Neil stands up abruptly, pulling Todd with him.
NEIL
Come on, get dressed!
TODD
Why? Where are we going?
NEIL
To get you mind off of things!
Todd reluctantly starts to get dressed. Neil dresses at an amazing speed, and then rushes towards the door.
NEIL
I'll be right back!
Todd, who is used to Neil's antics, just continues getting dressed. Todd finishes getting dressed just before Neil returns, the other Dead Poets in tow. Neil grabs Todd's arm, and pulls him out of the room.
NEIL
Come on then!
TODD
Where are you taking me?
NEIL
Breakfast, and then we're going outside!
TODD
Outside? For what?
NEIL
To have fun!
EXT. WELTON GROUNDS-MORNING
The Dead Poets stand in a clump. Everyone is looking at Neil.
NEIL
So. Todd's poetry reading is this evening. He's stressed. We're going to fix that.
TODD
Um...how, exactly?
NEIL
Um...that is a very good questions.
Neil pauses for a minute.
NEIL
Todd, you stay right there. The rest of you, follow me.
Neil walks off across the grass, the rest of the Dead Poets behind him. They form a tight circle, talking softly enough that Todd can't hear them. Todd looks at them apprehensively.
TODD
[calling out to his friends]
This is stressing me out even more, you know!
The other Dead Poets talk for only a bit longer before breaking of their circle. They all turn to face Todd, mischievous smiles on their faces. They begin to walk back towards Todd, mocking looks of "menace" on their faces.
TODD
Whatever you guys have come up with, I really don't like it.
NEIL
ATTACK!
TODD
Oh no...
The Dead Poets, Neil in the front, and therefore the first to reach Todd, run at Todd, tackling him to the ground. Pitts shouts as the Dead Poets pile them on top of Todd.
PITTS
Pig pile!
Neil, who is directly on top of Todd brushes his lips against Todd's cheek in a fleeting kiss. None of the other Dead Poets notice this, but even if they did, they wouldn't be able to make much of it, since it looks like Neil's head got pushed towards Todd's in the downward momentum of the Dead Poets piling on Todd. Todd blushes when Neil's lips touch his cheek. The other Dead Poets fall out of the pig pile, and Neil sits on Todd to keep him pinned to the ground. Neil tickles Todd, who squirms, trying to get away from Neil.
TODD
YAWP!
Todd pushes Neil off of himself, scrambles to standing, and runs off across the grass. Neil and the other Dead Poets chase after him, which leads to the group running around and being silly, not really playing any game, but enjoying themselves none the less.
INT. DINING HALL-EVENING
The Dead Poets all sit together, enjoying dinner. Except Todd, who isn't eating-just pushing his food around his plate.
NEIL
Todd, you've got to eat something. You barely ate breakfast, and we missed lunch...
TODD
[softly]
I can't...I'm too nervous.
NEIL
Todd, come on. Please? Going into something like this on an empty stomach is a bad idea.
TODD
I guess you're right.
Todd takes a few bites as everyone else goes back to talking. Todd suddenly stands up, looking uncomfortable.
TODD
I think I'm gonna be sick.
Todd rushes out of the room, the Dead Poets staring after him.
NEIL
Shit.
Neil stands up and rushes after Todd.
INT. BATHROOM-EVENING
Neil rushes into the bathroom. We can hear Todd retching. Neil rushes to the stall Todd is in. Neil drops down to his knees behind Todd, who is now done vomiting, but still has his head over the toilet bowl, scared that there might be more. Neil rubs Todd's back soothingly. Todd heaves one last time, but nothing come out.
NEIL
I think that's all of it...come on, up you get.
Neil stands up, pulling Todd with him. Todd is shaky on his feet. Neil wraps an arm around Todd's waist to steady him.
TODD
Water...
Neil guides Todd over to the sink, where he turns on the tap and Todd uses a cupped hand to drink.
NEIL
Better?
TODD
Mm-mm.
NEIL
You don't have to do this, you know. If it makes you this nervous, perhaps it isn't a good idea.
TODD
No, I have to do it.
NEIL
No, Todd, you don't.
TODD
But I promised you I would. And Mr. Keating.
NEIL
Todd, if you decide not to do it, we'll completely understand.
TODD
I promised myself I'd do it. And if I don't, I just have one more reason to be hard on myself.
NEIL
Okay, okay, I get it. You sure you going to be okay?
TODD
Yeah. I'm starting to feel better already.
INT. TODD AND NEIL'S ROOM-EVENING
Todd and Neil are just finishing getting ready. Todd is fidgeting with his clothes.
NEIL
Todd, you look fine.
TODD
Really?
NEIL
Yeah. More than fine, actually.
TODD
[blushing]
A kiss for good luck?
NEIL
Not that you need it, but...
Neil leans in to kiss Todd.
EXT. OUTSIDE THE PUBLIC LIBRARY-EVENING
The Dead Poets and Mr. Keating stand outside the public library, Todd and Neil at the front of the group. Todd seems to have frozen in the middle of the side walk.
NEIL
You ready for this?
Todd sighs, then nods before striding to the door and leading the group into the library.
INT. PUBLIC LIBRARY-EVENING
The Dead Poets and Mr. Keating stand near the doorway, a bit unsure of what to do. There are quite a few people milling around. The librarian who put Todd on the sign up list hobbles over, a smile on her face.
LIBRARIAN
Todd Anderson, right?
TODD
Yes, ma'am.
LIBRARIAN
We'll be starting soon, but feel free to mingle until we do. All of you, feel free to enjoy the refreshments.
TODD
Thank you, ma'am.
The librarian shuffles off to go do something. Charlie, Pitts, Meeks, Knox and Cameron all go off in search of the refreshments, talking excitedly. Todd and Neil stay put, and Mr. Keating hangs back.
KEATING
How are you feeling Todd?
TODD
[his voice squeaks]
Nervous.
NEIL
You'll do brilliantly, I promise.
Todd looks like he wants to argue, but is too nervous to do so. Todd and Neil share a look, and Mr. Keating, sensing that the two need some alone time, wanders off. Todd's eyes are wide with nerves, and Neil looks at him with concern.
NEIL
[softly, so that only Todd can hear him]
Todd, I just want you to know that I am so proud of you. So proud. Proud that you picked up that flier that one day. Proud that you made the decision to do this. And no matter what happens what you're up on that stage, I love you.
TODD
...I...I'm just scared that I'll open my mouth and nothing will come out.
NEIL
Todd, don't be ridiculous. You're going to be amazing.
The other Dead Poets come bounding back over, cups of punch and cookies in their hands.
CHARLIE
Neil, a cookie?
NEIL
[somewhat distracted]
Thanks.
CAMERON
Todd?
TODD
No, thanks. No more food for me until this is over.
The librarian steps up onto the platform "stage" set up for the event and gets the attention of the crowd.
LIBRARIAN
We'll be starting in a few minutes, so if you could all find seats...poets, come join me to the side of the stage.
Some people are already sitting. The rest of the crowd moves to the folding chairs set up facing the "stage." The Dead Poets move to sit down. Todd puts a hand on Neil's arm. Neil hangs back, confusion on his face. Todd whispers into Neil's ear.
TODD
[smiling slyly]
This is for you.
Todd walks off to join the poets sitting in chairs along the back wall, to the right of the stage. Neil stands still for a moment, before rushing to sit down with the other Dead Poets and Mr. Keating.
LIBRARIAN
Thank you all so much for coming. Shall we get this started?
MONTAGE
We hear snippets of five of the other poets.
POET #1
...angels have issues too...
POET #2
...noise fills the space...
POET #3
...ribs folding in on themselves...
POET #4
...rises from deep within...
POET #5
...dreaming the past...
Todd is next. Todd glances at Neil as he steps up onto the stage and stands there in silence for a few moments before beginning to recite his poem. Todd looks over the heads of the entire audience as he recites.
TODD
I wonder
How you
Pull me
Out of
My shell
I wonder
How you
Act
The way
You do
I wonder
How you
Make me
Want to
Act
Like you
I wonder
Why
My
Breath hitches
Every time
Your hand
Accidentally
Brushes
Against mine
I wonder
Why you
Smile
At me
The way
You do
I wonder
How
It's possible
For you
To care
About me
The way
I care
About you
I wonder
Why
You listen
To me
When no one
Else will
They say to not fix it if it ain't broken
So
I
Don't wonder
Anymore
Because I've found happiness with you
When Todd finishes the audience claps, just they have done for all of the other poets. Neil, however, just sits in his seat, stunned. He is so overcome with emotion that he is struggling to know what to feel. Neil has a stunned look on his face for the rest of the poetry reading. The smile on Todd's face shows just how relieved he is to be done. Todd moves off the "stage."
MONTAGE
We hear snippets from the rest of the poets.
POET #6
...grabbed by the fistful...
POET #7
...dancing on clouds...
POET #8
...the moon shines bright...
POET #9
...numb to the touch...
The last poet moves off the "stage" and the librarian stands in front of the audience one more time.
LIBRARIAN
Once again, thank you so much for coming. Please stay to talk with the poets and finish of the refreshments.
The librarian moves off the stage and people start to stand up and move about. Todd makes his way over to his friends and teacher, who are making their way towards him. Neil looks as if he is in a trance. Todd is practically bouncing.
KEATING
Absolutely wonderful, Todd, absolutely wonderful. Whoever that was for is very lucky.
Mr. Keating gives Todd a knowing smile. Todd's smile falters at the look Mr. Keating gives him, but returns when the Dead Poets start congratulating him. Neil is still in his shocked trance.
PITTS
That was amazing!
CHARLIE
Never would have expected that!
KNOX
Awesome!
MEEKS
That was great!
CAMERON
Very well written.
TODD
Thanks, guys.
Todd looks to Neil, who still hasn't said anything.
NEIL
Todd...I...no words...
TODD
If I've left you speechless, it must have been pretty good, huh?
Neil breaks out of his trance and smiles.
NEIL
Don't get cocky with me.
TODD
Yeah? What are you going to do about it?
Todd and Neil share a look.
PITTS
Well, dang...we should have gotten Todd to do this earlier.
The whole groups cracks up, including Mr. Keating. Neil slips back into his stunned trance.
KEATING
What do you say boys, should we head back?
TODD
Yes, please.
Todd yawns.
TODD
Sorry, guys, but I'm really tired. Haven't really slept that much recently.
INT. TODD AND NEIL'S ROOM-NIGHT
Neil practically drags Todd into the room. Neil pushes Todd against the door, closing it. Neil kisses Todd passionately.
NEIL
Todd...you...I...I love you so much...and oh god that poem...
TODD
I love you too.
NEIL
God...I know that, silly. I just...can't believe you wrote that about me.
TODD
It's because you inspire me.
NEIL
You inspire me.
Todd kisses Neil. Neil pulls away slowly, reluctantly.
NEIL
I know it's common to get people flowers or something when they perform. I didn't get you flowers, but I got you something else.
TODD
Neil...you didn't have to...
NEIL
I know, but I wanted to.
Neil pulls away and moves towards his desk. He opens the drawer, reached way in the back and pulls out a book. It is a copy of Diffracting Darkness.
NEIL
I saw how sad you were when you had to return it to the library. I had to sell a few things to get the money to buy it, and this is a used copy, but...
Todd shuts him up with a kiss. This time, Neil doesn't pull away.
TODD
You're too good to me.
NEIL
You, sir, deserve it.
TODD
See what I mean?
NEIL
Nope. There's no such thing as being too good to you.
TODD
You're going to make me cry.
NEIL
Good. Because that poem almost made me burst into tears, right in the middle of the public library.
TODD
Neil...I didn't...didn't mean for...
NEIL
Tears of happiness Todd, tears of happiness.
Todd yawns.
TODD
Snuggle me to sleep?
NEIL
You needn't have asked.