Author: if-only-draco-malfoy-was-a-girl
Plot: A short scene that I wrote about a year ago, that is based on true events that I feel portrays the conflict that occurs within the head of a person with low self esteem and an intense fear of public speaking. I may or may not extend into a full length play.
The teacher walks into her classroom to find it already full of pupils - all of whom are carrying on, talking amongst themselves and not paying any attention to the fact that she’s standing there - I doubt some of them even knew she was there. All except Joe, who is sitting quietly at his desk staring at his book - not daring to look up
Teacher: (shouts) Right class quieten down!
(The class continues to talk)
Teacher: (louder) Class-Quiet-Now!!
(The class stops instantly)
(Joe gets a fright and sits bolt upright)
Teacher: Great. Now that I have attention, as you all know your exams start in a few months, and I think it’s about time we to practice essay writing in such a short space of time. So, from now till the exam you’ll write a different essay every second day - that way you’ll get to practice your timekeeping, because if you take too long during the exam - the wont get any extra time, and also, I’ll be able to check all your progress.
(A few pupils sigh and moan)
Teacher: Don’t do it then - but it will be yous who fail the exam, not me!
Teacher: (ignoring the sighing pupils) Right to start off I’ll give yous an easy topic, you’re first essay will be on the book you have chosen to read in class.
(Joe looks at his book - ‘Jack the Ripper - The untold story’, and wonders how he’ll start his essay)
The teacher then starts the days lesson, which to everyone’s great delight was on how to prepare and complete the perfect essay.
(cut to 45 minutes later and the bell rings, signalling home time. The pupils stand up and leave)
Two days later - we’er back in the English class, again Joe’s staring at his desk so hard he’ll burn a hole in it. While the rest of the class is too busy talking between themselves to notice the teacher was in the room.
Teacher: Well then who’s finished their essay?
(No answer from the class as they continue talking)
Teacher: All of yous then - good. Who wants to stand up and read theirs out to the class first?
(class goes instantly quiet) (Joe is instantly terrified, but continues looking down at his desk)
Teacher: (Impatiently) Anyone? I will just pick someone if no one volunteers!
(Joe’s still trying to burn a hole in his desk using only the power of sight)
Teacher: Joe... (Joe sit’s bolt upright with a look of surprise on his face as if he’s just been slapped) you seem to be the only person paying any attention - lets hear your essay!
Joe: (stutters, whispering) I - I - I haven’t finished it Mrs.
Teacher: (shocked) WHAT!?
Joe: (Again stuttering and whispering) I - I - I had other homework and forgot about it.
The Voice in Joe’s head: (shock) WHAT? What are you talking about? Your essay is in your jotter just read the damn thing - it wont kill you!
Teacher: (really angry) So what - all your other exams are more important?
(Joe goes back to looking at his desk and doesn't say anything)
The Voice in Joe’s head: (shock. annoyance and a bit of sarcasm) Okay don’t read it then - since you LIED! (say the word LIED loud) Remind me how you plan to get out of this? You know, the fabric of Earth wont be destroyed beyond all recognition just because you SPEAK! (almost shout the word SPEAK).
Teacher: (trying to hide her frustration/ almost bite the words out) See me after class. (fake cheery voice) Right, does anyone want to read out their essay? (A girl in the class raises her hand) Thank you Alison - let’s hear yours then.
(Alison stands up and makes her way to the front of the class- taking her jotter with her, she stops faces the class, opens her jotter and begins to read out her essay)
Alison: My essay is on the book - ‘Anne Frank, The diary of a young girl’. It was written by Anne herself, then edited and published by Otto. H. Frank - Anne’s father. It tells the true story of two families hiding from the Germans during World War Two - told through the eyes and pen of a 13 year old... (The Voice in Joe’s head: (taunting Joe) You’re in trouble, you’re in trouble! She’s gonna shout and scream at you and now you’re terrified, all because you can’t bring yourself to read a few words off a piece of paper! Look at Alison, she can do it - it’s not rocket science!)... Anne Frank, who’s full name was Annelies Marie Frank was born on June the 12th 1929 and had, had a passion for writing ever since her mother bought her a diary for her 13th birthday, a few months later when it became clear that German soldiers where forcing Jewish families from their homes and taking them to forced labour camps, Anne’s parents along with another family - the Van Pels took the decision to take both families into hiding for their own safety. For the next two years both families hid out in the building where Anne’s father worked, in some concealed rooms behind a bookcase, and Anne vividly describes in her diary all the frustrations of living in such a confined space, the hunger, the tiredness, the boredom, the constant fights and above all - the fear and threat of discovery! Anne’s last entry in her diary is on August the 1st 1944. After being betrayed by one of the workers helping conceal them - all occupants of the secret hideout were discovered and arrested on the 4th of August 1944 and taken to the concentration camps. Out of the eight people arrested from the hideout and taken to the forced labour, only one person survived to tell the horrible tales of what the prisoners had to endure, and that was Anne’s father - Otto. The end.
(she closes her jotter and sits back down in her seat)
Teacher: Well done Alison - simple but very effective, very informative. (to the class) Who’s next? Don’t be shy now! (just then the bell rings signalling the end of the lesson) Okay then, we’ll hear the rest tomorrow.
(everyone gets up and leaves) (Joe makes it to the classroom door)
Teacher: Joe will you wait a minute please?
(Joe nervously makes his way back to his seat, he sits down and stares only at his desk)
The Voice in Joe’s head: (taunting) Now you’re for it, you’re not getting out of this without getting shouted at! She’ll shout so loud that your ears will still be ringing, all the way through you’re next class. Brace yourself! Here it comes! (Laughs).
Teacher: Now then Joe - remind me why you didn't do your essay?
Joe: (still looking at his desk, stutters) I - I - I forgot about it.
Teacher: (slightly annoyed) Please look at me when I'm talking to you! You never forget to do your homework - why now?
(Joe remains looking at his desk)
Joe: (whispers) Don’t know Mrs.
Teacher: (a little bit more annoyed) Joe - I’m not on that desk! Now, do you want to fail you’re exam?
Joe: (still looking down) No Mrs.
Teacher: (starting to lose her patience) Now! Surely you must know why you didn’t do you’re homework?
Joe: (still unable to look at his teacher) Yes Mrs.
Teacher: (losing more patience) Well are you going to tell me!?
Joe: (still talking to his desk) Don’t know Mrs.
Teacher: (disbelief, Loud voice) Excuse me!?
Joe: (whispering) I don’t know Mrs!
The Voice in Joe’s head: (shock) Take my advice - this would be a good time to start telling the truth - before she actually kills you!
Teacher: (lost all patience, angry, shouts) Right, I’ve had enough of you! You really need to work a lot harder in my class, if you’re to stand any chance at all of passing your exam. NOW, GET OUT OF MY CLASS!
Joe: (sits bolt upright with a look of terror on his face) Yes Mrs.
(Joe stands up and walks as fast as he can out of the classroom, closing the door behind him. The teacher sits back in her chair, shakes her head and sighs. Joe stops for a second on he other side of the door, looks down at the ground, shakes his head and sighs, before starting to walk along the corridor).
The Voice in Joe’s head: (sarcastic) Well, that went well! (mimics Joe) Yes Mrs, No Mrs, I’m a total liar Mrs, because my essay is in my jotter, I just haven’t mastered how to SPEAK YET! (say the last two words loudly, but don’t shout).
(Joe walks through the doors at the end of the corridor, and turns the corner out of sight).
