Scene Five: Mike's Classroom
Scene opens with a shot of the whiteboard where the words "Watership Down" are written. Camera then pans over to Mike walking up and down the rows of desks as he leads a group discussion.
Mike
When Watership Down was first published in 1972, it received huge commercial success, which was surprising to many people due to the fact that it was released by an unknown publisher. However, it did receive some criticism for being too much of a simple adventure story. In fact, one critic actually said that it was so simplistic that it had the "same emotional firepower as Dumbo". Do you guys agree with this take on the story?
Awkward silence fills the classroom as the students glance back and forth between each other as if to try and decide who should answer.
Mike
Anyone?
Jordan takes a deep breath, reminding himself that he needs to at least try and get his ELA grade up.
Jordan
I do.
Mike
(Turning to face Jordan)
Jordan, thank you. Now, why exactly do you agree with that criticism?
Jordan
Cause honestly, I thought the book was pretty boring. I mean, who cares that much about a bunch of bunnies?
Rocky
Dude, you do realize that the bunnies are a metaphor for people right?
Jordan
Wait...what?
Rocky
Yeah, the book is about the struggle between tyranny and freedom.
Jordan
Seriously?
Rocky
Yeah, seriously.
Mike
Jordan, thank you for our input. (Turning to Rocky) Rocky, you obviously have a differing opinion. Would you care to elaborate?
Rocky
Sure, why not? So the way I read it, I thought the main theme of the book was about how you have to sacrifice comfort in order to earn freedom.
Mike
Can you give us an example?
Rocky
Yeah, definitely. Basically, at the beginning the colony has to choose between staying at their home where they're comfortable or leaving to find somewhere new where they can be free. Some of them choose to stay and others choose to leave. That shows the choice between freedom and comfort. Then when they find a new warren where there's food and protection, they stay there for a while before realizing that they can't be free there. Plus, the entire point of the story is that they're trying to reach Watership Down so that they can live freely. The whole book is centered around freedom and the sacrifices you have to make for it.
Mike
I couldn't have said it better myself. That was great Rocky.
Rocky
(In a joking manner)
Thanks, Mr. L. It's nice to know someone appreciates my genius.
Mike
(Chuckling a little)
Your genius is always appreciated here, Rocky.
Bell rings and the students begin to get up and leave, except for Jordan, who lingers a little.
Mike
Alright, thank you so much everyone for the great discussion today. There's no homework tonight. I hope you all have a great rest of your day.
Once the rest of his classmates have left, Jordan approaches Mike.
Jordan
Mr. L, can I talk to you for a sec?
Mike
(Sitting on top of one of the desks)
Yeah, of course. What's going on?
Jordan
Well, you obviously know that my grade isn't the best right now, and I'm really disappointed in myself for letting it fall. I was wondering if there's anything I can do to maybe get it back up? Any extra credit or anything like that?
Mike
Yeah, well first of all, I really appreciate you coming to me. You're putting the effort in, and that's the most important thing. As for how to get your grade back up, I do have extra help hours after school Mondays and Wednesdays,if you want some help. We'll be able to work one on one in order to get that grade back up.
Jordan
(Smiling a little)
Okay great! Is there anything else I can do?
Mike pauses for a moment, thinking about something.
Mike
(Nodding)
Yeah, actually there is something else you can do. The Forensics team is having its first meeting tomorrow, and a lot of the skills for Forensics actually apply to ELA pretty well. If you're at all interested, I'd be happy to give you some extra credit for competing in forensics.
Jordan
(Smile dropping a little)
Oh, um, that's the speech and debate thing, right?
Mike
(Sensing Jordan's hesitation)
Yeah, it is. Don't feel any obligation to show up, though. If it isn't your kind of thing, I'm sure we can figure out some other extra credit for you.
Jordan
(Smiling once more)
Alright, I'll definitely think about it. Thanks, Mr. L.
Mike
Of course. My door's open anytime.
The camera follows Jordan as he walks out of the classroom, clearly deep in thought. Scene ends with the sound of a school bell ringing.
YOU ARE READING
Prose: Season One, Episode One: "We're Joining the FBI!" (TV Episode Script)
Roman pour Adolescents"In short, Forensics is Speech and Debate. The title originates from Aristotle's 'The Rhetoric'. In this book, he divided all forms of rhetoric into three different categories: epideictic, deliberative, and forensics which referred to speech pertain...
