Dead Poets Society: Keating's Niece

1. Arrival

A SATURDAY in September. A school hall. Rows and rows of boys in a smart school uniform, followed by a few rows of smart-looking parents. To the far left, a man (KEATING) is sitting beside a young woman (NATALIE). NATALIE is nineteen, dressed demurely in navy blue and looks decidedly bored. 

There is hushed chatter throughout the hall. All of NATALIE's lines are whispered in KEATING's direction. 

Natalie: Still can't get my head wrapped around school on a Saturday –

Keating: Hush.

KEATING doesn't look at her. His warning is soft but clear. Then a severe-looking man takes the podium and almost-total silence falls. The man, NOLAN, headteacher of WELTON ACADEMY, tries to smile.  

Nolan: Ladies and gentleman. Boys.

NATALIE looks around to note that she has not been addressed.

One hundred years ago, in 1859, forty-one boys were sat in this room and we asked the same question that now greets you at the start of each semester. Gentleman, what are the four pillars?

Almost all the boys present, stand up. This makes NATALIE jump. They are alike an academic-army.

Boys: Tradition. Honour. Discipline. Excellence.

NATALIE tuts, imperceptibly. The boys sit back down.

Nolan: In her first year, Welton Academy graduated five students.

Natalie: Sorry, so the school is female but the students are categorically not?

Keating: Shush.

There is a stir around KEATING's and NATALIE's seats. One of the boys even deigns to look over his shoulder, before immediately being silently scolded by his mother. NATALIE does not necessarily welcome the attention, waiting for all to be facing forward once more. She whispers quieter than before. 

Natalie: It just seems a trifle hypocritical.

Nolan: Last year, we graduated fifty-one. And more than 75% of them went on to Ivy League.

There is a round of applause.

This kind of accomplishment is the result of fervent dedication to the principles taught here. This is why you parents have been sending us your sons.

Natalie: Distrust in their own ability to parent.

KEATING leans as close, but as covertly, to NATALIE, as possible.

Keating: You'll be kicked out your first day, is that what you want?

NATALIE becomes sulky, leaning back.

Nolan: This is why we're the best preparatory school in the United States.

There is a round of applause.

As you know, our beloved Mr Portius of the English Department

NATALIE squeezes the arm of KEATING.

Retired last term. You will have the opportunity later to meet his replacement, Mr John Keating.

KEATING stands and all turn to look at him.

Himself, an honours student of this school. And who, for the past several years, has been teaching at the highly regarded Chester School in London.

A by-product of the boys and parents turning to look at KEATING is that some of them notice NATALIE. NATALIE does her utmost to avoid eye-contact. There is applause and KEATING sits again.