The Missing Case of Dean Norman

Scene Eleven

Scene changes to Dean fast asleep in bed, it's the early hours of the morning. Sandra enters and heads towards Dean to wake him up

Sandra: Dean... Dean. Wakey-wakey

Dean slowly wakes up

Dean: Hmm?

Sandra: It's morning. Do you want to go to school today? You don't have to if you don't feel up to it

Dean: I have a bad headache

Sandra: Well let me go and get the thermometer

Sandra exits to get the thermometer, she comes back with a thermometer in hand. She places the thermometer in Dean's mouth and waits approximately a minute or two then takes out the thermometer. His temperature is high

Sandra: Oh dear, you're right your temperature is high... and you look pale in the face

Sandra thinks

Sandra: I think it's best to call the doctor in. You didn't walk around too much last night, did you? Maybe you caught a cold from the bitter cold?

Dean: No, I slept well last night

Sandra: And the nightmares? Did they come back last night?

Dean thinks

Dean: No, nothing at all

Sandra doubts his answer

Sandra: Hmm, well let me call the doctor in

Sandra exits, a quiet high frequency sound can be heard, Dean looks at his mother whilst she exits. The Shadow watches them both, Dean doesn't notice

The Shadow: My, oh my, we're now lying to our mother, are we?

Dean swiftly turns his head towards The Shadow but ignores him

The Shadow: First you lie to me then you lie to your mother? How deceitful you are

Dean: I didn't lie to you

The Shadow: Oh didn't you now? Tsk, tsk, tsk, another lie Dean-y old boy

Dean: I am not lying to you

The Shadow: Well, well, well you're so full of lies today. Christmas came early this year for me

Dean: I... am... not... lying!

The Shadow leans towards Dean

The Shadow: Prove it

Dean: Prove what?

Pause

The Shadow: Prove you're not insane

Sandra enters, Dean turns his head towards his mother then back to The Shadow but he's disappeared

Sandra: Right I've called the doctor, he should be here in an hour or so... are you alright?

Dean: Just... my head, it hurts

Sandra: Don't worry, the doctor will sort it out. Dean...

She kneels down towards Dean

Sandra: Are you sure your headaches are not caused by your nightmares?

Dean: Mum, I told you, I didn't have a nightmare last night...

Sandra: Are you sure?

Dean: Positive

Sandra: Because I know sometimes you say one thing whereas a matter of fact something else has happened

Dean: Mum, I did not have a nightmare, promise