The Missing Case of Dean Norman

Scene Fifteen

Scene changes, school bell rings. Fade in, the classroom. Everyone is seated and chatting with their friends. No one is talking to Dean, he is alone on his school desk, shaking his knee. He looks at the time and sees its 8:30am. A few minutes' pass and everyone notices that the teacher hasn't arrived yet

Student 1: Is the teacher coming?

Student 2: I don't know

Student 3: Maybe he's stuck in traffic or something

Dean then notices it is 8:35am. Suddenly, The Teacher enters

The Teacher: Good morning everyone

All (except Dean): Good morning

Dean looks confused at The Teacher

The Teacher: Dean... what do we say to the teacher?

Dean still shocked

Dean: Good... morning...

The Teacher: Good...

The whole class giggles

The Teacher: Right, I am going to take the register so please everyone remain quiet

As The Teacher starts the register, Dean talks to the student next to him

Dean: Did they bring in a replacement teacher?

Student 4: Replacement teacher?

Dean: Yeah

Student 4 looks confused at Dean

Student 4: That's our usual teacher...

Dean: No, it isn't...

Student 4: Um yes, it is

Dean: Impossible

The Teacher: Dean!

Dean looks quickly at The Teacher

The Teacher: It is very impolite to talk whilst someone else is talking... do you know what impolite means?

Dean: (Angrily) Yes... I do

The Teacher: Shocking. Right, today class we are going to be talking about

He writes on the whiteboard in capital letters

The Teacher: Lying... can anyone tell me what lying is?

Student 5: (Looking at Dean) Yes... it's when unnormal people don't tell the truth

Dean looks scared, everyone in the classroom looks at Dean

The Teacher: That's right! When unnormal people don't tell the truth. And what is it that they don't tell the truth about?

Dean: Stop...

Student 6: (Looking at Dean) That they're weird

Dean: Please...

Student 7: (Looking at Dean) That they're crazy

Dean: Stop it...

Student 8: (Looking at Dean) That they're outsiders

Dean: Stop it now...

The Teacher: (Looking at Dean) And who is the psychopath?

Everyone in sync points to Dean

All (except Dean): Him!

The Teacher: (Looking at Dean) That's right! Dean Norman... the mental retard

All the students start making gestures symbolizing madness. Dean starts pulling his hair and starts shouting

Dean: I AM NORMAL! I AM NORMAL!

The Teacher: (Looking at Dean) Prove... it

Dean starts crying

Dean: I... hate... you...!

Dean starts bashing and breaking things. Lights start flashing all round him, in the meantime The Teacher swaps over with the regular teacher. Lights fade back into the classroom, everything in the classroom is broken or damaged, the students are all staggered in groups scared. Dean continues shouting and screaming and breaking things. The teacher tries to calm him down

Teacher: Dean! Dean stop!

Dean hits him hard on the face and the teacher falls on the floor. The other students gasp. Dean stops and looks at the teacher. The teacher is bleeding from his mouth. Dean looks around and sees the classroom completely damaged

Fadeout