Story 5
EXT Front steps of school overlooking playground
Billy sat outside the school on the steps looking at the overcast day and shivering.
Inside his parents were being seated by the school principal and his teacher.
INT PRINCIPAL’s OFFICE
Little in the way of furnishings. A tall lush green plan on the side of a white filing cabinet. HERMAN is the school principal wearing a cream suit and turquoise tie. Mrs. Hoppin is the teacher, a rounded figure wears glasses that hang on a long string necklace around her neck and smiles so that her cheeks make her face round and inviting. Mr and Mrs. Bussy look around before finding their seat.
Hikeman: Mr. and Mrs. Bussy I’m so glad you could make it.
Mr. BUSSY fidget with square glasses with his finger tips, taking them off and cleaning them. His wife stares straight at the principal with a worried expression.
Mrs. Bussy: What’s this about? Is there a problem with my son?
Mrs: Hoppin: We love your son. He is a charming boy. And smart too.
Mr. Bussy: But?
Mrs. Hoppin: But.. he’s been behaving a little strangely. Have you noticed anything?
Mr. Bussy: Like what?
Mrs. Bussy: Well he reads. But that’s good right?
Mrs. Hoppin: Yes it is.
Mr. Bussy: What then?
Mrs. Hoppin: Here is his grades at the beginning of the year. All A’s, here they are now, a mix of C’s and D’s. If that was all we’d have just sent a note. But the staff has noticed his personality has changed a lot. Are you sure you haven’t noticed anything at home?
Mr. Bussy: Well we both work, and sometimes it can be hard to know everything.
Mrs. Bussy: So what do you think the problem is?
Hikeman: Socially he is regressing away from the other kids. Academically, I don’t know that he cares about what’s happened to his grades. Bill has seen the counselor a few times now. And the counselor thinks there may be signs of a bigger emotional problem.
We recommend in this case, that he go to see a specialist to get at the bottom of what is happening.
Mr. Bussy: He seems happy at home whenever I see him. I don’t see him staring sadly out of rainy windows. He just is normal.
Mrs. Hoppin: I really think you should take him to see someone. If you wait too long in kids this age there can be consequences.
Mr. Bussy: But there is nothing wrong with him.
Mrs. Bussy: Honey maybe we should listen to them.
Mrs. Hoppin: You said before you don’t see him that much, how would you know?
Mr. Bussy: I — I don’t like head doctors! They just mess with people and make them more confused about themselves then they ever were.
EXTERIOR Front steps of school overlooking playground
Billy is staring out at the rain, and then he walks to the monkey bars. He slowly climbs up to the top rung looking out over the school. His eyes closed, the rain pattering over his sweatshirt, his arms slowly open like he is about to fly while he shakes to keep his balance.
Mrs Hoppin V.O.: How would you know?
