Jon Mennella
Aug 24, 2017 · 3 min read

Scene 3

INT. CLASSROOM — EVENING

A standard public school classroom. Combination desk-chair units lined up in neat, box formation. Motivational posters hanging from the wall. Einstein and sayings like “Mistakes are proof that you are trying.”

The classroom door opens. KATHERINE, 40s, simply-dressed, enters clutching her handbag tight to her shoulder. She looks around the room curiously, before shuffling, almost tip-toeing to the teacher’s desk.

She sits down. Takes in the room. Collects herself with a deep breath. Then she stands up and walks to the door, opening it to a wave of chatter and movement.

KATHERINE: Hello. Please come in.

MRS. GERHARD, early 40s, passes into the classroom. She is immaculately dressed, almost stepford-wivey. She towers over Katherine, signs of a former modeling career. The women shake hands.

MRS. GERHARD: Hi, I’m Mrs. Gerhard, Steph…

KATHERINE: Yes. Stephanie’s mother. Nice to meet you. I’m Miss Tillman. Please come sit.

The women take a seat. Mrs. Gerhard arranges herself in an elegant manner. We see a brief look of disgust pass over Katherine’s face.

MRS. GERHARD: I was hesitant to even come this evening. Stephanie seems to be grading very well on all of her exams.

KATHERINE: Of course. Without a doubt. Stephanie is a great student… on paper.

MRS. GERHARD: On paper? What is that supposed to mean?

KATHERINE: Well, at this school, the administration prides itself in not only guiding children to succeed academically, but also in leading them to become respectable, sympathetic human beings.

MRS. GERHARD: I don’t understand. Are you saying that my daughter is not a respectable human being?

KATHERINE: Do you know that Stephanie has been taunting other girls? The other day I caught her passing a note to one of our students, Sarah, calling her a whore.

MRS. GERHARD: They’re adolescent girls. They bicker. I’m sure it’s just a phase.

KATHERINE: It’s not a one-time thing, Mrs. Gerhard. In the school yard, Stephanie regularly teases Sarah, even abuses her physically.

MRS. GERHARD: Is it just with this girl Sarah? Is it possible there are two sides to the story? Maybe her and her mother should be here for this discussion.

KATHERINE: No, no, I don’t think so…

Katherine takes a beat, searching for her words. Mrs. Gerhard cowers in her seat, starting to look very small.

KATHERINE: (slight whisper) You know, the other day the class pet went missing, but I found Stephanie in the bathroom with it, holding a pencil to its neck. I think she wanted to murder the poor rabbit.

Mrs. Gerhard is in shock.

KATHERINE: That’s a sign of psychopathy. I think Ted Bundy used to hurt small animals before… well, you know.

MRS. GERHARD: What? I just can’t believe what I’m hearing? Psychopath? My daughter?

Katherine stands up and helps Mrs. Gerhard to her feet, gently leading her to the door.

KATHERINE: I would highly suggest seeking psychiatric help. It’s not my area of expertise so I can’t offer much assistance, but try using google. Keywords like psychopath, sociopathic child, et cetera. It’s best to nip these things in the bud.

Katherine opens the door and almost pushes the dazed Mrs. Gerhard out.

KATHERINE: Take care, Mrs Gerhard. I wish you all the best with your daughter.

MRS. GERHARD (O.S.): My Stephanie? Murdering rabbits?

Katherine closes the door behind her. She returns to the desk chair. Smiles widely. Proud.

WOMAN (O.S.): Excuse me. What are you doing?

Katherine jumps in her seat. Looks up to find a twenty-something, well-dressed professional woman looking back at her.

KATHERINE: Oh, hi, I’m Katherine, Sarah’s mother. Sorry. I just let myself in.

MS. TILLMAN: Yes, of course, but may I ask what you’re doing behind my desk?

KATHERINE: Oh, silly me. Just a mistake.

The women swap sides. The real Ms. Tillman settles in behind the desk.

MS. TILLMAN: So your Sarah’s mother. Such a sweet, respectful girl.

KATHERINE: Oh, really? Well, she must get it from her father.

They share a friendly laugh.

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