The Stormcock Community

We were given the first scenes in a small play and invited to complete it with approx 10 minutes of further drama. I will add mine as time and blogs allow.

Here is the first scene :

GOOD MORNING MISS MILTON

The title sequence shows children coming to school through the village - with their parents,on the school bus, in groups. The crucial thing - the village is beautiful, these children are happy. We would want to be at this school. Each week the sequence ends with a different final image.

This week - we go past two children padlocking their bikes to see a girl tethering her pony.

Scene 1

Int. classroom. day One. Morning.Location.

 Miss Milton [Helen] is in her thirties and busying herself around her empty classroom - she is putting name cards on each table or desk to show where children should sit. She turns to the camera as she does so.

HELEN   There are three ways to discipline a new class. You can spend the first half term slowly gaining their respect and establishing boundaries of acceptable behaviour. Boring or what? You can spend the first half term shouting and hitting them till you're suspended. Or you can try my method which takes ten minutes.

[She looks over at the door] Ah here they come.

Helen opens the door and starts to greet her class. They come in one at a time. She shakes their hand as they enter.

HELEN   Welcome to my class. I'm told you're really good at stories.

Emma smiles at this compliment and passes through.

HELEN   Simon isn't it? Welcome to my class. Mrs Lawrence says you're good at maths.

SIMON   I'm good at everything . Maths, English, Sci-

HELEN   Super. What's 439 multiplied by 2,567?

[To cam as he goes off] That'll keep him quiet.

[Turns back to pupils] And you must be Madonna

HELEN   Welcome to my class Madonna.

[Thinking on her feet] I'm told you're really excellent at smiling. Can you smile for me?

[Madonna beams] Perfect.

[As Madonna goes off Helen turns to cam]

Spotted anyone who might get bullied in this class?

[We see Madonna walking to her desk]

HELEN [to cam] She might as well have a target pinned to her chest. She needs a safe haven.

A few moments later, the class are seated and Helen is at the front.

HELEN   Good morning 4M.

CLASS  Good morning Miss Milton

HELEN   That's the ticket. First things first - I'm going to write my name down and I want you you all to copy it onto your books.

A boy [Gary] flicks a pellet which hits Madonna in the back of the head. She yelps.

HELEN   Gary I saw that. And if you do that again I shall call the Bogey man and have you taken away.

[There is some sniggering at this] I mean it. Right so this is how my name is spelt. M.I...

[Gary flicks at Madonna again] 

HELEN  Excuse me one moment class.

[She gets out her mobile phone and punches in a number]

Hello  is that the Bogey man? Yes I have a naughty boy in my class. Gary Marsh - I'd like you to come and remove him. Thank you.

 [Puts the phone away] Now as I was saying its M.I.L. You needn't bother with this Gary you won't be here for long.

 [Gary looks worried, the others look puzzled.]

 Helen   M.I.L.T.O.N.

 The classroom door opens and a monstrous, deformed man-creature dressed in green enters - the Bogeyman.

BOGEYMAN [His voice rasps] Boy for the Bogeyman?

 HELEN [pointing] That's right yes - that one there

 The Bogeyman goes to Gary and heaves him over his shoulder.

BOGEYMAN  You're coming with me

 Gary shouts and struggles but the man takes him out. The rest of the class are open-mouthed.

 BOGEYMAN    Call me if you want anymore taken

 HELEN   I will do Mr Bogey. Thank you

[She turns to the class]   Right class - if you'd like to sit up please.

You've never seen a class sit up as well.

To be continued....