Let's not have people in. I'd like to do this Without anybody in here.
Can everybody split, who doesn't have to be here? And close the door.
- Keep people away from the door? - Yep. Thanks.
(music, leaves falling)
I Wasn't good in school. I didn't care for school.
It was nice socially, my own experience, but I just Went along.
I started as a music major to be a rock & roll star. That didn't work out.
In 1985 during the hurricane, Hurricane Gloria-
- I was taking a train into the city to work.
I was on the phone at work. My brother-in-law had started teaching.
He said he was off from school.
I said: "You're off because of the hurricane and I'm going to work?"
"That's a pretty good gig, right?"
My mother was a teacher and I knew, from early childhood-
-that the one job I would never do was become a teacher.
I'd take tolls oh the turnpike or be a shepherd rather than a teacher.
I decided to be a teacher instead of driving a truck for a company.
I decided to do better for myself and Went back to school at the age of 37.
A friend of mine from college, his aunt was the principal-
-of an all-girl inner city school in Newark, New Jersey.
They were desperate for teachers. I thought I could do this for a year-
-and keep my father from making me get a job at Prudential-
-and I'll figure out What I Want to do.
My father called me and asked me to go on an interview.
I happened to get the job at a junior high school in Queens.
I ended up starting What's now my 30th year.
Most of the teachers here at one point-
-they believed that they could make a difference.
I know how important it is to have guidance, to have...
...someone help understand the complexities of the world we live in.
I didn't really have that growing up.
(Sirens) (traffic)
I am money. I change hands like a dollar bill.
I go out and buy a lamp. Then a genie appeared and cried loudly.
But the tears were all for myself.
And that's where it all went wrong.
(bus brakes and door opens)
(bus door closes, engine starts up)
(children laughing, talking)
(telephone rings, machine beeps)
Hi, Lupe. Dean Vargas here. I'm sick and won't be coming in today.
(machine beeps)
(laughter and Walking)
- Get to the point, Dr. Hart. - Your state scores have gone down.
You know the game. You earmarked my school as a transfer-dump.
- The kids all deserve an education. - Get to the point.
- We need a new methodology. - You're corporatizing the system.
No, We're cleaning house. It's time you stepped down.
You've got nerve coming into my yard with a hard fucking sell.
There was a time when you were an educator. Very well respected.
Why don't you go out on top?
(footsteps, bell rings)
Everybody sit down and shut up or I start pulling out the referrals.
Sit! Sit down!
I am starting the DVD. I am starting the DVD.
(music. Door opens, footsteps)
Good bye.
(doors opening and closing)
-"Barth" or "Barthes"? -it's "Barth".
You've taken assignments at Locke & MacArthur. The "fringe".
That's Where the work is at.
This is a month-long assignment until I can fill it permanently.
I asked to meet you. You come recommended as the best sub.
- That's a dubious endorsement. - I agree, Mr. Barthes.
Your students are below grade level. It's your task to get them caught up.
Teach the curriculum, most importantly. Understood?
(footsteps)
(Sigh) (students chatting)
Good morning. I'm Mr. Barthes.
For those of you who haven't heard, this is English 11-A.
Listen up. I have one rule. Just one.
If you don't wish to be here, don't come.
Dude, What does that mean? - Not "dude". It's Mr. Barthes.
- You're fucking gay. Marcus, shut up!
Dyke bitch.
(laughter)
Marcus. Guess What? - What?
You're free to leave. Right now.
See you around.
- You Want me to go to the Dean? - I don't care Where you go.
(laughter)
- Take out a sheet of paper. - What if we ain't got no paper?
Here's the situation. You're dead. Write a brief but detailed essay...
I asked you a question!
...about What a friend or parent might say about you at your funeral.
- You have 30 minutes. - Oh, shit.
(laughter)
I asked you a question, didn't I?
(bag hits the wall)
Anything else? Back up before I rock your shit.
That bag doesn't have any feelings. It's empty.
I don't have any feelings you can hurt either.
I understand you're angry. I used to be very angry too. I get it.
Don't be angry at me. I'm here to give you an opportunity.
I'm going to ask you to just sit down and do your best.
And I'll give you a piece of paper. How's that?
(folder opens, tearing paper)
Can I get a fucking pen too?
Kids don't have any attention span. They're bored.
So how are you supposed to reel them in with classic literature-
-if they don't believe that you-
-have something meaningful to share?
(bell rings) (papers tossed on desk)
Thank you.
Why'd you throw Marcus out of class but not Jerry?
I had to make an example. Marcus verbally assaulted you.
What they say to me is immaterial.
- What's your name? Meredith.
Nice to meet you, Meredith.
So you really don't care What the kids say to you?
- I've gotten used to it. - I wish I could be that strong.
It doesn't take strength. Most people lack self-awareness.
Keep that mind. You'll meet them again.
In every age.
(door opens)
I Want to see the principal.
Are you the bitch that expelled my baby? Why are you here?
You Want to be home with her? I don't have time for this bullshit!
- We'll talk about this in the office. - I ain't going nowhere.
- You need to talk with me. Racist bitch. I'm gonna sue you.
- This way, ladies. - What happened?
If you give me any more shit, I'll have my friends gang-rape your ass.
(spitting)
(footsteps Walking) (footsteps running)
Excuse me. Are you new here? -It's my first day.
Welcome. That was quite a scene back there. I was a little stunned.
But it's actually safe here. Sorry! I'm Miss Madison.
I'm Henry. Henry Barthes.
(music, birds singing, fence rattles)
(camera shutter)
Whatever's on my mind, I say as I feel. I'm truthful to myself.
I'm young and I'm old. I've been bought and sold, so many times.
I am hard faced, long gone. I'm just like you.
(knocking)
Trisha?
(knocking)
Patricia? Trisha?
(door opens, closes) (phone ringing)
- Hello? -It's Rita. He's done it again.
- You need to get down here. Bastards! Leave me alone.
- Why aren't you handling this? - can't get him out! Come get him
(footsteps, door opening)
Thanks.
Grandpa, it's Henry. Open the door. - Patricia?
-It's Henry. - Who?
It's Henry. Grandpa, please. Open the door.
(door opens)
Hi, sweetheart. I thought you were your Mom.
- You're dressed. Going somewhere? - Yeah, I'm going to work.
Retired. You're retired. Okay?
It's very very late. You need to go to sleep.
Let's get you in bed.
L-low are you doing?
Some old people sleep a lot before they die.
Isn't that silly?
(soft music, bed creaking)
(pages flipping)
Everything go okay? - You shut up. Just listen.
I know you're just some drone passing time with these dying people.
But I'm paying for his assisted living and you're not assisting him!
I told you to take the lock off of his bathroom door.
You know how he gets. You need to be there for him so he can feel safe.
Let me be clear. You stop neglecting his needs or I'll fuck with yours!
I will have you fired! Then it's going to be your family.
Your children are going to be at risk. You got it?
Don't make me come out again at this hour. Okay?
(footsteps, soft music)
(pushing buttons)
(bus engine noises)
(groaning)
Give me the money. You heard me! Give me the fucking money.
You think I like you? Give me the fucking money!
- You Want money? - Now!
(musk?) (slap)
(bus brakes)
(footsteps)
- Why are you following me? - I'm not. You should be home.
- What? Are you crazy? - Go away.
You let that guy beat the shit out of me?
You just sat there. You don't think there's something wrong with that'?
I don't know how old you were when it Went wrong. This isn't the answer.
Go figure it out. You're going to get really old, really quick.
- You don't think I have feelings? - Do you? Do you have feelings?
Listen, pal. You look like you've got more problems than me.
Really? - I'll make it better.
- Are you flirting with me? - I'm offering to hang out.
We can go to your place and relax. Are you afraid you'll like it?
I'm afraid you've been thrown away so much you've gotten used to it.
(footsteps)
- Fuck off, queer. - Have a good night.
Yeah, yeah, just Walk away. Where are you going?
(children chattering)
"He just fucks their shit up and the ladies cry for me at the funeral."
“Cause I ain't around no more to clicks that split up raw and shit."
"And my boys all get faded, blazing that skunk shit and fuck."
(laughter)
Tony V.
I spent a lot of time trying to not have to deal, not really commit.
I'm a substitute teacher. The responsibility is to maintain order.
Make sure nobody kills anybody in your classroom.
"She used to be a sweet girl."
"She never seemed dissatisfied with her life. And why should she?"
"Her mother and I gave her everything."
"So miserable and mean all of a sudden. We don't know."
"Frankly, it doesn't reflect on us. We were good parents."
"But still, she repaid us for all we have done by killing herself."
"Stupid selfish child. Now she'll never get into Princeton."
No name.
(footsteps, people talking)
Hi, Lupe. Dean Vargas again. I can't do it any more. I I quit.
(footsteps, pages turning)
If it isn't the lovely Dr. Parker.
- A happy pill? They're yummy. - I need you to fill in for Vargas.
I'm Worried about you, Charlie.
(slurping) (footsteps)
I just really love watching you leave the room.
Mr. Seaboldt. He maintained a sense of humor.
(door opening)
I think a sense of humor is key. I don't possess it.
Well I think I do in a tragic sort of Way.
- What're you doing here, Mr Sea? - Filling in for Dean Vargas.
Vargas is a bitch. Talk shit and you get slapped like a bitch.
And no detention either or I'm unfuck your shit up tight, motherfucker.
"Unfuck your shit up tight, motherfucker." That is really poetic.
You should take that oh stage. That shit sells itself.
(hums)
I, whose protuberance walks in before he says:
I'm going to unfuck your shit up tight, motherfucker.
I tell you What I'll do, laddie: I'll unfuck your shit up tight.
I'm going to unfuck your shit-
-up tight, you motherfucker.
I tell you What. Why don't you have a seat?
I'll be back and we'll discuss your bright future. Okay, my man?
I mean, you motherfucker.
Okay, Mae West.
(slams table)
- Ellen, can I see your nipples? - What? No.
Actually, I can. That's the point, you have to Wear a bra in school.
I'm just being me. I don't tell you how to dress, so you don't tell me.
Do you know What that is?
It's a beautiful picture of a sunset in Kauai. Pretty, isn't it?
You know What that is? It's a vagina infected with gonorrhea.
- That's fucking gross. - Yes, very.
When you come to school dressed like that, you give out the Wrong signal.
- Don't you Want to get respect? - I don't give it up to every dick.
Every dick? That's respectful.
Put this on. Wear that...l said Wear that for the rest of the day.
- Can I go now? - If We're done. Are we done?
- We're done. - Another student saved.
(guillotine drops) (knocking)
Come out of the bathroom, Grandma. Come on, open the door.
(knocking) (door opens)
Hi, Grandpa.
Grandpa? Grandpa, you okay?
What is it? It's Henry. Grandpa?
Sweetheart.
- Are you in pain? - No, I pissed myself again.
(pounding on door)
Come on, Grandma, open the door.
Excuse me, can you come in here?
Did you have a little accident?
Get up.
It's all right.
We're taking care of it. You're alright.
Have you been writing in the journal?
My life isn't worth memoirs.
-It's okay, We're taking care of it. - I didn't Want to go out like this.
- I didn't Want to be a burden. - You're not a burden.
Sure, you like coming here.
(laughter)
Your mother came by today. Have you spoken to her lately?
No.
Tell her I'm fine.
You always say you're fine, but I know you hide things from me.
You've always been closed off, ever since you were a kid.
Why is that? Why
(bed creaking)
You're upset. I shouldn't say these things to you. I don't mean...
I'm not upset, Grandpa. I don't want to talk about the past.
You and I remember it very differently.
Just rest. Close your eyes. I'm here. I'll be here with you.
When you stop coming, Henry, I'll die.
Fuck.
(soft music) (door opens and closes)
(music) (footsteps)
- You got a smoke? - No, I don't have a smoke.
Where'd you go? What are you going to do now?
- What are you going to do, kid? - I don't know.
Can you loan me 10 bucks? Come on, man, I'm hungry.
(traffic, sirens)
I may have something to eat at my place.
(footsteps)
(opening door) (Pushing light switch)
Come in. Wash your hands.
There's soap over there.
(light switch, keys drop) (soft music)
Sit down.
(footsteps)
Nice place you've got.
(Pouring liquid)
Thanks.
- You got anything stronger? - Eat your sandwich.
(footsteps around the apartment)
- Hold on, man. That's 100 bucks. Relax.
(puts glass on floor)
(quiet music) (she sighs)
What?
- Have you been raped? - What do you care?
I'm not sure that I do, but I can put something on it.
(glasses slide on floor)
(footsteps)
- I gotta get back. Back? Back where?
If you don't got the money, it's cool. I'll blow you for 50.
Listen to me. Knock off the bullshit.
Go to the bathroom.
(quiet music)
This is going to sting a little bit.
- Why are you doing this? - Take a shower.
- Here's a fresh towel. - Thanks.
(bottle hits trash bin) (footsteps)
(door closing) (snapping sheets)
(soft music, footsteps) (light switch)
Go to sleep.
(bag off floor, soft music) (door opening and closing)
(bus engine) (music increases)
- This is Dr. Parker. - My son has ADHD.
I looked it up online. That's what he's got. Give him his free laptop.
Your son Oliver injured a student. His problems are behavioral.
My kid's got a disability. He's not learning anything. it's your fault!
What are you doing? What is the matter with you?
Our resources are emaciated. I have real ID kids that need my attention.
He's mad all the time because he's not getting the services he needs.
"No Child Left Behind" promises me rights. You'll hear from my lawyer.
(camera shutter) (running footsteps)
(music)
(birds chirping)
(cat meows)
(footsteps) (pounding)
Hey, What are you doing?
(single music tone)
What is this, funny? Get to class. Get to class, right now.
(running steps)
I don't get the joke. Is this funny? Does that look good to you?
Do you like hurting animals? Answer me, do you like hurting animals?
You like this? Come here. Let's go. Go. Come on.
(footsteps)
(music)
Studies have shown that kids who are prone to hurting animals-
-fall into a percentage of adults who fail to develop feeling for people.
David.
How do you feel about this?
I feel trapped. Like the cat.
(music increases)
(music) (footsteps)
(music, footsteps) (bus engine)
(bells tinkle)
(QT-Dan) (Yell)
(music, bells)
Who are you?
Pay her. Did you pay her? - Yeah, yeah, alright.
What are you paying me for? It Wasn't in my mouth.
Get the fuck out of here. Out.
(door locking) (keys tossed)
Don't hurt me.
(footsteps, paper towel tearing)
Here.
(door)
Change the sheets.
(music, bed creaking)
How do you do it, kid?
- Please don't be mac! at me. -I'm not mac! at you.
Don't think that about me. I Won't do it any more, I promise.
You don't need to promise me.
Whatever it is you feel you need to do, you do it.
But you don't do it here. Okay?
- What are you doing, Meredith? - Can't you knock?
What is all this supposed to be? Your tortured soul?
Why don't you paint something cheerful, happy, with colors?
What do you Want from me, besides to be born with a penis?
I don't work all day to have my night ruined by your teen angst.
Mostly As might get you a full ride to Stanford if you were a minority.
I am not going to support you and your little creative habits.
I've had it with all your little art projects that are going nowhere.
- You always know What to say, Dad. - If you grew your hair out...
...and lost some weight...
(camera shutters)
...you could attract a nice boy.
There should be a prerequisite.
Curriculum for being a parent before people attempt it.
"Don't try this at home."
Take these.
- What are those? - You should ask before you take it.
Vitamins and aspirin.
At some point you should get an HIV test.
At some point.
(sheets snapping)
(music, footsteps)
Why were you crying on the bus?
(music)
Go to sleep.
(flag snapping on the pole) (birds chirping)
(can lid)
- A friend of yours? - A friend? No, no.
- Clausen had no friends. He was... - A total asshole.
- What was his problem? - His vocation did not choose him.
He spent his career "casting pearls before swine". He talked like that.
A child-hater, basically.
He tried to purge Steinbeck and Faulkner from the reading list.
From the safety of his sabbatical, Clausen can do no more harm.
- How did he die? - Who knows? And, who cares?
(phone ringing)
Lupe, it's drudgery, this life
-detention, suspension, explusion-
-staff meetings, paper cuts, the vacant parents, their vicious kids.
The dregs, Lupe. They spat on my soul. This humiliation must stop.
Discipline must be restored. These kids have us on the run.
We're the ones on trial! It's fucking madness.
"Every child has value, is a winner and worthy of a private education."
These kids who have no desires, no fire, no minds to feed...
(German speech)
(crowd)
(German speech, crowd sounds)
(film reel)
(chalk on board)
What does that mean?
- Take something in. Excellent. To absorb.
(chalk on the board)
Anyone?
(light laugh)
Everywhere, all the time. - So What is...
Ubiquitous assimilation?
A Way of absorbing everywhere, all the time.
Well done, George.
How are you to imagine anything if the images are always provided?
Who here read "1984" last year? Good.
(chalk on the board)
Anyone? Meredith?
Having two opposing beliefs at once and believing that both are true.
Excellent. - Why do you always suck his dick?
To deliberately believe in lies While knowing they're false.
Examples of this in everyday life:
I need to be pretty to be happy.
I need surgery to be pretty.
I need to be thin, famous, fashionable.
Our young men today are being told that Women are Whores.
Bitches, things to be screwed, beaten.
Shit on. Shamed.
This is a marketing holocaust-
-twenty four hours a day for the rest of our lives.
The powers that be are hard at work dumbing us to death.
So, to defend ourselves-
-and fight against assimiliating this dullness into our thought processes-
-we must learn to read to stimulate our own imaginations.
To cultivate our own consciousness, our own belief systems.
We all need these skills to defend-
-and preserve-
-our own minds.
(pencils drawing on paper)
Very careful. That's perfect.
Great. Now look.
(footsteps)
- You just made your own tessellation. - Wow.
I don't care What they say. You're doing great.
Wow, that is damned cool.
(giggle)
Hi, guys. Thanks for staying late, all fifteen or twenty of you.
Today we'll be presented with coursework to boost exams-
-as mandated by "No Child Left Behind".
(Weak applause)
Good afternoon, it's my pleasure to be here.
I've come today with some edifying materials to help-
-your students to better prepare for the upcoming state exam this May.
Let me start by stating, I love teachers.
I love What you do and What you stand for.
You guys are the real heroes.
The one thing I've learned in all my years in the private sector-
-is that real estate generates revenue.
And burgeoning property values will be this school's saving grace.
Your school’s low test scores are bringing clown home resale values-
-during a market already in decline. And We've got to get scores up.
New families in our district-
-and more motivated kids in the school. I'm not placing any blame.
Excuse me, are you here to sell test material or air your concerns?
Are you giving away popcorn with this crap you're pushing?
This faculty spent their lives on the boards but it's about resale value?
Bullshit! - Give 'em hell, Edie.
Oversimplifying is a hazard. - That sounds like a threat.
That's enough. Could we have some order here, please?
(doors closing, microphone feedback)
- Dr. Hart was right. - You bet, pal. Finish your pitch.
What's your hurry? I hear they're putting you out to pasture.
Enjoy running this relic for a few more months. You're a fossil.
(music)
(footsteps, she sighs)
Do you ever dread going home?
I don't know What to do with myself when I'm not in a classroom.
Some Friday afternoons I'm afraid to go home. Afraid of time alone.
Yeah.
(light music, chairs scrape on floor)
My mother hates my father... I'm there for them...
I watch a lot of TV...
Not a temporary one... I teach for selfish reasons...
I need those kids... She taught at Samuel Douglas...
She lives like a shut-in... I'm up there every day...
Best teacher I ever had.
(music)
- So What's your story? - Story?
I'm just... I'm just taking it one thing at a time.
- Why are you Wasting your life? - I teach every day.
- You don't really know me. - So What happened to you?
(music)
You don't Want something more permanent?
(music gets quiet)
(keys in the lock, door opening)
- Hi. - Where have you been?
I was out. With a colleague.
- Boy or a girl? - A woman.
You make me feel so stupid. Why do you treat me like a kid?
You are a kid.
- I'm sorry. I Wasn't expecting this. - All you had to do was tell me.
Back up.
(frustrated sigh)
I'm not beholden to you.
You're Welcome to stay here, but you don't get to have expectations of me.
This is temporary. Eventually you're going to have to go.
-It's important that you... - I get it. You Want me to go now?
I've got better things to do than clean up this dump.
(footsteps, sigh)
I can't believe you made dinner. With what?
With groceries. From the grocery store.
Well. That's really nice, kid.
It's a long time since somebody's cooked me a meal. Thank you, Erica.
We all have problems, things that We're dealing with.
And we take them home with us at night.
And they come to work with us in the morning.
(music)
I think that helplessness, that realization-
-that foreboding, being adrift in a sea-
-no buoy, no safety net.
You thought you'd be the one throwing the buoy.
(music, kissing)
(traffic) (door opening)
Hi.
Anything for dinner?
- Tell me all about it. - You don't care.
Oh no, that's so untrue, my love.
You are so condescending.
Give me a kiss. Come on.
No one's looking. It'll solve everything. Come on.
Stop it.
(television noise, briefcase hits table)
Do you remember when I bought you this?
(music)
A beautiful summer in Venice, before our travels were resigned to-
-reviving old passions.
(music) (glass shattering)
(cupboard door closing, items hitting table, television noise)
(shuffling papers)
YOU SUCK
(television noise)
(music)
(sounds from kitchen, footsteps)
(plates on to the table)
(she lifts her skirt up to her knee,-
-walks through the garden rows in barefoot)
(never learned to count my blessings, I choose instead. . .
- Okay? - Yeah.
(laughing)
(walk on down, through grass growing tall and brown)
(still it's hard somehow to let go of my pain)
(on past the busted back of that old and rusted Cadillac)
(that sinks into this field collecting rain)
(will, I always feel this way)
Grandpa, are you doing any writing? In the journal?
I don't remember much.
You can't think in this place. You can't make new memories.
(music) (Pages turning)
(Of these out-throat busted sunsets)
(these cold and damp white mornings I have grown weary)
Here, have these.
Thanks.
(if I spoke these words out loud would no one hear me)
(lay your blouse across the chair)
(let fall the flowers from your hair)
(and kiss me with that country mouth so plain)
(outside the rain is tapping on the leaves)
(to me it sounds like they're applauding us)
(the quiet love we've made)
(will I always feel this way)
(so empty, so estranged)
(paper bag shaking)
(music)
(will I always feel this way)
(so empty, so estranged)
(song fades out) (camera shutter clicking)
(footsteps, people chattering) (birds chirping)
- Are you alright? - You see me? Standing here?
Yeah, I see you.
God, it's so relentless. Thank you. Thank you.
(fencing rattles) (birds chirping)
(music)
There's no nice way to do this. I've spoken to the Superintendent.
He's agreed to let you ride out the rest of the year. It is what it is.
Take your pension, go to that beautiful house of yours. ..
(sighing)
Haven't you ever had enough? Just Wanted to tell someone to fuck off?
I think I'm sick. I crossed the line today.
The whole thing is fucked. The whole thing is fucked. Is it not?
What up, Dr. Parker? Can we get this over with. I've got shit to do.
What are your plans after high school since you're not going to college?
I don't know. Hang out with my boyfriend.
Do some modeling shit and be in my friend's band.
I have your 10-week grade report. You know What it says? F, F, F, F, F.
- F, F, F, yeah. - That means you don't care.
You're brilliant.
(sigh)
Can I go now?
God, you are a shallow, disgusting creature.
Do you Want to know the truth?
You're not going to be in a band or a model-
because you have no ambition.
With no skills, you'll be competing for a minimum wage job.
Which you'll work at until you're replaced by a computer.
The only talent you have is getting men to fuck you.
Your life will become a carnival of pain and when you can't stand it-
-not one more hour, it will get Worse. Much Worse.
Every day I come and listen to you kids shit all over yourselves.
It's so easy to be callous. It takes courage and character to care.
Not that you have any of those qualities.
Get out! Just get out! Get out!
Fuck you!
(door slams)
- I'm totally burnt out. - You are not.
I don't know how you make it through the day.
What do you think I take these pills for? That's a rubber room in there.
If not for these, I'd be committing mass-murder on half these parents.
I'd be helping them throw their kids out the window. Come on.
You're the best. The worst part of this job is nobody says thank you.
- No. - Well, I am here to say thank you.
You're doing a job that none of us can do. None of us.
Grace?
Have I ever told you that you're the only person I have to talk to?
(sigh) (door opening)
- Hi, Henry. - What happened?
They called your house. Your grandfather felt some chest pains.
The doctor says he's stable. He doesn't have a lot of time.
- I'm so sorry, Henry. -l-low long have you been here'?
Since this morning. I don't know Where you Work.
You've been here all day with him?
(monitor beeping) (stool is moved)
Hi, Grandpa. You're still hanging in there, I see.
Hi, sweetheart.
Your mother was with me today. Did you see her?
- No. - I told her I was afraid to leave.
She promised that she'd look after you.
I'm sure she meant it.
Patricia, darling.
You've forgiven me, haven't you?
(very quiet music)
What do you need to be forgiven for, Daddy?
Those things...you know. The things I did.
All you ever did was take care of me. Always looked after me.
- Weren't you afraid of me? - No, Daddy. No.
You know how you get sometimes, a little mixed up.
You feel responsible for things you didn't do.
- So I Wasn't the one that hurt you? - No, Sir. That Wasn't you.
I hoped it Wasn't true.
Patricia, darling. I've always loved you.
Daddy?
You can feel free to leave, Whenever you're ready.
You know that? It's okay.
There's nothing to fear.
(music) (ragspy breath)
(door opening, closing)
Come on. Let's get out of here.
(birds chirping)
ls Patricia your mom?
(birds chirping) (music)
- What happened to her? - She left a While ago.
You mean she died.
How did she die?
(music)
My father left when I was a kid. I don't really remember him.
It was always the 3 of us. Mother, Grandpa and I, at his house.
(single music note)
I found her on the floor.
She'd taken enough pills.
(sigh)
And Grandpa, in the moment, kind of lost it.
TO HENRY
I sat with Grandpa and we watched as they came and took her away.
How old were you?
(birds chirping)
Seven.
I don't know for sure, but I think-
-when Mother was young, something happened with her and Grandpa.
- Were you afraid of him? - No.
Did she ever say anything to you?
No, but looking back on it-
- I thought that she protected me in her own Way.
How?
She made me lock my door at night.
(music)
(notebook pages turning)
(pages turning)
The park is now empty and bare, with an abandoned shame about it.
The jungle gym, the slide and the swing are rusted together.
They're all so terribly alone. Where did all the children go'?
Didn't they know that the park needed them'?
A child's heart can fathom the depth of many dark places.
(footsteps)
But can it fathom the delicate moment of its own detachment?
(camera shutter clicking)
(door opening)
- Hi, Mr. Barthes. - Hi, Meredith.
- How's it going? - Fine.
- I made a picture for you. - Come in.
- You did? - Yeah.
(paper sliding out)
- Wow. You're really talented. - Thanks.
- Have done this a long time? - Yeah, since I was a kid.
A faceless man in an empty room. Is that how you see me, Meredith?
I don't know how I see you, it's how I thought of you in the situation.
Did you ever think about who your teachers are oh the outside?
I guess so, yeah. Does this place seem unreal to you?
I watch you around school. You always seem so sad.
You...maybe you have a hard time with things-
-and you need someone to talk to.
Meredith? - Yes.
- Do you need someone to talk to? - Yeah. Will you talk to me?
When you talk to me and look at me, it's like you really see me.
I do see you, Meredith. Do you Want to go see Dr. Parker?
Don't pawn me off on the guidance counselor.
What can I do?
It's like you said. We're born into this.
There's nothing but to realize now fucked up things are. I Won't last.
Listen to me. Just listen.
We're all the same. We all feel pain.
We all have chaos in our lives.
Life can be very, very confusing, I know.
I don't have any answers, but if you ride it out, it'll all be okay.
- Mr. Barthes, do you like me? - Yes, of course I do.
(music, crying)
Meredith, I'd like to help you.
Please. Please! You said you liked me, please.
Don't leave. Please just tell me everything's going to be okay.
Everything is okay. It is okay. Please.
(footsteps, crying) (door opening)
- No, no! Meredith, Wait a second.
- What is going on? Meredith. I'm sorry.
- What are you doing? Excuse me?
You touched her. It's inappropriate to be alone with that young girl.
- She needed someone to talk to. - I don't know What you're doing.
- Hold rne close. - You think I'm a fucking pervert?
- She needed someone to talk to her. - Why were you touching her?
I Wasn't touching her. Shut up!
(chair crashing)
Patricia?
I'm not some sick old man. Is that What you think of me?
Is that What you think?
I just Wanted to help her!
(papers shuffling, harsh music)
Excuse me. - What am I supposed to think?
Don't be so fucking judgemental.
(door closing, opening) (footsteps)
(footsteps, door opening)
(monitor beeping)
Hello? No, he's not at home.
(footsteps)
Hello, Mr. Barthes.
Whenever you feel like you're ready-
-we have some paperwork we need you to take care of.
I'm sorry.
(sigh, step)
(moving items in the box)
(footsteps, light switch) (music)
(sniffing) (door sliding open)
I wish things were different.
I tried.
The thing is, that we all...
We all have problems. We all have things that We're dealing with.
Some days are better than others. Some days are not so great.
Some days we have limited space for others.
(sigh)
(scraping in the pan)
(dishes on to the table) (scraping from the pan)
Get dressed. I made breakfast. Want some milk?
(pan on to counter)
These kids need something else.
They don't need me.
(footsteps)
- Are you okay? - Yeah, I'm not hungry.
(sighing) (silverware on plate)
You can't keep living on the street.
- I'm staying with you. - You can't continue to stay with me.
- I'm not good for you. - That's not true.
- You're the only family I've had. - I can't be your family.
(footsteps on the stairwell)
I can't give you What you need.
(knocking)
(sighing, sobbing)
- You have to understand. - You're good. And gentle.
You're the most kind.
(knocking)
I love you, Henry.
(sobbing, footsteps) (cough, door opening)
Come on in.
Hello, there.
- Erica. - Don't let them take me, please.
No! You're all I have. Please!
- Please don't make me go. -I'm sorry.
No!
Henry!
- You have to let go. - Henry!
Henry!
Do you have her things?
Henry!
-It's going to be okay. - No, don't do this!
No!
(door closes, lock turns) (music)
(sniff, footsteps)
(sniff, music)
- I feel just awful for her. -For who?
Our school. It may sound baroque. I felt the school had a spirit.
These aren't ab' just a bunch of old buildings. They're alive.
(music) (sigh)
I just don't understand it. Where are all the parents?
I don't know.
I was in my room for two hours and saw one parent. Where are they'?
- We don't know. -It's uncanny.
No air-raid sirens. No bombs. It doesn't happen that Way.
It starts in a whisper and then nothing.
- We had our music once, didn't we? - Yes, we did.
(laughter, footsteps)
Do you remember when we had two parents at a time and more waiting?
The halls were full of joy and celebration. Now it's nothing.
Remembrance of things past.
I actually felt quite at home, no parents.
How appropriate. It was like a moment of insight-
-of the reality of the fucking problem in the first place.
Some of us believe that we can make a difference.
And then sometimes we wake up and we realize We've failed.
(speeding sound, slammed door)
(phone rings, machine beeps)
Hi, this is Gretchen calling from the free clinic.
Erica Lewis's test results are back. Please give us a ca". Thank you.
(machine beeps)
(music) (Papers moved)
(papers moved)
(paper being out)
(flour sifter)
We were good parents, gave her everything she wanted to have.
Dyke bitch!
(laughter)
What is all this supposed to be, tortured souls?
You have to realize how fucked up things are.
Can't you make something cheerful?
- If you lost some weight. -it will all be okay.
Good morning. Before I take roll, I Want to tell you that-
-today will be my last day. You get a permanent teacher on Monday.
- Where are you going, Mr. Barthes? - I'll go to another school.
I'm going to miss you, man. I fucks with you.
All the other teachers in this place are dickheads.
You don't get tired of moving around all the time?
I come in for a period of time so you don't have 20 subs in and out-
-and when you have a permanent teacher come in, I leave.
Attention all teachers. This is a special announcement.
There will be an all-faculty meeting today during nutrition.
Student nutrition will be extended by ten minutes. Thank you.
(sobbing) (music)
(footsteps, students chattering)
(water running)
(footsteps, hum)
(clearing throat)
I invited you here today to discuss the state of things.
I know that there Wasn't a... I know that there isn't...
(music)
I'm sorry.
We all need something to distract us from-
-the complexity of reality.
No one wants to think about Where that came from.
No one wants to think about the struggle that it takes...
...to become somebody. To get out of...
(background talking)
To get out of the sea of pain that we all have to get out of.
(footsteps)
Hi, Meredith.
I haven't seen you in class lately. Where have you been?
Baking. - I see.
I'm happy I get to see you, today's my last day.
I was thinking. I bought this for myself-
-but maybe you could make better use of it.
(birds chirping)
- I like that one the best. - You can't have that one. It's mine.
But you can have this one.
-It's better for you anyway. - Thanks.
I'm sorry if I hurt you in any Way.
I know that it's tough right now for you.
- But it's not always going to be. Goodbye, Mr. Barthes.
(music)
Bye, Meredith.
(footsteps)
(music increases)
They say that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
I'll let you know.
(camera shutters)
My name is Meredith. I'm going to kill myself.
(camera shutters) (music increases)
(table crashes)
Meredith.
(grunts, breathing)
It's going to be okay. It's going to be okay.
(face pats)
It's going to be okay.
(rapid breathing)
We have such responsibility to guide our young-
-so that they don't end up falling apart.
Falling by the Wayside.
(music)
Becoming insignificant.
(music increases)
(emergency services radios)
(footsteps, gurney rolling)
we“)
(door opening, closing) (footsteps)
I realized something today.
I'm a non-person, Sarah.
You shouldn't be here.
I'm not here.
You may see me, but I'm hollow.
(music) (water running)
(birds chirping)
We're failing them.
We're failing.
We've failed in the sense that We've let everyone down.
Including ourselves.
(music increases)
(footsteps)
FOSTER CARE SERVICE
(music)
When you're walking down the hallway or in class...
How many of you-
-have every felt the weight pressing down on you.
I have.
Everyone?
Well, Poe wrote about these things over 100 years ago.
Well as we read, we can see-
-the the House of Usher is not merely an old castle in disrepair
It's also a state of being.
(light music)
"During the whole of a dull, dark and soundless day"-
-"when the clouds hung oppressively low in the heavens"-
-"I had been passing alone through a singularly dreary tract"-
-"and at length found myself, as the shades of evening drew on"-
-"within view of the melancholy House of Usher."
"I know not how it was - but with the first glimpse of the building"-
-"a sense of insufferable gloom pervaded my spirit."
"I looked upon the landscape of the domain-upon the bleak walls"-
-"the white trunks of decayed trees with an utter depression of soul."
"There was an iciness."
"A sinking sickening of the heart."
(music)