Dead Poets Society

carrying his football gear, and kiss him on the lips. Chet pulled her to him, and she giggled, then ran and climbed into the cheerleaders bus.
    Knox got on his bike and slowly pedaled back to Welton. Ever since the dinner at the Danburrys, he’d fantasized about seeing Chris Noel again. But not like this—not in a passionate embrace with Chet Danburry. Knox wondered, could he really come up with the words to make Chris swoon over him?
    Later that afternoon, Todd sat on his bed, one elbow leaning on a pad of paper. He started to write something, scratched it out, ripped off the page, and threw it in the trash. He covered his face in frustration just as Neil came flying through the door.
    Neil dropped his books on his desk, his face flushed with excitement. “I’ve found it!” he cried. “Found what?” Todd asked.
    “What I want to do! Right now. What’s really inside of me.” He handed Todd a piece of paper.
    “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” Todd read. “What is it?”
    “A play, dummy.”
    “I know that,” Todd visibly winced. “What’s it got to do with you?”
    “They’re putting it on at Henley Hall. See: ‘Open Tryouts.’”
    “So?” Todd said.
    So I’m gonna act!” Neil shouted, jumping onto his bed. “Ever since I can remember I’ve wanted to try it. Last summer I even tried to go to summer stock auditions, but of course my father wouldn’t let me.”
    And now he will?” Todd asked, raising his eyebrow.
    Hell, no, but that’s not the point. The point is that for the first time in my whole life I know what I want, and for the first time I’m gonna do it whether my father wants me to or not! Carpe diem Todd!”
    Neil picked up the play and read a couple of lines. He beamed, clenching his fist in the air with joy.
    “Neil, how are you gonna be in a play if your father won t let you?” Todd pressed.
    “First I gotta get the part; then I’ll worry about that.”
    “Won’t he kill you if you don’t let him know you’re auditioning?”
    “As far as I’m concerned,” Neil said, “he won’t have to know about any of it. ”
    “Come on, you know that’s impossible,” Todd said.
    “Bull! Nothing’s impossible,” Neil said with a grin.
    “Why don’t you ask him first? Maybe he’ll say yes,” Todd suggested.
    That’s a laugh,” Neil snickered. “If I don’t ask, at least I won’t be disobeying him.”
    But if he said no before, then...” Todd began.
    “Whose side are you on, anyway? I haven’t even gotten the part yet. Can’t I even enjoy the idea for a little while?”
    Sorry, Todd said, turning back to his work. Neil sat on his bed and started to read the play.
    By the way, there’s a meeting this afternoon,” Neil said. “You coming?“
    “I guess,” Todd said as he grimaced.
    Neil put down the play and looked over at his roommate. “None of what Mr. Keating has to say means anything to you, does it?” he asked, incredulous.
    “What is that supposed to mean?” Todd was defensive.
    “Being in the club means being stirred up by things. You look about as stirred up as a cesspool.”
    “You want me out? Is that what you’re saying?” Todd said angrily.
    “No,” Neil said softly. “I want you in. But it means you gotta do something. Not just say you’re in.”
    Todd turned angrily. “Listen, Neil, I appreciate your interest in me but I’m not like you,” he insisted. “When you say things, people pay attention. People follow you. I’m not like that!”
    Why not? Don’t you think you could be?” Neil pressed.
    “No!” Todd shouted. “Oh, I don’t know. I’ll probably never know. The point is, there’s nothing you can do about it, so butt out, all right? I can take care of myself just fine, all right?”
    “Er, no...” Neil said.
    “No?” Todd looked astonished. “What do you mean, ‘no’?”
    Neil shrugged matter-of-factly and repeated, “No. I’m not going to butt out.”
    Neil opened his play and began to read again. Todd just sat and stared at him. “Okay,” Todd said, defeated. “I’ll go.”
    “Good.” Neil smiled and continued reading the play.

Chapter 8

    The Dead Poets Society met in the cave before soccer practice that afternoon. Charlie, Knox, Meeks, Neil, Cameron, and Pitts walked around the in-ground clubhouse, exploring its nooks and crannies and carving their names in the walls. Todd walked in late, but once they were all assembled, Neil stood and started the meeting.
    “‘I went to the woods because I