Dead Poets Society

entire audience but directed his words toward his father, who had remained standing at the rear of the auditorium.

    “If we shadows have offended,
    Think but this, and all is mended,
    That you have but slumbered here
    While these visions did appear.
    And this weak and idle theme,
    No more yielding but a dream,
    Gentles, do not reprehend;
    If you pardon, we will mend.
    And as I am an honest Puck,
    If we have unearnèd luck
    Now to scape the serpent’s tongue,
    We will make amends ere long;
    Else the Puck a liar call.
    So, good night unto you all.
    Give me your hands, if we be friends,
    Arid Robin shall restore amends.”

    The curtain fell on Neil’s closing monologue, and the audience burst into enthusiastic applause. The boys had dispelled all doubt of Neil’s talent as an actor, and as they rose to a standing ovation, the entire audience followed suit, cheering Neil and the cast through extra curtain calls.
    The actors took their bows one by one. Ginny received great applause, and she smiled at Charlie, who applauded and shouted bravos extra loudly. Knox smiled at Chris and stopped clapping to take her hand. Chris did not resist.
    When Neil came out and took his bows, his friends cheered wildly. After the applause, the members of the cast came out into the auditorium and mingled with the audience. Several people rushed to the stage to offer their congratulations.
    “Family and friends may meet cast members in the lobby, please!” the director called over the microphone.
    “Neil!” Todd and the others called. “We’ll meet you in the lobby. You were great!”
    Onstage, Ginny Danburry was mobbed by well-wishers. Charlie ignored the director’s announcement and leapt onto the stage. “You were great!” he heard another boy tell her. He noticed that Lysander had his arm around Ginny.
    “Congratulations, Ginny!” Lysander said, hugging her. Undaunted, Charlie pushed his way over to Ginny.
    “Bright light shines from your eyes,” he said with total sincerity. Ginny saw that he meant it and smiled back. They stared into each other’s eyes until finally Lysander smiled awkwardly and moved away.
    Backstage, in the boys’ dressing room, the jubilant cast carried Neil on their shoulders in praise of his performance. After a moment of celebration, the director entered the dressing room, a worried look on her face.
    “Neil,” she whispered in a hushed tone. “Your father.” Neil hopped off the shoulders of his friends and followed her out, stopping in the wings to put on his coat. He saw his father standing at the back of the auditorium and paused. Neil stepped off the stage, and, taking off the headpiece as he walked, he slowly approached his father.
    Charlie spotted Neil. “Neil?” he called. But Neil did not answer. Then Charlie saw Neil join his father, and sensing that something was wrong, he grabbed Ginny’s hand and led her off the stage.
    Keating and the gang were waiting for Neil in the lobby. “Hey everybody, this is Chris,” Knox said joining them.
    “Whoa, we’ve heard a lot about you!” Meeks said as Knox stared him down. “I mean... you know... I mean...” Meeks stammered.
    Suddenly, the door to the lobby burst open, and Mr. Perry led Neil like a prisoner out of the auditorium toward the front door. Charlie and Ginny came out behind them. People in the crowds yelled congratulations at Neil. Stuck behind the throng, Todd tried to reach his friend.
    “Neil, that was great! Neil!” Todd shouted.
    “We’re having a party!” Knox called.
    Neil turned around. “It’s no use,” he said sadly. Mr. Keating reached Neil and took him by the shoulders.
    “Neil, you were brilliant!” Keating beamed.
    Mr. Perry pushed Keating’s hands away. “You! Keep away from him!” Mr. Perry shouted. A stunned silence followed his harsh words. He led Neil outside to his car and pushed him in. Charlie started to follow them outside, but Keating held him back.
    “Don’t make it any worse than it is,” he said sadly.
    Mr. Perry started the car and pulled off. Through the car window, Neil looked like a prisoner being taken to his execution.
    “Neil!” Todd screamed as the car drove away.
    Stunned, the members of the Dead Poets Society stood silently in the lobby. Charlie walked over to Mr. Keating. “Is it okay if we walk back?” he asked.
    “Sure,” Keating said, chilled with sympathy, as he watched the “Dead Poets,” along with Chris and Ginny, leave the lobby and walk out into the