Dead Poets Society

look for their belongings. Neil spotted his bags and went to find their room.
    “Home, sweet home,” he chuckled as he entered the small square space barely large enough to fit two single beds, two closets, and two desks. He plopped his suitcases on one of the beds.
    Richard Cameron stuck his head in the room. “Heard you got the new boy. Hear he’s a stiff. Oops!” Cameron said as Todd walked in.
    Cameron quickly ducked out. Todd walked past him, dropped his suitcases on the other bed and began to unpack.
    “Don’t mind Cameron,” Neil said. “He’s a jerk. ” Todd just shrugged, focusing on the task at hand.
    Knox Overstreet, Charlie Dalton, and Steven Meeks then showed up at their room. “Hey, Perry,” Charlie said, “rumor has it you did summer school. “
    “Yeah, chemistry. My lather thought I should get ahead.”
    “Well,” Charlie said. “Meeks aced Latin, and I didn’t quite flunk English, so if you want, we’ve got our study group.”
    “Sure, but Cameron asked me too. Anybody mind including him?”
    “What’s his specialty,” Charlie laughed, “brown-nosing?”
    “Hey,” Neil said, “he’s your roommate!”
    “That’s not my fault.” Charlie shook his head. Todd continued unpacking his suitcase while the other boys talked. Steven Meeks walked toward him.
    “Hi, I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Steven Meeks.”
    Todd extended his hand shyly. “Todd Anderson.”
    Knox and Charlie walked over and extended their hands in greeting, too.
    “Charlie Dalton.”
    “Knox Overstreet.” Todd shook their hands formally.
    “Todd’s brother is Jeffrey Anderson,” Neil said.
    Charlie looked over with recognition. “Oh, yeah, sure. Valedictorian, National Merit Scholar...”
    Todd nodded. “Well, welcome to ‘Hellton.’” Meeks laughed.
    “It’s every bit as hard as they say. Unless you’re a genius like Meeks,” Charlie said.
    “He only flatters me so I’ll help him with Latin.”
    “And English, and trig...” Charlie added. Meeks smiled.
    There was another knock on the door. “It’s open,” Neil called. But it wasn’t another of their buddies this time.
    “Father,” Neil stammered, his face turning white. “I thought you’d left!”

Chapter 3

    The boys jumped to their feet. “Mr. Perry,” Meeks, Charlie, and Knox said in unison.
    “Keep your seats, boys,” Neil’s father said as he walked briskly into the room. “How’s it going?“
    “Fine, sir. Thank you,” they answered.
    Mr. Perry stood face to face with Neil, who shuffled uncomfortably. “Neil, I’ve decided that you’re taking too many extracurricular activities. I’ve spoken to Mr. Nolan about it, and he’s agreed to let you work on the school annual next year,” he said, and then walked toward the door.
    “But, Father,” Neil cried. “I’m the assistant editor!”
    “I’m sorry, Neil,” Mr. Perry replied stiffly.
    But, Father, it’s not fair. I...”
    Mr. Perry’s eyes glared at Neil, who stopped midsentence. Then he opened the door and pointed to Neil to leave the room.
    “Fellows, would you excuse us a minute?” he asked politely. Mr. Perry followed Neil, closing the door behind him.
    His eyes raging, Mr. Perry hissed at his son. “I will not be disputed in public, do you understand me?”
    “Father,” Neil said lamely, “I wasn’t disputing you. I…”
    “When you’ve finished medical school and you’re on your own, you can do as you please. Until then, you will listen to ME!”
    Neil looked at the floor. “Yes, sir. I’m sorry.”
    “You know what this means to your mother, don’t you?” Mr. Perry said.
    “Yes, sir.” Neil stood silent in front of his father. His resolve always crumbled under the threats of guilt and punishment. “Oh well, you know me,” Neil said, filling the pause. “Always taking on too much.”
    “Good boy. Call us if you need anything.” He turned without further comment and walked off. Neil looked after his father, feeling overwhelmed with frustration and anger. Why did he always let his father get to him like that?
    He opened the door to his room and walked back in. The boys tried to look as if nothing had happened, each waiting for the other to speak. Finally Charlie broke the silence.
    “Why doesn’t he ever let you do what you want?” he asked.
    “And why don’t you just tell him off! It couldn’t get any worse,” Knox added.
    Neil wiped his eyes. “Oh, that’s rich,” he sneered. “Like you tell YOUR parents