Dead Poets Society

production. Knox missed most of the show because he
stared at Chris in complete rapture, and trying hard not to show it, Chris
found herself becoming infatuated with Knox as well.
    As the musical
interlude ended, Neil stood alone on the stage as Puck. He addressed the 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