All language subtitles for Up.the.Down.Staircase.1967.1080p.WEBRip.x265-RARBG

Make way for the lady, man.

- Hey, lady, watch it.
- How about that?

- Try the other door, teach.
- 'Hey, try the windows, teach.'

- 'Maybe this door, teach.'
- 'Try open sesame.'

- 'Hey, go ahead, teach.'
- 'Try everything.'

Alright, how do we get in?

Can't get in till
somebody comes out.

Yeah, like a toilet, baby.

- Hey! The door.
- Yeah!

'New students report to 121.'

'Old students to 123.'

'Transfer students, 127.'

'New students report to 121.'

'Old students to 123.'

'Transfer students, 127.'

'New students report to 121.'

'Old students to 123.'

'Transfer students, 127.'

'Disregard all bells.
Disregard all bells.'

'Keep all circulars in
alphabetical order.'

'Keep all directives
in numerical order.'

'File before 3:00. Delaney
cards and absentee plans'

teaching students...program
cards from yellow.

- From master program card blue.
- Excuse me.

- Teachers program card..
- Morning. Morning, Miss Finch.

It asks here how many
basketballs I need.

- Do you have your key?
- Key.

- What's your room number?
- 322.

Keys, keys, pick up your keys.
Sign for your keys.

'Teachers must not
punch each other in.'

'Teachers must keep their letter
boxes empty at all times.'

'All cases of assault
and attempted assault'

'suffered by teachers
in connection'

'with their employment
must be reported at once.'

'Disregard the bell.'

You're Miss Barrett?

And l'm Ella Friedenberg,
Guidance Counselor.

You'll receive
a directive on it of course

but with new teachers,
I like to warn them personally

to watch for latent
maladjustments

and send them to me on alternate
Tuesdays for depth coverage.

- Teachers only.
- But I-I am a teacher.

Miss Barrett..

...do you realize you're
going up the down staircase?

I'm, uh, sorry, Dr. Bester.

D-Dr. Bester! Dr. Bester,
what do l want with basketballs?

'Hey, that's the teach
that we saw this morning.'

'Oh, that's right.
Ain't she cute, man?'

'She's gotta be my teacher.'

- 'Hope so, man.'
- 'She's gotta be my teach.'

Shades up there. Windows down
four inches from the top.

Uh, Mr. McHabe.

'Uh, I could only find
one piece of chalk.'

- Our supplies are running low.
- On the first day?

'Rubber bands, desk blotters
board erasers and paper clips'

are expected next week.
We have blue pencils, no red.

You mean that I can have
basketballs, but no chalk?

Well, what do you want with
basketballs, Miss Barrett?

They asked me to fill
out this requisition.

Well, it was obviously meant
for the phys. Ed. teacher.

Shades up there. Windows down
four inches from the top.

Uh, Mr. McHabe..

There he is.

Good morning, Mr. Barringer.

I'm Alice Blake.

I had you last term in English.

You mean you were in my class.

This is my friend, Carole
Blanca. She had you too.

I would have said your name
was Carmelita.

I changed it over the summer.

We wish to express our gratitude

for the way you gave
so unstingily of yourself to us.

Well, I'm glad I taught you to
express yourself so...so well.

Mr. Barringer, I wanted
to be in your class

but they put me
in Miss Barrett's.

And I don't even
know Miss Barrett.

And I thought maybe
I could switch.

Why would you want to switch?

Think of the poetic heritage
of the name Barrett.

Remember, Alice, it was
a Miss Barrett who wrote

"How do l love thee?
Let me count the ways.."

Now, someone once said
that first impressions..

Please, uh, don't
block the doorway.

Please come in.

Hey, Lou, no wonder. She's a
dame. I got a dame for homeroom.

- Why do I get stuck with dames?
- You want me to slug him?

Boys! Boys!

Please sit down. Yes, it is.
Please sit down.

Take your seats, please.
Everybody. Yes.

I'm sorry. What?

Would you please tell me
what room this is?

This is Room 322. My name is on
the blackboard. Miss Barrett.

I will have you in
homeroom all term

and I hope to see some of you
in my English class.

Someone once said that first
impressions are very important.

Miss Barrett, you want me to get
the stuff from your mailbox?

Yes. That'd be nice.
Thank you very much.

- Can I fetch a drink of water?
- You a regular or substitute?

- Is this 322?
- Yes. Uh, you're late.

I'm not late.
I'm absent.

Class, please.

- You are?
- I was absent all last term.

Well, uh...why don't
you sit down?

I can't sit down.
I'm dropping out.

You're supposed to sign my book
clearance from last term.

Hey, there's glass all over my
desk from this broken window.

I know. Just don't touch
the broken glass

and don't touch
the broken window.

It should be reported
to the janitor.

Custodian! Custodian.
This is a very classy school.

Does anybody know
where the janitor is?

- I'll go. Let me go.
- I'll go, Teach.

- I'm going.
- Let me go, man.

Well, he's down in the basement.

Class, please.

I'm afraid there won't be
time for the discussion

that I had planned
on first impressions.

Aw!

Uh, I am passing out..

- She's passing out!
- Give her air.

I am passing out Delaney cards

and I would like you to fill
them out as quickly as possible

while I take attendance.

Sorry I'm late.
I was in the late room.

- What...is the late room?
- The late room.

Where they make you sit to
make up for your lateness

when your late,otherwise I
would have been on time.

For parents' name
can l use my aunt?

Yes, if you.. Yes,
of course you may.

- Uh-uh...Amdur Janet.
- Present.

Uh, you, young man,
why are you late?

I'm not even here.
I'm with Mr. Loomis.

My uncle's in this class
and he forgot his lunch.

- Hey, Tony! Catch.
- Please don't throw..

- Are you hurt?
- Ah, just my head.

Hey, you gotta make out
an accident report.

'Three copies and send
it in to the nurse.'

Perhaps...perhaps you had
better go to the nurse

and ask for accident
report blanks.

- Uh, Apolikanos Michael.
- Yeah.

- Blake Alice.
- I'm present, Miss Barrett.

Janitor says nobody's
down there.

How can he say there's
no one down there

when he's down there?

- Yes? Can I help you?
- The stuff from your letterbox.

- You sent me.
- But I took it all out..

You're supposed to read this to
the class, it's from the library

Thank you. You may sit down now.

Um, "Library. Attention class.

The school library
is your library.."

You're to read this first.
Change of assembly schedule.

Thank you.

"Change in assembly schedule.

"All X-2 sections are
to report to assembly

"the second half of
the second period.

Tomorrow, all Y-2.."
Class, please.

"Tomorrow all Y-2 sections
will follow today's program

"for X-2 sections

"while all X-2 sections
will follow today's program

for Y-2 sections."

Do we go to assembly today?

Uh...Blanca Carmelita.

Uh...that's Carole.
I changed it over the summer.

You forgot to appoint
an early dismissal monitor.

Alright, alright. I appoint you,
uh, early dismissal monitor..

Class dismissed!

Please we have to finish. I want
you all back in your seats.

'Sit down. Sit down.
We have to finish.'

'Class, please sit down.'

Class!

'Disregard all bells.
Repeat. Disregard all bells.'

This boy's late,
and on probation.

Where's your class,
Miss Barrett?

Oh, they, um..

I'm afraid that
they have all gone.

You're off to a good start.

Now, listen, since I'm only
readmitting you on probation

I guess you know that I know
that you're no prize.

One false step...suspension.

Your name, please?

Won't you tell me your name?

You've got it there.

There are 40 pupils
in my homeroom.

Call the roll.

Alright. Well, let's see
where did I leave off?

Uh...Davidson?

Dubinski, Ehrlick, Gloria.

Well, surely you're not
Gloria Ehrlick, are you?

'Uh, Escalera?
Esposite? Essner?'

'Really, um...it would
be so much simpler'

'if you would just
tell me your name.'

Evans? Farber,
Farreli, Ferone..

Present.

Joseph Ferone.
Do they call you Joe?

I see, uh, you're to be in
my English class as well.

Tell me, do you like English?

Well. Uh.. l think there's
time for you to fill out

a Delaney card now.

If you will just fill
in the blanks, please.

I don't know why they
call it a Delaney card.

Maybe because a man named
Delaney thought it up.

You can just take any seat.
Do you have a pencil?

Get out of here.
I wanna sit down.

I ain't playing with you.
Come on, man. Get out of here.

I'm Beatrice Schacter.
We're in the same department.

How do you do?

- Hello there, how are you?
- I'm fine, thank you.

I'm Henrietta Pastorfield.
Thanks.

How did you make out
with the program list?

Oh, I got through it.

I got through 16 of the 20.

And I've been here 16 years.

Four years more and I expect
to have a perfect record.

- If I last.
- I've only got 12 this year.

Eight for me. As usual,
the white kids don't trust me.

Negro kids think
I've sold out to the whites.

- I've managed 18.
- Eleven.

Um...two and a half.

I had planned a little talk
on first impressions.

And from that I would make
a good case for, uh, diction

uh...correct usage
and self expression

and from that it would just be
one step to the limitless realm

of creativity,
and then to communication

between student and teacher.

And finally, mutual respect
and even love.

I like the part about
limitless realm.

Kid them along, make it a game.

I have a new one this year.
Hospital spelling.

Misspelled words
are the patients

and the kids are the doctors
and the nurses.

Why aren't you
eating your lunch?

Well, I...just can't seem
to face mashed potatoes

at 10:17 in the morning.

In future, try Jell-O.

It gives you energy, but it
doesn't require an appetite.

Ever tried Punctuation Sex,
Henrietta?

Hyphens are kisses,
comma's are maybes

and a period is a definite no.

And then of course there's
the, uh, limitless realm

of semicolons and apostrophes.

I shudder to think what
an exclamation point might mean.

I don't care. It keeps
them off the streets

and you give them a bit of fun
and you've earned your keep.

Have you met Paul Barringer?

The glamour boy of
the English department.

Unpublished writer.

Dangerous. You're on your own.

'Your education has been
planned and geared'

'to arm you and prepare you'

'to function as mature
and thinking citizens'

'capable of shouldering the
burdens and responsibilities'

'which a thriving
democracy imposes.'

It is through you
and others like you

we have no doubt that our aims
and efforts in this direction

will bear fruit.

'And achieve the goals
and objectives set forth'

'for in the miniature
democracy of our school'

'you are proving yourselves
worthy and deserving'

'of our trust
and expectations.'

Any announcements, Mr. McHabe?

A blue Pontiac parked
in front of the school

has been overturned.

Anybody having knowledge
of the perpetrators

please report to me
directly after assembly.

Silence while exiting!
Silence while exiting!

Mr. Edmund Green...comes
to our Science Department

after 10 years at
South Park High School.

Extensive experience in the
so-called problem-area schools

such as Calvin Coolidge..

...and an impressive war record
in the military police.

He could use that.

I'm sure he'll be a valuable
addition to our faculty.

- Yeah.
- Mr. Green.

Miss Sylvia Barrett comes
to our English department

with a BA from Lyons Hall
and an MA from Hutchins.

She's to be commended
for her courage.

Miss Barrett.

Thank you. I, uh..

I can't say how happy
I am to be here.

Thank you.

- 'The first item on the..'
- Dr. Bester.

Dr. Bester, there were
certain urgent problems

left over from last term.

Agreed.

The teaching load,
facilities, drop-outs

and the new building,
Dr. Bester.

What about the new building?

Well, I brought along
all the blueprints again.

- To give us heart.
- We're tired of blueprints.

It's been six years now.
We're losing heart.

Hear, hear!

'I didn't see who said that.'

- Oh, yes, Miss Pastorfield.
- Yeah.

If you'll stop by at the end
of this meeting..

...I'll gladly accept your check
for $7,500,000.

'Miss Gordon and Mr. Osborne
have the floor.'

'Who'll speak first?'

Mr. Osborne and I, being
floaters, share room 441.

Mr. Osborne insists
on putting his things

in the left-hand drawer of
the desk, which is my drawer--

I beg to differ with Ms. Gordon.
The left-hand drawer is mine.

- Since when?
- Since four years ago!

'Alright. Alright.'

May I suggest that
the Grievance Committee

on rotation of teachers to more
equitable room assignments.

Appoint a sub-committee
to look into the matter.

'You're next on the agenda,
Mrs. Wolf.'

Oh, thank you.

'When returning books
to the library..'

'...students must put them back
on the shelf straight.'

'I want those books
in their right places'

'with their edges even.'

- I think it's very important--
- 'Thank you, Mrs. Wolf.'

Dr. Bester, now that
reading from the Bible

has been declared
unconstitutional

is there any objection to
a moment of silent prayer?

It's alright, I understand..

...if the word "Prayer"
is not used..

...and if the lips don't move.

Dr. Bester, by law
a faculty conference

only has to last 60 minutes
which are now up.

Now, I suggest in view
of the subway rush..

Yes. I'm afraid the discussion
of cafeteria conditions

will have to be jettisoned
until next week.

Will someone move
for adjournment?

- So moved.
- 'Meeting is adjourned.'

Morning, Miss Finch.

Here are my daily
attendance sheets.

My absentee cards,
my transcripts for transfers

my transportation cards
and my H-level report.

Since we are unable to begin
with the assigned books

we shall spend this first class
in a discussion about books.

Why we read them
and what they mean to us.

Herbert Henry.

I didn't know we was
gonna have a quiz.

- I didn't study for it.
- Well, this is not a quiz.

Well, whatever it is,
I didn't study up.

'I'm not asking you to study up,
I'm asking you to think.'

- Miss Barrett?
- Yes, your name, please.

Harry A. Kagan,
newly nominated candidate

for president
of general organization.

- Guys, sit down.
- In answer to your question.

Last term, for example,
we studied myths

and their meanings to comprehend

in a superb fashion
the origins of many

of the idiosyncrasies
of our present language.

Throughout the decades,
constant references

to mythological occurrences
have spawned such sparkling gems

as "By Jove"
and "Jumping Jupiter."

- Jumping Jupiter.
- Settle down. Thank you, Harry.

You're doing a very good job,
Miss Barrett. Keep it up.

Class, please.

Jose Rodriguez.

Where is Jose?

Do you have anything you want
to say to the class, Jose?

- 'Miss Barrett! Miss Barrett!'
- Yes.

'I think Alice Blake
has the one true answer.'

Well, will you tell
the class, Alice?

Go on.

Because just about all books
are based on love, that's why.

Alright, class, please.
Class.

Is that the only reason
that we read?

For instance, what about
this? Algebra.

There is no love in that.

Well, Alice?

You're wearing contact lenses?

Suppose we turn..

...to one of our country's
most famous poets..

...and see how she expresses
herself about books.

Emily..

'...Dickinson.'

'1830..'

'...1886.'

- Right here.
- Alright, that's it. Please!

In eight short lines she sums up
all the beauty and adventure

that can be found
in reading books.

"To take us lands away

This traverse may the poorest
take without oppress of toil."

Now, do you begin to see
the trend of her thoughts?

Alright. Let's us..

Let's examine the poem
line by line.

It begins..

"There is no frigate--"

Class! Quiet please.

Next time try..

"There is no steamship
like a book."

I guess everybody's heard about
that by now, haven't they?

Sorry, just trying to..

...in quotes,
"Cheer up, Miss Barrett."

Thank you.

You know, if you take your
first failure so badly

just think what your hundredth
is going to do to you.

I came here to teach,
or I thought I did.

I thought that was what I spent
last six years preparing for.

Back home, I used to like
to stay after school.

That teacher up there
was giving me something.

Sharing something
she had learned, felt.

Teaching.

And what's the first thing
I find when I come

to a school of my own?

There is no time for teaching.

There's only time for memos,
directives, circulars.

Letters, notices, forms,
records, blanks and keys.

Look what they've given me.

Room key, lavatory key..

Oh, locker key.

Book room.

Well, at least there are
such things, but this.

This one is for my desk drawer,
and there is no desk drawer.

You know, I bet you did
your master's essay on Chaucer.

How did you guess?

You and the Clerk of Oxenford..

...gladly would he learn
and gladly teach.

When I finally get the chance,
my first few precious minutes..

...to talk to them
about something

I want them to understand,
and I find I am

some kind of an enemy.

The butt of some enormous joke.

The ammunition that they have.

In my first English class,
many years ago

I quoted from Channing..

"It is chiefly through books
that we enjoy intercourse

with superior minds."

What kind of thing do you write?

Well, I've just finished
the first chapter of a novel

of a nuclear physicist marooned
on a peninsula, Kamchatka.

That's a far cry
from Calvin Coolidge.

I know, a far, far cry.

There's no keys in Kamchatka.

No lockers,
no book rooms and um..

...and probably no lavatories.

Well, but you and I are here.

Yeah, and there'll come a time
when you'll need a drink..

...for more...cheering up.

On dinner, sometime?

- Alright. I would like that.
- Good.

- Hello, Sylvia.
- Hello, Pauline.

Miss Barrett,
step in here, please.

You wait. I'll see you next.

Was this boy in your
English class today?

I donno, I'd have
to check my attendance--

Don't bother. He wasn't.

During that period
he was found loitering near 408

where a wallet
has been reported missing.

You should have sent in
a cutting slip at once.

Well, there wasn't time.

Mrs. Wolf sent
for the library blacklist

and the nurse sent
for the dental blacklist--

Has he given you any trouble
of any other kind?

I donno what you mean
by trouble.

Trouble, foul language,
violence.

No, sir.

Don't be scared of him,
Miss Barrett.

I'm just trying to stick
to the truth.

There has been no violence
and no f-foul language.

I hope you haven't got
any ideas about communicating

with him or understanding him,
or getting through to him.

Did he steal the wallet?

You can go.

Then he didn't steal the wallet.

It's also come to my attention
that you neglected

to fill out form B-221.

Accident report
of a fall incurred by a student

in your home room yesterday,
and you neglected

to report on the physical
condition of your room

and a summary
of your pupil load.

My pupil load is 44
and two-fifths.

Three-fifths students
per class.

I believe the directive
says it should be 33.

And let me-let me see,
I just couldn't seem to find

any accidents forms B-221.

I have a broken window
in the back of my classroom

and I need two more
chairs...three.

The custodian simply answers,
"There is no one down here."

Well, my pupil load,
Miss Barrett, is 3000 students

6000 parents, 150 teachers,
25 members

of the building staff..

1104, please.

...an upset neighborhood,
an angry police department

and the entire board
of education.

Let it be a challenge
to you, huh?

Thank you.

No, 1104, 4. Yeah.

Hey, teach. Hey.

Come on, lady, I like you.

Don't walk this
block alone, teach.

'Will the person or persons
who took my desk blotter'

'please return it?'

'There will be
no questions asked.'

I just want
my desk blotter back.

Now...uh, for our first
oral book report of the term..

...we will begin with Danny,
Danny Harrigan.

I'm not prepared, Miss Barrett.

Why aren't you prepared, Danny?
What's your excuse?

I had to get married.

See, I got this girl in trouble,
and we're both Catholics.

The things is,
I didn't even like her.

Well, I...I accept
your excuse, Danny.

So, I didn't have much time
to read those books.

Well, will you please
return to your seat?

Who did prepare a book report?

Ta-dah! Ta-dah! Lou Martin
to your rescue.

Linda, Linda, Linda.
Do you have a late pass?

Oh, yeah.

What-what's the bruise
over your eye?

Just received it this morning.
That's why I'm late.

Well, will you go directly to
the nurse and have her treat it?

Lou, you can begin your report
while I make out the pass.

- My book is--
- The book you read.

'Yeah, the title is called
Macbeth by Shakespeare.'

- The title is.
- Macbeth.

Isn't Macbeth required reading
for last English term?

- I ain't never read it before.
- I've never read it.

Me neither.

In this book,
the author depicts--

'Depicts.'

- Depicts how this guy, he--
- Who?

Him.

- 'He.'
- Yeah.

Alright, Lou,
what is the theme of Macbeth?

Well, the author narrates
this murder.

Uh, Lou, we don't need you
to show us how.

Alright, Lou.

Lou. Alright, class.

The theme of Macbeth
is that too much ambition

can become ruthless ambition
and end up in disaster.

That's what words are for.

To be used.

What does ruthless mean?

'Joe?'

Oh, Eddie.

- Steps all over.
- 'Use it in a sentence.'

Steps all over
like white people.

I know because I'm colored.

- Rusty.
- Mrs. Macbeth nudges them.

- You mean, "Nudges."
- Nudges.

Being a female,
she spurns him on.

Spurs.

He wouldn't have done it,
except she spurned him on.

- Then she's the ruthless one.
- Yeah.

Alice.

I think everyone has missed
the whole point.

It's a play about love.

Mr. Macbeth loves Mrs. Macbeth
so much that he'll do anything

to please her, even kill.

Jerry.

Can't some people love and hate
at the same time, Miss Barrett?

Aside from ambition, isn't that
how Macbeth and Lady Macbeth

destroyed themselves
and each other?

Jerry.

That was a very
interesting point you made

and we'll talk more
about it next time.

You whitey-loving plow boy.

Linda, Linda.

Did Miss-did Miss Eagen
put something on that bruise?

- No, she gave me a cup of tea.
- Is that all?

I think she uses used tea bags.

Well, come with me.
I will-I'll talk to her.

And it's a very bad bruise.

Linda has a rough time
with her father.

Well, what good
will tea do? Why tea?

Read that.

"The school nurse
may not touch wounds.."

"Give medication, remove foreign
particles from the eye.."

- Can't you talk to somebody?
- Like who?

Oh, Dr. Bester,
the Welfare Administration

social agencies, parents,
I don't know.

Oh, I'll do that.

I'll just do that.

Oh, while you're here,
Miss Barrett..

...It's come to my attention
that there are matters of form

which you've neglected
to fill out.

Now, students delinquent
in obtaining gym suits

should be alphabetized
and sent to me at once.

And please, above all,
discourage excessive dieting

in your home room.

Alright, I'll...I'll
remember that.

Gym suits and excessive dieting.

I will remember that.
Thank you.

I give them tea.

At least that's something.

Linda.

Linda, you can go on
to class now.

You can't still see it, can you?

- No.
- So long as you can't see it.

Linda.

Ah..

...is there anything
that I can do for you?

Oh, yeah, you could get us
dancing in the cafeteria.

Other schools do it
and they put on things.

Why not?
You only live once.

- Miss Friedenberg.
- Miss Barrett.

I would like to have you tell me
all you can about Linda Rosen

and Lou Martin, Eddie Williams,
Rusty O'Brien and Joe Ferone.

- I need some ammunition.
- Sit down, Miss Barrett.

It's a wise teacher who teaches
not just the subject

but the whole pupil.

Well, right now,
I just need some ammunition.

Now, first let me explain
my counseling system.

These cabinets
contain the PRC's.

The PRC is the permanent record
card kept for each student.

Now in the PRC is the PPP.

- It almost sings, doesn't it?
- Yeah.

The PPP is
the pupil personality profile.

I invented it myself,
and I write it up

from my interviews in depth.

Now, that's Miss Barrett,
room three..

Uh, twenty-two.

Three twenty-two.

Three twenty-two, now.

- That was...Edward Williams.
- Edward Williams.

Edward Williams.

Edward...
Edward Williams.

"Must curb tendency
to paranoia due

to socioeconomic
environmental factors."

Ah...Lou Martin, was it?

Louis Martin.

"Exhibits inverted hostility
in manic behavior patterns."

- Now, who else was that?
- Ah, Rusty O'Brien.

Richard, Richard.

"Show signs
of latent homosexuality

"induced by narcissistic mother
and permissive

self-abusive practices."

Am I going too fast
for you, Miss Barrett?

No. No, I think
that I understand uh..

...Eddie Williams
hates white people..

...Lou Martin is a cut-up
and Rusty O'Brien hates women.

It's a wise teacher
who translates such complexities

into the environmental
vernacular.

- What about Joe Ferone?
- Joe Ferone? Um-hm.

Ferone.

"Should channel
his libidino-aggressive impulses

into socially acceptable
attitudes."

I suggest you wear a smock.

On the..

...on the blue line,
to the right of the blue line

on the PRC is the CC,
capsule characterization.

Now, at the end
of each term, each teacher

writes a-a succinct phrase
for each student.

A-ah, summing up.

You should start thinking
about your CCs now.

For example.
Um, Linda Rosen.

What would you say so far?

Ah, marry her off fast.

You don't quite get
the idea, Miss Barrett.

Her home room teacher last term
wrote, "Works to capacity."

Um, that's true.

Now, other exemplary
CC's would be..

...latent leader..

...needs encouragement..

...fine boy,
should try harder.

My CC's go back 23 years,
since I first came

to Calvin Coolidge.

Before that, unfortunately,
there's a void.

You have devoted
a whole generation

of time to this work,
haven't you, Miss Friedenberg?

Why, that's very kind
of you, Miss Barrett.

No one's ever thought
to comment on it before.

Thank you.

Ah, um...it says here
Joe Ferone has an IQ of 133.

That's very high, isn't it?

But his marks are
very low, 65, 45, F.

Yes, but there's a 94
in social studies.

But a 22 in English.

What kind of an English teacher
would give a 22?

She must have sat up all night
deciding between 21 and 23.

He's volunteered
various home addresses

all of them non existent.

So if he doesn't show up,
the truant officers

won't know where to find him.

They've given up trying.

- Yes, but he keeps coming back.
- Now and then.

Oh, I'm-I'm late.

May I keep this?

Alright, but bring it
back to me.

Oh, yes, of course.
Thank you very much. Thank you.

'Please, please may I
have your attention.'

'If you don't quiet...please.
Thank you.'

Would the person
or persons who took

my desk blotter
please return it?

Lou, please.

There will be
no questions asked.

Joe Ferone, will you stay
after the bell rings?

I just want my
desk blotter back by tomorrow.

Joe, I got your PRC
from Miss Friedenberg

this morning and I've been
going over it very carefully.

The thing that interests me
most are the contradictions.

The low grades, absences

this long list of infractions
and disciplinary measures.

And then suddenly,
out of nowhere, a high mark..

...and perfect attendance.

You gonna report me, teach,
for not staying after?

I never reported you
for anything.

You will.

You act as if you wanted me to.

I've just seen
your type before, that's all.

There's one every year.

"Not living up
to your potential", they say.

Is that what you
were gonna say, teach?

'"Just wanna help you, Joe.
Just wanna be your friend."'

Then they get to feeling
very sorry

about your environmental factors
and your low socioeconomic level

till you just have to tell them.

"Take your nose out of my
environmental factors, will ya?"

"Keep your damn hands off
my potential."

Then they turn you in.

I'm not going to turn you in.

You know, you're
better at it than most.

Standing there,
looking down at you

I might almost think
you give a damn.

- I do.
- Prove it.

Give me time.

- You trying to make a deal?
- Are you?

Alright, teach.

Let's have that talk
about my potential.

You know..

You could be suspended
for carrying that knife.

Not unless someone turns me in.

Give it to me.

Sure.

Would you come with me, please?

Aren't you gonna say how sorry
you are you have to do this?

Alright, everybody
out, out, out.

Let's go.
Let's go.

Well, "Suggestions",
Miss Barrett, eh?

I must say, you've got guts.

Oh, it's just an idea,
Mr. McHabe.

It seems to me if the students
have a chance to speak freely

without constant fear
of punishment--

Listen, you try
running this school

with ideas, you'll have
riots in the rooms.

Fear, that's all
they understand.

You, you, come here.

Miss Barrett, may I see you
for a minute, please?

Miss Barrett,
the name of Joe Ferone

is being removed
from your Delaney book

and will be carried
under your register

under temporary suspension.
Sign these, please.

What good is it going to do
to suspend that boy?

Turn him loose on the street
with the gangs and drop-outs.

Say what you like
about Mr. McHabe.

This place was chaos
before he came.

I wasn't just blaming him.

Is there always one that gets
you more than the others?

And is it always the one that
wants you to prove something

you can't prove and thinks life
is made up of deals?

I wonder if he'll come back
this time or just stay away.

Miss Barrett. Miss Barrett,
this uh..

This boy is one of your
students, I believe.

Yes.

He was discovered asleep
in the auditorium this morning

before the school doors
were unlocked.

He refuses to say
how he got there.

I'll send him back to you
as soon as I've finished.

Come on, let's go.

I thought you might be ready
for that drink and dinner.

- Maybe Thursday?
- Alright, maybe Thursday.

"Dear, teach, nerts to you."

Ah...you shouldn't
be reading those.

"Don't try so hard,
you'll live longer."

"How about a date? I'll fix you
up like you've never had it."

"Signed, lover boy."

"Can you make the chalk
stop from squeaking?"

"Is it possible for you to teach
creative writing next term?"

"You showed me that writing
clearly means thinking clearly."

You see that?
They are not all jokes.

"Scram! Hit the road."

"Leave town if you know
what's good for you."

"A well-wisher."

Ah, you shouldn't
make fun of them.

Sometimes a sense of humor's the
only thing that keeps you going.

It's not the same thing.

"It is my considerable opinion

"that you are
very well qualified.

"No matter how boring the lesson
you always make it interesting."

- Harry Kagan.
- Harry A. Kagan.

Imagine electing
that apple-polishing

stuffed-shirt president
of the GO.

Do they actually think
he's better than they are?

Yeah, they see through him
for what he is. A fake.

But then they think
everything's a fake.

Including the GO, so it doesn't
matter who's the president.

It doesn't matter to them
who the president

of the United States is.
What's it to them?

That's why
your suggestion box is a frost.

'What suggestions
can they make?'

'What opinions
can they have?'

This is the only one
that makes sense.

"Don't try so hard,
you'll live longer."

Mrs. Coolidge.

Come on, I'll walk you
to the corner.

"I am not a good penman,
but I must tell someone."

"I put this in the suggestion
box for the record."

"Today is my birthday."

"Happy birthday to me.
Signed, me."

I just want to do something
for that child.

The nurse says wounds
must not be touched.

I can't even find the wounds.
I don't know where they are.

Tomorrow I'm going
to the hospital.

- For a week.
- 'A Hospital?'

Routine. I'm at the age.

The doctor took my pulse

and said, "My God,
what line of work are you in?"

'It's so early in the semester.
A week is important.'

I don't know my substitute,
but if you're passing by my room

and the door is open,
would you stop and listen

and see if she's doing alright?

- Do you trust me to judge?
- Yes.

Okay.

- All ready?
- Uh-huh.

Don't ever hurry
down this block.

Just walk slowly.

Even if you're frightened
or late or it's raining

just walk slowly.

And look.
Don't seem to, but look.

This is where they spend
18 hours a day.

We have them for six.

Almost insurmountable odds.
Eighteen to six.

You noticed I said almost?

Because you can't give up
or you can't give them up.

They've been given up
by too many already.

We're their last chance.

And maybe they're
our last chance.

Just walk slowly and think
of the odds, 18 to 6.

Oh, you dance very well,
Miss Barrett.

Thank you, Harry.
So do you.

Well, my family
has always made sure

that I be trained
in the social amenities.

These affairs
are rather childish, I think.

But they're
for the good of the GO.

Where are we going, Harry?

Well, a gentleman should always
return his partner

to the place he originally
picked her up at.

- Thank you, Miss Barrett.
- Thank you, Harry.

- Sylvia, have you been dancing?
- Not much.

I've been having an amenity
with Harry Kagan.

Mmm, look, they're doing
the Boogaloo.

The Jerk is out, you know.

Alright, you two out there,
you two. Off the floor.

You two, alright,
alright, alright.

Out, out, off the floor.
No writhing on the floor.

No writhing.

All dancers will remain in a
vertical position at all times.

There's Bob Whiteside.

Dance, Miss Pastorfield?

Now, Bob, why would you wanna
dance with an old witch like me

when a pretty young teacher

like Miss Barrett,
is standing right here.

Oh, Henrietta, now you go ahead.
I'll watch the punch bowl.

Me, do the Boogaloo?

Why, you're pretty hip,
Miss Pastorfield.

Oh, well, if you say so, Bob.

If you say so.
Thanks, Syl.

Good evening, Miss Barrett.

Good evening, Alice.
Do you want some punch?

- Thank you.
- Thank you.

Go on, you know what you
wanna say. Go ahead and say it.

I just wanted to say that
at the beginning of the term

I wanted to be
in Mr. Barringer's class.

But they made me stay in yours.

I just wanted to say
that I'm glad.

Although I'd rather be
in Mr. Barringer's.

Thank you very much, Alice,
thank you.

When you taught us that poem
by Edna Vincent Millay

and the part, "Take your,
take her head upon your knee

"and say to her,
my dear, my dear

is it is not so dreadful here?"

And you asked who was speaking?

I wanted to say,
"Maybe a teacher."

I don't recite well.
Carole has to help me.

- No, no, you recite very well.
- Thank you.

I even tried to get more of

Edna Vincent Millay
and Emily Dickinson.

- You went to the library?
- It was closed.

Will you excuse us
a minute, Carole?

You know, it was rehearsed
for her to say that.

She knows everything,
but there are some things

when you just have
to talk to an older woman.

Not a mother or an aunt.

Even if it hasn't anything
to do with English.

Good evening, Alice.

Excuse me, Miss Barrett.

There was a choked,
unspoken "I love you"

on the end of that sentence.

"She who had no need of me

is a little lonely child
lost in hell."

Is that all
you want them to say?

"Miss Barrett, I love you."
It's easy to say.

Miss Barrett, I love you.

As a matter of fact,
it's you that she loves.

Is that all you found out
for all your trouble?

Why don't you go dance with her?
She's there watching.

Maybe later.

Why do you always say
maybe later?

Maybe sometime. Maybe Thursday.
And there never is a Thursday.

Wasn't, uh, this
to be our dance?

No.

Not that I know of.

Do you know, you-you thought
that up just this minute

just now to avoid
dancing with Alice?

Is Miss Barrett refusing me?

I-I've to stay with the punch
till Henrietta comes back.

I think Miss Barrett
is avoiding me.

No. I've a telephone.

But it only rings
once a week on Sunday

when my mother calls
long distance to remind me

of all the recent murders
in the city.

And I've a doorbell,
and it works.

I write most evenings,
you know that.

And you're always hunched
over your suggestion box.

Do you know what I think?

I think if you actually
lived in Kamchatka

and had never seen
Calvin Coolidge High School

you would write about
Calvin Coolidge High School.

If Miss Barrett will excuse me.

Well, did you do it?

Good morning, Alice.

Would you, um, come
to my classroom for a minute

'at the end of the day?'

Where are you supposed to be?

Come in, Alice.

No, um, come up here.
Close the door.

Come closer, Alice.

First of all,
thank you for your note.

Suppose, um, suppose we go
through it together.

"Dear, Mr. Barringer."

There's nothing wrong
in using circles to dot i's

but it's considered
an affectation.

"Last Sunday,
I took the subway to your stop

having looked up where you live
on your time card."

There should be a comma
after "stop"

and a period at the end
of the sentence

and, uh, no series of dots.

"I hope you don't mind
the presumption."

Uh, look up the spelling
of presumption.

And, uh...no dots.

"I walked back and forth across
the street from your house."

"Back and forth."

Oh, Alice, these dots.

Do you know, I think you
use them because it's easier.

It's easier than learning
correct punctuation.

That's pretty lazy, Alice.

"I thought I saw you
in the window

and my heart was throbbing
with this love I bear for you."

Uh, no dots, please.

And, uh,
"throbbing" is pretty cheap.

And, uh, omit "this".
"Love" will be, will be enough.

'"I think of you all the time."
Dot, dot, dot.'

"At night, darkling."

Now, there's a word, "darkling,"
but, uh, you've misused it here.

And even if you'd
used it correctly

it'd be literally pretentious.

'"I pray to be worthy of you
and all you stand for."'

'Now, the phrase "all you
stand for" isn't very clear.'

'What-what do I stand for?'

'"If you ever need me
to die for you'

'"I would gladly do so
like the Lady of Shalott'

'"only Lancelot didn't know
of her love'

'"and only said
she has a lovely face'

'and you do know"
dot, dot, dot, "now."'

Run-on sentences
are pretty popular just now

but I can't begin
to cope with this one.

'I'd, I'd-I'd suggest that you'

'that you try
to keep away from clichés'

'and look up the spelling
of the lady in Tennyson's'

'"Idylls Of The King."'

'"I didn't think
I'd ever have the courage'

'to write this letter."
Dot, dot, dot.'

'"But when you danced with me,
I knew I'd to tell the truth.'

'The beautiful truth."'

'Well, there's no need
to capitalize "truth"'

'nor is there any need
to capitalize "beautiful."'

Morning, Alice.
Books for us at last.

Miss Barrett, can I talk to you
a minute before homeroom?

- I came early especially.
- Of course, Alice. What is it?

'Syl. Syl!'

- The ghost walks.
- What does that mean?

Dr. Bester is going
to observe you this morning.

But I thought only the
department chairman observed--

Well, sometimes Dr. Bester
likes to, uh, drop in himself.

Look, give them a,
a composition to write.

"My Favorite Sport."
That's a good one.

He'll get bored,
and he'll go away.

Okay, thank you.

Uh, Alice, do you mind
if we have our talk

this afternoon,
right after school?

Alright, Miss Barrett.

Now, that we've
the new books, I've to have

a few minutes to revise
my lesson plan for the day.

Alright, class. Class!
In your seats, please.

Uh, let's fill out these book
receipts as quickly as possible

so we can get on to a story
that's been a favorite

of hundreds of thousands
of people for years.

Morning, Dr. Bester.

Do you mind if I observe
for a while, Miss Barrett?

Not at all.
I'm sorry, Dr. Bester

but the extra chairs
that I requisitioned

in September
still haven't arrived.

Roy, would you give Dr. Bester
your chair, please

'and stand in the back
of the room, please?'

- I'll stand, Miss Barrett.
- 'Thank you.'

Uh, who would like to help me
distribute the books?

Uh, where is Alice Blake?
Where is Alice?

I don't know, Miss Barrett.

Well, it's not like Alice
to cut. Well..

Alright, girls,
you help me, please.

"A Tale of Two Cities"
by Charles..

'..Dickens.'

1812-1870.

We're not going
to talk about this book.

We're going to begin
by reading it on page one.

Jerry. Jerry, will you read the
first paragraph aloud, please?

"It was the best of times,
it was the worst of times.

"It was the age of wisdom,
it was the age of foolishness.

"It was the epic of belief

"it was the epic
of incredu-credulity.

"It was the season of light,
it was the season of darkness.

"It was the spring of hope,
it was the winter of despair.

"We had everything before us,
we had nothing before us.

"We were all going
directly to heaven.

We were all going
directly the other way."

Thank you, Jerry.
That's enough for now.

Alright, class,
what strikes you immediately?

The different things.

- The yes and no's.
- The opposites.

Yes, Dickens was saying
something very simple

by the use
of contrasts or opposites.

Uh, we call this..

...antithesis.

Instead of saying, uh, "It was
a crazy, mixed-up period."

He says, "It was the
best of times.

It was the worst of times".

But the most interesting part
of the paragraph

is still to come.

Merle, uh, would you read
the next phrase aloud, please?

"In short, the period was so far
like the present period."

Stop. That-that's enough.
Thank you.

Uh, Dickens wrote that
more than a 100 years ago

referring to a time
almost 200 years ago.

"It was so far
like the present period."

Now, what I want to know is
can we still say that today?

Uh, is it still the best
of times, the worst of times?

- 'Only the worst.'
- Why only the worst, Lennie?

'Cause that's what it is.

Well, perhaps it'd help us
if you'd tell us

what you mean
by the word "worst".

Poor.

But aren't we
in the midst of prosperity?

Isn't it also the best of times?

There's still the rats
and no toilets.

'Aren't there also
new housing developments'

'with playgrounds and parks?'

Parks is murder pits.

Is Yellowstone National Park
a murder pit?

We saw the movie in assembly.

- That's right, Esmeralda.
- Narcotics makes it worse.

Alright, alright,
who can answer narcotics?

What's the best?

...is it still
the season of light

and the season of darkness?

- Miss Barrett.
- Yes, Eddie.

Darks don't have
no chance, only whites.

What about the civil rights
laws and integration?

- Yeah, what about?
- How stupid can you get, huh?

What are you talking about?
They passed the law.

'Bussing kids to
school miles away.'

Can't be juggled
like different-colored marbles.

Yeah and go home
to rats with no toilets.

And the junkies on the road,
dope addicts.

'...kids who wouldn't
even arrive.'

Alright. Alright.
Alright.

Uh, we have time for one
last comment. Alright, Harry.

The general organization
of which I'm president of

is proud to consider that
other races have

just as much right
to be human voters, too.

Ah, get bent!

Alright. Alright, class.
Shh. Please. Please.

What we've been saying is that
there are certain similarities

between our period
and the period of Dickens

and the period
of "A Tale Of Two Cities."

'As we read on,
let's continue to be aware'

'of these similarities
and differences'

'because that will
make us understand'

'why this book still is
exciting and interesting'

'after being
written 100 years ago.'

Alright, Lou,
what do you want to say?

With the bombs going up
and our morals going down.

We got antithesis.

Alright, class.

'Alright.'

Miss Barrett, what
is the meaning of this noise?

With Dr. Bester here,
you allowed

your class to behave
in this unruly fashion?

I can hear them all the way
down my corridor.

It's the sound
of thinking, Mr. McHabe.

This class cannot wait to read
"A Tale Of Two Cities"

and Lou Martin made a joke
with a point, a serious point.

And Eddie Williams spoke out
in class for the first time..

'Mr. McHabe, report to
the main office at once.'

'Mr. McHabe, report to the
main office at once. Urgent.'

Sit down. Bob Whiteside
will handle the class.

I'll be back in a moment.
Oh, let's not panic.

Get back in the room.

Class, class.

You're to go to the office.
I'll keep an eye on your class.

- Bob Whiteside's taking over.
- What happened?

Alice Blake jumped
out the window--

She killed herself?

No, the ledge broke her fall.

- Alice Blake?
- Thank heavens, someone's come.

The nurse is always
forgotten at a time like this.

- Where is Alice?
- Hospital. Hospital.

- Is she going to be alright?
- It's too soon.

It's too late.
Send her health card at once.

And do you have any blank
accident reports? I'm all..

- Did you see her jump?
- No, I didn't see anyone jump.

I-I-I'm not really a witness.

I was just passing room 309

and I saw something
going out of the window..

Check here. Parent or guardian.
Reached or not reached.

Telephone or telegram and you
fill in here, jumped or fell.

How is Alice?

'The important consideration
is that the whole disaster'

'would not have occurred if--'

Well, come in,
Miss Barrett. Sit down.

Thank you, Dr. Bester.

Is Alice going to be alright?

Everything possible
is being done.

This would not have occurred
if Mr. Barringer's classroom

had not been empty
during first period.

I had no class then.

Nevertheless, you know that
you're to be in the building.

I was having breakfast
at Cora's Coffee Pot

on Whitney Avenue.

I see. Is that your usual
procedure during first period?

Sometimes I patronize
Harry's Ham N Eggs

if Cora's is crowded.

Miss Finch, you haven't reported
his lateness in punching in.

He's always punched in.
Always. On the dot.

Who has been punching
in for you, Mr. Barringer?

Gallantry, Mr. McHabe.
Gallantry.

Miss Finch, see that a directive
goes out to all teachers.

In future, no room
will be left uncovered

at any time when not in use.

And to prevent further
unfortunate incidents

all teachers are instructed
to redouble their vigilance

at all times.

I punched him in.

He's a creative artist.

He-he shouldn't have to get up
at 6:30 like the rest of us.

I have here the girl's,
uh, PRC, Dr. Bester.

Now, the capsule
characterizations

for the past three terms read

"Nice and helpful.
Leadership potential"

and "Reliable
blackboard monitor".

Thank you, Miss Friedenberg.

It's most atypical for a girl
with her stable PPP

to have done what she did.

But there are factors
beyond our control

which are frequently the cause
of emotional disequilibrium.

Miss Friedenberg has
delicately brought us

to the question of motivation.

It's my fault, sir.
I'm to blame.

Are you, Miss Barrett?

Alice came to me this morning
and wanted to talk.

If I had spent
five minutes with her

this might not have happened.

Well, this letter was found
on the child's person.

Do you recognize it,
Mr. Barringer?

Yes, it's a letter
she wrote to me.

A love letter, I should say.

Which I corrected
for grammar and spelling

and returned to the student.

With no comment on its contents?

No, sir.

Your gallantry seems to vary
from day to day, Mr. Barringer.

May I ask, sir,
what I should have done?

Talked to her.

And encouraged
an erotic teenager?

Miss Barrett, this boy
is being admitted once again

as always as usual on probation.

I want you to report
the slightest violation

of the smallest rule. The next
time it'll mean expulsion.

Yes, sir.

Look at me, teach.
Punched in with my own hand.

Oh, Miss Barrett.
Miss Barrett.

May I remind you
that Alice Blake still has

a library copy
of "Idylls Of The King."

It's already 15 cents overdue.

Well, I'll see that
you get it, Mrs. Wolf.

Can I talk to you
for a minute, Miss Barrett?

Good morning, Eddie. Sit down.

I've been wanting
to talk to you, too.

You've been doing
so much better lately.

Speaking out in class. Getting
your assignments in on time.

I'm dropping out.

You gotta sign
my book clearance.

Oh, Eddie, why?

'Just when
you're doing so well.'

Do your parents want you to?
Is that it?

Do you have to get a job?

Listen, Eddie.

If it's a matter of money,
we can talk to somebody.

Oh, Eddie.

You may be ruining your chances.

'You may be able to get
a job now, an ordinary job.'

'but you can get a better job
if you stick it out.'

My brother stuck it out here.

He went up for that better job.

He went up for that
ordinary job also.

The very next day
some whities had both jobs.

Oh, Eddie.

Look at the negro teachers
in this school--

I just won't be them,
Miss. Barrett.

Well, Eddie..

What will you do?
Nothing?

You gotta sign
my book clearance.

'Dickens calls the first book
of "A Tale of Two Cities"'

'"Recalled To life."'

- Now, what does that suggest?
- 'Can't be done.'

- Dead is dead.
- 'Who's recalling?'

Physical death isn't
the only kind of death.

The spirit may be killed.
Or the mind, or the will.

'And then sometimes
something happens'

'to make it come to
life again.'

In the case of Dr. Manette,
who's been imprisoned for..

Good morning, Miss. Barrett.

As all the world knows by now,
I've no class first period

so I decided to sit in on yours.

- What's the lesson for today?
- Paul.

Surely a dedicated teacher
like you has a lesson planned.

- A Tale of Two Cities.
- Perfect!

May I remind you
that tale is spelt T-A-L-E.

They say a writer
should stick to what he knows.

What nonsense.

What did Dickens know
about French Revolutions?

What did Shakespeare know
about Moors in Venice?

'If he'd stuck to what he knew,
we'd have no Othello.'

'We'd have no
Alice in Wonderland.'

'We'd have no...no
Treasure Island.'

You brats think that
I and Miss. Barrett

stand up there, day after day
talking about books

and the writing of books
just for the hell of it?

You think it's got nothing
to do with you?

A writer creates a book.

An individual creates a life.

For a writer
to create a masterpiece.

He's got to think
beyond what he knows.

For an individual
to create a life

even a halfway decent one.

He's gotta go
beyond what he knows.

Go beyond the poverty,
the disease, the dope

the degeneracy.

Go beyond the oceans
to the Alps.

A magnificent replica of which
the board of education

has generously donated.

'Stick with what you think

'and that's what
you're gonna be stuck with.'

You may as well get out. Now!

All of you, Miss Barrett's
class dismissed.

All of you dismissed for the
rest of your crummy lives.

Some of you may
prefer to leave by the window.

I prefer to leave by the door.

Punch me out, will you, teach?

Browning wrote,
"A man's reach must

exceed his grasp,
or what's a heaven for?"

But there's something
to be said for first..

...or finally or sometime
knowing what your grasp is

without giving up courage..

...or heart, or whatever
you want to call it.

If you deny...what you know
or what you are or where you are

you deny the simplest part
of being alive and you die.

Like Dr. Manette,
who was imprisoned for 18 years

in "A Tale Of Two Cities."

'Can he be recalled to life?'

I think some can.

'At least, they come back
to where life is

'of their own accord.'

'And that's a beginning.'

Do not turn the papers over
until the bell has rung.

Examination papers must not be
touched until the bell rings.

All books, notebooks..

...pocket books and
other personal possessions

must be placed on the floor
in front of the room.

Doctor says to take
a pill at 9:30.

Can I keep a pill
if it's not written on?

When the bell rings, you are to
turn your papers over in unison.

No student leave's his seat.

Any questions, raise your hand.
I'll be in the back of the room.

If you stand back, how can
we tell who you're watching?

- Whom, I'm watching.
- Whom.

- Teach, hey, teach.
- Teach.

Alright, class.
Let's settle down.

Class, let's settle down
and wait for the bell.

It isn't fair.
We never had this.

They always ask
what I don't know

and never ask what I know.

'Silence. Let's get to work.
Time is passing.'

Toilet.

Come with me.

You have to wait
for the hall proctor.

You mean you don't trust me?

Proctor has to escort you.

Alright, Ah, I'll make
a deal with you.

I'll let you go alone.

But it's to be understood
you are honor-bound

not to use the lavatory for
any but legitimate purposes

not a reference room,
not even a quick smoke.

Now, is that understood?

Sure, teach.

You let him out
of the room unescorted.

There was no hall proctor.

You realize, of course, his
exam paper's now invalidated.

There's no point
in his continuing.

He wasn't looking
up any answers.

- How do you know that?
- He told me he wouldn't.

- You believe him?
- I believe him.

I think he should be
allowed to finish.

Very well, Miss Barrett,
but I want that exam paper

corrected immediately
at the end of the day.

And then I want to see you
and the boy in my office.

Second girl in third row,
eyes on your paper.

Joe, please return to your seat.

86 percent, Joe.

Wait. Wait.

'Well, the boy has
obviously cheated.'

The 86 percent he earned
was for essay questions

requiring the personal
interpretation of the student.

Evaluations,
comparisons and judgment.

And certainly not
the kind of material

you could look up in a lavatory.

Well, the examination
will be gone over

with a fine-toothed comb
by an unbiased party.

I think the boy should be
accused of cheating now

and allowed to defend himself,
or exonerated with an apology.

As for your conduct,
Miss Barrett, in..

McHabe speaking.

I think the boy should
know where he stands.

Yes, sergeant,
she is one of our students.

Just a minute.
We'll finish this later.

Well, there's nothing we can do
about it personally, sergeant.

'No, it's a matter for
one of the youth boards.'

Got you in trouble,
didn't I, teach?

Just think, if I'd gotten
my usual 20 percent

the whole thing would have
probably blown over.

Listen, Joe, if you're saying
to me you got 86 percent just to

get me into trouble. Let me tell
you something, I don't care.

You got it.
I was hard on you, Joe.

I was tough. I didn't
let you get away

with one single misplaced comma.

You, Joe, 86 percent.

'To all parents.
Welcome.'

'Your son or daughter'

'has given you a copy
of his or her program'

'with the name of each
of his or her teachers.'

'And the room where
the teacher may be found.'

'If you are unable to locate
these designated rooms.'

'Please come to room 112.'

'112, to the right of the main
entrance, for information.'

'In order to see as many..'

Come in, Roy.

'...teachers have been
instructed to allot no more'

'than five minutes.'

How do you do, Mrs. Atkins?

It's Lewes. Mrs. Lewes.

- We got different names.
- Mrs. Lewes.

Do my five minutes start now
or when we start talking?

No, no, please, you can have
as much time as you like.

There seems to be
a small turnout tonight.

I've got to go.

Yeah, you'd better go.

- Goodnight, Miss Barrett.
- Goodnight, Roy.

Won't you sit down please,
Mrs. Lewes?

I'm very pleased
to meet Roy's mother.

He seems very
co-operative in class.

What if I'm not his mother?

But Roy said that
you were his mother.

But what if I told
him to say so?

Just in case only mothers
were allowed here tonight.

And fathers.

Oh, I'm a mother,
but I've got four of my own.

- But I'm not his mother.
- Oh, if you're related, then..

He lives with us, on the sofa.

I think he knows
who his real mother is.

But I don't know.

I never told him. Nobody did.
Nobody would do that to him.

I think he just picked
her out on his own.

I've seen him looking at her.

She works that block,
pretty much.

He's had about ten mothers
between her and me.

Neighbors.

He'd stay with a neighbor
until they moved out

and then he'd just
sit on the stoop

and wait for another neighbor
to say, come on in, Roy.

Can I stay, even though
I'm not a parent?

Of course.
Of course you can.

I've come about that D
you gave Roy at midterms.

The trouble is,
Mrs. Lewes...ah.

He doesn't pay attention
during class.

- His mind wanders, you know.
- Go on, say it.

He goes to sleep.

He goes to sleep.

And that's why you gave him a D?

That's why he gave himself a D.

Oh, you're pretty.
You're very pretty.

You know, he didn't want me
to come here tonight.

When he saw I was going to come,
he didn't want to come with me.

But I made him do it.
Oh, he listens.

I wanted him to come here
so you could see him go.

To work at 8:30 pm,
in that garage all night.

I wanted you to see him go.

He brings home all his money.

How's my five minutes?

Just begun.

He wants to be around cars, Roy.

But he wants to be good
at being around cars

so he wants to graduate.

I don't see how one follows
the other, but he says it does.

He's got this made up mind
about cars and graduation.

But you don't graduate
from nowhere with D's.

There are things that he
can do for extra credit.

Now, I-I will help him.

What good is English to him when
he only wants to be around cars?

He's not like-like other kids
to look at them and drive them.

But he wants to
work around cars.

What good is English to him?

If he wants to graduate,
it must be important to him.

Then why not pass him on?

It's no skin off
your pretty nose.

'Miss Barrett.'

Miss Barrett, I believe.

I'm Alberta Kagan,
mother of Harry A. Kagan.

President of the
general organization.

Oh, I-I hope I'm not
interrupting.

No, ma'am, I'm through.

Mrs. Lewes, please sit down.

I won't keep you a minute,
Miss Barrett.

I just wanted to give
myself the pleasure of

making the acquaintance of such
a lovely teacher like yourself.

'A book like Silas Marner
can mean a lot to a boy'

like Rusty, Mr. O'Brien, even
if it was written by a woman.

It's about people's
responsibility to one another

and parental love.

His mother already gave him
too much parental love.

The story can help him
understand, ah, such things

from an adult point of view

rather than a child's
point of view.

It can help prepare him
to become a man.

You think he's not a man?

For example.

When we finish reading the book

we are going
to improvise a trial.

And Rusty, Rusty is going
to be the defendant.

Through the story,
he will know what it means

to stand up for himself.

They tried to teach him

self-defense
at the youth center.

He came home.

I'm-I'm not talking about
that kind of self-defense.

Yeah.

Well, I just wanted to see
what was going on in here.

Joe?

Did you bring your
parents to see me?

Joe, it's 10:30.

Are you in trouble?

Came for our talk.

No, I meant after school.

This is after school.

Well, we're not supposed
to be in the building now.

You wanna go someplace else?

I w-want you to go home.

Look, I'm here.

Isn't that what you wanted?

Custodian will be checking
the rooms in a minute.

You wanted it dark?

Joe.

Joe, please, turn on the lights.

What is it, teach?

Ever since the first
day of school

'defending me with McHabe,
breaking rules for me'

getting into trouble.

Maybe I'm what they call
a low under-achiever.

'Took me long
to figure it out.'

But I figured it out.

Oh, Joe.

Is that the only
reason you can think of?

What else?

Always wanting to see me
after school, alone.

Well, we're alone now.

- Finally got to me, teach.
- No.

Joe, oh, Joe, no.

I've come to submit
my resignation, Dr. Bester.

On the basis of less
than a term's experience?

I will finish out
the term, of course.

Do you think you've given us
a fair chance, Miss Barrett?

I have given myself
a fair chance

in and out of the classroom.

I have used everything
I ever learned.

Every instinct I have or
thought I had about teaching.

And you've decided you're
not cut out to be a teacher.

Not here.

You know, when I
visited your class.

I did notice certain
deficiencies in your methods.

'But I put them down
to in-experience..

'...because you are a born
teacher, Miss Barrett.'

Not here.

'You say that as if
that's your point.'

'There are better schools,
we all know.'

'But there are worse.'

And whatever waste, stupidity,
ineptitude you've found.

'Whatever problems and
frustrations of teachers

'and pupils, something exciting
is going on...even here.'

'In each of the classrooms,
on each of the floors

'all at the same time,
education is going on.'

In some form or other,
for all its abuses

young people are being
exposed to education.

'Even here.'

A teacher should be able
to get through to her students

even here.

Very well.

Write a letter to
the Board Of Education.

'They'll send you the proper
form for resignation.'

Thank you, Dr. Bester.

'Sylvia, Sylvia!'

It's horrible.

I suppose you're ticking
the number of times

you have left
to walk this block.

Thirty-two.

Hi, Eddie.

And then what?

I've made application
to several private schools.

Well, Joe Ferone never
came back, did he?

One or two have expressed
interest already.

Oh, you'll find some place.

With white columns and green
lawns and high tuition.

And you'll sit in a
quiet room with eight or ten

well-dressed students,
teaching Chaucer.

In Old English, I'd dare say.

And they'll be so polite,
they'll let you love them

without risk.

Miss Finch.

They keep sending me
retirement forms.

What I need is
a resignation form.

They even make it hard
for you to give up.

Maybe you should
give up giving up.

Syl.

The Teacher's Interest Committee
is planning a gala luncheon

on the last day of school
before Christmas.

- Henrietta, are you alright?
- Oh, Syl.

Bob Whiteside.

I went into the book room
yesterday afternoon late.

I just opened the door.

My Bob Whiteside
with Linda Rosen.

Your Linda Rosen.

Why, she won the essay contest
and she can't even spell.

Do you want the chicken patty
with the cream sauce

or fillet of sole?

- Patty.
- Patty.

Look at this Ivanhoe,
Mr. McHabe.

Gutted.

It's used to carry something in
and out of this building.

Something filthy,
you can be sure.

Who would dare
to do that to Ivanhoe?

Miss Barrett, you said
we could turn in extra-credit

book reports and due to
midterms and horsing around,

I need that E credit.

So here's a myth report,
Miss Barrett.

About Venus and Adonis.
Funny, huh?

Thank you, Lou.

You gotta pass me on,
Miss Barrett.

It's just my spelling
that keeps me back.

At home, they won't
let me drop out.

'Class, class, please.'

'Class, pay attention.'

'Class.'

'Come on now, we don't have all
sorts of time, class, please!'

Now, boys, Herbie, Ronnie,
please. Now, listen.

The jury pool sits down
in the auditorium.

Will you please take
your seats there

until you're called
for examination?

Now, go quickly and go quietly.

Quietly.

Quietly. Listen
to your teacher, now.

Prosecuting-prosecuting
attorney sits here.

Lou! Lou!
You, there.

The plaintiff here.
Wooley, right here.

Now, who's my defendant?

- Where's my defendant?
- That's me, Miss Barrett.

Rusty, defense attorney.

Well, Harry, stop trying
to influence the witnesses

ahead of time, and take your
seat next to your client.

Now the-the court
clerk sits in here.

Gary, that's you.
Right down here.

Don't look so worried,
all you have to do is write down

everything that's said
and repeat it back

if the judge asks you to.

Now, let's see, my witnesses.

Witnesses will sit along here.

Girls, everybody, along here.

We'll pretend as if
there's a railing.

Miss Barrett, I'm not
prepared to testify.

Well, in that case, uh...
we'll just have to have

the two attorneys examine you
as a hostile witness.

Uh, Lou, H-Harry.
Take a note on that, now.

Lennie, will you just take
your place with the others?

Now let's see
what else...oh, the judge.

Whom did I...did I
appoint judge?

Doesn't anyone remember?

I think it was Jose Rodriguez,
Miss Barrett.

Yes, it was Jose.

Now where...I wonder
where-where is Jose?

Well, knowing the fellow,
slightly as I do.

In which case,
I'm sure I'm not alone.

I'd think that he probably got
frightened at the last moment.

Cold feet! Cold feet.

Lou, Lou.

Enough is enough.
Come on, sit down.

In that case, I'm gonna
have to appoint another judge.

Now, do I have any volunteers?

No volunteers?

Class. Class!

'You're late, Jose.'

Members of the court are
supposed to address the judge

as Your Honor.

Even teachers.

Shh.

We had almost given
you up, Your Honor.

The judge's supposed to be the
last one to enter the court.

He don't need no late pass.

Court clerk's supposed to say
they gotta rise.

He says you gotta get up.

The judge says
the court clerk says.

The judge says I say.

You too.

This here court
is now in session.

'Case of Silas Marner versus
Godfrey Cass, for the custody'

'of the child known as Eppie,
by George Elliot.'

'I object, Your Honor.
I object.'

Objection over ruled.

'Your Honor has over ruled every
objection defense has made.'

Maybe I'm stupid. But I'm
the judge and you gotta listen.

I challenge Your Honor to your
knowledge of court procedure.

I ought to know, I've been.

Quiet! This here court
will get quiet

or you'll be charged
with contempt.

Because the bell is about
to ring, it'd be a waste

of the taxpayer's money
to call the next witness.

Members of the jury are
instructed not to discuss

the details of the case
in any manner, ways, means

shape or form.

Members of the court are
to leave in an orderly fashion

by ones and twos with
no talking and to proceed

to the next class without delay.

This court is adjourned till the
same time tomorrow morning.

Miss Barrett.

I'm sorry you're leaving us.

'And I wish you happiness
in your new school.'

Miss Barrett.

I'm me.

In the suggestion box.

I'm me.

Thank you for telling me, Jose.

Thank you.

I just wanted you to know.

'I think your English this term
was the greatest subject'

'I ever had.'

Oh, Miss Barrett, Miss Barrett!

Your resignation form
has come through.

Now, fill it out now
and return it to me.

Later on, there'll be
other forms.

And your keys.
Don't lose any of your keys.

If I fill this, I will be late
to my next class, Miss Finch.

Oh, Miss Barrett. It has come
to my attention that

one of your students, namely
Jose Rodriguez has pilfered a

graduation robe and mortarboard
from the supply room.

Hi, teach.

Hi, pupe.