The Not So High School Shooting Poem by Angela Capella

INT. CLASS ROOM-DAY
MR. CARLO (Male mid 30's) is teaching history to a group of high school juniors. They are learning about World War 2. In the room there are students KYLE SMITH (MALE 16) , JIM TYLER (MALE 17) , SUSAN MCPHEE (FEMALE 16) , and KELLY MCPHEE (FEMALE 16) . They sit in various parts of the room.
MR. CARLO
(Going through slide show)
Pearl Harbor was then bombed by Japan. That's when America entered the war. We flew to Japan and bombed them back until they surrendered. Thousands of people were killed. However, that's when America won!
Susan raises her hand.
MR. CARLO (CONT'D)
Yes, Susan?
SUSAN
How many times did we have to bomb Japan?
MR. CARLO
Two
Kelly raises her hand.
MR. CARLO (CONT'D)
Kelly?
KELLY
Couldn't they have found another way to get them to surrender?
MR. CARLO
Well Miss. McPhee, America's whole point was to prevent themselves from fighting. To them, this was their only option.
KYLE
Why didn't they team up with the French or British or whatever? To stop the Nazis and end the Holocaust?
MR. CARLO
They didn't want to fight. They only wanted to fight if they had to. In a way, however, they were allies with them.
KYLE
Oh. (pause) I get it now!
JIM
I don't!
MR. CARLO
What don't you get Mr. Tyler?
JIM
Everything!
MR. CARLO
That's because you were sleeping, Mr. Tyler.
The class laughs. The laughter was interrupted by the loud speaker. The principle, DR. GALASKI, makes an announcement.
DR. GALASKI (V.O.)
(in horror)
Attention staff and students there is an intruder in the building!
This is not a drill! There's an intruder in the buil-
Dr. Galaski was interrupted by a gun shot. Only nothing happened. The class freaks out thinking that something happened. Dr. Galaski doesn't come back on the loud speaker.
MR. CARLO
Okay class, quietly go to the corner and keep quiet. I'm going to lock the door.
CUT TO:
INT. MAIN OFFICE- DAY
The intruder stands in a fighting position in front of Dr. Galaski. The secretaries and vice principles sit at their desks and continue doing their work like nothing happened. Dr. Galaski talks to senior, MICHAEL (Male,18) , as she hands him a 20 dollar bill.
DR. GALASKI
Good job, Michael. After today, they'll take these drills more seriously!
MICHAEL
Anytime, Dr. Galaski. What do you want me to do now?
DR. GALASKI
Go around the hallways pretending to kill people. Don't go in the classrooms though. I want it to be an illusion.
MICHAEL
Yes, ma'am.
Michael starts to leave the room, but was interrupted by Dr. Galaski.
DR. GALASKI
Wait! Take Mr. Adams with you. He'll be the second one you 'kill off.'
MICHAEL
Got it!
CUT TO:
INT. HALLWAY-DAY
Michael and the vice principle, MR. ADAMS (Male mid 30's) walk to the hallway where Mr. Carlo's class is. They are having a pretend argument in front of their room. Mr. Carlo and his class doesn't know this is fake. Mr. Carlo is listening at the door.
MR. ADAMS
(Shouting)
I don't know what you're planning on doing but this has got to stop!
MICHAEL
No! I am sick and tired of everyone telling me what to do! I'm tired of all the snide comments and I'm tired of everyone being so rude to each other! I hate this school and I hate everyone in it!
MR. ADAMS
(Scared)
Please, Michael, you're making a big mistake. Please don't do this.
MICHAEL
I have to. I'm sorry Mr. Adams.
Michael holds out a toy gun to Mr. Adams' chest and fires it. Mr. Adams falls like he's dead. Michael turns to see two security guards, who happens to be in on it, rushing toward them. Michael turns with his toy gun towards them.
GUARD 1
(Shouting)
What is this! ? Did you kill him! ?
MICHAEL
I did. Now your next!
Another fake gun shot at the security guard. He falls and the other guard backs away slowly.
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
(Shouting)
You better run or you'll be next! (Whispering) Mr. Adams, do you want to stay dead in case teachers come out?
MR. ADAMS
(Whispering)
Yeah, so we can draw the illusion. Now, shake Mr. Carlos' door handle like you are going to try to get in.
Michael puts his hand on the door handle and shakes it. It makes the door shake. Mr. Carlo bangs his head.
MR. CARLO (V.O.)
(in pain)
Ow!
Michael and Mr. Adams exchange confusing looks. Michael shrugs then shouts toward the door.
MICHAEL
(Shouting)
Open the door or I'm coming in!
No one opens the door but he doesn't go it. Instead he let's go and backs away from the room. Michael exits to other hallways to continue to pretend to kill people.
CUT TO:
INT. CLASS ROOM-DAY
Mr. Carlo and the rest of the class are crouched down in the corner by the door. Mr. Carlo is talking to himself.
MR. CARLO
(Whispers)
Michael. I know Michael. He was one of my students. He was such a good kid. I never thought he was plotting to destroy us. I don't know what to say. I do, however know what I have to do.
SUSAN
(Whispering)
Mr. Carlo, is he gone?
MR. CARLO
What? Uhh, yes I think so.
SUSAN
Can we stand up now?
MR. CARLO
Okay, but don't move.
KELLY
Wait. Susan, you are way too calm about this. Mr. Carlo, are we going to be okay? What's going to happen to us?
MR. CARLO
Want the truth?
The class nods.
MR. CARLO (CONT'D)
I don't know. Things are bad right now and there's a killer roaming around the building.
KYLE
Wait a minute. Why didn't Michael burst through the room?
SUSAN
Kyle, the door's locked. He can't get in even if he wanted to.
KYLE
He has a gun, and probably some other weapons. He could have easily knocked down the door if he wanted to.
The class stares at Kyle for a minute thinking about what he said. Then they sat back down in silence. Meanwhile Kyle whispers something in Jim's ear. Susan breaks the silence.
SUSAN
So, what do we do now?
Everyone stares at Susan.
MR. CARLO
I don't know Susan, what do you think we should do?
SUSAN
Umm, I don't know. Stay silent.
MR. CARLO
Exactly.
Their conversation is interrupted by the loud speaker. Dr. Galaski makes an announcement.
DR. GALASKI (V.O.)
Attention staff and students. Yes, I am alive. I was never harmed. What you just witnessed was fake. It was a test to see if you will take this seriously, and you passed! I hired my nephew, Michael as the active shooter. He did a fantastic job! Also, a special thanks to Mr. Adams, the security guards and everyone else who helped me out today! In case you were wondering, the bell schedule will resume! Thank you.
When the announcement ends the class stares straight ahead in shock. The silence is soon broken by Kyle.
KYLE
I was right! Jim, you owe my five bucks!
The class stares at Kyle.
ALL EXCEPT KYLE AND JIM
You knew!
KYLE
Yep! I figured it out when Michael didn't knock down the door.
MR. CARLO
You could have told me!
KYLE
Would you have believed me?
MR. CARLO
No.
KYLE
Exactly!
The bell rings and everyone leaves for their next class.
THE END