Moments with Joey – The Confession

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SCENE 1, INTERIOR. AFTERNOON, FIFTH GRADE CLASSROOM. The school day is over. The clock above the dry-erase board reads 4:15. An 11 year-old boy and his teacher sit in a classroom. The boy has just finished his writing and is now starting on his Math homework. He pauses after a few minutes of working on his area and perimeter assignment. He then starts to work again. After a minute he stops. This goes on for a few minutes. Finally, the boy speaks].

JOEY: Mr. Z?

TEACHER: Yes?

[The boy looks at his paper for a moment and then back at his teacher].

JOEY: Did you know that there’s only about five weeks left of school?

TEACHER: That’s what the office staff keeps telling me.

JOEY: Well, I was thinking about that last night; I couldn’t sleep.

TEACHER: So, is this a good thing or a bad thing?

JOEY: Well…

[The teacher pauses in grading and looks at the boy who is gazing intently at him].

JOEY: I’m gonna say something; I can’t believe I’m going to say it either.

TEACHER: Well, maybe you’d better not tell me then, some things are better left unsaid.

JOEY: Yeah. [Pause]. Well, I’m going to say it anyway. You know, this is the first year I’ve ever had a teacher like you.

TEACHER: Well, I certainly hope so. I’d hate to think that there were two teachers as good-looking as me running around.

[The boy laughs for a moment and then becomes sober again].

JOEY: No, seriously. You’re the first teacher I’ve ever had that I’ve ever been able to…well…connect with. The others just didn’t…well, they didn’t understand me.

[The boy stops and remains silent. A beat or two passes. His teacher stops his correcting and looks at the boy who is still staring back intently at him].

JOEY: You’re more than a teacher to me, Mr. Z. You’re almost like a friend, too…a really good friend. I’m glad that you’ll still be here next year so that I can still come and visit you when I’m in the sixth grade.

[The teacher sits speechless for a moment, and then speaks to the boy].

TEACHER: Thanks, Joey. Just remember though, I’m your teacher first, and then your friend. You still have to do your homework, too.

JOEY: That’s okay, Mr. Z. I just wanted you to know.

[Fade to black].