Scene 1: Prior to lunch

Characters: Scout, Miss Caroline Fisher, Walter Cunningham, & Narrator.

Setting: Class Room and School Yard

*Narrator walks in Center stage*

Narrator: “This is Scouts First day of school, this day she learns more than to stay away from her brother in the school yard.”

*Narrator walks to side*

*Miss Carline Fisher Walks in room and starts to write on Front of board*

Miss Caroline Fisher:* Writes on board then turns to class point at each word as she reads out loud*

”This says i am miss Caroline fisher.

*faces class*

“I am from north Alabama, from Winston County.”

*As Soon as she stops reading the class whispers to each other*

*Narrator walks back to front of stage*

Narrator: “You see When Alabama seceded from Union on January 11, 1861, Winston county seceded from Alabama and every child in Maycomb County Knew it.”

*Narrator walks back to side*

*Scout turns in chair toward audience*

Scout: “ Miss Caroline began the day by reading us a story about cats. The cats had long conversations with one another, they wore cunning little cloths and lived in a warm house beneith a kitchen stove. By the time the cat called the drug store for another order of chocolate malted mice the class was wriggling like a bucketful of catawba worms. Miss Caroline seemed unaware that the ragged denim-shirted and floursack-skirted first grade, most of whom chopped cotton and fed hogs from the time they were able to walk, were immune to imaginative literature.”

*Scout turns back to face MissCaroline*

Miss Caroline: “ Oh, my, wasn't that nice?”

*Miss caroline turns to board again then writes the alphabet in a large font in uppercase, then turns*

Miss Caroline: “Does anybody know what these are?”

*Scout turns around to audience, stands, moves to front of class to read*

Scout: “ I suppose she choose me because she knew my name, as I read the alphabet a faint line appeared between her eyebrows, and after making me read most of My First Reader and the stock-market quotation from The Mobile Register aloud she discovered that I was literate and looked at me with more than faint distaste.

*Miss Caroline talks with a raised voice looking right in the eyes of little scout*

Miss Caroline: “Your father should not teach you any more it will interfere with your reading.”

Scout: “Teach me? He hasn't taught me anything Miss Caroline. Atticus ain’t got no time to teach me anything.”

*Miss Caroline smiled as she shook her head*

Miss Caroline:” Why, he’s so tired at night he just sits in the living room and reads. If he didn't teach you who did. You weren't just born reading the Mobile Register.”

Scout: “Jem says I was. He read in a book where i was a Bullfinch instead of a Finch. Jem says my names really Jean Louise Bullfinch, that i was swopped when i was born and I’m really a—“

*Miss Caroline talks over her to stop her talking*

Miss Caroline: “Let’s not let our imaginations run away with us, dear. Now you tell your father not to teach you anymore. It’s best to begin reading with a fresh mind. You tell Him I’ll Take over from here and try to undo the damage—“

Scout: “ Ma’am?”

Miss Fisher: Your father does not know ho to teach. You can have a seat now.”

*Scout Mumbles*

Scout:” Sorry”

*Narrator Walks back in*

Narrator: “Scout knew that she annoyed Miss Caroline so she just played low till recess started”

*Narrator moves to side*

*Characters move places. Miss Caroline in back supervising, Class Mates play or stand either one*

*Scout and Jem moves to center front*

Jem: “How has your first day been going?”

Scout:” If I didn’t have to stay i’d leave! Jem that damn lady says Atticus’s been teaching me to reading fir him to stop it—“

Jem: “Don’t worry scout. Our teacher says Miss Caroline’s introducing a new way of teaching. She learned about it in college. It’ll be in all the garden soon. You Don’t have to learn much out of books that way—it’s like if you wanna learn about cows, you go milk one see?”

Scout:” Yeah Jem, but I don't watna study cows, I—“

Jem: “ Sure you do. You hafta now about cows, they’re a big part of Maycomb County.”

Scout:” I’m just trying to tell you the new way they're teachn’ the first grade is stubborn. It’s the Dewey Decimal System.”

*Setting changes back to class room, Students in seats, Miss Caroline Reads a card while practiclly waving at faces*

Miss Caroline: “The”, “Cat”, “Rat”, “Man”, “You”.

*No ones in class comments on the assignment*

Scout Turns toward audience*

Scout: “I’m starting to get board might as well write Dill a letter”

*Scout begins to write a letter, Miss Caroline notices then stop the lecture, Scout Looks Up*

Miss Caroline: “Your father must stop teaching you. Besides, we don't write in the first grade, we print. You wont learn to write until you’re in the third grade.”

*Scout turns to audience again”

Scout: “ Calpernia was to blame for this it kept me from driving her crazy on rainy days, I guess. She would set me a writing task by scrawling the alphabet firm.y across atop of a tablet then copying out a chapter of the Bible. If i re produces her penmanship satisfactorily she reworded me with an open faced sand which of bread and butter and sugar. In Calpernias teaching there was no sentimentality I seldom pleased her then she seldom rewarded me.”

*Scout Turns back into character*

Miss Caroline:” Everyone who goes home to lunch raise your hands”

*One raises hand besides Walter Cunningham*

Miss Caroline:” Everybody who brings lunch put it on top of my desk”

*One gets up then puts thing on top of her desk then sits back down*

*Narrator Steps in front*

*Miss Caroline walks through desk while narrator reads*

Narrator: “Miss Caroline walks up and down rows peering and poking into lunch containers, nodding if the contents pleased her, frowning a little at others.”

*Narrator goes to side*

*MIss Caroline stops at Walter Cunningham's desk*

*Walter ignores and looks forward*

Miss Caroline: “Wheres yours? did you forget your lunch this morning? Did you forget it this morning?

Walter: *Mumbles* “Yeb’m.”

Miss Caroline: *Pulls quoter out of pocket* “Heres a quarter. Go and eat out Down-town today. You can pay me back tomorrow.”

Walter: *shakes Head* *Says Softly* “Nome thank you ma’am”

Miss Caroline: *Frustrated* “here Walter, Come get it.”

*Walter Shakes head*

Random person: *whispers* “Go on and tell her scout.”

Scout: *Stands, everyone looks at her* “Ah——Miss Caroline?”

Miss Caroline: *Annoyed* “What is it Jean Louise?”

Scout: Nervously “Miss Caroline, he’s a Cunningham”

Miss Caroline: “What, Jean Louise?”

*Narrator moves to front*

Narrator: “ You see Walter didn't forget his lunch, he didn't have any. He didn't have any today, tomatow or the next day. He probably never have seen three quarters altogether in his life.”

*Narrator Moves back to side*

Scout:” Walters one of the Cunninhams, Miss Caroline.”

Miss Caroline: *Puzzled* “I beg your pardon Jean Louise?”

Scout: “That’s okay, ma’am, you’ll get to know all the county folks after a while. The Cunninghams never took anything they can’t pay back—no church baskets and no scrip stamps. They never took anything off of anybody, they get along on what they have. They don’t have much, but they get along on it.”

*A Pause*

Scout: “You’re shamin‘ him, Miss Caroline. Walter hasn’t got a quarter at home to bring you, and you can’t use any stovewood.”

*Miss Caroline Stands and stares at Scout, Grabs her by the collar and dragged her the the desk*

Miss Caroline:“Jean Louise, I’ve had about enough of you this morning. You’re starting off on the wrong foot in every way, my dear. Hold out your hand.”

*MISS CAROLINE BEATS SCOUTS HAND*

*Then scout goes to the corner of the room but not for long she was saved by the bell*

*Narrator walks in*

Narrator: “ See now if ya gonna be a smart ass a beaten will Come”

*Narrator leaves*

SCENE 2: LUNCH

Characters: Scout, Walter Cunningham, Atticus, Jem, Calpurnia, Narrator

Setting:School Yard, Street, Finch Residence

*Scout has waiter in a head lock and looks at audience then speaks*

Scout: “Catching Walter Cunningham in the schoolyard gave me some pleasure, but Jem jus had to come by and tell me to stop.”

Jem: “You’re bigger’n he is,”

Scout: ““He’s as old as you, nearly, He made me start off on the wrong foot.”

Jem: “Let him go, Scout. Why?”

Scout: “He didn’t have any lunch,”

*Scout lets go of Walter, he falls on floor then gets up*

*Walters hands in a half fist getting ready to punch em both, scout stops towards him to scare him away jet stops her and speaks to Walter*

Jem: “Your daddy Mr. Walter Cunningham from Old Sarum?”

*Walter Nods*

Jem: “Come on home to dinner with us, Walter, We’d be glad to have you.”

*Walter’s face brightened, then darkened*

Jem: “Our daddy’s a friend of your daddy’s. Scout here, she’s crazy—she won’t fight you any more.”

Scout: “I wouldn’t be too certain of that,”

*Jem Gives scout a Look*

Scout: “Yeah Walter, I won’t jump on you again. Don’t you like butterbeans? Our Cal’s a real good cook.”

*Scout and jet started to walk off leaving Walter, he bites his lip*

Walter: “Hey, I’m comin’!”

*Narrator enters*

Narrator: “Now we know if you beat someone up and feel sorry all you need to do is invite them for food then its all good”

*Narrator leaves stage*

*They all walk down the street towards the Radly Pace*

Jem:“A hain’t lives there, Ever hear about him, Walter?”

Walter: “Reckon I have, Almost died first year I come to school and et them pecans—folks say he pizened ‘em and put ’em over on the school side of the fence.”

Narrator: “ Jem seemed to have little fear of Boo Radley now that Walter and scout walked beside him.”

Jem: “I went all the way up to the house once,”

Scout: “Anybody who went up to the house once oughta not to still run every time he passes it,”

Jem: “And who’s runnin‘, Miss Priss?”

Scout: “You are, when ain’t anybody with you.”

Narrator: “By the time they reached the front steps Walter had forgotten he was a Cunningham. Jem ran to the kitchen and asked Calpurnia to set an extra plate, Finch’s had company. Atticus greeted Walter and began a discussion about crops neither Jem nor scout could follow.”

Walter: *Towards Atticus* “Reason I can’t pass the first grade, Mr. Finch, is I’ve had to stay out ever‘ spring an’ help Papa with the choppin‘, but there’s another’n at the house now that’s field size.”

Scout: “Did you pay a bushel of potatoes for him?”

*Atticus gives scout a dirty scowl*

Scout: “While Walter piled food on his plate, he and Atticus talked together like two men, to the wonderment of Jem and me. Atticus was expounding upon farm problems when Walter interrupted to ask if there was any molasses in the house. Atticus summoned Calpurnia, who returned bearing the syrup pitcher. She stood waiting for Walter to help himself. Walter poured syrup on his vegetables and meat with a generous hand. He would probably have poured it into his milk glass had I not asked what the sam hill he was doing.”

*he quickly put his hands in his lap*

Scout: “But he’s gone and drowned his dinner in syrup, He’s poured it all over-”

Calpurnia called scout in the kitchen*

Calpurinia: “There’s some folks who don’t eat like us, but you ain’t called on to contradict ‘em at the table when they don’t. That boy’s yo’ comp’ny and if he wants to eat up the table cloth you let him, you hear?”

Scout: “He ain’t company, Cal, he’s just a Cunningham-”

Calpuria: “Hush your mouth! Don’t matter who they are, anybody sets foot in this house’s yo‘ comp’ny, and don’t you let me catch you remarkin’ on their ways like you was so high and mighty! Yo‘ folks might be better’n the Cunninghams but it don’t count for nothin’ the way you’re disgracin‘ ’em—if you can’t act fit to eat at the table you can just set here and eat in the kitchen!”

*Calpuria sends Scout back to the dining room, grabs her food then eats in the kitchen for the rest of her meal*

Scout: “one of these days when she wasn’t looking I’d go off and drown myself in Barker’s Eddy and then she’d be sorry”

Calpuria: “Hush your fussin’,”

Narrator: “Jem and Walter returned to school ahead of scout: staying behind to advise Atticus of Calpurnia’s iniquities.”

Scout: “She likes Jem better’n she likes me, anyway,”

Atticus: “Have you ever considered that Jem doesn’t worry her half as much? I’ve no intention of getting rid of her, now or ever. We couldn’t operate a single day without Cal, have you ever thought of that? You think about how much Cal does for you, and you mind her, you hear?”

SCENE 3: AFTER LUNCH

Characters: Scout, Little Chuck Little, Burris Ewell, Walter, Miss Caroline, Narrator

Setting:Classroom

Narrator:*Front and center* “ They return back to class to hear a little sudden shriek shattered in the class”

*Miss Caroline standing in the middle of the room, sheer horror flooding her face.*

Miss Caroline:*screaming* “It’s alive!”

Little Chuck: “Which way did he go, Miss Caroline? Tell us where he went, quick! D.C.- D.C., shut the door and we’ll catch him. Quick, ma’am, where’d he go?”

Narrator: “MIss Caroline doesn't point at the floor nor a desk but a person”

Little chuck Little: “You mean him, ma’am? Yessum, he’s alive. Did he scare you some way?”

Miss Caroline:*STILL SHOOK* “I was just walking by when it crawled out of his hair... just crawled out of his hair-”

Burris : *causally* “There ain’t no need to fear a cootie, ma’am. Ain’t you ever seen one? Now don’t you be afraid, you just go back to your desk and teach us some more.”

*He put his hand under her elbow and led Miss Caroline to the front of the room*

Burris: “Now don’t you fret, ma’am, There ain’t no need to fear a cootie. I’ll just fetch you some cool water.”

*Buriss searched the scalp above his forehead, located his guest and pinched it between his thumb and forefinger.*

Narrator: “Miss Caroline watched the process in horrid fascination. Little Chuck brought water in a paper cup, and she drank it gratefully”

Miss Caroline: *softly* “What is your name, son?”

Burris: “Who, me?”

*Miss Caroline nods her head*

Buriis: “Burris Ewell.”

Miss Caroline: *inspect’s roll-book* “I have a Ewell here, but I don’t have a first name... would you spell your first name for me?”

Burris: “Don’t know how. They call me Burris’t home.”

Miss Caroline: “Well, Burris, I think we’d better excuse you for the rest of the afternoon. I want you to go home and wash your hair.”

*MIss Caroline looks through remedy book*

Miss Caroline: “A good home remedy for—Burris, I want you to go home and wash your hair with lye soap. When you’ve done that, treat your scalp with kerosene.”

Burris: “What fer, missus?”

MIss Caroline: “To get rid of the—er, cooties. You see, Burris, the other children might catch them, and you wouldn’t want that, would you?”

Narrator: “The boy stood up. He was the filthiest. His neck was dark gray, the backs of his hands were rusty, and his fingernails were black deep into the quick. He peered at Miss Caroline from a fist-sized clean space on his face.”

MIss Caroline: “And Burris, please bathe yourself before you come back tomorrow.”

Burris: *laughs rudely* “You ain’t sendin‘ me home, missus. I was on the verge of leavin’—I done done my time for this year.”

Miss Caroline: *Puzzled* “What do you mean by that?”

Eldest girl in class: “He’s one of the Ewells, ma’am, Whole school’s full of ‘em. They come first day every year and then leave. The truant lady gets ’em here ‘cause she threatens ’em with the sheriff, but she’s give up tryin‘ to hold ’em. She reckons she’s carried out the law just gettin‘ their names on the roll and runnin’ ‘em here the first day. You’re supposed to mark ’em absent the rest of the year…”

Miss Caroline: “But what about their parents?”

Eldest Girl in class: “Ain’t got no mother, and their paw’s right contentious.”

Burris:*flattered* “Been comin‘ to the first day o’ the first grade fer three year now, Reckon if I’m smart this year they’ll promote me to the second...”

Miss caroline: “Sit back down, please, Burris,”

Burris: *TRIGGERED* “You try and make me, missus.”

Little Chuck Little: “Let him go, ma’am, He’s a mean one, a hard-down mean one. He’s liable to start somethin‘, and there’s some little folks here.”

*Burris walks towards Little Chuck*

Little Chuck Little: *Puts right hand in pocket* “Watch your step, Burris, I’d soon’s kill you as look at you. Now go home.”

Narrator: “Burris seemed to be afraid of a child half his height”

Miss Caroline; Burris, go home. If you don’t I’ll call the principal, I’ll have to report this, anyway.”

*Burris Snorts and walks towards door then stops to turn*

Burris: *Shouts* “Report and be damned to ye! Ain’t no snot-nosed slut of a schoolteacher ever born c’n make me do nothin‘! You ain’t makin’ me go nowhere, missus. You just remember that, you ain’t makin‘ me go nowhere!”

Narrator: He waited until he was sure she was crying, then he shuffled out of the building.