Original subtitles

People ask, where do you get your ideas?

Right here.

Oh, this is my magician's toy shop.

I'm Ray Bradbury, and this is...

I didn't want to bother you.

What are you doing?

Whoever worked this problem got it wrong.

So I thought I'd put my answer next to it so the kids could compare.

And who gave you permission to do that?

And who are you?

Michael McDonald, sir.

I'm new.

The principal told me to come to your class.

Are those to keep your cuffs clean?

Hmm? A very good idea.

Correct?

Michael McDonald?

I think we're going to get along.

They already do.

They broke all your pencils.

Michael.

Let me give you some advice.

You have to live among your classmates, right?

But if I try to interfere and protect you, it'll only make matters worse.

So you must protect yourself.

How do I do that?

Try not to be too perfect all the time.

Make a few mistakes, you know.

Give the wrong answer now and then.

Stop wearing ties and, you know, muss up your hair.

Are you saying I'm some sort of a freak?

Unfortunately, a minority of one.

If you're not careful, it'll be a lonely life for you.

It already is.

Here.

Something for that pencil box.

Wow. For me?

That one they can't break.

Thanks, Mr. Howard.

Thanks a lot.

What are you doing?

We wanted Michael to help, sir.

But he wouldn't.

What is this?

What is what, Mr. Howard?

We all want to get AIDS, too.

But we can take it. Give it back!

Mr. Howard?

Yes. I'm Frank Corliss, principal at Jason Elementary.

Oh, yes, yes. Come in.

And when Mr. Clemens said you had taught there, I decided I'm not asking.

I was sorry to hear he was ill.

Blood pressure, actually.

How long will he be away?

Frankly, we don't know.

I must admit, it's left us in a bit of a jam.

Have you kept in touch with the academic world? Oh, yes.

Teaching correspondence courses.

Pays the bills.

And when were you last in the classroom, Mr. Howard?

Seven years and one week.

You have quite a memory.

Yes, I do.

Mr. Howard, since I was made principal...

We've tried very hard to turn things around, Jason.

It's quite different than when you left.

It would help us a lot.

What do you say?

Very well, Mr. Corliss.

I think I still have something to offer.

You are, shall we say, invaders from another dimension.

And as such, you are the enemy.

And it is my task to reform your uncivilized little minds.

You may think I do not understand you. You are wrong.

I understand you all too well.

I know that children are as far removed from adults as monkeys are from men.

And it is my duty to forge the missing link.

That link is, of course, made of iron.

It is called discipline.

It is my thankless task to train you, even though we look at each other from

opposite side of the bars of the cage.

Sometimes I believe that you are little monsters, thrust out of hell because the

devil can no longer cope with you.

You are another species entirely.

Your motives, your beliefs, your disobediences.

But remember, you have no rights and

no privileges and no choice.

When do you do that on a Sunday?

What? When do you do that on a Sunday?

They pay us double time.

We'll be done in a couple days. Sorry about the noise.

So am I.

Well, excuse me.

Have I frightened you?

I have.

Good.

Well and good.

You deserve to be.

I want you to know where we stand.

I'm not frightened of you. Remember that.

I'm not frightened of you.

Here!

What are you whispering about back there?

Well, young men?

We don't like you. That's all we said.

Good. I like frankness.

Truth. Thank you for your honesty.

Now we know where we stand.

One hour's detention for the both of you.

Sorry I haven't managed to get down to see you and your students.

How are things working?

Oh, very well, Mr. Corliss.

Exactly according to plan.

That was good to hear.

How do you like Mr. Howard, boys?

We like him just fine, sir.

Just fine.

Well, good morning, sir. Good morning.

Which one are you?

You mean you don't know, Mr. Howard, sir?

You've been my teacher for nearly three weeks and you don't know my name? I

can't be expected to remember you all.

But that's your job, Mr. Howard, sir, is to at least know names.

Mine's Jones.

Charles Scott Jones.

Why are you wearing that tie?

You are.

And you're also dead.

What?

You're poisoned.

See the name and the date.

That's a cement layer's imprint.

No, sir, there's someone buried under there.

That's the name, and see the date?

And you stepped on his grave.

Poison, get off!

Get off, quick!

Is that your contribution to my knowledge for the day?

Yes, sir.

Can't be too careful.

I understand Charles Scott Burns.

I understand Donald Bowers.

I understand you all.

You have drawn your silly little battle lines in our war of wills.

But because my will is stronger, I will win.

outside my room in your childish world of fantasy but here there is no

fantasy there are no games within this room

there is reality and the reality is that you are under my

control for as long as I am here which will be a very long time indeed

Who's there?

Let's play Poison. Who is this?

Monsters. I'm not afraid of you.

Mr. Halloway.

Watch it.

Cement's not dry, and even if it was, you wouldn't want to step on it.

Step on a grave?

Robby's Jones, you know better than that.

That's his name.

Cement layers, Mark.

Kelly and Peterson.

Contractors. Shucks.

Have you seen Mr. Howard?

No. I wonder where he is.

Guess he must have stepped out, sir.