Scene 6

Mrs Grattin enters, looking serious.

MADAME GRATTIN
I heard you yelling. Mr. Director?

THE DIRECTOR
You still don’t need a hearing aid?

MADAME GRATTIN
Mr. Director? I can’t hear very well.

THE DIRECTOR
Retirement is not far off, Grattin.

MADAME GRATTIN
You wanted to tell me something?

THE DIRECTOR
You’re very perceptive. Grattin, this is a fool’s time.

MADAME GRATTIN
Should I drool?

THE DIRECTOR
You know how much the well-being of our student-sheep is important to me?
He approaches her, and takes her hand.
I believe in the potential of every person. I have studied and incorporated the quintessential behavioral sciences into my teaching. But that’s not all. I have added the Kabbalah and the divinatory arts. These openings to the world have allowed me to co-construct a school that makes sense. This school!

MADAME GRATTIN, petrified
But the time…

THE DIRECTOR
… Is serious, Grattin. The knowledge of these little student-sheep is in your hands. To you, and also a little to me, since I am the director of this school. I’ll spare you the heroic details of my chase with the ghost who dispossessed us. He got away from me. Oh, I’d know him for sure… He had big eyes… So white. His livid pupil devoured me. I could only save myself. Who knows what this school would have become without me? If I had tried to jump on that monstrosity? If I had lost my life?

MRS. GRATTIN
No one is irreplaceable… irresponsible.

The director throws himself on her, and implores her.