Free Between the Sheets by Jordi Mand

An elementary school classroom.
    The room is filled with colourful class projects. Small desks and chairs are set up neatly in rows. The words “Parent Teacher Interviews” are written on the blackboard. Pieces of decorated construction paper hang from the front of every desk with a student’s name on it. There is a garbage can near the front desk. The room is spacious but intimate.
    We see TERESA in her class. She is in her late twenties. She wears a warm-coloured dress, tights, shoes with a bit of a heel, and a thin gold necklace. There is a sweater draped over the back of her chair. She is naturally beautiful and wears very little makeup.
    TERESA is tidying the room, repositioning some of the chairs and desks. There are two chairs set up at the front of the class where parents have sat. She moves them to the back of the class.
    She walks to the blackboard, grabs an eraser, and wipes the board clean. There are a few piles of file folders neatly stacked on the corner of her desk. She puts them into a filing cabinet. She returns to her desk and takes a long sip from a mug.
    She moves a few more things around. As she does, she knocks some papers to the floor.
    TERESA
    Shit.
    TERESA gets up out of her chair to clean the mess.
    Beat.
    As she picks up the last piece of paper from the floor she stands and sees MARION in the doorway.
    MARION is in her early fifties. She wears a tailored grey suit with a crisp white blouse. She carries a large purse over one shoulder and drapes a coat over her arms. She wears pearl earrings and a diamond wedding band. She is meticulous about her appearance.
    TERESA and MARION stare at one another.
    MARION
    Miss Stewart?
    Beat.
    TERESA
    Yes.
    Beat.
    MARION
    I’m Alex’s mother.
    TERESA
    Of course.
    MARION
    I hope I’m not too late. I got held up at the office.
    TERESA
    Late?
    MARION
    For the interviews. They’re tonight, are they not?
    TERESA
    They are but… I just held my last one.
    MARION
    Oh.
    TERESA
    I was just finishing up, actually.
    MARION
    Well I’m sure you wouldn’t mind if I grabbed the last slot then.
    MARION enters the room.
    I just have a few quick questions for you about Alex… about his report card.
    MARION goes to close the door.
    TERESA
    Leave it open.
    MARION looks at her.
    If you don’t mind… it’s school policy.
    MARION
    It’s school policy to keep the door open?
    TERESA
    During school hours, yes.
    MARION
    But your students aren’t here.
    TERESA
    It’s still considered school hours… please.
    Beat.
    MARION
    Well… it’s your class.
    MARION smiles.
    TERESA tentatively smiles back.
    Beat.
    MARION goes to place her coat and purse on one of the student’s chairs. She pulls out a leather binder and glasses case from her purse.
    She walks towards TERESA’s desk.
    Where would you like me to…
    TERESA
    Oh.
    TERESA goes to get a chair for her.
    I apologize. I’m a bit tired. It’s been a long day.
    MARION
    Well, I won’t keep you long.
    TERESA
    Thank you. I would appreciate that.
    TERESA pulls up a chair for MARION, placing it fairly far from the teacher’s desk.
    MARION sits.
    TERESA takes a sip of water from the mug and then sits behind her desk.
    MARION notices how far she has been placed from TERESA and shimmies her chair towards the desk.
    MARION
    So?
    TERESA
    So.
    MARION
    Do I just ask you my questions or… how do you normally like to start these things, Miss Stewart?
    TERESA
    Yes. Please. Ask your questions. My preference is always for parents to ask their questions first.
    MARION
    You’re sure?
    TERESA
    Yes. Please… go ahead.
    Beat.
    MARION
    All right.
    MARION takes her glasses out of the case. She opens her binder.
    TERESA stands and walks to the filing cabinet. She pulls out a folder.
    What is that?
    TERESA
    Alex’s file.
    MARION
    His file?
    TERESA
    I have a file for all of my students. I keep track of past reports, academic