Under the Desk

Written by Beatrice Jiayu Ye

Directed by Beatrice Jiayu Ye & Grace Yirui Wang

Casting

Youyou - Mengxi Tian

Youyou’s Friend - Xiaorong Zeng

Teacher - Tingfeng Xie

Classmate 1 - Lijiao Yang

Classmate 2 - Dongpo Zhang

Classmate 3 - Yuping Tian

Classmate 4 – Jiayu Ye

Location

Huayuan No.3 Middle School Auditorium, Biancheng Town, Xiangxi City, Hunan Province, China

Setting and Props

This play takes place in a school setting. Specifically, we set the play in a classroom. So, the props used are chairs, tables, note boards, a mask, a mirror, and specially designed law boards.

Costume and Make-ups

We did make-ups for Youyou on her arms and face. No special costumes are used.

Plot

Plot Summary

The play follows Youyou, a young girl dealing with bullying at school, and her internal struggle to confront it. At first, Youyou hides the signs of her abuse, even from her mother during a video call; despite her friend’s concern and encouragement, she hesitates to stand up for herself, but finally is inspired by her friend's support and stands to speak for herself. Finally, the turning point comes when the school’s teacher addresses the entire class about the seriousness of school violence and the legal consequences for bullies, enabling the bullies to reflect on their behavior and confess.

Scene 1

In this scene, Youyou hides a bruise from her mom during a video call by wearing a mask and making excuses. As her mom questions her, three bullies approach, forcing Youyou to end the call and give them money, revealing her ongoing harassment.

Scene 2

After school, Youyou is bullied by her classmates, who throw bottles at her and trip her. Despite her friend's protests, the bullies leave. Unable to stand due to pain, Youyou hides when she hears the bullies returning.

Scene 3

Youyou hides under a table after being bullied, feeling powerless. Her friend finds her and encourages her to stand up against the abuse. Initially hesitant, Youyou admits she’s tired of being bullied and realizes she must fight back.

Scene 3 recording during rehearsals

Scene 4

The teacher addresses school violence, explaining the legal consequences for aggressors. She urges victims to stand up for their rights and emphasizes accountability. The three bullies feel guilty, with two confessing, while the third remains silent but reflective.

Original Script (English Version)

Scene 1 Youyou and her mom make a video phone call
Characters: Youyou, mom (voices only)

(Youyou is sitting in the middle of the stage with a mirror on the side. There is a WeChat video voice call. Youyou pulls out her cell phone and freezes when she sees it's her mom. She touches the bruise on her face, panics, pulls a mask out of her pocket and puts it on, and answers it anyway.)

Youyou: Hey, mom!

Mom: Hi, Youyou.

Youyou: What’s wrong, mom?

Mom: Nothing, I just wanna see my daughter. Why are you only on voice call?

Youyou: Oh, I…I'll adjust it now. (Youyou hurriedly picks up the mirror, adjusts the mask, and puts the cell phone in front of her face.)

Mom: Much better. But why are you wearing a mask?

Youyou: Huh? Oh...because it's the change of season. There is a flu at our school, so I’m wearing it to prevent it.

Mom: Oh, the season change. But didn’t you already get sick before? You don’t have much resistance these days. Eat more fruits.

Youyou: Uh-huh, I know, mom.

Mom: What's that green thing on your eye? Is it hurt?

Youyou: (panicked, looks in the mirror again) Oh, that's eye shadow. My roommate bought a new green eyeshadow palette and tried it on my face, it’s nothing.

Mom: Oh, you scared me! This eyeshadow doesn’t look good. I was thinking you hadn’t sent pictures lately, and maybe you were wronged at school, but I’m glad you’re fine.

Youyou: (forced smile) No, everything’s fine, mom. But I’ve run out of living expenses again, so...

Mom: Running out again? Isn't it 2,000 more per month than before? Why do you spend it so fast?

Youyou: Oh, I’ve been eating more lately. I’ll pay attention next time, mom.

Mom: Good. I’ll send it to you.

(At this moment, three figures appeared on the side of the stage and walked towards Youyou, who suddenly became flustered.)

Youyou: Mom, my friend is here, I’ll talk to you later.

Mom: Huh? Okay, call mom more often—

(Mom hadn't finished speaking when Classmate 1, Classmate 2, and Classmate 3 walked up to Youyou, who immediately cut her mom’s call.)

Classmate 2: Huh, isn't this Youyou? Making a lot of friends lately, video calls?

Classmate 3: Who knows who she’s talking to on the phone? Some lowlife?

Classmate 1: Haha, sure, people group with their own kind.

(Classmate 2 and 3 laugh.)

Classmate 3: The usual rules. (reaches out) Where's the money?

Youyou: (pulling out her pocket) I’ll give it to you...

(Scene 1 ends)

Scene 2 In the classroom, the classroom bell rings
Characters: Everyone on stage

Teacher: Okay, students, the evening study time is over, everyone can go.
(Everyone starts to pack their bags. The group actors pack up and leave the stage directly, revealing Youyou sitting in the center. Youyou’s friend sits in the back, and the classmates sit to the left and right of Youyou. The friend is the first to stand up and tries to tap Youyou on the shoulder, at which point the three classmates exchange glances, and two of the classmates stand up at the same time, bumping Youyou’s water bottle.)

Friend: (Incredulous) What do you guys mean?
Classmate 1: Oh, sorry~ I was careless. I didn’t do that on purpose.
Youyou: (Turns around and tugs on her friend’s coat) It’s okay...

(Youyou gets up and walks forward, only to trip over the outstretched foot of Classmate 3.)

Youyou: (Falls to the ground) Ouch...
Classmate 3: It hurts! Why did you step on my foot?
Friend: (Surprised) What do you mean by that? Obviously, you put your foot out on purpose...
Classmate 3: Do you have any evidence?
Friend: How can you be so unreasonable? I’m warning you, if you keep this up, I’m going to tell the teacher and parents!
Classmate 1: (Greeting Classmate 3) Don’t talk to them, let’s go!

(The three classmates get off the stage.)

Friend: Youyou, let’s go.
Youyou: OK...you go first, I’ll clean up a bit more.
Friend: Are you okay on your own?
Youyou: It’s fine, you don’t have to worry about me. I’ll come to you later.

(Youyou attempts to stand up, but no matter how hard she tries, because her feet hurt too much, she can’t stand up. Just when she doesn’t know what to do, the voices of the three classmates suddenly come from outside.)

Classmate 2: And suing the teacher...these people have really grown in courage.
Classmate 3: Yes. It’s necessary to threaten Youyou again.

(Youyou hears the three approaching and struggles on the floor, crawling under the table to hide and covering her head.)

Classmate 1: Where is she? Doesn’t seem to be in the classroom?
(Classmates 1, 2, and 3 look into the classroom and turn around, but don’t find Youyou.)
Classmate 2: She really doesn’t seem to be here.
Classmate 3: This time, this kid is lucky. Next time if I run into her, I’ll make sure she gets it!
Classmate 1: Won’t there be anything wrong with us doing this?
Classmate 2: What, do you want to stand with her, the weak?
Classmate 3: (Wants to say something but finally glares at Classmate 1) Whatever, let’s go!

(Scene 2 ends)

Scene 3 Youyou hides under the desk and is found by her friend

Scene: Empty classroom (except for Youyou inside)
Characters: Youyou, friend

Youyou hides under the desk in the classroom.

Friend: (Crosses the stage, but doesn’t see Youyou) where’s Youyou?

Youyou tries to speak, but hesitates and eventually stays silent. She continues to hide until she falls asleep.

Friend: (Later at night) Oh my god ---- Why are you here? I’ve been looking for you all afternoon!
Youyou: I... (Very confused and at a loss for words.)
Friend: It’s because of them again, right?
Youyou: (Starts sobbing quietly) Yes...
Friend: You can’t put up with this kind of school violence anymore! You have the right to protect yourself and don’t let them hurt you again!
Youyou: (Whispering, hesitant) But I’m not strong enough to fight it. I’ll keep putting up with it, so I can at least stay calm.
Friend: (Determinedly) Calm? Are you going to keep putting up with the bullying? You have the right to stand up and ask for help to make this bad situation change!
Youyou: (Gently) But I don’t want to cause more trouble. If I fight back, they might just get worse.
Friend: (Firmly) You are not alone, there are many others who support you. Don’t be afraid to come out and fight for your right!
Youyou: (Weakly) But I’m alone, I’m weak. By continuing to hide, I can at least... (Hesitant) But I don’t want to be bullied anymore!
Friend: (Slowly, seriously) You have to fight for your own justice!
Youyou: Yes, I can’t just escape it anymore.

(Scene 3 ends)

Scene 4 In the classroom, the teacher explaining legal knowledge to students

Scene: Classroom
Characters: Everyone on stage

Teacher: Recently, I’ve noticed that there are some vicious incidents appearing in the school, and I believe that many students here know a little about them. So today, I’d like to talk to you about school violence and related legal knowledge. School violence is a serious violation of the law that harms the physical and mental health of vulnerable students and disrupts the learning environment.

(The classmates begin to whisper.)

Teacher: I hope that some unseemly things will happen less often in school—not only inappropriate whispers (looks at the classmates), but also those even worse behaviors. According to the Law on the Protection of Minors, students who commit acts of violence in school may face warnings, demerits, or even expulsion from school. In serious cases, these acts may even constitute criminal offenses.

(Everyone begins to feel the seriousness of school violence. Their facial expressions grow more serious.)

Teacher: I urge everyone to stand up bravely. For the victims, campus violence only spreads when we passively endure it, and it only subsides when we actively fight it. We must learn to defend our rights.

(The teacher pauses, sweeping her eyes over the three classmates. The three classmates bow their heads.)

Teacher: The aggressors must also take responsibility. If we develop the habit of avoiding consequences, we will be punished more severely under the law if we make bigger mistakes in the future.

(The class bell rings. Classmate 1 stands up first.)

Classmate 1: Teacher, I have something to say to you.

(Classmate 3 hesitates, then stands up too.)

Classmate 3: Me too.

(Classmate 2 looks at both of them incredulously, and in the presence of the teacher, eventually stands up as well but doesn’t say anything.)

The play ends.