The school hall is shown with only the boys sitting .
Each recounts his life : Akthar , a headmaster ; Crowther , a magistrate ; Timms , a drug - taking dry - cleaning manager ; and Dakin , a tax lawyer .
The school hall is shown with only the boys sitting and each recounts his life : Akthar , a headmaster ; Crowther , a magistrate ; Timms , a drug - taking dry - cleaning manager ; and Dakin , a tax lawyer .