TEASER
FADE IN:
EXT. MORGAN RESIDENCE - NIGHT
It's all so quiet. It's all so still. It's all so dark, as
well, with only a pathetic excuse for moonlight and
dithering streetlights illuminating the front of the Morgan
House.
A figure drops into view, slowly creeping towards the
house.
They get nearer; turning to the tree. The CAMERA sees the
lowest branch broken off. The ANGLE pans around to see - -
- - VIOLET MORGAN. And she looks peeved.
She glances down - -
- - The branch has been snapped and then stood up, leaning
against the tree that it was once attached to.
VI
(muttering)
Great.
She looks to the front door, and bites her lip. She mutters
something under her breath as she fishes out a set of keys
from her pocket.
She stops. Looks at the keys. Looks to the front door.
Taking a deep breath, she walks forwards, gulping as she
reaches the front porch - -
VOICE (O.S.)
Finally. I knew I could count on
you.
Vi FREEZES. Key half way up to the lock. She looks around,
tilting her head to see - -
- - PENNY MORGAN. Leaning against the other side of the
tree in a nice dress - the side of which is smeared with an
ugly grass stain.
VI
What the hell are you doing out
here?
PENNY
Waiting to see how you snuck in!
VI
I was not - -
(catches herself)
Just what the hell?
PENNY
I snapped my usual route.
Vi looks confused.
VI
Your usua - - ?
(notices broken branch)
You snapped Mikey?
PENNY
(raised eyebrow)
Mikey?
VI
Never mind. Look, I'll make a
deal with you. We sneak in, we go
our separate ways and you never
use my room as your escape route
again, okay?
PENNY
And what part of this deal
benefits me, exactly?
VI
(surprised; cutesy)
Gee, Mum! That sure is a nasty
grass stain Penny has on her
dress. I wonder how she got it?
Playing rugby?
PENNY
Fine!
And as they both move towards the front door...
PENNY (CONT'D)
Although I've got ammo against
you too, y'know.
Vi mimes taking a picture with a camera. Penny blushes and
moves past Vi to the door. Vi just rolls her eyes and holds
up the key to the lock.
A glance over to her sister sees her CRINGING and trying to
look away.
Vi PUSHES the key into the lock; twisting it. She opens the
door quietly into:
INT. MORGAN HOUSEHOLD - FRONT HALL - CONTINUOUS
Vi STEPS into near darkness. Glancing around, she listens
and after a few moments she nods behind her and Penny
slowly follows.
Vi shuts the door behind her quietly. As soon as the lock
clicks, the LIGHTS COME ON. Illuminating - -
- - CAROLINE MORGAN, standing at the top of the stairs.
There's a very uncomfortable silence.
PENNY
Vi did it.
VI
Did not.
PENNY
Did to. Saw her.
VI
She's lying.
PENNY
She's lying.
VI
She smells.
PENNY
She's worse - -
CAROLINE
ENOUGH!
Both girls SHUT UP. Caroline descends the stairs, glaring
at her two daughters.
CAROLINE (CONT'D)
Do you know what the time is?
PENNY
It's - -
CAROLINE
- - Shut up. I thought I was
making this clear about you two
going out without checking up
with me.
(beat)
Shut up, Penny.
Penny was about to say something, but stops.
CAROLINE (CONT'D)
(to Penny)
Now where the hell were you?
PENNY
At a friends house.
CAROLINE
(to Vi)
Now where were you?
Vi quickly searches for an excuse.
VI
I...I - I -
(beat)
- was on a date.
There's suddenly a SNORT of laughter from Penny.
PENNY
Oh, you were not!
VI
I was too!
Caroline doesn't look impressed.
CAROLINE
With who?
VI
Hmm?
CAROLINE
This date has one of those name
things I presume?
VI
Name. Right. One of them.
(smiles)
A-A-And-Alistair. His name was
Alistair.
Vi tries to smile sweetly but can't hide the cringe.
PENNY
You are so lying.
VI
Was more likely on a date than
you!
PENNY
Pah! I was actua - -
She suddenly catches her mum tilting her head in motherly
anti-interest.
PENNY (CONT'D)
Oh sh - -
(beat)
- - ugar.
CAROLINE
Now that's more convincing.
Penny snaps her eyes towards Vi.
PENNY
(to Vi)
I hate you.
(to Caroline)
Jake. Goes to Garreton. Nice
hair. Can I go now?
Vi laughs quietly; but stops when Caroline just glares at
her.
VI
Ahh. Um.
(beat)
Are you saying that it's hard to
believe that I might be on a
date?
Penny and Caroline then look at each other.
Vi rolls her eyes.
FADE TO BLACK.
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
INT. MORGAN HOUSEHOLD - KITCHEN - MORNING
The toaster pops up two slices of over-cooked toast as two
hands suddenly swoop in claim them as their own.
Heading over to the kitchen table with the toast, the hands
quickly land on a plate and shake with pain from the heat.
The camera follows the hands as they move upwards -
stopping in time to reveal Vi as she blows on them
tenderly.
Next to her, CAMERON 'CAM' MORGAN is eating cereal while
PETER MORGAN is reading the morning paper.
CAROLINE (O.S.)
No!
Immediately the other three family members look to the
disturbance, then to each other.
PENNY (O.S.)
Why not?
Caroline storms into the kitchen, decked out in the prize
of corporate suiting that you can get for a good price, and
wearing an annoyed expression.
CAROLINE
You aren't taking detours coming
home!
Penny storms in, almost pleading. It's quite tragic really.
Almost.
PENNY
(whiny)
But I'm seeing Jake!
CAROLINE
If you want to see Jake at 4:15,
then it better be here.
Penny opens her mouth - but stops. All she delivers back to
her mum is an evil glare before setting down at the table.
PENNY
How's the Invisible boyfriend?
VI
(distant)
Fine.
PETER
(suddenly curious)
Vi has a boyfriend? There's
boyfriend's now?
VI
I don't have a boyfriend.
PENNY
(sighs)
Dad. You must realise that all
the rare goodness went into me
and not these two.
CAROLINE (O.S.)
Penny!
Penny just bites her lower lip, taking a deep breath.
PETER
So that's a no on the boyfriend,
then?
VI
No boyfriend.
PETER
(back into paper)
Just give me warning when I'm
going to be a granddad.
CAROLINE
(horrified)
Oh, God!
She turns and leaves the room.
PENNY
(to Peter)
And why doesn't Cam get the
boyfriend talk?
Peter turns a page in the newspaper.
PETER
(oblivious)
He's eleven, Penny. He's too
young to be thinking about boys.
Vi looks to Cam who raises his eyebrows - as utterly
confused as his sisters.
CUT TO:
INT. GARRETON ACADEMY - HALLWAY - MORNING
Several hundred students move in every direction. This
creates a barely audible atmosphere and also forms quite
the obstacle for SHANE EVANS, who is trying to navigate
through the crowds.
He heads towards a row of lockers. Looking slightly
confused at the sight ahead of him...
Vi. ASLEEP against her locker. Head resting against it.
SHANE
(quietly)
Uhh...Vi?
Nothing.
SHANE (CONT'D)
(gentle poke)
Hello?
He PUSHES her. She snaps awake.
VI
(small smile)
Hmm - Stop that Brad...
SHANE
Vi?
Her eyes SHOOT open, her head still at an angle against the
lockers. Making eye contact.
VI
I wasn't asleep! Honest.
SHANE
Whatever you say.
Vi gulps and smiles nervously. Straightening up. She leans
closer towards him.
VI
I wasn't mumbling, was I?
SHANE
You were as quiet as a...really
quiet not-sleeper person.
VI
I've just been really busy the
past few days.
They begin to walk down the corridor.
SHANE
Doing what?
VI
(quickly)
Stuff.
SHANE
Ahh 'stuff'.
VI
I just haven't been getting
enough sleep.
SHANE
Late night vodka parties?
VI
Your invitation was probably lost
in the mail.
The CAMERA remains fixed as they walk away - revealing
BIANCA PARRY rummaging around in her locker. She talks to
her friend ANG, who seems to be nodding at regular
intervals and not at the right time.
BIANCA
(searching in locker)
... But I'm not sure what to get
him, though.
ANG
Well, don't they have special
anniversary gifts at really
expensive places?
BIANCA
(pauses)
Too predictable. I want to
surprise him. You know? Like "Bam
- you never saw that coming".
ANG
What's "that"?
BIANCA
(blinks twice)
Nothing. Yet. That's actually the
whole point of this conversation.
ANG
Jewelry! Expensive jewelry.
BIANCA
He's a guy, not a middle aged
trophy wife. Besides, I just said
that - -
(sighs)
- - Never mind.
ANG
Go to some place that sells gold
things; engrave it with "best two
months we've had," and put it
into one of those nice boxes that
open - -
BIANCA
Excuse me? Two months? It's,
like, six... Or something.
ANG
What? No it's not!
BIANCA
Ang... I'm a hundred and infinity
percent sure that it's six
months.
ANG
It's not!
BIANCA
It is!
ANG
Is not!
BIANCA
Oh, piss off.
Suddenly Bianca JUMPS as arms wrap around her waist. It's
ERIN FOWLER, and he rests his chin on her shoulder.
ERIN
Ladies.
BIANCA
Ang was just leaving to find four
missing months.
(beat; to Ang)
Well?
Ang goes to say something, but just turns around and walks
away - trying to process several different things at once
with extreme difficulty.
When she leaves, Bianca turns around and gives Erin a quick
kiss.
BIANCA (CONT'D)
Hey.
ERIN
Howdy.
They just smile as Bianca goes through her locker again.
ERIN (CONT'D)
You should really cut back on
that meanness thing. Not good for
the soul, apparently.
BIANCA
(rolls eyes)
Okay, I'll stop.
She takes out a text book and closes the locker. As they
start to move down the hallway...
BIANCA (CONT'D)
Are we booked?
ERIN
Yep.
BIANCA
Is it that place that's a
surprise that I guess correctly?
ERIN
Uhh, no.
BIANCA
Huh?
ERIN
Surprise?
BIANCA
(warning)
Erin... I don't like mind games.
She takes her arm and pulls her to a stop - out of the rush
of people.
ERIN
Uhh... Actually I'm trying to
stall telling you that... It's
The Windy Calm.
BIANCA
(disappointed)
The Windy Calm?
ERIN
Look; I know you don't like it -
BIANCA
- It's full of tourists!
ERIN
(hopeful)
I know... But there's a great
romantic view of the beach at the
table we're at...
Bianca sighs.
BIANCA
You know, don't even worry about.
It's a special occasion - I'll
make an exception.
She smiles. As does Erin. A bell RINGS in the distance,
signifying the beginning of lessons and they move off.
CUT TO:
EXT. GARRETON ACADEMY - LUNCH COURT - LATER
Shane sits on top of a small picnic table, writing something
into a small note pad while Vi across from him eating a
sandwich.
Shane casts a conscious eye towards Vi. Something's
bothering him.
SHANE
You sure you're okay?
VI
Look, I'm fine.
SHANE
Okay - but if I ever fall asleep
at my locker, you need to force
feed me coffee via a funnel.
VI
I'll note that down.
Vi notices that he's writing; while Shane looks away -
spotting something out of the corner of his eye.
VI (CONT'D)
What are you writing, anyway?
Shane hasn't heard her, to busy looking at something - -
- - BUSHES. Around twenty feet ahead of them, bordering the
lunch court. Someone's moving.
VI (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Shane?
Shane moves his head - someone's definitely there.
VI (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Hello? Are you listening?
Nothing.
VI (O.S) (CONT'D)
You know, there's a lot you don't
know about me.
Still nothing.
VI (O.S.) (CONT'D)
For instance, I once was intimate
with a forty-year-old-biker.
Shane narrows his eyes. He's caught him.
VI (O.S.) (CONT'D)
His name was Wilma. He liked
Michelle Branch.
(beat)
And her shoes. He bought a pair
on e-bay. Drooled on them all the
time...
SHANE
Huh?
(looks to her)
What?
VI
The "Are You Listening?" test.
You failed.
Shane keeps an eye at the bushes when he turns to Vi.
SHANE
(quickly)
Something about Lesbian Biker
fetishes and drooling on shoes. I
didn't want to scare you but
there's some weird guy watching
you from behind the bushes.
VI
(turns)
What? Where?
Suddenly a teenage boy around Vi's age JUMPS out and RUNS.
SHANE
(relieved)
Ooh! Don't worry. T'is only
Jesse.
VI
And Jesse would be... ?
SHANE
He's in our art class.
(thinks)
Y'know - the guy who was taking
the pictures of your shoes under
the table for his photography
project?
VI
Those were MY shoes? And I
shouldn't worry because... ?
SHANE
He's not dangerous or anything.
(beat)
At least not yet.
VI
Right. So, my shoes are safe?
Shane grimaces.
VI (CONT'D)
(changes subject)
So, what are you writing?
Shane looks at his note pad.
SHANE
Ahh, this!
(taps pad)
This, is the Patent Pending Shane
Evans Observational Commentary
O'Matic. Version Three.
(off Vi's look, coughs)
Lyric book. I managed to get
Jimmy to let me have a "jamming
session" at Wicker on the
weekend.
VI
I didn't know you had a band.
He goes into his bag and pulls out a flyer and gives it to
Vi.
It's advertising auditions at Wicker Records.
SHANE
Want to help audition tonight?
VI
Sure.
(slaps head)
No! I can't. Sorry.
Mum has inflicted a new dictator
like rule which means I have to
be home by a certain time or
she'll call out the police.
SHANE
Don't you have to be missing for
24 hours?
VI
You think the Police will put up
with my mum's nagging for that
long?
SHANE
Point.
Vi just shakes her head.
CUT TO:
EXT. GARRETON ACADEMY - FRONT LAWN - AFTERNOON
Vi walks down the school gates, school bag in hand and
stops...
VI
You have got to be kidding me.
It's ANDREW FRIAR, sitting on the bonnet of his car. He
looks up; sees Vi through sunglasses and takes them off,
jumping to his feet.
ANDREW
How was school?
VI
Fine until you showed up.
ANDREW
Hey, don't be hatin'. We have a
meeting.
Vi just sighs and reaches the passenger side. Andrew opens
his door, and leans on the roof.
VI
And why do I never know about
these meetings before you show
up? I mean, after that whole
"Sign" debacle - it's not like
I'll not go.
ANDREW
Check your phone.
Vi pulls her mobile phone out and turns it on. Appearing on
the screen are the words, "37 New Messages".
She clicks into the messages option. Each message reads,
"From: The Company". Clicking into one, it reads:
"Meeting".
VI
Oh.
(beat)
But doesn't The Company have laws
over the general Mummy-Has-Spoken
rule?
ANDREW
Just do what I do. Pretend.
He gets in, leaving Vi confused as she goes into:
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