tc1x11
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
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TEASER
FADE IN:
INT/EXT. CAR WRECK DAY
The radio blares a muffled "doo-wop" number as we float
through the wreck. From this point, we can't see if anyone
is inside or not.
The doors are twisted and bent out of shape, the bonnet is
a crumpled piece of metal and steam hisses out from under
it. Over this, we hear...
JIMMY (V.O.)
"You want me to cry and play my
part. I want you to sigh and fall
apart. We want this like everyone
else". These are the words of the
great bard, Robert Smith.
We dip into the back seats through shattered windows...
JIMMY (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Take from it what you will. It
doesn't matter, really. Just
remember how it makes you feel.
That's what's important in all of
this.
.... Into the front passenger seat, across the dashboard...
JIMMY (V.O.) (CONT'D)
When it comes down to it, the
decisions you make in life
shouldn't be based on what
someone else is telling you. They
should be based on you. What do
you feel?
.... Over the wheel and into the drivers seat in which
sits...
SHANE EVANS.
He is slumped, eyes closed, against the door frame. Blood
is smeared down the side of his face.
JIMMY (V.O.) (CONT'D)
And what the hell are you going
to do about it?
Off this...
CUT TO BLACK:
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
EXT. GARRETON ACADEMY DAY
Establishing shot.
TITLE CARD: "4 Days Ago".
SHANE (PRE-LAP)
I had this crazy dream last
night.
CUT TO:
INT. GARRETON ACADEMY HALLWAY DAY
Shane and VI MORGAN exit a classroom into the bustling
hallway. They each carry books and Vi rips open a muesli
bar handing half to Shane.
VI
Okay. You tell, I'll summon Freud
from beyond the grave.
SHANE
A robot disguised as one of the
Gilmore girls tried to sell me a
smoothie.
VI
Was it an evil robot?
SHANE
Come on, it was a Gilmore girl.
VI
But which one? Only one of them
is evil, y'know.
SHANE
I don't know. The skinny one?
They stop at Vi's locker and Shane comes around her to lean
against the wall.
VI
You just don't want to admit that
you know their names.
SHANE
Oooh, that's it. You got me.
He holds his hand over his heart feigning hurt. Vi
laughs.
ERIN (O.S.)
You got him what, Vi?
Shane and Vi look over to ERIN FOWLER who has just joined
them.
ERIN (CONT'D)
Please don't say tickets to
Cirque Du Soleil because I was
saving that for his birthday.
He punches Shane lightly in the arm.
ERIN (CONT'D)
Hey man.
SHANE
(suddenly uncomfortable)
What's up?
Erin turns to Vi and does the same a playful punch to the
arm. Vi glares and Erin cracks a grin.
ERIN
Just kidding.
He leans in and kisses her on the cheek, wrapping an arm
around her shoulders. Shane looks down, scuffing his shoes
on the floor.
VI
(to Erin)
Didn't see you in English.
ERIN
Yeah, I skipped.
VI
Ah, rebel.
ERIN
Had to finish a History paper in
the library.
VI
A rebel who's historically aware
is still a rebel.
Shane coughs awkwardly.
SHANE
Well, I've got to get to class so
I'll see you guys later.
He starts to walk away but swings back.
SHANE (CONT'D)
Vi, can I, uh, talk to you later?
It's kind of important.
Vi smiles and nods.
VI
Sure. Whenever you want.
Shane nods and disappears into the crowd.
ERIN
So, you ready for Miss York's
math quiz?
Vi closes her locker and they move down the hallway.
VI
I think the real question should
be, is Miss York's math quiz
ready for me?
(then)
To which the answer is yes
because I didn't pick up a book
all weekend.
Erin knits his brow in confusion.
ERIN
But didn't you say you had to
study? That's why we couldn't go
out.
A beat.
VI
(covering awkwardly)
Ah, well, I did study but...
with...
(beat)
Flashcards.
Erin nods.
ERIN
Oh, that's cool.
His arm slips from around her shoulders and Vi looks
briefly disappointed...
.... Until she realises his hand is now clasped around her
own.
She smiles.
ERIN (CONT'D)
Hey, isn't that your brother?
Vi follows Erin's gaze and sees CAM MORGAN cornered by two
BULLIES. He's trying to look brave but the two boys tower
over him like giants.
Vi sighs.
VI
I'll be right back.
She slips her hand out of Erin's and starts towards her
brother but Erin grabs her arm, stopping her.
ERIN
Vi I've got it.
Over at Cam, we see the boy protectively clutching a brown
paper bag to his chest.
CAM
M-m-my lunch? You want - -
BULLY #1
Your lunch, dork. Hand it over.
BULLY #2
Believe me, we're aware of the
clichι but stealing money is just
so...
BULLY #1
Impersonal?
BULLY #2
Exactly. We're not heartless
criminals, here.
Erin appears behind the shoulder of one Bully.
ERIN
Really? Could've fooled me.
The Bullies turn one grabbing onto the back of Cam's
blazer to prevent an escape.
BULLY #2
Erin Fowler.
Erin nods to each Bully in turn.
ERIN
Tweedle Dee. Tweedle Dum.
(beat; sighing)
Look, let's not make this a whole
showdown at high noon thing,
okay? Just move along and find
someone else to pick on.
They don't even have to be your
own size, really. The little
ones. Easy targets.
The Bully tightens his grip on Cam.
BULLY #1
We noticed.
ERIN
So - -
CAM
No.
The three turn to him.
CAM (CONT'D)
It's okay. They can have it.
The Bullies smile snatching the bag from Cam.
BULLY #2
See, that wasn't so hard, was it?
He nods to Erin and the two Bullies saunter away. A beat.
CAM
Probably shouldn't have done
that.
ERIN
Yeah. I don't want to get all
"after school special" on you but
giving into them isn't always the
best thing.
CAM
No, I just mean that when they
find out what was really in that
bag...
(beat)
I offered to bring in a sample of
the aerobically decomposed
remains of organic material to
science class today.
ERIN
And that is?
CAM
Compost.
Erin laughs and Cam cracks a smile as Vi approaches.
VI
Laughter. Always a good sign that
blood loss was minimal.
CAM
Vi, did you see? He - -
VI
I saw.
She smiles at Erin.
VI (CONT'D)
Big strong hero.
Overhead, the BELL RINGS. Cam pales.
CAM
Ah! I'll see you later!
ERIN
They'll be waiting for you around
the corner. I suggest you take
the stairs.
Cam looks nervously around.
ERIN (CONT'D)
(reassuring)
It's cool. I'll go with you.
Cam looks relieved and Erin gives Vi a nod as he and Cam
set off up a flight of stairs nearby.
As the hallway empties and quiets down, Vi starts off in
another direction until...
BIANCA (O.S.)
He's so amazing. You guys have no
idea.
SOPHIE (O.S.)
B, you're so lucky. And he's
blonde! Your kids are going to be
hot!
Vi steps behind a wall seconds before BIANCA PARRY, SOPHIE
GEORGE and three other GIRLS round the corner.
Bianca holds out her wrist displaying a silver charm
bracelet.
BIANCA
Lenny got this for me. He said
each charm represents a different
thing about me he loves.
Vi rolls her eyes as Bianca and the Girls enter the
bathroom. Taking a chance, Vi ducks in behind them.
CUT TO:
INT. GARRETON ACADEMY GIRL'S BATHROOM CONTINUOUS
Vi slips into a stall before the other girls even notice
her presence. She closes the door quietly peering out at
them from the gap.
Standing at the mirror, the girls begin to preen applying
lip gloss and smoothing their hair.
BIANCA
I'm just so lucky I found him,
y'know? A total breath of fresh
air after what's-his-name.
SOPHIE
Erin. Erin Fowler.
BIANCA
("Well, duh!")
I'm aware his name is Erin,
Sophie. By saying what's-his-name
instead of Erin, I was
demonstrating that I'm over him.
Get it?
A beat.
SOPHIE
No.
GIRL #1
I heard he was going with that
liquor store girl. Is that true?
BIANCA
Violet Morgan? That's true. I
really feel sorry for that girl.
Vi raises her eyebrows.
BIANCA (CONT'D)
I mean, don't get me wrong. She's
a nice girl and everything but
she's just so... slow. She can't
even see that she and Erin will
never work out. Like, it's math.
Erin is a Popular. He knows all
the right people, says all the
right things. Vi is just... not.
GIRL #2
So how long do you think they'll
last?
GIRL #1
My bet? Another week, tops.
SOPHIE
Two days more like!
Laughing, the girls take one last look at themselves in the
mirror and head out talking and gossiping all the way.
There's a beat and the stall door swings open. Vi steps out
in front of the sinks trying to take in everything she just
heard.
CRASH!
An air vent panel by the ceiling falls to the floor. Vi
whirls around frightened.
A pair of legs follows the panel and finally, a teenage boy
(16) slides his way out of the vent and drops to the floor
landing in a closed stall.
The door opens and the kid, turned away from Vi, dusts off
his blazer. He turns around and freezes.
This is WYATT DANIELS.
WYATT
'Sup?
Vi snaps out of her stupor.
VI
Where did you just come from?
Wyatt steps around her, taking out a rolled poster from the
inside of his blazer.
WYATT
Principal's Office. Through the
air vents, of course. You know, I
think I might have seen asbestos
in there. What, are they trying
to kill us with that as well as
mid-terms?
(then)
Hey, I know you. Vi, right?
VI
Yeah. And what am I supposed to
call you?
Wyatt winks at her.
WYATT
Just call me baby, sweetheart.
He pops some chewing gum out of his mouth and attaches it
to the corners of the poster. Sticking it to the mirror, he
unrolls the poster.
It's an oil painting of a distinguished gentleman.
VI
Who's that supposed to be?
Wyatt takes a permanent marker from his pocket and starts
to draw on the mirror as he talks.
WYATT
You don't know Wilhelm Garreton?
Founder of Garreton and all that
it contains including our
illustrious academy? You need to
educate yourself, child.
VI
And what are you going to do with
Wilhelm Garreton?
Wyatt steps aside to reveal that he has written above the
poster - "Wilhelm Garreton likes the ladies...".
Then he draws a speech bubble on the mirror pointing it
to Wilhelm's mouth. Inside he writes, "Very nice, very
nice! How much?".
He looks to Vi.
WYATT
Huh? Huh? Is that perfect or
what?
Vi shrugs.
VI
Kinda not. Actually.
Wyatt rolls his eyes.
WYATT
Then get outta here, Corpse
Bride. I don't need you cramping
my style.
Vi straightens up and crosses her arms over her chest.
VI
Fine. Have fun defacing school
property.
She exits as Wyatt stands back to admire his work.
CUT TO:
INT. GARRETON ACADEMY HALLWAY CONTINUOUS
The first thing Vi notices is the PRINCIPAL and school
deputy, MR DUFFY marching down the hallway all red faces
and angry glares.
Vi simply points to the girl's bathroom. The adults stop,
look from Vi to the bathroom and then swiftly move inside.
Vi turns and we catch the smile on her face before she
walks o.s.
ANDREW (PRE-LAP)
What are you so happy about?
CUT TO:
INT. THE COMPANY RECEPTION DAY
Vi walks away from the open elevator as ANDREW FRIAR meets
her in the middle of the room. Vi's smile widens.
VI
Nothing. Just... life is good.
As they start to walk towards the conference room...
ANDREW
Really? Man, I wish someone
would've told me.
VI
I'm serious. My boyfriend's all
heroic, I got back at some kid
for calling me "Corpse Bride" and
I'm not entirely sure I failed
this math quiz I didn't study
for.
ANDREW
So, good day?
VI
Good day.
Andrew pushes open the door to the conference room.
CUT TO:
INT. THE COMPANY CONFERENCE ROOM MOMENTS LATER
Vi all of a sudden not so happy looks up from a piece
of paper just handed to her by...
.... ALISTAIR BENSON.
BENSON
I don't write the assignments,
Miss Morgan.
VI
Yeah, you just hand them out so
you can witness the suffering
first hand.
She sinks down into a chair at the conference table as
Andrew steps up behind her. He leans over and plucks the
piece of paper from her hands.
ANDREW
"Fountain. 12:45". Ouch.
VI
What's with the vague? Seriously
is there somewhere I can
complain about this?
Andrew looks at his watch and drops the paper down in front
of her.
ANDREW
(heading towards the
door)
Well, if that's all, I'll just
get out of your way.
(then)
Y'know, Vi? I'll have a look
around. See if I can't scrape up
one of those comment cards.
He ducks out of the room. Vi and Benson are both fully
aware of his strange behaviour.
Vi looks to Benson and raises an eyebrow.
VI
Is he okay?
BENSON
I'm surprised you're only asking
that now.
Vi sighs pulling her assignment sheet toward her.
CUT TO:
INT. THE COMPANY CONTROL CENTRE DAY
Andrew darts around the other employees as he skips up the
set of metal stairs.
Reaching the second level, he pauses and glances into
Jenna's office.
CUT TO:
INT. THE COMPANY JENNA'S OFFICE CONTINUOUS
Where JENNA COOKE is hunched over her desk, scribbling
notes on files. Outside, Andrew quickly knocks on the door
and enters.
Jenna looks up.
JENNA
Hi, Andrew.
ANDREW
Hi.
He's suddenly nervous and we're not sure why. Neither, in
fact, is Jenna.
JENNA
Is there something I can help you
with?
ANDREW
Actually, there's something I can
help you with.
(beat; cringing)
Well... Not... But I...
He pulls a book out of the inside pocket of his jacket and
hands it to her.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
I got you something.
Jenna takes the book and looks down studying it.
ANGLE ON BOOK
It's an original hardback version of Enid Blyton's
children's book, "The Secret Island".
BACK TO SCENE
Jenna looks up at him not knowing what to say.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
It's... I thought you might like
it. I've seen you reading her
other books those Famous Five
ones when you think no one's
looking.
(quickly)
I didn't go out of my way or
anything. I was following this
assignment and he went into this
second hand book store so I... I
saw it.
He digs his hands into his pockets.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
It's about a secret island.
(beat)
Unless I'm being misled by the
title somehow.
Jenna smiles.
JENNA
Thank you, Andrew.
He smiles back.
ANDREW
You're welcome.
Off their quiet moment...
CUT TO:
EXT. STREET EVENING
Andrew's car ROARS through frame.
CUT TO:
INT. ANDREW'S CAR CONTINUOUS
Vi stares out of the passenger window as Andrew hums along
to the RADIO which plays softly in the b.g.
After a moment, Vi turns to him and props her elbow up on
the window sill. She smiles.
VI
Good day?
ANDREW
Huh?
VI
(teasing; sing-song)
I know something you don't know.
ANDREW
Violet, must you play these
childish games? I, as a far more
mature and experienced
individual, know absolutely
everything there is to know.
VI
She likes you too.
Andrew is suddenly uncomfortable.
ANDREW
I... I don't... Listen, kid - -
("Yay! A distraction!")
Oh, look! A fountain!
He points out through the windshield to a grassy square by
a row of shops. In the centre is a bubbling fountain. Vi
sits up straighter trying to get a good look.
VI
It's way past 12:45. I guess I
could ditch school and come by
tomorrow.
ANDREW
That's the kind of thing we want
to hear from Australia's youth.
She turns following the fountain as they drive past it.
Then, she looks back to Andrew.
VI
You don't think it means 12:45 at
night, do you?
Andrew shrugs and leans forward cranking up the radio.
CUT TO:
EXT. STREET CONTINUOUS
As Andrew's car whizzes out of frame, the wailing guitar
solo of the radio rock track echoes out as we...
CUT TO:
EXT. GARRETON ACADEMY COURT YARD DAY
Vi, exiting the building, tries to move inconspicuously
through groups of students as they gather to eat lunch.
She nears a narrow pathway leading around the exterior of
the building when...
SHANE (O.S.)
Vi! Wait up!
Vi visibly cringes as she turns to greet Shane but plasters
a friendly smile on as he approaches.
He holds up a brown paper bag.
SHANE (CONT'D)
Cold pizza. Wanna share?
Vi motions over her shoulder to sweet, sweet freedom.
VI
Actually, I was just...
(beat)
Sure.
They move over to an empty bench and sit down. Shane
unwraps his lunch and hands her a slice of pizza which Vi
picks at, uninterested.
Finally, their silence is broken by...
SHANE
So, Vi... I've been wanting to
talk to you about something.
VI
Yeah?
SHANE
I've kind of got this problem - -
GIGGLING, LAUGHTER and most noticeably the sound of
SPLASHING WATER is heard o.s. Vi turns.
Through the bushes behind them, we glimpse two students
(one male, one female) sitting on the edge of a fountain.
The boy splashes water playfully at the girl's feet who
squirms and laughs in joy.
Vi stands and looks down at her watch. The time instantly
ticks onto "12:45".
SHANE (CONT'D)
Vi? What are you...?
He stands and comes around the bench. Seeing the students,
he says:
SHANE (CONT'D)
Ah. It's just the Trendsetters.
He goes to sit down again having lost interest but Vi
takes a hold of his shirt sleeve, pulling him back.
VI
The what?
SHANE
Amanda Shaw and Oscar Olds. Two
of a three piece set. They're
kind of the...
I can't believe you don't know
this yet. You've been here, what,
eight months?
Vi gives him a look telling him to get back to the story.
SHANE (CONT'D)
They're known as the Trendsetters
original name, I know but
it's true. Everything they do,
everything they wear, everything
they eat becomes the next big
thing.
A beat.
SHANE (CONT'D)
(deadly serious)
They brought back high top
sneakers. No joke.
Shane sits down again, taking a bite of his pizza, while Vi
continues to watch.
Over at the fountain, someone else walks into frame.
Wyatt sits down between Amanda and Oscar. From their body
language and enthusiastic discussion these guys are
definitely friends.
VI
(darkly)
And baby makes three.
Off that, we...
CUT TO BLACK:
END OF ACT ONE
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Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.