TEASER
FADE IN:
INT. MORGAN RESIDENCE - FRONT YARD - AFTERNOON
It's late. Almost sundown.
A shape moves across the drive way -- VI MORGAN, our
protagonist. She wears her school uniform and carries a
back pack.
INT. MORGAN RESIDENCE - FRONT HALL - MOMENTS LATER
The door opens and Vi enters. She shuts the door and shrugs
off her bag.
VI
(calling)
I'm...
Turning, she falters. CAROLINE MORGAN stands at the bottom
of the stairs.
VI (CONT'D)
(quiet)
... home.
CAROLINE
Vi, what have I always said is
the most important thing?
VI
Breakfast?
Caroline frowns.
VI (CONT'D)
You really should watch those
Arrested Development DVDs, Mum.
(beat)
Most important thing -- family.
Duh.
Vi moves past her into the...
INT. MORGAN RESIDENCE - KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
And heads straight for the fridge. Caroline steps into the
doorway.
CAROLINE
More specifically, dinner with
your family. Which you missed.
Still digging around in the fridge, Vi glances at her
watch.
VI
Mum, it's six o'clock.
As she straightens up:
VI (CONT'D)
Who eats dinner at --
Caroline's right next to her. She snaps the fridge closed.
Vi sighs.
VI (CONT'D)
It's a Friday night. I figured
you wouldn't mind if I stayed out
a little later. Anyway, I wasn't
doing anything fun if you're
worried about me still being
grounded. I was doing homework
with Shane.
CAROLINE
Here's the thing, Vi. I called
Shane. Now, he tried to cover for
you as best he could but I'm a
mother -- more specifically,
Penny's mother -- and I know when
a teenage boy is lying to me.
Vi gulps. Busted.
CAROLINE (CONT'D)
Is is a boy?
VI
No! But, I have one if that's
what you're referring to.
(off Caroline's blank
look)
You met him, remember?
CAROLINE
Vi, I think I would --
VI
I wasn't doing anything wrong,
okay? I just... I don't want to
talk about it.
She steps past Caroline and exits the room.
INT. MORGAN RESIDENCE - FRONT HALL - CONTINUOUS
Caroline, again, follows her. Vi heaves up her school bag
and starts up the stairs.
CAROLINE
But you never want to talk, Vi.
Vi stops, halfway up.
CAROLINE (CONT'D)
You still haven't given me any
indication as to why you tore up
your father's book. I just... I
need you to open up to me.
There's a sad beat.
VI
You wouldn't understand.
She moves upstairs. After a moment, Vi's bedroom door is
heard CLOSING.
Off Caroline's disappointment...
INT. MORGAN RESIDENCE - PETER'S STUDY - LATER
PETER MORGAN sits at his computer while Caroline paces in
front of him, frustrated.
CAROLINE
She's going to end up in prison,
Peter. Or dead. Again. And then
everybody's going to blame me.
They always blame the mother. Not
enough discipline, too many
violent movies, not enough
vitamins, too much sugar -- Ugh!
She puts her hands over her face. Peter stands and comes
around his desk. He hugs her.
PETER
She's a good girl. If anything,
it's my fault. She's only been
acting out for attention. Ever
since we moved, I just haven't
been there for her.
Caroline pulls back. Wipes her eyes.
CAROLINE
You really think that's it?
PETER
That or she's a secret alcoholic.
Peter grins and Caroline whacks him in the chest.
CAROLINE
I just hope she's in a better
mood tomorrow.
Peter's comforting smile drops.
CAROLINE (CONT'D)
(off his look)
You do know what tomorrow is,
don't you?
(reproachful)
Peter!
Peter winces. He slinks away from her, back to his desk.
CAROLINE (CONT'D)
You don't remember your own
daughter's birthday?
Confusion crosses Peter's face -- which daughter?
CAROLINE (CONT'D)
Vi's birthday!
It clicks.
PETER
I knew that.
CAROLINE
We need to get her out of the
house to set up for the surprise
party. Maybe --
PETER
(quickly; eager)
I can do it.
CAROLINE
What?
Peter stands, excited.
PETER
Yeah, it'll be like a daddy
daughter day. Making up for all
that lack of attention.
Caroline pats his shoulder.
CAROLINE
Well, good luck. You're going to
need it.
She exits. Peter's smile falters slightly.
INT. MORGAN RESIDENCE - VI'S ROOM - SAME
Vi sits on her bed reading a text book. We COME AROUND the
book to see something hidden inside.
A copy of Peter's manuscript.
Vi sadly closes the text book. She shuffles down, resting
her head on the pillow, and rolls over.
She hugs the book to her chest and stares out of the
window...
FADE TO BLACK.
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
INT. MORGAN RESIDENCE – VI'S ROOM – MORNING
ANGLE ON VI
Lying motionless. In a deep sleep.
Some sort of rolled multi-coloured paper tube edges into
frame. It creeps closer until it's by her ear.
Then, it unrolls with an obnoxious SHRIEK.
ANGLE ON SCENE
Vi jolts awake. Peter, grinning, sits on Vi's bed. He
lowers the party noise maker from his lips.
PETER
Happy Birthday, Vi-Pie.
Vi takes a beat. A very long beat. Finally...
VI
What?
Peter jumps up.
PETER
It's your seventeenth birthday,
kiddo.
Vi ignores him.
VI
What time is it?
PETER
It's fun-time, sport.
VI
Okay, stop with the nicknames.
PETER
Sure thing, princess.
Vi glares. She leans over to her bedside table and picks up
her mobile phone. She checks the time.
A beat. She lowers the phone -- horrified.
VI
It's five o'clock in the morning.
(beat)
Are you insane?
PETER
Well, we have to beat the line
don't we?
VI
What line?
Off this, cut to...
INT. THE HAPPY VAMPIRE – DAY
The place is empty except for Vi and Peter sitting in a
booth by the window. They eat breakfast.
Vi, still struggling to wake up, sips her juice.
Peter, sitting across from her, is taking bites of his
scrambled eggs while sifting through a multitude of
pamphlets and flyers.
VI
So. This birthday thing...
(beat)
It's really gonna take all day?
PETER
Yep. Just the two of us. Thought
we could really spend some
quality Vi and Peter time.
VI
And we don't do enough of that at
home?
PETER
Well, you're always off doing...
whatever it is that you do and
then there's me and my writing
which is going a lot slower
since...
An awkward silence settles between them. Peter whips up a
pamphlet.
PETER (CONT'D)
How does the aquarium sound?
VI
Dad...
PETER
(another pamphlet)
Or the nature reserve. We could
go hiking!
VI
Dad...
PETER
(a flyer)
Ooh! The kite festival is in
town!
VI
Dad!
He stops. Looks at her nervously.
VI (CONT'D)
Does this mean you forgive me?
Peter smiles.
PETER
Of course I forgive you, Vi-Pie.
Vi doesn't look convinced. Peter's back to the pamphlets.
PETER (CONT'D)
So, kite festival. Yes or no?
Vi gulps down her juice.
INT. THE COMPANY – RECEPTION – DAY
With a CHIME, the elevator doors open and ALISTAIR BENSON
strides into the room. He carries a briefcase.
He smiles at GLENDA MORRISON who's shrugging off her
cardigan behind the reception desk.
BENSON
Morning, Glenda.
GLENDA
Good morning, sir. Oh, I have to
tell you --
BENSON
I just have to get settled. I'll
be back.
GLENDA
But this is about --
Benson smiles at her dismissivly and pushes open the door
to his office.
INT. THE COMPANY – BENSON'S OFFICE – CONTINUOUS
Benson stops. There's somebody already inside.
A HEAD OFFICE REPRESENTATIVE (male, mid-30s, well dressed)
sits in Benson's chair.
Benson sternly comes around the desk and places his
briefcase on top.
HEAD OFFICE REP
(studying briefcase)
Hmm, nice. Sturdy, well crafted,
excellent hand grip. Italian?
Benson raises an eyebrow. The Head Office Rep stands. Holds
out his hand.
HEAD OFFICE REP (CONT'D)
I'm sorry, how rude of me. It's
an honour to meet you, Mr.
Benson. I'm from Head Office.
Benson doesn't shake his hand.
BENSON
My chair.
HEAD OFFICE REP
Yes, of course.
He steps aside. Motions to the chair.
HEAD OFFICE REP (CONT'D)
Have a seat.
Benson sits down, moving his briefcase to the floor, as the
Head Office Rep comes around the desk.
BENSON
Is there something I can do for
you, Mr...
HEAD OFFICE REP
Peter Morgan. I was just curious
as to how his case was coming
along. Your reports, Mr. Benson,
have been woefully neglected.
Benson clears his throat.
BENSON
Cases like this are very, well,
delicate. And given that the
threat of a security leak has
been dealt with, I made an
executive decision not to proceed
with the investigation.
There's a long, tense beat. The Head Office Rep smiles.
HEAD OFFICE REP
That's all well and good, Mr.
Benson, but now I am making an
executive decision. Begin the
investigation or Head Office may
be forced to replace you with
someone who will.
He lets this threat hang in the air for a moment.
HEAD OFFICE REP (CONT'D)
Have a nice day.
He exits.
Benson lets out a breath, suddenly seeming very small and
powerless.
INT. MORGAN RESIDENCE – LIVING ROOM – DAY
Caroline bustles around the room, a washing basket under one
arm. She haphazard flings clothes and other out-of-place
objects into the basket.
CAROLINE
(calling)
Penny! Bring in the vacuum
cleaner after you've finished!
There's no response. Caroline pauses.
CAROLINE (CONT'D)
(louder)
Penny!
PENNY (O.S.)
(faint; exasperated)
Okay! God!
There's a KNOCK at the front door.
Sighing in frustration, Caroline walks into the front
hall...
INT. MORGAN RESIDENCE – FRONT HALL – MOMENTS LATER
... And opens the door to reveal SHANE EVANS. He stands on
the front porch with a hopeful smile and a pair of movie
vouchers.
CAROLINE
Oh. Hello, Shane.
SHANE
Hi, Mrs. Morgan. Is, um, is Vi
home?
CAROLINE
She's not, actually.
Shane's smile drops.
SHANE
Oh, okay.
Caroline eyes the movie vouchers.
CAROLINE
Did you two have plans?
SHANE
No. I just... I found these in my
room and they expire next week
and, well, it was either this or
going furniture shopping with my
mother. So...
CAROLINE
Here you are.
SHANE
Here I am.
There's an awkward pause.
CAROLINE
Vi's not here.
SHANE
Oh, right. You said. I guess I'll
just...
Shane turns to go.
CAROLINE
It's her birthday today.
Shane turns back, surprised.
SHANE
Wait. What?
CAROLINE
It's her --
SHANE
Yeah. I... I heard but it's
just... she didn't say anything.
CAROLINE
That's not surprising. She's
never been big on the tradition.
Caroline thinks for a moment and then holds the door open.
CAROLINE (CONT'D)
Would you like to come in?
Shane gives her a grateful smile and moves forward.
INT. MORGAN RESIDENCE – LIVING ROOM – DAY
Caroline and Shane enter.
CAM MORGAN is perched precariously on the back of the
couch. He tapes some sheets of paper along the top of
window frame -- each with a single letter. So far the
banner reads, "H-A-P-P-Y".
SHANE
Looks, uh, good.
CAM
A little crude but I think it
gets the sentiment across.
One of the P's falls down.
Shane nods to the vacuum cleaner by the door.
SHANE
Need some help cleaning up?
CAROLINE
Oh, good. She brought it in. Cam,
where's Penny?
CAM
Figuring out what she's going to
wear tonight.
CAROLINE
(sarcastic)
Wonderful.
She sits down on the couch. This causes Cam to topple down
beside her -- landing safely on the cushions.
CAROLINE (CONT'D)
Some surprise party this is going
to be.
Cam, once optimistic, seems to give up as well. He tosses
the other sheets of paper onto the floor.
SHANE
Well... I know what could spice
it up a little.
Caroline looks up at him, hopeful.
CAROLINE
Really? What?
SHANE
How do you feel about a change of
venue?
Off this, cut to...
INT. WICKER RECORDS – MAIN FLOOR – DAY
JIMMY EVANS stands behind the front counter, scanning CDs
for a male CUSTOMER.
JIMMY
No, no, no and no.
Shane leans forward, throwing out his best attempt at
"puppy eyes".
SHANE
Please, Jimmy.
JIMMY
Yeah, okay.
SHANE
Really?
JIMMY
No.
He stops scanning and turns his full attention to Shane.
JIMMY (CONT'D)
When have I ever given you the
impression that Wicker Records is
simply another set for the
teenage soap opera that has
become your life? I'm trying to
run a business here.
CUSTOMER
Hey, can you just --
SHANE
The party will start after you
close. We just need today to set
up.
JIMMY
And how do you think the
customer's will take that? "Oh,
don't mind us. We're just setting
up for a party to which you are
not invited".
Shane turns to the increasingly impatient Customer.
SHANE
Will you feel left out?
CUSTOMER
I just want my CDs.
SHANE
(to Jimmy)
And I promise I'll clean up
after.
JIMMY
I don't -- Gah. Shane. Seriously.
No.
TABITHA (O.S.)
Oh, come on Jamison.
TABITHA McMILLAN steps up to the counter. She wears an
apron and picks at a plain scone.
TABITHA (CONT'D)
Let the boy have his party.
Jimmy turns to her. Thinks. He looks back at Shane. At
Tabitha again. He sighs.
JIMMY
(to Shane)
You are personally patting down
every guest before they leave. I
am not losing a months worth of
stock for this.
He snatches the scone from Tabitha. Glares. Leaves. Shane
turns to Tabitha.
SHANE
I don't get it.
TABITHA
Don't get what?
SHANE
It's like you've got this weird
power over him. He even lets you
call him Jamison.
Tabitha shrugs.
TABITHA
I think it's called "having
boobs".
Shane raises his eyebrows as Tabitha moves away. A beat.
CUSTOMER
You know, I think I'll just try
HMV.
Leaving the CDs, the Customer moves for the exit.
He holds open the door for Caroline, Cam and PENNY MORGAN
who enter. They each carry large bags from a party supply
store.
Shane turns to them.
SHANE
Hey, I talked to my cousin. He
said it's cool to have the party
here.
CAROLINE
Fantastic.
(looking around)
This place is great. Very hip.
Don't you think so, Cam?
Cam lowers his bag and takes a look around. His face pales
in fear.
CAM
It's... great.
(beat; muttered)
Just great.
He raises the bag of party supplies again, hiding his face.
EXT. PARK – DAY
Peter and Vi walk slowly along the path. Peter is trying to
stay cheerful while Vi is less than enthusiastic.
Peter points ahead of them.
PETER
Look! The swings are free.
Vi looks over to a small playground.
PETER (CONT'D)
Wanna go?
Vi takes a moment. Forces a smile.
VI
Sure.
Her mobile phone BEEPS. Vi pulls it out of her pocket. She
checks the screen.
ANGLE ON PHONE
The message reads, "Meeting".
BACK TO VI
VI (CONT'D)
(to Peter)
You go ahead.
(re: phone)
It's Shane. He wants me to call
him.
Peter jogs ahead.
PETER
Don't take too long!
As Vi moves off the path, she dials a number. Someone on
the other end picks up.
VI
(into phone)
Jenna? It's Vi.
INTERCUT WITH:
INT. THE COMPANY – CONTROL CENTRE – SAME
JENNA COOKE, talking into an ear piece, moves around the
room.
She's busy -- checking files that EMPLOYEES hand her,
signing forms and monitoring the huge wall sized screen of
information.
JENNA
Hey, Vi. What's going on?
VI
I can't make the meeting. Can you
just give me my assignment over
the phone?
JENNA
Well, I don't know. I mean,
Benson wants to talk to you.
VI
(worried)
Oh, man.
JENNA
It's probably nothing.
VI
Nothing like "Hey, I changed my
mind about letting your dad live.
The assassins will be there in
five".
JENNA
Violet...
VI
Please, Jenna. Can't you just
hold him off for a little while?
(beat)
It's my birthday.
Jenna sighs. Vi has won her over.
JENNA
Fine.
She flips through some pages on her clipboard. Stopping on
one, she scans it.
JENNA (CONT'D)
You've got to find the "Garden of
Eden". Whatever that is.
VI
Got it. Garden of Eden. Thanks.
JENNA
Oh and Vi? Happy --
Vi flips her phone closed, not hearing her.
JENNA (CONT'D)
-- Birthday.
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