tc2x08
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
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TEASER
FADE IN:
INT. PUBLIC LIBRARY - NIGHT
The main area is empty aside from a LIBRARIAN who sits
behind the desk, stamping books.
We MOVE into the STACKS. Reaching a T-junction, we turn
left.
VI MORGAN and ERIN FOWLER, dressed in their school
uniforms, are sitting on the floor at the end - making out.
Vi pulls away, breathless.
VI
We should really get back to
work.
ERIN
It's Friday. No school tomorrow.
VI
It's Wednesday.
ERIN
See what you do to me?
He smiles at her. Vi blushes. She picks up a novel. We
notice that there's text books and papers spread out around
them.
VI
Seriously, come on.
Erin sighs. He picks up a notebook and pen. He presses the
pen to paper... and stops. He turns, watching Vi as she
reads.
ERIN
Don't you have homework?
VI
(re: novel)
This is my homework.
ERIN
Oh, yeah. You got it easy. You're
in Mr. Parker's class again this
year. Man, I can't believe they
moved me.
VI
Probably because all you did was
sit in the back reading comics.
ERIN
I'm sorry if I assumed reading in
English class was generally okay.
Vi laughs. Dropping his pen and paper, Erin shuffles closer
to her.
ERIN (CONT'D)
Read to me.
VI
Erin!
ERIN
Please? I'm hurt.
He pushes back his hair to reveal a large purple bruise on
his forehead. Vi smiles grimly and looks uncomfortable.
VI
I, ah, I can't believe you
tripped down the stairs. That's
the last time I invite you to a
book launch.
ERIN
You think I'll "launch" myself
off the roof, next time?
Erin laughs as Vi rolls her eyes. Then, he nudges her. Nods
towards her book.
ERIN (CONT'D)
Well, go on then.
Vi smiles and settles back.
VI
(reads)
Atticus said to Jem, "I'd rather
you shot at tin cans in the back
yard, but I know you'll go after
birds. Shoot all the bluejays you
want, if you can hit 'em, but
remember..."
Erin gently takes the book away. As it slips out of her
grasp:
ERIN
"It's a sin to kill a
mockingbird".
VI
You've read this before.
ERIN
Cover to cover.
He kisses her deeply. They slowly lie down, until Erin is
practically on top of her. Vi grips his shirt, pulling him
closer to her.
It almost seems they might die for lack of air when:
LIBRARIAN (O.S.)
Ahem.
The teens stop and slowly turn their heads.
The Librarian stands in front of them. Her arms folded
sternly. Vi, still clinging to Erin, smiles weakly.
VI
So... Closing time?
EXT. PUBLIC LIBRARY - NIGHT
Vi and Erin are in front of the library steps.
Vi has her mobile phone pressed to ear. She paces
impatiently.
INT. MORGAN RESIDENCE - MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT
The room is lit only by the bedside lamp. From downstairs,
the TELEPHONE RINGS.
PETER MORGAN doesn't move. He lies in bed, awake. Empty
eyes staring up at nothing.
EXT. PUBLIC LIBRARY - NIGHT
Disappointed, Vi hangs up.
ERIN
Busy?
VI
No answer. I think he forgot.
Vi sighs and sits down on the steps. Erin sits down next to
her.
ERIN
You should go for your driver's
licence.
VI
What's the point? My parents
drive, you drive, Andr --
(beat)
You drive.
(beat)
I'm only seventeen. Like I said,
what's the point?
THUNDER RUMBLES, low and ominous. A few warning drops of
rain splash to the ground.
Vi and Erin look up at the impending downpour.
INT. ROAD AND TRAFFIC AUTHORITY - DAY
Vi enters, nervously clutching a handful of papers. ANDREW
FRIAR is at her side. He's still got the cut along his jaw
line. It's healing but still noticeable.
ANDREW
Wow, it's been forever since I've
been in here.
They join the end of the line, stretching to a row of bank
teller-like counters at one end of the room.
On the wall beside them is a poster. It's of a bird, prison
bars painted over its face. Text across the bottom reads,
"Bribing a testing officer is an offence!".
Andrew studies it. He grins.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
Check it out. This bird is in
jail for bribery.
VI
So?
ANDREW
It's a bird!
(beat)
Do you think they'd sell me this?
VI
Andrew, please. I'm trying to
concentrate.
ANDREW
Hey, don't freak out. You'll do
fine. You sit down, punch some
buttons. You know that the red
light means stop, right?
VI
Yes.
ANDREW
There you go, you already know
more than half of these losers.
A BELL CHIMES. A testing officer, a friendly looking WOMAN
in her thirties, smiles from behind her counter.
WOMAN
Next, please!
Andrew hangs back as Vi quickly steps up to the counter.
VI
Hi. My name's Violet Morgan.
She pushes the papers across the counter, along with her
passport - open to show her ID photo.
VI (CONT'D)
I'd like to sit my Driver
Knowledge Test, please?
The Woman smiles. She punches Vi's details into the
computer.
WOMAN
Sure, thing, sweetie. First time?
VI
Yes.
WOMAN
Don't worry. Even if you don't
pass it now, you can come back
tomorrow. As many times as it
takes.
VI
Good to know.
The computer BEEPS. The Woman looks at the screen. She
frowns.
VI (CONT'D)
Is there something wrong?
The friendly woman is no longer very friendly as she shoves
Vi's passport back to her.
WOMAN
I'm sorry, Miss Morgan. Seems
that you aren't able to take your
test today.
VI
What? Why not? I brought in my
photo ID, I studied, I --
WOMAN
People who cheat aren't welcome
back for at least six weeks.
VI
Cheat?! I haven't even -- Andrew!
Andrew appears, clutching the poster from the wall. Eyes
wide, he looks from Vi to the Woman.
ANDREW
What?
Off his feigned innocence and Vi's confusion...
CUT TO BLACK:
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
INT. WICKER RECORDS - DAY
Vi enters, heading straight for JIMMY EVANS at the front
counter.
VI
Hey, Jimmy --
He grabs a stack of CDs and shoves them at her. Vi takes
them, startled. Jimmy takes another pile.
JIMMY
New stock in today.
She follows him further into the store where they reach an
empty display. They each place the CDs onto it.
VI
Shane's not around to help?
JIMMY
Nope.
VI
Oh. Because I wanted to talk to
about something. The weirdest
thing happened to me today --
JIMMY
Yeah, yeah. That's great but I'm
not Shane two point oh, okay? Go
peddle your sob story somewhere
else.
TABITHA McMILLAN steps up beside them. She snakes an arm
around Jimmy's waist.
TABITHA
He really knows how to charm a
girl, doesn't he?
VI
I can see why you like him.
TABITHA
To be honest, I'm just in it for
the sex.
Jimmy, intent on keeping his bad mood, shoves the remaining
CDs onto the display and stalks off. Tabitha turns to Vi.
TABITHA (CONT'D)
Sorry about that. He's been a bit
weird since Shane left.
VI
Shane... What?
TABITHA
He went to stay with his dad for
awhile. He didn't tell you?
VI
No. He... When's he coming back?
Tabitha shrugs apologetically.
INT. THE COMPANY - INTERROGATION ROOM - DAY
DOC, dressed in a pair of plain grey track pants and a
white t-shirt, sits at the steel table, his hands cuffed.
We PULL BACK to see GABRIELLE DAUTRY standing on the other
side of the table.
GABRIELLE
You think this is a game? You
think I'm being funny?
She leans in, getting right in Doc's face.
GABRIELLE (CONT'D)
I can arrange for your transfer
to a Company prison and, believe
me, you won't be quite so
comfortable. You can look forward
to spending the rest of your
freakishly long life in solitary
confinement...
Still MOVING BACK, we slip through the two-way mirror...
INT. THE COMPANY - OBSERVSATION ROOM - NEXT
On the other side, ALISTAIR BENSON watches the show. The
SPEAKER is on.
GABRIELLE
(filtered)
... Unless you tell me who you're
working with.
DOC
(filtered; tired)
For the last time. No one.
Gabrielle straightens up. She slowly walks around behind
him... And exits the room.
A few seconds later, she enters the observation room. She
comes to stand beside Benson.
GABRIELLE
He's lying.
BENSON
I'm not so sure.
GABRIELLE
No disrespect, sir, but who's the
head of security here?
Benson hides a smile.
GABRIELLE (CONT'D)
I'd like your permission to try
another interrogation tactic.
Something a little more... hands
on.
BENSON
No.
GABRIELLE
But, sir --
BENSON
I believe that Doc is telling the
truth. Let's leave it at that,
shall we?
As he turns, he pats her on the shoulder. Benson exits.
Gabrielle turns back to the window, smouldering. She stares
through at Doc, who is exhausted yet calm.
INT. THE COMPANY - RECEPTION - DAY
Vi and Andrew emerge from the elevator, in the middle of a
conversation.
ANDREW
All I'm saying is why worry about
it? In six weeks, you probably
won't even want to take the test
anyway.
VI
But this person - whoever they
are - is out there pretending to
be me. I'm allowed to be a little
freaked, Andrew.
ANDREW
Maybe it's your evil twin?
Vi narrows her eyes at him, suspicious.
VI
Someone's changed their tune.
Weren't you the one telling me
that I should go for it? That it
was going to be easy?
ANDREW
Hey, just because something's
easy doesn't mean you should go
for it. Take Diana, for example.
He looks around the room.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
Damn it.
He prods Vi with his elbow.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
Remind me to say that next time
she's around.
JENNA COOKE enters from the hallway. She joins them.
As she hands Vi a piece of paper:
JENNA
Here's your assignment.
Andrew and Vi wait expectantly.
JENNA (CONT'D)
Oh, and hi.
(beat)
So, what are you two talking
about?
ANDREW
Vi has an evil twin.
JENNA
That's ridiculous.
Vi looks down at her assignment. She freezes. Andrew looks
over her shoulder.
ANGLE ON PAPER
Two words. A name. "Violet Morgan".
ANGLE ON SCENE
Andrew looks back up at Jenna.
ANDREW
Wanna bet?
INT. ANDREW'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Vi sits on the couch, nervously bobbing her knees. The
front door opens and she stands quickly.
Andrew enters. He's dressed in a navy blue jumpsuit.
VI
(sarcastic)
Wow. Nice disguise, Andrew.
ANDREW
(not getting it)
I know, right?
He turns in a circle, modeling the "Bernie's Electricians"
patch on the back.
VI
You'd get into NASA, at least.
It finally clicks and Andrew glares. Vi hides a smile.
VI (CONT'D)
So, I'm guessing the fact that
you're not in jail is a good
sign?
ANDREW
What? Oh, yeah, the mission!
He unzips the jumpsuit and pulls out a tape. He pops it
into the VCR.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
I had to do some quick talking
but I found out what day Evil Vi
took the test.
He and Vi sit down on the couch.
VI
Can we stop calling her that?
ANDREW
No.
Andrew grabs the remote and starts the tape.
It's security camera footage of the Road and Traffic
Authority.
VI
What kind of talking, exactly? I
mean, how do you get that kind of
information?
ANDREW
"Hey, I smell fresh baked cookies
coming from the break room" kinda
talking. Got me alone with the
computer, found the right date,
swiped the corresponding tape.
Vi smiles, impressed.
VI
You're actually pretty smooth
when you want to be.
ANDREW
Should I be offended by how
surprised you sound?
Vi laughs, shaking her head. They both turn to the tape as
it plays through.
They stare at it intently for a long, long beat. Finally:
ANDREW (CONT'D)
So, what exactly are we looking
for?
VI
No idea.
FADE TO:
INT. ANDREW'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - LATER
Andrew has changed into his normal clothes. He's sitting
sideways on an armchair, his legs hooked over the arm rest.
Vi sits on the floor, trailing a shoelace for Andrew's cat.
As her eyes are glued to the TV, she doesn't notice that
the cat is not all that interested in the game.
Andrew sighs.
ANDREW
This is boring.
VI
And you saying that for the
hundredth time doesn't make it
any less boring.
Andrew sits up. He bounces on the chair a little.
ANDREW
(peppy)
Let's talk about something.
VI
We're trying to solve a mystery.
ANDREW
We can talk and solve a mystery
at the same time.
Vi turns to him.
VI
Did this suddenly become a
slumber party? Are you going to
start braiding my hair?
Andrew picks at a loose thread on the arm rest.
ANDREW
I just feel like we should talk
about, you know, stuff.
VI
Like?
ANDREW
Stuff.
VI
Yeaaaah...
(beat)
Or we could watch the tape.
She turns back to the screen.
ANDREW
Vi...
There's a sad beat. Vi doesn't shift to look at him.
VI
Everything's okay. Or at least,
it will be.
(beat)
I guess I'm not really in the
mood to -- Oh! There!
She leaps forward. Andrew's terrified cat scampers out of
the room.
VI (CONT'D)
Pause it! Pause it!
Andrew does. Vi comes closer, studying the screen.
ANDREW
What? What do you see?
Vi points to the fuzzy image of a GIRL (14). She has dark
hair and could actually pass as a younger Vi from a
distance.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
How do you know that --
VI
She's wearing a Garreton Academy
uniform.
Andrew sighs, falling back into the armchair.
ANDREW
Vi, this is the Garreton Road and
Traffic Authority. As in, the
only one in town. You don't think
more than one girl from your
school wants to get a licence?
Vi rocks back on her heels. Her shoulders slump a little.
VI
I guess you're right.
Her face, however, tells us that she's not totally
convinced by him.
We PUSH IN on the screen, on the Girl's face until it's all
we see.
INT. MORGAN RESIDENCE - VI'S ROOM - NIGHT
Vi sits on her bed, flipping through a Garreton Academy
year book.
SOFT FOOTSTEPS sound outside in the hall. Vi stands and
goes to her door. She peers out.
INT. MORGAN RESIDENCE - UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - NIGHT
CAROLINE MORGAN treads lightly to the master bedroom. She
enters, closing the door behind her.
INT. MORGAN RESIDENCE - MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT
The room is dark. Caroline clicks on a bedside lamp. Peter
still lies in bed. His eyes are closed.
Caroline sits on the bed beside him. She puts a hand on his
chest.
CAROLINE
Peter...
He rolls over, shying away from her. Caroline is hurt.
CAROLINE (CONT'D)
Peter, I know this is hard. I
know that you must be feeling low
right now but... maybe you could
try coming downstairs for awhile.
There's no reply. Caroline presses on.
CAROLINE (CONT'D)
Reviews aren't everything. Some
writers go their whole lives
without a good review.
Peter stiffens and she winces, clearly regretting that last
sentence.
Caroline sighs and stands. Crossing to the door, she spies
a piece of paper scrunched up next to the wastebasket. She
picks it up.
INT. MORGAN RESIDENCE - UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - NIGHT
Caroline emerges from the room. She closes the door quietly
behind her.
She smooths out the paper. It's a typed formal-looking
letter. As Caroline glances over it, her face drops.
CAROLINE
(quiet)
Oh, Peter...
She starts to fold up the letter with care.
INT. GARRETON ACADEMY - HALLWAY - DAY
Vi, CAM MORGAN and PENNY MORGAN enter, walking with the
flood of other STUDENTS.
Penny, who is fixing her lip gloss in a compact mirror,
snaps it closed. She waves to someone off screen.
PENNY
(friendly)
Oh my God, you skank! That
haircut is awesome!
(to Vi and Cam)
See you losers later.
She move away. The other two continue to walk.
CAM
So, does she like us or not?
VI
I think it's one of those
unsolvable mysteries.
Like the Loch Ness monster or the
meaning of life.
CAM
Forty-two.
(off Vi's look)
That was a joke.
They reach an intersection. Cam points down one of the
other halls.
CAM (CONT'D)
My locker's down there. See you
later, Vi.
VI
Yeah, later.
She keeps walking. An ACTIVIST STUDENT thrusts a flyer at
her.
ACTIVIST STUDENT
Protest today, last period on the
front lawn. Have your voice
heard!
Still walking, Vi looks down at the flyer. There's a
picture of a two people walking. Text above them reads:
"Exercise tip! Walking with family boosts your health and
happiness!".
Vi quirks an eyebrow. She stops.
VI
Right.
She looks back to the Activist Student, handing out more
flyers.
ACTIVIST STUDENT
This practice is inhumane and
needs to stop!
She looks back down to the flyer. Now it's a picture of a
dancing frog with the words: "CUT CLASS, NOT FROGS!".
VI
Walking with family boosts your
health and happiness. Health
and... Family... Walking with...
Cam!
Turning around, she takes off running.
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Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.