tc2x11
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
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TEASER
FADE IN:
INT. THE COMPANY - RECEPTION - DAY
VI MORGAN sits on a couch by the wall. Her foot propped up
on one knee, she fills in the scuff marks on her school
shoes with a black marker.
VI
I don't like him.
A WIDER ANGLE reveals ANDREW FRIAR sitting beside her.
ANDREW
Me either. It's like he thinks
he's the boss of us or something.
VI
Andrew, he is the boss of us.
ANDREW
On paper, maybe.
Vi puts the marker in her pocket. Then, she grabs Andrew's
wrist and pulls it toward her.
VI
Where's your watch?
ANDREW
I don't have a watch.
She releases his wrist.
VI
Since when?
Andrew shrugs and Vi grumpily crosses her arms.
VI (CONT'D)
I just want to know what time it
is.
Andrew leans forward and reaches off screen. He pulls back
an arm - angling it so Vi can get a good view of the watch
strapped around the wrist.
VI (CONT'D)
Thank you.
An even WIDER ANGLE reveals that the arm belongs to a GUY
sitting cross-legged on the floor.
He's not the only one in an uncomfortable position. The
reception office is packed with EMPLOYEES, squashed
together like sardines.
ANDREW
How long?
VI
It's supposed to start now.
(beat)
Do you know what this meeting is
about?
Andrew shakes his head.
ANDREW
Nope. Bet it's Sidney's idea,
though.
Vi sighs.
VI
I really don't like him.
Off this, cut to:
INT. THE COMPANY - CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
SIDNEY DOBBS, smiling cheerfully, holds up a plate of
delicately decorated cupcakes.
SIDNEY
Cupcake, anyone?
He looks around at the group of people standing in front of
him (everyone from the reception office - Vi and Andrew
included). No one responds.
SIDNEY (CONT'D)
Come on... Cinnamon frosting,
marshmallow flowers...
Behind him, ALISTAIR BENSON hides an embarrassed cringe.
SIDNEY (CONT'D)
Alright, then.
He shoves the plate at Benson.
SIDNEY (CONT'D)
Get rid of those, will you?
Benson isn't quite sure what to do with them and continues
to stands, holding the plate of cupcakes like an idiot.
SIDNEY (CONT'D)
Welcome to the Mentors-In-Reverse
program. An initiative created by
me - Sidney Dobbs.
He waits for applause. None comes.
SIDNEY (CONT'D)
Your new boss.
A few half-hearted CLAPS. Sidney, satisfied, continues:
SIDNEY (CONT'D)
Every employee hired in the past
month was given an aptitude test
to see whether they would, one
day, make a good mentor for other
newly established runners. But -
before we can send them off to
teach, they must be taught!
Vi and Andrew share a bored look.
SIDNEY (CONT'D)
Now, all you field agents will
have a future mentor tagging
along for your current
assignment. Show them the ropes,
not just of the Company, but of
how to work as a productive,
functioning part of that Company.
Andrew raises his hand. Sidney, excited for a question,
points to him.
SIDNEY (CONT'D)
Yes?
ANDREW
Do we get paid overtime?
SIDNEY
(beat)
No.
Andrew barely suppresses an eye roll. Sidney picks up a
clipboard.
SIDNEY (CONT'D)
Now, the temporary mentor and
future mentor teams.
(reads)
Fred Tucker and Lucy Chan...
Sidney continues to read names off a list while Vi quietly
leans into Andrew.
VI
I can't believe I skipped school
for this. Don't get me wrong, I'm
grateful for everything you've
done for me, Andrew, but I really
don't have the time to baby-sit
some newbie.
SIDNEY
Violet Morgan...
Vi pulls her attention back to Sidney.
SIDNEY (CONT'D)
... With David Helsley.
VI
(to Andrew)
Who the hell is that?
Someone taps her on the shoulder. She turns around.
DAVID HELSLEY (19) towers over her. He flashes her a
stunning, model-like smile and holds out a hand.
DAVID
You must be Vi.
(beat)
I'm the newbie.
For a moment, Vi doesn't move. Andrew nudges her in the
ribs.
She takes David's hand - an embarrassed smile on her face.
CUT TO BLACK:
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
INT. THE COMPANY – ELEVATOR – DAY
Vi and David stand side by side. Upbeat ELEVATOR MUSIC
blares from the speakers – loud in the awkward silence.
VI
Sorry about that.
DAVID
About what?
VI
The "newbie" thing.
DAVID
(beat)
Oh. Okay.
VI
It's just that things have been
kind of crazy around the Company
lately.
David nods, understanding.
DAVID
You don't need to explain. It's
fine.
(beat)
I mean, technically I am a
newbie.
He looks her up and down.
DAVID (CONT'D)
How old are you, anyway?
Taking offense, Vi narrows her eyes at him.
VI
What does that matter? I can
still do my job.
The elevator glides to a stop. The door opens. Vi and David
walk out into:
EXT. SHOPPING PLAZA – CAR PARK – DAY
Vi weaves through SHOPPERS making their way inside the
building. David hurries to keep up with her.
DAVID
(backtracking)
No, of course.
I was just wondering about the
school uniform.
Vi stops and looks down at her tartan skirt and white shirt
combo.
VI
Oh.
Her eyes flick apologetically to David. She keeps walking.
VI (CONT'D)
I'm seventeen.
(beat)
How old are you?
DAVID
Nineteen.
VI
Graduated last year?
DAVID
I dropped out, actually. In year
ten.
(without warning)
So, this assignment?
Vi's taken off guard by the quick change of subject. She
hesitates for a beat and then digs around in her skirt
pocket.
EXT. SUBURBAN STREET – DAY
As they exit the car park, veering onto the footpath, Vi
holds up the slip of paper.
VI
I got it yesterday. Someone named
Wendy Gardener. I think she must
be a kid or something because the
only listing in the phone book
was for a T. Gardener.
DAVID
(amused)
A tea gardener?
VI
What?
DAVID
Never mind.
He clears his throat.
DAVID (CONT'D)
The phone book. Nice trick.
VI
I have a good mentor.
DAVID
Have a good mentor? I figured
you'd be out on your own. Since,
you know, you seem to have a
pretty good handle on things.
Vi shrugs.
VI
He's giving me driving lessons.
DAVID
Huh?
Vi smiles.
VI
Never mind.
They move off screen.
EXT. WENDY'S HOUSE – DAY
Vi and David step up to the front door of a well-kept, two
storey house. Vi reaches for the doorbell.
DAVID
Wait!
She looks at him curiously.
DAVID (CONT'D)
I just... I don't know if I can do
this.
VI
Didn't picture you as being prone
to performance anxiety.
(beat; innocent)
Did that sound dirty?
David gapes at her, stunned. She presses the doorbell. They
hear it ECHO throughout the house.
David pulls himself together as the front door opens. TINA
GARDENER (38), a pretty but tired woman, stands inside.
TINA
Yes?
VI
Hi. We're --
TINA
Do you know Wendy?
VI
Um... Y-yeah. We're friends. Of
Wendy.
TINA
She's, uh... She's not here right
now.
She starts to close the door. Vi steps forward.
VI
That's okay. This visit is kind
of unexpected. You see, we, um,
we haven't really seen Wendy in
awhile. I guess we've sort of...
drifted apart.
Tina looks between them sadly. She holds the door open
wider.
TINA
You'd better come in.
She turns, disappearing into the house.
Vi and David share a look between them. Intrigued, they
follow.
INT. WENDY'S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – LATER
Tina, sitting in an armchair, pulls a crumpled tissue out
of her pocket and dabs at her nose.
Vi and David sit on the couch diagonal to her.
TINA
It's been about a week. I've
tried to talk to her. But she
just won't listen.
Vi takes a quick glance around the room. Her eyes land on
the end table by the couch.
There's a photograph of Tina and a smiling sixteen year old
girl – Wendy.
TINA (CONT'D)
Maybe... if some of her old
friends try... She might come
home.
VI
Mrs. Gardener --
TINA
Call me Tina. And it's Ms,
actually. Wendy's father...
Well... He's not exactly part of
the family.
VI
Oh. Right. Wendy mentioned that
but I guess I... forgot.
DAVID
Is that why she ran away?
TINA
(surprised)
Oh, God no. It's just been Wendy
and I for years. She's, well, I
guess you could say she's used to
it.
(beat)
It's... I suppose you parted ways
before she met Ricky?
There's a beat.
VI
Oh, yeah. Never heard of him.
DAVID
She mentioned him once or twice.
Vi widens her eyes at David, irritated. He looks
apologetic.
VI
What David means is that Wendy
never told us about Ricky
herself. We heard his name from
other people. You know. Around.
TINA
Right. Well, she met him a few
months ago and they really hit it
off. I don't particularly
approve.
David smiles.
DAVID
Isn't that the way it's supposed
to be?
Tina forces a smile back. Then:
TINA
We never fought. Not like we did
the day she left.
Tina starts to tear up. Vi leans forward and takes a tissue
from the box on the coffee table. She hands it to her.
VI
Maybe... Maybe they're really in
love?
Tina scoffs.
TINA
He's her first boyfriend. Of
course they're not in love.
Vi twitches at that, frowning. Tina shakes her head.
TINA (CONT'D)
Anyway, that's not even the
point. I love Wendy. I want
what's best for her. But I've
also known boys like Ricky,
and...
She takes in a shaky breath and breaks down, crying.
TINA (CONT'D)
(through tears)
I just want my daughter to come
home.
David looks away, uncomfortable. Vi keeps her eyes on Tina,
a frown still on her lips.
EXT. WENDY'S HOUSE / STREET – DAY
Vi and David make their way towards the street – Vi, a few
paces ahead of him.
VI
(outraged)
Did you hear that?! "He's her
first boyfriend! Of course
they're not in love!". What the
hell would she know about it,
anyway?
Reaching the side of the road, Vi whirls around to face
David – her hands on her hips.
David's momentarily frozen by her glare.
DAVID
Uh... She seemed really upset?
Vi throws her hands up in disgust. Turning on her heel, she
stalks away.
INT. HAPPY VAMPIRE – DAY
A man dressed as a VAMPIRE (slicked back hair, cape and
plastic fangs) stands just inside the entrance. He holds a
few dozen bat shaped helium balloons.
Vi and David enter. The Vampire immediately pounces on Vi,
shoving a balloon at her.
VAMPIRE
(Transylvanian accent)
Velcome to ze 'Appy Vampire! 'Ave
a fang-tastic meal! Mwha-ha-ha-ha
ha!
David grins. Vi doesn't even crack a smile.
VI
(to Vampire; deadpan)
Don't make me stake you.
The Vampire's eyes go wide. He quickly steps out of her
way.
As Vi and David walk forward, we hear the Vampire greet his
next victim.
VAMPIRE (O.S.)
Velcome to ze 'Appy Vampire! 'Ave
a fang-tastic meal!
A CHILD begins to CRY.
Vi and David join the back of the line. It moves fairly
quickly and they take a few steps forward every so often.
DAVID
This place is great.
Vi grumpily crosses her arms.
DAVID (CONT'D)
(hesitant)
Vi?
VI
I have low blood sugar. That's
all.
DAVID
That's... fine. But I was going
to ask about the assignment?
Vi sighs.
VI
What about it?
DAVID
(as if it's obvious)
What do we do about it? What do
we do about Wendy?
Vi shrugs. David, fed up, angles himself away from her. Vi
picks up on this.
VI
Look, I'm sorry, okay? The
Company's just really screwing me
up at the moment.
DAVID
Yeah, you said before.
VI
(annoyed)
Well, you're not exactly taking
it in then.
(beat)
You have no idea what my life is
like.
The customer in front of them steps aside, clearing the way
to the counter.
PETER MORGAN, wearing a Happy Vampire uniform, looks up
from the cash register.
PETER
Welcome to the Happy Vampire. Can
I take your order?
Vi doesn't react – the situation too bizarre to comprehend.
INT. THE COMPANY - CONTROL ROOM - DAY
JENNA COOKE moves up the stairs to the balcony.
She turns a watchful eye to the bustling work area below as
she enters her office...
INT. THE COMPANY - JENNA'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
... And almost runs straight into Andrew.
JENNA
Oh! Sorry, Andrew.
ANDREW
No worries.
But he doesn't get out of her way. He even gives her a
huge, fake smile.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
Nice day, isn't it?
JENNA
(not buying it)
Alright, what's going on?
She waits expectantly. In the silence, a TAPPING noise
becomes audible.
Andrew sighs, giving up, and steps out of her way. He
reveals PIERCE (22) who sits behind Jenna's desk, typing
away on her computer.
Pierce looks sort of familiar - scruffy brown hair, blue
eyes, a so-very-pleased-with-himself smirk on his lips.
Jenna turns to Andrew. He sits down across from Pierce,
propping his legs up on the desk.
JENNA (CONT'D)
Can I ask what you're doing?
ANDREW
I'm in that Mentors-In-Reverse
program, remember? Pierce is
my... well, my new Vi.
JENNA
I got that part. But what are you
doing in here, specifically?
ANDREW
Researching my assignment. It's a
scientist. Or a doctor. Or a
scientist who invented doctors.
Not really sure.
JENNA
Hence the research.
ANDREW
How's it going over there,
Pierce?
PIERCE
Hmm? Oh, yeah. Great.
(beat)
I'm winning.
Confused, Andrew leans forward and grabs the monitor. He
yanks it around to see the screen. Pierce is playing
internet poker.
ANDREW
Pierce!
PIERCE
What?
(beat)
Hey, when's lunch, by the way?
Andrew rolls his eyes.
ANDREW
There's a vending machine down
the hall.
PIERCE
Thank God.
Pierce hoists himself out of the chair. On his way out the
door, he pauses:
PIERCE (CONT'D)
Got change for a five?
ANDREW
No.
Pierce exits. Andrew lets out a sigh of relief.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
Kill me.
Jenna smiles as she goes to the desk. She sits down and
starts to re-arrange the mess made by Pierce.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
No, this isn't funny. He's lazy,
he's annoying, he's about as
intelligent as a lobotomized
salamander. What kind of crazy
test decided that Pierce was
mentor material?
JENNA
He doesn't remind you of anyone?
Andrew thinks for a long moment. Then:
ANDREW
No. What are you talking about?
Jenna just shrugs, hiding a smile.
EXT. HAPPY VAMPIRE – DAY
Vi and David emerge into the sunlight, both carrying trays
of food. They sit at one of the tables out front.
David warily studies Vi as she tucks into her fries. She
doesn't look at him. Doesn't speak.
Then, she bursts out laughing! Wild, hysterical laughter
like she's just heard the funniest joke on earth.
David jolts back in his seat, startled.
DAVID
Are you okay?
Vi puts her head down on the table.
VI
I just... I don't... He's...
DAVID
Vi?
Finally, she calms down. She looks up at him, wiping a tear
from her eye.
VI
I'm not crazy, I swear.
David doesn't look so sure.
VI (CONT'D)
The guy that served us is my dad.
I was just... surprised.
DAVID
You didn't know he was working
here?
Vi shakes her head, no.
VI
Him having any kind of job is
kind of new to me.
(explaining)
He's a writer. Or, I guess he was
one.
DAVID
What happened?
Vi takes a moment. She studies David, considering
something. Then, she leans forward, lowering her voice.
VI
How much have they told you about
the Company?
David looks intrigued.
INT. CAR – DAY
The car slows to a stop.
ERIN FOWLER, dressed in his school uniform, sits in the
driver's seat. He looks up, out of the windshield, at a red
stop light.
He sighs, bored, and looks around. He catches sight of
something out the passenger side window.
He sees the Happy Vampire across the street. More
specifically, Vi and David – leaning in close, talking
animatedly.
Erin's shocked. A bit confused. He doesn't have any more
time to react when a CAR HORN sounds from behind him.
He snaps back. The light has turned green. With one last
glance at Vi and David, he drives off.
EXT. CITY - DAY/NIGHT
The passing of time. The sun travels through the sky,
dipping down over the horizon. Night is here.
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Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.