tc2x15
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
[
bottom
]
TEASER
FADE IN:
INT. FOWLER RESIDENCE - KITCHEN - NIGHT
ANGLE ON TWO PAIRS OF FEET
Under a table. No shoes. Playing footsie.
We MOVE UP. The table top has text books and paper spread
over it. VI MORGAN and ERIN FOWLER are trying to study.
Vi groans. Drops her head to the table top.
VI
I think I'm actually getting less
smart the more I study.
ERIN
That's not true.
Vi lifts her head, challenging him.
VI
Ask me something about
industrialisation. Go on. I dare
you.
ERIN
Okay. Name two reasons --
She snaps her book closed, cutting Erin off.
ERIN (CONT'D)
(beat)
Good idea. Let's take a break.
As the conversation continues, he stands and moves about
the kitchen, grabbing mugs, milk, chocolate powder, etc.
VI
I just feel so overwhelmed. I've
got about a million years worth
of homework to catch up on, two
reports due on Monday and exams
coming up...
ERIN
Maybe you could try cutting back.
VI
On school? Um, yeah, that's kind
of an unavoidable evil. Like
Miley Cyrus or six in the
morning.
ERIN
I meant stuff like this.
He leans down to Vi's backpack, sitting on the floor, and
pulls out a folded sheet of paper.
He lays it on the table. It's a poster for a lost dog. Vi
quickly grabs it and slips it in between some text books.
VI
That's nothing. Some woman lost
her dog. I said I'd help.
Erin gets back to making hot chocolate.
ERIN
Don't get me wrong. I'm all for
being a good samaritan but don't
you have enough on your plate
right now?
He glances over his shoulder at her.
ERIN (CONT'D)
Besides, I was thinking that if
we got a lot of study out of way,
we could go to Kara O'Malley's
party tomorrow night.
VI
Who's Kara O'Malley?
ERIN
She's in our year. Glasses. Plays
the clarinet.
No recognition.
ERIN (CONT'D)
How long have you gone to this
school again?
Vi glares.
VI
So what about this party?
ERIN
She throws one every year and
it's always awesome. People come
from all over - Garreton Academy,
South Garreton High. Seriously,
Vi. We have to go.
VI
First we have to study.
Erin carries two mugs of hot chocolate to the table.
ERIN
No, first we have to take a
break.
(then)
Careful, it's hot.
Vi frowns as she accepts the mug.
VI
(insulted)
I am aware that hot chocolate is,
by definition, hot.
Erin sits down with his own mug. Vi takes a big gulp.
ERIN
Just don't want you to burn
yourself.
Vi stiffens and quickly puts her mug down on the table. Her
lips are pressed together tightly. Erin eyes her quickly
reddening face.
ERIN (CONT'D)
(smirks)
Problem?
Vi stands.
VI
(tongue burned)
Baffoom.
Erin laughs as Vi dashes out of the room.
INT. FOWLER RESIDENCE - BATHROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Vi studies her tongue in the mirror. She prods it. Winces.
VI
Ow.
She shuts her mouth and sighs at her reflection.
INT. FOWLER RESIDENCE - HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER
Vi emerges from the bathroom, flicking off the light on her
way out. She heads back down the hallway towards the
kitchen, when something catches her attention.
She stops outside a closed door. There are pale, faded
outlines of letters. As if, a long time ago, there had been
wooden letters glued over the top of it. The letters spell
a name. IRIS.
Vi slowly grabs the door knob. A thin layer of dust comes
off in her hand.
INT. FOWLER RESIDENCE - IRIS'S ROOM - NIGHT
The door CREAKS open. Vi stands in the doorway. She feels
along the wall for a light switch. Finds it.
The room is illuminated. The walls are a pale pink, beloved
childhood dolls and stuffed animals sit on a shelf, an old
*NSYNC poster hangs beside the bed.
Vi moves further into the room, curious. She picks up a
framed photo from the dresser.
ANGLE ON PHOTO
Erin, a few years younger than he is now, stands beside an
older girl - presumably IRIS (18). She's dressed in
Garreton Academy graduation robes.
BACK TO SCENE
Erin stands in the doorway, behind Vi.
ERIN
Vi?
Startled, Vi drops the photo on the carpet. She hastily
picks it up.
VI
Sorry! Sorry, I didn't mean to --
Erin holds out her mobile phone. He keeps his eyes on her,
trying hard not to look around the room.
ERIN
Your phone rang. Someone named
Jenna?
Vi gives him a tight smile. Takes the phone and puts it to
her ear.
VI
(into phone)
Hey.
(...))
Uh-huh. I'll be right there.
She hangs up. Turns back to Erin.
VI (CONT'D)
Dentist.
ERIN
That was your dentist?
VI
Yeah. I, ah, missed an
appointment. She was able to re
schedule.
ERIN
For seven thirty at night?
VI
She... really hates... letting
plaque build up.
She hands him the photo. A beat.
VI (CONT'D)
I should go.
She slips past him, out into the hallway. Erin doesn't look
at the photo, just puts it back on the dresser. He flicks
off the light and closes the door as he exits.
INT. THE COMPANY - RECEPTION - NIGHT
JENNA COOKE stands in the middle of the room.
She holds a piece of paper in one hand and stares
impatiently at the elevator doors. She checks her watch.
DING!
The elevator opens and Vi emerges, her heavy school bag on
and arms laden with more books.
VI
Hi! I'm here!
JENNA
About time.
VI
I wasn't near an elevator. Had to
walk. Also?
She shifts her back, wincing.
VI (CONT'D)
Ow.
Jenna's face softens.
JENNA
Sorry. I didn't mean to snap. I'm
just in a bit of a hurry to get
out of here.
Vi grins cheekily.
VI
Ooh, big date tonight?
JENNA
(eyes wide)
What?! No! Of course not!
(laughs)
Now you're just being silly, Vi.
VI
It's not so sill --
Jenna shoves the assignment sheet in Vi's mouth.
VI (CONT'D)
(muffled)
'Ey!
JENNA
Your hands are full. See you
later!
She hurries off down the corridor, leaving Vi alone.
VI
(calling after her;
muffled)
Wait! Can you 'ress da 'utton?!
But Jenna's gone. Vi, annoyed, moves for the elevator.
Pauses. Contemplates her situation. Her hands are too full.
She bends her knees and attempts to angle herself down.
Tries to push the button with her elbow. Failing, she
stands.
Sighs (around the paper in her mouth). Last ditch effort.
She kicks the button. The elevator CHIMES and opens.
VI (CONT'D)
(triumphant)
'Es!
One book falls from her hands. She steps on it, slipping on
the hard cover, and pitches backwards - out of frame.
ON VI
Like a tortoise on it's back. Propped up by her heavy
backpack, books strewn around her.
She COUGHS. Sending the assignment sheet in her mouth
spiraling into the air.
CUT TO BLACK:
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
INT. WICKER RECORDS - MAIN FLOOR - DAY
SHANE EVANS and GWEN HART make their way down the stairs
from the loft. Shane carries an armful of vinyl records.
Gwen has just one and studies it as they walk.
GWEN
People actually buy these?
SHANE
For the last time, yes.
GWEN
Isn't it a little outdated?
They reach the main floor and we FOLLOW THEM as they move
to the back of the store. Shane starts sorting the records
into bins along the back wall.
GWEN (CONT'D)
I mean, they must have invented
ipods for a reason.
JIMMY EVANS is passing behind them. He stops. Leans over
and takes the record from Gwen. Hands it to Shane.
JIMMY
(to Shane)
She's not allowed to touch these
anymore.
Gwen throws Shane a confused look. He shrugs, apologetic.
Jimmy keeps walking. We stick with him as he weaves his way
back to the front of the store. He steps behind the counter
just as...
... Vi enters, the BELL above the door signalling her
arrival.
VI
Hey, Jimmy.
JIMMY
Vi! Haven't seen you around for
awhile.
VI
Been busy.
JIMMY
Yeah, heard about your little
camping trip shenanigans. That
sounded insane!
Vi pales a little at the traumatic memory.
VI
Is Shane here?
Jimmy, oblivious to Vi's reaction, looks over to Shane and
Gwen. He shakes his head, almost disappointed.
JIMMY
I don't know about this new girl.
Seems a bit too... What's the
word? Disney channel.
Vi hides a smile and turns away...
SHANE AND GWEN
are still working. Well, Shane's sorting records, Gwen's
slung her arm around his shoulders, giggling into his ear.
Vi joins them.
VI
Howdy, love birds.
Shane blushes and Gwen releases him.
GWEN
Vi!
She wraps Vi in a loose hug and air kisses her cheek. Vi's
taken by surprise.
GWEN (CONT'D)
What are you doing here?
VI
(recovering)
Um, there was a reason...
(remembers)
Oh, yeah!
She takes out a missing dog poster from her pocket and
hands it to Shane.
VI (CONT'D)
Can you try and get Jimmy to put
this up in the window?
Seeing the poster, Gwen makes a sad face.
GWEN
Aw, poor thing. You lost your
dog?
VI
It's for a friend.
SHANE
I dunno, Vi. Jimmy's not really
into being, you know, nice.
VI
That's why I came to you.
Gwen takes the poster from him.
GWEN
This sounds like a job for the
president of the dance committee.
She smiles, a bit superior.
GWEN (CONT'D)
I'll be right back.
And she's off. Shane and Vi watch her, both a little
overwhelmed by Gwen just being... Gwen.
VI
So, Gwen's...
SHANE
Yeah.
(beat)
I mean, it's cool. Having a
girlfriend.
(beat)
Finally.
VI
She's nice.
Shane finishes with the records. Dusts off his hands.
SHANE
What are you up to today?
VI
Work.
SHANE
Assignment?
VI
Got another one last night.
SHANE
Two? At the same time? This has
to violate some sort of child
labour law.
Vi shrugs.
SHANE (CONT'D)
You know, I'm sure I could get
out of here early. Maybe help you
out.
Jimmy appears. He shoves a crate at Shane - stacked with
more vinyl records.
JIMMY
(re: Gwen)
She's also not allowed to talk to
me anymore.
Jimmy stalks off. Shane looks down at the crate. Vi pats
him on the shoulder.
VI
Thanks for the offer but I can
handle it.
INT. SUNSHINE KIDS DAY CARE - DAY
Vi, a look of pure terror on her face, stands in the middle
of a room.
She shields herself with a copy of "Goodnight Moon" as a
dozen screaming, laughing CHILDREN race around her.
From this war zone, CUT TO:
INT. JENNA'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - DAY
Jenna is asleep, curled up underneath the sheets. Her alarm
clock begins to BUZZ and Jenna's eyes open.
From behind her, ANDREW FRIAR jolts into frame - blinking
furiously, his hair a mess. Jenna, serene, turns off the
alarm.
ANDREW
Whasatime?
JENNA
Nine thirty.
Andrew GROANS and falls back to the pillow. He rolls over,
snaking an arm around Jenna's waist over the sheets.
ANDREW
More sleep.
Jenna smiles, melting back into him. A moment passes and
she opens her eyes - struggling with some decision. She
removes his arm and slips out of bed.
Due to her lack of clothes, we stay on Andrew as she moves
around the room.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
What are you doing? It's
Saturday.
On Jenna again as she ties a bathrobe around herself.
JENNA
Assignment coordinators don't
know the meaning of Saturday.
Andrew sits up, grumpy.
ANDREW
You can say that again.
As she passes, he reaches out and grabs her hand. Pulls her
down onto the bed beside him. Jenna laughs.
He kisses her cheek, places another kiss on her jaw and
keeps going down her neck.
JENNA
(smiles)
Andrew, I have to go.
Despite how much she's enjoying the contact, Jenna forces
herself to drop the smile.
JENNA (CONT'D)
Andrew, seriously!
She tears herself away from him and exits. Andrew frowns,
annoyed and confused at her sudden departure.
EXT. CITY STREET - DAY
Vi exits a brightly coloured, one storey building, a
"Sunshine Kids Day Care" sign above the entrance.
As she lets herself out of the child-proof gate, we realise
that she's spattered with paint and has some sort of yellow
stain on the front of her shirt.
She looks exhausted as she turns and starts down the
street, past a row of other businesses.
Just behind her, Erin exits a sporting goods store, holding
a bag. He spots her.
ERIN
Vi?
Vi turns around, searching for the owner of the voice. Erin
smiles as he jogs towards her.
ERIN (CONT'D)
Thought it was you.
He takes in her appearance.
ERIN (CONT'D)
Whoa. What happened?
(quick)
Not that you don't look nice.
VI
Did you know that Hell has a play
group? Well, it does.
(looking over herself)
I'm covered in finger paint and
glue and --
(re: yellow stain)
I'm really hoping that's apple
sauce but I can't be sure.
ERIN
Taste test?
VI
When Hell freezes over.
(beat)
Which I'm praying it does because
then I'd never have to go back
there again.
She jerks a thumb back in the direction of the building.
ERIN
(beat)
Why did you go there?
VI
Huh?
ERIN
I thought you said you were going
to study all day?
VI
I did? Oh, yeah. Umm... Penny!
(casual)
She agreed to this whole
"volunteering" thing ages ago but
when the day came, she just had
to get a pedicure. You know my
sister.
The look on Erin's face tells us he doesn't buy it. Vi
seems to realise this, too.
She takes his hand and starts walking. Erin has no choice
but to move with her.
VI (CONT'D)
So, this party tonight...
ERIN
We're going?
VI
Well, no. Still got studying to
do. But I was thinking --
Erin suddenly slips out of her grasp and moves around her,
putting himself between Vi and the road. He's casual about
it, never slowing the speed of their walk.
VI (CONT'D)
Umm... Yeah, so, I was thinking
that you could go. Alone. I mean,
all your friends are going,
right?
ERIN
Yeah, but it'll be no fun without
you.
VI
I told you, I have to study.
ERIN
So? I have to study, too. That's
the whole idea of school. You
study. And then you don't study
and you go to parties with your
really cute boyfriend.
Vi smiles. She stops walking and steps in front of him.
Places her hands on his shoulders.
VI
Erin, you know I'd lo-- like to
go with you. But I just can't.
ERIN
Question. Exactly how much study
do you have to do?
She purses her lips, thinking. Vi steps around Erin - now
with her on the outside of him - and they start walking
again.
VI
Well, it's not all for exams, you
know. There's homework and two
reports for History that I missed
the due date for and --
ERIN
Why did you miss the due date?
Vi shrugs, not wanting to answer.
Erin takes her hand, pulling her closer into him, but then
steps around her - so that he's walking on the outside.
Vi stops.
VI
Okay, I have to ask. What's that
about?
ERIN
What?
VI
You with the always needing to be
on that side. What's so special
about that side of me?
She tilts her head.
VI (CONT'D)
Because, you know, I always
thought this side was my best.
Erin laughs a little.
ERIN
No, it's just... You know... The
gentlemanly thing to do. Walking
on the outside of the girl.
VI
Why?
He shrugs, not really knowing the answer.
ERIN
If a driver has a heart attack
and loses control of the car,
I'll get hit first.
VI
Seriously?
She rolls her eyes.
VI (CONT'D)
That's so stupid.
Annoyed now, Vi keeps walking. Erin is confused.
PENNY (PRE-LAP)
You're overreacting.
INT. MORGAN RESIDENCE - PENNY'S ROOM - NIGHT
PENNY MORGAN sits in front of her dresser, applying make
up. Vi sits cross-legged on Penny's bed.
VI
Really?
PENNY
Yes, doofus. That's just what
boys are supposed to do.
(beat)
You just don't realise how lucky
you are.
VI
So Jake doesn't do that stuff for
you?
PENNY
Sure, he opens doors on occasion.
But really only when I'm wearing
those jeans that make my arse
look --
VI
Penny?
Penny rolls her eyes. She slips her make-up into a purse
and turns around to face Vi.
PENNY
This is girl talk, Vi. Learn to
love it.
Vi climbs off Penny's bed. She starts to pace.
VI
But it just makes me feel...
uncomfortable, you know? Like,
walking next to moving cars or
carrying my own books is just way
too dangerous for me to handle.
(beat)
I mean, it's always been there.
When I think about it. It's
just... Erin. So why is it
bothering me so much now?
Penny gives Vi a small smile. She stands, crosses to her
and places a supportive hand on Vi's shoulder.
PENNY
Aw, Vi. It's because you're a
freak of nature. I thought you'd
have figured out that by now.
Vi glares and shoves her away. Penny laughs.
VI
Why am I even talking to you?
She heads for the door. Penny steps in front of her.
PENNY
Wait, wait. Come on. I'm sorry. I
was just kidding.
Vi looks down at Penny's outfit - a nice dress and heels.
VI
Are you going to the party?
PENNY
Kara O'Malley's thing? Please.
VI
I thought everyone goes.
Penny sits down on the bed.
PENNY
Yeah, I guess. But Jake's taking
me to dinner.
Vi sits beside her.
VI
You and Jake have been together
for awhile.
PENNY
Practically since we moved here.
Sure, we've had our ups and downs
but...
She takes a deep breath. Her face is sincere, her eyes
bright with nervous excitement.
PENNY (CONT'D)
I think Jake's the one, Vi.
(beat)
I don't... When I think about
him... I'm always thinking about
him.
She considers something.
PENNY (CONT'D)
He's not perfect. He's no Erin,
that's for sure. But... He's
Jake.
(beat)
He's the one.
Penny smiles. Vi, happy for her, smiles back but it's half
hearted - her mind elsewhere.
[
top
| next
]
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.