tc2x17
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
[
bottom
]
TEASER
FADE IN:
EXT. GARRETON ACADEMY - DAY
Establishing shot.
MR. PARKER (PRE-LAP)
What I'm about to tell you is a
true story.
INT. GARRETON ACADEMY - AUDITORIUM - DAY
MR. PARKER sits on the edge of the stage, leaning forward -
gazing intently to the hundred or so seated YEAR 11
STUDENTS.
MR. PARKER
When my brother-in-law was a kid,
he had a babysitter. An old lady
named Mrs. Raddish.
(beat; thinks)
Or it might've been cabbage.
(anyway)
Dunno. Some sort of vegetable.
A few rows from the front, VI and SHANE share an amused
look. GWEN, sitting beside Shane, frowns.
MR. PARKER (CONT'D)
But, the thing about Mrs.
Vegetable was that she could see
the future. One day, she had a
vision that the local school bus
would crash. And then...
(ominous beat)
... It did.
Gwen raises her hand.
GWEN
That's not a true story.
MR. PARKER
And that wasn't a question.
Questions generally follow that
sort of a hand motion, y'know.
GWEN
It was also badly communicated.
Aren't you an English teacher?
MR. PARKER
Well, you get an "F" in
listening. How's that?
He hops off the stage. Gwen's mouth drops open in shock.
Shane tries to hold back laughter. He fails.
MR. PARKER (CONT'D)
I was trying to get you guys in
the mood. You know, set the tone
for the day. Because, well, you
all know what today is.
He claps his hands together, feigning excitement.
MR. PARKER (CONT'D)
Today's the day "The Man" tries
to tell you what you're going to
be when you grow up. He's going
to tell you what part of the
machine you're going to grind
away in until you get old and
die!
A long silence. Mr. Parker sighs.
MR. PARKER (CONT'D)
Maybe I should just read off the
sheet they gave me, huh?
He reaches behind him and picks up a piece of paper lying
on the stage.
MR. PARKER (CONT'D)
(reads)
After high school, you'll be
faced with many options to choose
from...
As he speaks, we PUSH IN on Vi. She's listening intently.
MR. PARKER (CONT'D)
Will you continue your studies?
Will you travel? Will you find
employment? What is the right
path for you? Well, we can't
answer all of those questions for
you, but we can help guide you
into finding out yourself.
(beat)
Today, you'll be sitting a state
approved "career aptitude test"
that can shine some light onto
the question you're all asking
yourselves... "What do I want to
do for the rest of my life?"
BANG!
Everyone turns to see the auditorium doors swung open,
CRASHING into the wall.
ANDREW FRIAR stands in the doorway - eyes wide, face red
with embarrassment.
ANDREW
(beat)
Handle's... slippery.
Vi SIGHS.
EXT. GARRETON ACADEMY - DAY
ON PAPER
Printed text reads: "RUBBISH CO."
ON SCENE
Vi holds the paper in her hand, reading it. She and Andrew
walk down the steps towards the street - and Andrew's car,
parked at the curb. They're alone.
ANDREW
I thought my days of being
humiliated in high school were
over.
VI
Well, you didn't have to come and
give it to me straight away.
ANDREW
Yes I did. Assignment came with a
time stamp. To be in your hands
by...
He checks his watch.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
... Two minutes from now.
(grins)
Just made it.
VI
So whatever this "Rubbish Co."
thing is, it's going to happen in
two minutes?
(sarcastic)
Great, I have time to prepare.
She shoves the paper at him.
VI (CONT'D)
Can't you at least help me out
today? I've got a career test
this afternoon and classes before
that. I can't keep ditching
school like this.
I'm falling behind. Think of my
future, Andrew!
ANDREW
(not caring)
Wow. Hysterics. That's new.
He takes Vi's assignment. Folds it up. Puts it into her
jacket pocket.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
And I can't help. Not today. Got
a lunch date.
They reach the curb and Andrew climbs into his car.
VI
With who?
ANDREW
No one you know.
He starts the car, waves and drives off.
VI
(calling after him)
But I don't think you know anyone
I don't know!
The sound of his car FADES into the distance. Vi groans and
turns back to the school. She pauses.
Half a dumpster is visible around the side of the building,
the words "RUBBISH CO." on the side.
EXT. GARRETON ACADEMY - SIDE - MOMENTS LATER
Vi approaches the dumpster. She takes out her assignment.
Compares it.
VI
My future. Digging through trash.
She looks at the assignment sheet.
VI (CONT'D)
You guys suck.
Vi balls up the paper. Tosses it into the dumpster.
Almost immediately, it comes sailing OUT of the bin,
landing at her feet. Vi freezes, her eyes wide.
VI (CONT'D)
Um... Hello? Is somebody, ah, in
there?
Something SHUFFLES around inside. There's a GRUNTING noise
as whatever it is claws it's way up the side of the
dumpster.
Vi takes a few hesitant steps forward, creeping ever
closer. She reaches the side --
-- And a BOY's dirt smudged face appears over the rim!
Vi takes a few startled steps back.
FIL (17) climbs out. He's wearing a Garreton Academy
uniform - a bit tight, one or two sizes too small for him.
He's lanky, with long limbs and has dark scruffy hair. His
eyes are wild, constantly darting around - exploring the
world.
VI (CONT'D)
Um... Hi.
Fil carries a broken computer keyboard - which he brushes
off with the sleeve of his shirt.
VI (CONT'D)
I'm Vi.
He doesn't reply.
VI (CONT'D)
I'm sorry. I didn't catch your
name.
FIL
Fil.
VI
Nice to meet you.
Fil starts to walk past her. Vi side steps - blocking him.
VI (CONT'D)
(re: dumpster)
What were you doing in there?
Fil holds up the keyboard.
FIL
Looking for this.
VI
That have some special
significance to you?
Fil shrugs. Avoids her gaze.
Vi studies Fil's ill-fitting uniform. The cuffs of his
pants are a good ten centimetres above the tops of his
socks. She points.
VI (CONT'D)
You might wanna have someone fix
that.
Fil looks down at his pants.
FIL
What's wrong with them?
VI
It's a little bit ventriloquist
dummy, don't you think?
When she gets no recognition from Fil...
VI (CONT'D)
You don't know what a
ventriloquist is?
FIL
I'm not from around here.
VI
(beat)
Where are you from?
Fil pauses. He's hesitant to tell her. Takes a deep breath.
FIL
The 22nd century.
Not waiting for her reaction, he steps around her and darts
off screen. A beat.
Vi turns around, facing the way he went. Her eyebrows are
raised in disbelief.
She opens her mouth to speak. But isn't sure what to say.
All she can manage is:
VI
And they don't have tailors in
the 22nd century?
CUT TO BLACK:
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
INT. GARRETON ACADEMY - MAIN HALLWAY - DAY
Fil, clutching the broken keyboard under one arm, walks
down the empty hallway.
He trails his free hand along the row of lockers.
Occasionally rattles a handle - seeing if anyone has left
theirs unlocked.
Vi falls into step beside him.
VI
(casual)
So, you're from the future?
FIL
(condescending)
Well, if this is 2007, and I'm
from the year 2121, that would
mean...
He waves a hand to her. Vi narrows her eyes at his tone.
VI
Let me guess, your DeLorean's
parked out back?
FIL
What does that mean?
VI
Back to the Future? The movie?
Fil stops walking. He levels her with a suspicious gaze.
FIL
You're with them, aren't you?
VI
Who?
FIL
Them. The... The scientists.
He turns on his heel and starts walking faster down the
hallway. He quickly grows nervous, eyes darting into every
doorway.
FIL (CONT'D)
They said things I didn't
understand. Talked about...
"movies" and "make believe".
They turn a corner --
INT. GARRETON ACADEMY - SECOND HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
FIL
(suspicious)
Why are you following me?
Vi doesn't know how to answer that. She looks to Fil's
hands - twitching, fidgeting with the keyboard.
The letters on the keys have re-arranged themselves, now
forming the words: "H E L P H I M".
VI
(quick)
I want to help you.
FIL
Why?
Vi doesn't answer. She stops walking, reaches out for a
locker. The door swings open easily at her touch.
VI
Barry Spence. Always forgets his
combination.
Fil, surprised, flashes her a smile. He shoves the keyboard
at her and begins digging around in Barry's locker. He
takes out a calculator - studies it, tucks it into his
pocket.
VI (CONT'D)
(mutters)
I'll pay him back later.
(beat; re: keyboard)
So, what's with all this?
She cracks a grin.
VI (CONT'D)
(joking)
You building your own time
machine or something?
FIL
(beat; still digging
through the locker)
Five years ago, my parents and I
planned a trip. Just a weekend in
2002. Nothing flashy. But we got
separated and they had to go home
without me, or we'd all be stuck
here.
(beat)
They're trying to find a way to
bring me home, I know it. But
there's permits, red tape.
He closes the locker and turns to her.
FIL (CONT'D)
(realising)
And you're making fun of me.
(beat)
You don't believe me.
VI
Oh, no. Sure, I do. The future.
It's totally... plausible.
Fil shrugs.
FIL
I guess you'll still be useful.
They start walking again.
FIL (CONT'D)
You'll need to keep watch for
them.
VI
Who? Oh, the scientists.
FIL
Their leader. He's the worst. He
wants the secret of time travel
and he'll do anything to get it.
Vi nods, desperately trying to hold back laughter.
VI
How will I know who he is? He has
a scar? Eye-patch? One arm?
(exaggerated)
"It was the one armed man!"
(off Fil's look)
The Fugitive? No? So, no movies
in the future?
FIL
(ignoring her)
You'll know him. He wears these
shoes. These... purple shoes.
Vi slows to a stop. Fil, on a mission, keeps going.
VI
(to herself)
Purple shoes. Okay.
Her optimistic expression falters. With a sigh, she steps
out of frame - hurrying after Fil.
INT. GARRETON ACADEMY - HALLWAY - LATER
Vi stands with her back to a closed supply closet - her
arms crossed, legs spread "bouncer" style.
INT. GARRETON ACADEMY - CLOSET - MEANWHILE
Fil rummages through shelves and boxes. He stuffs a roll of
duct tape into his pocket. Sniffs a tub of floor wax and
wrinkles his nose in disgust.
INT. GARRETON ACADEMY - HALLWAY - SAME
A BELL RINGS and the hallway is quickly flooded by
STUDENTS. Vi gives them all a stern once-over as they pass.
Shane appears at her side.
SHANE
Who is he?
Alarmed, Vi checks the closet door. Still closed.
VI
How'd you know about that?
SHANE
I saw the Sign. You know. "Help
him".
He takes a finger and makes a swirly motion in front of his
eyes.
SHANE (CONT'D)
I've got the crazy word jumble
thing goin' on too, remember?
VI
Right. Of course. I'm just a
bit...
SHANE
Yeah, I get it. That was a bit
much, Andrew bursting in like
that. And you missed out on the
rest of Mr. Parker's speech.
(dead-pan)
I think he really got through to
me, when he went off on that
tangent about how he used to want
to play the tambourine in a
traveling vaudeville show.
Vi smiles and shakes her head.
VI
Can't believe I missed that.
(beat)
What are you up to, now?
SHANE
Supposed to help Gwen study for
the career test.
VI
How exactly are you supposed to
study for...
SHANE
I didn't ask.
(impatient)
But, seriously, Vi. Your stuff is
way more important. I wanna help.
Fill me in.
The closet door opens, WHACKING Vi in the back. She
stumbles forward. Regains her balance.
Fil slips out and picks up the computer keyboard, leaning
up against the wall. He eyes Shane nervously.
VI
(to Fil)
It's okay. He's with me.
(introducing)
Fil, this is Shane. Shane, Fil.
Shane nods.
SHANE
Hey. You know, you look really
familiar.
FIL
You must be thinking of one of my
ancestors.
SHANE
Um...
Choosing to ignore that, he spots the keyboard in Fil's
hands.
SHANE (CONT'D)
I don't take computer studies but
I'm pretty sure you don't need to
supply your own equipment.
Fil doesn't get it. With his face blank, he looks to Vi.
FIL
We have more work to do.
He wades into the sea of Students. Vi, pained, looks from
the retreating Fil to Shane.
VI
Fil!
(to Shane)
I've gotta stay with him. I'm --
SHANE
Yeah, I get it. Go.
As Vi runs after Fil:
SHANE (CONT'D)
(calls)
But don't forget the test!
VI
(over her shoulder;
faint)
I'll be there!
And she's gone. Shane SIGHS.
SHANE
No you won't...
He moves off screen.
INT. THE COMPANY - RECEPTION - DAY
The elevator CHIMES and Andrew emerges. He quickly steps
aside as a couple of EMPLOYEES hop in after him.
Andrew approaches the reception desk where GLENDA sits
silently - staring at the closed door to Sidney's office.
ANDREW
Hey, Glenda. Seen Jenna around?
No response. He RAPS sharply on the desktop and Glenda
JUMPS. She swings her chair around to face him.
GLENDA
I'm sorry, sweetie. A bit caught
up in my work.
Andrew quirks an eyebrow.
ANDREW
And how much does this work pay?
Because I'm actually quite good
at doing nothing.
Glenda laughs and slaps him playfully on the arm.
GLENDA
Cheeky!
She glances around and then leans in close. She beckons him
forward with one finger.
GLENDA (CONT'D)
Now, you didn't hear it from me,
but there's something going on
around here.
ANDREW
Really? What?
GLENDA
Jenna and Benson and Dautry have
cloistered themselves up in the
conference room, talking about
who-knows-what. All I know is
that if Sidney comes out of his
office, I'm supposed to do this --
(sings; loud)
How do you solve a problem like
Maria?
Andrew, alarmed at her sudden volume, jolts backwards.
GLENDA (CONT'D)
How do you catch a cloud and pin
it down? How do you --
ANDREW
Okay, yeah, I get it.
The door to the conference room is FLUNG open and JENNA
pops her head out, looking around wildly.
GLENDA
Sorry, dear. False alarm. Go back
to your secret meeting.
Jenna throws her an exasperated look. Andrew, holding back
laughter, joins Jenna at the conference room doors.
ANDREW
(re: Glenda; low)
Think you need a new system.
JENNA
(shrugs)
She really wanted to sing.
INT. THE COMPANY - CONFERENCE ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Jenna and Andrew enter. BENSON sits at the head of the
table, in his old "Director" chair. GABRIELLE stands, her
hand on her gun holster.
JENNA
Nothing to worry about.
ANDREW
Glenda was just giving me a
demonstration.
He sits down at the table. Nods to where Gabrielle's hand
is placed.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
But I see you have a back-up
plan.
Gabrielle, realising, removes her hand from her gun. She
nervously crosses her arms.
GABRIELLE
Force of habit.
As Jenna sits down:
JENNA
We're all on edge.
ANDREW
Except for me. I'm hungry.
(to Jenna; hints)
Weren't we gonna --
BENSON
I'm not comfortable with this,
Jenna.
ANDREW
Hey, it's just lunch!
Jenna shoots him a look.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
Oh, right. Secret meeting.
(beat; embarrassed)
Carry on.
BENSON
You didn't have little mutiny
conferences when I was in charge,
did you?
JENNA
This isn't a mutiny.
ANDREW
And they weren't conferences.
JENNA
This is getting us nowhere.
(beat)
Are we going to tell Sidney what
we found in the Breaker offices
or not?
GABRIELLE
The man is a joke. He didn't
believe Morgan when she said the
Breakers killed Kou so why should
he believe us about this?
BENSON
May I remind you, Gabrielle, that
you don't exactly have a
reputation of trusting Violet,
either.
GABRIELLE
That's different.
BENSON
How?
JENNA
I say we go straight to Head
Office.
ANDREW
Yeah, and they'll fire Sidney on
the spot.
GABRIELLE
I'm all for that idea.
ANDREW
Before they get to us, who
they'll also fire.
Gabrielle looks less enthusiastic about this part.
BENSON
This needs to be handled
delicately. I'm just worried that
going over Sidney's head will
create more problems.
JENNA
Benson... Alistair... The man
took your job. Aren't you angry
about that?
BENSON
This isn't the time nor the place
for that discussion, Jenna.
Regardless of how I feel about
Sidney, he is this Company's
Director.
(beat)
And you've heard my opinion on
the matter.
He stands and swiftly moves for the exit, an air of
disappointment about him.
Gabrielle quickly jogs after him. The door closes after
her. There's a beat.
ANDREW
She didn't go to shoot him, did
she?
Jenna cracks a tired smile.
[
top
| next
]
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.