tc2x19
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
[
bottom
]
TEASER
FADE IN:
EXT. HIGHWAY - DAY (PRESENT)
CLOSE UP ON VI
Her face is one of shock. A numb expression, staring into
space. Over this, we hear the voice of MARCUS PIERSON.
MARCUS (V.O.)
Do you know what is meant by the
term "morality"?
We start to PULL BACK. In SLOW MOTION, Vi moves forward.
Her numbness fading into panic.
As her pace quickens, arms GRAB her around the waist,
pulling her back. The arms belong to ANDREW, looking
shocked himself.
Still PULLING BACK, we see Andrew's car idling in the
middle of the empty highway - doors open.
Vi stops struggling and settles, looking at something off
camera.
MARCUS (V.O.) (CONT'D)
In it's purest form, it is merely
a code of conduct which dictates
what is right, and what is not.
Still in one shot, we REVEAL more of the highway. The first
signs of DEBRIS appear. The CAMERA CONTINUES, the amount of
debris increases. The air begins to fill with SMOKE.
MARCUS (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Everyone on this Earth has their
own moral code, guiding them
through their lives, helping them
make their decisions.
A comfortable TRAVEL COACH lies on the highway - on it's
SIDE. A complete mess of twisted metal and chaos with a
GAPING HOLE in the underside.
The CAMERA glides around the front of the bus to reveal the
half broken windshield.
END SLOW MOTION
MARCUS (V.O.) (CONT'D)
They need this because the world
is not black and white. Bad
things happen to good people, but
the opposite rings true as well.
CLOSE ON THE WINDSHIELD
A hand SLAMS against the glass. It inches over to the
cracked edge of the window, fingers slip over the side -
taking hold.
Jagged glass cuts the owner of the hand as they use the
leverage to drag themselves from the wreckage.
It's GWEN. She's scratched up, traumatized. Her Garreton
Academy uniform is ruined.
She slowly gets to her feet, squinting into the sunlight
and looks around. Behind her, other wounded Garreton
Academy STUDENTS struggle out of the bus wreck.
MARCUS (V.O.) (CONT'D)
But there has to be the
realisation that right and wrong
just do not exist.
(beat)
But they are what we, ourselves,
make of them.
Her shock begins to fade and the next human reaction kicks
in. She opens her mouth. And SCREAMS.
CUT TO BLACK:
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
INT. MORGAN RESIDENCE - KITCHEN - MORNING (FLASHBACK)
A knife CHOPS mushrooms rhythmically. CAROLINE is preparing
breakfast.
MARCUS (V.O.)
Why are children compelled to act
up? Why are teenagers compelled
to rebel against parents and
authority? Is it asserting
independence, or is it pure
selfishness?
Her cutting gets faster as she concentrates.
MARCUS (V.O.) (CONT'D)
It's something much more
powerful. It's something that is
essentially a vital commodity.
Something that everyone should
possess.
Faster.
PENNY (O.S.)
Okay, everyone. Pay attention.
PENNY stands by the kitchen table where CAM is pouring milk
into his cereal. Both are in school uniforms.
Penny points to an invisible someone.
PENNY (CONT'D)
You, stop walking off. I don't
care if they're giving out free
pins you must stay with the rest
of the group.
She smiles, pleased with herself. Cam looks up.
CAM
How odd.
PENNY
I'm practicing my "student
wrangling". Besides, you're
probably seeing Darwin tap
dancing in your cornflakes or
something so I guess I'm not the
one who's weird.
CAM
Student "wrangling"? They're not
cattle.
PENNY
Pfft. You haven't seen those
heifers on the hockey team.
CAROLINE
Penny!
Penny rolls her eyes.
CAM
So, what exactly are you
"wrangling" students for?
PENNY
A bunch of year elevens are going
to Sydney to attend this expo for
universities. Like a huge open
day. It's that one I went to last
year, remember?
CAM
The one where you asked the woman
from the University of Toronto
what it was like going to school
in Canadia?
PENNY
(not seeing her mistake)
Yeah. That one.
(beat)
Anyway, I have graciously offered
my services as a student
volunteer. You know, to keep the
brats in line.
CAM
Very gracious.
She gives him a quick shove.
PENNY
Shut up. I'm actually looking
forward to helping the poor
disillusioned children --
(faux emotion; hand on
chest)
-- who unlike my sister, still
have a chance at having a normal
life.
(then)
Penelope Morgan, Life Coach
extraordinaire.
Caroline dumps the chopped up mushrooms into a bowl.
CAROLINE
Thank heavens you've got some
kind of direction, Penny. It
restores my faith in you.
Penny GLOWS. Then:
PENNY
Wait, restores?
There's no time to reply as Vi rushes in.
VI
Morning all. And Penny.
Penny makes a face as Vi steps over to Caroline. She
reaches across to the bowl of mushrooms just as Caroline
starts chopping a capsicum.
VI (CONT'D)
Ouch!
She yanks her hand back, revealing a tiny cut on her
finger. She pops her finger in her mouth. Sucks on it.
CAROLINE
Your fault.
VI
Woman with the knife's fault.
CAROLINE
Penny, can you get your sister a
band-aid?
Penny sits down at the table. Crosses her arms.
PENNY
She can get it herself. I'm not
her wrangler yet. Until she gets
her butt on that school bus, I
ain't responsible for her.
Caroline just shakes her head. She looks to Vi.
CAROLINE
Could you get your father,
please? Breakfast's almost ready.
Vi heads out.
CAROLINE (CONT'D)
(calls after her)
Preferably without losing a limb!
VI
Oh la de da.
She exits. Caroline thinks for a few moments. She stops
chopping. Turns around to face the table.
CAROLINE
Penny, could you keep an eye on
Vi today?
PENNY
Like I said - butt on bus, I
care. Butt not on bus, I don't.
CAROLINE
Just... look out for her.
PENNY
Why?
CAROLINE
Because I asked you to.
PENNY
I'm not going to waste the day
baby-sitting my sister and forget
about everything else.
Caroline raises her eyebrows, fixing Penny with a "stern
mother" expression.
PENNY (CONT'D)
I'm not.
The expression continues.
PENNY (CONT'D)
I'm not.
More staring.
PENNY (CONT'D)
(sighs)
Fine.
Satisfied, Caroline turns back. Penny quickly sticks her
tongue out in frustration.
INT. MORGAN RESIDENCE - PETER'S STUDY - SAME
PETER sits at his desk, a high-lighter in his hand going
across text. It's his BOOK.
There's a KNOCK on the door, and Peter quickly closes the
book up as Vi pops her head in.
VI
Mum's in the middle of cooking
the most important meal of the
day. You in?
PETER
(half distracted)
I'll be there in a minute.
Vi flashes a quick smile as she ventures out:
INT. MORGAN RESIDENCE - HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
All she takes is a few steps before her MOBILE PHONE goes
off. Text message, not a call.
She stops. Takes her phone out of her pocket. A few beats
as she reads the message.
Vi puts the mobile to her forehead. GROANS.
INT. HIGHWAY - DAY (PRESENT)
Vi holds her mobile in shaky hands, pushing the numbers
urgently.
OPERATOR
(on phone)
Emergency services?
VI
H-hello? We-we need an ambulance!
There's been a crash, and-and we
need help.
Vi looks ahead. The bus is still there. Students stumble
around, in a daze. There's still a lot of smoke.
OPERATOR
(on phone)
Please remain calm. Where are
you?
VI
I-I...
(quietly)
I don't know.
OPERATOR
(on phone)
It's okay, Miss. Do you see any
signs or --
VI
(loudly; still shaky)
I don't know! I don't know where
we are!
From behind her, Andrew takes the phone. He presses it to
his ear as he walks away.
ANDREW
(fading out)
We're on the Grant Highway about
thirty k's...
Vi's attention is back on the bus.
She looks at the students roaming the scene but is unable
to move. Frozen to the spot. Until she spots...
VI
Gwen!
Vi runs for her. Gwen turns at her name.
GWEN
(dazed)
Vi?
Vi sees a nasty gash going across the side of Gwen's neck.
VI
Gwen, what happened?
GWEN
Are we there yet?
VI
What?
Gwen looks lost, not hearing what Vi's really saying.
GWEN
Are we going to miss the open
day? Will we still make it?
The panicked expression on Vi suddenly turns into one of
horror and realisation. She looks to the bus...
VI
Oh my God... Penny...
Vi runs to the broken windshield.
VI (CONT'D)
Penny? PENNY?!
She throws herself to the ground and starts to crawl
inside. Off her desperation, CUT TO:
INT. THE COMPANY - CONTROL CENTRE - DAY (FLASHBACK)
Vi enters, checking her watch.
She immediately spots JENNA, camped out at the desk of a
hovering EMPLOYEE - paperwork flooding any free space.
EMPLOYEE
Ms. Cooke, are you sure you
wouldn't be more comfortable in
your office? It's a lot quieter
and it's not, well, my desk.
JENNA
(signing forms)
One second, Jeffrey. One second.
He throws his hands up in defeat and leaves her to it. Vi
takes his place. Jenna, her head down, doesn't notice.
JENNA (CONT'D)
Jeffrey, I can't work with you
hov --
She looks up.
JENNA (CONT'D)
Oh. Vi. It's you.
(beat)
What are you doing here?
VI
I got one of those generic
Company text messages. You know,
"Assignment waiting. Report to
office ASAP".
She glances at her watch again.
VI (CONT'D)
Could we make this quick, please?
I've got a bus to catch and no
time to catch it in.
Jenna waves towards the stairs leading up to her office. A
couple stacks of FILES sit on the bottom step.
JENNA
If it's anywhere, it'll be in
there. You'll have to look. I'm
already swimming in words and
paper over here.
Vi grits her teeth. Heads over.
JENNA (CONT'D)
It'll be in your file.
Vi sits down. Starts to flick through the files. It's
taking longer than she would have liked. She moves onto the
second stack, getting more agitated the further she goes.
VI
It's not here.
(more annoyed)
It's not here!
Jenna abandons her work at Jeffrey's desk and joins her.
JENNA
Are you sure?
VI
My name's the same as it was
before so, unless it's legally
been changed without my
knowledge...
(stops; breathes)
Sorry, sorry... I'm in a rush.
Jenna kneels down and, slightly peeved herself, begins to
go through the files. She stops and pulls one out.
JENNA
Ahh. Oh dear.
VI
What?
JENNA
(sheepish)
You don't have an assignment.
VI
But --
JENNA
I thought you did. I was just
glancing through and I guess I
saw your name but it wasn't
exactly your name.
VI
How can it be my name but not
exactly my name?
Jenna holds up the file. Gives a weak laugh.
JENNA
Vince Morton. Nice guy. But not
Vi Morgan.
They both stand and Vi rolls her eyes.
VI
Not Vi Morgan.
Again, she looks to her watch.
VI (CONT'D)
I hope in all mighty manner of
deity my watch is fast because
it's telling me that I've now
missed my bus.
(shakes head)
Garreton Academy so needs an
elevator.
She grabs Jenna's wrist. Checks her watch.
VI (CONT'D)
Nope. Not fast.
(studying watch)
Hey, you know this is a guy's
watch, right?
Andrew (watchless) saunters over to them. Jenna immediately
pulls her wrist away from Vi.
ANDREW
Morning ladies. Wasn't expecting
to see you here, Vi.
VI
Did you get a text saying that
you have an assignment, too?
Because I've gotta warn you...
(eyes Jenna)
Those can be misleading.
ANDREW
(casual)
Nah. I'm just here to see Jenna.
Jenna's eyes WIDEN quickly. She not-so-subtly SIGNALS him.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
(quickly recovering)
Because she has a DVD of mine she
borrowed that she hasn't given me
back yet.
(beat; to Jenna)
Yeah, I'd like Mutant Space
Ninjas 4 back please.
VI
(to Jenna)
"Mutant Space Ninjas 4?"
JENNA
Someone needs to...
(beat)
... Learn how to be fluent in
Andrew. I was bored.
She smiles nervously.
JENNA (CONT'D)
(sharply)
Oh! Vi missed her bus!
ANDREW
That's interesting. But actually
not.
JENNA
No, I mean... Vi, he can drive
you. Andrew can drive you.
ANDREW
I can?
VI
(grateful sigh)
Actually that would save me a lot
of hassle - not to mention my
hide. If my mum finds out I
missed this thing, I'm dead.
Andrew fishes his car keys from his pocket.
ANDREW
Okay, sure. Where is it?
VI
(beat)
Um... It's only...
(quiet)
... Sydney.
ANDREW
I hope you mean the laughable
British homeless guy we haven't
shooed off yet.
VI
No, I mean a two hour drive and
the place laughable British
homeless guys keep mistakenly
referring to as the capital of
this country.
ANDREW
I don't think --
(sees Jenna pleading)
-- Okay.
VI
(blinks)
That was quick.
ANDREW
What can I say? I'm a kind and
generous person when it counts.
He begins to shepherd Vi out of the room. Glances back at
Jenna.
He raises his eyebrows, questioningly. Playing dumb, Jenna
shrugs.
EXT. GARRETON ACADEMY - DAY
A familiar looking BUS rests out the front.
By the door, checking off students on a LIST as they climb
aboard is Penny.
The last few climb on and she looks around finally before
climbing into:
INT. BUS - CONTINUOUS
And stops in front of MR. PARKER, sitting in one of the
first seats.
PENNY
I think we should be going now.
MR. PARKER
That everyone?
A beat. She nods.
MR. PARKER (CONT'D)
Double check?
Irritated, Penny starts up the aisle, counting heads. She
nears SHANE and Gwen sitting together.
SHANE
Vi hasn't arrived yet.
PENNY
(brushing him off)
And?
SHANE
I was wondering if you'd
forgotten what your own sister
looked like, since she's not
here.
Penny sighs, looking around. Then:
PENNY
Well, looks like she'll be
missing out on all the fun.
She walks past him, heading back towards the front of the
bus. She reaches Mr. Parker again. Tucks the clipboard
under her arm.
PENNY (CONT'D)
(cheerful)
Everyone's here!
MR. PARKER
Right-o.
Mr. Parker leans forward, THUMPS the back of the BUS
DRIVER.
As Penny takes her own seat behind Mr. Parker, she looks to
the doors as they close with a loud HISS.
INT. BUS - DAY (PRESENT)
COUGHING through thick smoke, Vi crawls through the
sideways bus - stopping to see an unconscious Mr. Parker.
She leans down, listening. He's BREATHING. A quick sigh of
relief and she continues forward.
VI
(coughs)
Penny? Penny?
She hears a soft MOAN. A little further ahead, Penny's
slowly coming to. Her eyes are hazy, hindered by the smoke.
PENNY
Vi?
VI
Penny? God, are you okay?
PENNY
(slowly)
My head... It hurts.
Vi notices a CUT on her forehead.
VI
There's a cut, just a cut. That's
all...
PENNY
How bad is it?
Vi looks past her.
The SMOKE is starting to clear, revealing the extent of the
damage inside. Some students aren't moving, others are
trapped. There's blood. It's hard to tell who's who at the
moment.
The horror hits Vi.
MARCUS (V.O.)
A sense of right and wrong
develops with age, experience.
The young do not fully realize
the consequences of actions. I'm
not saying that ignorance is
bliss, it's just that my personal
theory is that the mind of
innocence can help you instead of
hinder you in the ridiculous
stereotype that the lack of
wisdom makes a lesser person.
Vi takes another look to Penny, trying to get out of her
seat, lying sideways. Then, to the rest of the bus.
MARCUS (V.O.) (CONT'D)
It just heightens intuition, and
cuts down the time it takes to
question it.
(sighs)
A vital personality trait, I
should say so myself.
Deep breath.
VI
It's bad.
And off that:
CUT TO BLACK:
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
EXT. CRASH SITE - DAY (PRESENT)
We call it a "crash site" but there's no evidence of a
crash. No opposing car or truck. We PAN gracefully over the
scene, just to be sure.
More students. Bleeding and traumatized. Lots of crying.
MARCUS (V.O.)
Strength of character establishes
who we are. Our purpose in life.
We make friends, alliances... But
the strength of people is to be
able to go over that. The
challenge is to be able to be
objective over those you have
bonds with.
The CAMERA settles on something on the road.
MARCUS (V.O.) (CONT'D)
That way, you can be objective
with anyone.
It's Penny's LIST. Burnt and torn. Fluttering in the wind.
[
top
| next
]
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.