Tempted
Music: The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most by
Dashboard Confessional
(fade in): to an establishing
shot of
(cut to): a shot of a hall by
some classrooms. The dean walks by with
an unfamiliar, dark-haired woman, Alivia Dalton. Alivia is both rich
and intellectual. She walks with
confidence in both these aspects.
Alivia:
Thank you so much, Steven, for giving me a tour. This place has changed a great deal since
I’ve been here.
Steven: Who
was dean while you were here? Was it
William Avery?
Alivia:
Old Man Avery, we called him. I would
much rather be around these days with a dean who is still in the prime of his
life…so handsome and interesting…
She doesn’t look at him as she pours out the
compliments. His brow furrows, trying to
get a read on her.
Alivia cont’d: In fact, I wouldn’t mind being a member of the
faculty here. This will be my second
year on Sabbatical from Loyola Marymount. That job was draining. Not exactly Ivy League. But here…I’m simply energized.
Steven chuckles.
Steven: If
we ever have any openings in the English department, I’ll be sure you’re the
first person I call.
Alivia laughs flirtatiously.
Alivia:
A cross-county coastal relocation suddenly seems so…appealing.
Steven: Alivia, don’t take this the wrong way, but—
Alivia:
If only you were as susceptible to my advances as I was to yours all those
years ago.
Will (voice
over): Temptation.
Steven looks around, getting irritated and looking for
a more private location. He steps into a
classroom, beckoning her to follow. She
enters the classroom behind the dean, smirking all the way.
Steven: That
was another time. I have a family now.
Will (v.o.)
cont’d: Almost always, it leads
us astray.
Alivia:
You had a family then:
cute-as-a-button eight-year-old son…loyal, unsuspecting wife.
Steven:
We’re much more solid now.
Alivia smiles smugly, folding her arms.
Alivia:
Okay. Just thought I’d offer.
Steven looks at her, his longing for her now much more
apparent.
Will (v.o.)
cont’d: Yet it’s also what drives
us.
Steven:
Don’t tempt me like this. Please.
Will (v.o.)
cont’d: It’s what makes us want.
Alivia’s smile does not falter. She is eating this up.
Alivia:
I apologize.
She exits the classroom. He stares at the spot where she stood.
Will (v.o.)
cont’d: And the worst part is no
matter how hard we fight temptation, no matter how often we don’t
succumb, it still lingers, calling us, taunting us into a place we want, but
are afraid to go.
(fade out)
Commercial Break: Ian Then Some @ iansomerhalder.net:
it’s still there and it’s still all good.
(fade in): to an establishing
shot of Rawley Boys’ Academy.
(cut to): the dean’s
office. Alivia
and Alyssa sit in chairs opposite the dean’s desk. Steven is seated at and looking nervous
across his desk.
Alivia:
I just wanted to thank you again, Dean Fleming, for helping Alyssa get oriented today.
Steven:
Always my pleasure to assist a member of the prestigious
She smiles, looking at him seductively. Alyssa doesn’t notice. Steven straightens his tie.
Steven: So
it sounds like we’re all set…here’s your schedule.
He hands it to her and she examines it.
Alyssa: What
about art?
Steven takes the schedule back and looks at it.
Steven: Um,
yes…we have you signed up for intro to art.
Alyssa: I’d
really like to try A.P. Art.
Steven: That
class is usually reserved for seniors.
Alyssa: But—
Alivia:
You heard him, Dear.
You’ll be able to take that class when you’re a senior.
Alyssa takes the schedule back,
folds her arms and sits back in her seat.
She looks at her schedule one more time.
Alyssa: I’ve
already missed all my classes.
Steven: Last
period starts in a few minutes. You can
still catch that Victorian Literature class.
Alyssa nods, frustrated, but wanting to escape the
dean and her mother.
Alyssa: Well,
I guess I should get going again. Are
you leaving now, Mother?
Alivia:
I have some alumni business to take care of with the dean.
Alivia stands up as Alyssa does, hugging her.
Alivia:
I’ll give you a call when I get back home, okay?
Alyssa:
Okay.
Alivia:
I love you.
Alyssa: Love
you too.
Alyssa gives her mom one more look then exits.
Music: It’s All My
Fault (But I’m Not Sorry) by Megan Slankard
(cut to): the quad. The only inhabitants are seated together in a
small group.
(cut to): a closer shot of
the group. We see Finn as he paces
casually in front of his class of eager co-ed learners, sprawled out
comfortably in the sun. We see our
entire Rawley cast in the mix. Scout and Will sit together confidently in
the front row. Behind them are Jake,
Hamilton and Jill. Jake and Hamilton
trade covert smiles while Jill doodles in a notebook. Far back, Dexter and Tyson sit together. Tyson elbows Dexter who looks up as Alyssa
runs up. She glances around, spotting
familiar faces, but chooses to sit off to the side all by herself. Scout notices her next, he looks pretty
shocked, but she purposefully does not catch his eye. He whispers to Will who sees her as
well. Jake and Hamilton glance at her,
though
Finn:
Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to Victorian Literature. I’m sure you’re all pleased to be in your last
class on this first day—a Wednesday, nonetheless. I am pleased to see such a large and diverse
enrollment in an elective class. In
fact, I’ll take it as a compliment and assume that you’re all eager to work
with me…or that you forgot to register early and got stuck with me.
A few people laugh.
Finn cont’d:
Either way, welcome.
The nervousness of the first day fades slightly as
people get more comfortable on the grass…all except Scout who eyes Alyssa
nervously throughout the class.
Finn cont’d:
If you’re worried about the genre, don’t be.
I’ve selected a fine group of poems, stories and novels that are
personal favorites, which means, of course, that they inherently don’t suck.
A few more people laugh.
Finn cont’d:
The first of which I personally mailed to each of you this summer. Take it out.
Everyone pulls out a stapled photocopy except Alyssa.
Alyssa:
Excuse me, Mr. Finn?
Some people laugh.
Finn smiles warmly.
Finn: Just
Finn is fine.
Alyssa:
Okay. Finn. I just signed up for this class so—
Finn: Say no
more.
He pulls out an additional copy from his back pocket
and hands it to her.
Alyssa:
Thanks.
She examines the first page.
Finn: Just
try to follow the discussion as best you can.
Alyssa: Oh,
the Goblin Market? I’ve read this. I should be fine.
Finn:
Fantastic, Ms. …?
Alyssa:
Finn: Ms.
Dalton. Perhaps you could give us a
brief synopsis of Ms. Rossetti’s poem.
Alyssa:
Sure. It’s a parable about the
temptation to step into the forbidden.
(cut to):
Finn: Nice interpretation. Perhaps someone a little better at
paraphrasing could help you out with a synopsis.
He looks at Hamilton who looks up, embarrassed to be
pegged as the summary boy.
tries the fruit and then almost dies when she can’t have it
anymore.
Finn: Why
can’t Laura have it anymore?
Finn: Why?
Tyson: Once
you give in, there’s no going back.
Finn:
Interestingly metaphoric of you, Mr. Carter.
Tyson smiles, proud of himself.
Will: I
don’t get it, though. I mean, why can’t
she have the fruit anymore?
Everyone laughs.
Will doesn’t get it.
Jake: That’s
what he just asked us, Krusdki.
Scout: Yeah,
and Will is saying the question was never really answered.
He glances back at Tyson who rolls his eyes.
Finn:
Elaborate please, Mr. Calhoun.
Scout: Well,
okay, Laura ate the fruit, but she couldn’t keep eating it. She wanted more, but she couldn’t have more.
Tyson:
Right. And the question is why?
Scout: I
know…
Scout is frustrated.
Alyssa:
Look, guys, she couldn’t have more because the men wouldn’t let her have
more. This poem is all about women’s
lib. Female writers of Rossetti’s time had to learn from their male forerunners,
but they couldn’t dwell there. They had
to move on. Do their
own thing.
Finn smiles.
Finn:
Interesting.
Alyssa is now the center of everyone’s attention. Tyson is enamored. Jill is disgusted. And Scout is still surprised as hell that
she’s there at all.
Finn cont’d:
There are actually several readings of the poem. One focuses on the obvious Biblical
tie-ins. One on just what Ms. Dalton was
discussing. And
another on the economic implications of Ms. Rossetti’s
work. I would like you to spend
the remainder of class re-reading and analyzing the poem from any of the
perspectives I just described. You can
turn in your papers tomorrow.
Everyone groans.
Finn cont’d:
Okay. Make it Friday…and work with a
partner. Find one now then go find
somewhere else to get your work done.
They wait, wondering if class could really be over
already.
Finn cont’d:
Well, get to it.
Everyone looks around or gets up to find a
partner. They pair up: Dexter and Tyson,
Scout and Will, Jake and Hamilton. Jill
is left solo as is Alyssa. Jill tries
not to make eye contact with Alyssa by lingering with Jake and Hamilton.
Jake: Hey,
you can work with us.
Jill:
Thanks, but he said partner. Besides, I
think I have someone.
Jill’s obviously annoyed by this admittance. Jake tilts her head.
Jill: I’ll
tell you about it later.
Jake nods.
Jake smiles.
Jake: Yeah,
okay.
She turns to Jill.
Jake:
Everything okay?
Jill: Yeah.
Jake looks at her curiously.
Jill cont’d:
Really.
Jake: Okay.
Jake doesn’t totally buy it, but she leaves with
Alyssa:
Since we’re roommates do you want to work together on this?
Jill:
Sure. Sounds like you pretty much have
it all figured out anyway.
Alyssa shrugs.
Alyssa: It
tends to happen when your mom is an English professor. This innate knowledge of
literature.
Jill smiles reluctantly. She notices Scout and Will lingering. Alyssa follows her glance then blushes. Will gives Scout a nudge, forcing him over to
the girls. Will then follows.
Scout: Hi,
Jill.
Jill: Hi.
Scout: Aly?
That’s all he need ask because Alyssa spews into an
explanation.
Alyssa: My
mother insisted I come here. I know you
must think...I mean, I don’t know what you think, but…it wasn’t my choice.
He nods then cautiously looks from Alyssa to Jill.
Scout: Are
you two partners?
He raises his eyebrows at Jill.
Jill: By
default.
He doesn’t get it.
Alyssa:
We’re roommates.
Scout: Oh.
Jill: I
heard all about your summer.
Alyssa looks slightly mortified. Will looks at Scout, concerned for him. He goes to the rescue.
Will: I’m
Will, by the way. And you must be
Alyssa.
He extends a hand to Alyssa. She shakes.
Alyssa:
Will? Scout’s
roommate, right?
Will:
Yeah—oh, well, no. Some people got
shuffled around against their will.
Scout:
Including me.
Alyssa (genuine):
Sorry.
He shrugs.
Scout: Hey,
no big deal, I get to live with Dexter.
Alyssa: Oh,
the photo guy?
Jill: That’s
him. Don’t you think we should go get to
work?
Alyssa nods.
Alyssa: Good
idea.
(cut to): a shot of the girls
as they walk back to their campus.
Alyssa:
Thanks for that save.
Jill (sarcastic): No problem.
Alyssa: Do
you know him pretty well?
Jill: Who?
Scout?
Alyssa nods.
Jill cont’d:
You could say that. Why?
Alyssa: Do
you think he still has feelings for me?
Could you tell?
Jill shrugs.
Jill: Not
really. I mean, who knows what he’s
thinking half the time.
Alyssa nods.
Jill cont’d:
Do you want him to still have feelings for you?
Alyssa:
No. No…
She shakes her head, reiterating the point.
Alyssa cont’d:
I just need to know. I mean, the way we
left things…it was kind of based on the idea that we would never see each other
again, but now…it looks like we’ll be seeing each other daily…at least for the
rest of the semester.
Jill: You
could drop the class.
Alyssa:
Yeah, but I’m crazy about the topic.
She sighs then stops.
Alyssa: I
should just go talk to him right now…re-establish some boundaries.
Jill:
Boundaries are good.
Alyssa: Is
that cool? Can we work on this paper
later?
Jill: Of course.
Alyssa:
Great. Oh, and I also wanted to ask you
about A.P. art.
Jill: What
about it?
Alyssa: Is
it hard to get in?
Jill: Not
for a senior.
Alyssa: I
have to take that class. I need a more
advanced approach to my drawing.
Jill: Then
take regular art and work your way up like the rest of us.
Alyssa looks momentarily defeated. Jill feels bad.
Jill cont’d:
Of course, I haven’t seen your work…
Alyssa brightens up again and pulls out a sketchpad
from her pile of books. She hands it
over. Jill flips through. We see some of the sketches over her
shoulder. They are mostly images from
the beach, all well-drawn. Jill is
obviously impressed and unhappy by this fact.
Jill cont’d:
You should show these to Mrs. Fleming.
She hands the pad back.
Alyssa:
Really?
Jill: In
fact, I’d say go there and camp out.
Alyssa nods.
Alyssa:
Thanks for the vote of confidence.
Jill: Yeah…
Alyssa: I’ll
see you back in our room later?
Jill: Sure.
Alyssa smiles and walks off back in the direction of
the boys’ school.
(fade out)
Commercial Break: I guess I’m way out
of the loop, but I came across this site selling a YA DVD. Is this for real? Check it out and let me know: Media
Enterprises.
(fade in): to an establishing
shot of the boys’ dorm.
Music: Dirty Little Secret by The
All-American Rejects
(cut to): Nick’s
apartment. He and Bella stand by the
door. She has her arms around his neck
and he leans down to kiss her.
Nicholas:
I’m glad to see you today. My intro to drama classes were terrible. Those kids…
His hands wander down to her hips.
Nicholas cont’d: They just weren’t into it.
She kisses the side of his neck.
Nicholas cont’d: I mean, I didn’t even hit them with the
history of theatre. I had them do some
improve. Who doesn’t like improve?
Bella: Rich
kids who spend their whole lives pretending to be someone they really aren’t?
Nicholas chuckles.
Nicholas: Maybe,
but I think I heard the word “boring” as the last class was leaving. I’m a failure.
Bella: Then
they really are as dumb as I suspected because you, Mr. Mann, are anything but
boring.
Nicholas smiles at her.
Bella cont’d:
Which is why I hate to have to tell you that I need to get back to the
garage. My dad’s been asking me questions
lately. I mean, this summer I was in a
class…I was here with purpose. Now…
Nicholas:
You should have gotten a scholarship.
Bella laughs.
Bella:
Right…all the kids in a particular group of friends end up at the same
school. What is this, a Fox teen drama?
Nicholas:
Fox?
Bella: Yeah,
haven’t you heard? Fox is the new WB.
Nicholas laughs.
Nicholas: I
bet I could get a gig playing a high schooler on Fox.
Maybe then we could tell your dad.
Bella laughs and pats his chest.
Bella: You
work on that.
She kisses his lips.
Bella cont’d:
Meanwhile…
Nicholas:
You have to go.
She nods.
Nicholas:
Okay. I love you.
Bella: I
love you.
She kisses him again and slips out. He leans against the door, in love and happy.
(cut to): a long shot Sean’s
house.
Music: Maybe It’s Just Me by Butch
(cut to): a closer shot of
the steps. Jill sits there reading
through Goblin Market.
(cut to): a shot of the
sidewalk as Sean walks toward his house, spotting Jill.
Sean: Jill?
(cut to): a shot of the steps
as Sean walks up. Jill
smiles.
Sean: What
are you doing here? I thought I was
coming out to see you.
Jill: I’m a
terrible person.
Sean: Why?
Jill: Well,
I’m just going to be honest with you and I don’t want you to get upset or
jealous or angry or anything like that, okay?
Sean:
Okay…although I am now officially worried.
Jill: New
roommate girl…
Sean:
Alyssa.
Jill: Yeah,
or “Aly” as former boyfriends like to call her.
Sean: Former
boyfriends as in Scout.
Jill nods. Sean
hangs his head.
Sean cont’d:
So this is a Scout thing…
Jill:
God…the whole thing…it just drives me crazy. Why?
Why does it drive me crazy?
Sean: Well,
I’m assuming if the obvious were the answer you wouldn’t be sitting here asking
me that.
Jill considers this.
Jill: The
last time Scout and I talked—really talked—he told me to be with you. I never really told you about that.
Sean: No,
but I’m glad you took his advice.
Jill: And so
am I. I mean, you’re…
She looks at him with a smile.
Jill cont’d:
You’re what makes sense to me. You’re amazing.
Sean takes her hand, kissing it. He takes hold of it as he slips down next to
her on the step.
Sean (joking):
But you’re still hung up on your ex-boyfriend or what?
Jill laughs.
Jill: It’s
more like I’m disappointed that he’s not still hung up on me.
Sean squints.
Jill cont’d:
See. I’m terrible. I have this happy, wonderful world with
you…and I’m sitting here wondering how Scout could get over me.
Sean: Well,
you were right about the honesty thing…
Jill doesn’t miss a beat.
Jill: Plus,
this girl, Aly…she’s like this…new and
improved me. She’s younger…smarter…a
better artist.
Sean: Yet
still not good enough for Master Scout, apparently.
Jill: Yeah,
why is that?
Sean: Look,
I’m doing my best here, but this is really a sore spot for me and you just keep
digging in…
Jill: I
know. I’m sorry.
Sean: I
mean, what do you want me to say, Jill?
Maybe he’s not over you.
Maybe he’s just not into this girl for whatever reason. Maybe she has flaws that you haven’t
discovered. Maybe Scout’s just an
idiot. Or maybe I am…for being
with a girl who’s so into her ex’s love life.
Jill covers her face.
Jill: I told
you. Terrible.
He takes her hands down.
Sean: Look,
my advice, if that is what you want…
Jill:
Please.
Sean: Try
not to hold it against her.
Jill: But—
Sean: And tell
her that you dated Scout, for crying out loud.
Jill: I
know…it’s just so awkward…
Sean: The
best cure for that is to be upfront about it.
Jill nods.
Jill:
Okay. But I’ll have to ease into it.
Sean: Fair
enough.
Jill takes Sean’s other hand.
Jill: Thank
you for being understanding.
Sean (joking):
Yeah, sure, now get over Scout already, will ya?
Jill looks at him, fully reprimanded then kisses him.
(cut to): Jake and Hamilton’s
room. Jake sits at her desk typing on
her laptop. Hamilton lies on his bed,
distracted from Finn’s poem opened in front of him.
Jake: Okay,
give me that quote one more time.
He looks up, truly lost.
Jake: Are
you okay?
He looks down at the poem. Jake looks at him curiously then closes her
laptop.
Jake: Maybe
we’ve had enough for the first day of school.
Hamilton smiles, glad for the break.
Jake walks over to the bed, sitting next to him and
ruffling his hair. He sits up, giving
her a casual kiss on the cheek.
Jake: Want
to head over to the common room and veg out on some
TV?
Jake: What?
Jake: Oh,
your mom…those—
Jake laughs and stands up.
Jake checks her watch.
Jake: Oh, it’s about to start right
now. I love WB reruns…and the fact that
no one is ever in the common room at this time.
Jake: Are
you sure?
Jake nods, kissing his lips gently.
Jake cont’d:
I love you, Hamilton.
Jake: I’ll
meet you in the dining hall around dinnertime?
Jake plants a loving, long kiss on
(cut to): the common
room. Scout and Will
occupy a pair of chairs off to the side.
Scout stares out the window while Will examines the poem.
Will: I say
we go with the economics angle. It’s
pretty fascinating how…
He notices Scout is not listening.
Will cont’d:
…the plot of this story is just like Matrix, don’t you think?
Scout: Yeah,
yeah definitely…
Will laughs. Scout looks at him as it registers.
Scout:
Sorry. I’m just in a state of shock.
Will: I
don’t blame you.
Jake strides in, intent on the TV. She notices the guys just as they see her.
Will: Hi,
Jake.
Jake: Hey, guys.
She stands in front of them.
Jake cont’d:
We haven’t talked much. I trust you both
had good summers?
She lets her gaze rest on Will, knowing already how
Scout’s summer went.
Will:
Amazing.
He smiles.
Scout: So,
how was
Jake laughs at the name.
Jake: Not
too bad.
A beat.
Scout: Look,
um…is Jill…I mean, I’m assuming she found out that I never really mentioned her
to Aly.
Jake: Oh…she
found out all right.
Scout nods, exhaling.
Scout: What
do you say?
He looks at Will who shrugs.
Scout cont’d:
“There’s this person I’m trying to get over.”
Why even bother?
He pauses then shrugs.
Scout cont’d:
I didn’t know she’d end up here this year let alone roommates with the very
person I was attempting to get over…
Scout shakes his head, sighing. A beat.
Scout cont’d:
Sorry. I don’t mean to bring you into
all this, Jake.
Jake: Hey,
you know—
She’s cut short as Alyssa enters. She walks tentatively toward the group.
Music: Move Along by The
All-American Rejects
Jake cont’d:
Felicity’s on so…see you guys later.
She exits to the couch as Alyssa gets to the
boys. She glances over at Jake, but
doesn’t look disappointed she doesn’t have to meet another new person. She turns to Scout as he and Will rise.
Alyssa: Got
a minute?
Will: I was just
leaving…
Scout wishes he wouldn’t, but smiles uncomfortably at
Alyssa.
Scout: Sure.
Will gracefully exits. Scout gestures to the seat Will left
behind. Alyssa sits down as does Scout.
Alyssa: The
funny thing is, I know you, Scout.
Scout: What
do you mean?
He glances at Jake, satisfied that she is watching
Felicity and not eavesdropping. He tugs
on the hem of his shorts.
Alyssa: I
mean…could you be any more uncomfortable right now?
Scout swallows, leaving his hem alone when she glances
down at it.
Alyssa cont’d:
But what I can’t figure out…what I’ve never been able to figure out is…how you
feel…
Scout: About
what?
Alyssa looks at him in plain irritation.
Alyssa:
About me.
She looks down at her hands.
Alyssa cont’d: I mean, are you freaking out because you
thought you’d gotten away with a hot summer fling only to find me in your
English class or…because…
She looks up at him now. He can see where she’s going.
Scout: I
don’t think of you as a fling, okay?
You’re my friend…like we said at the end of the summer.
Alyssa nods and puts on her best smile.
Scout cont’d:
And I’m glad you’re here this year…although I could do without you
living with my ex-girlfriend.
Alyssa nods before what he
said registers.
Alyssa:
Ex-girl—
She stops herself as Scout looks at her, worried. She looks momentarily angry, but then smiles.
Alyssa: Jill
is a great artist.
Scout: As
are you.
She stands up.
Scout does the same. Jake glances
back at the movement, but immediately goes back to Felicity.
Alyssa:
Thank you. Speaking of, I’ve got to find
the art room. I’m trying to convince
Mrs. Fleming to let me into A.P. art.
Scout: I can
walk you there if you want.
Alyssa:
Sounds good.
A beat.
Alyssa cont’d:
And Scout…I know we did the friends things under the condition that we’d probably
never see each other again, but…I’m up for it if you are…the real deal.
Scout: I
think I can handle that.
He smiles.
Alyssa:
Good.
She smiles.
Scout: To
the art room?
Alyssa: To
the art room.
They leave together.
Jake looks back at them, laughing to herself.
(fade out)
Commercial Break: Good Charlotte’s new CD is
coming out soon.
Music: The Everlasting Fall by American Hi-Fi
(cut to): to the art
room. Alyssa sits at one of the art
tables, drawing in her sketchpad.
(cut to): the door as
(cut to): Alyssa. She looks up, smiling at him. Without Scout around her confidence seems to
shoot up.
Alyssa: Hi.
(cut to):
(cut to): Alyssa. She looks at him curiously, but goes back to
her sketchpad, her smile widening.
(cut to): a shot that
includes both of them.
He doesn’t go on.
She laughs.
Alyssa: “Um”
to you, too.
Alyssa chuckles and goes back to her sketch.
Alyssa: A
figment of your imagination.
She looks up and they lock eyes for a moment. There’s a connection here.
Alyssa: My
name’s Alyssa.
Alyssa: Uh
huh.
Alyssa rolls her eyes and shrugs, looking back at her
drawing.
Alyssa: It’s
the art room. I’m doing…art.
(cut to): a shot over her
shoulder. She’s sketched another beach scene.
(cut to): a shot of the pair.
He lets his gaze drift up from the drawing to Alyssa.
Alyssa:
Thanks.
She looks back at him and realizes he’s now looking at
her. She turns back to her drawing,
tucking her hair behind her ear.
Alyssa cont’d:
You’re kind of intense, you know?
He holds his gaze on her.
Alyssa:
You’re still doing it.
He looks away.
Alyssa: I’ll
forgive you…if you tell me your name.
She looks up at him coyly, flirting.
Alyssa: For
now.
He smiles, waiting a beat.
Alyssa: Nice
to meet you, Hamilton.
A beat.
Alyssa: So…
She turns around in the chair to face him.
Alyssa cont’d:
What brings you to the art room today?
Alyssa: The
art teacher?
Alyssa: Good
luck, I’ve been waiting for an hour.
Alyssa: I
need her to let me into AP Art.
Alyssa: This
is my first year here.
Alyssa: Why
not? Is Mrs. Fleming some kind of
strict, rule-following uber-bitch?
Alyssa laughs.
Alyssa: Have
you ever just wanted to try something?
You think it might be good…it might be what you want, but you’re not
quite sure. And, you’re just…you’re
dying to find out?
He smiles for a moment, then snaps out of it.
He takes a deep breath.
Alyssa tilts her head.
She might be into this guy.
Alyssa:
That’s really sweet, actually.
(cut to): the hallway. We can hear Alyssa’s words just before we see
Jake walk up outside the art room. When
she hears
(cut to): inside the art
room.
(cut to): Jake. She’s frozen.
(cut to): inside the art
room.
Alyssa:
Since what?
Alyssa:
What?
(cut to): Jake.
Jake looks confused by this.
(cut to): inside the art
room. Alyssa also looks fairly confused.
Alyssa: That
would make the strict, rule-following uber-bitch—
Alyssa laughs.
Alyssa:
That’s funny. I thought you were going
to tell me that you have a girlfriend or something.
She gets it.
Alyssa:
He thinks about this.
(cut to): the hallway.
(cut to): inside the art
room.
Alyssa: So
we’re back to “um” again, huh?
Alyssa: You
don’t exactly have a girlfriend?
(cut to): Jake. It was the last blow she’s willing to
take. She swallows back anger and
disappointment and heads for the art room door.
After a few steps, though, she quiets her steps and peeks inside the
room.
(cut to): a shot from her
point of view. Hamilton and Alyssa don’t
notice her. Alyssa look down now, shyly, but
(cut to): Jake. She pulls her head out of the room, still in
shock from the whole situation. She
starts to walk away from the room, but it quickly turns into a run.
(cut to): inside.
Alyssa:
Well, listen, if you ever want to hang out…
Alyssa stands up.
Alyssa cont’d:
I’ll probably be here camped out, begging your mom to let me in that class.
She picks up and closes her sketchpad. She smiles one more time.
Alyssa:
Thanks for the info.
He smiles. She
hesitates.
Alyssa: I’ll
see you around.
He nods, the reality of the situation hitting him when
she brushes his arm on her way to the door.
She stops before leaving and asks the question carefully:
Alyssa: Oh,
hey, do you know Scout Calhoun?
She nods, considering the implications of this.
Alyssa:
Mine, too.
Alyssa:
Yeah. Do you guys ever party?
Alyssa:
Yeah.
Alyssa: Let
me know if you do. I really need to
unwind…soon.
Alyssa:
Well, bye,
Alyssa looks him over then exits.
(fade out)
Commercial Break
(fade in): to an establishing
shot of the one-hour photo, later.
Music: Black by Colin Blades
(cut to): inside. Dexter and Tyson work.
Tyson: So
you want to do that whole “female writers of the time” angle Alyssa was talking
about?
Dexter rolls his eyes.
Dexter:
Sure.
Tyson: What?
Dexter:
You’re obsessed.
Tyson: Can I
help it if the girl is supremely fine?
Dexter:
Smart, too…
Tyson scoffs.
Tyson: Well,
obviously…
Dexter just shakes his head.
Dexter:
Maybe you should introduce yourself.
Tyson:
Someday, man…someday.
Dexter laughs and goes back to work. The bell rings a few seconds later as Will
enters the shop.
Tyson:
Hello, Will.
Will: Hello.
Dexter looks back and forth between them as Will addresses Tyson.
Will cont’d: I know you get off soon and I was thinking I could
buy you a burger…you know, talk about your first day and everything.
Tyson: Finn
put you up to it?
Will shrugs.
Tyson cont’d:
We live together…I know that’s tough enough on you. You don’t have to do anything extra.
Will looks down, feeling bad.
Will: I’m
sorry if I haven’t been…hospitable.
Tyson: Yeah,
well, I’m sure it’s hard to dish out the hospitality from Scout’s room…or
wherever it is you spend all your time.
Will sighs, running a hand back through his hair.
Will:
Scout’s having a rough time right now and…I don’t want to make it seem like
he’s been replaced.
Tyson: If
Scout really feels that way…then, man, he needs to grow up. Besides, how do you think he’ll feel when he
finds out you’re sneaking around behind his back with your new roommate.
Will laughs.
Will: Okay,
when you say it like that…
Tyson: It
sounds pretty damn lame, doesn’t it?
Will nods, defeated.
Tyson: Now
that you’ve seen the error of your ways…Dexter, you lock up…Will, let’s go get
that free burger.
(cut to): Friendly’s. Jill and Sean occupy a booth. An unfamiliar waiter is taking care of a few
other customers scattered about. Will
and Tyson enter, spotting Jill and Sean.
Sean waves them over.
Sean: The
two greatest catchers in summer league history…
Will: How’s
it going, Sean?
Sean: Good,
man, real good.
He glances at Jill who smiles at Will and Tyson.
Jill: Want
to join us?
Tyson: Only
if we can shamelessly flirt without pissing off your boyfriend in the process.
Jill laughs as Will and Tyson join them.
Sean: So
how’s life across the lake?
Will: The
same…and different.
Sean:
Yeah? You guys are roommates, right?
Will: Yep.
Sean: How’s
Scout taking it?
Will: He’s
dealing.
Jill looks concerned, but Tyson only rolls his eyes.
Tyson:
Anyway…Jill…you and Alyssa start that paper yet?
Jill: Not
yet…you know Alyssa?
Tyson: Oh,
not directly. Just as the girl Scout loved and left this summer, if you know what I
mean.
Will and Sean trade an uncomfortable look.
Tyson: What?
Jill: Scout
and I…last year…It’s kind of a sore subject…
She glances at Sean.
Tyson:
Really? I never would have figured Scout
could get the ladies like that...particularly one as lovely as you.
Jill blushes as the situation is eased. Sean puts an arm around Jill territorially.
Sean: So
when is that paper due anyway?
Jill:
Friday.
Sean:
Perfect. I was thinking of throwing
together a little school year kickoff party Friday night.
Jill: You
were?
Sean nods.
Sean: My
parents are going to be out of town until Monday.
Will: And
will said party be inter-scholastic?
Sean:
Naturally. Invite the usual crowd…and
I’ll do the same.
Will: This
part of that Rawley-Edmond peace treaty you’ve been
working on?
Sean: God,
don’t remind me of that disaster. No,
this party will serve no greater purpose.
Will: Will
it be substance free?
Sean:
Hmm…maybe I’ll go with B.Y.O.B.
Jill: You
know, it’s been awhile since I’ve had a good stiff
drink.
They all look at her.
Jill:
What? It’s a nice way to unwind.
Sean:
Anyway…you two in?
Will: Uh,
well, I am supposed to be setting an example here.
Tyson: Yeah,
so set the example on how to sneak out the dorms after hours, drink some booze,
and get back before you get busted.
Will: I
don’t know…
Jill: If
Will is too square…I’ll come and bust you out.
Will: No, that
won’t be necessary.
Tyson raises his eyebrows. Will nods, making a silent agreement to take
Tyson to the party.
Tyson:
Hallelujah.
Sean laughs.
Sean: Amen.
A beat as all laugh.
Sean cont’d:
Well, gentlemen, I have to get this lovely lady back to her dormitory
so…Friday?
Will:
Friday.
Tyson: I
can’t wait.
He smiles at Jill flirtatiously and shakes Sean’s hand
before getting up and moving to the other side of the table. Sean and Jill exit. Will looks at him in
disbelief.
Tyson: What?
Will:
You’re, like, the epitome of smooth.
Tyson laughs.
Tyson:
Front.
Will: For?
Tyson looks serious.
Tyson: Well,
Will…if I told you that…you’d know my biggest secret and, to be honest, I don’t
think I want my vulnerabilities exposed to a guy who’s supposed to be my mentor,
but won’t even spend five minutes in our shared dorm room.
Will: Man,
you are really bitter about that, aren’t you?
Tyson: I’m
neglected, unloved and under-appreciated.
He folds his arms.
The waiter finally comes up and picks up the dishes left by Sean and
Jill.
Waiter: Can
I get you something to drink?
Will: Coke.
Tyson: Same.
He walks off.
Tyson cont’d:
Didn’t you used to work here?
Will: Still
do, but I’ve been giving Scout most of my hours. I’m trying to feel out this semester right
now.
Tyson nods.
Will cont’d: So…your front?
Tyson chuckles.
Tyson: If
you must know, it’s a cover for my terminal dorkiness.
Will: No
way.
Tyson:
Serious. That’s why I like Dexter so
much. He is on the outside who I am on the inside.
Will: You’re
right then. You’ve got one hell of a
front.
Tyson: It’s
faulty, though. I mean, for every sports
team I’m on, I’m a part of some geeky club.
And for every girl I can flirt with, there’s at least one I just don’t
have the nerve to talk to.
Will: Oh
yeah? Like who?
Tyson: Now
that is one secret you’ll have to get out of me when I’m drunk.
Will doesn’t quite know what to say.
Tyson cont’d:
Hey, I’m just kidding. My inner-nerd has
never allowed me to succumb to that adolescent temptation.
The waiter returns with Cokes.
Waiter: Do
you still need a few minutes or—
Will: Just a
couple of cheeseburgers, please.
The waiter nods and heads off toward the kitchen. A beat as Will looks Tyson over.
Will cont’d:
If you ever bring the guard down…I’ll be ready to listen.
Tyson nods.
Tyson: Okay.
They smile cordially as we…
(cut to): the girls
dorm. Sean’s truck pulls up front and
Jill hops out.
(cut to): her dorm room where
Alyssa sits at her desk, typing the essay for Finn’s class on a laptop. Jill enters.
Alyssa finishes the sentence she was working on then turns to Jill. Jill looks at her uncomfortably.
Music: Walk Away (Maybe) by Good
Jill: Hi.
Alyssa: Were
you ever going to tell me?
Jill: Tell
you what?
Alyssa: That you dated him?
Jill doesn’t know what to say.
Alyssa:
Well?
Jill: I was…
Alyssa: You
were what?
Alyssa stands up confrontationally.
Jill: I was
easing into it.
Alyssa: I
can’t believe you.
She’s furious.
Alyssa cont’d: You let me tell you all
these intimate details and you never—
Jill: You told me all that before
I even knew who you were talking about.
Now Jill is getting
irritated.
Jill cont’d: And, besides, you know, who
goes around telling complete strangers “intimate details” about anything? I didn’t ask you. I didn’t want to know anything about you. In fact, every new thing I learn about you
makes me want to know even less about you.
Alyssa is more hurt than
angered by that statement.
Alyssa:
Well, you won’t have to worry about that anymore.
She folds down her laptop, picks it up and walks from the
room before Jill even has time to react.
(cut to): Jake and Hamilton’s
room. Jake is sitting at her desk
looking out the window. The lock on the
door clicks and she swiftly tries to look busy by typing.
Jake turns around, trying to be nonchalant.
Jake: Hi.
Jake: Cool.
Jake: Okay.
Jake: I
know.
Jake: What’d
you have?
He cringes.
Jakes can’t help a smile.
Jake: Sure,
we’ve still got a few days.
Jake: Okay.
(fade out)
Commercial Break: As you can tell, I’ve also been digging The All American Rejects
lately. Check out their latest CD. It rocks!
(fade in): to Tyson and Will’s
dorm room, the next morning. Tyson sits
on his bed reading a comic book. Will is
tying his shoes.
Music: The Geeks Get the Girls by American Hi-Fi
Will: So,
this afternoon’s the first crew conditioning.
Tyson:
Uh-huh.
Will waits, but Tyson just continues reading.
Will: Are
you in or what?
Tyson: I
don’t know. I’ve never even used a
rowing machine at the gym.
Will: Don’t
take this the wrong way, but I’ve seen you without your shirt on. You’ll be able to hang with the varsity boys
just fine.
Tyson gives him a curious look.
Will: Hey,
we go to an all boys school. If that’s the most homoerotic thing you ever
hear, you’ll be doing well.
Tyson: Good
point.
Will:
Anyway, Finn wouldn’t have asked you if he didn’t think you’d benefit the
team.
Tyson considers this.
Tyson: All
right. I’ll check it out.
Will: And
Dexter will be at coxswain this year so you’ll have a friend on the team.
Tyson: Looks
like I’ll have two.
Will smiles and nods.
(cut to): Alyssa and Jill’s
room. Alyssa is fully dressed and using
a mirror to apply the last of her make-up.
Jill is still in bed. Her alarm
goes off and she hits it and sits up.
She looks at Alyssa then gets up, grabs a sundress off a hanger in her
closet and heads for the bathroom.
Alyssa finishes her make-up and a moment later Jill emerges from the
bathroom with the dress on. She pulls
her hair up into a quick bun that she secures with a hair
elastic. Alyssa looks at her with a
curious smile.
Alyssa: How
do you that?
Jill rubs her eyes, still
tired.
Jill: What?
Alyssa: Look
perfect in less than 2 minutes.
Jill gauges the comment as she sits down on her bed
and slips on a pair of sandals.
Jill: I’m
sorry about what I said yesterday. And,
I’m sorry for not mentioning the Scout thing.
I honestly didn’t know how to bring it up after everything you’d told
me.
Alyssa: I
don’t blame you. I was just
embarrassed.
Jill: I was
hurt…that…he didn’t even mention me and…I shouldn’t have taken that out on you.
Alyssa nods, accepting the apology.
Alyssa:
Pretty ironic that we ended up roommates, huh?
Jill: I’d
say.
A beat as Alyssa finishes her primping. Jill looks slightly irritated by the process.
Jill cont’d:
I didn’t get to ask…how’d talking to Mrs. Fleming go?
Alyssa: I
didn’t get to. I’m going to stop by her
house this morning and see if I can ambush her.
Jill nods skeptically.
Jill: Sounds
like a plan.
(cut to): Jake and Hamilton’s
room, the next morning. Jake is still
asleep in her bed as
(cut to): the quad, about
fifteen minutes later. Hamilton plays
with several golden retrievers, tossing a Frisbee that is always promptly
retrieved.
(cut to): across the
quad. Alyssa walks with Kate
Fleming. They are ending a conversation.
Alyssa: If
you change your mind—
Kate: Don’t
count on it. Next year, we can talk
about it.
Kate walks away, leaving Alyssa red-faced and
exasperated.
Alyssa: God…
She shakes her head, slinging her arms down to her
sides. She glances around the quad and
her frown is replaced by a smile when she sees
Music: As Lovers Go by Dashboard Confessional
(cut to):
Alyssa:
He finds no one around.
A group of dogs runs up, one
carrying a Frisbee.
Alyssa: Do
you mind?
She glances at the Frisbee.
Alyssa: Oh,
I am.
She gives
Alyssa:
Still being intense.
Alyssa bites her lip.
A beat passes as the dog returns with the Frisbee.
Alyssa: You
know, you were right about AP Art. Your mom won’t even listen to what I
have to say.
She looks him over.
Alyssa: For
the record, I wasn’t fishing for that.
Alyssa laughs.
Alyssa:
That’s got to be the lamest line I’ve ever heard.
Alyssa: And were
you?
Before
The dean reaches them.
Steven:
Hello, Son.
The dean glances at Alyssa, but
Alyssa:
Hello, Dean Fleming.
Steven:
Hello, Ms. Dalton.
Alyssa: Oh,
my mother said to tell you hello.
Steven: She
is a fine member of the board of trustees.
It’s nice to see you fitting in here at Rawley.
Alyssa smiles.
Alyssa: Sir,
can I ask you something?
Steven arches an eyebrow.
Alyssa: I
was just wondering if the AP policy was at all flexible…possibly for someone very
passionate about the subject matter?
Steven glances at Hamilton who has abandoned the dogs
to smile at Alyssa.
Steven:
Passion and interest are a nice start.
They should be followed with maturity and…commitment.
Steven
smiles.
Steven:
Well…maybe we can all sit down and have a little chat about the policy. See if we can’t make just one
exception…particularly for someone who’s so obviously captured my son’s interest.
Steven: So,
what do you kids say? Dinner
tonight?
Alyssa: Sounds
great.
She looks at
Steven: I
will prepare the meal personally.
(cut to): Jake and
(dissolve to): the quad, that
afternoon. Finn’s class is
convening. Will, Scout, Tyson and Dexter
sit together.
Dexter: So
you’re going to come out for crew then?
Tyson: Yeah,
I decided this morning.
He glances at Will.
Scout: I
really doubt Finn is going to let you just walk on to the varsity team.
Tyson rolls his eyes, but chooses not to say anything.
Will: Finn
actually asked Ty to join up. Apparently he was quite the athlete at his
old school.
Scout: I
don’t think basketball and crew have a whole lot in common.
Tyson raises his eyebrows in disbelief.
Tyson: Yeah,
well, apparently height and intelligence have a perfect correlation.
Will and Dexter trade nervous looks.
Dexter:
Guys, let’s just drop it.
Tyson: Fine,
whatever.
Music: Mistake by Anthenaeum
Scout looks off shaking his head. We pan over to Hamilton who sits next to Jake. They are not speaking or even looking at each
other. Instead,
Finn: Ladies
and gentlemen, I trust you’ve all had some time to mull over Ms. Rossetti’s work?
The class nods or agrees out loud.
Finn cont’d:
Today we are going to continue our analysis, talking specifically about imagery
and symbolism. To most of you, the
symbolism may be fairly obvious. Anyone
want to take a stab?
Everyone looks around, tentative. Alyssa gives everyone a chance, but when it
is clear no one is going to say anything, she raises her hand somewhat
confidently.
Finn:
Yes? Ms. Dalton?
Alyssa:
Since you said obvious, I’m assuming you mean the parallel between The Goblin
Market and The Bible.
Tyson: You
mean, like, the forbidden fruit?
Alyssa barely looks over at Tyson.
Alyssa:
Exactly. The apple is the very first
fruit Rossetti names.
Finn: Very
good. Want to take that any further?
Alyssa:
Hmm. Well…the goblins are actually a
variety of animals.
Finn: Which
is like?
Jake: The
snake in The Bible.
Jake glances first at
Finn: Right,
exactly. So, we’ve got Eve…
Alyssa:
Laura.
Finn: We’ve
got the snake…
Tyson: The
goblins.
Finn: And,
who else do we have?
Will: Well,
there’s Lizzie.
Scout: Who’s
she? Adam?
Tyson scoffs.
Tyson:
Christ.
Scout: What?
Tyson has Alyssa’s attention now. He relishes and continues.
Tyson: She’s
not Adam. Laura doesn’t share the fruit
with her. She’s Christ. She’s the savior.
Alyssa:
Right, of course. That’s pretty smart.
Tyson offers her a smile.
Will: Yeah,
wow. I wouldn’t have thought of that.
Tyson humbly accepts the compliment.
Will cont’d:
The way she goes and sacrifices herself to the goblins is just like the way
Jesus sacrificed himself for mankind.
Alyssa: A
lot of people think that the so-called fall was actually pretty fortunate since
it brought Jesus into the life of man.
Tyson: Laura
and Lizzie ended up pretty happy, too.
Finn nods, proud of his class.
Finn:
Beautiful. I’m very impressed with all
of you for digging that out.
He gives Tyson a particularly proud beam. Scout casts him a sneer.
Finn cont’d: I
hope those of you that chose this as your essay topic were taking notes.
People start to get out paper and pencils as we…
(dissolve to): the end of
class.
Music: Best Friend by Colin Blades
Finn: Have a
wonderful afternoon, and don’t forget that your papers are due tomorrow.
Everyone gets up and starts to head off. Dexter and Tyson go in one direction, Will
and Scout in another. Unnoticed by
anyone, Alyssa smiles at
Jake: Okay.
Jake glances at Alyssa as she walks away then back at
Jake: Okay.
He mouths I love you to her, pats
her on the arm then runs off in the direction of his house. Jake shakes her head and looks around,
spotting Jill as she hurries to catch up with Scout and Will. She sighs and heads toward the dorms.
(cut to): Will and Scout as
Jill approaches. Will spots her first
and slows down.
Jill: Scout.
She catches up.
Will waves hello.
Jill: I just
wanted to remind you guys to make sure to invite everyone to the party
tomorrow.
Scout: What
party?
Jill: At
Sean’s.
She glances at Will.
Will:
Sorry. It slipped my mind.
Scout: Bet
you didn’t forget to tell Tyson.
Jill: He was
there when Sean told Will about it.
Scout: That
figures.
Jill looks at Will with raised eyebrows,
but Will only sighs and shrugs. Scout’s
tone changes slightly.
Scout cont’d:
Hey, can I talk to you?
Jill: Sure.
Will takes the hint.
Will: I’ll
catch up with you later and we can work on that essay.
Scout: Okay.
Wills smiles at Jill then leaves for the dorms.
Jill:
So…what’s up?
Scout: I’m
sorry.
Jill opens her mouth, but doesn’t know what to say.
Scout cont’d:
If it hurt you to find out that I hadn’t mentioned you to Aly,
I’m sorry.
Jill: It
hurt me a lot.
Scout: If
I’d known she was going to be your roommate—hell, if I’d known she was going to
be at this school, I would have told her.
Jill looks down.
Scout looks at her longingly.
Scout: I’d
just hate for you to think…
She looks up so he looks down.
Scout cont’d:
It wasn’t like I wasn’t thinking about you.
He glances up to gauge her reaction, but she gives
nothing away.
Scout cont’d:
I mean, I was trying
not to. I was trying to get over…everything.
Jill: I
understand.
A slight beat.
Scout: I can
only imagine what you must think of me.
Jill shrugs.
Jill: It
doesn’t matter anyway.
Scout: Oh,
no…it matters. It’ll always matter.
Jill bites her lip, looking down.
Jill: Scout—
Scout: So,
party on Friday?
Jill nods, looking at him again.
Scout: Okay,
well, I’ll…see you there.
Jill: See
you there.
They hold each other’s gaze a second longer then Scout
breaks it by waving slightly and turning to walk away. Jill watches for a moment then walks away
herself.
(fade out)
Commercial Break: Don’t forget to stop by the site message boards
and leave us some feedback about the latest episode.
(fade in): to the docks. Crew practice has just ended. Finn is talking to the group who is sitting
around on the dock.
Music: This is Such a Pity by Weezer
Finn: Not a
bad start, gentlemen. I also want to
formally welcome Dexter and Tyson to the varsity team. Dexter is going to do the job as coxswain and
Tyson…what can I say? Damn. You’re the spice we needed to get cooking
this year.
Tyson smiles humbly.
Scout frowns. Finn seems to
notice.
Finn: And,
Scout, I don’t know what you did this summer, but it must have kept you in
shape. You gave a standout performance
today.
Scout nods and can’ help smile a little. Tyson glances at him, but gives no emotion
away.
(cut to): the boathouse where
Scout and Hamilton are.
Scout is a caught off guard by this.
Scout: Yes…
Scout: Yep.
Scout: Did
you give her the tour or something?
Hamilton looks up, thinking he’s busted before he
realizes Scout means literally.
Scout:
Ah. Yeah, we met this summer. Maybe Jake mentioned it?
Scout: Jill.
Scout cont’d:
Well, anyway, that’s how I know her.
Hamilton nods, tossing some dirty towels into a
laundry bag.
Scout eyes him.
Scout:
Definitely.
Scout: No
problem.
They nod goodbye as
(cut to): Will and Tyson’s
room. Tyson sits at his desk with hands
at his computer keyboard, leaning way back in his chair. Dexter has pulled up another chair and is
reading what is on the screen as Tyson types.
He is also on a cell phone. Both
boys are still in their crew gear.
Dexter:
Okay, Grace. Yeah. I don’t know.
I haven’t seen her. Why would she
be here anyway? Okay.
He lowers his voice.
Dexter cont’d:
I love you, too.
Tyson glances at him, but doesn’t say anything as
Dexter hangs up. Dexter refocuses on the
computer as Tyson continues to type.
Dexter: This
is a really good introduction.
Tyson: I am simply a man inspired by an incredible
muse.
Dexter laughs.
Tyson cont’d:
I can’t even believe that girl got it on with Sir Scout. That’s just nasty.
Dexter:
Scout’s not as bad as you think.
Tyson: Oh,
so you’d get it on with him?
Dexter isn’t fazed.
Dexter: I’m
just saying, you should give him a break. He had a really rough year last year. The whole Jill thing—
Tyson:
Another perfectly cool girl that he shouldn’t’ve been
able to have.
Dexter just shakes his dead.
Dexter:
Okay, I’m done trying. Hate him all you
want, but one day when you put aside this automatic Scout-bias you’ve somehow
developed—
Tyson: Whoa,
he’s the one that assumed I played basketball last year so…don’t talk to me
about bias.
Dexter:
Well…didn’t you play basketball?
Tyson: And soccer.
Dexter:
Which is, what?
Typically a white sport? Is that what you’re getting at?
Tyson:
No. What I’m getting at is that—
Dexter:
Scout’s a racist.
Tyson: You
know, you’re saying that with irony as if to convince me that I’m being
unreasonable.
Dexter tosses him a smile of agreement. Tyson shakes his head.
Tyson:
You’re missing the point. Regardless of
his personal belief system, the dude was saying that with the specific intent
of pissing me off and, in my opinion, that’s…just not cool.
Dexter:
Yeah, and you didn’t zing him back or anything.
Tyson: Eye
for an eye.
Dexter:
Great personal belief system.
Tyson: Dude,
it’s in the Bible.
Dexter: Can
we just end this conversation and get back to work?
Tyson: Let’s
finish tomorrow. I want to go do a
billion sit-ups so I don’t continue to embarrass myself at crew practice.
Dexter: Are
you kidding? Didn’t you hear Finn?
Tyson shrugs.
Dexter cont’d:
What? Do you want to make sure you’re
the only one who gets praise next
time?
Tyson rolls his eyes.
Tyson: I
don’t know what you’re talking about.
He gets up from the chair and drops down to do some
push-ups.
Tyson cont’d:
I’m only trying to do what’s best for the team.
Dexter laughs at the absurdity then scoots over to the
laptop to keep working.
(cut to): the road from Rawley
to town, just on the edge of town.
Nick’s Jetta comes to a stop on the side of
the road.
Music: Dirty Little Secret by The
All-American Rejects
(cut to): inside the
car. You sure you’ll be okay walking?
Bella:
Welcome to New Rawley. The only crime that occurs here usually
involves high school students and sleeping bovine.
Nicholas nods, assured. He gives her a long kiss. She smiles and opens the car door.
(cut to): a shot as she walks
home.
(cut to): the driveway of the
first house Bella passes. It’s dark and
she doesn’t notice two men in the driveway, talking next to a truck, the garage’s
truck.
Man: Charlie, thanks so much for stopping by. I know lawnmowers aren’t your specialty, but—
Charlie:
Don’t say another word, Bobby. Your wife
has been helping Gracie with her essays since grade school. It’s the least I can do.
Man: I think
they’re almost done, by the way.
Charlie:
Great. Why don’t you show me that mower?
Out of the corner of his eye, he catches site of
Bella. He almost calls out to her, but
he notices the Jetta pulling a u-turn and heading
back to Rawley.
He looks curiously, but simply follows “Bobby.”
(cut to): several minutes
later inside the Jetta. A light on the dashboard comes on.
(cut to): a close shot of
Nick as he sighs, wondering what to do.
(cut to): to the girls’
dorm.
Music: Perfect Situation by Weezer
Alyssa: Hey,
thank you so much for helping me.
Alyssa: You both
were great at helping me convince her.
Alyssa: Are
you going to be in trouble with her?
Alyssa:
Well, she definitely won’t be sorry. I’m
going to work so hard in that class.
Hamilton smiles, putting his hands into his pockets.
Alyssa cont’d:
Are you all right you seem kind of…
She searches his eyes.
Alyssa: Are
you…pissed off at me or something? I
mean, if you think I’ve just been using you to—
Alyssa:
Sorry?
He doesn’t go on.
Alyssa:
What?
He sighs.
Alyssa: I’ve
seen The Secretary, okay? So if this is
some kind of weird sadomasochism thing…
Alyssa: I’m
sensing that there are some issues here.
Alyssa:
Going to tell me about it now, or will it be revealed
in time?
Alyssa: Okay. Well, I had an awesome time tonight.
She leans forward, slowly planting a kiss on his
cheek. Neither of them backs away. They turn their heads together, lips almost
touching.
Alyssa: No
problem.
Alyssa:
Obviously.
She grins then turns and walks away.
Alyssa: Yep.
He smiles.
Alyssa:
Sweet dreams.
Hamilton offers her a small wave,
backs away then turns around to go back to the dorms.
Music: Dirty Little Secret by The
All-American Rejects
(cut to): an establishing
shot of the garage. Bella is looking
under the hood of a Jetta with a flashlight. Nicholas stands to the side, leaning on a gas
pump.
Nicholas:
Well?
Bella: I’m
not sure. I’m seeing a little
anti-freeze and a little water. It’s
something with the radiator…maybe the…
She leans further in, reaching an arm down past the
radiator. A truck pulls up. Grace hops out of the driver’s seat and
Charlie opens the passenger door, eyeing Nick and the car.
Charlie:
What seems to be the trouble?
Grace scoffs.
Grace: Like
five years.
Bella tosses her an evil look, but Charlie is looking
at Nick too hard to notice.
Bella: Hey,
Dad. This is Mr. Mann. He was my drama teacher this summer.
Charlie:
This is the teacher that took you to
He eyes Nick with deserved suspicion.
Bella:
Yeah. And now he’s got a busted water
pump.
Charlie: In
that case, you’ll have to leave her for a few days.
Nicholas instinctively glances at Bella, but Bella
doesn’t bat an eyelash.
Bella: We’ll
have to order the part.
Nicholas:
Oh, right. Yeah, not a
problem.
Charlie: You
know…I was picturing a fifty-something eccentric with glasses and white
gloves.
He re-asses Nicholas.
Charlie cont’d:
When I pulled up here, I had you pegged for a high schooler.
Grace bursts out laughing. They all look at her, Bella with warning
eyes.
Grace: So,
how old are you anyway, Mr. Mann?
Bella: Shut
up, Grace.
Charlie looks from one daughter to the other then to
Nick.
Charlie: Do
you need a ride back to the school?
Nick again glances at Bella.
Charlie cont’d:
I’d be glad to take you.
Nick is uncomfortable, but has no other options.
Nicholas:
Yes, thank you, Sir.
(cut to): the car as Charlie
drives Nicholas along. Neither says
anything. They are nearly to Rawley. After
another few seconds of awkward silence:
Charlie: My
daughter’s beautiful. Don’t you think?
Nicholas:
Um…I’m not sure I know what you mean.
Charlie: I
mean, I think I should have met you before now.
Nicholas fidgets as Charlie pulls the car into the
gates of Rawley.
Charlie cont’d:
She’s up here a lot.
Nicholas:
Oh…uh…really?
Charlie: I
don’t like to beat around the bush, Mr. Mann.
Nicholas looks concerned.
Charlie cont’d:
Apparently you do.
Nicholas:
Sir?
Charlie: I
thought there might be a boy. Here. She didn’t want me to know so she kept it to
herself.
Nicholas swallows hard.
Charlie: I’m
just hoping you can offer me an explanation as to why you were driving my
daughter into New Rawley this evening. And why you’re not man enough to get her home
instead of dropping her off half a mile away.
Nicholas nearly chokes. He has no idea what to say.
Charlie cont’d:
I don’t know whether to call the cops or to haul you out into those woods and—
Nicholas:
Mr. Banks…I…
He sighs.
Nicholas cont’d: I don’t know what to say.
Charlie: She
may be eighteen, but she’s still just a girl.
Nicholas looks at him, noticing a
softness in his voice.
Charlie cont’d:
My little girl.
Nicholas:
Mr. Banks…
He takes a deep breath.
Nicholas cont’d: I care for Bella very much.
Charlie looks at him, the softness still present as
the car stops in front of the dorms.
Charlie: A man tells the truth.
Nicholas: I
am very uncomfortable with lies and secrets.
I’ve wanted to tell you for awhile…
Charlie: But
she didn’t.
Nicholas doesn’t answer since
it wasn’t a question.
Charlie cont’d:
How does it come to this point? I’ve
been strict because I’ve wanted her to meet the potential she has inside
her…and I wanted to keep her safe. Instead
all I did was make the forbidden seem more desirable.
Nicholas (gently): That was a beautifully poetic statement, Sir, but I don’t think it’s
that complex.
Charlie’s brow furrows.
Nicholas:
She doesn’t want to be with me because I’m “off limits.” We just met each other and liked each
other. The circumstance
are complicated and…you’re her father.
She wants your approval, Sir. You
have no idea how much she values your opinion.
I think she’s just afraid that you’ll think I’m a terrible person. I mean, hell, I’m terrified of that very thing right this minute.
Charlie laughs.
Charlie:
Congratulations, you’ve finally become a man.
Nicholas doesn’t understand.
Charlie cont’d:
You’ve been honest with me. It means a
lot.
A beat.
Charlie cont’d:
How old are you anyway?
Nicholas:
Twenty-three.
Charlie nods, assessing him further. After a moment, he puts his hands on the
steering wheel and looks out the windshield.
Charlie:
Five years.
Nicholas looks around, wanting to get out.
Charlie cont’d:
Go ahead.
Nicholas nods, taking the door handle.
Charlie cont’d:
The car should be ready in two days.
I’ll let Bella drive it up here.
Nicholas:
Okay. Thank you.
Another beat passes.
Nicholas cont’d: Is it just me or is this all very surreal? I mean…I kind of
feel like I’m in the Twilight Zone, you know?
I thought you’d at least hit me when you found out, but—
Charlie:
Well, don’t push your luck, kid. Go on inside.
Nicholas laughs uncomfortably and opens the door of
the truck. He exits, leaving Charlie to
think things over.
(fade out)
Commercial Break: After you stop by our message boards, don’t forget to stop by FanForum.
(fade in): to a shot through an open window in the common room. The room is empty except for Hamilton who
sits on a couch, peeling an apple. The skin falls between his legs onto the
floor. A breeze from the open window
lifts pieces of
(cut to): the doorway. Alyssa stands there wearing a white sundress
and no shoes. The light from
(cut to):
Alyssa puts a hand on the back of his neck and pulls
his head up in order to look him in the eye.
Alyssa: Then
take me.
His forehead against hers, he nods. They slide down on the couch, Alyssa on her
back,
Alyssa:
She moves her hands down his body, off camera. He closes his eyes, wrapped up in the passion
and pleasure of the situation. He
exhales heavily before speaking her name…
They kiss again and things go even further as
Music: She Says by Unwritten Law
(fade to): black. With the screen still black we hear a
fast-paced beeping. Slowly a new picture
fades in: a close up of
Jake:
Jake:
He clings to his blanket, not moving.
Jake:
Listen, I’m going to take a shower.
He nods.
Jake cont’d:
And I was thinking that…
He looks up at her, not hiding his dread well.
Jake cont’d:
…since we have this private bathroom and all…you could…join me.
She smiles expectantly.
She looks down, put off by his fervent refusal.
Jake:
Why? I mean, we have the same…
She puts on her best fake smile.
Jake cont’d:
You know, never mind.
She turns from him and heads for the bathroom and, as
an after thought, tosses one more thing over her shoulder:
Jake cont’d:
I love you.
(cut to): several minutes
later, the girls school.
Music: Come Back Down by Lifehouse
(cut to): Jake in the shower,
from the shoulders up. The hot water
runs over her and steams up the room. As
she pulls her face out of the water, we realize, for the first time, that she’s
crying. She lifts a hand to wipe the
tears from her already wet face.
(cut to): a hall in the
girls’ school. Jill walks by carrying an
armful of books and notebooks. A hand
reaches out from the library and pulls her in.
(cut to): the library. Jill looks scared until she realizes it’s Hamilton who’s pulled her in.
Jill: Jesus,
what?
He doesn’t speak at first.
Jill cont’d: I’ve
had self-defense training before, you know, I could have broken your arm.
He’s obviously freaked out.
Jill cont’d:
What’s wrong?
Jill: Easy
enough.
Hamilton pauses, watching Jill. She folds her arms. She’s not pleased.
Jill: Uh
huh.
Jill: I
don’t really think I like where this is going.
Jill: And
you hooked up with her or what?
Jill sighs with relief.
Jill: Good.
Jill laughs.
Jill: Okay.
She tilts her head forward, her eyebrows raised.
Jill: And?
Jill: Oh…kay…
Jill cont’d:
I don’t expect you to be some kind of Puritan, Hamilton. So you thought some girl was cute. You wondered what it would be like to be with
her. You had some erotic dream. So what?
You’re a guy. I wouldn’t expect
anything less.
Jill: You’re
saying it as if this has never happened to you before.
Jill tilts her head in disbelief.
Jill:
Vaguely.
Jill blushes, but doesn’t appear otherwise flattered.
Jill: Your
wonderful, amazing girlfriend. Who I
later found out was Jacqueline.
Jill’s jaw drops.
Jill:
He looks down.
Jill drops her arms to her sides.
Jill: And
how do you feel about that?
Jill: Wow.
Jill: What?
Jill is staring at him silently.
Jill: Did
you tell Jake?
He shakes his head.
A beat.
Jill: Sex
dream details not required.
Jill cont’d:
I was hoping you’d deny my classification of the dream.
He looks at her as if it’s an
impossibility.
Jill: Okay,
it doesn’t do any good to feel guilty about dreams. I mean, I’m sure you’ve used that hormonal,
teenaged boy brain of yours to dream screw plenty of girls so—
She looks at him with disbelief.
Jill shakes her head, jaw dropped.
Jill: Well,
trust me, it’s normal.
Jill:
Okay. You want to know what I think?
Jill: First
of all, what I need to know is…are you planning to cheat on Jacqueline?
Jill nods.
Jill: So, I
know you’re, like, “
Jill:
Tempted?
Jill cont’d:
Looking at the apple is fine. Just don’t
eat it, okay Adam?
He looks at her, horrified, as he thinks about his
dream.
Jill: And,
for crying out loud, don’t mention it to Eve—
Jill: If you
tell Jacqueline…she’ll be out of here.
Either that or…she’ll make herself totally
miserable so that you can be happy.
He doesn’t get it.
Jill: Just
keep your trap shut.
A slight beat.
Jill: Who?
Jill: Wait a
second. Keep the bus
going above fifty…
Jill: Keep
talking. She knows Scout?
Jill:
Alyssa?
Jill:
Think…new roommate.
Jill: She’s
the one you’re all hot and bothered about?
Jill cont’d:
God, of all the girls.
Jill: You
better not. Especially
over Aly. Ick.
She grabs his shoulders, to emphasize the point.
(cut to): Nicholas’
apartment. There is a knock at the
door. He walks out of the bathroom with
a towel
around his waist and wet hair. When he opens the door he finds Jake standing
there.
Nicholas:
Hi.
Jake:
Hi. Do you have a minute or…
Nicholas:
Sure.
Jake: I mean
if you have to go teach—
Nicholas: I
only have afternoon classes. You on the
other hand—
Jake: I’m
cutting.
Nicholas:
Are you not feeling well?
Jake laughs a little.
Jake: Not
really, but I don’t have any physical malady if that’s what you mean.
He looks her over, worried.
Nicholas:
Let me just change and we can talk, okay?
Jake nods, sitting back against the couch. He exits to his bedroom. After a moment,
something starts buzzing. Jake spots
Nicholas’ cell phone on the coffee table.
It’s on vibrate. She sits up, looking at the caller i.d.
Music: Dirty Little Secret by The
All-American Rejects
(cut to): the phone. It says “Bella.” Jake tilts her head, picking it up, looking
at it in disbelief. She continues to stare
at it, trying to figure it out, when it stops vibrating. Jake starts to put it down, but has a better
idea. She pushes a few buttons then
holds the phone up to her ear.
Bella (on phone): Hey you. Why weren’t you
answering?
Jake takes the phone away from her ear, looking at it
in disbelief and disgust.
Bella (on phone) cont’d: Hello?
Nick? Are you there?…Can you hear me?…Okay, this is why you have got to get a
new cell phone. Call me when the
reception clears up. I love you.
Jake nearly drops the phone, but instead switches it
off and puts it back down. Nicholas
exits the bedroom, now dressed in jeans and a sweater.
Nicholas:
All right. So tell me exactly what
happened.
Jake: Um…you
know, it’s actually nothing. Comparatively. So, I’m just going to…go.
Jake stands.
Nicholas:
Are you sure?
Jake nods unconvincingly and rushes from the room.
(cut to): the hall. Jake leans against the door for a moment
trying to make sense of what just happened.
Music: Blind by Lifehouse
(dissolve to): the dock. Jake sits alone, her knees drawn to her
chest. She looks utterly dejected. From her pocket, a cell phone rings. She pulls it out and answers.
Jake: Hello?
(cut to): Monica Pratt. She’s at a salon, having a manicure.
Monica:
Jacqueline? Sweetheart, I got your
message.
(cut to): Jake. We cut back and forth between them.
Jake: Thanks
for calling me back.
Monica: Of
course. How is everything going? I can’t believe you’re a senior. Seems like just yesterday you were starting
at Rawley and I was coming to Parents’ Weekend.
Jake: Yeah.
Jake smiles briefly at the memory.
Monica: It’s
the middle of the day there isn’t it?
Why aren’t you in class?
Jake: It’s
lunch.
Monica: Of
course it is. Silly
me.
Jake: How’s
Monica: Oh,
it’s marvelous. I’m glad you called
because there are some things I wanted to talk to you about.
Jake sighs.
Jake: Okay.
Monica: Greg
and I are going to be back in
Jake: That’s
great. Is there a show you’re interested
in?
Monica:
Well, Sweetie, I’ve actually decided to take a bit of a break.
Jake: Break?
Monica: Greg
and I have been discussing marriage.
Jake:
Oh. That’s really great.
Monica:
We’ve even talked about…
Monica laughs.
Monica cont’d:
…we’ve been talking about having a baby.
Jake is now completely unnerved.
Jake:
What?
Monica: You
know, settle down. Do
it right.
Jake doesn’t say anything.
Monica cont’d:
Jacqueline, are you still there?
Jake:
Yes. Mom, I have to go.
Monica: I’m
sorry, Sweetheart, I didn’t catch that.
I’m getting a call on the other line and all I heard was a beep,
Jake: Okay. Go ahead and take the call.
Monica: Tell
Jake: Bye,
Mom.
Monica: Bye,
Sweetheart.
(cut to): Jake alone on the
dock. She stands up, staring at her cell
phone. She can’t believe her mother. She can’t believe this day. She groans in frustration and tosses the
phone over the lake with all her might.
It hits the water and sinks.
Satisfied, Jake abandons the dock.
(fade out)
Commercial Break: If you’ve never joined the New Beginnings
Yahoo! Group, please do so. You will
get notices of when new episodes are posted.
(fade in): to an establishing
shot of the quad. Finn’s class is just
beginning to arrive. Hamilton walks up
from one direction, Scout and Will from the other.
Music: Rapid Hope Lost by Dashboard Confessional
Will: You
didn’t go look for her?
Scout: Did
you guys get into a fight?
He looks around.
Jill is approaching now.
He gestures toward Jill. They understand. He heads over to her.
Jill: I’ve
been in class across the lake. Why? Where is she?
Jill thinks a moment.
Jill: Could
she be in the infirmary?
Jill: Did
you check for her bike?
Jill shoves him.
Jill: Well,
go…
Jill (whispered): If you don’t go find her right now, I will.
Jill (whispered): Trust me, you don’t want me to get to her
before you do.
Alyssa: Hi.
She means her greeting for both of them, but Jill
ignores her for the moment.
Jill: He was
just leaving.
Alyssa:
Class is about to—
Jill: See
you later
He sighs and stands up.
He turns to Alyssa, sorry to be leaving her
presence. Jill is appalled.
Alyssa:
Okay. Bye.
She is confused, but she sits down next to Jill.
Alyssa: Is
he hot or what?
Jill: I
guess.
Alyssa: He’s
really nice, too.
Jill looks off, shaking her head.
Jill:
Uh-huh….
(dissolve to): Jake and
Hamilton’s room. Jake is lying on her
bed, her back to the door.
Music: It Ends
Tonight by The All-American Rejects
(cut to): a close-up of
Jake. She has taken off the corset and
happens to look very feminine. Her eyes
are closed, but her face is streaked with a few tears.
(cut to): a wider shot of the
room.
Jake: Yep?
Jake: Yep.
Jake: I’ve
been here since
Jake: We
need to take a break.
He slides his hand across her shoulder, but she shrugs
it off.
Jake: Not a
break from school, Hamilton.
She sits up on the bed, putting her feet down on the
other side, her back still to him.
Jake cont’d:
A break from us.
Hamilton closes his eyes, a look of dread spreading
over his face.
Jake takes a deep breath then forces herself to turn and face him.
Jake: You
went and talked to Jill instead of…instead of talking to me?
Jake: What
do you think I’m talking about,
He stares at her, knowing exactly what she means, but
he only shrugs. A beat passes.
Jake cont’d:
When I went to watch Felicity the other day…it was that episode…
Jake: The
one that was on that time when we got my bike back from the groundskeeper.
Jake: I
think you’re about to face another one.
Jake: Well,
let me help you. I heard you say that
you don’t have a girlfriend.
He takes a long moment before asking:
Jake:
Yeah. Why’d you do it?
Jake: I
heard you tell her that she’s…beautiful.
And, that she makes you nervous. Whatever that means.
And I also heard what you didn’t say to her.
Jake: That
it’s been a long time since anyone’s made you feel the way she made you
feel. Isn’t that what you didn’t quite
say? Isn’t that what you were thinking?
Jake: And
not only did I hear all that,
Jake stares at him, letting him have
the time to get what he just said. He
doesn’t say anything. He only looks
down.
Jake: I am so
mad at you.
He nods.
Jake cont’d:
And, that’s not fair.
He looks up, his brow furrowed.
Jake cont’d:
It’s not like we can help how we feel.
You can’t make yourself not like her anymore than I can make myself…not love
you.
Jake: Could
you honestly stand here and tell me that you’re not curious?
Jake: Except
when you take her home for dinner and then let her kiss you.
He realizes what she means. His response is barely audible:
Jake: And
I’m sure in your little wet dream fantasies it’s “just on the cheek,” too,
right?
Jake: I
heard you say her name. This morning. While the alarm was going off.
Jake cont’d:
I can’t believe you told Jill about all this…
Jake: You’re
looking at someone who can be honest with you…and who you can be honest
with. And, that doesn’t change, but—
Jake: You’re
missing the point,
He sighs, trying to figure it out.
Jake cont’d:
I’m not asking you not to cheat on me.
I’m making it so that you don’t have to.
That’s what I meant by a break.
I’m giving you the opportunity to—
He walks over to her.
She stands up, facing him.
She takes a step back.
Jake: I’m
not giving you a choice.
Jake: I’m
perfectly aware of the risks. You need
to leave now.
Jake: Oh,
right, of course, this is irrational.
Not the past two years I’ve spent pretending to be a guy. That’s all completely normal, isn’t it? All so I could be with a boy who…
Jake: Are
you counting the time you knew my brother was dating Bella and didn’t
bother to tell me?
It’s so out of left field
Jake cont’d:
Not as stupid as you thought, am I?
Jake: Does
it matter?
Jake: Right.
Jake sits up, looking at him, sure of what she is
saying.
Jake: I have
to because…you won’t.
Jake looks at him for a moment.
Jake: You
should go.
Jake:
…asking you to leave. I’m asking you to
leave…and to leave me alone. Please.
He’s shaking his head.
His tears can be held back no longer.
Jake:
Obviously, I’m not.
Jake heads for the door. She opens it and motions toward it.
Jake cont’d:
Go…
He looks out the door, ready to hold his ground, but
her look is so unrelenting. He hangs his
head and exits.
(fade out)
Commercial Break: Since it takes Estee months to get episodes
done, you might want to spend some time re-reading all your favorite class NB
episodes. Find them all in the Reruns section.
(fade in): to an stabling
shot of the girls dorms, later.
(cut to): Jill and Alyssa’s
room. Alyssa is playing Michelle Branch
(“If Only She Knew”) and drawing in her
sketchpad. She barely hears the knock at
the door, but when she does she hops up, hits pause on her CD player and goes
to answer.
(cut to): the other side of
the door where Jake stands looking anxious.
When the door opens, Jake looks even more freaked.
Alyssa:
Hi. Are you looking for Jill?
Jake nods.
Alyssa:
She’s not here. I think she’s with her boyfriend.
Jake:
Perfect. Well, thanks.
Jake turns to go.
Alyssa (sarcastic): Nice to meet you, too.
Jake sighs and turns back to her.
Jake:
Sorry. It’s not you.
Jake considers the irony of the statement.
Jake cont’d:
I’m just having a bad day.
Alyssa: I can
relate. I’ve been having an
on-again-off-again kind of week. Are you
Jake?
Jake nods.
Jake: Most
of the time.
Alyssa laughs.
Alyssa:
Alyssa. Jill told me about you.
Jake nods, awkward.
Jake (muttered): Glad someone did.
Alyssa: Do
you want to come in or something?
Jake: No,
thanks. I should go.
Alyssa:
Okay. Well, it was nice to meet you.
Jake: Look,
Alyssa lights up.
Alyssa: I’ve
hung out with him a few times.
Jake:
Yeah. I know.
Alyssa: He’s
definitely been in the plus column this week…well, until last night when he
backed out of a potential kiss. I mean,
talk about embarrassing.
Jake: I’m
familiar with the story.
Jake’s jealously is obvious. Alyssa looks at her suspiciously.
Jake cont’d:
He told me about you.
Alyssa: What’d
he say?
Jake: He
didn’t have to say much for it to be obvious that he likes you.
Alyssa can’t resist a smile.
Alyssa: He
seems really great.
Jake:
“Great?”
Jake shakes her head, not believing how little this
girl gets it.
Jake cont’d:
Just don’t take it for granted.
Alyssa:
Don’t take what for granted?
Jake: How
lucky you are. Because, when he looks at
you like he does—like you’re the only person on the planet that matters to
him—realize that he doesn’t look at a lot of people like that.
Alyssa:
Yeah, he’s really intense, isn’t he?
Jake nods, her look admits defeat.
Jake: I have
to go now.
She backs away from the doorway, the reality of
everything hitting her again.
Alyssa: It
was nice to meet you, Jake.
Jake tries to muster a smile.
Jake: Ditto.
Alyssa smiles and closes the door as Jake walks
away. Alyssa thinks the encounter was
weird, but bounces back over to her sketchpad, invigorated by the talk about
(cut to): Dexter and Scout’s
room. The door is opened and they have
music on. Both boys study at their
desks. Hamilton, backpack in hand,
knocks on the doorframe and they look up.
He looks terrible, upset.
Scout: Hey,
Ham, what’s up?
He steps in and shuts the door.
Scout: Did
you and Jake have a fight?
Scout and Dexter trade looks.
Dexter: What
happened?
Scout: Well,
you can definitely stay here. No
problem.
Dexter nods in agreement.
He sits down on the floor, leaning on a bed, staring
off into space. Dexter and Scout trade
another look. We stay with
(cut
to): outside the boys’ dorms. Bella
pulls up in Nick’s car. It’s late
afternoon and there are boys all around so Bella’s presence draws
attention. Nicholas is quickly out the
door to meet her.
Music: Dirty Little Secret by The
All-American Rejects
Nicholas:
Thank you, Ms. Banks. If you’ll come
with me to my apartment, we can settle up.
Bella: Sure.
(cut to): the apartment. After they enter they are all over each
other.
Nicholas:
Your dad didn’t tell me you’d be bringing the car when he called.
Bella: I
didn’t even have to ask.
Nicholas looks uncomfortable.
Nicholas:
And…so I guess everything worked out okay?
Bella:
Definitely. We were actually able to get
a pump off a car in salvage so we saved you some serious money.
Nicholas: I
meant with your dad.
Bella: Oh,
are you worried about Grace’s behavior?
He didn’t catch any of that. He
can be totally oblivious sometimes.
Nicholas is confused, but he doesn’t quite know what
to say…so he doesn’t say anything.
(cut to): Jake and Hamilton’s
room. Jake has a suitcase opened on her
bed. It’s half-full and she’s moving
clothes from her dresser into it. She
stops abruptly, looking at the haphazard job.
Music: Together by Avril Lavigne
Jake: This
is ridiculous. I am not doing
this.
She picks up some clothes from the suitcase and throws
them toward the closet. She throws some
more, harder, releasing all her hurt and anger.
When the contents of the suitcase have been sufficiently distributed
over the space between her bed and closet, she sinks to the floor, her head
hitting her knees. She can’t hold back
the tears anymore. Before she’s had time
to calm down, there is a knock at her door.
Jake:
Go. Away.
Kate (from outside): It’s Kate.
Jake sighs. She
gets up, trying to wipe her eyes, trying to pull it together. She opens the door a little.
Jake: Yes?
(cut to): the hall, where
Kate stands looking irritated.
Kate: Is
Jake: No,
he’s…he’s not here.
Kate: Where
is he?
Jake: I
don’t know. I’m sorry.
Kate snaps out of the rush she seemed to be in and
realizes that Jake is upset.
Kate: Can I
come in?
Jake hesitates.
Jake: The
room’s kind of a mess right now.
Kate: I
don’t mind.
Jake nods, actually happy for someone to talk
to—finally.
(cut to): inside the room as
Kate enters and Jake closes the door behind her. Kate looks around, but doesn’t say anything
regarding the clothes strewn about the floor.
Kate: He was
supposed to stop by again to help me move some supplies from the closet to the
room, but the last time I saw him was…
She stops.
Jake: At
dinner last night.
Kate looks at her carefully.
Kate:
Yes. I’m assuming he talked to you about
that?
Jake nods absently, picking up some of her clothes and
folding them, replacing them in the drawer. Kate walks over and picks up a shirt, taking
it over to the closet and hanging it up.
Jake: You
don’t have to do that.
Kate: I
know.
Jake: He
won’t be back tonight.
Kate nods, picking up another shirt.
Jake cont’d:
I asked him to leave.
Kate turns to face Jake.
Kate: I have
a pretty good idea, but…is it okay for me to ask why?
Jake takes a deep breath, nodding. She tosses the shirt in her hands back onto
the floor. She’s on the verge of tears
once again. When Kate realizes this, she
immediately embraces her. Jake buries
her head in Kate’s shoulder, tears taking over again.
(cut to): Friendly’s. Scout and Will are eating together.
Will: So he
didn’t say what happened?
Scout: Nope.
Will: He
wouldn’t even come to crew?
Scout: Nope.
Will: If
they broke up…do you think she’ll stay?
Scout shrugs.
Scout: Why
would she?
Will: I
don’t know, but she came here for a reason, didn’t she?
Scout: True.
Will: I
guess we’ll see how it all plays out.
Scout nods. He
looks up at the door as Dexter and Tyson enter.
They meet eyes with Scout and go over.
Dexter: I
guess you couldn’t get
Scout:
No.
Tyson:
What’s wrong with him? He wasn’t at
practice today.
Scout: If it
was your business, don’t you think you’d know.
Tyson: Man,
what is your problem?
Scout stands up to face him.
Scout: My problem?
Will and Dexter look at each other, worried. Jill and Sean enter to witness the
confrontation. They walk over.
Sean:
Everything okay?
Jill looks at Scout inquisitively.
Scout: I
don’t know. According to this kid, I
have a problem.
Sean: Well,
yeah, you’ve had one since I met you.
Sean smiles, laughing at his own joke. The situation diffuses as Scout laughs
to. He eyes Tyson one more time then
sits down.
Dexter:
Let’s just have a meal together…in peace.
Tyson: Sure.
Jill: Sounds
good. So is anyone else coming?
They all sit around the large table.
Will:
No. Hamilton and Jake are having issues,
but I guess you probably know about that.
Jill:
Yeah. I’m glad they’re getting it all
figured out though. They probably needed
tonight alone.
Scout and Will look at each
other, expecting more emotion from Jill on this.
(cut to): Jake’s room. Jake is now dressed in pajamas and lying under the
covers in her bed. Kate sits on the side
of the bed. She runs a hand through
Jake’s hair, very motherly.
Kate: I’m
sure all this will work out just fine.
Jake: Am I
an idiot?
Kate laughs.
Kate: Of
course, you’re not.
A beat.
Kate cont’d:
I think that love is naturally a selfish
thing. When you love someone, you want
to be with that person…and
Jake closes her eyes.
She doesn’t even want to think about this.
Kate cont’d:
But on a deeper level, love should be selfless: sacrificing what you
want so that the person you love can be happy.
And, I think you’ve always had that part of it down.
Jake opens her eyes again, looking up at Kate.
Jake: So you
think it was the right thing to do?
Kate smiles.
Kate: Well,
to be honest, except for when it comes to
Jake: He
said he didn’t want the opportunity, but he also said he was curious. I just…I know it wasn’t that big of a
deal. Granted, he lied and made her
think he was available…
Kate: Not
bringing that—you—up was a great moral dilemma for me at dinner last
night.
Jake: The
lying I could dismiss. I don’t think he
meant to create this whole big deception.
But the way he looked at her, Kate…it was like he could see all the
possibility there and he wanted to know…he was dying to know…what it’d be
like. How could I deny him the chance?
Kate: Now
that you’ve given it to him, what are you going to do if he takes it?
Jake takes a moment to give what she thinks is the
right answer.
Jake: Move
on, I guess.
Kate smiles.
Kate: I
would suggest waiting. If you’re willing to.
Jake: I
can’t do that. Where would my
self-respect be if I just sat around waiting for
Jake sits up in bed.
Jake cont’d:
I have a little more pride than to sit around hoping he’ll pick me.
Kate eyes the suitcase, now empty, next to Jake’s
closet.
Jake cont’d:
Don’t worry. I don’t exactly have
anywhere else to go.
Kate looks at her sympathetically.
Kate: If you
find someplace, promise you’ll let me know before you take off?
Jake nods. A beat.
Jake: You
know, even if I was willing to step back and give him some time to figure this
whole thing out…I didn’t exactly give him the chance to stay with me. How can I expect him to come back?
Kate:
Jacqueline…I know from experience that people end up where they’re meant
to be.
Jake considers this then speaks tentatively:
Jake: What
if he’s meant to be with someone else?
Kate: Then
you’ll…move on, I guess.
Jake smiles at the reference to what she said earlier.
Jake: It’s
just all so weird and so fast. And one
second I’m thinking, “Why did he do this?” and the next, it’s like “Why
did I do this?”
Kate:
Wouldn’t it be healthier just to place all the blame on this girl?
Jake laughs.
Jake: Sure,
but you met her. I mean, she’s actually
very nice. She’s pretty. She was in the art room.
Jake looks off as if she’s just described the perfect
girl.
Kate: I
thought she was kind of…boring.
Jake grins gratefully.
Jake: Yeah,
I’m sure I’m just the kind of non-boring girl you always pictured
with your son.
Kate: You’ve
surpassed any expectations I ever had.
Jake rolls her eyes, but keeps the smile. Kate leans in to hug her.
(fade out)
Commercial Break
(fade in): to the dean’s
office, the next morning. He and
Hamilton walk in together.
Music: Your Heart is an Empty Room by Death Cab for Cutie
Steven: So,
what is it you wanted to talk about?
Steven looks at him curiously.
Steven: Sure, what is it, Son?
Steven takes a seat behind the desk and indicates for
Steven: You
know you can ask me about anything,
The dean inhales, indicating he gets it.
Steven exhales.
Steven: Go
ahead.
Steven:
Steven:
Exactly.
Steven cont’d:
Listen
A beat.
Steven: You
don’t have to worry about anything like that, Son. Your mom and I are solid as a rock these
days.
Steven: It
wouldn’t have been her decision to make.
Steven cont’d:
Is there something going on that you need to tell me about?
Steven laughs.
Steven:
Well, make sure he knows that when you’re seventeen, there will always be
another girl.
(cut to): Jake’s room. It’s completely in tact again. The door is open and Jake quietly plays an
old Matchbox 20 CD (Push is on now).
She’s sitting at her desk, typing at her laptop. She glances up at the clock. It’s only seven.
(cut to): the door. Alyssa looks in curiously.
(cut to): a medium shot of
the room. Jake hops up.
Jake: Hi.
Alyssa: Hi,
Jake. I was wondering if
Alyssa looks around the room again.
Alyssa cont’d:
You guys are really neat.
Jake:
Thanks. He’s not here.
Alyssa: Ever
since you and I talked yesterday…I couldn’t stop thinking about him.
Jake nods, unenthused.
Alyssa cont’d:
Anyway, did he leave for class yet or could I wait for him?
Jake:
No. I mean…it’s just that I don’t really
know where he is so…
Music: Follow Through by Gavin DeGraw
(cut to): the door as
Alyssa:
Hamilton looks at Jake apologetically, but she manages
a smile.
Jake: I’m
going to take off if you guys want to hang out here.
Jake nods, grabbing her keys from her dresser. She starts to walk out, but
Jake: Of
course. This room is half mine.
She tosses Alyssa a roll of her eyes. Alyssa smiles.
Jake: I
think I’ll give that a definite pass.
Jake cont’d:
Have fun.
She smiles again at Alyssa, looks once more at
Alyssa: Jake
seems nice.
Alyssa: Are
you two close?
Hamilton nods, turning his attention to Alyssa.
Alyssa: He
came by my room yesterday.
Alyssa: He
was looking for Jill. Does he have a
thing for her?
Alyssa: He
said I shouldn’t take you for granted.
Hamilton smiles, looking down.
Alyssa cont’d:
It was kind of weird.
Alyssa:
Well, no. See, at first I was thinking
that it would be hard to take someone for granted that you barely knew. I mean, we’ve spent what? A total of two hours
together? But the more I thought
about it, the more curious I was about what there is to take for granted…the
more I really wanted to spend some more time with you.
Alyssa blushes.
After a beat,
Alyssa stands up.
Alyssa: You
have a girlfriend.
She sits back down.
Alyssa:
Okay…
Hamilton looks down now, not knowing what to say.
Alyssa cont’d:
I don’t mean to sound presumptuous, but you broke up with someone because of…
She laughs, flattered, tucking her hair behind her
ear.
Alyssa narrows her eyes.
Alyssa: And
you came to conclude? I mean, what was
the point?
Alyssa: You
know, it doesn’t really sound like you’re complimenting me…
She looks at him searchingly.
Alyssa cont’d:
But then again, it feels like you are.
Alyssa: I
kind of get that feeling, too.
An awkward beat passes.
Alyssa: I
came here to ask you out.
He chuckles.
Alyssa: But
I guess if you just broke up with someone…
She smiles.
Alyssa:
(dissolve to): the art
room. Kate sits at her desk, working on
lesson plans. She looks up as
Music: Overrated by Gavin DeGraw
Kate:
Finally come to help me move that stuff?
(cut to): the art supply
closet. Kate collects items and supplies
that she needs in the art room.
Kate: I spoke
with Jake last night.
Kate continues her task.
Kate: About
what?
Kate:
Sweetie, feelings change. I understand
that.
She narrows her eyes and folds her arms.
Kate: You
think so?
Kate shrugs.
Kate: Love
him, too.
She trails off.
Kate cont’d:
How can I explain this?
Kate: Being
with Finn put my love for your father into perspective. It made it obvious for me at a time when I was having to search for it.
Without that perspective, I’d probably still be searching.
Kate looks into his eyes,
understanding the question.
Kate: I
think I would have been confused and scared at first.
Kate: That’s
right.
Kate: Okay,
let’s stop talking in parallel. Why
would you think that Jake’s stopped loving you?
Kate: And
what do you think it is about?
Kate: God,
you really are your father’s son, aren’t you?
Kate: That’s
just something he would say. “Love is
about making it work.”
Kate: You
don’t always have to make something work. Sometimes you can just let it work itself out.
Kate:
What? Let you go?
Kate doesn’t answer.
Kate: And
would if be fair for her to insist that you stay with her when you’re so
obviously interested in someone else?
Would it be fair to her to be with someone who always wonders
what could have happened with someone else?
Hamilton takes this in, running a hand through his
hair. He looks at his mom, deeply
concerned.
Kate places a hand on his shoulder.
Kate: I
know. New paths are always scary.
Kate: You’ll
end up where you’re meant to be.
(cut to): the dining hall as
students are eating lunch.
(cut to): Jake’s room, lunch
time. The door is open and music plays
softly. Jake is at her computer. A knock on the doorframe startles her. She looks back to find
Music: Untouchable Face by Ani DiFranco
Jake: Hey.
Jake: I
didn’t see you first period.
Jake glances at him briefly, but stares at the
computer.
Jake: Oh.
A beat.
Jake: Cool.
Jake nods. A beat.
Jake: You
don’t have to feel weird. I mean, I was
hoping that we could…
Jake nods.
Jake: Well,
I know I kicked you out, but…if you want to come back…
Jake: Only
if you are.
He’s obviously not.
Jake nods.
Jake: Sounds
good.
He exits awkwardly, leaving Jake to go back to her
computer.
(fade out)
Commercial Break
Music: Bigger Than
My Body by John Mayer
(fade in): to class on the quad. Finn is sitting to the side, looking through
a typed paper. As students walk up, they
hand over their own essays. Scout and Will sit to one side together. Dexter and Tyson to
another. Alyssa sits alone,
reading a book. Jake walks up and over
to Finn.
Jake: Uh,
Finn?
Finn: Yes?
He glances up from the essay.
Finn cont’d:
Hmm?
Jake: I
ended up doing my own, if that’s okay?
Finn: The
assignment was to work with a partner.
Resist the temptation of going solo…
Jake looks at him.
Finn cont’d:
That was a joke…temptation…you know?
Jake tries to smile.
Finn realizes something is off.
He takes the paper from Jake.
Finn cont’d:
No problem.
Jake:
Thanks.
Jake turns and appraises her seating options. She heads for Dexter, but Alyssa tries to
catch her eye. She pretends not to
notice as she sits down next to the geek squad.
Tyson notices Alyssa watching Jake.
Tyson: The
object of my affection is checking you out, Jake.
Jake doesn’t look over.
Jake: Don’t
get too attached. She has a thing for my
roommate.
Tyson:
Dexter takes this comment slightly more seriously.
Dexter: Wait…what?
Jake: She
asked him out.
Tyson: Oh…man…are you serious?
Dexter:
Well, he didn’t say yes…
Tyson: Of
course he did. How could you say no to—
Dexter:
Jake?
Jake:
Yeah. He said yes.
Dexter:
That’s why…
Dexter shakes his head, bewildered.
Dexter cont’d:
I mean, I figured it was something dumb…something
small…
Tyson: What
are you talking about, Dex?
Dexter pulls it together.
Dexter: Oh,
no, nothing.
Tyson: Here’s
the pretty boy now.
(cut to): Will and
Scout. They’re watching the events
transpire.
Will: Well,
I guess that explains the problem between Jake and Hamilton.
Scout doesn’t know what to say.
Will cont’d:
You all right?
Scout:
I…don’t even know what to think…
Will: Yeah…
They watch for another moment then look away, both
silent.
(cut to): a shot of Hamilton
and Alyssa.
Alyssa: Get
your essay all done?
Alyssa: What
did you write about?
Alyssa:
Temptation.
He shrugs.
The statement holds multiple meanings, including a
humorous one. Alyssa laughs, also
blushing at the other implications.
(cut to): Jill as she
approaches. She sees the same scene as
everyone else has.
Jill: Um,
hi.
She stares at
Alyssa: I
turned in our essay.
Jill: Yeah,
wow, that’s awesome. You can shut up
now.
Alyssa is taken aback.
Jill cont’d:
I mean…what the hell?
Jill: Chill
out?
Alyssa is taken aback, but starts to make assumptions.
Alyssa:
Please tell me this isn’t your ex-girlfriend.
Jill gives him the dirtiest of her looks.
Jill: Ex-girlfriend?
He looks around, catching Jake’s eye and noticing that
other classmates are starting to stare.
Jill doesn’t care. She folds her
arms, staring down at Alyssa and Hamilton, a wall of disbelief.
(cut to): Scout and Will who
watch, completely out of the loop.
(cut to): Jake.
Jake: I
can’t believe I have to do this…
She gets up and walks over. Jill doesn’t have time to say a word before
Jake, without a word or glance, takes Jill’s arm, leading her away.
Jill: What the
hell?
Jake pulls her to a secluded spot, still close enough
for class, but far enough not to be heard. They sit down and talk very quietly.
Jill cont’d:
What the—
Jake: I was
looking for you yesterday. I wanted to
tell you that Hamilton and I broke up.
Jill: I…wh…how…
She takes a deep breath then explodes:
Jill: How
can you say that all calm? I mean, you
two are…and….Hamilton…how could he—
Jake: I
don’t know why you’re so surprised. You
did know about most of this before I did.
Jill: He
told me about some dream and I told him that was typical teenage boy stuff…but…to
act on that…with her…of all people…this is crazy, Jake. That’s what it is. Freaking crazy.
Jake: Yet it
was the best choice.
Jill: Oh…I
so told him this is how it would turn out. I hope you realize that crap about “if you
love something, set it free” is just something invented by bitter people who
let go because they’re afraid of being let go of. You’re—
Jake: Stop
ranting.
Jill looks her over, noticing the cold tone for the
first time.
Jill: Wow,
you’re really pissed at me.
Jake: No.
Jake looks at her coolly.
Jake: I’m
pissed that you knew he had feelings for her and you didn’t talk to me. Do you know how stupid this made me
feel? I mean, look at me.
She indicates the outfit, but is still composed.
Jake cont’d:
Whatever my reasons for being at this school, they changed when I met him. They became
him. He was my reason for being
here. Now, I have no reason to be here. And,
the realization that I was doing all this for one thing…for one person…that’s
humiliating…and a little ridiculous.
Jill: Well…I
could kill her.
It’s supposed to add levity to the situation, but Jake
doesn’t smile.
Jill cont’d:
Come on, Jacqueline, what can I do here?
Jake:
Just…leave me alone, Jill. I mean, you have
up until this point.
Jill: That’s
so unfair.
Jake stares at her.
Jill realizes she had no right to whine.
Jill cont’d:
I’m sorry.
Jake shrugs.
Before Jill can say more, Finn is addressing the class.
Finn: Ladies
and gentlemen…
He has everyone’s attention. He holds up the stack of essays.
Finn cont’d:
I must say, having all your essays here in front of me is very exciting. The first essay of the year is always my
favorite to read. It’s new…fresh.
(cut to): Alyssa and
Hamilton. She smiles at him. He blushes, smiling and looking down.
Finn cont’d:
Anyway…
(cut to): Finn as he sets the
essays off to the side with his courier bag.
Finn cont’d:
I’ll spend the weekend reading up on your analyses
of Rossetti’s work, but I was just curious, because
we are studying Romanticism, how did this poem affect you? How did it make you feel?
Everyone is at a loss for a moment.
Jill: I
thought—
Finn: What
did you feel?
Jill: Okay,
I felt…I guess it made me feel
sympathy for “the sinner.”
Scout: Kind
of the same for me, but what I felt was more like empathy.
Finn:
Explain.
Scout: I mean, empathy…like I can relate.
Tyson rolls his eyes, but only Dexter notices.
Finn: I’m
familiar with the distinction between sympathy and empathy…what I’m asking is, what can you relate
to?
Scout: Well,
we’ve all wanted something, right?
He looks around, letting his glance linger slightly
longer on Jill. Everyone agrees.
Jill: Yeah,
but we don’t all make the stupid mistake of giving in to temptation. That’s why I feel so sorry for Laura. I mean, you’ve got this nice life with your
sister and all you have to not do is
go off with the nasty monster fruit beasts.
She made a stupid decision and she had to pay for it.
She looks pointedly at
Jill:
Because her sister made the ultimate sacrifice.
Alyssa: I
thought you said you were sympathetic.
It sounds more like anger.
Jill: Yeah,
well, maybe I am angry, you stupid b—
Finn: Ms.
Thomas…
He gives her a warning look then goes on at an attempt
at distraction.
Finn cont’d:
…Let me ask you this, where would we have been if Lizzie hadn’t given in?
Jill takes a deep breath, considering. She has no answer.
Will: It’s
just like with Eve. I mean, where would
humanity be without the knowledge of good and evil?
Jake:
Blissfully ignorant…
She’s looking off, barely a part of the class, yet
totally engrossed.
Finn:
Perhaps.
A beat as everyone considers what Jake said.
Finn cont’d:
Somehow we came back to analysis. Any other feelings?
No one says anything.
Will (voice
over): I think Scout summed up my feelings pretty well.
Finn looks around one more time. Jill is glaring at Alyssa. Tyson is also looking at Alyssa, wishing he
was sitting where
Will (v.o.)
cont’d: We’ve all wanted
something. I guess this poem just
reminds me that we constantly have a
choice to make…
(cut to): Scout as he glances
first at Alyssa then at Jill.
Will (v.o.)
cont’d: Resist…
(cut to): Hamilton and Alyssa
in a shot together. She flips her hair
as he watches, clearly enthralled.
Will (v.o.)
cont’d: …or succumb.
(cut to): a long shot of the
class that pulls out even more.
THE END
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