(fade in) Friendly’s-late
Saturday night. Will and Scout are there and in their uniforms. Bella and Sean
are sitting in that really big booth. Will is closing the shades and Scout is about
to close the door when Jake and Hamilton come in. Jake is wearing jeans and a
sweatshirt. When they are safely inside, Jake pulls off the sweatshirt to
reveal a tank top (no corset). Ham and Jake go and sit at the booth with Sean
and Bella. Scout closes the door and by this time, Will has finished closing
all the shades. The scene is lit so that it’s got kind of a film noir feel…lots
of shadows and stuff. Will and Scout also sit at the booth (some people may be
in chairs…but everyone is sitting around the table).
Scout: I can’t believe we’re doing
this. The last time I played this was, like, in sixth grade.
Bella: It’ll be fun.
Hamilton: Who’s going first?
Everyone looks around at
each other.
Will (voice over): Truth or Dare. A game; a
test of courage or an exposure of one’s deepest secrets. Simple enough.
(cut to): Will
Will: Jake, truth or dare?
(cut to): Jake
Jake: Um, ok…truth.
Will: What’s it like being
undercover?
Jake: Uh, ok, that’s, like, the
lamest truth question ever, but…it’s a total rush. (she speaks slowly and
thoughtfully) You get to be a part of something that you aren’t supposed to be
a part of. Since it’s not really your life, you can be bold and confident when
you’d normally shy away. (she pauses and sounds unsure) It’s, you know, fun.
(and then more confidently)And, if you have someone to share that secret with…
(zoom out) so that everyone
is in the shot. She looks around at everyone and then at Hamilton who is
sitting next to her.
Jake cont’d: well, that’s pretty nice
too. Good enough answer?
Will (v.o.) cont’d: Except, no one is ever
completely honest. It’s hard to express the whole truth, though, when most
people have trouble simply being honest with themselves.
Will: Good enough.
Jake: Okay, now we can have some
fun.
Jake looks around
menacingly. Everyone looks at each other as if wondering what they’ve gotten
themselves into.
Jake cont’d: Um…Scout…truth or dare?
Will (v.o.) cont’d: Some people don’t even want
to go near the truth.
(cut to): Sean who takes
Bella’s hand.
(cut to): Scout who notices
Sean’s gesture.
Scout: Whose idea was this again?
Sean: Just pick, man.
Will (v.o.) cont’d: Then there are the people
who want the truth, but aren’t courageous enough to find it.
Scout looks at Sean and then
back at Jake as if he has something to prove.
Scout: Dare.
Will (v.o.) cont’d: So, they pick dare. They
pretend they are being brave, when all they are actually doing is hiding from
the truth.
Jake:
Brilliant.
Everyone looks around at
each other, a little worried…especially Scout.
(fade out)
Opening Credits.
Commercial Break. Well, while you’re
pretending to be watching yet another Coke commercial, you could go check out
the other website that I’m really proud of. www.geocities.com/celebrity_us
It’s called Close Encounters of the Celebrity Kind. Josh Jackson, Ben Affleck,
Stroke 9. We’ve encountered them all…and more. If you want to keep reading, I
understand.
(fade in) Outside—even later
at night. Sean, Bella, Will, Jake and Hamilton stand around in a circle. We can
tell that they are somewhere near Rawley Academy.
Will: I can’t believe he agreed
to do this.
Hamilton: He’s a braver man than I
would ever be.
Bella: He won’t get into any real
trouble for this, will he? For being in Rawley Girls in the middle of the
night?
Sean: Not if he doesn’t get
caught.
Hamilton: Security’s pretty slack on
the weekends. Pretty much anyone can sneak in and out with no problem.
Everyone looks at him
suspiciously.
Hamilton:
What? That’s, like, common knowledge. You can get in through the green room.
He’ll be fine.
(cut to): ….brace
yourself...Scout in drag. He’s at the door of the green house Hamilton
mentioned. He’s wearing a dress and heels. He’s got on a wig and make-up and
everything. He’s not the most beautiful drag queen, but it’s a pretty funny
spectacle. He opens the green room door and goes in.
(cut to): a closed door in
the hallway. Scout opens it from the other side and peeks out. There’s no one
in sight.
Scout: I can’t believe I agreed to
do this.
He
walks out of the door quickly and goes down the hall as quietly as he can in
heels.
(cut to): The library/study.
Scout walks in and looks around and behind him. He doesn’t turn on the lights. He
looks at the shelf as if searching for a specific book. After a few seconds,
the lights go on. Scout freezes where he is. He slowly turns around.
(cut to): the doorway where
a girl stands, looking a little perplexed. (Cast her as you’d like…I’m thinking
brown or red hair. She’s pretty in a conventional sort of way. Think of it like
this…she looks like she could hold her own ground at a skate park, but she also
looks like she’d be extremely nice.) She’s wearing pajama bottoms that are blue
with little yellow ducks on them and a yellow tank top. Her hair is pulled back
in a ponytail. She has a book in her hand. She tilts her head, smiles and walks
over to the bookshelf. She then turns to face Scout who looks like he’s thought
about running, but simply couldn’t.
Jill: I just got here tonight.
Along with missing the first week of class, I also missed orientation and all
that. I didn’t get the full tour and I didn’t get to meet any of the other
girls…like you, for example (she laughs). I’m Jillian, by the way. People call
me Jill.
Scout: This isn’t—
Jill: I’m sure it isn’t.
Scout: I—
Jill: What’s the rest of the
dare?
Scout: How’d you—
Jill: My best friend…we used to
play truth or dare all the time. She could get really out there on the dares. She’s
going here too…I’m a little scared. But, anyway, what else do you have to do?
Scout: Take a copy of last year’s
yearbook.
Jill: Hmm.
They both look around on the
shelves until Jill spots the yearbooks. She finds last year’s and hands it to
Scout. He takes it and looks down, avoiding eye contact.
Scout: I’d just like to say that
I’ve rarely been more embarrassed.
Jill: It’s really no big deal.
I’d be embarrassed just to tell you
some of the stuff I was dared to do. I pulled out on most of it, though. Hopefully,
I won’t get sucked in this year. And then there are these elaborate stunts
she’s always trying to pull off. I love
her to death, though. I can’t wait wait
to see her. If I hadn’t gotten in until
just a few hours ago, we’d be having some major girl bonding time.
Scout looks down at his
outfit.
Scout: Well…you and I are kind of
having some girl bonding time.
Jill: Wow. That’s just scary.
Scout laughs and starts to
take off the wig.
Jill: No, no, don’t do it. I want
to see the full effect either way.
Scout smiles, still
embarrassed.
Scout: Okay. Well, if I stand here
any longer I may actually, literally die of embarrassment.
Scout starts to walk away,
but turns when she speaks.
Jill: Hey, you do go to Rawley
Boys, right?
Scout: Do I have to answer that?
Jill: I’ll see you around.
Scout: Don’t take this the wrong
way, but I hope you don’t recognize me if you do.
Jill laughs and nods. She
watches him as he walks clumsily out the door.
(cut to): The group who is
still outside. They are now sitting around on the ground. Jake is leaning
against a tree and Hamilton is lying down with his head on her lap. Bella and
Sean are sitting close together, holding hands. Will is lying on the ground
staring at the sky. Everyone looks pretty bored.
Bella (very, very, very
uninterested):
Uh, Will…truth or dare?
Will (even more
uninterested):
Dare.
Bella: Ok, um…
(Scout comes running up.
He’s taken off the shoes and the wig, which he holds in one hand. He is
carrying the yearbook in the other hand. He hands it to Jake. Scout looks
pretty pleased.
Scout: There you go.
Will raises his eyebrows.
Jake: Have fun?
Will: Yeah, man, you look a
little too happy in that dress.
Everyone gets up and gets
ready to go.
Scout: I met a girl.
Bella looks up at Scout when
he says this…Sean takes notice and looks hurt.
Hamilton: You told her you were a
guy, right? ‘Cause things can get really confusing really fast otherwise.
Jake: Yeah…
They look at each other and
laugh as Hamilton takes Jake’s hand.
Scout: Yeah, I think she knew.
Everyone looks at Scout and
laughs.
Scout cont’d: Bella, thanks for the
dress.
Scout takes off the dress
and hands it to Bella along with the wig. Now, he’s just wearing his boxers
and, of course, still has on the make-up.
Will: Who would have thought that
Grace’s hooker Halloween costume would come in handy?
Bella punches Will in the
arm as the group walks away.
Scout: By the way, no one is ever
allowed to speak of this again.
(dissolve to): Sean and Bella
as they get to the gas station, talking about Scout.
Bella: I can’t believe Scout did
that. He looked pretty good in Grace’s dress, though.
Bella laughs and Sean looks
perturbed.
Bella: Come on, it was pretty funny.
Sean smiles and laughs.
Sean: Yeah, it was funny.
Bella: So, you’re ok, right? We’re
ok?
Sean: Of course, Bella.
Bella: And Scout—
Sean: He’s cool, ok? Well, not in
that dress. But, there’s no hard feelings there.
Bella: Ok.
Sean: Done interrogating me?
Bella: Mmm-hmm.
Sean: Good.
Sean smiles and kisses her.
(cut to): Jake and Hamilton
kissing in Jake’s room. Jake is leaning against the door. She starts laughing.
Hamilton pulls back and stops kissing her.
Hamilton: What?
Jake: I’m sorry. I was just
thinking about Scout in that dress.
Hamilton: Scout? Shouldn’t you be
thinking about me while we’re making out?
Jake: In a dress?
Hamilton raises his eyebrows
and smiles, then Jake cracks up.
Hamilton: What?
Jake: Nothing, I was just getting
a picture.
Hamilton smiles and, as if
to change the subject, leans his head toward her and attempts to start kissing
her again.
Jake: Wait!
She pushes him back gently
and runs over to her computer.
Hamilton (whining): Jacqueline…
Jake is at her computer
typing a little and using her mouse.
Jake: I’m sorry. I just
remembered that I wanted to see if my friend emailed me. She just got to her
new school and—
Hamilton: You have friends?
Jake turns around in her
chair and gives him a dirty look.
Jake: Yeah…
Hamilton: No, I mean…it’s just that
you’ve never really mentioned anyone.
Jake: So, you thought I was,
like, a complete loser with no social skills?
Hamilton: No, I just…I meant…like,
you never told me about your other
friends.
Hamilton hangs his head as
he searches for the right words. Jake reaches back and turns off her computer
without looking at it. She stands up to face him, putting her forehead against
his to make him look up.
Jake: Did you call me Jacqueline?
Hamilton: Yeah…
Jake kisses Hamilton gently.
Jake: You’re so sweet.
They stand there kissing.
(cut to): Will and Scout
sitting around the room. Scout has had a shower and looks himself again.
Will: That was so sweet, dude. I
can’t believe you did that.
Scout: Me either.
Will: Jake’s pretty crazy. For a
girl and all.
Scout: Speaking of girls…
Will: Oh yeah, you met one, huh?
Scout: Yeah. She had a real Sandra
Bullock thing going, you know? Tough, but likeable.
Will: And she can keep a bus going over 50 miles per hour long enough to
win Keanu’s heart.
Scout (jokingly): You just gotta bring me down…
Will laughs.
Will: Okay, supportive friend
stuff…um, what was her name?
Scout: Jillian.
Will: Was she pretty?
Scout: Yes.
Will: Think she has a friend?
Scout: Yeah, she does actually.
She was talking about her tonight.
Will: Excellent.
Commercial Break If you want to see an
ultimate fan page...go to You Know You Like It,
Baby!
(fade to) Rawley Boys’
School Monday—inside. The halls are busy.
(cut to) the art room. Jill
is sitting on a stool, waiting around. (An important note about Jill: she
stands out. She dresses more like Bella than, say, Caroline.) She has on Jeans
and a sleeveless yellow t-shirt. He hair is in two buns…not quite princess
Leia. She has on several bracelets and a watch. She looks “arsty”—whatever that
means. Hamilton walks in.
Hamilton: Hi.
Jill: Hi.
Hamilton: I’m Hamilton Fleming.
Jill gets up and walks over
to Hamilton, shaking his hand.
Jill: Jill Thomas.
Hamilton takes out a piece
of paper and reads aloud.
Hamilton: Jillian Thomas. Guess I’m
your tour guide.
Jill smiles and raises her
eyebrows not sure of what to expect.
(dissolve to) the front lawn
of Rawley. Jill
and Hamilton walk along. Hamilton looks pretty distracted and bored. Jill looks
at him while he talks.
Hamilton (monotone): So, this main entrance was
actually added several decades after the rest of the building was erected in,
um…
Jill sits down on a bench
and pulls his arm so that he sits down as well.
Jill: So, who’s the girl?
Hamilton looks at her like she’s
crazy for a second and then glances around.
Hamilton (quietly): Excuse me?
Jill: Who’s the girl?--the one
that’s distracting you and keeping you from at least feigning to be the
interested tour guide.
Hamilton: I don’t—
Jill: …really know me?
Hamilton looks around again.
Hamilton: Well, no I don’t. But, I
don’t really talk about her all that much. It’s kinda of this secret that we’re
even together.
Jill: Wow. Seriously? I totally
had you pegged, though. You don’t have to talk about it if it’s a secret. Hey, why’s it a secret?
Hamilton: It’s complicated.
Jill: Again, wow…
Hamilton: Am I really that easy to
read, though?
Jill: Yes. But it’s awesome.
Well, I guess if you’re trying to keep it on the down low, it’s not that great.
So, is it first love or, like, a soul mates kind of thing?
Hamilton looks at her like
he’s contemplating if she can be trusted. Then he looks down and can’t resist
smiling.
Hamilton: Maybe, like, a lot of both.
Jill grins at him.
Jill: That’s...awesome.
(cut to): Will, Jake and Scout
leaving a classroom.
Scout: See, I knew there were some
perks to being the dean’s kid. We were stuck with Professor Von Boring teaching
us about trigonometry during the last period of the day and Hamilton gets to go
give some cute, perky Rawley Girl a “tour” of campus. It’s so completely—
Will looks at Scout
surprised he’s forgotten who he’s talking to.
Scout doesn’t notice as turns toward Jake.
(cut to): Jake who is
looking at him like “you’re a moron.”
Scout: Oh, God…I’m a moron.
Will: Well, guys, I have to go
study. (Then quiety, to Scout) Good
luck removing your foot from your mouth.
Will turns around and walks
back down the hall. Jake and Scout reach the door and walk outside together.
Everyone else who’s leaving comes out around them. They stand together on the
front steps.
Scout: You know, actually, he
probably hates having to hang around some girl. I mean, some other girl.
Jake laughs at his
awkwardness and looks up, out across the Rawley lawn.
(cut to): A long shot of
Hamilton and Jill on the bench. Hamilton is facing toward the school, but
Jill’s back is turned. They’re pretty engrossed in conversation and Hamilton
looks like he’s enjoying himself.
(cut to): Jake and Scout.
Scout follows Jakes somewhat upset stare. His jaw drops a little and he looks
genuinely surprised. He looks back at Jake.
Scout: Why don’t you go over there
and—
Jake: What? Play the jealous
girlfriend? No…no, it’s no big deal.
She turns around to head back
into the school. Scout runs around in front of her, blocking her from going
back inside.
Scout: What are you doing?
Jake: Get out of the way,
Calhoun.
Scout: Come on, I’m sure it’s not
what it looks like. I mean, it doesn’t
look like anything, but--
Jake: Seriously, move.
Scout laughs at her
threatening remarks. Jake pushes his shoulder, hard…moving him out of the way.
She walks back inside. Scout rubs his shoulder.
Scout: Ow.
Scout looks at the closed
door and then back towards where Hamilton and Jill are sitting. He decides to
go over to Ham and Jill.
(cut to): Jill and Hamilton.
Hamilton: I should probably go now. I
really shouldn’t have been talking to you about this, but thanks for listening.
I mean, a couple of the guys know, but they don’t want to hear about stuff
like, you know, how she--
Jill: …completely takes your
breath away.
Hamilton looks down and
smiles. They
both get up from the bench. Scout comes walking up behind Jill.
Jill: Well, don’t worry, I’m good
with secrets.
Scout: What’s the secret?
Jill turns around.
(cut to): Scout. When he
realizes who Jill is he starts to look terribly embarrassed.
(cut to): Jill. Hamilton
stands behind her. She grins when she realizes who Scout is.
Jill: Hi there.
Scout seems speechless.
Jill: It’s Jill.
Scout: Yeah…I know…
Hamilton looks a little
confused. He gives Scout a questioning, amused glance.
Jill: And you?
Scout: Huh?
Jill: Who are you?
Scout: Uh—
Hamilton: Scout.
Jill: Scout?
Scout snaps out of it.
Scout: Yes. Scout Calhoun. Nice to
meet you.
She reaches out to shake his
hand. Hamilton puts his hands on Jill’s shoulders for a second.
Hamilton: This is one very cool girl.
Scout: Yeah, I know.
Scout looks up at Hamilton.
Scout cont’d: Does she know about--
Hamilton shakes his head as
if to quiet him.
Hamilton: Yeah, I told her about my girlfriend.
Scout: Is that what you guys were
talking about?
Hamilton smiles shaking his
head.
Hamilton: Yup.
Scout: Well, ‘cause when Jake and I walked out here from class…it
looked like something a little different than that.
Hamilton raises his
eyebrows. Scout nods his head once, exaggeratedly. Jill steps forward, so that
they are standing in more of a circle. She looks back and forth from Scout to
Hamilton.
Hamilton: I have to go. Jill…nice to
meet you. Again, thanks for listening. Come back and hang out again sometime.
She smiles and nods. Scout
waves as Hamilton runs off.
Jill: He’s a doll. A little
strange, but, damn, what a sweet kid.
Scout smiles and looks off,
remembering his own embarrassment.
(dissolve to): Jake’s room.
She’s lying on her bed, staring up at the ceiling.
Jake: What am I doing here?
Hamilton walks in, out of
breath. He shuts and locks the door behind him. Jake continues to stare at the
ceiling. Hamilton sits down on the bed, not facing her.
Hamilton: Okay, I know you saw that
out there, me talking with—
Jake (nonchalantly): It’s no big deal. If you
don’t want to do this anymore…if you want to see someone else, or whatever, I
can deal with that.
Hamilton lies down, next to
her in the bed. He shifts so that he is on his side, leaning on his elbow as
supports his head with his hand.
Hamilton: First, I resent that you
can say that as if it would mean nothing. Second, I would never be the one to end this…that scares me…but we both
know it. (More lightheartedly) And,
finally, are you jealous?
Jake looks over at him for
the first time.
Jake (unconvincingly): No...
Hamilton: Really? ‘Cause you were lookin’ a little
jealous...and, well, it was pretty cute.
She smiles. He reaches over with his hand that isn’t
holding his head and runs his fingers through her hair (which is getting a
little longer).
Jake: I didn’t come over because
I didn’t want to make you feel like you couldn’t be with someone else.
Hamilton: God, I don’t want to be with anyone else. If it were up to
me, I would never leave this room again.
Still lying down, he moves
and supports himself so that the upper part of his body is over her. He moves
in close to her and looks into her eyes.
Hamilton: Okay?
Jake closes her eyes and
nods. Before she can open them, Hamilton kisses her. She kisses him back and
seems disappointed when he briefly pulls away.
Hamilton: You.
Jake: What?
Hamilton: I was talking to her about
my girlfriend.
Jake: Me?
Hamilton: Yep. How I am so completely
in love with you. How I could never live without you. How every time I see you,
I still get these wonderful nervous butterflies.
Jake smiles at him, a little
surprised. She takes her hand and touches his chin as she kisses him briefly.
Hamilton cont’d: How when
you touch me, I almost can’t breathe because I feel an overwhelming need to
express to you what and how much I feel, but can’t ever do it.
Jake: I think you just did.
Hamilton avoids her eyes for
a brief second, but looks at her again as they kiss.
(fade
out)
Commercial Break. Don’t worry, Ham’s not
getting any.
(fade in): A residential
road in New Rawley. Sean and Bella walk and hold hands. They both have on
backpacks.
Sean: How were all your classes
today?
Bella: Way too much homework
assigned, but other than that, everything is going ok.
Sean: That’s good. I think I
failed my geometry test today.
Bella: Sean…
Sean: Bella, I need to talk to
you.
He stops walking and they
face each other. Sean looks really troubled and struggles when he speaks.
Sean: Um, maybe we should, like,
not see each other anymore.
Sean looks down and Bella
looks at him, searching. Sean looks up, surprised to meet her intense glance.
Sean: I mean, maybe us being just
friends was the right thing.
Sean sits down on the curb
and Bella does the same. Bella stares at Sean, unsure of what to say.
Bella: Ok…
Sean: Because, Bella…if we were
just friends, I would know what to do. No, I would be doing it…doing what was
right.
Bella: I really don’t follow, Sean.
Sean speaks, but doesn’t
look at Bella.
Sean: Okay, when your mom came…I
over heard her talking to Charlie. I was hoping he would tell you, but he
obviously hasn’t.
Bella: Sean, look at me.
Sean looks up.
Bella cont’d: What are you talking about?
Sean: He’s not your brother,
Bella.
Bella: Scout?
Sean: He’s not your brother. Your
mom never slept with his dad. Your dad lives with your mom in Carson. You said
you were over that whole thing with Scout, so I didn’t tell you that day. Then,
the other night when we were all hanging out…I don’t know, I wasn’t so sure.
Bella looks like she’s
processing the information. She gets up and gathers up her stuff.
Bella (cool and collected): I’ll talk to you later, ok
Sean?
Sean is still sitting on the
curb. He nods his in agreement, but doesn’t look up. Bella walks calmly away,
but soon starts to run.
(cut to): Scout and Jill. They are
sitting on the dock by the lake. It’s still pretty early in the afternoon.
Scout: So, you’ve never really
gone to actual school?
Jill: No, my dad basically took
me…and my tutor…with him to where ever he was working. I got to travel a lot,
but I never really developed a tangible peer group.
Scout: So, why Rawley?
Jill: Well, I told him I wanted
to go to school. On the advice of a friend, he picked this one and--
Scout: And you knew someone here,
right?
Jill: Yes. And, I’ve been trying
to catch up with her all day. Well, I haven’t been trying too hard because I
was in class and then came for the tour, but I’ve asked a couple people. No one
really knows her, though…which is weird because she’s not typically an
introvert.
Scout: What’s her name?
(cut to): Jake’s room. Jake
and Hamilton are still in Jake’s bed in about the same position…still kissing.
The camera is positioned so that it is next to them, not over them. Hamilton
starts to kiss her neck as the camera pans across to about Jake’s waist.
Hamilton takes his hand and starts to push up Jake’s shirt (she’s still got the
corset on). There is a knock at the door.
(cut to): The outside of Jake’s
door. Bella stands there, just finished knocking.
Hamilton (loud, but somewhat
muffled):
Go away.
(cut to): The inside of
Jake’s room.
Jake (whispered): Hamilton!
Hamilton (whispered): Sorry.
He sits back up on the bed,
a little flustered.
Jake (shouted): Hang on.
Jake gets up and walks over
to the door, unlocks it and opens it a little.
(cut to): The hallway. The
shot is over Bella’s shoulder as Jake opens the door. As she opens the door, she
is straightening up her hair. When she sees Bella, she smiles.
Jake (pleasant): Oh, Bella. Hey. Come on in.
Jake opens the door all the
way and Bella can see Hamilton on the bed. He smiles.
Hamilton: Hey Bella. What’s up?
Bella looks at Hamilton and
then at Jake, realizing that she’s interrupting.
Bella (to Jake): You know, I was…I was just
wondering if you guys had seen Will.
Hamilton: The study Nazi?
Jake laughs.
Jake: Yeah, he’s probably in the
common room, getting even further ahead.
Bella: Thanks guys. Sorry to—
Jake (hurried and
embarrassed):
Don’t worry about it.
Hamilton: You sure that was it? I
mean, I can take off if you’re having some girl thing.
Bella smiles.
Bella: Thanks for being observant,
but I think I’m going to go find Will.
Bella starts to walk off.
Jake nods and closes the door. She turns away from the door and faces Hamilton.
Jake: That could have been such
a crisis.
Hamilton gets up and walks
over to Jake. He tries to start kissing
her again, but she pushes him gently away.
Jake: Don’t you have homework?
Hamilton: I don't know.
Jake: Hamilton, you have to
focus.
Hamilton: I am focused.
Jake: Don’t think that the
attention starved Jacqueline doesn’t appreciate the, um--
Hamilton: Attention?
Jake: Yeah...it’s just that this
is all moving so fast, Hamilton.
Hamilton: What do you mean?
Jake: Well, like in the shower
that time...were we ready for that,
Hamilton, or were we just caught up in the moment? And, just now for example...if Bella hadn’t come to the door,
what would have happened?
Hamilton (questioningly): Something you didn’t want to happen?
Jake: I can’t figure out what I want. Well, not what I
want, but how fast this should all be progressing. Lately, I’ve just found myself so caught up in...this.
I can’t process it. We need to
slow way the hell down so I can think, ok?
Hamilton smiles and looks at
her sweetly.
Hamilton: Ok.
Jake: Ok?
Hamilton: Yeah...so I’m going to go get my books and then I’m going to come
back in here and get some studying done?
Cool?
Jake: Yeah.
Hamilton turns around to
leave, then turns back around.
Hamilton: And, Jake, I’m just as
completely caught up, lost in and confused by all this as you are, you know?
Jake smiles.
Jake: Yeah, I know.
Hamilton: But, we’ll figure it out.
Jake walks over to him and
tugs on his shirt, pulling him a little closer.
Jake (quietly): Thank you.
She leans toward him to give
him a kiss, but he steps back, unlocks the door and opens it.
Hamilton: Okay...going to get the
books...gotta study...gotta focus.
Jake smirks, rolls her eyes
and playfully shoves him out the door.
(cut to): Will as he sits at
a table in the common room. A couple of textbooks are opened in front of him as
is a binder. He’s looking in the books and writing…in other words, he’s working
on some homework.
(cut to): the door of the
common room. Bella almost walks by, but when she sees Will, she makes a sharp
turn and enters the room. She stands next to the couch.
Bella: Will.
Will looks up and smirks.
Will: How do you get in here?
Bella tries to smile, but
still manages to look upset. Will takes notice.
Will cont’d: Hey, what’s up?
Will gets up and walks over
to her.
Will: Want to sit down?
Bella sits down on the couch
quickly and Will does the same.
Will: What’s wrong?
Bella: God, what isn’t wrong, Will?
Will considers the question
then looks slightly perplexed.
Will: Well, I’m just a little
confused because it was you who told me that everything was right…that it’s all
how it is supposed to be.
Bella: Sean broke up with me—
Will: ...but you guys—
Bella: …because he found out that
Scout’s not my brother.
Will: …how did he—
Bella: He overheard my mom and dad
talking one day when she decided to attempt to reconnect with her abandoned
daughters…needless to say, that never
happened.
Will: So, he broke up with you,
and then he told you that the Bella/Scout scandal isn’t as sordid as we
originally thought?
Bella nods her head and
looks away.
Will cont’d: Wow.
Bella: Yeah.
Will: This is big, Bella.
Bella: Yeah.
Will: Does Scout know yet?
Bella: No, Will, he doesn’t.
Will: Well, don’t you think
instead of talking to me, you should
be out trying to find him?
Bella: I don’t know. Maybe it’s
not the right time. He’s seems to have stopped obsessing over the whole thing.
It’s not like telling him will make things any less weird between us.
Will: You know, you sound just
like him. You’re talking about the relationship or feelings or whatever between
you and Scout. What about the truth? Doesn’t that count for anything? One thing
I’ve learned is when you are afraid to tell other people things, what you are
really trying to avoid is being truthful with yourself.
Bella: It’s just all very
confusing. This situation…it’s so messed up.
Will: Because you forced yourself
to push away feelings that you really wanted to experience. You made yourself
get over something that you’re maybe afraid you’re really not over.
Bella smiles and seems a
little more at ease.
Bella: The perpetually insightful
Will Krudski analyzes the situation.
Will: And..the eternally
hard-headed Bella Banks seems unlikely to accept the interpretation.
Bella: I’m just afraid of
regressing into something that seems to be over.
Will: You were over it, Bella.
Scout never was.
Bella: Exactly.
Will: So, because he wasn’t as
good as hiding his feelings as you were, he doesn’t get to know?
Bella starts to speak, but
Scout and Jill walk in.
Scout: Hey.
Will and Bella get up from
the couch and face Jill and Scout.
Bella: Hi.
Will: Hey, what’s up?
Scout: Uh, Jill this is Will Krudski,
and this is Bella Banks. Will and I are roommates. And this is Jill Thomas.
Will looks up at Scout when
he remembers the name.
Jill (to Bella): Do you go to Rawley Girls’?
Bella glances down and tucks
her hair behind her ear, but then looks up pleasantly.
Bella: Nope, I’m just a townie
here for a visit.
Jill: Oh, cool. New Rawley is
such a beautiful town.
Will: Unless you’ve lived there
your whole life like Bella and me. To me, this
(gestures around) is a beautiful place.
Jill: Behind all the pretense,
maybe. I like reality, though.
Bella (pleasantly): Feel free to come hang out
with me at my family’s garage. You can fully experience reality there.
Jill: Don’t be too surprised when
I show up. I don’t fit in with most of the girls here and the one person I was
counting on to make me feel at home seems to almost not exist according to most
people…except Scout.
Scout smirks.
Scout: Oh, yeah…they know her too.
Bella and Will glance at
each other.
Will: Huh?
Scout: Her friend. Jacqueline Pratt.
Will cracks up. Bella looks
surprised.
Will: Really?
Jill looks around
questioningly.
Jill:
So, you guys all know her?
Bella: Wow.
Will: Yeah, yeah we do.
Jill: What’s with this reaction?
I email her and get no reply. I ask people all day and no one’s heard of
Jacqueline. I come over to the boys’ school and not only do you guys know her,
but I get these taken aback looks that turn into humoring comments. What’s the
deal?
Scout: You know, I just might know
where she is. Why don’t I try to find her and we can all meet up
somewhere…let’s say Friendly’s in an hour.
Will takes Scout’s cue.
Will: Yeah, and in the meantime,
Bella and I can show Jill the finer points of New Rawley.
Bella: And by finer he means
rustic and quaint in that way that only tourists can truly enjoy.
Scout: Okay, so, I’ll see you guys
in an hour.
Will looks at Bella and
subtly motions for her to go with Scout.
Bella: Hey, Scout, mind if I go
with you?
Scout: Yeah, yeah sure.
Jill notices the dynamic between
Scout and Bella (she might have wanted to go too, but this is what prevents her
from even mentioning it).
Will: Okay, so…Friendly’s in an
hour.
Everyone agrees.
(fade out)
Commercial Break. Heard of Dexter Freebish?
(fade in): Jake’s room. Jake sits on her bed and Hamilton is at her
desk. They’re both concentrating on homework. Jake looks up.
Jake: Hey, Hamilton…
Hamilton turns around in the
chair and smiles mischievously.
Hamilton: Yes?
Jake: What’s the sine of pi over
4?
Hamilton (disappointedly): Uh, like, the square root
of two over two.
Jake: Thanks.
Jake goes back to work. And
Hamilton looks out the window.
Hamilton: I’m hungry.
Jake: Hang on, I’m almost done.
She writes one more thing
then looks up.
Jake: Okay, you want to go eat?
Don’t you have crew soon?
Hamilton: I still have some time…Finn
is crazy with this new “dusk practice.” Think we have time to go into town and
eat and get back before practice starts?
Jake checks her watch.
Jake: Before dusk? Yeah, definitely. Want to take my bike?
Hamilton gets up and sits
next to her on the bed.
Hamilton (nicely): Can I drive?
Jake: Don’t take this the wrong
way, but hell no.
Jake laughs. Hamilton kisses
her.
Hamilton: Please?
Jake: It’s going to take a lot
more convincing than that before I let you drive my bike.
Hamilton: Did this conversation just
get metaphoric?
Jake: I don’t know…maybe we
should go ask for Finn’s interpretation.
Hamilton: Okay, you win. But, I
seriously don’t get to drive enough…I mean that in a completely non-metaphoric
way.
Jake laughs again.
Jake: Anyway, Shakespeare, let’s
get out of here or you really will be late for crew.
Hamilton gets up and unlocks
the door. He opens it, holding it for Jake. He walks out and closes it behind
him.
(cut to): Bella and Scout
walking down the hall.
Bella: So, Jill seemed cool…not at
all like a Rawley Girl.
Scout: Yeah, maybe that’s why I
find her so appealing.
Bella: Really? I mean, you like
her, huh?
Scout: Yeah, is that cool? I mean,
is it cool that we’re talking about this?
Bella: Yeah, it’s--it’s totally
cool.
Scout: Cool.
They laugh awkwardly as they
stop in front of Jake’s door.
Bella: Wow, I totally felt like I
was interrupting something when I came by here earlier.
Scout: Making the rounds at
Rawley, were you?
Bella: Something like that.
Scout grins at her, in a
more comfortable, pleasant mood. Overall, he’s far more at ease around her than
he has been in awhile.
Scout: Man, how are we going to
break this news?
Bella: Guess we can start by
knocking.
Scout: Good point.
Scout knocks on the door.
They stand there waiting. After a few seconds, Scout knocks again.
Scout: Hey, Jake, it’s Scout…and
Bella.
(cut to): Finn as he walks
around the corner.
Finn:
Jake went into town with Hamilton to grab some dinner.
Bella and Scout trade
worried glances.
Finn: You know, girls technically
aren’t allowed in the dorms, Mr. Calhoun.
Scout glances at Jake’s door
and chuckles.
Scout: Oh, yeah, I’m sorry…we’re
leaving now. Let’s go, Bella.
Finn: But, if you do bring them here you should at least introduce them
to the faculty member who catches you.
Scout: Sorry, of course. This is
Bella Banks. Bella, this is Finn….no Mr. is necessary.
Bella: Will’s actually had a lot
of great stuff to say about you.
Finn: Well, it’s good to know
that he thinks as highly of me as I do of him.
Scout: I hate to cut this short,
but we really do need to see Jake. Really.
Finn: Well, make sure you aren’t
late for practice. I already warned Hamilton.
Scout: Got it.
(cut to): Will and Jill
walking down a road, presumably to New Rawley.
Will: So, your dad is an actor?
Jill nods.
Will: Would I know him from
anything?
Jill: Um, he mostly has just done
theatre. Jacqueline’s mom is always trying to get him to go to Hollywood
auditions and stuff, but he loves the stage. I, on the other hand, have
terrible stage fright.
Will: I wouldn’t have guessed
that about you.
Jill: I don’t know. It’s weird
because I’m pretty good in social situations…I guess because all you really have
to do is be yourself. It’s just when it becomes a performance, it’s hard.
Jacqueline, though, is just like her mom…she’s a natural when it comes to
performing and stuff. But, you probably already know that about her.
Will laughs.
Will: Definitely.
A motor cycle drives by
pretty fast. Will seems to notice who it is. He looks at Jill, but she doesn’t
notice.
(cut to): Jake and Ham on
the motorcycle. When they talk, it is in shouts because of the engine and wind.
Hamilton: Wasn’t that Will back there
with the new girl, Jill?
Jake: Huh?
Hamilton: That was Will.
Jake: What?
Hamilton: Will and--
Jake: What?
Hamilton:…nevermind.
(cut to): Bella and Scout at
the bike racks of Rawley.
Scout: Get on.
Bella: Let’s just walk.
Scout: Bella…
Bella: I’m not in the mood to ride
around New Rawley on your handle bars, ok?
Scout: Ok… If you want to walk,
we’ll walk. Besides, it’s not like this is going to be a major catastrophe. I
have a feeling Jill is going to like the latest Jacqueline-attention-getting
stunt. It might be pretty entertaining just to let it all play out like this
anyway.
(cut to):
Friendly’s-interior. Jake and Hamilton have just walked in. They sit down in a
booth, Jake is on the side that doesn’t face the door.
(cut to): The street in front
of Friendly’s. Jill and Will walk past the garage.
Will: This is Bella’s garage.
And, that is Friendly’s. Impressive,
huh?
Jill (sarcastic): Wow.
Will: It’s not too fancy, but if
you’ve got a hankerin’ for a cheeseburger and a Coke…it’s the place to be.
Jill: I’ll remember that.
They walk across the street
and Will looks inside.
Will: Well, they aren’t here yet.
Maybe we should just wait out here.
Jill looks in the window
herself and sees Hamilton and the back of Jake’s head.
Jill: Hey, there’s Hamilton.
Let’s go in.
Will: You know him?
Jill: Yeah, he gave me a little
tour today then proceeded to tell me about this mystery girlfriend of his.
Will: Oh yeah?
Jill: Yeah. He’s the sweetest
guy…completely, hopelessly in love. Who’s he with?
Will: Um, well, that’s Jake.
Jill: Come on, let’s go in and
say hello.
Will: I wouldn’t recommend—
It’s too late. Jill opens
the door and walks in. Hamilton looks up and smiles.
Hamilton: Hey, Jill.
(cut to): Jake.
Jill: Hi.
Jake (mouthed, not spoken): Jill?
Jake slouches down in the
seat as if looking for an escape. She puts her elbow on the table and leans her
head on it, looking away.
(cut to): A shot where
everyone is seen including Will.
Hamilton (gesturing to
Jake): This
is my friend Jake. Jake, this is the girl I was telling you about.
Hamilton looks back over at
Jake. She’s still turned away and looking freaked out. Hamilton gives her a
weird look.
Hamilton: Jake…
She sighs. Quickly, she
seems to compose herself. She sits up straight and turns to Jill. She grins.
Jake: Hi…Jillian.
Jill: Jacqueline?
Jake nods once and laughs.
She stands up and hugs Jill.
Jake: What the hell are you doing
here?
Jill: I’m going to school here…I
emailed you, like, two days ago.
Jake: Damn, I meant to check that….I got distracted (she looks over at
Hamilton).
Jill sits next to Jake at
the booth and Will sits next to Hamilton. Hamilton looks beyond confused and
then looks to Will.
Will: See, Jill is Jake’s friend.
Jill came here because Jake’s mom told Jill’s dad what a great school Rawley Girls’ was. Jill wanted it to be sort of
a surprise, but when she got here she could never seem to catch up with Jacqueline…who wouldn’t be at the girls’ school since at Rawley, she’s Jake.
Jill: So, if you didn’t know I was
here…what’s with this (she gestures indicating Jake’s outfit, hair, etc.)? I
mean, if you aren’t doing this for my benefit…Holy God, is this one of those get mom to notice things?
Hamilton
still looks lost.
Jill: Or…is this one of
those…find an easy way to be close to a guy who you are totally in love with
things?
Hamilton looks a little
flushed as he really makes all the connections.
Jake: Maybe a little of both…a
lot of the second, actually.
Jill: Wow.
Jake looks at Hamilton,
smiling.
Jake (to Hamilton): This is who you were talking to…about me?
Will laughs at the somewhat
ironic situation.
Hamilton: Well, this is just a big
old chunky slice of embarrassing. (This is an homage…click here to learn more)
Will looks at Hamilton like
“I can’t believe you just said that.”
Will: Dude, never say that again.
Hamilton: Shut up, Will. Hey, Will...and Jill. Jill and Will...I just
got that.
Will: Shut up, Ham...right now.
Hamilton (dropping the
silliness):
I’m embarrassed. I’m sorry.
Jill: That’s no excuse for
sounding like Dr. Seuess...and, hey don’t be embarrassed.
Jake: I’m feeling kind of embarrassed so let’s move on...what’s everybody
ordering?
(dissolve to): Scout and
Bella. They are almost at the garage.
Scout: Are you mad at me or
something?
Bella: What?
Scout: Well, you were against the
handle bars ride which is totally fine, but a little weird. And then you barely
said a word to me on the way here. I mean, you volunteered to come with me Bella…what’s
up?
Bella stops walking and
turns to Scout.
Bella: Okay, well, at first I
wasn’t going to say this to you…then I was…then I changed my mind again…and
then again.
She pauses as he looks at
her, waiting for her to continue.
Bella cont’d: You seem to be okay without
knowing this, but you do have a right to know…
Scout: This is about us and the
brother/sister thing?
Bella nods. Scout waits again for her to go on.
Bella: My mom never slept with
your dad. I just thought you should
know. I just thought it was fair--
Scout:
Bella, I’ve always known it wasn’t true, ok? I’m glad you finally believe it.
Bella looks taken aback.
Bella: How could you have just known, Scout?
Scout: Love’s smarter than that,
Bella…even if we weren’t.
Bella looks off with a
pained expression. Scout looks down at his shoes as he shifts which foot he is
leaning on.
Scout: So, how’d you find out?
Bella: It’s a long story, Scout. I
really need to get inside and do some homework, though, so I’ll talk to you
later, ok?
Scout nods. Bella turns to
go inside.
Scout: You know you can talk to
me, right?
Bella doesn’t turn around.
Bella (unconvincingly): Of course.
(cut to): Scout entering
Friendly’s. Will, Jake, Jill and Hamilton are talking and laughing. Scout
smiles at everyone.
Scout: Hey, Will, Bella and I
never caught up with Jake.
Will. No joke.
Scout walks over and pulls a
chair up to the booth.
Jake: You were going to warn me,
huh?
Scout: I thought it might be nice,
but then I got to thinking about you and Jill and what she said about you and
figured maybe this little accidental ambush thing would also pan out
nicely...you know, be more daring and
all.
Jake: Ah, so basically revenge,
huh? I’ll remember that.
Scout: Hey, it’s cool...all’s fair
in truth or dare.
Will: Man, how long have you been
waiting to use that line?
Jill: Hey, um, we’re not going to
play that, right?
Jake: Hmm, not a good idea. Apparently, some of us haven’t fully
recovered from that last game.
Scout: Yeah, Jill told me what a
brutal dare-er you can be.
Jake: So, basically, I’ve been
the topic of a lot of conversations recently?
Everyone looks around and
laughs
Jake: Excellent.
Jill: Right, because you are so attention starved.
Jake: I am…
Everyone looks at her.
Jake: Well, mostly.
Everyone laughs.
(fade out)
Commercial Break The last commercial break.
(fade in): The docks—dusk. There is
very little light and it is slowly getting darker. Will, Scout and Hamilton
walk up together in their crew outfits. Finn and some of the other team members
are already sitting on the dock, but the guys aren’t late. They sit down.
Finn: Okay, anyone have any idea
why we are practicing so late today?
Hamilton: If we can get it done in
the dark, we can do it anytime.
Finn: That’s some interesting
phrasing, and, frighteningly, not too far from what I’m looking for. Anyone
else?
Will: The dark is a cover. We
can’t see each other and we don’t know what other people are doing.
Scout: Maybe we can’t see each
other and we don’t know what’s going on, but we can still pull together and
make everything work. Just because you can’t see everything that is at play
doesn’t mean it isn’t there and isn’t being done right.
Finn: Thoughtful, Mr.
Calhoun…maybe a bit of a stretch. Life is about stumbling around in the dark
until you have the courage to come out into the light. Now, gentlemen…into the
darkness…and the boat.
The
guys get up and start to get in. Finn
nods at Will, Scout and Hamilton as they walk by.
Will (v.o.): Courage. It’s not always about just being strong and
brave. It’s about revealing
yourself...letting people see you for what you really are.
(Fade to): Jill and Jake in Jake’s room.
Jake has changed into something more girly. They are sitting together on the bed talking and looking at some
magazine. Basically, it looks like girl
bonding.
Will (v.o.) cont’d: Sometimes when you put the truth out there, it works out.
(cut to): a crane shot of
the garage. We can see Bella through
her window as she sits at her desk, doing homework.
Will (v.o.) cont’d: Other times, everything
comes crashing down.
The camera pans down and we
see Sean walking by. He pauses and
looks up at the window then continues walking.
(dissolve to): darkness.
Will (v.o.) cont’d: Either way, it’s exploring the
truth-- not taking the dare--that makes you brave...
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