I was getting impatient with no news of a school of rock sequal, so I started to write one myself. Yes, it's in script format.
INT. DEWEY'S VAN - EARLY EVENING
The skull dashboard figure is bobbing, a ROCK SONG is
playing and the car is loaded with ANIMATED VOICES.
INT. BAR - NIGHT
We open to a scene reminiscent to the opening scene in the
first movie. The band - SCHOOL OF ROCK - is on stage at a semi-dingy
pub; DEWEY FINN is screaming into the mic, ZACH backing him
on lead guitar, KATIE next to him on bass, the THREE BACKUP
SINGERS behind them, LAWRENCE on his keyboards opposite them
and lastly FREDDY on drums at the small kit on the cramped
stage.
Dewey wipes sweat away from his forehead as the song ends.
DEWEY
I'd like to dedicate this next
song, to a special girl out there.
The group starts another fast number, classic rock, while a small
number of the kids like pained to even be there.
By the solo, Dewey looks ready to stage dive from the small stage,
but ends up rubbing his palms on his knees and resisting the
urge. Freddy behind him shakes his head in apparent disdain,
but maintains beat. The song wraps up.
There is lone clapping, in an otherwise unenthused audience of
regulars. Dewey jumps off the stage, taking his guitar from
around his shoulders to see ROSALIE MULLINS, his girlfriend
and the previous principal of the rest of the band. She has
a broad smile but looks as though she's faking it.
ROSALIE
That was good... it was really,
really...
Putting her out of her figurative misery of searching for
the right words to say, Dewey sighs and sits down beside her
while calling over for a beer with a single gesture.
DEWEY
I know. We've got to stop this. I
just can't...
He runs a hand through his hair as though frustrated and looks
at her as if he's leveling with a big though very well
known secret.
I just can't find any decent gigs,
you know?
ROSALIE
Well, Dewey, we've always got the
school Christmas Pagent.
DEWEY
Not helping.
He is handed the beer by a BARKEEP and takes long swigs of it. She
reaches over and squeezes his arm.
ROSALIE
Sorry.
BACK TO - THE STAGE
The kids restlessly sit and watch Dewey, otherwise pace the stage.
Freddy tries to reach out with a foot already hanging off
the stage and touch the floor, as far from the stage as his
leg will reach.
A large BOUNCER shakes his head at him and crosses his arms in
an intimidating pose.
FREDDY
Oh man. This is totally not fair.
SUMMER walks onto the stage and smiles at them, clipboard
SUMMER
Alright. Roll check.
FREDDY
Hey, how did you...? You're not
supposed to be down there!
SUMMER
Oh please. I'm the manager. I
have to evaluate your performance,
and I can't do it from up here.
Freddy scowls. Zach takes his guitar off from around him,
not perplexed in the slightest.
ZACH
So, how did we do?
FREDDY
But it's a bar!
SUMMER
(to Freddy)
Yes, I know that.
(to Zach)
I could sense some general
eye-rolling, so it could have been better.
But all in all, you know the songs
inside out. You did great!
DEWEY
(calling from over on the
floor)
Summer! How'd we do?
SUMMER
(calling back)
You did fine!
TOMIKA
Yeah, but this isn't a rehearsal,
this is the real deal.
KATIE
(scoffs)
Hardly. This is a bar.
Summer looks at each of them long and hard and then poises her
pen for writing.
SUMMER
Do all of you feel this way?
While everyone else seems to silently agree with what the Katie
had said, Zach steps forward meekly.
ZACH
I thought it was alright... I mean,
it's always good to play right?
Freddy heaves a sigh at this and gets up but his eye has already
been distracted from Zach, he grins a little and readies
himself to jump from the platform. The bouncer gives him a
cautionary head motion.
BOUNCER
Hey! No minors in the bar!
Freddy grins broader and then launches himself onto the back of
the bouncer, who is too slow at getting him off as Freddy
tumbles to the ground with him.
The rest of the band share the same sentiment and walk off the
stage, through the bar to leave the premises. Summer gives
an apologetic shrug to Zach and leaves with the rest of
them.
Zach stares at Dewey, Frankie and the Bouncer still
scuffling on the floor.
Dewey comes up and offers him a piggy back ride from the stage,
which Zach, being 15 now, declines.
DEWEY
It's ok, Zach Attack. We were
going to find a new place to play
anyhow.
Freddy watches them start to leave the joint together. He
gives a panicked look to the stage and calls to them.
FREDDY
Hey! What about all our stuff?
Guys?!
Dewey puts his hand on Zach's shoulder and steers him into
INT. NED SCHNEEBLY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
NED is passing Dewey another beer and pats him a few times
on the back awkwardly.
NED
There, there. Let it all out.
DEWEY
I should have known the band wasn't
going to last forever. I mean...
they're all teenagers now. Even
little Zach, the Zach Attack.
A heavily pregnant PATTY DI MARCO comes by and crosses her arms
over her chest, unimpressed.
PATTY
Oh come on, Dewey! You do realize
they're not your kids right?
Dewey feigns horror.
DEWEY
Ned! It's the walking dead and
it's talking to us.
PATTY
Oh, ha ha.
DEWEY
I mean, because last night in my
dream you were dead. You just
don't stay that way do you?
He gets up and pinches her, then peers closely at her skin, she
ignores him.
PATTY
Maybe those kids being fifteen has
reminded you how old you're
getting.
DEWEY
Not surprisingly untactful, but
continue, at least for your sake.
PATTY
And maybe you're realizing that
there isn't much time yet for you
to have some children of your own.
She pats her belly at this and Dewey gapes at her.
DEWEY
I wasn't aware that I... uh...
started looking like a woman to
you!
NED
(stutters)
She's just saying that maybe you...
DEWEY
Oh, Ned. Not you too! Not again!
Why do I even come over here?
PATTY
Maybe because it's too lonely at
your place since you haven't asked
Rosalie to move in with you.
DEWEY
I'm really uncomfortable with
that. Do you think you can call
her Ms Mullins, or Principal
Mullins?
Patty throws up her hands in aggravation.
PATTY
At the rate you're going these kids
will be grown up before you are!
Ned gives Dewey a sympathetic look, but it seems that the insult
has in some capacity gotten through. She storms out of the
room in a huff.
NED
She didn't mean that. Pregnant
women, you know?
DEWEY
Yeah.
They flip on the TV and Dewey goes and sits in front of it - as
mesmerized.
DEWEY
This is it!
NED
Flamboyant costumes and lip
syncing.
DEWEY
No. Our key to international
exposure.
Ned raises an eyebrow but Dewey is too excited to keep
still.
NED
(quietly, to himself)
Or you could just get married and
start a family.
INT. SCHOOL OF ROCK PRACTICE STUDIO - DAY
All the kids are there, including this time the BAND HELPS.
Summer is checking off everyone's names, she finishes
ticking and then CLEARS HER THROAT to get everyones
attention. It doesn't work - everyone continues as they
were. Summer finally loses it and SCREAMS.
This works.
ALICIA
Woah. You know we could just buy
you a whistle.
BILLY
I'm thinking black, to blend with
her outfit.
SUMMER
People. We have something
important to discuss.
Just then Dewey enters, flushed from running the flights of stairs
to get to where they are. He searches the group.
DEWEY
Whiz kid, Whiz kid, Whiz kid... Ah
ha!
Finding the computer whiz kid, Dewey puts a hand on his shoulder
and dramatically commands...
DEWEY
To the computers!
GORDON, The whiz kid opens up his laptop.
DEWEY
Or right here is fine.
GORDON
What would you like Mr Finn?
Dewey paces as he talks. He suddenly turns to the kid with
his eyes so alive that the kid is almost jumping out of his
own skin.
DEWEY
You know that footage that you had
uploaded from the battle of the
bands?
KID
I may.
DEWEY
Good. Well I want you to send it
to this address.
He hands him a piece of paper.
KID
Will do.
Everyone else is not oblivious to what is going on, Summer taps
Dewey on the shoulder.
SUMMER
Mr Finn... Dewey, we have something
of utmost urgency to discuss.
Freddy mimics her in the background. Summer's eye twitches
and she turns around to the entire group when a few kids
laugh at the imitation.
SUMMER
You know what? You guys can just
do it yourself!
Zach steps forward yet again. Summer steps back and sticks
out her tongue at Freddy, who ignores her.
ZACH
Dewey, it's just that a few people
feel that our gigs are well...
kinda lame.
DEWEY
I know.
SUMMER
You know?
DEWEY
Com'on! I feel they're kinda
lame. That's why I'm trying to get
us a new one. I know things have
been really busy since you guys
have school and everything - but I
really think this can work!
Everyone but Zach gives a disbelieving look at his optimism.
ZACH
I'm willing to give it a try.
TOMIKA
Yeah, me too.
KATIE
Sure.
FREDDY
What else have I got to do?
SUMMER
(to Freddy)
How about homework?
LAWRENCE
I'm in, Mr Finn.
DEWEY
So com'on guys, lets practice. And
everyone listen to Zach. He's a
good kid.
Dewey shares a smile with Zach and there are groans and eye rolling
from everyone else in the room as they all get together and
take their positions.
DEWEY
Alright, Summer - Count us down.
SUMMER
3, 2, 1...
INT. DEWEY'S VAN - EVENING
DEWEY
You know, this is where we had our
first date.
ROSALIE
In your van?
DEWEY
Well, it's like where we really
connected.
He presses a button and some MUSIC starts blaring. Rosalie
adjusts her glasses. She gives him a smile.
ROSALIE
Yeah, I remember. I think I was
really drunk.
DEWEY
No. Not at that time.
He gives her a wicked smile and then turns his eyes back to the
road.
DEWEY
(con't)
So, Rosalie. You don't really want
to, get married, have kids and all
that right away, right?
ROSALIE
Um... well.. I haven't really had
much of a chance to think about it.
DEWEY
Good. Because neither do I.
Wait. What?
Rosalie gives him a helpless look. Dewey suddenly acts very
tense.
ROSALIE
Well it's not an awful idea.
DEWEY
No. Of course not.
ROSALIE
I mean, if we wanted to.
DEWEY
Yeah, you know... in about ten
years.
ROSALIE
What?
Dewey cowers behind the wheel even though she is right next to
him. Rosalie starts laughing.
ROSALIE
(con't)
Ten years? You really think I'm
good for ten years?
DEWEY
Then why don't we just adopt one of
the kids from the band?
ROSALIE
Yeah. We've talked about this.
It's not really going to work.
DEWEY
Then we'll just have to kidnap them
then.
ROSALIE
Where are you taking me anyway?
DEWEY
If I told you that milady, it
wouldn't be a surprise.
Finally they pull into a parking lot.
EXT. PARKING LOT - CONTINUOUS
Dewey parks the van and then gets out and goes over to open the
door for Rosalie.
DEWEY
Surprise!
ROSALIE
I really am surprised. Where are
we?
DEWEY
Well, you've seen the devilishly
handsome photos from my school year
book, I just thought it would be
nice to take you to where I first went
to school... and discovered my love
of music.
ROSALIE
This is your school?
DEWEY
Yep. Thought you might want to
take a nostalgic trip down memory
lane with me.
ROSALIE
I couldn't think of anything
better. But no vivid flashbacks.
Dewey puts his hands up in a sign of surrender.
DEWEY
Alright no flashbacks.
Suddenly, his phone BUZZES - a HEAVY ROCK TUNE emanates
DEWEY
Dewey, The Grandmaster of Rock,
Schneebly, The Finn-ster or the
Stud Muffin Extroadinare. How can
I make your day?
Rosalie purses her lips in amusement with the way he answers his
phone.
INT. SUMMER'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Summer is on the edge of her bed, holding a cordless phone
in one hand and staring at a TV screen. She almost shrieks
into the telephone.
SUMMER
Dewey! Switch on your television.
EXT. PARKING LOT - CONTINUOUS
DEWEY
No can do, Tinkerbell. Fill me in.
INT. SUMMER'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
SUMMER
I can't believe it! We're going to
Europe! We got the guest spot on
Eurovision.
EXT. PARKING LOT - CONTINUOUS
Dewey seems not quite sure how to take this news, he pauses for
a moment.
DEWEY
Do we have to wear tights?
INT. SUMMER'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
SUMMER
Let me check that for a second.
EXT. PARKING LOT - CONTINUOUS
Dewey waits patiently while she's gone, Rosalie gives him an anxious
look, wanting confirmation of the content of the discussion.
INT. SUMMER'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Summer spins on a swivel chair back away from her computer.
SUMMER
No!
EXT. PARKING LOT - CONTINUOUS
Dewey takes the phone away from his face and yells in a crazed
manner.
DEWEY
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSS!
INT. SCHOOL OF ROCK PRACTICE STUDIO - DAY
Summer follows Dewey around. The other band members ecstatically
look on, already eager to practice and in positions.
SUMMER
We've got a lot to do before we
head out to Europe. We have to
take time off school.
At this Freddy and Lawrence share a high five.
SUMMER
We have to check their audio
equipment from overseas.
KATIE
Summer, I'm sure it's all under
control. It is a major event.
SUMMER
Don't interrupt me, Katie. And we
have to check the accommodation.
We wouldn't want to go there and be
stranded.
Her expression is as if the very thought was already horrifying
her.
DEWEY
And that's why you're the manager.
The best manager that a rock band
could ever have.
SUMMER
Well... yes. I suppose so.
FREDDY
Oh, come on! If you made her ego
any bigger, we'd all be thrust out
of the building onto the pavement.
SUMMER
Can't we leave certain people
behind?
DEWEY
I don't know.
Dewey poses the question to the entire room.
DEWEY
(con't)
Guys, is Freddy expendable?
There are a few murmured No's and Yes's... but in the end, far
more No's.
DEWEY
Alright. Now that that's settled,
how about a band huddle?
MARTA
We're going to hug now?
DEWEY
No, we're going to put our hands in
the middle and chant about how good
we are.
FREDDY
Sounds kinda lame.
DEWEY
Geez! Is everything lame to you
kids? Is going to Europe lame? Is
hanging out with the coolest adult
I know lame?
This elicits some GIGGLES as the kids get more into it. Dewey
sticks his hand out.
DEWEY
So who's with me? Or rather...
who's with the band?
Zach sticks his hand on Dewey's first and is quickly
followed by the rest of the band and crew in the room.
Dewey starts SINGING the chorus to 'Long Way to the Top' and the
rest JOIN IN - they throw up their hands together at the
end.
DEWEY
Great. Now lets start acting like
a band.
GAY KID
Matching tights?
DEWEY
Not even close kid.
GETTING READY FOR EUROPE MONTAGE
MONTAGE IS BROKEN BY...
Dewey's cell phone begins to ring again, he doesn't even
begin his long tirade of titles as he gets barraged
immediately by the person on the other end.
INT. SCHOOL TEACHERS ROOM - CONTINUOUS
MR MOONEYHAM wipes away sweat from his forehead with his
tie.
MR MOONEYHAM
You're not really intending to take
our children to Europe are you?
EXT. PAVEMENT - CONTINUOUS
DEWEY
Mr Mooneyham! I trust Zach's given
you all the schedule information.
INT. SCHOOL TEACHERS ROOM - CONTINUOUS
MR MOONEYHAM
You're kidding right?
EXT. PAVEMENT - CONTINUOUS
DEWEY
Nope. This is what these kids have
been waiting for - a chance to
prove themselves.
INT. SCHOOL TEACHERS ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Mr Mooneyham turns around and addresses a handful of OTHER PARENTS
who are with him in the room.
MR MOONEYHAM
He's not kidding.
MR TSAI takes the phone.
MR TSAI
Is this a chance for the kids to
prove themselves, or for you to
prove yourself?
EXT. PAVEMENT - CONTINUOUS
DEWEY
Why don't you leave it up to them?
Ask them if they really want to go?
INT. SCHOOL TEACHERS ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Mr Mooneyham takes the phone back.
MR MOONEYHAM
Of course they want to go - they're
kids! But they have more important
things to focus on, like school.
Surely you can understand that.
EXT. PAVEMENT - CONTINUOUS
DEWEY
I tell you what. Since I used to
teach, I'll tutor your kids every
day that they're away. So, they'll
be working their asses off... sir.
INT. SCHOOL TEACHERS ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Mr Moonyham's eyes look bloodshot and he proceeds to exasperatedly
hit his head down on the desk in front of him. The other parents
look on in shock.
EXT. PAVEMENT - CONTINUOUS
DEWEY
Great. I'll take that as a yes
then. And you won't regret it.
He hangs up the phone.
INT. SCHOOL TEACHERS ROOM - CONTINUOUS
MR MOONEYHAM
Why do I get the feeling I'm
already regretting it?
To be continued...