DEGRASSI: GLORY DAYS - S01E22 - END OF AN ERA
DISCLAIMER: I DON´T OWN DEGRASSI
Author´s Note: There´s a lot to wrap up here, so you´re getting a long double episode, split in two. It´s by far the longest episode I´ve written so far, long enough that you could call it a TV movie. It something I plan to make a regular feature for season finales of the series. I hope you enjoy it and have enjoyed the season as a whole. I´d love to hear your thoughts on it, what you thought worked and what didn´t.
1. Int. Tactics room. Morning.
CAPTION:
PART 1
We fade in as Coach Dungy is addressing his players.
Dungy:
We leave right after school. I don´t want to have to wait for anyone.. Dismissed.
The team head for the exits.
2. Int. Hallway. Morning.
Dexter and Troy are heading up the hallway.
Troy:
Eleven hours ´till showtime.
Dexter:
The waiting is the worst.
Troy:
How do you think it is for Mike?
Dexter:
I pity the guy, but I´m glad it´s not me. Do you think he´s coming?
Troy:
It depends on how his hearing goes.
Dexter:
They won´t drag him right away to jail, will they?
Troy:
It´s only to determine whether there´s grounds for a trial.
Dexter:
We all knew his dad was a psycho.
Troy:
He kept a different face to the outside world. It´s not open and shut.
Dexter:
Seeing us win tonight would cheer him up.
Troy:
Those guys don´t stand a chance.
They head into a classroom.
OPENING CREDITS
3. Int. Law Office. Day.
Mike and Diana are sitting across from mr. Quincy, his lawyer.
Mike:
What happens, if we lose?
Quincy:
A bail will be set and the proceedings begin soon thereafter.
Diana:
What are our chances?
Quincy:
The injuries you both suffered that night and the lack of evidence against you are our best cards. All in all, I´d say we´re not looking too bad.
Mike:
I just want to know where I stand.
Quincy:
You´re going through something, it´s thankfully few, who go through in life. Have you been able to sleep?
Mike:
A few hours here and there. I´ve given up on graduating school, for now at least.
Quincy:
I know it can feel meaningless, when you have this hanging over you. The only comfort I can give, is that the evidence speaks highly in our favor.
Mike tries to look hopeful.
4. Ext. Office Building. Day.
Sandra is smoking a cigarette, when Diana and Mike come out. She throws it away.
Sandra:
What did he say?
Mike:
Nothing we didn´t already know.
Diana:
Can I take you two to breakfast?
Mike:
I don´t think, we´ve ever done that before.
Diana:
Your father isn´t making the rules anymore.
Sandra:
There´s a great diner a little down the road. It could give us a chance to talk.
Diana:
I´d like that.
Mike:
Look at us! One could mistake us for a normal family.
He takes Sandra´s hand and they head for the parking lot.
5. Int. Foyer. Degrassi.
Students are lining up to buy tickets for the "End of the Year" dance. Tif and Kelly are selling tickets. Kat and Michelle step up to the counter.
Kelly:
You realized your true feelings for each other. How nice.
Michelle:
Very funny. Two.
She hands Kelly the money.
Tif:
Name of your date?
Michelle:
Dave Claypool.
Kelly:
Haven´t you been with Harvey all year?
Michelle:
It a long story.
Kat:
Two.
Tif:
You found a date?
Kat:
Not really. My date is Trish.
Tif and Kelly aren´t happy to hear that.
Tif:
I don´t think, they´ll allow it.
Kelly:
She´s been expelled.
Kat:
She´s coming as my guest.
Kelly:
I´d rather not promise something, only to go back on it.
Tif:
You know she could come, if it was up to us.
Kat looks frustrated.
Kelly:
Do you still want two?
Kat:
Alright.
She hands her money to Kelly.
6. Int. Classroom. Day.
Dexter, Troy and Ruby are waiting for class to start.
Troy:
Remember when there were six of us sitting together?
Dexter:
We´re the last survivors.
Ruby:
Stop it with the melodrama! There was never a time, when we all got along.
Troy:
You don´t have to be blunt about it.
Kelly comes walking in to the classroom. She gives the evil eye to Ruby as she passes her.
Dexter:
How does it feel to be hated?
Ruby:
Martin Luther King and Malcolm X weren´t popular with everyone either.
Dexter:
And you´re accusing us of being melodramatic?
Troy:
What if they don´t follow your orders come game time?
Ruby:
They better.
Ruby clearly hadn´t considered it to be an option.
7. Int. Diner. Day.
Sandra, Mike and Diana are waiting for their breakfast. Mike gets up.
Mike:
I´m gonna wash my hands before we eat.
He leaves them. There´s an awkward silence, while they try to think of something to talk about.
Diana:
Washing your hands before you eat was one of his dad´s rules. It´s become second nature to him.
Sandra:
Is that so?
Diana:
You must have seen Tom as the devil himself.
Sandra:
I was scared for what we might do to you or Mike.
Diana:
I´m glad, Mike will still have you next year. With Troy leaving, I don´t know what he would do without you.
Sandra:
He´s not the only one. I´ve thought, I´ve been in love before, but it´s nothing compared to the real thing.
Diana smiles.
Diana:
You sound like me, when me and Tom started dating. Those first years were like a dream.
Sandra:
When did it turn in to a nightmare?
Diana:
He always had a temper, but George´s death changed him forever. He became bitter, hated himself and the world. Then he started taking it out on us.
Sandra:
Why didn´t you leave him?
Diana:
At first it was because I loved him. After that it was because I feared, if I could make it in the world without him. Bruises heal fast, but the damage it does to your self confidence is hard to shake.
Sandra:
I hope, I never have to find out for myself.
Diana:
If Mike ever hurts you, don´t feel like you should stay with him for mine or anyone else´s sake.
Sandra:
I´m not thinking of leaving him. I´m actually starting he to think, he´s the one.
Diana:
That´s very romantic, but you should know that Mike has violence in his blood. Boys who grow up in fear, sometimes start acting out. There was a time, when I feared what he´d turn in to.
Sandra:
I remember what he was like.
Diana:
If he starts, you have to promise me, you won´t accept it.
Sandra:
I promise.
They look in each other´s eyes with new understanding of one another.
8. Int. Hallway. Day.
Michelle and Kat are walking up the hallway.
Michelle:
Why did you get two, if you can´t bring Trish?
Kat:
The other one is for Harvey.
Michelle:
Ex-squeeze me?
Kat:
You heard me. I´m asking him.
Michelle:
Isn´t he anatomically incorrect for your taste?
Kat:
It´s so you can patch things up with him and between him and Dave.
Michelle:
We had an open relationship. I heard from Sandra, that he was on a date with another girl that night.
Kat:
Was she your best friend?
Michelle:
I guess not.
Kat:
He´s not the sharpest, but he´s been nice to you all year, even when you´ve treated him like dirt. This is the least you can do for him.
Michelle:
What´s your plan?
Kat:
A surprise double date.
Michelle:
It has disaster written all over it.
Kat:
You want a memorable evening, don´t you?
Michelle:
I don´t think, he´ll say yes.
Michelle still isn´t completely sold on the idea.
Kat:
We´ll find out soon, won´t we?
They see Harvey come towards them.
Kat:
Hey Harvey. Come here a sec.
He comes over to them. Michelle looks like she´d rather hide away somewhere.
Harvey:
What´s up, Kat?
Kat:
Do you have a date for the dance?
Harvey:
No, there was this chick I was planning on taking, until she had sex with my best friend.
He stares Michelle down for a second. She´s very uncomfortable.
Kat:
I was planning on bringing Trish. It turns out that they won´t let her come, so I´m stuck with an extra ticket. Would you like to be my friend-date?
Harvey:
Why not? I´ll buy it from you, so you won´t feel like, you´re taking me out.
Kat:
You don´t have to.
Harvey:
Spend it on a toy for your daughter. I´d probably spend it on weed or comic books.
He gets his wallet out, takes some money from it and hands it to Kat.
Kat:
I´ll make sure she knows, who it´s from.
Michelle:
Harvey, I´m sorry about what happened. I didn´t think, you´d get this worked up.
Harvey:
Then you´re dumber, than you look. I´ll see you later, Kat.
Harvey leaves them. Michelle watches him leave with a sad look on her face.
9. Int. Courtroom. Day.
Diana has taken the stand. Quincy is ready to cross examine her. Mike is looking nervous. The prosecutor is a man in his 30´s, the judge is an elderly man of around 70.
Quincy:
What injuries did you obtain that day?
Diana:
I had several bruises on my face and the rest of my body. I also suffered three broken ribs.
Quincy:
Was this the first time you husband had beaten you this badly?
Prosecutor:
Objection. How it compares to other beatings is speculation.
Judge:
Sustained.
Quincy:
I´ll refrase. Had you suffered broken bones as a result of a beating before?
Diana:
Yes, several times.
Quincy:
Had he previously beaten you so badly, you felt you had to hide it from the outside world?
Diana:
Yes. Many times.
Quincy:
Did you fear that he would end up murdering you or your son one day?
Diana:
I did.
Quincy:
No more questions, your honor.
This was clearly an emotional experience for Diana, who tries to regain her composure.
Judge:
Prosecution, you may examine the witness.
The prosecutor approaches Diana.
Prosecutor:
You were married to Tom Coleman for 34 years, is that right?
Diana:
That´s true.
Prosecutor:
There must have been good times too?
Diana:
We had many good years together, before he turned violent.
Prosecutor:
Did you grow to hate him?
Diana:
Part of me did, but another part remembered what he was like before and never stopped loving him.
Prosecutor:
Did you want him dead?
The prosecutor stares her down, but she doesn´t break away from it.
Quincy:
Objection, your honor. He´d badgering the witness.
Prosecutor:
Your honor, she said that she feared, he might take her life. It´s a valid question.
Judge:
I´ll allow it, but tread lightly. You will answer the question.
Diana:
No, I didn´t. I hoped he would change his ways and return to being the man I loved.
Prosecutor:
You never tried to poison him?
Diana:
Of course I haven´t!
The prosecutor get some papers from his desk and hands them to the judge, who looks them over.
Prosecutor:
Your honor, we present into evidence hospital records from July 9th, 1975.
Judge:
These state that Tom Coleman was admitted with Mercury poisoning. He stayed in the hospital for almost a week.
Prosecutor:
Did you try to murder your husband that night?
Diana:
He got it from some fish, that I might add, he brought home. The reason he became sick is because he ate a lot more, than we did.
Prosecutor:
Why didn´t you eat it?
Diana:
It didn´t taste right to me, so I told my son to stop eating it too.
Prosecutor:
Mr. Coleman was a heavy smoker, was he not?
Diana:
He was a two pack a day man. I don´t know if it´s considered heavy by the court.
Prosecutor:
Recent studies have shown how smoking impacts the sense of taste. Could it be, that he simply couldn´t taste, the fish was poisoned?
Diana:
It´s not impossible, I suppose.
Prosecutor:
It seems convenient how the man you wished dead, was the only one eating the fish, that you yourself wouldn´t eat or let your son eat. Did you cook it before serving it?
Diana:
Yes, but I didn´t want him dead!
Quincy:
Your honor, he´s speculating and practically attacking the witness.
Judge:
Where´s this going?
Prosecutor:
Both mrs. Coleman and her son wanted him dead, so they plotted to murder him.
Judge:
How do you explain their injuries?
Prosecutor:
They could have inflicted them on each other after the fact. After all, what´s a few bumps and bruises, if you get away with murdering someone, you´re afraid of?
Diana:
We stayed by his bedside, when they shut off his life support and I held his hand as he took his final breath! Despite everything, we still loved him, so don´t you dare accuse us of murdering him!
The judge bangs his gavel. Diana tries to compose herself.
Judge:
Order! Prosecutor, do you have any more questions?
Prosecutor:
Only a few. Had your husband been drinking a lot of alcohol the day of the fight?
Diana:
Not by his standards.
Prosecutor:
How much is that? A sixpack? Two?
Diana:
Two probably isn´t far off, but he ...
Prosecutor:
Had your son been drinking, when he came home?
Diana:
He was driving, so I wouldn´t think so.
Prosecutor:
Mrs. Coleman, did your son fight a lot with other kids, when he was younger?
Diana:
More than most kids do, I suppose.
Prosecutor:
He´s also a former Football player, so I assume he´s athletically built?
Diana:
He´s always stayed fit, yes.
Prosecutor:
It doesn´t seem like a fair fight, does it? Mr. Coleman, a middle-aged heavy smoker with two six packs in his blood, against a younger, sober and athletic man, who´s already experienced at hand to hand combat. Armed with a baseball bat, no less. Does it objectively seem like a fair fight to you?
Quincy:
Objection! Speculation, your honor.
Judge:
Sustained.
Prosecutor:
No further questions, your honor.
Judge:
The witness is excused.
The prosecutor returns to his table and knows he achieved, what he wanted. Diana and Mike make eye contact as she passes him and he gives her a sympathetic smile to show, that he doesn´t hold anything against her, despite her testimony not going particularly well.
10. Ext. Degrassi. Day.
The bus is getting ready to leave with the cheerleaders and the football team. Troy, Ruby and Dexter come in.
Ruby:
I should sit with the girls to show team spirit.
Dexter:
I get to have fun on the ride over there?
Troy:
We can discuss the potential ramifications of the START treaty.
Dexter:
The what?
Troy:
The exam is in a few weeks and you don´t remember?
Ruby:
Listen to what he tells you, Dexter.
Troy and Dexter sit down next to each other. Ruby heads further down in the bus to the back, where the cheerleaders sit. The mood is great among them, until they see Ruby and all conversation stops.
Ruby:
Who wants to sit with the captain?
Kelly:
No one does.
Ruby:
What are you saying? I can´t have a different opinion?
Tif:
The demonstration was as much about showing support for Trish, as it was about the goals.
Kelly:
You´re the one, who claims this is a sisterhood. Our sister needed us and we were there for her. You didn´t even show up to pay your respects in the hospital.
Ruby:
What she did was dumb. A captain can´t condone it.
Tif:
You don´t get it, do you? This was about more than the squad or this game. If we allowed that man to continue to do what he wanted, knowing it was unfair, we would have regretted it forever. Maybe you don´t care about the school, now that you´re leaving, but most of us will still be here next year.
Ruby:
I care.
Kelly:
Just not enough to speak up for a girl you called your sister or even show, you give a rat´s ass about her? Nothing can get in the way of your masterplan, right?
Ruby:
Maybe I should have visited her with you guys. I´ll give you that much.
Tif:
There´s no maybe´s here. You should have come.
Ruby sees that she´s not winning them over. Redgrave comes down to them.
Redgrave:
Is everyone accounted for?
Ruby:
I believe so.
Tif:
The one person, who should be here isn´t.
Redgrave:
She´ll be there with us in spirit.
Redgrave heads to the front of the bus. Ruby sits down on a seat by herself, a little away from the other girls.
11. Int. Degrassi. Day.
Kat is putting books in her locker, when Harvey comes up to her.
Kat:
You´re not getting cold feet, are you?
Harvey:
I was thinking, if you´d like to sit together at the Football game?
Kat:
You´re going to the game?
Harvey:
I figured, if I´m seeing one game, it might as well be the City Championship.
Kat:
I´m sitting with Trish in the neutral section.
Harvey:
There´s room for a third person, isn´t there? It would give us a chance to talk and I won´t have to worry about sitting close to "the two".
Kat:
I guess so.
Harvey:
Cool. I´ll meet you at the entrance.
Kat:
Sure.
He leaves her.
12. Ext. Degrassi. Day.
Kat comes out. Michelle was waiting for her with Dave.
Kat:
Are we ready to roll?
Michelle:
Do you mind if Dave sits with us tonight?
Kat:
I told Harvey, he could sit with me and Trish. I thought, you´d want to sit with the rest of the school.
Michelle:
I know exactly 5 people here, two of which are Niners and one of the rest isn´t talking to me. Why would you think that?
Kat:
Sorry.
Michelle:
Does he know, it isn´t a date?
Kat:
There´ll be three of us, that should be a clear indicator.
Michelle:
That doesn´t count, when you´re talking events with lots of people.
Kat:
I specifically said "Friend-date", when I asked him to the dance.
Dave:
He´s always thought, you were hot.
Kat:
Why didn´t he ask me out before?
Michelle:
Because he knew, I would feel hurt, if he did.
Kat tries to process it. Michelle looks sad.
Dave:
Would it be the worst, if it was a date?
Michelle:
You can´t be serious!
Dave:
He´s a nice guy, he adores kids and he has no plans of leaving Toronto. Christine could use a daddy, couldn´t she?
Kat:
It´s not that simple.
Dave:
Unless there´s someone else, I think you should give him a chance.
Michelle:
Don´t! If you´re with him, when are we gonna hang out?
Dave:
If he´s happy again, he´s more inclined to forgive and forget. Especially knowing, you put your feelings aside for him.
Kat is starting to regret what she´s started.
13. Int. Courtroom. Day.
Sandra has taken the stand.
Quincy:
Describe what happened when you met up with mr. Coleman.
Sandra:
We talked for a bit. The he lifted his shirt to show me the marks, from where his dad had beaten him.
Quincy:
Can you describe them?
Sandra:
Large welts. Like he´d been whipped with a belt.
Quincy:
Is that what he told you happened?
Sandra:
He didn´t need to. We´ve known each other since we were kids. There´s an unspoken language between us.
Quincy:
In your opinion, did Mike Coleman fear his father?
Sandra:
A lot. His father made his life miserable.
Quincy:
Were you afraid of him?
Sandra:
Even when we were kids, I always tried to avoid him. He was like a timed bomb, waiting to go off at any time.
Quincy:
Nothing further, your honor.
Quincy sits down.
Judge:
Prosecutor, the witness is yours.
The prosecutor gets up from his desk.
Prosecutor:
Only one question, your honor. In his conversations with you, has mr. Coleman ever talked about killing his father ?
Sandra doesn´t want to answer it.
Judge:
You will answer the question truthfully.
Sandra:
He has, but he never meant it.
Prosecutor:
Nothing further, your honor.
Judge:
The witness is excused.
Sandra steps down from the stand.
14. Int. Parking Lot. Day.
The Degrassi bus has arrived at the mostly empty parking lot at Lakeview High School. Redgrave is gathering the cheerleaders as they come out.
Redgrave:
Over here, girls.
They gather around her. Ruby stands next to her.
Redgrave:
I´ll go ahead to find out, where our changing rooms are. I´ll leave you in Ruby´s hands. Ruby, make sure you´re all there waiting at the main entrance.
Ruby:
Will do.
Redgrave leaves them in a hurry.
Ruby:
You heard the lady. Let´s go.
She starts walking, but none of them follow her. She turns around, annoyed.
Ruby:
I said: Let´s go!
They´re not budging. Tif stares her down.
Tif:
We better not upset Redgrave on her big day.
Tif starts walking and the girls follow her. She winks at Ruby, as she passes her.
We cut to the boys, walking towards the school. Barry is walking with Troy and Dexter, who can´t believe what they´re hearing.
Barry:
Brezhnev knew his legacy was on the line and Nixon needed a result to satisfy his home base. The first round of negotiations gave us the Anti Ballistic Missile Treaty. Everyone´s hoping It will lead to the Strategic Arms Reduction or START Treaty, which is what they´re negotiating about.
Troy and Dexter look shocked.
Dexter:
That´s the first sentence longer than 10 words, I´ve heard you say.
Barry:
It´s interesting.
Troy:
It that why you know so much about it?
Barry:
Yup.
They´re relieved to see, that he´s back to normal.
15. Int. Court Building. Day.
Quincy, Mike, Sandra and Diane are waiting for the result.
Mike:
You´re sure not letting me testify, wasn´t a mistake?
Quincy:
You saw how the first two went. He would have torn you apart up there.
Diane:
What does your gut tell you?
Quincy:
The one thing, he doesn´t have is evidence. I doubt the judge will start a trial without it, but we´ll see.
Diana:
What about those papers from the hospital?
Quincy:
That was a "Hail Mary" and he knew it.
Diana:
I played right in to his hands, didn´t I?
Sandra:
You´re not the only one.
Quincy:
Both of you did what was asked of you and that´s all I wanted. This judge has been around the block and knows a "Hail Mary", when he sees one.
The door to the courtroom is opened and they get up.
16. Int. Courtroom. Day.
Mike and the lawyers are standing for the Judge.
Judge:
You may be seated.
They sit down.
Judge:
It is my finding, that since all the evidence points in mr. Coleman´s favor, all charges against him are dropped, on grounds of self defense. Case dismissed.
He bangs his gavel. Mike looks relieved and smiles.
17. Int. Court House. Day.
Mike comes out of the courtroom with a big smile on his face and hugs both Sandra and Diane at the same time. Tears of joy stream down Diane´s face.
18. Ext. School. Evening
Michelle and Dave come walking through the parking lot with the others.
Michelle:
Ani idea where we go?
Dave:
I see a guy, I have shop with. We´ll follow him.
Michelle:
You know, everyone will think we´re dating now, right?
Dave stops walking.
Dave:
Aren´t we?
Michelle:
I´m not the "steady girlfriend type". It just not me.
Dave:
Not even for the right guy?
Michelle:
I like being young and free and that doesn´t involve being tied down to one person. If you can´t accept it, that´s too bad.
Dave:
I´ll make you change your mind.
Michelle:
No one has so far.
Dave:
I have a feeling it´s because, they didn´t try hard enough.
Michelle:
You won´t want it. I´d be the girlfriend from hell.
Dave:
How do you know, if you´ve never tried?
Michelle:
You´re not giving up on this, are you?
Dave:
Not that easy.
They smile at each other and start walking again.
19. Ext. School. Evening.
Trish and Kat are trying to find Harvey among the people.
Kat:
This wasn´t well planned, was it?
Trish:
Nobody said it would be easy.
Kat:
I hope, he doesn´t think it´s a date. I´m not ready to tell the rest of the world yet.
Trish:
Nobody said that would be easy either. I see them.
Trish takes Kat hand and leads her over to Harvey, standing with Mike and Sandra.
Trish:
Hi!
Trish gives Sandra a hug.
Harvey:
I hope you don´t mind.
Kat:
No, the more the merrier.
She seems relieved that it´s less of a date type situation now.
Mike:
Guess who was declared innocent on all charges today?
Trish:
That´s great! Congratulations.
Kat:
Congratulations, Mike.
Mike:
Thanks. Look, I know I might have come off as a jerk towards you in the past.
Kat:
Might have?
Mike:
I hope we can turn over a new leaf and forget about the past.
Sandra:
We´ll all be in the same grade next year. It would be nice, if we could all get along.
Kat:
I suppose, I´m not completely opposed to it.
Mike:
I had no idea, you know Harvey.
Kat:
Only through Michelle. Now we´re going to a dance together.
Sandra:
Are you now? How does Michelle feel about your blossoming romance?
Harvey:
We´re only going as friends.
Trish:
She was gonna take me, but I guess I´m not welcome there.
Sandra:
Neither are we. We could throw our own celebration that night, if you feel like it?
Trish:
You got it. We deserve to celebrate too.
Mike:
Let´s hope we get lots more to celebrate over tonight!
They head inside in good spirits.
20. Montage - Music: "TNT" by AC/DC
We start on the Degrassi players getting riled up in the dressing room, as Dungy delivers the inspirational speech of his life.
We cut to the stands, where the rowdy fans on either side are yelling and screaming at each other. Elsewhere in the stands, where it´s more peaceful. we see Kat and the girls hanging out. Harvey and Mike bring drinks and hotdogs for everyone.
Down on the field, the Degrassi cheerleaders are dancing for their fans. Ruby is deliberately given small shoves or has her shoes stepped on by the other girls to make her look bad and it´s wearing on her.
We see the players running on to the field and the crowd rises to applaud them, while staying silent for the national anthem, sung by a girl from the school.
The ball is kicked off and Dexter catches it. The Degrassi fans can barely believe their own eyes as he runs it 90 yards for a touchdown. The Degrassi fans celebrate as Dexter´s teammates come down to congratulate them. On the sidelines, Dungy looks like he just won the lottery.
We fade out.
CAPTION:
PART 2
3 WEEKS LATER
21. Int. Clothing Store. Day
Michelle and Trish are browsing through clothes.
Michelle:
This would be so much more fun, if we had money to spend.
Trish:
I have 30 dollars, but I´m saving it for tonight.
Michelle:
Have you figured out, what you´re doing?
Trish:
Mike´s mom is visiting her family, so he´s throwing a shin-dig.
Michelle:
If you´re lucky, it´ll turn into a box social.
Trish:
Or a hootenanny even.
Michelle:
Who else is coming?
Trish:
Ruby, Dexter and some of the other football players.
Michelle:
Guess they´re getting tired of comments about how bad they were.
Trish:
They were amazing in the first 20 seconds, you have to give them that much.
Kat comes over to them, wearing a new dress that makes her look stunning.
Kat:
What do you think?
Trish:
You´re a vision.
Michelle:
It´s as you as it can be.
Kat:
It´s also my clothes budget for the next six months.
Michelle:
Do you think it´s worth it?
Kat:
I need a new one. The old one from 9th grade is getting tighter every year.
Trish:
But you look so cute in it!
Kat:
Let´s be real. When I put it on, I look like someone my age, trying to look like 10 year old dressed for Christmas. I´m buying it.
Michelle:
Good for you. It´s the dumb, irrational choice and you know I´m always in favor of those.
Kat heads back to the changing room. Trish can´t help checking her out in her new dress as she walks away from them. Michelle notices it.
Michelle:
If you take a picture, it´ll last longer.
Trish:
Sorry.
Michelle:
Why aren´t you together yet?
Trish:
Just because we have the same preferences, doesn´t mean we have to be together.
Michelle:
You´re clearly attracted to her and with all her hang-up´s, you´d be the perfect girl for her. Not to mention that Christine loves you like a second mom, which is probably the sexiest quality you can have, in her eyes.
Trish:
How do you know, she´s interested?
Michelle:
Why wouldn´t she be? You´re the total package.
Trish:
We´ll see what happens, I guess.
Trish smiles as she thinks about it.
22. Int. Sandra´s Room. Day.
Sandra is getting her hair ready, while bopping along to "Please, Mr. Postman" by The Carpenters, playing from her small record player. Her mother Sheila comes in, carrying a rum and cola in one hand.
Sheila:
I love this music. This is like the songs we danced to, when I was your age.
Sandra:
So help me, but I love The Carpenters. Don´t tell Mike. He´s more the hard rocking type.
Sheila:
Your secret´s safe with me. Mind if I bum a smoke?
Sandra:
No, go ahead.
Sheila takes a cigarette from Sandra´s pack and lights it.
Sheila:
Big night tonight?
Sandra:
Mike´s throwing an "alternative party" for all us, who aren´t welcome at the school dance.
Sheila:
Sounds fun.
Sandra:
I can´t imagine, it won´t be.
Sheila:
Have you thought about moving in together?
Sandra:
Where´s this coming from?
Sheila:
It´s not that we don´t like having you here, but you´re both 18 now. It´s only natural, if the two of you want your own place. With your dad working now, we´ll still get by.
Sandra:
You don´t think dad would mind?
Sheila:
He moved out when he was 17, so If he does, he´s a hypocrite. You sacrificed a lot for us. It´s time you get to enjoy your youth again.
Sandra considers it, as she brushes her hair.
23. Ext. Street. Day.
Ruby and Dexter are heading towards Mike´s house.
Ruby:
Should we tell him right away?
Dexter:
Then we have to tell everyone individually. I´d rather say it once and get it over with.
Ruby:
Are you still feeling ashamed?
Dexter:
Not right now. But when you tell everyone for years, something´s gonna happen and you have to go back on it, telling them isn´t the funniest thing imaginable.
Ruby:
It´s the right choice for both of us.
Dexter:
Sandra won´t be upset to hear, that you´re staying. Maybe you can be study buddies at TU, when she graduates.
Ruby:
Sandra in college? Those words sound like a recipe for disaster.
They head up to the door and knock on it.
24. Int. Kat´s Room. Day.
Kat is modelling her new dress for Christine. Michelle smiles as she watches them.
Christine:
Mommy, you look like a princess.
Kat:
A princess, huh? Which country should I be princess of?
Christine:
Canadia.
Michelle and Kat can´t help smiling.
Michelle:
Why do you think it´s called Canadia?
Christine:
They call us Canadians, don´t they?
Kat:
It´s called Canada.
Christine:
Why aren´t we called Canadans, then?
Michelle:
That´s a very good question. Maybe you can change it, when you grow up.
Kat:
I think your great Grams is getting lunch ready. Can you run down and help her, while I change back?
Christine:
Mmm. (indicating yes)
She heads out the door. Kat closes it behind her. She starts changing.
Michelle:
What do you think she´ll grow up to be?
Kat:
What ever she decides is fine by me, as long as it makes her happy. I could do without her adding another teenage mom to our family tree. We have more than enough of those.
Michelle:
You´ve done alright for yourself.
Kat:
Yeah, thanks to my grandparents. I´ve had close to no social life and zero action on the romantic front for years, if you haven´t noticed.
Kat watches her for a second as she decides what to say next.
Michelle:
It is a bit your own fault, you´re not seeing any action.
Kat:
There isn´t exactly a lesbian on every street corner.
Michelle:
Why would you need other girls, when the perfect one is at your fingertips? Trish is crazy about you.
Kat looks surprised.
Kat:
Why has she never said anything?
Michelle:
It can´t be easy getting these things out, when you´re friends and you´re not sure if the person feels the same way.
Kat can clearly relate very well.
Kat:
Did she tell you, she has a crush on me?
Michelle:
We talked about it, when I caught her checking you out at the store.
Kat:
I can relate. I had a secret crush on someone, that I never acted on.
Michelle:
Who was it?
Kat looks her in the eyes.
Kat:
It was you.
Michelle tries to let it sink in.
Michelle:
Me? But sweetie, I´m straight.
Kat:
It was a physical attraction and some wet dreams, nothing more. I don´t want to make a big deal over it, but I thought you should know.
Michelle:
I´m very flattered, it´s not that. I don´t know what to say, exactly.
Kat:
Say you´ll still be my friend.
Michelle:
Of course, I will.
They smile at each other.
Kat:
Thanks for being so accepting.
Michelle:
Just out of curiosity, can I ask you what we did in those wet dreams?
Kat clearly regrets mentioning them.
25. Ext. Garden. Day.
Trish and Sandra come out bearing beer and sodas. It´s a beautiful Summer day and Mike has started up the barbecue. He looks pleased with how it´s progressing so far. Ruby, Dexter and Troy are sunbathing.
Sandra:
Drinks all round. You don´t want to get de-hydrated.
Troy:
Can you bring them over here?
Sandra:
It won´t hurt you to act social.
Troy, Ruby and Dexter get up and join Trish and Sandra at a garden table.
Mike:
Can you open a beer for me?
Sandra:
You´re so demanding!
She opens it and hands it to him. He takes a large sip and lets out an "Ahh".
Ruby:
Have you talked to any of your "sisters" since the game?
Trish:
Only Tif. She asked me to apologize on her behalf, but also said "a girl´s gotta do, what a girl´s gotta do". She said, you´d know what she meant.
Sandra:
My hat´s off to her. 10 months ago she was a fresh faced Niner and now she´s head cheerleader.
Ruby:
She´s not giving up her title easily next year. You´ll have to fight her for it.
Sandra:
She can have it, for all I care.
Trish:
You´re not coming back to the team?
Sandra:
No, I´m gonna keep on working. My mom and me were just talking, about me moving out.
Mike looks surprised.
Mike:
You haven´t said anything to me.
Sandra:
We hadn´t talked about it until today. The more I´ve considered it, the more it´s something I want to do.
Mike:
My mom wants to sell the house and move in to an apartment. It would be perfect timing for me to move out.
They take each other´s hand and seem pretty much in agreement on it.
Ruby:
Are you seriously considering this?
Sandra:
When it´s right, it´s right.
Dexter:
You´ll still be in High School. How do you plan to pay for it?
Mike:
Part time jobs. If we work hard over the summer, we can put a little aside for a rainy day.
Ruby:
You´ll need that money for a deposit. We´ve been looking in to getting an apartment and it´s more expensive, than I imagined. You won´t have time for a social life, with all the bills you have to pay.
Troy:
I thought you´d be living in a dorm?
Dexter and Ruby decide, that it´s time.
Dexter:
I´m not going to College. Ruby is.
Mike and Dexter look shocked. Sandra and Trish look happy for Ruby.
Troy:
You´ve always said ...
Dexter:
That was until I took a reality check. She´s the one with the grades, not me.
Mike:
What will you be doing?
Dexter:
My dad has connections. He´s getting me a job in the construction business.
Ruby:
We´re staying with our parents, until I finish College and get a job. By that time Dexter´s saved up enough money, that we can put a down payment on a house and have enough left to furnish it.
Sandra:
Does that mean, you´re going to TU?
Ruby:
Did you think, you were getting rid of me that easily?
Sandra squeals with joy and gives Ruby a hug.
26. Int. Kat´s House. Evening.
Kat has just let Harvey in. He´s dressed a lot nicer than he usually is and is clearly impressed by how pretty she looks.
Harvey:
You´ll knock ´em dead tonight.
Kat:
I bought the dress earlier today.
Harvey:
I guess clothes make a woman too.
Kat:
You´re not looking too bad yourself.
Harvey:
It´s my uncle´s suit. Turns out we´re the same size.
Christine comes running out to meet them. She sticks out her hand, so Harvey can shake it.
Christine:
I´m Christine. What your name?
Harvey:
I´m Harvey. I´m your mommy´s date tonight.
He gentlemanly shakes her hand and she giggles.
Christine:
What´s a date?
Harvey:
It´s when two people go out and have fun together.
Kat:
You won´t be dating until you´re 30 and even then, you can be sure mommy tags along, to make sure nothing naughty happens.
Harvey:
If she´s smart like her mother, you won´t need to worry.
Christine:
I´m smart. Ask me anything.
Harvey can´t help smiling.
Harvey:
Do you know everything already?
Christine:
I think so.
Harvey:
How do you spell your name?
Christine:
C-h-r-i-s-t-i-n-e.
Harvey:
I don´t need to hear any more. I´m convinced.
Kat:
Now sweetheart, you take good care of your great grandparents, okay?
Christine:
Okay. Nice to meet you, Harvey.
Harvey:
It was nice meeting you too, Christine.
She scurries back in to the living room. Kat puts her coat on.
27. Ext. Kat´s House. Evening.
Harvey and Kat walk down the walkway.
Harvey:
You have a diamond in there.
Kat:
She´s getting easier to handle all the time. The first year I probably cried more than she did.
Harvey:
It´s crazy to think, you went through that. Three years ago, my biggest worry was what would happen to Batman that month.
The reach his car, than has even been washed to celebrate the occasion.
Kat:
So, that´s it´s original color!
Harvey:
You didn´t think "dust" was an actual color, did you?
Kat:
You´re pulling out all the stops.
Harvey:
I sprayed it with a garden hose and cleaned it up inside. It hardly counts for one stop.
She smiles politely as he opens the door for her.
Kat:
Where´s the usual Harvey? The hippie, who´s constantly stoned.
Harvey:
Michelle used it as an excuse not to go steady. I realized that she might have a point.
She gets in and he closes the door after her.
28. Ext. Garden. Evening.
The garden party is in full swing and most of the football team has shown up. Trish and Ruby are watching Mike and Dexter have a drinking contest with Bryan and Lester, two of the other football players. All four look pretty drunk. Trish pours them four shots of whisky. Dexter sighs, when he looks at them. Ruby isn´t looking pleased with him.
Ruby:
Are you done with the testosterone display?
Dexter:
We haven´t won yet, have we?
Ruby:
You know, you´ll lose and it´s not because you´re less of a man. It´s a simple question of alcohol tolerance.
Dexter:
Just let me do this. It´s a guy thing.
Ruby:
But it doesn´t mean anything!
Dexter:
Maybe not to you. I need to win one for once.
Ruby:
I´m going inside. Come in, when the real Dexter returns.
She gets up and heads inside.
Bryan:
Maybe you should listen to your missus.
Lester:
We all know, she wears the pants.
Dexter:
Is that so?
He picks up his glass and downs it. He has trouble keeping it down.
Bryan/Lester:
Chuck, Chuck, Chuck!
He manages to get over it. Bryan and Lester look disappointed.
Mike:
Good man.
He picks up his glass.
Mike:
This is for the senior class. Ain´t no way we´re losing to a couple of Juniors.
He downs it. Sandra comes storming out.
Sandra:
We had a visit from the neighbors. They´re threatening to call the police.
Mike:
We move it inside. No big deal.
Sandra:
Some help you are tonight! It was your idea to have a party, yet I´m doing all the work.
Mike:
C´mon honey. Don´t be mad!
She shakes her head at him and heads inside.
Trish:
I´ll go talk to her.
Mike:
You have an important job here as referee!
Trish:
I resign on account of the game being ridiculous.
Trish heads after her. Mike shakes his head.
Bryan:
When did you get married?
Mike:
Shut up and drink!
Bryan and Lester toast and down their drinks. Just to mock Dexter and Mike, they say "ahh" and make extra happy faces after they´ve swallowed.
29. Int. Auditorium. Evening.
The "End of year dance" is well underway. A live band is performing "Wig Wam Bam" by Sweet and there´s lots of couples dancing. Among them are Artie and Iz, Barry and Samira, Luke and Annie and Britney and Terry.
Kat and Harvey are hanging with Tif and Carl.
Tif:
You can´t say the last one wasn´t memorable.
Carl:
I just hope this one has 100 % less yodeling.
Harvey:
I´ve never been so happy to see two guys graduate.
Kat:
I think everyone shares your sentiment. It I can live a yodeling free life, that would be great.
Tif:
You never know. It could make a comeback some day.
Carl:
C´mon. The day that happens, is the day bell bottoms and flared shirts go out of fashion. Tif, you should tell her about you idea, where you send letters from one phone to another.
Tif:
I´m telling you, some day it will be a thing, I´m sure of it.
Carl:
I love that weird little mind of yours, but I just don´t see it happening.
They see Michelle and Dave come in.
Kat:
Let´s go over and say hi.
Harvey:
You know, they´re not my favorite people right now.
Kat:
Do you want to spend the entire summer, with this hanging over you? At least give them a chance to apologize.
He reluctantly goes with her.
They meet Dave and Michelle half-way.
Dave:
Wow, Kat. That dress looks amazing on you.
Kat:
It´s been a big hit with everyone.
Dave:
You really lucked out there, Harvey.
Harvey doesn´t answer back. It´s a tense moment.
Kat:
Don´t you two have something to say to Harvey? Like maybe an apology because you couldn´t control your hormones?
Dave:
I´m sorry you found out the way you did. I should have been up front about it, okay?
Michelle:
Same here. I hope we can all be friends again.
Harvey:
You still haven´t apologized for the important part.
Michelle:
We had an open relationship. It´s not like he was the first guy, I did it with, while I was with you.
Harvey:
Yeah, but you didn´t date any of the other ones, did you?
Michelle:
I would have gone with here you, if you hadn´t been mad at me.
Dave:
So, I´m just the "convenient replacement"? That´s nice to know!
Now they´re both looking mad at Michelle, who´s not liking the situation at all. Kat has realized that maybe her plan wasn´t the best.
Michelle:
You both know, I´m not a one guy kind of girl.
Dave:
That´s your excuse for being a user, Michelle. I´m done being used by you.
He leaves them. Michelle is taking what he said hard.
Harvey:
I thought, I at least meant a little to you, after everything I´ve done for you. Now I have no idea, why I bothered in the first place. Let´s go, Kat.
Kat:
She´s my best friend, Harvey. I can´t leave her here, all by herself.
Harvey:
Suit yourself. I can´t stand to look a her.
Harvey leaves them, going in the opposite direction, Dave did. Kat puts a comforting arm around Michelle, who´s clearly affected by what they said.
30. Int. Mike´s House. Evening.
The party has turned in to a wild affair and there´s junk being left all over the floor. Sandra stops one of the football players from stomping out a cigarette on the floor and is looking pissed.
Sandra:
Would you do that, if it was your house?
Player:
Chill out. It´s a party!
Sandra:
Not for everyone.
Lester comes running in.
Lester:
COPS!
A panic comes over the party and people are hurrying to get out as fast as possible. Sandra looks, like she just won the lottery. She looks out the window, as police officers are trying to catch drunken teenagers. Trish comes in with a police officer with her.
Officer:
We understand you and this young lady threw the party, that went out of hand?
Sandra and Trish make eye contact and she decides to go along with it.
Sandra:
Yeah, we invited a few friends over and all of a sudden there were all these people here. I´m really glad you came so quickly or they would have trashed the place.
Officer:
These things happen sometimes. If anything was broken, I advice you have your parents contact their insurance company.
Sandra:
I will.
Officer:
I´ll leave you to your clean up. Have a nice evening, ladies.
The officer leaves them. Sandra looks at Trish with a big smile on her face.
31. Int. Bathroom. Evening.
Dave comes in to the bathroom, as Harvey is washing is hands. There is a moment of tension between them.
Dave:
How´s your date going?
Harvey:
It ended right after you left.
Dave:
Can we make peace? Michelle clearly isn´t worth fighting over.
They smile at each other.
Harvey:
It seems, she played both of us.
Dave:
Actually, she´s getting a "break up present" from me, I was working up to telling her about. Remember those two girls, I did it with a while ago?
Harvey:
Yeah, what about them?
Dave:
It turns out, one of them gave me a wart on my junk. When me and Michelle did it, the condom broke. I still wasn´t completely over it.
They smile at each other.
Harvey:
Are you gonna tell her?
Dave:
She lied to both of us. Let her find out the hard way, when it starts to get sore down there.
Harvey:
How´s that for poetic justice?
Dave:
I know how much it hurt for me to have it frozen off. I can only imagine how much it hurts for a girl.
They make faces as they imagine it.
Harvey:
What do you say, we got out to my car and smoke a doobie, to make it official?
Dave:
You read my mind, dude.
Dave heads over to the urinal.
32. Int. Auditorium. Evening.
The dance is starting to wind down and many have left already. The band is playing "Best of My Love" by The Eagles and many couples are slow dancing, including Tif and Carl. Tif couldn´t look happier. Kat and Michelle are hanging out on the sidelines.
Michelle:
Do you feel like you´ve got your money´s worth yet?
Kat:
The band sounds good, you can´t deny that.
Michelle:
What if they´re right? What if am some horrible girl, who uses guys to satisfy my selfish needs?
Kat:
You live your life the way you want to. Most people only wish, they could do that.
Michelle:
Yeah, but its not okay, if I hurt one guy after another in the process, is it?
They see Harvey and Dave heading out together. The girls look pleased.
Kat:
It looks like my goal for the evening was achieved, half-way anyway.
Michelle:
They could probably both agree, that they hate me.
Kat:
They´ve got a whole Summer to forgive you.
Michelle:
I think, I´ll try to stay off guys this Summer and focus on myself.
Kat looks at her with suspicion in her eyes.
Michelle:
You don´t think I can do it, do you?
Kat:
I think it´s cute, that you think you can do it.
Michelle:
Twenty bucks say, I can go two months without sex.
Kat:
Why not? Christine can always use a new toy.
They shake on it.
Michelle:
What do you say, we blow this joint and go to Mike´s kegger in stead?
Kat isn´t looking too sure about it.
Michelle:
Trish will be there. If I were you, I´d try to sweep her off her feet.
Kat:
And how would I go about doing that?
Michelle:
You´ve never done it before?
Kat:
I haven´t been with anyone since Troy and that was so long ago, it´s like it happened to someone else. You´re talking to a complete rookie in anything regarding romance.
Michelle:
A kiss has always done the trick for me.
Kat:
It´s just that I´ve never actually kissed a g-i-r-l before.
Michelle:
Are you scared of it?
Kat:
A little, but I know it´s just a hang-up, I need to get over once and for all.
Michelle:
Would you like Trish to be the first?
Kat:
I don´t think, I could ask for anyone better.
Michelle:
Then, what are we waiting for? Let´s go get you a girlfriend!
Michelle stands up and reaches out her hand to Kat. Kat has to take a few seconds to put her fear behind her, before she takes Michelle´s hand and stands up.
33. Int. Mike´s House. Evening.
Sandra and Trish are finally done cleaning up after the party. Sandra stretches her back and moans.
Sandra:
I didn´t come here expecting to work tonight.
Trish:
Mike owes us big for this one.
Sandra:
We´ll let him and Dexter sleep it off. They can make us breakfast tomorrow for a start.
Trish:
Was Ruby angry with him or what? I´ve never seen her storm out like that.
Sandra:
They have their issues sometimes, but they love to each other too, so it evens itself out.
Trish:
Is that the way you and Mike are?
Sandra:
We never really argue and when we do it´s usually quickly resolved. Did you find any boyfriend material tonight?
Trish:
Hardly. But I heard earlier today, that someone is interested in me.
Sandra:
Are you interested back?
Trish:
A lot. I can´t imagine anyone better for me.
Sandra:
Then you have to go for it. People like that, don´t come into your life every day.
Trish:
It´s taken me a while to work up my nerve, but I think, I´m finally ready to.
Sandra:
I for one am rooting for you all the way. Thanks for helping out. I would have been up half the night, if it wasn´t for you.
Trish:
Don´t worry about it.
Sandra:
Is there some "nicest girl in the world trophy", you´re trying to win?
Trish:
No, what you see is what you get.
Sandra:
Well, I like what I´m seeing. I´ll take the last of the garbage out. After that, we both deserve a drink and a little chill out time.
Trish:
I´m getting some fresh air first. The smell of beer and cigarettes in here, isn´t my cup of tea.
Sandra grabs the last two bags and heads outside.
34. Ext. Front Garden. Evening.
Sandra carries to large garbage bags out and puts them with the rest of them. Kat and Michelle come up to the house.
Michelle:
We missed it, didn´t we?
Sandra:
The cops shut it down an hour ago.
Kat:
Must have been some party, if the cops came.
Sandra:
There´s a first time for everything. I could have without this one.
Kat:
Has Trish left?
Sandra:
No, she helped me clean up. She´s out in the back garden. Come inside, I think we can get glass or two for each of us out of the keg.
They head inside.
35. Ext. Garden. Evening.
Kat comes out to the garden. Trish is surprised to see her.
Trish:
You made it.
Kat:
Seems we´re a little late.
Trish:
This was one, you´ll be glad to have missed.
Kat:
I heard it was a a wild time. I have something important, I need to tell you.
Trish and Kat step a little away from the house.
Kat:
I´ve been so dumb, for so long.
Trish:
You´re not ...
Kat:
I am. I spent months pining over the wrong girl, when the right one was in front of me all the time.
Trish smiles shyly.
Trish:
Are you trying to say, that you like me?
Kat:
More than you could imagine. Do you like me?
Trish:
More than you can imagine, times infinity.
They slowly move closer to each other. When their lips meet in the glare of the moonlight, it´s as romantic as it can be.
36. Int. Mike´s House. Evening.
Michelle is smiling, while she´s looking out the window. Sandra comes over to her.
Sandra:
What are you looking at?
Michelle:
The best thing to happen in a long time.
Sandra is surprised to see Trish and Kat kissing,
Sandra:
What is it about these things?
Michelle looks at her, puzzled.
Michelle:
I don´t get it.
Sandra:
Same thing happened at a graduation party last year. Must be something in the air this time of year.
Mishelle smiles and looks out the window again.
Michelle:
This one has been coming for a long time.
Sandra:
Trish did say, that she had found someone. I just didn´t imagine, it being a girl.
Michelle:
I don´t have a problem with it. Do you?
Sandra:
If they like each other, that´s their business. It´s no skin off my back.
Michelle:
Love is love, no matter what form it takes, right?
They admire the sight for a few seconds.
Sandra:
Are we perverts for enjoying this?
Michelle:
No, we´re just happy for two girls, who deserve their happiness.
They look away.
Sandra:
Was the dance nice?
Michelle:
My night was more or less a disaster, but the band wasn´t half bad.
Sandra:
At least, that´s something. Mike and I are getting our own apartment.
Michelle:
Congratulations.
Sandra:
We´ll have to work all the time to pay the bills and still go to school.
Michelle:
Would you be interested in an alternative?
Sandra:
I´m listening.
Michelle:
I have a house to myself, I can´t afford on my own. If there were three of us splitting rent, food and utilities, I won´t have to move.
Sandra´s face lights up.
37. Ext. Garden. Evening.
We finish with a shot of Trish and Kat kissing in the moonlight.
CLOSING CREDITS