AMY´S CREEK - S01E11 - CALM LIKE A BOMB
Disclaimer: I don´t own Dawson´s Creek or the characters from it.
THIS EPISODE COULD BE CONSIDERED CONTROVERSIAL AND THE VIEWS OF THE CHARACTER MAX, AREN´T NESSESARILY THOSE OF MY OWN. THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION AND SHOULD BE VIEWED AS SUCH.
READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED
1. Int. Grocery Store. Day.
Max is out shopping with his father Henry, a friendly looking man in his late 30´s, who´s still got a bit of the rocker left in him. Max is pushing the shopping cart, while Henry looks over the groceries.
Max (voice over):
Welcome to Hipocrite-Ville, USA. They call it Capeside, but my name is for it is more accurate.
Henry turns to him.
Henry:
What do you think? Porkchops or Burgers? I´m too tired for any major cooking.
Max:
You know me, dad. I´ll eat, what you put in front of me.
Henry grins.
Henry:
Ain´t that the truth! How you manage to stay skinny, is one of the world´s mysteries!
Max:
Let´s go with the Porkchops.
Henry:
Porkchops, it is.
He throws a packet in the shopping cart.
Max (voice over):
That´s Henry, my dad. When you first saw me, you probably figured "EMO kid". He probably hates his parents. I never knew my mom, she just up and left town a few months after I was born, but I actually like my old man. He´s just a down to earth, straight shooting and hard working guy. Sure, we argue sometimes, but we usually make up again quickly. He has the brains to have made more of himself, but he works as a warehouse foreman. Whenever we run into someone from his work, they greet him with a smile and I can guess why. He´s probably as nice of a boss, as they´ll find anywhere.
Max and Henry run into Mrs. Peterman, a woman in her 50´s. Neither of them are pleased to see her, but she looks delighted to see them.
Mrs. Peterman:
Hello, Henry!
Henry:
Hello, Mrs. Peterman.
Max (voice over):
Notice, how she didn´t say hello to me? God forbid, she should be seen talking to someone, who´s different looking!
Mrs. Peterman:
I´ve been meaning to ask, if you could change a window for me?
Henry:
I´ll come over tonight and have a look at it.
Mrs. Peterman:
Oh, good! It´s letting in the most horrible draft! I could barely fall asleep, because of how cold I was last night!
Henry:
As I said, I´ll have a look at it.
He tries to go past her.
Mrs. Peterman:
I haven´t told you yet, have I? My tulips won first prize!
Max (voice over):
Oh, dear God! She gonna start talking about her flowers again! I would tear them all up by the root with my bare hands and salt the earth, if it would make her stop!
Max:
I´ll get some chips.
He sees the chance to sneak away and it´s clear that Henry wishes, he could do the same.
He cut to Max looking over the selection.
Max (voice over):
This store is like a micro-cosmos of the town. My dad has to be nice to Mrs. Peterman, because he does extra work on the weekends and she´s a good client. Once again, someone poor has to suck up to someone rich, whether he likes it or not. That´s what they expect of us at the bottom. Bow and scrape for the rich, so they may throw us a pittance! It makes me sick! I get why my dad does it, but I´m never gonna kiss anyone´s butt, just because they have money. No freaking way!
A girl, who´s a few years older than him, comes over and looks over the selection. She looks at Max and he makes eye contact with her.
Girl:
Don´t look at me, freak!
Max:
Sorry.
Girl:
Jeez! Respect my boundaries!
Max:
You were looking at me.
Girl:
No, I wasn´t! Sexist pig!
She angrily grabs a bag of chips and leaves him. He shakes his head.
Max (voice over):
There´s three kinds of girls in Capeside. There´s the ones, I call sensible. They make up ten percent, if I´m being generous. Then there´s ones like her, who think that they´re "woke" and get offended, no matter what you do. They´ve been brain washed by the femi-nazi brigade, who tell them, that white males are to blame for all the world´s problems. To them, there´s no difference between me and Hitler or even worse in their eyes, Trump. I could feel sorry for them, but they´re too dumb to feel sorry for. If they want to think that way and all die as virgins, I say, let them! They´ll be single from now until they die and their anger will make them miserable. It´s a fitting punishment, for how they make everyone around them miserable too. The smartest thing to do, is stay far away from them and only talk to one of them, on the extreme off chance, that they talk to you.
He grabs a bag and walks back to his dad.
2. Int. Store. Day.
We see Henry and Max at the check out line. Two giggling teenage girls are in line behind them. Max puts things in bags, while the shop assistant scans them.
Max (voice over):
The last type are the ones like them, the boy crazy types. They´re generally flock animals and their music taste is likely to include Kesha, Rebecca Black, Taylor Swift and worst of them all, Bieber! I wish he would die in the worst way possible! A girl, who´s a Bieber fan, can be a ten, but if she hums one note of "Baby", then she´s instantly a negative 600! I wouldn´t sleep with one of them, if you paid me a million to. I will give them however, that they´re more approachable than the second type and you are less likely to suffer verbal abuse. They do on rare occasions surprise you and one or two get moved into the sensible category. For the most part, you get, what you see. They´re far from the worst and mostly harmless, but it´s still best to stay clear of them and stick solely to the first type.
Henry smiles at the shop assistant.
Assistant:
That´ll be 47.80.
Henry:
Oh, that´s expensive!
Henry hands the money to the assistant. Max shakes his head, as he looks at him.
Max (voice over):
He´s used that quip more times, than there are grains of sand on the world´s beaches!
Henry gets his change back.
Henry:
Have a nice day.
Assistant:
You too, Sir.
Max (voice over):
Enjoy today, while it´s here. Everything will change tomorrow.
Henry and Max leave the store.
OPENING CREDITS
3. Int. Car. Morning.
Henry is driving Max to school.
Max (voice over):
This is the day, where a small handful of Syrian refugees start at our school. This is a town, they´ve clearly tried to keep as white as possible and now their precious image is being ruined. There´s a few dozen Latinos and African Americans, but they or their forefathers all married into existing white families. No Arabs have ever lived here, until the local government made Capeside take forty refugees in. Many are saying, that it will scare the regulars off, because the Syrians will bring crime and chaos with them. If it sounds racist, that´s because it absolutely is. It´s said blatantly and in the open. Everyone is allowed to get in on it, without being looked down on. It only makes me want to make friends with our new school mates even more. They come from something, those spoiled morons can´t understand, because they haven´t faced a day of hardship in their lives. They can take their stinking polite racism and shove it!
Henry:
I want you to be nice to them. They need to feel, that they´re well received.
Max:
Honestly, dad. What are the chances of that happening?
Henry:
You´re an opinionated kid and that´s fine, but you might want to watch what you say.
Max:
And let the racists win?
Henry:
This isn´t a case of you against the world.
Max:
It feels like it sometimes.
Henry:
Cheer up! At least, you have that little girlfriend of yours.
Mac:
I don´t know, if I can call her my girlfriend.
Henry:
It won´t be long, until you can. You found yourself a sweetheart!
Max:
As sweet, as can be.
Max smiles to himself.
4. Ext. Capeside High. Morning.
Max comes up to the school. The football team are gathered at the entrance in their letterman´s jackets.
Max (voice over):
Some welcoming commitee, huh? If you think, that I´m a misogonist, I assure you, that I hate the guys at my school more, then I dislike some of the girls. With the guys, we´re talking five percent at most, who are sensible and I can rest can be split into two simple categories: Those, to whom this is the time of their lives and those like me, who´d rather get it over with. The first type are ones like the muscle bound, roid freaks, that I´m looking at. They love it, because they get to feel like, they´re a someone by picking on everyone else. It´s comforting to know, that most of them will turn out to be losers. The only reason, I go to their games, is because they lose nearly all of them, usually in humiliating fashion. There´s only one of the schools, they play against, that has a worse team and as long as they beat them, then it´s apparently enough for everyone.
Two jocks block his way into the school.
Jock #1:
Where do you think, you´re going, faggot?
Max:
Your verbal wit is off the charts today! Which one are you gonna pull out next? "Queer" or the extended version "Queer-Mo" perhaps? We both know, that you don´t have the brain power, to say anything wittier.
Jock #1:
Huh?
Jock #2:
Did you call him dumb?
The second jock shoves Max, who stands his ground.
Max (voice over):
Rule number one, when it comes to bullies. Never let them think, that they´ve won!
Max:
The exorbitant coincidence, that the linguistic perspicasity of your comrade is observed by yours truly, to be border lining on miniscule, can´t be of my concern, can it?
The jocks look confused.
Jock #2:
Was that English?
Max (voice over):
I like to amuse myself by bombarding them with big words. Seeing their tiny, idiotic brains trying to figure it out is like watching a lab rat trying to solve a maze. Only the rat would probably be smarter. Call it a perk of having a high IQ. They either get mad or confused. Most of the time, it´s option number two.
Jock #1:
Whatever, Loser! We´ve got bigger fish to fry!
Max:
Like scaring a couple of refugees, who are forced to go here? You´re really big men, aren´t you?
Jock #2:
Get out of here!
Max:
Gladly!
Max walks past the other players and into the school.
5. Int. Hallway. Morning.
Max meets up with Ash and gives her the slightest of hugs. Amy smiles at the sight of them.
Amy:
Give her a real hug!
Ash:
Not here! People will look.
Amy:
So what? Let them look!
Max:
I don´t want o make Ash do anything, she doesn´t want to.
Amy:
You two are adorable!
Max and Ash smile at each other.
Max:
Ah, Ash! In a school with only one girl, I wanted to go out with, it was lucky for me, that she said yes. We´ve already been on two dates, but we haven´t gone beyond holding hands and hugging. I´m letting her take this at her pace and trying not to make her feel, like I´m pushing her. The last thing I want to do, is to mess it up with her.
They see two of the refugees, 15 year old twin brother and sister Asad and Aisha come down the hallway. Aisha´s Hijab to cover her hair is getting a lot of whispers and nasty looks. It´s making both her and Asad feel uncomfortable.
Ash:
She looks, like she´s repressed.
Max:
If she wants to wear that, let her. No one´s complaining, that I wear black, are they?
Amy:
This is different. It´s probably her parents, who make her wear it.
Max:
Ask her.
Ash:
We can´t do that!
Amy:
It would be rude.
Max:
No, it wouldn´t. Let´s introduce ourselves.
Max steps in the way of Asad and Aisha. They both immediately become defensive.
Asad:
We don´t want any problems. We´re just here to go to school.
Max:
Can we start again? I´m Max, this is Ash, which is short for Ashley, and Amy.
Amy/Ash:
Hi.
They wave at Aisha, who smiles back at them.
Max:
Your names are?
Asad:
I´m Asad and this is my sister Aisha. I´m sorry, but with how we´ve been received so far ...
Max:
We apologize, on behalf of our countrymen.
Amy:
It isn´t all of us, who see you coming here, as a bad thing.
Ash:
We want you to feel welcome.
Aisha:
Thank you very much.
Max:
The girls were wondering, why you wear that scarf? Is it because you want to, or because you´re forced to?
Ash gives him a small kick over the leg.
Max:
Auw!
Ash:
Please, excuse his manners.
Aisha:
It´s a fair question and we call it a Hijab, not a scarf. I only wear it, because I want to.
Amy:
It´s just, that you hear things and when you´ve never met one in real life, you know?
Aisha pretends to look confused.
Aisha:
Know what?
Amy:
I just meant that ..,
Aisha smiles at her.
Aisha:
I´m messing with you! Muslim girls can joke too, you know?
Ash:
I guess, we have a lot to learn.
Asad:
Feel free to ask her or me anything. We want to fit in and make friends here.
Max looks pleased, that he got them talking.
6. Int. Store. Day.
Asad and Max are looking over the chips.
Max (voice over):
After talking more to Asad, I found out that we´re not that different.
Max:
What kind of music are you into?
Asad:
Most types of your music were prohibited in Syria. I´m still getting used to Western Music.
Max:
If they ask you to listen to some guy named Justin Bieber, just say no.
Asad:
I know who that is. His music is the worst and that includes Syrian pop music. There´s a reason, why no one outside of Syria listens to it!
Max smiles to himself.
Mac:
It must seem like a brand new world to you.
Asad:
You can say that again. We only had six flavors!
Max:
Six! This is the tip of the iceberg! Get any bag you want, on me.
Asad:
Alright. I´ll buy us some sodas.
Max:
Deal.
Asad picks out a bag and they walk up to the counter. The same shop assistant, that was very friendly with Max´s dad, now looks anything but friendly. The boys pay for their items.
Assistant:
It´s nothing personal, but we´d rather, if you didn´t come back.
Max looks furious.
Max:
What did you say to my friend?
Asad:
It´s fine. Let´s go.
Max:
No, it isn´t!
Assistant:
If they´re seen in here, it could scare off other shoppers. This is a small town and we can´t afford to lose them.
Max:
And that gives you the right to be a blatant racist?
The assistant gets angry with Max.
Assistant:
I´m not going to take that! Get out of here!
Max spits in the assistant´s face.
Max:
Screw you, jack off!
Asad:
LET´S GO!
The boys leave the store and the assistant wipes his face off.
7. Ext. Store. Day.
Asad looks angry with Max.
Asad:
Do you think, you just helped us?
Max:
Someone has to stand up for you!
Asad:
What gave you the idea, that it had to be you? We´ll never be allowed back in there!
Max:
Why would you want to?
Asad:
Because we´re trying to fit in! Don´t you get that?
Max looks apologetic.
Max:
Look, I didn´t mean to ...
Asad:
Well, you did! How long do you think it´ll be, until the story gets twisted, to me being the one threatening him?
Max:
I didn´t think of that.
Asad:
You have to go back and apologize.
Max:
I can´t!
Asad:
Why can´t you?
Max:
Because he deserved it!
Asad:
For trying to protect his business? Wake up to the real world, Max! You can keep your chips!
He throws the bag on the ground and angrily leaves Max.
8. Ext. Dock. Evening.
Max is sitting on the edge of the pier, holding hands with Ash and watching the sunset.
Max (voice over):
Ash loves watching the sunset and since Amy was busy today, I watched it with her. I did go back into the store and apologized many times over. The last thing I want to do, is cause problems for Asad and his sister. They seem genuinely nice.
Ash:
Aisha told us, that both of their parents were killed in a bombing. They fled the country and came here by themselves.
Max:
They went through hell and this is how we treat them? How dare we!
Ash:
People have always been afraid of things, that are foreign to them. It´ll get easier with time.
Max:
They deserve better, than what we´re giving them. Can you imagine losing both of your parents?
Ash:
I couldn´t imagine losing one of them.
Max:
I´d be lost in the world, without my dad. I have to make things right with Asad. I hope, I didn´t ruin anything for them.
Ash:
Did you really spit in that guy´s face?
Max:
Right on his big, fat cheek.
Ash:
Have you ever considered, that you could have anger issues?
Max:
I would never physically hurt anyone. Only losers get into fights.
Ash:
Would you ever hurt me?
Max:
I couldn´t hurt you, if I tried. I would hate myself for it, if I made you cry.
Ash:
That´s nice to know. I will dump you, if you spit on me.
Max:
Duly noted. I´m putting my spitting days behind me.
Ash:
It´s for the best.
Max:
You said, that you would dump me. That sort of implies, that I´m your boyfriend, doesn´t it?
Ash smiles at him.
Ash:
Do you want to be?
Max:
You know, I do.
Ash:
It´s okay to kiss, now that we´ve made it official.
He smiles at her and they kiss in a very innocent way. Both of them radiate with joy afterwards.
Max (voice over):
That clears up the girlfriend situation. Next step is getting Asad to forgive me.
9. Ext. Main Street. Evening.
Ash and Max walk up Main Street, window shopping, when they get to a bridal store.
Ash:
Which one would I look best in?
Max:
The one on the far right.
Ash:
I´ll be 15 next month. That´s old enough, if you ask the legislators!
Max:
Easy there, one step at a time. We became official today. Don´t you think, that´s enough for one day?
Ash:
We also had our first kiss. That was nice.
Max:
I wouldn´t mind trying it again.
Ash:
Me neither.
They´re almost about to kiss, when they hear a girl screaming. They see Aisha running towards them, with her Hijab torn off her head. Three girls come running after her.
Ash:
We have to help her.
Max:
Stay here.
Max runs to Aisha´s aid.
Aisha:
Max! Help me!
Max:
First, stop running,
Aisha hides behind Max, who stares the girls down.
Girl #1:
What are you gonna do, hit a girl?
Max:
You deserve a good smack on the face!
Girl #2:
Ooh, look at the big man! You won´t do anything to us!
Max:
I won´t? Give it back to her.
Girl #3:
She´s in America. That means, she has to dress, like we do.
Max:
I can´t believe you! How would you feel, if you were her? Do the decent thing and give it back to her. Let her have one thing, that reminds her of home.
The girls look at each other and feel guilty. One of them hands the Hijab back to Aisha.
Girl #1:
I´m sorry. We didn´t consider your situation.
Girl #2:
I promise, I won´t bother you again.
Girl #3:
We all do.
The girls leave them. Aisha looks grateful and puts her Hijab back on.
10. Ext. Street. Morning.
Max arrives for school to find Asad waiting for him.
Asad:
You had to play the hero, didn´t you?
Max:
Someone had to, since you weren´t around.
Asad:
I warned her about going window shopping, on her own.
Max:
Everyone should have the right to window shop.
Asad:
You´re one of the good guys, aren´t you?
Max:
I try to be. Are we cool?
Asad:
We are.
Max:
I apologized to the people at the store. They won´t hold what happened against you.
Asad:
I had a feeling, you would. You´re the only one here, who´s tried to be my friend.
Max:
We could be, if you gave me a chance. I don´t have a lot of friends, as you´ve probably noticed.
Asad:
I didn´t either, back in our hometown. You´d better watch out, though.
Max:
Why´s that?
Asad:
My sister can´t stop raving about you. You´re her hero, after what you did for her.
Max:
It was nothing.
Asad:
No, it wasn´t. I wish, there were more people like you here.
They smile at each other.
Max (voice over):
Me being someone´s hero? I didn´t see that coming!
CLOSING CREDITS