DEGRASSI: AFTERMATH - S08E10 - SORRY

Disclaimer: I don´t own Degrassi or the characters from it.

1. Int. Press Room. Evening.

Esme is giving a press conference. There´s a small handful of reporters there.

Esme:

We put this project together, so men and women can work together in an environment, that looks more at their qualifications, than their gender. It´s our hope, that we can create a "Gender Blind" work situation. Yes, men and women are different in many ways, but at the end of the day, we´re all humans. The division between the genders, that is being blown up by parts of the media, isn´t doing anyone any good and is adversely affecting our youth every day. It´s up to us adults to show them, that working together is the way forward. Not making YouTube videos that are basically mud slinging for profit. Any questions?

Lois Cronkite raises her hand and Esme points to her.

Lois:

What do you have to say to those in the LGTBQ+ community, who criticize the plan for not adding transgenders to the mix?

Esme:

We will in time ... probably.

Lois:

Probably? Does that mean, that it´s not in the plans?

Esme:

The transgender issue is irrelevant to this. Next?

Lois:

Now they´re irrelevant?

Esme sees that she´s just digging a bigger hole with every answer and decides to end it.

Esme:

Of course we don´t see them as being irrelevant! That´s the wrong way of putting it. But they make up such a small number, that we can´t take their concerns into account, when drawing up large projects like this.

Lois:

So, it´s all about how many representatives they have?

Esme:

At the end of the day, it is. I´m not gonna trash a good plan, just because a couple of drag queens don´t feel included! If they don´t like it, that´s their problem!

Lois smiles, having just got the soundbite she wanted. Esme looks annoyed with herself.

Esme:

I didn´t mean ... it´s not like I have anything against them! But I have to think of what´s best for the majority. You understand that ... right?

Esme looks like, she´d rather be anywhere else.

OPENING CREDITS

2. Int. Office. Morning.

Esme is lightly banging her head against the table, while Hunter is reading from a lap top.

Hunter:

Man, they are just trashing you!

Esme:

Is it any surprise? I walked right into her trap!

Hunter:

I´ll admit, that it wasn´t your finest hour.

Esme:

This is a great project! How could I mess up so bad?

Hunter:

She has her ways. Look, the only thing that will work against this is positive PR for the project.

Esme:

Like what? You´re my spin doctor, so fix it!

Hunter closes the laptop and thinks to himself.

Hunter:

Isn´t tonight the night of the boy/girl unity dance at Degrassi?

Esme:

Yeah?

Hunter:

It sounds to me like a perfect chance to show the press, that the youth want the same thing, you do. They´re just a tired of the hate mongering, as you are.

Esme considers it.

3. Int. Classroom. Day.

Student council is in session. Sally presides over her council consisting of Allison, Chrissy, Charlie, Suey, Lisa, Nick and Talia (the girl who flipped out on Jamie). Allison is wearing a T-Shirt that reads "I could not in any way, shape or form be more sorry" on the front and "I mean it!" on the back.

Sally:

Is everything set for tonight?

Talia:

I still don´t think it´s fair, that me and Nick should have to take tickets, just because we´re the youngest! We should be rewarded for being in student council, not punished!

Allison:

What if I promise, to take your place at the next dance?

Talia:

It´s the least, you can do!

Charlie:

What´s that supposed to mean?

Talia:

Look, I know that you´re all "old buds" or whatever, but she´s the one, who deserves to be punished, if any of us are!

Nick:

It´s just one night ...

Talia:

Yes, but ... I had to cancel a date with Matty Carter, because I have to take stupid tickets! Now he´s going with Carrie Niedermeyer!

Sally smiles to herself.

Sally:

Teenage dating issues aside, are there any other problems, I should be aware of?

No one has anything to say apparently.

Sally:

Then, I wish you all a great dance!

Allison:

Can we talk for a sec?

Sally:

Yeah, sure.

They get up and everyone except for Allison and Sally leave.

Allison:

Maybe, me being here is too divisive.

Sally:

They´ll get used to it.

Allison:

Talia´s right. She´s not the smartest girl in the world, but she is on this one. I´m the one, who deserves to be punished.

Sally:

Taking tickets isn´t a punishment. She was just being a drama queen. You did your punishment and you´ve shown me and Chrissy, that you´re truly sorry. As far as I´m concerned, it´s ancient history.

Allison:

I wish, everyone were as forgiving as you are.

Sally:

Life´s too short to hold petty grudges. You could change that T-Shirt, though. Just between us, it´s beginning to stink!

Allison:

I know. I should have had two of them made.

Sally:

The message has been received and the apology is accepted. It´s time to move on and put that thing in the washing machine.

Allison looks reassured by Sally´s words.

4. Int. Hallway. Day.

Nick is talking to Lisa and Suey after the meeting.

Suey:

You should have a talk with Talia. Try to cheer her up.

Lisa:

Yeah, it´s gotta suck to lose your dream date to another girl.

Nick:

What do I say? It´s not like I know her!

Suey:

Be your usual nice and approachable self. That can´t be too hard!

Lisa:

Just not too nice.

Nick looks a little confused.

Nick:

So nice, but not too nice?

Lisa:

It´s just that girls have a tendency to fall for you, when you´re nice to them. I can´t blame them since ...

She points at herself.

Lisa:

Hello! I don´t want to see more broken hearts in your wake. It´s starting to make me feel guilty.

Nick:

I´ll see, if I can find a balance.

He leaves them to go and talk to Talia.

Suey:

If you´d picked a ugly guy, this wouldn´t be a problem.

Lisa:

It´s an issue, I can live with!

They head to class.

5. Int. Hallway. Day.

Talia is talking to Madison.

Talia:

It´s so unfair!

Madison:

At least, you get to work with a cute guy.

Talia:

He has a girlfriend.

Madison:

What if he hadn´t?

Talia:

I´d go for it in a heartbeat. I mean, that boy is a babe with a capital B! But I bet, there´s a dozen girls in our grade, who feel that way. He barely knows, that I exist, just like Matty!

Madison:

Then why is he coming over here?

Talia:

He is?

Madison nods. Nick comes over to them.

Nick:

Hi.

Madison:

Hey, Nick. Aren´t you supposed to be in shop class?

Nick:

I am. Can I talk to you for a moment, Talia?

Talia looks pleasantly surprised.

Talia:

Yes, of course!

Madison:

I´ll leave you to it.

Madison smiles to herself, as she leaves them.

Nick:

I´m really sorry, that your date has been ruined. I can imagine, that you were looking forward to it.

Talia:

He hadn´t officially said yes yet, but I think, he was going to. Why do you care?

Nick:

Because I´d like it, if we could become friends. As representatives of the freshman class, it would be cool if we could be a strong unit.

Talia:

Yeah, I´d like that too. I kind of feel, like I got thrown into it without knowing, what I said yes to.

Nick:

Same here. One minute I´m talking to Lisa about guitar players and the next thing I know, I´m on the student council!

Talia:

I guess, we´re not all that different after all.

Nick:

If it helps, you can think of me as your date tonight. A really sucky one, who makes you work on your date with him!

Talia smiles.

Talia:

Will I at least get a dance?

Nick:

Since you asked nicely. I´d better get to shop.

Talia:

Have fun.

Nick:

You too. I guarantee, that tonight won´t be as bad, as you imagined. We´ll find a way of making it fun.

He leaves her and she rolls her eyes.

Talia (to herself):

Why are all the best ones taken?

She ponders it as she heads into the classroom.

6. Ext. Degrassi. Day.

Talia is heading home from school, when Carrie Niedermeyer (a 14 year old freshman like herself) comes riding up next to her on her bike. Talia isn´t happy to see her one bit.

Carrie:

Doesn´t it suck to know, that I´ll be dancing with Matty, while you´re taking tickets?

Talia:

Leave me alone.

Carrie:

Face it, Talia. Just like in Junior High, you´ll never get a date in High School!

Talia looks annoyed and feels like she has to retort.

Talia:

How do you know, that I don´t have one, you don´t know about?

Carrie:

How would you do that, when you´re working?

Talia:

Maybe ... it´s someone, I´m working with! Have you thought about that?

Carrie:

But aren´t you only working with ...

She stops riding her bike and looks at Talia with wide eyes.

Carrie:

He has a girlfriend!

Talia sees that her lie is unravelling, but decides to stick with it.

Talia:

He doesn´t care about her, when he´s with me!

Carrie:

You and Nick Manning? Super babe, every girl in our class wants him, Nick Manning? I say, that you´re full of it!

Talia:

I´m not!

Carrie:

Then prove it tonight. Get him to kiss you in front of me!

Talia:

I can´t!

Carrie:

Because you´re lying!

Talia tries to think of something fast and gets a bright idea.

Talia:

The school has PDA rules. We´re on the student council, so we have to set a good example!

Carrie:

A romantic dance, then? It is a dance, after all.

Talia:

You got it!

Carrie:

I´ll believe it, when I see it.

Carrie rides on, as Talia looks annoyed with herself.

Talia (to herself):

How are you gonna get out of this one, Talia?

She hangs her head and heads home.

7. Ext. Degrassi. Evening.

Students are coming up to the school, dressed to party and coupled up for the dance. Esme is with a cameraman and Hunter outside.

Esme:

Are we ready?

Cameraman:

Whenever you are.

He does a silent countdown and she gets into character.

Esme:

Welcome to this special on on the Toronto city council´s official YouTube channel. As you know, I´ve spoken out against YouTube before and especially against the hate mongerers, who try to hide behind a political message, when all they´re doing is spreading fear between the genders, so they can add to their subscription numbers. Right wing, left wing, both sides are equally bad, when it comes to this. The result however, is always the same. The greater good doesn´t win. I´ve talked to a lot of young people in my position and it´s frightening to me, how the hate has gone to their minds already, at a young age. If this cycle isn´t stopped, it will be passed on to the next generations after them and then, where will we be? Tonight, right here behind me, my old Alma Mater Degrassi is sending a signal with tonight´s dance. It´s to promote unity between the sexes and I think we can all agree, that in this day and age, unity is one thing, we could use more of.

Hunter:

And cut! Great intro!

Esme:

Let´s get the rest of it done, before we start celebrating!

They begin to head inside.

8. Montage - Music: "Let´s Dance" by The Ramones

We see students enjoying themselves, as they´re dancing. Regina and Tina are dancing with Rodney and Charlie and where as Rodney is a fantastic speaker, he´s a horrible dancer. Some people stare at him, but Tina finds it endearing, where as Regina and Charlie find it amusing.

We see Nick and Talia at the gate taking tickets. They´ve managed to make it fun by playing tricks on freshmen, who are going to their first High School dance, including Carrie and Matty, to Talia´s amusement.

We see Esme filming with Allison and Sally, who she´s interviewing about the exhibit with the E-Mails, Sally printed out. Both girls are very excited to be talking about it, but Allison makes it a point to give Sally all the credit.

We see Jamie being convinced by Chrissy to dance with him. He semi-reluctantly does so and they go out to dance next to Deco and Simon. Simon gives Chrissy a thumbs up and she smiles back at him.

9. Int. Entrance. Evening.

Talia and Nick let in another couple and Nick looks outside.

Nick:

I think, that could be all of them.

Talia looks at her list.

Talia:

No, we´re still way short.

Nick:

I guess, we´ll have to stay here, then.

Talia:

I get it, if you would rather be in there dancing with Lisa.

Nick:

No, are you kidding? This has been so much fun, that I might just volunteer to do it every time!

Talia:

You´re just saying that!

Nick:

Okay, so maybe I overdid it a bit, but I think we´ve had some good laughs.

Talia:

You have no idea, how good it felt to play that trick on Carrie! She´s practically been my nemesis, since grade school.

Nick:

I should consider myself lucky, not to have one of those.

They smile at each other, when Carrie comes over to them.

Carrie:

Guess what? Body searching isn´t standard protocol at school dances.

Talia:

We were just trying to be thorough on our first night.

Nick:

There´s nothing in the rules that say, we can´t do it.

Carrie:

I suppose you would be the experts on that subject, All that time you´ve spend working closely together ...

She makes eye contact with Talia and is almost taunting her to reply.

Carrie:

Getting to know each other in ways, I can´t even begin to imagine. Ta ta, Talia. I can´t wait to see you dance.

She grins to herself and leaves them. Talia looks uncomfortable.

Nick:

Are you a really good dancer or something?

Talia:

What?

Nick:

Since she couldn´t wait to see you dance?

Talia:

Oh ... well, compared to her, anyone would be good!

Nick:

I´ll go out on a limb and say, that I don´t like that girl and I don´t say that about many people.

Talia:

Finally, someone besides me and Madison, who sees it! If you didn´t have a girlfriend, I would give you a huge kiss!

Nick:

And I would probably have enjoyed it, if I didn´t have a girlfriend. But I do, so save those kisses for some other lucky guy.

Talia:

It´s just a shame, that no one wants them.

Nick:

Really? Seriously, if I was single, I would not hold back from asking you out.

She smiles.

Talia:

Do you mean it?

Nick:

If they got to know you, like I have tonight, there´s no way that they wouldn´t like you. In my book, you would be a catch for any guy in our class.

Talia:

Thanks. That could be the nicest thing, anyone has ever said to me.

Nick:

You´re welcome. All you need is a boost of self esteem and the boys will start flocking to you.

Talia:

I just don´t know how to talk to them. It´s like were from different worlds sometimes.

Nick:

You´re doing a fine job talking to me right now. I believe in you, Talia. You can do it.

We see from Talia´s facial expression, that she´s starting to fall for him.

10. Ext. Degrassi. Evening.

Esme, Hunter and their cameraman come out from the school, looking pleased.

Esme:

If that doesn´t sell the point, I don´t know what will.

Hunter:

You were practically born to be one camera. Did you know that?

Esme:

Yes, but it´s always nice to be reminded.

They stop to kiss and the cameraman looks a little uncomfortable. He spots two students standing at the bottom of the stairs.

Cameraman:

You should talk to those kids. Hear why they aren´t going in.

Hunter:

Good idea. You deserve a raise. I can´t give it to you, but you deserve it!

Cameraman:

Thanks, Mr. Hollingworth.

They walk down to the two teenagers, a pair of 16 year old boys, by the looks of it.

Esme:

Hi. Can we talk to you for a second?

Boy #1:

You´re that councilwoman.

Boy #2:

Yeah, the one with the weird name.

Esme:

I guess, that would be me. Why aren´t you in there, having fun with the rest of them?

Boy #1:

I´m female to male transgender.

Esme suddenly feels guilty over her comments.

Esme:

When I said, what I said ...

Boy #1:

You were right to. You can´t turn everything upside down, because of what a small minority thinks. You could have found a better way of saying it, though!

Hunter:

She´s still a work in progress!

Esme:

If I hurt your feelings, I am truly sorry! You must be going through enough already.

Boy #2:

Some guys threw rocks at him and told him, that this dance isn´t for his kind. Now he´s afraid to go in, because they said, they´ll beat him up, if he does.

Hunter:

That is in no way right.

Esme:

Would you be willing to tell that story again on camera?

Boy #1:

What good would it do? It would just lead to more people bullying me.

Esme:

Not if the saw the human effect it has on you. I got into politics to serve the people. Those at the bottom will always be the ones, I´m willing to fight to my last drop of blood for.

Hunter:

They need to see both sides of the story.

Boy #2:

It´s up to you. I won´t think any less of you, if you don´t do it.

Boy #1:

Alright. We can try it.

Esme:

I promise, that I will help you, any way I can.

Hunter:

See, that´s one thing you should know about her. She came from the bottom and she doesn´t forget about her own.

The cameraman puts the camera on his shoulders and they get ready to shoot.

11. Int. Auditorium. Evening.

Talia and Nick come in together. Lots of couples are dancing and the dance is going great.

Talia:

Wow! My first High School dance.

Nick:

The hour, that´s left of it anyway.

Talia:

You´ll probably want to dance with Lisa.

Nick:

She´s had all night to dance. You´ve only got an hour, so I say we make the most of it.

Talia:

You don´t have to treat me like a charity case. I have friends, you know?

Nick:

Would you rather dance with them?

Talia:

I didn´t say that, did I?

She takes his hand and leads him on to the dance floor. They start dancing and are enjoying themselves.

12. Ext. Degrassi. Evening.

Esme and her crew have finished the shoot. The cameraman is packing up his camera.

Cameraman:

If you don´t need me anymore, I´d like to get home to my family.

Hunter:

You´re excused. Have a nice evening.

Cameraman:

You too and hey kid, good luck with everything. My heart goes out to you.

He leaves them.

Esme:

What now? Are you going in?

Boy #1:

Probably not. It´s not worth it.

Hunter:

You bought a ticket, didn´t you?

Boy #1:

Yeah, but that was before ... that thing happened.

Esme:

It´s a shame. I´d like to dance with you.

Hunter:

She used to do ballet back in the day. I tell you, the girl has got some moves!

The boy smiles, making his friend cheer up a bit.

Boy #1:

It doesn´t bother you, that you would be dancing with a girl?

Hunter:

The only girl I see here, is standing next to me.

Esme:

I don´t get what you´re talking about! You look like a boy to me!

Boy #2:

What if those guys try something? I won´t be able to fight them off by myself.

Esme:

They won´t, if we´re dancing the entire time.

Hunter:

I´ll drive both of you right to your front doors afterwards. If you let them win this one, it will never stop. I was bullied too and I know, what it´s like.

Boy #1:

You were?

Hunter:

It got so bad, that my dad had to pull me out of school, for my own good. I had to be home schooled for most of my senior year and it was in no way better for me. I don´t want to see that happen to you, any more than she does.

Boy #1:

Then, I guess we have a dance to attend!

His buddy looks proud of him and they head inside.

13. Int. Auditorium. Evening.

A slow song has now come on and the couples are slow dancing. Lisa and Suey are taking a break from dancing and are watching Nick and Talia dance.

Suey:

You´re watching them like a hawk, aren´t you?

Lisa:

Oh yeah! She´s keeping an okay distance, but if she moves in closer, I´m breaking it up!

Suey:

I guess, there is a limit to your niceness.

Lisa:

What am I? Saint Lisa? She can get her own man!

We cut over to Nick and Talia. Talia is enjoying the dance, until Carrie and Matty dance over near to them. She makes eye contact with Carrie, who rolls her eyes to show, that she isn´t buying it. So Talia moves in very close to Nick and moves her hand down on his butt.

We cut back to Lisa and Suey. Lisa has seen enough.

Lisa:

That´s it!

Suey:

It happened again!

Lisa:

When will that boy learn?

Suey:

This one is partly your fault.

Lisa:

You´re supposed to be on my side!

Lisa hurries down to them and gets between them.

Lisa:

I think, you two need a break!

Carrie and Matty stop dancing and Carrie come over to them.

Talia:

Lisa, I didn´t mean to ...

Carrie:

Show your love for your boyfriend?

Nick looks shocked, Lisa looks angry with him and Talia looks embarrassed.

Lisa:

What!

Nick:

I have no idea, what she´s talking about!

Carrie:

What a shocker! Here Talia has been telling me all about, how you forget everything else, when you´re making out with her! You´d think, that would be hard to forget, wouldn´t you?

Everyone´s eyes turn to Talia, who´s looking very uncomfortable.

Talia:

I never said, that I´d made out with him.

Carrie:

You certainly implied it.

Lisa:

What´s the truth?

Talia:

The truth is that Nick is a really sweet guy, but he was just trying to become friends with me. I´m really sorry, Nick!

She runs away, close to being in tears.

14. Int. Hunter and Esme´s House. Morning.

Hunter and Esme are watching the morning news, while eating breakfast.

We focus on the TV, where Lois is serving as co-anchor to an elderly male anchor.

Lois:

How is this for a feel good story, to start the week with? Esme Song, who made some disparaging comments about transgender people on Thursday, put her money where her mouth was on Friday, when she was the date of a young male to female transgender boy at a local High School dance. A video she posted on Sunday, shows her first interviewing the young man, who had sadly been the victim of bullying at his school. She then invited him to dance the night away with her and our accounts tell us, that´s exactly what she did. The full segment is available on YouTube and is one of the most heart warming watches, I have seen in a long time. Everyone here at CTV wishes this young man the best in his future and Miss Song herself has promised to set up a task force, that looks into bullying against sexual minorities. In my opinion, it´s about time someone did and for once, one of our politicians deserves to be applauded for their actions.

Anchor:

Now over to Bennie with the weather. Bennie?

We cut back to Esme and Hunter.

Esme:

I hope, he doesn´t get bullied for doing the interview.

Hunter:

I don´t think, he will.

Esme:

How would you know?

Hunter:

I had a chat with Miles. We´ve set up a protection force for him, if he needs it.

Esme:

What kind of protection force?

He looks at her teasingly.

Hunter:

Wouldn´t you like to know?

Esme:

Come on!

Hunter:

Let´s just say, that I´ve done, what I do best. Taken advantage of my contacts.

She accepts it as an answer for now.

15. Int. Hallway. Morning.

A very small looking Talia has arrived for school. She walks up to Lisa, who´s getting things out of her locker.

Talia:

Lisa, I am so sorry for implying to Carrie, that something was going on with me and Nick. I swear to you, nothing has happened at all!

Lisa:

I know. Nick can be a dunce, when it comes to girls, but I know, I can trust him.

Talia:

I´m not the first one, who´s fallen for him, am I?

Lisa:

No, it´s sort of a recurring problem. He just can´t help being nice to them!

Talia:

If that´s his biggest fault, I´d say, that you´re a very lucky girl.

Lisa:

Why did you do it?

Talia:

She told me, that I would stay the same dateless wonder, I was in Junior High. It sort of escalated from there.

Lisa:

i was just like you, but I never lied about it. I didn´t go on my first date with a boy until Nick and I was older than you by then.

Talia:

You´re saying, that I should stay patient?

Lisa:

I´m saying that if you try it with Nick again, I won´t be this nice the next time.

Talia:

Got ya!

Talia hurries up the hallway.

16. Int. Classroom. Morning.

Talia comes into to the practically empty class room. The only one there is Matty. She´s almost about to leave again, but works up the nerve to walk over to him.

Talia:

I guess, we´re the early birds, huh?

Matty:

I wanted to get here early.

Talia:

Why?

Matty:

Can you keep a secret?

She nods.

Matty:

I´m trying to avoid Carrie. I had the worst time with her at the dance.

Talia tries hard not to smile.

Talia:

You did?

Matty:

It´s a real shame, that you had to work. I would have much rather gone with you.

Talia smiles.

Talia:

I don´t have to work at the next one!

Matty:

Cool. I mean, not that we have to wait that long. We could go out to a movie on Friday, if you want. It´s okay, if you don´t, but ...

Talia:

Matty, stop rambling.

Matty:

Rambling hereby stopped.

Talia:

I´d love to go out on a date with you.

Matty smiles widely.

Matty:

You would? Cool!

They smile at each other, as the others start to file in.

17. Int. Hallway. Morning.

The transgender boy and his friend approach their classroom to find Jamie, Simon and Deco waiting outside it.

Boy #1:

Do you think, they want to beat me up?

Boy #2:

They wouldn´t do it here, in front of the cameras.

Boy #1:

I hope, you´re right!

They approach the classroom. Jamie, Simon and Deco look them over.

Deco:

You´re the transgender kid, aren´t you?

Boy #1:

Look, I just want to get to class. I don´t want any trouble.

Simon:

And we don´t want you to have any.

They boys look surprised.

Jamie:

The rumor has been spread and there´s a lot of us, who are angry to our core at what happened to you.

Deco:

We´re not gonna accept that happening here!

Simon:

If anyone tries to hurt you again, I personally guarantee, that it will be much worse for them!

Boy #1:

I don´t know what to say.

Boy #2:

You have no idea, what this means to him.

Deco:

Have a nice day, boys!

Jamie, Simon and Deco leave them. The transgender boy gets a message on his phone and checks it.

From Hunter:

How do you like your protection?

The boy smiles to himself.

CLOSING CREDITS