DEGRASSI: AFTERMATH - S08E14 - DON´T FEAR THE REAPER PART 1

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

Author´s Note: After a few more comedy based episodes, I´m going a bit more serious with the next few. I still hope, you´ll like them all the same. As they say "It can´t all be sh*ts and giggles".

1. Ext. Degrassi. Morning.

We see Regina arriving for school by herself. She sees Josie, Dee and Carla arrive together and tries to ignore them, but they seem determined to pick on her.

Josie:

Hey, Regina! Where´s your non-boyfriend?

Dee:

The one you want, but can never have?

She tries to walk fast to get away from them, but they follow her.

Carla:

It has to suck so hard to want a guy that bad and know, that you´ve forever been "Friend-zoned".

Regina:

Please, just leave me alone. I´m not in the mood.

Carla:

At least, we talk to you. That´s more than you can say for everyone else here. That little goody two shoes, Tina would have told you to get lost too, if she wasn´t too nice to!

The bullying starts to get to Regina, only egging them on more.

Regina:

You don´t know, what you´re talking about!

Josie:

Do you really think, she hangs out with you, out of any other reason, than pity? She knows, that no one else will!

Dee:

No one could ever like you, Regina! If you died tomorrow, they would throw parties to celebrate it!

She hits a nerve with Regina, who runs into the school to get away from them.

2. Int. Girl´s Room. Day.

Regina is hiding away from her tormentors in a bathroom stall. She hears them coming in and pulls her legs up, so they won´t see her.

Josie:

What do you think, the special meeting is about?

Dee:

What else? There was another murder last night.

Josie:

Again? Is it the same guy?

Dee:

It´s the same M.O. There´s a serial killer on the loose here, no doubt about it.

Carla:

At least, he only kills those with a different skin color.

The other two look shocked at her remark. Carla can´t see, why they´re fussing over it.

Carla:

I´m just happy, that he won´t be coming after me! Anyway, it´s their own fault. They shouldn´t be here in the first place!

Dee:

What about those, who are born here?

Carla:

They´ll never be real Canadians, like we are. Wouldn´t it be funny, if they all got so scared, that they left Toronto?

Josie:

Sometimes, I can´t believe you!

Carla:

I´m only speaking the truth. Their culture and ours don´t mix. Easy as that.

Dee:

Let´s get to the meeting. I can´t listen to any more of this.

Carla:

Stop pretending, that you´re woke or whatever! We all know, that I´m right!

Regina hears them leave and shakes her head at what she just heard.

3. Int. Classroom. Morning.

Friendship club is in session. The mood is somber among them.

Rodney:

As you´ve probably heard, there were two more murders of Muslims in Toronto yesterday. Like the others, they were found with crosses painted on their eyelids.

Pete:

As much, as I don´t want to say it, it looks like one of ours.

Tina:

You don´t know that! It could be some racist psycho.

Pete:

Grow up, Tina! The imagery is unmistakable. Someone is trying to rid the city of non-believers.

Rodney:

You´re both right. Until the police find out, who did this, we have to worry about the threat of retaliation. There are some in minority communities, who believe that we advocate, what is happening. The message has to be spread, that we stand with the victims, not the murderer.

Regina:

If they find him.

Charlie:

There´s probably enough psycho´s running free, to fill up a nuthouse.

Tina:

That´s not a PC way of putting it!

Charlie:

I was in one, so I get to call it a nuthouse. Most of the ones, I met were friendly enough, but there were a few, I wouldn´t want to meet on the street, if they weren´t medicated.

Pete:

We could switch the narrative and focus on the mental health issue. Whoever is doing this clearly isn´t right in the head.

Rodney:

Will you help us, Charlie? You´re the only one with first hand experience.

Charlie:

Sure. Anything you ask.

Regina:

I´ll help him, any way I can.

The three snobby girls (Carla, Dee and Josie) snicker.

Carla (to Dee):

I bet, she will!

Rodney sees it and walk over to them.

Rodney:

This isn´t the time for your petty, girly crap! Got it?

Carla:

Sure, Rodney.

Rodney:

We all have classes to go to, but I want each of you to come up with ideas on, what we can do here. I don´t know about you, but I don´t like being vilified for something, I had nothing to do with. Meeting adjourned.

The students get up to leave. Josie comes up to him, Tina and Pete.

Josie:

I´m really sorry. That was inappropriate, to say the least. She doesn´t have the best "Filter" for these kinds of situations. I think, she´d rather forget that it´s happening.

Tina:

Don´t we all?

Rodney:

People react to this in different ways. If that´s her way of reacting, then there´s nothing wrong with it.

Dee comes back in.

Dee:

Someone slipped a note in Carla´s locker. A death threat.

The others look shocked.

OPENING CREDITS

4. Int. Snake´s Office. Day.

Carla and Rodney are with Snake and Bianca. Carla is visibly upset. Snake is reading the note and is trying hard to contain his emotions.

Snake:

This is so far over the line, that the line isn´t visible anymore.

Bianca:

Do you have any idea why, someone would do this?

Rodney:

We have a theory. It could be linked to the serial killer, that´s been killing Muslims.

Carla:

I said some things to Josie and Dee, but I never meant, that I support someone, who´s killing people.

Snake:

What kind of things?

Carla:

Do I have to tell you?

Bianca:

There´s no other way. No matter what it is, we´ve heard worse.

Carla:

I just said, that I don´t think, Arab people belong here and that they should stay in their own countries. I might also have seemed pleased, that this could make some of them leave our city out of fear. You have to believe me, I hate what is happening! I´m as much against murder, as the bible is.

She doesn´t look proud of herself at all.

Snake:

I can never condone racism, but I don´t hear anything, that would warrant, what is happening to you.

Carla:

I say a lot of things. I don´t consider every word carefully, before I say it.

Bianca:

We can check out the security footage. As crowded as that hallway gets between classes, we can´t guarantee, that we´ll see anything.

Rodney:

It´s worth a shot, right?

Snake:

We´ll turn over whatever we find to the police and let them handle it. We´ll get to the bottom of this, Carla. I´m not having any student running around here, scared for their life.

Bianca:

We can give you the rest of the day off, but I wouldn´t recommend it. It´s better to have friends around you, at a time like this.

Carla:

That´s okay. I feel safer with people around me, anyway.

Snake:

Have a talk with Bianca, before you go back to class. Let her help you.

Bianca:

I know my share about, how it feels to be threatened. We´ll get you through this.

Carla looks a little re-assured, but is still shaken up.

5. Int. Church. Day.

Drew, Imogen and Eli are helping Becky get the church ready for mass in the evening. Becky looks depressed, so the others try to cheer her up.

Imogen:

Did you read that story, about how more dogs are finding homes than ever?

Eli:

I can practically hear the happy barking!

Drew:

Don´t forget the smiling faces of the kids, they get to play with.

Becky:

We had a dog, when I was a kid. It died.

Imogen sees that it isn´t working and tries to comfort her in stead.

Imogen:

What´s happening isn´t your fault.

Becky:

I know, but it´s not just that. What kind of world is Gracie going to grow up in, if this keeps escalating?

Eli:

We´re all worried, but we can´t let fear rule our lives.

Drew:

Tonight´s mass can help bring the community closer together. That´s what we need right now.

Becky:

I´m afraid, that this won´t stop, until they find him.

Imogen:

Or her. For all I know, it could be me!

Becky can´t help smiling a little at her silliness.

Becky:

Have you been doing things in your sleep, you don´t want us to know about?

Imogen:

That´s why my jammies are soaked in the blood of the innocent every morning! I can´t believe, that I didn´t realize sooner!

She´s pleased to see, that she got a smile out of Becky.

6. Ext. Atrium. Day.

Charlie and Regina are hanging out, when Carla comes over to them, looking a bit uncomfortable.

Carla:

Can I hang out with you guys?

Charlie:

I can´t see why not.

Regina:

I can. Get lost.

Charlie looks surprised at her dismissal.

Charlie:

That whole "Love thy neighbor" bit, went right over your head, didn´t it?

Regina:

She´s always mean to me. Why would I lift finger to help her?

Carla:

I know, we´re not friends ...

Regina:

Not friends? You´ve decided to make my life miserable, just because you can.

Charlie:

Isn´t that what you were like?

Regina:

I never went after anyone, like they do to me.

Carla:

Please. I´m really scared of what could happen. Charlie is the only guy, I know here, who could potentially defend me.

Charlie:

They didn´t find out, who it was, from the security footage?

Carla:

Only that it was someone in a hoodie. They couldn´t see the face. You have every right to hate me, Regina and I don´t blame you, if you do. But it´s still your Christian duty to help someone in need.

Regina looks Carla in the eyes.

Regina:

Read my lips: Rot in hell!

Carla sees that she can´t win and leaves them. She´s clearly very paranoid and tries to stay away from people as much, as she can. Charlie looks disappointed in Regina.

Charlie:

I thought, you were better than that.

Regina:

You can´t expect me to forgive my tormentor!

Charlie:

Didn´t Jesus forgive the Romans?

Regina:

We both know, that´s here say, at best.

Charlie:

How about this one, then? Haven´t I forgiven the guy, that shot me?

She looks surprised.

Regina:

How can you forgive him, when you consider everything, you´ve lost, because of him?

Charlie:

He took his own life, Regina. You can´t pay a bigger prize than that.

Regina:

At least, that´s something! I never met him, but I hate him, for what he did to you.

Charlie:

I wish, he were alive, so I could tell him to his face, that I forgive him and hug it out. His kids lost their dad on that fateful day and they´ll never get him back. It´s not my fault, but it´s a consequence of what happened. I´ll have to live with that, for the rest of my life. If something happens to her and you know, you could have prevented it, you will hate yourself for it.

She considers it.

7. Int. Church Backroom. Day.

Becky is on the phone with her dad in Florida. She has a pen and paper in front of her.

Becky:

I need your help, Dad.

Mr. Baker (voice over):

What with?

Becky:

I´m writing my first sermon. I thought, I would ask the expert.

Mr. Baker (voice over):

Your first sermon! I wish, I could be there for it.

Becky:

The problem is, that I´ve got complete writer´s block. I think, the occasion is getting to me.

Mr. Baker (voice over):

Why are you giving the sermon in the first place? Shouldn´t the priest be doing that?

Becky:

He received threats from extremists. Things are getting hairy up here, so he´s gone into hiding.

Mr. Baker (voice over):

There´s always a room with your name on it down here.

Becky:

Did Moses leave his people, in their time of need?

Mr. Baker (voice over):

Sometimes, I can´t help thinking, that we raised you too well!

Becky smiles to herself.

Becky:

Seriously, do you have any advice? I kind of at a loss.

Mr. Baker (voice over):

Speak from the heart. It´s what you´ve always been best at.

Becky:

Thanks, Dad. Have a great day and say hi to Luke from me.

Mr. Baker (voice over):

Same to you, Honey.

She hangs up and gets to work.

8. Ext. Degrassi. Day.

Carla comes out with Josie and Dee. She´s still clearly paranoid.

Carla:

Where to now?

Josie and Dee look uncomfortable.

Josie:

I didn´t know, we were hanging out.

Carla:

You´re my girls! You have to be there for me!

Dee:

Nothing personal, but I´d rather not be around, if that guy comes looking for you.

Josie:

Me too. You understand, don´t you?

Carla:

For all we know, it could be a prank!

Josie:

Would you want to find out the hard way, that it wasn´t?

Dee:

I´ve seen enough horror movies to know, that the best friends always get it, before he goes for the main girl.

Carla:

You can´t be serious.

Josie:

I´m deadly serious. No pun intended.

Dee:

We can still hang out at school. Bye.

They leave her, which doesn´t help with her paranoia. She spots Regina and Charlie coming out and hurries over to them.

Carla:

Please! Dee and Josie just bailed on me. I can´t be alone right now.

Regina:

Don´t you have parents?

Carla:

Only my dad and he works in a restaurant, so he won´t be home until late. I really have nowhere else to turn!

Regina:

Than the girl you were picking on, as late as this morning.

Charlie:

Have a heart, Regina, also for me. It wouldn´t feel right, to leave her like this and you know it.

Regina looks at him with an annoyed facial expression.

Regina:

Why do you have to be such a decent guy? Can´t you for once be a jerk like other guys?

Charlie:

That´s the way I am. Take it or leave it.

Regina:

Alright, Carla. You can come with us. But one wrong remark and I swear ...

Carla:

I promise, that I´ll be on my best behavior. I´ll think of it, as when I visit my grandparents.

Regina reluctantly nods and Carla is pleased.

9. Montage - Music: "I Love To Hate You" by Erasure.

We see Regina, Charlie and Carla hanging out at The Dot and trying to brain storm their project, but Regina is finding it hard not to get annoyed at how Carla is sitting very close to Charlie and she has to contain herself, when a noise makes Carla jumpy and she grabs Charlie´s arm for comfort.

We see the three of them riding together on the bus. Regina and Charlie are trying to have a conversation, but Carla keeps budding in to join the conversation, much to Regina´s annoyment.

We see Regina getting off the bus and looking very jealous, that Carla gets to continue on with Charlie.

We see Regina printing out a picture of Carla from her Face Range page, taping it over a dart board and angrily throwing darts at it. She hits her right between the eyes and smiles to herself.

We see her getting a hoodie out of her back pack and hiding it away in her closet.

10. Int. Church. Evening.

Becky is dressed in a priest robe for the first time and looks a bit uncomfortable in it. She has Imogen there with her.

Becky:

It feels, like I haven´t earned it yet.

Imogen:

How are they supposed to know, that you won´t be a full priest for a couple of years? If they like the sermon, isn´t that all that matters?

Becky:

This isn´t something, you play around with! What if I say the wrong thing and someone takes it personally?

Imogen:

That´s the risk, you have to be willing to run.

Becky:

I think, it´s pretty good. Will it be good enough, that´s the question.

Drew comes into the church, looking flustered. He hurries up the aisle.

Drew:

We have to get you out of here.

Becky:

No! I have a sermon to give.

Drew:

There won´t be a sermon, at least not tonight. I just talked to the priest and a bomb threat has been called in. The police are on their way.

Imogen and Becky look shocked.

Imogen:

A bomb threat! Here?

Drew:

It´s probably fake, but we can´t take any chances.

He leads them out in a hurry.

11. Ext. Church. Evening.

Many people are gathered outside the church, waiting to be let in. Among them are Regina, Carla and Charlie.

Regina:

What´s the hold up?

Carla:

I´m freezing!

Regina:

Tell someone, who cares!

Regina´s verbal abuse is the last thing, Carla needs and she gets emotional.

Charlie:

Stop it, Regina! I´ve heard enough.

Regina:

I´m sorry, but it comes naturally.

Charlie:

Are you okay, Carla?

Regina:

Now you´re taking her side?

Charlie:

I´m not taking sides!

Carla:

It´s okay. I guess, I deserve it, after the things, I´ve said to you.

Regina looks surprised.

Regina:

What?

Carla:

I don´t always consider, how my words can hurt someone. I say a lot of really dumb things and it´s often just to impress Josie and Dee. To be honest, I never wanted to pick on you, but then they started doing it and I sort of got caught up in it. I know, that it´s no excuse and I if I hurt your feelings, I am truly sorry. I promise, that I´ll never pick on you again.

Regina suddenly feels very guilty.

Charlie:

That sounds like a nice apology to me.

Regina:

I´m still not sure, that she means it.

Carla:

This experience has taught me a big lesson, in how to treat others. I can´t help thinking, that if I´d been nicer, this wouldn´t have happened to me. You´ll see a brand new Carla from now on, cross my heart.

Charlie:

Do you accept her apology?

Regina:

I´ll accept it, when she shows, that she means it.

Carla:

I can live with that. Thanks for letting me hang with you guys.

As Regina tries to hide her frustration, Becky, Drew and Imogen come out of the church. People´s attentions turn to them.

Drew:

Tonight´s service has had to be cancelled!

The people react with confusion. Someone yells out "Why?".

Becky:

Very good reasons, that are out of our control. I wanted to give you the sermon of my life, especially since it was my first ...

Charlie:

LET US HEAR IT!

People seem keen on the idea and Becky smiles.

Becky:

Are you sure? I don´t have a microphone or anything.

Imogen:

So, speak up! Isn´t that what you´re here to do?

Becky takes a deep breath and addresses the crowd.

Becky:

This is a time, when fear is spreading throughout society. One person´s madness has made everyone point fingers at each other. The minorities don´t think, the rest of us care about their plight. That in turn has made them turn their anger towards the rest of us, because they don´t have anyone else to hold accountable. Looking for someone to blame, is a natural human emotion at this time. But we have to get past that. Society will break down, unless we start trusting each other and search for a common understanding, to help us get through this. Whether we´re Christians, Muslims, Hindu´s, follow any of the other religions or none at all, we are all God´s children and he gave this world to us, to make the best of, that we can. I have a young daughter and I want her to grow up in a world, where she doesn´t have to be afraid of what extremists might do. The way to get there is to unite, not divide.

We cut to Charlie, who´s looking proud of her.

12. Int. Bus. Evening.

Charlie, Regina and Carla are on the bus, heading home.

Charlie:

I´m so proud of her!

Regina:

It´s understandable. She did great up there.

Carla:

I hope, we get her every week from now on.

Charlie:

Not likely. She´s still in training.

Carla looks a little disappointed.

Carla:

I really like what she said about togetherness between the cultures.

Regina:

You do?

Carla:

Why wouldn´t I?

Regina sees that she almost busted herself and back tracks.

Regina:

No reason.

Carla:

I´ve always thought of us as being different and maybe I was wrong to. Maybe it´s because, I´ve never known any of them. If I did, I would probably see, that we aren´t that different.

Regina sees the chance to change subject.

Regina:

Are you excited about school tomorrow?

Charlie:

No more or less than usual.

Carla:

I am.

Regina:

Any particular reason?

Carla:

The police are coming to interview potential witnesses.

Regina gulps and tries her best to keep cool.

Regina:

I guess, they´re taking it seriously!

Charlie:

Why wouldn´t they? It´s a death threat, for crying out loud!

Carla:

Bianca thinks, there´s a good chance, that they´ll get lucky.

Charlie:

I hope, that they kick whoever did it out of school.

Carla:

Only that? I hope, they go to Juvie!

Regina is starting to look nervous.

Regina:

That won´t happen, will it? Juvie, that´s for the worst of the worst.

Carla:

People, who make death threats, don´t count among them?

Charlie:

Whatever punishment they get is deserved, I´ll say that much!

Regina tries to keep calm.

13. Int. Regina´s Room. Evening.

Regina comes in and sits down on a chair. She hides her head in her hands and tries to think, as she shakes her head.

Regina:

Why did you have to take it that far? You could have just written, that she would get beat up or something! Or better yet, thrown that note in the trash!

She gets up and stares herself in the mirror.

Regina:

Any ideas on how to get out of this one, dumbass?

She looks close to hopeless.

CLOSING CREDITS