FADE IN
EXT. BASKETBALL COURT - AFTERNOON
Two BOYS are playing basketball. They are both white and quite pale and dressed for the workout, with gym shorts and loose t-shirts. The DARK HAIRED ONE is slightly shorter, although visibly older, and more skilled in the game. The GINGER ONE is a preteen, but is freakishly tall for his age. They play in synergy, as if they had spent their whole lives studying and learning from each other. The older one though has more technical skills, coming from playing at an almost professional level for a couple of years.
The younger one steals the ball from the other and throws it towards the basket, but does not score. It bounces against the wall the basket is mounted on and falls back down. The older one takes the ball under his arm.
OLDER BOY
Maybe we should head home, Archie.
Archie, the younger one, sighs. That's the last thing he'd want to do.
ARCHIE
(Almost whining)
I don't understand why you have to move to London.
The older boy chuckles. He knows what Archie is feeling.
OLDER BOY
I can't commute every day, that'd be hell on mom.
ARCHIE
Glen, you know what I mean. Toronto University is perfectly fine.
A veil of seriousness falls on Glen, the older one.
GLEN
I'm not going to spend four more years living with Mom and Dad.
ARCHIE
But I can spend six, and without you?
The ball falls from under Glen's arm. They've had this conversation before, but it never felt this urgent.
GLEN
You're starting Junior High tomorrow, you could try making some friends. It helps.
Archie shoots Glen a nasty look. He's a terribly private person, and the idea of sharing this situation with anyone but his brother, who already knows about it, makes his skin crawl.
GLEN
I'm not leaving you. I'm leaving home. Mom and Dad. I'll be a phone call away from you. I'm just not on medicine-buying duty anymore.
Archie picks up the ball and dribbles it a little. He knows everything that Glen is saying is true, but he can't help feeling neglected.
ARCHIE
Are you sure we can't play some more?
GLEN
No, best case scenario dad gets mad that we're stressing mom like this. Worst case, he's right.
Archie knows Glen's right, but he can't help disliking this whole situation.
They walk towards the side of the court, where two backpacks are leaning against the wall. Glen takes his and looks inside for car keys. Once found, he nods to Archie and they both walk to a black Jeep.
EXT. DEGRASSI JUNIOR HIGH - EARLY MORNING
A number of students are in the courtyard and on the stairs that lead to the entrance. They are divided into groups. Some are playing sports, while others are just chatting.
On the stairs are THREE GIRLS. All of them are white. Two of them are IDENTICAL TWINS, with naturally curly light brown hair. One of them has it up in a side ponytail, while the other is using a scarf as a headband. They're both wearing a full black and white ensemble, although the individual clothing are differently patterned. They are both a blouse and a skirt. The THIRD GIRL has dark brown hair, curly, but it's most probably a perm, and is shorter than the two girls. She's wearing a t-shirt with a band name on it and capri pants. They are chatting.
TWIN #1
I wouldn't mind having a boyfriend this year.
TWIN #2
(outraged)
Erica!
Erica, the one with the scarf, laughs. She's a much more relaxed person, while her sister is more rigid, like they have been raised to be.
OTHER GIRL
Oh, some people have boyfriends in grade 2, what's wrong with having one in grade 7?
TWIN #2
We're still so young!
The other girl points to someone in the crowd. It's Archie, dressed in jean shorts and a band t-shirt, awkwardly trying to spend the time before having to go inside without being noticed. He's taller than everyone in the courtyard.
OTHER GIRL
You're telling me that if a hunk like that asked you out you'd say no?
TWIN #2
He's probably a teacher, look how taller than everyone else he is.
ERICA
A teacher? He looks like someone stretched a five years old.
Erica looks around bored, then an idea comes to her mind.
ERICA
But if Christine likes him so much...
Erica whistles.
ERICA
Tall guy!
Archie looks around and then notices Erica, her sister, and Christine, the third girl. He walks over to them, uncomfortable.
ARCHIE
You meant me?
ERICA
Yeah. What grade are you in?
ARCHIE
Uh, yeah. I'm starting grade 7. I'm Archie, but you can call me Snake.
Erica points to herself.
ERICA
Erica.
She then points to her sister.
ERICA
And that's Heather.
Christine offers her hand.
CHRISTINE
I'm Christine. We're also in grade 7, Snake. So maybe we could go for ice cream later? Since we're going to be in the same class.
Archie/Snake shakes her hand. He looks happy for the invite, but suddenly his face darkens.
SNAKE
Uh, I can't... my mom and... You know, previous engagements.
Christine's face falls. She doesn't believe he already had plans at all.
CHRISTINE
Well, maybe it'll be for another time.
SNAKE
Uh, sure.
Snake leaves to go inside. Heather, the twin with her hair in a ponytail, smacks Erica on the arm.
HEATHER
Why would you do that?
The camera pans to TWO OTHER GIRLS, sitting on the grass. ONE is dark haired, with glasses, and THE OTHER is blonde. They are both dressed extremely conservatively, with long sleeved shirts and calf-length skirts, although the darker haired one is dressed in vibrant brown and the blond one in muted pastels.
BLONDE GIRL
Uncle Frank and Dorothy gave me a hair curler. Or at least tried to. He had to promise that it was a joke and that at his place there's the actual gift, a book.
The dark haired girl laughs.
BLONDE GIRL
Voula, there's nothing to laugh about. I am literally 13 and my mom acts like I'm five!
Voula, the dark haired one, rolls her eyes.
VOULA
At least you can wear light colours, Steph. I've been with my grandma so much, I'm not even sure what baby pink looks like anymore. I've become colourblind.
Stephanie, the blond one, laughs, then recomposes herself.
STEPHANIE
It doesn't matter, because I'm having my actual party tomorrow. No relatives, just friends and loads of ice cream!
Both girls look excited, as if this kind of liberty is rare to obtain for both of them.
INT. MS AVERY'S CLASS - MORNING
The room is bustling with students, slowly getting seated. TWO GIRLS, sitting one behind each other, are chatting. They are both white and dark haired. The ONE IN FRONT has longer hair, and glasses, and wears a sweatshirt with some shorts. The ONE BEHIND her has her hair up, hidden under a blue baseball cap. She's wearing a plaid shirt unbuttoned over a t-shirt and some jeans shorts. The one in front is looking at a timetable on her desk.
GIRL IN FRONT
It says here we have Mr Raditch next.
The girl behind rolls her eyes and sighs.
GIRL IN FRONT
What's wrong? LD this is our first day.
LD, the girl behind, gets closer to the other girl.
LD
My brother says he's terrible. And he should know he's been his student for two full years.
GIRL IN FRONT
He's taught your brother? He's been teaching for at least six years then!
LD
Yeah, I bet he's old and doesn't even believe we should be able to stretch out our legs under the desk.
The girl in front jumps on her seat so as to be facing backwards, handing the timetable to LD.
GIRL IN FRONT
What did he say about our other teachers?
LD
Alexa! I didn't ask him about anyone. He just told me about Raditch because he used to teach homeroom for Grade 7s when he went here.
Alexa, the girl in front, sighs. She hoped to receive information about what this year was going to be like, but instead she just knows that one of the teachers is very strict.
The bells ring and the woman in front of the class, who has dark and extremely long hair and seems to be a bit more ethnically mixed than just white, calls for silence. She writes her name on the board. Ms Avery.
MS AVERY
Welcome, I'm Ms, pronounced mizz, Avery. Before we start, I was asked to bring your attention to the fact that three seats of the student council have to be covered by students in grade seven: Vice-President, Sports Representative, and Treasurer. Is anyone interested?
The class is bustling, some people talking between themselves, but no-one seems to decide to run for any of the positions. Eventually, a GUY sitting in the back of the class, gets up. He's black, with his hair left natural. He's wearing a monochrome polo and a patterned pair of shorts.
WANNABE CANDIDATE
Uh, I could run for Vice. Do I have to do anything elaborate? I mean of course have a speech, but nothing else right? Uh, I'm Tim O'Connor.
MS AVERY
No, Tim, a speech will suffice. I'm sure the other grade 7 homerooms are having this same discussion and we'll have a full council. So let's get to know each other, okay?
Tim sits back down, excited and hoping to win.
EXT. CAFÈ - EARLY AFTERNOON
Most of the students seen in Ms Avery's class are sitting at the tables, or just standing around eating ice cream. Stephanie is looking around with a smile on her face and an ice cream cone in her hand. She sits next to Voula at one of the tables. They're both dressed similarly to how they were dressed the day before, but Stephanie's skirt looks weird at the waist, as it had been pinned to be shorter and is indeed more knee-length than the other one.
STEPHANIE
It's going so well!
VOULA
You deserve it, you never do anything for your birthday.
Erica, wearing a black and white patterned ensemble, walks up to them and sits next to Stephanie.
ERICA
Happy Belated Birthday!
STEPHANIE
Thanks. Anyways... What are we going to do with Tim?
Voula looks confused.
VOULA
What do you mean?
STEPHANIE
I'd love to vote for him, but you heard the other guy's speech!
Erica thinks about it. It's a tricky situation. Tim's cool, and maybe even professional, but so is the other guy.
ERICA
We're going to hope he doesn't ask if we voted for him. I'd hate to hurt his feelings.
VOULA
You're right.
Snake walks into the café's garden, almost trying to hide. He's wearing bright shorts and a light coloured t-shirt. He knows he's not supposed to be there and should have refused the invite.
Christine walks up to him, a little hurt. She still doesn't believe he was busy the day before and this makes her doubt it even more.
CHRISTINE
Hey, you're here.
Snake seems confused, still feeling guilty.
SNAKE
Uh, yeah... My parents... let me. Come here.
That's a lie. And Christine realises that, but it goes feeding her idea that he thinks she's lame, more that he's lying about being allowed there.
CHRISTINE
Well, have fun. The smurf flavour is really good.
She nods to her ice cream, of a bright blue colour.
INT. SIMPSONS HOUSEHOLD'S ENTRANCE - LATER
A key rattles in the lock and the door opens. It's Snake, back from the birthday hangout. HIS FATHER, a white man with salt and pepper hair, is sitting on the couch, clearly mad. It's clearly too late to just say he was held up at school.
Snake swallows, unsure of what to say.
SNAKE
Hi.
Mr Simpson barely moves.
MR SIMPSON
Your mother is sleeping now.
The implication is that his prolonged stay outside of the household caused her some trouble. Snake, already feeling guilty before, now feels like an accomplice to a crime. Especially since his father was alone dealing with her.
He looks down, hoping to avoid his father's eyes.
SNAKE
I...
MR SIMPSON
I thought we came to an understanding. We're always hanging by a thread.
He stops, to swallow, but also to make sure his words enter his son's brain for good.
MR SIMPSON
But especially right now, stressing her more for whatever selfish thing you wanted to do... We all have responsibilities.
Snake goes towards the stair, making as least noise as possible. It's clear that nothing he says could explain why he preferred having an ice cream with his classmates than making sure his mother was fine. Even he himself knows he's in the wrong in this situation.
INT. MS AVERY'S CLASS - EARLY MORNING
THREE GUYS are talking. The FIRST, sitting on a desk, is black, with his hair left natural but shaved at the side of his head and cut evenly. He's wearing workout clothes. The SECOND is the tallest of the three. He's white and wearing a sweater and sweatpants, although they are not matching. The THIRD is East Asian, and quite short. He's wearing a striped polo and some shorts.
SECOND GUY
She was kinda cute, but I bet it'd be like dating a nun. Christine on the other hand...
FIRST GUY
Does little Shaney have a crush?
Shane, the second guy, hits the first guy playfully on the arm.
THIRD GUY
You need to remember that she's like the most popular of the class, already.
FIRST GUY
Wai Lee's right, probably if you talk to her she'll ask you who you are.
Wai Lee, the second guy, looks proud of himself.
Snake walks up to them. Even the tallest one of them is shorter than him.
FIRST GUY
Hey. You're trying out right?
Snake is confused.
SNAKE
Trying out for what, BLT?
BLT, the first guy, looks at the third one.
BLT
Didn't you read it on the poster board? The basketball team.
Snake looks interested, although he still wants to make sure he's understood properly.
SNAKE
Basketball?
SECOND GUY
Yeah, Before the tryouts we were planning to hang around at the park.
Snake reflects on it. His father does love basketball.
SNAKE
(Unsure)
Yeah, sure.
INT. DEGRASSI HALLWAYS - MORNING
Tim is talking with a BOY. He has blonde hair. He's white and has a haircut that is starting to look a lot more like a mullet than a bowl cut, but is not there yet. He's wearing a polo and some jeans, probably a couple years old by the way they fit. They are next to his locker, opposite to Ms Avery 's class.
BOY
I'm sure they think the funkiest kind of music is ragtime.
TIM
So no Blondie posters in your room anytime soon?
The boy rolls his eyes. From the intercom comes a crackling voice.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Those who are now part of the student council are asked to come see Doris by the end of the day.
Tim looks towards the nearest visible intercom.
TIM
I better go now, before I forget. Catch you later, Wheels.
He leaves while Wheels, the boy he was talking to, takes some books from his locker.
INT. DORIS'S OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER
Tim arrives by the office's door and stands there, unsure whether to go inside or not.
DORIS, the school's secretary, is sitting at her desk. She is a plump white woman with blonde hair tied back in a bun. She wears glasses. ANOTHER BOY is also there, chatting with her. He's a white boy with short brown hair, wearing a button up shirt and a cardigan over trousers.
DORIS
I'm quite glad you won, Charles, a nice sensible young man. But I can't say I'm not surprised.
Charles, the boy talking to Doris and the newly elected school president, laughs.
CHARLES
Seems like they went for the qualified candidate and not the popular one.
Tim finally decides to walk in.
EXT. DEGRASSI JUNIOR HIGH - EARLY AFTERNOON
Snake is at a payphone not far from the school. He's jittery, hoping this will go fine, but he's almost sure it won't. He's already started the call and is now waiting for the other person to pick up.
After some waiting they do.
SNAKE
Mom!
His mother's voice is sort of distorted by the telephone.
MRS SIMPSON
Is everything alright?
SNAKE
Yeah, yeah. Don't worry.
MRS SIMPSON
I'm fine too. If that's why you called.
SNAKE
No! No, don't worry. I just...
He hesitates.
SNAKE
I wanted you to know I'll be kind of late, I have the basketball tryouts.
MRS SIMPSON
That's lovely! I loved going to Glen's games and I'll love coming to yours! But you didn't have to let us know, just have fun.
Snake almost smiles, wishing the situation was as simple as his mother puts it.
INT. DEGRASSI STUDENT COUNCIL ROOM - AFTERNOON
Tim is moving around some boxes of documents from the year prior.
After moving one of them, he finds a little suitcase. He doesn't know who this belongs to, but he lifts it and realizes it's almost heavy.
He looks around and decides to open it. He does need to find out who it belongs to.
Looking inside it, it's filled with around two hundred and fifty pieces of yellow paper, written on only one side. He recognises them instantly. They're the ballots for the school election. They shouldn't be there. They should be in the principal's office.
He picks up a bunch and starts reading them under his breath.
TIM
President: Theo Jones; Vice: Robbie Auckland
President: Theo Jones; Vice: Robbie Auckland
Finally he reaches one that voted for him, but as president is still chosen Theo Jones. All of them do, despite the fact that Charles was the one to win. The Vice-president votes are more mixed, but Tim isn't sure he would have won with them.
He takes a couple, putting them in his pants, and leaves the rest in the suitcase. He closes it and hides it under one of the boxes he has already moved.
INT. DEGRASSI HALLWAYS - EARLY AFTERNOON
Snake is standing by his locker, a little far but still on the side of Ms Avery's class. He puts some books into it and is about to close it when Christine, with Heather's arm locked in her elbow, comes by.
CHRISTINE
Hey!
SNAKE
Hi, Christine...
He pauses, unsure which twin he has in front of himself. Heather notices this, as it's something that happens often with people she doesn't know, and even people she does.
HEATHER
Heather.
Snake nods.
CHRISTINE
Anyway, I know that ice cream too many days in a row starts to nauseate, but it's the end of the right season to eat it, so we were thinking...
Christine, who forgot to breathe through the whole phrase, takes a deep breath and then sighs the air out.
CHRISTINE
Are you free today after school? Same place as yesterday...
She says that second sentence bitterly, still annoyed at his being at Stephanie's party.
Snake, once again, would love to go. But at least this time is blowing it off for something he also enjoys.
SNAKE
I'm sorry. Basketball tryouts are today and afterwards I should go home.
Christine looks down, feeling humiliated.
CHRISTINE
Don't worry.
Snake wishes he could make it to the café, but all he can do is get ready for the tryouts.
INT. DEGRASSI GYM - AFTERNOON
A bunch of students are in the gym, dressed for physical activities, playing basketball. Among them are BLT; Wai Lee, Shane and Snake. Snake seems unfocused, bothered by what's going on at home.
The COACH whistles.
COACH
Okay, now one by one.
The boys get in a line in front of the hoop closer to the coach. The first one is Snake, followed by BLT.
COACH
Go!
The Coach throws him the ball. He is not focusing, still, and ends up not catching it. He runs after it a little, then catches it and dribbles back to his place.
He shoots, and it does go into the hoop.
The coach whistles again.
COACH
Next one!
Snake walks to the back on the line, unsure whether he's going to be on the team or not.
INT. SIMPSONS HOUSEHOLD ENTRANCE - LATER
The key rattles into the door and it opens. It's Snake, back from the try-outs.
His parents are sitting on the couch, HIS MOTHER, a dark haired white woman with short hair, further from the door than his father.
When he sees Snake entering, Mr Simpson gets up, mad, but trying to hide it.
MR SIMPSON
Where were you today?
Snake looks around, trying to find his mother's eyes.
SNAKE
I told mom, I had tryouts.
He swallows then, in case it would soften his father, adds.
SNAKE
Basketball. At school, it counts towards my PE grade.
It does. The two things Mr Simpson loves the most: basketball and his children doing even better at school. A smile almost forms on his face.
MRS SIMPSON
Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you.
MR SIMPSON
You still play basketball? We haven't played together in a while...
Snake smiles.
SNAKE
Uh, yeah.
MR SIMPSON
Good, want to go to the court for a little game?
Snake nods, leaving his backpack on a rack next to the door, keeping the door open. After this he goes out. His father follows him to...
EXT. SIMPSONS HOUSEHOLD - SECONDS LATER
Mr Simpson closes the door behind him and turns to Snake.
MR SIMPSON
You should have called my office, not home.
He pauses.
MR SIMPSON
You know we can't trust her to know what will make her upset.
He puts a hand on Snake's shoulder.
MR SIMPSON
Still, I'm glad you're a sportsman like your old man here.
The two walk away.
INT. SNAKE'S BEDROOM - VERY EARLY MORNING
Snake is sleeping in the bed.
From outside of the door comes shouting and a horrible crash of something against the wall. Snake wakes up, heavy breathing, and takes a few seconds to orientate himself.
He gets up, scared, and throws on some pants and a colourful button down as quickly as possible, and eventually when he's ready he opens the door to his room. To see...
INT. SIMPSONS HOUSEHOLD CORRIDOR - SECONDS LATER
Mr Simpson is closing the door to his and his wife's room, cautiously, while some kind of relaxing record can be heard playing, very lightly.
Snake looks at him for a moment, then lowers his gaze.
SNAKE
What happened?
MR SIMPSON
What do you think happened, Archie?
Snake shifts his weight from foot to door for a second. Then looks back into his father's eyes.
MR SIMPSON
Please pass by the pharmacy going to school. And help clean up downstairs instead of looking at me like a fish
Mr Simpson gestures to the stairs, and Snake quickly goes down them.
INT. MS AVERY'S CLASS- EARLY AFTERNOON
Stephanie and Voula are talking, sitting next to each other.
Stephanie is sitting at her desk, her hand on her cheek, her eyes dreamy. Voula is next to her, looking a lot more anchored to life.
STEPHANIE
He's so cute! You saw how he smiled?
Voula rolls her eyes.
VOULA
Is this all I'm going to hear you talk about til the day you die?
STEPHANIE
Probably. He's so sweet!
Tim walks to them, snapping Stephanie from this daydream.
TIM
You guys voted for me, right?
Voula looks at Stephanie worried.
STEPHANIE
(Uninterested)
Yeah, sure...
TIM
Why?
Stephanie looks to the ceiling, almost hoping to find the answers there. She had not voted for him, nor did Voula.
STEPHANIE
Well, your speech was... really, professional. And I could tell how much you... cared?
She answers mechanically, unsure, like she was being tested in class and hadn't studied for it. It's clear she's making stuff up right that moment.
TIM
You didn't vote for me?
VOULA
Sorry, but the other guy's promises made more sense. Plus you didn't seem very sure when you announced you were running.
STEPHANIE
But tons of people must have voted for you if you won, two don't make a difference.
VOULA
Five, the twins and Christine voted for Robbie too.
Tim sighs.
TIM
Thanks for the honesty, Voula.
He leaves, thinking. If no one voted for him the first time, then they probably wouldn't vote for him a second time if he told about Charles messing with the ballots.
INT. DEGRASSI HALLWAYS- EARLY AFTERNOON
Snake is by his locker, getting some books. Tim walks to him, playing with something in the back pocket of his shorts.
SNAKE
Hey
TIM
Hey, can I ask you a question?
Snake is confused, but doesn't really mind.
SNAKE
Uh, yeah sure, shoot.
TIM
Did you vote for me?
Snake's face falls. He did not.
SNAKE
At the Vice President of the school council elections? I don't really remember, I was confused. Both you and the other candidate had a really good speech...
TIM
Snake? You didn't vote for me?
SNAKE
You seem really professional, but in the end, it doesn't matter, really, which one of us voted for you. You won!
Tim rolls his eyes. BLT runs to Snake, bumping into Tim along the way.
BLT
They're posted! You go read them, I'll go find Wai Lee.
Snake looks confused for a moment, then starts closing his locker, as BLT keeps running to look for the other people who tried out.
SNAKE
I need to go, Tim, right this moment, sorry.
TIM
Sure, go.
Snake runs in the direction BLT ran from, leaving Tim alone. He reaches into his back pocket, taking out what he was fidgeting with earlier: the ballots he took the day before.
Further down the hall, Snake reaches a poster with "BASKETBALL TRYOUTS" written on it. Shane and Wai Lee arrive next to him.
SHANE
So?
Snake runs his finger down the list, hoping to find either Archibald or Simpson. He finds neither.
SNAKE
You got it. I didn't make the team.
WAI LEE
Oh...
And there's nothing left to say. There probably isn't an after school activity in the whole world his father would actually allow him to do, now that basketball is excluded from the list.
Snake sighs, unsure.
INT. DORIS'S OFFICE - LATER
Tim walks in to find Chales chatting with Doris, with a stack of documents in his hands.
He stops by the bin, throwing away what's now basically yellow confetti. Then he walks up to Charles.
TIM
I wanted to congratulate you.
CHARLES
I can see this will be a good year, student council-wise.
TIM
Definitely
He offers his hand and Charles shakes it.
INT. MS AVERY'S CLASS - MORNING
Christine is at her desk, her face buried under her hair, clearly permed. Heather and Erica are next to her.
CHRISTINE
I can't believe I'll be loveless until I die from a cat related incident in my lonely little flat at 32.
HEATHER
That's a bit dramatic...
CHRISTINE
It's the truth.
Erica moves to be in front of her and lifts her up by pushing the shoulders diagonally backwards.
ERICA
Christine, Christy, Teen, Tina, love of my life, Junior High literally just started. You don't know what's going to happen.
Heather laughs.
HEATHER
He also might have been actually busy? Sometimes people have things to do.
CHRISTINE
Yeah, busy on the days I ask him, and free when Stephanie does.
Erica looks Christine deep in the eyes.
ERICA
He's a teenage boy living in 1986, he's not sexually attracted to the supporting cast of the next Anne of Green Gables movie!
Christine sighs.
CHRISTINE
I guess...
Erica goes to sit down behind her.
ERICA
Also, we need to find you a nickname.
The camera pans to Shane and Wai Lee sitting not too far from them. Snake walks to them.
SHANE
Hey!
WAI LEE
I'm sorry. I bet next year you'll be on the team. You're tall.
SHANE
Uh, by the way. We're going out for ice cream before the season ends. It should be the team, but if you want, you can come too.
Snake looks down, embarrassed. But he does wish he could go.
SNAKE
Don't worry. I really cannot come.
Freeze frame on Snake's face, worried about how this year's going to go.
FADE OUT