WHAT IF? - SEASON 5 EPISODE 3 - SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT (PART 2)
1. Int. Music Room. Day.
Mo´s new band are rehearsing the 4 Non Blondes Song "What´s Up", clearly an idea of Marisol´s and Marisol is trying to sing the chorus. It is so bad, that it could make glass shatter, which can be clearly read on the faces of her bandmates, who cringe at every mishit note, which is 99 percent of them!
Marisol (singing):
I said hey yay yay yay yay
Hey yay yay
I said Hey!
What´s going on?
Jenna plays the simple guitar solo and it goes to the slow acoustic part. Marisol closes her eyes and really lives herself into it with every cell in her petite little body, you have to give her.
Marisol (singing):
Fifteen years of my life and still
I´m trying to get up that great big hill of hope
For a destinatio ...
She tries to hold the note for as long as she can to sound like a real soul singer, but her voice is crackling like crazy.
Marisol:
O-uh-ah-on ... !
She looks at her band mates and smiles very innocently at them, like a little girl who´s excited to hear what her mom thought of her school play and none of them have the heart to do anything else, so they applaud her. She looks extremely proud.
Jenna:
That was a one of a kind performance!
Marisol:
You really think so?
Gracie:
No one sings that song, like you do!
Marisol:
You´re just saying that to be nice!
Gracie:
No, I mean it!
Mo:
You´re a star, when you sing, Marisol. What can I say?
Marisol:
Did you hear that I changed the lyrics to fit myself by singing fifteen years in stead of twenty-five years, like the lyrics usually say?
Jenna:
A stroke of brilliance. I never could have come up with something as clever as that!
Imogen:
I say: Pink, eat your heart out, because here comes Marisol Lewis to take your place!
Marisol:
You guys!
She almost blushes, so happy is she and all of her bandmates at least feel a little good about themselves, that they´re helping her to feel this way.
OPENING CREDITS
2. Int. Hallway. Morning.
Jenna and Gracie are laughing by Jenna´s locker.
Gracie:
I´m gonna lose my hearing, if this continues!
Jenna:
I swear, all of last evening I had soundtrack going in my head of her worst hit notes of the day! Still, I´m glad you talked me into it. It´s been a barrel of laughs, I gotta say.
Gracie:
And did you see how happy she was? I´m starting to think that we deserve a raise for going above and beyond the call of duty!
They laugh, but stop when KC, a very attractive dark haired boy, comes over to them and opens his locker, that´s next to Jenna´s. Jenna immediately forgets about Gracie and tries to catch KC´s attention, which annoys Gracie.
Jenna:
Hi, KC. How´s it going?
KC:
Not too bad. You?
Jenna:
Honky Dory!
He looks a little confused at her answer and she becomes annoyed with herself instantly.
KC:
I´ll see you around. Hi, Gracie.
Gracie:
Hi, KC.
KC leaves them and Jenna sighs to herself.
Jenna:
"Honky Dory"! What am I, a clown from the 70´s?
Gracie:
He´s just another guy, Jenna!
Jenna:
He barely knows that I exist, doesn´t he?
She looks sad and Gracie sees the chance to score an advantage on him here.
Gracie:
Do you want the truth?
Jenna:
He has lots of girls that are much prettier than me fighting over him already, doesn´t he?
Gracie:
It would surprise me, if that wasn´t the case. I´m sorry, Jenna.
Jenna:
It´s okay. You can´t always get what you want. He´s just one of many, right?
Gracie:
Exactly and not worth wasting any more time on.
Jenna nods in understanding, thinking that Gracie only wants the best for her by saying so. Gracie knows that what she just did what wrong and quickly starts to feel guilty over it, since she cares so much for Jenna.
3. Int. Music Room. Day.
Eli and Mo are talking by themselves.
Mo:
They told me that we can only use the music room for the rest of the week. Otherwise they´re showing favoritism.
Eli:
What do we do then?
Mo:
Find somewhere else to rehearse, like all other bands do! But if we have to pay rent on a rehearsal room, we´re talking a much bigger investment than 8 bucks a week!
Eli sees what he means and tries to come up with something.
Eli:
Don´t your parents have garage, you can rehearse in?
Mo:
They would kick me out of the house and disown me, if I subjected them to that! So that would be a negative, Captain!
Eli:
Maybe I can think of some solution.
Mo:
You only have until the end of the week.
The door opens and Marisol smiles at them, before coming in to join them. They try to look happy to see her.
Marisol:
There´s my two favorite guys, after my dear old daddy, of course!
Mo:
Hi, Marisol. Is everything good?
Marisol:
Perfect and I have some news to share with you.
Eli:
First of all, how did you find me?
Marisol:
Actually, I wasn´t expecting to find you here. But ask people if they´ve seen a big teddy bear like Mo and it´s not hard to track him down!
Mo:
I can´t help being a little impressed! What´s the news?
Marisol:
The student council has decided, wait for it ... that, wait for it ...
Mo:
It´s gonna take a long time, if you keep doing that!
Marisol:
The live band that will play at the next school dance has to be a band from Degrassi! There´s pretty much no competition, so we´re sure to win!
Neither Mo or Eli know what to say to get out of this one.
Eli:
What do you have to do?
Marisol:
All you have to do is record at least one song and submit it on a CD to Sav Bhindari by the end of next week.
Mo sees a chance to get out of it, when he comes up with an idea.
Mo:
I´m sorry, but that´s not gonna work for me. I´m busy 24/7 all of next week!
Marisol:
Then it´s a good thing that I arranged with Sav, that he will record us tomorrow here after school, isn´t it?
Mo tries to look happy, but he´s absolutely stretching his acting abilities to the fullest!
Mo:
Bravo! You are one of a kind, Marisol!
Marisol:
This is our first step towards stardom, Mo! Today Degrassi, tomorrow the world!
She gives Eli a small kiss.
Marisol:
I have a movie for us to watch tonight. I think you´ll like it!
She winks at him and leaves them to take in what just happened.
Mo:
I don´t care how great the recording system is. There aren´t enough effects in the world to make her sound good!
Eli:
Not even auto tune?
Mo:
It has met it´s match! At least you´re getting something out of it!
Eli:
Don´t be too sure. The last time she said that, the movie she brought over was "Legally Blonde 2"!
Him and Mo make eye contact.
Mo:
She actually made you watch "Legally Blonde 2" with her?
Eli:
It was a lot funnier than I expected!
They both wonder what to do.
4. Ext. Degrassi. Day.
Marisol´s fellow band members are having an emergency meeting without her outside of the school. None of them pay any attention to Katie, who´s about to pass by them.
Imogen:
There has to be some extremely simple song, that she can sing decently!
Jenna:
"Wild Thing" is pretty easy to sing.
Mo:
It leaves room for improvisation. Any improvisation will give it away!
Gracie:
How about "Itsy Bitsy Spider"? My three year old cousin can sing that in key!
Mo:
It´s still too hard for her!
None of them notice that Katie has heard everything, probably because none of them know her yet.
5. Int. Hallway. Day.
Marisol is getting a big drink of water from the water fountain, when Katie comes over to her.
Marisol:
Ahh!
Katie:
Mare, I need to tell you something!
Marisol:
If it isn´t something nice or positive, then I don´t want to hear it!
Katie:
In this one case, I think, you will!
Marisol now looks interested in what she has to say.
6. Int. Music Room. Day.
Marisol is alone with Sav before the others get there.
Marisol:
I want you to tell me your honest unbiased opinion, okay?
Sav:
If that´s what you want, that´s what you´ll get!
Marisol:
If I´m off key at any point, don´t hesitate to tell me.
She clears her throat and gets ready to sing.
Marisol:
Don´t cry for me Argentina!
The truth is ...
Sav:
Stop! For the love of God, stop!
She looks surprised at his reaction.
Marisol:
Was I off key on a note?
Sav:
You never came close to hitting a note! I hate to be the one to tell you this, but you really need to leave the singing to those that can sing!
Marisol:
But my band mates said I was great!
Sav:
Sweetheart, they´re only saying that because they´re too nice to tell you the truth.
Marisol looks annoyed, then starts to put two or two together.
Marisol:
Either that or someone told them to be nice to me!
She gets her cell phone out and calls someone up.
Sav:
Who are you calling?
Marisol:
My boyfriend. After all, don´t you think he should be here for my big moment?
Sav:
You still want to go through with the recording?
Marisol:
No, but I want them to tell me the truth, before I tell them that I already know. Wanna help?
Sav seems to like that idea and nods.
Sav:
Sure. It could be fun.
Marisol:
Eli, hi! I was just thinking and I had what I think is the best idea, I´ve ever had in my life!
Sav looks to be looking forward to it.
7. Int. Hallway. Day.
Marisol´s bandmates and Eli are heading towards the music room.
Mo:
What exactly did she say?
Eli:
I didn´t get all of it, but she was naming some big numbers!
The girls look confused.
Imogen:
What do you mean by numbers?
Eli:
We´re about to find out!
He opens the door to the music room and they go inside.
8. Int. Music Room. Day.
Marisol´s band mates and Eli come in to where Marisol, Sav and a tall African American man is waiting for them. She also has a large cardboard box, that she´s written "MYSTERY BOX" on with a black magic marker. She greets them with a big smile.
Marisol:
Welcome, guys! We´ve been waiting for you.
Her bandmates and Eli look unsure of the situation, especially when they see the box.
Mo:
I thought, we were here to record.
Sav:
You are. I have everything set up for it.
Marisol:
This man is Mr. Crane, he´s my parent´s lawyer.
Mr. Crane:
It´s nice to meet you all.
Eli:
Why is he here?
Mr. Crane:
Her parents thought it was for the best, since we were talking about such an important occasion.
Marisol:
I´ve talked to my parents and they´ve agreed that I can invest my entire college fund in our band!
Her bandmates don´t know how to react, but Eli almost goes into a panic!
Eli:
Marisol, you can´t do that!
Marisol:
You all say that I´m such a huge talent and if singing is going to be my future, then ...
Eli:
You can´t sing, Marisol!
Jenna:
He´s right! When you try to use vibrato, it sounds like the death scream of a humpback whale!
Gracie:
When you hit a note, it´s only by blind luck!
Imogen:
You were being so nice and sweet, that we didn´t want to tell you.
Mo:
Just please, don´t use your college fund on this!
She pretends like this is all new to her and looks in fake disbelief.
Marisol:
No! You all said, I was great and I believed you! How could you do this to me?
Eli rushes over to her and looks very apologetic.
Eli:
It´s all my fault. You were so excited about being in a band and I just wanted you to be happy, because you´ve been such a great girlfriend and support for me. Please forgive me!
She looks like she´s thinking it over and looks up at her "lawyer".
Marisol:
What do you think, uncle Harold?
Harold:
What do I know? I´m just a gardener! Which reminds me, I have to get back to work.
Marisol:
Thanks for your help!
He leaves them. Her bandmates and Eli now see what´s going on. She smiles at them.
Mo:
How long have you known?
Marisol:
Since Sav told me the truth!
Sav:
How could you stand listening to that hour after hour?
Gracie:
Eli paid us two buck each per week.
Jenna:
Which must mean that since we only lasted a week, we made ...
Imogen:
Two dollars each.
Marisol:
That´s pretty cheap, Eli!
Eli:
Isn´t it the thought that counts?
Marisol:
That it is.
She gives him a kiss on the cheek and walks over to her mystery box.
Marisol:
Which is why that since you were so incredibly nice to me, considering that most of you had never met me before and I haven´t always been the nicest to you, Imogen, I think that all of you deserve an extra bonus. Jenna.
Jenna steps forward. Marisol gets a song book out of the box and hands it to her.
Marisol:
It has all of Joni Mitchell´s songs in it. I heard you say, that you like her music.
Jenna smiles widely and looks it over.
Jenna:
Thanks. This was really thoughtful.
Marisol:
Gracie.
Jenna steps back and Gracie steps forward. Marisol gets a black hoodie out of the box, that she hands to her.
Marisol:
Since they appear to be the only thing, you wear, I figured that having an extra one wouldn´t hurt. I made sure to buy it a size too large for you too.
Gracie:
Nice! Thanks.
She steps back to join Jenna.
Marisol:
Mo.
Mo steps forward and she hands him a gift certificate.
Marisol:
A fifty dollar gift certificate to The Dot.
Mo:
Thanks! It´s a shame that you can´t sing, otherwise I´d love to be your band mate!
He steps back to join the girls.
Marisol:
And finally Imogen.
Imogen steps forward.
Marisol:
Imogen, I have been so mean to you in the past, that I can´t tell you how ashamed I am of myself.
Imogen:
That´s okay.
Marisol:
No, it isn´t because I was being a little bitch, plain and simple!
Imogen smiles to herself.
Imogen:
Now that you say it ...
Marisol:
I was and yet, you´ve been so unbelievably nice to me this past week, that it warms my heart. First of all, I give you my solemn promise that I will never be mean to you again and if anyone is, then you just come and find me and I´ll deal with them! But you also deserve a present and for you I have a ...
She reaches down into the box and hands another gift certificate to Imogen, who looks at it with shock.
Imogen:
Marisol, I can´t take this!
She tries to hand it back to Marisol, who won´t take it.
Sav:
What is it?
Imogen:
It´s a two hundred dollar gift certificate for Drum City. Take it!
Marisol:
You´re not gonna get anywhere if all you have is that old drum kit in your basement. Use it to buy a new drum kit and start a band for real, the four of you! You sounded great! I was the one, who sucked! Do it as one final favor for me.
The band members look at one another and none of them look dismissive of it.
Mo:
It was a lot of fun, while it lasted. I´m game, if you girls are.
Gracie:
I wouldn´t mind continuing. If we get another lead singer, that is!
Imogen:
What do you say, Jenna? It wouldn´t be the same, if it wasn´t all four of us and none of us three are lead singer material.
Jenna:
I say that I think we have a band, for real this time!
Marisol looks pleased and Eli puts his arm around her.
Eli:
Don´t I get a present?
Marisol:
Didn´t you see how expensive my gifts for them were? You´ll have to settle for me.
Eli:
That´s the only gift, I ever wanted anyway!
They smile at each other.
9. Ext. Street. Day.
Jenna and Gracie are back waiting for the bus. Gracie is wearing her new hoodie.
Jenna:
What a day, huh?
Gracie:
Yeah! I´m not gonna forget this day soon!
Jenna:
Me neither! That hoodie looks great on you, by the way.
Gracie looks pleased.
Gracie:
You don´t think it looks the same as all of the other ones I have?
Jenna:
Just out of curiosity, how many do you have?
Gracie:
Six now, all plain black.
Jenna giggles.
Jenna:
At least you know what you like!
Gracie sees her chance to get it out and works up her nerve. She looks Jenna in the eyes.
Gracie:
Jenna, when you asked me last week, if you would be my ideal girlfriend ...
Jenna:
That was just for fun!
Gracie:
It was?
Gracie tries not to look disappointed.
Jenna:
It´s a moot point anyway. You like girls and I like boys, so it´s all speculation.
Gracie looks a little relieved to know for sure and eases up a little.
Jenna:
We would make for good room mates though.
She smiles at Gracie, who smiles back at her.
Gracie:
I think we would too. It´s gonna be fun playing in a band together, huh?
Jenna:
It´s something, I´ve never tried before!
Gracie:
Me neither, but I´m looking forward to getting started.
Gracie smiles to herself.
10. Int. Eli´s Room. Evening.
Eli and Marisol are snuggling on his couch.
Eli:
The gift certificates?
Marisol:
The one for the Dot, I got for my birthday and the one for Drum City, my mom won playing bingo. Like she´s ever gonna buy a drum kit!
Eli:
The hoodie?
Marisol:
My own closet. I had uncle Harold pick the things up from here on the way.
Eli:
You won´t miss it?
Marisol:
It looked like I was wearing a small tent, when I wore it! Some girls like Gracie look natural in skate wear, I just look like a big dope in it!
He laughs.
Eli:
That only leaves the songbook.
Marisol:
Bought from our school library for five bucks under the table. No one had checked it out in years, from what they told me!
Eli:
You are sneaky!
Marisol:
And you are an amazing boyfriend, you know that? How many boys would go through all of that trouble, just to put a smile on the face of their girlfriend?
Eli:
It´s you that makes me want to do nice things for you.
Marisol:
You get what you give, is that it?
Eli:
If you feel the need to quote the New Radicals!
She smiles at him.
Marisol:
I sort of feel like you deserve some sort of present.
Eli:
There is one thing I would really like and it won´t cost you a thing.
Marisol looks in doubt over it.
Marisol:
It´s not ... that ... is it?
Eli:
Just this one time!
Marisol:
Okay, if it´s that important to you!
She doesn´t look like she´s entirely looking forward to it!
11. Int. Drew´s Room. Evening.
Drew and Gracie are playing FIFA against each other on his console and it´s a tight game.
Gracie:
Looks like we´re going to extra time!
Drew:
I think you´re right!
We hear the ref´s whistle blow. Drew puts down his controller on his lap and stretches his fingers.
Gracie:
You really think, that´s gonna help you win?
Drew:
It´s worked before!
Gracie:
You and your superstitions! Can we get the game started again or what?
Drew:
Hold your horses! It´s not my fault that your crush turned out to be straight!
Gracie looks hurt and he feels bad immediately.
Drew:
Sorry, I didn´t mean to say it that way.
Gracie:
How did you mean to say it? Sorry Gracie, that you´re a freak that nobody will ever fall for and you´ll probably die a lonely, miserable virgin, who´s survived by her 90 cats!
Drew:
You could get a dog too, just to mix it up!
Gracie:
That´s not funny, Drew! I really like Jenna and it sucks to know that there´s no way I´ll ever get to do any of the things, I´ve been dreaming about doing with her. You don´t know what that´s like and you can´t say that you do, because there´s no way that you can!
She sulks and puts the controller down. He decides to try to cheer her up.
Drew:
Did you know that Dallas got turned down for a girl this past summer?
Gracie can´t help smiling a little bit.
Gracie:
He did?
Drew:
The first day of Summer, we were down at the pool and there was this life guard down there, incredibly hot like you wouldn´t believe! We were fighting hard not to get boners just from looking at her!
Gracie:
TMI, Drew!
Drew:
Anyway, he said that he could get with her if he wanted to and I said that there was no way he would, so we bet a hundred dollars that he could get one picture of them kissing on the lips by the end of the Summer. Let´s just say that Dallas wasted a lot of time down by the pool this past Summer!
Gracie can´t help laughing a little.
Drew:
It wasn´t until we saw her making out hot and heavy with her girlfriend, that he finally threw in the towel on the bet! I decided to let him get away with paying fifty though. I thought it was only fair!
Gracie:
I guess I´m not the only one, who doesn´t have luck in love!
Drew:
I got turned down by one girl after the next last year! If we´re talking batting average, my stats were in the toilet! But that´s part of growing up.
He gets a smile out of her and she picks up her controller again.
Gracie:
Thanks for telling me that story, bro.
Drew:
Don´t tell Dallas that I told you! His pride is still hurt over it. Ready?
Gracie:
Ready as I´ll ever be.
We hear the ref´s whistle, as they restart the game and Gracie looks ready to deal with the future, whatever it may bring her.
12. Int. Eli´s Bedroom. Day.
Eli lies down on his couch and gets as comfortable as possible.
Eli:
Okay, you can start now!
We hear "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" start up and along with Eli get treated to Marisol´s Whitney Houston miming show, hair brush, dance moves and 80´s look included! She´s certainly much better, when it isn´t her, that´s the one who´s singing!
CLOSING CREDITS