Chapter 10 - Secrets and Answers
Next day - Group, afternoon
Peter: Ok, we'll start off today by saying how we feel, Scott.
Scott: Happy, Auggie.
Auggie: Relaxed, Jules.
Juliette: Perky, David.
David: Thirsty, Ez. (Is cut off by Peter)
Peter: David, that is not a feeling, try again.
David: Perky! (Imitating Juliette's voice)
Peter: (sighing) I give up.
David: Good for you. (Peter waits for David to ask what he's given up on, but David doesn't.)
Peter: Don't you want to know what I've given up on?
David: Not really, but you can tell me if it'll make you feel better.
Peter: I've given up on trying to get you to open up.
David: (Under his breath.) Took long enough.
Peter: What did you say?
David: I said; can we have a party to celebrate.
Peter: (ignoring the comment.) I'm sick of your sarcasm.
David: Good for you.
Peter: You've been here for five months and you haven't been serious once.
David: Being serious is highly over rated in my opinion.
Peter: (sighing.) Scott, what do you know about David's life before Horizon?
Scott: (Confused.) Um. his parents are divorced, his father is a general, um.that's about it.
Peter: (nodding.) Jason you've been here for 2 weeks, what do you know about Scott?
Jason: Um. he used to play football and basketball, he broke his arm when he was in school, he's had 7 girlfriends, (Shelby glares at Jason) but none as serious as Shelby (Not wanting Scott to get in trouble with Shelby.) um. (Peter interrupts)
Peter: That's enough, (The cliff-hangers are confused about what Peter is saying.) You see David, you've been here for five months and we know nothing about you, while Jason's been here 2 weeks and he knows Scott's life story. What does that tell you?
David: All Scott talks about is himself?
Peter: (Getting annoyed.) No David! You hide behind sarcasm, that's what it tells you!
David: Hate to disappoint you, but I'm not Shelby.
Scott: (Under his breathe) Thank god.
Peter: (ignoring the comment and continuing.) You hide behind sarcasm for two reasons; do you know what they are?
David: No, care to enlighten me?
Peter: One is to try to show that you're strong, something your father has always put pressure on you to be and the other is to stop you're self from getting hurt. You've been dumped so many times by your parents and other people that you stop people from getting to know the real you, so it doesn't happen again. (David goes red)
David: You don't know what you're talking about.
Peter: Oh, don't I? Ok David then why are you so sarcastic?
David: (Sarcastic.) Cos, I'm naturally hilarious, why starve the world of my humour?
Peter: This is exactly what I mean.
David: (Standing up and walking over to the door.) This is stupid. (Just then Sophie walks through the door, stopping David from leaving.)
Peter: David, sit down. (David walks back to his chair and sits down.) If you want to prove you don't push people away, tell us why you don't like your father.
David: (He sits there for a while, trying to think of something to say. He looks up and sees everyone looking at him.) (Whispering) Why are you doing this? (To Peter)
Peter: It's for your own good. (David sits there bitting his lip wanting to be anywhere but there. After a while David looks up at Peter.)
David: (Whispering) Because I can't live up to his expectations.
Peter: What would he do when you did something wrong?
David: (Still whispering) He would hit me.
Peter: (Shocked because David's father didn't seem the type.) With his hand? (Hoping it's not that serious.)
David: (Holding back tears) Nuh, with stuff.
Peter: Like what?
David: Belts, wood. (Peter doesn't say anything.) You don't believe me! (Getting angry)
Peter: Of course I do. (But there is doubt in his voice.)
David: (Stands up.) You want proof? (He takes off his shirt and shows Peter his back, there are scars zigzagged down his back. The cliff-hangers have never seen them before because David always swims with his shirt on, because he says he gets sunburnt easily.) Now that I've opened up, can I go now or do you want to lock me up in a cell, ready for my hanging? (Going back to sarcasm)
Peter: Uh, yeah you can all go. (They all leave without saying a word.)
Peter's office
Peter is sitting at his desk reading a book, Sophie walks in.
Sophie: Tough session, huh.
Peter: mmmm. (Still reading.)
Sophie: What are you reading? (She reads over his shoulder.) (Reading.) Self inflicted injuries. (Surprised) You think David did that to himself?
Peter: I don't know, (He puts down the book) his father just doesn't seem the type and what do we really know about this kid anyway?
Sophie: We know him well enough to know he wouldn't make something like this up.
Peter: Maybe, can you go get him for me.
Sophie: Ok. (Hesitating, she leaves to find David)
Peter's office - Later
David walks in.
David: You rang (Grinning stupidly to cover how nervous he is.)
Peter: Ah, yes David, sit down. (David sits. Peter takes a deep breath.) David, have you ever cut yourself on peropus?
David: What? No! (Confused, then he realises what Peter is hinting at.) I didn't, it wasn't me that, I didn't hit myself to get those scars!
Peter: Ok. (Not believing him.)
David: I didn't! Why won't you believe me?
Peter: (Admitting) David, I've met your father and he doesn't seem the type.
David: Oh, yeah, that'd be right, take his word over mine, cos he's the big, important general and I'm the pathetic, failure of a son. (Standing up) This is why I didn't tell anyone! What'd he say exactly?
Peter: I haven't talked to him yet. (David sits back down in shock)
David: (Trying to work it out.) So. you don't believe me not because he denied it, but because you just don't trust me? Great, even better.
Peter: You want me to ring him now?
David: No! I don't want him to know I told you!
Peter: Fine then, you can go.
David: (Stands up.) You still don't believe me! (Peter doesn't say anything.) Fine, call him. (He sits back down.)
Peter: Ok. (He picks up the phone and dials. David looks terrified, Peter looks away from him.) Hello, General Ruxton? It's Peter Scarbrow from Mt Horizon.. I'm here with David.. No, nothing has happened to him.. Um, I hate to have to ask you this, but David has claimed that you used to, um, hit him....you did? (Surprised, not sure of what to say).. May I ask why...oh I see, I would appreciate it if you could maybe come up this weekend, so we can talk about it.. yes, I'll see you then. goodbye. (He hangs up. David is shaking and trying to hide it.)
David: See, what'd I say. (Hiding his fear behind sarcasm)
Peter: (Worried that David's father admitted it so casually.) I'm so sorry .
David: (Interrupting. Says coldly.) Don't bother. (He gets up to leave.)
Peter: David! Come back. (David shuts the door.)
Next day - Group, afternoon
Peter: Ok, we'll start off today by saying how we feel, Scott.
Scott: Happy, Auggie.
Auggie: Relaxed, Jules.
Juliette: Perky, David.
David: Thirsty, Ez. (Is cut off by Peter)
Peter: David, that is not a feeling, try again.
David: Perky! (Imitating Juliette's voice)
Peter: (sighing) I give up.
David: Good for you. (Peter waits for David to ask what he's given up on, but David doesn't.)
Peter: Don't you want to know what I've given up on?
David: Not really, but you can tell me if it'll make you feel better.
Peter: I've given up on trying to get you to open up.
David: (Under his breath.) Took long enough.
Peter: What did you say?
David: I said; can we have a party to celebrate.
Peter: (ignoring the comment.) I'm sick of your sarcasm.
David: Good for you.
Peter: You've been here for five months and you haven't been serious once.
David: Being serious is highly over rated in my opinion.
Peter: (sighing.) Scott, what do you know about David's life before Horizon?
Scott: (Confused.) Um. his parents are divorced, his father is a general, um.that's about it.
Peter: (nodding.) Jason you've been here for 2 weeks, what do you know about Scott?
Jason: Um. he used to play football and basketball, he broke his arm when he was in school, he's had 7 girlfriends, (Shelby glares at Jason) but none as serious as Shelby (Not wanting Scott to get in trouble with Shelby.) um. (Peter interrupts)
Peter: That's enough, (The cliff-hangers are confused about what Peter is saying.) You see David, you've been here for five months and we know nothing about you, while Jason's been here 2 weeks and he knows Scott's life story. What does that tell you?
David: All Scott talks about is himself?
Peter: (Getting annoyed.) No David! You hide behind sarcasm, that's what it tells you!
David: Hate to disappoint you, but I'm not Shelby.
Scott: (Under his breathe) Thank god.
Peter: (ignoring the comment and continuing.) You hide behind sarcasm for two reasons; do you know what they are?
David: No, care to enlighten me?
Peter: One is to try to show that you're strong, something your father has always put pressure on you to be and the other is to stop you're self from getting hurt. You've been dumped so many times by your parents and other people that you stop people from getting to know the real you, so it doesn't happen again. (David goes red)
David: You don't know what you're talking about.
Peter: Oh, don't I? Ok David then why are you so sarcastic?
David: (Sarcastic.) Cos, I'm naturally hilarious, why starve the world of my humour?
Peter: This is exactly what I mean.
David: (Standing up and walking over to the door.) This is stupid. (Just then Sophie walks through the door, stopping David from leaving.)
Peter: David, sit down. (David walks back to his chair and sits down.) If you want to prove you don't push people away, tell us why you don't like your father.
David: (He sits there for a while, trying to think of something to say. He looks up and sees everyone looking at him.) (Whispering) Why are you doing this? (To Peter)
Peter: It's for your own good. (David sits there bitting his lip wanting to be anywhere but there. After a while David looks up at Peter.)
David: (Whispering) Because I can't live up to his expectations.
Peter: What would he do when you did something wrong?
David: (Still whispering) He would hit me.
Peter: (Shocked because David's father didn't seem the type.) With his hand? (Hoping it's not that serious.)
David: (Holding back tears) Nuh, with stuff.
Peter: Like what?
David: Belts, wood. (Peter doesn't say anything.) You don't believe me! (Getting angry)
Peter: Of course I do. (But there is doubt in his voice.)
David: (Stands up.) You want proof? (He takes off his shirt and shows Peter his back, there are scars zigzagged down his back. The cliff-hangers have never seen them before because David always swims with his shirt on, because he says he gets sunburnt easily.) Now that I've opened up, can I go now or do you want to lock me up in a cell, ready for my hanging? (Going back to sarcasm)
Peter: Uh, yeah you can all go. (They all leave without saying a word.)
Peter's office
Peter is sitting at his desk reading a book, Sophie walks in.
Sophie: Tough session, huh.
Peter: mmmm. (Still reading.)
Sophie: What are you reading? (She reads over his shoulder.) (Reading.) Self inflicted injuries. (Surprised) You think David did that to himself?
Peter: I don't know, (He puts down the book) his father just doesn't seem the type and what do we really know about this kid anyway?
Sophie: We know him well enough to know he wouldn't make something like this up.
Peter: Maybe, can you go get him for me.
Sophie: Ok. (Hesitating, she leaves to find David)
Peter's office - Later
David walks in.
David: You rang (Grinning stupidly to cover how nervous he is.)
Peter: Ah, yes David, sit down. (David sits. Peter takes a deep breath.) David, have you ever cut yourself on peropus?
David: What? No! (Confused, then he realises what Peter is hinting at.) I didn't, it wasn't me that, I didn't hit myself to get those scars!
Peter: Ok. (Not believing him.)
David: I didn't! Why won't you believe me?
Peter: (Admitting) David, I've met your father and he doesn't seem the type.
David: Oh, yeah, that'd be right, take his word over mine, cos he's the big, important general and I'm the pathetic, failure of a son. (Standing up) This is why I didn't tell anyone! What'd he say exactly?
Peter: I haven't talked to him yet. (David sits back down in shock)
David: (Trying to work it out.) So. you don't believe me not because he denied it, but because you just don't trust me? Great, even better.
Peter: You want me to ring him now?
David: No! I don't want him to know I told you!
Peter: Fine then, you can go.
David: (Stands up.) You still don't believe me! (Peter doesn't say anything.) Fine, call him. (He sits back down.)
Peter: Ok. (He picks up the phone and dials. David looks terrified, Peter looks away from him.) Hello, General Ruxton? It's Peter Scarbrow from Mt Horizon.. I'm here with David.. No, nothing has happened to him.. Um, I hate to have to ask you this, but David has claimed that you used to, um, hit him....you did? (Surprised, not sure of what to say).. May I ask why...oh I see, I would appreciate it if you could maybe come up this weekend, so we can talk about it.. yes, I'll see you then. goodbye. (He hangs up. David is shaking and trying to hide it.)
David: See, what'd I say. (Hiding his fear behind sarcasm)
Peter: (Worried that David's father admitted it so casually.) I'm so sorry .
David: (Interrupting. Says coldly.) Don't bother. (He gets up to leave.)
Peter: David! Come back. (David shuts the door.)