~~~{ Act III }~~~
Quinn's party starts to go sour
Scene opens with usual wide establishing shot of the Morgendorffer homestead - however, there are several major differences. Besides Sandi's convertible, there are now nearly a dozen vehicles parked out front of the house, and Kevin's jeep is even halfway up on the lawn, and another is partway into the hedge by the driveway. Several kids can be seen throwing a Frisbee and a football around, and a couple that look suspiciously like Kevin and Brittany are seen sneaking around the corner of the garage. Loud dance music continues to play throughout (Apollo 440 - Can't stop the rock)
Scene changes to interior of living room. Several couples are dancing in the living room and about half of them have a drink of some sort. In the background of the dancers, Tiffany, Sandy, Evan and Robert are sitting on one of the sofas. Shot zooms in as Robert and Evan exchange a nod and Evan pulls a large water bottle with some kind of apple/berry logo in it out of his duffel bag and pours a large dose of what's in it into the girls' glasses.
Shot changes to one with the four in the foreground and Quinn and Stacy in the background in the entrance to the kitchen. Each has their own drinks of something decidedly more benign. Stacy notices the others and points them out to Quinn as she takes a sip from her own drink.
Stacy: Quinn, look!
Quinn turns her head to see the goings on with Tiffany, Sandi, et al.
Quinn (frowns slightly): Oh no. Trust Sandi to hook up with the guys with the bottle.
Stacy: Yeah, I know. (beat) But, she's President of the Fashion Club. Isn't that, I don't know, a rule or something?
Quinn (eyeing Sandi): Hmmm. C'mon, Stacy.
Quinn walks over to where Sandi and Tiffany are seated with the other two boys, Stacy in tow and looking nervous. Quinn comes up behind Sandi and Robert, pointedly leaning in between the two.
Quinn: Hhiii, Robert, Sandi. How are you guys enjoying the party?
Sandi (haughty): Kuh-winn, I was just telling Rrrrobert here that your choice of liquid refreshments was becoming, shall we say, a little flat? He and Evan were kind enough to offer something a little more sophisticated.
Quinn (raises and eyebrow at Sandi): Really...
Sandi: Yes. Really.
Tiffany eyes the drink that Evan poured her.
Tiffany (sniffs her drink): Whaaatttss iiinnn iiitt?
Evan (chuckles): A little of this, a little of that, a lot of dreams. Mix in a little fruit juice and it all goes down nice and smooth.
Tiffany: Oh, ookaaaayyy.
Tiffany puts on a brave face and takes a very deliberate pull off of her drink. Almost immediately, her eyes go wide and her hand shoots up to her mouth as she forces herself to swallow the obviously vile concoction. She places her hand on her chest and starts coughing furiously. Sandi and the two boys start chuckling.
Tiffany (coughing): Yeee cough coughaaahhh, ssmmoocoughooth.
Sandi smirks at Tiffany in that superior way she has. Sandy looks at Tiffany, somewhat concerned, and Quinn looks at her with some curiosity.
Sandi: Really, Tiffany, dear. That is so unladylike.
Sandi then takes a hefty drink from her own glass. Her eyes go wide as she gets a decent taste of the mixture, but she doesn't react beyond that, and swallows hard a couple of times.
Sandi (hoarsely): Wow! (clears throat) It's, like, a little strong, but not bad. (shoots a look at Quinn) Care to try some, Quinn?
Evan: Yeah Quinn, have some!
Quinn (being slightly coy about it): Ohh, I don't know, I'm really not much of a drinker, Evan.
Sandi (under her breath): Suuurrree you're aren't.
Quinn heard that and shoots Sandi a dirty look, but keeps her coy tone.
Quinn: Just a little bit, please.
Stacy (nervously, as she steps forward): Me too, please.
As Evan pours, Kevin and Brittany come walking up to the group. Brittany has a slightly glazed look to her eyes.
Kevin: Dude! Hey, you brought it!
Evan: Of course! Can't let a party go by without breaking out some of the good stuff!
Kevin: All riiiight! (Knocks back the rest of his drink, then holds out his plastic cup) Hit me, dude!
Shot changes POV to Quinn and Stacy's side of the sofa. As Evan pours, Quinn straightens up and regards her glass for a moment before starting to take a sip. Stacy smells her drink, then stops Quinn, and is looking a little more nervous than normal.
Stacy: I don't know about this, Quinn. This stuff is rank.
Behind Stacy and Quinn, Kevin has started chugging down his drink.
Evan: You want some, Brittany?
Brittany (slightly slurred, but still perky): No thanks, I've got some of what Brandon brought with him.
Kevin (finishing his drink loudly): Paaaahhhh! (holds out his cup to Evan) Hit me again, dude! (looks momentarily concerned) You bring enough?
Evan: Don't I always? (starts pouring again)
Quinn and Stacy have been watching the exchange, then turn back to each other.
Stacy: I really don't know about this!
Quinn: Oh, come on, Stacy!. How bad could it be?
Quinn lifts her glass to her mouth again, wincing slightly at the smell as she takes a drink. Almost as soon as she gets a decent taste of what she was given, her eyes get wide as well. She grabs her throat with her free hand and manages to choke down the small sip that she has taken. Stacy has wisely chosen not to try her drink at all after seeing the effect on Tiffany and Quinn. Quinn coughs a couple of times as she glares at the offending libation.
Quinn: Eeewwwww!! Yuck!! This stuff is gross! (looks at Stacy) Well, you did warn me. Didn't you try yours?
Stacy Um . . .No, I didn't.
Quinn: Why not?
Stacy: Because I tried it at the last party Robert and Evan brought this stuff too. (a little embarrassed) Remember when I threw up in the bushes?
Quinn (looking to the side, trying to remember): You mean the time we saw Sandi showing her . . .
Stacy (nodding): . . . To those football players from Oakwood. Uh - huh.
Quinn gets a thoughtful expression on her face that turns into a rather evil smirk.
Quinn: Come on, Stacy. Let's go and get something that doesn't taste like gasoline smells.
The two turn and begin to walk towards the stairs, and the shot pans to follow them.
Quinn (con't): And while we're at it, we'll see if we can find my dad's camcorder too...
Pan continues to follow them until Quinn and Stacy pass by Mack and Jodie, who are leaning against the wall next to the staircase. Both look tired, but happy.
Jodie: You know, Mack, you were right. I did need to take some time out to relax. I feel a lot better.
Mack: See, I keep telling you that you need to take time out from all those extracurriculars and enjoy life a little. And what do you know, it seems I was right!
Jodie (chuckles): Don't sprain your shoulder patting yourself on the back. The football team would never recover.
Mack (chuckles also): Don't worry. I never pat myself on the back with the same arm I pass with. That way, I'm able to do both.
Mack and Jodie have a good laugh at that as Mack glances around the room. He spots Kevin, Sandi, et. al, with their drinking, and he stops laughing. Mack's face turns into a frown.
Mack (disgusted): Oh man.
Jodie: What? What is it?
Mack: Those guys over there (Mack nods in the drinkers' direction). You'd think that those guys could leave that stuff alone for one night and just plain have fun!
Jodie looks in the same direction Mack is and sees the group.
Jodie (flatly): Let me guess. That stuff is spiked.
Mack: Oh, it's spiked all right. It's mostly Texas Everclear mixed with some kind of apple / berry juice.
Jodie gives Mack a strange look. Mack notices, and looks a little embarrassed.
Mack (off Jodie's look): I broke down and tried it once, okay?
Both of them hold the look for a moment before they both get a case of the giggles, and the tension is broken.
Mack: Do you want to get out of here?
Jodie: Yeah. I'm going to say 'goodbye' to Quinn first. She is our hostess, after all.
Mack: Okay. (Straightens up from wall) I'm going to go make sure that Evan and Kevin don't kill somebody.
Jodie (also straightens up and follows Mack o/s): How are you going to do that?
Mack (leaving screen): Swipe their distributor cables.
Jodie (giggles): Good plan!
Jane and Tom hook up at the concert
Establishing shot of Mystic Spiral's side of the stage as they finish up their set with "Mister Normal" (from "Jane's Addition"). Daria is sitting in the first row on the M.S. side of the stage, tapping her foot along with the music and observing the audience. The audience seems to really be getting into their music.
Daria occasionally shoots a look towards the opposite side of the stage, where Tom and Jane have gotten a couple of seats in the second row and are talking. They are leaning in and talking loudly, occasionally gesturing, but are unheard due to the music. Whenever Jane or Tom look in her direction, Daria manages to be looking at the band or at something else entirely.
The camera angle changes to a shot of Daria's right profile.
Daria: (v/o in stern voice): Dammit, what is Tom doing here?
Camera angle changes to a shot of Daria's left profile, zooms in slightly.
Daria (v/o calm voice) You know that Jane wouldn't have talked you into coming out here if she knew that Tom would be here.
Back to right profile, zooms in a little more.
Daria (v/o, stern) If she hadn't gone running over there the second that she spotted him, he probably wouldn't have noticed that we were here at all!
Back to left profile, zooms in a little more.
Daria (v/o, calm): Actually, he would probably have determined that one or both of us was here when Trent and the others took the stage.
Back to right profile, zooms in a little more.
Daria (v/o, stern): Yeah, well, that doesn't mean that she had to go running off with him - again!
Back to left profile, zooms in a little more.
Daria (v/o calm) True, but if I know Jane, she'll be back.
Back to right profile, finishes zooming in to end with a nice close up.
Daria (v/o, stern, frowns slightly): Hmph. It still stinks.
Shot changes to medium of Daria sitting and watching the band, but from above and behind her p.o.v. As Mystic Spiral starts to do the few lines that we know of Mister Normal (the ones they actually sang in JA), Jane comes on screen from Daria's right, working her way down the second row. She gets Daria's attention by putting a hand on her shoulder. They have to talk loudly to be heard over the band.
Trent and Jesse (singing): Who shot the hippies? Who locked them in a zoo? Who gagged the beatniks? Who filled their mouths with glue? Who crushed the bohos? Who turned their work to poo? Hey, Mr. Normal, it was you!
Jane: Hey Daria! I told you that they had been practicing. Sound pretty good, don't they?
Daria (glances back): Yeah, they've definitely improved.
Trent and Jessie (singing): Hey, Mr. Normal, it was you!
The band finishes the last of their song and a cheer rises up from the crowd. Shot changes to a wide shot of the Mystik Spiral, and they seem to be a little surprised at how good the reaction of the crowd is. Trent steps back up to the mic.
Trent (jazzed at the crowds reaction): Yeah! We're Mystic Spiral. If you liked what you heard tonight, come see us at the Zon next weekend for more. Thank you!
The crowd cheers again as a lady in a red T-shirt and jeans comes up to the mic and the stage hands start in on the instruments, with the band's help. Shot changes back to Daria and Jane as the lady starts announcing the next group.
Jane (looking at the crowd): Dang, I'll bet Trent wasn't expecting this.
Daria: Probably not.
About this point, Jane notices that Daria hasn't looked her in the eye since she sat down. Jane climbs over the back of the chair in front of her and sits down next to Daria.
Daria (deadpan): Is this where you tell me you'll be back for the second set again?
Jane: What?
Daria: Did you ever find out what Tom was doing here since he's not in a band?
Jane: (v/o) That's not what you said. (speaks) Yeah, I did. Turns out that Tom's mom and the bass player's mom are friends. She co-signed a loan that got them a lot of their instruments and stuff. Tom drew the short straw and got to come out and see how they were doing.
Daria (deadpan): I see.
Jane: Yeah, uh-huh. So, what's really the matter?
Daria: Nothing.
Jane: C'mon, Daria. You haven't looked at me for more than a tenth of a second since I sat down. What's up?
Daria turns and looks right at Jane. Her face is set hard as she tries to maintain her usual deadpan expression. Jane, however, sees right through it.
Daria: Is this better?
Jane: I knew it. You're angry about something. What is it, amiga?
Daria: Did you tell Tom that we were going to be here?
Jane: What!?
Daria: I said 'Did you -'
Jane: I heard you the first time! What made you think that I would've told Tom that we were coming here?
Daria: Yesterday, you promised me that he wouldn't be here, and the next thing that I know you're disappearing with him again!
Jane: What do you mean "again?"
Daria (ignoring Jane's question): We were supposed to be here to support your brother, but instead you go traipsing off with (snide) 'Young Thomas' (normal) again, just when somebody needs you.
Jane (Where the hell did this come from?): Whoa, Daria, slow down! They didn't need any help getting the band's stuff up on stage. With the stage hands' help, they got all that up there a lot quicker than they would have with you and me helping.
Daria (openly angry): Dammit, Jane, that's not what I'm talking about at all!!
Jane (defensive): Well, then I wish you'd bring me up to date, because I'm just a little lost here! Just what, specifically, are you talking about?
Daria looks caught. She's gone off on a tear without really thinking about why, and that's a first for her. Jane is glaring at Daria, not about to let her off the hook.
Daria (recovering): I'm talking about how it was supposed to be just you and me today! First I get doused in blue and yellow paint at that stupid parade and have to spend half the night in the shower trying to get that crap out of my hair! Then I get dragged off to that stupid business symposium with my dad, only there I get pulled out of bed before the crack of dawn to watch him fly a balloon into a tree! And finally, just when I thought that this week was starting to improve, your boyfriend has to show up here and screw everything up!
Cut to close up of Jane as she looks at Daria, side eyed at her friend's outburst. He disbelief slowly changes to understanding as the light dawns.
Jane: I don't believe it -- You're jealous!
Daria: What?!
Cut back to previous medium shot of Daria and Jane.
Jane (not backing down): You practically spelled it out for me just now! You're jealous of me and Tom.
Daria (defensively): You're insane! I am not remotely jealous of you and Tom!
Jane (crosses her arms): Well, then I'd like to see you come up with a better explanation.
Daria stammers for a second, then is "rescued" by Trent, who comes into the frame. He looks like he's been through the ringer, but has a smile a yard wide and looks willing to go through it again in a heartbeat.
Trent (out of breath): Janey! Daria! Did you hear that? I can't believe --
Daria stands up and cuts Trent off.
Daria: Trent, I need to get out of here. Now. Would you give me a ride home?
Trent (really confused): Huh?
Jane: Daria, you don't need to --
Daria shoots Jane a dirty look and then turns back to Trent.
Daria: Trent, I really need to get out of here right now. You can be there and back before they announce the winners. (She starts to walk out of the shot) Please don't make me have to hitch a ride.
Trent watches Daria walk off, then turns back to Jane. Trent still looks really confused.
Trent (points after Daria with a thumb): Jane, what's going on?
Jane (looking lost): As soon as somebody explains it to me, I'll explain it to you. Meantime, you'd better give her a ride home before she hooks up with some nut-job and ends up in a ditch someplace.
Trent (looking after Daria): Yeah, maybe I'd better.
Trent walks off after Daria.. The shot then zooms in slightly on Jane, who hooks her arms over the back of the chairs on either side of her and slouches down a little in her own. She looks at the toes of her boots and shakes her head slightly, a small, sad smile forming.
Scene fades to split of Evan pouring drinks, and the overhead of Mystik Spiral and company's hands. Music is opening of Phil Colins' "Land of Confusion."
