ACT ONE
FADE IN:
ENT. PRINCIPAL KRUPPS' OFFICE - DAY
Krupps is sittign at his desk, busy working on something or
other, when there is a rap on the doorframe. He looks up to
see Sam standing in the doorway.
KRUPPS
(beckoning)
Ah, Sam! Come in. Close the door.
Sam takes a cautious step into the office, obediently shutting
the door behind her, and Krupps motions for her to sit down.
SAM
(sitting)
You wanted to see me, Principal
Krupps?
KRUPPS
Yes, indeed. There's a matter of
grave importance we need to
discuss. Very serious business.
Sam practically sweats bullets at this point.
SAM
Mr. Krupps, I don't know what
people are saying about me, but—
KRUPPS
(cutting her off)
Oh, they have been saying, Sam,
they have been saying. Principals
have ways of hearing things, you
know.
Sam looks to be about one syllable from fleeing the school, and
probably the country.
KRUPPS (CONT'D)
And I've been hearing very good
things about you, Sam. I knew from
the moment I laid eyes on you, I
said, "Now there'ws the girl to put
your money on, Calvin."
Sam doesn't quite seem to know how to respond to that; so the
resulting response is silence.
KRUPPS (CONT'D)
And that's why I knew you were
exactly the right person to come to
with this.
Finally Sam spots an exploitable opening.
SAM
Uh—Mr. Krupps? Come to with WHAT?
Suddenly Krupps realizes he's gotten ahead of himself. He
leans over the desk conspiratorily.
KRUPPS
You understand, Sam, this is
EXTREMELY confidential.
Sam nods, wide-eyed.
KRUPPS (CONT'D)
Oh—and this is all completely off
the record, of course.
SAM
(still nodding)
Absolutely.
KRUPPS
All right.
He reaches into a desk drawer and pulls out a file folder with
"CONFIDENTIAL" stamped in red across the cover.
KRUPPS
I'm sure you heard that Lindsay
Robey transferred before the break.
Sam's brow furls in thought.
SAM
Yeah—she went into an independent-
study program, right?
KRUPPS
That's the official story. Almost
nobody know the REAL reason Miss
Robey left.
He pushes the file across the desk. With no small amount of
trepidation, Sam picks it up and carefully opens it. She reads
for only a few seconds before her eyes bug out, and she looks
up at him in disbelief.
SAM
(incredulous)
You're serious? The Treasurer of
the Student Body Fund? CHECK
KITING?
KRUPPS
It's very serious, Sam. Needless
to say, the Board was very...
disturbed.
SAM
(idly, reading)
I can imagine.
She closes the folder.
SAM
But—with all due respect, Mr.
Krupps—
KRUPPS
(smiling benevolently)
You don't understand what this has
to do with you.
SAM
Uh...no, Sir...
Then a thought strikes her, and her eyes go wide again. She
doesn't even have to say anything; Krupps nods at her reaction
KRUPPS
Exactly, Sam.
SAM
B-but—
KRUPPS
No buts, Sam. The General Fund
needs a new Treasurer. The Board
is very leery right now. There's
some sentiment for putting a
faculty member in charge. But
traditionally it's always been a
student's job, and as you know, I
am a man a tradition.
Whether she knows this or not, Sam is back to just nodding
along.
KRUPPS
(earnestly)
There's no other choice, Sam. It
has to be you. Frankly, you're the
most trustworthy student in the
whole school. And, with your track
record, you're the only student I
can sell to the Board.
It's clear that Krupps' stroking of Sam's ego is having an
effect.
SAM
Mr. Krupps... I appreciate the
offer, I really do—
He cuts her off before she can get to the "but."
KRUPPS
Please do this, Sam. I know that
your job puts a great deal of
strain on your schedule. I promise
I'll do whatever I can to make
things easier for you
SAM
(wavering)
Well...I really don't have time
after school...
KRUPPS
I completely understand. I'll
clear school time for you, if
necessary.
Sam's face wanders indecisvely.
KRUPPS (CONT'D)
You'd be doing a great school for
Kennedy. And for me.
SAM
I guess I COULD take some time
during lunch—
Krupps slides through that barest opening with lightening
speed.
KRUPPS
It's settled, then! I'll make the
announcement right away, and inform
the Board.
Before Sam can react much at all, Krupps is around his desk
and pumping her hand.
KRUPSS (CONT'D)
Thank you, Sam. You have my
personal gratitude, and I'm sure
the entire school's, as well.
Sam seems to be just now catching up.
SAM
Uh...well, I'm happy to help the
school...
Krupps half-pulls Sam out of her seat, ushering her to the door
and out.
KRUPPS (CONT'D)
(callin)
Shirley? Give Sam here a pass to
her next class.
He stops Sam just long enough to shake her hand again..
KRUPPS (CONT'D)
Thank you again for agreeing to do
this. I know you're the perfect
person for the job.
And with that, they part ways.
CUT TO:
INT. SOCIAL STUDIES CLASS - MOMENTS LATER.
Class in progress. Osbourne has the floor.
OSBOURNE
...now, if you'll all find the
section marked, "A Study in
Cultural Friction"—I believe it's
on page three twenty-seven—
The door opens and Sam not-quite-rushes in.
OSBOURNE
Ah, Miss McPherson. Tardy?
She hands him her pass.
SAM
Sorry.
OSBOURNE
(reading the pass)
Well. I can't very well trump
Principal Krupps for your
attention, can I? Consider the
tardy erased from your record.
Somewhat embarrassed, Sam takes her seat. But before Osbroune
can resume the lesson, the P.A. speaker chimes.
KRUPPS (V.O.)
(over the speaker)
Attention, please. As you know,
our Student Body General Fund
Treasurer, Linsdey Robey,
transferred away from Kennedy
before Christmas. I am, at this
time, pleased to announce that,
effective immediately, Sam
McPherson will be taking over as
Student Body Fund Treasurer.
The muted reaction in the classroom only serves to further
embarrass Sam.
KRUPPS (V.O.) (CONT'D)
I'm sure everyone knows Sam as one
of our best and brightest here at
Kennedy. And I'm sure she can
count on everone's complete
support. Congratulations, Sam!
The speaker clicks off. Brooke, Lily, Carmen and Natalie share
a disturbed look—and then Brooke shares it with Osbourne, a
fatalistic shakeof the head that answers his unspoken question.
MARY CHERRY
(indignant)
Hell's bells! Treasurer? That job
oughta be MINE! Why, money's
nature to a Cherry!
LILY
(skeptically)
Yeah, SPENDING it, Mary Cherry, not
MANAGING it.
Mary Cherry subsides with a huff; Osbourne retakes control of
the class.
OSBOURNE
(neutrally)
Yes, congratulations, Sam. Now, if
could all continue with "A Study in
Cultural Friction"...
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. SOCIAL STUDIES CLASS - LATER
The end of class: everyone is filing out the door; while
Osbourne watches them pass from behind his desk.
OSBOURNE
Miss McQueen—can I see you for a
moment?
Unnoticed, Brooke touches Lily's arm, and when the crowd
clears, Osbourne finds them both standing before him.
OSBOURNE (CONT'D)
(unperturbed)
I assume by your presence here,
Mrs. Ford, that you're aware of the
subject of this conversation?
Lily nods grimly.
LILY
I'm afraid so, Mr. Osbourne.
OSBOURNE
Very well. Miss McQueen, some
weeks ago you requested my silence
regarding Miss McPherson's problem—
which I agreed to in order that you
and your friends might persuade her
to change her behavior.
He leans forward, lacing his fingers together on the desk.
OSBOURNE (CONT'D)
I believe you're now going to tell
me that your attempts at persuasion
have been unsuccessful.
Brooke shuffles her feet, downcast.
BROOKE
I've tried—
(gesturing)
—we've tried. She won't listen to
us. Hardly anyone sees her outside
school. Her whole life is work and
raving—
LILY
(clarifying)
She goes to raves. Parties. She's
not—you know, raving mad or
anything.
OSBOURNE
(drolly)
Yes, Mrs. Ford. I wouldn't
recommend use of the word "raving"
in that context, but I understand
the distinction.
(to Brooke)
Please continue, Miss McQueen.
BROOKE
I've been asking around—
LILY
(aside to Brooke)
You have?
Brooke throws a slight nod to Lily, and continues on.
BROOKE
She's definitely buying on campus.
Pills, I heard. Uppers...
OSBOURNE
Anphetemines.
BROOKE
(nods)
Maybe designer drugs—I'm not sure.
(suddenly embarrassed)
I mean, it's, it's not like I—
Osbourne holds up a reassuring hand.
OSBOURNE
You are a popular and influential
student, Miss McQueen. Trust me,
your..."working knowledge" of this
school casts no aspersions upon
your own character.
Brooke seems greatly relieved at that.
OSBOURNE (CONT'D)
I trust you also understand that
I'll now have to bring Miss
McPherson's activities to the
attention of higher authorities.
Brooke gives him a sad, tiny nod of acquiescence, which in turn
draws concern from Lily.
LILY
Brooke?
Brooke turns to her wearily.
BROOKE
I can't Lily. I tried keeping it a
secret—it just ate me up inside.
I— There's nothing we can do for
Sam. We just have to face it.
LILY
But... Brooke, it just seems so...
OSBOURNE
Miss McQueen is correct, Mrs. Ford.
I applaud your efforts to aid her
step-sister, but in certain
circumstances the intervention must
be staged by those with the power
to enforce it.
(to Brooke)
I appreciate your candor, Miss
McQueen. I give you my word, I'll
do whatever is necessary to get
Miss McPherson the help she needs.
(pause)
And...whatever Principal Krupps may
think—I believe you have proven to
be one of Kennedy's "best and
brightest" yourself. I certainly
wouldn't wish for more in a
student.
Brooke flushes at this praise.
OSBOURNE (CONT'D)
(back to business)
Now—you should both hurry to your
next class.
The girls look up at the clock and realize he's right. Lily
is first out the door.
LILY
(calling back)
Thanks, Mr. Osbourne!
Brooke lingers a moment.
BROOKE
(echoing)
Thanks, Mr. Osbourne.
Then, significantly, catching his eye:
BROOKE (CONT'D)
Really. Thanks.
Osbourne tilts his head in acknowledgement, as Brooke hurries
off after Lily.
CUT TO:
INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY - NOON
Krupps is walking in the general direction of the cafeteria
when Osbourne falls into step beside him.
OSBOURNE
Have you a moment, Mr. Krupps?
KRUPPS
Only half a moment, Erick. Is
there something on your mind?
OSBOURNE
I have some...concerns...about one
of my students. I believe it
warrents discussion at length,
though.
KRUPPS
My lunch is spoken for, I'm afraid.
Why don't you drop by this
afternoon after class? I'll make
sure I have some time free for you.
OSBOURNE
Certainly. Thank you, Mr. Krupps.
KRUPPS
Of course, Erick, of course. I
always have time for members of my
team.
That signals the end of the conversation. Osbourne turns into
the Teachers' Dining Room, while Krupps continues on towards
the cafeteria.
CUT TO:
INT. CAFETERIA - MOMENTS LATER
Lunch is in full swing. Sam enters the crowded space, but
instead of heading directly for the lunch line, she scans the
room warily. It's clear that Sam, who was never the center
of a crowd to begin with, feels even more out of place now
that she's alienating herself from most of her friends.
Brooke spots Sam, and unobtrusively nudges Lily, who in turn
stands up and waves. But just then Mr. Krupps enters the
cafeteria, and also waves across the room at Sam.
KRUPPS
Sam!
SAM
(acknowledging)
Mr. Krupps.
Krupps beckons her to come to him.
KRUPPS
Are you free to discuss those
details?
SAM
Ah...of course. Whenever you are.
KRUPPS
(smiling)
Terrific. Would you join me for
lunch in the Teachers' Dining Room?
The hubbub of the lunchroom, had lulled a bit upon Krupps'
entrance, shuts off completely. Everyone has stopped whatever
they were doing and is staring at each other, at Sam, and
Krupps in awe, or amazement, or disbelief—and everyone is
thinking exactly the same thing.
Sam, however, seems to take only marginal notice of the
attention.
SAM
I...well...
Sam puts on an encouraging smile and nods, where upon Krupps
puts a paternal arm around her shoulder and guides her from
the room. Once they are gone, the crowd, the crowd slowly
begins to thaw.
LILY
(sitting down blindly)
Did...did he just...?
Brooke just nods, stunned.
BROOKE
He did...
Mary Cherry comes rushing up, all a-tither.
MARY CHERRY
My Gawd, did y'all see that?
LILY
(numb)
We saw.
MARY CHERRY
Status at this here school don't GO
that high! Why, that—that—that
makes the Glamazons at their most
dizzying heights look like—like the
Tuna sisters!
Harrison walks up, carrying a sack lunch, oblivious. Just in
case, he sits down as far away from Brooke as he can get. But
she's too preoccupied to notice.
HARRISON
Hey, guys...what's going on? Why
is everyone acting like an
earthquake hit?
MARY CHERRY
Oh, there's been a earthquake, Joe!
A social earthquake o' super
magnitude!
HARRISON
Huh?
Before anyone can elaborate, Sugar Daddy and Carmen join the
crowd.
CARMEN
We heard! Is it true? It's not
true, is it?
MARY CHERRY
Oh, it's as true as Mama's
revolvin' lines o' credit!
HARRISON
(getting annoyed)
Would somebody mind telling me what
everyone's talking about?
SUGAR
Yo, man, you didn't hear?
Harrison groans.
LILY
(matter-of-factly)
Principal Krupps invited Sam to
have lunch in the Teachers' Dining
Room.
That makes him blink.
HARRISON
Impossible. No student's ever
eaten in the Teachers' Dining Room.
(considers)
I don't think any student's ever
even SEEN the inside of the
Teachers' Dining Room.
CARMEN
(foreboding)
Until today.
BROOKE
It's unprecedented.
(looking up at them)
Mary Cherry's right. Sam's been
awarded status that...that I
couldn't imagine achieving.
HARRISON
(caustic)
I didn't know you were back to
calculating your social status,
Brooke.
Brooke glares at him and starts to say something, but she
catches sight of Mary Cherry hovering, and instead turns to
Lily.
BROOKE
Gee, Lily, I guess we'll just have
to miss that special one-hour,
fifty-percent-off sale they're
having at Sak's today. We'd have
to leave—
(checks her watch)
—now to get there before it was
over.
LILY
Huh?
Brooke kicks her under the table.
LILY (CONT'D)
Ow! Oh—yeah.
Meanwhile, Mary Cherry's ears have pricked up like a bunny's.
MARY CHERRY
(covering)
Well, y'all gots to excuse me now,
I gots, um, errands to run! That's
it! Buh-bye!
And she's off like a shot. Lily turns to Brooke.
LILY
The was cruel, Brooke. Necessary,
but cruel.
Brooke shrugs gamely, then motions for everyone to sit down.
Once they are huddled around the table, she sneaks a peak
around, to make sure nobody around is paying attention to
them.
BROOKE
(takes a breath)
Okay. The thing is, Mr. Osbourne—
he knows about Sam.
There is the beginning of a general outcry, which Brooke
quickly hushes.
CARMEN
How'd he find out?
BROOKE
(shrugs)
I told him.
Another outcry: harder to quell this time, but Brooke manages
without drawing undue attention.
CARMEN
Are you nuts? What did you do that
for?
BROOKE
I had to talk to SOMEBODY. I just
had to.
She catches Harrison glaring at her.
BROOKE (CONT'D)
I mean, an adult. A non-parental-
unit adult. Someone who'd know
what to do. So before Thanksgiving
I went and told Mr. Osbourne
everything.
CARMEN
(hushed)
What happened?
BROOKE
He wanted to go to Principal Krupps
right away. I convinced him to
hold off for a while. I thought
we—thought you guys might be able
to get through to Sam.
Carmen whistles appreciatively.
BROOKE (CONT'D)
What?
CARMEN
(pointedly)
YOU convinced Mr. Osbourne?
LILY
She's right, Brooke. Sam's not the
only one with pull around here.
Brooke seems flustered.
BROOKE
It's nothing, really. He's...easy
to talk to.
HARRISON
So, I guess he wants to spill the
beans now?
BROOKE
That's the problem. Sam's become—
CARMEN
Principal's Pet?
BROOKE
More. So what happens when Mr.
Osbourne tries to tell Principal
Krupps that she's got a drug
problem?
A handful of frowns appear around the table. Then Lily sighs.
LILY
Like you said, he's an adult. And
a faculty member. He can probably
hold his own.
Brooke doesn't look reassured.
BROOKE
I hope so.
CUT TO:
INT. TEACHERS' DINING ROOM
When Mr. Krupps ushers Sam into the Teachers' Dining Room, the
reaction is not as pronounced, but just as palpable: every
pair of eyes turn on them. Unlike the kids, however, most of
the faculty quickly return to their business, at least
overtly. Krupps escorts Sam to a generous table along the
back wall.
KRUPPS
I hope you don't mind working
though lunch, Sam.
SAM
Oh—no, Sir, Mr. Krupps. With
journalists that's the norm, I've
found out.
They sit down, with Krupps holding Sam's chair.
KRUPPS
Educators, too, unfortunately.
As if on cue, a waitress-type person emerges from some inner
sanctum, carrying two steaming plates. She sets the plates
down in front of them; Sam can't help salivating at the sight.
KRUPPS (CONT'D)
(easily)
Privileges of rank. Dig in.
Sam obliges, while Krupps lays a number of files out on the
table.
CUT TO:
INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY - LATER
Brooke has finished her lunch and is headed for the Novak when
Natalie steps into the hallway behind her.
NATALIE
Brooke?
Brooke stops, her face darkening. After counting three to
herself, she turns; Natalie's face falls at seeing Brooke's
fury unabated.
NATALIE (CONT'D)
Brooke, can't we just—?
BROOKE
(icy)
What do you want?
NATALIE
Just to talk. Can't we talk? I
thought we were friends.
BROOKE
Funny, so did I. Then I saw you
climbing all over Harrison.
NATALIE
(growing indignant)
I wasn't—! It was ONE MOMENT! I
never would've let Harrison—
BROOKE
Looke to me like you were letting
Harrison do whatever he damn well
felt like.
NATALIE
Nothing would've happened!
BROOKE
(acidly)
Your lips would've missed each
other?
NATALIE
Okay, maybe THAT would've happened.
But nothing else.
BROOKE
And I'm supposed to believe you?
NATALIE
Yes!
There is a long pause, as the two girls regard each other.
BROOKE
Well, I don't. You want him,
Natalie. I can see it. I can
SMELL it.
NATALIE
(pleading)
Brooke!
Abruptly she changes tactics.
NATALIE (CONT'D)
I heard Nicole did a lot worse, and
you forgave her.
BROOKE
(blinks)
Yeah, sorry you missed my pathetic,
co-dependent, image-is-everything
phase. You could've been my friend
then.
(considers)
No, you couldn't have. You're too
mousy.
Tears start to well up in Natalie's eyes.
NATALIE
(spreading her hands)
Okay. If that's what makes you
feel better.
BROOKE
You know what would make me feel
better? Not talking to you. That
would make me feel better.
Brooke turns on her heel and makes a grand exit. Sniffling,
Natalie's hands slowly clench into fists.
CUT TO:
INT. THE TEACHERS' DINING ROOM
The faculty who are eating in the Dining Room have settled
into a routine of casting well-timed, unobtrusive glances at
Krupps and Sam. For the most part they are too far away to
eavesdrop; the occasional laugh or spike in volume draws a
silent flurry of out-of-the-corner-of-the-eye looks.
The two of them seem not to notice, however, being completely
engrossed in their working lunch. We catch a snippet of their
conversation:
KRUPPS
So what do you think?
Sam closes the file she's been reading.
SAM
At first I thought the ski trip
could be made more self-sufficient.
I had no idea the insurance costs
were so high.
KRUPPS
Yes, a large group of high-
schoolers in a huge red flag.
SAM
Still, have you ever thought about
an open-bid process?
Krupps nods approvingly, cupping his coffee with both hands
and gazing at her over the edge as he sips.
KRUPPS
An excellent thought. In fact,
I've had just such a proposal
written up. But the Board moves at
glacial speeds. That's why it's so
important that the Fund is run
smoothly. I have several ideas for
improving things, but I need the
Board's confidence first.
Sam nods in turn, picking up her soda and unconsciously
mimicking his action.
SAM
I completely understand. You can
count on me.
CUT TO:
INT. THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DINING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Meanwhile, Ms. Ross is among those keeping an eye on things.
She is still observant enough, though, to notice when Osbourne
slides into the seat beside her.
ROSS
Well, hello, Mr. Osbourne.
OSBOURNE
I hope I'm not disturbing.
ROSS
You? Never. There isn't enough
culture in this school as it is.
Osbourne takes that in stride. After a moment he nods towards
the center of attention.
OSBOURNE
Tell me, is this as significant as
I've heard?
She spares him a glance.
ROSS
Let's put it this way: I would've
bet on a sister getting in the
White House first.
Watching them, she shakes her head in something approaching
respect.
ROSS (CONT'D)
I gotta say, though...
But she doesn't: she trails off instead. Osbourne allows a
respectful pause to occur before prompting her:
OSBOURNE
Hmm?
ROSS
Look at her. Just look at her.
You'd think she was Vice-Principal.
Or even Secretary. I mean, I know
she's smart as all out, but...
OSBOURNE
(nods)
One wouldn't expect someone of Miss
McPherson's age to be...so...
ROSS
Comfortable?
OSBOURNE
Indeed. In her element, as it
were. She seems to have taken to
the situation remarkably well.
She turns to look at him again.
ROSS
Well, well. Is that disapproval
I hear?
OSBOURNE
You don't disapprove? Frankly,
the atmosphere in this room seems
to be leaning in that direction.
She waves a scornful, dismissive hand.
ROSS
Aw, who cares what these fools
think! I say, more power to the
girl.
(raised eyebrow)
I'm surprised at YOU. I thought
she was one of your favorites.
OSBOURNE
(sighs)
I'm afraid Miss McPherson has
certain...issues. Issues I doubt
our principal is aware of.
ROSS
(skeptical)
Really?
OSBOURNE
Miss McQueen came to me with some
concerns, which I've discreetly
verified. I'm really not at
liberty to discuss the details.
ROSS
Of course.
Neither of them notice Miss Glass, lounging behind the corner
of a vending machine, schemes playing across her face.
BLACK OUT.
END OF ACT ONE