ACT TWO
FADE IN:
EST. MCQUEEN HOUSE - EARLY MORNING
Just before sunrise at the McQueens'.
CUT TO:
INT. MCQUEEN KITCHEN
Jane is sitting at the kitchen table, disconsolate. On the
table before her sits a steaming cup of coffee, untouched.
Brooke comes down the stairs.
BROOKE
Morning, Jane.
Jane gives something barely coherent as a response. Worried,
Brooke comes over and crouches down beside her.
BROOKE (CONT'D)
Are you all right?
Jane shakes her head mutely. Then Mike walks in, carrying a
section of the newspaper.
BROOKE (CONT'D)
Dad—
But Mike is distracted as well. He lays the newspaper section
down on the table.
MIKE
I think you should see this.
INSERT: THE NEWSPAPER
The front page of the Metro section, top fold. The headline
across the top reads "BLAZE ERUPTS IN D'TOWN MID-RISE". A
color photo takes up most of the width of the page, with the
the text running along the left side and continuing
underneath. The byline reads:
SAMANTHA MCPHERSON
CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER
Jane takes hold of the paper weakly, but then pushes it away,
shaking.
JANE
There should... She should be
HERE... She should be with her
family... Instead of...of...
Brooke puts a supportive arm around Jane's shoulder.
JANE (CONT'D)
(to Mike)
What are we going to do about Mr.
Krupps?
Just like that, Brooke's supportiveness dissolves; she bangs
her head against the table softly.
BROOKE
I shouldn't have said anything.
MIKE
Brooke, of course you should have.
This is something Jane and I needed
to know about.
Frustrated, Brooke leaps to her feet, pacing angrily.
BROOKE
No! You two...you're just going
to...mess everything up again!
MIKE
(sharply)
Brooke!
She picks up the paper and waves it at them.
BROOKE
Do you remember that you tried to
get Sam fired from this job? What
are you going to do now? Try to
get Mr. Krupps fired? Take Sam out
of school? What?
JANE
Brooke, I don't understand. When
you were telling us this last
night, you made it sound like you
hated it.
BROOKE
Well, I DO! It's totally awful—
but not THAT way! God! Even I
know they're not DOING anything.
And Mr. Osbourne says—
MIKE
Osbourne. He's that social studies
teacher of yours?
BROOKE
—he says that it's not, you
know...romantic, or anything. And
he knows a lot more about people.
He's got a master's and everything.
MIKE
Still, it sounds like this man has
an undue influence over Sam...
BROOKE
You weren't listening very close.
Sam's the one with the influence.
JANE
I know it may seem that way, but—
MIKE
(breaking in)
Look, we're just trying to help
Sam.
BROOKE
No, I'M trying to help Sam! Why
won't anyone believe me?
MIKE
We believe you, honey.
BROOKE
You won't help Sam by making her
have everyone even more than she
already does!
With that, Brooke runs back up the stairs.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE QUAD - MORNING
Throngs of students heading for school. Among them is
Harrison, walking along the sidewalk casually—until Natalie
scurries up from behind and matches his pace.
NATALIE
Hi!
HARRISON
(pointing)
Okay, you're stalking me.
NATALIE
(laughing)
I am NOT stalking you! We go to
the same school. How can I be
stalking you?
HARRISON
I don't know, but...but you are!
And if Brooke sees you—
NATALIE
I'm not afraid of Brooke anymore.
She throws a shadow punch that makes him flinch.
HARRISON
Yeah, what's up with that?
NATALIE
After that first day, I thought I
ought to take a self-defense
course.
HARRISON
Karate? Taekwondo?
NATALIE
Streetfighting. Down and dirty.
Breaking bones and stuff.
HARRISON
Oh.
NATALIE
Don't worry. I won't do anything
terrible to Brooke. Just kick her
ass if she comes after me.
HARRISON
I really wish both of you would
stop talking like that.
NATALIE
Okay, okay, no more talk.
(innocently)
Wanna go behind the bleachers and
make out?
HARRISON
Natalie!
NATALIE
I'm kidding! Jeez, Harrison,
you're so sensitive!
Harrison stops walking; Natalie follows suit. He turns to
face her.
HARRISON
Natalie, please, PLEASE, just...
NATALIE
Just what?
HARRISON
I need to not be walking with you
right now.
NATALIE
Harrison, if you want me to go
away, just say so.
HARRISON
(swallowing hard)
Natalie...go away.
Clearly, she hadn't expected him to actually say it; she
deflates dramatically.
NATALIE
(unsmiling)
Okay, Harrison.
Without another word, she veers off, cutting across the grass,
shoulders slumped. He hangs his head in guilt before walking
on.
CUT TO:
INT. GIRLS' RESTROOM - LATER
The door bangs open, and Natalie storms in, her mood having
shifted from hurt to angry. She stomps over to one of the
stalls and locks herself in, brooding. But a moment later,
the Novak door opens again, and Brooke steps inside.
BROOKE
(calling through the
closing door)
I'll be right there!
Brooke goes to the mirror and starts fussing with her hair.
Meanwhile, in the toilet stall, Natalie has a thought. She
quietly reaches into her bag and pulls out her cell phone,
putting it to her ear but leaving it turned off.
NATALIE
(loudly)
...Really...? Me, too... No, I
was just talking to Harrison...
Of course I'm not telling Brooke...
Harrison asked me not to say
anything last night...
Brooke, who can't help but overhear Natalie's "conversation",
is steaming.
NATALIE (CONT'D)
...oh, we talked a couple of
times...here and on the phone...
No, we're not having phone sex!
(laughs)
Not yet, anyway...
On cue, Natalie stands up and unlatches the stall door.
NATALIE (CONT'D)
Okay, I have to go... Bye.
As she steps out of the stall, she flips the phone shut and
puts it away. She puts on a show of acting surprised to see
Brooke. For her part, Brooke looks like she wants to throw
down then and there.
BROOKE
You little bitch.
NATALIE
(smug)
You know, you really shouldn't
eavesdrop.
Brooke takes a threaening step forward.
NATALIE (CONT'D)
I'd love to kick your ass, Brooke,
but Harrison wouldn't approve.
The door opens, and Sam walks in. Sizing up the situation,
she goes and stands beside Natalie, glowering at Brooke with
arms crossed.
SAM
(to Natalie)
Are you okay?
NATALIE
Yeah. I was just telling Brooke
that Harrison doesn't want any
violence.
SAM
He's not the only one.
(to Brooke)
You looking to get suspended?
Brooke holds her ground for a moment, then grabs her bag and
storms out.
SAM (CONT'D)
She always was a coward.
(turning)
Hey, I need you at lunch. We have
budget reports to go over.
NATALIE
Okay.
(pause)
Hey, Sam? There's something I want
to talk to you about.
As Natalie and Sam sit on the tuffet—
CUT TO:
INT. GYM - LATER
A bunch of kids, including Lily, file into the gym at the
start of P.E. class, taught by Coach Krupps, who is standing
next to a rack of basketballs and holding a clipboard. Lily
is too preoccupied to notice much around her, until—
COACH KRUPPS
Lily Ford!
Lily starts, finding Coach Krupps standing next to her. He
hands her a hall pass.
COACH KRUPPS (CONT'D)
You're wanted. Principal's office.
She opens her mouth as if to ask for an explanation, but
decides against saying anything. Instead, she shrugs slightly
and walks back out of the gym.
CUT TO:
INT. THE OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER
Lily walks into the oter office, which for the moment is
deserted. She looks around, and starts to sit on a bench
along the back wall; but a side door swings open, and when
Lily looks over, she sees Sam standing there, beckoning. Sam
has to beckon again, urgently, before Lily slowly walks over.
Sam pulls her through the doorway.
CUT TO:
INT. SIDE OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Sam shuts the door behind Lily. They are along in a small,
narrow room, dominated by a table in the center and file
cabinets along the walls.
LILY
(hushed)
Sam! Principal Krupps wants to see
me.
SAM
(casually)
Oh, don't worry. I did that.
LILY
You forged a hall pass?
SAM
It's no big deal. I wanted to
talk. In private.
At Sam's urging, Lily takes a seat at the table. Sam sits
across the corner of the table from her. But once they are
sitting there, Sam doesn't seem to know what to say.
LILY
(prompting)
Sam?
SAM
(uncomfortable)
Lily, I...think I owe you an
apology. I've been coming down on
you—
LILY
Actually, you've been ignoring me.
SAM
Right. Anyway, I was doing it
because you've been hanging out
with Brooke. Which is wrong. And
I'm sorry.
LILY
(hesitantly)
But, Sam...that's not the only
thing between us.
SAM
I know.
LILY
(at a loss)
Sam... I...I'm sorry, I just...
SAM
No, I'm sorry. I've been kind
of...selfish.
Clearly that wasn't what Lily was expecting to hear.
LILY
I don't think...
SAM
It's true. I never bothered to
look at where you were coming from.
LILY
It's just, I don't know what to do.
I want to be a good friend, be
supportive, you know I do—
Sam lays her hand on Lily's.
SAM
You are.
LILY
But I'm NOT! I know you're...
doing—
SAM
Lily...
LILY
—and I don't know how to help!
I've read all the literature,
but...
SAM
(squeezing Lily's hand)
You help just by being here.
LILY
But, Sam—
SAM
I don't have a problem.
Lily is obviously torn.
LILY
I WANT to believe you...
Sam's expression becomes desperately hopeful.
SAM
Could you PRETEND to believe me?
Lily reaches up and wipes away the tear that's started to form
in Sam's eye.
LILY
Sam, if you ever, EVER need to
talk, about...or anything...
Sam nods eagerly, leaning over and hugging Lily over the
table.
SAM
(laughing awkwardly)
God, I've missed you! I'm so glad
Nat woke me up.
LILY
(shifting slightly)
Natalie?
SAM
Yeah...she said I was being unfair
to you. That I ought to think
about what kind of position I was
putting you in.
LILY
(surprised)
She said that?
SAM
(surprised in turn)
Yeah. You know how much she likes
you.
LILY
Well, I...guess so...
SAM
I'm telling you, it's SO good to
have someone I can really talk to!
(awkward pause)
Uh, besides you, I mean.
LILY
It's okay, Sam. It's good to be
able to talk to you again, too.
SAM
Hey, wanna hang out here til next
period? I'll just stamp the pass
and drop it in Coach Krupps' box.
Lily looks at her severely.
LILY
Sam... I know you're Principal
Krupps'...whatever, but can you
really get away with stuff like
this?
SAM
(shrugs)
I am, aren't I? Come on, stay.
We'll talk.
Lily finally shrugs her assent, bringing a delighted smile to
Sam's face.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY - LATER
Between periods, the corridors are crowded. Natalie is
walking along warily when Lily comes jogging up from behind.
LILY
(calling)
Natalie!
Natalie stops and turns, allowing Lily to catch up.
LILY (CONT'D)
I just wanted to say thanks.
Natalie looks confused for a moment, before connecting the
dots.
NATALIE
Oh—did you and Sam make up?
LILY
We...yeah.
NATALIE
Well, good. Sam needs friends.
Looks like you and I are it for the
duration.
LILY
(quietly)
I hope not.
NATALIE
I wouldn't hold out hope for anyone
else. Carmen—? Maybe. But Mary
Cherry? Brooke?
LILY
(under her breath)
Harrison...
NATALIE
What?
LILY
Oh, uh, nothing. I just remembered
something I have to do.
Lily runs off.
LILY (CONT'D)
(calling back)
Talk to you later, Natalie!
Natalie watches her go, mystified.
CUT TO:
INT. CAFETERIA - NOON
Harrison is waiting in the lunch line when Lily comes out of
nowhere and smacks him on the arm. Hard.
HARRISON
(rubbing his arm)
Ow! What was that for?
LILY
(accusing)
You haven't talked to Sam, have
you?
HARRISON
(fumbling)
I—
LILY
You haven't even tried to talk to
her!
She smakes his arm again.
HARRISON
Hey! For a pacifist, you're being
awfully violent.
LILY
For Sam's best friend, you're being
awfully stupid!
HARRISON
That's not fair!
He takes her by the arm and leads her to a relatively quiet
corner of the cafeteria.
HARRISON (CONT'D)
What, exactly, would you want me to
say to Sam?
This time it's Lily who fumbles for an answer.
LILY
Ah... Well, YOU'RE her best
friend, Harrison! You're supposed
to think of something!
HARRISON
(caustic)
Oh, I'm supposed to think of
something. Just like that. Look,
I don't even know if Sam WANTS to
hear from me. Last I heard, she
hated my guts.
LILY
That doesn't matter! She needs
help! She need YOU!
HARRISON
(bitterly)
I don't think so.
LILY
But—
HARRISON
Come on, Lily! We both know what I
did! I hurt Sam. I betrayed Sam.
I was going with Sam, and sleeping
with Brooke. There is no reason in
the world why Sam would ever want
to be around me again. So just
drop it, okay?
With that, Harrison storms off. Lily watches him go, forlorn.
LILY
(to the air)
You're wrong, Harrison. There's
one reason.
CUT TO:
INT. THE LIBRARY - NOON
A typical high school library. What's not so typical is Sam
and Natalie walking in, carrying lunch trays.
NATALIE
(whispering)
Isn't this against the rules?
SAM
Not for us. The cafeteria's too
noisy to work in.
They set their trays down at one of the tables and sit down.
SAM (CONT'D)
And you don't have to whisper.
There's nobody here.
NATALIE
Sorry. Habit.
Sam takes a bite out of an apple, and reaches for a thick
stack of papers piled nearby. She plucks off the topmost
part—a thick, stapled bundle—and passes it to Natalie.
SAM
Take a look at this.
Natalie lays the papers next to her tray and starts to leaf
through them.
NATALIE
Sam, I think I ought to mention
that I don't plan on being an
economics major. I mean, I do okay
in math, but...
SAM
You'll do fine. It's not that
complicated.
Natalie begins to read and eat at the same time.
NATALIE
(off-hand)
I saw Lily earlier.
SAM
Yeah, we talked. Did I thank you
for getting on me about her?
NATALIE
Yes.
SAM
Then I'm doing it again. Thanks.
NATALIE
(shrugs)
Like I told Lily, you need friends.
SAM
(wistfully)
This is true. A few good friends
are all I need.
The door opens, and Mr. Krupps comes in. Natalie straightens
up in her chair, looking as though she's been busted for
something; Sam, relaxed, waves casually. Krupps holds up his
hands to calm the waters.
KRUPPS
Sorry for interrupting, ladies—I
know this is a working lunch. I
need to borrow Sam. Just for a few
minutes. I hope you don't mind,
Miss James?
NATALIE
You're the principal.
KRUPPS
(grins)
I like that attitude. Sam?
Sam gets up.
SAM
(to Natalie, mock-serious)
Don't touch my potato chips.
Then Krupps ushers Sam out the door. Natalie watches them
leave, then idly reaches across the table, takes a potato chip
from Sam's tray, and pops it into her mouth.
CUT TO:
INT. KRUPPS' OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER
The door opens, and Krupps escorts Sam inside.
SAM
...come on, give me a hint, please?
KRUPPS
It's...something useful. And
emerald green.
SAM
(looking around)
One of my favorite colors? Is it
here?
KRUPPS
(shaking his head)
It's not in here. I'll show you
your surprise in a minute. But
there's something I want you to do
for me first.
SAM
Okay.
Krupps reaches behind his desk and pulls up a picture frame.
He lays it flat on the desk, and Sam gasps when she sees her
article beneath the glass.
SAM (CONT'D)
(touched)
Mr. Krupps...
He works at the edges of the frame, releasing it and setting
it aside so that the article and its backing lay exposed.
Then he opens his desk drawer, pulls out a marker, uncaps it,
and hands it to Sam. She takes a moment to puzzle out what he
wants.
SAM (CONT'D)
OH... Mr. Krupps, this is...very
strange.
KRUPPS
I have a feeling it will become
familiar in the future, Sam.
Please?
She takes the pen, leans over the desk and scrawls her
signature across the page. Exuding happiness, Krupps
reassembles the frame and sets it carefully aside before
taking the pen back.
KRUPPS
Thanks you, Sam. That means a
great deal to me.
(claps once)
Now! For your surprise. I hope it
makes you as happy as you've made
me. It's outside.
Sam frowns, but at his gesture precedes him out the door.
CUT TO:
EXT. KENNEDY HIGH PARKING LOT - MOMENTS LATER
Krupps leads Sam to the edge of the side lot where the staff
parks. There he stops and waits expectantly. Sam stops as
well, looking around.
SAM
(bewildered)
Where are we going? It this thing
off-campus somewhere?
Krupps is positively enjoying himself.
KRUPPS
No, we're here.
SAM
We're...?
She looks around again. Krupps laughs and gestures
emphatically. It takes her a moment to realize that she's
standing in front of a bright green compact car which is
parked at the curb. Even then, it takes her a few seconds to
put everything together; she gasps sharply and her mouth drops
open at the realization.
BLACK OUT.
END OF ACT TWO
