LAKEHURST HIGH - EPISODE 18 - DREAMS CAN COME TRUE PART 1
Disclaimer: I don´t own Degrassi or the characters from it.
Author´s Note: This three part finale ties into the events in chapters 60, 64 and 65 of Degrassi: Aftermath. So if you want to see how Joey and Tessa reconnected, please check those out. I hope, that you´ve enjoyed the series and got a nice nostalgia kick out of it.
1. Ext. House. Day.
CAPTION:
JULY 22ND, 2032
CALGARY, ALBERTA
It´s a beautiful day. Joey is washiing his car in the sun, a beautiful sports car. It´s clear from the siz e of the house, that he isn´t someone, who´s short on money, but not exactly rich either. He´s humming to himself and doesn´t notice Tessa and Angie sneaking up on him with a garden hose and a bucket of water.
Joey (humming):
Everybody wants something, they never give up ...
Angie and Tessa rush him and Angie dumps the bucket of water on him, while Tessa srays him with the hose, as her and Angie laugh.
Angie:
Got ya, Dad!
Tessa:
Do you still think, it´s too hot today?
Joey:
No!
Tessa turns the hose off.
Joey:
I didn´t see you come in.
Angie:
I snuck around the back.
Tessa:
I´ll get you a towel.
Joey:
No, it´s fine. The sun will dry me up in no time.
Angie:
Is everything set for the wedding?
Joey:
It should be. I can´t see how anything could go wrong.
He looks confident.
OPENING CREDITS
2. Int. Limousine. Evening.
CAPTION:
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA
Alexa is being driven to a reception in a limousuine. She´s fancily dressed up and so is her 23 year old companion, a very attractive and muscular guy named Chad.
Alexa:
How did we meet again?
Chad:
At the gym. I saw you across the room and was so breathtaken by your ... your ...
Alexa:
Beauty and sexual magnetism! Urgh! You´re even more useless, than my ex-husband! Did you even read the script, I send you?
Chad clearly isn´t into it.
Chad:
Look, I´m starting to think, that this isn´t worth, what you´re paying me.
Alexa:
Do you want me to complain to your employer?
Chad:
I´m a handsome companion, not a broadway actor.
Alexa:
You´re a rent boy and I expect to get my money´s worth. Now, Chad. How did we meet?
Chad:
At the gym. I saw you across the room and was breathtaken by your beauty and sexual magnetism.
Alexa:
What happened on our first date, where you took me on a private plane to Paris?
Chad:
I fell in love with your charming personality. I also couldn´t stop thinking about, how young you looked. When you asked me to guess, how old you looked, I said 32.
Alexa:
That´s more like it!
Alexa looks pleased. Chad not so much.
3. Int. Car. Day.
CAPTION:
TORONTO, ONTARIO
Snake is driving, with Spike on the passenger seat and Yick in the back.
Yick:
I can´t wait to see the old gang again.
Snake:
It´s been a while, hasn´t it?
Yick:
I haven´t seen most of them in ages. If it hadn´t been for you two and Arthur, I wouldn´t be in touch with anyone.
Spike:
There´s Caitlyn.
Yick:
The few times a year, that she comes to town.
Spike:
She´s split up from her latest boy toy.
Snake:
What was he, 32?
Spike:
34. Not that it makes it much better.
Yick:
That Caitlyn! When will she learn?
Spike:
I think, that she´s starting to see, that it doesn´t work, when the guy is close to half your age.
Snake:
Have you heard about Alexa´s new guy?
Yick:
What about him?
Spike:
Michelle told me, that he´s 23.
Yick:
Man! Only Alexa could think of doing that!
Snake:
Can you imagine what their family dinners are like? She´s got grandkids, that are older than him.
Spike:
Dysfunctional. Chaotic, perhaps.
Yick:
Suddenly being single doesn´t sound so bad.
He shakes his head.
4. Int. Joey and Tessa´s House. Day.
Tessa is in her old wedding dress. It still fits her perfectly and Angie can´t help smiling at the sight of her.
Tessa:
I know, that it´s hardly the latest model. I haven´t worn it, since Destiny´s Child were topping the charts and my favorite TV shows were Dawson´s Creek and Roswell.
Angie:
You´re look fantastic, mom.
Tessa smiles at her.
Tessa:
Thanks for using the M word.
Angie:
Do you have any idea, how frustrating it´s been to see him go through one relationship after another, that I knew was dead in the water from the get go? You´re the best thing, that´s happened to him for decades, It warms my heart to finally see my old man find love.
Tessa:
I want you to know, that I consider you my daughter, as much as I do my biological children.
Angie:
I never felt like I had a mom. Only my birth mom, but I don´t remember her. It feels, like I finally have one.
Tessa:
Thanks for being my maid of honor.
Angie:
It´s my pleasure.
They hug. Joey comes in.
Joey:
It still looks great. Caitlyn just called. She´ll be here in a few hours.
Angie:
Nice. I´m looking forward to seeing her.
Angie looks pleased.
5. Ext. Mansion. Day.
Alexa is showing off Chad to the other rich guests at the fundraiser for Winston Chu´s campaign to get into the Canadian Senate. She´s with Miles and Frankie Hollingworth, who looks like they´d rather get away from her. Michelle watches her from afar and tries not to smile, as she talks to some important looking people.
Alexa:
I´ve always known, that Winston had it in him to become bigger, than just local politics.
Frankie:
He still has to get elected first.
Alexa:
I see a future for Chad in politics too. He´s very intelligent and socially conscious.
Miles:
Which party do you plan to run for, Chad?
Chad:
Ehm ...
Chad clearly doesn´t know what to answer and looks to Alexa for an answer. Meanwhile the situation becomes more and more embarrassing, with every passing moment.
Alexa:
Chad, Honey. You can tell them.
Chad:
The Communists?
Frankie and Miles try their hardest not to laugh.
Miles:
That´s a very brave party choice!
Frankie:
What exactly draws you to their ideology?
Chad:
Their ... views on ... ehm ... finances and money and stuff.
Miles:
Finances and money and stuff! Well, those certainly are important!
Alexa:
Will you excuse us for a moment?
Frankie:
Of course. Good luck with that Communist thing, Chad. I´m sure, it will catch on.
Chad:
Thanks.
Alexa drags Chad away from them.
Miles:
Wow! Where does she find these guys?
Frankie:
Do me a favor, if I ever turn into her. Put me down!
They smile at each other and go to mingle with the other guests.
6. Ext. Mansion. Day.
Alexa drags Chad out of there.
Alexa:
The Communist Party! How dumb are you exactly?
Chad:
I´m not interested in politics. I remembered their name from history class.
Alexa:
You´re fired. Leave.
Chad:
You still haven´t paid for me.
Alexa:
They can take their bill and shove it! Tell them to send someone, who isn´t a blithering moron next time!
Chad:
How am I supposed to get home?
Alexa:
Call a cab. What do I care?
Chad:
Bitch!
He gives her the finger and walks towards the mansion gates. Michelle comes out from the mansion.
Michelle:
I hope, you didn´t pay too much for him.
Alexa looks embarrassed.
Alexa:
I don´t know, what you think, you heard ...
Michelle:
I didn´t need to hear it. No one believes, that a guy like that would go for you anymore.
Alexa:
I could, if I wanted to.
Michelle:
He´s young enough to be your grandson!
Alexa:
What do you care? If you hadn´t stolen Simon away from me, the I wouldn´t have to be on the meat market!
Michelle:
You had been divorced for five years!
Alexa:
There was still a chance, that I would get him back.
Michelle:
No, there wasn´t! Why do you think, your kids don´t want anything to do with you anymore?
Alexa:
They do!
Michelle:
I´ll tell you. Because it´s embarrassing for them to have a mom in her 50´s, who still acts like a spoiled 20 year old! Do yourself a favor and grow up. Alexa. Your act stopped being cute years ago.
Alexa can´t think of a comeback, which annoys her infinitely, as Michelle heads back inside.
Alexa:
Well, you´re ...
The door closes behind Michelle. Alexa stomps the ground in frustration.
Alexa:
Dammit!
She walks towards the gate.
7. Ext. Street. Day.
Chad is by the roadside, when Alexa comes up to him.
Alexa:
Do you want to share a cab?
Chad:
I thought, you rich women only drove in style.
Alexa:
This was all for show. The truth is that I´m close to broke.
Chad:
Tough luck! Look, I can do without your horrible comments.
Alexa:
I can´t even afford to pay for your services, so no matter what, I was gonna find some reason to fire you and complain hard enough, that they wouldn´t charge me.
He stares at her.
Chad:
You would have gotten me fired!
Alexa:
It was a bitchy move, okay? I didn´t have any choice. It´s not like my saggy old boobs and wrinkles are making men flock to me! Do yourself a favor, Chad. Find a nice girl and settle down, so you don´t end up single in your 50´s. It´s not a pretty sight, I can tell you that.
Chad:
Actually, I´m gay. My boyfriend and I just moved in together.
Alexa looks pleased for him.
Alexa:
I should have known! What´s his name?
Chad:
Darren. He´s an Architect.
Alexa:
Score one for the Chadster! Is he cute?
Chad:
He used to be an underwear model.
Alexa:
Mmm Mmm! What do you say to that cab? I want to hear all about your succesful love life, so I can live vicariously through it.
Chad:
Sure. When you´re nice like this, you kind of remind me of my grand mom.
Alexa tries to take it as a compliment and forces a smile for him.
8. Int. Tailor. Day.
Snake and Yick are trying on new suits for the wedding.
Snake:
Do I look ready to rock the house?
Yick:
You do, if you´re talking about sitting in a rocking chair.
Snake:
Do I need to remind you, that you´re only a year younger than me?
They smile at each other.
Yick:
What do you think?
Snake:
That you won´t have problems finding a dance partner.
Yick:
It´s been a few years, since I last danced with someone. You can probably guess, who that was.
Snake:
You haven´t been on a single date, since she died?
Yick:
No. It hasn´t seemed right with anyone and I don´t even have the time, with all the work I have.
Snake:
Burying your head in work is the easy thing to do. You have to start living again.
Yick:
I don´t even know, what the word living means to me anymore.
Snake:
Joey and Tessa´s wedding can be a good start for you.
Yick:
If nothing else, we´ll get to laugh at each other´s horribly outdated dance moves.
They fist bump.
9. Int. Joey and Tessa´s House. Evening.
Caitlyn is hugging Angie hello. Tessa and Joey are glad to have her there.
Angie:
How has life been treating you?
Caitlyn:
Not too bad.
She breaks the hug with Angie and gives on to Tessa.
Tessa:
Aren´t we a little old for this?
Caitlyn:
You´re never too old to get a hug from a friend.
Joey gets one too.
Joey:
I´ve been listening to your podcast at work every day.
Caitlyn:
What do you think of it?
Joey:
You haven´t lost your passion to save the world with age, that´s for sure!
Caitlyn:
Someone has to fight the good fight,
Tessa:
We´ve already made the guest room ready for you.
Caitlyn:
I´ll throw my suitcase in and be back in a sec.
Joey:
Let me help you with that.
Caitlyn:
I´ll manage. I´m not THAT old and feeble yet!
She leaves them, carrying her suitcase.
10. Int. Guest Room. Evening.
Caitlyn puts her suitcase aside and sits down on the bed. She gets her phone out and checks her messages. She looks relieved, as she shuffles through them.
Caitlyn (to herself):
You can do this. It´s only a week.
She puts it away and stands up.
11. Int. Dining Room. Evening.
Caitlyn is eating dinner with the family.
Angie:
Don´t you ever regret not having kids? I feel like, my life started all over again, when I had my first.
Caitlyn:
A little, but I can´t turn back the clock, can I? How old are they now?
Angie:
Jessie has just turned 15. She´s looking forward to being a sophomore and enjoying having her first boyfriend. Cassie is 12, she´ll be starting Junior High and Mick is 8.
Joey:
It´s insane how fast they´ve grown up. It still seems like yesterday, that they were in diapers. I tell you Caitlyn, when your grand children start dating, that´s when you start to feel old!
Caitlyn can´t help smiling.
Caitlyn:
Chuck one down to being a Spinster!
Tessa:
You´re not s Spinster.
Angie:
She is the definition of it, isn´t she?
Caitlyn:
My life really isn´t that bad. I have my dogs and my work to keep me busy. The days and the years keep flying by. Before I know it, I´ll be old and grey. Greyer, anyway!
Angie:
You´re still keeping up well. No one believes, that´s your actual hair color, but I´ve seen a lot worse!
Caitlyn gives her a nudge.
Caitlyn:
When did you turn into such a smart mouth?
Joey:
She´s always been that way, it´s just that she was always on her best behavior, whenever you came to visit.
Angie:
I want things to stay good between us. I have very fond memories of how much I enjoyed it, when you were a big part of my life.
Caitlyn:
Me too. You´re still the closest I´ve come, to having a daughter.
She gets a far away look and the others can see, that talking about this isn´t helping her.
Joey:
You´ll never guess, who owns the catering company, we hired!
Tessa:
Melanie.
Caitlyn:
Melanie, as in my on school friend, Melanie?
Joey:
The very one. It was completely by chance. I got a recommendation from a guy, who had used her company to cater his birthday ...
As Joey keeps talking in the background, we see Tessa looking at Caitlyn. Tessa can see, that her old friend is only keeping up appearances.
12. Int. Snake and Spike´s House. Evening.
Snake is watching Lucy´s old horror movie "It Creeps" with his step daughter Emma, who finds it hilarious. She also petting a small Shitzu, that´s in 7th heaven.
Emma:
You absolutely missed your call!
Snake:
Let´s face it. I was the best of the worst at best!
Emma:
I can´t believe, I´ve never seen this before.
Snake:
Man, those were good times. It´ll be fun to see many of them at the wedding.
Emma:
Your old gang, from back when you had hair.
Snake:
That didn´t last long, did it?
They smile at each other.
Emma:
We´ll take good care of your pride and joy here, while you´re away. You and mom can just concentrate on enjoying yourself.
A scene with Wheels in it comes on the screen. Snake gets emotional at seeing him.
Snake:
No matter what, it´ll always feel like one key element is missing.
Emma:
You still miss him, don´t you?
Snake:
I just wish, I could get back all the years I lost with him, you know? From the moment, he became sick, it just all happened so fast. The next thing, we knew ...
He can´t stop himself from crying.
Snake:
He was gone.
Emma looks at him with sympathy.
Emma:
You were friends at the end. That´s what matters.
Snake wipes his eyes and tries to compose himself.
13. Int. Restaurant. Evening.
Alexa and Chad are waiting for their dinner to arrive.
Alexa:
I can at least buy you dinner, since I ruined your day for nothing.
Chad:
We can go Dutch, if you can´t afford it.
Alexa:
That´s nice of you, but we are in my restaurant.
Chad looks impressed, as he looks around.
Chad:
It´s nice.
Alexa:
It pays for itself, but little more than that. I´ve been living off my alimony, since I got divorced. That was over 20 years ago.
Chad:
You´ve been single for 20 years?
Alexa:
There´s been men on and off, but mostly off. My ex-husband remarried to my best friend from High School and I spent a long time being bitter over it.
Chad:
Who wouldn´t be? I ´d be angry too.
Alexa:
I always thought, that I would get him back, up until that point. It´s like, I´ve never really moved on from it. The years have just passed me by and look at me now. A failed former socialite, who´s clinging on to the remains of her past life. I´ve got this invitation to come to a wedding this weekend and I´m scared to go, because everyone I went to school with will think, that I turned out to be the biggest loser of them all!
Chad:
For what it´s worth and I know, it won´t mean as much as it would, if it came from a straight guy. But I would consider you a catch for your age.
Alexa smiles widely.
Alexa:
Are you kidding? It means even more, when it comes from a gay guy! How old would you guess, I am?
Chad:
You said, that you have been divorced for 20 years, so I´m guessing 44.
Alexa:
44! I look 44?
Chad:
How old are you?
Alexa:
We don´t need to discuss that further!
Alexa looks overjoyed.
14. Int. Guest Room. Evening.
Caitlyn is getting ready for bed, when Tessa comes in.
Tessa:
Not to pry, but are you okay?
Caitlyn:
I´m fine. It was great seeing Angie again.
Tessa:
It´s me. Don´t you think I can see through an obvious facade, when I see one?
Caitlyn:
It´s nothing to bother you with. You´re marrying Joey! The right girl finally gets her man.
Tessa:
I just had to wait a good 40 years for it!
They look each other in the eyes.
Caitlyn:
He made the right choice. It would have been better for everyone, if him and me had skipped our "second chapter" and he´d moved right along to you, after Julie died.
Tessa:
I´m pretty sure, that my late husband and my children would have minded! Life works in mysterious ways. I´ve come to believe, that we simply weren´t ready for each other, that first time around. We were too young and there were too many outside factors, that played in and affected us.
Caitlyn:
Me being the biggest one.
Tessa:
When we met up again a few years ago, everything was right. This marriage will last, I´m sure of it. If we´d been married in our 20´s, then I really doubt, that we would have.
Caitlyn:
Did you think, that you would meet someone again, before you re-connected?
Tessa:
No. I thought, that I would live out my life as single. It´s not too late for you either.
Caitlyn:
Do you ever get the feeling, that should have lived your life completely differently? I chose a career over having a family. Now I´m in my 50´s and my career is coming to an end.
Tessa:
What about the podcast?
Caitlyn:
It´s nice that Joey listens to it, but the listener number have been dwindling lately. Every time I check my messages, I expect to get one that says, that I´ve been cancelled. I´m too old to be put on TV, so what else is there? It´s not like I have a real education to fall back on. This was all I had.
We pan to outside of the door, where Joey is listening in on their conversation. He looks worried about Caitlyn.
CLOSING CREDITS
