WHAT IF? - SEASON 1 EPISODE 6 - THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL
Disclaimer: I don´t own Degrassi or the characters from it.
1. Int. Gymnasium. Day,
We start on a montage of Jimmy practicing basketball one on one against Spinner. Spinner is no match for him and Jimmy is clearly on a different level than him. They don´t notice Jimmy´s dad come in. He watches them for a moment, until Jimmy sees him. They wave and smile at each other, before Jimmy puts Spinner out of his misery. They shake hands and his dad walks over to them.
Jimmy:
What are you doing here, dad?
Jimmy´s Dad:
That´s what I need to talk to you about. How are you doing, Gavin? It´s been a while, since we´ve seen you.
Spinner:
Not too bad, Mr. Brooks. How are you?
Jimmy´s Dad:
Can´t complain.
Spinner:
If you´ll excuse me, I have to wash the stench of defeat off.
Spinner leaves them.
Jimmy:
What´s up?
Jimmy´s Dad:
I´ve been talking to your coach. It´s time to decide, whether we make a tough decision or not.
Jimmy lets it sink in.
OPENING CREDITS
2. Int. The Dot. Day.
Jimmy is at the counter, chatting with Spinner, who´s working.
Jimmy:
It´s the best basketball program in the country. I mean, we´re talking about a school that produced the current NBA MVP in Steve Nash. On top of that they have one of the highest GPA´s in the entire country. I would be a fool not to go, from an objective standpoint.
Spinner:
Don´t you think, you´d miss this place? St. Michaels is all the way up in British Columbia, isn´t it?
Jimmy:
They don´t call them hard choices for nothing.
Spinner:
What does your dad have to say about it?
Jimmy:
He´s leaving it up to me. I know that my parents would be just as proud, if I went to law school and followed in his footsteps.
Spinner:
Law school. Those two words together couldn´t sound less interesting, if you ask me. The NBA however, we´re talking big bucks, fast women, fame ...
Jimmy:
The whole nine yards.
Spinner:
I never got that expression. You need ten yards for a first down, so what good will nine do you?
Jimmy:
I´ll explain it to you some other time.
Hazel comes in and walks up to them.
Hazel:
Can I have my usual?
Spinner:
Only since you asked nicely.
He goes back to work. Hazel and Jimmy kiss.
Hazel:
Did I see your dad at school today or was that a very good look a like?
Jimmy:
That was him. He wanted to have a chat with me and Raditch.
Hazel:
You´re not in trouble, are you?
Jimmy:
Nah, it´s nothing like that. Just normal school stuff.
Hazel:
I don´t have to remind you what tomorrow is, do I?
She clearly does, since Jimmy´s mind goes blank.
Jimmy:
Your mom´s birthday?
She looks annoyed with him.
Jimmy:
It can´t be your birthday, cuz that´s in July. Is it your dad´s?
Hazel:
You get one last guess, or I´m walking out of here right now!
Spinner comes back with her order.
Spinner (fake coughing):
Your anniversary!
Jimmy:
God, I´m so sorry!
Hazel:
Which anniversary is it, Jimmy?
He wrecks his brain and has to use his fingers to count back, while she stares him down like a puma staring down it´s prey.
Jimmy:
Nine months.
Hazel:
Since our first kiss or since we made it official?
Jimmy:
Since ... we ... kissed for the time?
Hazel:
Lucky guess! If you need me, I´ll be over at that table!
He´s still clearly in the doghouse, as she grabs her order goes to sit at a table.
Spinner:
Jimmy, you´re one heck of a basketball player! When it comes to girlfriends however, I don´t think I´ve seen many guys, who are worse at it than you!
Jimmy nods in agreement.
3. Int. Joey and Caitlin´s House. Evening.
Manny is party planning with Caitlin, but it´s not going well.
Caitlin:
It´s very limited how much we can chip in right now. It´s not that we don´t want Craig to have a good birthday. Business is in a slump, so we can´t afford it.
Manny:
With the money I have, we can afford three bags of chips, if we get the cheapest kind. He deserves a great birthday party, like Spinner had.
Caitlin:
Are you sure, that´s what he wants?
Manny:
Doesn´t everyone like a party?
Caitlin:
If he´s with you and Julia, then he´ll be satisfied.
Manny:
He works so hard and sometimes, I feel guilty, because I know he´s doing it for us. Broke or not, I´ll find a way of showing him, how much I appreciate it.
Caitlin:
You remind me of Joey, when we first dated. He never had a penny either, but he tried his best to keep me happy anyway. If anything, he´s proof that you don´t need to spend a bundle, if you want to keep your special someone happy. All you need is your imagination.
Manny:
I´ve never been short of one of those!
She considers it.
4. Int. Jimmy´s Room. Evening.
Jimmy is lying on his bed watching an old basketball game on ESPN Classic. His mom comes in with a snack for him.
Jimmy´s Mom:
I thought, you could use a snack.
Jimmy:
Thanks, mom.
Jimmy´s mom puts the tray down and looks at the TV.
Jimmy´s Mom:
Ah, the Bulls during their hey day. That was one impressive team. Pippen, Jordan, Barkley ... you could put all those guys on that team in the hall of fame.
Jimmy:
It´s game one of the 91-92 finals. The one where Jordan scored 35 points in the first half.
Jimmy´s Mom:
You know, me and your dad were at that game.
Jimmy:
For real?
Jimmy´s Mom:
We came very close to moving to Chicago at that time. A big law firm wanted your dad and he kept saying no and they kept raising the number, until we had to consider it. It was so close, that we spend quite a bit of time looking at houses down there. If we´d gone, then we would be swimming in money by now.
Jimmy:
What stopped you?
Jimmy´s Mom:
We probably would have moved, if it hadn´t been for us having you. We could have made more money, but with all the crime down there, we decided that Canada was a safer place for you to grow up. We´d rather be broke than have a son, who´s buried six feet under.
Jimmy smiles to himself.
Jimmy:
Mom, what would you do, if it were you in my situation?
Jimmy´s Mom:
I couldn´t have left, if it were me. Then again I was never much for taking chances and I´m not the talented one in this room. What does you gut tell you?
Jimmy:
I love it here, but going increases my chances of fulfilling my dream. As of right now, I´m almost prepared to flip a coin and let fate decide.
Jimmy´s Mom:
Do you think Michael Jordan ever did that?
Jimmy:
Probably not.
Jimmy´s Mom:
The answer will come to you sooner or later. Flipping a coin should be your last alternative.
They smile at each other, as she leaves him to consider it. The look on his face, when he sees Jordan hit a big 3-pointer on the TV shows how big of a dream it is for him.
5. Int. Hallway. Morning.
Manny and Craig are talking.
Manny:
You can´t not celebrate it!
Craig:
This past year doesn´t feel like one, I should celebrate.
Manny can´t help looking hurt. Craig feels bad.
Manny:
Do you wish, you could do it over?
Craig:
I didn´t mean it like that. Me can celebrate it in as much style, as we can afford. There´s a lot to be said for the past year. I was lucky enough to find my dream girl and even luckier, that she liked me back. I also have a daughter now, that I wouldn´t trade in for anything.
Manny manages to smile a little.
Manny:
You´re talking about Ashley, right?
Craig:
I´m talking about the most gorgeous mom on the face of the earth. I´d be just has thrilled with a night on the couch, but if you want to celebrate my birthday, then we´ll celebrate.
She smiles at him, just as Hazel and Jimmy walk past them. Jimmy is still nowhere close to out the doghouse with her.
Hazel:
You haven´t planned anything, have you?
Jimmy:
Is a nine month anniversary that important?
Manny and Craig both make "Ooh, that wasn´t the worst thing, you could say!" faces. Hazel stops walking and stares Jimmy in the eyes.
Hazel:
Nine months is three quarters of a year, so yes Jimmy, it is important!
She storms off and he´s left looking frustrated. Craig and Manny come over to him.
Craig:
How dumb are you exactly?
Jimmy:
I had no idea, that it was such a big deal to her!
Manny:
Don´t you know anything about girls?
Jimmy:
I thought, I did. It went fine with Ashley.
Craig:
Until she cheated on you with Sean, because you weren´t giving her what she wanted. Later, babe!
Manny:
Later, Craig.
Craig heads off to class and Manny begins to walk away too.
Jimmy:
Can you help me, Mann? Everyone says that you´ll help just about anyone, if they need it.
Manny turns around and smiles at him.
Manny:
How desperate are you?
Jimmy:
I´m willing to do anything!
Manny:
Find me after next period. We may be able to help each other.
Jimmy:
Great, I will!
Manny walks away from him and he seems to have gotten a little bit of hope back.
6. Ext. Degrassi. Day.
Jimmy is getting girl advice from Manny, Emma and Liberty.
Jimmy:
Why are you two here, exactly?
Emma:
It sounded like you needed all the help, you could get! Plus, I didn´t have anything better to do.
Liberty:
And I had too see this for myself!
Jimmy:
Just forget it!
He´s about to get up, but Manny holds him down.
Manny:
Do you care about losing Hazel or not?
Jimmy:
I care. What do you suggest?
Emma:
Hazel is one of the most girly girls, I´ve ever met. You need to pile on the romance!
Liberty:
We´re talking flowers, chocolates, big declarations of love!
Manny:
What are your plans so far?
Jimmy:
A dinner at a the best restaurant I could get a reservation to. I know that it could sound like a dumb question, but is she expecting me to do this every month?
Manny:
Nine months is a semi big one. The next big one is a year, if you make it that far.
Liberty:
If you forget that one, then it´s over!
Emma:
Definitely! You should count yourself lucky, that she hasn´t dumped you yet.
Jimmy:
Should I get her a present?
Manny:
You don´t want to go overboard. A nice bracelet or a pair ear rings would do fine. Any other questions?
Jimmy:
I can feel to my bones, that I´m gonna mess this up!
Manny:
Give me your phone.
Jimmy:
Why?
Manny:
I´m providing you with an extra service.
He hands it to her and she types her phone number in.
Manny:
For this one night, you can call me and I´ll help you out. Save it for emergencies.
Jimmy:
Thanks. This was worth the 30 bucks.
She hands him the phone back and he gives her the money.
Jimmy:
Give Craig a nice birthday. That boy deserves it.
Manny:
Keep repeating this mantra in your head: "Romance is the key to her heart".
Jimmy:
Romance is the key to her heart. That´s dope. I can see why people come to you for help, Manny.
Manny:
I aim to please.
Jimmy leaves them and Manny looks satisfied with herself.
7. Int. Classroom. Day.
Hazel is chatting with Paige and Amy, when Jimmy comes sauntering in and over to them, looking a little more confident now. He stands in front of Hazel and clears his voice.
Hazel:
What are you doing, Jimmy?
He starts singing the song "I Swear" by All-4-One.
Jimmy (singing):
I swear by the moon and the stars in the sky
I´ll be there
And I swear like the shadow that's by your side
I´ll be there
Hazel blushes, but she´s clearly loving every moment of it. Others like Spinner, just find it hilarious. He is doing a great job of singing it though, No one can deny that.
Jimmy (singing):
For better or worse
Till death do us part
I'll love you with every beat of my heart
I swear
He gets cheers and whistles from his classmates. Hazel can´t help being one big smile.
Hazel:
You´re crazy!
Jimmy:
Only crazy about you. If you think that I can´t be romantic, then strap in, because I´m making this will be an anniversary, neither or us will forget.
Hazel:
I´ll take your word for it!
Amy:
Where´s my serenade, Spinner?
Jimmy:
Yeah, Spin! Song the girl you love a song!
Spinner, who has no shame in his body, stands up and looks Amy in the eyes, as he walks over to stand next to Jimmy.
Spinner:
You asked for it, keep that in mind.
Paige:
I´ve heard him sing. Stop him, Amy!
Amy:
I want to hear this. I´ve never had a guy serenade me before!
Hazel:
Neither had I, until a minute ago!
Spinner starts singing "I Touch Myself" by The Divinyls.
Spinner (singing):
I love myself
I want you to love me
When I'm feelin' down
I want you above me
I search myself
I want you to find me
I forget myself
I want you to remind me
Amy´s face has turned bright red and of course Snake has to walk in, right before Spinner gets to the chorus.
Spinner (singing):
I don't want anybody else
When I think about you
I touch myself
I don't want anybody else
Oh no, oh no, oh no
He hums the melody line and does a little dance to go along with it. He doesn´t notice Snake walk up behind him, until Jimmy pads him on the shoulder. Spinner turns around to face Snake. At least half the class are now laughing their butts off.
Snake:
Do I have to say the word, Spinner?
Spinner:
Detention?
Snake nods and Spinner takes his seat. He looks over at Amy, who mouths "I do that too" to him and they smile at each other.
8. Int. Joey and Caitlin´s House. Evening.
Manny and Craig are heading out and Craig has Julia on his arm. They´re saying goodbye to Joey and Caitlin.
Joey:
Have a great birthday, Craig.
Caitlin:
What are you doing tonight?
Manny:
We both decided to have the most baby friendly B-Day, you can have.
Craig:
We´re talking the playground, dinner at Chuck E. Cheese. All the wild things that teenagers do!
Joey:
Enjoy yourselves and take good care of the car. I am planning to sell it, after you´re done with it.
Craig:
You know, we will.
They head out the door.
9. Ext. Joey and Caitlin´s House.
They head down the walkway and Manny gets a phone call. She takes it and puts the phone on speaker.
Manny:
Have you already screwed it up?
Jimmy (voice over):
It hasn´t officially started yet. I got her some nice ear rings, like you suggested. What´s the perfect opening line?
Manny:
Try "Hi, Hazel". You´ll do fine, Jimmy. Just relax and treat her like a princess for this one night.
Craig:
She´ll love you for it!
Jimmy (voice over):
Was that Craig?
Manny:
We´ve just left the house.
Jimmy (voice over):
I won´t bother you again, unless it´s an emergency. Have a fun night, you hear?
Craig:
You too.
We can hear Jimmy hang up and Manny puts her phone away.
Manny:
Easiest 30 bucks, I´ve ever made!
Craig:
You could make a career out of giving people advice.
Manny:
You think so?
Craig:
You´re the best at it, I´ve met.
She smiles to herself, as she gets in the car.
10. Ext. Hazel´s Parents. House.
Jimmy puts his phone away, but it´s easier said than done with arms full of gifts for Hazel. She comes out the door and smiles at him.
Hazel:
You look like, you could use some help.
Jimmy:
I had this big entrance planned and everything!
Hazel:
Let me help you.
She unloads some of the burden from him and smells the flowers, he got her.
Jimmy:
I´m not an expert on flowers, but the lady at the store said that these are her favorite.
Hazel:
They´re beautiful. You didn´t have to do all this!
Jimmy:
If you think that I don´t appreciate you, then you couldn´t be more wrong. Open your present.
She does and looks impressed.
Hazel:
These must have set you back a pretty penny!
Jimmy:
I promised you an anniversary, you wouldn´t forget, didn´t I?
Hazel:
It already is.
Jimmy looks happy, that at least the evening has started off well.
11. Int. Restaurant. Evening.
Jimmy and Hazel are seated at their table and are looking over the menus.
Hazel:
I can chip in, if you need it. This evening will cost you a fortune.
Jimmy:
Money is the least of my worries. I´m thinking about going with one of the fish dishes.
Hazel:
Looks good. What do you worry about, Jimmy?
Jimmy:
Lots of things. I´d rather not talk about it.
Hazel:
That´s the biggest problem, we have. You never tell me anything.
Jimmy:
I don´t want you to worry.
Hazel:
I do worry. Every time I see you sad, I worry, but you never tell me why, so I can help you.
Jimmy:
I have a big decision to make. My dad thinks, that I should transfer to SMU next year.
Hazel looks hurt.
Hazel:
That would mean the end of us. You didn´t bring me here to break up, did you?
Jimmy:
Of course not! You´re the reason, why it´s impossible for me to leave.
It brings a small smile back on her face.
Hazel:
I didn´t know, I was that important to you.
Jimmy:
You are. I want to follow my dream, but if I lose you along the way, then what´s it all been worth?
Hazel:
This is the first time I´ve heard you speak from the heart like this.
Jimmy:
I should have done it sooner. As embarrassing as it is, it took a couple of niner girls to teach me about this stuff.
Hazel giggles, which makes Jimmy smile too.
Hazel:
Which niner girls would this be?
Jimmy:
Manny, Emma and ... Liberty.
Hazel:
You had to get love advice from Liberty Van Zandt? That´s beyond sad!
Jimmy:
I also had to pay Manny thirty bucks for it. I´m still learning these things, Hazel.
Hazel:
It must have been embarrassing to be schooled by them.
Jimmy:
The things you do for love!
Hazel:
You did all that for me?
Jimmy:
I hate it, when you´re mad at me.
Hazel:
Probably as much as I hate being mad at you. I´m not asking you to give up on your dream. I wouldn´t in a million years ask you to do that. But if we´re going to last, then you have to do more than throw me a crumb here and there. Are you prepared to do that?
Jimmy:
You know, I am.
Hazel:
What about SMU?
Jimmy:
You know what? I think, you´ve just helped me to make that decision.
Hazel:
Are you going?
Jimmy:
No, I´m not. I´m not going anywhere, so you´d better get used to it.
Hazel looks pleased. The waiter comes over to them.
Waiter:
Are you ready to order?
Jimmy:
We are.
Jimmy looks relieved to have it off his mind.
12. Ext. Playground. Evening.
Julia is playing on the small slide with the help of her daddy and is enjoying every moment of it, not that her parents aren´t doing the same. She slides down and goes "Whee".
Manny:
Aren´t you tired of it yet?
Julia shakes her head.
Craig:
Alright, little lady. One more go and then it´s time we got you home.
He lifts her up to the top of the slide.
Craig:
Are you ready?
Julia nods and he lets go of her. She slowly slides down, right into Manny´s waiting arms. She coos with joy, as Manny picks her up and showers her with kisses. Craig smiles, when he looks at them.
Craig:
Can we make all my birthdays like this one?
Manny:
You´re not sorry, that you didn´t get a party and lots of gifts?
Craig:
You´ve given me the biggest gift, anyone could give me. If I have my two favorite girls, then I don´t need anything else.
He gives her a very innocent kiss and she looks pleased.
13. Int. Jimmy´s Parent´s House. Evening.
Jimmy comes into the living room, where his parents are watching TV.
Jimmy´s Mom:
Hey, Jimmy. Did Hazel like the ear rings?
Jimmy:
It´s safe to say, that they were a big hit.
Jimmy´s Dad:
Was the evening a hit?
Jimmy:
You could say that. I´ve made a decision about St. Michael´s. It sounds great on paper, but can´t leave my life behind.
Jimmy´s Dad:
You can take another week or two, to think it over.
Jimmy:
Nah, I don´t need it. Why would I want to go somewhere else, when everything I want is here?
He looks at peace with his decision.
CLOSING CREDITS