WHAT IF? - SEASON 1 EPISODE 17 - MY HOMETOWN
Disclaimer: I don´t own Degrassi or the characters from it.
1. Int. Doctor´s Office. Day.
Emma is having an ultra sound taken. Sean is there with her and is holding her hand, while the doctor does their thing. They see the ultra sound of the pheatus on the screen.
Sean:
That´s it?
Doctor:
That´s your son or daughter.
Emma:
How long will it be, until you can tell?
Doctor:
You´ll have to keep waiting in suspense for a while longer, I´m afraid.
Sean and Emma look at it and smile.
2. Int. Hallway. Day.
Sean and Emma come out from the doctor´s room.
Emma:
You´re sure, you don´t want me to come with you?
Sean:
You can, if you want. I never said, you couldn´t.
Emma:
I´d like to meet your parents. After all, we´ll all be related soon.
Sean:
Actually that could be an okay idea. There´s sure to be less shouting, if you´re there.
Emma:
How long has it been, since you saw them?
Sean:
Over three years. Has it really been that long?
Emma:
Time flies. Are scared or excited?
Sean:
Fifty percent of each. It´s time, though. If I´m going to move on with my life, then I can´t have this monkey on my back.
He´s clearly not looking forward to it, but looks ready.
OPENING CREDITS
3. Int. Bus. Day.
We see Sean and Emma riding on a bus, that´s passing the Wasaga city limits.
Sean:
You can´t exactly say, that I´m returning in style.
Emma:
Who can afford a car on student welfare?
Sean:
When I left, I had this picture in my head. That when I returned, it would be as some big hero. Silly, huh?
Emma:
You´re my hero. Doesn´t that count?
Sean:
Why do you keep believing in me? No one else does.
Emma:
You can call it a gut feeling, that you´re worth hanging on to.
She rest her head on his shoulder, while they take in the sighs.
4. Int. Movie Theater Lobby. Evening.
Paige and Alex are busy serving customers.
Paige:
Thanks, come again.
Her heart sinks, when she sees that Dean is standing at the back of the line. She backs away from the counter, as the woman at the head of the line tries to order.
Woman:
A large popcorn, two large cokes, a ...
Paige:
My colleague will have to help you. I can´t do this!
Woman:
The movie starts in five minutes!
Paige:
I´m sorry.
She runs away in fear.
Alex:
Get back here!
Paige can´t hear her, as she´s already half way out the door.
5. Ext. Mall. Day.
Paige is trying to calm down, when Alex comes out to her.
Alex:
I have to report you. You left me with a nightmare on my hands in there!
Paige:
He was in my line.
Alex:
Who was?
Paige:
The bastard, who raped me.
Alex calms down immediately and goes to support Paige in stead.
Alex:
I heard about it, when you had the trial. He got off Scott free, didn´t he?
Paige:
I waited too long, until I reported it. By the time I did, I had no evidence to support my case.
Alex:
That doesn´t mean, he shouldn´t be punished.
Paige:
Do you think I work here because I love the smell of popcorn? I got him back, a little at least.
Alex:
So, that´s how you smashed Spinner´s car. I would have done a lot more than that to him.
Paige:
It felt damn good, when I did it! I can´t make him leave Toronto, though. Am I gonna freak out for the rest of my life, every time I see him?
Alex:
He deserves a taste of sweet revenge.
Paige:
He´s ruined enough, as it is. Don´t let him ruin your life too.
Alex:
Are you ready to come back in?
Paige:
Are you still reporting me to the boss?
Alex:
We can let it slide, all things considered.
Paige nods and Alex gives her a helping hand to stand up.
6. Ext. Sean´s Parents House. Evening.
Sean and Emma are outside the door and Sean rings the bell. They´re surprised that it´s his older brother Tracker, who opens it.
Sean:
What are you doing here?
Tracker:
I thought, you could use a peace keeper. Even though I see, that you brought one of your own. How are you, Emma?
Emma:
I´m alright and also pregnant with Sean´s child.
Tracker looks shocked.
Tracker:
Mom, dad. You´ll want to see this!
Sean´s parents come to the door.
Mr. Cameron:
Hello, Sean. You´re looking well.
Sean:
You too, Dad. Hi, mom.
Mrs. Cameron:
Who is the lovely young lady?
Tracker:
This is Emma, who I might have mentioned before.
Mr. Cameron:
It´s nice to meet you, Emma.
Tracker:
Emma is pregnant with your first grand child.
They look surprised.
7. Int. Living Room. Evening.
Sean and Emma are sitting next to each other on the couch. The mood is a little tense.
Mr. Cameron:
We don´t see you for three years and when you come back you bring a pregnant girl, who´s how old?
Emma:
Sixteen, sir.
Mr. Cameron:
At least you have manners.
Mrs. Cameron:
Try to stay positive.
Sean:
Emma isn´t some girl, I´ve just met. She´s been a huge part of my life, since I came back to Toronto.
Emma:
It must sound crazy, but we have it all planned out. I´m having the baby and then I´m giving it up for adoption. We´re well aware, that we´re too young to be parents.
Mr. Cameron:
That´s the first sensible thing, I´ve heard so far tonight.
Sean:
You don´t think, I can be a dad, is that it?
Tracker:
Sean, he didn´t mean it like that.
Sean:
How did you mean it?
Emma:
Let it lie, Sean. I´m sure, he didn´t mean anything by it.
She takes his hand and it seems to calm him down.
8. Int. Movie Theatre Lobby. Evening.
Alex is on her way out and says goodbye to Paige.
Alex:
I can wait, if you want.
Paige:
Get outta here and get that homework done! I can clean this up on my own.
Alex:
I´m only a call away, if you need to talk.
They hug good bye and Alex leaves her. Paige sees Dean leave with the other movie goers and tries to remain calm.
9. Ext. Mall. Evening.
Paige comes out from the mall and is shocked to find Dean waiting for her. She immediately gets defensive.
Paige:
Stay away from me or I´ll call the cops!
Dean:
I´m not here to hurt you again, so relax.
Paige:
That´s kind of hard, considering what you did.
Dean:
I was in a very bad place and drinking too much, when that night happened. I feel ashamed for both that and how I acted afterwards. I know, that it won´t make anything right ...
Paige:
You´re damn right, it won´t! I hope, you rot in hell, you son of a bitch!
Dean:
I deserve that and more. This is my last day here, before I move to the states, so it´s also my only chance to apologize.
Paige:
So you can rape more girls down there?
Dean:
I got kicked out of college, the ones I though were my friends don´t want anything to do with me and my entire family has shunned me. I have no one anymore. I´m moving there to get a fresh start, after I tried to kill myself. I didn´t get punished in court, but I´m sure as hell being punished in life! I wanted you to know that, in case it might make you feel a tiny bit better.
He walks away from her and Paige is left looking slightly stunned.
10. Ext. Sean´s Parent´s House. Evening.
Sean is trying to calm down with Emma´s help.
Sean:
I knew, it would be like this!
Emma:
You´re getting worked up over nothing.
Sean:
It´s "Look at our screw up son! He´s found yet another way to mess his life up!".
Emma:
We can go, if you want to, but I think, you should give it another chance.
Sean:
What´s the point? It´s the same now, as it was then.
Emma:
You´re not the same guy anymore. Remember in the beginning, when you would pick a fight with anyone, who said anything offensive to you?
Sean:
I was such a little idiot, when I look back on it.
Emma:
How many fights have you been in this year?
Sean:
One, but in my defense, she did try to stab me.
Emma:
Tell them that story. Let them know, that you´re not a screw up, or whatever you want to call it. You´ve never been one in my eyes, just so you know.
She gives him a hug and it calms him down. Tracker watches them out of the window and smiles to himself.
11. Int. Dining Room. Evening.
Sean is telling the story, while his family look surprised.
Sean:
They wanted to give me a medal afterwards, but that kind of thing has never been me. Jay got one and I got to laugh, when he accepted it with the shortest speech ever.
Tracker:
That just like you, Sean. You save a girl and your friend´s life and the last thing on your mind, is taking credit for it.
Emma:
He also saved a girl from being raped and another one from dying of alcohol poisoning last year.
His parents look impressed, to Sean´s delight.
Mr. Cameron:
Maybe you should consider becoming a police officer.
Mrs. Cameron:
Or a paramedic.
Sean:
It would be great, if I could end up in a job, where I save people.
Tracker:
As long as you don´t get credit for it?
Sean:
That goes without saying!
Sean looks to actually be enjoying himself.
12. Int. Paige´s Room. Evening.
Paige is talking to Dylan.
Dylan:
At least, the bastard got what he deserved.
Paige:
I should feel like I´ve won in some way, shouldn´t I?
Dylan:
There aren´t any textbooks on this, that can tell you, how you should feel.
Paige:
I won´t say that I felt sympathy for him, but the only part that made me feel better, was knowing that I won´t see him again. If I hadn´t approached him that day and made him invite me to that party, then we would both have normal lives.
Dylan:
You don´t know, if he did the same to other girls. That girl at the party must have warned you for a reason.
Paige:
It´s weird to think back on, almost like it happened to someone else. Like an out of body experience or something.
Dylan:
If you tell mom and dad, I´m sure they´ll pay for a psychologist. It´s important that you deal with it, or it could haunt you forever.
Paige:
I think tonight was a trigger. One that can make me say "I have dealt with it and I´m ready to move on". I don´t feel anything towards him anymore. He isn´t even worthy of my hatred! If I let him stay in my mind, then he will always have won. I choose to erase him from history altogether. That way he is exactly what he should be. Nothing.
Dylan is about to say something, but decides that it´s better to stay quiet and support her.
13. Int. Kitchen. Evening.
Sean is helping Tracker with filling up the dishwasher.
Tracker:
You and Em are just friends?
He smiles to himself.
Sean:
You don´t believe me?
Tracker:
Not for a second. Ever since you met her all those years ago, it´s like she has some effect on you, that can´t be explained. I´m not usually one to believe in that soul mates stuff, but I´m not sure, when it comes to you two.
Sean:
It´s not that a big part of me doesn´t want to. Maybe we can try again after the baby is born.
Tracker:
The fact alone, that you´re making plans when it comes to her, that far into the future, should tell you everything. Can you see yourself with anyone, except for her?
Sean:
It´s not like I don´t find certain other girls attractive!
Tracker:
I would seriously worry, if you didn´t! That isn´t the question. Do you want to do it with any of those girls?
Sean:
Not if there´s a chance that Em finds out!
Tracker:
Why is that?
Sean:
Because I love her, okay? From the moment I saw her, I somehow knew that she was the one. She´s grown into quite the hottie too, if you know what I mean?
Tracker laughs.
Tracker:
It never hurts, does it?
Sean:
Nope!
They laugh together. Emma comes out to them.
Emma:
What am I missing out on?
Sean:
Bad humor. Have I told you, that you look pretty tonight?
Emma looks flattered.
Emma:
Thanks. Your mom asked me to remind you to get the good biscuits.
Tracker:
The good ones? They´re going all out tonight!
Sean:
We´ll be back in ten. You don´t mind being left alone with them?
Emma:
No, I like them.
She leaves them again.
Tracker:
I wouldn´t wait, if I were you.
Sean looks torn over what to do, but seems to agree with Tracker.
14. Int. Convenience Store. Evening.
Sean and Tracker come in, in good spirits. Sean´s smile goes away however, when he sees who´s behind the counter.
Sean:
Did you know, he works here?
Tracker:
I had no idea, I promise. But you came here to put the past behind you, didn´t you?
Sean:
How do you apologize for making a guy deaf in one ear?
Tracker:
You´ll find a way. I´ll get the biscuits.
Tyler, the boy in question, gives a customer his change back and the customer leaves. There´s now only the two of them and Tracker in the store, as Sean walks up to the counter. Tyler is anything but pleased to see him.
Tyler:
Have you come back to gloat to my face?
Sean:
No, I haven´t. I was hoping that I could avoid running into you.
Tyler:
That makes two of us! Are you buying anything?
Sean:
Tyler, I know that there´s no way to apologize for what I did.
Tyler:
No, there isn´t, so don´t even try! I have to wear a hearing aid for the rest of my life, because some dumb kid couldn´t control his temper, when I was 12! You get to go on like nothing happened. I will be reminded of it, until the day I die!
Tracker comes up to the counter with the biscuits.
Tracker:
Hey, Tyler. If it´s any consolation, he came with his pregnant girlfriend. Actually, she´s not even his girlfriend, but she´s having his kid anyway. He´s hopelessly in love with her, but too scared to tell her that he wants to get back together.
Sean looks shocked.
Sean:
Tracker, for Pete´s sake!
He´s surprised to hear Tyler laughing.
Tyler:
Now, that is pathetic! I thought, my life was bad, but jeez! That chick has you by the balls!
Sean:
It´s not like that!
Tracker:
It totally is!
Tyler smiles to himself, as he rings in the biscuits.
15. Ext. Convenience Store. Evening.
Sean and Tracker come out.
Tracker:
I´d call that making peace with the guy.
Sean:
Everyone I used to know is gonna laugh at me!
Tracker:
What do you care? This way he gets to feel better about himself and how his life is going. After what you did to him, can´t you give the poor guy that much?
Sean:
I suppose so. It has to suck, having to wear a hearing aid.
Tracker:
Is there anything else from your past here, we need to fix?
Sean:
That´s pretty much it. Unless you count all those apples we stole from old Mrs. Hickory, when I was a kid.
Tracker:
She died years ago.
Sean:
Then that´s it. I´m ready to move on, without any emotional baggage holding me back. Man, that feels weird to say!
Tracker:
You´d better get used to it.
Sean smiles to himself and gets in the passenger seat of Tracker´s car.
16. Ext. Paige´s House. Evening.
Paige has a trash can in front of her. Dylan and Hazel are there with her.
Paige:
We´re gathered here to say goodbye to the old Paige Michalchuk, once and for all.
Hazel:
By burning your Spirit Squad uniform?
Paige:
I will never be able to wear it again, without it reminding me of Dean. It´s called symbolism, Hon.
Hazel:
Carry on!
Paige:
It wasn´t that there weren´t positive sides to the old me. She could on occasion do something nice for other people, but she was also kind of selfish. It´s time for a new Paige to rise from her ashes.
Dylan:
Aren´t you being a little dramatic?
Paige:
This new Paige will try her best every day, to be as nice of person, as she can. If people really annoy her however, exceptions can be made! She will not make snide remarks behind people´s backs anymore ...
Hazel:
Yeah, like that will ever happen!
Paige:
Unless they deserve it, or it´s that time of the month!
She lights a match and uses it to set the matchbox on fire, before dumping it into the trashcan. The uniform in there quickly catches fire and they have to back off.
Dylan:
I´ll get the fire extinguisher.
Dylan runs into the house. Paige and Hazel walk to a safe distance from the smoke. They watch it rise up from the trashcan.
Hazel:
Is that a final goodbye to the squad?
Paige:
It kind of is. I haven´t enjoyed it for a long time. Are you okay with my decision?
Hazel:
I get why you´re doing it. If this helps you to move on, then that´s the only thing that matters.
Paige:
That polyester/cotton blend burns fast, doesn´t it?
Hazel nods in agreement, as Dylan comes out from the house and puts the fire out.
17. Int. Car. Evening.
Tracker has driven Sean and Emma back to Toronto. They´ve stopped outside of Emma´s house.
Emma:
Thanks for the ride, Tracker. It was great seeing you again.
Tracker:
You too, Emma. Take care of my brother for me, will you?
Emma:
You can be sure, that I will.
Sean:
I´ll walk you up to your door. Do we have a minute, Tracker?
Tracker:
Go ahead. Say your goodbyes in fashion.
Sean and Emma get out of the car.
18. Ext. Emma´s House. Evening.
Sean and Emma hug goodnight.
Sean:
You can blame me for the broken curfew, if they´re mad at you.
Emma:
It´ll be okay. I have a bit more leeway these days.
Sean:
Do you have a date for prom yet?
Emma shakes her head.
Emma:
Prom has been the furthest thing from my mind lately.
Sean:
Do you want to go with me? I´m talking no strings attached and no pressure. We´ll be two normal 10th graders, going there to enjoy ourselves and hang out with our friends. What do you say?
Emma:
I´d like that a lot. I won´t be able to dance a whole lot, though. I´m sure there´s plenty of girls, who´d love to go with you, Ones that you can have more fun with than me, in my current state.
Sean:
None of those girls are you. I´d rather stay at home, than go with someone else.
Emma can´t hide her joy.
Emma:
Then I have to say yes, don´t I?
Sean:
Sweet dreams, Em.
He smiles to himself, as he walks back to the car. She watches him all the way there.
CLOSING CREDITS