Credits
(A dark and quiet place. Marcus is seen, but only barely. With him are two other boys, one with darker hair than the other one, who are listening to Marcus as he talks.)
Marcus – (emphatically) It's them, I'm sure it's them.
Boy with darker hair – All four girls?
Marcus – No, obviously not. But three of them are.
Boy with darker hair – Do you know which?
Marcus – I'm sure Rikki is one, and I think the others are Cleo and Shannen. Emma doesn't seem exactly the type. She's too serious and straight-forward, definitely not hiding anything.
Boy with lighter hair – So, what do we do?
Marcus – (exasperated) What have I been saying all along? You have to get close to them!
Boy with lighter hair – Oh.
Marcus – And, I have the feeling that a great opportunity is coming up soon. Just wait and see.
(The scene grows darker and changes)
(Rikki, Cleo, Emma, and Shannen are sitting at a table in the Juicenet Café. They're talking about something.)
Cleo – I just think it's too bad that the Juicenet is losing money.
Emma – Yeah, they've even let some people go, recently.
Rikki – (disbelieving and slightly mocking) Not you, Emma, surely?
Emma – (primly) Of course not.
Rikki – (teasing) It wouldn't have something to do with Ash, now would it?
(Shannen smiles secretly as she hears Emma's thoughts, and then turns to the entrance, where Marcus has stepped in, followed by two other boys.)
Shannen – (quietly, staring at the table fixedly) We have company.
(Marcus, with the two other boys, makes his way to where the girls are seated.)
Marcus – Hey, girls.
Rikki – Hey.
Cleo – Hi.
(Emma smiles and Shannen waves half-heartedly.)
Marcus – (turning to introduce the boys he's with) These are my friends. This is Jason (indicates boy with darker hair), and this is Dylan (indicates boy with lighter hair).
Emma – (politely) I'm Emma, (indicates girls as she says their names) and this is Cleo, Rikki, and Shannen. (after a slight pause) Do you want to join us?
Cleo – (glancing at her watch) Actually, I have to go. I'm meeting Lewis in a couple of minutes. (She stands up, grabs her stuff, and waves at everyone as she leaves) Bye! (She leaves)
(The remaining girls wave after her; the guys mostly smile, slightly uncomfortable.)
Emma – Come on, girls, scootch over, let them sit down with us.
(The girls move slightly, and the guys join them. Scene change)
(Cleo and Lewis are walking on the street, holding hands. Cleo is eating an ice cream cone, and they're talking happily.)
Cleo – That was a great movie.
Lewis – It was all right.
(A yapping sound is heard, and Cleo looks around.)
Cleo – (turning, searching for the source of the sound) Did you hear that?
Lewis – Hear what?
(Another yapping is heard.)
Cleo – That. (looks around, and then points) I think it's coming from over here.
(Cleo walks near to a trash can, and sees a box right next to it.)
Cleo – Hold this.
(She gives her ice cream cone to Lewis, who takes it, surprised. Cleo kneels, and begins to open the box carefully. The box shakes and the yapping grows louder.)
Lewis – Careful, Cleo.
(Cleo finishes opening up the box and her face turns to surprise and wonder as she lifts out a puppy.)
Cleo – (cooing) Hello, you!
Lewis – (backing away slightly) Cleo, you should probably put it back. You don't know if it has fleas or something.
Cleo – (astonished) Put it back?! In there?! No! Of course not! (she stands) It's obviously been abandoned. We have to find it a home or something.
Lewis – We could just take it to the pound.
Cleo – (gasps) No! We can't do that! Do you know what they do to dogs there?
Lewis – They take care of dogs, Cleo, it's their job.
Cleo – But do you know what happens to the dogs there?
Lewis – Yeah, I do. But Cleo, we've got to go. I'm going to be late.
Cleo – Well, go on then. I'll take care of this myself.
(Cleo stalks off in a huff, still carrying the puppy. Lewis stares after her for a moment, before tossing the half-finished cone into the trash can and walking off in the other direction. Scene change)
(Cleo is holding the puppy, and sitting on the beach. She's giggling as the puppy licks her face, but then she sighs as she ponders her current situation. Jason walks by and sees her.)
Jason – (shyly) Hi, um…
Cleo – Cleo.
Jason – Oh, right, Cleo. Hi.
Cleo – Hi, Jason.
Jason – You remembered my name when I didn't remember yours?
Cleo – I suppose I did.
Jason – (mumbling to himself sarcastically) Great job, Jason.
Cleo – (laughing) It doesn't matter.
Jason – Cute puppy. Is it yours?
Cleo – Not really. I found it. It was abandoned.
Jason – Abandoned?
Cleo – Yeah. I wanted to help it, but Lewis thinks we should just take it to the pound.
Jason – (shrugging slightly) If you like, I'll help you find it a home.
Cleo –(smiling widely) That would be really great, Jason. Thanks.
(Cleo, still holding the puppy, stands and starts to walk away. She looks back to make sure Jason is following. Jason hurries after her. Scene change)
(Shannen is sitting on a chair near the port, relaxing and reading a book. She looks comfortable. Suddenly, she looks up as a quiet mumbling voice is heard. The voice can be recognized as Dylan's. Dylan is walking up to Shannen.)
Dylan – Hi, Shannen.
(Shannen smiles and nods politely, but she doesn't say anything.)
Dylan – (awkwardly) What are you reading?
Shannen – (closing the book and quickly putting it in her bag, which is lying on the ground next to the chair. A glimpse of the cover is seen, it has a mermaid on it) Nothing, really.
Dylan's voice – Marcus said to get close to her… but she's so closed… I wonder why…
(Shannen's brow furrows slightly as she hears Dylan's thoughts.)
Dylan – (after an awkward pause) Oh.
(Shannen stands brusquely, and grabs her bag.)
Shannen – I've got to go.
(She begins to walk away quickly, and crosses paths with Marcus, who was heading to where she was before.)
Marcus – (to Shannen, politely) Hello.
(Shannen just smiles at him, slightly stiffly, and doesn't pause as she makes her way away from both boys. Marcus looks at Dylan, one eyebrow raised, expectantly.)
Dylan – (to Marcus, hopelessly) Well, I tried. (he more-or-less collapses onto the chair that Shannen had been sitting on)
Marcus – (coming closer) It didn't work?
Dylan – (looking up, as if for guidance) It's like she was trying to push me away or something. As if she knew. You said they wouldn't know.
Marcus – (talking to himself as he ponders the predicament) Well, it seems I was wrong.
Dylan – So, what do I do?
Marcus – (strictly) You stick to the plan. You'll figure something out eventually. (he pats Dylan on the back comfortingly, turns, and begins to walk away, in the direction from which he'd come)
Dylan – (calling after Marcus) And if I don't? Figure something out, I mean.
Marcus – (his voice low and slightly threatening) You better.
(Marcus continues walking away, unworried, while Dylan sits dejectedly on the chair. He sighs and looks out to the sea, as if it could answer his questions. Scene change)
(Cleo and Jason are walking along the street, Cleo holding the puppy. Suddenly, they stop, in the middle of a block crowded with houses.)
Cleo – (motioning with her free hand) Ok, you take that side, and I'll take this one.
Jason – All right.
(They each walk in separate directions, heading for a house. Scene change)
(A doorbell rings, and a woman walks to the door and opens it. Opening it, she sees Cleo, holding the puppy.)
Cleo – (holding out the puppy) Hi, would you like to adopt a puppy?
(The woman shakes her head, and closes the door)
(A knock is heard, and a man walks to the door and opens it. Jason is seen.)
Jason – Good afternoon, sir. I was wondering if you would like to-
(The man closes the door in Jason's face rudely)
(A door is opened, and Cleo is seen, holding out the puppy,)
Cleo – Excuse me, sir. Would you-
(The door closes)
(A door opens to reveal Jason standing on the other side.)
Jason – Ma'am-
(The door is shut in his face)
(A door opens and Cleo is seen. She smiles and holds out the puppy. As she opens her mouth, the door is slammed shut)
(A door is slammed shut in Jason's face)
(A door slams shut)
(Cleo is sitting on a bench, holding the puppy in her lap. She looks very sad, and is sighing as she looks at all the houses on the block. Jason walks up, and Cleo looks up hopefully. Jason just shakes his head.)
Jason – No luck.
Cleo – (gazing back at the houses) Me neither.
(A moment of silence passes.)
Cleo – What are we going to do? (she turns to Jason) Can you keep him?
Jason – (looking rather surprised) Who? Me? No, I can't. My dad has allergies.
Cleo – (sadly) Oh.
Jason – Why don't you take him home?
Cleo – What, the puppy?
Jason – Yeah, sure. Why not?
Cleo – I don't know. I'm not sure if my dad would approve.
Jason – Then talk to him. You never know.
Cleo – (thinking) Yeah, you're right. That's a good idea. (perkily) Thanks, Jason! (she stands up happily and hands the puppy over to Jason) You don't mind, do you? (Without waiting for an answer, she skips away, heading home. Jason just watches her leave with a small smile on his face. Scene change)
(Cleo enters her house and sees her dad sitting in the living room, reading a paper.)
Cleo – Hi Dad!
Mr. Sertori – (barely looking up) Hello, Cleo.
Cleo – (cautiously) Hey dad, (she walks over and sits next to him) Have you ever thought of maybe…
Mr. Sertori – Yes? (looking up curiously at Cleo)
Cleo - … maybe getting a dog?
Mr. Sertori – No, I haven't.
(Cleo looks disappointed, Mr. Sertori notices.)
Mr. Sertori – Why did you bring this up?
Cleo – (hesitantly) Well…
Mr. Sertori – (warningly) Cleo…
Cleo – I found a puppy today, and I was hoping we'd be able to keep it. I promise it won't bother you or anything-
Mr. Sertori – (interrupting) Wait, you found a dog? And you didn't take it to the pound?
Cleo – But it's so small and cute! I really want it!
Mr. Sertori – (getting up) Look, Cleo, I have a lot of work to do. Now, I don't want to hear another word about this, all right?
Cleo – (angrily) Yes, Dad. (she runs out of the living room and out the door, slamming it as she leaves.)
(Mr. Sertori sighs, and then takes his papers into another room. Scene change)
(Shannen is standing next to Rikki, in the Juicenet Café. They're talking and apparently waiting for someone to bring them a drink. Emma comes by and deposits two juices in front of them.)
Emma – Here you go.
Shannen – Thanks.
(Rikki begins to sip her drink while Shannen holds hers with both of her hands shyly. A slight rattling sound is heard as Dylan steps into the Café. Shannen glances up and immediately leaves her juice on the table and ducks behind the bar table, where the workers make the juices. Rikki just looks confused.)
Rikki – What are you doing?
Shannen – (whispering) Don't let him see me!
(Rikki turns and sees Dylan, and a knowing smile makes a brief appearance on her face before turning into a carefully neutral expression. Dylan sees Rikki and heads her way.)
Dylan – Hey, Rikki. You haven't seen Shannen around, have you?
Rikki – Shannen? No, not really. (she glances to the table behind which Shannen is hiding) Why do you think she'd be here?
Dylan – (shrugging) I don't know. Just a hunch, I guess. (he spies the other drink on the table) Who's the other juice for?
Rikki – (quickly) Nobody. It's mine.
Dylan – (raising one eyebrow) You ordered two drinks for yourself?
Rikki – (nervously making up an explanation) Yeah, well, a girl gets thirsty sometimes. (she takes a sip out of Shannen's glass, and makes a small grimace that she hides behind her hand. Dylan doesn't notice. Then, she looks up at Dylan) Well, as you can see, Shannen's not here.
Dylan – Well, thanks anyway. And, if you see her, can you tell her I need to talk to her?
Rikki – Sure thing!
(Dylan walks away, and Rikki wipes her mouth with a napkin as Shannen rises from her hiding spot, looking slightly guilty and embarrassed.)
Rikki – You owe me one. (she wipes her mouth once more) How can you even drink that?! It's disgusting!
Shannen – I like it. (she makes her way back to her place, next to Rikki)
Rikki – Why are you avoiding him, anyway?
Shannen – I don't know. I guess it's just a feeling I get from him.
Rikki – (teasingly) You sure you don't just like him?
Shannen – (thoughtfully) No, I'm sure.
(Scene change)
(Jason is sitting on the bench, still holding the puppy. He's trying to entertain himself as he appears bored. Cleo arrives, and Jason's face brightens as he stands up.)
Jason – Any luck?
Cleo – No. He wouldn't even hear me out.
Jason – That's too bad. (he looks upset for a moment, and then looks up as something occurs to him) Did you tell him about how dogs sometimes help fishermen?
Cleo – (slightly confused) No…
Jason – I think you should try again.
Cleo – But I just said that-
Jason – (interrupting) Please, Cleo. Just trust me.
(Cleo thinks about it for a moment before nodding, and they both start walking off. Scene change)
(Cleo walks back into her house. This time, her dad is reading the newspaper comfortably on the couch. He looks more relaxed than earlier.)
Mr. Sertori – Hello, Cleo.
Cleo – (acknowledging) Dad. (after a brief pause) Have I told you about this book I read?
Mr. Sertori – (puzzled) No, you haven't.
Cleo – It's about a girl whose dog helps her catch these fish and stuff.
Mr. Sertori – (tiredly) Cleo, not this again. I told you, no dogs are allowed in this house.
(A quiet knock is heard on the door, and Jason enters holding the puppy. Cleo looks surprised.)
Jason – (apologetically) Sorry, Cleo. He kept crying out for you.
(Mr. Sertori's face softens as he gazes at the little puppy as it wiggles in Jason's arms.)
Mr. Sertori – What's his name? (motioning towards the puppy)
Jason – He doesn't have one yet.
(Mr. Sertori approaches and begins to scratch the puppy behind the ears. Without the older man noticing, Jason winks at Cleo, who is visibly startled.)
Cleo – (catching on) This is the puppy I was telling you about, Dad.
Mr. Sertori – He's cute. (attempting to be firm) But I said that I wouldn't allow any dogs in this house.
Cleo – But you won't have to do anything. I'll feed him and clean up after him and bathe him. I'll take full responsibility.
(Mr. Sertori looks thoughtful for a moment, before sighing and nodding.)
Mr. Sertori – All right. We'll try this, but if it's too much, he's going straight to the pound.
Cleo – (happily) Thanks, Dad!
(Mr. Sertori just smiles and leaves the room, mumbling something about what he was getting himself into. Cleo, beaming, turns to Jason.)
Cleo – That was brilliant, Jason. Thank you so much!
Jason – (holding up the puppy) Don't thank me, thank him. He did most of the convincing.
(Cleo just smiles, and the puppy wriggles in Jason's arms. Scene change)
(The same dark room as the beginning of the show. Marcus, Jason and Dylan are shown talking to each other.)
Marcus – What did I tell you? A chance came up, and it really helped, didn't it?
Jason – Yeah, it sure did.
Marcus – (turning to Dylan) And how are you doing with Shannen?
Dylan – Not so good. It's hard, it's as if she knows or something.
Marcus – (frowning) We'll have to figure her out later. For now, let's celebrate.
(Marcus jumps into a little pool of water and vanishes below the surface. Jason and Dylan shrug slightly before joining their friend. A fish-like tail flashes before sinking in and disappearing. Dramatic music, scene fades)
End Credits
(A/N) Yay! I finally got around to updating this! Anyways, I'm so sorry it took so long, I've been so incredibly busy, but here you go. I hope it pleases all you guys. Oh, and by the way, I've gotten a couple of people calling me on my misspelling of Rikki, and I'm so sorry. This chapter should be alright, but if it's not, I'm sorry again.
Also, this chapter is dedicated to Boris Yeltsin who helped me out and gave me ideas. Thanks so much!
Anyways, hoped you guys liked it, and please review!