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INT. ARIELS ROOM - DAY
On Saturday, Ariel’s Mother is giving out to her Father. Ariel goes to her room and starts listening to the ipod
INT. HIGH SCHOOL CLASSROOM - DAY
At the end of music class following the weekend
SAM BANNON: Ariel, did you listen to the music
ARIEL:No sir
SAM BANNON: I suppose you better return it so
ARIEL: I forgot sir. I left it at home.
INT. HIGH SCHOOL CANTEEN - LUNCH TIME
Dieter sits with his fellow footballers
RICK MONTAGUE: 17 years old, strongly built, six feet two inches tall, Blonde hair, Brown eyes
RICK MONTAGUE: Look at four eyes over there. (Referring to Sylvester who is eating by himself. What a sad bitter little man. Not a friend in the world.
Dieter decides to go and sit opposite him
SYLVESTER: I don’t want your company. I can do alright by myself. Go away.
DIETER: Shutting everyone out will get you nowhere
Emerson also sits down with them
SYLVESTER: Will the two of you just go away?
EMERSON: What’s happening?
DIETER: Sylvester doesn’t have friends and doesn’t want friends
EMERSON: Everybody wants friends
SYLVESTER: Not me. You two will be scrubbing fours one day and I will pass by you and you’ll be like, I wish I was that guy. I don’t want to be like you two, scrubbing floors for the rest of my life.
DIETER: (to Emerson) I think Sylvester has arrogance issues
SYLVESTER: Arrogance will get me to the top
DIETER: I thought that was hard work that gets you to the top.
EMERSON: And a rich family. Money makes more money.
SYLVESTER: Just go away
DIETER: Eh Sylvester, we can’t just go back to where we came from. We’ve just left the jocks to come sit with you. Going away would just be humiliating.
SYLVESTER: I don’t care
DIETER: Yes, well we kind of care. We don’t want to look like total clowns for trying to befriend a total jerk like yourself and then being told to go away.
EMERSON: Me too
Emerson and Dieter, start to eat from their trays
EMERSON: Say Sylvester, are you as good a fiddle player as you say you are?
SYLVESTER: It’s called a violin. There is a difference
EMERSON: What’s the difference then?
SYLVESTER: There is a reason why two meatheads like you don’t mix with guys like me. I’d have to explain myself every time.
DIETER: Whether you like it or not Meatheads like us have a place in this world, whether you like it or not. If we didn’t scrub floors then you would have to scrub floors instead.
EMERSON: Yeah
DIETER: Well, actually I don’t want to scrub floors all my life. Maybe I won’t make it as a guitar player or a professional football player, but I know if I find something I want to do and work hard it I can make ends meet.
SYLVESTER: Well you want to make ends meet. I want to be somebody. I want people to go, in ten years time, I want to be him.
EMERSON: No offence Sylvester, but I wouldn’t want to turn out like you. In ten years time, everybody might dislike you and you might dislike everybody and you’ll have loads of money but you’ll be empty inside. Success isn’t always measured in money Sylvester.
SYLVESTER: I’m not hungry.
Sylvester stands up having eaten half of his lunch and walks away.
INT. HIGH SCHOOL CLASSROOM - DAY
The music class are all present when Mr Bannon addresses them
SAM BANNON: The end of term concert happens in two months time. All of you are going to perform at that concert as a group.
ARIEL: Sir,can I be exempted?
SAM BANNON: No.You are all going to have to work together as a group.
SYLVESTER: How is my violin playing going to fit in with beginners playing the guitar and drums?
SAM BANNON: We will find a way
SYLVESTER: They’ll only make me look bad.
DIETER: You’re worried about looking bad?
ARIEL: What am I going to do?
SAM BANNON: Sing
ARIEL: But I can’t sing
SAM BANNON: Ok, Ariel, sing a lyric from Santa Claus is coming to town.
ARIEL: (singing badly) You better watch out, You better not cry, you better not pout
SAM BANNON: Don’t worry Ariel we’ll fit you in. Practice is after school Tuesday’s and Thursdays
DIETER: Sir,what about football practice?
SAM BANNON: Don’t worry Dieter, I’ve cleared it with the coach, you’re ok to practice with us
DIETER: Downer
EXT. HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL STADIUM - EVENING
Ariel turns up at football training once more
DIETER: Ariel. Have you come to check out our quarterback again? I hear he’s dating a really fit good looking girl from Alverton. She’s even hotter than Jasmine Breachwater
ARIEL: No Rosenfart, I haven’t come to check out Brad Stevenson
DIETER: Then what are you doing here? You haven’t suddenly become interested in football have you?
ARIEL: Actually, I have this huge crush on coach Carthright.
DIETER: Really?
ARIEL: But don’t tell anyone
DIETER: I never would have guessed, that a guy with a beerbelly, a double chin and a combover, would be such a studmuffin
ARIEL: He moves me in so many ways
DIETER: Say would you like to do anything this weekend?
ARIEL: Unfortunately I have to polish my nails
DIETER: Well I wouldn’t want to get in the way of your fun time.
INT. ARIEL'S HOME KITCHEN - DAY
Ariel’s Mother (Victoria) along with here husband (Nicolae) sits Ariel and her brother (Malcolm) down to have a serious discussion
Victoria adopts a serious tone
VICTORIA CHOBLOWSKY: Your Father and I have something important to tell you.
Victoria takes a deep breath
VICTORIA CHOBLOWSKY: I have breast cancer and the doctor thinks that it is quite serious. I may have only weeks to live perhaps months. He will do his best of course but surviving this thing does not look good
Victoria takes another deep breath
VICTORIA CHOBLOWSKY: I know that we have argued a lot and that we haven’t always seen eye to eye especially Ariel but I have always been looking out for all of your interests. I hope that the next number of weeks or months will be well spent and that there won’t be any quarrelling or shouting and we just cherish what time we have left
Ariel did not know what to say
MALCOLM: Does this mean that Dad will have to do the cooking?
ARIEL: I’m sorry mom, for everything. I know I always haven’t been…
VICTORIA CHOBLOWSKY: Oh Ariel
Victoria opens her arms and embraces Ariel
Nicolae has tears in his eyes
ARIEL: Don’t worry mom I can take care of the cooking. Dad was never the best at it. And I can wash the floors and do the cleaning. You’ll see and you’ll be able to rest and you won’t need to worry about Dad.
INT. HIGH SCHOOOL STAFF ROOM - LUNCH TIME
A number of teachers gather around the room in conversation
MR CALLAHAN: From what I’ve been hearing Sam, this years class is your worst yet. You always take the beginners class. Why do you bother?
SAM BANNON: Well Todd, I don’t find any challenge in taking the more advanced class.
MR CALLAHAN: Why not? It might be easier on the eardrums. Besides if Principal Stepmeyer finds out about how bad your kids are doing he might cut your wages.
SAM BANNON: Teaching isn’t just about the curriculum Todd. It’s also about moulding the students to become better individuals
MR CALLAHAN: I must use that excuse the next time Stepmeyer criticises my performance.
SAM BANNON: What made you want to become a teacher Todd?
MR CALLAHAN: Well it wasn’t the money. That’s for sure.
SAM BANNON: Don’t you feel the urge to want to make a difference in their lives?
MR CALLAHAN: Some of my students, not many, became musicians. That’s the impact I’ve made on their lives. That’s what I get paid for. I don’t care about their background and what they are going through. I just do my job and by 4:30 every day I am out of there. You need to think of yourself and not carry the weight of the world on your shoulders.
INT. ARIEL'S HOME KITCHEN - DAY
Ariel is nibbling at her meal in front of her. Neither Nicolae nor Malcolm are talking.
ARIEL: I’d better wash up. You two can go keep mom company
Despondently Nicolae and Malcolm stand up and slowly make their way upstairs.
Ariel throws her half eaten dinner in the bin and starts to fill the sink with dishes
There is a knock at the door
Ariel answers
It’s Mrs Claidaborne, a neighbour
MRS CLAIDABORNE: 56, two stone overweight, five feet three inches, friendly, outgoing, enthusiastic, dark hair with some grey streaks
ARIEL: Hello Mrs Claidaborne
MRS CLAIDABORNE: Victoria’s been telling me of the wonderful job you’ve been doing. I see your doing the washing up all by yourself. You just leave that to me. You need a break Ariel. Take an hour and go for a walk. You need to de-stress and clear your head.
ARIEL: I can’t. I don’t want to leave Mother
MRS CLAIDABORNE: Your mother understands. You need a break love. It’s a lovely day outside after all
ARIEL: Thanks Mrs Claidaborne.
EXT. STREET NEAR ARIELS HOME - DAY
Ariel goes outside for a walk. A few hundred yards down the road, she sees Dieter
DIETER: Ariel
ARIEL: Rosenfart
DIETER: You don’t look so good. Is everything ok?
ARIEL: Take me somewhere Dieter. I just want to go on a break where I can feel free
DIETER: I should warn you that all I have is a Ford Capri that I bought for five bucks from Dodgy Freddie the car salesman
ARIEL: I couldn’t care less Dieter
INT. DIETERS CAR - DAY
They both sit into the car
ARIEL: How old is this car anyway?
DIETER: It’s probably older than both of us put together, but for some reason it works.
ARIEL: Some vintage cars appreciate in value. You might be able to get ten bucks for it now.
DIETER: Is something the matter Ariel? Is there something you would like to talk about?
ARIEL:Just drive
EXT. LARGE PARK WITH SCENIC VIEWS - DAY
Dieter brings Ariel to a beautiful park
DIETER: Normally you’re not all that talkative Ariel, but today you’re pushing the envelope.
ARIEL: Tell me something that I don’t know about you Dieter.
DIETER: Like what?
ARIEL: I’ve never even seen your parents at school. What are they like?
DIETER: About two years ago my Father disowned me. That’s the main reason why myself and my mother came here. My Father re-married ten years ago. He’s very wealthy. He took me to his largest property, a four hundred acre ranch and he said, “Son I hoped that one day this would be yours, but you’re as dumb as it gets. Aaron”, who is my ten year old half brother, “is a hundred times smarter than you’ll ever be. Aaron can grow the Rosenwood empire. You would just run it into the ground.”
ARIEL: That’s a bit harsh. I know your not the smartest kid on the block, but that’s just cruel.
DIETER: Maybe he’s right. Maybe I’ll never amount to anything
ARIEL: Dieter, you're one of the nicest guys I know and that counts for a lot. I’m glad you didn’t turn out to be anything like your old man.
DIETER: You really think so.
ARIEL: Well I was kind of hoping you wouldn’t get a swelled head. What’s your Mother like?
DIETER: My mother has Alzheimers. In a few months she may not even remember me. She’s a great person though. You would probably like her. My aunt Trixie helps out in looking after her. You’d like her too.
ARIEL: Isn’t this beautiful (admiring the view)
DIETER: Do you want to tell me what’s bothering you now?
ARIEL: Some other time. All I want is some fresh air. It does take time to get over the carbon emissions of that death trap you’ve been driving. Besides, it’s nice to know that I’m not the only person in this world who has problems.
DIETER: Do you ever want to just stay in the one place for ever and ever?
ARIEL: I bet in winter this place sucks
DIETER: I was speaking metaphorically
ARIEL: What do you think of Jasmine Breachwater? Do you think she’s hot?
DIETER: Of course
ARIEL: Oh
DIETER: Well she may be hot, but if you were to ask me and a number of other blokes who they would prefer, I’d say a lot of them would pick you.
ARIEL: You’re such a suck up
DIETER: Well Ariel you’ve got something that Jasmine Breachwater may never have?
ARIEL: What’s that? A crooked nose? Fat thighs
DIETER: Well, Fat thighs are kind of a turn on. You’ve got depth Choblowsky. Layers and layers of depth. Jasmine may never have that.
ARIEL: I still think you’re a suck up
DIETER: Well how else am I supposed to get laid?
INT. HIGH SCHOOL CANTEEN - LUNCH TIME
School canteen. Three school bullies approach Sylvester as he carries his tray of food towards an empty seat.
BART THOMPSON: Hey Sylvester you wimp. I hear you’re going to be playing violin at the school concert. Only sissies play the violin buttface. How about I introduce you to my fist.
Sylvester has no response
Dieter stands up and walks over
DIETER: You’ll have to go through me first Thompson
BART THOMPSON: Oh yeah? Well there are three of us and only one and a quarter of you. I don’t like your odds.
Emerson stands up
EMERSON: Make that two and a quarter. No offence Sylvester. You wouldn’t want to tarnish your precious hairdo now would you, Thompson
BART THOMPSON: There’ll be another time. I can’t wait to hear you sissies play at the school concert. We’ll see who is laughing then.
EXT. OUTSIDE SCHOOL GROUNDS - AFTERNOON
All the students are leaving school
Melanie calls after Ariel as she starts her walking towards the bus stop.
MELANIE: Hey Ariel, wait up
Ariel slows down and turns around
MELANIE: We haven’t spoken in a while. How are things?
ARIEL: So so
MELANIE: That bad huh? Well, if you’d like to discuss it, I’m here for you
ARIEL: Has Dieter been talking?
MELANIE: No.. No not at all. Why?
ARIEL: No reason
MELANIE: Dieter’s a good guy and he’s not like totally ugly or anything
ARIEL: Thanks for the pep talk
MELANIE: My Leroy has his moments good and bad, but I’m too young to commit. I’d rather give my music career a go. Leroy says I have the voice of an angel
ARIEL: Do you have a backup plan?
MELANIE: Most of my backup plans are unattainable. I’d like to work in a zoo, but I don’t like to touch animals. I’d like to be an astronaut but lets face it, not many succeed. I’d like to be a doctor but my grades aren’t good enough and it costs money I don’t have.
ARIEL: I don’t even have a Plan A
MELANIE: I know Jasmine gives you a hard time, but you should let that slide. In another fifteen years she won’t look so damn perfect and she’ll be completely miserable. She’s more to be pitied than feared.
ARIEL: Jasmine Breachwater is the least of my worries right now
MELANIE: Then what is?
ARIEL: Melanie, you can’t solve all the problems in the world
MELANIE: No but sometimes it’s good to talk about things. That ipod that Mr Bannon gave you – I bet it helps too. Music can relax you. Have you discovered any new stuff?
ARIEL: I really couldn’t say