Childhood's End - Part 2: Divide and Conquer
Part 1: Click Here
[This episode opens with atmospheric shots of the school that Sally has found herself in. Kids walk orderly down hallways, in uniform. Damien stands there in the center of the hallway, looking authoritarian. The music here has a heavy beat. Once again, the colors are washed out, almost grayscale. The uniforms are white with gray accent. Only Damien stands out, his suit being navy blue.]
[As the beat continues, kids walk to their desks in various classes - orderly and equally. Towards the end of the montage, Sally appears among them. She's immediately noticeable. Her green eyes and colorful brown hair do help her stand out, along with being shorter than many of the peers her surround her. Sally looks nervous and confused.]
[Sally sits down at a desk in the center of the room. She looks forward. April sits down next to her.]
Sally: There's no way I'm ready for this.
April: Sally, be quiet - class is about to start.
[Much to Sally's surprise, Janet enters the classroom. Her hair is done up. She also has a very authoritarian expression, demanding focus on her. In her hand, she holds a ruler.]
Sally: [Hushed whisper] Janet!? M-maybe she'll go easy on me.
Janet: Class, what did I tell you? Homework out by the time that the bell rings, each and every one of you.
[April smiles smugly, her hands folded on top of an upside down piece of paper.]
Sally: [Whispers] Why do I even bother? Nothing makes sense in this crazy world.
[Beat]
[Sally's eyes widen with realization.]
Sally: If I've always been in this world, maybe my this-world self did her homework.
[Sally opens her backpack and comes face-to-face with Charmichael. Sally gives him a pained expression. Then she rummages through her backpack until she indeed pulls out a piece of paper. "Homework" is written on top of the page. It's a math worksheet; however, many of the problems are completely wrong.]
Sally (internally): Can this-world Sally not do math!? These problems are so easy!
[Sally grabs a pencil out of the backpack and begins correcting the numbers. She smiles as she comes up with the answers, and she does it quickly. The camera is on a close up on her face. Sally appears to be getting a moment's reprieve.]
[A ruler slams down on Sally's desk, drawing her attention. It's Janet's ruler. Janet looks down at Sally harshly.]
Janet: Ms. Dunn, we've been over this. You cannot do your homework in class. Your parents spend a fortune to send you to this school, you can at least have the respect to follow even the most basic of rules.
[The rest of the class starts chuckling]
Sally: But the problems were wrong! I was fixing them!
Janet: And how do you know that they were wrong? Cheating perhaps?
Sally: [Abrasive] I know that they were wrong cuz I do my family's shopping every week. I know how to do math.
Janet: I'm tired of your childish fantasies, Ms. Dyunn. You get a zero on this assignment.
[Sally crashes her head into the desk. A tear streams from her face.]
Janet: Chin up, Ms. Dunn. You've still got a long day to go.
[As the beat continues, kids walk to their desks in various classes - orderly and equally. Towards the end of the montage, Sally appears among them. She's immediately noticeable. Her green eyes and colorful brown hair do help her stand out, along with being shorter than many of the peers her surround her. Sally looks nervous and confused.]
[Sally sits down at a desk in the center of the room. She looks forward. April sits down next to her.]
Sally: There's no way I'm ready for this.
April: Sally, be quiet - class is about to start.
[Much to Sally's surprise, Janet enters the classroom. Her hair is done up. She also has a very authoritarian expression, demanding focus on her. In her hand, she holds a ruler.]
Sally: [Hushed whisper] Janet!? M-maybe she'll go easy on me.
Janet: Class, what did I tell you? Homework out by the time that the bell rings, each and every one of you.
[April smiles smugly, her hands folded on top of an upside down piece of paper.]
Sally: [Whispers] Why do I even bother? Nothing makes sense in this crazy world.
[Beat]
[Sally's eyes widen with realization.]
Sally: If I've always been in this world, maybe my this-world self did her homework.
[Sally opens her backpack and comes face-to-face with Charmichael. Sally gives him a pained expression. Then she rummages through her backpack until she indeed pulls out a piece of paper. "Homework" is written on top of the page. It's a math worksheet; however, many of the problems are completely wrong.]
Sally (internally): Can this-world Sally not do math!? These problems are so easy!
[Sally grabs a pencil out of the backpack and begins correcting the numbers. She smiles as she comes up with the answers, and she does it quickly. The camera is on a close up on her face. Sally appears to be getting a moment's reprieve.]
[A ruler slams down on Sally's desk, drawing her attention. It's Janet's ruler. Janet looks down at Sally harshly.]
Janet: Ms. Dunn, we've been over this. You cannot do your homework in class. Your parents spend a fortune to send you to this school, you can at least have the respect to follow even the most basic of rules.
[The rest of the class starts chuckling]
Sally: But the problems were wrong! I was fixing them!
Janet: And how do you know that they were wrong? Cheating perhaps?
Sally: [Abrasive] I know that they were wrong cuz I do my family's shopping every week. I know how to do math.
Janet: I'm tired of your childish fantasies, Ms. Dyunn. You get a zero on this assignment.
[Sally crashes her head into the desk. A tear streams from her face.]
Janet: Chin up, Ms. Dunn. You've still got a long day to go.
[The camera pulls back and this scene becomes displayed on a window. Shane's reflection appears on it. He is grinning happily. The camera reverses to show him in his office. An intercom box on his desk comes to life.]
Old Lady (voice over): Sir, Ms. Dunn is here for her appointment.
Shane: Excellent, send her in.
[The window turns to static, and then it becomes a typical window, over-viewing the heavily industrial landscape. For the first time in the episode trilogy, the sun breaks the clouds and shines into Shane's office. Autumn enters the room, looking guilty.]
Shane: Ms. Dunn, welcome.
Autumn: Shane... you can spare the formalities. I've decided... that I'm not sure if I want to do this. Robert--
Shane: Ah yes, your husband. We had a fine chat just now. You must have missed him on the way up.
Autumn: Not exactly. I passed by him, but he didn't say anything to me. He seemed... upset.
Shane: These things just take some time getting used to. When you get back to reality, he'll thank you for the vacation.
Autumn: This doesn't seem like much of a vacation to be honest.
[Shane turns around and sits down in his chair.]
Shane: Don't like my little company here?
Autumn: Well... I just thought that I'd be doing something... a little bit more important.
Shane: Tell you what--
[Shane flips through a rolodex on his desk.]
Shane: It seems like there's an opening for Vice President. It appears that our current one had just retired. What luck, am I right?
[Autumn looks down, giving a guilty expression. Shane gives a friendly smile.]
Shane: Don't worry, Autumn. They're just pieces of code. Bits of binary. Nothing to get worked up over.
Autumn: I'm worried about the people that aren't made of binary.
[Shane looks down, and then he looks up with the same expression]
Shane: The kids, huh?
[Autumn nods.]
Shane: Don't worry. They'll wake up when this is all over and think that it's nothing more than a bad dream.
[Autumn's eyes narrow.]
Autumn: Bad dream?
Shane: Relax. You're hearing things that I'm not saying. You're stressed out. Living in a world run by kids could do that to an adult. Your family will be fine. And maybe by the end of this, they'll have some respect on what you go through on a daily basis.
Autumn: That... does sound nice.
Shane: Remember, there's no reason to feel guilty here. What Sally is going through for a single week, you've been doing for years and years.
[Autumn nods.]
[Shane offers his hand and a smile. Autumn shakes it.]
Shane: Good, good. Now let's get back to making those teacups. They're not going to make themselves, after all.
[The camera holds on Shane and his stone-cold expression as Autumn leaves the room. When she's gone, it has completely morphed into a sneer.]
Shane: I guess I now know why Autumn married "that idiot." They really are the perfect pair.
Old lady (voice over): Sir, I don't know how but someone flipped over all of the cars in the parking lot! I've never seen a prankster do something like this before!
[Shane pinches the bridge of his nose.]
Shane: Thank you Ms. Dorris. I'll see to it that it's fixed.
[Shane pets his rabbit again, and then he pushes down the ears. A computer materializes on his desk.]
Shane: Why does programming have to be so convoluted? You remove one NPC and the whole system goes on the fritz. This better not have affected anything in Sally's school.
[Shane's eyes dart back and forth across the screen.]
Shane: No, no. It's an isolated system. Good. The plan should be working just as expected.
Old Lady (voice over): Sir, Ms. Dunn is here for her appointment.
Shane: Excellent, send her in.
[The window turns to static, and then it becomes a typical window, over-viewing the heavily industrial landscape. For the first time in the episode trilogy, the sun breaks the clouds and shines into Shane's office. Autumn enters the room, looking guilty.]
Shane: Ms. Dunn, welcome.
Autumn: Shane... you can spare the formalities. I've decided... that I'm not sure if I want to do this. Robert--
Shane: Ah yes, your husband. We had a fine chat just now. You must have missed him on the way up.
Autumn: Not exactly. I passed by him, but he didn't say anything to me. He seemed... upset.
Shane: These things just take some time getting used to. When you get back to reality, he'll thank you for the vacation.
Autumn: This doesn't seem like much of a vacation to be honest.
[Shane turns around and sits down in his chair.]
Shane: Don't like my little company here?
Autumn: Well... I just thought that I'd be doing something... a little bit more important.
Shane: Tell you what--
[Shane flips through a rolodex on his desk.]
Shane: It seems like there's an opening for Vice President. It appears that our current one had just retired. What luck, am I right?
[Autumn looks down, giving a guilty expression. Shane gives a friendly smile.]
Shane: Don't worry, Autumn. They're just pieces of code. Bits of binary. Nothing to get worked up over.
Autumn: I'm worried about the people that aren't made of binary.
[Shane looks down, and then he looks up with the same expression]
Shane: The kids, huh?
[Autumn nods.]
Shane: Don't worry. They'll wake up when this is all over and think that it's nothing more than a bad dream.
[Autumn's eyes narrow.]
Autumn: Bad dream?
Shane: Relax. You're hearing things that I'm not saying. You're stressed out. Living in a world run by kids could do that to an adult. Your family will be fine. And maybe by the end of this, they'll have some respect on what you go through on a daily basis.
Autumn: That... does sound nice.
Shane: Remember, there's no reason to feel guilty here. What Sally is going through for a single week, you've been doing for years and years.
[Autumn nods.]
[Shane offers his hand and a smile. Autumn shakes it.]
Shane: Good, good. Now let's get back to making those teacups. They're not going to make themselves, after all.
[The camera holds on Shane and his stone-cold expression as Autumn leaves the room. When she's gone, it has completely morphed into a sneer.]
Shane: I guess I now know why Autumn married "that idiot." They really are the perfect pair.
Old lady (voice over): Sir, I don't know how but someone flipped over all of the cars in the parking lot! I've never seen a prankster do something like this before!
[Shane pinches the bridge of his nose.]
Shane: Thank you Ms. Dorris. I'll see to it that it's fixed.
[Shane pets his rabbit again, and then he pushes down the ears. A computer materializes on his desk.]
Shane: Why does programming have to be so convoluted? You remove one NPC and the whole system goes on the fritz. This better not have affected anything in Sally's school.
[Shane's eyes dart back and forth across the screen.]
Shane: No, no. It's an isolated system. Good. The plan should be working just as expected.
[Cut to Sally's school. She has her head down on the desk and is looking out the window, forlornly.]
Janet: Alright, everyone pass their worksheets forward, face-down.
[Sally picks her head up, revealing a worksheet of hers. She turns it on its back. It's a drawing of Gumdrops, as Sally is used to making. She looks at it, gives a brief weakened smile, and sends it forward. Then Sally returns to looking outside at the clouds.]
[Sally imagines herself turning into a bird and flying through the air, closing her eyes and soaring on.]
Janet: Congratulations Ms. Morris, that's another 100%.
[Sally wakes up and is brought back to reality.]
April: Thank you, Ms. Kelly.
Janet: And Ms. Dunn. This is a surprisingly improved worksheet.
Sally: T-thank you.
Janet: But what's this on the back?
[Janet turns it over and reveals Sally's art. The class, almost expectedly, laughs.]
Sally: It's my art--
[The class laughs louder. Sally's eyes well with tears]
Janet: Class, don't laugh at her because she thinks she's an artist.
Sally: The b-back was blank. Nothing was on it. I thought-- I thought--
Janet: You shouldn't focus so much on fantasy, or these imaginary... horses.
[Janet tears the paper up]
Janet: Did not follow instructions. Zero.
Sally: [Desperately] Why are you being so mean to me!? I didn't do anything to you.
Janet: My job is to prepare you for the real world. Not this one you've got in your head. And I take that job very seriously. Now if you talk back to me again, you're getting a detention, Ms. Dunn.
Sally: Then what am I supposed to do? Just sit back while you talk at me!?
Janet: Yes. And that's a detention for you, Ms. Dunn.
[Sally is about to say something, but she turns away, back to looking out the window.]
Sally: I hope that Max is having a better day than me.
Janet: Alright, everyone pass their worksheets forward, face-down.
[Sally picks her head up, revealing a worksheet of hers. She turns it on its back. It's a drawing of Gumdrops, as Sally is used to making. She looks at it, gives a brief weakened smile, and sends it forward. Then Sally returns to looking outside at the clouds.]
[Sally imagines herself turning into a bird and flying through the air, closing her eyes and soaring on.]
Janet: Congratulations Ms. Morris, that's another 100%.
[Sally wakes up and is brought back to reality.]
April: Thank you, Ms. Kelly.
Janet: And Ms. Dunn. This is a surprisingly improved worksheet.
Sally: T-thank you.
Janet: But what's this on the back?
[Janet turns it over and reveals Sally's art. The class, almost expectedly, laughs.]
Sally: It's my art--
[The class laughs louder. Sally's eyes well with tears]
Janet: Class, don't laugh at her because she thinks she's an artist.
Sally: The b-back was blank. Nothing was on it. I thought-- I thought--
Janet: You shouldn't focus so much on fantasy, or these imaginary... horses.
[Janet tears the paper up]
Janet: Did not follow instructions. Zero.
Sally: [Desperately] Why are you being so mean to me!? I didn't do anything to you.
Janet: My job is to prepare you for the real world. Not this one you've got in your head. And I take that job very seriously. Now if you talk back to me again, you're getting a detention, Ms. Dunn.
Sally: Then what am I supposed to do? Just sit back while you talk at me!?
Janet: Yes. And that's a detention for you, Ms. Dunn.
[Sally is about to say something, but she turns away, back to looking out the window.]
Sally: I hope that Max is having a better day than me.
[Cut to Max in his classroom. He's holding a scalpel.]
Max's teacher: And that's all there really is to dissecting a frog.
[Max gets a very disgusted look on his face.]
Max: Can I please get a rain check on this one?
Max's teacher: We've been over this, Mr. Dunn. Come on, you kids like looking at gross stuff. I don't see what the big problem is, just make that incision and--
Max: I'm a vegetarian.
Max's teacher: I'm not asking you to eat it. I'm asking you to open it up. You need to do it to pass.
Max: I'll take the fail then. I'm not doing it.
Max's teacher: Fine, Mr. Dunn. That's an F and a detention.
[Max looks at the frog, pinned to its dish.]
Max: It's worth it, little guy. At least Sally doesn't have to deal with anything like this, I hope.
Max's teacher: And that's all there really is to dissecting a frog.
[Max gets a very disgusted look on his face.]
Max: Can I please get a rain check on this one?
Max's teacher: We've been over this, Mr. Dunn. Come on, you kids like looking at gross stuff. I don't see what the big problem is, just make that incision and--
Max: I'm a vegetarian.
Max's teacher: I'm not asking you to eat it. I'm asking you to open it up. You need to do it to pass.
Max: I'll take the fail then. I'm not doing it.
Max's teacher: Fine, Mr. Dunn. That's an F and a detention.
[Max looks at the frog, pinned to its dish.]
Max: It's worth it, little guy. At least Sally doesn't have to deal with anything like this, I hope.
[Cut to Sally writing on the board "I will not be a disruption during class." With how many times it's been written, it's clear that she has been doing this for quite awhile. Janet sits quietly at the teacher's desk.]
Sally: How many times do I have to do this?
[Janet doesn't even look up from the papers that she's grading.]
Janet: You're the expert in math. Subtract the number you've written from 100. Once you're done, you can go out to recess with the others.
[Sally puts the chalk down.]
Sally: You don't have to do this.
Janet: If I don't, then I'll have more students like you.
Sally: Well... what's wrong with... me?
[Janet stops grading papers and looks over to Sally with a stern stare. Janet doesn't come up with an answer. Sally waits for an answer, but when Janet turns back to the papers, it's clear she's not going to get one.]
Sally: Well, are you gonna answer me!?
[Janet snaps towards Sally, with an angered expression.]
Janet: Excuse me!? You do NOT talk to adults that way.
Sally: It's the way you been talkin' to me!
Janet: I've been treating you with the respect that you deserve. I expect you to do the same.
Sally: [Bitterly] Okay.
[Sally runs up and kicks over the trash barrel. She kicks over desks. She grabs Janet's ruler and swings it at a globe so hard the ruler breaks and the globe gets launched across the room. Sally opens April's desk and begins tearing up her textbooks. Janet runs over to the phone under the intercom.]
Janet: Principal Kelly, I have an out-of-control student. I'm going to need some help down here.
Sally: How many times do I have to do this?
[Janet doesn't even look up from the papers that she's grading.]
Janet: You're the expert in math. Subtract the number you've written from 100. Once you're done, you can go out to recess with the others.
[Sally puts the chalk down.]
Sally: You don't have to do this.
Janet: If I don't, then I'll have more students like you.
Sally: Well... what's wrong with... me?
[Janet stops grading papers and looks over to Sally with a stern stare. Janet doesn't come up with an answer. Sally waits for an answer, but when Janet turns back to the papers, it's clear she's not going to get one.]
Sally: Well, are you gonna answer me!?
[Janet snaps towards Sally, with an angered expression.]
Janet: Excuse me!? You do NOT talk to adults that way.
Sally: It's the way you been talkin' to me!
Janet: I've been treating you with the respect that you deserve. I expect you to do the same.
Sally: [Bitterly] Okay.
[Sally runs up and kicks over the trash barrel. She kicks over desks. She grabs Janet's ruler and swings it at a globe so hard the ruler breaks and the globe gets launched across the room. Sally opens April's desk and begins tearing up her textbooks. Janet runs over to the phone under the intercom.]
Janet: Principal Kelly, I have an out-of-control student. I'm going to need some help down here.
[Cut to Shane sitting in his office, once again watching Sally. He's eating popcorn and watching like it's his favorite comedy.]
Shane: Wow. I made her angry. I knew that she was going to break eventually, but this might be a new record. It's not even lunch yet.
[As Shane talks, a couple of adults - one of them being a police officer - enter Sally's classroom and try to apprehend her.]
Shane: I guess it might be better to give the leash some slack. It's much more effective if I let her think that she can still win. She'll learn -- sooner or later -- that she can't.
Shane: Wow. I made her angry. I knew that she was going to break eventually, but this might be a new record. It's not even lunch yet.
[As Shane talks, a couple of adults - one of them being a police officer - enter Sally's classroom and try to apprehend her.]
Shane: I guess it might be better to give the leash some slack. It's much more effective if I let her think that she can still win. She'll learn -- sooner or later -- that she can't.
[Cut to Sally in the school counselor's office.]
Counselor: And do you promise - wait, pinky promise - to never, ever have an outburst like that, ever again?
Sally: If I say no?
Counselor: Well then the nice police officer who brought you here is going to have a nice, long conversation with you and that won't be pleasant.
Sally: Alright, sure, whatever. I promise.
Counselor: Excellent. Now why don't you get along to lunch. I hear that they're having meatloaf today.
Sally: What on earth is a meatloaf?
Counselor: And do you promise - wait, pinky promise - to never, ever have an outburst like that, ever again?
Sally: If I say no?
Counselor: Well then the nice police officer who brought you here is going to have a nice, long conversation with you and that won't be pleasant.
Sally: Alright, sure, whatever. I promise.
Counselor: Excellent. Now why don't you get along to lunch. I hear that they're having meatloaf today.
Sally: What on earth is a meatloaf?
[Gilligan cut to Sally standing in a lunch line. A gross wad of meatloaf is placed on her tray. Sally is absolutely disgusted by it.]
Sally: What kind of... meat is it?
Lunch lady: It wouldn't be fun if I told you, now would it?
Sally: I don't think that I want to try it--
Lunch lady: How can you get your pudding if you don't eat your meat, young lass?
[Cut to Sally at the table. She taps it with a spoon. Sally covers her mouth as if she's about to throw up.]
Sally: I think I saw an eyeball.
[April and Molly sit down next to Sally.]
April: Sally dear, are you feeling better?
Molly: We heard of yer little... outburst. You feelin' okay?
Sally: [Seething] It's not a silly fantasy.
April: V-very well.
[Sally folds her arms.]
Sally: I don't know who these grown-ups think they're playing with, but I think it's time we played the Sally way.
April: Dear, you're talking crazy again.
Molly: I'm curious to hear where this is goin' actually.
[Sally pulls April and Molly down into a huddle.]
Sally: Our class has what... thirty kids?
April: Twenty-seven.
Sally: And only one teacher.
Molly: Whatcha sayin'?
Sally: Am I the only one good at math here?
April: I will admit, it is my weak spot.
Sally: They needed two grown-ups to take just me down. What if we all fight back? There's no way they could beat us.
[Molly and April stare at each other.]
Sally: What kind of... meat is it?
Lunch lady: It wouldn't be fun if I told you, now would it?
Sally: I don't think that I want to try it--
Lunch lady: How can you get your pudding if you don't eat your meat, young lass?
[Cut to Sally at the table. She taps it with a spoon. Sally covers her mouth as if she's about to throw up.]
Sally: I think I saw an eyeball.
[April and Molly sit down next to Sally.]
April: Sally dear, are you feeling better?
Molly: We heard of yer little... outburst. You feelin' okay?
Sally: [Seething] It's not a silly fantasy.
April: V-very well.
[Sally folds her arms.]
Sally: I don't know who these grown-ups think they're playing with, but I think it's time we played the Sally way.
April: Dear, you're talking crazy again.
Molly: I'm curious to hear where this is goin' actually.
[Sally pulls April and Molly down into a huddle.]
Sally: Our class has what... thirty kids?
April: Twenty-seven.
Sally: And only one teacher.
Molly: Whatcha sayin'?
Sally: Am I the only one good at math here?
April: I will admit, it is my weak spot.
Sally: They needed two grown-ups to take just me down. What if we all fight back? There's no way they could beat us.
[Molly and April stare at each other.]
[Gilligan cut to Sally sitting in the principal's office in front of Damien's desk. April and Molly stand on either side of her. Both of them look worried.]
Damien: You girls did a good job bringing her right to me.
Sally: [Seething] TATTLE-TALES!
Damien: You girls can go on.
[April and Molly walk off. Sally tries to join them.]
Damien: Sally, not you.
Sally: What? I'm a girl. I'm going.
Damien: Sally, I'm your friend here.
[Sally sits back down in the chair and pouts.]
Sally: Considering what passes for friends around here--
Damien: Did something happen recently?
Sally: Yeah. I woke up in a world where everyone has gone crazy!
Damien: Why do you have to be this way, Ms. Dunn?
Sally: BECAUSE YOU KEEP CALLING ME MS. DUNN. My name is Sally! It's what I wanna be called!
Damien: Please keep your voice down. This is a safe place.
[Sally's eyes narrow. She doesn't trust Damien at all. After a beat:]
Sally: What do you want from me?
Damien: I want you to care for your future.
Sally: Well... what about my present?
Damien: Trust me, the future is more worth caring about. I was a child once, and it's not all it's cracked up to be.
Sally: [Snapping] Because you grew up in a world that treats kids like--
Damien: Productive citizens of the future.
Sally: I want to be a "productive citizen" of now. You can't treat me like this! I have rights.
[Damien gives a simple laugh. Sally's nervous expression grows. Things slowly dawn on her.]
Sally: I'm starting to think that Anna had the right idea.
Damien: If you want to be a low-life.
[Beat. Sally looks away.]
Damien: Sally, look. It's almost dismissal. You should get home.
Sally: [Mocking] What about detention?
Damien: I'll talk it over with my wife, but you've got to work on this attitude problem of yours. This Friday there will be an assembly featuring a very special speaker. It would mean the world to me if you behaved yourself.
Damien: You girls did a good job bringing her right to me.
Sally: [Seething] TATTLE-TALES!
Damien: You girls can go on.
[April and Molly walk off. Sally tries to join them.]
Damien: Sally, not you.
Sally: What? I'm a girl. I'm going.
Damien: Sally, I'm your friend here.
[Sally sits back down in the chair and pouts.]
Sally: Considering what passes for friends around here--
Damien: Did something happen recently?
Sally: Yeah. I woke up in a world where everyone has gone crazy!
Damien: Why do you have to be this way, Ms. Dunn?
Sally: BECAUSE YOU KEEP CALLING ME MS. DUNN. My name is Sally! It's what I wanna be called!
Damien: Please keep your voice down. This is a safe place.
[Sally's eyes narrow. She doesn't trust Damien at all. After a beat:]
Sally: What do you want from me?
Damien: I want you to care for your future.
Sally: Well... what about my present?
Damien: Trust me, the future is more worth caring about. I was a child once, and it's not all it's cracked up to be.
Sally: [Snapping] Because you grew up in a world that treats kids like--
Damien: Productive citizens of the future.
Sally: I want to be a "productive citizen" of now. You can't treat me like this! I have rights.
[Damien gives a simple laugh. Sally's nervous expression grows. Things slowly dawn on her.]
Sally: I'm starting to think that Anna had the right idea.
Damien: If you want to be a low-life.
[Beat. Sally looks away.]
Damien: Sally, look. It's almost dismissal. You should get home.
Sally: [Mocking] What about detention?
Damien: I'll talk it over with my wife, but you've got to work on this attitude problem of yours. This Friday there will be an assembly featuring a very special speaker. It would mean the world to me if you behaved yourself.
[Cut to Shane in his office, looking on at the scene just displayed. Sally is folding her arms and in a pout. He points to Sally's expression.]
Shane: You can see by her expression here that she's still got a plan. Shame really. I was hoping my appearance at the school would go down without a hitch. She still wants to pull off this rebellion thing--
[Cut to reveal that Shane is talking to the old lady from the reception desk. She's standing in the center of Shane's office.]
Old Lady: That's excellent Mr. Anderson. You're an absolute master of psychology!
[Shane pinches the bridge of his nose.]
Shane: Just... leave. Is this how far I've fallen? I'm trying to get praise from NPC's... in a simulation that I programmed myself. For my sanity, this plan had better work.
[Shane narrows his expression.]
Shane: Let's see how much fight she really has in her. I'll ramp up the tension a bit. Your move, Ms. Dunn. Don't fail to impress.
Shane: You can see by her expression here that she's still got a plan. Shame really. I was hoping my appearance at the school would go down without a hitch. She still wants to pull off this rebellion thing--
[Cut to reveal that Shane is talking to the old lady from the reception desk. She's standing in the center of Shane's office.]
Old Lady: That's excellent Mr. Anderson. You're an absolute master of psychology!
[Shane pinches the bridge of his nose.]
Shane: Just... leave. Is this how far I've fallen? I'm trying to get praise from NPC's... in a simulation that I programmed myself. For my sanity, this plan had better work.
[Shane narrows his expression.]
Shane: Let's see how much fight she really has in her. I'll ramp up the tension a bit. Your move, Ms. Dunn. Don't fail to impress.
[Cut to Sally walking through the hallways of the school. They're long and empty, with a lot of open space. The large areas emphasize how alone Sally is. She looks into individual classes. Every single one of the kids are well-behaved, politely raising hands, and being silent. Sally wistfully looks on and marches forward to the beat of the music.]
[Sally stands in front of the door to the outside. Much of the wider world is obscured by her bus. After a beat, Sally steps outside.]
Anna (voice over): I was wondering when you'd show. Got out early for our little meeting, huh?
[Sally stands in front of the door to the outside. Much of the wider world is obscured by her bus. After a beat, Sally steps outside.]
Anna (voice over): I was wondering when you'd show. Got out early for our little meeting, huh?
[Cut to Anna leaning against the side of the school wall.]
Sally: Anna, I forgot about you--
Anna: [Sarcastically] That's not very nice, is it? Why would you do something so mean to such a nice person? I'm a nice person, right?
[Anna steps closer and closer to Sally.
Sally: What is... with you?
Anna: I've got a reputation.
[Anna steps forward as intimidating as she can be. However, she still has the same frantic body language as she usually does.]
Anna: Then again, maybe they're wrong. Maybe I am nice. So nice, in fact, that I'll let you take the first punch. Come on, make it count.
[Anna stands over Sally, waiting for Sally to take the punch. The tension rises. There's nothing but the sound of a heartbeat. Sally steps back.]
Sally: I-- I-- I can't.
Anna: [With a lot of disrespect] You're weak! You're just a scared stupid little girl!
Sally: Anna... what happened to you?
[Anna steps forward. Sally steps back. Anna is clearly not listening.]
Anna: But I'm strong! I'm so strong I can knock your socks off with one good punch! Don't think that I can do it? Because I can! And I'm gonna prove it!
[Sally walks back even faster as Anna encroaches on her further.]
Sally: You don't have to be like this, Anna.
Anna: What choice do I have!?
[Anna throws a punch. Sally ducks, and Anna misses. She goes off balance.]
Anna: Stop doing that!
[Sally pops up behind Anna.]
Sally: We used to be friends, Anna. Look into my eyes. Come'on. You're not like this!
[Anna looks down, thinking, for a beat. Her eyes snap forward and she looks more determined and angry than ever.]
Anna: This is all I've ever been, and this is all I'll ever be.
[Anna throws a punch, but Sally manages to duck again.]
Sally: You're definitely not as fast as the Anna I know.
Anna: Oh really punk? Well let's see how fast you can run, then.
Sally: Anna, I forgot about you--
Anna: [Sarcastically] That's not very nice, is it? Why would you do something so mean to such a nice person? I'm a nice person, right?
[Anna steps closer and closer to Sally.
Sally: What is... with you?
Anna: I've got a reputation.
[Anna steps forward as intimidating as she can be. However, she still has the same frantic body language as she usually does.]
Anna: Then again, maybe they're wrong. Maybe I am nice. So nice, in fact, that I'll let you take the first punch. Come on, make it count.
[Anna stands over Sally, waiting for Sally to take the punch. The tension rises. There's nothing but the sound of a heartbeat. Sally steps back.]
Sally: I-- I-- I can't.
Anna: [With a lot of disrespect] You're weak! You're just a scared stupid little girl!
Sally: Anna... what happened to you?
[Anna steps forward. Sally steps back. Anna is clearly not listening.]
Anna: But I'm strong! I'm so strong I can knock your socks off with one good punch! Don't think that I can do it? Because I can! And I'm gonna prove it!
[Sally walks back even faster as Anna encroaches on her further.]
Sally: You don't have to be like this, Anna.
Anna: What choice do I have!?
[Anna throws a punch. Sally ducks, and Anna misses. She goes off balance.]
Anna: Stop doing that!
[Sally pops up behind Anna.]
Sally: We used to be friends, Anna. Look into my eyes. Come'on. You're not like this!
[Anna looks down, thinking, for a beat. Her eyes snap forward and she looks more determined and angry than ever.]
Anna: This is all I've ever been, and this is all I'll ever be.
[Anna throws a punch, but Sally manages to duck again.]
Sally: You're definitely not as fast as the Anna I know.
Anna: Oh really punk? Well let's see how fast you can run, then.
[Cut to Sally running down the city streets. She's panicked, and Anna is hot on her heels chasing after her.]
Sally: [Breathless] Come on Sally, all that time on the playground has to pay off now!
[Sally turns down an alleyway and comes across a chainlink fence, forcing her to pause. Anna turns around the corner into the alleyway. She trips over a garbage can, drawing Sally's attention. Sally bolts into a run and climbs up over the fence. She jumps off of the other end and lands safely. Anna comes after her quickly, and easily climbs the fence herself, but Sally starts running again and stays out of her grasp.]
[Sally turns onto a busy street of tons of people walking in separate directions. Anna tries to chase after Sally, but it's not long before Anna can't get through the crowd and is lost completely. Sally looks back, and runs right into a police officer because she's not watching where she's going.]
Police Officer #1: Hey, watch where you're--
[Sally looks up and her eyes widen with fear. It's the police officer who was trying to apprehend Sally back in the school.]
Police Officer #1: Wait a minute, you're the girl from earlier.
Sally: [Fast] Look, a girl's trying to beat me up and I don't know what to do or where I am, and-- and-- and--
[The police officer looks into the crowd. Anna isn't there.]
Police Officer #1: Girl? I don't see any. Shouldn't you be getting home? You live around here somewhere?
Sally: N-No. I got too much to do to go home.
Police Officer #1: Look, it's too dangerous to let a girl like you wander around without adult supervision. We'll call up your parents and get you home.
Sally: [Breathless] Come on Sally, all that time on the playground has to pay off now!
[Sally turns down an alleyway and comes across a chainlink fence, forcing her to pause. Anna turns around the corner into the alleyway. She trips over a garbage can, drawing Sally's attention. Sally bolts into a run and climbs up over the fence. She jumps off of the other end and lands safely. Anna comes after her quickly, and easily climbs the fence herself, but Sally starts running again and stays out of her grasp.]
[Sally turns onto a busy street of tons of people walking in separate directions. Anna tries to chase after Sally, but it's not long before Anna can't get through the crowd and is lost completely. Sally looks back, and runs right into a police officer because she's not watching where she's going.]
Police Officer #1: Hey, watch where you're--
[Sally looks up and her eyes widen with fear. It's the police officer who was trying to apprehend Sally back in the school.]
Police Officer #1: Wait a minute, you're the girl from earlier.
Sally: [Fast] Look, a girl's trying to beat me up and I don't know what to do or where I am, and-- and-- and--
[The police officer looks into the crowd. Anna isn't there.]
Police Officer #1: Girl? I don't see any. Shouldn't you be getting home? You live around here somewhere?
Sally: N-No. I got too much to do to go home.
Police Officer #1: Look, it's too dangerous to let a girl like you wander around without adult supervision. We'll call up your parents and get you home.
[Cut to Robert walking past Autumn's cubicle.]
Robert: I got a call from the police.
Autumn: What?
Robert: They're like this world's version of the scouts or something. They've got Sally down at the station.
Autumn: Is she okay!? I'll go get her.
Robert: No, I will. You're the one who wanted to be here, remember? I wouldn't want to take that away from you.
Autumn: R-Robbie, I--
Robert: Look, we'll talk about this later, okay? I've just got to process all of this.
[Robert walks down the halls of the office. His cellphone rings. He answers it.]
Shane (voice over): Keep walking.
Robert: I was planning on it.
Shane (voice over): You shouldn't be so angry at your wife, you know? It's not her fault. Your daughter is the deliquent here.
Robert: Why do you even want me here?
Shane: Not an idiot, huh? Yeah, it'd be the smarter move to keep you somewhere where I have no control over you. Sacrifice the pawn to take the rook, Mr. Dunn.
Robert: So, what was this call about? To gloat? [Sarcastically] That doesn't seem like a mastermind like you.
Shane: I heard that you wanted to talk to your wife about this later.
[Robert's eyes widen. He stops walking]
Shane: I said keep walking, Mr. Dunn.
[Robert waits for a beat and then he keeps walking]
Shane: I can hear. I can hear everything. And if I hear you talking about anything to anyone... well, let's just say that it's not going to turn out the best for you and your family. Remember you signs your paycheck, and who's at risk for... termination.
Robert: I got a call from the police.
Autumn: What?
Robert: They're like this world's version of the scouts or something. They've got Sally down at the station.
Autumn: Is she okay!? I'll go get her.
Robert: No, I will. You're the one who wanted to be here, remember? I wouldn't want to take that away from you.
Autumn: R-Robbie, I--
Robert: Look, we'll talk about this later, okay? I've just got to process all of this.
[Robert walks down the halls of the office. His cellphone rings. He answers it.]
Shane (voice over): Keep walking.
Robert: I was planning on it.
Shane (voice over): You shouldn't be so angry at your wife, you know? It's not her fault. Your daughter is the deliquent here.
Robert: Why do you even want me here?
Shane: Not an idiot, huh? Yeah, it'd be the smarter move to keep you somewhere where I have no control over you. Sacrifice the pawn to take the rook, Mr. Dunn.
Robert: So, what was this call about? To gloat? [Sarcastically] That doesn't seem like a mastermind like you.
Shane: I heard that you wanted to talk to your wife about this later.
[Robert's eyes widen. He stops walking]
Shane: I said keep walking, Mr. Dunn.
[Robert waits for a beat and then he keeps walking]
Shane: I can hear. I can hear everything. And if I hear you talking about anything to anyone... well, let's just say that it's not going to turn out the best for you and your family. Remember you signs your paycheck, and who's at risk for... termination.
[Cut to Sally at the police station, sitting down, forlorn. Robert opens the door, and Sally's expression brightens with happiness.]
Sally: Robbie!
[Sally runs to hug Robert]
Robert: Hey Sally... had a tough day, huh?
Sally: It was horrible! The worst day of my life!
Police officer #1: As much as I'd hate to break up this reunion, there's a bit of a processing fee.
Robert: Processing fee?
Police officer #1: Yeah. We've had to watch your daughter when we could have been dealing with actual crime. Come on, we'll take care of this in the other room.
Robert: [To Sally] Don't worry, I'll try to make this up to you.
[Cut to Robert in the processing room. He opens up his wallet. There's no money inside.]
Police Officer #1: Got a credit card or something?
Robert: A... what?
Police Officer #1: Seriously?
[Robert looks into his wallet again, and he comes across a red credit card device called an "Andercard." Robert's eyes immediately narrow. He knows what's going on. He offers it over.]
Police Officer #1: By the way, what did you daughter call you?
Robert: Robbie, my name.
Police Officer #1: Back in my day, kids had some respect. Called their parents Mom and Dad. Didn't throw temper tantrums in school either.
Sally: Robbie!
[Sally runs to hug Robert]
Robert: Hey Sally... had a tough day, huh?
Sally: It was horrible! The worst day of my life!
Police officer #1: As much as I'd hate to break up this reunion, there's a bit of a processing fee.
Robert: Processing fee?
Police officer #1: Yeah. We've had to watch your daughter when we could have been dealing with actual crime. Come on, we'll take care of this in the other room.
Robert: [To Sally] Don't worry, I'll try to make this up to you.
[Cut to Robert in the processing room. He opens up his wallet. There's no money inside.]
Police Officer #1: Got a credit card or something?
Robert: A... what?
Police Officer #1: Seriously?
[Robert looks into his wallet again, and he comes across a red credit card device called an "Andercard." Robert's eyes immediately narrow. He knows what's going on. He offers it over.]
Police Officer #1: By the way, what did you daughter call you?
Robert: Robbie, my name.
Police Officer #1: Back in my day, kids had some respect. Called their parents Mom and Dad. Didn't throw temper tantrums in school either.
[Cut to Sally and Robert in the car. It's later in the day. Heavy shadows are on everything. It's a quiet, emotional moment. Neither of them talk. Robert turns to Sally. His lip quivers. Then the moment is broken when a car races by and Sally screams. Robert swerves.]
Sally: How are you a worse driver than me!?
Robert: It's been awhile, okay!
Sally: Sorry... I....
[Robert notices a restaurant sign, a smallish diner-type place.]
Robert: Hey, why don't we stop here for dinner.
[Sally perks up a bit.]
Sally: Y-yeah. Maybe some good food will help me forget about all of this.
Sally: How are you a worse driver than me!?
Robert: It's been awhile, okay!
Sally: Sorry... I....
[Robert notices a restaurant sign, a smallish diner-type place.]
Robert: Hey, why don't we stop here for dinner.
[Sally perks up a bit.]
Sally: Y-yeah. Maybe some good food will help me forget about all of this.
[Cut to Robert and Sally sitting at a seat in the restaurant. A waitress comes by. The waitress looks at Sally.]
Waitress: Oh my, aren't you a little cutie pie?
[Sally blushes.]
Sally: Uh... what?
[The waitress looks at Robert.]
Waitress: So, what will you two be having?
Robert: I'll be having the burger, medium rare.
Waitress: And what'll the girl havre?
Sally: I'm right here!
Waitress: Oh, did you want to order like a big girl?
[Sally looks on with disbelief]
Sally: I'll have the mac and cheese.
Waitress: Oh, you are so precious, I could just eat you up.
[The waitress walks off, with the menus.]
Sally: This is what I'm talking about!
Robert: Sally, I know that this can be hard, but you've got to pull through.
Sally: [Angrily, moderately loud] I just want the world to make sense!
[Other patrons look at Robert and Sally. The waitress comes up.]
Waitress: Sir, can you please try and keep your daughter quiet? Other patrons are tryin' to enjoy their meal.
[Robert awkwardly gives an "okay" sign and the waitress walks off. Sally is steaming.]
Sally: [Whisper-shouting] Why does she act like I'm not even here!?
[Robert debates on what to say for a beat. A patron sitting at the counter looks over to Robert. He's wearing a dark outfit and a top hat. Perhaps it could be a Matrix reference. Have him look like Agent Smith.]
Robert: I wish I could tell you, Sally.
[Transition to some time later. The food has been completely eaten. The waitress comes up.]
Waitress: Sorry sir, your Andercard doesn't have enough funds for both ice creams.
Robert: I... see. Just give my daughter hers, and cancel mine.
Waitress: Alright, sir.
[Cut to Robert looking at the Matrix Man. The Matrix Man looks back. Robert sneers and the Matrix Man smiles back.]
Sally: Robbie, what's wrong?
Robert: It's not important.
Sally: [Stern] I'm a part of this family, and I want to know what's going on.
Robert: I... can't tell you, Sally.
[Sally looks to Robert, pleading, trying to dig. Sally decides that she believes Robert. The waitress plops the ice cream fiercely onto the table.]
Waitress: I take it I'm not gettin' a tip.
Sally: [Grumbles] Maybe you should treat your customers like they're people.
Waitress: Listen little lady, you gotta learn to respect your elders.
Waitress: Oh my, aren't you a little cutie pie?
[Sally blushes.]
Sally: Uh... what?
[The waitress looks at Robert.]
Waitress: So, what will you two be having?
Robert: I'll be having the burger, medium rare.
Waitress: And what'll the girl havre?
Sally: I'm right here!
Waitress: Oh, did you want to order like a big girl?
[Sally looks on with disbelief]
Sally: I'll have the mac and cheese.
Waitress: Oh, you are so precious, I could just eat you up.
[The waitress walks off, with the menus.]
Sally: This is what I'm talking about!
Robert: Sally, I know that this can be hard, but you've got to pull through.
Sally: [Angrily, moderately loud] I just want the world to make sense!
[Other patrons look at Robert and Sally. The waitress comes up.]
Waitress: Sir, can you please try and keep your daughter quiet? Other patrons are tryin' to enjoy their meal.
[Robert awkwardly gives an "okay" sign and the waitress walks off. Sally is steaming.]
Sally: [Whisper-shouting] Why does she act like I'm not even here!?
[Robert debates on what to say for a beat. A patron sitting at the counter looks over to Robert. He's wearing a dark outfit and a top hat. Perhaps it could be a Matrix reference. Have him look like Agent Smith.]
Robert: I wish I could tell you, Sally.
[Transition to some time later. The food has been completely eaten. The waitress comes up.]
Waitress: Sorry sir, your Andercard doesn't have enough funds for both ice creams.
Robert: I... see. Just give my daughter hers, and cancel mine.
Waitress: Alright, sir.
[Cut to Robert looking at the Matrix Man. The Matrix Man looks back. Robert sneers and the Matrix Man smiles back.]
Sally: Robbie, what's wrong?
Robert: It's not important.
Sally: [Stern] I'm a part of this family, and I want to know what's going on.
Robert: I... can't tell you, Sally.
[Sally looks to Robert, pleading, trying to dig. Sally decides that she believes Robert. The waitress plops the ice cream fiercely onto the table.]
Waitress: I take it I'm not gettin' a tip.
Sally: [Grumbles] Maybe you should treat your customers like they're people.
Waitress: Listen little lady, you gotta learn to respect your elders.
[Cut to Robert and Sally arriving home. It's night now. As they pull into the driveway, Robert looks to his cellphone. He looks at a text message. It's the only source of light in the scene, as it's glowing.]
Robert: Your mother left me a text.
[Autumn's text - "hey Robbie. Gonna be working late tonite. Need to get into my new office. Mr. Anderson was nice enough to provide me with a company car, so you don't need to worry."]
Robert: She's gonna be working late tonight.
Sally: [Bitterly] She must be having all the fun in the world.
[Max opens the door, creating another light source.]
Max: Hey, where have you two been?
Robert: Out. Autumn's at work.
Max: I got the mail. Even though it's for a Mr. Dunn, I don't think it's for me.
[Max hands Robert the mail. He opens it.]
Robert: Electricity bill, phone bill, gas bill...
Max: Woah. Those are really expensive. Do we have the finances to cover it?
Robert: I've got a feeling--
[Robert's ringtone goes off. He answers it.]
Shane (voice over): Hello, it's your boss, Mr. Anderson.
Robert: Yeah, I figured.
Shane (voice over): I wouldn't take that tone with me. Anyway, I have a proposition for you. Some overtime has opened up--
[The sky flickers static for a moment. Max looks up with surprise.]
Max: Did the sky just--
Shane (voice over): Oh come on! I thought that I had fixed that.
Robert: No Max. I think you're just getting tired.
Shane (voice over): Good boy. Now about that overtime.
Robert: I'd rather spend time making sure that my kids are alright. I hear it's a dangerous world out there.
Shane (voice over): Suit yourself. I think that those bills are really going to stack up.
Robert: Autumn got a--
Shane (voice over): Well you know how it is in this day and age. Both parents need to work a full time job in order to even break even.
Robert: So that's what this is about.
Shane (voice over): Divide and conquer, Mr. Dunn. You can't beat me. Not here.
[Sally walks by, looking groggy]
Sally: I'm just going to go to bed.
Shane (voice over): Sally wait.
[Robert pauses for a beat.]
Robert: Sally, wait.
[Sally stops.]
Shane & Robert (in unison): My boss has given me a special gift that he'd like us all to check out.
Shane (voice over): Bottom envelope. I'm sure you'll be delighted.
[Robert opens the bottom envelope. Inside it has a key.]
Shane (voice over): It's to your garage. First floor, second door on the left.
Robert: Your mother left me a text.
[Autumn's text - "hey Robbie. Gonna be working late tonite. Need to get into my new office. Mr. Anderson was nice enough to provide me with a company car, so you don't need to worry."]
Robert: She's gonna be working late tonight.
Sally: [Bitterly] She must be having all the fun in the world.
[Max opens the door, creating another light source.]
Max: Hey, where have you two been?
Robert: Out. Autumn's at work.
Max: I got the mail. Even though it's for a Mr. Dunn, I don't think it's for me.
[Max hands Robert the mail. He opens it.]
Robert: Electricity bill, phone bill, gas bill...
Max: Woah. Those are really expensive. Do we have the finances to cover it?
Robert: I've got a feeling--
[Robert's ringtone goes off. He answers it.]
Shane (voice over): Hello, it's your boss, Mr. Anderson.
Robert: Yeah, I figured.
Shane (voice over): I wouldn't take that tone with me. Anyway, I have a proposition for you. Some overtime has opened up--
[The sky flickers static for a moment. Max looks up with surprise.]
Max: Did the sky just--
Shane (voice over): Oh come on! I thought that I had fixed that.
Robert: No Max. I think you're just getting tired.
Shane (voice over): Good boy. Now about that overtime.
Robert: I'd rather spend time making sure that my kids are alright. I hear it's a dangerous world out there.
Shane (voice over): Suit yourself. I think that those bills are really going to stack up.
Robert: Autumn got a--
Shane (voice over): Well you know how it is in this day and age. Both parents need to work a full time job in order to even break even.
Robert: So that's what this is about.
Shane (voice over): Divide and conquer, Mr. Dunn. You can't beat me. Not here.
[Sally walks by, looking groggy]
Sally: I'm just going to go to bed.
Shane (voice over): Sally wait.
[Robert pauses for a beat.]
Robert: Sally, wait.
[Sally stops.]
Shane & Robert (in unison): My boss has given me a special gift that he'd like us all to check out.
Shane (voice over): Bottom envelope. I'm sure you'll be delighted.
[Robert opens the bottom envelope. Inside it has a key.]
Shane (voice over): It's to your garage. First floor, second door on the left.
[Cut to a dark room. The garage door opens, letting some light in. Both Sally and Max are standing behind Robert. A vague mechanical object is in the foreground.]
Max: Is that... a motorcycle?
[Robert turns on the garage light. As he does, Sally drops to her knees with a horrified expression. The camera reverse shots to show that the motorcycle is white, with holden blonde trim. The brand name just happens to be "Gumdrops."]
Shane (voice over): Congratulations on your gift, Mr. Dunn.
[A "To be continued" appears on the bottom of the screen on this image.
Max: Is that... a motorcycle?
[Robert turns on the garage light. As he does, Sally drops to her knees with a horrified expression. The camera reverse shots to show that the motorcycle is white, with holden blonde trim. The brand name just happens to be "Gumdrops."]
Shane (voice over): Congratulations on your gift, Mr. Dunn.
[A "To be continued" appears on the bottom of the screen on this image.
Part 3: Click Here