The following is NOT a novelization or an actual script but a dry transcript of the aired episode that includes accurate word-to-word dialogues, settings descriptions, action scenes and/or camera movements where the transcriber felt they were necessary. This transcript is posted on "TWIZ TV.COM - FREE TV SCRIPTS DATABASE" in WORLD WIDE WEB EXCLUSIVITY by courtesy of HOLLY. "SOUTH OF NOWHERE" and other related entities are owned, (TM) and © by NOGGIN (THE N). This transcript is posted here without their permission, approval, authorization or endorsement. Any reproduction, duplication, distribution or display of this material in any form or by any means is expressly prohibited. It is absolutely forbidden to use it for commercial gain. For entertainment and educational purposes only. No infringement intended.
==========================
TRANSCRIPT:
1X06 - GIRLS GUIDE TO DATING
==========================


( First scene – We zoom through the familiar sights of LA until we’re brought to the outside of the Carlin residence.  Inside we see Spencer sitting on her bed, chatting seriously with someone on her laptop.  The camera shifts to show us the open IM on her screen.  It reads like this:

sportyygirll: my parents went ballistic when I told them
ohio_qte: i’m worried about that, too
sportyygirll: so you better be sure!!!!!!

( We then see Spencer type out, “how did you know you were?”  As she waits for a response, Paula calls to her from downstairs )

Paula’s voice:  Spencer! Glen! ( Spencer gets up hurriedly ) Breakfast is ready, lets go!

Spencer:  ( Reaches for her bedroom door ) I’m coming! Coming! ( Shuts the door )

( She goes back to her laptop and starts to type something.  Before she gets a response, another IM window pops open.  It reads:

ashrockzz: look out the window

( Spencer, with a confused smile on her face, gets up and walks over to the window.  Opening it up, she looks down to see Ashley fiddling with her cell phone.  Ashley spots her and smiles up at her.  We see that she’s dressed and ready to go to the beach )

Spencer:  What are you doing?

Ashley:  ( Grins ) Ditching, wanna come?

Spencer:  Ugh, I can’t.  I have a history test and a science lab.

Ashley:  ( Challenges her ) Can’t or won’t?

( Spencer glances back into her room for a second before looking back down at Ashley.  Ashley raises her eyebrows, still challenging her.  Spencer finally lets out a small laugh and smiles )

( Next we see her downstairs, hurrying into the kitchen where Paula is cooking and Clay is sitting at the counter.  She grabs an apple and hurries past both Clay and her mom.  Paula sees her )

Paula:  That’s not breakfast.  Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa. ( Spencer stops at the door ) Where are you going?  I made French toast… ( Glances at Clay while he stands up and walks over ) You may not see this again for a while, okay?

Clay:  ( Pulling on his backpack ) Eat while you can, Spence.  When Glen comes down, we gotta bounce.

Spencer:  He’s in front of the mirror, so it’ll be a while.  ( She turns to head to the door again )

Paula:  ( Turns to her, impressed ) You’re walking?

Spencer:  ( Turns back around, thinking quickly ) No, Ashley’s picking me up. ( Paula doesn’t look happy.  Spencer notices her mom’s change in mood, so she improvises ) I have a test first period, and I want to be there early. ( Plasters a big, fake smile on her face and turns to leave again.  Paula and Clay glance at each other )

( Next scene – We see flashes of LA, but they soon turn to flashes of the ocean.  Ashley’s driving her car towards the beach with Spencer sitting next to her )

Spencer:  We’re gonna get so busted.

Ashley:  We better not.  I’ll get suspended if I get caught again.

Spencer:  ( Looks over to Ashley ) Then lets go back.

Ashley:  Uh, no. ( Smiles ) Lets not get caught. ( Hands Spencer a piece of paper )

Spencer:  ( Reads the note ) “Please excuse Ashley Davies from class today… ( Ashley looks amused.  Spencer looks shocked ) for an appointment… with-“???

Ashley:  ( Laughing ) I see so many, I didn’t know which one to put.  ( Lists some things off ) “her shrink”, “her gynecologist”, “her hypnotist”.

Spencer:  ( Horrified, looking at the bottom of the note ) You signed your mother’s name?!

Ashley:  Almost on the zero percent chance that she’d call the school looking for me? … I just said I’d be with my dad.

Spencer:  ( Glances down before looking back over at Ashley ) I always feel a little funny lying to my parents.

Ashley:  ( Staring out at the road in front of her ) Sometimes you have to lie to live… Sometimes you don’t.

( Fade out – South of Nowhere theme song – “Lift Me Up”, Gena Olivier )

( Next scene - We zoom through flashes of LA and end up at King High School.  We see Sean running through a crowd of students down a sidewalk to catch up with Glen and Clay who are walking together )

Sean:  ( To Clay ) What’s up, man? ( Moves to walk in between Clay and Glen )

Clay:  Aw nothing, you? ( Shakes hands with him )

Sean:  I’m beat, man.  I watched all three Godfather movies on DVD last night. ( Glances at Glen ) Now, those were some serious gangsters. ( Glen doesn’t look convinced ) Brando makes Scarface look like a punk.

Glen:  You’re into those old flicks?

Sean:  ( Turns to Clay ) Clay, man, you gotta school your brother in the classics. ( Looks to Glen ) What History we do not learn, we will repeat.

Clay:  ( Amused ) What’s so historical about the Godfather?

Sean:  ( Smiles ) Yo, I’m catching a Spike Lee/Bruce Lee retrospective at the Nuart next week if you want to hang.

Clay:  ( Grins ) Ah, the Lee brothers.  ( Clay laughs and Sean shakes his head )

( We suddenly hear an alarm sounding throughout the school.  Everyone looks around.  Some students start running )

Clay:  ( Loses his smile ) W-Wha-What’s going on?

Sean:  ( Speaks up to be heard over the alarm ) Lockdown, man!

( The three quickly start to move to the side.  We see security guards tearing through the crowd of students, shoving everyone in sight into the nearest classrooms.  Camera cuts to one security guard shoving Clay into a classroom along with Sean and Glen.  Clay drops his cell phone in the rush.  The security guard locks the door behind him, and Clay immediately looks out of the classroom door window for his phone.  We see his cell phone get trampled on and kicked to the side of the hallway )

Clay:  My phone!

( Clay hits the window, angry, then turns to look at the rest of the classroom; moves to stand next to Glen.  The intercom in the classroom suddenly comes to life as we hear someone making an announcement to all of the school )

Speaker:  All students must remain in their classrooms.  Teachers, immediately report your headcounts to the office.  ( Glen looks over at Clay ) We are under lockdown until further notice.

( Glen looks around at the rest of the classroom and spots a familiar face:  Madison )

Glen:  ( Smiles in spite of the lockdown ) Madison! ( Walks over to her ) What are you doing here?

Madison:  ( Standing behind a lab station with a friend ) Same as you, baby. ( Leans on the station and looks up at him ) Lockdown. 

Clay’s voice:  What’s uh… ( Camera shifts to show him walking up behind Glen ) What’s lockdown?

( We see Sean walk into the conversation with some friends behind him )

Sean:  Well, they lock up the place until the cops try to figure out what went down.

Glen:  Uh… ( Steps forward.  To Sean and his friends ) I’m stuck in a room with you guys? ( Sean gets up in his face and Glen backs down ) You know man, forget that, alright? I’ve got weight training.  ( Turns to walk away )

Madison:  ( Reaches for his arm ) At least we’re stuck together.  ( Pulls him to her )

Clay:  ( Interrupts ) Glen, give me your phone.  We gotta call mom and dad.

Glen:  Sorry dude, it’s charging… at home.  ( Glen goes back to Madison and Clay looks around, worried )

( Next scene -  We’re back at the beach.  Several people are seen laying out, surfing, having a good time.  Camera cuts to Spencer and Ashley lying on a towel together, they laugh as they talk – inaudibly to us since there is a song playing -.  Next we see Ashley walking up to Spencer who’s lying out; Ashley leans over and squeezes the water out of her sopping wet hair onto Spencer.  Spencer, shocked, jumps up and starts chasing after her.  We see various other shots of them running around, playing in the water, Ashley pulling Spencer into the ocean, etc.  They both finally settle down and lay out together )

Spencer:  ( Takes a breath ) So… I need to tell you… ( Camera moves to show us a closer shot of the two ) I think… ( Spencer presses her lips together before speaking again ) I think I like girls.

Ashley:  ( Glances over at Spencer before resuming her lying out position ) Like-like?

Spencer:  I think so… but how do I know if I’m…?

Ashley:  Gay?

Spencer:  Yeah.

Ashley:  ( Camera shifts to just her.  She takes a second to think ) I need to process this. ( Camera moves back to show us Spencer biting her lip )

( Scene cuts back to King High where we see the miserable students wandering around their locked classroom.  Everyone looks anxious.  Clay walks up to where Glen and Madison are standing together )

Clay:  Where’s the teacher for this class.

( Camera cuts to Aiden leaning up against another lab station )

Aiden: ( Cuts in and answers for them ) Probably hiding in the supply closet.  Scared of getting’ shot.

Glen:  I mean, it’s no wonder.  ( Looks over in Sean’s direction ) This school’s full of thugs just waiting to go gangsta.

Sean:  ( Stands up ) You know, for the record.  The last time we had a lockdown it was on account of yo crew.

Glen:  What?

Sean:  Ya dumb jocks.  ( Looks at Glen and glances over at Aiden ) Some fool basketball player called in a bomb scare so he wouldn’t have to take a test he was too stupid to pass. ( His friends laugh with him )

Madison:  ( Cuts in ) Forget that.  All I wanna know is which one of you pissed somebody off.  ( Looks around )

Clay:  Why?

Madison:  ( Answers like it’s a stupid question ) Because I don’t want to be standing next to you when the shooting starts.

( Everyone suddenly turns on each other.  Everyone yelling/accusing the other of something.  They’re interrupted by sirens.  They all shut up and move towards the window to see police cars squealing to a stop in the parking lot.  The policemen get out and get their guns ready as they start to move towards the school )

( Next scene - We’re back at the beach and we see Spencer and Ashley walking together down the shoreline ) 

Spencer:  So, how do you know… I mean- what tells you that you’re…

Ashley:  ( Amused ) Look, if you want to know if you’re gay or not, you just have to take the “Are you hot for girls” quiz.

Spencer:  ( Laughs ) Yeah right.

Ashley:  No, it’s 100%.

Spencer:  ( Ponders for a moment )  Okay… ready.

Ashley:  First question… Who’s hotter:  Avril or Lindsay? 

Spencer:  Avril, of course.  I mean, she’s way cooler and much better than Lindsay when it comes to vocals.

Ashley:  ( Smiles ) Great answer.  Second question… Movies.  Which one did you like better: Blue Crush or Thirteen?

Spencer:  ( Thinks harder for this one ) Mm… Thirteen was more… real.

Ashley:  ( Grimaces slightly )  Pass young girls in bikinis?  That could affect your score.  ( Spencer laughs) That’s okay, there’s a bonus round.  For two tickets to the Ellen Degeneres show and a box set of the first two seasons of “The L Word”…

Spencer:  ( Grins ) Okay, not funny?

Ashley:  ( Smiles ) Tom kisses Katie, who do you make out with?

Spencer:  Make out with?

Ashley:  Yeah.

Spencer:  Wait a minute…

Ashley:  Answer the question.

Spencer:  Well… I like Dawson’s Creek, so… Katie.  I mean, hello, she was naked in “The Gift”.

Ashley:  Okay, final question.  ( Looks over at Spencer and slows her pace ) In the girls’ showers after gym class… do you sneak a peek or turn away?  ( Stops and faces her completely )

Spencer:  ( Tilts her head ) I guess I… I look.

Ashley:  ( Smiles softly ) Hey, there are a lot of reasons to look: comparison of self to others, inhibitions about ones’ own body… natural curiosity.

Spencer:  Wow… You’ve had a lot of therapy. ( They start to walk again )

Ashley:  Mother’s tried keeping me from being anything but… Well, take your pick: an emotionally scarred child of divorce, a good for nothing musician, a teen experimenting with her sexuality, a gay/lesbian…

Spencer:  So… what am I?

Ashley:  Going by your answers, I’d have to say that you…

( Stops as she glances in front of her in time to see two built guys around their age jogging in the opposite direction.  The guys check them out as they jog by )

Ashley:  ( Glances at Spencer briefly before following the guys with her eyes ) Whoa, okay, they’re hot. ( The guys slow to a stop behind them, turning to face them.  Ashley smiles back at Spencer quickly before she walks over to the guys to introduce herself.  We hear her talking to them ) Hey, what are you guys up to?  Oh, Ashley.  ( Shakes their hands ) Nice to meet you. ( Laughs flirtatiously.  Camera cuts back to Spencer with a confused look on her face.  Grudgingly, she follows behind )

( Next scene – We see different flashes of LA leading up to an office.  The camera shifts and we see Arthur sitting at his desk talking to a client )

Arthur:  ( Writes something down ) You know, we’re supposed to notify your parents and the police about illegal activities.

Teenage boy:  ( He has a black eye and a bandage on his forehead ) You see the beating I took jumping out of the game… My father finds out I’ve been dealing drugs, I’ll get beat down worse than this.

Arthur:  ( Thinks on it and writes something else ) I think one beat down a week is plenty.

( The boy smiles a little before his cell phone starts to ring.  He answers it )

Teenage boy:  Yeah?  ( Listens.  Arthur watches him ) I got you.

Arthur:  ( Bewildered ) You promised me you weren’t dealing anymore.

Teenage boy:  ( Shocked, he puts down his phone ) I’m not, it’s my sister.  ( Arthur calms down ) She wants me to get take out on the way home.

Arthur:  ( Points at the boy with his pencil ) I want you back here next week.  I wanna see how you’re doing. ( Writes something else ) Now, get out of here.

( The boy rolls his eyes and gets up to leave.  Arthur’s office phone rings and he picks it up )

Arthur:  It’s Art. ( Listens )  Meeting’s cancelled?  Alright.  ( Listens again ) Thanks.

( He hangs up the phone and the camera shifts to a framed picture of him and his wife on the desk.  He thinks for a minute before he smiles and gets up.  Taking his coat, he leaves the office )

( Next scene – We’re taken back to the beach where we see the two guys Ashley picked up running out of the water with their surfboards.  Camera cuts to Ashley.  Smiling, she checks them out as they run towards her and Spencer sitting on their towels.  Camera shifts to Spencer who’s not as thrilled )

Spencer:  ( Shakes her head ) Why are we with these guys?

( View changes to where we’re facing Ashley’s back.  We can see the guys running up to them )

Ashley:  I don’t know.  I bet they’re not even from Hawaii.  ( View changes back to Ashley smiling ) They’re probably from the valley.

Spencer:  ( Looks over at her ) I thought we were gonna talk about my problem…

Ashley:  ( Loses her smile as she glances over at Spencer.  Talks quietly as the guys come near ) You don’t have a problem.

Spencer:  Well, whatever I have, it’s still confusing.

( Ashley turns away in time for the dark haired guy to plop down beside her )

Ashley:  ( Smiles ) Hey.

First guy:  ( Out of breath ) Hey… ( Looking out at the water ) Good waves.  ( Spencer looks annoyed as the second guy sits down next to her ) Nothing like the islands, but… ( He glances over at Ashley ) they’ll do.

Ashley:  ( Smiling flirtatiously ) Are you homesick?

First guy:  ( With his head tilted in towards hers, he asks ) Would you like to take my mind off it? ( Spencer frowns at him.  Ashley looks disgusted as he leans forward to kiss her.  She moves out of the way and the guy meets the sand )

Ashley:  ( Looks to Spencer, says quietly ) Boys are so predictable. ( We see the guy struggle to sit back up, he looks confused.  Ashley smiles over at him again.  Spencer stares out at the waves )

( Next scene – We see more different sights of LA showing us the outside of a hospital.  Inside we see Paula and a doctor standing closely together, looking at some forms on a counter )

Doctor:  ( Smiles, pointing at something ) No, that’s good, that’s good.  I can’t believe you caught that.  I forget uh- how thorough you are.

Paula:  ( Smiles ) Well, thank you.  You know it’s our training together.

Doctor:  Nah, you were the same way back in medical school. ( Puts a hand on her shoulder )

Paula:  Really?

( We see Arthur standing just outside a door behind them.  He watches through the window )

Doctor:  Yeah.

Paula:  I’m glad you could see it then. ( They laugh and Arthur walks in )

( They converse more inaudibly, oblivious to Arthur, so he decides to cut in )

Arthur:  Am I interrupting?

Paula:  ( Turning quickly, it takes her a second to say something ) Of course not, honey.  Um… you remember… ( Gestures to the doctor )

Arthur:  Ben, right?

Doctor/Ben:  Yeah, good to see you.  ( They shake hands ) I haven’t seen you since…

Arthur:  You and Paula graduated Med school.  ( Glances over at his wife ) Paula didn’t mention that you worked here, too.

Doctor/Ben:  She didn’t? ( Paula looks down ) I run the place.

Arthur:  ( Confused ) Run?  As in charge of hiring run?

Doctor/Ben:  ( Smiles ) I talked Paula into coming out myself. ( Looks at her and she smiles ) We’re lucky to have her.

Arthur:  So, you… ( A voice interrupts them over the intercom, calling for Ben )

Doctor/Ben:  Paula, we’ll do this later?

Paula:  ( Nods ) Yeah… okay.

Doctor/Ben:  Nice to see you, Art.

( Ben leaves and Arthur’s staring at his wife.  She has her back to him as she picks up the forms.  She takes a second before turning to him )

Paula:  So… hey. ( Smiles ) What do ya got there?

Arthur:  ( Holds up the bag in his hand.  He smiles ) Lunch.  ( They stand there for a moment staring at each other )

( Scene cuts back to the beach where we see the second guy leaning back, looking over at the girls )

Second guy:  We have a place down the road with a hot tub?

( View changes to where we see the whole crew.  Ashley’s leaning back as her guy gives her a massage, and Spencer is keeping careful distance away from the second guy )

Ashley:  Ooh… ( Smiles over at her guy ) I’m in.

Spencer: ( Frowning, she reaches for her towel ) We should go.

( Both guys perk up a little bit )

Second guy:  Great.

First guy:  Great.

Spencer:  ( Starts to get up ) No, Ashley and I should go home. ( Stands up and moves to collect her things )

Ashley:  Wait… ( Watches her ) I just wanted you to have fun today?

Spencer:  ( Crouches down on her knees to start stuffing things in her bag )  Well, I’m not!  All day long I’ve been trying to tell you the most important thing, and all you wanna do is hang out with… ( Pauses, flustered ) boys!

First guy:  ( To Ashley ) I thought you were kinda into me? ( Ashley starts to answer but Spencer interrupts )

Spencer:  ( To the guy ) Honestly?… She’s not.  ( Glares at Ashley )

Ashley:  ( Sits up, pulling away from him.  She tries to explain to him, but she’s more focused on Spencer leaving ) Yeah… I like girls. ( She turns away from him and sighs as Spencer starts to walk off )

First guy:  ( Smiles ) That is so hot.

Second guy:  ( Calls after Spencer ) You’re still coming over, right?

Spencer:  No! ( Stalks off down the beach )

Ashley:  ( Stands up, aggravated ) Wait up!  ( Quickly gets her stuff together ) Spencer! ( Spencer keeps walking and doesn’t turn back )

( Next we see that some time has gone by.  We’re still at the beach, but Spencer is now walking along side the road.  We see her now through Ashley’s car window; she’s put her skirt back on and she’s carrying her bag.  Ashley drives up beside her )

Ashley:  Spencer, get in the car.

Spencer:  Why?

Ashley:  ( Irritated ) For one thing, your house is ten miles back!

Spencer:  ( Unfazed she turns around and walks backwards, holding her thumb out to the oncoming traffic ) You so don’t care about how I feel.

Ashley:  This whole day has been about how you feel.

Spencer:  ( Looks over at Ashley ) Oh, please.  C’mon… ( Turns to walk straight forward again ) All you care about is having a good time!  ( Ashley looks forward, not saying anything.  Spencer looks in front of her, upset.  She talks more quietly ) My mom was right about you…

Ashley:  ( Gets pissed and glares at Spencer ) Oh good, now you and your mommy can finally have something to agree on.

( We see Spencer shoot her a look but she keeps walking.  Ashley stops the car and tries to compose herself, holding her head for a moment.  Sighing, she drives forward again and catches up with Spencer )

Ashley:  K, look… I’m sorry… I screwed up.  ( Glances at Spencer but keeps her focus on the road in front of her ) I just didn’t want you to feel bad… and- I guess I didn’t know the right way to make you feel better.  ( Spencer gradually slows her pace, and Ashley slows down next to her ) What you’re feeling, the whole gay thing, it’s… it’s so important, and so… ( Spencer stops walking ) scary.  ( Ashley stops her car and looks up at her ) And that’s why I wanted today to be special for you… It’s kind of like the last day of the old Spencer, you know? ( Spencer looks over at her, thinking )

( Next we see them back at the beach, but now they’re both dressed and walking under the pier alone.  Spencer asks her the question again )

Spencer:  How do you know if you’re gay?

Ashley:  How do you know if you’re straight?

Spencer:  I thought that was the easy part.

Ashley:  Nothing’s easy.

Spencer:  Well, it’s like this.  Say I see… Aiden.  ( Ashley smiles ) He’s cute… I’m attracted to him.  But then I notice the girl he’s with, and… I’m more interested in her.  ( Looks over at Ashley ) And… that’s what scares me.

Ashley:  Okay, and botox scares me… look at my mom.  ( Spencer laughs ) And yet people still do it.  That doesn’t make it wrong, it’s just… different.

Spencer:  ( Sits down on a stoop ) I don’t want to be… different, I’m just… I want to be normal.  ( Ashley smiles to herself ) You know, like- everybody else who knows who they are… what they want, and… who they love. ( Looks up at Ashley )

Ashley:  Stop worrying about it, look… ( Sits down on another stoop facing her ) Whatever people consider to be normal… it never is.  ( Spencer looks down and nods before looking back out at the waves.  Ashley watches her closely with a small smile )

( Next scene – We’re taken back to King High where we hear police sirens and see policemen running about the school.  Inside the classroom, everyone kind of mopes about, looking around at everyone else.  Clay looks over to see Aiden walking up to where Madison is leaning against a station with Glen behind her )

Aiden:  I bet Sean, Clay, and Madison go down first.

Madison:  ( Enraged ) Why do I get lumped in with them? ( Gestures towards Sean’s crew )

Sean:  No, snowball’s right… Colored folks’ always fair game.  ( Gets up and walks over to Glen and Aiden, talking to Madison ) Cops will probably shoot us in the back by mistake.

Glen:  ( Angry ) Man, it’s the cops that make it safe for your skinny ass to come here every day.  ( Sean starts to get in his face when Clay goes off )

Clay:  Stop it!  Nobody’s gettin’ shot!  ( Calms down a little ) Statistically no school rampage has happened in small towns.

Aiden:  ( Amused ) Like Ohio?

Clay:  Ohio’s a state, not a town, jock strap.

Aiden:  ( Fed up, turns on Glen ) Maybe you’re the shooter.

Clay:  He doesn’t fit the profile.  It’s usually the angry, loser kid who shoots the mean, popular kids.

Sean:  ( Cuts in, smirking ) So, Glen and Madison will get killed first.

Madison:  ( Angry ) Why am I on everyone’s “first to get shot” list?!

( Everyone looks around.  Clay and Aiden start to walk away when we hear helicopters outside.  Madison walks over to the windows to examine them )

Madinson:  Hey, come here… ( Glen walks over ) Do you think those are police… or news helicopters?

Sean:  Why do you care?

Madison:  ( Smiles and shrugs before turning around to look at him ) If I’m gonna be on TV, I’m gonna change into my cheerleading uniform so I look hot.

Sean:  ( Stares at her in shock ) You are about as deep as a puddle.

Madison:  ( Pulls her bag over her shoulder ) It’s about exposure, baby, and you gotta get it where you can.

Glen:  ( Walks up to Sean ) Why don’t you just lay off?  You don’t know anything about her.

Sean:  ( Meets Glen’s glare ) I’ve been in class with her since the third grade.

Madison:  Really?  ( Short laugh ) That is not possible.

Sean:  Oh, and that girl with the piercings, ( Gestures towards a girl on the other side of the classroom playing with the lab skeleton ) and that guy, but he wasn’t loaded then ( We see a guy sleeping in a chair.  Madison looks at them ), and that-that chick… before she dyed her hair. ( We see a girl with pink-tipped, spiked hair.  Camera shifts back to Sean looking at Madison ) We was all in a class together.

Madison:  ( Laughs ) Oh my gosh. ( Looks to Sean, smiling ) Mrs. Harrison’s room? ( Laughs again ) That’s right… ( Points to Sean, talking to Glen ) Sean sat down and refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance.  ( Puts her bag down )

Glen:  ( Looks over at Sean, confused ) Why the hell not?

Sean:  Ain’t you ever heard nothing about the Separation of Church and State?

Madison:  And- I sat down with you.  ( Smiling )

Sean:  Got us sent to the Principal’s office.

Madison:  ( Laughs ) My first and last time.

Glen:  ( To Madison ) Why wouldn’t you say the Pledge of Allegiance?

Madison:  I don’t know… I was nine.

Sean:  ( Looks down before taking a step towards her ) I always wondered why you did it… Why’d you sit?  Especially since we had said squat to each other since.

Madison:  ( Smiles, thinking on it.  Sean watches her ) I guess you just seemed really smart.  ( Straightens up and loses her smile when she realizes they’re actually being nice to each other ) I figured it was a thing to do. ( Tucks her hair behind her ears and moves to lean on her station again.  Sean walks off and Glen comes to stand next to Madison )

( Scene cuts back to the beach where we see Spencer and Ashley still sitting on their stumps under the pier; their legs are just barely touching and they both have their hands folded in their laps )

Spencer:  So, give me the girl’s guide to dating girls.

Ashley:  Are you sure you’re ready?  ( Spencer nods and Ashley smiles ) Actually dating a girl is just like dating a guy. 

Spencer:  Really?

Ashley:  Except that it vastly enlarges your wardrobe, and if you’re lucky you’ll have the same shoes size.  ( Smiles )

Spencer:  ( Laughs ) Wow, I never thought about it that way.

Ashley:  There are a lot of cool benefits.  Mostly… another girl gets you.  Your ups, your downs… your openness, and your vulnerability.  ( Spencer watches her ) And they can give right back… no coaxing.  No having to go out and buy a Cosmo article on “How to get a guy to open up”.  ( Smiles and shrugs ) It’s just all right there.

Spencer:  ( Smiles and nods ) And the bad part?

Ashley:  ( Shakes her head ) Dating a girl is just like dating a guy.  ( Slowly starts to lose her smile )  They can lie, dump you for the pretty cheerleader… screw with your head the same semi-psychotic way a guy can.  And plus, yuck, worse… They want to talk amnesty about all of their feelings.  I mean, that’s one good thing about guys… They never say anything that you have to actually listen to.  ( Watches Spencer ) Did I mention the downside? 

Spencer:  I thought you already did?

Ashley:  ( Gives her a small smile ) Some of your family… friends… people who you don’t even know… are probably gonna hate you.

Spencer:  Getting people to like me in high school is hard enough.  ( Pause ) Screw it, I don’t wanna be gay. ( Looks out at the water )

Ashley:  ( Laughs ) You don’t have a choice.  ( Clips her hair up ) You are who you are, Spence.  ( Ashley watches her carefully, smiling.  Spencer looks all kinds of anxious as she lets out a breath and shakes her head; her leg is jumping )

( Scene cuts back to the classroom.  Clay gets up and walks over to Madison.  He knocks on her station to get her attention )

Clay:  I can’t believe you guys used to be friends.  ( Gestures to Sean )

Madison:  ( Pretends to be her old, snobby self again and gives Sean a disgusted look )  Who said we were friends?

( Sean animatedly acts like he’s stabbing himself in the heart )

Sean: Oooh! ( Opens one eye to look at Madison.  She laughs )

( View changes to Aiden )

Aiden:  ( Smiling ) Nah, you can be surprised who you can hang with.  Take me and Glen, for instance.  ( Walks over to Glen ) We have some things in common.

Glen:  ( Smirks ) You mean, besides Madison?

Madison:  Can we stop talking about me?

Aiden:  ( Smiles ) Well, there’s a first. ( Madison sticks her tongue out and rolls her eyes )

Glen:  Okay, but uh… ( Looks at Clay ) I just don’t get why you hang out with him.  ( Gestures to Sean )

Clay:  You don’t have to understand it, Glen, he’s my friend.

Sean:  Y’see… ( Goes over to put his hand on Clay’s shoulder ) Clay’s his own man.  He don’t worry about what you think and that’s why we’re good. 

Glen:  Yeah man, so good you got him beat up by the cops.

Clay:  I can handle it… or I can try.  ( Glen thinks on it ) Cool?

( Glen smiles and goes over to clap hands with Clay.  They hug and Aiden shakes hands with Sean.  Glen then moves to clap hands with Sean, but Sean is unresponsive )

Sean:  ( Looks at Glen in all seriousness ) Don’t even think about it.  ( They both smile and move back to their own group of friends )

( We suddenly hear a buzzer sound and everyone immediately starts getting their things together.  Clay looks around )

Clay:  Whoa, where’s everybody going?

Sean:  Lockdown’s over. 

Madison:  ( Gets her bag ) Practice is still on, ladies, so you better be on time. ( Smiles and takes Glen’s hand as they start to leave the room )

Sean:  ( Walking backwards out of the classroom calls out to his friends ) Yo, uh… who’s ridin’ with me?

( Not watching where he’s going, he accidentally bumps into Madison who has obviously gotten over their little lockdown experience )

Madison:  ( Turns to shoot Sean a dirty look ) Do you mind?

Sean:  ( Gives her a look ) I don’t anymore.  ( Walks in the opposite direction with his friends behind him.  We see Clay close his eyes and shake his head before moving to leave the classroom )

( Next scene – We’re back at the hospital and we see Arthur pacing around the small cafeteria table where Paula’s sitting, eating the Chinese food Arthur ordered )

Arthur:  Ben Mantaño is the reason we uprooted our family and dragged them to LA?

Paula:  ( Laughs ) What?  Of course not. ( Arthur sits down next to her ) Honey, this job was an incredibly opportunity.  I was tired of small town medicine… amputating moles and lancing boils.  I came here to be challenged. 

Arthur:  Apparently, so did I.

Paula:  We made the decision to move here together.

Arthur:  We made the decision without me having all of the facts.

Paula:  Oh no… ( Points at him with her chopsticks ) you wanted this just as much as I did.  You said it was your chance to do urban social work and really make a difference, remember?

Arthur:  I remember you and Ben in Med school, that’s what I remember.

Paula:  Arthur, look… ( Leans forward and put her hand on his arm ) I know things have been rough lately.  But I have been swamped with work.  And you’ve been busy with the kids, and the house, and your job…

Arthur:  We’ve been connected for a long time.  I wanna know if he’s the reason.  At least I think I wanna know.

Paula:  Arthur! Listen to me… We have just made a major move… That strains a family.  ( Goes back to eating her Chinese takeout ) C’mon, don’t make this about Ben.  It’s really about us.

( They’re interrupted by the news.  The reporter starts talking about the lockdown incident at King High )

Reporter:  In a gang related incident, ( View cuts to the TV screen where we see the cops dragging an uncooperative teenager to the squad car ) police apprehended a suspect, a student at the school, ( Arthur and Paula stand up ) found on campus with a gun, ( Cops set a gun down on the hood of the car while they put the girl in handcuffs ) forcing a daylong lockdown at King High School as police and school officials determine if accomplices or other weapons were present.  ( We see the girl sitting in the back of the squad car ) No injuries were reported, and the suspect has been-

Arthur:  ( Interrupting ) I gotta get home.  ( Gets his jacket and starts to leave when he sees Paula with her phone ) What are you doing?

Paula:  ( Holds her cell phone up to her ear ) I’m calling the kids.  ( They wait for a response ) There’s no answer.

Arthur:  ( Pulls on her ) Alright, c’mon, lets go.  ( They leave )

( Next scene – We’re at the Carlin residence.  Glen and Clay walk in the house looking ragged.  Paula is thankful when she sees them )

Paula:  Oh, thank God.

Arthur:  Great.

( They go over to hug their children )

Paula:  I was so worried.  You alright?

Glen:  We’re good.

Paula:  Where’s Spencer?

Glen:  I-I-I don’t know? ( Looks to Clay ) I haven’t seen her all day.

Paula:  What?

Glen:  She didn’t show up for her ride either.

Clay:  Figured she was with Ashley since she drove her to school.

Paula:  Uh huh.  ( Looks to Arthur ) If she ever made it there.  ( She walks off.  Clay looks annoyed )

( Next scene – We see more flashes of the beach, but this time we see Spencer and Ashley in the car driving back home.  Ashley’s staring out at the road in front of her )

Ashley:  ( Smiles softly ) Sometimes I have this fantasy that I get on the first flight out of LAX going anywhere… as long as it’s away from here.  ( Glances over at Spencer )

Spencer:  I ditched for the first time today… I’m not sure if I’m ready to flee the country yet.

( Ashley laughs and moves the cut the radio on.  They hear the announcement about the school lockdown )

Announcer:  King School officials report that despite today’s lockdown, the rest of the school season will proceed-

Ashley:  ( Interrupts ) Lockdown?  This is great! No one’s even gonna know we were gone!

Spencer:  So, we ditched for nothing?

Ashley:  ( Pauses and speaks more quietly, looking over at Spencer ) It definitely wasn’t for nothing.

Spencer:  ( Catching her look, she smiles ) No, I guess it wasn’t.

( Ashley smiles over at her and we see her car speeding down the highway. Some time goes by as we see they make it back to the Carlin residence.  Ashley parks the car to drop Spencer off at her front door.  Ashley looks at the house and then glances over at Spencer who’s looking down.  Spencer looks up at her and smiles softly before unbuckling her seatbelt.  Ashley watches Spencer as she gets out of the car and shuts the door behind her )

Spencer:  ( Looks back in through the window, smiling ) Thanks for today.

Ashley:  ( Smiles at her ) No problem.

( Ashley watches as she walks around the car and goes to her front door.  Spencer opens the door, but pauses, glancing back at Ashley again only to find that Ashley’s still looking back at her.  Spencer smiles and looks down before turning to go in her house.  Ashley smiles again to herself before she turns away )

- Final credits –

END OF EPISODE

==========================
TRANSCRIBED BY HOLLY FOR
TWIZ TV.COM - FREE TV SCRIPTS DATABASE
==========================