Guns and Gossip

[Mr. Demitri's social studies class. A video of President Kennedy's inaugural speech is playing on the television the class is watching. Rayanne, Angela, and Brian are there. A note is being passed around.]

Angela (voice over)

Grownups like to tell you where they were when President Kennedy was shot which they all know to the exact second.__Which makes me almost jealous. Like I should have something important enough to know where I was when it happened. I don't yet.__The fact that it was a better time then. When people knew what they were supposed to do. And how to make the world better. Now, nobody knows anything. We know who is popular. That social studies is boring. Or that Brian always has stomach trouble. [Brain gets up and goes to the bathroom.]

Mr Demitri

Hurry back.

Angela(voice over)

But nobody knows anything important. [In the hallway, before entering the bathroom, Brian sees Rickie struggling over a cigar box with someone unseen. Back in the classroom the note is being passed around.]

Angela(voice over)

Instead of changing the world people sit in class and write notes about other people. [Rayanne reads the note, tries to stop from laughing, then passes it to Angela. A gun shot is heard. Brian comes out of the bathroom. He sees Rickie and an unknown person running away. There's a bullet hole in one locker with soda pouring out of it, and a gun and cigar box the floor. The students start coming out of the classrooms. A crowd gathers around Brian.]

Crystal

Is that my soda?

Mr. Demitri[pushing through the crowd]

Get back. Get back. Get back. Get back. Stay back. Be quiet__(to Brian) Did you see who it was?__ Did you? [Angela leaves the class room as she reads the note:
Angela and Jordan Catalano
COMPLETE SEX!!!
IN HIS CAR
...Can you believe her?] [In a loud, crowded Girl's room, Angela and Rayanne enter. Angela pushes her way through.]

Crystal

My God, I can not believe this. That is like the weirdest thing that ever happened at this school. Ever. Ok, I mean just think about who if we all weren't in our class rooms just minding our own business. And look. By what. I could have-I could have been right at that spot. I was there like ten minutes earlier. I mean--

Rayanne

What is the big deal? I mean it's not like anybody even got a flesh wound. A bottle of soda was shot tragically. [She shrugs]

Crystal

Well, I don't want our school to have a reputation.

Rayanne

You mean like yours? [Rayanne pushes her way to the mirror.]

Rayanne

Everyone knows there are, like, fifty guns in school at any given moment. And the fact that they haven't gone off before shows you what a totally safe place this is__(to the whole room) Give it a rest. [ Rayanne pushes her way to Angela standing by the wall] Geez__Excuse me__Excuse me. (To Angela) Nobodies going to get shot I promise you. [Realizes Angela is thinking of the note]__Oh.

Angela

Who would write a note like that?

Rayanne

Everybody writes notes like that. We write notes like that.

Angela

Yeah, but we write notes that are true.

Rayanne(sarcastically)

You mean this isn't true?

Angela

Rayanne__We barely made out. You haven't been telling people--

Rayanne

Oh, Angela, come on. [Spots Rickie] Hey

Rickie(to Angela)

I wouldn't blab about your personal life. I promise you. [Rickie pushes his way to them. One girl looks at him askance.]

Rickie(to the girl)

What are you looking at? [Rayanne kisses Rickie]

Rayanne

What happened to your shirt?

Rickie

Oh nothing. I just caught it on the fence outside. So, do you believe all this?

Rayanne

Did you see anything?

Rickie

Oh, no. I-I was in English.

Rayanne(to Angela smiling)

Maybe I should get a gun. (To the crowd) BAM BAM__(to Rickie)What do you mean you were in English. You were supposed to be in social studies.

Rickie

Ah, what's the difference. (To Angela) So, what's this I hear about you and Jordan?

Angela[pressing her head against the wall]

I can't believe this.

Rayanne(sarcastically)

You know they had sex.

Angela

Rayanne.

Rickie[smiling]

That's what I heard.

Angela

You heard it to? Oh, God, just shot me.

Rayanne(sarcastically)

We could probably arrange that.

Rickie[laughing]

You mean you didn't have sex?

Rayanne[She pulls Angela close to her and strokes her hair]

Angela, come on. Come here. You got to start thinking of this as a positive thing. I mean, this could help you get to the next level with Jordan__ok, did he at least think you were a good kisser?

Angela

I don't know.

Rickie

Well, did you like the way he kissed?

Angela

They weren't the kind of kisses you could actually evaluate. They were__ *introductory* kisses.

Rayanne

You should have just had sex with him. [In Angela's dinning room, Angela, Danielle, Graham, and Patty are sitting down to dinner.]

Patty(upset)

Where were you when the gun went off?

Angela

Mom, it wasn't anywhere near us. We barely heard it.

Patty[dishing out food]

We have to worry about our kids being shot in school. How did it come to this. This is horrible. This is a disgrace to all of us--

Danielle

That's too much.

Patty[passing a plate to Graham]

I'm sorry honey.__I'm, you know, I'm going to say it in this meeting tonight. I am. I mean it. We have to draw the line somewhere. We just can't keep excepting the total deterioration--

Angela

The only thing that was shot was a bottle of soda.

Patty

You know, I don't even know if you should go there alone anymore. Maybe we should drop you off every morning.

Angela

Dad.

Graham(to Patty)

Honey, the gun was in the school. We can't be with her all day.

Angela

We are not going to change our entire lives over this. There was one stupid gun shot. You are not dropping me at school. Gawd. I'm not an eight years old.

Danielle

At my school this kid slipped on this wet spot. And fell. Like on his face. [In the Angela's kitchen after dinner where Graham and Patty are cleaning up].

Patty

Maybe we should take her out of school.

Graham

Honey.

Patty

Put her in private school.

Graham

Well, I wish we could afford that.

Patty

Well, maybe that's not an excuse. Maybe we should sacrifice other things.

Graham

Like the house in Palm Beach. [Graham kisses Patty on the cheek.]

Patty(exasperated)

This is our daughter we're talking about.

Graham

I know__Listen, I don't know why the world's gone crazy, and I don't know what to do about it. I wish__we could keep them__in some kind of bubble but I know we can't.

Patty

I'm not asking for a bubble. How about just a place where they could live, and walk to school, and become grownups without having to worry about guns and AIDS and serial murderers. That didn't use to be exotic. That wasn't the province of the rich. We all had that. Why can't they have that?

Graham

__I don't know. [In the school gymnasium. Angela and Rayanne stand by the door watching boys basketball drills. One boy looks at Angela too intently.]

Angela

There, did you see that?

Rayanne

Hu? what.

Angela

That guy. People are looking at me.

Rayanne[smiling]

That's good.

Angela

They're *looking* at me.

Rayanne

Oh, they're *looking* at you. [Boy1 passes by Angela.]

Boy1

Hi.

Angela

Hi. [The boy leaves, and Angela and Rayanne begin to laugh.]

Angela

You see. Now what was that about?

Rayanne

He said hi?

Angela

That was not hi.

Rayanne

That was hi.

Angela

That was a *different* hi.

Rayanne

That was a he wants to get to know you hi.

Angela

From someone who never talks to me has never talked me and would never talk to me.

Rayanne

Except now he thinks you put out so he talks to you. [Laughs] See, I told you that note was good.

Angela

Rayanne. [Rayanne and Angela spot Jordan.]

Rayanne

Maybe Jordan started the rumor.

Angela

Please, don't be ridiculous.

Rayanne

It's a very guy thing to do. [In the crowded school hallway afterward Rayanne chases down Jordan.]

Rayanne

Hey Catalano.

Jordan

Hey.

Rayanne

So, ah, what about this gun thing, hu? Hate to be that soda bottle. Splat. [Angela walks into the hallway and sees police searching lockers, and Rickie being bullied by two guys on the stairs, and Rayanne and Jordan talking. She leaves in the other direction.]

Rayanne

So, do you know what everyone is saying?

Jordan

What?

Rayanne

Oh, about you and Angela. How you guys had sex.

Jordan

Who?

Rayanne

You and Angela.

Jordan

No. Who's saying that?

Rayanne

I don't know. People. I mean. She told me the truth, of course.

Jordan

What truth?

Rayanne

How far you guys went, you know.

Jordan

Well. Yeah. Cause nothing happened.

Rayanne[as Jordan walks away from her]

Right, so how come it's all over school. I mean, you're not talking it up like some low-life derelict cretin telling everyone you did her are you? [Jordan shakes his head no and walks away.]

Rayanne[smiling]

Just checking. [Brian is at his locker. Sharon and Gina come up to him.]

Sharon

Hi Brian.

Brian

Hi.

Sharon

Oh, um, this is Gina.

Gina

Hey.

Brian

Right. Hi.

Sharon

Brian saw the entire thing.

Gina

I heard you, liked, chased the gunmen.

Brian

Chased the gunmen?

Gina

I would have just screamed. I have to leave the room when my father uses the electric knife.

Brian

Well, I think chase is a little bit strong, but, I mean I was going to check out the situation, because you know if there's a gun-- [Principle Foster comes up from behind Brian and puts his hand on his shoulder.]

Brian

Mr. Foster

Mr. Foster

My man Mr Krakow. Are you still getting all those A's? Brain: Yes sir.

Mr. Foster

That's real good Mr. Krakow. I want you to come to my office for a few minutes. I need to ask you about a few things.

Brian

Oh, ah, well, actually I have a class, and ah--

Mr. Foster

You're excused from you next class, Mr Krakow.

Brian

Oh really. Mr. Foster[walking away]: Uh hu.

Brian

Great. I mean, of course. [Brian follows Mr. Foster. Angela enters the hallway and sees Sharon and Gina whispering about her.] [In Mr. Foster's office, Mr. Foster is there with Brian.] Mr. Foster[looking at Brian's record]: Man these are some grades. You always gotten grades like this?

Brian

Yes sir.

Mr. Foster

We need more kids in our school like you, Brian. All the schools need more kids like you.

Brian

Oh.

Mr. Foster

You're on a valedictorian path, Mr Krakow. All your teachers give you an unqualified thumb's up. [Mr. Foster gives Brian the thumb's up sign, and Brian does the same in response. Mr. Foster begins pacing around the office.]

Mr. Foster

____So. What happened yesterday?

Brian

Well, I told Mr. Higgins--

Mr. Foster

Yeah, I know. But I'd like to hear it from you.

Brian

Right. Well, I was leaving the bathroom and I heard a shot--

Mr. Foster

And you were in the bathroom because?

Brian

Because? I, ah, had to go to the bathroom--

Mr. Foster

Which one?

Brian

The one by the--

Mr. Foster

No, I meant what kind? ___How long were you in the bathroom?

Brian

Well, I didn't actually go. I mean. Well, I had a stomach ache but I didn't actually go.

Mr. Foster

Because? ___Because you heard something in the hallway.

Brian

I-I heard like a scuffle, but I didn't see anyone when I came out.

Mr. Foster

You heard a scuffle loud enough to prevent you from taking nature's call but you didn't see anything.

Brian

No sir.

Mr. Foster

Brian, I don't think I have to tell you this is a serious criminal act were talking about here.

Brian

Yes sir.

Mr. Foster

I'd hate to hear you were protecting someone. With your unblemished record and all.

Brian

I'm not protecting anyone. [In the hallway outside Mr. Foster's office, Brian comes out of the door. He spots Rickie waiting. They eye each other, and Brian walks away] [In a large school class room, in the evening, Mr. Foster presides over a crowd of noisy adults. Amber is in the crowd. Patty enters the room.]

Mr. Foster

Ladies and gentlemen. Ladies and gentlemen, please may I have your undivided attention for moment. Please may I have your attention. Your undivided attention. [The crowd settles down] Thank you. I just wanted to let you know some of the things we have been working on to ensure a safe environment here at Liberty. We will not tolerate violence in our schools. We will not except it, and we will not live with it. But all the safety measures in the world won't work unless I have the cooperation of you. All of you... Amber(to the person next to her): Yeah. The people who come to these meetings are the people who let their kids have guns. Man1: But are you getting the guns out of school. That's the only question that's important here.

Mr. Foster

We're going-we're going to open this up for your comments in just one moment, but please-- Woman1: My daughter has been in tears for thirty-six hours. We are not going to live with this kind of terror in our schools.

Mr. Foster

Friends. One moment please. We're going to get nowhere fast if each and every one of us talks out of turn. Now, as I was saying to your point Madam, Ms Krzyzanowski here is going to provide special counseling for any student who has a problem coping with the incident... Amber(to the person next to her): Oh that *is* good. Put the kids in therapy so they can adjust to being shot.

Mr. Foster

We can hear what everybody has to say if we could just say it one at a time. Amber[waving her hand]: Excuse me, Mr. Principle--

Mr. Foster

What would really help if you would just say your name and the name of your child.

Amber

My name is Amber Vallone and I have a daughter Rayanne Graff who I leave in your capable hands everyday, and what I'd like to know is, while you're bring in counselors, and being all upset, should I just send my daughter to school in a bullet prove vest every day[shouts as the crowd respones to her comments] or are you actually going to do something about the guns in our school. It's not the lack of economic opportunity or the poor home lives, or the lack of values. But the guns. You know the things that shoot. Are you going to get that gun out of our school? [Outside the school with the meeting letting out, Patty and Amber walk down some steps.]

Patty

Hey, you know, I really liked what you said in there. Amber[laughing]: Oh God.

Patty

I wish I could be that--

Amber

What? Loud? Obnoxious? Patty[laughing]: Forceful___I'm Patty Chase.

Amber

Hi.

Patty

Angela's mom?

Amber

Ah, wow. *Angela*. Oh, Rayanne talks about her all the time. She's in love with her. She wants to be Angela.

Patty

Really. Gosh they-they seem so different

Amber

Oh, you know kids. They find one person and they just can't get enough of them. Like being in love only they re not allowed to have sex. Patty[laughing]: Right. [Amber sits on a wall and lights a cigarette.]

Amber

No, don't you remember there would be like this one person who had like perfect hair, or perfect breasts, or they were just so funny, and-and you just wanted to eat them up. Just-just live in their bed. Just be them. Like everybody else was in black and white and that person was in color. Well, Rayanne thinks Angela is in color. Major color.

Patty

Thanks. So, um, how is Rayanne handling this whole_incident?

Amber

Oh she's great. I'm the basket case.

Patty

Angela's just the same.

Amber

Who's going to shoot me with this bod, Mom, she says. Ah, they think they're immortal. And they have other things on their minds. [Amber screams with delight, jumps off the wall, and grabs Patty.]

Amber

Speaking of which Jordan is unbelievable. Your daughter has complete taste.

Patty

Ex-excuse me?

Amber

Rayanne showed me his picture in the yearbook. If I were Angela running around with him, I wouldn't give a damn about guns in the school either.

Patty

So-so you think that_Jordan has gotten in the way_for _Angela--

Amber

Ooooh, and she was so obsessed with him all that time and now, wham bam it's actually happening. But we know what that 's like right? Young love. Or lust. What's' the difference. Patty[laughing nervously]: Wham bam.

Amber

Yeah.

Patty

Jordan.

Amber

Mmmmm. [In Angela's kitchen. Patty and Graham are there. Graham is working over the stove.]

Patty

I could have died. I did die. I mean, this women knows and I don t know. She's not even a women. She's like this forty year old *girl*. She's gorgeous. And she's telling me about my daughter's sex life, which, apparently she now has, and I don't even know about it.

Graham

Patty, kid's talk__Now, the girl talked to her mother. We don't know that it's true.

Patty

These things are always true. Of course it's true. Graham[giving her a spoon full of food]: Here. Taste this.

Patty

I couldn't taste anything_Guns are going off in school. Angela's sleeping with someone.

Graham

You don't know that. How is it?

Patty

You know, and even if she isn't, which I pray is true, she obviously has some sort of secret life completely apart from us-this is wonderful.

Graham

Cellantro.

Patty

So, what do we do? Do we confront her? Graham[laughing]: Oh God, no. Geez, I-I don t want to know if it's true.

Patty

What sort of attitude are we supposed to have. Are we suppose to have an attitude. I already have an attitude. But it maybe my mother's attitude. I don't want to get hysterical about this. Why not? Why shouldn t I be hysterical? She's fif-teen. I should be hysterical. Angela[coming into the kitchen]: Danielle, if you have on my sweats I'm going to kill you ? Do you understand me?__(to Graham)Can I taste whatever it is? Graham[giving her some]: Sure.

Angela

Mmmmm, Cellantro, I love that.

Graham

Very good. You know I thought with the tomato it would sharpen it a bit--

Angela

Mmm, I think it's great. Is that the feulo stuff?

Graham

Uh hu.

Patty

Honey? Who's Jordan?

Angela

__No one.__You mean Jordan Catalano?

Patty

Is that his last name?

Angela

I don't know. You brought it up.

Patty

I met Rayanne's mom tonight, and she was all excited about your new boyfriend, Jordan.

Angela

Boyfriend. That's a laugh.

Patty

So, he's not your boyfriend? Angela[going to the refrigerator]: Mom, I barely know this person. I don't know that I want to know this person.

Patty

Well, then_you haven't__ Angela[coming close to Patty]: What did you hear?__What did she tell you?

Patty

Nothing. She didn't tell me anything.

Angela

Did she say I was sleeping with Jordan Catalano?

Patty

No. I mean, no, of course not. No one said that. It just__Well ,I mean, well I just wondered--

Angela

She did.__I can't believe this. I can't believe this. [As she leaves the kitchen] I hate_everyone. [In a crowded hallway of Angela's high school, Angela and Rayanne are walking together.]

Rayanne

Well, obviously I told my mother. But all I said was you were hot for him.

Angela

Well, why did you even tell her that? Now, my mother thinks we slept together.

Rayanne

Well, ok. Do you want my mother to call your mother and tell her you didn't sleep together? [Angela screams in frustration and walks away.]

Rayanne

Well, I could do that. [In the hallway two boys approach Rickie.] Boy3: Hi, honey. Boy2: Hey, fag.

Rickie

Go to hell. Boy2: Maybe later. I have something for ya. Boy3: Is that perfume I smell?

Rickie

You know your boring don't you. [Rayanne pushes between the boys and stands by Rickie's side.]

Rayanne

Turd head . You need something? Boy3: Yo, Graff. Why don't you come driving with us tonight.

Rayanne

That would be exciting. If I were in a coma. Boy2: You'll be excited._ Later. [The boys walk away.]

Rickie

You know I could have handled that. Rayanne[patting his chest]: Yeah. You're doing great. [In Angela's social studies class. Brian, Angela, Rickie, Gina and Rayanne are there.]

Mr. Demitri

No, no. I'm asking a particular question. Is it fair?

Brian

What does fair have to do with it? [Gina smiles at Brian. One boy gives a knowing smile to Angela.]

Mr. Demitri

Fair has to do with what?__Anybody?__Fair has to do with the right to come to school, and be able to do your work, and not be terrified. Not have your heart beating fast. Not jump every time there is a loud noise. The right to come in and be left alone. No?

Rickie

Yeah, well maybe not everybody's left alone anyway.

Mr. Demitri

Meaning what? [The boy writes a note and passes it down.]

Rickie

You don't know what goes on around here ok? Maybe some people have guns for like to protect yourself. Maybe some people who have guns are like victims too. And they're like forced to carry. You think kids with guns are like gangsters or dealers.

Mr. Demitri

What. Your saying if someone is threatened it's ok for them to carry a gun in school ? You don't think the school authorities can protect them? [Gina passes the note to Angela.]

Rickie

Man, you *don't* know what goes on around here. Yes. If I was__say I was threatened -and I'm not saying that I am__I'd be packing in no time. No time at all.

Mr. Demitri

Well. That's very clearly stated. So, what do the rest of you think about what he just said? Should people take the law into their own hands like that? I mean, is that the answer? Does that solve anything? Anyone?[Angela reads the note, looks upset, and walks out] Angela__Angela? [In the guidance counselor's office with Crystal and Ms Krzyzanowski, the guidance counselor.]

Crystal

And right before the gun went off, I was thinking about how much I wanted that soda. Is that weird? Like, why did I leave it there in the first place . And what if I had gotten up to go get it right at that moment. Oh, my God. I think I better change my locker. [In the guidance counselor's office with Rayanne and Ms Krzyzanowski, the guidance counselor.]

Rayanne(feigning anguish)

Like what happens when you don't sleep. Like I haven't slept since it happened and keeps coming back to me, like, just keeps coming back-what was that?[pretends to be startled by a faint noise] _I just keep going over and over in my mind. Like all my friends and they go by the locker all the time, and it's just, not even me. It's just if someone just had been going by there, and_gotten shot. Ms. Krzyzanowski: It's hard isn't it. Rayanne[wiping away tears]: You don't think I could get__ a few days off do you? [In Mr. Foster's office, Brian is there with Mr. Foster and two policemen.]

Mr. Foster

Your here again because I wanted to hear your story and Detective Martinson wanted to hear it too.

Brian

I really don't have anything else to tell.

Mr. Foster

Mr. Krakow, can I tell you something? This is a good school. We want to keep it a good school. Do you know what I mean?

Brian

Yes sir.

Mr. Foster

No, you don't, son. You see I've got these officers here, and the school board and the newspapers and the television and a whole lot of nasty, angry parents. They all want to know something about what happened. And you're the person who knows that something. Right now you are standing between me and my ability to keep this good school and I don't like that, son. I don't like it when people do things to my school. You get my meaning? So, why don't you tell us what was the noise caused you to come out of the bathroom. [In the hallway, Brian leaves Mr. Foster's office and walks down the hallway. Rayanne catches up to him.]

Rayanne

Hey, Brian. How are you doing?

Brian

You actually know my name.

Rayanne

Of course I know your name. How they treatin' you Bri? Baseball bats? Electrodes attached to various parts of your anatomy? Brian[walking away from her]: Excuse me. I have a class.

Rayanne

Just remember what happens to snitches. [Brian meets up with Sharon]

Sharon

Hey, Brian. Are you ok?

Brian

Yeah, sure.

Sharon

I'm really sorry you're the person that has to deal with this.

Brian

It's no problem.

Sharon

Cause you know, if you saw something, like somebody really had a gun, then you should tell them. Because if you don't then you would be like part of it. And people are really scared, Brian. So, you should tell them if you anything. You shouldn't_feel bad about that because , people will thank you. [Sharon walks away. Brian meets Gina.] Gina[smiling]: Hi Brian.

Brian

What?

Gina

You know I was thinking, this whole thing with the gun and all would really make an important article for the paper. So, I was thinking that you and I should do an interview sometime. You know, just to let people know what really happened. Maybe sometime after school. What do you think?

Brian

What?

Gina[walking away]

See you later. [Brian detects interest in him from Gina, and turns and they look at each other as she walks away.] [In the guidance counselor's office with Brian and Ms Krzyzanowski, the guidance counselor.]

Brian

Has the threat of violence changed the quality of my life at school? No, not really. What do you mean? [In the guidance counselor's office with Angela and Ms Krzyzanowski, the guidance counselor.]

Angela(agitated)

I just don't see the point in talking about it.

Ms. Krzyzanowski

Sometimes talking itself makes people feel better.

Angela

And sometimes talking gets people into trouble___You know people say things about people, and it doesn't always mean it's true.

Ms. Krzyzanowski

You mean about who might be carrying a gun?

Angela

About anything.

Ms Krzyzanowski

Any weapon?

Angela

No. Just about anything anybody says about people. It's not always true. I just think people wanna believe things about people so they decide certian things are true[almost in tears] and they don't even ask. And it's not fair. Cause you have to live with it anyway.

Ms. Krzyzanowski

But if it's not true then the person could always say that couldn't they. I think if something is false, people aren't going to keep on believing it. Usually people latch on to things when there is a kernel of truth. That's when they get into trouble. [In Angela's bed room, Angela is lying on her bed, listening to music. She is looking depressed. Patty enters.]

Patty

Knock knock.

Angela

Hi.

Patty[turning the music down]

Mind if I--

Angela

You might as well turn it off.

Patty

No. I like it. [Patty paces nerviously around the room, flips through Angela's copy of Anne Frank, and finally sits on the bed next to Angela.]

Patty

Ah, this is hard. We need to talk.

Angela (voice over)

When I was twelve, my mother gave me my sex talk. I'm not sure either of us has fully recovered.

Patty

Now that you and Jordan are, ah--

Angela[looking painful]

Oh my God. Mom, please.

Patty

Angela. I can accept that you have a boyfriend.

Angela

I don't have a boyfriend.

Patty

Fine. A pal. A male pal. Whatever word you want to choice. The point is__I'm your mother, and I don't think you're ready.

Angela

Mom, pleeease.

Patty

I don't think you're ready. But, I have to know if this is what's happening because__I don't think that I-I keep you from--

Angela[covering her ears and curling up in a fetal postion]

Mom, I beg you to stop.

Patty

I need to know that you are using_I mean, I-I remember how this feels. I do. But-but_it's the times that we live in, it I--

Angela

Mom, please--

Patty

Honey. I know you don't want to think about these things. I know you think that you're invulnerable, but--

Angela

I don't think that. You have no idea--

Patty

You have to use some kind of protection if you are going to be--

Angela

Mom, I'm not having sex, alright. Really. I'm not even close. To an embarrassing degree.

Patty(relieved)

Oh, ah. Ok.__I'm sorry honey, I jus___I just want you to be prepared when the time comes. Whenever the time comes.

Angela

It will never come. Not with Jordan.

Patty

Is that's what's bothering you?

Angela

No, nothing 's bothering me.

Patty

Something's bothering you.

Angela

Mom, you couldn't possibly understand or help, so please. I don't mean to hurt your feelings, but just please.

Patty[hugs Angela]

I'm here if you need me. You know that. [Patty leaves. Angela sits on her bed with a pained expression on her face.] [In Angela's high school, Angela is walking down the hallway. She spots Jordan and walks to a poster describing the Heimlich maneuver to avoid seeing him.]

Jordan[suddenly standing next to Angela]

That's good to know about.

Angela(startled)

Yeah.

Jordan

My uncle choked on a chicken bone.

Angela(voice over)

That's when the change happened. Just like that. Somewhere in those few seconds, I knew my life would never be the same.

Angela

Did he survive?

Jordan

Yeah.

Angela (voice over)

I knew then that the rumor was right. Not in actuality, but in my heart. Because at that moment I would have done anything I wanted him so much.

Jordan

Look, ah, I didn't say anything about__you know.

Angela

I know.

Jordan

I just wanted you to know that.

Angela

Thank you.

Jordan

Because I'm not like that. I-I don't do that.

Angela

No.

Jordan

So weird, hu?

Angela

Yeah, yeah.

Jordan

I mean the way people talk. I mean,(whispering) people think we did it.

Angela(whispering back)

I know.

Jordan

It's like we might as well done it anyway at this point.

Angela(unsure)

Oh.

Jordan

I mean, at least__ you know, I mean if everybody is talking about it already, maybe we ah__I mean, not to make a big deal of it or anything.

Angela(slowly)

Out of what?

Jordan

Out of__(whispers) out of anything__I mean if everybody's__ already assuming it anyway.[drawing close to Angela] Maybe, we should__just

Angela(voice over)

It's amazing the things you notice. Like the corner of his collar that was coming undone. Like he was from a poor family and couldn't afford new shirts. That's all I could see. The whole world was that unravelled piece of fabric.

Angela

I think___I have to go.

Jordan

Look, I'm sorry if I--

Angela[walking away]

No, it's ok.

Jordan

No pressure or anything.

Angela

I have to go.

Jordan

You could just think about it.

Angela (voice over)

It's such a lie that you should do what's in your heart. If we all did what was in our heart, the world would grind to a halt. [In the girl's room, Angela is there alone. She washes her face then goes to a stall as Sharon enters with a friend. She overhears the conversation.]

Sharon

And they know that he knows and I can't believe he didn't tell them. He got a perfect score on his PSAT's. Do you believe that? Math will be ruined.

Girl1

What does this have to do with Angela?

Sharon

Well, that's when they had sex. Her and Jordan? Brian's house.

Girl1

Ahh, Oh my God.

Sharon

Do you believe it. Right in the front yard. Brian watched the entire thing through a kitchen window.

Girl1

I thought you and Angela were really tight?

Sharon

She was like my best friend. The whole things been really hard for me to accept. But Brian wouldn't lie. So_it's like_it's like she's this completely different person.

Girl1

Like a slut?

Sharon

No. No, she's not. I think she's just like, confused, er, something. [Sharon and the girl leave the girl's room. ] [In the school hallway, the next day, Rayanne and Angela are walking together.]

Rayanne

So, do you want me to kill her?

Angela

No, no. It doesn't matter. Brian's the one who ought to be killed.

Rayanne

He should definitely die. You know he's going to rat on Rickie.

Angela

What actually is there to rat on Rickie. Do you know?

Rayanne

I know what ever he did he did because he had to. You haven't had to clean him up after some neanderthal beat the hell out of him. [Brian is writing on a black board. Mr. Foster enters and takes his shoulder.]

Mr. Foster

Come here for a minute, son.___Rickie Vasquez. You familiar with the name?

Brian

Excuse me?

Mr. Foster

What can you tell me, son, about Rickie Vasquez?

Brian

Um, he goes here._I _don't__I mean, did you hear something-did he say something about the gun?

Mr. Foster

Mr. Krakow, I'm going to tell you about a little legal term. It's called accessory after the fact. I don't like accessory's after the fact. I don't want them in my school. You are going to come to my office today at 3 o'clock and you are going to tell me everything you know about Rickie Vasquez and anyone else who might be involved in this incident. And if you don't , no matter what your grade scores, you may not be going to this school much longer. Do you get my clear intent?

Brian

Yes sir.

Mr. Foster

Good. [ In Brian's computer class. Brian is working at a computer in the back of the room. Angela enters.]

Brian

What?

Angela

I don't even want to talk to you.

Brian

Good, then don't.

Angela

Did Rickie have the gun?

Brian

Give me a break. God, Angela.

Angela

Look, cause you don't know the whole situation. I just don't want to see him hurt.

Brian(raises his voice)

Him hurt?[someone shsssss's them from the front of the room] What about me? [Angela looks disinterested, and stares out the window] This is the police now. Am I suppose to get kicked out of school for protecting someone I don't even know?

Angela

Don't ask me?

Brian

And you know this has nothing to do with the truth. Nobody is interested in the truth. All they care about is what they want to believe.

Angela[coming next to Brian]

If you're so incredible concerned with the truth why did you lie about me?

Brian

Your name didn't even come up.

Angela

Not the gun thing. With Sharon[someone Shssss's them from the front of the room.] What you said to her about me and Jordan Catalano.

Brian

What are you talking about?

Angela

I heard her, Brian. You told her terrible things. False things. You lied to her. [Brian slumps down next to the computer.]

Brian

I didn't lie to her, I just__What difference does it makes. I can imagine what she did with it.__But it's just that you lied too. When you said you didn't know anything about Jordan coming over that night. Because I thought about it for like fifty hours. You knew it didn't you. You used me.

Angela

It's not the same.

Brian

Maybe it is because you just did what you wanted. And you didn't care about what damage it did to anybody else.

Angela

What damage did it do you? [Angela is walking up a set of stairs at school. Jordan runs up behind her.]

Jordan

Angela?_ Angela. Can I talk with you for a second? [Angela stops and faces Jordan]

Jordan

How you doing?

Angela

You know. Life goes on.

Jordan

Look, I was thinking about what I said to you. yesterday? You know, the thing.

Angela

Right. The thing.

Jordan

Yeah, look, I-I'm sorry about that. Afterwards, I thought it through and I, mean, I can see how you got upset about it.

Angela

No, I wasn't upset .

Jordan

I mean, some girls wouldn't be, but, you, you're not like that, so, I just wanted to say, you know, I'm sorry.

Angela

No, it's really ok. I mean, it wasn't a problem. I mean, really, I didn't think about it. [starts up steps, then turns around and comes down again] I mean I did think about it, and I thought maybe what you were saying wasn't so wrong.

Jordan

No, it-it was really wrong.

Angela

Why?

Jordan

And I just want to let you know that if it will make you feel better I'm just going to make it real clear that I-I don't like have any real interest in you or anything. You know. So they'll stop saying all that .

Angela(sounding disapppointed)

Oh.

Jordan

You know, that I barely even know you, which is, of course, true, and that basically, you and I mean nothing to each other.__So_that should_solve the problem.

Angela[halfhearted smile]

Thanks.

Jordan

It's the least I could do, you know.

Angela

Right. [It's raining as Angela stands at the entrance to the school. She runs across the parking lot to a car where Rickie sits in the back seat. She gets in next to him.]

Angela

Haaa. Hey.

Rickie

Hey.

Angela

What's ya doing out here?

Rickie

It's what I always do. I can't make it through a whole day in there.

Angela

Ah, know what you mean.

Rickie

Yeah. What do you need to hide from. Your life perfect. [Angela laughs] I'm serious. I would give anything to have your life.

Angela

My life is so pathetic.

Rickie

You have this great house. Parents that are like there. No one bothers you at school.

Angela

Rickie, I need to talk to you about the gun.

Rickie

Don't.

Angela

You can't carry a gun, Rickie.

Rickie

I don't.

Angela

Cause it would be really bad. Tragically bad.

Rickie

Angela, I don't carry a gun. I wouldn't even know how to shot one.

Angela

But didn't Brian see you? Isn't that what he's going to tell them?__This is really serious. People are going to think you are a dangerous person.

Rickie

I know. That's what I want.

Angela

So, what did happen?

Rickie

My cousin brought it in to sell it. And I got real mad at him for bring a gun into school. So, we got into this big argument, and the next thing I knew the thing fell out of the box and went off. And he peed in his pants and ran away.

Angela

He did not.

Rickie

He did. Big stain. [They both laugh]

Angela

And that's what happen with the gun?

Rickie

That's the whole story of the gun.

Angela

And now Brian is going say that you did it.

Rickie

I'm telling you I hope he does.

Angela

No, don't be stupid.

Rickie

You know it's weird.__ I-I always thing of you as__ Rayanne's friend. I mean like, you just think of me as___ as someone who just,__ you know, around.

Angela(voice over)

It's weird how something has to happen sometimes to see how you actually feel about something. [Angela hugs Rickie.] [Brian is in the hallway approaching the principles office. Outside students stand around eyeing him, waiting to see what will happen. Mr. Foster lets Brian into his office.]

Mr. Foster

Sit down, Mr. Krakow, we're just waiting for our friends from law enforcement. [In the hallway waiting with the rest of the student's are Angela and Rayanne.]

Rayanne

Can you imagine Rickie in a high security prison. Who'd supply his make up?

Angela

You think it might be possible you not make everything into a joke.

Rayanne

Angela, there is nothing to worry about . I mean, Harlin, this guy Tino knows, he's been busted with a gun twice and nothing ever happened. No big deal.

Angela

You know what I'd really like. To be put out of my misery.

Rayanne

Are you kidding. This is fun.

Angela

Fun?

Rayanne

Everyone running around all upset and rumors flying. Can't you feel it in your fingers and your toes. It's like_being alive. It is such a rush.

Angela

You're out of your mind.

Rayanne

Uh hu. Last year? That rumor about me and Mark Hammer in the orchestra pit during the talent show. I mean, in that case it was true, but _man, all that con-ver-sation. People writing notes. I mean, they look at you different, like, trying to figure out who you really are. Like you're famous. Admit it. It's really great.

Angela

I don't know what you're talking about. [They see the police enter the Mr. Foster's office.] [In Mr. Foster's office with Mr. Foster and Brian.]

Mr. Foster[as the police enter the office]

Come in. gentlemen.___So, Mr. Krakow?

Brian

I thought a lot about what you said. And I decided that the main thing is really to protect the school.

Mr. Foster

That's good, Brian.

Brian

I went to the bathroom. I heard a scuffle. Then a shot. I came out. I saw two pairs of legs running in opposite directions. Who those people were I can't say.__And if you or these men or anybody else threatens me anymore, pressures me anymore--

Mr. Foster

Brian--

Brian

I will insist on having a lawyer and I will sue you for harassment and anything else I can. And if you try to expel me in order to solve your public relations problems, then I will reveal to anyone who will listen, just who is destroying the spirit of this school. [In Angela's kitchen , in the morning, Angela is preparing to leave. Patty is preparing lunches, while Danielle and Graham are putting away breakfast things.]

Patty

So, they still haven't found out who had the gun.

Angela

Mom, it's really ok. Let it go. The school hasn't self destructed yet.

Patty

It's just so hard not being able to protect you.

Angela

Yeah, but you can't. [ Patty tries to stroke Angela's hair, but Angela moves away. ] [The entrance to the school, Angela, Brian, Rayanne and Rickie approach the open doors.]

Angela

Rayanne.

Rayanne

Just a little knife. You know, a girl's gotta protect herself. I mean heavy artillery like some people might -- [As they enter they slow to see a metal detector. Students are passing though it. Rayanne, Rickie, Brian, and Angela each go through it like they have been violated. Rayanne leaves Angela alone to walk slowly down the hall.]

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