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"Beginnings"
written by
Jason Gulati
FADE IN:
EXT. JOEL E. FERRIS HIGH SCHOOL - MORNING
The sun is out. The parking lot is stacked with people and
moving cars.
Through the mess walks one EDISON CHONG, a short and rather
stocky Asian guy.
He exhales.
EDISON
A fresh start.
FLASHBACK:
INT. MIDDLE SCHOOL GYMNASIUM - DAY
Edison is looking up, holding a basketball.
EDISON
I would like to make one basket
this semester.
He dribbles, steps back and launches the ball...
... only to have it bean a girl in the face. She drops a
makeup kit and falls over.
EDISON
Oh, uh, I'm sorry!
Everyone rushes to her aid. DONNER SMITH, the gym teacher,
looks up at a frazzled Edison.
DONNER
What is wrong with you, son?
EXT. JOEL E. FERRIS HIGH SCHOOL - CONTINUOUS
Edison grins.
EDISON
Just what the doctor ordered.
He continues his walk and reaches the courtyard to greet his
friends, CHRIS DAVISSON, a tough, scruffy-looking guy, and
GREG GEORGE, a short kid with a nice tie to go with his old
jeans.
EDISON
Man, I almost died in the parking lot.
2.
CHRIS
I know, some guy in a brand new
Hummer almost ran me over. And then
he honked! Prick.
GREG
If I drove a Hummer I'd want to run
people over.
Beat.
EDISON
But you know what, I'm still stoked
to be here.
CHRIS
What's to get excited about? This
is still school, and it still sucks.
GREG
Yeah, haven't you watched TV? The
next four years are dominated by
caffeine addictions and vacations
with the principal!
CHRIS
You're thinking of Saved by the
Bell. Fast forward a decade.
Greg hesitates.
GREG
The next four years are dominated
by virginity pacts and and sex with
baked goods!
CHRIS
Welcome back.
EDISON
School only sucked because we've
been hanging at the lower end of
the social ladder. But this is a
clean slate.
Beat.
EDISON
For Greg, it means the name "poop
shoes" is gone.
Greg looks at his new, clean shoes.
3.
EDISON
And for you, Chris, the
embarrassment of someone putting
your name on a love note is long gone.
Chris nods.
CHRIS
And for you?
EDISON
For me, it means I'm no longer the
guy who disfigured Katie Moore with
a basketball.
CHRIS
Oh yeah. I believe 'bludgeoned' was
the term used in the school paper.
Greg laughs.
GREG
Who does their makeup in gym, anyway?
CHRIS
So, great, what does all this mean?
We get to climb the social ladder
and be popular? I thought we agreed
that being popular sucks.
Edison scoffs.
EDISON
Look at us, so proud to be
unpopular. But the cost is that we
never get what we want. It's those
guys we loathe so much that are
getting all the parties, all the
girls, all the credit.
Two girls walk by. One of them is the delectable, sultry
LAURA BECK, a divinely sculpted beauty. All three of the
boys gawk shamelessly in awe.
Edison points back at her.
EDISON
See? I want that.
CHRIS
I don't know.
4.
EDISON
What's not to know? It wasn't a big
deal in junior high because the
girls were flat and plain, but now
they're... hot.
They continue to argue. Meanwhile, the focus shifts over to
the two girls that had walked by. Laura is chatting with the
other girl, ASHLEY REDDING, a goofy girl clad in vintage
clothes.
LAURA
How does my makeup look?
ASHLEY
Would you stop worrying? You look
great. Those three boys back there
were ogling you like, well, horny
schoolboys.
Ashley pats her on the back reassuringly.
INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
A seemingly pleasant teacher, TED ENGELS, is calling
attendance, marking the sheet as he goes along. Edison sits
quietly in the back. Eventually, Ted comes to a screeching
halt, as does his pen, which had been moving swiftly down
the sheet.
TED
Edison Chang. Any relation to Donny
Chang?
Edison looks up from his desk.
EDISON
Who?
TED
You know, Donny Chang. The comedian.
EDISON
No.
TED
Are you sure? You guys look similar.
Edison gets frustrated as people stare.
EDISON
Yeah, all look same, buddy. Why do
you people keep asking me this?
5.
TED
Well, there aren't that many Changs.
EDISON
Are you kidding? Chang is Asian for
'Smith'.
TED
Is that so?
EDISON
Yeah. Can we move on, now?
TED
Sure.
EDISON
(mutter)
Jackass.
TED
Oh, I thought we were done with it.
But it sounds like you're dying to
go to the office.
EDISON
Not true. No, sorry, please go on.
TED
I'm afraid that laundromat has
closed, Mister Chang. Come up here
to collect your very first office
referral.
Edison hesitates.
TED
This isn't optional.
INT. HALLWAY - DAY
The hallway, now empty, is adorned with "Welcome Freshmen"
decor, as Edison casually strolls down the hall with an
office referral in his hand. Ashley is walking in the
opposite direction, looking very confused. She stops Edison.
ASHLEY
Hey, can you help me with something?
EDISON
Maybe, what's up?
6.
ASHLEY
Well, you know, it's the first day
of school, and I have no idea where
I'm going.
EDISON
You didn't go to orientation?
ASHLEY
Yeah, but this place is so huge.
EDISON
Isn't it? I kinda like it.
ASHLEY
Why? I hate that I already can't
find anything.
EDISON
There's open air between my classes,
I won't have to spend six hours
daydreaming out the window.
ASHLEY
Hmm.
EDISON
I'm going to do it anyway, but it
won't be about the weather.
ASHLEY
Oh yeah? What'll it be, then?
EDISON
Who knows.
He hesitates.
EDISON
Maybe... it'll be... about you.
ASHLEY
Neat.
Beat.
EDISON
Too bad I haven't had a chance, I
just got kicked out of my first class.
ASHLEY
Well aren't you a rebel. What'd you do?
7.
EDISON
Told the teacher he was a jackass.
ASHLEY
For what?
EDISON
Asking me if I was related to Donny
Chang.
ASHLEY
Are you?
EDISON
Not that I'm aware.
ASHLEY
You should look into it, it could
be very beneficial for you.
EDISON
I'm sure it would help if I knew
who the hell he was.
She nods, then points at her schedule.
ASHLEY
So do you know where this room is?
EDISON
Actually, no. But you can come with
me to the office, I'm sure they'll
set you straight.
He waves his office referral.
EDISON
That's why they're sending me there.
INT. LIBRARY - DAY
Greg is reading a "High Times" magazine. He grins. CLARA
LAUGHLIN, the librarian, walks over.
CLARA
Excuse me, that is not school-
sanctioned reading material! Where
did you get that?
GREG
Albertson's. Come on,
(sings)
"It's your store!"
8.
He snickers. Clara is not amused.
CLARA
Give me that!
She snatches the magazine from him.
CLARA
Here, read this.
She hands him a copy of "Highlights", the kids magazine. He
glances over the cover and grumbles.
INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
Chris is sitting in his desk, fully taking notes.
INT. PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE - DAY
JOHN MCDICKER, a well-dressed old man, sits at his desk,
looking across to Edison.
JOHN
So, why don't you tell me why
you're here?
EDISON
Well, Mister McDicker--
JOHN
John, please.
EDISON
John, I called my teacher a jackass.
JOHN
Really. May I ask what for?
EDISON
He asked me if I was related to
Donny Chang.
JOHN
That seems excessive.
EDISON
I guess it was the pipe that broke
the camel's legs.
JOHN
That's not the expression.
EDISON
Oh.
9.
JOHN
In any case, Edison--
EDISON
Mister Chang, please.
Beat.
JOHN
Mister Chang, I know it's the first
day of school, but do we need to go
over the rules with you again?
EDISON
No, no, I get it. You can't call
your teachers jackasses.
JOHN
Good. Now, if I file this referral,
you're off to a bad start.
He rips it up.
JOHN
So consider this your first and
only freebie.
Beat.
EDISON
What happens if I get another referral?
JOHN
Detention.
EDISON
You guys still have that? Detention
is so nineties.
JOHN
It's actually called in-school
suspension. Same thing, new name.
EDISON
Neat.
Beat.
JOHN
You're free to go, Mister Chang.
10.
EDISON
Come on, can't we talk about your
kids? I don't want to go to class
today.
JOHN
Get yourself another office
referral and we'll have plenty of
time to talk about my family.
EDISON
Good talking to you, John.
He leaves.
INT. CAFETERIA - DAY
It's crowded. The boys are in line waiting for food.
EDISON
I wonder if the food's gotten any
better here.
CHRIS
We're big kids, we need to eat real
food. I think they know that here.
GREG
Remember when we dropped one of
those burger patties on the floor?
EDISON
Man, that thing got some serious
air. Jordan would be proud.
Their line moves up so that they're standing in front of the
rather unappealing food.
EDISON
Oh come on.
CHRIS
It's the same kitchen staff.
GREG
It's the same food.
INT. HALLWAY - DAY
The three of them are sitting along the side with their
little trays of food. Edison picks up a fry. It droops.
EDISON
Did they boil these?
11.
GREG
At least they didn't fuck up jello.
He takes a bite.
EDISON
How can you eat that shit?
GREG
Why not? Bill Cosby said it's
delicious. And it is!
EDISON
Yeah, well, did he tell you how
jello is made?
GREG
No.
EDISON
It's made from the boiled bones and
marrow of animals.
GREG
That's disgusting.
EDISON
I know.
GREG
No, I mean it's disgusting that you
would try to ruin my favorite
childhood snack by telling lies.
You, sir, disgust me.
Edison looks puzzled.
CHRIS
At least we use the entire animal
when we kill it.
He pulls a clump of hair from his pizza.
CHRIS
Which I can only assume is how they
made this pizza.
Everyone reels in disgust.
EDISON
So, how is everyone's first day
panning out?
12.
GREG
Bad. The librarian took my magazine
and gave me a 'Highlights' instead.
EDISON
What were you reading?
GREG
'High Times'.
Beat.
GREG
What?
CHRIS
Well, I didn't know you were into that.
GREG
I'm not. I'm just a potential
customer... I like to read about
things before I go and buy them.
EDISON
So what'd you end up doing?
GREG
Sat there and finished the puzzles.
EDISON
You seriously sat in the library
and finished a 'Highlights'?
GREG
I colored it, too.
EDISON
You're an interesting specimen, Greg.
GREG
That's why you keep me around.
EDISON
What about you, Chris? Let me guess,
pretty lame.
CHRIS
It was good.
EDISON
What?
13.
CHRIS
I actually found myself paying
attention in one of my classes.
EDISON
You? Dare I ask, why?
CHRIS
My teacher... is so hot.
EDISON
Really?
CHRIS
Incredibly.
GREG
That's gross.
CHRIS
Why is that gross?
GREG
Teachers are old.
CHRIS
Well fuck, Greg, they start off
their careers in their twenties.
EDISON
How old would you say she is?
CHRIS
Not a day over twenty-eight.
EDISON
Twenty-eight is kosher. Kate
Beckinsale is almost forty, and
look at her.
CHRIS
True.
EDISON
You know, women are like Chinese
take-out.
CHRIS
Why?
EDISON
No matter how old they are, they're
always delicious.
14.
Beat.
GREG
Yuck. Let's talk about something else.
CHRIS
How's your first day, Edison?
Climbing that social ladder?
EDISON
Actually, I got kicked out of my
first class.
CHRIS
Donny Chang?
EDISON
It never fails.
Ashley and Laura walk towards them and stop. Chris and Greg
are rather dumbstruck.
ASHLEY
Hey, Edison, right?
EDISON
You're uh, the lost girl. Ashley!
ASHLEY
Yeah!
EDISON
You ever get where you were going?
ASHLEY
It turns out we were standing right
in front of the room the whole time.
EDISON
Seriously?
She nods.
EDISON
I guess I was distracted.
ASHLEY
Did you daydream about me?
He smiles.
EDISON
No, I did luxury cars this morning.
Maybe after lunch.
15.
She laughs. Laura nudges her.
ASHLEY
Oh, this is Laura. Laura, this is
Edison.
He reaches up to shake her hand.
EDISON
Does she talk?
ASHLEY
Usually.
Laura blushes.
LAURA
Hey. That's a cool name. Like the
inventor.
EDISON
I like it. It's easy to write. Some
Asians, they get these names that
are twenty or thirty letters long,
it's horrible.
Chris and Greg start nudging him hard.
EDISON
Would you quit it? Ashley. Laura.
These are my friends Chris and Greg.
They wave at each other.
ASHLEY
Well hey, we gotta get going, but I
actually stopped to ask you if you
wanted to come to a party tonight.
Beat.
GREG
Really?
CHRIS
Seriously?
EDISON
A party?
16.
ASHLEY
Yeah, some sophomore is throwing it
at his house tonight. Laura and I
are going, you guys should totally
come. No harm in having fun, right?
EDISON
No, not at all. Why don't you give
me your number so I can get
directions from you?
ASHLEY
Sure.
She pulls out a pen and scrawls it on Edison's palm.
ASHLEY
Nice meeting you guys!
The guys wave in unison as they leave.
Greg and Chris look at Edison, then up at the girls, puzzled.
EDISON
What?
INT. EDISON'S HOUSE - DAY
The guys are sitting around the TV, playing Halo.
CHRIS
What is it with you and these
fucking sticky grenades?
EDISON
Don't hate.
He taps a few more buttons.
EDISON
Because I'm pretty good with the
sword, too.
CHRIS
I hate you.
An explosion comes from the TV.
GREG
Rocket beats scissors.
Beat.
17.
EDISON
So, you guys wanna go to that party
tonight, right?
CHRIS
I'm in.
GREG
I don't know, we've never been to a
party.
EDISON
What's to worry about? The whole
concept behind a party is to have
some fun.
GREG
Yeah, but I don't know. This seems
very not us.
EDISON
So you'd rather sit here and play
Halo all night.
GREG
Maybe. It's comforting.
EDISON
Girls invited us to a party and you
want to sit here and play Halo.
Beat.
GREG
Fine, I'll come, but dibs on Laura.
EDISON
Oh, what?
GREG
Hey, you had all day to call it. I
got dibs.
CHRIS
Why? You saw the way she was
looking at Edison, you don't have a
snowball's chance in hell.
GREG
I know, I want my shot first.
EDISON
Is there a time limit?
18.
GREG
One month.
EDISON
Are you out of your mind?
GREG
These are the rules of dibs.
Edison looks at Chris.
EDISON
Is this not ridiculous?
CHRIS
It's ridiculous.
EDISON
You know what, okay, I'll wait a
month. I want to see what you're
gonna do. Maybe you can teach me
something.
GREG
Good.
EDISON
Great.
Beat.
EDISON
You know, Ashley is cute.
CHRIS
Oh, definitely.
GREG
Yeah, I don't know.
EDISON
Dissenting opinion, again?
GREG
She's got that weird 'look at me
I'm different' look going on.
Screaming for attention.
Beat.
EDISON
You wear expensive ties with your
old jeans.
19.
GREG
So?
EDISON
Don't you think that screams for
attention?
GREG
I just like ties.
CHRIS
So wear a suit.
GREG
I hate suits. Just because I like
ties I have to wear a suit?
CHRIS
Ever heard of the phrase 'suit and
tie'?
Beat. Greg punches a few more buttons.
GREG
Like I'm going to take advice from
a guy with four kills. You make
Master Chief sad.
EXT. EDISON'S HOUSE - NIGHT
A minivan pulls up front.
INT. EDISON'S HOUSE - NIGHT
The doorbell rings. Edison opens the door. Laura and Ashley
are standing there wearing particularly sexy outfits.
EDISON
Wow. You guys look incredible.
ASHLEY
Thanks!
Laura blushes.
ASHLEY
I guess you're still getting dressed?
EDISON
No.
She laughs.
20.
ASHLEY
I'm just teasing, you look good.
Hop in!
Edison turns around.
EDISON
Yo, ride's here!
He peeks out at the van.
EDISON
Is your mom driving us?
ASHLEY
No, she's out of town so I borrowed it.
EDISON
Well done.
EXT. CARL'S HOUSE - NIGHT
The minivan pulls up behind a line of cars on the curb.
Everyone piles out.
EDISON
So is this the house? Looks pretty
quiet.
ASHLEY
Actually, it's about three blocks
that way.
GREG
Seriously? Why?
ASHLEY
You see all these cars in front of us?
GREG
Yeah.
ASHLEY
They're all going to the same party.
GREG
Oh.
EDISON
Nice.
Edison looks at a paper bag in Ashley's hands.
21.
EDISON
What's this?
ASHLEY
Just a little celebration gift I
pulled out of my dad's liquor
cabinet. I'll show you when we get
there.
Everyone starts walking.
GREG
So, Laura, right?
She nods.
GREG
What are your thoughts on global
warming?
EXT. CARL'S HOUSE - NIGHT
They step up to a modest-sized suburban home, sound booming
through the walls. Ashley opens the door and everyone steps in.
INT. CARL'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Immediately as they step in, CARL FLANNIGAN, a tall, robust
young man, approaches them.
CARL
Hey, welcome to my abode! Can I get
you guys a cup?
GREG
For what?
Beat.
CARL
For... for beer, dude.
He points at a keg, surrounded with people.
GREG
Oh. No thanks.
He glances at Laura.
GREG
I like to have fun without drinking.
EDISON
I'll take one.
22.
CHRIS
Me too.
CARL
Cool, that's five bucks.
Beat.
EDISON
Each?
CARL
Uh, yeah.
Chris points at the crowded keg.
CHRIS
For that?
CARL
Hey, beer ain't cheap, man.
EDISON
I think some of it is.
CARL
If you don't like it, don't drink it.
EDISON
I'm very frugal, five bucks for a
cup isn't going to work.
CARL
Fine, whatever.
He walks away.
CHRIS
What a prick. Here, watch this.
Chris picks up a few abandoned cups and empties them on the
floor, then hands one to Edison.
CHRIS
Now let's get some booze.
Ashley holds up her paper bag.
ASHLEY
Why don't you guys just drink with us?
EDISON
But this is free!
23.
CHRIS
True story.
She sighs.
ASHLEY
Alright, if you get tired of
waiting in line, we'll be over there.
She points at an empty card table and walks over there with
Greg and Laura. Chris and Edison squeeze their way through
the crowd.
EDISON
So, how do you think Greg's doing?
CHRIS
I'm no expert, but "what are your
thoughts on global warming" may be
the worst line ever.
Edison laughs.
EDISON
I agree. And then he turns down
free booze.
CHRIS
He's trying pretty hard.
EDISON
I can't wait until dibs expires.
Beat.
EDISON
You don't think he'll pull it off,
do you?
CHRIS
I doubt it. Don't worry, man.
EDISON
I'm not worried.
Back at the card table, Greg has his arm around Laura, who
is sipping on a mixed drink. Ashley pours herself a shot of
what appears to be rum.
ASHLEY
How is it?
Laura takes another sip.
24.
LAURA
It's just right. You sure you don't
want any?
He looks at her.
GREG
Maybe a little.
He takes a sip off of her drink.
GREG
Hey, this is pretty good. So, tell
me, what are you into?
LAURA
Hmm, I don't know. I guess I like
to paint.
GREG
Oh yeah?
LAURA
Yeah. I do it a lot on the weekends.
Does Edison paint?
Meanwhile, Chris and Edison haven't moved an inch in line.
EDISON
This is horrible.
CHRIS
Let's just try to push through.
They try to shift their way to the front, but get pushed back.
CHRIS
What's the hold up?
A GUY turns around.
GUY
The tap broke.
CHRIS
Oh, great.
Back at the card table...
LAURA
So do you think Edison likes brunettes?
GREG
I... I guess.
25.
She plays with her hair.
LAURA
Oh, I hope he does.
Ashley laughs.
GREG
Just what is your obsession with my
friend?
She blushes again.
LAURA
Honestly?
GREG
Seriously. I don't get it.
LAURA
He sorta looks like Donny Chang.
GREG
You can't be serious.
He picks up her drink and finishes it.
Back in line, the guys finally make their way to the front.
EDISON
Oh, yes, finally.
CHRIS
Fill 'er up!
The same guy looks at them.
GUY
Oh, man, the keg is killed.
He flicks the metal, a hollow echo comes through.
CHRIS
Oh come on.
EDISON
This is why I didn't want to pay.
Carl walks up behind them.
CARL
I knew you guys didn't pay for those!
26.
EDISON
We never got any beer anyway.
Edison hands his cup to Carl.
EDISON
Fuck it, there's a table of girls
who wanted to hang out with us and
Greg's got them all to himself.
Let's go over there.
Chris drops his cup. Carl grabs their collars as they walk away.
CHRIS
You're holding my collar there, bud.
CARL
I knew you guys were bad news the
second you walked in.
EDISON
Don't be ridiculous. It wasn't
until we told you we weren't paying.
That was at least a couple of
minutes later.
Carl pulls a little harder.
CHRIS
What's the big deal? The thing was
empty when I got to it anyway.
CARL
It's the principle.
EDISON
You invited strangers to get drunk
at your house and you're stuck on
principle? Spare me.
CARL
Hey, look, I call the shots here.
It's my party.
EDISON
And you'll cry if you want to.
CARL
Would you like to show yourselves
out or do you need some help?
EDISON
Fine, I just need to gather up the
troops.
27.
Carl shoves him as he heads towards the back. People start
to look.
CARL
I'm not falling for that.
EDISON
Is this really necessary?
Edison dusts off his shirt.
CARL
Hey, I asked you nicely already.
Edison points at Chris.
EDISON
Can he go in and get my friends?
I'll wait here as collateral, if
that makes you feel better.
CARL
Nope. You both gotta go.
CHRIS
Isn't there something else you
should be doing?
CARL
Like what?
CHRIS
Oiling your biceps? Showering with
boys in the nude?
CARL
I'm going to give you three seconds
to be out the door.
EDISON
And if we aren't?
CARL
Wait and see. One.
CHRIS
Maybe we should just leave.
CARL
Two.
EDISON
No, now I'm curious.
28.
CARL
Three.
EDISON
I pray tell, what could you possibly--
Carl lands a swift punch on Edison.
EXT. CARL'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Everyone walks towards the car while Edison touches his new
black eye and Chris pours over his swollen hand.
EDISON
It got dirty in there.
CHRIS
Sticky, even.
ASHLEY
So what happened?
EDISON
We were caught trying to get free beer.
CHRIS
That we never got.
ASHLEY
So they stopped you.
CHRIS
No, the keg went dry and the big
guy overheard us griping.
EDISON
And he asked us to leave.
ASHLEY
Clearly, you didn't.
EDISON
We didn't.
CHRIS
Actually, we offered to leave if we
could come get you guys.
EDISON
He refused. Then we argued
semantics for a few minutes until
he punched me in the face.
29.
CHRIS
Basically.
ASHLEY
It all makes sense now.
Beat. Greg and Edison lag behind everyone.
EDISON
So, Greg, how's your new project going?
GREG
It's uh, it's going good. Making a
lot of headway here. Tonight.
He stumbles a bit.
EDISON
Have you been drinking?
GREG
Maybe.
Edison laughs.
GREG
Don't even start.
Edison steadies Greg.
EDISON
Come on, let's get you home.
FADE OUT.