Outside the school
Craig: So I turn it over and I’m sure I studied the wrong stuff.
Ashley: I know the feeling. The exam I’m really dreading is science.
Craig: Tell me about it. Science is totally my worst subject.
Dr. Manning: Maybe you need a little help from your old science study partner.
Craig: Dad? What are you, what are you doing here?!
Dr. Manning: I just thought I’d come by and see my son…meet his friends.
Ashley: I’m Ashley Kerwin.
Dr. Manning: Hi Ashley. Nice to meet you…and you?
(Dr. Manning sticks out his hand and Sean spits on the ground.)
Dr. Manning: Can I give you a lift home?
Craig: I live with Joey now.
Dr. Manning: To Joey’s. We can catch up on the way.
Craig: Um, I can’t.
Dr. Manning: Okay uh I don’t know, maybe we could have dinner tomorrow night. You can come by work.
Craig: Dad.
Dr. Manning: Just think about it, okay? I got to go.
Ashley: He seemed nice.
Craig: Yeah well he didn’t have a belt in his hand.
Sean: You’re not actually gonna go, are you?
At Joey’s house
Craig: Tell me again why I need to know about genetics?
Joey: So you can clone me and I can be in a million places at once. I got to take Ang to ballet class-
Craig: -dinner’s in the freezer. You two will be home late. I know. If I’m home.
Joey: Ang sweetie finish your cereal. Come on.
Angela: Don’t want to.
Joey: Okay well have some orange juice then, okay? Come on.
(She spills the juice all over Craig’s work.)
Joey: Ang!
Craig: Angela careful!
(She starts crying.)
Joey: It’s okay. No, no honey, it’s okay. Daddy’s not mad. It’s okay. Is the book a goner?
Craig: No. It’ll be okay.
Joey: What a mess.
Craig: Yeah this whole place is a mess!
Joey: Well then why don’t you earn your allowance today, come home early and clean up around here?
Craig: I’m studying tonight at Sean’s.
Joey: Then come home early.
(He picks Angie up and takes her upstairs.)
Joey: It’s okay. It’s okay.
In Ms. Hatzilakos’ class
Ms. Hatzilakos: Okay does anyone have any questions?
Craig: Yeah. What I still don’t get is what makes an element a noble gas.
Ms. Hatzilakos: Noble gasses are stable because they have the maximum number of electrons in their outer shell, they don’t form compounds very easily, okay?
Craig: Alright thanks.
Spinner: Oh summer without Hatzilakos.
Craig: I’m trying to concentrate okay?
Spinner: But how can anyone concentrate with-
Craig: So shut up!
Spinner: Oh someone’s a browner.
Marco: Someone is just in a bad mood.
Craig: Someone just wants to pass his science exam, alright?
Ashley: Is everything okay?
Craig: Yeah.
Ashley: It’s just the exams?
Craig: Yeah I wish that was it.
Ashley: Your dad, huh? You two don’t have the best relationship?
Craig: Uh no! Sorry. We talk on the phone once in a while, but yesterday…it’s the first time I’ve seen him in months.
Ashley: People can change.
Craig: I guess.
In geography class, JT is stuck while taking his test
JT: Psst!
(Liberty gives JT a dirty look and puts her arm over her test before finishing and giving him a smug look.)
Outside the school
Liberty: JT. JT hello?
JT: Uh hi.
Liberty: I know what you’re gonna ask, so do you want my tutoring help or not?
JT: Uh yes I do. Will you help me Liberty? Please. Pretty please with a cherry on top.
Liberty: I want one ticket to paradise. Hawaiian surf paradise.
JT: The dance? What? No that’s a rip-off.
Liberty: That’s the price you’ll pay. You want me as a tutor, I want you as a date. Final offer.
JT: Fine. Make it so.
At the hospital where Dr. Manning works
Dr. Manning: Mrs. Holland, how are you? Listen to me I’ve done this operation thousands of times. You’re a very healthy woman. You have absolutely nothing to worry about. I guarantee success, okay?
(He sees Craig.)
Dr. Manning: Hey!
Craig: Hey.
Dr. Manning: So you here for dinner?
Craig: Uh yeah if you still want it.
Dr. Manning: Of course I still want it. I’ll be right back and we’ll go, okay?
Nurse: Craig? Hey!
Craig: Hey.
Nurse: So how’s life up at boarding school?
Craig: Boarding school? Um it’s you know, it’s great.
Nurse: Your dad didn’t tell me you were back in town.
Craig: No, uh surprise visit.
Nurse: Well it’ll do your father good. That’s the first smile I’ve seen on him since you left.
Dr. Manning: Craiger, you ready?
Craig: Bye.
Nurse: Bye.
At the restaurant
Craig: Good to see everyone at the hospital again, but um dad boarding school?
Dr. Manning: Well I couldn’t tell everyone where you went, why…
Craig: Yeah I guess not.
Dr. Manning: You know you leaving was a huge wakeup call for me. I got myself into anger management. I’ve gotten better. I’ve gotten a lot better. Everything working out okay at Joey’s?
Craig: Right now it’s a bit crazy you know ‘cause of exams, but-
Dr. Manning: But you can concentrate on your exams? I mean your marks are so important.
Craig: Yeah it’s under control, really.
Dr. Manning: Well if you need any help with anything, you let me know.
Craig: I’d have to ask Joey.
Dr. Manning: Especially science. Is that still your worse subject?
Craig: Yeah. Some things never change.
Dr. Manning: Some things do.
At Joey’s house, Joey and Angie are sitting on the couch
Joey: Let’s see. You do have a fever baby.
(Craig walks in.)
Joey: Where have you been Craig? I thought you’d be home a long time ago.
Craig: I got caught up at studying.
Joey: Ang got sick at ballet tonight. I come home, this place is still a disaster!
Craig: Sorry.
Joey: Craig I need your help around here.
Craig: And I need to study for exams. I am allowed to study, right?
Joey: Yeah fine.
Craig: Fine. You still want me to clean up?
Joey: That would be helpful. Thank you.
Craig: You’re welcome.
(Angie starts whining.)
Joey: Okay, okay, okay. Time for bed. Let’s go. Come on.
At Dr. Manning’s house
Dr. Manning: Craig!
Craig: So what do you know about the periodic table?
(He smiles and makes a motion for Craig to come in.)
Inside Dr. Manning’s house
Craig: Noble gasses: helium, neon, argon, krypton, radon, xenon.
Dr. Manning: Good. Defining characteristic?
Craig: Stability! Yes.
(Craig puts down his glass of juice on the table.)
Dr. Manning: If only you could figure out what the coaster’s for.
(Craig imagines his father taking off his belt and hitting him.)
Dr. Manning: Craig? I just don’t want rings on the table. It’s not a big deal.
Outside the school
JT: Okay maybe you don’t get it, alright? I have to go to this dance with Liberty.
Toby: She’s helping you get through exams. Suck it up.
JT: What about my dream? Paige…dancing with me. So close, so slow.
Toby: So impossible.
JT: Well maybe I could still ask her out.
Toby: You can’t use Liberty to pass, then dump her and go with Paige, Romeo.
JT: Oh flashcards. Quel surprise.
Liberty: Start. Capitals of Europe.
JT: Albania, Tirana. Austria, Vienna. Belarus, Minsk. Minsk….hello?!
Liberty: Do you prefer chartreuse or fuchsia? I can’t decide on my gown for this dance.
JT: Liberty it’s a luau, okay? You don’t need some big gown. I mean it’s not even a-
Liberty: I know. It’s not a real date, but I just want something you’ll like.
JT: Okay. Moving on.
Liberty: Ireland.
JT: Um Dublin.
(She holds up another flashcard.)
JT: I have no idea.
In Ms. Hatzilakos’ class
(Ashley and Craig walk inside to start their tests.)
In geography class
Teacher: In my day we were lucky enough to get pencils. You get your geography exam online. 60 minutes guys.
(JT starts the test and Liberty smiles at him.)
In Ms. Hatzilakos’ class
(Craig is filling out the answers and him and Ashley smile at each other.)
In the hallway
JT: Look who’s moving up to grade 9. I am the king of Degrassi and there’s my queen. Paige! This is turning out to be one of the best days of my life.
Paige: I’m thrilled for you sweet potato.
JT: Uh yeah and you know, you could make it even better by answering one little question…the dance-
Liberty: JT! You finished before me. I’m guessing you did well?
JT: Um yeah. Can we maybe talk later?
(Liberty grabs and hugs JT excitedly.)
Paige: Alright um love to stay and soak up your collective joy, but the million dollar question re: the dance?
JT: Yeah. The Hawaiian surf paradise.
Paige: Heather Sinclair’s title, not mine.
JT: Whatever. Do you want to you know…do you want to help Liberty pick out an outfit? She’s my date.
Paige: Um I’d love to. You know for a second there I thought you were gonna to ask me.
(She laughs and walks away.)
Liberty: Thanks!
JT: Yeah ask you Paige. Yes that’s funny.
Outside the school
Craig: Free from science for two months!
Ashley: And I’m so sure our knowledge of the periodic table will come in handy.
Craig: So year end dance…you going?
Ashley: Uh I’m on the committee, remember?
Craig: No I meant with anyone.
Ashley: Oh. No.
Craig: Me neither. Should we go together?
Ashley: Yeah we should.
Craig: Dad what are you doing here?
Dr. Manning: I just wanted to see how you did on the exam.
Craig: Uh it was great.
Ashley: I should go. Nice to see you Dr. Manning.
Dr. Manning: Nice to see you too Allison.
Ashley: It’s Ashley.
Dr. Manning: Interesting girl.
Craig: She is.
Dr. Manning: So dinner tonight to celebrate the exam?
Craig: Um I’m supposed to baby-sit ‘til 8.
Dr. Manning: I can push it off. I’ll meet you at the Bistro at 8:30. Craig…?
Craig: Right. I’ll be there.
Dr. Manning: Okay. See you tonight.
At Joey’s house, Craig is playing a video game
Angela: Again! Read it again.
Craig: Ang I’ve read it 5 times already. I could recite it.
Angela: Craig please! I’ve got the chicken pox!
Craig: Fine. Your wish is my command.
(The phone rings.)
Craig: Here count how many spots you have.
(He gives Ang a mirror and she hands him the phone.)
Craig: (On the phone) Hello? Joey you’re late!
Joey: (On the phone) Yeah I know it’s late Craig, but I got a potential sale here, okay? I’m going to be at least another hour.
(Angie starts counting her spots while Craig is on the phone.)
Craig: (On the phone) I have plans…with friends. You can’t get home sooner?
Joey: (On the phone) If you want me to lose the sale, yeah.
Craig: (On the phone) No. It’s fine. Bye.
Joey: (On the phone) Okay. See you in a bit.
Angela: 17, 18 spots!
Craig: Lucky you. Okay the book.
At the restaurant
Waitress: Dr. Manning may I bring you anything?
Dr. Manning: For the tenth time I’m waiting for someone, okay?
(Craig rushes in.)
Craig: Dad. Dad I’m sorry. Uh Joey got held up.
Dr. Manning: Just sit, sit. I got you a little present.
(He hands Craig some tickets.)
Craig: Tickets to London?
Dr. Manning: We’ll start there, take the Chunnel to Paris, rent a car for a couple of weeks.
Craig: Dad that’s awesome. Really?
Dr. Manning: This is the perfect opportunity for you and I to acclimatize, you know before school starts.
Craig: What do you mean?
Dr. Manning: It’s time for you to come home Craig. I mean Joey’s was necessary, but it’s not the best environment.
Craig: Um, but I like it at Joey’s.
Dr. Manning: Of course you do with Angela there, but look at your study situation. It is not stable.
Craig: Being at Joey’s is stability, dad…
Dr. Manning: You know…
(He gets up and leaves angry.)
Craig: Dad!
(Craig follows him out of the restaurant.)
Craig: Dad! Dad, wait up.
Dr. Manning: Are you talking to me or are you talking to Joey?
Craig: Oh that’s not fair!
Dr. Manning: Life’s not fair and you’re right Joey is better for you. This way you can kiss your potential goodbye, settle for some interesting little goth girl…
Craig: Don’t talk about Ashley like that!
Dr. Manning: -your marks can drop and one day you can take over the car lot.
(Craig pushes his dad and Dr. Manning smacks him across the face.)
Dr. Manning: Craig I’m so sorry. It’ll-
Craig: It’ll never happen again? Huh?! Is that what you were going to say? ‘Cause that’s what you always say!
Dr. Manning: ‘Cause you always screw up.
Craig: No dad you’re the one who screws up! It won’t change! Ever!
(He gets in his car and starts speeding off while Craig watches upset.)
At Joey’s, Craig walks in upset
Joey: Hey Craig. You’re home early.
Craig: Hey. Yeah uh don’t want to wear out the summer too fast.
Joey: Something wrong?
Craig: I got in a fight.
Joey: With who?
Craig: My dad.
Joey: Your dad? You saw your dad? Why didn’t you tell me?
Craig: Well ‘cause you wouldn’t have let me.
Joey: You’re right I wouldn’t have let you Craig. I’m gonna call the police.
Craig: No. Tomorrow I want us to go to Children’s Aid and I want to make sure I never have to see him again.
Joey: Okay.
Craig: I hate him Joey. I hate him so much.
Joey: Um we’ll talk more about this in the morning. Why don’t you clean up?
At Joey’s, the next morning
Craig: Morning.
Joey: Hey morning. So you guys want me to add anything to this grocery list?
Craig: Yeah a steak for my eye or maybe just a patch, sort of like a pirate, huh Ang?
Angela: Arr!
Craig: Arr!
Joey: So uh you really gonna do this, Children’s Aid thing?
Craig: Yes. This is where I need to be for good.
(There’s a knock at the door.)
Craig: I wonder if that’s him.
Joey: Your dad? I doubt it.
(Joey answers the door and he starts talking to two policemen.)
Angela: Craig yesterday I had 18 spots. Today I have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 spots! Oh wait! 14, 15 spots.
(The police leave and Joey closes the door.)
Joey: Angie can you go upstairs and clean your room please?
Angela: Do I have to?
Joey: Yes please.
Craig: So my dad sent the police to come get me? What?
Joey: Have a seat Craig.
(They sit down.)
Joey: I don’t know how to tell you this.
Craig: What?
Joey: Your dad had an accident last night.
Craig: He’s in the hospital?
(Craig starts to stand up.)
Joey: No, no. Sit, sit. He didn’t make it.
Craig: What? What does that mean?
Joey: I’m sorry Craig.
