EXT. HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY - APPROX. 11:25 AM - DAY

               RUE stands alone outside the theatre room, watching students
               pass by. ERIN happens to be one of them.

                                   RUE
                         You crazy bitch.

               Offended, she turns her nose up to him and begins to walk
               faster. She heads toward the music room. As she heads up the
               hallway, she sees TYRONE and JACK.

                                   TYRONE
                         Alright man, I'll find you after
                         school.

                                   JACK
                         Cool shit, man.

               TYRONE enters the music room. ERIN walks past JACK, red faced
               and furious.

                                   JACK
                         Oh hey, Erin. You okay?

               ERIN stops and looks at JACK with anger.



               INT. MUSIC ROOM - APPROX. 11:25 AM - DAY

               TYRONE walks into the music room and finds MACKEY behind a
               piano setting up a microphone. MACKEY waves as TYRONE crosses
               the room and pulls out a bass guitar. BROCK walks up to him
               and slaps him on the back. TYRONE smiles and plugs the bass
               into an amp. He looks over and sees JENNA checking a drum
               set.

                                   TYRONE
                         Jenna? I didn't know you played the
                         drums.

                                   JENNA
                         Yeah... no one does really. I try
                         to keep it to myself.

               BROCK walks up to the drum set and hands a CD to JENNA.

                                   BROCK
                         That's all of our latest stuff.

                                   JENNA
                         Thanks Brock.

               TYRONE looks over while tuning his bass.

                                   TYRONE
                         What's that?

                                   BROCK
                         Just a copy of our latest
                         recording.

               MACKEY taps on the microphone to get everyone's attention.

                                   MACKEY
                         Alright, is everyone ready? Okay
                         Jenna, break it down.

               JENNA starts the introduction and the rest of the group
               follows shortly. MACKEY leads the group through a song
               specifically about having trouble talking to ERIN. It's a
               lovely, beautiful Alternative Rock song.



               EXT. OUTSIDE MUSIC ROOM - APPROX. 11:30 AM - DAY

               ERIN and JACK are standing up against the music room doors.
               JACK is bobbing his head to the music.

                                   JACK
                         He's a pretty good lyricist, huh?

                                   ERIN
                         Yeah, did you say that's Mackey?
                         Mackey Rhodes?

                                   JACK
                         Oh yeah man. He's good.

               ERIN smiles to herself.



               INT. MUSIC ROOM - APPROX. 11:35 AM - DAY

               When the song is over, the group complements MACKEY on his
               lyrics. TYRONE walks over to MACKEY.

                                   TYRONE
                         Is that really how you feel?

                                   MACKEY
                         Uh, yeah, well... I mean... It's
                         just a song, ya know?

               JENNA looks up skeptically.

                                   JENNA
                         Right... Mackey's been writing
                         songs about Erin since he met her
                         on the first day of school.

                                   BROCK
                         Yeah, he walks her home everyday
                         too, but he doesn't have the balls
                         to ask her out.

                                   TYRONE
                         Why not, Mackey?

               MACKEY just stares at TYRONE with a confused, unsure and
               almost fearful look on his face.



               INT. SPANISH OFFICE - APPROX. 11:55 AM - DAY

               CLARISSA has her head lying in TANNER'S lap, with her body
               sprawled out across the floor. She is sleeping heavily.
               TANNER'S back is up against the inside of the door frame, his
               diary out. This time he is taking notes in it. A moment
               passes and CLARISSA begins shifting around as if she's having
               a bad dream. She groans lightly. TANNER looks down at her and
               smiles. He brushes her hair away from her face and frowns at
               the mark MICHAEL left on her cheek. As he sighs and returns
               to his diary, two teens shoot past the office, laughing and
               hollering at one another. The shouts are enough to wake
               CLARISSA with a start. She sits straight up and looks around
               in a panic.

                                   CLARISSA
                         What... Where am I?

               TANNER reaches over and grabs her shoulder, trying to comfort
               her.

                                   TANNER
                         Clarissa, it's okay. Everything is
                         okay now.

               CLARISSA looks over at TANNER and catches his eyes. He beams
               a smile at her, but she quickly grows worried and uneasy. She
               stands in a panic and begins to walk out the door.

                                   CLARISSA
                         Oh God, if Michael saw us... He's
                         going to kill me...

               TANNER rises to his feet quickly.

                                   TANNER
                         What? He hasn't even been around.

                                   CLARISSA
                         I have to go. I'm sorry.

               CLARISSA races out the door as TANNER tries to reach for her
               again. He looks out the door, but she's already far down the
               hall. The bell sounds out and everyone begins filling the
               halls around him. He retreats back into the Spanish Office,
               hanging his head in defeat. Mustering up a bit of rage, he
               kicks a small chair across the room.



               INT. MR. ANDERSON'S ART CLASS - APPROX. 12:40 PM - DAY

               SKIP, MICHAEL, BYRON, JACK and RUE are sitting around a
               circle of desks playing poker. RUE and MICHAEL seem to have
               the most chips in front of them. The table seems to move with
               a certain silent flow, as the players bet and raise without
               making much noise. SKIP, who has the least amount of chips,
               begins to look a little bored.

                                   SKIP
                         So Byron, how are you and Gillian
                         doing?

               BYRON grunts at SKIP.

                                   BYRON
                         I'm fine. You want to know about
                         Gillian, ask her yourself.

                                   RUE
                         What's that mean?

               JACK smirks at RUE.

                                   JACK
                         It means they're not together
                         anymore. Gillian is free game now.

               JACK nudges RUE in the arm. RUE rolls his eyes. BYRON glares
               over at JACK, who loses his smirk quickly.

                                   BYRON
                         You sure do have a big mouth, Jack.

                                   SKIP
                         So what happened?

               BYRON shrugs as he folds. He shifts uncomfortably in his seat
               before responding.

                                   BYRON
                         She says I pushed her away. I
                         wasn't there enough, I didn't
                         listen. Shit like that... And then
                         she cheated on me.

               RUE raises an eyebrow.

                                   MICHAEL
                         She cheated on you?

                                   BYRON
                         Yeah, I caught her in the bathroom
                         of BROCK'S house, during that party
                         last weekend. That's why I'm not
                         going to that party tonight.

                                   RUE
                         Rough.

               MICHAEL looks over at SKIP and gives him a very evil looking
               grin. He winks at SKIP and looks down at his cards.

                                   MICHAEL
                         You ready for me to kick your ass?

                                   SKIP
                         Isn't that what you've been doing?

               MICHAEL snaps his hand across the table and grabs SKIP by the
               wrist.

                                   MICHAEL
                         That's not what I meant. You talk
                         to Clarissa all the time, and she
                         took something very important from
                         me. I just want to know...

                                   SKIP
                         Know what?

               MICHAEL begins to twist SKIP'S wrist, lifting it off of the
               table and forcing him to his feet. SKIP keeps a solid face
               while looking down at MICHAEL.

                                   MICHAEL
                         I want to know if you know anything
                         about what she took from me.

               MICHAEL twists harder and SKIP begins to wince.

                                   JACK
                         Whoa, take it easy, man. You're
                         going to break his wrist!

                                   MICHAEL
                         What do you know?

                                   SKIP
                         I don't know what you're talking
                         about. You're not making any sense.
                         Let go!

                                   MICHAEL
                         Not what I want to hear.

               MICHAEL twists hard and SKIP'S balance falters for a moment.
               There is a definite difference in SKIP'S expression as the
               pain shoots up his arm. He screams.

                                   SKIP
                         Ah!!

                                   BYRON
                         Alright, you've made your point!

                                   MICHAEL
                         Where is it?!

                                   SKIP
                         You're a dick! I haven't even
                         talked to her today!

               SKIP glares at MICHAEL, revealing that he knows nothing.
               MICHAEL lets go of SKIP and straightens out his shirt. SKIP
               glares at MICHAEL as he rubs his wrist and takes his seat
               again.

                                   MICHAEL
                         If I find out you're lying to me,
                         I'm going to break that arm right
                         off your shoulder. Now... deal the
                         damn cards.

               There's a moment of very uncomfortable silence as the cards
               are dealt out. JACK looks around and whistles lowly to
               himself.

                                   JACK
                         It's like the pretty blonde just
                         got pistol whipped in the back of
                         the bar and the jukebox is still
                         playing Desperado.



               EXT. HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY - APPROX. 1:10 PM - DAY

               The bell rings to sound the end of the period, and the five
               boys playing poker leave the class and go their separate
               ways. SKIP is walking through a particularly crowded section
               of the hall. He doesn't see CLARISSA sneak up behind him and
               grab him by the wrist. She drags him through the crowded
               halls as he yelps in pain. They end up in a corridor nearly
               empty of students. CLARISSA is leading SKIP toward the
               parking lot.

                                   SKIP
                         Nice to see you too.

                                   CLARISSA
                         Sorry Skip. I just really need your
                         help with something and I want to
                         make sure Michael's no where
                         nearby.



               EXT. HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT - APPROX. 1:15 PM - DAY

               SKIP pulls away his hand and rubs at his wrist, following
               CLARISSA'S pace out into the parking lot.

                                   SKIP
                         Speaking of which, your brute of a
                         boyfriend has a bit of an issue. He
                         thinks I know something about
                         something you stole? You steal now?

               CLARISSA stops at her car and opens the trunk. She begins
               digging through the contents.

                                   CLARISSA
                         Not stole. Found. In my locker.

                                   SKIP
                         What could possibly be so important
                         that he'd break my wrist for it?

               She fishes around and pulls out the medicine bottle wrapped
               in a towel. She unwraps it as she talks and hands it to SKIP.

                                   CLARISSA
                         This.

               SKIP looks at the bottle in amazement. He pops the cap and
               dumps a few pills into his hand.

                                   SKIP
                         What is... Is this ecstasy?

                                   CLARISSA
                         Yeah, I think so.

               SKIP wrestles the pills back into the bottle and snaps the
               lid closed.

                                   SKIP
                         Damn there's a lot.

                                   CLARISSA
                         Can you hold it for me?

                                   SKIP
                         What? Me? Why?

               CLARISSA looks around to see if anyone is watching.

                                   CLARISSA
                         I didn't think about it before, but
                         Michael has a key to my car and my
                         locker combination. I wouldn't have
                         asked you, but you're the first
                         person in the halls that I saw.

               SKIP looks hesitantly up and down the parking lot.

                                   SKIP
                         Alright, I'll stash it for you.
                         Coffee shop later, okay?

                                   CLARISSA
                         Thank you, Skip. I have to get to
                         class.

                                   SKIP
                         Yeah, sure.

               CLARISSA rushes off back toward the school. SKIP walks away
               from her car to the far side of the parking lot. ERIN peeks
               her head out from the front side of CLARISSA'S car. She lurks
               over to the trunk and watches SKIP stash the drugs in his
               car. She looks down at her watch, which reads 1:15 pm.

                                   ERIN
                         Huh.



               EXT. HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY - APPROX. 1:15 PM - DAY

               BYRON is bent over a water fountain. He stands up and looks
               at his watch, which reads 1:15 pm. He turns to head to class,
               but stops when he hears the sound of LUKE'S voice calling to
               him. He turns around to see LUKE running up to him.

                                   LUKE
                         Byron, hey man...

                                   BYRON
                         Yo, what's up Luke? What's the
                         rush?

                                   LUKE
                         You remember last year, Damask's
                         class, I did all your work so you
                         wouldn't fail and get held back?
                         You said you'd do anything I asked
                         as long as I made sure you passed
                         with a C.

               BYRON looks at LUKE with skepticism.

                                   BYRON
                         Yeah, what about it?

                                   LUKE
                         I need you to throw the game today.

               BYRON'S expression changes to confusion and anger.

                                   BYRON
                         What!? No way, man.

               BYRON turns back around and begins heading up the hallway.
               LUKE follows his quick pace, trying to talk to him.

                                   LUKE
                         Come on, everyone is expecting you
                         and Freddie to win. If we bet
                         against you, I can give you twice
                         as much as Vince is paying you.

                                   BYRON
                         And if Vince finds out, he'll beat
                         the shit out of all of us. I'm
                         already in the hole fifty bucks
                         that Jack loaned me for the poker
                         game, and Freddie needs the money.

                                   LUKE
                         Byron, you said anything! I need
                         this!

               BYRON stops and faces LUKE. He runs his hand over his head.

                                   BYRON
                         I fucking hate this... Okay, I'll
                         do it. But we're square after this.

                                   LUKE
                         Of course! Thank you! I'll have
                         Marcus meet up with you after the
                         game...

               LUKE turns around and runs off in the opposite direction.
               BYRON continues up the hallway, mumbling to himself and
               looking very frustrated.



               INT. CONCESSION STAND - APPROX. 1:20 PM - DAY

               The clock slowly rolls its hands into the 1:20 pm position
               right before a bell sounds out. The kids nearby gasp in panic
               realizing that they're late for class.



               INT. MR. GUILD'S ECONOMICS CLASS - APPROX. 1:30 PM - DAY

               STEPHI and GILLIAN are sitting in the back of the class
               working on separate projects. STEPHI'S attention is drawn to
               the center of class, where VIVIAN and AMANDA seem to be
               talking calmly and civilly. STEPHI'S face contorts with
               confusion from what she sees. She is unable to take her eyes
               off of them as she speaks.

                                   STEPHI
                         Have you noticed that Amanda and
                         Vivian have been hanging out
                         together all day?

               GILLIAN refuses to look up.

                                   GILLIAN
                         So?

                                   STEPHI
                         Well it's just that I thought they
                         hated each other.

                                   GILLIAN
                         Maybe they're stuck working on an
                         English project together.

                                   STEPHI
                         No, it looks like they're actually
                         getting along.

               GILLIAN looks over at STEPHI with disdain.

                                   GILLIAN
                         Stephi, who cares?

                                   STEPHI
                         Gees, I was just asking what you
                         thought. What's with you today?

               GILLIAN looks over at VIVIAN and AMANDA. She becomes somber.

                                   GILLIAN
                         Nothing. I'm sorry.



               INT. HIGH SCHOOL BOY'S BATHROOM - APPROX. 1:45 PM - DAY

               MICHAEL sits quietly in a locked stall, his feet not lowered
               below the stall wall. He listens intently as he hears another
               student flushing and then washing his hands. He hears the
               door open and shut and slowly rises to his feet. He peeks out
               of the stall slowly, checking to see if anyone is there. Once
               he's sure it's clear, he walks to the door and does the same
               thing.



               EXT. HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY - APPROX. 1:45 PM - DAY

               MICHAEL manages his way through the hallways. He exits the
               school and hurries across the street. Almost running into the
               neighborhood, he takes out his phone and dials. He walks as
               the phone rings in his ear.

                                   MICHAEL
                         Yeah, Stanley? It's Michael. No, I
                         ditched out early. Listen, I need
                         to know if you can do me a favor.
                         No, I'm heading over there right
                         now. I'll tell you when I get
                         there. Alright, late.

               MICHAEL hangs up and shoves the phone in his pocket as he
               continues down the street.



               INT. CONCESSION STAND - APPROX. 2:30 PM - DAY

               The clock rolls through the 2:30 pm minute as you hear the
               last bell of the day chime out. There's rustling with money
               and some shelf doors. The shutter windows slam shut and
               footsteps can be heard crossing underneath the clock. The
               room goes dark and a door slams.



               EXT. SUBURBAN STREET - APPROX. 2:35 PM - DAY

               ERIN is walking down the street carrying nothing but a
               handbag. Following closely behind her is MACKEY, who has a
               stack of books in his arm. He's struggling to keep up. ERIN
               doesn't seem to care much about MACKEY having to struggle.
               She talks to him while facing forward, never acknowledging
               him visually as they walk.

                                   ERIN
                         Thanks for helping me carry my
                         books home Mackey. It's a big help.

               MACKEY'S eyes scream sarcasm.

                                   MACKEY
                         No problem. Uh, what's all this
                         for, anyway?

                                   ERIN
                         Oh, you know... Research project...

                                   MACKEY
                         These are all books on drugs.
                         Marijuana, LSD, pharmaceuticals...
                         What kind of research project is
                         it?

               ERIN looks over her shoulder and smiles widely at MACKEY.

                                   ERIN
                         Don't worry about it Mackey. It's
                         nothing really. I'm just helping a
                         friend out with something and I
                         needed to know more about the...
                         project.

               ERIN looks away again. MACKEY looks at her with skeptical
               eyes.

                                   MACKEY
                         There isn't anything illegal about
                         this project, is there?

               ERIN rolls her eyes while still visually ignoring MACKEY.

                                   ERIN
                         Oh, Mackey, don't be silly. Listen,
                         I'm going to be busy on this
                         research all day, so I won't be
                         able to hang out like usual.

                                   MACKEY
                         Um, yeah, okay. There isn't much
                         going on today anyway. Just hanging
                         out with Tyrone.

               The two of them step up to a porch. MACKEY waits on the
               sidewalk while ERIN runs up the stairs and unlocks the door.

                                   ERIN
                         You can set them down on the step
                         there. I'll take them in.

               ERIN disappears into the house while MACKEY sets down the
               books. He waits around a moment for ERIN to step back out.

                                   MACKEY
                         Hey Erin, can I ask you something?

               ERIN reaches down and grabs the books.

                                   ERIN
                         Sure, Mackey. Of course you can.

               MACKEY becomes nervous.

                                   MACKEY
                         Well, I was wondering if you'd...

               ERIN'S cell phone goes off and she struggles with the books
               and the phone. She looks at the display screen and sighs
               heavily.

                                   ERIN
                         I'm sorry Mackey, I have to take
                         this. Talk to you later, okay?

               ERIN answers the phone and begins talking, turning away from
               MACKEY and walking inside the house. MACKEY stands at the
               edge of the porch, thinking about what to do next. He begins
               to walk back toward the street. He stops, turns around and
               marches up to the porch. Two steps away from the door, he
               stops again, fist up to knock. He struggles with himself
               before turning away and walking down the street.



               INT. STANLEY'S TRAILER - APPROX. 2:40 PM - DAY

               STANLEY is sitting in his trailer looking particularly bored
               with the argument he is having with MICHAEL. STANLEY is
               playing with a cue ball, gently rolling it from one hand to
               the other. MICHAEL is pacing from one side of the trailer to
               the other, looking more and more frantic as he talks to
               STANLEY. CARLTON is standing by the door, arms crossed and a
               very serious expression on his face.

                                   MICHAEL
                         Come on, there's got to be
                         something you can do to help.

                                   STANLEY
                         Listen to what you're asking me.
                         You want me to give you, just flat
                         out give you product, without
                         collateral, so you can pawn it off
                         to Alex Zang, my business rival.
                         And you want to pay me back on your
                         own time.

                                   MICHAEL
                         I already told Zang that I had
                         something. What am I supposed to
                         do? Tell him I lied?

                                   STANLEY
                         Not my problem.

               MICHAEL paces a few more times before walking over to the
               coffee table between him and STANLEY. He sits down and leans
               over the table, placing both palms down firmly.

                                   MICHAEL
                         It could be... If I make it your
                         problem...

               STANLEY gives him a vicious look.

                                   STANLEY
                         What are you getting at?

                                   MICHAEL
                         Maybe I tell Alex that you gave me
                         a better deal. That I sold my
                         package to you instead.

               STANLEY'S eyes shoot open.

                                   STANLEY
                         Are you attempting to blackmail me?

               MICHAEL smiles widely and arrogantly. STANLEY'S face goes
               cold and hateful. He snaps his fingers. At once, CARLTON
               moves over to MICHAEL and wraps his arms around MICHAEL'S
               torso. MICHAEL struggles, but CARLTON uses his weight to slam
               his forehead into the coffee table. MICHAEL grunts. STANLEY
               leans in close to MICHAEL'S face.

                                   STANLEY
                         I've been doing business with you
                         for quite some time now, and you've
                         always been a dick. That aside, if
                         I did want to help you, I can't.
                         I've already made a deal with Luke
                         Pearson. He and his friends are
                         getting the bulk of what I got
                         today, and I like the return on
                         their venture way better than
                         yours. So how about you get the
                         hell off of my property before you
                         get buried here?

               STANLEY snaps his fingers again and CARLTON man-handles
               MICHAEL to the door of the trailer.



               EXT. STANLEY'S BACKYARD - APPROX. 2:45 PM - DAY

               CARLTON throws MICHAEL down onto the ground face first.
               MICHAEL rolls over and looks up at CARLTON.

                                   MICHAEL
                         Yeah, thanks for everything...

                                   CARLTON
                         Dick.

               CARLTON slams the door of the trailer. MICHAEL stands and
               brushes himself off. He looks around aimlessly for a moment.

                                   MICHAEL
                         Shit.



               EXT. SUBURBAN PARK - APPROX. 2:55 PM - DAY

               A sizeable crowd is gathering around the basketball court as
               BYRON and FREDDIE stretch to warm up.

                                   BYRON
                         She just let you go like that?

                                   FREDDIE
                         I told you, my mom doesn't care
                         what I do. She was more pissed off
                         about having to pick me up from
                         school. She's so out of it, she
                         probably doesn't even know I left.

                                   BYRON
                         Fuck. You sure you're ready to
                         play?

                                   FREDDIE
                         Hell yeah. I've had most of the day
                         to sleep it off. I think I puked
                         most of it up in class anyway.
                         Besides, I need the win. The
                         money...

                                   BYRON
                         Yeah, speaking of winning...

               STEPHI and GILLIAN come into view on the far side of the
               court. They begin heading straight for FREDDIE and BYRON.
               STEPHI shouts out.

                                   STEPHI
                         Freddie!

                                   FREDDIE
                         Isn't that your ex girlfriend?

                                   BYRON
                         Isn't that the chick you lost it
                         to?

                                   FREDDIE
                         It was mutual... I think...

               STEPHI and GILLIAN reach the boys as they stand. STEPHI looks
               at FREDDIE sternly and places her hands on her hips.

                                   STEPHI
                         Freddie, we need to talk.

                                   BIG VINCE
                         Freddie! Byron! Get your asses out
                         here and let's play some ball!

               BYRON shrugs at a disgruntled GILLIAN and jogs away. FREDDIE
               looks blankly at STEPHI.

                                   FREDDIE
                         Sorry Stephi. Stick around? I'll
                         talk to you after the game.

               STEPHI grows irritated.

                                   STEPHI
                         I don't have time for that!

                                   FREDDIE
                         Well I don't have time for you!

               FREDDIE walks toward the center of the court. STEPHI and
               Gillian just look at the boys as they begin to play.

                                   STEPHI
                         Damn it, Freddie.

                                   GILLIAN
                         Come on, you're going to be late
                         for your appointment.

               The girls walk away. BYRON and FREDDIE are in the middle of
               playing against DEREK and PETE. Just a few moments into the
               game, there's a disturbance and everyone watching the game
               looks to see what's going on. MIMI and MELISSA are on the
               ground fighting, and MARCUS is pulling MELISSA up. DEREK
               rushes over to the scene. BYRON and FREDDIE stand on the
               court, watching.

                                   BYRON
                         By the way, we have to throw the
                         game today. We're getting double
                         what Big Vince is paying out.

                                   FREDDIE
                         Who's supposed to pay us?

                                   BYRON
                         Marcus Adams.

                                   FREDDIE
                         You mean the same guy getting in
                         Derek's face?

                                   BYRON
                         Yep.

                                   FREDDIE
                         Fuck me.