6

FREDDIE
Freddie.

BECKY
I saw you yesterday. You were hanging outside the toilets.

FREDDIE
Yeah. I was waiting for a friend. I remember seeing you.

BECKY
JJ’s having a party this weekend. If you get invited, I’ll see you there. (gets to her feet) Was nice speaking to you.

FREDDIE watches BECKY as she walks out of the room. She passes BENNY, who walks inside the room. He walks towards FREDDIE.

BENNY
There you are. I couldn’t find you. (pauses) Is everything all right?

FREDDIE
You had a fifth band member. Why don’t you ever talk about him?

BENNY
It’s not my place to say.

FREDDIE
What’s wrong about saying why he left?

BENNY
(leans forward) Don’t you dare mention this in front of the others.

FREDDIE
Why?

BENNY
It’s for your own good.

Cut to
INT. – MR SMITH’S CLASSROOM – MORNING

FREDDIE, JJ, BENNY, APRIL, ZACK and the students are sitting around their computers, composing their soundtracks for the thriller openings. They each have a

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set of headphones on. MR SMITH is sitting at his desk, typing something into his laptop. JJ places a folded piece of party in front of FREDDIE. FREDDIE opens it and sees the word ‘Party’ written on it. He takes the headphones off, along with JJ.

FREDDIE (whispering)
When is it?

JJ
Saturday. Seven o’clock.

MR SMITH lowers his laptop lid.

MR SMITH
That’s all we’ve got time for today, folks. We’ll pick this up at the start of next week. (pauses) Freddie, do you mind if I have a word?

FREDDIE
Sure.

All the students switch the computer monitors off and leave the room. FREDDIE gets to his feet and stands by MR SMITH’S desk.

MR SMITH
I listened to your rough cut and I have to say it’s very good. Much better than the standard we were expecting. Do you come from a musical background?

FREDDIE
I’ve played instruments in the past, but nothing else.

MR SMITH
It’s interesting. (pauses) There is a presentation evening next Thursday. Some top education ministers will be present. We were hoping for some students to showcase some of their work. I’d love for you to be there.

FREDDIE (surprised)
I’m not sure what to say.

MR SMITH
Yes seems the appropriate answer here. But if you can’t make it, other arrangements can be made.

FREDDIE
No. I’ll be there.

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Cut to
INT. – OUTSIDE MR SMITH’S CLASSROOM – AFTERNOON

ZACK is standing with his back against the wall. He waits for FREDDIE to leave the classroom. He grabs hold of FREDDIE and pushes him against the wall.

FREDDIE
Whoa, Zack.

ZACK
Stay the fuck away or you’ll regret it.

ZACK lets go of FREDDIE. FREDDIE watches ZACK as he walks away.

Cut to
INT. – HALL – AFTERNOON

ZACK is sitting at a drum kit, which is on the stage. He has a pair of drumsticks in his hands. BENNY and APRIL are standing in front of him. BENNY has his guitar strapped around his shoulders and APRIL has hold of the bass. JJ is sitting with a microphone in his hands.

BENNY
I checked with Chrissie to make sure that she could come to the party. She’s visiting her grandparents during the day and won’t be back until the early evening. She says she has to get ready and won’t be there until about ten.

JJ
That’ll be better for us. (faces APRIL) Sound good enough for you?

APRIL
Yeah.

JJ
(turns back to face BENNY)Good work, Benny.

BENNY
I wouldn’t advise doing it until late. About midnight. Most people will be out of it by then. (pauses) I don’t understand what she’s done wrong.

ZACK
She’s a bitch who can’t keep her mouth shut.


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JJ
You’ve done your bit, now leave it.

FREDDIE suddenly bursts inside the room. They all turn to face him.

FREDDIE
Sorry, I’m late. One of the performances overran in Drama. (walks onto the stage) What did I miss?

JJ
We were waiting for you.

FREDDIE walks over to BENNY.

FREDDIE
Do you mind if I have a go?

BENNY
Sure.

BENNY un-straps the guitar and hands it to FREDDIE, who straps it around his shoulders.

FREDDIE
It’s been a while since I last played.

FREDDIE plays the guitar. APRIL and ZACK recognize the song as their own and play their instruments. JJ gets to his feet and sings the song. BENNY stands on the edge of the stage, watching them. They finish a moment later. BENNY claps at them. FREDDIE takes off the guitar and hands it back to BENNY.

BENNY
Cheers.

JJ
Not bad. Not bad. Glad you learnt one of our songs.

FREDDIE
Had to play something you’d recognize. (pauses) I used to be in a band about a year ago. We had our own Myspace page and played at a few gigs. The other band members lost interest in it so it fell apart. (pauses) I have some songs at home if you’re interested in using them.

JJ
Yeah. That’ll be cool. Thanks, mate.

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FREDDIE
I’ll bring them to the party if you want.

ZACK
(gets to his feet) You invited him to the party?

JJ
Yeah.

ZACK
You have got to be kidding me.

ZACK gets down from the stage and storms out of the room. He slams the door shut.

JJ
I’ll have a word with him.

JJ also gets down from the stage. He walks out of the room and quietly closes the door behind himself. Silence.

FREDDIE
What did I do?

APRIL
Nothing.

APRIL looks to BENNY for reassurance.

BENNY
(nods in agreement) Yeah, of course.

FREDDIE smiles awkwardly.

Cut to
INT. – OUTSIDE THE HALL – AFTERNOON

ZACK, outraged, is pacing up and down the room. JJ is standing with his back against the wall, watching him.

ZACK
He’s getting too close to us, JJ. I don’t like it. What if he finds out? He can ruin everything.

JJ
It won’t get that far.

ZACK
(faces JJ) How do you know? He’s only been here a few

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days and he’s a part of us. How much longer do you think it’ll be before he does find out?

JJ
If he finds out, I’ll take care of him, okay? (pauses) Have faith in me.

Cut to
EXT. – SHOPPING CENTRE CAR PARK – MORNING

FREDDIE and RICKY climb out of RICKY’S car, which is parked next to the ticket paying machine. RICKY locks the car and walks with FREDDIE towards the entrance of the shopping centre.

RICKY
I’ve been given strict instructions by your Mother not to spend too much today. If my spending gets too excessive, you have to stop me.

FREDDIE
Shouldn’t she be more worried about me?

RICKY
You’re not the one who got a parking ticket last time.

Cut to
INT. – CLOTHES SHOP – MORNING

FREDDIE and RICKY walk inside the shop. They browse through the clothing. FREDDIE looks across to a sunglass rack. He picks up a pair of sunglasses and tries it on.

FREDDIE
(turns to face RICKY) How do I look?

RICKY
Smashing. We need a photo of that.

RICKY brings out his phone. He loads up the camera and takes a photo of FREDDIE wearing the sunglasses.

FREDDIE
Your turn.

FREDDIE takes off the sunglasses and hands them to RICKY, who puts them on. FREDDIE takes hold of RICKY’S phone. He takes a photo of RICKY wearing the sunglasses.


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FREDDIE (continued)
Those’ll be on Facebook later.

Cut to
INT. – FAST FOOD RESTAURANT – AFTERNOON

FREDDIE and RICKY are sitting at a table, eating a burger. They have a portion of chips and a drink in front of them. They have a few bags of shopping on the floor next to them.

RICKY
How many of you are going to this party tonight?

FREDDIE
A few of us I think. I’m not too sure. I don’t want it to be too crowded.

RICKY
I take it there will be alcohol there.

FREDDIE
Some. JJ said we have to bring our own.

RICKY
I’ll pick some up for you on the way to the party. But don’t tell your Mum.

FREDDIE (smiling)
Cheers.

RICKY (reluctantly)
Are there any girls going? (pauses) Girls that you like?

FREDDIE
One. I’ve only spoken to her a few times. Her name’s Becky.

Cut to
EXT. – OUTSIDE JJ’S HOUSE – EVENING

RICKY’S car pulls up outside the house. FREDDIE climbs out of the car with a bag with several cans of alcohol in his hands. He turns to face RICKY.

FREDDIE
Cya, Dad.

FREDDIE closes the car door. RICKY drives away. FREDDIE

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turns and looks at the house. He hears music playing loudly inside the house. He takes a deep breath, then walks across the front garden. He knocks on the door. JJ opens the door. He has a can of beer in his hands.

JJ (loudly)
Freddie! It’s good to see you, man.

FREDDIE
Hey.

JJ
Come in.

JJ holds the door open for him.

Cut to
INT. – JJ’S HALLWAY – EVENING

FREDDIE walks inside the house. JJ closes the door. Drunken teens are making out in the hallway.

FREDDIE
I brought some booze.

JJ
Ah. Cheers, bud. I’ll go stick ‘em in the kitchen.

FREDDIE keeps a can of beer for himself. He hands the bag to JJ, who walks across the hallway, towards the kitchen. FREDDIE opens the can and takes a sip of it.

Cut to
INT. – JJ’S LIVING ROOM – EVENING

Music is playing loudly inside the room. Drunken teens are talking amongst their selves, whilst others are kissing on the settee. FREDDIE walks inside the room. He has the can of beer in his hands. He looks at everyone and sees BECKY standing on her own. He makes his way across the room. She spots him.

BECKY (smiling)
Hey!

FREDDIE
Are you okay?

BECKY