Degrassi - Gym
(Sean has a basketball in his hands. He throws it to Jimmy. He tries to guard Jimmy. Jimmy goes past him and makes a shot.)
Jimmy: Yeah.
(A whistle is blown.)
Coach: Bring it in guys. (The guys all gather around) Tomorrow's exception game is against Earl Gray. You have to come out strong, play hard. Now, my final cuts will be based on how you perform in that game (They groan). Sorry, gentleman. I have 15 talented players here and only 12 spots. (Bell rings) (He looks at his watch) Okay, guys, you better change before you're late for homeroom. Good job.
(Everyone leaves except Jimmy and Spinner.)
Spinner: Dude, you heard Armstrong. Homeroom calls.
Jimmy: Homeroom can wait. I want to try this one more time.
Spinner: Jimmy, you burned up the floor this morning. You're doing fine.
Jimmy: Fine? I want to do better than that.
Spinner: (as Jimmy's taking a shot) Downtown. Go, Jimmy! Oh, yeah! Who's the man? (He high fives Jimmy)
Jimmy: You're looking at him. Degrassi Panthers, Jimmy Brooks is on the prowl.
Ms. Kwan's Class
(Jimmy is walking in and Ms. Kwan holds out her hand.)
Jimmy: Ms. Kwan, please. Let me make the team first, then I'll give you my autograph.
Ms. Kwan: How about you give me your English assignment instead?
Jimmy: My assignment, right. I wanted to talk to you about that.
Ms. Kwan: Jimmy, I already gave you an extension. You did read chapter 8 for today, right?
Jimmy: Of course. I'm totally on top of the reading, it's just the actual work.
Ms. Kwan: Jimmy, you're falling seriously behind. I'm concerned you're not up to juggling both academics and sports.
Jimmy: Oh, but juggling is a sport, Ms. Kwan. There's nothing to worry about, I'm fine.
Hall
(Liberty is running to where Ashley does the announcements.)
Announcements
Cameragirl: (checking her watch) Ashley, the bell's gonna ring any second.
Ashley: Where is she? Liberty comes through the door. Ashley takes the notecards that she's supposed to read.
Liberty: Well, there's a- (she's interrupted by Ashley taking the notes) There's a little joke at the end. I think you'll like it.
Ashley: What I'd really like is for you to be on time, ok? Bell rings
Ashley: Good morning, Degrassi. Tomorrow, morning announcements will be replaced by (now shows Ashley on the TV in grade 7 Media Immersion homeroom) a very special afternoon pre-game screening as the Degrassi Panthers face off against Earl Gray in an exception match, so, Go, Panthers, Go.
JT: She's pretty suavee, got it together.
Emma: It's not suavee, it's suave.
Liberty: Television is so stressful.
JT: Ashley doesn't seem stressed.
Manny: I know. She's better than the people on the news. Calm, cool, a total natural.
Ashley: So, if you see the Earl Gray team holding lighters, it's because they always lose their matches. Have a great day, guys.
JT: Lose their matches. Not bad.
Liberty: That was my joke. I mean, I wrote it after I found it on the 'Net.
Emma: It's true, you know. You do all the work and Ashley takes all the glory. You should really talk to her.
Sean: Or quiet. Why spend any more time at school than you already have to?
Toby: you're going out for basketball.
Sean: My social worker says it's beneficial. Personally, I couldn't give a rat's-
(Mr. Simpson runs in.)
Mr. S: Class, sorry for the delay.
Liberty: It just makes me mad that people think Ashley is so funny and clever, when all she's doing is reading my words.
Manny: Yeah, a monkey could do that.
Emma: Personally, I'd say it's time you asked Princess Ashley to share the air, but, hey, it's your career.
Mr. S: Alright, today we'll be exploring the fascinating world of HTML.
Ms. Kwan's class
Ms. Kwan: I've been reading your assignments, well, those that have been handed in. Your thoughts on chapter 8 have been fascinating, so, let's open it up for discussion. Jimmy?
Jimmy: Oh, uh, chapter 8? It's great, just like the rest of the book.
Ms. Kwan: Could you elaborate? For example, which character do you relate to?
Jimmy: Well, that's a very interesting question, Ms. Kwan, I-
Ms. Kwan: Jimmy, it's not that hard.
Jimmy: Ok, um, I associate most with the main character.
Ms. Kwan: It's an ensemble piece. Which main character?
Jimmy: The Lord of the Flies. Who else? (Everyone starts to laugh)
Ms. Kwan: The Lord of the Flies is a severed pig's head resting on a stake. You haven't read the book, have you? Hall
Spinner: Busted. Total crash and burn.
Jimmy: I'm doomed, man.
Spinner: Come on, Ms. Kwan can't stop you from playing. She's an English teacher.
Jimmy: MY English teacher who's threatening to talk to MY coach who needs to cut three players.
Spinner: Jimmy, you're a total natural. Coach Armstrong's not gonna cut you. Just try harder at school.
(They go through doors.)
Jimmy: School that's my problem. It's totally in the way. I concentrate on English, my playing is crap. Concentrate on basketball and I don't have enough time to do my homework. It's a no win situation.
Spinner: Got that right. It's a Catch 42.
Jimmy: Catch 22.
Spinner: Like you know. You thought you were Lord of the Flies.
Jimmy: And now I've got Kwan on my back, I'm bagged, man.
Spinner: Yeah, I know the feeling. Since they upped my Ritalin, I'm like a complete zombie.
Jimmy: Yeah, but I've seen you when you don't take them; not pretty.
Spinner: Yeah, I know. Don't call me Spinner for nothing.
(Spinner takes his pill and takes a drink. Jimmy walk away.)
Cafeteria
(Ashley pays for lunch and starts to walk to her table, when Liberty comes up to her.)
Liberty: Ashley. Can I talk to you for a second?
Ashley: Now? Ter, save me a spot, ok?
Terri: Sure.
Ashley: How can I help you, Liberty?
Liberty: I want to read the announcements.
Ashley: What?
Liberty: I do all the writing, it's only fair if I get to go on air once in a while.
Ashley: Liberty, you're a writer, I'm a performer. You're yin, I'm yang. We're very different.
Liberty: How?
Ashley: Just maybe next year, ok?
(Ashley walk away.)
Gym.
(The players are practicing while Jimmy is reading.)
Coach: Remember, follow through with the wrist, ok? (Sean shoots and it goes in) Nice shot, Sean. You see how he uses his legs and not his hands? Very important. Jimmy, why don't you give it a try? (Jimmy is reading and doesn't hear him at first. When he does he puts down the book and gets up) Or you can keep reading, if you want to.
Jimmy: Sorry, Coach. (Goes up to the basket and does a lay-up)
Coach: Excellent, technique, Jimmy. But, we're practicing our shots, not our lay-ups. Impress me tomorrow. Give it another try.
Hall
Paige: (says something in French) I've been told I have perfect Parisian accent.
(Ashley and Terri keep walking and run into Liberty.)
Liberty: I just want to do it once.
Ashley: Liberty, when I said no the last time, what didn't you understand?
Liberty: Give me a chance, come on, why not?
Ashley: Because it's my job.
Liberty: Fine, I'm going on strike. No research, no more writing, no more jokes. I figure you can do it yourself. Takes about, oh, an hour a day, if you're fast.
Ashley: Liberty, you're not playing fair.
Liberty: I'M not playing fair? You're the one being greedy.
Ashley: It's just, I'm good at this.
Liberty: Anyone can read a cue card. A monkey could do your job.
Ashley: Fine, go ahead, tomorrow's pre-game announcement's, they're all yours. Knock yourself out.
(Ashley walks away. Liberty smiles.)
Gym
(Spinner is putting the balls away. Jimmy is leaving.)
Guy: Jimmy, what's up, buddy? (They bump fists)
Jimmy: Hey, Sean, good work out there today. You got no problems making the team.
Sean: I don't know about that. Guess we'll see tomorrow.
Jimmy: Yeah.
(Sean leaves.)
Jimmy: "Don't know about that." Whatever. Coach loves him. Sean probably made the team the minute he signed up.
Spinner: Jimmy, Sean's a good player.
Jimmy: Yeah, so am I (Takes a drink from a water bottle).
Spinner: And who's saying you're not?
Jimmy: Coach Armstrong. You saw him just now, tore my game apart.
Spinner: He was just giving you pointers.
Jimmy: Hello, I know how to shoot a basket. And sorry, but lay-ups? Way more important than three-pointers.
Spinner: Look, if you don't make the team, which you will, you can be my co-manager.
Jimmy: Thanks, but it's not the same.
Spinner: Right. Not much glory handing out towels and bottles of water. Anyway, let's go catch a movie or something, get your mind off this.
Jimmy: Can't, pulling an all-nighter. Got that assignment, remember?
(Spinner takes a pill out of a box and takes it with a bottle of water.)
Jimmy: Wish there was a pill I could take, one that would boost me up.
Spinner: Ritalin would boost you up, big time. It's like 50 cups of coffee.
Jimmy: I thought it was supposed to calm people down.
Spinner: It does, calm me down. Has to do with something with the configuration of my brain.
Jimmy: YOU have a brain?
Spinner: Ha, ha. But for normal people, exact opposite. It's like, Speed.
Jimmy: Weird.
Spinner: Yeah, but you know something, drugs aren't the answer. Just say no.
(Jimmy smiles. Spinner gets up.)
Hall
(Bell rings.)
[SCENE_BREAK]
Kwan's classroom.
(She's looking down at papers. Jimmy enters.)
Jimmy: Ralph.
Ms. Kwan: Pardon me?
Jimmy: You asked me who I related to in The Lord of the Flies, It's Ralph.
(Jimmy gives her a paper.)
Jimmy and Spinner
(Jimmy sits down.)
Jimmy: I'm wiped. Got nothing left for the game.
Spinner: Man, you got your English assignment done, Kwan will get your back now.
Jimmy: Doesn't help if I don't make the team.
(Something beeps. Spinner takes out the box to take his Ritalin.)
Jimmy: But, you could help me, Spinner.
(Spinner gives him a look. Jimmy looks at Spinner as if to say "Give me the pill.")
Spinner: No way.
Jimmy: it's not like steroids, I mean, it's not illegal.
Spinner: Of course it's not illegal. You see me in jail?
Ms. Kwan: Ok guys, let's discuss the next chapter.
Jimmy: Please? I need it. Look at me. I'm half-alive.
Spinner: Jimmy, it's my last pill, I can't miss it.
Jimmy: Just this once. A little energy boost. This game's my last chance to prove myself to Armstrong. Please?
(Spinner hands the pill to Jimmy.)
Jimmy: Do I take it now?
Spinner: I guess. Takes about an hour to kick in.
(Jimmy raises his hand.)
Ms. Kwan: Yes, Jimmy?
Jimmy: I need to use the washroom.
(Ms. Kwan nods. Jimmy gets up and leaves.)
Outside Classroom
(Mr. Raditch walks to Jimmy.)
Mr. R: Jimmy! Good luck this afternoon with the game.
Jimmy: Thanks, Mr. Raditch.
Mr. R: Go get 'em, son.
(Mr. Raditch leaves. Jimmy looks at the pill, then takes it.)
Liberty.
(Liberty is messing around with the camera before she does the announcements. She doesn't know, but it's on air.)
In Media Immersion.
Sean: What happened to Ashley?
Girl: Liberty, we're on!
JT: She's doing a great job.
Sean: This is just sad.
Liberty: (reading cards) Welcome to Degrassi's special pre-game announcements. Today the Degrassi Panthers start a whole new reason, season, of basket...ball. Basketball. Uh, by biting Earl Gray. (As she's talking people are watching and laughing in grade 8 homeroom) You can run, but you can't hide, Earl Gray-Gray. The prowl is on the Panthers. The Panthers are on the prowl. This has been Liberty Van Zandt, filling in for Ashley Kerwin.
Paige: More like Loser Van Zandt. Good job, Ash. I'm impressed. You totally set her up.
(Paige leaves. Ashley looks guilty about it.)
Locker room
(Jimmy is playing with the ball. He is really energized because of the pill.)
Sean: Somebody had a nutritious breakfast.
Jimmy: Yup, toast, cheese, eggs, bacon, solid protein. Lot of protein. Brain food, man, brain food.
Coach: All right, how you guys doing? You pumped?
Jimmy: You know it, Coach. You know it.
Gym
(The game is going on.)
Spinner: Come on, Jimmy. Show them what you got.
(Jimmy nods.)
Spinner: Come on! Start this game, come on!
(The ref throws the ball in the air and the game starts.)
Spinner: What's wrong with all of you? Come on? (As Spinner talks Degrassi gets the ball. A teammate passes the ball to Jimmy. Jimmy dribbles it down the court)
Sean: Jimmy! Pass the ball. Jimmy!
Spinner: Come on. What's he doing? Come on.
Sean: Pass the ball.
(Jimmy shoots the ball and it goes in.)
Spinner: Oh yeah! You the man!
Announcer: Degrassi leads 3-0.
(Jimmy jumps up, very excited. He high fives a player.)
Liberty in the hall.
(She is there with another girl. She is upset because of the announcements.)
Girl: Not bad, for your first time. Wanna head over to the gym?
Liberty shakes her head "No". She hits her head on a door in the room she's in. People walk by.
Girl #1: That's her. (People laugh) Oh my god. So funny.
(Liberty runs away with her hand over her mouth.)
Girl: Liberty!
Gym - The Game
(Jimmy has the ball.)
Spinner: Go, Jimmy! You the man! Yeah! Come on! Go, Jimmy, go, Jimmy, go. Go, Jimmy. Yeah, come on.
Sean: Pass it.
Spinner: Come on, Jimmy.
(Coach looks worried about Jimmy's behavior.)
Coach: Gavin, You're the team manager, not head cheerleader.
Spinner: Come on, Coach. I was just giving Jimmy some mortal support.
Coach: Moral support. You want to show your support? Clean up this bench. Bring it in, guys. Good job, good job. Half time conference in thew locker room. Let's go.
Spinner: (as they pass him) Good job, guys, Jimmy.
Announcer: Half time! 22-24, Degrassi.
(Spinner takes out a boombox and turns it on. A cool beat comes out of it. Spinner gets into it.)
Girls' Washroom
(Liberty is in there, crying. Ashley comes in.)
Ashley: Liberty? I know you're in here. Liberty, come on.
Liberty: What do you want?
Ashley: I just want to talk to you.
Liberty: What, to tell me I was horrible? Thanks, I already figured it out.
Ashley: You weren't great, but you weren't completely horrible.
(Liberty opens the stall door and comes out.)
Liberty: I wasn't?
Ashley: No, you just need a few pointers. I've got a plan. Trust me on this.
Locker room
Coach: Listen up. We're in the lead. Stay with your man. Keep up the pace. Play like a team. You're hearing me, Jimmy?
Jimmy: Loud and clear, Coach A. Loud and clear. Gym
(Spinner's sitting on the bench. The music is still playing. Spinner gets up after turning the music up.)
Spinner: Yo, Degrassi. We need some half time entertainment.
(The crowd cheers. Spinner starts dancing. The crowd cheers him on. Mr. R is watching and doesn't look happy. All of a sudden, Spinner moons them. Mr. R drags him away.)
Spinner: Good night, Degrassi.
Mr. Raditch's office
Mr. R: What were you thinking?
Spinner: I don't know, it was funny.
Mr. R: Funny.
(Spinner nods.)
Mr. R: It wasn't funny. It made us look like idiots.
Spinner: But, Mr. Raditch...
Mr. R: Sit down.
(Spinner sits.)
Mr. R: First, no extracurricular activities until the end of the semester.
Spinner: What? But, Mr. Raditch...
Mr. R: No discussion. Consider yourself lucky. I could suspend you for this.
Spinner: But, sir, it's medical.
Mr. R: Gavin, you've been taking Ritalin for two years now, you know what happens when you miss a pill. Unless there's some another explanation.
Spinner: I forgot, ok?
Mr. R: Fine, but you won't forget again. Because you'll be taking your pills in front of my secretary.
Spinner: But, Mr. Raditch...
Mr. R: Three times a day.
(He gets up and opens the door.)
Mr. R: Mrs. Smith, could you come in here, please? And would you bring Mr. Mason's file.
Gym - The Game is on again.
(Jimmy has the ball.)
Sean: Jimmy! Pass the ball. I'm open. (Jimmy isn't listening) Pass it, come on.
(Jimmy shoots, but misses. Coach is taking note of how Jimmy is acting. Sean gets the ball.)
Jimmy: Sean, pass the ball. Sean, I'm open. Sean!
(Sean doesn't, so Jimmy hits him, gets the ball, and scores the winning shot. Buzzer.)
Jimmy: Yeah! Who's the man? Yeah! That's what I'm talking about.
(Coach goes to Sean who is on the floor, hurt.)
Coach: Sean, you ok? Is it your ankle?
(Sean nods.)
Coach: I want you to wiggle your toes for me.
Announcer: Degrassi wins 39-37.
(Everyone is excited about the win.)
The Hall
(JT, Toby, Emma, and Manny are walking and talking.)
JT: Degrassi rules.
Toby: I bet we go all the way to the regionals.
Emma: But, what was up with that Jimmy guy out there? He was like a lunatic.
JT: Sports are not for the weak of heart.
Emma: Like you'd know, and besides, that doesn't mean you get to injure people.
Manny: (Sees Liberty on the TV) Oh, no.
Liberty (On TV): Way to go, Degrassi. Our team just kicked some serious Earl Gray butt...
JT: Liberty said butt?
Liberty: ... Just before the buzzer we scored an awesome three pointer winning the game, 39-37.
Manny: She's actually doing ok.
Liberty... Pathers, you're off to an sonsational start. (Goes to where liberty is reading it) This is Liberty Van Zandt, wrapping up today's special video coverage. Thank you. (Girl turns camera off)
Ashley: See? It's not so hard. The trick is to remain calm, cool, and sure of yourself. You're pretty good at that, already.
Liberty: Thank you, Ashley.
Ashley: And you'll be even better when you read the announcements again, next year, after I graduate. Locker room
(The guys are really excited they won. Coach comes in the room.)
Coach: Jimmy, can I talk to you for a second? It's about this afternoon, out on the court.
Jimmy: I know, 12 points plus the game point. It's the best I've ever played.
Coach: In terms of scoring, yes. But, you show boated, you ball hogged, you blew plays, you weren't a team player.
Jimmy: I know.
Coach: But you know what really worries me? It's what you did to Sean. You know you almost broke his ankle out there?
Jimmy: That was an accident.
Coach: An accident? Come on, Jimmy. You fouled your own player, deliberately. And you know we have a zero tolerance policy for violence.
Jimmy: it was stupid. It'll never happen again. I promise.
Coach: I can't take that chance. Sorry, Jimmy, you're cut.
(Jimmy is upset. He looks over at Sean, who is being bandaged up by Coach Armstrong.)
Plan: A: Jimmy; Q: Who hurts Sean in an attempt to take the winning shot? A: the basketball team; Q: What does Jimmy want to make? A: his schoolwork; Q: What does Jimmy want to improve due to basketball practice? A: an energy boost; Q: What does Jimmy want to get from the Ritalin pill? A: a Ritalin pill; Q: What does Jimmy convince Spinner to skip to give to him? A: Ritalin; Q: What drug does Jimmy convince Spinner to give him instead of his own? A: his medication; Q: What is Spinner off of? A: halftime; Q: When does Spinner moon the audience? A: trouble; Q: What does Jimmy get into when he hurts Sean? A: Ashley's video announcement speeches; Q: What is Liberty tired of writing? A: any credit; Q: What does Liberty not get for writing Ashley's video announcement speeches? A: disastrous results; Q: What happens when Ashley gives Liberty a chance to do the announcements? Summary: Jimmy wants to make the basketball team, but due to practice, his schoolwork suffers. To get an energy boost, he convinces Spinner to skip a Ritalin pill and give it to him instead, resulting in Spinner, off his medication, mooning the audience during halftime. Jimmy, under the influence of the Ritalin, gets himself into trouble when he hurts Sean in attempt to take the winning shot. Meanwhile, Liberty is tired of writing Ashley's video announcement speeches and not getting any credit for it. Ashley then gives her a chance at doing the announcements, with disastrous results.