In the courthouse
Mr. Stone: I really appreciate your time Chuck. I'm glad we see eye to eye on this.
Chuck: Well look I've known Peter since he was a boy. He's a good kid. He just got mixed up with the wrong element.
Peter: Man did I ever. I truly regret the day that I met Sean Cameron.
Ms. Hatzilakos: Well thankfully we won't have to worry about seeing Sean again.
Peter: Oh mom, dad do you mind if I go talk to Emma for a minute?
(They both nod yes.)
Emma: What happened? I'm dying.
Peter: Well the crown attorney's been going to my dad's Christmas party for years. That's what happened. I'm free Emma. I'm free. My dad just pulled some strings with his buddy Chuck.
Emma: So you got off with nothing?
Peter: Hardly. No I lost my licence. I got tons of community service. I'm under strict house arrest at my mom's.
Emma: Ouch. That'll be no picnic.
Peter: Yeah tell me about it. There's good news. Sounds like Sean's gonna be nailed to the wall for this.
Emma: I have a new zero tolerance policy when it comes to talking about Sean.
Peter: So you haven't heard from him?
Emma: Nope. With his hit and run charges, I don't think either of us will for a long, long time.
(Peter kisses Emma on the cheek.)
At Degrassi, Peter is on the morning announcements
Peter: (On the TV) Illegal street racing is like playing with a loaded gun. It's a serious crime, so my actions have had repercussions beyond my personal punishments and I hope I can explain to everyone just how sorry and ashamed I feel. My behaviour, as well as the other people involved, have had terrible consequences. I also need to say that I'm sorry for tarnishing Degrassi's rep in our community and I hope that I can gain your trust back. Thank you.
Mr. Simpson: We've seen it from CEO's, athletes and presidents. It's a classic example of the on-air mea culpa.
(He looks at Emma who gives him a dirty look.)
Mr. Simpson: But in this case I'm sure it's coming from a very genuine place. Uh-
In the hallway
Manny: So Peter got out of jail because he said he was sorry?
Emma: And because he agreed to a zillion conditions. Peter's taking this seriously, Manny. It's no joke.
Manny: You're right. No one's laughing. Least of all Sean.
Emma: What does that mean?
Manny: Nothing. I just feel a little bad. I mean I know this was Sean's fault, but still. He's in jail.
Emma: Sean can take care of himself. He always does. Peter is the one I'm worried about.
(Peter walks over and puts his arms around Emma and Manny.)
Peter: Heard my name! Hope you're saying good things.
Emma: Only.
Manny: To one disturbed visiting hour.
(Manny pushes Peter's arm off her shoulder and walks away.)
Emma: So how's life under house arrest?
Peter: The warden's not cutting me any slack. She's not even gonna let me take you to the dance.
Emma: What? You're kidding. That is so unfair.
(Ms. Hatzilakos gives him a dirty look and he sighs.)
Peter: Yeah I'm coming. I'll talk to you later.
In the student council meeting
Liberty: So we'll hire a mariachi band.
(Nobody says anything.)
Liberty: What? You said we needed a theme for the dance.
Emma: A good theme.
Toby: Look as the new treasurer, I've done the math. No band. The most we can afford right now is Jimmy and Spinner jamming in sombreros.
Emma: Even in disguises that would be lame. Wait. That's it. That'll be our theme. A masquerade. Like everyone will come in costume, all incognito.
Liberty: Cucaracha! Speaking of cockroaches, what's he doing here?
(Jay is shown talking to Mr. Simpson.)
Emma: If he's back at Degrassi, I'm dropping out.
In Ellie's newspaper office, Ellie is flipping through the newest edition
Ellie: It's not here.
Jesse: Okay Nina, you're on the essay plagiarism ring. Eric, you're on the chancellor's record spending and you're in my way Frosh.
Ellie: What happened to my article on the tuition rally?
Jesse: Oh you mean the one filled with rookie reporter mistakes? Hmm guess I forgot to publish it. Wonder why?
Ellie: Well don't I even get a chance to fix it?
Jesse: No and if you need talking down Frosh, there's a counsellor in the clinic.
Ellie: I gave up food and sleep. I did research in a beer bong puddle.
Nina: Welcome to the Core. In the hallway
Jay: Thanks Mr. S. I appreciate your concern. I'll pass it on to Sean.
(Mr. Simpson walks away and Emma walks over.)
Emma: Whatever you're here for, we're not interested.
Jay: I was just talking to your step dad about Sean. Remember him?
Emma: I'm trying to forget.
Jay: Oh someone's changed their tune. Seems to me someone was pretty damn interested in Sean for a while.
Emma: Excuse me? What did he tell you?
Jay: Nothing. He didn't have to. Look it was obvious there was something going on. Something that you didn't want your boyfriend to know about.
Emma: This conversation is over Jay.
(Emma starts to walk away, but Jay stops her.)
Jay: Speaking about your boyfriend. I heard that he got off with a slap on the wrist.
Emma: Please. He's under major Hatzilakos lockdown, plus community service!
Jay: Poor baby. I really hope the leaf blower doesn't strain his back.
Emma: I'm really beginning to remember why I don't like you.
Jay: This isn't about me. It's about Sean, okay? He is in hell. Yesterday he was sent to the infirmary. Some dude jumped him in the chow line.
Emma: Jumped him? Why?
Jay: 'Cause he didn't like Sean's face! It's jail Emma. It ain't your boyfriend's country club. Just maybe you could go to Sean's court hearing tomorrow. I have to work, but he could use a friend.
(Jay leaves and Emma gets a text message saying 'Meet me at the bus stop at 7. XO Peter'.)
In the newspaper office
Ellie: Look I'm sorry I blew it, but being a journalist is my life. If you give me another chance I promise, I... I will not screw it up.
Jesse: See that's what your last article needed. Passion. Conviction.
Ellie: My article was good. Good enough to get me an A in journalism class.
Jesse: Well the Core's the fifth largest paper in Toronto. We don't have time for school projects Frosh.
Ellie: Maybe you'd be fourth if you printed stuff people cared about.
Jesse: Oh, so you know my job better than I do, huh? Makes you pretty damn arrogant.
Ellie: I'm arrogant? I've never met such a, a pompous, full-of-himself jerk!
Jesse: Kind of makes you hate my guts, huh?
Ellie: No I'd have to care to hate you.
Jesse: Hey Frosh, care enough to get a beer? Talk it over? At the bus stop, Peter drives up in his car and Emma gets in
Emma: You drove? Can't you get in trouble for this?
Peter: It's called taking a risk. Besides you're more than worth it.
(Peter kisses her and pulls away.)
Peter: Oh you're wearing that vanilla stuff?
Emma: Honey vanilla shampoo. Sorry. I forgot you don't like it. Promise not to use it before Friday's dance.
Peter: What, suddenly you've become governor and issued me a stay?
Emma: Better. I suggested a costume party. A masquerade, so you can be my incognito date.
Peter: Sneaky and gorgeous. Nice.
Emma: Okay time's up Romeo. You need to go home. I don't want you to get into any more trouble.
Peter: I won't. My mom's at a PTA meeting.
Emma: So how did you get the car?
Peter: Found out where she hid the keys. What can I say? I'm good.
(They kiss again.)
Emma: This is weird. Being in this car and everything.
Peter: What? I didn't hit that guy. Sean did. That's why he's in jail.
Emma: But you don't feel badly?
Peter: Oh of course I do. It's terrible. Innocent guy getting hurt.
Emma: It's a good thing he's okay, huh?
Peter: Yeah tell me about it. Imagine if he'd died? No way, I would have gotten off with a little slap on the wrist.
Emma: The time. I should go.
(Emma kisses him quickly then leaves.)
At Ellie's place, Jesse is bringing her home after their date
Ellie: You lecture me about my writing and then you go gaga over a band that screams gibberish instead of taking the time to craft actual lyrics.
Jesse: Gibberish? You gotta be kidding me.
Ellie: Well you're lucky the music was a wicked blend of Zeppelin and Sabbath. I'm so writing that review.
Jesse: Oh well this time it goes in. No questions asked. So...
Ellie: So. Uh guess I better get to work.
Jesse: Yeah. Yeah.
(He leans in to kiss her and Ellie turns her head to the side.)
Jesse: Night.
Ellie: Night.
(He leaves and Marco walks over.)
Marco: Guess this means you're officially over Craig.
(Ellie hits him with the paper and smiles.)
At Emma's house, Emma is going through her clothes
Manny: Who died?
Emma: I'm trying to look respectable, not funereal.
Manny: You're going to Sean's court hearing? What happened to the zero tolerance o' Sean policy?
Emma: Jay gave me his court notice. I just thought...I don't know. I thought I should check on how his case is going.
Manny: And for that you need a top that brings out your glowy, glowy skin.
Emma: You were worried about him too.
Manny: Still am, but I'm also worried about my best friend who's being an emotional ping pong ball. Sean, Peter, Peter, Sean...
Emma: I'm not! I'm with Peter 100%. I just want to make sure Sean's okay, okay?
Manny: Okay. Forget I asked. At the court hearing
Emma: Excuse me. I'm looking for Sean Cameron's hearing, courtroom H-
Sean: Emma.
Emma: Sean. You look terrible.
Sean: Uh I uh, I tripped. Fell. It doesn't matter. It's good to see you.
(Emma gives him a hug.)
Sean: Ah, vanilla. I miss that smell. Jay said you weren't coming.
Emma: I wasn't going to um, but I thought you could use a friend.
Outside the courtroom
Emma: That was fast.
Sean: My public defender didn't show. He's got a backload of charity cases just like mine and unless I can get some money for a real lawyer, I'm screwed.
Emma: What can I do?
Sean: Nothing! Just tell me one thing. Tell me you're not still with Peter.
Emma: Of course. He's my boyfriend.
Sean: That guy is slime. He planted those drugs in my locker.
Emma: I asked him and he said he didn't do that.
Sean: Oh whatever. If, if you don't believe me, then why are you even here?
Emma: Because right or wrong, you need help and I'm gonna help you Sean. At Degrassi, Emma knocks on Mr. Simpson's door
Mr. Simpson: Emma where were you? You missed homeroom.
Emma: Yes and I can explain that, but listen to this first. What if Jack moved in with you and mom and Manny and I take Jack's room. That way we can rent out the basement.
Mr. Simpson: Oh. Uh as much as I relish the idea of sharing a room with a three year old...what's this all about?
Emma: I saw Sean today at the courthouse. Hence why I missed homeroom. Snake it's bad. He really needs help and he's got no one.
Mr. Simpson: Jay told me. Look I'm glad you're taking up his cause, but what Sean really needs right now is a good lawyer and they cost big money. More than the peanuts we'll earn renting out a leaky basement.
Emma: Okay. Idea number 2. Fundraiser.
Mr. Simpson: There's lots of competition out there for the charity dollar, but uh you'll figure out something. You always do.
[SCENE_BREAK]
At the newspaper office, Ellie is looking at her new assignment excitedly
Ellie: Toronto Music Week Showcase. How did I get that?
Nina: It's Fall again. School starts, the leaves change colours and Jesse gets it on with a nubile, eager Frosh.
Eric: You should talk...Miss 2005.
(They leave laughing and Ellie looks upset.)
At Emma's locker, Emma opens it up and finds a beautiful mask
Peter: Surprise. A mask befitting a true queen.
Emma: I was going to go with paper mache, but this is really wow!
Peter: I wanted you to realize you deserve better than paper mache.
Emma: That's sweet. Thank you.
Peter: What are the tickets for?
Emma: Oh just a little raffle to make the dance more interesting.
Peter: Count me in. I got gambling in my blood.
(Peter kisses her goodbye.)
At Marco, Dylan and Ellie's, Ellie is cooking a big meal
Marco: Wow. I can feel my overpriced designer jeans not fitting as we speak.
Ellie: Don't get used to it. I only cook when I'm majorly stressed.
Marco: Well we should stress you out more often.
(Dylan tastes the food before leaving.)
Dylan: I think your designer jeans are safe.
Marco: Okay lay it on me. I can handle it.
Ellie: Jesse cut my article. Then he asked me out on a date and kissed me. Well he tried to.
Marco: Okay those are some tall, dark, handsome problems that you got there.
Ellie: Yeah and then he gave me this plum music assignment and suddenly I'm like the new Core tramp.
Marco: So you got to choose. Ellie, self-respect or Jesse. It sounds like a pretty easy call.
Ellie: Marco you saw him, right? It is not an easy call.
Marco: Yeah I know, but you know just remember that the Devil's not ugly, okay? I mean the Devil is cute. Way cute. I'm talking Brad Pitt cute.
(Ellie looks at him hesitantly.)
Marco: Don't sell out for just some pretty face.
Ellie: Thank you father Marco.
In the newspaper office
Jesse: Yo Frosh. We're gonna be late.
(Ellie doesn't go with him.)
Jesse: What?
Ellie: Sorry, um I can't.
Jesse: Yeah I know how trying free rock concerts can be.
Ellie: Actually I'm more interested in intramural water polo finals.
Eric: Swapsies? That's so rad!
Jesse: So you're turning down the assignment?
Ellie: Well look how happy it's made Eric!
(Jesse leaves upset.)
Ellie: Goody.
At the dance
Emma: Toby! $2 each, 3 for $5. 50/50.
Toby: And the other 50 goes to?
Emma: A friend of ours is in jail. I'm trying to help get him out.
Toby: You're taking out money for Sean without council's approval? And what does Ms. H say?
Emma: Shh! Ms. H doesn't know.
Manny: What are those for?
Emma: Nothing.
Toby: Sean's defence fund.
Emma: Thanks Dr. Dork-wad. You're wanted in the O.R.
Manny: Does gorilla man, AKA Peter in a lame costume, know you're selling tickets and collecting money for his arch nemesis.
Emma: No and he's not going to.
Manny: Look I know my advice isn't always Dr. Phil solid, and what's happening to Sean isn't fair, but babe you got to let him go.
Emma: Manny I can't help it. Sean is in here.
(She puts her hand over her heart.)
Emma: But I can't. I can't feel this way! When I was in the hospital, who was there holding my hand? Peter and just look at this gorgeous mask. Peter bought it for me as a surprise. He left it for me in my locker.
Manny: Your locker? He has your combo?
Emma: No.
Manny: Then how'd he get in?
In the hallway, Emma slams Peter up against the lockers
Peter: Ow. Someone spike the punch or something?
Emma: Open my locker or I tell your mom you're here.
Peter: Okay fine. Give me the combination.
Emma: I thought you knew it.
Peter: I wrote it down.
Emma: From where?
Peter: My mom has them in her office.
Emma: Peter did you break into Sean's locker and plant the pot the same way you broke into mine?
Peter: Okay Sean is a loser. He always has been and he always will be.
Emma: Answer the question.
Peter: Well what do you want me to say?
Emma: The truth!
Peter: Everything I did, I did to keep us together, alright? Sean is scum. He deserved what happened to him.
Emma: When you see me in class, don't look at me. When you pass me in the hall, don't talk to me because you and me are done!
(Emma storms away and Ms. Hatzilakos walks over.)
Ms. Hatzilakos: Peter Michael, do the words 'house arrest' mean nothing to you?!
In the newspaper office
Jesse: A whole piece on water polo without at least one reference to Speedos...and you call yourself a journalist.
Ellie: Rookie reporter mistake.
Jesse: Look I didn't give you the music piece to get into your pants. I gave it to you because you love music and everyone else is busy.
Ellie: Great.
Jesse: You're a good writer Frosh. Not my fault you also happen to be cute. Not gonna apologize for liking you...and you?
(Ellie walks over and kisses him.)
Ellie: Guess you're alright, but one question. What are we gonna tell everyone? And don't call me Frosh!
Jesse: It'll be our little secret, Ellie.
In the jail's visiting room
Emma: So the bad news is that I only raised $243.
Sean: I'm gonna be in jail forever. I'm sorry about what happened...with Peter, I mean. It sounds brutal.
Emma: No I'm sorry for being so blind. I should never have believed him.
Sean: It's alright. So what's the good news? Besides you being here.
Emma: Snake is finding you a public defender. A good one. One with time to work on your case.
(A guard knocks on the glass and points to his watch.)
Sean: Visiting hours are almost over.
Emma: I got you something.
(She hands him a bottle of vanilla shampoo.)
Sean: Vanilla honey shampoo.
Emma: Thought it was the next best thing to actually being with me.
Sean: Nothing could replace the real thing.
Scenes for next week
Voiceover: On a new episode of Degrassi, things may not be so perfect for the perfect couple.
Jimmy: I'm a virgin. Do you get it? I can't walk. I can't run. I can't even make love to you.
Ashley: There are a lot of ways to make love.
Jimmy: I was into it, she was into it. We were in the moment and uh...
Jimmy: (Speaking to Ashley) There's nothing you can do. You should probably just go.
(Ashley leaves.)
Jimmy: I just don't want to be a virgin for the rest of my life.
Plan: A: Jay's pleas; Q: What is the reason Emma visits Sean in jail? A: a lot; Q: How much pain is Sean in? A: Ellie; Q: Who is devastated to discover that her first newspaper article has been rejected? A: the first newspaper article; Q: What has Ellie written been rejected? Summary: Due to Jay's pleas, Emma visits Sean in jail where she realizes that he is in a lot of pain and does everything she can to help him out. Meanwhile, Ellie is devastated to discover that the first newspaper article she has written has been rejected.