SLUG-LINE: PILOT
IT'S IN THE EVENING, MAIN CHARACTER JEN INT. HER BEDROOM ALONE
Jen is in her bedroom watching a Will Smith film, which is all that the audience can hear. JEN (aged 17) is a huge fan girl of Will Smith. She is on the phone to her best friend MEGAN (aged 17)
MEGAN
Hey! You out tonight?
JEN
No, I won't be, Will is on! I cannot miss Hitch. You know how much I love that film.
MEGAN
(ANGRY) Are you kidding me?! You promised you would be out.
JEN
Sorry babe.
MEGAN
You need to get a grip, you can watch his films whenever. Just come out you can't miss it!
JEN
No sorry, I don't fancy it anyway. Plus, mother wants me to stay in.
MEGAN
(LAUGHS) Ok, whatever. See you tomorrow.
JEN
Bye babes.
Jen puts the phone down and carries on watching the film. Her mother, TINA (35) comes in.
MUM
Are you not going out now?
KELLY (14) JEN'S SISTER
Is she heck she's being boring and staying in as usual
KELLY (14) JEN'S SISTER
Is she heck she's being boring and staying in as usual
JEN
No, I can't be bothered actually. Shut up Kel.
MUM
You mean because Will is on?
KELLY
Thats exactly why... Can I go out mum?
KELLY
Thats exactly why... Can I go out mum?
JEN
Mum, I just can't be bothered. Kelly, shut up your annoying me.
MUM
Well don't just abandon your friends Jen, you can watch tv anytime and don't speak to your sister like that. Kelly, you have an hour.
JEN
Ok mum, whatever
MUM
Don't be up too late either. You have college tomorrow and you ARE going girl.
KELLY
(LAUGHS)
KELLY
(LAUGHS)
JEN
(SIGHS) Do I have to?! Will is on This Morning and he's talking about his new film and announcing the premier, I can't miss it!
MUM
Jen, you are going to college. I don't want to hear any more of it, your education is more important. Goodnight.
Her mum leaves the bedroom. Jen carries on watching tv.
THE MORNING AFTER - AT HOME.
Jen is up and ready. She goes downstairs, gets her dinner money and leaves. She goes into a back alley and waits a while. After a bit, she rings her tutor.
JEN
(MIMICING HER MOTHER) Hi is this Mrs Mason?.... Yes, Hi it's Jennifer's mum. Yes I'm well thank you but unfortunately Jen isn't too well today.... Ah yes we think she's caught the bug that's going round. We've got her a doctors appointment for later on this morning so she might be in later.... Great, thank you. Goodbye. Bye.
Jen laughs to herself. Stays in the back alley and waits for her parents to leave for work, she goes home and watches televison.
AROUND 10:30AM, HER MUM IS AT WORK.
Her mother rings Mrs Mason.
MUM
Hi, is this Mrs Mason?
MRS MASON
Yes it is, who's speaking please?
MUM
It's Jennifer's mum. I was just ringing to see if you could pass on a message for me please. I've text Jennifer but she isn't replying so her battery must of died and I need her to pick her brother and sister up after she finishes.
MRS MASON
But, Mrs Reed you rang earlier saying that she was at a doctors appointment?
MUM
I certainly didn't
MRS MASON
Mrs Reed, I can assure you I got that phone call.
MUM
(FURIOUS) Oh, wait until I see her. She will not get a way with this, I am so sorry about this!
MRS MASON
She needs to attend college if she isn't well, it will affect her grades and she is more than capable of achieving good grades.
MUM
I agree. I will sort it, sorry again.
MRS MASON
Thank you Mrs Reed, bye.
MUM
Goodbye.
BACK AT HOME ABOUT 5PM.
Jen is at home 'doing work', her mum and DAD, MATTHEW and siblings come in.
DAD (35)
So Jen, how was college babe?
JEN
Yeah it was alright
MUM
Oh really, what did you do?
JEN
Not alot, just usual
DAD
I bet you're gutted about missing Will on This Morning. It was on at work
JEN
Urm, yeah I am. Cause mum wouldn't let me watch him.
MUM
Oh Jen, enough. I know you didn't go to college and you are in serious trouble.
JEN
What?! No I didn't
KELLY
(LAUGHS) You idiot
KELLY
(LAUGHS) You idiot
DAD
Jen, your mum spoke to Mrs Mason. Don't ever ring college pretending to be your mother to get a day off!
MUM
When are you going to start listening to us Jennifer? You are going to fail if you don't take college seriously! Then what are you going to do? Cause you certainly won't be getting into an acting university.
DAD
Your mum is right Jen. Start acting your age.
JEN
Oh my god, why are you so annoying? When are you going to stop treating me like a child? Just leave me alone.
Jen walks out and slams the door.
MUM
Things are gonna change around here, I am sick of this!
DAD
You're right babe.
JEN'S ROOM.
Jen is in her room on the phone to her friend Eve.
JEN
Eve, I am so so so angry
EVE
Why babe? Whats up?
JEN
My mum and dad have gone sick about me skiving today (LAUGHS) they are really getting on my nerves.
EVE
Shit, do you reckon you will sort it?
JEN
I dunno, hopefully cause I can't be assed with them. Why?
EVE
Well, I ain't supposed to say but guess what?
JEN
What?!
EVE
My mum was telling me earlier that college are organising a trip for film and media to some ace film premiers in a couple of weeks and big stars that are releasing new films are going!
JEN
Will is releasing a new film!
EVE
I know! He might be there.
JEN
(GASPS) OH MY GOD. That is awesome. Is this a joke?
EVE
No, deadly serious. But you can't tell anyone. If we want all us lot to go, keep it quiet cause first people to sign up can go. Theres limited spaces.
JEN
No I won't say anything!
EVE
Sort this out with Tina and Matt babe
JEN
Yeah I will do.
Jen's mum shouts.
MUM (OFF SCREEN)
Jen, off the phone. Me and your dad want a word.
JEN
(TO MUM) OK! (TO EVE) Babe, I will ring you later. Momma and Papa want me.
EVE
Ok babe, gimme a ring later.
JEN
Will do babe. Bye.
Jen puts the phone down and goes downstairs.
JEN
What?
DAD
Erm, attitude. Me and your mum are really disappointed in you about today. College is important and we want you to do well, SO from now on, we take you to college and there is NO excuses.
JEN
(PAUSE) Right.
MUM
Do you understand?
JEN
YES!
MUM
Good, and also we have got you some extra shifts at work, you are not lazying around anymore, you've got some Friday's and some Saturday's as well as your week days for the next few weeks.
JEN
What?! Mum I have plans!
DAD
Jen, you're doing the shifts. Think of the money babe.
JEN
(ANGRY) OH MY GOD, you are so annoying
Jen goes upstairs and continues watching the Will Smith film.
JEN
(TO HERSELF) I will do anything to meet you Will.
She goes to bed.
10AM THE NEXT DAY - AT COLLEGE.
EVE
Did ya sort it babe?
JEN
You are kidding right? They went sick at me, it is gonna take abit longer!
EVE
Shit, you need to sort it A.S.A.P, My mum is announcing the trip this week and she needs the money too.
JEN
Chill! I will. I will talk to them tomorrow or something, I'll sort it out and I WILL be there.
MEGAN
You have a lot of grovelling to do Jen, it's gonna take a lt more than 'a talk' with mummy and daddy.
JEN
I know I know, I will sort it but trust me, I am not missing Will.
MEGAN
Jen, I mean this in the nicest of ways, but you need to think beyond Will for once. Your mum and dad are seriously pissed off with you,
JEN
(LAUGHS) Megan, relax. I will apologise, they will be cool.
EVE
Ok babe well gimme a ring later cause I need to go drama. If I'm late again, I get put on report.
JEN
Yeah, I get one too if I miss any more performing arts! So yea, I will ring ya's about 8, I won't see you at dinner.
EVE AND MEGAN
Ok babe, bye
AT HOME - ABOUT 6PM
Jen is at home cooking and cleaning ready for when her mum and dad are home.
DAD
Wow, have you done this?
JEN
Yes, all of it. I need to apologise for my behaviour and make it up to you and mum.
DAD
Love, I appreciate the gesture but it isn't going to sort everything. You skived college! You need to prove yourself.
JEN
I know, I know. Just please sit down so we can talk. I promise nothing like this will happen again.
DAD
I'll happily sit down and eat this meal but I don't know what else there is to say and I am sure your mum will agree.
Jen's mum comes in.
MUM
Erm, what is this?
DAD
Jen's cooked us a meal to say sorry
MUM
I hope you didn't take the day off to do all of this!
JEN
Mum, I haven't! You know I finish at 12 on Mondays
MUM
Hmmm yeah, its alright for some. So come on, what have you made?!
JEN
Well madam, for the starter, it is prawn cocktail
DAD
MMMM, awesome!
JEN
For main, rib eye steak with veg and chips. Medium to well done for you madam and well done for you sir.
MUM
(LAUGHS)And how have you paid for this?
JEN
I had some wage left over
DAD
Aw bless, whats for dessert?
JEN
Well, I did try making a cute cake but I failed miserably. Soooo, you have 3 flavours of ice cream to choose from.
DAD
(LAUGHS) Brilliant
Jen serves the starter
JEN
Tuck in!
MUM
Thanks love.
DAD
Yeah, thank you munch.
JEN
You're welcome.
MUM
Babe, this is delicious
DAD
Yeah it is! Should start telling you off more often
JEN
(LAUGHS) Please dont
MUM
Behave yourself then. We only do it cause we care.
JEN
I know you do. Are you ready for your mains?
DAD
Er, yeah go on then love.
Jen serves the mains.
JEN
Bon appetite.
MUM
Oh fab!
DAD
This is fantastic Jen!
JEN
Well, ya know! I'll be right back
MUM
Where are you going?
JEN
Just to the loo momma bear
MUM
Oh, okay love
JEN IS UPSTAIRS
Jen rings Eve.
EVE
Hey babe
JEN
Mission is underway!
EVE
Come again?
JEN
I cooked them a meal and tidied the house, they are buzzin
EVE
Damn girl. You must be kean. What they saying?
JEN
Had to be done! They are just being sound, not mentioned the trip yet though.
EVE
Yeah, sweeten them up abit first but let me know asap. Remember, first to sign up go! There's only 20 places.
JEN
I will do babe. Gotta go!
EVE
Ok babe. Good luck!
CROSS CUT - HER PARENTS IN DINING ROOM
Parents are in dining room talking
DAD
This is delicious!
MUM
I agree but she is up to something
DAD
What do you mean?
MUM
She's after something, she is just buttering us up.
DAD
Oh Tina, give her a break. She might genuinely be sorry, she is trying. It's more than what she has ever done before.
MUM
Maybe so but I am telling you now, there is something going on
Jen enters
JEN
Are you ready for desert?
DAD
Yes please love
Jen serves desert
JEN
So, can we talk?
MUM
Here we go, I told you Matthew
JEN
Mum! Just hear me out
DAD
Go on Jen, what have you got to say?
JEN
I am so so sorry for what I did, it will never happen again and I will do better at college. I will never do anything to disapoint you again.
MUM
But....
JEN
But, there is a college trip for film and media to some movie premiers in a couple of weeks and I really want to go
MUM
What is so important about it?
DAD
T, she does do film and media. There is some relevance.
MUM
Yes but there has been loads of trips with film and media that she has missed. Why this one? You missed the others because of exclusive documentaries on Will and whatever else. Wait, hold on. Is Will at this premiere?
JEN
Maybe. I don't know.
MUM
I knew this was too good to be true. Jen, put yourself together and put education first.
JEN
But mum!
DAD
T, it is a trip
MUM
Matthew, you are not helping.
DAD
Tina, calm down. When is it Jen?
JEN
In like less than 2 weeks and if I want to go, I have to put my name down ASAP
MUM
YOU ARE WORKING! We got you extra hours
JEN
Mum you ruin everything!
DAD
Now come on Jen, that isn't fair. If anything, you messed this up for yourself.
JEN
Please, I am begging.
MUM
No, now end of
JEN
Dad, tell her!
DAD
Your mum said no Jen, sorry
JEN
(ANGRY) URGH I HATE YOU
Jen stomps off and goes upstairs
IN JEN'S ROOM, ALONE.
Jen text messages her friend Eve. The texts read:
Eve: Hey how did it go?! X
Jen: Awesome. They totally bought it, I am coming. X
Eve: Yes! Ok babe, I will tell my mum, so glad you are coming! Your mum and dad are mint xo
Jen: Haha I know ye x
Eve: I'll tell everyone the good news! Will best be ready for ya! Hahaha x
Jen: You know it! I am coming for ya Will baby!
Jen rings her boss
COLIN (50s)
Hello
JEN
Hi Col, it's Jen
COLIN
Hello love. You alright?
JEN
Yes thanks. Just wanted to see if I could get the week after next off please?
COLIN
But, your mum rang for extra hours?
JEN
I know, the silly woman forgot I was away with college!
COLIN
(LAUGHS) Oh dear, no problem love. I will sort it! See you when you're next in. Take care.
JEN
Thanks Col! You too, bye!
