Degrassi: The Next Generation
1.14 - Under Pressure
Transcribed by Sarah Nicolett for TWIZ TV.COM
Starts outside
Sean’s House
He is working
on a motorcycle + his brother, Tracker, is helping him study.
Tracker:
Cathode Ray tube.
Sean: Cathode
Ray tube. Uh, was developed when?
Tracker: 1897.
When was the first televised broadcast?
Sean: 1956.
Tracker: Close,
‘36.
Sean: Yeah,
only two decades off.
Tracker: Hey,
cut yourself some slack. This is hard stuff to remember. You’re doing that
wrong. Come on let me. (Sean gets up + goes to sit where Tracker was) So Mom
called. She’s off the booze.
Sean: Good for
her.
Tracker: Yeah,
well, I’m just warning you because she wanted to talk to you. Which means she’s
gonna be calling back and…
Sean: And she
‘s gonna wanna talk to me about moving back with them to Wasaga Beach. Well, it’s not gonna happen, all right? Forget it.
Tracker: Sean…
Sean: I’m not
moving back! (Knocks over some cans)
Tracker: Hey!
Take it easy. Use some of those tricks they taught you.
Sean: Ok, you
know what? You are not my social worker, okay? Just…
Tracker: Look,
don’t worry about Mom, okay? You just keep your nose clean, get good grades,
and everything will be okay. All right?
Sean: All
right.
Cut to:
Degrassi- Hall
JT: This Media
Immersion test is gonna kill me. So dead they’ll have to check my dental
records, my DNA…
Toby: Will you
stop being so melodramatic for once, please?
Emma + Liberty show up.
JT: I am not
melodramatic.
Liberty: JT, try studying, it helps.
Sean shows up.
Sean: Emma, you
said you’d help me study for the test, right?
Emma: Sure, I’d
love to. Are you worried about Media Immersion?
Sean: Big time.
Sean + Emma
leave.
Liberty: Oh, Mr. Simpson. 20th
century media history is a major component of this test. Do we need to know
anything before that, like the Guttenberg Press?
Mr. Simpson:
No, Liberty, just what we studied.
Liberty: Because I know the Guttenberg Press.
Mr. Simpson:
I’m sure you do, but I should…
Liberty: Now, math’s not my strong suit, but if
I want an A+ in Media Immersion, I’ll have to score about 92.48% on this test.
Does that calculation sound right to you?
Mr. Simpson:
Did you guys hear Mr. Raditch call me? Yeah, I think I heard him call me. (He
leaves)
Cut to: Hall
Sean + Emma are
at his locker.
Jimmy: Hey,
Sean. Gonna miss that locker right?
Sean: What’s
that supposed to mean?
Jimmy: Nothing.
It’s just you’ll be moving to grade 8 next year, finally.
Sean: Yeah,
finally.
Jimmy: Yeah.
Cut to: Near
Grade 8 English
Spinner: Paige,
check this out. (He starts dribbling a basketball)
Paige: Spinner,
we’re gonna be late and Raditch is gonna expel you.
Spinner: So?
Anything to get me out of that English test.
Paige: I
thought you read all the books.
Spinner: Yeah,
once. And now I’m supposed to review them for the test? Forget it. I’ve done
enough reading.
Paige: Hurry
up. You know what a fascist Raditch is. (They start to walk in, but then back
out the door. We see they did Ms. Kwan is back)
Ms. Kwan:
Paige, Gavin. You’re late. I see some things haven’t changed. (She tells them
to go in. As they do, she laughs silently)
Cut to: Grade 8
English Class
Mr. R: And I
know I speak for all of Degrassi when I say welcome back, Ms. Kwan, we missed
you.
Ms. Kwan:
(shakes his hand) Thank you, Mr. Raditch. (He leaves) Ok then, where to start?
(Terri raises her hand) Yes Terri?
Terri: I know
it’s none of my business, but is everything all right?
Ms. Kwan: Yes.
My husband finished all his chemo and is getting better each day. Now how have
your tests been? (Kids make a sound as if to say “ Not that great”) Look on the
bright side, there’s only one test left, mine. (Oskar raises his hand) What’s
wrong, Oskar?
Oskar: (weakly)
I’m not feeling very well, Ms. Kwan. May I be excused? (She nods for him to go)
Ms. Kwan: I
hope Oskar’s not coming down with this flu. These bugs seem to flourish in
times of stress. (Spinner looks like he is forming a plan) Ok, let’s start our
review.
Cut to: Sean’s
Sean is getting
his stuff to study with Emma.
Sean: So I’ll
just grab my book.
Emma: Why don’t
we just study here instead?
Sean: Tracker
fixes motorcycles. It’ll be noisy.
Emma: Ok,
whatever. (They walk up the steps)
Sean: Would you
mind if you waited outside? My place isn’t like yours. It’s a dump.
Emma: Ok, sure.
I’ll wait right here. (When he goes inside, Tracker shows up)
Tracker: Hey.
So what are you doing here? New report for your school newspaper? Life on the
other side of the tracks?
Emma: No, I’m
waiting for Sean. We’re studying together tonight.
Tracker: What,
you think you’ll be a good influence on him or something? ‘Cause you are. He
hasn’t got into trouble this year. That’s good. So thanks.
Emma: Trouble?
What do you mean?
Tracker: Don’t
worry about it. It’s in the past. He’s a different kind of kid now. (Sean comes
outside)
Sean: What were
you guys just talking about?
Tracker:
Nothing. So you guys are going to study together?
Sean: Yeah.
Come on, Em. (They leave)
Cut to: Emma’s-
Kitchen
Emma is making
popcorn as they study.
Emma: Ok,
repeat after me: SHOOTBACK.
Sean:
SHOOTBACK. Is that on the test?
Emma: No I made
it up. The constants stand for the html text used in a webpage. S is for
starting, H for head, T for title, B for body, and C for closing. I added
vowels to make it easy to remember. SHOOTBACK.
Sean: you are
such a Liberty.
Emma: I am not.
It’s pneumonic.
Sean: All
right, Liberty. Whatever Liberty.
Emma throws a
towel at Sean. He throws it back at her. Then she throws it at him again.
Sean: You want
to mess with me? I’ll mess you up. I’m big trouble.
Emma: Yeah, I
heard.
Sean: You heard
what?
Emma: Just
Tracker said you got into trouble once. He didn’t give me the details.
Sean: Ok. Back
in Wasaga Beach, I got into a fight with this guy. Messed up his hearing pretty
bad.
Emma: You made
me deaf?
Sean: Yeah, in
one ear.
Emma:
Permanently?
Sean: I’ve not
proud of what I did, you know? Sometimes I just get really really mad… But I’m
working on it, ok?
Emma: And it
was a year ago, right?
Sean: Yeah.
Yeah, it was. What’s that smell?
Emma: Oh no,
the popcorn! How about we have corn nuts instead?
Cut to:
Degrassi- Media Immersion
The grade 7
class is about to take their test.
Emma: So are
you nervous?
Sean: Yeah.
Mr. Simpson:
(Claps his hands) Ok guys, as you all know your Media Immersion test will be
written on-line, which is very cool. So, you’re all on the Media Immersion test
page? Ok, click on the link which says “n it Review Test” and when it props
you, enter the password “broomhead” all lowercase. 45 minutes, the test will
automatically ends when time’s up. Good luck. (It shows Sean working on his
test)
Cut to: Grade 8
Math
Paige: Spinner,
I told you, I don’t want to hear your stupid ideas and getting sick on purpose
qualifies.
Spinner: Paige
you sure you’re not psychic? ‘Cause you just read my mind.
Terri sneezes.
Spinner: (To
Terri) Bless you. (He gets an idea so he goes over to Terri) (To Paige) I’ll be
right back.
Terri: Uh, not
a good idea Spinner. I think I have what Oskar had.
Spinner: What
kind of friend would I be if I let a silly little flu virus come between us?
Mr. Armstrong:
Sorry I’m late guys. I just finished marking your tests. And overall, I was
pleased. However, some scores were disappointing. (Hands Spinner his test)
Spinner: 51%?
Yes! Now I just have to get out of English, and high school, here I come.
Mr. Armstrong:
Terri, you know you’re not allowed to bring beverages into class, right?
Terri: Sorry,
Mr. Armstrong. I was just about to throw it out.
Spinner: Ah,
ah. I’ll do that for you.
Mr. Armstrong:
And Spinner when you’re done, take your seat. (He nods) Ok, the rest of the
results, Ashley, excellent work, 91%. Paige, good improvement, 84%. Jimmy, that
extra help paid off, you got 70%. (As Mr. Armstrong talks, Spinner moves his
finger around Terri’s drink + puts it in his mouth so he can get sick)
Cut to: Media Immersion
Emma is
watching Sean + sees that he is stressing over the test. He is typing when he
gets a message that says times up.
Sean: No, I’m
not done.
Liberty: 45 minutes remember?
Sean: But I’m
not finished.
Liberty: Time’s up. You’re locked out.
Cut to: hall
Emma: See,
Sean? It wasn’t so hard.
Sean: what are
you talking about? I didn’t even have time to finish. I failed.
Emma: Oh.
Sean: I was
right. I’m screwed.
Emma: Sean, you
don’t know that.
Sean: No Emma
you don’t know. Anything I have ever tried, I have failed.
Emma: Sean,
come on.
Sean: You know
what Emma? Just don’t talk to me, ok? Just leave me alone. (He goes down the
hall + gets out his anger by hitting his fist on a locker)
Cut to: Degrassi Hall- The next day
Jimmy: (To
Sean) Aw, what’s wrong? Forgot your combo? You should ask Spinner for one of
his Ritalin. Really helps sharpen the memory.
Sean: What was
a joke?
Jimmy: Yeah,
relax.
Sean: Don’t
push me, okay?
Jimmy: Dude,
what’s your problem?
Sean: What’s my
problem?
Jimmy: Yeah, you
don’t understand English?
Sean: So you
think I’m stupid?
Jimmy: No. I
think you’re a freak. (Sean pushes Jimmy up against some lockers then he pushes
Sean)
Mr. Armstrong:
Hey, hey, guys. Guys, what’s going on here?
Sean: Nothing,
we’re just playing around.
Mr. Armstrong:
Well, tone it down, all right? (Sean nods + Mr. Armstrong walks away)
Sean: (Pushes
Jimmy again) I’ll see you after school. (He leaves)
Cut to: Ms.
Kwan’s
We see Spinner
running in the hall several times.
Spinner: Ms.
Kwan, I don’t feel so good. (She feels his forehead)
Ms. Kwan:
Gavin, you’re burning up. You better go see the nurse. (Spinner leaves as
Ashley + Jimmy walk in)
Ashley: Jimmy,
you can not fight Sean.
Jimmy: The
psycho started it the minute he got back to Degrassi. Guess what? I’m gonna end
it.
Paige: I heard
he got sent back from Wasaga because he got in a fight with a kid and deafened
him in one ear.
Hazel: So is it
true? Are you really gonna fight Sean?
Cut to: Media
Immersion
Mr. Simpson is
calling role.
Mr. Simpson: Liberty Van Zandt?
Liberty: Here.
Mr. Simpson:
James Tiberius York?
JT: It’s JT and
I’m still here, despite how hard that Media Immersion test was.
Mr. Simpson:
Thank you, JT. Too much information. And that just leaves Sean. (As he says
that, Sean walks in late) Sean you’re late.
Sean: Yeah,
like it’s the end of the world.
Mr. Simpson:
No, but it is the end of your lunch hour, which you’ll now be spending with me.
Sean: Great.
Cut to: Nurse’s
Office
The nurse is
taking Spinner’s temperature.
Nurse: 98.6.
Normal body temperature.
Spinner: What?
But I’m burning up.
Nurse: (Feels
Spinner’s head) Well, you’re a little warm. ‘Course you could have been running
around.
Spinner: Nurse
Henderson, I’m appalled that you would even suggest such a thing. Maybe that
space age thermometer, like, not working right.
Nurse: Well,
there’s one tired and true method. Full proof. (Takes some gunk and a Q-tip
over to Spinner)
Spinner: Um,
what are you doing? I don’t want that gunk in my mouth.
Nurse: Not
going in your mouth. (Spinner gets up fast)
Spinner: You
know what? I’m feeling a lot better, all of a sudden. Really. (He leaves)
Cut to: English
Class
Spinner walks
back in.
Ms. Kwan: No
note from Mr. Henderson?
Spinner shrugs.
Ms. Kwan pulls
him aside after passing out tests.
Ms. Kwan:
Gavin, we both know what you tried to pull just now.
Spinner: Ms.
Kwan, I…
Ms. Kwan: I’m
gonna keep this between us. Part of your fresh start. In exchange, you hear me
out. You’re not a dumb kid, but the stuff you pull around here is. If you
channel all of that energy into your schoolwork, you could be a good student.
Spinner: but,
Ms. Kwan. These tests, they freak me out. It must be my ADD.
Ms. Kwan: Have
you taken your Ritalin?
Spinner: Of
course.
Ms. Kwan: Then
it’s not your ADD. Gavin, I’ll tell you what to do. You stop avoiding, you
breath, you focus, and you take this test, one question at a time. (He sits
down) Class, you have 45 minutes. And, go.
Cut to: Media
Immersion.
Mr. Simpson: I
should have your tests back to you guys by tomorrow. (The bell rings) Ok, off
to lunch. Except Sean. (Everyone else leaves) (To Sean) What’s going on?
Sean: I’m just
being myself, a failure.
Mr. Simpson:
Sean, you are not a failure.
Sean: Oh no? I
totally screwed up that test.
Mr. Simpson:
How do you know? I haven’t even marked it yet.
Sean: Don’t
bother. I failed. It’s my life.
Mr. Simpson:
What do you mean that’s your life?
Sean: Just the
way it is.
Mr. Simpson:
Well I guess if you believe that, then that’s the way it’s gonna be.
Cut to: Hall
Spinner: Oh
yeah! Who’s the king of the world? Yes! (Singing) I passed the test.
Ms. Kwan: I
assume it went well, Gavin?
Spinner: I had
no idea I knew as much as I did.
Ms. Kwan: so
you see what good things happen when you focus?
Spinner: I owe
it all to you, Ms. Kwan. (She leaves + Jimmy + Ashley show up) Hey, where are
you two going?
Ashley: Sean
Cameron wants to fight Jimmy. It’s not gonna happen.
Spinner: Dude,
you’re walking away from…(Sean shows up)
Sean: Jimmy,
let’s go.
Jimmy: Look
man, we don’t have to do this. It’s stupid.
Sean: Man, no
wonder Armstrong cut you from the team.
Jimmy: He cut
me because you got in my way and faked an injury.
Sean: Yeah,
whatever.
Jimmy: You
wanna fight? Then let’s fight. I’ll meet you in the alleyway.
Ashley: Jimmy,
if you do this, don’t expect me to watch.
Jimmy: Fine.
Just gonna be ugly anyway.
Cut to: alley-
Jimmy/Sean fight
Lots of people
show up to watch
Emma: Sean,
stop it.
Sean: Get out
of here, Emma.
Jimmy: Emma,
just go.
Emma: What if
Raditch finds out?
Sean; We’re off
school property.
Emma: Please,
before it gets too serious. (Jimmy + Sean start to fight)
Crowd: Fight!
Fight! (They shove each other until Sean hits Jimmy)
Sean: What are
you going to cry now Jimmy, huh? (Jimmy goes at him + they start to really
fight)
Emma: Sean,
leave him alone.
Sean: Emma, get
out of here! (He pushes her down) Emma, Emma. I…I’ sor…
Cut to:
Outside- The Next Day
Jimmy: The
coward walks away, after picking the fight and throwing his own girlfriend to
the ground.
Terri: Sean did
that to Emma?
Jimmy: Uh huh.
Total coward.
Ashley: Yeah
and you’re so brave for getting in a fight.
Jimmy: Ash,
come on.
Terri: (To
Paige, she shows up when Jimmy + Ashley leave) Hey. How was Kwan’s test?
Paige: Brutal.
You’re luck you missed it.
Terri: Missed
it? I have to do it today after school. A make-up one.
Probably
harder.
Spinner: Aw,
really? Poor Ter.
Terri: Gee,
thanks for the sympathy.
Spinner:
Today’s just too beautiful. Got my worst subject out of the way, it’s the
weekend, and my dad scored these amazing- (He sneezes)
Terri: Uh
that’s exactly how my flu started.
Spinner: It’s
some dust (Sneezes again)
Terri: Poor
Spinner.
Paige: Maybe
we’ll see you on Monday, when you’re not so contagious. (They leave)
Spinner: Guys,
come on. I’m fine. (Sneezes) Oh no. Oh no.
Cut to: hall
Mr. Simpson
catches up with Sean
Mr. Simpson:
Sean. Some good news. I finished marking and you did well.
Sean: What?
Mr. Simpson:
It’s your best mark yet. Pulled your grade up to a B-.
Sean: But I
didn’t finish.
Mr. Simpson:
So? You aced the rest. It was a good job, you should be proud of yourself. You
learned from this, ok? (He leaves)
Emma + Manny
walk by.
Sean: Emma.
Emma. Please stop. (She stops + Manny leaves) Emma. Yesterday was wrong, okay?
I just got my mark back from Mr. Simpson. I passed after all. I should have
listened to you. I’m sorry.
Emma; Yeah, so
am I. (She leaves)
End credits