Higher Ground
Episode 15: Exposed
Original Airdate: 28-APR-2000
Written by Bruce Miller, Directed by Alan Simmonds
© Transcribed by: Amy for Safe On Higher Ground.
Posted on http://twiztv.com.
SUMMARY: An undercover reporter comes to Horizon to find reasons why the school should be closed down. When the students find out, they make up far-fetched stories. Scott and Daisy realize Shelby’s "stories" of prostitution are true.
OPENING: A car is driving down the road. A MAN (MR. DOUGLAS) is driving a GIRL (ANGELA), probably in mid-twenties, but looks much younger. She has on a lot of makeup and braided hair extensions.
MR. DOUGLAS: Well, I may be a lowly editor, but I still think it’s not enough of a story. Not big enough for Blake to move it to Metro.
ANGELA: It will be, when I write it. If I’ve learned anything in journalism school, you have to dig out the great story. They don’t fall into your lap!
MR. DOUGLAS: One kid overdosed, Angela. Its not...
ANGELA: Three. There have been three deaths at Horizon. These so-called wilderness therapy schools are a joke. They charge huge tuition and then put all these druggies and sociopathic kids together, then they tromp them off into the woods and call it therapy!
It’s a scam! This is going to be my first big byline press, and I’m going to nail it. (Puts on some more lipgloss.)
END SCENE.
IN LODGE. KATHERINE is looking at a photo album of people standing on top of a mountain next to different flags. PETER walks in.
KATHERINE: Peter!
PETER: Yeah?
KATHERINE: I want to try Dog’s Peak again.
PETER: Oh, Kat, its kinda late in the season. There could be snow up there by now.
KATHERINE: I know, but I really want to plant my flag on that mountain before I graduate. Please. If I can convince the other Cliffhangers to help me.
SOPHIE: (just coming in.) Excuse me. Peter, the new admit is on her way.
PETER: Good. Can you handle it?
SOPHIE: Really?
PETER: Yeah. (SOPHIE jerks her head for PETER to meet with her. To KATHERINE.) Just a second.
SOPHIE: I’ve never done an admit solo before.
PETER: You’ve sat through at least a dozen with me, Soph. There always gotta be a first time. I wouldn’t ask you if I didn’t think you were ready.
KATHERINE: Peter...please... (Looks pleadingly at him. SOPHIE looks between them, wondering what she’s talking about.)
PETER: Dog’s Peak.
SOPHIE: I think she’s ready.
PETER: So do I.
KATHERINE: (Jumps up with happiness.) Yes!
PETER: If - if, you can convince the others. I gotta go. (KATHERINE continues to dance around a little out of happiness.)
END SCENE.
OUTSIDE LODGE. SOPHIE walks outside of the lodge.
SOPHIE: Mr. Douglas? (shakes his hand.) I’m Sophie Becker. Welcome to Horizon.
MR. DOUGLAS: Thank you. This is...Amanda. (AMANDA is sitting in the passenger seat, looking straight ahead with a scowl on her face.)
SOPHIE: Would you mind stepping out and joining us? This is all about you, so might want to know what’s going on.
AMANDA: Who cares?
SOPHIE: Well, you, I hope. It’s your life we’re talking about. (AMANDA unwillingfully steps out of the car.) Thank you.
END SCENE.
IN BATHROOM. AMANDA is taking off all her heavy clothes to be inspected, and we see she has a tattoo. She also takes off her jewelry. She washes her face and takes out the hair extensions.
END SCENE.
IN FRONT OF LODGE. SOPHIE and MR. DOUGLAS are heading back to his car.
MR. DOUGLAS: She just isn’t Amanda anymore. Drugs, petty theft, I just can’t control her anymore.
SOPHIE: And how long has this behavior been going on?
MR. DOUGLAS: About six months. I don’t even know what brought it on.
SOPHIE: Mr. Douglas, all your paperwork seems to be incomplete.
MR. DOUGLAS: Yeah. I know, I’m sorry. I’m getting her school records and her probation report. Miss Becker, I just want to keep her safe right now. I’ll get you the paperwork.
SOPHIE: Of course. I understand.
MR. DOUGLAS: Your tuition is pretty steep here.
SOPHIE: Yeah, it is. But believe me, this school is very costly to run. If it’s a problem, we’ll be able to work something out. And Mr. Douglas, don’t worry. We’ll take good care of Amanda.
MR. DOUGLAS: Thank you. (He gets in his car and drives off.)
BACK IN THE BATHROOM, AMANDA is putting on a more conservative outfit.
END SCENE.
OPENING CREDITS.
QUOTE: "I’m giving you a longing look...Everyday I write the book."
- Elvis Costello
THE LODGE. SOPHIE is leading AMANDA into the lodge.
AMANDA: Well, I’m not cooking or cleaning anything.
SOPHIE: That’s fine. Then you don’t eat. Cause and effect. That’s what you learn around here. Peter, this is Amanda Douglas. This is Peter Scarbrow, the director of Horizon. (PETER holds out his hand, but AMANDA doesn’t take it.)
PETER: Hi, Amanda, nice to meet you.
AMANDA: Don’t cry if I don’t feel the same.
PETER: Don’t worry, I won’t. First lets get you settled in. Kat, do you mind bringing Amanda over to the Cliff’s girls’ dorm?
KATHERINE: Sure.
PETER: You’re gonna have some supervised quiet time so you can get used to the place. The other Cliffhanger girls are going to be hiking up to Dog’s Peak tomorrow.
AMANDA: Then I want to go, too.
SOPHIE: You really should stay here and get acclimated.
AMANDA: I’m not staying in an empty dorm alone. And besides, I’ve been backpacking before.
PETER: It’s a tough hike. You sure you can handle it?
AMANDA: There’s nothing I can’t handle.
SOPHIE: Well, good. Great.
PETER: Uh, yeah. (To KATHERINE.) Please? (She nods and takes AMANDA to the dorm.) Thanks, Kat. (After they leave.) That’s weird, huh? She WANTS to go for a hike? New kids never want to do anything.
END SCENE.
GIRL’S DORM. KATHERINE and SHELBY are sitting up on a bed, with JULIETTE and DAISY’S heads on pillows in their laps.
KATHERINE: In the history of the school, only 25 kids have made it to the top.
SHELBY: I can’t even believe you want to do it. I mean, you can graduate without planting a stupid flag on top of a mountain.
KATHERINE: Its just symbolic. Its about pride, Shel. Personal achievement. (AMANDA walks in.) You know, why do people run marathons or climb Mt. Everest?
DAISY: Because they’re masochists. I mean, they live for pain and they love every second of it. And they think I’m weird!
SHELBY: You’re right.
AMANDA: Do a lot of kids get hurt on these hikes?
KATHERINE: Accidents happen sometimes. Usually nothing serious.
JULIETTE: I fell into a cave once. And this kid Ezra fell off a bridge.
SHELBY: That’s when Peter started calling this place "Clumsy High."
AMANDA: He jokes about it! I heard a kid died here a couple of months ago.
SHELBY: So, what, you collect dead kid stories, is that your thing?
DAISY: I like her already!
KATHERINE: Okay, you guys. Get some sleep. We’re outta here at first light. (SHELBY pushes DAISY off with the pillow.) Hey guys, thanks for supporting me on this one. (They all go to their own beds.)
END SCENE. Shot of the dark night, the river, and the sun rising over the mountains.
STORAGE SHED. SCOTT and SHELBY are kissing, then SCOTT stops.
SCOTT: How come every time I want to talk, you just want to do this?
SHELBY: Because this is so much better than talking.
SCOTT: No, no it isn’t. Not always. What I mean, is, I’ve told you all my worst stuff. (SHELBY looks uncomfortable.) You haven’t told me single thing about your life. Now, I’ve been patient and all, but, I wanna know. I’m serious. It’s only fair, right?
SHELBY: You talk too much. Besides, there’s nothing to tell. (The continue to kiss. They are interrupted by KATHERINE coming in.)
KATHERINE: Let’s get the rest of this stuff packed.
SHELBY: Translated that means: Thanks for helping me out on this moronic trip, Shelby, I really appreciate it.
KATHERINE: Thank you for helping me out on this moronic trip, Shelby. I really appreciate it. I do. Really. Now, come on, we’re wasting daylight.
END SCENE.
IN LODGE, the CLIFFHANGERS are packing their bags on the floor.
KATHERINE: Come on, guys. We gotta get this stuff packed. Ten minutes.
SHELBY: (Sits down next to DAISY on the couch.) Why does he always want to talk so much?
DAISY: Well, you could be honest with him. Radical.
SHELBY: You think if you tell everybody about whacking daddy with a seven iron they’ll leave you alone. (Closes her backpack.) You have your hiding place. I’ve got mine. (Leaves.)
AMANDA: What’s her damage?
DAISY: (Obviously doesn’t like AMANDA.) Something deeper than you can fathom.
AMANDA: Yeah, like what? I bet she has a really twisted story, huh?
DAISY: (Snaps.) Do you want to see something twisted?
AMANDA: Okay! Relax.
JULIETTE: So what’d you do? Drugs, running away...
AMANDA: None of your business. What about you?
JULIETTE: Cutter and binge-purge queen. Sold out pills to half the girls in my class. Messed myself up on laxatives and ended up in the hospital. Twice...What?
AMANDA: I don’t know, you just don’t look like that.
JULIETTE: Do you want to see the scars? (AMANDA gives her a weird look.) Its kinda weird here at first, but the initial panic wears off.
AMANDA: Do I look panicked? (JULIETTE ignores the comment and continues packing.)
PETER: (Enters and throws a lose shirt to the pile.) Shelby.
SHELBY: Yes, my Captain.
PETER: You have a phone call. Its your mother.
SHELBY: (Sobers up a little and goes to answer it. SCOTT watches her leave.)
END SCENE.
FRONT DESK. Phone is lying on the counter. PETER and SHELBY enters from outside.)
PETER: Its right there.
SHELBY: Hi mom...I’m fine...Okay...No. Okay...(Dial tone is heard and she hangs up the phone.)
PETER: Well?
SHELBY: My step-father had a heart attack.
PETER: I’m sorry, Shelby. How is he?
SHELBY: Not dead. He’s in the hospital.
PETER: Your mother must be...overwhelmed, huh? You go pack up, and I’ll make arrangements for you to get back home. (Heads for the phone.)
SHELBY: No. I’m going to Dog’s Peak with everyone else. (PETER hesitates.) What, you going to make me go home?
PETER: No, not if you don’t want to.
SHELBY: Okay. (Leaves, PETER follows.)
END SCENE.
OUTSIDE, IN THE WOODS. The CLIFFHANGERS are following KATHERINE.
AMANDA: (Walking with EZRA.) So, I heard you fell off a bridge and into the river.
EZRA: Ah, it wasn’t any biggie. 50 feet?
AMANDA: Really? Wow, isn’t that Peter guy supposed to make sure things like that don’t happen?
EZRA: Well, he wasn’t there. It was my fault anyhow.
SHELBY: (Walking with PETER.) So, is this the ‘do you want to talk about it’ moment?
PETER: I know you never got along with your stepfather, but maybe if I knew how you feel...
SHELBY: You want to know how I feel? I feel like being left alone. (Walks ahead.)
KATHERINE: (At the head of the group, to AMANDA. Helps her over a log.) You okay?
AMANDA: I’m alright. (Although she looks exhausted.)
KATHERINE: Hey, everyone, take a break for five minutes, and I mean five minutes!
AMANDA: (Out of breath.) Anyone ever die on these hikes?
PETER: Not here.
AMANDA: But they fall off bridges and into caves and down mountains.
PETER: (Hands her a water.) Stay hydrated. Take your time. You’ll be fine. (Walks away.)
DAISY: (Sitting next to SCOTT, watching as SHELBY sits down away from the group.) She’s a puzzle, isn’t she?
SCOTT: I don’t know what I did to make her so mad.
DAISY: Did it ever cross your mind that maybe it isn’t about you?
SOPHIE: (Sitting with PETER away from the group.) Do you think Shelby should be alone like that? I think I’ll walk with her.
PETER: Soph, No.
SOPHIE: I’m not gonna push...
PETER: Soph, she just wants to be alone. Lets respect that.
SOPHIE: But if she’s out here and her stepfather dies, then how’s she gonna feel?
PETER: Relieved, probably.
SOPHIE: What?! (PETER nods.) Peter, not Shelby. There’s nothing about abuse by her step-father in her record.
PETER: It’s not in the records. It’s in her eyes. It’s been in her eyes since the first day she came here.
KATHERINE: We’re ahead of schedule!
PETER: Good. Give me your map.
JULIETTE: Why are you taking away her map?
KATHERINE: Obstacles. Right? Every time you think things are going great, life throws you more obstacles.
PETER: You can count on that. Map, please. (KATHERINE hands him the map.) Thank you. Three minutes.
A LITTLE LATER. Its nighttime now, and the CLIFFHANGERS are setting up camp and sitting around the fire. SHELBY is sitting alone, making dinner, and SCOTT walks up to her.
SCOTT: I’m starved! Kat doesn’t seem to sure. Do you think she knows where she’s going?
JULIETTE, AMANDA, EZRA, and AUGGIE are sitting around the fire.
AMANDA: So, where can a new kid get some...pharmaceuticals?
JULIETTE: Nowhere around here. People sneak things in sometimes, but Peter always catches them.
EZRA: Peter’s like one of those dogs at the airport. ‘Course he didn’t know I could pick locks. I broke in to the supply closet. Huffers heaven.
AMANDA: I’m screaming for a taste. You’ve got to let me know if anyone gets something. So, um, where do you go...you know?
JULIETTE: Potty hole’s down the trail. Yucky. (Waits for AMANDA to leave.) I approve, she’s nice.
AUGGIE: Yeah, too nice.
DAISY: You know, back at my high school there was a girl just like her. She made friends with everyone, asked lots of questions...carried a badge.
EZRA: A nark. Very interesting.
AUGGIE: You guys watch way too much TV.
OTHER FIRE. SCOTT is holding SHELBY’S hand, but she pulls it away.
SCOTT: (Getting annoyed.) What’s up with you, huh?
SHELBY: Nothing, I just want to be left alone, okay?
SCOTT: Okay. (He leaves.)
LATER THAT NIGHT. SCOTT, AUGGIE, EZRA, DAISY are in a tent together talking about AMANDA.
SCOTT: A nark? No way, man.
EZRA: She was, like, grilling us about fuming. (A/N: Sorry, I couldn’t understand the word.)
DAISY: All she does is ask questions.
EZRA: Smells like a badge to me.
AUGGIE: Does Peter know?
DAISY: Of course he knows. She’d have to get his approval to get in here.
SCOTT: No, no, no, no. He’s way to upfront for that.
AUGGIE: Then maybe he doesn’t know.
DAISY: Well only she knows who knows. Now we know, but she doesn’t know we know. (Gets a weird look on her face, trying to figure out if she just made sense.)
END SCENE.
NEXT DAY. The group is packing up camp, taking down tents.
AUGGIE: Man, this is WAY to early to be getting up.
KATHERINE: Come on, come on, we have to make miles.
EZRA: You have to make miles. We’re just your cheer bus.
PETER: (Going to help AMANDA with the tent.) Here, Amanda, let me help you with that. All your dad told Sophie is that your behavior has changed radically in the last few months. We’re not going to see your school record or your probation report until Monday. Do you mind telling me what I’m going to find?
AMANDA: You tell me. Your not a doctor, are you?
PETER: I’m not a psychiatrist, no.
AMANDA: Psychologist?
PETER: No, but I’m licensed by the state to do what I do.
AMANDA: What you do is play around with people’s heads, right? Ever mess up? Ever make a kid "off" himself?
PETER: (Beginning to see what AMANDA is doing.) Yeah, I’ve lost kids, it hurts.
AMANDA: I’ll bet.
PETER: What about you, Amanda? Have you ever lost someone you care about? Hm?
AMANDA: Yeah. I had a turtle once. My dad stepped on him.
PETER: Your dad also said your doing a lot of drugs. What were you in to?
AMANDA: Anything I could get my hands on.
PETER: Like what? Acid, glass, speed, jo-jo, danks? What?
AMANDA: All of them.
PETER: Really.
AMANDA As much as I could. I really don’t feel like talking.
PETER: Okay. We’ll just talk later. (AMANDA smirks and walks off.)
SOPHIE: Jo-jo, danks? What are those?
PETER: I don’t know. I made them up.
LATER. The group is about to leave their campsite.
PETER: All right. No more tents, Kat, from here on out. You just dropped them in the river by mistake.
AUGGIE: Aw man, but what if it rains?,br>
KATHERINE: Then we build some shelters.
PETER: I like your style Kat. Not gonna let me rattle you, huh?
KATHERINE: No way. Lets get moving!
DAISY: (In a falsely nice voice to AMANDA.) Are you okay there, Mandy? Only seventeen miles today! Its fun in the great outdoors, huh? (They walk off.)
SCOTT: Do you need some help?
SHELBY: No. She does.
SCOTT: The other guys think she’s a nark. Daisy wants to mess with her head.
SHELBY: Please. What’s she gonna bust us out here for, beef jerky?
SCOTT: Do you want to walk together?
SHELBY: Look. Don’t confuse a joke for an invitation that I want company.
LATER. CLIFFHANGERS are making their way up the mountain. AMANDA sits to take a break and doesn’t have any more water.
AMANDA: (Hands PETER the empty bottle.) Thanks. (Continues on.)
PETER: Your welcome.
SOPHIE: Do you really think she and her father lied to get her in?
PETER: If that was her father.
SOPHIE: Well, why would they?
PETER: To investigate us, should have something to do with Isaac Wilton.
SOPHIE: She’s a cop?!
PETER: No, with State Regulatory Agency. They have undercover investigators.
SOPHIE: Well, I hope your wrong. The kids have been spilling their guts to her.
PETER: Doesn’t matter. We got nothing to hide.
SOPHIE: Wish we could say the same about Shelby.
PETER: She’ll talk when she’s ready. All we can do is support, not push.
SOPHIE: Yeah, but wow much longer do you think she can carry all that pain?
PETER: As long as she has to.
AT THE RIVER.
KATHERINE: I’ve never made it this far! (Hugs PETER. They look at the river for a few seconds before hiking back up to camp.)
AT CAMP.
KATHERINE: We were flooded out once. Another time my group gave up because we had to go fourteen miles one day. But you guys have kept up. I’m so proud of you guys. There will probably be some more obstacles (PETER makes a funny noise.) but we’ll get past them.
SOPHIE: All right, Kat! (EVERYONE claps and whistles.)
PETER: Amanda, do you have anything to say to the group?
AMANDA: (crosses her arms) I don’t know you people why should I tell you anything?
DAISY: (Falsely nice.) Oh, come on, Mandy. Tell us some deep, personal secrets. You can trust us. But can we trust you?
AMANDA: I don’t have anything to say.
PETER: Okay. Anybody else?
SCOTT: Amanda’s right. You know, you open up to someone, tell them your secrets. Then they don’t want to talk to you anymore, so...
PETER: Do you have an issue you’d like to address, Scott?
SCOTT: I just did.
SHELBY: (Trying to keep her cool.) My step-father had a heart attack.
SCOTT: (Feels guilty.) I didn’t know, okay, I’m sorry. You must feel like -
SHELBY: Don’t. Tell. Me how I feel. He’s just some guy that married my mom. That’s all. Just an extra plate at dinner. I don’t even know him. (Gets up and walks away. SCOTT gets up to follow, SOPHIE gets up at the same time.)
PETER: Soph...
SCOTT: (Following SHELBY, who is walking quickly down the path.) Is he okay? Is he still in the hospital, what?
SHELBY: I don’t care. I hope he dies. I’ve prayed for it my whole life. (Turns away but stays put.)
SCOTT: There’s something your not telling me.
SHEBLY: What? No.
SCOTT: You have to tell me what happened.
SHELBY: I don’t have to tell you anything.
SCOTT: (Realizing what happened to SHELBY.) He did it to you. The same thing that happened to me. He abused you, he molested you...
SHELBY: No!
SCOTT: Its not your fault. (Turns her to face him.) Look at me, all right? You have to tell me what happened.
SHELBY: Just stay out of my life!
SCOTT: No, I’m just going to stay -
SHELBY: (Cuts him off by turning on him and hitting him.) Just get away...get away from me! Just get out of my life! (SHELBY runs back to camp and starts destroying it, throwing pots and pans around. PETER tries to grab her and hug her to calm her down but she throws herself out of his grip. She calms down a little, and SOPHIE steps forward and pushes the hair out of her face and hugs her. The CLIFFHANGERS join in on the hug. Meanwhile, SCOTT watches on, trying not to cry, and walks away.)
END SCENE. COMMERCIAL BREAK.
BY THE RIVER. SHELBY is getting some water from the river, and DAISY comes up behind her and is there when she stands up.
SHELBY: Leave me alone. I’m not going to talk about it. (Tries to walk away but can’t because of the water bucket, so DAISY helps.) He makes touchdowns and dates cheerleaders and thinks it’s the world. He doesn’t know anything about the world, about me. If I talk to him I’ll tell him everything. I’ll just look into those sweet eyes, and I won’t be able to stop it from coming out. Once I start it’ll all come out and he’ll hate me forever. (They rest against an overhang.)
DAISY: (Puts an arm around SHELBY.) Its poison, you know. All of it. It eats you up inside. You know what’s going to happen to you if you don’t spit out that poison.
SHELBY: I’ll lose either way, if I keep it in or spit it out.
DAISY: Maybe. But maybe not.
END SCENE.
CAMPFIRE. That night. The CLIFFHANGERS and AMANDA are hanging out before they go to bed. They are telling stories to freak AMANDA out.
AUGGIE: Yeah, that foster home was really whacked. Making meth in the basement? I learned some cool stuff there, though.
AMANDA: You know how to make meth?
EZRA: Oh yeah, we all do. Simple chemistry, you know. Now refining smack...there’s an art.
SHELBY: You want to hear a really amazing one? When I was 15 I started running away, it was tough just staying alive. My best friend Patty, I watched her OD right in front of me.
EZRA: Come on, Shel. Tell the real story.
SHELBY: When things got hard - really bad - I started, um...well, I started turning tricks. It was easy money when I needed it. Just walk down the street, smile, and the men would… That’s when my mother found me and brought me here. (Pause.) I’m going to bed.
SCOTT: (Follows her.) Shelby? What was that?
SHELBY: Just having fun. Playing the ‘Mess with Amanda’ game.
SCOTT: That story you told, its nothing to joke about.
SHLEBY: Yeah, well, you handle it your way, and I’ll handle it mine.
END SCENE.
THE RIVER. The group has reached the river again and they need to cross it, but not along the bridge.
PETER: All right, campers! The bridge is washed out! You’re going to have to find another way across.
KATHERINE: Peter, this isn’t fair.
PETER: Overcoming obstacles, Kat, you’ve got a river to cross, how are you going to do it?
LOOKING DOWN AT THE RIVER.
KATHERINE: There’s only one way to cross it - high rolling.
AMANDA: Whats that?
EZRA: You stretch a line across
AUGGIE: Man, there’s nothing scarier.
AMANDA: You mean go across on a rope? That high? No way.
SCOTT: Okay, okay, okay. But how are we gonna get the rope across, huh?
KATHERINE: We’ll have to send somebody across to the other side to catch it.
AUGGIE: Not me. You know how cold that river is.
EZRA: Rivers and I aren’t exactly best friends.
SCOTT: Okay, I’ll do it!
KATHERINE: Thanks, but you guys have done enough for me already. Its my quest, I’ll do it. (To SCOTT.) Hey, do you think you can throw a ball of thin line across the gorge?
SCOTT: Are you kidding me?
KATHERINE: All right, lets go!
KATHERINE and SOPHIE are crossing the river, using sticks for stability. The CLIFFHANGERS are getting ready to go across.
SCOTT: There they are! (KATHERINE and SOPHIE are walking down to the edge of the other side and waves. The others wave and cheer.
SOPHIE: Whooo! (To KATHERINE.) Good girl! (She hugs KAT. SCOTT throws the line across and she catches it.) Way to go Scott! (The others cheer again as KATHERINE ties it around a thick tree, and the others hold the rope tight. KATHERINE and SOPHIE finish tying a knot in the rope.) Okay, tension!
SCOTT: All right, go! (The group hauls back on the line to make it taut.)
AMANDA: This looks kind of dangerous. Isn’t this why they have a bridge?
PETER: Sometimes you have to build bridges. Its about honesty.
DAISY: Isn’t he profound.
PETER: I do my best. Juliette, you’re up. Lets go! (Helps JULIETTE hook up to the rope.) Get ready, Amanda, your up next.
JULIETTE: You’ll be fine.
PETER: All right, hand over hand, lets go. (SCOTT is feeding the rope on one end while JULIETTE walks herself across, both feet in a harness and dragging herself across the rope over the river.
AUGGIE: That’a girl!
SOPHIE: Good girl, way to go! (Helps JULIETTE out of the harness.) All right! Give them a wave. (JULIETTE does. Everyone on the other side clap and cheer for her. PETER pulls the harness back for AMANDA, who is clearly uncomfortable about the situation.)
AMANDA: You know, I think I’m just going to go down and wade across, too.
AUGGIE: And what, miss one of Peter’s learning experiences?
PETER: All right Amanda, your up!
DAISY: Its like seeing your own mortality, isn’t it?
PETER: Foot up. (He secures AMANDA in the harness.) Okay, move yourself across, hand over hand. (Pats AMANDA’S helmet reassuringly. The CLIFFHANGERS call out encouragement.) Hand over hand, lets go. Keep moving! Good job, keep going!
AMANDA: (Her glove gets caught in the pully.) I’m stuck!
PETER: What’s wrong?
AMANDA: (Pulls her hand lose and one foot falls out of the foot harness and she hangs upside down. She squirms and kicks her legs around to get back up.) I’m falling! I’m falling! I’m falling!
COMMERCIAL BREAK.
PETER: Get yourself upright!
AMANDA: I can’t!
PETER: Get your leg in and turn yourself - (To SCOTT) Get the pulley. (SCOTT brings in the other pulley and PETER hooks himself up. SCOTT nearly lies on the ground to keep the tension right.)
SOPHIE: You’ll be okay, just don’t move.
PETER: (Pushes himself off the edge and slides over to AMANDA and pulls herself upright, then takes her to the other side.) Your okay now, your safe. Okay? Are you okay?
AMANDA: I thought I was going to die. Thank you.
PETER: No need to thank me, its my job. How about you?
AMANDA: What do you mean?
PETER: You got something to write about now? (AMANDA realizes they have found out.)
END SCENE.
OTHER SIDE. Everyone is taking a break after they have all gotten across the river. PETER offers AMANDA some water. SHELBY and DAISY sit on a log together.
SHELBY: A reporter? That (AMANDA) is just great.
PETER: You wanted to write an exposé, you should have come to up. We got nothing to hide.
JULIETTE: Or the truth
DAISY: She didn’t want the truth, she wanted a horror story.
AMANDA: This school is deadly and dangerous.
DAISY: Dangerous? When my mom came and picked me up from school, and every day she’d be drunk. On the ride home I’d have to close my eyes because I couldn’t watch. The world is dangerous. Horizon is the safest place I’ve ever been.
KATHERINE: This was my last chance.
AUGGIE: It still is, Kate. No poser like her is going to ruin it for you.
PETER: Auggie’s right. You’ve come this far, you’ve earned it.
KATHERINE: Thank you. Okay guys, saddle up!
SOPHIE: Why don’t you go ahead, I’ll stay here with her.
AMANDA: I know it’s a lot to ask, but do you mind if I tag along?
SOPHIE: You don’t deserve it. What Katherine’s doing takes courage, not deception. You might have fooled me, but you can’t fool them. They see you for what you are. Look, these kids have two things going for them: hope and guts. What have you got that even comes close to that?
PETER: Maybe – maybe we should let her come with us, see what we’re all about? (SOPHIE nods reluctantly.)
AMANDA: Thank you. (Gets up to leave.)
PETER: Hey. (Hands her the water bottle.)
SOPHIE: How did you know she was a reporter?
PETER: Just a hunch. The way she’s been hanging with the students, pumping them for information. Investigators are always more interested in the staff, than the students.
SOPHIE: You are good, aren’t you.
PETER: That’s what I’ve been told.
END SCENE.
OPEN PATH. The CLIFFHANGERS are on the tail end of KATHERINE’S journey.
KATHERINE: Are you tired? Its just up there.
EZRA: We’ll get our chance, Kate. Now its your turn.
KATHERINE takes off her pack and heads up the patches of snow on the peak to the top, where a line has been erected with 25 personal flags attached. The others sit down and watch. PETER follows her up. KATHERINE takes out her own personal flag and waves at everyone down below, and puts it on the line while PETER takes a picture then goes up to join her. Everyone claps and cheers.
END SCENE.
BACK ON CAMPUS. The CLIFFHANGERS are arriving back at camp and are greeted by applause and cheers by those standing around. KATHERINE is looks extremely happy with herself and everyone gives her a hug.
PETER: Do you have a ride coming, or do you need a cab?
AMANDA: Peter, our jobs aren’t that different. We both deal in the truth.
PETER: Yeah, since when is deception the truth?
AMANDA: Kids do die in these schools, and get hurt.
PETER: They die and get hurt everywhere. It doesn’t hurt any less in here than out there. (PETER sits next to her.) Look, Amanda, I can’t tell you what to write, but you have to ask yourself this question: Where would these kids go if there wasn’t a school like Horizon? Who shelters the battered, abused, the molested? Or if they lose themselves to drugs? You? Your paycheck? No. Its easy to sensationalize our feelings, I wish you could find a way to dignify our small successes.
AMANDA: Like Katherine’s?
PETER: That was no small success. That was lifetime achievement. But that will never see ink in your paper, will it?
END SCENE.
BY THE BOATHOUSE. SHELBY is unpacking her bag, PETER comes up.
PETER: Shelby. Your mother’s on the phone, you can take it in the lodge.
SHELBY: I don’t want to talk to her.
PETER: Shelby, look, your going to have to face it sometime.
IN THE LODGE. PETER walks SHELBY in, his arm supportively around her shoulders. SHELBY walks up the stairs to the phone and PETER waits for her.
SHELBY: Hey mom.
END SCENE.
OUTSIDE. MR. DOUGLAS is waiting against his car for AMANDA, who is walking up.
MR. DOUGLAS: You look like you’ve been through a war. Did you get your story?
AMANDA: No. Not the one I was after. Come on, I want a hot meal and an endless shower. (MR. DOUGLAS opens the door for her.)
END SCENE.
OUTSIDE LODGE. SHELBY closes the door to the lodge, trying not to cry. She sits on the stairs next to SCOTT.
SHELBY: He’s not dying. So much for answered prayers. (SCOTT just looks at her.) What?
SCOTT: That story you told the reporter, the story you made up about yourself. I know it’s the truth. Its what happened to you. I mean, you on the streets. (SCOTT hangs his head and SHELBY tries to hold his hand, but he moves it away.)
SHELBY: (Trying to not let it affect her.) Okay. (She gets up and goes back over to her bag and starts to open it. DAISY walks up.)
DAISY: Shelby, its not what you did, its his scar tissue.
SHELBY: Every day, in the shower, I stand there - every day. And I think, what a waste, what a waste, ‘cause I’m never going to get clean. The things I did, I can’t even touch my own skin. I don’t even understand it, how can he?
DAISY: He’ll try.
SHELBY: I had sex with men for money. Do you know what that makes me?
DAISY: A survivor.
SHELBY: He’ll never understand.
DAISY: Well, he’s not the one.
SHELBY: My friend Patty, the one that OD’d, you’re a lot like her.
DAISY: I’ll take that as a compliment.
SHELBY: It is. (They hug.)
END EPISODE.