01x12 - Wannabe

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Degrassi - Hall

Liberty is interviewing Paige, Hazel, and a guy named Oskar about Degrassi’s Spirit Squad

Oskar: Sorry I’m late.

Liberty: No problem, the interview isn’t over yet. Hazel, you were saying?

Hazel: Well, we’re a school Sanken club.

Paige: So now, it’s just a question of getting enough people to sign up, but they will, of course.

Liberty: Ok, what would you say to a student who thinks cheerleading is sexist?

Hazel: I’d say, get over it. Welcome to the new millenium.

Paige: Totally. I mean, cheerleading is such a positive thing. It’s great exercise.

Hazel: It builds leadership skills.

Oskar: It’s better than watching TV.

Paige: And it boosts school spirit. I mean, what’s bad about that?

Liberty: Thank you and good luck. (Liberty leaves)

Manny comes up to Paige and taps her on the shoulder.

Paige: Can I help you?

Manny: I’m Manny, I’d like to try out.

Paige: Ok, what can you do?

Manny goes to the end of the hall and does a great cartwheel.

Paige: (When Manny finishes) Manny, sweetie, sign right here.

Manny takes the clipboard, signs it, and gives it back to Paige with a smile.

Media Immersion

Paige is on the TV, talking about the Spirit Squad

Paige: School spirit, can you have enough? If you ask me, the answer is no. That’s why I’ve formed the Degrassi Spirit Squad. So come sign up, girls and boys. Give me a D! Give me an E! Give a G! Give me a R! Give me a A! Give me an S! Give me an S! Give me an I! What does that spell Degrassi! Whoo!

Emma: Give me a break. Cheerleaders? Please. (Manny nods as she watches)

Hall

Emma and Manny are walking.

Emma: It’s like we’re traveling back in time. Cheerleading is so over.

Manny: What? Cheerleading is huge, more popular than ever.

Emma: So are a lot of things that are just sexist and wrong.

Manny: How can it be sexist if there are guys?

Emma: I bet the guys won’t be wearing tight sweaters and mini skirts.

Manny: I hope not. Anyway, I was just thinking cheerleading might be fun.

Emma: Fun? Manny, you’re not thinking of…You want to become some pom-pom - pumping robot? I’m surprised.

Manny: Em…

Emma: Too tell you the truth, I don’t Degrassi should have a squad. Period.

Manny: Ok, forget it. You’re right. Can we talk about something else?

Another part of the hall.

JT and Toby are stuffing their faces with Pringles chips.

JT: I can’t taste them anymore. I can’t taste anything anymore.

Toby: it’s just the sodium. Keep going, faster.

Mr. R is going up the stairs and sees them.

Mr. R: What exactly are you two doing?

JT and Toby: Nothing. (They turn around and hurriedly finish eating)

He leaves

Cafeteria

Spinner is setting some food out. As he does, he notices JT and Toby are at a table with a lot of Pringles cans on it.

JT: Why don’t you trust me?

Toby: I don’t not trust you. I just want to make sure you didn’t overlook the Ace of Clubs.

JT: As if I’d overlook that.

Toby: You’re right. You didn’t. No luck. (Liberty walks by, eating Pringles) At 12:00, Liberty Van Zandt, chip can. (They run up to her)

Liberty: (They turn her around) What?

Toby: We can’t come over to say hi?

JT: Ok, we want your chip can. (Toby elbows him)

Toby: Shut up.

Liberty: Guys, what’s going on?

JT: It’s a contest. Get one can with the Ace of Spades and one with the Ace of Clubs. You win a million bucks.

Toby: We already have the Ace of Spades and it’s in a top secret hiding place.

JT: Yes, yes. Very top secret.

Toby: But, we still need the other half and the deadline’s in three days.

Liberty: You’ve been doing this how long?

Toby: Two months.

Liberty: Some advice: Find a dictionary and look up “Pathetic”.

JT: Can we just have your can?

Liberty gives it to them. Toby dumps the chips in JT’s hand and look inside. Then, puts his hand over it.

Toby: “Sorry, try again.” Like the rest of them.

Liberty: (Sees the inside) Try again?

JT: Liberty, wait. Liberty, let’s make a deal.

Emma and Manny

They are walking past Paige’s table with food.

Emma: So you’re still coming tonight to study right? (Manny nods)

Paige: Manny, there you are. Let’s see that awesome cartwheel again. (She doesn’t move) Come on, Manny. If you want to be on the Spirit Squad, you can’t be shy.

Manny puts her tray down and does the cartwheel.

Oskar: Still amazing. Hazel: Yeah, but her landing could have been smoother, if you ask me.

Paige: Better watch out, Manny. You’re making Hazel jealous. (Hazel laughs as if to say “yeah, right.”)

Girls Washroom.

Emma: Please. Paige? Hazel? Are you gonna like, do your colors like, together like?

Manny: Come on, Emma. They’re the coolest kids in school.

Emma: Mm-hmm.

Manny: And they like me, a grade 7. That’s a pretty big deal you know.

Emma: The big deal is no one in this school except me is pointing out the bad side of cheerleading.

Manny: Maybe because no one else feels the same way you do. Most people realize that it’s just good fun.

Emma: Well, maybe if my views were brought to the school’s attention…

Manny: What? Are you saying you’re gonna write another article for the Grapevine?

Emma: No. It’s not that big a deal.

Manny: Great. Can we just talk about something else for a while, please? (They leave the Washroom)

Library

Liberty: You’d have nothing without me.

JT: And you’d have nothing without us. 50/50, that’s our final offer.

Spinner: (Comes out from behind a bookshelf) Make that 45/45.

Toby: That only makes 90%.

Spinner: That’s right, Einstein. Plus, 10% for me.

Liberty: What for?

Spinner: For protection.

Toby: Protection? From who? The only people who know about this are me, JT, Liberty, and you. (Spinner backs him up against a curtain. Then, the bell rings)

Hall

Toby: Ok, JT will bring the Ace of Spades tomorrow.

Spinner: I’ll hold on to the Ace of Clubs in the meantime, for protection.

Toby: Then, we go cash in. One million smackers.

Outside

Manny is walking outside alone, when she runs into Paige and Hazel.

Paige: Hey, girl. Something wrong?

Manny: It’s Emma. She’s taking this whole cheerleading is sexism thing too far.

Paige: Really? How far?

Manny: She did say she might write something for the Grapevine.

Paige: You know what Manny needs, Hazel? Some time with the girls. Want to hang out?

Manny: (Hooking arms with Paige and Hazel) Wow. That would be amazing. My house is like 2 minutes from here.

Manny’s Room

Hazel is looking in her closet as they talk.

Hazel: I’d say an 8.

Manny: Hello, we’re talking about Joseph here. Try 9.

Paige: Try 4. He doesn’t wear deodorant. Major pointage loss on the scent factor. But, I guess we shouldn’t be rating boys. Perfect Little Emma would say it’s sexist.

Hazel: Just like cheerleading. (The phone rings)

Manny: Guys, it’s her.

Paige: Make sure she’s not writing the article Manny.

Manny: (She answers it) Hello?

Emma: Manny, where are you? I thought you were coming over tonight to study.

Manny: I was, but I’m not feeling too well. Must be a 24- hour flu.

Emma: Oh, well I hope you feel better.

Manny: Thanks. But, Em, I was just wondering, just to make sure, you’re not really going to write that article for the Grapevine?

Emma: I told you I wasn’t. Why?

Manny: (Whispers to Paige and Hazel) She’s not.

Paige: I mean, trying to protect the world from cheerleading? As if.

Emma: Did I hear Paige?

Manny: She’ll be leaving soon and then I’ll come by.

Emma: Don’t bother. (She hands up)

Manny: guys, she heard you. (Paige and Hazel don’t look like they care)

JT’s Room

His room is a mess because he can’t find the other can.

JT: I am toast.

Gym

The Spirit Squad is practicing.

All: Hey, all you Panthers fans. Show some spirit, clap your hands. D.C.S., let’s hear it. D.C.S. let’s hear it.

Hazel: Ok, let’s try this new move. It’s called The Toe Touch. I’ll show you. (She does a move that has her foot go up in the air) Ok?

Paige: Not bad, but let’s not get crazy here. Besides, I’m sure Manny could do it better.

Manny: I don’t know about that, girl.

Paige: Try.

Manny does the move, then does a split, waving the pom-poms over her head.

Paige: Manny, sweetie, you’re so going to be the star of the show. After me, of course.

The camera goes to the door, where we see Emma watching and then she leaves.

Room

Liberty is on a computer, when Emma knocks on the door.

Liberty: Emma, can I help you?

Emma: I know this is totally last minute, but I have an article here for the Grapevine.

Liberty: Emma, I’m just about to publish.

Emma: Please, just read it before you say no.

Liberty: (Takes it) “How can we advance as women if some of us insist on wearing short skirts and dancing like bimbos?” Wow. That’s harsh.

Emma: Really? I didn’t think it was strong enough. I could make it harsher.

Liberty: No, no. This is good. You do know that Manny signed up for the Spirit Squad? Isn’t it’s weird that you’re attacking it?

Emma: No, what’s weird is Manny. She’s totally becoming this phony person.

Liberty puts her feet up on the desk.

Emma: What are those?

Liberty: Aren’t they the most beautiful boots you’ve ever seen?

Emma: They are…they’re something.

Liberty takes something off one boot, then puts it back on the desk, smiling.

Hall

Manny is walking with Paige and Hazel

Paige: Manny, that last hand stand was flawless. Oh look it’s “Little Miss Save The World”.

Emma: And it’s “Little Miss Plastic”. Shouldn’t you out testing your make up on animals?

Paige: Shouldn’t you be out hugging trees?

Manny: Guys, come on.

Emma: Manny, you were asking about this. It’s coming out at noon.

Paige: “The spirit squad’s only spirit is the spirit of sexism.” Look what your little friend wrote. (Gives it to Manny)

Manny: Nice, Emma. So I’m a bimbo too. (She crumples it up then stomps away into the bath -room. Emma picks it up and follows her in.)

Girls Washroom

Emma throws the paper in the trash.

Manny: I can’t believe you wrote that article, Em. You’ve got to get Liberty to cancel it.

Emma: How long have we been friends?

Manny: Since Kindergarten.

Emma: And now you think you can drop me like a hot potato just because, ooh, some eighth grader is finally talking to you?

Manny: It’s not like that, Em. I want to become a cheerleader that’s all.

Emma: Please.

Manny: Is it so wrong if I become friends with Paige in the process?

Emma: You honestly think Paige is your friend?

Manny: Is that so hard to believe? That for once someone cool likes me?

Emma: She’s just using you, Manny.

Manny: no, you’re just jealous.

Emma: Jealous? Of that pretentious wannabe?

Manny: You know the difference between you and Paige? Paige is fun. You’re so boring sometimes I want to scream.

Emma: Well I sure hope you and Paige have fun together. Just don’t come drying to me when she stabs a Kn*fe in your back. (She leaves)

Manny: Don’t worry, I won’t.

Media Immersion

Emma goes in and sits down.

Toby: Please. I can afford it. It’s yours. Really. Take it. (A girl takes something Toby had in his hand and leaves)

JT: What are you doing?

Toby: It was cheap. I’m upgrading my whole electronics system.

JT: You want to stop doing that for a while.

Toby: Why? You do have the other can, don’t you? You lost the Ace of Spades?

JT: I didn’t lose it, I just misplaced it.

Toby: How could you misplace our chance at a million bucks?

JT: My mom went on one of her cleaning binges. I just can’t remember where I moved it to.

Toby: Well, think man think!

Liberty: Ah, my two favorite people. Anything wrong? (The bell rings)

Mr. Simpson: Ok, our last unit was on-line portfolios. (Manny comes in and sits down just as he closes the door) Today I’m going to introduce you to Photo shop. So you can begin to learn how to scan and edit images digitally. It’s amazing what these programs can do. You change hair color, eye color, whatever you want. Now, we’re going to take it slow at first because I don’t want you guys to get too caught up with playing around with the technology…

Bell rings

The Hall

P.A.: Students, remember to pick up a copy of the new edition of the Degrassi Grapevine, out now. And lunch today is Mongolian chicken stir-fry.

Manny is walking, when she sees Paige and Hazel take all the copies of The Grapevine and go in the gym. She follows them.

Gym

Manny: What you guys doing?

Paige: Just making some editorial changes (They start ripping out what Emma wrote of the Grapevine). Emma’s article is just horrible. I mean, it’s really going to hurt us. Here Manny, you do the next one. Normally I wouldn’t put stock in anything a grade 7 wrote, no offense.

Hazel: But we need 12 people for the squad and we only have 8. This article might convince people not to join.

Paige: And then, no spirit squad. I mean, you do want a spirit squad?

Manny: Of course.

Paige: Then prove it.

Manny takes the newspaper from Paige and rips out the article.

Paige: There. Was that so hard?

Outside

Toby: This can’t be happening. This can’t be happening. This can’t be happening. JT, when was the last time you remember having it?

JT: What are you, my mother? If I knew that, I’d have it right now. I lost it. So sue me.

Liberty: JT, if you find that can, or I will sue you. (Spinner is with her)

Toby: Spinner, shouldn’t you supposed to be at work?

Liberty: He has his priorities. And his priority right now is to hurt JT. I told him everything.

JT: Guys, I’ll make it up to you. I’ll be your sl*ve.

Spinner: Sorry, I don’t speak dork. JT, you’re gonna find that can if I have to stuff you in your locker-

JT: My locker. That’s it.

Hall

JT opens his locker and tries to find the can, throwing everything out that isn’t it on the floor.

JT: No, they’re not in there. It’s in a plastic bag. (Gets a blue bag) There it is. Ace of Spades, Ace of Clubs, we’re rich.

Spinner: (Looks at the cans) You moron, they’re both clubs? (Shows JT)

Toby: Oh no.

JT: Ace of Spades, Ace of Clubs, they’re so similar.

Spinner: I knew it was a mistake, hooking up with a bunch of loser grade sevens. (He leaves)

JT: Guys, come on. (Liberty and Toby stuff JT in his locker and closes it and leaves) Help, help!

Media Immersion

Paige is looking at designs for a cheer uniform with Manny and Oskar there.

Paige: I think I like the shorter skirts better, Oskar. In the blue and gold. Oh yeah, it’s it.

Manny: Yeah, I think that looks way better.

Emma and Mr. Simpson enter with the Grapevine newspapers.

Mr. Simpson: You guys know anything about this? (Shows the page where the article used to be)

Paige: Who would do something like that?

Emma: You tell me. My opinion piece was stripped out of every copy of the Grapevine.

Paige: Well, I nothing to do with it.

Mr. Simpson: No one’s accusing you, Paige. Even if it was, it was Emma’s critique of the Spirit Squad that was att*cked. I don’t have to tell you that vandalism could result in suspension. This is pretty serious.

Manny: (stands up) Mr. Simpson…

Paige: Let me, Manny. If anyone should tell you this Mr. Simpson, it should be me. As head of the Spirit Squad. But, we saw Hazel hanging around foyer earlier, acting suspicious.

Mr. Simpson: More incidents like this, and the school may question having extracirrculars activities at all, including the Spirit Squad. You got it? (Manny sits down)

Hall

Manny is at her locker.

Paige: So, two more people signed up. We’re really on our way.

Manny: Why did you do that? Why did you back s*ab Hazel?

Paige: Hello, I had to give up somebody and you were about to spill your guts. I was simply looking out for you.

Manny: Well, don’t, okay? Not if it means dragging me into your dirty work.

Paige: My dirty work? You were there, too.

Manny: Yeah, I ripped one newspaper.

Paige: One? More like all. Or at least that’s what I’ll tell Mr. Simpson if you don’t shut up.

Manny: Paige you were the one who…

Paige: Who’s he gonna believe? You or me?

Manny: Let’s go find out.

Paige: Manny, what is your damage?

Manny: You, Paige.

Paige: You better watch your mouth.

Manny: Or what? You’ll spread lies about me? Deface my locker? Just try it. (Moves closer to Paige and glares at her)

Girl: Whoa.

Girl # 2: Crazy.

Paige: F.Y.I: Your attitude sucks. Good luck making the squad. (She leaves in a huff, pushing people put of her way)

Manny leaves and we see Emma was watching.

Outside

Manny is outside her house when Emma approaches her.

Emma: Hey.

Manny: Hey.

Emma: Can I sit down?

Manny: Sure.

Emma: Manny, I wanted to apologize. I should have supported your cheerleading, not att*cked you.

Manny: Why? It’s just a bunch of stupid sexist idiot girls prancing around.

Emma: Manny I was wrong, I’m admitting it.

Manny: It’s just, all I wanted to do as have fun, Em. Then Paige took an interest in me. It all became so complicated. I’m sorry.

Emma: So what are you gonna do? About the Spirit Squad, I mean?

Manny: Give it up. Paige won’t want me anymore, not after what I said to her.

Emma: Manny, you’re good. Paige is mean, not dumb. She’s not gonna cut you from the squad. And besides, what you said, that was amazing.

Manny: You were there?

Emma: (nods) And you know? I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Manny smiles at her.

End