02x09 - What We Have Been Makes Us What We Are

[bunniefuu]

CLOCK TICKS

SHE GASPS

MEN CHATTER

- BIKE BANGS
- HORSE WHINNIES

- My heavens.
- My heavens!

- MARILLA: What was that?
- Who was that?

ANNE:
She was wearing pants!

- What do you mean, "pants"?
- Pants!

SHE GASPS

Oh, God.

No, no, no, no, no.

Peddling it is.

CHAIN CLUNKS
- SHE GROANS

Come on!
SHE GROWLS

Of all days...

SHE SIGHS
I can't believe this.

SHE SIGHS HEAVILY

SHE GROWLS

I'm so sorry I'm late!

Hello, I'm Muriel.

- Muriel Stacy.
- Good day, Miss Stacy.

I'm Mrs Harmon Andrews, welcome.

I'm afraid I lost track of the time.

I was decorating my new home.

You can use potatoes for so many things,
it boggles the mind, it really does.

And then my tardiness was compounded

when my motorbike broke down
on the way, and...

all of this to say:
please forgive my appearance

and my hopefully excusable delay.

Let's hope that's all we have to forgive.

MUSIC: "Ahead by a Century" by Tragically Hip
♪ First thing, we'd climb a tree ♪

♪ And maybe then we'd talk ♪

♪ Or sit silently ♪

♪ And listen to our thoughts ♪

♪ With illusions of someday ♪

♪ Cast in a golden light ♪

♪ No dress rehearsal ♪

♪ This is our life ♪

♪ You are ahead by a century ♪

- ♪ This is our life ♪
- ♪ You are ahead by a century ♪

DIANA:
And Mother was talking to Mrs Pye

and she said that the PMSC felt that
Miss Stacy is probably unsuitable.

ANNE:
But she rides a motorbike!

Miss Stacy seems modern and thrilling!

I heard she's a spinster.

I heard she's from the mainland.

Why would an unmarried woman
from the big city come here?

There's a scandal somewhere, you'll see.

Mother hated Miss Stacy on sight.

So did mine.

Here's a recipe for disaster:
show up an hour late.

Dressed like a man.

To tea with the Progressive Mothers.

She may as well have hung
a noose around her neck.

Don't disparage her
when you don't even know her.

I think she sounds spectacular.

I'm going to help pave the way
for Miss Stacy.

I know just how it is to be new
and judged harshly.

That fox is gonna be dead meat.

I think I'll make it into a hat.

Fox? What fox?

The one with the dark tail
that's been stealing chickens.

Well, there's no fox here
so how's about you put the g*n away?

I'd like to live to meet the new teacher.

SHE SIGHS
I just laid the world at your feet, didn't I?

- Good morning, everyone!
- ALL: Good morning.

Here you go, little lady.

My name is Miss Stacy.

Please take that g*n outside.
The classroom is no place for a w*apon.

Sure, I was... just about to do that.

Miss Stacy is my new ideal!

What a pretty room! So many windows!
I love to see green...

She seems to be a kindred spirit!

Alright, let's get to know each other!

Please stand up.

ANNE EXHALES DEEPLY

She's not wearing a corset!

Oh, my goodness.

Oh, my goodness.

Now, please move all the desks to the side,
and take a seat on the floor.

The floor?

We're going to form a circle
and make introductions.

SHE SQUEAKS EXCITEDLY

ANNE:
Diana, I feel so uplifted.

School is finally going to be
everything I dreamed it would be.

SHE GIGGLES

CHICKENS CLUCK
- MATTHEW: Straight up.

There we go. And...

Alright.
HE SNIFFS

Careful now.

There you go, lift the pen.

Now, that should keep the chickens safe.

I hope we're the ones who catch the fox.

I tell you what...
I'll give you a share if we do.

That pelt should fetch a nice price.

HE HUFFS

HE GROWLS ANGRILY

HE GROANS

And you'll say two words that represent you

using the first letters
of your given name

and surname.

I'll start.

Muriel Stacy.

- Mischievous...
- GIRLS GIGGLE

scholastic.

SHE GASPS
Those would be my descriptors

if we had the same initials.

- Let's start with...
- It's like we were separated at birth.

Ahem. Ruby Gillis.

Romantic...

girl?

- PUPILS GIGGLE
- Ruby Gillis.

Well done!

- Ruby has a crush on...
- Gilbert Blythe!

Oh, um...

HE SIGHS

- Global...
- He travelled the world for a year.

...and bookish.

Everyone thinks he's the smartest student.

- Priscilla Andrews.
- But I won the spelling bee.

Pragmatic...

- Actualised...
- She left our former teacher at the altar.

Perhaps you'd like to share
your comment with the class?

Oh, well, it's no secret that Prissy
was affianced to our former teacher

but justifiably fled the wedding.

I'd be happy to fill you in
about everyone in Avonlea

because I was an outsider once, too,
and I know how hard...

No need to provide me with gossip,
I don't condone it.

Oh, but nothing I said is a secret.

If someone needs me to know something,
they'll tell me.

Why don't you take your turn?
What's your name?

Anne... Anne Shirley-Cuthbert...

Anne.
SHE SIGHS

"A"... "A"...

An...

PUPILS MURMER

I'm sure you'll think of some later.
Why don't you see me after class?

Moody Spurgeon?

DOOR SLAMS
- Ooh!

- I need your help!
- Rachel!

Whatever is the matter?

I've heard some shocking rumours
about our new teacher.

Rumours?

- I thought something terrible had happened.
- It has!

I'll put up some tea.

As a member of the Board of Trustees

I was against hiring a female teacher.

I said it was a dangerous innovation,
but I was backed into a corner.

And now all this.

All what?

The Progressive Mothers are all
in a dither, that's what.

I mean to find out the what
and the why of it. Today.

- You're coming with me.
- Uh, Rachel...

I'll not be a party to whatever plan
you have hatched.

You have a child in that school.
I don't!

Whatever is happening there
is happening to Anne.

So, you are in a position
to ask this woman pressing questions

from a place of motherly concern.

You really think there's cause to worry?

If she's capable of corrupting
the young minds of Avonlea, then yes.

We will stop by right after school.

We'll take that loaf.

To be neighbourly.

HE SCREAMS

HE GROANS

- GIRLS GIGGLE
- INDISTINCT CHATTER

So, I'm hoping
you wouldn't mind tutoring me?

I'm worried that I'm behind,
and I'm very serious about medicine

as my vocation.

My husband accelerated his studies
and got early entrance into college.

Husband?

I'm widowed, actually.

Oh. How tragical.

Anyway, with hard work

it's possible you could finish school early
and be pre-med next year.

I'll do whatever it takes!

Let's meet before class in the mornings
and get you started.

Thank you! Thank you so much!

If Gilbert is accelerating in his studies
I'd like to, too.

I have ever so many vocations in mind.
Oh, the list is endless, really.

- Let's put our heads together...
- About that...

After school every day works for me.
Let's start now!

- SHE GIGGLES
- It's Anne, isn't it?

With an "E".

Oh, I've thought of ever so many words
that represent me since this morning.

I was planning on having a word with you
about telling tales out of school.

But we're in school,
and I was only trying to help.

But I see I should include
respecting others' privacy, as well.

ANNE STUTTERS

I'd like you to write an essay
on the perils of gossip

and why it's important to have
empathy for others.

It doesn't have to be long...

but it has to be meaningful.

Appalling. Stupid. Clueless.
Anne Shirley-Cuthbert.

- You're being too hard on yourself.
- I hate myself.

I made a terrible impression
on beautiful Miss Stacy!

- It's true, but it's nothing...
- Everything I said came out wrong!

- That's true, too, but it's always...
- Stop agreeing with me, Diana!

You can fix this, Anne.

I'm sure any essay you write
will be brilliant and resolve things.

Gilbert will not outpace me either

just because he already knows
his stupid vocation!

You heard it here, Diana. I'm going to write
the best essay in the world!

The world!

ANNE GROANS

- Whoa.
- ANNE: Argh!

Why can't I do anything right today?

SHE HUFFS

Sorry.

Have you seen my fox?

I have not seen a fox,
yours or otherwise.

- ANNE GROANS
- Wait, you have a fox?

Can you think about an opener for an essay
on the perils of gossip?

Um... Will you please slow down?

Will you please come back to school?
I need your support!

I'm not coming back.

Life's too short.

I'm not accepted there, and you know that.

Trust me, the new teacher
won't let anyone bully you. I'm sure of it.

She's a champion of good.

Anne, th is is what I'm going
to do with my life.

- So, I'm doing it.
- I can't think of what to write!

What am I going to do? I have to impress her.
She has to like me!

Maybe you just need a change of perspective?

To... clear your head
and save my art's life?

Sorry.

Do you have a special place
we could go that might... inspire?

Get the ideas flowing?

Somewhere with a bit more scope?

COLE SHOUTS
Come to me, Muse!

ANNE LAUGHS
You're crazy!

Yes, try it!

Come to me, Muse!

Come to me, Muse!

COLE:
Louder!

BOTH:
Come to me, Muse!

THEY LAUGH

KNOCK ON DOOR

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon, Miss Stacy.

I'm Rachel Lynde

and this is my good friend,
Marilla Cuthbert.

Hello.

Is everything alright?

You seem to be in quite
a state of disrepair.

I'm often in this state.

We brought you some bread...

- as a housewarming.
- How kind!

- I'd invite you in, but...
- We'd love to visit for a minute.

Thank you, how nice.

Marilla has a child in your class,
so we felt it was important to...

Sorry about the mess.
I'm trying to diagnose the problem.

With what... exactly?

Oh, this is a motorised bicycle.

I so enjoy tinkering with mechanical things
and figuring out what makes them tick.

Confessedly, even though I desire
a peaceful country life

which is why I accepted this position...

I do still love to race around, freely,
wind in my hair...

Yes, you are rather... unrestrained.

I've never believed in corsets.

Since I have a skeleton
that holds everything up

I've never felt the need.
SHE LAUGHS

And trousers are quite liberating.

I assume you're not affianced or married.

Feel free to assume.

Have you determined that
you're going to be an old maid then?

I didn't realise one had to decide.

If you're not careful,
the matter will be decided for you.

Poor Marilla here knows all too well
the unfulfilled life of an unmarried woman.

Word to the wise:
you're not doing yourself any favours

with all this, this...

untidy whizzing about.

Marilla, you should offer some advice.

On how to be a spinster
or how not to be one?

Regardless, that kind of behaviour
may fly in the big city, but not here.

Folks will get the wrong impression.

I expect some already have.

Which child is yours?

Oh, she's not mine exactly,
but we think of her as so.

My brother and I adopted her.

Neither of them ever married.

Her name is Anne.

With an E.
I know just who she is.

The Board of Trustees,
of which I am a founding member

hopes that your questionable... standards

will make an abrupt turn for the better.

If they do, I'm sure you will be
the first to know.

We ask that you remain conservative...

virtuous and restrained
in front of the children...

otherwise I can't imagine you'll be
the proper educator for the youth of Avonlea.

I see.

I'm glad you do.

Gossip lies eight times... no, nine times...

And... tells a half-truth the tenth.

CHICKENS CLUCK
- That's not bad.

SHE GASPS

Matthew! You set a trap?

It's alright, it's just a fox.

ANNE:
No! He's my friend!

Please, Matthew,
please take the trap away!

I couldn't bear it
if something happened to him!

Sorry, Anne,
we have to protect what's ours.

That is the way of things.

I hope your friend, Mr Fox,
has got the good sense to stay away.

BRANCH SNAPS OUTSIDE

Run! Run!

Oh good, you're not there.

COCKEREL CROWS

CHICKENS CLUCK

COCKEREL CROWS

SHE GASPS

SHE SIGHS

LOUD BANG
- SHE GROANS

SHE SIGHS

GLASS SHATTERS

Oh, no.

SHE SIGHS

Not a chance.

I could use some help with the fence
this morning before you go.

Can't. Miss Stacy is expecting me early.

I can't believe I could actually be
in college next year!

Wait, what do you mean next year?

Well, I told you last night,
I'm accelerating my studies.

Yeah, but leaving next year,
that was never the plan!

I have a chance, finally,
to get something that I want.

Why wouldn't I take it?

I came here so we could work
this land together for two years

until it comes back to life,
and I've learned farming

and th e n you'll go.

The plan's changed.

This is my future.

Your future. What about mine?

You don't even consult me?
I thought we were in this together.

We are.

I don't know what I'm doing, Blythe,
this is a farm, not a ship!

You have plenty of time
to get up to speed.

While I'm here alone and you're at school
every minute?

We can get you help.

Nobody wants to know me,
let alone work for me.

How do I do all this by myself?

You'll figure it out! I gotta go.

And Rachel was extremely insulting.

She crossed a line with me.

Sorry to hear it.

ANNE SNEEZES AND COUGHS

Why aren't you dressed?

I'm afraid I can't go to school today,
I'm much too unwell.

SHE COUGHS CONTINUOUSLY

- You don't have a fever.
- Oh! Woe is me...

how I wish
I didn't have to miss school.

SHE SNEEZES

What have you got all over your fingers?

Is that soot?

Oh! I... I...

You smell like smoke.

Anne Shirley-Cuthbert, tell the truth.

If my fox wasn't in danger,
none of this would've happened!

None of what?

Lucky it was only your essay was b*rned
and not all of Green Gables.

I can't go to school today, I just can't!

Miss Stacy will never believe me,
and I've already made the worst impression!

I'll go along with you to explain things.

This is a right q*eer tale,
and that's for sure and certain.

Thank you, Marilla.

Would you mind extolling all of my virtues,
as well, so tat she'll like me better?

Get yourself ready now.

HE GROANS

You and me.
We're going to get to know each other.

It's going be fine.

Oh, yes.

I think this is right.

Hup!

Easy.

HE SHUDDERS

Ah, hey, hey, hey. Whoa.

Show mercy.

Right...

Stay... No!

HE GRUNTS

HE GROANS

HE GROANS

Alright then.

Wasn't so bad.

HORSE WHINNIES
- Heh!

Hey... hey, hey! Ahh!

Whoa! Ahh-ah!

Jerry! Jerry, come here!

What?

Could you do me a favour?

Would you mind maybe jamming the trap?

You know, rigging it so it won't work?

Why would I do that?

To save my fox.

But Mr Cuthbert said
he'll split the profit with me!

What?

ANNE: When I leaned back into the window,
I hit my head, and then my essay fell

and the oil lamp fell,
and suddenly the pages were ablaze.

I had the great idea to stomp on it
with my shoes, and it went out.

And then I realised that the essay
that I poured my heart into was ruined.

So, I was hoping that maybe I could just
tell you about it after school?

Just the two of us?

Oh.

It just seems a shame to
have to write it again...

when it was perfect just as it was.

I felt ever so inspired after the lesson.
I learned a lot.

I'm sorry but...

you're going to have to complete
the assignment, Anne.

I'll see to it that she does.

Adversity can be a blessing.

I hope you weren't eavesdropping.

I'm trying to study.

I'm going to need Miss Stacy's help
with my vocation soon, too.

Do whatever you want.

What's happened to the desks, if I may ask?

I call it a forum for hands-on learning.

What is your problem?

How is your vocation mine?

It's not. So sorry to interrupt.

Please, carry on with your goals.

Would you care to stay and observe?

Why, thank you.

I believe I would.

Alright, class, let's begin.

Gilbert?

Please.

Science changes the world for the better.

Does anyone know what electricity is?

COINS CLATTER
- Light.

Yes, and?

A form of energy?

Electricity is indeed a form of energy.

I was going to say that.

MISS STACY:
If you've ever watched a thunderstorm

with mighty lightning bolts
darting down from the sky

that's electricity.

Powerful stuff.

A bolt of lightning is a sudden,
massive surge of electricity

between the sky and the ground beneath.

Electrical currents live inside atoms.

And atoms are small particles
that make up all matter.

They're so small that it takes billions
and billions of them

just to make something useful like...

- A nail.
- PUPILS GIGGLE

All objects that take up space and have mass
are called matter.

And everything around you
is made up of matter.

- Chocolate cake is made up of matter.
- PUPILS GIGGLE

These walls...
the school is made up of matter.

- You are made up of matter.
- PUPILS MURMER

Now, today, without a standard power source

like they have in the big cities...

we are going to make our own
electric current

in order to illuminate...

a light bulb.

THEY GASP

PUPILS GIGGLE

How many of you have ever seen one?

In New York, actually.

In Charlottetown.

My aunt Josephine has electricity.

Well, with a light bulb

scientists have found a way
to send electric currents...

atoms carrying energy...

into a container full of gas...

a different type of atom.

And when those two types of atoms meet

they exchange their energy and make...

BOTH:
Light!

- So, here in Avonlea...
- DOOR OPENS

...with a little ingenuity
and some Prince Edward Island potatoes

we have... electricity.

PUPILS LAUGH AND APPLAUD

Ah-ah-ahem.

LOUDER:
Ah-ah-ahem!

Why, hello!

Ahem. Good timing.
We were just brightening our day.

Won't you join us?

- Miss Stacy is wonderful teacher.
- Yes! She is.

Does it taste like chocolate?

- Moody, no!
- Don't!

THEY ALL GASP

- GLASS SHATTERS
- Moody, no!

WOMEN:
Oh!

WOMAN:
Moody!

- Everybody stand still, right where you are.
- My child, my child!

Please stay back, thank you.

Let's keep our heads.

Logic dictates there are no shards
under your feet

and I'd like to keep it that way.

I'll fetch a broom.

HE SIGHS

INDISTINCT CHATTER

HE GROANS

Huh.

HORSE SNORTS

Good boy. Ey.

You owe me five dollars.

WOMEN GIGGLE
- Sebastian?

WOMEN GIGGLE

BASH:
Mary.

What are you doing here?

I don't know.

Let's get you away from here.
What if that glass had cut your face?

Mother, please, it was my fault!

You should have been sitting,
safe and sound, at a desk!

We expect this classroom
to be orderly and calm

and we expect you to conform
to the curriculum.

Science is part of the course of study.

That wasn't science,
that was prestidigitation.

Oh, for heaven's sake.
It was an excellent lesson.

WOMAN:
We want our children to learn, safely,

what is required
to prepare them for higher education.

Not the circus.

Pardon me, Miss Stacy is a dedicated,
capable teacher.

I hope to be exactly like her someday.

She is a smart, lovely career woman

who is a superior educator

despite overcoming a tragical romance.

Good thing you'll be writing that essay
on gossip again.

The Progressive Mothers lobbied hard
for the first female teacher in Avonlea.

Please don't squander the opportunity.

SHE EXHALES SLOWLY

You have to talk to him.

Tell Gilbert how you feel.

You had an agreement, and he broke it.

BASH:
I don't want to stand in his way.

- He's following his dream.
- MARY: Even at the expense of yours?

Everything is different from how
I thought it would be.

I thought farming was, finally,
the life for me, but now I don't know.

Being outside

working with your hands

where everything you do every day
counts for something.

Sounds like a life to me.

What I do know

is that I'm not going backwards.

I'm done on the ships.

After ten years, I really hoped
to stay in one place.

Ten years?

But you're so young.

Old on the inside.

Is there any work here in the Bog?

If you're willing to take it.

BASH:
Why wouldn't I take it?

MARY: Coloured folks do the jobs
white folks won't.

So, if you willing to fetch and tote
and scrub and haul, you'll be all set.

Could I buy my own land here?
Homestead?

That's a big dream, a wonderful dream.

I understand it, but...

you got to understand

dreams don't come true in the Bog.

Maybe they do.

It's getting late.

Would you like to come for supper?

There's nothing more I've ever wanted
in this world.

Well...
SHE SIGHS

this day went differently
than I'd imagined.

May we walk you partway home?

You're very kind.

Personally, I like not having to read books
every day.

Is that meant to be consoling?

Leave the fox alone, Billy!

He's an innocent creature!

He's my new hat!

THE BOYS LAUGH
- ANNE SIGHS

May I meet you at home, Marilla?
I need to make a stop.

You've got an essay to write.
Before dark.

It's a matter of some urgency
regarding my fox.

Ah, yes, your friend, the fox,
foe of homework.

It won't take long, you could come with me.

Just promise that you'll never tell a soul
about what you're going to see.

Please pretend none of this exists.

Anne Shirley-Cuthbert, is that your lunch
you're leaving on the ground?

My fox must be hungry.

That's the only reason
he's stealing chickens.

I have to feed him to protect him.

This is extraordinary!

You've created an enchanted kingdom here.

Oh, it gives me such a thrill
that you perceive it so!

I devote myself to my education here,
just so you know.

I created a story club

and we write and critique each other's work.

This place provides so much scope
for the imagination, don't you agree?

- Who made these sculptures?
- ANNE: Cole.

Aren't they magnificent?

Cole is my friend and a brilliant artist.

He's really honing his talents
now he refuses to go school.

Why isn't he in school?

He's been bullied.

Oh, is it gossip if I tell you that?

But... I'd dearly love to tell you

because I'm sure you could help.

If I really need to know,
and if I could help him, you should tell me.

Gossip is another thing entirely.

SHE SIGHS

Why don't we all go in?

SHE GIGGLES

Won't you please sit down?

If you wouldn't mind pinky swearing?

We hereby swear to protect the sanctity
of this sacred space.

I swear.

BOTH:
I swear.

Bash!

Just wait till you see
what I got you for supper!

Thought you could teach me
to make crab callaloo!

A little taste of home.

Smells like paradise.

You think you're in heaven?

Nah.

Feels more like home.

FOX SNUFFLES

g*n COCKS

g*nsh*t RICOCHETS

Come out, come out wherever you are!

THEY SNIGGER

Anybody home?

THEY LAUGH

THEY SNIGGER

g*nsh*t

g*nsh*t

g*nshots RING OUT

g*nsh*t

g*nsh*t

g*nsh*t

g*nsh*t

MAN:
Easy, Tina.

Oh!

Morning. Have far to go?

I'm not sure.
I'm headed to the Mackenzie farm.

- That's still a fair ways on foot.
- MISS STACY SIGHS

I'm happy to drop you off, if you like.

Oh, I'd be much obliged.
I don't have much time before school.

You must be the infamous Miss Stacy.
I'm Harmon Andrews.

Infamous. Well.

Let's just say I've heard about you.
HE MAKES KISSING SOUND

Come on, Tina.

HORSE WHINNIES

SHE SCREAMS

SHE SCREAMS

ANNE BREATHES HEAVILY

Are you alright?

Why won't you listen to me?

Anne. Anne!

Leave her be.

Think of something else.

Sometimes you just have to use your
imagination.

And I learned that your son
has faced difficulties at school?

Difficulties?

Ah, he's smart enough.

It seems he's been bullied

so, I thought we might discuss
it all together.

Maybe I can help?

- Bullied.
- Yes.

It... It's my understanding that it might be

because Cole stands out

from the rest of the children.

What did he have to say about all this?

- Say about it?
- Yes.

When you talked to him.

MISS STACY:
I... I haven't met him yet.

Apparently, he hasn't been to school
for quite some time.

But he goes every day...

with his books...

every morning.

Cole?

- Cole? Come here!
- BABY CRIES

I'm sorry, I...

We've made sacrifices
to allow him schooling

and if he's not going,
we need him here working the farm.

Cole!

Ready for school?

Just about to set off.

I saw your sculptures, Cole,
you're a gifted artist.

Seems you've yet to meet the new teacher.

Seems you've been lying to us.

Cole! Cole! Come back here right now!

- Cole!
- DOOR SLAMS

SHE WHIMPERS

You sold me out!

I trusted you!

What are you talking about?

You brought the teacher here?
You told her about me?

Are you that desperate to be liked?

She told my parents I'm not in school!

I was trying to help!

Well, you ruined my life!

They'll never let me leave the farm now

not even for school!

It's over!

I have nothing!

Who would do this?

- Do you know who did this?
- No.

Who else did you show?

No one! I don't, I don't know.

ANNE SOBS

Cole.

Cole.

Where are you going?

I don't know who's it was.
Definitely no one here.

All those books and sculptures.

- BOY: I took out one.
- I sh*t out every one.

I missed probably one sh*t.

Miss Stacy?
Everything alright?

Mmm-hmm.

THE BOYS GRUNT

- DIANA: Stop it!
- BOYS GRUNT

Wait!

Get...

- DIANA: No, no, no!
- Little freak!

- DIANA: Don't hurt him!
- Hey, hey!

THEY GROWL

Uaargh!

HISSING NOISE
- PUPILS SCREAM

HE SCREAMS IN PAIN

SCREAMS ECHO OUT

AUDIO DISTORTS

SCREAMS ECHO OUT

FAINT AUDIO:
Cole! Cole!

HEARTBEAT THUDS

HEARTBEAT THUDS