02x01 - The Social Fabric

[bunniefuu]

[MUSIC - SAILOR MOON, "BRACEFACE THEME SONG"]

SAILOR MOON: (SINGING) Something tells me I've been dreaming

of someone who was never real.

It seems I've changes 1,000 ways.

I wish I looked the way I feel.

Braceface.

My life gets complicated.

Boyfriends.

Don't want to talk about it.

Teenage.

I'll work it out in the end.

Braceface.

My life gets complicated.

Boyfriends.

Don't want to talk about it.

Teenage.

I'll work it out in the end.

Braceface.

SHARON: You're just trying to scare me.

I'm telling you.

One girl had to push a penny around a toilet seat

with her nose.

No way!

Adam, I don't think the breakfast

table is an appropriate place to be discussing toilets.

I'm not.

I'm talking about freshman initiation.

Adam, you're freaking me out just talking about it.

Maybe Mom should homeschool you, Sharon.

At least until the first week of high school is over.

HELEN SPITZ: I think Sharon will survive.

Haven't they banned t*rture in this country?

Probably, but no one ever gets caught, so they do it anyway.

I certainly hope you never took

part and that kind of thing.

Of course not, mother.

Just try to be invisible, and you'll be OK--

maybe.

What do you I mean?

I have to get to my classes.

You're too good a target, Sharon.

With those braces and all your new accessories

or those elastic bands.

Adam.

Leave me alone.

We have to stick together all week, every minute,

so they don't get us, OK?

I'm so not walking around with a nine on my forehead.

Oh, relax, how bad can it be?

Excuse me, you want them to cover you in shaving

cream in front of everyone?

All right, here's my plan.

Blend.

With what?

The lockers.

I'm thinking total invisibility.

I can't do that.

This week's going to decide what happens all year.

And what happens this year is going to decide what happens

for the whole time we're here, and maybe even

for the rest of our lives.

Hey!

I can't believe how big this place is.

Really hope we're in the same homeroom.

Yeah, me too.

But what are the chances?

Look how many kids there are here.

I'm Principal McCauley, and I'm

here to tell you about our fantastic mentor program.

We match you up with a senior student for one week

to help you learn the ropes around here.

The whole idea is to help make the transition to high school

fun and exciting.

All of the mentors have volunteered for this

and are committed to helping you out.

What if they're just pretending to be nice

and using the mentor thing as a cover?

What if they really just want to t*rture

us or make us their sl*ves?

They couldn't do that.

But what if they just don't like us or we don't like them?

Can we switch around?

And no switching around.

Good luck to you all.

SHARON: (VOICEOVER) Believe it or not,

almost everyone I knew got amazing matches.

Let the energy flow through you.

Excellent!

Now, this time, be the ball.

Get your inner self out of the way.

GIRL: Hey, Isaac.

Good to see you.

Figures.

SHARON: (VOICEOVER) Even Alden scored big with Evie--

probably the coolest senior girl in the school.

Pretty good.

You've got kind of a Blink 182 thing happening.

You really think so?

Sure, if my VJ audition works out,

and I don't see why wouldn't, I think I

can do something with you guys.

SHARON: (VOICEOVER) And my mentor--

Maybe I should go.

Shh, I have to concentrate.

SHARON: (VOICEOVER) Well, put it this way,

Dion was the most unique person I'd ever met.

Um, maybe you should come out from under the table?

What for?

People are looking.

So?

Let them.

If they haven't figured out, it's way more cosy under here

than up there.

That's their problem.

SHARON: (VOICEOVER) The thing is I just wasn't sure unique

was quite right for high school.

I wanted to fit in, not stand out.

The original paper dress-- brill or what?

Can you see what I'm going for with this sack?

SHARON: (VOICEOVER) And Dion definitely stood out.

That's your whole name?

Dion?

DION: That's it.

Less is more as they say.

But

What about your parents?

Don't they have last names?

All right, secret time.

Can I trust you?

Absolutely.

My birth moniker's Mark Jones.

I get bored just saying it.

Dion's more and more mwa, don't you think?

An homage to Celine.

Celine who?

Only the greatest diva in the world.

Celine Dion?

That's who you named yourself after?

You got a better idea?

I don't know.

She's OK I guess.

OK?

Have you been paying attention?

As your mentor, I have a responsibility to cultivate

your musical palette.

You must start listening to Celine's music,

and I mean, really listen.

OK.

If you want me to.

A veritable treasure trove of Detritus.

The recycling bin?

One man's trash is another man's Versace.

Looking for your lunch?

No.

Your sense of style, but I already scraped

the bottom of the barrel.

Dion thinks he's so original.

In fact, he's just pathetically common.

This from a gal who ranks the butterfly clip as the highest

form of accessory?

Right, my sense of style is so lame I

scored a TV Three VJ audition.

Makes sense.

Completely-- prefab clones pushing

assembly-line music to people who don't think for themselves.

It's you.

Well, I'd love to stay and pick garbage with you,

but I have a life.

I'm out of here.

Let me guess, she's not your best friend?

I rejected her as a model for a fashion fundraiser last year.

And, since then, she hates me.

I don't lose sleep over it.

Why are we doing this anyway?

Prepare to be transported.

SHARON: And they just let you have this room?

DION: Yeah, a corner of it anyway.

It used to be for home ec, but no one uses it anymore.

Ready?

Willing, and able.

It's awesome.

I call it the social fabric.

I need about 60 more tabs and it's done.

Those are also soda can tabs?

Fashionable and environmentally

friendly at the same time.

I'm working on a design that'll use the cans as well.

Amazing.

DION: I'm applying to the Fashion Institute

and I need really original pieces for my portfolio

by the end of next week.

Wow, they can't ignore this one.

So you want to be my model?

I need to take pictures of all my pieces.

Are you serious?

That would be awesome.

DION: I'd love it.

You know, you've got this great individualistic original thing

going for you.

And those braces-- bonus time.

They totally work with the metal motif I'm going for.

And the more I get to know Dion, the more I like him.

He's funny, amazingly talented, and really nice.

I know, some people think he's weird,

but I think he's brave to be so out there.

Great.

Has anyone tried to initiate you yet?

MARIA: Not so far.

Maybe it's just a rumor.

I don't think so, but hopefully we won't get hit.

You want to eat lunch together?

Can't.

I want to try out the pool, and I only have 40

minutes before my next class.

See you later.

Want to go for a roll up?

I hear they sell them in the caff.

Oh, sorry, a bunch of us are getting together to listen

to CDs out in the parking lot.

A bunch of us?

Yeah, Evie and her friends.

I can't believe how I lucked out.

My sister told me they're like in crowd at school.

Oh, yeah, you're really lucky.

So maybe I'll come too.

I'm not that hungry anymore.

I guess you could.

It's just that I don't know.

I'd have to see if that's cool.

Alden!

I'm your girlfriend.

I'm not allowed to hang out with you?

Yeah, sure, why are you making such a big deal out of this?

I'm not.

You're the one who's making a big deal out

of hanging out with Evie alone.

Sharon, she's my mentor.

Well, Dion and I aren't spending every minute together.

We'll have lunch tomorrow, OK?

OK, sure, whatever.

Sharon, listen, Evie and I have tons in common.

I mean, we're both totally into the music scene, and--

You and I like a lot of the same music.

I'm even in your band.

I know, but that's different.

She knows stuff.

She can help us.

Do you know how connected she is?

Hey, Alden, you ready?

Got to go.

We still on for band practice tonight?

Definitely.

Evie's going to be there too.

Great.

(SINGING) No interuptions.

You guys are pretty cute.

Thanks.

But you need to tighten up the rhythm and work on your image.

I'll take you shopping for clothes.

Cool.

And lose the dancers.

It's tired and way uncool.

No, it's not.

Trust me.

I know what I'm talking about.

Alden, what do you think?

It's true.

She does.

Sorry.

But that's not fair.

Maria and I have been part of this band for months now.

You've known Evie for less than a week.

Sharon, don't sweat it.

Let's just go.

Come on.

How can you be so calm?

Well, between swimming and basketball,

I don't have time to rehearse anyway.

And I haven't even tried out for volleyball.

But it's like Alden's totally ignoring me.

And do you notice the way he looks at her?

She's just so gorgeous.

MARIA: Well, he's just impressed because she's cool.

And she's just lapping up all his attention because deep,

deep down she's probably totally insecure.

It won't last.

You think so?

'Cause I hardly see him now.

We don't have too many classes together.

Ah-huh.

- And what about you? - Hey?

Hello?

Any time for friends after training for jock of the year?

Hey, give me a break.

At least it keeps me out of trouble.

Hey, you should join something too and start

having some fun in high school.

SHARON: (VOICEOVER) As if I was in any shape to start getting

into the school spirit thing.

I couldn't even find my way around the place.

History, history.

Room 102?

I thought we were nominating class president,

not babysitting ninth graders.

Want us to get you a compass and pin it to your shirt?

Sorry.

Wrong class.

Actually, she's really looking for the most pretentious

trendoid wannabe in the school.

I'd say she found her.

Really?

I thought she was here so you could take her to the dumpster

for your latest fashion tips.

Or maybe it's the aquarium now?

Nah, she wants a crash course on how to be boring,

and your name keeps coming up.

Um, I can see you guys are busy, so I'll just go away now.

Try not to get lost on the way to the bathroom mirror.

Excuse me?

Green stuff in your braces, sweetie.

SHARON: (VOICEOVER) I knew Dion was trying to help,

but it only made things worse.

Evie hated him, which meant she hated me too.

Didn't have to be a genius to figure that out.

It was obvious that the only way I

was going to survive high school was by avoiding both of them.

Hi, kiddo.

Dental floss and elastic bands-- two of my fave textures.

I don't want any more spinach in my teeth.

Why not?

It's a vegetarian fashion statement.

Kidding.

Anyway, I need you to try on the social fabric

so I can see how much to lengthen it.

Um, I don't think I can model for you.

They're giving us tons of homework,

and I'm having trouble keeping up.

I'm really sorry.

Don't sweat it.

I'll just guesstimate how many inches to add.

Great.

Anyway, I'm late for--

I do, however, have an offer you can't refuse.

Wait for it.

Celine Dion-- the 24th.

Can you stand it?

Oh, the 24th?

That's my brother's birthday.

So?

We have this thing in my family about birthdays,

and my mom would never forgive me if I missed it.

Really?

Yeah, it's nuts but you know.

I understand completely.

It's just that--

You don't need to explain.

I get the message loud and clear.

Keep away from the freak--

everyone else's term.

Not mine, by the way.

You've picked up high school survival tactics

pretty quickly.

Good for you.

Look who's here.

Dion's little pet.

I bet he's asked you to model his creations, hasn't he?

Not exactly.

Right, he thinks he's the next Versace,

and you think you're the next Kate Moss.

I'm not modeling for him, really.

Then you won't mind this fashion statement.

Hey.

Congrats, brace face.

You've been initiated.

Wait till you see what other surprises

we've got waiting for you.

I can help you practice, but I thought

you didn't like volleyball.

You said I should join something.

And if I surround myself with people,

maybe nobody will pick on me.

You OK?

Oh, yeah.

Fine.

SHARON: (VOICEOVER) I didn't know where I belonged anymore.

But I did know I missed Dion and the way he saw the world.

Hey.

Hey.

Thanks for being so great about being

cut the other night.

Yeah, no problem.

Like my dad always says, whatever's good for the band.

Exactly.

There is one little thing you could help me

with though if you don't mind.

Sure.

You know how Evie hates Dion?

Kind of I guess.

Well, she hates me because she thinks

he's my friend, which he's not.

He's just my mentor.

It's not like I asked for him or anything.

OK?

So what do you want me to do?

Can you try to get her off my back?

She goes after me every time she sees me.

Oh, I don't know, Sharon.

I don't have a lot of power here.

What do you mean?

She likes you.

So far.

And I need to keep it that way.

She's going to have the most amazing music connections

when she gets that VJ job.

And I really can't blow this.

So you're saying you won't help me?

I want to, but I don't think I can.

I mean, haven't you noticed?

Evie is kind of like the girl version of The Godfather,

she's got family working for her in every grade.

Great.

What do I do now?

Just don't bug her, and stay out of her way.

I'm sure she'll forget all about you after a while.

DION: Hi.

Oh, hi.

I was just leaving.

Can't get away from me fast enough, huh?

No, no, I just have to get home.

When we met, I thought you were an original.

Hmm, my mistake.

Ow!

EVIE: Sharon!

Are you all right?

Oh, yeah.

Fine.

Great.

Look, I'm really sorry about branding you like that.

You are?

Course.

But don't worry, it'll come off in a couple of days--

a week, tops.

And I promise not to do anything else, OK?

Really?

I swear.

OK.

I was just wondering.

Could you do me a teensy little favor?

Me?

You want me to do you a favor?

Yeah.

My VJ audition's in like two hours,

and I just heard they're really looking for someone

with a unique sense of style.

I know I've been riding on Dion, and I

feel kind of bad about it.

You do?

Sure.

But I think I can make it up to him.

That is if you could maybe help me borrow that pop can dress.

I'll wear it to my audition, and make sure that everybody

knows who designed it.

What do you say?

Why don't you just ask him yourself?

Please.

He hates me.

He'd never go for it, even for his own good.

I mean, the exposure would be amazing

and probably make his career.

You really think so?

Absolutely.

And listen, you want to hang with us later?

Sure.

Cool.

You go get the dress, and I'll just go check my makeup.

We'll meet back here in 10, OK?

What are you doing?

You ruined my dress.

Would I be able to maybe sew them back on for you?

I'll handle it myself.

What's taking so long?

I'm going to be late for the audition.

What happened to the dress?

I don't think you're going to be able to wear it tonight.

You were taking my dress for Evie's

social climbing purposes?

I was doing it to help you.

She promised to tell everyone you were the designer

and that would make your career.

It would you know.

You must have something else I can wear.

Right?

You weren't doing it for yourself at all?

Why would I do it for myself?

Because you wanted Evie to like you.

Maybe just a bit.

It's going to take months to redo the dress.

Do you know how long it took to hand sew all those tabs

together?

Ah, I don't know if I'll get it done in time for my deadline.

I'm sorry.

Hello.

What am I supposed to do now, huh?

I need something that makes a statement.

Is that all you care about?

Excuse me?

I mean, sure you have other clothes.

But what about Dion?

I just messed up his portfolio piece,

and he's on this crazy deadline to get it into the institute.

That's the major crisis here, not you.

I am so out of here.

Hey, my mistake again.

You're sounding more and more original the worse

things get around here.

Thanks.

You OK?

I'm just trying to conjure up plan B.

Huh?

Hey, yes!

I think I've got it.

SHARON: (VOICEOVER) For once, my braces

were actually inspirational.

Who knew all the crafty ways to use

rubber bands and dental floss.

Much faster than a needle and thread.

More metal, perfect.

SHARON: (VOICEOVER) Do you think I have

the start of a career here?

Because I've always thought my orthodontist

could use some art in his waiting room.

[MUSIC - SAILOR MOON, "BRACEFACE THEME SONG"]