"EPISODE 1.12 - Steal Or Not To Steal"

Written and produced By Alex Gregg. Copyrighted 2003-04.
Originally Aired January 26th 2004

Fade into a shot of Chestaville High. Cut to the halls. Ashley and Ling are at their lockers. Ashley opens her school bag and dumps a few books into her locker, then closes the door and leans ageist it waiting for Ling. Who is still sorting out the books she needs for class.

Ashley:  So, I bet your glad to be back in the swing of things, huh?

Ling:  Oh yeah! I can't wait for our first homework assignment!

Ashley:  Okaaay. I know school work is import to you but, Ling as your best friend, I have to tell you that - you need to get a life.

Ling:  (hurt by Ashley's comment) Gee thanks. I'll remind you of that when I'm attending Harvard and your working the drive thought at MacDonald's!

With that Ling slams her locker door shut and heads off down the hall. Ashley can't believe Ling took her joke to heart. Maria comes up behind her. 

Maria:  Ouch. What's up with you two?

Ashley:  (watches Ling walk down the hall) I don't know... I think my joke seriously violated the best friend code... I should probably go find her. 

Maria:  Yup, good idea.

Ashley:  Yeah, see you in class.

Ashley heads down the hall after Ling

Cut to the Lounge, Ling is sitting alone on one of the sofa's reading her Biology text book. Ashley goes over to her.

Ashley:  (sits down next to her) Hey.

Ling looks up from her book for a few seconds, gives Ashley a "not interested" look and goes back to reading again.

Ashley:  Ling, you realize, I was joking before. I didn't mean anything by it.

Ling:  (puts down her book, looks at Ashley, sarcastically) Great joke. Really.

Ashley:  I'm sorry. I know school is a big thing for you. And yeah, your right. In four years time you will be at Harvard and I probably will be working the drive thought at McDonalds's... I really didn't mean to upset you. 

Ling:  (sighs) I guess your forgiven.

Ashley smiles as Maria comes over and sits between them.

Maria:  Is it safe to sit here, or am I intruding on a deadly bitch fight? 

Ling:  Its safe.

Ashley:  All its good. And for your info, we have *never* had a bitch fight.

Maria:  (generally surprised) Really? Oh.

Ling:  Oh, and Ash? I was just pissed before, what I said? I don't really think you'll be be working the drive thought at McDonalds's. 

Maria:  Nope, that'll be me.

Ling:  (to Maria) No it won't! Okay?! (to both of them) I'm going to get you *both* into Collage if its the *last* thing I do!

Ashley and Maria give her a look and raise their eyebrows, then give each other and look and turn back to Ling.

Maria:  Uhm... Li, you realize you your trying to help here, right?

Ashley:  Yeah, *trying* being the operative word.

Maria:  I do. I'll be a long road, but we'll all get there.

Ashley:  (not convinced) Right, uh huh...

Maria:  (not convinced) Whatever you say...

Ashley:  (changes subject) So! Mall after school, good idea Maria?!

Maria:  Yup! Great idea Ashley!

Ashley/Maria:  Li?

They both turn to look at their best friend both grinning. She gives them a scolding look, annoyed with their change of subject. But then softens her expression, smiles and nods. The bell rings, the girls get up and head out of the Lounge towards class.
 

The Credits

Special Guest Stars: Abby Tumbridge, Dylan Matthews
Guest Staring: Mrs Ross, Mr Harris

  
Cut to after school, cut to a shot of Chestaville's Mall. Cut to a clothes store. The girls are browsing the small tops section.

Maria:  (picks up a blue top) Hey, guys. What do you think of this?

Ling:  Yeah, its okay.

Ashley:  Nah... I liked the other one better.

Maria:  (picks out another one) Okay, this? (holds it up).

Ashley:  (nods) That's better.

Just then Abby and a friend walk in the store.

Ling:  (sees them) Oh, great. Look who just walked in.

Ashley:  (sarcastically) Perfect...

Maria:  Well, if she stays outta my way, I'll stay outta hers.

Abby sees then and walks over.

Ling:  Well... too late for that.

Abby:  Well, hello girls.

Maria:  What do you want, Abby?

Abby:  Just being friendly.

Maria:  The words "Abby Tumbridge" and "friendly" - too us - in the same sentence. Uhuh. I don't think so.

Abby:  Yeah... I guess your right. You know, I was talkin' to your boyfriend today. He reckons your "easy" - That true?

Maria:  (totally pissed) You are one step away...

Abby:  (smiles) From what? Are you gonna hit me?

Maria:  (steps up to her) Damn straight!

Ling:  Okay Maria, lets not do anything that could get us chucked out of the store - or, you know, the Mall.

Abby:  Yeah, Harris. Listen to your friends. You know they're right.

That does it. Maria punches Abby square in the face.

Ling:  Uh oh...

Ashley:  (to Ling) And she couldn't have just slapped her?

At first Abby can't believe Maria just hit her. She then comes back with her punch but Maria ducks. Abby then pushes Maria into a clothes rail.

Maria:  You are *so* dead!

Maria gets up and pushes Abby back. Abby then grabs Maria school bag and pulls it off her shoulder, then pushes Maria into the clothes rail again. This time she gets tangled in the clothes, Ling and Ashley give her hand to get up. Maria is just about to go back at Abby when the store manger appears.

Store Manager:  Okay, girls. Brake it up.

They do. Abby holds out Maria's bag and she snatches it from her.

Store Manager:  I suggest you all leave this store, right now, and not return until you all can behave better.

Maria:  (points at Abby) She started it. Why should we leave?!

Store Manager:  All of you! Out! Now!

The five girls make their way towards the store exit. As Maria walks out of the Store, the alarm buzzer goes off.

Store Manager:  (to Maria) Excuse me, miss?

Maria comes steps inside the store.

Store Manager:  Can you open your bag please.

Maria:  What?! It haven't got anything!

Store Manager:  Open your bag please.

Angry. Maria does. The store manger looks inside and pulls out a white top.

Store Manager:  I don't believe you've paid for this.

Ashley and Ling look at the store manger in shock. They then turn to Maria, who also looks just as shocked as her friends.

Ashley Voice Over:  Maria swears she didn't put that top in her bag... but the store manager didn't believe her, and he called her Dad. Maria's in serous trouble. Thing is, did she or didn't she? Okay so Maria's done that kind of stuff in the city, that's partly why her Dad moved. But since she's been in Chestaville, she's changed. Okay, not that much, but still. But if she wanted to steal it, why would she stand there and let him check her bag?

Cut to Maria's kitchen, she's sitting at the table, on the phone to Ashley.

Maria:  You believe me, right? 

Cut to Ashley's Room. She's sitting on her bed. Diesel is asleep next to her.

Ashley:  Yeah, of course I do...

Maria:  Well, you could sound more sure about it...

Ashley:  (fiddles with one of her teddy bears) Maria, I believe you, okay?

Cut back to Maria.

Maria:  So, what a about Ling?

Ashley:  (unconvincingly) Wha... um... I... think so, yeah....

Maria:  (doesn't buy it) In other words, she doesn't.

Ashley:  Well...

Cut to Ashley.

Ashley:  Ask her tomorrow at school...

Mrs Ross:  (from downstairs) Ashley? Dinners on the table!

Ashley:  (to her Mom) Now coming, Mom! (to Maria) Listen, dinners on the table, I've gotta go. I'll see you at school tomorrow?

Cut back to Maria.

Maria:  Yeah, okay... bye. (hangs up) Great... just great... (sighs).

At that moment Mr Harris walks into the kitchen. He walks past his daughter, over to the kettle and starts to make a cup of tea.

Maria:  Dad. Hey.

Mr Harris:  (doesn't look at her) I said you where to stay in your room.

Maria:  Yeah, uh, I know. I, uh, I just needed to use the phone...

Mr Harris:  (turns to her) You're know when grounded the phone is of limits.

Maria:  Yeah, but I--

Mr Harris:  (interrupts) Maria I don't want to hear it, alright?

Maria:  Dad can't we talk about what happened today?

Mr Harris:  We've already talked about it. 

Maria:  (almost shouting) No! You talked, Dad! I barely got two words in before you grounded me and it was end of discussion! You didn't give the chance to explain! You just--

Mr Harris:  (interrupts almost shouting) Explain what? You have no idea how it got there? You where bullied into it? Or maybe it was a dare?! I've heard them all before Maria and I'm tried of it. I'm tried of all the lies!

Maria:  (gets up) It was a girl at school. She set me up! Dad I *swear*!

Mr Harris:  Maria, you promised me that moving here would not be like it was before. But its turning out to be just like it was back in the city.

Maria:  No, its not!
 
Mr Harris:  But it is. Not attending classes, not doing homework, in trouble with teachers, being suspended? And now stealing? Where does it stop?

Maria:  (forcing back in tears) Dad please believe me...

Mr Harris:  I can't Maria. (he sighs) Its late. I've been dealing with the police all night. Just... just go to bed, please...

Maria, takes one last look at her father, who looks away from her, and then leaves the kitchen and heads to her room. Mr Harris sits down at the table and sighs, as we fade into the next day at Chestaville High. A shot of the front of the school. Cut to the Quad.

Ashley and Ling are sitting at one of the tables. Maria walks into the quad. Some of the students glance at her. She approaches the table.

Maria:  Can I sit here, or do you two not wanna be seen with me?

Ashley:  Don't be stupid. Its okay, Right Li?

Ling:  I guess so... (Maria sits).

Ashley:  Well... (looks around) guess the towns officially heard.

Maria:  (sighs) Yeah, I'm the local shoplifter... (looks around) God, I feel like *everyone* is staring at me...

Abby:  (walks past) That's cause everyone is. Well, I guess its true what they say: Once a Juvie, always a Juvie...

Maria gets up to start something. But Ashley pulls her back.

Ashley:  Maria, She's not worth it.

Maria thinks it over for a few seconds then sits back down. Abby smirks and walks away, Maria watches her go.

Ashley:  (tries to change the subject) So you seen Dylan today?

Maria:  No. (watches Abby with her friends, laughing and joking). It was her. I know it was. She planted that top in my bag. (She looks around the quad, sees people looking at her. sighs) I can't take this anymore! (gets up).

Ashley:  Where are you going?

Maria:  I don't know... I just know that can't be here...

Ashley:  Your skipping school?

Maria:  And your point being?

Maria walks back the way she came. Ashley goes after her.

Ashley:  Hey, Maria... wait.

Maria:  (turns back to her friend) What?

Ashley:  Look, don't go...

Maria:  Sorry, I just... I've got to, Okay?

Ashley:  Maria, since when have you let what other people think bother you?

Maria:  Since about 60 seconds ago... (with that she leaves).

Ashley watches her go. Then goes back to the table.

Ling:  Is she okay?

Ashley:  (angry) What do you think? God, you know, Ling you could've been a *little* more supportive back there!

Ling:  Look, its hard, okay...

Ashley:  "Hard"? What do you-- Wait, you really think she did it?!

Ling:  Its just.. how do we know for sure...

Ashley:  We don't! But if Maria says she didn't do it, then she didn't!

Ling:  Ashley, wasn't one of the reasons her dad moved because Maria did this sort of thing in the City? Maybe she was just tempted yesterday...

Ashley:  I can't believe you just said that. Maria is our best friend. Think about it, if she did steal that top, would she really come back into the store, let that store manager check her bag and wait to get caught?! I thought you where the kind of person that gives people the benefit of the doubt? Especially your friends! Guess I was wrong about that, huh?

Ashley gets up, grabs her bag, goes to walk away but then sits down again.

Ashley:  (angry) Or maybe, its just, you have such a damn good school and community record that you don't wanna be seen with someone that doesn't!

And once again she gets up and walks away. Ling watches her go and thinks about what she just said. Her expression is remorseful.

Ashley Voice Over:  Man, I can't believe Ling! She's normally so.. so... on her friends side. Okay, so she's right, I guess we don't know for sure if Maria did it or not. But if my friend tells me they didn't do something, I believe them... I thought Ling did too. Two fights with my best friend, two days running, I really don't know what's up with us lately...

Cut to the end of the school day. The bell rings. Ashley's walking down one of the halls. Ling catches up with her.

Ling:  Okay, so I thought about what you said. And I'm an idiot, okay? Your right, if Maria says she didn't do it, then she didn't.

Ashley:  (smiles) Now this is the Ling we all know and love. So, question is, what can we do about this whole thing?

Ling:  (thanks) I've got an idea. 

They head off down the hall. Cut to the school's main entrance. They come out of the doors and head towards the gates.

Ling:  So, what do you think?

Ashley:  Sounds like a plan, I'm in! (sees Dylan, calls) Hey, Dylan!

He comes over to them.

Dylan:  Hey. I heard about Maria... Is she okay?

Ashley:  She's been better.

Dylan:  Well, you guys know she didn't do it right?

Ling:  Uh huh. That's why we're about to prove she didn't. You in?

Dylan:  Ugh. I can't. I've got Basketball practice.

Ashley:  Dylan, come on! Are you gpnna waste time throwin' a ball through a hoop or help us prove that your girlfriends innocent?!

Dylan:  (sighs) Coach is gonna have my head....

The girls just look at him. After a few moments, he sighs, turns the opposite way from which he was headed and walks down the street with them.

Ashley:  Yeah, well... you'll survive, you like his star player...

Cut to the Mall. Cut to the store that they where in before.

Ling:  Okay, so we've gotta get out the back where they keep all the security cameras, tapes and stuff.

Dylan:  Well. (looks around) This looks like the same layout as my Moms store so, in theory, it should be this way. Come on...

Ashley:  You'd better be right.

Cut to later. Cut to inside one of the store cupboards. Dylan, Ashley and Ling are looking though the security tapes. 

Dylan:  Okay, its gotta be this one. 

Ashley:  Yeah, cause we've gone through just about all of the rest that where taped yesterday, right?

Ling:  Yup.

Dylan slides the video tape into the recorder.

Cut to them a little later.

Ashley:  Ugh. Were never gonna find it...

Ling:  We better...

Dylan:  We will...

Ashley:  Hey, wait. Look.

They all look at the monitor.

Ling:  No way!

Dylan:  Huh...

Ashley:  Maria was right. Guess we should have known, huh?

Suddenly the door opens and in walks the store manger.

Store Manager:  Hey, what are you kids doing in here?!

Ashley:  We've got something you need to see.

Cut to later. Cut to the Arcade Cafeteria. Ashley, Ling, Maria and Dylan are seated at a booth. Maria and Dylan are sitting next to each other and Ashley and Ling are sitting opposite.

Maria:  Guys, what can I say. Apart from *thank you*! 

Ashley:  Heh. Your welcome.

Ling:  I still can't believe it... Abby. Guess we should of believed you, *I* should have believed you. I'm really sorry.

Maria:  Hey its okay. You came though for me in the end, right?

Ling:  Thanks.

Ashley:  So, how are things with your Dad?

Maria:  Better. (smiles) Much better. He's all sorry that he didn't believe me. And the store? I'm getting a written apology and everything.

Ling:  Really? Cool.

Maria:  Yeah! I'm gonna frame it. And put on the refrigerator or something. 

Her friends laugh at her joke. 

Dylan:  So, Abby? Do you think they'll charge her?

Maria:  Nah... I'm sure "Daddy" will take care of that... 

Ashley Voice Over:  So it was Abby.... The video tape showed that she slipped the top into Maria's bag the second time she pushed her into the clothes rail. Me and Ling didn't see cause we where helping Maria up, remember? Maria was right, Abby didn't get charged... she totally got away with it! Apparently her Dad got her off the hook. Man, just cause he's the Mayor of Chestaville. That is *so* unfair... But, I guess we shouldn't expect anything less from Abigail "Tumbridge, right?

The Camera pans back to reveal the four of them sitting at the table, laughing and joking, it then pans further back to reveal more of the Arcade Cafeteria and its customers, before fading to black.