"EPISODE 1.14 - Who Am I?"

Written and produced By Alex Gregg. Copyrighted 2003-04.
Originally Aired February 9th 2004

Ashley:  Previously, on Chestaville High.

Mrs Ross:  (realizes its time) Ashley... (softly) Your adopted...

Ashley:  (not looking up) Why didn't you tell me?

Mrs Ross:  I wanted to wait until you where older.

Ashley:  (angry, voice braking. holding back tears) That's no excuse!

Mrs Ross:  Ashley, calm down, okay... Its gonna be alright...

Ashley:  Don't tell me what to do. (angrily) You're not my mother...

Shot of Ashley in her room, tears running down her face. Shot of her putting clothes into her bag. Shot of her leaving her house with Diesel.

Ashley:  (sighs) I've just gotta get out of here...

Maria:  And you think running away is the answer? There's another bus out of Chestaville in an hour, right? If you still wanna go, I wont stop you.

Ashley:  (sighs) I'll stay, for now.
 
 
 
Cut to a Picnic table outside the Arcade's Cafeteria. Maria and Ashley are sitting opposite sides, Diesel is laying underneath. They both a have soda.

Ashley:  (sighs) I... I just need to get away from it all...

Maria:  I get that, I do. But, like I said, running away isn't answer.

Ashley:  Since when are you the voice of reason?! Your support-oh gal!

Maria:  Ash, I know what its like to run away, okay? 'Cause I've been there.

Ashley:  So you know what its like when you've gotta get gone. 

Maria:  Yeah, I do. And I also know what its like to sleep on the streets... to have nothing eat... To be freezing at night. (seriously) Its not fun.

There's a long silence. Ashley thinks about what Maria has just said.

Ashley:  (sighs) So, what do you suggest I do? 'Cause I'm not going back.

Maria:  We find you a place to crash for a couple of days.

Cut the the beach. Cut to some high up cliffs. Maria and Ashley are standing with Diesel in front of the old abandoned light house.

Ashley:  Here?! Maria, do you know how old this place is?! You know that they're about to tear it down, right?

Maria:  I know. (sarcastically) Hopefully not within the next couple of days. (Ashley just gives her a look) Look, you wanted a place where no one goes right? Its safe... secure... well mostly. plus its dry. What else do you want?

Ashley:  Uhm electric, maybe? (pauses) Look, you know, if I just get outta here now, I can get a cheep room in the next town somewhere and--

Maria:  (crosses her arms and interrupts) How much you got?

Ashley:  Fifteen, maybe twenty bucks....

Maria:  That wont get you a cheep, cheep room. And if it does, it'll be for one night. (points to the lighthouse) This is free, for as long as you want.

Ashley sighs, knowing Maria is right. She follows, with Diesel close behind.
 
 

The Credits

Special Guest Stars: Dylan Matthews
Guest Staring: Mrs Ross, Rick, Mrs Lee

 
Cut to a later. Its now dark. Cut to Inside the old light house. Cut to the top floor, the circular room is very small, about five or six meters radius. In the middle stands the old light that would have once lit up the lighthouse. Ashley and Maria are sitting around a small fire made out of old newspaper.

Ashley:  You never told us that you've ran away... 

Maria:  Yeah well... there's a lotta stuff you guys don't know about me...

Ashley:  Such as?

Maria:  (Maria looks way for a moment, not wanting to talk about it, then changes the subject) You know this fire doesn't really keep you warm.

Ashley:  (gets it, and goes with the new subject) I know... But any bigger and it would smoke out the room...

Maria:  Oh. So, how do you know all about this stuff?

Ashley:  Me and Ling went to Camp when we were younger...

Maria:  I guess that explains the sleeping bag, the know how of the fire, your swiss army knife... - Wait... Ling! Your gonna let her in on this, right?

Ashley:  No.

Maria:  No? Why not?!

Ashley:  I just don't want *anyone* else to know I'm here, okay? You've gotta swear not to say anything - Or I'm outta here.

Maria:  But, you've known her practically all your life... 

Ashley:  (sighs) Ling's just, well... I don't think she'd support me in this.

Ashley Voice Over:  I cant believe I'm hiding out in the towns old *un-safe* abandoned light house.  (sighs) I still can't believe what's happened today. This morning, I was Ashley Ross - a normal kid, now.. I don't know who I am... Maria's probably right, running away isn't the answer. But right now I just cant stay in the same house as *her*. As for Ling? Why am I not telling her? Well.. Ling's the sort of person that does the right thing... and I'm worried that she won't agree with my way of needing space...

Cut to a shot of Ashley's house. Cut to the inside of Ashley's room. There's a knock on the door and it opens, Mrs Ross comes in.

Mrs Ross:  Ashley? Would you like some dinner? (walks further into the room and finds it empty, she looks around) Ashley?

She walks further into the room and sees Ashley's clothes and books scattered on her bed and the floor. She then spots a piece of paper on the corner on the bed. She goes over and picks it up.

Mrs Ross:  (sits on the bed reading it, almost crying) Oh, God. Ashley...

Cut to later. A shot of Harris's Electrical Supplies - Mara's Dad's store. Cut to Maria coming down the stairs from the flat to the store room and back entrance of the store. She carrying a plastic bag. She gets to the bottom and opens the door to go out, but finds Ling, who was just about to knock.

Maria:  Woah, Hey Ling!

Ling:  Ashley's gone!

Maria:  (tries to act surprised) What?!

Ling:  Yeah... Her moms just been round ours. She's ran away.  (Maria doesn't really know what to say) Maria we've gotta find her!

Maria:  Li, I don't think that's such a good idea. I mean, she could be anywhere. She might not even be in Chestaville anymore. Besides, she ran away for a reason right? Maybe she just wants to be by herself.

Ling:  Maria, being by herself right now is *not* gonna help her deal with this and-- (realizes) You know where she is don't you?

Maria:  No...

Ling:  Yes, you do!

Maria:  (tries to sound convincing) Ling, I don't, okay?

Ling:  (crosses her arms) So where are you going with that bag of food?

Maria:  Uh... trash can? (Ling just looks at her. Maria sighs) Okay, okay... Yeah, I know where she is. But she wants to be left alone.

Ling:  (loudly) She's my best friend!

Maria:  (sighs) If I tell you, you've gotta keep it to yourself, okay?

Ling:  Maria...

Maria:  I mean it Ling! I've just stopped her from getting on the bus out of town, okay? And if we rat her out, she gonna be on the next bus outta here. And *nobodys* gonna know where she is.

Ling:  Okay. I swear. I wont say anything.

Maria:  Come on I'll show you. (to herself) I just hope Ash understands...

Cut to the light house. The fire is almost out, just a few lighted ashes are left. Ashley is laying on her sleeping bag, thinking. She lifts hers head when she hears a noise. just then, Maria comes into the room.

Ashley:  (breathes sigh of relief) Its just you...

Maria:  Uhm... Yeah. Uh.. plus a friend...

Ling:  (walks in). Hey Ashley...

Cut to the three friends and Diesel sitting on the sleeping bag, near the fire. Which has been lit again and is glowing a little.

Maria:  so, are you mad at me?

Ashley:  I was. For a second. But I'm over it. (looks at Ling, smiles a little) besides, I need my Ling. (to Ling) I was an idiot.

Ling:  (nods) Yeah. You was.

Maria:  Listen, I'd better go. Dads gettin stricter with the whole curfew thing... and if I wanna spend the rest of my school days hanging out with my friends after school, I'd better at least *try* to stick to it it a little...

Ashley:  Okay. Hey, thanks for the food.

Maria:  No problem. See you guys tomorrow.

Ashley/Ling:  Bye.

Maria leaves and Ling turns to her best friend.

Ling:  Okay, so, truth. Why didn't you tell me? (Ashley just looks at her) Is it 'cause you thought I'd rat you out?

Ashley:  (looks away) Maybe...

Ling:  I can't believe you'd think I'd actually do that!

Ashley:  I'm sorry. I just... I'm sorry, okay? I'm not... (sighs) I'm not thinking straight right now. (getting teary) I can't believe she never told me. (tearfully) I just wanted to get outta here, far way from... everything...

Ling:  (tries to comfort her friend) Ash, its gonna be okay...

Ashley:  No, its not. Everything changed... and things, (shakes her head) they can never (begins to cry) go back to the way they where... And... (crying) I don't know what to do, Li... I don't know what to do...

Ling:  (worried) Oh, Ashley... (moves closer and hugs her friend as she cries). Its gonna be okay, its gonna be okay...

Fade to Ashley's house. Cut to the kitchen. Mrs Ross and Rick are sitting at the island table. They both have a hot drink.

Mrs Ross:  Its eleven forty. I'm calling the police. (gets up).

Rick:  (gets up too) Why don't we give her a little longer, huh?

Mrs Ross:  Rick, I've gave her six hours. Its almost midnight!

Rick:  I know, Rach, okay? I know. (goes over to her) Why don't we give her until the morning, and if she's not back, which I'm sure she will be, then we'll call. (she doesn't look convinced) Honey, the police can't do much at this time of night. Where ever Ashley is I'm sure she's alright.

Mrs Ross:  (moves in to Rick's arms. Tears are running down her face) I just want Ashley home and safe. Here with us, where she belongs.

Rick:  (comforts her) I know, I know....

Cut to Ashley looking out of the Light house window. To the left of her she sees the darkened sea. She turns to look at the bright light of the new light house in the distance. Finally she turns to look at the town, lights are scattered around. She sees the occasional moving light - car headlights.

After a moment she goes back to her sleeping bag, climbs in and cuddles up to Diesel. The camera closes in on her face as she settles down for the night. As it gets closer, tears run down the girls face as she silently cries.

Morning. Shot of the old lighthouse. Cut to Ashley sitting on her sleeping bag, Diesel is laying next to her. Ling and Maria are sitting opposite.

Ling:  So... Have you thought about what you're gonna do?

Ashley:  No... (a long pause) She lied to me. (looks up at her friends) For fifteen years she lied to me... And, I don't know how much time its gonna take to deal with that.... and then there's the whole reason why she lied...

Ling and Maria give Ashley a sympathetic look.

Maria:  Ash, its pretty obvious, you don't wanna be anywhere near her right now. But... like I said before... running away. It isn't the answer...

Ling:  Yeah, I agree. This isn't gonna solve itself by a couple of nights away from home... You've gotta talk this through...

Ashley:  I know, okay? I know... I'm just... I'm just not ready yet.

Cut Ling's house. She opens the front door to find her her Mom sitting in the front room with a police officer. Mrs Lee gets up and walks over to her.

Ling:  Uhm.. what's going on? 

Mrs Lee:  Ling, its okay. The officer just wants to ask you some questions. 

Cut to a little later, Ling is now sitting on the sofa with her mother next to her. The police offer is sitting in the chair opposite them.

Police Officer:  So, when was the last time you saw Ashley?

Ling:  Uhm.. (swallows nervously) Yesterday...

Police Officer:  Where?

Cut to Maria's. She's sitting in her kitchen at the table next to her Dad. The same police officer is sitting opposite, questioning her.

Maria:  (playing it cool) At her house.

Police Officer:  And you haven't seen her since?

Maria:  Nope.

Cut back to Ling.

Police Officer:  (glances at Mrs Lee) Your Mom tells me you got home quite late last night. Later then usual. Why was that?

Ling:  (glances at her mom) Um, I was at Maria's. Studying...

Cut to Maria.

Maria:  I was Studying with my friend Ling.

Police Officer:  What where you studying? 

Maria:  (still playing it cool) Math.

Cut back to Ling.

Ling:  (still nervous) Uh, English...

Police Officer:  You understand that its very import that we find Ashley? (Ling nods) So, if you know where she was...

Cut to Maria.

Maria:  I'd let you know.

Police Officer:  Okay then. Well if you see Ashley, or she gets in contact with you at all. You'll contact us? (gives her his card). 

Cut to Ling.

Ling:  (nods) Uh huh....

Cut to a shot of Maria's back door. There's a knock. Maria comes down the saris to answer it. She opens it to find Dylan standing the other side.

Dylan:  Hey.

Maria:  (wasn't expecting him) Uh, hi. (smiles) What are you dong here?

Dylan:  Can't a guy call round to see his girlfriend?

Maria:  (laughs) Of course. I just wasn't expecting you is all.

Dylan:  I see that. (they kiss, then brake off) You are okay? You look a little..

Maria:  Yeah. I'm just worried about Ashley...

Dylan:  Oh. What's wrong? Is she okay?

Maria:  (realized that she's just slipped) Oh! Yeah. Yeah. She's fine. Just, uh.. you know... grille stuff, that's all. So, uh you wanna come in?

Cut to Ashley in the Lighthouse. She's sitting on her sleeping bag, stroking her German Shepherd. Staring to to space, thinking things over.

Ashley Voice Over:  I wish things where different. I wish I'd never found out. I wish... (sighs) does it matter? Things are as they are, and I know I have to work out what I want. Can I live with someone I trusted, someone that kept something from me, a big something, from me, my entire life?

Cut to The beach. Ling is heading towards the light house. Maria is further down the beach, she see her friend.

Maria:  Ling! (Ling stops and Maria catches up with her) Li, are you okay?

Ling:  No... (hugs her arms around herself) When I got home, the police where there... They asked me questions about Ashley...

Maria:  You too, huh?

Ling:  They came to yours too?!

Maria:  Hey, listen. You didn't say anything, right? You got Ashley's back? (Ling nods "yes") Okay, then everything's cool.

Ling:  Everything's cool?! How?! We're not only lying to our parents now, we're lying to the authorities! Do you know how much trouble we're in? Withholding information... is a crime! (sighs) The police aside. She's my best friend, I've known her practically all my life... and, I hate seeing her like this.

Maria:  I know. Me too... (sighs) Look, I know its not the same, but... when my mum left? I wanted to shut everyone out and deal in my own way. And I'm pretty sure Ashley feels the same way right now... Cops or no cops, we have to be supportive, we cant freak out, Ling. Okay?

Ling:  (sighs) Yeah, I guess you're right...

Cut to the girls Inside the Lighthouse.

Ashley:  Cops? Why?

Ling:  Because, your mom- Rachel- whoever! - Is freaking out!

Maria:  A bit like you are, now? Ling, what did we just talk about?

Ling:  (sighs) I just lied to the cops, okay? Me! Ling Lee. I can't lie well, you both know this. And... he probably saw right through me!

Maria:  Ling, your acting like we're hiding a wanted felon, here.

Ling:  (sighs) I'm sorry. I'm just worried about you Ash, and... me... and the whole situation. (softly, to Ashley) Have you decided what your gonna do?

Ashley:  No. (pause) I don't know who I am anymore. Am I Ashley Ross? Am In even Ashley? I don't know if I even belong at home... maybe I never did...

Ling:  (sympathetically ) Ashley...

Cut to Ashley's House. Cut to the front room, Mrs Ross is looking out the window. Rick comes in with a cup of coffee.

Rick:  (softly) Hey. Sweetheart, I made you coffee...

Mrs Ross:  (takes it) Thanks. (almost crying) God, I hope she's okay...

Mrs Ross leans into her fiancé and he hugs her.

Rick:  (looking concerned for her) I'm sure she's fine, honey...

Cut back to inside the Light house.

Maria:  Ash, look at it like this: So she's not your biological mom. What does that mean anyway? So she didn't give birth to you? So what?

Ling:  Maria's right,. She's always loved you like you where her own. To her you *are* her own and you always will be. Some part of you knows that.

Ashley:  She kept something from me! A Big somthing!

Ling:  Yeah, she did, and I'm not defending her for that. It was wrong, big time. She should of told you. But she probably didn't tell you 'cause she loves you so much. She was probably afraid that she'd lose you.

Ashley:  Like she has now?

Maria:  Ash, so she's made a mistake, okay a huge, mistake, but still. You've gotta weigh up all the good things.

Ling:  Yeah, Maria's right! Who was there when you spoke your first word? When you took your first step? Who was there on your first day of Kindi? Or when you had a problem? Not some woman that gave birth to you, but her. Ashley, she's your real mom, here. Not some woman you've never met...

Ashley sits in silence, letting her friend's words sink in. Ling and Maria give each other a hopeful look. Maybe, just maybe they've got through.

Cut to Ashley's house. Mrs Ross is in the kitchen doing the washing up. There's a knock at the door, and she looks up. She grabs a towel and heads for the front door, wiping her hands. She drapes the towel over a chair on her way though to the front room and goes to the door. When she opens it, there stands Ashley, with Diesel, looking sad and tired. 

For a long moment they just look at each other not saying a word.

Ashley:  (almost crying) I'm sorry...

Mrs Ross:  (almost crying too) Oh Ashley... so am I sweetheart...

They move forward and hold each other close for a long, tight embrace. 

Ashley Voice Over:  I never thought of it that way, I guess she has been there for me all my life. she's the one who wanted me. About all the things Maria and Ling said before, I guess they had a point. I guess I was just too angry to see it that way. Okay, and I'm still angry about the whole thing, but deep down, I know she's my mom. And, maybe she deserves more credit than I've given her over the last couple of days...

After a while the camera starts to pull back and out towards the street facing the front of the house. Then it slowly fades to black.