"EPISODE 1.16 - Zak, Job & Distractions"

Written and produced By Alex Gregg. Copyrighted 2003-04.
Originally Aired February 23rd 2004

Fade into a shot of Chestaville's movie theater. It's late evening. The camera pans down from the sign to the entrance. Dylan and Maria walk out amidst other moviegoers. Dylan has his arm around his girlfriend's shoulders.

Maria:  Well... that was... (searches for the word)... uh...

Dylan:  Tragic?

Maria:  No! It was more then Tragic.. it was... Catastrophic!

Dylan:  (laughs) Catastrophic is another word for Tragic.

Maria:  Oh... (there's long pause) I mean, she loved him! And he just-- ugh!

Dylan:  You hated it that much?

Maria:  No... of course not. (Dylan raises his eyebrows at her). Okay... I did. But, you where with me, so that more then made up for the lame movie.

Dylan smiles at her as they head down the street.

Dylan:  We shouldn't have seen a chick flick...

Maria:  We *so* shouldn't have.

Dylan:  Next time, an all-round action movie?

Maria:  Oh yeah!

They carry on walking down the street as the camera fades to later, cut to the back door to Maria's dad's store. "Harris's Electoral Supplies". 

Dylan:  Well, here we are...

Maria:  Yup. I had fun tonight.

Dylan:  Me too.

They kiss.

Maria:  You wanna come in? The night's still... (looks at her watch, it's later then she thought) well... its a little mature, but hey.

Dylan:  I'd better not... School tomorrow. Plus, your dad--

Maria:  (interrupts) ...Might be mad that I'm out this late on a Sunday night? (Dylan nods, Maria sighs) I guess. See you at school tomorrow then.

Dylan:  Yup. Night.

Maria:  Night.

Dylan heads out of the alley, back on to main street and heads for home. Cut to him walking down main street, he walks past a row of shops and rounds the corner. He sees three teens beating on another one. He goes over

Dylan:  Is there some kind problem?

They all stop punching the other teen and look up at Dylan.

Teen #1:  Buzz off kid.

As the oldest one looks at Dylan he recognizes him.

Teen #1:  Dylan. Hey man.

At hearing his name the other two look up. They recognize him too.

Teen #2:  Hey.

Teen #3:  Dylan! Great game one Saturday!

Dylan:  Yeah. (looks at the other teen) Are you guys gonna back off?

Teen #2:  This isn't any of your business, mate.

Dylan:  I'm making it my business.

Teen #2:  You wanna start something?

Teen #1:  (steps up to his mate) Hey, Gaz, don't, man.

Teen #2:  What?

Teen #3:  Come on, lets just go.

Teen #2:  Guys. Are you serious? He's just a Freshman. We're Juniors.

Teen #1:  We're going.

Teen #2:  Fine. (turns back to the teen) We aren't finished.

The three teens head down the street and round the corner out of sight.

Dylan:  (gives him a hand to get up) Are you okay?

Zak:  (looks after the teens then turns back to Dylan) Yeah. Thanks, man.
 
 

The Credits

Special Guest Stars: Dylan Matthews, Abby Tumbridge, Zak Williams
Guest Staring: Mr Harris

 
Fade into a shot of Chestaville High. Cut to the girls bathrooms. Ashley comes out of one of the stalls. She goes over to the sink, dumps her books, washes her hands and stares in to the mirror. It looks like she's been crying.

Ashley:  (whispers, to herself) I'm fine. (sighs) I'm fine...

Ashley Voice Over:  Well, this week has just been so, ugh! I can't stop thinking about what Rick said: "So, from now on, you'll do what I say, when I say, or I'll make sure you don't make it home in time for supper". I've been trying work out what he meant by that. I mean, he hates me, he's always hated me, but now... (sighs) I dun know.. I guess I'm scared of him... Most of the time I'm afraid to go home, which is stupid, right? (sighs) But for once it's actually nice being at school... And that's saying something...

Cut to Ashley coming out of the girls bathroom. She looks down at her books as she walks into the hall right in front of a boy, who bumps into her, making her lose her grip on her books and they fall to the ground. The boy sees them fall and quickly squats down next to her to help her gather them up.

Ashley:  Oh. Sorry...

Zak:  No, it was totally me. I wasn't looking where I was going.

Ashley:  Uh, yeah... ditto...

Zak:  First day. So, trying to get everything right and, uh, it's not happening.

They finish gathering up the books, Zak hands over the ones he's collected.

Ashley:  Oh, your new?

Zak:  Yeah. Zak, is, is me. (motions a wave) Hey.

Ashley:  Ashley. (they stand up) Uhm, thanks for the help.

Zak:  Yeah. Great. Nice to meet you.

Ashley gives a slight nod and smiles at him then heads down the hall. Zak stares after her for a few seconds but is interrupted by a tap on the shoulder. He turns round to see Abby.

Abby:  Hey.

Zak:  Oh, Hey. 

Cut to the Cafeteria. Its lunchtime, and rather crowded. Ashley and Ling are sitting at a table over the far side of the room near the windows.

Ling:  So, Chem test Wednesday. Wanna come over tonight? Hit the books?

Ashley:  (staring out the window, not really listening) Uh huh...

Ling:  Okay, great. I'll ask Maria too. She could use the study, in a major way. But, I mean, It hasn't gotta be like all study, all night. We can watch Dvd's, listen to Music... (notices Ashley is else where) Hang out...

Ashley:  (looking out the window, not playing attention) Sure...

Ling:  Or... we could forget the whole thing, go to a an extremely slutty bar, get totally drunk... and pass out on the street.

Ashley:  (still looking out the window) Sounds like fun...

Ling:  Ash? (worried) Ash are you okay?

Ashley:  (comes out of her trance) Huh?

Ling:  Are you okay? Because you've been acting... Well, kind of out of it for a few days now... Is something wrong? Are things still bad with at home?

Ashley:  (in a worried voice) What? What do you mean?

Ling:  With your mom?

Ashley:  (relieved) Oh! No. (shakes her head) No, we've... it's better. I just... I just haven't been sleeping is all... No, big. (Ling gives her a look) I'm fine. So! Chem test on Wednesday. Study at your house tonight? 

Ling still gives Ashley a concerned look. Cut to the halls. Dylan is walking towards the Cafeteria. He stops when he sees Zak talking to Abby.

Abby:  After lunch we've got IT, its on the second floor next to the library.

Zak:  IT, second floor, next to the library. Got it.

Abby:  Good. See you later.

She heads off down the hall leaving Zak standing alone. Dylan approaches.

Dylan:  Hey. How's the first day going?

Zak:  Oh, hey Dylan. Well, so far so good. I haven't crossed those guys from last night yet, so, you know... I'm good.

Dylan:  Hey, don't worry about them. Lorry, Gaz and Jake always have to bully someone. There kinda known for it. New guys are usually their Target. Tomorrow it'll be like "who are you?", you know?

Zak:  Yeah.

Dylan:  So, I see you've met "little-miss-popular",  then. (Zak gives him a "huh" expression) Also known as Abby Tumbridge? 

Zak:  Oh. Yeah, actually---

Suddenly Maria comes up behind Dylan and puts her around around him.

Maria:  Hey.

Dylan:  Hey. (puts his arm around her) Zak, Maria. Maria, Zak - new guy.

Maria:  Hey.

Zak:  Hey.

Dylan:  So, uh, we're Cafeteria-bound. You, wanna come with? 

Zak:  Sure. (to Maria) If that's okay?

Maria:  Sure! We're meeting some friends, so the more the merrier.

Cut to the Cafeteria. Maria, Dylan and Zak find Ashley and Ling.

Maria:  Hey guys.

Ashley/Ling:  Hey.

Maria and the boys pull up a chair and sit down at the table to join the girls. 

Dylan:  Oh, uh.. Zak, (points each girl out) Ling, Ashley. Guys, Zak - new guy.

Zak:  Hey.

Ling:  Hi. Welcome to Chestaville.

Zak:  Thanks.

Ashley:  Yeah, we've actually met. This morning. In the hall. We kinda..

Zak:  ...Bumped into each other.

Ashley:  Literally...

Cut to a little later. The five of them are still in the Cafeteria, talking.

Maria:  (to Zak) So, we've told you about us. Your turn. Were did you live before, what do you do for fun, what do you like, let's hear it.

Zak:  Uh... (laughs) I *live* in Oregon. I'm staying down here with my Uncle and his family while my parents are away on business. Uh.. I like to skateboard, I'm a big fan of the beach too... I'm also into surfing.

Ling:  You can surf? Cool.

Maria:  We have a skater park here in town. Ashley practically lives there.

Ashley:  I do not.

Dylan:  What about Basketball? You into that?

Maria:  Yeah. Dylan is Chestaville High's basketball Star.

Dylan:  She's exaggerates.

Zak:  Well, I can play. Never made the teem though.

Dylan spots some of his team mates heading into the cafeteria.

Dylan:  Oh, uh, I'll be back in a minute. (heads over to them).

Maria:  Dylan's fellow basketball buds.

Zak:  (looks over). Right. 

Ashley:  So, do you know how long your staying in Chestaville?

Zak:  Well, I'll defiantly be finishing freshman year down here... and possibly sophomore too. (just then Abby spots Zak from across the room and heads over to the group's table). So, its---

Abby:  (interrupts) Zak. What are you doing? And here.

Zak:  Uh, sitting, Talking. Why?

Abby:  Well, I don't mean to interrupt your downward spiral here in the friends department, no wait... (turns to look at Maria) I really do. (turns back to Zak) But, I forgot to tell you this morning, Dad wants you straight home after school, family dinner in your honor, or, something. Okay?

Zak:  Oh, right. Sure.

Abby:  (takes one last look at the girls) Okay, then.

Just the Dylan comes back over to the table, Abby notices.

Abby:  (sweetest voice and with a huge smile) Hey Dylan.

Dylan:  Oh, uh, hey Abby. 

Abby smiles at him once again and walks away. Dylan looks back at Ashley, Ling and Maria who are open mouthed staring at Zak.

Zak/Dylan:  What?

Maria:  No way. No Way! Abby?!

Ashley:  Abby's your---

Zak:  Cousin. Yeah.

Maria:  (generally sympathetic) Oh, you poor poor guy...

Zak:  (laughs) You gal's don't get along?

Ling:  Maria is like, Abby's number one worst enemy. Since the day she moved here. And she's not a fan of Ash and me either. Never has been...

Maria:  But she's a massive fan of my boyfriend. Right Dylan?

Dylan rolls his eyes at her and shakes his head.

Ashley Voice Over:  Well. Okay, so a cute guy moves to Chestaville and starts at school today, and he turns out to be related to Abby Tumbridge. Their cousins. Why is that so unfair? Poor guy, though. He has to put with with Abby not only at school, but after as well... nobody deserves that...

Cut to after school. Cut to the entrance of Chestaville High.

Ling:  So, I'll see you at my house tonight?

Ashley:  Oh, uh, I guess. We're not walking together?

Ling:  I've gotta see Miss Moran about Extra credit. I might be a while.

Ashley:  Oh. I've gotta stop by main street on my way home anyway.

Fade into Ashley walking down a street. Zak comes jogging up behind her. 

Zak:  Ashley? Hey, Ashley!

Ashley:  (turns around to see him) Oh, Hey Zak. You heading this way?

Zak:  Yeah. Main street leads to beach way, right?

Ashley:  Oh, yeah. 'course. You live with Abby...

They being to walk down the street together.

Zak:  Yeah. Uhm.. About my being Abby's cousin... That, uh... that won't affect our friendship at all, will it?

Ashley:  (surprised) Friendship?

Zak:  Uhm.. yeah. Unless you think I'm "rich blooded" and all..

Ashley:  No, no! I just, I assumed you where friends with Dylan, that's all...

Zak:  I can't be both? 

Ashley:  (laughs) I guess.

Zak:  Great.

Ashley:  So, Your really related to Abby? Related? As in like, the blood related... kind of related?

Zak:  Unfortunately... (nods) Yeah...

Ashley:  Wow... Sorry.

Zak:  Thanks.

Fade to later. Ashley stops outside "Harris Electrical Supplies".

Ashley:  Well, uh.. (looks towards the store).

Zak:  "Harris Electrical Supplies". Isn't this Maria's dads store?

Ashley:  Yup.

Zak:  You do remember she's with Dylan, Right?

Ashley:  Yeah, waiting until Dylan fishes practice. I know. (Points to an advert in the window) I'm after the Saturday job.

Zak:  Really? You like electrical stuff?

Ashley:  Well... no. But is only stocking the shelves and working the cash register. It beats being a busboy for the seafront arcade cafeteria. Or getting up at 6am every morning for a paper round. Besides, I'm Maria's friend, so I may stand a fighting chance. (nods).

Zak:  (laughs) Okay.

Cut to Ashley walking to the store and up to the counter. The store has a few customers and Mr Harris is working the cash register. 

Ashley:  Hey, Mr Harris.

Mr Harris:  Hey, Ashley. Maria's not home forms school yet.

Ashley:  Oh. I know. It's you I wanted to see.

Just then a customer comes over to the counter with some goods. Ashley moves to the other side to let Maria's dad serve him.

Mr Harris:  Oh?

Ashley:  Yeah, I was wondering if the Saturday job was still available?

Mr Harris:  (prices up the goods) Oh, Ashley it is but-- (to the customer) That'll be $12.75. (turns back to Ashley) --Are you sure it's the kind job your looking for? (the customer hands over the money, and Mr Harris hands him his change) Thank you. (he turns back to Ashley) Besides wouldn't you rather spend your Saturday mornings with Maria and Ling?

Ashley:  Mr Harris, I really, really need a job, and I think I'm up to it.

Cut to the gym ay Chestaville high. Maria and a few other girls are seated on the bleachers, watching the school's varsity basketball teem practice. Ling comes into the Gym and heads over to Maria.

Ling:  (sits) Good, I was hoping you where still here. 

Maria:  Hey. What are you do at school this late?

Ling:  I went to see Miss Moran about extra credit.

Maria:  (has one eye on the game and one eye on her friend) Figures.

Ling:  (rolls her yes) Look, Maria, I wanted to talk to you about Ashley.

Maria:  What about her? 

Ling:  Well, do you think she's been kind of quiet lately? And... distracted?

Maria:  (turns her full attention to Ling) Uh, I haven't noticed anything.

Ling:  Well, it just seems, for the past week now, that... something's wrong?

Maria:  Wrong? Li, she seems fine to me. I mean, she's had the whole "being adopted" thing to deal with, remember? That can't be easy. I mean, things have still gotta be rough at home for her. But if there was something majorly wrong, she'd tell us, right?

Ling:  Yeah, I guess. (sighs) Its' probably nothing...

Maria:  Yeah, just your overly-worked brain, seeing things that aren't there... (Ling gives her a look) Sorry...

Cut back to Ashley in Mr Harris's store. He's now stocking shelves and Ashley is trying to convince him to let her take the job. 

Ashley:  I mean, I learn real fast... and, I like people. The avert says cash register and stocking shelves. I know I can totally, *totally* handle that.

Cut to a little later.

Ashley:  So, what do you think? can I have a shot?
 
Mr Harris:  Well, I am looking for someone more qualified. (Ashley looks disappointed)  But, nobody else has come forward, and you do see more then keen, so... tell you what. You drop by on Saturday and I'll give you a trail run. If all goes well, I'll give you the job. How's that? 

Ashley:  (smiles) Really? Oh, cool! Thanks!

Mr Harris:  Trial run. 

Ashley:  Oh, sure. Trail run! Of course. Thank you!

Just then Maria and Ling walk though the front entrance. 

Maria:  Ashley! What are you dong here? 

Ashley:  Hey guys. Applying for the Saturday a job.

Ling:  Here? How come?

Ashley:  Because, like most people, I need the cash. (turns back to Mr Harris) Thank you! I'll be here on Saturday! 9am? 

Mr Harris:  Uhm, no make it ten, okay?

Ashley:  Oh, sure, Okay! (to her friends) See you guys tonight!

With that she heads out of the store, in a rather happy tone. Ling and Maria look from Mr Harris, to the store entrance, as Ashley heads out of sight.

Maria:  And... you think she's quiet and distracted? She seems okay to me.

Ling:  Yeah... Yeah, I guess so.

Ashley Voice Over:  So.. a couple of things have happened lately, the new guy in town, went out of his way to tell me he wants to be friends, and who happens to be Abby's cousin. Also I might have a new job, which is cool. Okay, so I lied to Ling and Maria. I don't want the job for the cash, although, don't get me wrong, it'll be nice, but I want it because, it's one less morning I'll have to spend at home - with Rick. I know, I know, I shouldn't avoid him, but right now I just have to work a few things out.

 The Camera fades slowly fades out.