"EPISODE 1.17 - Beach Party"

Written and produced By Alex Gregg. Copyrighted 2003-04.
Originally Aired March 8th 2004

Fade into the campus of Chestaville High. The camera sweeps across the lawn, past students sitting at picnic tables, on benches and on the grass. It stops on Ashley, Ling Maria, who are sitting under a tree.

Maria:  So, What's on the menu for the weekend then?

Ashley:  The weekend? We still have tomorrow to go. 

Maria:  So? We can still plan can't we?

Ashley:  I guess.

Ling:  Don't you and Dylan have plans?

Maria:  Nah... (just then Dylan comes over to them) Oo! Speak on the devil.

Dylan:  Hey girls (sits down next to Maria and they kiss) What's up?

Maria:  Weekend plans... 

Ashley:  Well, actually the lack of...

Dylan:  Oh. Hey I have any idea. How about a beach party. Tomorrow night?

Ling:  What? Are you crazy?

Maria:  What is it with you and Parties lately? 

Dylan:  I mean, just, you know, Friends.

Ashley:  Wasn't it supposed to be "just friends" at Mania's birthday party? And your house turned out swamped with half of the High school...

Dylan:  And that turned out okay, right? Look, just hear me out, okay? We head down to the beach after dark, light a small fire... play some music, and hang out, it'll be fun. No more then ten people, promise.

Ling:  When you say ten people, you mean...

Dylan:  Us, and a couple of the guys on the team.

Maria:  Well, it sounds great to me.

Ashley:  Yeah, me too. (terns to her friend) What do you say Ling?

Ling:  (sighs) Well, I'm hardly gonna say no, am I?

Maria:  Great! We'll make a rebel out of you yet.
 
 

The Credits

Special Guest Stars: Dylan Matthews, Abby Tumbridge, Zak Williams
Guest Staring: Debbie Thompson, Mrs Ross, Rick

 
Ashley Voice Over:  Hey. Well, aren't we full of parties lately? It should be great though. As long as it keeps to a small number that is. Oh yeah, I got the job at Maria's dads store, so I can avoid Rick on Saturdays, which only leaves Sunday out of the whole week I have to be at home, to which you can guess, my home life hasn't improved in the slightest, well, okay, maybe slightly: me and mom are talking a lot more... so that's a good right? But anyway, back to the party, I can't wait, it should be so much fun!

Cut to Ashley's kitchen. Ashley and her mom are preparing dinner.

Mrs Ross:  A Party? On the beach, at night? (chops the carrots)

Ashley:  Yeah.

Mrs Ross:  Unsupervised. Ashley your only fifteen.

Ashley:  (sets the table) Mom I'm in high school now. Look, all we wanna do is sitting around the fire, play some music. What's wrong with that?

Mrs Ross:  (turns to her daughter) I'm *not* going to argue about this Ashley. My answer is no. Now, if you want to invite your friends round here--

Ashley:  (terns to her mom) Mom, inviting the guys round here isn't a beach party, is it? You just don't trust me, do you?

Mrs Ross:  It's not a case of trust. I've spent enough time not knowing where you are. And I don't want to add to that, alright? 

Ashley:  But you will know where I'll be! Besides, that was over a month ago. And I told you, I'm not going to be taking off again.

Mrs Ross:  I said no.

Ashley:  But Mom!

Just then Rick walks into the kitchen.

Rick:  I believe your mother's answer was no, Ashley.

Ashley turns round to face him, Mrs Ross walks over him and they kiss.

Mrs Ross:  I Hun. Dinner will be fifteen minutes. Had a good day?

Ashley:  (before he can answer, Ashley jumps in) You just don't want me to have any fun! Or any friends. Either of you! Do you? You've made that clear!

And with that she walks out of the kitchen. Cut to the next day in the Cafeteria at school. The girls and Dylan are at a table eating their lunch.

Ashley:  Parents! God! All they wanna do is wreck your life!

Dylan:  I don't get it... Why won't she let you go? I mean, she let you come to Maria's birthday Party didn't she?

Ashley:  Well, I didn't actually tell her your parents weren't there...

Dylan:  Oh.

Ling:  Well, there's not much we can do about it now, right?

Ashley:  Oh yes there is. I think we should go head with the party.

Ling:  What?! Are you nuts? What if your mom finds out? 

Maria:  (to Ling) Who's side are you on? Ashley can say she's staying at mine tonight. It'll be perfect. (to Ashley) I mean, you've got work in the morning, right? You've only gotta walk down stairs and your there.

Ashley:  (agrees) Makes sense.

Maria:  It will to your mom.

Dylan:  So, tonight goes ahead then? Do we party?

They all look at Ling for her approval of their new plan.

Ling:  (sighs) We party.

Cut to later. The bell rings. Ashley, Ling and Maria come out of one of the class room followed by other students. They head down the hall.

Maria:  Ugh! Thank god this week is over.

Ashley:  I *so* know what you mean... when are the holidays coming?

Ling:  Guys, we've just had midwinter recess two weeks ago...

They reach their lockers, Maria leans against them, waiting for Ashley and Ling to sort theirs out. As she waits she spots Zak coming the other way.

Maria:  (To Ashley, points) Oo! Zak Williams at four o'clock!

Ashley:  So! 

Maria:  So? He likes you! He--he walked with you. 

Ashley:  That was ages ago! We've hardly spoken to each other since then.

Ling:  He always says "hello" when he passes you in the hall.

Ashley:  He does not! (she watches him walking towards them).

Zak:  (As he passes he looks over at Ashley and smiles) Hey, Ashley.

Ashley:  (smiles back) Hey.

Zak continues on his way as Ling and Maria break out into huge smiles.

Ling/Maria:  See!!

Ashley:  Okay, okay! 

Maria:  I think you should ask him to the party tonight.

Ashley:  What? No way! I'm not even looking for a boyfriend right now. 

Maria:  Really? Well, okay. But you can invite him anyway, can't you? I mean, making friends won't hurt will it? Besides he's friends with Dylan, right?

Ling:  Yeah, and as he's new in town, it'll be nice for him.

Ashley:  (gives in) Alright, okay! I'll ask him. Happy? 

Maria:  (Maria nods and gives her a grin) Now would be good... (watches him walk down the hall) Look's like he headed out of the front entrance...

Ashley gives her friends a look, closes her locker and heads out after Zak. As she does Debbie Thompson comes over to Ling.

Debbie:  Hey Ling.

Ling:  Oh, Hi Debbie. (closes her locker) What's up?

Debbie:  Well, I've really been meaning to talk to you for the last couple of days. Uh, you know Jackie Oldham?

Ling:  Uh, she's one of your reporters right? 

Debbie:  Yup. Well she's moving away with her folks, so we're looking for someone to replace her. We don't usually take on a Freshman, but after your article, and your talent, we've all agreed that we can bend the rules slightly, so how would you like a job as part of the team?

Ling doesn't know what to say, she's in shock. She looks from Debbie to Maria, who gives her a thumbs up. She's turns back to Debbie.

Ling:  Uh, Oh my god. Uh, Sure! I'd love to! Oh my god. Thank you!

Debbie:  (laughs) Okay, stop by the office on Monday and we'll sort you out?

Ling:  Okay! 

Cut to outside. Zak reaches the school gates, Ashley jogs after him.

Ashley:  (calls) Zak! Hey Zak!

He stops and terns round as Ashley comes to a stop next to him.

Zak:  Hey, what's up?

Ashley:  Hey. uh, glad I caught you.

Cut to the main entrance, Ling and Maria come walking out of the building.

Ling:  I just.. wow! I can't believe it. Me, part of the school newspaper team!

Maria:  That's pretty cool... good for you.

As they walk down the steps Dylan catches up with them.

Dylan:  Hey girls. What's pretty cool?

Maria:  Hey. Ling's gonna be part of the school newspaper team.

Dylan:  Hey, cool. Now we can get some decedent stuff in there for once. It's become so lame over the last couple of months... Well done Ling.

Ling:  Thanks.

Dylan:  So, where's Ashley?

Maria:  (points) Talking to Zak. She's going to invite him to the party.

Dylan:  (looks over at Zak and Ashley) Really? Cool.

Cut back to Zak and Ashley.

Ashley:  It's fun on the beach at night, and we thought you'd like to come, to get to know some more people. If your not doing anything...

Zak:  Yeah, it sounds like fun. 

Just then Abby walks over. She Ignores Ashley and terns to her cousin.

Abby:  I'm heading home now. Are you coming? 

Zak:  Uh, Yeah, Sure.

With his answer Abby walks back the way she came and heads over to stand with her friends just outside the school gates.

Ashley:  Uh, there's just one thing? We want to keep it small, so...

Zak:  You mean don't tell Abby, right?

Ashley:  She always manages to upset somebody... 

Zak:  (laughs) Yeah, I know what you mean.

Abby:  (calls from where's she's standing) Zak! Are you coming, or not?

Zak:  (looks back at his cousin then back to Ashley) Ah, I've gotta go... Bye.

Ashley:  Bye... (Ashley smiles to herself)

Ashley Voice Over:  Man! I can't believe my mom. I mean, it's not like I'll be going far. And I'll be with a crowd, you know? Well I think we came up with the perfect plans, I'm sure it'll work. I can't see why not. Man! What is up with Maria? Okay, so Zak's a nice guy, and yeah, he does always say "hi" when he passes me in the hall. But, I dunno, with all what's going on right now, I'm not sure I want a boyfriend yet, maybe I'll change my mind - But, I'm glad he's coming though, if that makes any sense...

Cut to The Beach. It's now dark. The camera pans from the navy sky, down to the sea. The waves are crashing in. It the pans across the sand and up to a small fire made from braches. It carries on panning up to Maria and Dylan sitting on the left of the fire and Ling and Ashley sitting on the other side of it. Diesel is laying next to Ashley. They have a small boom box playing music for background sound but the volume is low. A group of three boys (from Chestaville High's basketball team) and two girls are sitting just behind Dylan and Maria, engrossed in their own convocation.

Maria:  (looks at the other group) Great fun they turned out to be.

Dylan:  (looks back also) Hey, its okay. It's cool, just the four of us.

Ling:  Yeah, I agree.

Ashley:  So anyone up for a change of music?

Cut to later. The girls are still sitting by the fire, Dylan is talking to his friends in the other group. Zak comes walking down the beach, he sees Ashley, Ling and Maria, but before he can head over to them one of Dylan's friends calls him over to their group. Ling notices him first.

Ling:  Hey, Zak's here.

Maria:  You invited him. Ask him to come over.

Ashley:  I can't do that. He's with James and everyone. Anyway, he'll come over with Dylan when they've finished talking. I'll put some more music on.

Ling and Maria look at each other as Ashley gets up to change the music.

Maria:  What is it with her? She invited him.

Ling:  Well, you heard her at school. She's not looking for a boyfriend at the moment. Stop pushing her.

Maria:  I'm not! I just... Okay, okay, I am... But, Ling come on... he likes her, and I'm pretty sure she like him... 

Ling:  Well, Maybe she doesn't like him in the sense of "boyfriend" likes him, Maybe it's just in the sense of "friend" likes him, you know?

Maria:  No, It's more then that.

Cut to Ashley, changing the CD. Zak comes over to her.

Zak:  Hey.

Ashley:  Oh, Hi. You made it.

Zak:  Yeah. (points at Diesel) Hey, is he yours?

Ashley:  Yeah.

Zak:  Cool looking dog.

Ashley:  (she slides a CD into the player) Thanks.

Cut to later. The Camera pans from Dylan and his friends, past Zak and Ashley sitting on the left side of the fire and comes to a stop on Ling and Maria. Dylan comes back over to them.

Maria:  Hey. (nods towards the group) Are they okay?

Dylan:  Yeah, there gonna go soon. So, what are you girls up to?

Ling:  Chatting...

Maria:  And watching those two (points to Ashley and Zak).

Just then James comes over and squats down to talk to Dylan.

James:  Hey, Man. Were gonna take off now, okay?

Dylan:  Oh, right. Sure. See you later.

James:  (gets up) Yeah, see you at school.

Dylan, Ling and Maria watch the group walk towards the beach entrance. Dylan reaches over to put some more braches on the fire, to keep it alight.

Dylan:  So, just us.

Maria:  So, what do you wanna do now?

As Dylan, Maria and Ling continue to talk amongst themselves, the Camera pans over to Zak, Ashley and Diesel.

Zak:  So, that was that. I had to move down here...

Ashley:  Man, that's lousy.... (Ashley strokes Diesel) So, what's it like in Michigan? You said you live by the lake?

Zak:  Yeah, in Mason County? My parents own a beach house by the lake. It's really a vacation spot, but a few of the owners have turned them into residential houses. My mate Sean, he lives next door. His dad owns a boat. Its cool, in the summer we go out on the lake and hang out.

Ashley:  Sounds nice...

Zak:  Yeah, it is. But Chestaville seems a cool place to live too.

Ashley:  Here? (laughs) Well, it's okay. Nothing ever happens here though... So, was it weird moving away from all your friends?

Zak:  Yeah. I've lived in Michigan my whole life, so I've known all my friends since Elementary school. But I'll be moving back next year so it's not too bad.

Ashley:  Yeah, I guess so... Man, I think I'd hate that though. To move away from Ling and Maria and everything I know.

Cut to Ashley's house. The phone rings. Mrs Ross come though from the kitchen to the living room and picks up the receiver.

Mrs Ross:  Hello? (listens) Oh, Hi Mike... (listens again) Yes it's fine with me if Ashley works in the after noon as well, but why don't you ask her? (listens) Well, she's staying with Maria, isn't she? (listens) They've gone where?!

Cut back to the beach. Dylan, Maria and Ling comes over to Zak and Ashley.

Ling:  (sits down next to Ashley) Hey Guys, what are you doing?

Ashley:  Just taking... 

Dylan:  (sits down next to Zak) Having a good time?

Zak:  Yeah. It's cool.

Maria:  you know, I think we should do this more often.

Ashley:  Yeah, why not.

Just then Mrs Ross approaches them from behind. 

Mrs Ross:  (angry) Ashley! Come here, please.

Ashley:  (is very surprised) Oh no! (gets up and goes over to her mother, followed by Diesel) Mom, listen We where just--

Mrs Ross:  (interrupts) I don't want to here it. Get in the car.

Ashley doesn't argue. Mrs Ross ushers her daughter away from the group. As she walks Ashley terns back back to her friends.

Ashley:  Night everyone.

Maria/Ling/Dylan/Zak:  Night Ashley...

The gang watch their friend being lead away towards the beach entrance by her mother, Diesel following behind them. After a few moments they all tern back to each other, looking very worried.

Maria:  Uh oh...

Cut to the Ross's Kitchen. Ashley come storming in though the living room door followed by Mrs Ross. She swings round to face her mom.

Ashley:  (shouting and upset) How could you do it, mom? How could you stand there and treat me like a six year old!

Mrs Ross:  (moves across the room to the kettle) Well, I think you behaved like one. I'm bitterly disappointed in you, Ashley. And much too angry to talk about it right now. Go to bed, we'll discuss this in the morning!

With that she terns her back on her daughter and begins to make a cup of coffee. Ashley takes one last look at her mother and storms out of the room.

Ashley Voice Over:  God! I can't believe she did that. Just come striding along the beach like a prison ward or something! And the next day things were worse. Rick gave me a massive lecture, and while mom wasn't in the room he threatened me again as well... Which to tell you the truth, kinda scared me... And on top of that I'm grounded for a week...

 The Camera fades to black.