"EPISODE 1.3 - Teen Proposals"

Written and produced By Alex Gregg. Copyrighted 2003.
Originally Aired October 13th 2003

Night. Exterior Shot of Ashley's house. Cut to an over shot view of Ashley's Room. Ashley, (still has her wrist in a bandage) Ling and Maria are lying on the bed. Watching the TV. The camera pans slowly down to their level.

Maria:  These old black and white movies are so lame...

Ashley:  So, why are we even watching this?

Ling: Its not that bad... (they give her a look, she then looks back at the TV again) Okay, I lie... Its lame...

Ashley:  And we thought just cause we didn't have any money, this would be an entertaining evening. How wrong we where...

Ling: Well, at least, we have the house to ourselves... no parents saying "turn that TV down " or "Its getting late now".

Maria:  That's true... Hey, Li, pass the chips.

Ling:  (passes the bowl) So, where is your Mom anyway?

Ashley takes a handful of chips from the bowl.

Ashley:  Rick's planed a "Romantic dinner for two"...

Ling: Oooh Sweet.

Ashley:  (doesn't think so) Yeah, Sweet.

The next Day. Cut to the Quad. The girls are sitting at a picnic table.

Maria:  Ugh! Monday morning.... (sighs) great...

Ashley:  (sighs) Yup, five exciting days of homework, homework, homework and, oh hey... more homework...

Ling:  Come on guys, cheer up. I'll do ya homework if you like?

Ashley/Maria:  (hopeful) Really?!

Ling:  (shakes her head) No...

Ashley spots Dylan Matthews, heading towards them.

Ashley:  Ooo! Dylan Matthews, heading this way! (to Maria) He likes you, I've seen him looking at you in class (nods).

Maria:  Dylan? No way...

Just at that moment he comes up to them.

Dylan:  Hey, Ashley, Ling. (turns to Maria) Hey, Maria.

Maria:  (smiles) Dylan, Hey, what's up?

Dylan:  Um, I can take to you for a minute?

Maria:  (looks a little confused) Uh... sure.

Dylan glances at Ashley and Ling, then looks back at Maria. She then gets it.

Maria:  Oh. You mean just us. (gets up from her seat). Okay.

They walk over to an empty near by bench and sit down.

Maria:  So, what's up?

Dylan:  Uh, Maria... I, uh...  I was wondering... I don't know if you'd want to, but... do you wanna go to the movies tonight? You and me?

Cut to Ashley and Ling watching Dylan and Maria.

Ashley:  You don't think he's--

Ling:  (interrupts) Asking he out?

Ashley:  Uh... (nods) quite possibly..

Cut Back to Maria and Dylan.

Maria:  (Maria is a little shocked) Uhm... You mean, like a...  date? (he nods and looks hopeful) Uh, Dylan I dunno what to say....

Dylan:  Well, I was really hoping for a "Yes", but...

Maria:  (smiles) Sure, yeah, I'd-- Yes.

Dylan:  (smiles) Great! The Mall at Seven? (she nods) Cool. Cya tonight.

He leaves. Maria heads  back to the others.

Ling:  Well? What did he want?

Maria:  He asked me out.

Ashley:  (smiles) Wow...

Maria:  No. Wait a second. Did that just happen? I mean, am I dreaming?

Ling:  Yes it did. And your not. Dreaming I mean.

Maria:  Are you sure? Pinch me. (Ashley does) Ow...

Ling:  Maria scoring it with Dylan Matthews... cool!

Ashley:  Told you he likes you, didn't I?

She smiles at them both. The bell rings.
 

The Credits

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

 
Ashley Voice Over:  Oh, my god! Dylan Matthews is the most *hottest* guy in 9th grade! I've known him since Elementary School... well, not known him, as in like, hanging out with him... I know him, 'cause his Mom owns the store where my Mom works. He's on the School Basketball Team too. We've talked though, and he's one of the decent guys. Dylan's tall, dark and handsome! And taking one of my best friends on a date! Man! I'd kill for him to take me!

Cut to the Cafeteria. Maria and Ashley are in the line paying for their lunch.

Ashley:  I can't believe Dylan Matthews asked you out!

Maria:  Heh, I know!

Maria heads for Ling's table. Ashley follows.

Ashley:  You are *so* lucky!

They reach the table, put down their trays and both sit.

Ling:  Who's Lucky?

Ashley:  Maria! Dylan Matthews taking her to the movies?

Ling:  Oh! (to Maria) Yes! So, so lucky!

Abby walks past their table. She overhears their conversation.

Abby:  What?! (goes to their table) No way, is Dylan Matthews taking, (points to Maria) you to the movies!

Maria:  Uhm, yes he is! Tonight as it goes.

Abby:  As, if! I mean--Okay, he's like, *popular*... and your... *so* not.

Maria:  well, you wanna ask him? 'Cause he's over there (points).

Abby turns to look where Maria's pointing. Dylan is sitting at a table across the room with his mates. At that moment he looks across the room, in their direction and sees Maria. He gets up and heads towards her and the others.

Abby:  (sweetest voice) Hey Dylan...

Dylan:  (turns to Abby) Oh, Hey Abby. (to Maria) Maria, is it okay if we make it an hour later? I've got basketball practice with the guys...

Maria:  Yeah, Sure.

Dylan:  Cool, okay. Cya later.

He then leaves to head back to his table. Abby watches him go and turns back to Maria, totally shocked.

Maria:  (sarcastically) You know, being rich and popular doesn't get you everything. Like, say, Dylan Matthews!

Abby gives her a dirty look and walks off.

Cut to Biology class. Ashley and Ling are seated in the second row, on the left isle. Abby is seated in the back row on the right isle, next to a friend. Mr DeCole is giving a lecture on photosynthesis.

He writes "Conditions needed for photosynthesis" on the black board and underlines it. He then faces the class.

Mr DeCole:  Photosynthesis changes carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen using the energy from sunlight.

Ling:  (whispers) I can't believe Maria cut class... I mean, it was only last week she was in trouble for walking out, now she's not coming at all...

Mr DeCole:  Chlorophyll and light energy need to be present for photosynthesis to take place, but aren't part of the reaction.

Ashley:  (whispers) I wish I'd joined her... can this get any more boring?

Mr DeCole:  So, can anyone explain how a plant grower can increase the growth rate of plants in a greenhouse? (walks up the isle and stands next to Ashley) How about, Miss Ross?

Ashley:  (wasn't listening) Huh? Umm.... Uh...

Mr DeCole:  Very well. (to Ling) Miss Lee, perhaps?

Ling:  Give the plants more light?

Mr DeCole:  Correct. Thank You Miss Lee. (to the Class). Plants need light. So artificial lights at night time could be used or the greenhouse could be heated with a paraffin burner.

The bell rings.

Mr DeCole:  Okay, that's it for today. Tonight's homework, read Chapters Three through Five. Miss Lee, Miss Tumbridge, can I see you for a minute?

Ashley:  I'll wait outside. (exits the class room).

After the other students have left, both Ling and Abby both approach Mr DeCole, who's now sitting at his desk.

Mr DeCole:  Ah, Miss Tumbridge, I've been looking over your grades and your latest test scores. Not very efficient I'm afraid.

Abby:  (glances at Ling) I'm just finding it hard, sir....

Mr DeCole:  As I thought. So, (looks at Ling) This is where Miss Lee comes in. She's going to help you study for the next test.

Abby/Ling:  What?!

Cut to after school. The girls are walking home.

Ling:  I still can't believe I've gotta help Abby study! I mean, Abby!

Ashley:  I feel for you... 

Maria:  Yeah, me too, Mr DeCole is e-vil... Talkin' of, did you guys miss me in Biology Class today?

Ashley:  Ugh, It was *so* boring! Next time you cut, I'm with you!

Maria:  Heh... You, Rebel you!

Ashley:  Yup! So, date night tonight? What movie are you gonna go see with Mr-tall-dark-and-handsome?

Ling:  Don't forget, Sensitive, smooth and fit!

Maria:  (laughs) I donno, I guess we'll see when we get there.

Ling:  So, what you gonna wear?

Maria:  I donno that either, I don't suppose you guys wanna come over and help me pick something out?

Ling:  Sure!

Ashley:  Ugh! I can't! Mom wants me home. She said she wants to talk to me about something...

Maria:  Ooh, sounds serous..

Ashley Voice Over:  Man, I feel sorry for Ling. If Mr DeCole asked me I would have screamed! Maria's date with Dylan should be interesting, I *so* wish I was her right now! Well as for me, Mom wants to "talk". I've got a feeling its about Rick. It can't be that important, she hasn't known him that long, its not like he's asked her to marry him...

Cut to Ashley's house. She comes though the front door.

Ashley:  (calls) Mom? I'm home!

Mrs Ross comes through the kitchen door and into the hall.

Mrs Ross: Hi Sweetheart, had a good day?

Ashley:  Uh huh...

Ashley dumps her bag near the front door, heads into the living room and sits on the Sofa. Her Mom follows.

Ashley:  So, what's up? You said you wanted to talk...

Mrs Ross:  (sits next to her daughter) Oh, Yes, Right...

Cut to Maria's Room. Ling is sitting on Maria's Bed. Maria is at her closet picking out clothes. There's a pile on her bed that they've decided against.

Maria:  (turns to face Ling) Tight navy jeans with the green top?

Ling:  Hmm.. I donno... Maybe something more.... Date-y?

Maria:  Okay, then... (turns back to her closet) Uh... black mini skirt, white top, and Black puff jacket?

Ling:  Ooh, sounds good!

Maria:  Right! 

Ling:  So, does your Dad know your going on a date?

Maria:  He knows I'm going out. (pulls on top) But not on a date.

Ling:  Where does he think your going?

Maria:  (puts on her mini skirt) To the Mall. I didn't say with who, though he probably assumes its you and Ashley...

Ling:  Oh...

Cut to Ashley's House. 

Ashley:  (waits for her Mom to start but she doesn't). Well?

Mrs Ross:  Well, you know that Rick and I went to a out for dinner last night. At that posh restaurant, on main street.

Ashley:  Yeah...

Mrs Ross: Well, we talked about a lot of things. I was wondering, no, we were wondering, how would you feel about Rick moving in?

Ashley:  Uhm... as in here, this house? With us?

Mrs Ross:  Yes. (pauses, then goes for it) You see, Ashley, at the restaurant, Rick asked me to--

Cut to The Arcades. Ashley and Ling playing on the Machines.

Ashley:  --Marry him. He's asked her to marry him!

Ling:  Well, what did you say?

Ashley:  I said "Sure, why not". What could I say? I mean, she's in love with the guy, why should I wreck it for her? (sighs).

Ling:  Why Wreck? I mean, she asked what you thought, right?

Ashley:  Well yeah. Its just, what was I gonna say? "Sorry, mom. I don't want him moving in. He's a complete jerk?". He never wants anything to do with me when he comes round. Its like, he wants mom and not me.

Ling:  Well, maybe that'll change when he moves in?

Ashley:  I'm not gonna hold my breath. (grumble) You know, six weeks down the line and he'll probably persuade mom to send me off to boarding school on the other side of the country... (hits the arcade machine button harder then need be, frustrated). God! 

Ling:  Ashley, if that's how you feel, maybe you should talk to her.

Ashley:  Nah... (sighs) I'll deal, okay?

Ling:  (sympathetically) Are you sure?

Ashley:  (nods) Yeah.  Anyway what'd you, pick out for Maria?

Ling:  Oh! Her black mini skirt, white top, and Black puff jacket.

Ashley:  Cool! I wonder how her date's going...

Cut to Maria and Dylan walking along the beach. By now its dark, the moon is out and the waves are crashing in.

Dylan:  The movie was good?

Maria:  (nods) Yeah, great! Good choice.

Dylan:  Cool! So, How are you finding your way around the town? You know, being 'new girl' and all.

Maria:  (laughs) Yeah. I'm getting to know it.

Dylan:  Great. So, I was wondering, you wanna go out again?

Maria:  (smiles) Yeah. That would be nice.

Cut to a shot of them walking along the beach in the moonlight.

Dylan:  Cool.

Cut to the next day at school. Ashley, Ling and Maria are walking up the west stairs, to IT class.

Ashley:  So, how was it?

Ling:  What movie did you see?

Maria:  (to Ashley) It was great! (to Ling) and the new Si-fi one.

Ling:  And! Then what did you do? Details!

Maria:  (laughs) We went for ice cream, we had a walk along the beach--

Ashley:  (interrupts) By this time it was getting dark, right? - or it was dark? (Maria gives her a look) Sorry, go on!

Maria:  We went for a walk on the beach (to Ashley) yes, it was dark. We talked, and then he walked me home...

Ashley:  Talked about what? (Maria gives her a look) Oh come on Maria, your living the 9th Grade girls' dream here...

Maria:  Well nothing in particular. Just stuff. In general.

Ling:  So, are you going on another date?

Maria:  Yep, soon. He's gonna let me know.

Ashley/Ling:  (dreamily) Wow...

As they walk along the hall, Abby catches them up.

Abby:  (sarcastically, to Maria) Oh, hey, how did your date go? I bet Dylan's wishing he'd never asked you.

Maria:  No, Actually. (walks past her) You know what? We're going out again sometime soon. (grins). 

Abby:  What?!

Maria:  Yeah! How good it is to be me right now...

Maria walks down the hall, Abby watches her with the expression 'if looks could kill'. Ashley and Ling give Abby a last look, then catch up with Maria. 

Ashley Voice Over:  So! Maria got another date with Dylan! How lucky is that?! I bet Abby's totally Pissed! Ah well! Me and Ling both agree that great news... including the part about Abby! I guess its true what Maria said: being rich and popular doesn't get you everything...

They walk through the corridor double doors as the camera fades to Black.