90s Baby

FADE IN:

1. EXT. OUTSIDE TRACK BLEACHERS–AFTERNOON

PHOEBE, a 17 year old girl, is sitting on the bleachers at the track field. She is wearing a jean jacket, a crop top, and black pants. Her Converse are on the bleachers in front of her. She is sitting in Lotus Pose with her eyes closed and a joint in her right hand.

PRINCIPAL MILLER, a woman in her early 40s, comes storming from across the field toward Phoebe. She is dressed in a nice dress and her heels are sinking slightly in the grass.

PRINCIPAL MILLER

Phoebe!

Phoebe takes a hit off her joint and blows out the air slowly as Principal Miller marches across the field.

PRINCIPAL MILLER

Phoebe!

Phoebe rolls her eyes, puts the joint in her mouth, puts her shoes on, and jumps down from the bleachers.

PHOEBE (V.O.)

Hi, my name is Phoebe. Just Phoebe. My mom thinks last names are too restricting. I’m a senior at Clarkson High, and even though I’ve only been here for two weeks, I’ve already made a name for myself.

Principal Miller has made it to the bleachers.

PRINCIPAL MILLER

Phoebe. I have told you countless times, if you are going to come to campus, you need to go to class.

PHOEBE

I’m sorry, Mills, but that’s not how I vibe. Class and I are like water and oil.

Principal Miller jabs her finger toward Phoebe’s face.

PRINCIPAL MILLER

It’s Principal Miller, and I’ve had enough. I would call your mother, but she’s hardly ever available. Besides, the last time I asked her to corral your antics, she fed me some hippie crap about ‘not interrupting your journey because boundaries are restricting.’

PHOEBE (V.O.)

To be fair, that does sound like my mom. But that’s because my first day did not end well.

2. FLASHBACK–INT. SCHOOL BATHROOM–FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Phoebe is in the bathroom stall crying. She pulls out a bottle of lavender essential oils, and rubs it on her wrist, and takes a few deep breaths.

3. BACK TO PRESENT DAY

Principal Miller notices the joint in Phoebe’s hand.

PRINCIPAL MILLER

And what in God’s hell is this. I told you on day one that is not only unacceptable, but illegal. You are suspended. Get off of my campus! And tell your mother not to bother calling me trying to talk you out of this one.

Phoebe rolls her eyes.

PHOEBE

Whatever. Later.

4. EXT. SCHOOL BLOCK–LATE AFTERNOON

Phoebe is leaning against the school gate waiting. HENRY, a thin 17 year old boy, walks out the door and down the side walk. Other people come out after him. He is dressed in black jeans, a graphic tee, and a flannel shirt.

PHOEBE (V.O.)

This is my best friend, Henry. Okay, my only friend. Unless you’re willing to count the members of my mother’s weekly yoga class for middle aged divorcees.

PHOEBE

How was detention?

HENRY

Whoa, what are you doing out here? I waited for you by the bleachers.

PHOEBE

Principal Miller caught me smoking weed. Can you fucking believe this? My first week of school, and I’m already suspended. This has not been what I’d call the start to a great year.

HENRY

Why did you decide to go to school anyway? It’s lame. Being home-schooled would be so much better.

PHOEBE

Because I have no friends. I mean other than you. But now I’m suspended, I’m gonna be a total Erkel at school. Plus all the information I know about high school I got from 90s sitcoms.

Phoebe starts pacing. She stops and stares off into space, lost in thought.

HENRY

You want to be friends with these people. Especially after Monday?

PHOEBE

I know! I’ll throw a party! My dad can buy us beer, and I can take some of his weed!

HENRY

Who are you going to invite? You don’t know anyone?

PHOEBE

And I’ll make it a 90s party. That way no one is weirded out when I speak in 90s slang. It’s gonna be tight!