students (new version)

7/30/2019 STUDENTS (New Version)

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STUDENTS

By

Thomas Stelzer and Christopher Clark

FIRST DRAFTDECEMBER 2012 THOMAS STELZER AND

CHRISTOPHER CLARK, DECEMBER2012

Thomas Stelzer1 Cavey St, Marrickville,NSW 2204, AustraliaPh: 0423 114 495


2/38

1 INT. UNIVERSITY STUDENT CENTRE. DAY.

JAMES (18) waits in a long queue. He reaches the front and amiddle-aged ADMIN WOMAN wearily calls him over from behindher counter.

ADMIN WOMANName.

JAMESJames.

ADMIN WOMANLast name.

JAMESCollins.

ADMIN WOMAN

Spelling.

JAMESJust the normal way.

She stares blankly at him.

JAMES...C, o, l, l, i, n, s.

She types his name deliberately into the computer.

ADMIN WOMAN

...Look at the camera.

James turns to the webcam on the counter and smiles.

ADMIN WOMAN-No smiling.

He stops smiling and looks at the camera patiently for acouple of seconds.

ADMIN WOMAN...Youre done.

She waits impatiently for Jamess student card to print outand then hands it to him.

ADMIN WOMANJoin the line over there... Next!


3/38

2.

2 WHITE TITLE ON BACKGROUND: STUDENTS

3 INT. LECTURE HALL. DAY.

James is sitting by himself towards the back of the hall asstudents stream into the room. Behind him, BEN (18), boyish

and genial, and EMMA (18), his girlfriend, talk quietly.

After a couple of seconds, GREG WOLF, a middle-aged lecturerenters and strides down to the front of the hall. He iswearing an ill-fitting Matrix-style leather coat.

GREGQuiet everyone... Ok, good. ImGreg Wolf. Welcome to ContemporaryMedia.

A couple of students realise theyre in the wrong lectureand quietly stand up and shuffle out of the room. Greg,

oblivious, pauses a second for dramatic effect.

GREG(cont, looking around)

...Im looking around now, and Illtell you what Im seeing - beige.Youre all beige.

He pauses for impact as James and Ben watch him quizzically.

GREG(cont)

And sure, the world needs beige.But you know what else it needs?

BEN(leaning forward, to James)

More leather.

James hears him, smirks and turns around.

GREG(cont)

Red, green, purple... turquoise.And thats what were here to do -

turn you guys into the... coloursof tomorrow.

He pauses for effect again.

GREG(cont, surveying the room)

What do you hope to get out ofuniversity?

(CONTINUED)


4/38

CONTINUED: 3.

BEN(quietly, to James)

That jacket.

James smiles. Greg points to a random FEMALE STUDENT.

GREG(to female student)You.

The female student looks at him startled.

GREG(cont)

What do you hope to get out ofuniversity?

FEMALE STUDENT...A degree?

GREGWrong.

He points to another STUDENT 2.

GREGYou?

STUDENT 2Make new friends.

GREG

-Wrong.

He points to another STUDENT 3.

STUDENT 3...A job.

GREG-Wrong... wait, what degree are youstudying?

STUDENT 3Arts.

GREG-Definitely wrong.

He looks around the room.

(CONTINUED)


5/38

CONTINUED: 4.

GREG(cont)

It wasnt that long ago that I satwhere you are having to answer thesame question... And Ill tell youwhat I said... -Change. I want tomake a difference and I have. You

want to know how?

JAMES(quietly)

You took the red pill?

Ben and James both smirk. Greg notices this time and looksat James.

GREG(to James)

What was that?

James looks around to avert attention then realises hesbeing addressed. Ben watches on, amused.

JAMES(pointing to himself)

Me?

GREGYes, you.

JAMES...Nothing.

GREGNo, come on, tell us what youvegot to say about making adifference.

JAMESI dont-

GREG-Thats right, you dont... Do youhave your student card with you?

JAMESUm, yeah.

GREGGive it to me.

James fumbles for his wallet, reluctantly removes hisstudent card and hands it to the student in front of him topass forward.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 5.

GREG-No, bring it down yourself.

James takes the card back, shuffles awkwardly past a coupleof students, walks down to the front of the class and handsGreg the card. Greg inspects the card as James returns to

his seat.

GREG(reading off the card)

James Collins. So James, we knowwho you are. Do you know who I am?

BEN(quietly, to James)

Morpheus?

Greg catches Bens comment.

GREG(to Ben)

You. Get out.

James grins and Emma shakes her head.

4 INT. UNIVERSITY FOYER. DAY.

James loiters outside the lecture theatre as students amblepast him. Ben and Emma emerge, notice him, and walk over.

BEN

Well next week should be fun. ImBen by the way, this is Emma.

EMMA(to James)

Nice to meet you.

JAMESJames-

EMMA(smiling)

-Yeah, we heard. You Arts as well?

JAMESJournalism.

BENPeople still study that?

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 6.

JAMESI hope so, its what Ive wanted todo since I was a kid.

BENReally? I wanted to be a Jedi.

EMMAYou still do.

BENYeah I know, but its a pipe dreamnow isnt it.

A 19-year-old student, RACHEL, carrying a handful ofleaflets, strides purposefully up to them.

RACHEL(interrupting)

-Hi, guys, Im Rachel,(pointing to her name badge) Im onthe student union, and were havingthis totally awesome party forO-week tonight. Are you guys firstyears?

JAMESYeah.

RACHELGreat, and what are you guysstudying?

JAMESIm doing Journalism, hes doingArts, and shes-

RACHEL(interrupting)

-Arts? Youll certainly be freethen.

She looks condescendingly at Ben and turns to Emma.

RACHELWhat about you?

EMMATeaching.

RACHELOh. Thats nice.

(pointing to herself)

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 7.

RACHEL (contd)Business law. As if you needed anymore convincing.(beat) Heresthe flyer, and Im sure Ill seeyou all there.

Ben and James share a look. Rachel hands out flyers to eachof them. She smiles fakely and leaves.

EMMAShe seems lovely.

JAMES(reading the flyer)

Toga Party. Prizes and drinks foranyone who dresses up.

BEN

Yeah, but no one actually dressesup for these things.

JAMESWhat? Of course they do.

BENWere not in primary schoolanymore.

JAMESFine, dont dress up. Wellsee whos laughing when youre the

only one not wearing a toga.

5 INT. CLASSROOM. DAY.

James and Ben saunter into the classroom along with a dozenother students and sit down. They are having an intensediscussion about music.

BENI cant believe you dont like theNine Inch Nails version.

JAMESI do, but Cashs version is better.

BENThe video is great, Ill give youthat.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 8.

JOHNNY, another student, throws his bag on the desk next tothem. He drops into a chair to Bens right and lounges backnonchalantly.

He has longish hair and looks stylishly disheveled, but hasobviously put a lot of work into looking that way. Heoverhears the conversation and leans in.

JOHNNYWhat you guys talking about? Music?

BENYeah, you know that song Hurt?

JOHNNY(dismissively)

Yeah yeah, good song. Im actuallyin a band myself.

JAMES

What are you called?

JOHNNYJohnny and the Homophonics.

BEN(quickly)

What?

JAMES(taken aback)

Did you say the Homophobics?

JOHNNY(correcting)

Homophonics.

JAMES...Homophobics?

Johnny gestures to James while looking at Ben incredulously.

JOHNNYHomophonics.

BENWhat are you guys like?

JOHNNYWhat are we like? Good question...Id probably describe us aspsychedelic electro garage. Butwith an experimental edge.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 9.

JAMES(slightly under his breath)

Certainly covered all the bases.

JOHNNY(to James)

Whats that?

JAMES(offering his hand)

Nothing mate, Im James.

They shake hands.

JOHNNYJonathon. Call me Johnny.

JAMESOh, like Johnny Cash!

JOHNNYWho? Anyway, listen, you guys goingto that party?

JAMESThe toga one?

JOHNNYForget the togas. Im going for thegirls. You guys got girlfriends?

BEN

I do, yeah.

JOHNNY-Stupid. Stupid. You?

JAMESAh, my girlfriend and I just brokeup actually.

JOHNNY(tapping James on theshoulder, excited)

Yes. Thats what I like to hear.Youre laughing then mate.

JAMESShell probably be there actually.

JOHNNY(suddenly interested)

Really? She any good?-

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 10.

The tutor EURY walks in. She is middle-aged, pleasant andobviously politically liberal with short, styled hair.

EURYWelcome to Society and Cultureeveryone, find a seat. My name is

Eurydice. Its ok, I dont expectyou to remember that, you can callme Eury.

I know some of you may be a bitnervous, but I want everyone tofeel comfortable. So to start,well do a little activity I liketo call the getting to know yougame.

She looks at James, who is caught off guard.

EURYYou can start. Just say your name,your degree, and a personal hero ofyours.

James ponders for a second and Johnny leans forward.

JOHNNYMiss, Ill get the ballrolling. Names Johnny, studyingArts, and my hero would have to beRon Jeremy.

A couple of students chuckle. Johnny winks at Ben and Jamesand backhands Ben on the shoulder. Eury misses the joke.

EURYSorry, I didnt quite catch that,did you say Rod Jeremy?

JOHNNY(correcting)

Ron Jeremy.

EURYIm not familiar with him.

JOHNNYHes an actor.

EURYOh, has he been in anything Idknow?

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 11.

JOHNNY(quickly)

Do you know Jenna Jameson?

EURYNo.

JOHNNYNevermind, he mainly doesindependent films, but hes got apretty huge... following.

EURYHe sounds interesting.

JOHNNYHe is.

EURYWell thank you Johnny.

Eury turns to the rest of the class.

EURYWho wants to go next?

JILL, a 45-year-old mature-age student raises her hand.

JILLJust to clarify something. Does ithave to be only one hero, or canyou have more than one?

EURYI suppose it can be more than one,sure.

JILLOk, my name is Jill, Jill Matthews,Im studying a Bachelors degree inCommunications, majoring in PublicCommunication, although I haventreally made my mind up yet, Ivestill got plenty of time todecide... Not as much as you guys,

ha ha ha.

As for my hero, or our hero Ishould probably say... Jesus.

EURY(puzzled)

And someone else?

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 12.

JILLNo.

EURY...Ok. Whos next?

(to Ben)How about you?

BENHi everyone, Im Benjamin GregoryHarrison, Im studying Arts, and Ithink Im going to have to go forDumbledore.

JILL(interrupting)

Ooh, hang on, arent we meant to bechoosing real people?

BEN

(facetiously)Are we?

Theres an awkward silence.

EURY(to James)

And what about you?

JAMES(playing along)

Ok, Im James and Im studyingCommunications too. I was going to

say John McClane, but if weredoing real people, Ill choose L.Ron Hubbard.

BEN(quietly)

Good writer.

JOHNNY(interrupting)

Whos that?

JILLHes a fraud, an absolute conartist.

BENWho would have thought one mancould brainwash millions of peopleusing only a couple of silly books?

(CONTINUED)


14/38

CONTINUED: 13.

JILLI know, frightening.

Another 18-year-old student, GLENN, interjects.

GLENN

(chiming in)Nothing silly about BattlefieldEarth.

EURYIts an interesting point actually,the way "silly books" can influencesociety and culture. Can anyonethink of any other examples?

BEN-Twilight.

The class murmurs in agreement.

JAMES(smirking)

Harry Potter.

Ben looks at him disapprovingly.

JOHNNY(ruining the joke)

...What about the Bible?

Ben and James shake their heads in slight exasperation.

6 INT. OUTSIDE CLASSROOM. DAY.

James and Ben have finished class and are walking to thefoyer to meet Emma. They are slightly disillusioned by theirfirst class.

BENI dont know if I can take muchmore of that.

JAMESIts like having the aunty no onetalks about come to uni with you.

BENAnd all that Jesus talk. I cantstand God-botherers.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 14.

JAMESIm Christian.

BENOh, shit, sorry, I didnt mean...you know.

JAMESNah, Im just joking.

BENHilarious.

Glen nonchalantly catches up to Ben and James as they walk.

GLENNThat was a waste of time then.

JAMES

(taken aback)Sorry?

GLENN(pointing back)

That in there. Talking about HarryPotter and L Ron Hubbard. If Iwanted a course on popular fantasyI would have taken one.

BENI think shes just trying to get ussettled in, get to know one

another.

GLENNDidnt say that in the subjectoutline. It said, week one -introduction to cultural types.

JAMESYeah, but it also said wed becovering emergency fire procedures.

GLENN(matter-of-factly)

You wanna joke about fireevacuations. I knew a guy. Didntpay attention during emergencyprocedures. There was a fire. Hetook the lift. Cables snapped.Never found his head.

(CONTINUED)


16/38

CONTINUED: 15.

BENWas it not in the elevator?

GLENN(slightly shaking his head)

Never found it.

BENWas his body in the elevator?

GLENN(ignoring)

Point is, subject outline said;introduction to cultural types-

JAMES(quickly)

-and fire procedures.

GLENNRight. And all we talked about inthere was wizards and religion.

JAMESAnd now a mans lost his head.

Glen nods in agreement. They stop walking.

GLENNWhat are you doing now?

JAMES

Ah. nothing.

BEN

Just walking.

GLENNWanna see a movie then?

BENNow?

JAMESToday?

GLENNYeah. You said you werent doinganything.

JAMESSorry man, we actually gotta headoff.


17/38

16.

7 INT. CAFETERIA. DAY.

James and Ben are eating sushi in a quiet cafeteria. Johnnysaunters over and sits down. Behind him, an Asian sushiemployee clears plates of sushi from adjacent tables.

JOHNNY(oblivious)Look at all this. What happened toreal Aussie food? Like fish andchips. Kebabs.

JAMESHave you ever tried it?

JOHNNYNah, all this Chinese shit, full ofMSG.

JAMESWhat, sushi?

The Asian guy reaches their table.

JOHNNYSushi, crab, dog, cat, theyll eatanything.

Ben and James look on horrified.

8 INT. UNIVERSITY FOYER. DAY.

The foyer is packed with various stalls promoting universityclubs and sports teams. Dozens of students mill about andcollect promotional freebies.

Ben and James notice Emma waiting by herself. They exchangepleasantries and walk aimlessly around to peruse the variousstalls.

They pass a stall titled Socialist Alternative and theMALE STUDENT behind the counter tries to engage them inconversation.

MALE STUDENTHey, you there. Do you know thatthe worlds elite hide more than$20 trillion dollars in tax havens?Which is enough to give everyone inthe world $2000 or pay off thirdworld debt...

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 17.

MALE STUDENT (contd)

And its the result of ourconsumerist, materialistic society,which has culminated in a biggergap between rich and poor than anyother time in human history...

His iPad vibrates and he stops talking to read thenotification. He takes his time and holds up a finger to theothers to stop them interrupting.

EMMA(feigning curiosity)

Is that the new iPad?

MALE STUDENT(finishing the message)

Yeah, it is, its great. 12Megapixel camera, live video, voice

commands. Here, watch this.(to his iPad)

Find um, video, locate video forChinese labour, ah, rally, findrally film... Ill just do itmanually, its quicker.

He fiddles with the iPad for a second then shows them avideo.

MALE STUDENTYou guys got a TV yeah? Flatscreen, LCD, all that? Where do youthink theyre made? Australia,right?

BENNo-

MALE STUDENT-No, theyre not, all made in Chinaby factory workers earning only 3yuan an hour, you know how muchthat is in dollars? Ill tell youhow much it is.

He slowly calculates it on his iPad.

MALE STUDENT$15 an hour.

(CONTINUED)


19/38

CONTINUED: 18.

JAMES$15 an hour? Thats pretty good.

EMMAIs that before tax?

MALE STUDENT(to himself)Hang on, that cant be right.

He recalculates it.

MALE STUDENT$35 dollars- cents... 35 cents.Would you work for 35 cents?

BENProbably not.

MALE STUDENT(making quotation marks withhis hands)

So next time youre buying a"cappuccino" or picking up a copyof "Mx"-

JAMES-But Mx is free.

MALE STUDENTExactly.

BENOk, well, thanks man.

They turn to leave.

MALE STUDENTWait, before you go.

He offers them a promotional pen.

JAMES(taking the pen)

Cheers.

They walk away, James looking closely at the pen as theyleave.

JAMESHmm, made in China.


20/38

19.

9 INT. NIGHT CLUB QUEUE. NIGHT.

James, wearing an impressive home-made toga waits dejectedlyin a busy queue, surrounded by dozens of students in normalclothing. Ben stands next to him, also dressed normally.

JAMES

This isnt happening.

BENWhat did you expect?

JAMESPeople in togas. Obviously.

BENLook, I know it doesnt feel likeit, and I know your girlfrienddumped you for another guy-

JAMES(annoyed)

-I didnt say it was for anotherguy.

BENYeah, but there is another guy,right?

JAMESYes, but thats not why she leftme.

BENWhy shed leave you then?

JAMESIt just wasnt working...

BEN(quietly)

-too clingy?

JAMES(cont)

...we wanted different things.

BEN(cont)

-wasnt attracted to you anymore?

They arrive at the front of the queue and the BOUNCER stopsthem.

(CONTINUED)


21/38

CONTINUED: 20.

BOUNCER(interrupting)

IDs boys.

Ben and James take out their IDs. Ben hands his to thebouncer who scrutinises it closely. He looks up at Ben, whowaits nervously.

BOUNCERDate of birth.

BEN2nd April 1994.

BOUNCERAddress?

BEN16 Wilson St.

BOUNCER(handing back the licence)

How many you had?

BEN(earnestly)

Just the one. Ive lived there mywhole life.

The bouncer looks at Ben incredulously. James stares at Benin slight disbelief and quickly hands the bouncer his ownlicence.

JAMES(quickly)

4 October 1993. 6 Bell Place.

The bouncer looks at James suspiciously.

BOUNCERWhat star sign?

JAMESUm, Libra.

He looks at James impassively for a second and then callsover another bouncer, BILL, who is checking other IDs.

BOUNCER(gesturing to James)

Oi, Bill, what do you think?

Bill slowly looks James up and down.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 21.

BILL(to Bouncer)

Aries?

BOUNCERLibra.

BILLNo way.

BOUNCERI had him down for a Leo myself.

James and Ben react.

10 INT. CLUB ENTRANCE. NIGHT.

James and Ben enter the club and approach the DOOR GIRL.

DOOR GIRL(to James)

Oh, another toga.

James looks at Ben as if to say I told you so.

JAMESSo theres others in there then?

DOOR GIRLYep. There was a guy just a coupleof minutes ago. Went home to get

changed though.

She stamps their wrists and they walk inside. They noticeEmma and Rachel talking and walk over.

RACHELHello! Im so glad you guys madeit!

She notices Jamess outfit and smirks.

JAMESWhy arent you dressed up?

RACHELI was busy organising everything.Make sure youre around later,well be judging the best dressed.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 22.

JAMESWhat, for all five of us? Nothappening.

RACHELYou can win a prize.

BEN(amused)

Yeah James, come on. You can win aprize.

JAMESIm going home.

EMMANot by chariot I hope.

JAMES

Fuck off.

They stand around awkwardly for a moment. Rachel turns andswans off to the next group of people.

RACHEL(in background)

Hello! Im so glad you guys madeit!

11 EXT. OUTSIDE AREA. NIGHT.

Ben and James are milling around in a crowded outside area.Emma walks out and hands Ben a drink.

JAMESI thought uni was going to bedifferent, you know. A new start.

EMMADont worry, people will haveforgotten about it by tomorrow.

A GUY walks passed and sees James.

GUY(laughing)

Nice dress bro.

James looks despairingly at Emma. Ben is lookingdistractedly off into the crowd.

(CONTINUED)


24/38

CONTINUED: 23.

BENHey, isnt that the guy from thesushi place?

JAMESWhat, where?

BEN(pointing)

Over there, look. Thats him,right?

JAMESI dont know. It could be.

BENNo, its definitely him. We shouldapologise. Dont you think weshould apologise?

JAMESI dunno... its pretty awkward.

BENYeah, but I feel bad about it. Comeon, lets just do it.

Ben walks over to the guy with James followingunenthusiastically. The guy is talking to his friends andBen interrupts.

BEN

(to Japanese guy)Hey man, hows it going?

JAPANESE GUY(taken aback)

Im good, how are you?

BENListen, I just wanted to apologiseabout today.

JAPANESE GUYApologise for what?

BENYou know, this afternoon, thethings our friend was saying-

JAPANESE GUY-Im not sure-

(CONTINUED)


25/38

CONTINUED: 24.

BEN(cutting him off)

-You were working. At the sushiplace. And our friend was makingsome generalisations, we just wantto clear the air, let you know

that-

JAPANESE GUY-I dont work at-

James, realising they have the wrong guy, inhales sharplyand cautiously tries to interject as Ben rattles on.

BEN-we know you dont just eatanything - dog, cat... horse. Imean, you might, and thats finetoo.

JAPANESE GUYLook, Im sorry, but I think youvegot the wrong guy.

BENBut-(dawning comprehension)-ooh... ooooohh.(turning to James)He looks just like him. Same faceand everything.

JAPANESE GUYSame face? What does that mean?

BEN(gesturing to his own face)

No, no, I didnt... You really dolook like him... Im so sorry.

JAMES-Honest mistake.

JAPANESE GUYForget about it.

James and Ben hover in awkward silence for a couple ofseconds.

BEN... Anyone want a drink?


26/38

25.

12 INT. MENS BATHROOM. NIGHT.

James is waiting in line for a cubicle in a crowdedbathroom. Ben walks in, lines up for the urinal and thennotices James.

BEN(loudly)Its a real sausage fest in here.

James looks at him bemusedly as a couple of others look athim strangely.

BEN(to James)

Why are you lining up over there?The lines shorter here.

JAMES

(quietly)I want a cubicle.

BENWhy? You doing a shit?

JAMESNo-

BEN-Cause if youre just taking a pissIll wait, but if youre doing ashit Ill just head back.

The guys around them react as James stews in embarrassment.The MAN in line behind James leans forward and taps him onthe shoulder.

MAN(to James)

If youre not, can I go in front? Ireally need one.

James reacts.

JAMESWhy not.

GUY 2 passes James on his way out.

GUY 2Wrong bathroom mate.

(CONTINUED)


27/38

CONTINUED: 26.

JAMESCheers.

GUY 2(trying again)

Should be in the ladies mate.

JAMESYep.

GUY 2Cause of the dress.

JAMESGot it.

13 INT. DANCEFLOOR. NIGHT.

Rachel stands on the stage with a microphone as people mill

around. James waits at the back of the dance floor with Benand Emma.

RACHELCan I get everyones attention?Thanks. First of all, Id like tothank all those who helped me puton such a great event. I couldnthave done it without you.

She pauses for applause, but only a handful of people clap.

RACHELIf we could get all those whodressed up to come up here with me.

The few people wearing togas, including Glenn, push throughthe crowd and climb onto the stage. James stands at the backand tries unsuccessfully to avoid attention as those aroundhim look at him expectantly.

EMMA(to James)

What are you waiting for?

JAMESNot happening.

BEN(pushing James)

Come on, get up there.

James resists Bens pushes. Rachel notices James in thecrowd.

(CONTINUED)


28/38

CONTINUED: 27.

RACHEL(to James)

Looks like someones a bit shy.Come on, dont be embarrassed.

The crowd turn to look at James.

JAMES(under his breath)

Why would I be embarrassed?

RACHELWhat do you think guys, should weget him up?

The crowd mumbles in approval. A couple of girls, GIRL 3 ANDGIRL 4, watch on.

GIRL 3Yeah, go on.

GIRL 4Get up there.

James relents and trudges up to the stage. He lines up nextto the three other guys in togas.

RACHELOk, this is how well do it. Illpoint at each of them and you cheerfor the one you think is the bestdressed. Lets practise.

She points at herself. No one cheers.

RACHEL(cont, flustered)

Ok, lets start.

She points at the first guy in line. The crowd cheerswarmly. She moves to the second guy. He plays up to theaudience and they cheer loudly.

Rachel moves onto Glen, who stands stiffly. The crowd,losing interest, cheer distractedly. Rachel points to Jamesand the crowd barely cheers.

RACHELLooks like weve got our winners.

She walks back over to the second guy and crowns him with afake leaf laurel. She does the same to Glenn and the otherguy as James waits awkwardly.

(CONTINUED)


29/38

CONTINUED: 28.

RACHELCan we get a round of applause forall our winners.

The crowd clap halfheartedly and disperse. James leaves thestage, defeated.

14 INT. CLUB BAR. NIGHT.

James has ordered a couple of drinks and quickly finishesone. A pretty girl, NATALIE (18), notices him and walksover.

NATALIEWhoa, slow down Caligula.

JAMESVery good.

NATALIENice shoes, are they period?

JAMES(feigning disappointment)

Ooh, the first one was better.

NATALIEIm joking, you look nice. Or atleast you would, if it was 41 AD-

JAMES

-Theyre getting worse.

NATALIEWhats wrong?(beat)Trouble with the Gauls again?

James shakes his head in slight amusement.


Ben and Emma are talking casually. Johnny recognizes Ben andswaggers over with a drink in each hand. Johnny extends hishand to shake Bens, realizes he has his hands full, soskulls a drink and tosses it away to shake Bens hand.

BEN(shaking hands, gesturing to Emma)Hey man. This is Emma.

(CONTINUED)


30/38

CONTINUED: 29.

Johnny looks at Emma and does a slight double-take.

JOHNNYEmma?

BEN

Emma my girlfriend.

JOHNNY(impressed)

...Her?

Johnny looks back and forth between Ben and Emma in slightdisbelief, before throwing up his hand eagerly to high fiveBen, who does not share the same enthusiasm.

EMMAWho are you?

JOHNNY(pointing to Ben)

He hasnt told you? Im Johnny...the one in the band.

EMMAWhat band?

JOHNNYThe Homophonics.

EMMAPardon?

16 INT. BAR. NIGHT.

James and Natalie flirt as they wait for a drink. Behindthem, another STUDENT 4 watches them jealously. He tries topush his way between James and Natalie, who resist.

JESS (18), Jamess ex-girlfriend, and her new boyfriend ADAM(20) wait nearby to be served. Jess notices James and triesto get his attention.

JESSJames! Hey!

James hears her and looks around.

JESS(cont)

I thought I recognised you up onstage. How are you?

(CONTINUED)


31/38

CONTINUED: 30.

She hugs him.

JAMESHey, yeah, Im alright. You?

JESSGreat. Im great... Oh, this is

Adam. Adam, this is James.

ADAMNice to meet you man.

JAMESYeah. You too.

Jess looks expectantly at James.

JAMES(catching on)

Oh, yeah, this is, um, Natalie.

They exchange pleasantries.

JESSSo how long have you two been...

JAMES(pretending to count)

Well, we...

NATALIE-We just met.

JAMES(cont)

-Yep.

Theres an awkward silence.

NATALIEThis is weird. Im gonna... Imgonna go to the bar.

ADAMWere at the bar.

NATALIE(quickly)

Im going to go to the bathroom.

She leaves. Glenn sidles up from behind James, and addresseshim while looking off into the distance. Hes still wearinghis crown.

(CONTINUED)


32/38

CONTINUED: 31.

GLENNLooks like were the only ones thatcan read. Invite clearly said -Toga Party.

He exhales loudly and sips his beer. James looks at himblankly.

GLENN(cont, beat)

...and the beers shit.

James reacts.


Ben, Emma and Johnny are talking.

EMMA

-Well, its out of the frying pan,into the fire.

JOHNNY(confused)

What?

EMMASorry?

JOHNNYFrying pan? What are you talkingabout?

EMMAIts a phrase. You know, for when abad situation gets worse.

JOHNNYWhy not just say that then?

EMMAIts just a more descriptive wayof... describing something.

BEN(chiming in)

Say you came home and your househad been robbed, which is bad, andthen it catches on fire and burnsdown. That would be out of thefrying pan, into the fire. A badsituation gets worse. Get it?

(CONTINUED)


33/38

CONTINUED: 32.

JOHNNY(missing the point)

Does it always involve fire?

BENNo, that was just an example. Itworks for any situation that goes

even more pear-shaped-

JOHNNY(confused)

-Pear-shap-?

BEN-Gets even worse.

JOHNNYOk.(beat)I still dont really get it. Why is

going from a sauce pa-

EMMA(correcting)

-Frying pan.

JOHNNYRight, frying pan. Why is goingfrom that to a fire worse? A fryingpan, yeah its hot, but youd burnreally slowly. The fire - in there,dead, over and done with.

Ben and Emma react.

BEN(after a few seconds, toJohnny)

So whens your next gi-

Johnny spots an attractive girl across the crowd and holdsup a silencing finger.

JOHNNY(interrupting)

-Whoa whoa whoa.

Ben looks confused.

JOHNNY(beckoning to Ben)

Oi Ben, Im gonna need you on thisone.

(CONTINUED)


34/38

CONTINUED: 33.

BENWhat one?

JOHNNYThat girl over there. Youre gonnatell her, lets say...

(looking away)Hey, its that sushi guy.(beat)Anyway, we were at the beach theother day, drowning kid, Ivespotted him, you say Ill go gethelp, I say, theres no time,paddle out, rescue him, mum crying.

Ben looks at him blankly.

JOHNNY(cont)

Then just say youre going to get adrink and leave me alone with her.Right? Easy.

Johnny walks off, pulling a reluctant Ben along by theshoulder.

BEN(breaking free)

How are we going to bring it up?

JOHNNYJust play it cool.

Ben looks slightly panicked. They reach the GIRL.

JOHNNY(to girl)

Hows it going?

GIRLIm good, how are you?

JOHNNYGood, good. Youre a first-year aswel-

BEN(interrupting)

-Do you like the beach?

Johnny and the girl looked at him strangely.

(CONTINUED)


35/38

CONTINUED: 34.

GIRLUm, I guess, yeah.

BENWell we were there the other day,and Johnnys spotted a kid

drowning, and before I could evendo anything, Johnnys said...

JOHNNY-Ill go get help!

Johnny realises his mistake. Ben looks on speechless.

GIRL(to Ben)

So what did you do?

Ben looks at Johnny helplessly.

BEN(beat)

Um...I said, theres no time forhelp...

GIRLWhat happened? Did you save him?

BEN...Yep.

The girl looks at him in admiration.

BENAnyway, Im going to get a drink.

GIRLIll come!

BEN(taken aback)

...Alright.

He glances at Johnny who looks at him darkly. The girl leadsBen to the bar and Johnny walks back to Emma. Ben turns backand looks helplessly at Emma.

EMMA(to Johnny)

What happened? Wheres he going?

(CONTINUED)


36/38

CONTINUED: 35.

JOHNNYYour boyfriend fucked it up.

18 INT. CLUB BAR. NIGHT.

James and Natalie are talking at the bar. James spots Benwith the other girl waiting at the other end of the bar.James looks at him confused and Ben looks back at himhelplessly.


Ben walks sheepishly over to Johnny and Emma who arestanding in awkward silence.

EMMAWheres your new girlfriend?

BEN(sheepish)

I came clean. Told her the truth.

EMMAReally?

BENYep. Told her I had a girlfriendand it was all a misunderstanding.

The girl breezes over and touches Ben on the arm.

GIRL(to Ben)

So youll call me?

BEN...Yep.

The girl saunters away. Emma looks at Ben scornfully.

EMMAYoure not calling her.

BENNo, of course Im not.

EMMASo youre just going to lead her onand never talk to her again?

(CONTINUED)


37/38

CONTINUED: 36.

BEN(confused)

What? No... Wait.

Emma storms off and Johnny shakes his head disapprovingly atBen.

20 INT. CLUB. NIGHT.

James and Natalie are kissing passionately in a busy cornerof the club. James breaks off.

JAMESI just wanted to say, Im sorryabout before.

NATALIE(confused)

What?

They start kissing again. After two seconds, James breaksoff again.

JAMESIts just, we only broke up acouple of weeks ago... I didntmean to put you-

NATALIE-Shut up.

Natalie kisses him impatiently to stop him talking, thentakes his hand and leads him away.

21 INT. CLUB. NIGHT.

Natalie is leading James to the disabled bathroom. Theyreach the door, open it, and enter. Another STUDENT 4 grabsthe door as its closing and they turn around.

JAMESWhat are you doing?

STUDENT 4Nothing mate, just checkingeverythings ok in here.

JAMES(closing the door)

Yeah, were fine.

(CONTINUED)


38/38

CONTINUED: 37.

STUDENT 4(blocking the door)

Its just, its a disabled toilet.

JAMESDo you need to use it?

STUDENT 4Nah mate, but someone else might.

JAMESWhats it to you then?

STUDENT 4Nothing, just wouldnt want yougetting in any trouble.

JAMESJust fuck off.

STUDENT 4Hey Im just looking out for yamate.

JAMESHow are you helping me out?

Natalie sighs in frustration and pushes past the others andout the door.

STUDENT 4(smugly)

Just trying to do the right thing.

He lets go of the door and leaves. James, annoyed, sitsdown on the toilet seat. His toga drops off his shoulder andsighs in resignation.

students (new version)

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