Post by EarlyBird on May 6, 2008 5:29:49 GMT 9.5
My take on a scene that could happen in the movie.
Miranda's character Catherine is Dean of the school/Uni/College and a student comes to ask for help. But Catherine and the other staff are too caught up in the school getting a bad reputation they don't do enough. Enjoy. Comments please. Little swearing below.
Catherine: Hold your tongue Elizabeth!
Eli: You'd like that wouldn't you, to silence everyone. Well sorry to tell you Miss high and mighty but you are useless. You haven't stopped any of this crap from happening. And what do you say...
Catherine: There is nothing we can do.
Eli: Nothing...that's bullshit and you know it. You CAN do something.
Catherine: There is nothing else we can do. I'm sorry.
Eli: I don't know why we bother coming to you. You never do anything. (Heads for the door)
Catherine: (stands up) we try.
Eli: Well you don't try hard enough. (Turns to her) You are a selfish woman...all you care about is yourself. Not your students...no one. As long as you and your staff are okay nothing else matters.
Catherine: I don't know what you suggest us to do.
Eli: Police action. It's the only way we'll get them to listen.
Catherine: I don't think that's a good idea.
Eli: Why...worried they'll close this place down?
Catherine: No. Often in these cases police just make the situation ten times worse. And despite what you may think of me I'm only thinking of your safety.
Eli: My safety! You couldn't give a damn about me. It's been going on for about what...three months now and what have you done about it? Nothing!
Catherine: As I said we have...
Eli: Yeah you tried blah blah blah. You didn't try hard enough. So I suggest you start TRYING or I'll be calling the police myself. Your choice.
Catherine: Eli...don't you think you may be overreacting just a tad?
Eli: Overreacting...Next time they smash my head into a locker you'll tell me I'm overreacting? Huh!
Catherine: No of course not. This is serious and we know this.
Eli: If you 'know this' why don't you fucking do something to stop it happening again!
Catherine: Okay...I'll speak to the staff about it.
Eli: Like that will do any of us any good. They don't give a shit either. None of you do. It's your job to pretend you care.
Catherine: So to you we're just a bunch of robots with no feelings or emotional attachments. Is that right?
Eli: Getting closer.
Catherine: I assure you, you are wrong about us. We do have feelings. And it hurts us when our students are in such altercations. But we can't do anything more then what's in our power to do.
Eli: You could expel them. Give them warnings...anything. Just get them away from me so I can walk down the corridor without wondering 'will my head get smashed into a locker today'.
Catherine: We will come up with someone, not involving the police.
Eli: Because you are worried about this place getting a bad rep. Well you should be caring more if one of your students gets murdered. But whatever.
Catherine: Eli...it will be okay. I promise.
Eli: Don't make promises you can't keep.
Catherine: I'm deeply deeply sorry for what you've gone through.
Eli: Whatever (waves her hand dismissively and walks out the door slamming it).
Catherine: This is serious! (Shouts slamming her hand down on her desk).
Burton: Calm down Catherine, this is not part of our job! (Shouts back).
Catherine: (shocked) not part of our job? What planet are you living on!
Burton: I'm simply saying it's not our job to make sure the kids get along. We teach them. We're not their parents.
Catherine: Their not kids Burton, they're adults.
Burton: Exactly. So being 'adults' they should be able to sort this out on their own.
Catherine: How can they? It is our jobs Burton weather you like it or not. So take responsibility and do something about it!
Burton: Like what Catherine? (Gives her a 'look')
Catherine: Don't give me that look.
Burton: What look?
Catherine: Those looks you're giving me stop it.
Burton: I'm not doing anything Catherine I'm just looking at you.
Catherine: Well stop it.
Burton: Okay. Shall I face the wall...or perhaps leave the room? (Gestures towards the door).
Catherine: Burton (sighs) look...I just want this to all go away.
Burton: So do I.
Eli: (sitting outside smoking a cigarette)
Catherine: (walks outside, the wind blowing through her hair as she sits down beside her). Those things are bad for you.
Eli: (shrugs) so (looks ahead).
Catherine: I talked to him.
Eli: And? (Blows smoke from the cigarette).
Catherine: And he wasn't very helpful.
Eli: Told you. No one cares.
Catherine: It's not that we don't care El. It's the fact that we don't know how to handle the situation without involving the authorities.
Eli: Then involve them.
Catherine: That's what you really want?
Eli: Yes (stands up)
Catherine: I'll see what I can do.
Eli: (rolls her eyes)
Catherine: What? (Folds her arms across her chest)
Eli: That's what you always say. I'll see what I can do...what have you done so far?
Catherine: Our best.
Eli: Well it seems to be your best just isn't good enough. (Looks back at Catherine) Is it? (Throws her cigarette down at her feet and stamps it out).
Catherine: (in her office, picks up her office phone).
Burton: (takes the phone from her) what are you doing?
Catherine: What I should have done ages ago.
Burton: She won’t thank you for it.
Catherine: Wont she! This is what she asked me to do right from the start. I should have listened to her.
Burton: So you are willing to lose everything we've worked for? Over one incident.
Catherine: Do you think I'd be taking so much time over it if it was.
Burton: Catherine (takes her hand).
Catherine: (pulls her hand away and looks at him) I think you should go.
Burton: (walks out)
Catherine: (sits down and rubs her temples)
Eli: (holding a ice pack to her bleeding lip) I'm fine.
Catherine: You don't look it.
Eli: I'll be OKAY.
Catherine: What happened? I thought we talked about this.
Eli: Yeah so...
Catherine: So...we agreed you wouldn't lash out. We agreed to sort this out properly.
Eli: Sorry.
Catherine: You will be if you get thrown out of this school.
Eli: (shocked) Thrown out? What about them!
Catherine: They'll be taken care of accordingly.
Eli: This is bullshit.
Catherine: No it's the school rules.
Eli: Chuck me out then. Go on. See how good it makes you feel.
Catherine: You think I want you to go? (Silence) that's not what I want. You are a smart student. I want you to get a education.
Eli: Then don't throw me out.
Catherine: It's not up to me.
Eli: You're the dean.
Catherine: But I don't have the final decision.
Eli: Fine (stands up)
Catherine: Where are you going?
Eli: Class. I have double English.
Catherine: It can wait. I'll tell your teacher I gave you leave.
Eli: (silence) you lied.
Catherine: Excuse me?
Eli: You said you'd call them but you didn't.
Catherine: I didn't say...
Eli: Yes you did (shouts) you said you would tell them. But you lied. You lied about that like you lie about everything else.
Catherine: I don't understand. (Speechless) What has gotten into you?
Eli: I know...
Catherine: Know what?
Eli: (pushes a piece of paper across the desk).
Catherine: Where did you get this?
Eli: Found it (sits casually on a chair).
Catherine: Where?
Eli: Does it matter. Point is...you have a lot of explaining to do.
Catherine: Well first off I don't know how you got this. And second...
Eli: Don't even bother trying to worm your way out of it.
Catherine: I wasn't planning to.
Eli: Yeah right.
Catherine: I want you to understand I didn't do this to hurt you.
Eli: Then why do it?
Catherine: I was confused. I saw no way out.
Eli: So you give me up for adoption?
Catherine: Yes. I wanted you to have a family. A family that could give you what I couldn't.
Eli: Were you ever gunna tell me about all of this?
Catherine: They were going to tell you when you were eighteen. Then we all decided we should wait until after your education. They thought it may provoke you to leave the school and end up ruining your life because of it.
Eli: Well...now that I know what do you want to do about this? Do you want to see me? Call me daughter. Am I even allowed to call you Mum?
Catherine: I don't know (holds her head).
Eli: Well maybe by the end of today you will.
Catherine: I just need time to think this through.
Eli: I'll just go then shall I. (heads for the door)
Catherine: El...
Eli: What? (Looks round)
Catherine: I just wanted to protect you.
Eli: (looks at her then leaves)
Burton: She's what? (Shouts)
Catherine: Burton keep your voice down I don't want the whole school finding out.
Burton: You should have said something.
Catherine: Oh and how long would it have taken for it to come out? I know you; you have a big mouth and would have blurted it at her.
Burton: Did you know it was her?
Catherine: I didn't know for sure.
Burton: You could have asked her.
Catherine: She didn't know until recently.
Burton: How long has she known for?
Catherine: I'm not sure.
Burton: Do they know she knows about you?
Catherine: I don't know! (Raises her voice). I wanted to tell you because I thought you'd understand.
Burton: Okay Catherine I'm sorry. It's just a bit of a shock.
Catherine: It was to me too.
Burton: Why don't you go and talk to her. She's outside. I'm sure she wants to hear your side of things.
Catherine: She didn't seem too keen earlier.
Burton: Just try...okay?
Catherine: (nods and looks outside the window at Elizabeth).
Eli: (smoking a cigarette and looking at the parked cars).
Catherine: Elizabeth. (Sits down beside her) We need to talk.
Eli: (looks away)
Catherine: Stop acting like a child and look at me when I'm speaking.
Eli: (looks at her)
Catherine: I'm sorry you had to find out like this.
Eli: Who’s my dad?
Catherine: Eli...
Eli: Just tell me.
Catherine: Burton.
Eli: You are kidding right?
Catherine: No. But...
Eli: He doesn't know yet.
Catherine: I am going to tell him.
Eli: When?
Catherine: I don't know, when the time is right.
Eli: Tell him today. Or I will.
Catherine: You can't...
Eli: Either you tell him who I really am or I will. Simple as that (about to take a drag from her cigarette).
Catherine: Didn't I tell you those were bad for you (takes the cigarette and throw it on the floor. Stamping it out with her heel)
Eli: I'm going home.
Catherine: Okay. Can you call tonight? Let me know you're home safe.
Eli: Sure. If you want.
Catherine: And then we can talk some more.
Eli: There's nothing else to talk about. Is there?
Catherine: Well no. But I want to talk to you though. About where we go from here.
Eli: Well I would like to get to know you. Maybe one day you'll allow me to call you Mum.
Catherine: I'd like that.
Eli: Did you know it was me?
Catherine: (shakes her head) no.
Eli: I suppose that's some reassurance.
Catherine: I thought maybe it could be. But I didn't want to get my hopes up.
Eli: I see (begins walking inside)
Catherine: Will you be okay?
Eli: (nods) I'll speak to you later.
Catherine: Goodbye Elizabeth.
Burton: How did it go? (Smiles)
Catherine: It went good.
Burton: See, didn't I tell you everything would be alright in the end.
Catherine: You did (nods)
Burton: You don't seem very happy.
Catherine: I am, I am.
Burton: What is it Cath...You can tell me.
Catherine: It's about us.
Burton: I've been thinking about us too.
Catherine: And about Eli.
Burton: Eli...
Catherine: When I had her...it was when we were together.
Burton: You mean she's...she's mind?
Catherine: Yes.
Burton: (holds his head) Catherine...how?
Catherine: Eli knows...she thought I was joking. But I'm not. You are her father.
Burton: I can't believe this.
Catherine: Me either if I'm honest. But here we are.
Burton: I want to see her (goes to grab his coat).
Catherine: No...Leave her for tonight. You can see her in the morning. (Touches his shoulder).
Burton: (puts his coat on)
Catherine: Burton!
Burton: I'm going to get some air.
Catherine: Then why don't I join you. (Puts her coat on).
Miranda's character Catherine is Dean of the school/Uni/College and a student comes to ask for help. But Catherine and the other staff are too caught up in the school getting a bad reputation they don't do enough. Enjoy. Comments please. Little swearing below.
Catherine: Hold your tongue Elizabeth!
Eli: You'd like that wouldn't you, to silence everyone. Well sorry to tell you Miss high and mighty but you are useless. You haven't stopped any of this crap from happening. And what do you say...
Catherine: There is nothing we can do.
Eli: Nothing...that's bullshit and you know it. You CAN do something.
Catherine: There is nothing else we can do. I'm sorry.
Eli: I don't know why we bother coming to you. You never do anything. (Heads for the door)
Catherine: (stands up) we try.
Eli: Well you don't try hard enough. (Turns to her) You are a selfish woman...all you care about is yourself. Not your students...no one. As long as you and your staff are okay nothing else matters.
Catherine: I don't know what you suggest us to do.
Eli: Police action. It's the only way we'll get them to listen.
Catherine: I don't think that's a good idea.
Eli: Why...worried they'll close this place down?
Catherine: No. Often in these cases police just make the situation ten times worse. And despite what you may think of me I'm only thinking of your safety.
Eli: My safety! You couldn't give a damn about me. It's been going on for about what...three months now and what have you done about it? Nothing!
Catherine: As I said we have...
Eli: Yeah you tried blah blah blah. You didn't try hard enough. So I suggest you start TRYING or I'll be calling the police myself. Your choice.
Catherine: Eli...don't you think you may be overreacting just a tad?
Eli: Overreacting...Next time they smash my head into a locker you'll tell me I'm overreacting? Huh!
Catherine: No of course not. This is serious and we know this.
Eli: If you 'know this' why don't you fucking do something to stop it happening again!
Catherine: Okay...I'll speak to the staff about it.
Eli: Like that will do any of us any good. They don't give a shit either. None of you do. It's your job to pretend you care.
Catherine: So to you we're just a bunch of robots with no feelings or emotional attachments. Is that right?
Eli: Getting closer.
Catherine: I assure you, you are wrong about us. We do have feelings. And it hurts us when our students are in such altercations. But we can't do anything more then what's in our power to do.
Eli: You could expel them. Give them warnings...anything. Just get them away from me so I can walk down the corridor without wondering 'will my head get smashed into a locker today'.
Catherine: We will come up with someone, not involving the police.
Eli: Because you are worried about this place getting a bad rep. Well you should be caring more if one of your students gets murdered. But whatever.
Catherine: Eli...it will be okay. I promise.
Eli: Don't make promises you can't keep.
Catherine: I'm deeply deeply sorry for what you've gone through.
Eli: Whatever (waves her hand dismissively and walks out the door slamming it).
Catherine: This is serious! (Shouts slamming her hand down on her desk).
Burton: Calm down Catherine, this is not part of our job! (Shouts back).
Catherine: (shocked) not part of our job? What planet are you living on!
Burton: I'm simply saying it's not our job to make sure the kids get along. We teach them. We're not their parents.
Catherine: Their not kids Burton, they're adults.
Burton: Exactly. So being 'adults' they should be able to sort this out on their own.
Catherine: How can they? It is our jobs Burton weather you like it or not. So take responsibility and do something about it!
Burton: Like what Catherine? (Gives her a 'look')
Catherine: Don't give me that look.
Burton: What look?
Catherine: Those looks you're giving me stop it.
Burton: I'm not doing anything Catherine I'm just looking at you.
Catherine: Well stop it.
Burton: Okay. Shall I face the wall...or perhaps leave the room? (Gestures towards the door).
Catherine: Burton (sighs) look...I just want this to all go away.
Burton: So do I.
Eli: (sitting outside smoking a cigarette)
Catherine: (walks outside, the wind blowing through her hair as she sits down beside her). Those things are bad for you.
Eli: (shrugs) so (looks ahead).
Catherine: I talked to him.
Eli: And? (Blows smoke from the cigarette).
Catherine: And he wasn't very helpful.
Eli: Told you. No one cares.
Catherine: It's not that we don't care El. It's the fact that we don't know how to handle the situation without involving the authorities.
Eli: Then involve them.
Catherine: That's what you really want?
Eli: Yes (stands up)
Catherine: I'll see what I can do.
Eli: (rolls her eyes)
Catherine: What? (Folds her arms across her chest)
Eli: That's what you always say. I'll see what I can do...what have you done so far?
Catherine: Our best.
Eli: Well it seems to be your best just isn't good enough. (Looks back at Catherine) Is it? (Throws her cigarette down at her feet and stamps it out).
Catherine: (in her office, picks up her office phone).
Burton: (takes the phone from her) what are you doing?
Catherine: What I should have done ages ago.
Burton: She won’t thank you for it.
Catherine: Wont she! This is what she asked me to do right from the start. I should have listened to her.
Burton: So you are willing to lose everything we've worked for? Over one incident.
Catherine: Do you think I'd be taking so much time over it if it was.
Burton: Catherine (takes her hand).
Catherine: (pulls her hand away and looks at him) I think you should go.
Burton: (walks out)
Catherine: (sits down and rubs her temples)
Eli: (holding a ice pack to her bleeding lip) I'm fine.
Catherine: You don't look it.
Eli: I'll be OKAY.
Catherine: What happened? I thought we talked about this.
Eli: Yeah so...
Catherine: So...we agreed you wouldn't lash out. We agreed to sort this out properly.
Eli: Sorry.
Catherine: You will be if you get thrown out of this school.
Eli: (shocked) Thrown out? What about them!
Catherine: They'll be taken care of accordingly.
Eli: This is bullshit.
Catherine: No it's the school rules.
Eli: Chuck me out then. Go on. See how good it makes you feel.
Catherine: You think I want you to go? (Silence) that's not what I want. You are a smart student. I want you to get a education.
Eli: Then don't throw me out.
Catherine: It's not up to me.
Eli: You're the dean.
Catherine: But I don't have the final decision.
Eli: Fine (stands up)
Catherine: Where are you going?
Eli: Class. I have double English.
Catherine: It can wait. I'll tell your teacher I gave you leave.
Eli: (silence) you lied.
Catherine: Excuse me?
Eli: You said you'd call them but you didn't.
Catherine: I didn't say...
Eli: Yes you did (shouts) you said you would tell them. But you lied. You lied about that like you lie about everything else.
Catherine: I don't understand. (Speechless) What has gotten into you?
Eli: I know...
Catherine: Know what?
Eli: (pushes a piece of paper across the desk).
Catherine: Where did you get this?
Eli: Found it (sits casually on a chair).
Catherine: Where?
Eli: Does it matter. Point is...you have a lot of explaining to do.
Catherine: Well first off I don't know how you got this. And second...
Eli: Don't even bother trying to worm your way out of it.
Catherine: I wasn't planning to.
Eli: Yeah right.
Catherine: I want you to understand I didn't do this to hurt you.
Eli: Then why do it?
Catherine: I was confused. I saw no way out.
Eli: So you give me up for adoption?
Catherine: Yes. I wanted you to have a family. A family that could give you what I couldn't.
Eli: Were you ever gunna tell me about all of this?
Catherine: They were going to tell you when you were eighteen. Then we all decided we should wait until after your education. They thought it may provoke you to leave the school and end up ruining your life because of it.
Eli: Well...now that I know what do you want to do about this? Do you want to see me? Call me daughter. Am I even allowed to call you Mum?
Catherine: I don't know (holds her head).
Eli: Well maybe by the end of today you will.
Catherine: I just need time to think this through.
Eli: I'll just go then shall I. (heads for the door)
Catherine: El...
Eli: What? (Looks round)
Catherine: I just wanted to protect you.
Eli: (looks at her then leaves)
Burton: She's what? (Shouts)
Catherine: Burton keep your voice down I don't want the whole school finding out.
Burton: You should have said something.
Catherine: Oh and how long would it have taken for it to come out? I know you; you have a big mouth and would have blurted it at her.
Burton: Did you know it was her?
Catherine: I didn't know for sure.
Burton: You could have asked her.
Catherine: She didn't know until recently.
Burton: How long has she known for?
Catherine: I'm not sure.
Burton: Do they know she knows about you?
Catherine: I don't know! (Raises her voice). I wanted to tell you because I thought you'd understand.
Burton: Okay Catherine I'm sorry. It's just a bit of a shock.
Catherine: It was to me too.
Burton: Why don't you go and talk to her. She's outside. I'm sure she wants to hear your side of things.
Catherine: She didn't seem too keen earlier.
Burton: Just try...okay?
Catherine: (nods and looks outside the window at Elizabeth).
Eli: (smoking a cigarette and looking at the parked cars).
Catherine: Elizabeth. (Sits down beside her) We need to talk.
Eli: (looks away)
Catherine: Stop acting like a child and look at me when I'm speaking.
Eli: (looks at her)
Catherine: I'm sorry you had to find out like this.
Eli: Who’s my dad?
Catherine: Eli...
Eli: Just tell me.
Catherine: Burton.
Eli: You are kidding right?
Catherine: No. But...
Eli: He doesn't know yet.
Catherine: I am going to tell him.
Eli: When?
Catherine: I don't know, when the time is right.
Eli: Tell him today. Or I will.
Catherine: You can't...
Eli: Either you tell him who I really am or I will. Simple as that (about to take a drag from her cigarette).
Catherine: Didn't I tell you those were bad for you (takes the cigarette and throw it on the floor. Stamping it out with her heel)
Eli: I'm going home.
Catherine: Okay. Can you call tonight? Let me know you're home safe.
Eli: Sure. If you want.
Catherine: And then we can talk some more.
Eli: There's nothing else to talk about. Is there?
Catherine: Well no. But I want to talk to you though. About where we go from here.
Eli: Well I would like to get to know you. Maybe one day you'll allow me to call you Mum.
Catherine: I'd like that.
Eli: Did you know it was me?
Catherine: (shakes her head) no.
Eli: I suppose that's some reassurance.
Catherine: I thought maybe it could be. But I didn't want to get my hopes up.
Eli: I see (begins walking inside)
Catherine: Will you be okay?
Eli: (nods) I'll speak to you later.
Catherine: Goodbye Elizabeth.
Burton: How did it go? (Smiles)
Catherine: It went good.
Burton: See, didn't I tell you everything would be alright in the end.
Catherine: You did (nods)
Burton: You don't seem very happy.
Catherine: I am, I am.
Burton: What is it Cath...You can tell me.
Catherine: It's about us.
Burton: I've been thinking about us too.
Catherine: And about Eli.
Burton: Eli...
Catherine: When I had her...it was when we were together.
Burton: You mean she's...she's mind?
Catherine: Yes.
Burton: (holds his head) Catherine...how?
Catherine: Eli knows...she thought I was joking. But I'm not. You are her father.
Burton: I can't believe this.
Catherine: Me either if I'm honest. But here we are.
Burton: I want to see her (goes to grab his coat).
Catherine: No...Leave her for tonight. You can see her in the morning. (Touches his shoulder).
Burton: (puts his coat on)
Catherine: Burton!
Burton: I'm going to get some air.
Catherine: Then why don't I join you. (Puts her coat on).
