Transcripts:Episode 2

THE ADAM HENDRICKSON SHOW

TAHS 102 THIS IS YOUR SCHOOL PART 2

Written by

Adam Hendrickson

m7

''Adam enters the class and looks out over a sea of students, groups and cliques have formed and they chatter excitedly with each other. He looks for a familiar face and sees James. He makes his way to sit by him. As the shot pans Alex is seen sitting by Victoria briefly but Adam doesn’t notice either of them.''

ADAM:

Dude this is awesome! We get to sit wherever we want, like adults!

JAMES:

It’s about time we get treated like adults. If you ask me, I’ve had about enough of this childish nonsense.

ADAM:

What do you mean?

JAMES:

Well, think back to middle school. They treated us like children. Not that we weren’t children.. But it’s the principle of the thing!

Adam and James both look up to their teacher.

ENGLISH TEACHER:

Good morning students, and welcome to your first day of high school! Oh it’s so exciting. This being your very first class of the very first day I think it’s a good idea to get you on your feet and moving so you’re awake! So we’re gonna start the day with some friendly “get to know” you exercises. Do any of you know what these are called?

The English teacher looks around expectantly, but the class just stares at her.

JAMES:

Welp. Looks like I jinxed it.

ENGLISH TEACHER:

That’s just fine! This is English after all, it’s my job to teach you new words! They’re called “icebreakers”, because they, you know, *teacher takes out hammer and smashes ice cube sitting on her desk.* break the ice!

''She laughs like she’s the funniest person ever. The class keeps staring, visible confusion on their faces. James looks especially upset.''

ENGLISH TEACHER:

Oh, I’m so excited to get to know all of you, we’re gonna have so much FUN together. You’re excited too, right?

The entire class remains silent and unenthusiastic

ENGLISH TEACHER:

Come on guys, it's not gonna be any fun if you don’t get into it.

JAMES:

Whispers to Adam

I still don’t get why it’s called an ice-breaker. Do you think I should ask her for another visual aid?

ADAM:

Whispers back

I’m about to raise my hand and ask for the definition of “fun”

ENGLISH TEACHER:

Alright. I didn’t wanna have to do this! Everybody stand up.

''Class groans and we hear the sounds of footsteps across the carpet. Storyteller moves out of the way to accommodate.''

ENGLISH TEACHER:

I want everybody to get in a big circle around the room and stand by somebody that you don't know. BUT! Not until I say go.. Okay… GO!

''Collective groan but students reluctantly start to move and shuffle around. As the students move towards the edge of the room, Adam’s eye catches a girl across the room. We hear music start to play. The teacher is still explaining the directions but the audience hears them only vaguely in the background. The storyteller looks from Adam to Victoria, clearly aware of what’s going on, and looks back at Adam. Suddenly everyone in the class disappears, the lights dim, and it is just Adam looking at victoria through the darkness. Victoria is also suddenly now wearing a dress and looks much more attractive than before. Music swells. Adam is clearly drooling over her. The Storyteller checks Adam’s pulse with a stethoscope and it breaks from the rapidness of the beating. Victoria is still looking the other way. But then something else catches his attention. The Storyteller is no longer seen. He looks slightly to the right and sees a small purple hand pillow hanging on the doorknob. Embroidered with the words “Come In!”. He stares at this for a moment as the teachers voice comes back into focus.''

ENGLISH TEACHER:

Adam? Adam Hendrickson?

ADAM:

Here!... yes?

ENGLISH TEACHER:

It’s your turn. Come on, don't be shy!

''Adam looks around. Cut also to Victoria, who is amongst the circle of students staring at Adam.''

ADAM:

My cat erased this line but it’s in the dialogue

Cut back to students, nobody says anything. Adam itches his neck.

ADAM:

It’s the first day of high school! I guess I’m excited for that.

''Cut to the Come In pillow. Cut back to Adam.''

m8

ADAM:

My first real memories began way back in kindergarten.

''Adam, midframe, tells his story. Two figures are seen behind him but he only comes up to their knees, his parents.''

ADAM:

Being young, I understood all my classmates were in the same position as me. We all lived in our own heads, and just happened to go to school together. Honestly, I didn’t really do much, and was usually quite shy. It wasn’t until I met James in fourth grade that I became real good friends with someone. The two of us bonded by making little comics about ourselves and our classmates. They were the characters, and we wrote the adventure. But soon, it came time for middle school. The hallways got wider, the colors got more bleak, and we were all introduced to a whole crowd of new people. But one day, something extraordinary happened. On the first day of seventh grade, I sat next to Connor and some other guys. And ever since then, we’ve been The Gang, that’s what we call ourselves. So through those last 2 years of middle school, All we did was goof around in class and at lunch and at our houses and in the woods or wherever our parents would drive us, I guess. But now we’re all in high school and it’s no secret that all of our lives are going to change drastically because of that.

''Suddenly, we see the classroom again. Nobody is speaking, and Adam appears just as nervous as he did. All that we just saw took place inside his head.''

ENGLISH TEACHER:

So.. I take it you did nothing last summer?

ADAM:

*stutters, finally thinks of something to say.* o-Oh, I hung out with The Gang last summer.

Silence

ENGLISH TEACHER:

The Gang? What Gang? Should I be concerned?

ADAM:

What? No, we’re not- the Gang is my friends. That’s what we’re called.

''Back camera up, we see the whole class looking at him blankly. James facepalms. Then cut back to the teacher.''

ENGLISH TEACHER:

Okay.

m9

''We cut to Adam drinking at a drinking fountain. We see a student try to go up Stairwell C and a teacher chases him up, swinging his fist. Arjun points that out to James silently and the two are seen laughing. Students are passing around Adam, James, and Arjun, who huddle towards a wall. Other students passing by are visibly annoyed at how they block their path, jostling them. James is telling Arjun some story.''

JAMES:

So anyway, the teacher says “Let’s all get to know each other!” and made us circle up. Then we went around the circle telling everybody fun facts about ourselves or whatever, but when it gets to Adam he just stands there with a blank face and says nothing. Not a single word. He just stared off into space.

ADAM:

And then I told everyone we were called The Gang.

ARJUN:

So?

JAMES:

The teacher thought gang like-

Makes a gesture like shooting a tommy gun

You know, Al Capone stuff.

ADAM:

Moans

Now she thinks I’m a criminal. And an idiot.

JAMES:

Helpfully

A criminal idiot.

ADAM:

I stood there for like six seconds.

JAMES:

Longer than that dude.

ADAM:

Wha-? How long?

JAMES:

Shrugs

I dunno, a long time.

The trio stops in front of their Geometry class

ADAM:

Dripping Sarcasm

That’s incredibly helpful James, thank you so much.

JAMES:

Bows and opens the door for Adam

You’re very welcome, good sir.

m10

Adam, Arjun, and Connor walk into Geometry class and of course the first thing they see is a grumpy, bald, fat man sitting behind his desk staring down at some papers.

Geometry Teacher(Not even looking up):

There’s a seating chart on the desk up front, look at it and go to your seats.

JAMES (to Adam):

Finally! This is how a high school teacher should really act!

''The three boys mosey over and look at the chart. The image zooms in on where Adam and Arjun are sitting. We notice the two are sitting next to each other at the same table.''

ARJUN:

To James.

Oof. Looks like you’re gonna be far, far away James.

James:

Shrugs

I’ll deal. Have fun with your partners.

Gestures at Chris and Tyson before sitting down.

ADAM (sitting down):

Hey, Arjun. Look, our teacher is bald.

ARJUN:

So?

TYSON (sitting across from Adam)

Huh, huh. What was that?

ARJUN:

If he’s bald, it must mean he’s really smart.

TYSON:

Huh, huh. I get it. All of his umm.. Knowledge or something must have made all of his hair fall out.

CHRIS:

That’s not what he meant.

TYSON:

How do you know that, Chris?

CHRIS:

Everybody knows the smarter you are, the MORE hair you have.

''Adam and Arjun are watching these two have this conversation. Adam writes with his pencil. He nudges Arjun and points to his paper. It’s a crude caricature of Chris and Tyson. Arjun and Adam laugh. Chris and Tyson don’t notice any of this.''

TYSON:

Yeah, but that’s not funny at all.

CHRIS:

How would you know? You’re the least funny guy I know.

TYSON:

Oh yeah? You wanna hear a joke?

CHRIS:

Yes please, give us your best one. Come on.

TYSON:

Alright, gimme a sec

Tyson looks at the teacher for some time, trying to think of a joke.

ADAM (looks at teacher’s desk):

Arjun, look at that. Our teacher’s name plate just says “Mr. B”. Why wouldn’t he just use his full name? Especially on something like your school employee nametag. *Adam stares into this thought while Arjun responds*

ARJUN:

Probably stands for “Mr. Bald”.

CHRIS (kicking Tyson under the desk):

See, now THAT’S a joke. Take notes, Tyson, you can learn a thing or two from this guy.

TYSON:

Don’t rush my creative process.

* beat*

TYSON (loudly, interrupting):

Hey! Mr. B! What does the B in you name stand for?

TEACHER (takes a second to look up):

That’s none of your business, Tyson.

CHRIS:

Hey, hey Mr B. Did you miss Tyson and I since summer training?

''As the teacher responds, Adam looks at the wall behind the teachers desk and notices a baseball themed calendar hanging on the wall. He also notices a jersey hanging that reads “COACH”. He understands.''

TEACHER:

I’ll put it this way. I’m about as excited to see you in this class for the SECOND time as I am sure you’ll make it to practice on time tonight.

TYSON:

Oooh. That stings Mr. B. Strike three.

CHRIS:

So you’re gonna teach us about shapes and angles and all that again?

TEACHER:

Well that is my job. Alright. Listen up, class. I have here a big stack of papers. You’re each going to receive a packet of work. This should be review for you. I want this completed by the beginning of class tomorrow. You may QUIETLY discuss the work with your tablemates and nothing else. Is that clear? Are we going to have any trouble? *beat* Especially you two… (looks at Chris and Tyson).

CHRIS:

No sir, no sir. No more trouble from us.

TYSON:

Not unless trouble, upon us, is thrust!

''“Mr B” sits back at his desk with an annoyed grunt. Few seconds of silence, as music concludes. Segue into hushed conversation''

TYSON (to Adam and Arjun):

Mr. B is real scary sounding sometimes. But he doesn’t really talk much otherwise.

CHRIS:

Yeah as long as no one makes him go off about anything.. (whispered) like the Hillcrest Gators. (cutaway to dramatic zoom on Hillcrest Gators symbol logo. The rival school.) this class should be pretty quiet. He only ever gives us packets to work on.

ARJUN:

Do you guys know why he doesn’t use his full name?

TYSON:

Probably for the same reason he always lets us out of baseball practice early. It’s just too long.

CHRIS:

Hey, there you go, man!

TYSON:

What?

ADAM:

Well at least we won’t have to worry about him sucking all the time. (pause) Hey, do you think Mr. B would let me put my earbuds in if we’re just going to be doing busy work?

Mr B, who has been passing out the packets during this time is now standing behind Adam, clearly able to overhear everything Adam just said

MR. B:

Absolutely not! Discuss and collaborate with your desk partners.

Mr. B throws down a stack of papers on the desk and leaves

ADAM:

Sheesh. I see what you mean now

ARJUN:

Just work on your packet before you make him hate you, and by extension ME, even more.

m11

The camera pans out and there is a musical animation sequence which chronicles the first thoughts of the show.