Never Been Kissed Page #15

Josie sits across the desk from him. She reads the headline,

looking very surprised.

GUS:

Josie, I am appalled.

Josie picks up the paper, and starts reading intently.

JOSIE:

Jeez, so am I. I had no idea that

these kids- let's see- turn to A14-

She tries to turn to A14, but Gus grabs the paper out of

her hands in a rage.

GUS:

(trying to keep his

cool)

No, I am appalled that I have a

reporter in there, undercover, for

almost three weeks now- I had to

read about this in the Tribune.

JOSIE:

Oh. Right.

Gus angrily tries to fold the paper back 'up. He's having

a hard time. Josie tries to help, but he yanks it away.

Gus reads aloud from the newspaper.

GUS:

Responding officers found minors,

marijuana, and cheap wine coolers

when they responded to a call to

break up a party at what Southglen

High Schoolers have come to call

"The Court." Seventeen-year-old

Kristen Rey says, "Yeah, everyone

who's anyone is at The Court on

Saturday night."

JOSIE:

(disbelieving)

Kristen got a quote?

Gus looks up at Josie.

JOSIE:

Yes, urm, she's right. I have

learned it is a very popular place

for the young people to go.

GUS:

Have you been there?

JOSIE:

Uhh, no.

GUS:

Have you been to any parties?

JOSIE:

Well, how would you define to

parties"? Because we ordered a

deli platter at this one Denominator

drill session--

Gus looks like he may combust. He opens the newspaper,

finds what he's looking for, and shoves it in Josie's face.

It is a picture of all of the popular kids at Southglen-

Kristen, Kirsten, Gibby, Guy- they are all posing for the

picture at The Court, smiling and holding beers.

GUS:

This is where the stories are. You

are going to become friends with

these people. You are going to

party with them. You are going to

hang out with them on weekends.

When they go to prom, you are going

to be in their same damn limo!

JOSIE:

Gus I, the popular kids and I, we

just don't- I mean, I don't think

I can do this.

He points to the picture in the paper of the Popular Kids.

GUS:

Do you even know these kids?

JOSIE:

(trying)

They hid my car--

Gus leans in very close.

GUS:

Get to know them. Very well. Your

job and my job depends on it.

JOSIE:

(very small)

Depend on it. No s. Your subject

is plural.

GUS:

OUT!

Josie grabs her knapsack and does.

INT. ANITA'S CUBICLE - CONTINUOUS

Josie runs through the bullpen, past Anita's cubicle. ROGER

from op/ed enters. He and Anita smile flirtatiously.

ANITA:

Hi Roger from op/ed--

ROGER:

Hi Anita from classifieds. We still

on for tonight?

ANITA:

of course--

And he leans in and kisses her. She pulls away, confused.

A beat. Anita kisses him again. Nothing.

ANITA (CONT’D)

(can't believe she's

saying it--)

Y'know what? No, I don't think we

are on. I think I have to stay

home.

(liking how it sounds)

Yeah. I'm staying home! I don't

know what I'll do there, but I'm

gonna do it. Alone!

Roger walks off.

ROGER:

(under)

Freak.

EXT. JOSIE'S PARENTS' HOUSE - NIGHT

Rob opens the door still dressed in his Tiki Post outfit.

He takes one look at Josie and knows that things are not

good.

JOSIE:

Are mom and dad here?

ROB:

No. They're at the Franklin Hint

Expo at the Skokie Holiday Inn.

JOSIE:

Good.

She shoves her way into the house. Rob follows.

INT. DEN - CONTINUOUS

Josie storms into the den, and plants herself on the sofa.

She sees that Rob has been watching baseball on T.V., and

she turns it off.

JOSIE:

I can't do it. I thought I could.

I can't. I give up--I'm never going

to be a reporter.

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