Senior Year Page #10

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A hand rises out of the darkness, grabbing the railing. Ruby

Sue inhales deep like she’s pulling herself out of quicksand.

BRITTANY:

Look who’s back from the dead.

Ruby Sue stands proudly atop the bleachers.

RUBY SUE:

Look at you, back from the...

(insecure)

future.

Every kid in class cranes their necks to see what’s going on.

Brittany gets emboldened and steps toward her.

BRITTANY:

Do you know who you’re talking to?

RUBY SUE:

Somebody about to get that retarded

smirk wiped off their retarded face.

Brittany gasps.

EVERYONE:

Ohhhhh.

Ruby Sue leans in close so just Brittany can hear.

RUBY SUE:

(whispering)

Ya played ya’ self.

60.

BRITTANY:

You know what? I think this study

hall is getting OLD.

She turns around and walks down the bleachers. Her friends

follow her down the aisle.

The door slams behind the cool kids. The other kids in study

hall look on in disbelief.

BENEATH THE BLEACHERS - MOMENTS LATER

Like the hand of God, Ruby Sue reaches down into the

crevasse.

Tim grabs hold and with a boost up from Lionel he is able to

climb out.

STUDY HALL:

Ruby Sue helps Tim back to his feet.

TIM:

How did you do that?

RUBY SUE:

I stood up for myself. You should

try it sometime.

She looks back into the crevasse at Lionel with his hands in

the air like a toddler waiting to be lifted up.

RUBY SUE (CONT’D)

(to Lionel)

Um, you’re probably gonna have to

go that other way. I have a field

hockey game and I don’t want to

throw my back out so... I guess

we’ll check you later?

Lionel gives a thumbs up.

INT. PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE - DAY

An agitated Ruby sits across from Principal Smith.

PRINCIPAL SMITH:

We received an anonymous tip that

you used one of the words on our no-

no list. Are you aware of this?

61.

RUBY SUE:

A what list?

PRINCIPAL WALSH:

They’re banned words, but nobody

likes to “ban words” in fear of

being labeled fascists. So here we

are, two adults using baby talk.

RUBY SUE:

OK. So what did I say?

PRINCIPAL SMITH:

You said the R-word. I’m afraid we

have a zero tolerance policy on it.

RUBY SUE:

What the fu... udge is the R-word?

PRINCIPAL SMITH:

I can’t say it. All I can say is

you fudged up real bad.

RUBY SUE:

So how am I supposed to know what I

said then?

PRINCIPAL SMITH:

Here. The one that starts with R.

He hands her the anonymous tip.

RUBY SUE:

Hey! I recognize this handwriting.

It wrote ‘slut’ on my locker this

morning.

Ruby Sue reads over the note.

RUBY SUE (CONT’D)

You can’t say retard anymore?

Seriously? What do you say when

somebody’s acting retarded?

PRINCIPAL WALSH:

I’m getting the impression you

don’t understand why that word is

offensive so I’m going to give you

detention to think about it.

RUBY SUE:

I can’t have detention. There’s a

football game today. I’m the bear.

62.

PRINCIPAL SMITH:

Maybe you should have thought of

that before you used the R-word.

RUBY SUE:

Ugh! This is so retarded.

(realizing.)

F***.

INT. DETENTION ROOM - DAY

Ruby Sue sits in the back of the room, eyeing up the tough

looking kids in detention. The teacher in the SWEATER VEST

sits at his desk at the front of the class. He stands up.

SWEATER VEST:

I’m gonna leave you guys alone for

a minute. But I’ll be right outside

that door. So no trouble making!

RUBY SUE:

Wait! I don’t think it’s a good

idea to leave...

Sweater vest is already talking on the phone.

SWEATER VEST:

What’s poppin?

The door closes behind him. Immediately all the bad kids spin

around and face Ruby Sue.

RUBY SUE:

So um... Which no-no words did you

guys say?

They just stare at her. The nearest BAD KID takes out a

cigarette and lights it.

BAD KID:

Tranny.

RUBY SUE:

You can’t say Tranny? Really? So

what do you call a guy in a dress?

BAD KID:

(deadpan)

A woman.

Ruby Sue thinks for a beat then...

63.

RUBY SUE:

Ohhhh...

She nods like she gets it

EXT. FOOTBALL FIELD - DAY

The stands are packed with students and fans. The marching

band plays a halftime tune.

NEARBY - GAME TUNNEL

Tiffany gives her final instructions to the cheer team.

TIFFANY:

Alright, let’s go! Remember pretty

girls in the front. Looking at you

pizza face.

The girls sprint toward the field, waving pom-poms.

EXT. FOOTBALL FIELD - CONTINUOUS

Seth watches the cheerleaders take the field.

SETH:

Hey! Where’s the bear?

Other people chime in until a chant moves the crowd.

CROWD:

Where’s the bear? Where’s the bear?

INTERCUT:
TUNNEL - CONTINUOUS

Ruby Sue charges down the tunnel, carrying the bear helmet.

RUBY SUE:

Hold up! I’m here to save this.

Tiffany blocks her from leaving the tunnel.

TIFFANY:

Where were you?

RUBY SUE:

Detention. Like you didn’t know.

You sneaky slut.

64.

TIFFANY:

Ooh. Detention? That’s a direct

rule violation. I’m afraid I have

to kick you off the team.

RUBY SUE:

I am the team. You’re gonna have a

riot on your hands if you don’t let

this bear dance.

TIFFANY:

No, I think we’ll be just fine.

RUBY SUE:

Come on! My parents are here! They

brought hot cocoa and everything!

Tiffany snatches the bear helmet away from her.

TIFFANY:

You disgraced this squad for the

last time.

RUBY SUE:

I don’t get you, Tiffany. You won

prom queen, you married Blaine. I’m

supposed to hate you, not the other

way around.

TIFFANY:

(through clenched teeth)

We both know why I hate you.

RUBY SUE:

No. I really don’t. And believe me,

I’ve had plenty of time to think

about it.

TIFFANY:

(whispering)

How did you know I had gonorrhea?

RUBY SUE:

Wait. What?

TIFFANY:

(screaming)

How did you know I had gonorrhea!?

Ruby Sue turns red in the face, stifling laughter.

RUBY SUE:

Oh my god. You really had that?

65.

Tiffany explodes, tackling Ruby to the ground.

TIFFANY:

You wanna wear the bear? You’ll

wear it to your f***ing grave!

She mounts Ruby and hits her with the fury helmet.

SETH (O.S.)

Ladies! Please!

Seth runs in and breaks them apart.

SETH (CONT’D)

You have to let it go! Let it go!

Both of you.

RUBY SUE:

Girl power kick!

Ruby Sue throws a high kick that connects with Seth’s face,

knocking him to the ground.

Seth is on his back, eyelids fluttering. Ruby points at him.

RUBY SUE (CONT’D)

(to Tiffany)

You did that!

TIFFANY:

You’re lucky your boyfriend was

here to save you.

RUBY SUE:

As if. He’s not my boyfriend.

SETH:

(coming to)

Ahhh... What happened?

TIFFANY:

This isn’t over you b*tch.

Tiffany does a quick self inventory then storms off.

RUBY SUE:

Ow. That really hurt my foot.

She shakes her foot out as Seth struggles to get back up.

EXT. FOOTBALL FIELD - NIGHT

Seth and Ruby Sue sit alone in the empty bleachers.

66.

Seth’s eye is completely swollen shut. His nose is stuffed

with bloody tissues.

SETH:

Does your foot feel better?

RUBY SUE:

Yeah, the ice really helps.

Ruby Sue, leg elevated, ices down her foot.

RUBY SUE (CONT’D)

How’s your face?

SETH:

Better. I can see shapes out of

this eye now.

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