Short Term 12 Page #2

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INT. BOY'S BATHROOM -- MORNING

A few of the boys are at the sink, brushing their teeth and

popping their zits.

INT. GIRL'S BATHROOM -- MORNING

A few of the girls are at the sink, plucking eyebrows w/

wooden tweezers, applying eye liner, brushing or flossing.

INT. SAMMY'S ROOM -- MORNING

SAMMY, 14 and small for his age, sits on his bed in only his

white briefs, playing with his dolls. Piled on his bed aredozens of dolls and stuffed animals meant for a little girl.

A big American flag is stuck to the wall behind him.

He grabs one of his dolls and makes her fly, standing up onhis bed and bouncing high. Holding her up into the air.

END CREDIT SEQUENCE

INT. GROUP HOME, LOBBY BATHROOM -- MORNING

Grace fills a Super-Soaker water gun with water, screws thecontainer back onto the gun.

She looks down at herself, at her stomach.

INT. GROUP HOME OFFICE -- MORNING

Grace briskly walks into the office. She grabs a big redbinder from the counter-top and hands it to Nate, waitingnervously on the side. She doesn't stop for him, heading forthe door.

GRACE:

These are the files on our kids, togive you an idea of some of thecrap they've been through.

Nate begins to thumb through the binder as Grace looks in herbackpack.

NATE:

How long do they stay here?

GRACE:

Supposedly less than a year, butsome have been here for over 3. We

just keep 'em until the countyfigures out where they go next.

Grace pulls a pair of jeans from her backpack. She looks out

the window into the lounge and sees a kid lying on the couch.

She pounds on the window.

GRACE (CONT’D)

Tom! Go brush your teeth!

She then turns to see Nate react to one of the files.

GRACE (CONT’D)

Remember, you're not their parent,

and you're not their therapist.

You’re here to create a safe

environment for them, that's it.

NATE:

Got it.

GRACE:

And they're going to try to testyou to see what they can get awaywith, so for now, just say no for awhile.

NATE:

No. Okay.

GRACE:

You have to kinda be an a**hole

before you can be their friend.

(beat)

You’re gonna be fine.

Grace walks out the door.

INT. GROUP HOME HALLWAY -- CONTINUOUS

GRACE:

Community meeting is in 5 minutes!

(beat)

Luis, you better be up!

She storms into Luis's room, cocking her water gun.

INT. LUIS' ROOM -- CONTINUOUS

Grace marches in to find Luis still sleeping. She rips thecovers off him and pulls his pillow out from under his legs.

She pumps the water gun a few more times and crouches to oneknee, taking aim like a Navy seal.

Luis slowly opens his eyes and looks at her. She smiles at

him coyly.

LUIS:

So this is how it's going to be?

She nods.

GRACE:

You got 5 seconds.

Luis smiles.

LUIS:

(in spanish)

You don't have the balls.

He closes his eyes with a smile.

Grace aims for the head.

INT. GROUP HOME HALLWAY -- CONTINUOUS

Luis SCREAMS from inside his room and comes running out,

chased by a cold stream of water.

LUIS:

(laughing)

Okay okay okay okay!

Grace doesn't stop, laughing and chasing him all the way tothe bathroom.

Mason walks down the hall, carrying a pile of folded towels.

A few other boys gather at their doorways with big smiles.

Mason shouts into the bathroom.

MASON:

(spanish)

I told you not to mess with her!

Grace shoots a stream right in Mason's face, puts the gun onhis pile of towels, and keeps walking down the hall. Mason

takes it without flinching.

MASON (CONT’D)

I love you too. That’s not cool.

INT. GROUP HOME LOUNGE -- CONTINUOUS

All the kids are talking to each other as Grace takes a seat.

There are 14 of them (7 boys & 7 girls) sitting in a circle.

Sammy is holding one of his dolls.

GRACE:

Kendra, can you be secretary for ustoday?

KENDRA, a bored girl, shrugs.

KENDRA:

Sure, I guess.

GRACE:

Thank you.

Grace tosses Kendra a tablet and pencil to take notes.

KENDRA:

Community meeting is now in

session!

(beat)

Community announcements.

Kendra surveys the room.

KENDRA (CONT’D)

No announcements?

Grace looks around the room at the dead faces. No one wants

to participate.

GRACE:

What’s going on you guys? You looka little dead.

She looks back to Mason.

GRACE (CONT’D)

What'd you do to them?

MASON:

I don't know. I farted when I was

outside, maybe some of it followedme in.

LUIS:

You shart yourself again?

MASON:

No, Luis, I did not shart, thankyou very much. And that happenedone time and you weren’t even hereyet, so...

LUIS:

It's still funny.

GRACE:

Ok, are we done. I’ve heard that

story like three times today.

MASON:

Yeah, it’s a good story.

LUIS:

It is a good story.

GRACE:

Okay, well, if no one has any nonpoop-

related announcements, I haveone. As most of you are alreadyaware, Marcus is turning 18, andwill be leaving us.

LUIS:

(taunting Marcus)

Can I have his room?

Marcus doesn't like that comment.

GRACE:

We're going to be throwing him alittle party next week. Marcus,

you have any requests?

Marcus thinks about it for a second.

MARCUS:

Can I shave my head?

GRACE:

I was talking about food for theparty.

MARCUS:

I don't want food, I just wannashave my head.

She shoots a look to Mason, who shrugs.

GRACE:

Okay, as long as I hold the razor.

MARCUS:

That's cool.

Cam holds on Marcus as Grace goes on.

GRACE:

Okay, everyone else. Thoughts, foodfor Marcus’ party. What are wegonna do?

LUIS:

Cheetos!

SAMMY:

Carne Fries!

KENDRA:

KFC!

All the kids begin to shout their orders in a chaotic chorus.

GRACE:

Okay, okay! Everyone, one at atime!

Luis raises his hand. Grace looks at him.

GRACE (CONT’D)

Luis, thank you for raising yourhand.

LUIS:

Who's that weird guy?

Luis points to Nate.

GRACE:

Oh, that is Nate. Please do not be

jerks to him. It is first day.

(to Nate)

You wanna introduce yourself?

Nate smiles and waves.

NATE:

Um, Sure. Yeah, um. As you know myname is Nate and I, uh, just, uh, Itook a year off of school to getsome life experience and I'vealways wanted to work withunderprivileged kids.

MARCUS:

What the f*** is that supposed tomean?

GRACE:

Marcus, settle down.

MARCUS:

No, I wanna know what you mean bythat 'underprivileged'.

NATE:

That's not what I meant.

MARCUS:

Then think about your f***in' wordsbefore you speak. Newbie.

GRACE:

Hey! That's a level drop. Go to

your room.

Marcus stares at her, letting her know he doesn't have to goif he doesn't want to. Grace doesn't back down, not theleast bit intimidated.

GRACE (CONT’D)

Go to your room.

Finally, he gets up and walks to his room.

GRACE (CONT’D)

Um, levels and feelings, you knowthe drill...let’s start with youLuis.

She tosses him the little stuffed bear.

LUIS:

Green, fine.

As the kids each take turns tossing the bear and saying theirlevels and feelings, Grace looks off in Marcus' direction,

scratching the corner of her thumb with her fingernail.

Mason notices her.

CUT TO:

INT. GROUP HOME LOUNGE-- LATER

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