Big Brother Is Watching (Season 1)

Scene 1:
Classroom: Alex, Mallory, other students and Mr. Winkler, the teacher, are present. Alex is pacing back and forth.

Alex: I can't believe this. Is that the fastest he can count votes?

Howie: Alex will you relax.

Alex: I can't relax. Being editor is important to me.

Howie: You're going to be the new editor. I can feel it.

Alex: How can you be so sure?

Howie: You ran unopposed.

Mallory: I didn't vote for him.

Howie: How did you mark your ballet?

Mallory: Not him.

Alex: Thanks for your confidence.

Mr. Winkler: All right, everybody. Let me have your attention please. Here are the results of today's election. (reading): In the balloting for editor, Alex P. Keaton, 21, Not him, 17. I give you the new editor of the Harding Hara Alex Keaton.

Alex shakes hands with Mr. Winkler.

Alex: And thanks to all of you for giving me this opportunity.

Alex takes out a piece of paper from his shirt pocket.

Alex: (reading): The history of journalism is as old as the history of history itself.

Everyone looks bored.

Alex: Since the invention of moveable type, in the middle fifteenth century, --

The bell rings. Almost everyone hurrys out.

Mr. Winkler: It sounded great Alex. It's too bad that bell cut you off like that.

Alex: Mr. Winkler, do you want to hear the rest of my speech?

Mr. Winkler: Well, it's just a matter of, how can I phrase this, no I don't want to hear it.

Alex: You know, I have some big plans for this paper. I'm going to put the Harding Herald on the map.

Mr. Winkler: The name of the paper is the Harding Hara Alex.

Alex: Oh, well yeah, that's the first thing. See we have to change that. See it's not a real dynamic name you know. None of the big city ones have that name. There's no New York Hara, or Detroit Free Hara.

Mr. Winkler: Alex, let me give you some advice, will you? We've got a good little paper here. Don't rock the boat.

Alex: Good little paper. Mr. Winkler, last year's biggest story was Math Team Gets New Sweatsuits.

Mr. Winkler: Yeah, it was an exclusive Alex. I'm still getting letters on that one.

Alex: There's a choice to be made here Mr. Winkler. We could continue trudging along with feet of clay printed unimportant dribble or we can reach out for immortality. Which would you rather do?

Mr. Winkler: Stick with the dribble.

Mr. Winkler leaves the classroom.

Howie: Alex, did you really mean what you said about printing serious stories?

Alex: You bet I did.

Howie: What if I told you I've been assigned to work part time in the principal's office and I have access to everything that comes in there.

Alex: I'd say the principal is crazy, but I'd tell you to keep talking.

Howie: Ok, but if I do, you have to promise not to let on how you found out.

Alex: Hey, when you drilled that whole in the girl's bathroom. Did I tell anyone?

Howie: You told everybody.

Alex: Ok, but I wasn't editor then.

Howie: Ok, how do the words scandal and coverup sound to you?

Alex: Beautiful.

Howie: Then listen to this. I'm sure you're aware that our highest has the highest grade point average in the district.

Alex: Yeah, it comes under the category of unexplained phenomena.

Howie: You know how we achieved that honor? By cheating. Ralph Rapaport, got hold of a copy of the algebra final and twenty-seven students were caught buying it. The principal's sitting on this story because he doesn't want to loose his number one rating.

Alex: This is fantastic. I mean it's terrible. It's disgraceful. Let's just be glad it happened here.

Howie: I've got a lot of stuff on this in my locker. I've got a memo from the principal, I have copies of the exam, --

Alex: Names, Howie, we need names.

Howie: I don't think you need names Alex. No, you can do this story without names.

Alex: Yeah, of course we could do the story without them, but I think names would really spice it up.

Howie: Alex, one of those names is the same as yours.

Alex: Alex Freedman is on that list?

Howie: Not the same first name. The same last name.

Alex; Mallory?

Howie: That's the one.

Scene 2:
Kitchen: Alex, Mallory and Jennifer are present. Mallory is sitting at the kitchen table. Alex comes into the kitchen through the backdoor and Jennifer gets up from the table. Jennifer is holding a soccer ball.

Jennifer: Hey Alex, you want to go practice soccer with me?

Jennifer bounces the soccer ball like a basketball.

Alex: No, last time I practiced soccer with you I was black and blue the next day.

Jennifer tosses the ball at Alex.

Jennifer: I'll take it easy on you this time.

Alex hands the soccer ball back to Jennifer.

Alex: Ok, go ahead outside and start without me. I'll be there in a minute.

Jennifer: You promise?

Alex: Yeah, yeah, yeah, just go on outside ok?

Jennifer: Don't humor me Alex.

Jennifer goes outside through the backdoor.

Alex: Listen, Mallory I have to talk to you about something.

Mallory: Can't it wait Alex. I'm really busy.

Alex: Well, this is kind of important. See I found out about the algebra test. I know you cheated on it.

Mallory: How did you find out? Nobody's supposed to know about that.

Alex: Hey, I happen to be editor of the Harding Herald. It's my job to know.

Mallory stands up.

Mallory: Alex, you haven't told anyone have you?

Alex: No.

Mallory: Good, whatever you do, don't tell Mom and Dad ok?

Alex: Ok.

Mallory: In fact, don't tell anyone, because they could tell their parents and then they could tell Mom and Dad.

Alex: Ok.

Mallory: So, you'll keep this absolutely quiet. You won't tell anyone at all.

Alex: Ok, I can go along with that except for one minor exception.

Mallory: What?

Alex: It may be the lead story in tomorrow's school paper.

Mallory: (dramatically): What are you crazy?

Alex: Mallory, the principal is covering up a scandal here and I think the people have a right to know.

Mallory: Alex, you can't print that!

Steven and Elyse enter the kitchen through the backdoor. They are carrying grocery bags.

Steven: Can't print what?

Alex: Oh, it's a story about the football team.

Mallory: The Prom!

Elyse: Which is it?

Alex: The Prom.

Mallory: The football team.

Alex: It's a prom for the football team.

Steven: Why are they having a prom in November?

Alex: To beat the June rush. It's a practice prom. If it works out then they will have the real one in June. Ok, that's not what it's about. There's this big story brewing at school and I'm not sure whether or not I should print it.

Elyse: What's it about?

Alex: Well, I'm not sure you need to know what it's about.

Mallory: You definitely don't need to know what it's about.

Steven: Well, what's the problem then?

Alex: The problem is I have a story that will shake the entire school district to it's very foundations.

Steven: Well, that doesn't seem like a problem necessarily.

Alex: But, if I print it, some people might get hurt.

Mallory: Some innocent defenseless people.

Steven: Ah huh. I see, well we certainly don't want that to happen. Do we?

Alex: I understand we don't want to hurt people's feelings, but isn't there a greater responsibility to be served here?

Steven: That's definitely true.

Mallory: Whose side are you on Dad?

Steven: I'm not on anybody's side. I hardly know what we're talking about.

Alex: The details aren't important. The issue is this. If there's important information being covered up by people in high places, isn't it the responsibility of a journalist to uncover it?

Elyse: Absolutely. It's important for the press to keep an eye on the people in power to make sure they don't abuse it. A good example is when Woolberg and Bernstein exposed Watergate.

Steven: Your Mother's right. There is no higher standard in journalism then truth.

Mallory: What if the truth embarrasses people?

Steven: Well, sometimes that's an unfortunate consequence. Alex, whether or not you print the story is ultimately your decision. As I look back over the history of journalism I can point to endless dilemmas to this nature.

Mallory exits the kitchen through the swinging door.

Steven: But, just remember ever since the invention of moveable type in the fifteenth century.

Alex leaves the kitchen through the swinging door. Steven puts something in the refrigerator. He turns around to see that he's the only one still in the kitchen.

Scene 3:
Classroom:
Alex and Mr. Winkler are present.

Mr. Winkler: Alex, I've read your story of the cheating scandal. Very well done.

Alex: Thanks.

Mr. Winkler: Excellent report.

Alex: Great.

Mr. Winkler: I think your documentation is flawless, your conclusions are well thought out.

Alex: Wow.

Mr. Winkler: It's a pity we can't print it.

Alex: Perfect. What do you mean we can't print it?

Mr. Winkler: This is a private matter between the principal and the offending students. I don't think it's our place to interfere and I know he doesn't want any publicity on it now.

Alex: But, this is a major newstory. The public has a right to know.

Mr. Winkler: Not in this case. Alex, let me tell you something. The principal of a high school is always right. If Dr. Shirley believes the world is flat, which he does by the way, then the world is flat. Do you understand what I'm saying?

Alex: Yeah, but that's censorship. Just what kind of things do you want us to print?

Mr. Winkler: Well, that story about the sweatsuits was interesting.

Mr. Winkler exits the classroom.

Alex: Did you hear that? I can't believe it.

Howie: He's scared. The principal could get mad and punish him.

Alex: You don't think he'd fire Mr. Winkler do you?

Howie: He'd do worse. Last year when he got mad at Mr. Peabody he made him teach sex education to the kids with behavior problems. It's not easy talking about the birds and bees when someone's throwing a hubcap at you.

Alex: If I sit on this story, I'm going to be just as guilty as the kids who cheated.

Howie: What are you going to do?

Alex: I'm going to print it.

Howie: Aren't you forgetting that Mallory's on that list?

Alex: Howie, I'm not forgetting. Truth is the highest standard in journalism. Like I said print it.

Scene 4:
Classroom: Students are present. Everyone is talking. Alex enters and the room becomes silent.

Alex; Morning everyone.

Several students head toward the door and leave.

Alex: Hey, hey. What's the story? Maybe I should have phrased that differently?

Howie: I don't think it would have helped.

Alex: What's going on Howie?

Howie: Let me put it this way, if you were ever thinking of leaving school and joining the circus, now would be a good time.

Alex: I don't understand. Why are they mad at me?

Howie: They think you're a fink.

Alex: But, I was exposing a cover up.

Howie: The coverup's not the point. It's the people underneath the covers. You listed every person's name. Now their teaches have to look at them like they're cheaters and the principal has to suspend them.

Alex: I never thought of it that way. I expected Dr. Shirley to be mad, but--

Howie: He is mad. He's madder than the time when Ralph Rapport gave that speech to the PTA in drag.

Alex: I'm afraid to ask this, but how did Winkler take it?

Howie: I'm not sure. He lost the power of speech after he saw the article.

Dr. Winkler comes opens the door and it slams against the wall. He points at Alex. He looks very angry.

Alex: I think he's recovered it.

Mr. Winkler: (tosses the paper down): Alex, I think you owe me an explanation.

Alex: Mr. Winkler, I'm sorry I had to disobey you. I really am, but I felt it was my duty as editor to publish the story.

Mr. Winkler: As of this moment, you are relieved of your duties as editor. You are through Alex! I don't want you to write for this paper anymore. Come to think of it, I don't want you to even read it.

Mr. Winkler grabs the paper out of Alex's hand.

Mr. Winkler: (pointing at Alex): I'll tell you something else, if Shirley makes me teach sex education to students with behavior problems, I'm bringing you along as a model.

Mr. Winkler storms out of the classroom and slams the door behind him.

Howie: In answer to your question Alex, I don't think he took it very well.

Alex: I got to find Mallory.

Howie: No, no, you think that's a good idea--

Alex: Mallory's my sister. I think she knows I had a good reason for doing what I did.

Mallory opens the classroom door and it hits the wall. Mallory walks into the room.

Alex: Mallory, I was just going to look for you. I want to talk to you about the story.

Mallory: Don't talk to me Alex, ever again.

Mallory walks out of the classroom and slams the door behind her.

Alex: How much does the circus pay?

Scene 5:
Kitchen:
Steven and Elyse are standing next to the kitchen table. Mallory is sitting at the table.

Steven: (holding a paper) Is this true Mallory? Did you buy a copy of the test?

Mallory: Actually I didn't buy it. Ralph Rapport gave me one for free. I think he likes me.

Elyse: Hey, look Mallory, this is serious. Don't you realize that?

Mallory: A lot of kids did it. It didn't seem like that big of a deal.

Steven: Well, it is a big deal and I think you owe us more of an explanation.

Mallory: Would you be happier if I had failed the test?

Steven: We'd be happier if you failed on your own then gotten an A by cheating.

Elyse: If you hadn't of cheated, would you of failed?

Mallory: No. I'd probably have gotten a C.

Elyse: So, a C's nothing to be a shamed of. Your father got lots of C's when he was in school.

Steven: That's right. If you keep, wait, I wouldn't say lots of C's. Occasionally a C crept in. I don't remember exactly, but in college over all I think I had a 3.248 average.

Mallory: That's exactly what I mean. Grades are important to you. How would you feel if Alex came home with a C?

Steven: Alex wouldn't come home with a C. He'd still be there arguing with the teacher.

Mallory stands up.

Mallory: Alex wouldn't get a C, because Alex doesn't get C's.

Elyse: Why don't we leave Alex out of this?

Mallory: Well, I can't leave him out of it, because he's part of it.

Steven: What do you mean?

Mallory: (crying): You don't realize it, but it's not easy being Alex's sister. I mean every time I walk into a classroom. It's always the same thing. Mallory Keaton, are you any relation to Alex Keaton?

Mallory puts her hand out about a foot shorter than her to indicate Alex's height.

Mallory: I say I am, and then when I turn in my homework for the first time, there's always this surprised reaction. Are you sure you're Alex Keaton's sister?

Mallory puts her hand out again to indicate Alex's height, but this time her hand is even lower.

Mallory: Well, for once, just once, I wanted to get a better grade then him.

Scene 6:
Kitchen:
Elyse and Steven are present. Jennifer enters the kitchen through the backdoor.

Jennifer: Mom do we have another soccer ball?

Elyse: What happened to the one you were playing with?

Jennifer: I gave it to Mrs. Obeck next door. It was kind of a surprise.

Steven: It must have been. She's sixty-one years old.

Jennifer: I think the surprise was in the way it was delivered.

Elyse puts her hands on Jennifer's shoulders and leans down to Jennifer's eye level.

Elyse: You didn't break Mrs. Obeck's kitchen window again did you?

Jennifer: No, I broke her bedroom window.

Jennifer puts her hands on Elyse's arms.

Jennifer: (quickly): But, I'll pay for it.

Steven: How?

Elyse takes her hands off Jennifer's shoulders and Jennifer removes her hands from Elyse's arms.

Jennifer: With the advance in my allowance that I'm about to ask for.

Steven gets up from the kitchen table.

Steven: We'll talk about this later. Right now, you better go apologize to Mrs. Obeck.

Jennifer: Ok, but I won't be back for a while. Mrs. Obeck always makes me listen to Lawrence Welk records with her.

Jennifer runs over to the backdoor to where Alex is standing.

Jennifer: Hey Alex, do you want to go over to Mrs. Obeck's with me?

Alex: No, I'm not really in the mood for Lawrence Welk thanks.

Jennifer goes outside and closes the backdoor. Mallory gets up from the kitchen table as soon as Alex comes inside. Mallory runs out of the kitchen through the swinging door.

Alex: I guess she told you?

Steven: She's pretty upset Alex.

Alex: The whole school is upset. The kids hate me. Winkler fired me. The principal yelled at me for two hours and when he left the room for twenty minutes he had the secretary come in and yell.

Steven: Was printing the story worth all that Alex?

Alex: Dad, don't you remember what you said to me yesterday? You yourself said that there's no higher standard in journalism then truth.

Steven: I was speaking in general terms Alex.

Alex: You're the ones who said that the press has to keep an eye on the people in power and Dr. Shirley abused his when he tried to kill the story.

Elyse: We're not concerned about Dr. Shirley. We're worried about Mallory. She's going to be suspended for a few days and she's been embarrassed in front of the teachers and her friends.

Alex: Wouldn't it have been hypercritical of me to pull the story because I wanted to protect my sister?

Steven: Alex, when I spoke to you about the importance of truth I left out something just as important. Compassion.

Alex: Compassion? How much compassion did you feel when Woodworm and Bernstein exposed the Watergate coverup?

Steven: Well I--

Alex: Did you feel sorry for Nixon?

Steven: Yeah! I felt sorry for him.

Elyse looks confused.

Steven: Ok, I admit. We had a few people over. We may have opened a bottle of champagne, or two. We sang some songs, but in between the dancing and the fireworks we all felt a twinge of sympathy for the man.

Alex: That's hardly a seminar in compassion.

Elyse: The situations are not comparable Alex. Nixon was a public official who betrayed the trust of an entire country.

Alex: That's a matter of opinion.

Elyse: These are kids who cheated on an Algebra test. Now I'm not saying it's right, but it's not an impeachable offense.

Alex: What is wrong with you guys? There was a coverup going on.

Steven: Alex, I think you had another option, that's all.

Alex: What was that?

Steven: To print the story on the coverup, without including all the names.

Alex walks to the swinging door and then turns around.

Alex: I never wanted to hurt anybody.

Scene 7:
Mallory's room:
Mallory is laying on her bed. Jennifer opens the door.

Jennifer: Can I come in?

Mallory: Is the fink with you?

Jennifer looks around.

Jennifer: No, no finks.

Mallory: All right, come on in.

Jennifer: I've got some news that will cheer you up.

Jennifer lays down on Mallory's bed.

Mallory: Alex moved out?

Jennifer: No, not quite as good. My team won the soccer game.

Mallory: (glumly): Congratulations.

Jennifer: I scored a goal with my head.

Mallory: Jen, I'm really happy for you.

Jennifer: I also scored a goal with someone else's head.

Mallory: If you don't mind, I'd like to be alone ok?

Jennifer: Look, I know you're feeling low right now, but I just want you to know two things.

Mallory: What are they?

Jennifer: First, I think you're a great sister. You make me laugh. You make me feel like you really care about me and you're fun to be with.

Mallory: (smiles): Thanks.

Jennifer: And the other thing I want you to know is--

Jennifer gets up from the bed and runs over to the door.

Jennifer: Alex wants to talk to you and he's waiting outside.

Jennifer opens the door. Alex is standing there with flowers in his hands.

Mallory: You should have stopped after the first one.

Alex: Can I come in?

Mallory: No, go away.

Alex comes into the room.

Mallory sits up on the bed.

Mallory: Thanks for respecting my wishes.

Jennifer: Try to go easy on each other. I don't want to be an only child.

Jennifer leaves the room.

Mallory: Are those for me? Are you trying to make up or antagonize me?

Alex: Come on. I didn't have time to buy new flowers. Besides, it's the thought that counts.

Mallory: Couldn't you have just had the thought delivered?

Alex closes the bedroom door.

Alex: I know you feel bad about getting caught cheating. It's embarrassing. It's humiliating. It's shameful.

Mallory: So far, this isn't the greatest apology I've ever heard.

Alex: Ok, I'm sorry. Maybe I shouldn't have printed your name or any of the names. I was just so excited to be elected editor. I guess that I just got carried away.

Mallory: Yeah, you carried me away with you.

Alex: Why did you do it Mallory? If you were having trouble, you should have come to see me. I'm great in math.

Mallory stands up.

Mallory: That's the problem. You are and I'm not.

Alex: So, I would have helped you.

Mallory: You always laugh at me Alex.

Alex: No I don't. I may chuckle. An occasional gafa.

Mallory sits down in a chair.

Mallory: You don't realize how hard it is to be your sister. I mean a guy that's gotten straight A's since sand box.

Alex: You could have done better too, if you had just applied yourself.

Alex sits down on Mallory's bed.

Alex: Look, maybe there's some therapy group you can join for sister's of geniuses.

Mallory: Thanks a lot Alex.

Alex: We've both made mistakes and we're both hurting because of them. But, I don't think it's going to do either of us any good to hate each other.

Alex stands up.

Alex: Maybe we should help each other instead.

Mallory: How?

Alex: I can help you with your homework.

Alex picks up a textbook.

Alex: Then you wouldn't have to cheat again.

Mallory: What do you want me to do for you? Clean your room? Dust your calculators?

Alex: No, all I want is for you to be my friend that's all.

Mallory: I'd rather dust your calculators.

Alex: Come on, friends again?

Alex extends his hand. Mallory extends her hand and digs her nails into his hand.

Alex: Ouch! You dug your nails into my hand.

Mallory: (playing innocent): Oh did I? So sorry.

Alex: Come on lets do your homework.

Alex tosses the textbook on Mallory's bed.

Mallory: No Alex, you're just going to make fun of me.

Alex is sitting on the bed.

Alex: I am not. Now what are you studying.

Mallory: (Not thrilled): Math.

Mallory gets up from the chair.

Alex: How did you do on your last test?

Mallory: (rolls her eyes): I got an A.

Mallory lays down on the bed.

Mallory: All right, here's where we are now.

Mallory turns pages in the textbook. Mallory is holding a pencil. She begins to write as Alex starts to read.

Alex: Ok, this is good. :(reading): Two trains leave central station at noon. One's heading East traveling at eighty-two miles an hour. The other one is traveling at sixty-seven miles an hour.

Mallory: What kind of trains are they?

Alex: What do you mean what kind of trains are they? That has nothing to do with the problem. It's not important.

Mallory: Ok.

Alex: Ok. The East bound train stops three times for a total of one hour and the West bound is an express and it doesn't stop at all. So after six hours which train has traveled the furthest distance? All right, you ready?

Mallory: Yeah, how many trains did you say there were? (smiles): I'm kidding. How many?

Alex: Two.

Mallory: Are they going East or West?

Alex: It doesn't matter.

Mallory: Of course it matters. Say your family lives in California and your going South you don't want them to end up in Maine.

Alex gets up from Mallory's bed.

Alex: You're absolutely right. I don't know why I didn't say anything.

Mallory: Ok, the first train's going?

Alex: Eighty-two Mallory.

Mallory: Right, eighty-two.

Mallory is writing.

Mallory: And the second train's going?

Alex: Sixty-seven.

Mallory: Right, sixty-seven.

Alex leaves the room.

Mallory: Why didn't they just take a plane?

The End.

Transcript