The Way We Were Part One--MORE FAN FIC--please respond!!

[mlee727@aol.com]

Hey, guys--
This is part of a miniseries I was working on. This is part one of six(or five)--I look forward to hearing suggestions and comments.

FADE IN:

INT. EASTLAND -- MORNING

Monday, January 11, 1982. 8:40am. We open on the hallway of Eastland School. It is a transitional time between classes and students are rushing to their lockers and to their next class. In the midst of it all are Blair Warner(17) and Jo Polnachek(17). They are walking down the halls, carrying books oblivious to the other students. They are dressed in their uniforms.

BLAIR
I can't take this Calculus test. We didn't study.

JO
Well, let's just flunk as highly as we can.

BLAIR
Perfect way to start 1982. I can't believe we didn't study.

JO
(Mock shock)
So unlike us.

Blair laughs.

BLAIR
Well, frankly I don't think it's very fair of Mrs. Cauble to give us a Calculus test so soon after Winter break.

JO
She's asking for us to fail.

BLAIR
I know. What? Did she actually think we would study during Christmas?

JO
Tell me about it. (melodramatic) Our Lord and Savior would not want us studying during his birth.

BLAIR
I know. I think that's nasty and blasphemous. Just anti-Christian.

JO
I know. It's act of rebellion on our part.

BLAIR
Oh, I know. I mean, we have never been rebellious. Well, except for that hideous van incident sophomore year, you know, that almost got us expelled.

JO
Except for that. Are you believing anything you're saying?

BLAIR
Not a word, you?

JO
Nope.

BLAIR
We are so gonna flunk this.

JO
With out a doubt in my mind.

BLAIR
On the plus side, I finally figured out the theme song to The Beverly Hillbillies.

JO
You didn't know it?

BLAIR
I had trouble.

JO
This it the story of a man named Jed-

BLAIR
A poor mountaineer trying to get his family fed.

Blair and Jo walk down the hall singing the theme song. From an outsiders perspective, they look like they are in the midst of a deeply intense conversation. Tootie(14) and Natalie(15) walk over to them.

NATALIE
Are we interrupting something?

BLAIR
(To Natalie and Tootie)
Yes.
(To Jo)
Till one day he was shooting for some gruel and up from the ground-

JO
Came a bumbling crude. A crude?

BLAIR/JO
Oil, that is.

BLAIR
And next thing you know, old Jed's a millionaire. Folks said Jed you'd better get away from there.

JO
And they packed up truck they moved to Beverly. Hills. Movie stars.

Natalie and Tootie laugh at them.

NATALIE
You ready for your test?

JO
No.

BLAIR
Not a chance in hell. But we've come to the conclusion that we're rebelling against umm, studying and stuff.

NATALIE
Okaaaay.

BLAIR
I mean, really studying during winter? We had more important stuff to worry about?

NATALIE
Like Jason Dorman?

BLAIR
Yes.

TOOTIE
Wait, so are you two officially a couple?

BLAIR
I don't know. Okay, there was that New Years kiss...but, but we...I've known him forever and I don't want him...I don't think it's fair to ruin a perfectly good friendship just because we're both horny.

JO
Oh, please. Okay she calls me after New Years. Wakes me up to tell me, oh Jo, Jason and I kissed. I'm in love.

BLAIR
Well, I...I thought..he's cute and sweet and...we had so much fun skiing together. I felt like a kid again. We had snowball fights and it just...I can't ruin a perfectly wonderful memory.

TOOTIE
Why didn't you invite us?

BLAIR
Way to segue way Tootie.

TOOTIE
I don't care about you.

BLAIR
0kay, then. There were eight people in a two bedroom cabin. 4 guys, 4 girls. It wasn't big enough for you three included.

NATALIE
I think she's embarrassed by us.

JO
I agree. We aren't up to par with Ally and the gang

BLAIR
No, only Jo.

JO
Ha....ha.

TOOTIE
I feel very unloved.

NATALIE
Me too.

BLAIR
Fine, okay, Spring Break, the gang as Jo so eloquently put it is going water skiing in the Hamptons. We're staying at my house. It's a tradition. You wanna come?

JO
Consider it on my calendar.

BLAIR
(condescending)
Oh, Joey, you wanna come too?

Jo gives Blair a look. The foursome continue to walk down the hall, laughing and talking about random topics of conversation. Blair looks away from the group for a moment to notice Sophie Benton. She is a slovenly looking girl, wearing the official Eastland uniform, except it looks like it's been run over by bus. It's filthy and crumply.

BLAIR
They really do let just anyone into Eastland.

They all look over to see Sophie.

JO
Blair, I've known that girl since kindergarten. She will always be a friend. My connection to home.

BLAIR
Yeah, but you're so much better than that.

The bell rings. Sophie walks over to Jo.

JO
Hey, Soph.

BLAIR
Ugh. See you in Calculus, Jo. I'm a little grossed out by the sight of...what are you again?

SOPHIE
Hey, princess. You better watch your step.

BLAIR
What are you gonna do? Shoot me?

Sophie smiles, creepily.

BLAIR
You are such a freak.

Blair walks off.

JO
Forget about her.

TOOTIE
Yeah, if you aren't perfect like her she won't look at you.

NATALIE
In fact, she just keeps us around to remind her of her perfection. We gotta go, Toots.

TOOTIE
I have drama.

NATALIE
I have European history, you wanna trade?

TOOTIE
No.

NATALIE
Come on?

TOOTIE
No.

Tootie and Natalie walk off. Jo and Sophie start to walk off.

SOPHIE
Do you miss the Bronx?

JO
Sometimes, why?

SOPHIE
Just wondering. You seem to fit in so well.

JO
Are you kidding? But we've come along way since P.S. 56.

SOPHIE
Sometimes I wanna go back. I don't fit in here. No one likes me.

JO
People do. It's just hard. When I first came here, people thought I was the biggest freak. But eventually they grew to accept me. Just be yourself and don't let people like Blair Warner get you down. She's got problems too.

SOPHIE
Like what?

JO
I can't.

SOPHIE
And isn't the princess just as rich as can be?

JO
There's more to her than that.

SOPHIE
Yeah, how can you be sad if you're rich? The rich have no right being sad.

They stop infront of a classroom.

JO
My stop. I gotta go flunk a test.

SOPHIE
Hey, Jo. You wanna not take the test.

JO
I'd love that but, I have to.

SOPHIE
Yeah, but maybe you should skip class?

JO
Why?

SOPHIE
Just because you should. Grab something to eat.

JO
What's going on?

SOPHIE
Nothing. Just I've heard rumors that something bad is going to happen today.

JO
Sophie, what's happening?

SOPHIE
Nothing, don't be paranoid.

JO
You're not gonna do something drastic? Are you?

Mrs. Cauble opens the door.

MRS. CAUBLE
Jo, are you planning on joining us?

Jo looks at Sophie, suspiciously.

JO
Yes.

Sophie looks at her.

JO
Soph, meet me after class.

SOPHIE
Maybe.

Jo walks into the class. It is 8:45am she sees an empty seat next to Blair. She walks to it. Blair is talking to Sue Ann and Nancy.

BLAIR
Saved you a seat.

JO
Thanks. Hey, Sue Ann. Hey, Nanc.

SUE ANN
Hey.

NANCY
Hi, Jo.

Jo sits.

BLAIR
Why do you hang out with that freak?

JO
She said the same about you.

BLAIR
Yes, but I'm pretty.

SUE ANN
No you're not.

JO
You know, you could learn to be nice to people.

BLAIR
Naaaw, too much trouble.

Jo laughs.

NANCY
Yeah, trying to get Blair to be nice to people. That's a laugh. You've never said anything nice about Roger.

BLAIR
Okay, Nanc, this is gonna come as a huge shock. But I don't like him.

JO
Good luck, you guys.

BLAIR
Thanks. You too.

JO
Alright, I'm shooting something in the 50's.

BLAIR
50's. Good decade. I Love Lucy, great show. Hmm, the 40's for me.

JO
World War 2?

BLAIR
Late 40's. 48, 49.

JO
That's very good. Impressive.

NANCY
I'm heading into the 60's. I was born in that decade. It's always held a special importance.

BLAIR
Okay. Sue Ann?

SUE ANN
Hmmm, me? I'll pray for the 70's cause I enjoyed the 70's. Mary Tyler Moore show rocked. But realistically, I think I'm heading into the fifties.

Mrs. Cauble hands out the tests. Blair and Jo each take a two tests and hand one back to Sue Ann and Nancy.

JO
Here's to flunking.

The four girls clink their pencils together and look at the test.

JO
I think I'm heading into Great Depression.

Blair laughs.

BLAIR
I'm heading into the Roaring Twenties.

Jo and Blair start cracking up.

NANCY
You're both lucky. I'm on the Titanic.

SUE ANN
I'm in the turn of the century.

The four of them are cracking up.

MRS. CAUBLE
Girls, girls. I know you're seniors, but you need to concentrate.

BLAIR
Yeah, Jo.

Jo pokes Blair with her pencil.

BLAIR
She touched me inappropriately.

Jo gives her a look.

JO
Excuse me. And Sophie's a freak?

The four of them are shaking they're laughing so hard.

MRS. CAUBLE
Do I need to separate you four?

They try to catch their breath. Blair wipes tears away from her face.

BLAIR
Sorry, Mrs. Cauble. We forgot how old we were.

MRS. CAUBLE
Blair, move over there.

BLAIR
Me? What did I do?

MRS. CAUBLE
Okay. Each one of you retreat to a corner.

The four of them get up and move to separate corners.

BLAIR
Thanks a lot, Jo.

Jo sticks out her tongue at her. Blair laughs. They sit and take their tests.

INT. CLASSROOM -- LATER

Jo, Blair, Nancy and Sue Ann are taking their tests. It is very quiet. All you hear is the ticking of the clock. It is 9:00am.

FADE IN:

INT. CLASSROOM -- CONTINUOUS

Natalie and Cindy are sitting and listening to an instructor drone on and on about the Enlightenment. Natalie looks like she is taking notes. She stops writing and folds it up. She passes it to Cindy who opens it up. Cindy giggles.

FADE IN:

INT. AUDITORIUM -- CONTINUOUS

Tootie is acting on stage. She is moving around and doing improv exercises. Molly is helping her out.

INT. CLASSROOM -- CONTINUOUS

Blair, Sue Ann, Nancy and Jo are taking their respective tests. Suddenly, we hear a popping sound. Blair, Jo, Mrs. Cauble and the rest of the class look up.

INT. CLASSROOM -- CONTINUOUS

We hear the popping sound again. Natalie looks at Cindy to see if she heard the same thing. It is 9:10am

INT. AUDITORIUM -- CONTINUOUS

Tootie stops her improv exercises as we hear more of the popping sounds.

INT. CLASSROOM -- CONTINUOUS

We go back to Blair and Jo's class.

BLAIR
What was that?

MRS. CAUBLE
Probably a car back firing.

Blair looks over at Jo. The color has drained from Jo's face.

BLAIR
Jo, was that a car backfiring?

JO
No.

BLAIR
What was it?

We suddenly hear a loud, shrill, blood curdling scream.

JO
Someone just got shot.

SUE ANN
(laughing nervously)
No, you're wrong.

BLAIR
(nervous)
No, Jo. That kind of stuff doesn't happen at a school like Eastland.

JO
It does. Cause it is.

NANCY
We need to get out of here.

BLAIR
I was wrong. This is a great way to start 1982.

Jo glares at her.

JO
You need to stay.

BLAIR
Oh my G-d.

MRS. CAUBLE
Girls, under the desks.

The girls all get under the desks. Sue Ann and Nancy move over to where Blair is sitting. The three of them hold on to each other.

BLAIR
All I wanted to do was flunk a Calculus test. That's what I came here to do.

JO
Blair, calm down.

BLAIR
I would.
(a beat)
Oh, great.

SUE ANN
What?

BLAIR
I need to change my underpants.

Sue Ann smiles.

SUE ANN
So do I.

The three of them huddle.

BLAIR
Jo, come here.

JO
No. I'm fine. Don't move.

INT. CLASSROOM -- CONTINUOUS

Natalie's class. Everyone is under their desks. It is 9:15am

NATALIE
Cindy, we need to get Tootie.

CINDY
I know. We need to leave. Now.

MR. GREEN
No. Girls, stay.

INT. AUDITORIUM -- CONTINUOUS

Tootie is stopped. She looks over at Molly. Mr. Fields looks at them.

MR. FIELDS
Molly, Tootie come on. Come on, girls. Behind the stage.

Sophie walks in just as Mr. Fields, Tootie, Molly and a bunch of other students are running. Sophie is dressed as if she is going to war. She is holding one gun and has another one strapped to her back. Molly grabs Tootie's hand and the two girls start to run off. Sophie gets ready to shoot. Suddenly, Mr. Fields jumps infront of them and pushes the two girls to the ground to cover them as Sophie shoots. The bullet hits Mr. Fields in the back. He is on top of Tootie and Molly. They hold onto each other. Sophie moves backstage. Tootie and Molly watch as Sophie shoots back there. Sophie walks out of the auditorium. Tootie and Molly start to cry. The two girls hold onto each other.

INT. CLASSROOM -- MOMENTS LATER

Natalie and Cindy are holding on to one another. We hear the sounds of screaming and gun shots. It is 9:20am. It almost sounds like a slaughter house.

NATALIE
This can't be happening.

CINDY
I know. It's a nightmare.

NATALIE
A bad nightmare.

CINDY
This is the worst nightmare ever.

NATALIE
I hope no one dies.

CINDY
(trying to be optimistic)
No one ever dies in my nightmares.

NATALIE
Great. I wanna go home.

CINDY
Me too. I want it to stop.

Sophie walks in to the classroom. She looks around. She walks up to Natalie and Cindy and holds the gun to them.

CUT TO:

EXT. HALLWAY -- CONTINUOUS

We hear shots coming from the Natalie and Cindy's classroom.

INT. CLASSROOM -- CONTINUOUS

We are now in Blair, Jo, Nancy and Sue Ann's classroom.

BLAIR
Jo, can you get your ass over here!?

Sue Ann, Jo and Nancy look at her, stunned. Blair is shocked that just came out of her mouth.

BLAIR
(innocently)
I meant butt.

NANCY
Jo, come.

JO
It's gonna be okay.

BLAIR
No, it won't.

SUE ANN
Come on, for once listen to her.

MRS. CAUBLE
Stay where you are.

BLAIR
Nancy, I like Roger. He's a good guy.

NANCY
He is kinda dumb, though.

BLAIR
I'm not a natural blonde.

SUE ANN
I hate Kansas.

JO
You guys, shut up. Nothing will happen to you.

SUE ANN
How do you know?

NANCY
It's like a slaughter house out there.

SUE ANN
I kissed Roger once.

BLAIR
Me too.

JO
Me three.

They look at her.

JO
What?

BLAIR
Can you get over here?

NANCY
Cause I wanna discuss that.

JO
Kidding, Nanc.

Sophie walks in.

JO
Sophie.

BLAIR
I knew she was a freak.

JO
Smooth, Blair.

SOPHIE
Princess. Oooo, I got my target right here.

Sophie walks over to Blair and points the barrel of the gun at Blair's head and moves it across her forehead. Jo walks over to her.

JO
Sophie, put it down. Come on, Soph I know you. You don't need to do this. Killing Blair isn't gonna make you fit in. It won't. You're a great person. You're funny. Remember when we were little and you used to play all those practical jokes.

NANCY
Pretend this is one of them.

Jo glares at her. Sophie cocks the gun into Blair's head. Blair is in such a state of shock that she is completely frozen.

JO
Sophie. Come on, you can't do this. You're in enough trouble.

Blair closes her eyes. The color drains from her face. She gets this look on her face as if she's given up all hope.

SUE ANN
Blair.

JO
Come on, Sophie.

SOPHIE
I-

Sophie looks at Jo and then at Blair. She presses the gun deep into Blair's head. Sophie lowers the gun.

JO
I'll walk with you out. Maybe we can just stop this.

Blair lets out a breath. Sue Ann and Nancy hold onto Blair.

MRS. CAUBLE
Jo.

JO
Give me the gun.

Sophie hands it to her. They walk to the door. Suddenly, Sophie grabs another gun from her pocket and shoots Blair. She falls back. Nancy and Sue Ann are shocked.

SOPHIE
The homecoming queen is dead.

Jo grabs Sophie's hands and holds them behind her back.

SUE ANN
Oh, G-d.

NANCY
She's bleeding.

SUE ANN
What do we do?

NANCY
Cover it. Stop the bleeding.

Nancy puts her hands over the wound. Blair's eyes bolt open.

BLAIR
Ohhh.

NANCY
Blair stay up.

SUE ANN
Come on, you can do it.

SOPHIE
Get your hands off of me, Jo.

JO
No.

SOPHIE
I wouldn't shoot you.

JO
I don't care. Give me the gun.

SOPHIE
Well, then.

Sophie shoots again, this time, she misses Jo's foot, but close enough to Jo's foot to cause her to fall back on the ground, breaking her ankle. She is in pain. Sophie leaves. Jo drags her foot as she slides to Blair.

JO
I'm sorry, Blair.

SUE ANN
Come on. Jo, are you okay?

JO
No. Blair, come on.

NANCY
We're rooting for you.

JO
Blair.

Blair closes her eyes.

INT. KITCHEN -- LATER

It is 10:00am. Mrs. Garrett looks at her watch as she is cooking.

MRS. GARRETT
Where are those girls?

Mr. Parker races into the kitchen, he is petrified.

MRS. GARRETT
Mr. Parker, what can I do for you?

MR. PARKER
The school. Get down there. The girls are gonna need a friendly face.

MRS. GARRETT
What?

MR. PARKER
There's been a shooting.

Mrs. Garrett's face falls.

MRS. GARRETT
What?

MR. PARKER
Sophie Benton is holding the school hostage.

MRS. GARRETT
My girls.

MR. PARKER
Yep. The SWAT team is at the campus now.

MRS. GARRETT
The SWAT team? How many people-

MR. PARKER
No one knows yet.

Mr. Parker and Mrs. Garrett race out of the kitchen.

EXT. EASTLAND -- LATER

Mrs. Garrett and Mr. Parker walk over to the campus. It is completely surrounded. It looks like a hostage situation. It is 10:05am.

MRS. GARRETT
Why would she do this?

MR. PARKER
A bully? Anyone who was nasty to her?

MRS. GARRETT
No one was particularly nice to her. Jo was, but it was her friend.

MR. PARKER
Blair Warner?

MRS. GARRETT
What about her?

MR. PARKER
Well, she can be-

MRS. GARRETT
(getting angry)
Yes, she can and no one takes it seriously.

MR. PARKER
You're right. I'm sorry. I'm just...anyone.

MRS. GARRETT
Why aren't they getting the girls out?

MR. PARKER
They can't. They don't know how much ammunition she has.

A line of about 7 students walk out of the auditorium. Tootie and Molly are amongst them. They have their heads on their hands. Mrs. Garrett sees them and starts to run to them, but she's held back by a policeman.

POLICEMAN
No. Stay back.

MRS. GARRETT
But those are my girls.

Molly and Tootie see Mrs. Garrett and smile.

MR. PARKER
I have to go back to my office and contact all the parents.

MRS. GARRETT
Oh, I'm sorry.

MR. PARKER
How am I gonna tell these parents that their daughters might-

MRS. GARRETT
I know, Mr. Parker, I know.

MR. PARKER
Tootie Ramsey's parent are in Washington. Sue Ann Weaver's parents are in Kansas. Cindy Webster's parents...Los Angeles. It's 7:00am where they live. I have to wake them up with this. G-d, we have parents across the US. How am I gonna tell them this?

MRS. GARRETT
I don't know. I am so sorry.

MR. PARKER
We got girls as young as 11 and 12 in there.

Mr. Parker gives her a large book.

MR. PARKER
Take roll of who comes out. I have call my brother okay, tell him his niece is okay.

Molly and Tootie race over to them. Mrs. Garrett holds them both very tight.

MOLLY
Uncle Kevin.

Mr. Parker holds Molly close.

MR. PARKER
Oh, Molly. How are you?

MOLLY
I wanna go home.

MR. PARKER
Where's Mr. Fields?

MOLLY
He was on top of us.

TOOTIE
He saved us.

MR. PARKER
I'm gonna go call the parents.

MOLLY
Can we come?

MR. PARKER
You girls need to stay here. We need everything as organized as possible.
(to Mrs. Garrett)
Put them in line according to grade.

Mr. Parker walks off.

MRS. GARRETT
Come on, girls.

TOOTIE
Why would she do that?

MRS. GARRETT
I don't know.

TOOTIE
I was nice.

MRS. GARRETT
I know. Get in the ninth grade line.

Molly and Tootie walk off. Mrs. Garrett follows. She starts to cry as she watches lines of girls walk out with their hands on their heads. Two of them are Cindy and Natalie. Molly walks towards the middle of the line while Tootie moves towards the end of the line of ninth graders. Molly watches the school. She notices Cindy and Natalie.

MOLLY
(yelling back)
Tootie, it's Cindy and Nat.

Tootie smiles.

TOOTIE
Natalie!

Natalie turns to hear her name being yelled. She sees Tootie.

NATALIE
Tootie. Cindy, Tootie.

CINDY
Yea.

The line of tenth graders walks out onto the lawn. Natalie and Cindy race over to Tootie and Molly. Natalie and Tootie hug. Cindy and Molly hug. Then vice versa. They are all sobbing. Mrs. Garrett walks over to them.

MRS. GARRETT
Girls.

Natalie hugs Mrs. Garrett, followed by Cindy.

MRS. GARRETT
Mr. Parker is calling all of your parents.

CINDY
My parents are just getting up.
(half hearted, jokingly)
What a wake up call?

Natalie smiles.

NATALIE
We shouldn't be laughing.

MRS. GARRETT
Natalie, Cindy, I need you to stand with the tenth grade. Tootie, Molly ninth grade is over there. Stand in alphabetical order by last name.

CINDY
But that means we'll all be separated again.

MRS. GARRETT
I'm so sorry. But we need to figure out who's here. Then you can find each other again.

TOOTIE
Have the seniors come out yet?

MRS. GARRETT
No.

MOLLY
Here's to the class of 1982.

NATALIE
Blair, Nancy, Sue Ann and Jo...make us proud.

Cindy and Natalie walk off in one direction as Tootie and Molly walk off in another. Mrs. Garrett can feel her heart dropping.

INT. CLASSROOM -- LATER

Nancy, Sue Ann and Jo are crowded around Blair trying to keep her up. It is 10:15am

JO
Come on, Warner.

SUE ANN
How's your foot, Jo.

JO
It hurts.

NANCY
How could you let your friend kill Blair?

JO
I didn't let her and she's not dead. Blair, you're not dead.

BLAIR
Bye.

JO
No. Don't say, bye. You aren't allowed to say bye.

BLAIR
See ya.

JO
Even when she's hurt, she's still a goof.

SUE ANN
Come on, we need you here.

Blair gurgles. Several SWAT team members walk in.

SWAT TEAM MAN#1
Okay, girls, come on.

JO
We got one down.

SWAT TEAM MAN#2
(into a walkie talkie)
We need help. One down.

SWAT TEAM MAN#1
Come on.

SUE ANN
We need to bring Blair. Nanc, get her feet.

SWAT TEAM MAN#1
No. Girls, leave her here. We'll get her. Miss, what happen to your foot?

JO
I broke my ankle. Sophie shot at my foot and missed and I fell.

SWAT TEAM MAN#2
Okay.
(he talks into his walkie talkie)
Two down. One severe condition, one minor.
(to Sue Ann and Nancy)
You two.

NANCY
We can't leave her here.

SWAT TEAM MAN#1
You have too.

SUE ANN
But she's our best friend.

SWAT TEAM MAN#1
We'll take care of her.

JO
I'll stay with her.

SWAT TEAM MAN#1
It is dangerous for you two to stay.

Sue Ann and Nancy walk to the door, along with a bunch of other students. They look at their friend lying on the ground. Her eyes are open.

SUE ANN
Jo, keep her alive.

JO
I will.

They leave. Jo holds Blair. She shakes her and tries her best. But nothing works. She smiles. Blair's eyes look almost vacant. Jo starts to cry.

EXT. EASTLAND -- MOMENTS LATER

Mrs. Garrett walks from line to line.

MRS. GARRETT
Sixth grade. 2 missing. Seventh grade. One missing. Eighth grade, two missing. Ninth grade-

Tootie looks out from the end of the line. Molly is standing in the middle.

TOOTIE
Mrs. Garrett-

MRS. GARRETT
Tootie, the seniors-

More students start coming out of the building.

TOOTIE
Oh my. What happened?

MOLLY
There's Nancy and Sue Ann.

TOOTIE
Where's Blair? And Jo. Mrs. Garrett?

MRS. GARRETT
They'll come soon.

MOLLY
We have to go.

MRS. GARRETT
Stay. Ninth grade, four missing.

Mrs. Garrett moves to the next group.

MRS. GARRETT
Tenth grade.

Paramedics are bringing Jo out on a stretcher. Jo looks up. She sees Natalie and waves. She points to her foot and then gives her an "okay" sign. Natalie smiles.

NATALIE
Jo looks okay.

Cindy looks out from the very end of the line.

CINDY
Hey, Nat.

NATALIE
Yeah, Cindy.

CINDY
(to herself)
I hate my last name.
(to Natalie)
What do you see?

NATALIE
I see Jo is being carried out by paramedics. Looks likes her foot.

MOLLY
I see Jo.
(yelling back)
Tootie, I see Jo!

CINDY
How about Blair?

TOOTIE
Yeah, what about Blair?

NATALIE
Doesn't look like she's there.

CINDY
Hey, Mrs. Garrett can I move up according to my first name?

MRS. GARRETT
No, Cindy. Tenth grade, four missing. Eleventh grade. Five missing.

Sue Ann and Nancy run up to Mrs. Garrett. They hug her.

MRS. GARRETT
Girls, what's wrong with Jo?

SUE ANN
Sophie...Jo fell...Sophie shot at her foot, missed, but Jo fell back.

NATALIE
What?

SUE ANN
Nat.

NANCY
She'll be fine.

The two girls run over to Natalie. They all hug. Natalie notices Nancy's hands covered with blood. Sue Ann has blood all over her shirt.

NATALIE
Nancy, your hands...and Sue Ann...

Natalie stops. She can barely breathe. She has a very bad feeling about what's happening. Mrs. Garrett walks over to the three girls.

NATALIE
Oh.

Natalie looks at her own blouse. There are stains of blood on her from Sue Ann's blouse. Natalie looks like she is about to vomit. Natalie puts her hand up to her mouth and starts sobbing.

MRS. GARRETT
Who's...girls? Is that-

NATALIE
It's not Blair? Tell me I'm wrong. Please, tell me I'm wrong. Please.

Sue Ann and Nancy stand there staring at Natalie.

NATALIE
Oh my G-d.

CINDY
What's happening?

Tootie, Molly and Cindy walk over to Natalie. They look at Nancy and Sue Ann and then back at Natalie. Tootie walks over to Natalie and puts her arm around her. The two girls hug. Nancy and Sue Ann start to sob as they speak.

NANCY
We tried to stop the bleeding...but nothing worked. It just kept coming. I put my hands...it wanted it to stop.

SUE ANN
And I held her and I felt her...we tried...even Jo. The blood was everywhere.

Mrs. Garrett tries to hold herself together for the sake of everyone else. Nancy looks at her hands. Cindy and Sue Ann hug. Molly holds on to Tootie. Tootie lets go of Natalie to include Molly in the group hug.

MRS. GARRETT
Sue Ann, Nancy I need you two to stand with the other seniors.

Sue Ann and Nancy move off to stand in line. Molly, Tootie, Natalie and Cindy are hugging each other and crying. Mrs. Garrett heart breaks.

MRS. GARRETT
And you four-

CINDY
Mrs. Garrett, please?

TOOTIE
You checked our names off already.

MRS. GARRETT
Girls, I know this is hard. But I need to know who is here.

Cindy, Tootie and Molly walk back to their respective spots in line. Mrs. Garrett moves to the line of forming 12th graders. Nancy moves to the front of the line, Sue Ann walks back to the very end. Mrs. Garrett walks up to each one, as she gets to "Joanne Polnachek", she marks, "injured". Then she moves farther down the line. She gets to the "W's". Sue Ann is standing there. There is a space in front of her. She is hoping that at any moment, Blair will come out and take her place in line.

SUE ANN
She used to get to get me into so much trouble, Mrs. Garrett. When we would do these drills where we would stand in order. Warner and then Weaver and she would make me laugh or something and she would always say something. Comment on someone's hair or something. She would make me laugh and then the teachers would go, Weaver-Warner be quiet. Don't make me separate you two and we would laugh cause you can't separate Warner and Weaver.

MRS. GARRETT
I remember.

SUE ANN
Mrs. Garrett, she needs to be standing here right now. How could she not be standing here?

Sue Ann is sobbing. Mrs. Garrett hugs her, tightly.

SUE ANN
She's not in line. She's supposed to be here. It's the rule. Active since seventh grade.

MRS. GARRETT
I know, I know.

Mrs. Garrett and Sue Ann pull apart. Mrs. Garrett looks at her list. We see the name, "Blair Warner". Right next to Blair, Mrs. Garrett rights "missing". She starts to cry, staring at the name. Sue Ann looks at it. Meanwhile, Nancy is standing their anxiously. Suddenly, the color drains from her face.

NANCY
Oh my G-d.

Sue Ann and Mrs. Garrett stop hugging and look up. They see Blair being carried out on a stretcher. They are pumping her chest and trying to get her to breathe.

NATALIE
Oh, G-d.

CINDY
What?

NATALIE
Oh, G-d.

Tootie, Cindy and Molly walk back to Natalie and look in Natalie's direction. Mrs. Garrett notices this, but lets them go. She doesn't have the heart to tell them otherwise. The four girls hold onto each other tightly. They are all in a state of shock. Sue Ann is completely frozen. Nancy walks back to the end of the line and puts her arm around Sue Ann. Sue Ann looks motionless. We cut back to Natalie, Cindy, Molly and Tootie looking frozen as well.

NATALIE
No one dies in your nightmares, right Cindy?

CINDY
Right.

Mrs. Garrett starts to sob as she watches. We fade back to 1979.

EXT. EASTLAND -- MORNING

It is September 2, 1978. Blair is fourteen years old. She looks like she is studying. She sits under a giant oak tree. She seems very into her studying. Mrs. Garrett walks over to her, she looks lost.

MRS. GARRETT
Excuse me? Miss.

BLAIR
Yes.

MRS. GARRETT
I'm Mrs. Garrett. I'm the new dorm mother in the Harmon dormitory.

BLAIR
That's my dorm.

MRS. GARRETT
Can you point me in the right direction?

BLAIR
Oh, of course.

Blair gets up.

MRS. GARRETT
Are you studying?

BLAIR
Kinda. No. I'm writing a letter to my friend, Christine. I'm Blair Warner. Charmed, I'm sure.

MRS. GARRETT
Mrs. Garrett, nice to meet you.

They shake hands and walk off.

BLAIR
Yeah. Oh, Mrs. Garrett you'll love our dorm. 3 ninth graders. Me and I'm the popular one.Sue Ann Weaver. She's from Kansas. She's a farm girl.

MRS. GARRETT
So am I.

BLAIR
Great. You can discuss milking cows and Nancy Bowman and she has this boyfriend, Roger who's just a dweeb and then there's two eighth graders. Natalie Green and Cindy Webster. Cindy's a tomboy. So barbaric and Natalie is just great. She so funny, you'll love her and then two seventh graders. Molly Parker who sings a lot and Tootie Ramsey. Her real name is Dorothy, but no one ever calls her that. Tootie if you want to know anything, she's the girl to ask. She's gets better reception than At&T.

Mrs. Garrett laughs.

BLAIR
The other house mother...she just, well it wasn't a good fit. We aren't what you would call a quiet, studious bunch.

MRS. GARRETT
Okay.

They reach the dorm.

BLAIR
This is it. Welcome.

They walk inside. Natalie and Tootie are giving a reluctant Molly a make over. Sue Ann is teaching Cindy how do a cartwheel and Nancy is talking to Roger.

NATALIE
Come on, Molly.

TOOTIE
You would look great as a redhead.

MOLLY
That will never happen.

TOOTIE
You can dye your hair red and be a movie star.

SUE ANN
Cindy, Cindy keep your arms straight and then bend them a little. Don't lock your arms.

CINDY
Okay.

Cindy does another cartwheel and crashes into the couch.

NANCY
Roger, really? You're so sweet. Yes, Roger.

BLAIR
I told you so. No one here is without issues, including me.

Blair gives her a telling smile that gives Mrs. Garrett the impression there is more to her.

BLAIR
Everyone! Can I have your attention!

Natalie stops putting lip liner on Molly--she has half her lip lined. Tootie stops curling Molly's hair. They look up. Sue Ann turns to look at Blair. Cindy does another cartwheel and crashes to the ground. She stays put.

BLAIR
Nancy-

Blair walks over to the phone and grabs it.

BLAIR
Goodbye, Roger. My love.

Blair hangs up.

NANCY
I will kill you.

BLAIR
No, you won't. This our new dorm mother, Mrs. Garrett. This is Nancy, Sue Ann, Cindy, Molly, Tootie and Natalie...is that my make up?
(She walks back to Mrs. Garrett)
You'll love it here. We'll make sure of it. Right, girls.

The other girls agree in unison. Blair gives Mrs. Garrett a hug. Mrs. Garrett smiles.

FADE TO:

EXT. EASTLAND -- CONTINUOUS

We open on present time with Blair being carried out on a stretcher. Paramedics are doing everything they can to save her.

INT. HOSPITAL -- NIGHT

6:00pm. The hospital is completely packed. In the midst of it all, stand Tootie, Natalie, Sue Ann, Nancy, Cindy and Molly.

TOOTIE
I've never seen so many people.

NANCY
What if Blair dies?

NATALIE
Shut up, Nancy.

NANCY
It's a possibility. Nat, 4 people have already died. 3 are critical and 3 are stable. Blair is very close. She's serious and critical.

TOOTIE
She's not going to. She can't. We won't allow it!

NANCY
Okay, they've been operating on her for eight hours and no one has come out to give us good news!

TOOTIE
Nancy, shut up!

NANCY
Don't tell me to shut up, I'm telling the truth! Plain and simple!

TOOTIE
No! No, she won't die! You're lying!

Mrs. Garrett walks over to them.

MRS. GARRETT
Girls, girls. Now's not the time. Nancy, Molly, Cindy, your parents are here.

Nancy, Molly and Cindy walk off.

MRS. GARRETT
How are you girls holding up?

TOOTIE
Mrs. Garrett, Nancy's right. She's gonna die. We're gonna lose Blair.

Tootie is in hysterics. Mrs. Garrett holds her as she sobs. Rose and Charlie Polnachek walk up to them

ROSE
Girls.

MRS. GARRETT
Mr. and Mrs. Polnachek.

Tootie looks up at the them.

CHARLIE
Where's Jo?

TOOTIE
Sophie did it. Jo's friend. Jo's friend killed Blair.

NATALIE
Tootie.

ROSE
Blair's dead?

MRS. GARRETT
No, no she's not dead. She's one of the most seriously injured.

Mrs. Garrett lets go of Tootie and motions for Charlie and Rose to follow her.

MRS. GARRETT
Come on.

Mrs. Garrett walks off. Charlie and Rose follow. Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey walk over to the group.

MRS. RAMSEY
Tootie, sweetie.

TOOTIE
Mom, dad.

Tootie races up to her parents. They hold her as tight as they can.

MR. RAMSEY
Natalie, oh thank G-d. Your parents are looking for you.

NATALIE
Great.

SUE ANN
I'll come with you.

Natalie and Sue Ann walk off.

MR. RAMSEY
Honey, you have no idea how happy we are to see you.

Monica and David Warner walk up behind them.

TOOTIE
And Blair's dead.

MONICA
What?

Tootie turns to see them.

MONICA
My daughter-

MRS. RAMSEY
Mr. and Mrs. Warner-

DAVID
Where's our daughter?

TOOTIE
She's not dead. They shot her and she's the most critically injured.

MONICA
Oh my G-d. My beautiful baby.

Mrs. Garrett walks over to them.

MRS. GARRETT
Monica, David.

MONICA
Where's my daughter?

MRS. GARRETT
They're operating on her.

MONICA
Who would shoot her? Why would some want to harm her?

MRS. GARRETT
I don't know.

MR. RAMSEY
We'll pray for her. Your daughter is an amazing girl.

MONICA
What happened?

MRS. GARRETT
Sophie Benton, a young woman at Eastland went on a shooting spree.

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM -- MOMENTS LATER

6:15pm. Jo is lying there with her foot in a cast. Rose and Charlie are standing by her.

ROSE
Honey.

JO
Mom, Sophie shot Blair. She said she wasn't and-we have to tell her parents.

ROSE
You don't have to now.

JO
I do. I could've stopped it. I could've done something. What if I lose her? Mom, she warned me.

ROSE
She what?

JO
Before the shooting....she said something bad might happen.

CHARLIE
Oh, honey. You won't lose her.

Jo is sobbing. Rose runs over to comfort her daughter. Charlie reacts.

INT. GIRLS BEDROOM -- NIGHT

10:00pm. Tootie and Natalie are in their rooms. Neither one can sleep.

TOOTIE
Nat? Are you up?

NATALIE
Yeah. Can't sleep.

TOOTIE
It's so quiet over there. Why didn't they let Jo out?

NATALIE
They wanted to keep her overnight for observation.

TOOTIE
My parents wanted me to go home tonight, but I didn't. I mean, if I went home I'd never come back here and I need to come back. Finish what I started.

NATALIE
I know what you mean. Yeah, it's really quiet on that side.

TOOTIE
You sometimes I'd wake up in the middle of the night and they'd be talking and giggling and doing the stuff we do.

NATALIE
I know. One time, you were away for the weekend on some drama thing, anyway I woke up to them cracking up. Literally, shaking with laughter. They wouldn't tell me what was going on. So I went back to sleep. They thought I was asleep. Tootie, our two friends when they don't think anyone is listening are the two of the most sickest people I've ever met.

Tootie laughs.

TOOTIE
Serious? Jo, I can see. Blair?

NATALIE
She was worse. She was telling this story a friend told her...Dina. And it was...it veered on soft core porn.

TOOTIE
Blair? Blair Warner?

NATALIE
Oh yeah. Just hearing that coming out of her mouth was just almost too much for me to handle. I tried so hard to keep from laughing.

TOOTIE
Oh my. So our little Jo and Blair are phonies.

NATALIE
Yep. They are closer than we are Tootie.

TOOTIE
Really?

NATALIE
Oh, yeah.

The two are very quiet.

NATALIE
I can't get that image out of my head. Nancy's hands...Blair's blood.

TOOTIE
I know, me neither.

NATALIE
We always wanted Blair to be more open. I just never thought she'd take it literally.

Tootie laughs. Mrs. Garrett walks in.

MRS. GARRETT
How are you girls holding up?

TOOTIE
Not well.

MRS. GARRETT
You know despite what they say, they're close. I can't tell you how many times I've walked into the lounge late at night and seen them talking.

TOOTIE
So, I guess we just pretend that's where they are now?

NATALIE
Yeah, they should be coming upstairs anytime now.

TOOTIE
Any time they'll walk through that door.

Tootie and Natalie watch the door.

NATALIE
Any moment now.

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM -- NIGHT

11:00pm. Jo is wide awake. She slowly gets up and grabs some crutches by the bed. She hops up and moves towards the door and opens it.

INT. HALLWAY -- CONTINUOUS

Jo hops out and moves slowly down the hallway. A nurse walks by.

JO
Excuse me.

NURSE
Yes.

JO
Blair Warner's room, please?

NURSE
I'm sorry. She can't have visitors.

JO
Please. I'm begging you. Five minutes. I need to see her. I feel responsible for what happened. I mean, I don't-I didn't do anything. Which I should-please.

The nurse smiles.

NURSE
Follow me.

Jo hobbles after the nurse. They stop at the room. The nurse opens it. Jo peers in. The room is dark, but she can see Blair. She is attached to a bunch of machines. She looks very scary. Jo starts to cry.

JO
She looks in pain.

NURSE
She is.

JO
Is she okay?

NURSE
Not right now.

JO
Is she gonna die?

NURSE
I...chances are slim. But there's a chance she'll pull through.

JO
How much of a chance?

NURSE
I don't know. But, miraculously, the bullet did not hit anything vital.

JO
What?

NURSE
It went right through her. It missed her heart by a half an inch. She did flatlined twice, but this girl does not want to die. She's a fighter.

JO
She flatlined? Can I see her alone? Please.

NURSE
Sure. Five minutes.

The nurse leaves as Jo hobbles over to Blair. What she sees freaks her out.

JO
G-d, Blair. I feel like this is my fault. I'm so sorry. I should've done more.

Jo starts crying.

JO
Please promise me you won't die on me. Come on. You can't die on me Blair. Don't.

Blair weakly opens her eyes just a bit.

JO
Blair? Don't speak. You have to get through this. If you do...you can have the bathroom for as long as you want. I know you're not religious, but I'll pray for you anyway.

Blair closes her eyes again.

JO
Blair. Come on, you gotta pull through. Do you have any idea how much I'll miss you? Air brain.

A small, weak smile slowly appears on Blair's face. She squints her eyes open.

JO
You heard me?

NURSE
Miss, you need to go back to your room now.

Blair reaches out for Jo's hand. Jo takes it and smiles.

JO
Good night, Warner.

Jo gets up and hobbles back out.

EXT. EASTLAND -- MORNING

It is Tuesday, January 12, 1982. Girls walk up to the building and stop. They are all standing in groups. Nancy, Tootie, Natalie, Sue Ann, Molly and Cindy are standing in a tight circle.

CINDY
I can't go in there.

SUE ANN
Me neither.

NANCY
We got to hold on to each other. Is Jo coming home today?

TOOTIE
Yeah.

NANCY
You know, I washed my hands for an hour last night.

SUE ANN
I'm ordering a new uniform.

Mr. Parker stands infront of the school.

MR. PARKER
Girls, may I have your attention? Girls.

Everyone turns to look at him.

MR. PARKER
Girls, what happened yesterday was tragic. We have lost 4 students and the 3 critical cases have been upgraded to stable and the three stable cases are in seemingly very good health and should be released soon. There is one very serious case and that is Blair Warner, a senior. She is in very critical condition. We got word that Blair will need a transfusion. We are holding a Blair Warner blood drive at lunch today. She is A+. So if you are A+ and are over one hundred pounds, please consider donating blood.

CINDY
I am...but I'm 95 pounds. I wonder if you can gain 5 pounds in 4 hours?

MR. PARKER
There will be no school today and counseling will be offered for all students and faculty. It is strongly recommended. When school resumes, Bates Academy has graciously allowed us to attend classes there. We will allow you girls back to Eastland on March 1. Sophia Benton was found and she is 18-

NANCY
She can be tried as an adult.

TOOTIE
Great. Oh, wait...no. I hope she fries.

NATALIE
Tootie.

TOOTIE
Well, I do.

CINDY
At least we don't have school.

SUE ANN
(Sarcastic)
Goodie.

MR. PARKER
Do any of you have any questions?

Students start raising their hands. Mr. Parker starts to take questions. Tootie, Natalie, Sue Ann, Cindy, Molly and Nancy start to walk off.

SUE ANN
It's a beautiful day.

TOOTIE
Blair would love it.

NATALIE
Her hair would look marvelous.

SUE ANN
How long do you think she spent on her hair?

TOOTIE
When I didn't hear the hair dryer this morning...it just hurt.

NATALIE
I know. It's amazing, it's become such a staple of my morning.

The group continues to walk in silence. Each one is in there own little world. We fade back.

INT. DORMS -- MORNING

It is September of 1976. Blair, 12, And Sue Ann, 11, Are and decorating their dorm room. They are laughing and acting silly.

INT. DORMS -- DAY

It is January of 1977. It is Nancy's 13th birthday. Blair, 12, And Nancy are having a cake fight. They are laughing hysterically.

INT. DORMS -- NIGHT

It is September of 1977. Blair is 13, Natalie is 11. Blair is painting a portrait of Natalie, but Natalie won't stop making faces at Blair. Blair throws paint at her. Natalie laughs.

INT. DORMS -- MORNING

It March, 1978. Blair, 13 and Cindy, 11 are doing homework. They get distracted and start to have a pencil sword fight.

INT. DORMS -- DAY

It is October, 1978. Molly, 1l and Blair, 14, are having a jam session. They are singing TV theme songs and disco medleys.

INT. DORMS -- NIGHT

It is April, 1979. Tootie, 11 is teaching Blair to rollerskate. Blair keeps falling over. The two are having a great time.

EXT. EASTLAND -- MOMENTS LATER

We fade back to the present. They are still walking silently. Each one thinking and looking lost.

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM -- MORNING

It is 9:00am. Jo wakes up. Rose and Charlie are standing by her bedside.

JO
Mom, dad.

ROSE
Jo. You're going home today.

JO
Really. Blair's okay. She'll be okay.

CHARLIE
Oh, honey. Did they tell you?

ROSE
She backtracked. She's back in the ICU.

JO
She was stable yesterday. Last night, we talked. Not long. How could she-

CHARLIE
She went into shock. She's not doing well.

ROSE
Their doing their best. You know the Warners, they'll give every cent they got.

JO
I'm gonna kill Sophie. How could she do something like this?

ROSE
I don't know.

Monica and David walk in.

MONICA
You going home?

CHARLIE
Yeah.

DAVID
How are you?

JO
Okay...I'm...Blair, I'm sure she'll be fine-

MONICA
I brought pictures of her. Jo, have you ever seen Blair when she was little?

JO
No, I haven't. Oddly, enough.

Monica shows them to her.

MONICA
There she is riding a pony.

JO
She looks pissed.

MONICA
She was. She named it Killer.

Jo laughs.

JO
I could see that.

MONICA
We wanted her to name it something a bit nicer. So she named him Chestnut, Killer for short.

Jo laughs.

JO
Yeah, I could not see her on a horse. Although, she did say she had one in ninth grade. I don't believe her.

MONICA
That was Killer. She brought him cause she thought she might grow to love him.

JO
This is such a pretty pony.

MONICA
And he was gentle, but-here she was in this white dress. She was beautiful.

JO
Wow. She's adorable.

MONICA
Perfect.

JO
Her natural hair color.

Monica smiles.

JO
She's pretty as a brunette.

MONICA
I've told her that so many times. She'll argue. Mother, I have so much more fun as a blonde.

JO
We have almost the same hair color.

MONICA
You two are a lot alike. She would tell me these stories about you. Jo is so stubborn. Jo argues about everything...and I would laugh because...you two make a great team.

JO
We do. This is one of us.

Rose walks over and looks at the pictures.

INT. KITCHEN -- DAY

It is 10:00am. Tootie, Natalie, Cindy, Molly, Sue Ann and Nancy are sitting around a table, silently. They are all lost in their own little worlds. Jo hobbles in, with Rose and Charlie helping.

TOOTIE
Jo.

They run to her.

NANCY
How are you?

JO
I'm okay.

NATALIE
How's Blair?

JO
Not good.

Their faces fall.

NATALIE
They said she needed a transfusion. They're holding blood drives for her all week.

CINDY
Is she gonna be okay?

JO
I hope so.

INT. GIRLS BEDROOM -- NIGHT

Tootie and Natalie are in their beds. Jo is lying in hers. She is staring at Blair's bed.

INT. GIRLS BEDROOM -- NIGHT

It is 1981. Blair, 16, and Jo, 16 are lying in their respective beds, talking.

BLAIR
And so, I passed the driving test and I have a date Saturday.

JO
I can't believe you flirted with the driving test guy.

BLAIR
But he was hot. Besides, it's amazing what I'll do for a license.

JO
I'm never getting in a car with you.

BLAIR
Nor would I ever let you.

JO
And how did you manage to get the hot one? I got the lady that weighed eight hundred pounds and had the worst B.O...she must've bathed in something dead.

BLAIR
It pays to be rich.

JO
And she sweat huge bullets. Brought new meaning to the word carpool.

BLAIR
That was an awful joke, Jo. But I saw her and I knew your story and then I saw him. And I worked the Warner charm.

JO
What is the Warner charm?

BLAIR
Hair tossing and a cute girlish giggle.

JO
Is that all?

BLAIR
Basically. It's a charm, not a science, Jo.

Jo and Blair laugh.

BLAIR
Really, what were you expecting? Chemical equations? Beakers and gas burners? An intricate knowledge of quantum physics? Like really, Jo.

They are cracking up.

BLAIR
Oh, Jo...the driving instructor had huge feet.

JO
Really? That's nice. Eddie had big feet.

BLAIR
You know what they say about military men? They hold big guns.

JO
That's sick. There's a child in the room.

BLAIR
So obviously you haven't heard what she wants to do to Michael Jackson? Let's just say whips and chains are involved.

Jo cracks up.

JO
Really.

BLAIR
It's disgusting. But you know Michael Jackson creeps me out. Like I wouldn't be surprised in like ten years he turned into a white guy or something and he's a little too in to young boys.

JO
Ewww, Blair.

BLAIR
You thought it too?

JO
Yes and I really hope not. Either that or he's dating his monkey.

BLAIR
That's why he wears a glove. Protection. What does the monkey wear?

They are practically falling out of their respective beds they are laughing too hard. Tears are streaming down both of their faces. Their faces are red. Natalie and Tootie slowly wake up.

INT. GIRLS BEDROOM -- MOMENTS LATER

We fade back to the present. Jo is smiling.

NATALIE
We were talking about you two last night.

Jo shakes her head.

JO
What?

TOOTIE
Your late night talks.

JO
Really?

TOOTIE
You've seen Blair cry.

JO
Yeah. I miss them. She's still a snob at heart, you guys. She once spent thirty minutes explaining to me why fruit tastes better when you eat it out of watermelons that are shaped like swans.

Tootie and Natalie laugh.

TOOTIE
Have you seen her?

JO
Yep. She looks horrible. Scary.

TOOTIE
What if she dies? What if she never comes back?

JO
We can't think like that.

TOOTIE
I know, but...I can't help it.

JO
Me neither.

NATALIE
She has to be back. She bought a new thing of conditioner.

JO
Exactly and she has a hair appointment next week. She would never miss those.

TOOTIE
She's anal about those....her roots are starting to show.

NATALIE
Exactly.

TOOTIE
And there's a sale coming up at Bloomingdales. She would never miss that. She'll be camping out.

JO
Yeah. And she really wants to see the new Dustin Hoffman movie.

NATALIE
That looks great.

TOOTIE
So there you go. She's definitely coming home soon.

NATALIE
Definitely.

They all look towards Blair's bed and all stare at it. It's almost as if they are wishing her there.

INT. KITCHEN -- MORNING

It is 12pm, January 13th. Tootie, Natalie and Jo are talking to Mrs. Garrett in the corner. The red cross is there. There are long lines of girls donating blood.

TOOTIE
We want to visit her.

NATALIE
She can't be alone.

JO
She's in a lot of pain.

MRS. GARRETT
I know, I know. We should let her get better. Donate blood.

JO
I can't. I was just in the hospital.

NATALIE
I just did.

She points to the bandage on her arm.

JO
And besides you know we'll do it anyway, it'll just be a lot easier if you say yes.

MRS. GARRETT
Alright.

TOOTIE
Look how many people are here.

NATALIE
Who knew the Harvest Queen made such an impact?

JO
I guess she really is popular.

MRS. GARRETT
She's loved.

TOOTIE
G-d save the queen.

They look at Tootie and laugh.

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM -- NIGHT

It is Wednesday, January 13th. 8:00pm. Blair is sleeping when Jo, Tootie and Natalie sneak in. They are shocked by what they see.

TOOTIE
Oh my G-d.

NATALIE
She looks like in so much pain.

JO
She is.

TOOTIE
Poor thing.

Tootie walks over to Blair. Natalie helps Jo sit. Tootie looks at Blair. Blair opens her eyes a little. She smiles.

TOOTIE
Hi.

Blair grabs Tootie's hand. She squeezes it, tightly.

TOOTIE
Girl's gotta grip.

JO
I know.

Natalie walks over to Blair.

NATALIE
Warner?

BLAIR
Nat.

NATALIE
How did she survive?

JO
Miracle. The bullet went right through her.

Blair reaches for Natalie's hand. She holds it.

NATALIE
Ooo. It went through her?

TOOTIE
Gee, woman.

JO
It did. It missed her heart by half an inch and somehow maneuvered through her body and out the other end. It missed her spine by a quarter of an inch.

NATALIE
Do you realize how lucky you are? That's incredible.

Blair smiles.

TOOTIE
Someone's watching out for her.

BLAIR
I'm dead?

TOOTIE
No, sweetie, you're very much alive.

BLAIR
Jo?

JO
I'm here. Blair everyone's giving you their blood.

Blair crinkles her nose. They laugh.

NATALIE
You have to make it, you hear? You can not die on us.

TOOTIE
We're a quartet. Four musketeers.

NATALIE
Promise us that.

BLAIR
Promise.

NATALIE
How's your foot?

JO
Hurts.

TOOTIE
You know, Nat said that you have a sick and twisted mind.

Blair's eyes widen.

JO
Nat was up.

NATALIE
I heard the Becker story. So, if it stands up and curves-

Blair tries to laugh, but can't. It hurts too much.

JO
You owe me twenty bucks.

Blair gives Jo a "Hello, I'm a bit preoccupied" look. She motions to where she is.

JO
I don't care.

Jo smiles at her. Blair sticks her tongue out at Jo. They laugh at her.

JO
Maturity suits you.

BLAIR
(softly)
Bite me.

They laugh harder. Blair smiles.

FADE IN:

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM -- NIGHT

Tootie, Natalie and Jo are sleeping in Blair's room when suddenly they hear a noise. It is 11:30pm. Tootie wakes up.

TOOTIE
What was that?

NATALIE
It's Blair. Jo, it's Blair.

They look. Blair is in shock. Jo reaches for her crutches and tries to get up. Blair's heart monitor is going crazy.

TOOTIE
Oh, G-d Natalie. She's dying.

NATALIE
Jo, you stay. I'll get a doctor.

Natalie races out. Jo finally gets up and hobbles over to Tootie. Natalie comes back and turns on the lights. A nurse followed by several doctors start pumping Blair.

DOCTOR
Let's get her into the ICU stat. She's in trauma.

They take her out while pumping her chest and trying to reactivate her heart. Natalie, Tootie and Jo stand there in shock.

to be continued....

[IcePrincessBlair]

This one is great. Post more soon. I've already rad the first 3 parts and it's wonderful. You're very talented.

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IcePrincessBlair@aol.com
www.cammie-ammiefanfics.cityslide.com

[JoJoJoJoJoJoJoJoJo]

Yea, i've read the first 3 parts too and a fan. fics website.....this si really really really really great and i can't wait for more!!!!!

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Wanna buy/trade eps. of FOL then visit my site @ http://www.expage.com/foltapetrader and give me a e-mail!!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Teddy Is Hott!! --pretty plain and simple. I cannot tell a lie--Teddy is ALL mine!!

Blair: Hold it, you ruined my watch.
Jo: No I didn't, it's a stop watch...it stopped

Blair: Jo, you've got some power, but you're not wearing it right. You don't want to
throw it onlike a motorcycle jacket, you want to slip it on, like a negligee.
Jo: I'm not doin' anything weird!!!

Natalie: She's always saying what a great kid you are.
Andy: Kid?
Natalie: Guy. Did i say kid? Why would i say kid? Man. She said man!

[Swimfan85]

this is awesome, ya i have also read the first 3 parts~ but this is great stuff so please continue~

[FolFanatic151]

Wow...great job! Keep it up!

[Wild Child]

This is really great!! I'm confused.Where do I go to read the first 3 parts?

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"You're born,you move on,you die,that's life."-Jo
Nancy McKeon is #1!!

[Jo_Polniaczek]

Grrr... How could you stop there?! Geez, meanie. Anyways, I love it! Post more soon!