Read an Excerpt

INT. SCHOOL CORRIDORS – Day

Rear view of Marianne walking through school. She is determined. Uniformed teens are milling about the corridors as she passes by without a glance at them.

Eric and Connell talking by the lockers. Marianne walks past them, Connell glances up as she passes.

ERIC
It’s a simple game. You’ve fifteen players, give one of them the ball, get it into the net.

Marianne goes to her locker and looks over at Connell.

CONNELL
Very simple.

ERIC
Isn’t it.

ROB
Brilliant.

The camera pans to Rob leaning on a bench opposite them. Rachel approaches – blonde, pretty. The boys are stood in front of her locker.

ERIC
How’s it going, Rachel? Talking tactics for the game.

ROB
We’re getting a master class.

Rachel seems unimpressed. Marianne furtively looks across.

RACHEL
How incredibly boring of you.

ERIC
Yeah, did you get your hair done?

RACHEL
I did, yeah.

Connell looks at Rachel and smiles at his friend’s attempt to compliment her.

ERIC
It’s very pretty.

Connell smiles.

RACHEL
Thanks. Can I use my locker by any chance?

Marianne walks away. Connell turns his head to follow her.

CONNELL AND ERIC
Yeah.

Rachel persists.

RACHEL
Yeah, I sort of need you to move, Connell.

CONNELL
I’m sorry, excuse me.

Rob mimics his awkward exchange.

ROB
Uh, sorry, excuse me.

Connell brushes it off.

CONNELL
Alright, relax would you.

INT. CLASSROOM – Day

The teacher addresses the class. Marianne stares out the window.

MR KERRIGAN
But you know that’s important because it’s turned up in the exam twice out of the last three years. Marianne . . .

MARIANNE
Yeah?

MR KERRIGAN
Something outside caught your attention?

MARIANNE
I suppose so.

MR KERRIGAN
Eyes forward, okay?

MARIANNE
I wasn’t aware my eye line fell under the jurisdiction of school rules.

MR KERRIGAN
Trying to impress your classmates? They don’t look too impressed to me.

MARIANNE
I’m pretty sure I was just looking out the window.

ERIC
Come on, Sheridan.

MR KERRIGAN
If you’re staring out the window daydreaming then you’re not learning, are you, Marianne?

MARIANNE
Don’t delude yourself. I’ve nothing to learn from you.

MR KERRIGAN
Okay, in that case, Principal’s office.

Mr Kerrigan gestures to Marianne that she should leave the classroom. Marianne closes her books.

MARIANNE
Yeah, I might go there.

She gets up.

MARIANNE
Or I might just head home. It’s not really your business what I do, is it?

She shoulders her bag and leaves. Connell watches after her.

ERIC
Don’t worry, sir, she’s a psycho to everybody.

MR KERRIGAN
Do you want to follow her Byrne?