THE REST OF MY DAMN LIFE: A Ranting Klown series

 

 

EPISODE 2

PUCKS REGRET

(Daria tries to come to terms with Christie's sexuality, to Neill's amusement)

 

(Scene I, INT, Night, where we left off)

 

         NEILL

If I may say so, that is just.....so hot.

 

CHRISITE

It always is

 

NEILL

Bi or Gay?

 

CHRISTIE

Gay

 

NEILL

Damn, can't blame you though, the female form is such a beautiful thing

 

CHRISTIE

That's what I find. So you're not going to try and turn me?

 

NEILL

Nah, besides, if I have a lesbian friend, she can take pictures for me

 

CHRISTIE

And you're okay with the whole thing? I was expecting an uncomfortable silence.

 

NEILL

You mean the kind of silence that's coming from Daria?

 

CHRISTIE

The very same. Are you okay over there?

 

DARIA

Uhh...yeah. Sorry, it's just that we never really had gay people in Lawndale, or discussed sexuality.

 

NEILL

Really? You? Miss Sexpot? Now I refuse to believe that!

 

(Daria looks more than a little embarrassed)

 

CHRISTIE

Awww, we're making little Daria feel awkward. So, can I get the full tour or what?

 

NEILL

Yes, she is tiny isn't she? Ok, I suppose I should start with the bedroom...

 

CHRISTIE

And you say you're not trying to turn me?

 

NEILL

No, but hey, if ever you decide to give guys a go, you know where I am

 

CHRISTIE

I don't know wether to be flattered or disgusted

 

(They both leave the living area)

 

Scene II (INT, Night, Daria reading on sofa)

 

                                                                                                            (Christie Departing)

 

NEILL

Ok then, I'll see you some time. Don't be a stranger ok?

 

(Christie shuts door)

 

NEILL

What a delightful young lady. Hey, Daria, are you okay?

 

DARIA

Just fine, never been better.

 

NEILL

Are you sure, because I'm sorry for making those cracks about you before.

 

DARIA

It's not that I'm worried about

 

NEILL

You're worried about something?

 

DARIA

Umm......No.

 

NEILL

Come on Daria, if we're going to be living together for a while, you're going to have to be honest with me eventually

 

DARIA

Eventually is an eventuality that I hope never eventuates

 

NEILL

None of your linguistic gymnastics on me Daria!

 

DARIA

Fine. It's just that she invited herself up here.

 

NEILL

Yeah...and?

 

DARIA

Two minutes after meeting me.

 

NEILL

I fail to see your point

 

DARIA

People don't do things like that unless......

 

NEILL

Oh! Come on Daria! You're worried that Christie was hitting on you?

 

DARIA

Maybe, I just don't know, let's just say I'm bad at picking up anything from people.

 

NEILL

Listen, if she were hitting on you, which I sincerely doubt, she wouldn't have said she was going to sleep with the blonde, I mean, that's just a bad move, believe me I know.

 

DARIA

I suppose your right. Is everyone here obsessed with you know...?

 

NEILL

Pretty much. Why do you ask? Hang on......are you a......?

 

DARIA

Person...uh...yes...person

 

NEILL

Another piece of the puzzle falls into place. You'd better get some sleep. We can leave the awkward sexual topics for another day. We have class tomorrow.

 

DARIA

We do?

 

NEILL

Yeah, look on your program. All English Lit students have an intro class tomorrow.

 

DARIA

You're English Lit?

 

NEILL

No, I have another class tomorrow. Try to get some sleep okay? I'll be back in the morning.

 

(Neill leaves the dorm)

 

(Fade to black)

 

(Daria wakes up)

 

DARIA

No, It wasn't a bad dream. I'm still here.

 

(Daria gets up and walks around, hears the sound of sizzling coming from the kitchen)

 

NEILL

Good Morning Daria!

 

DARIA

That depends on your point of view. Are you..........cooking me breakfast?

 

NEILL

Yeah, as an apology for making you feel uncomfortable yesterday. If there are things you don't want to tell me, I shouldn't try to pry. I guess I'm just curious. Besides, it's nothing flash, I used to cook for the family.

 

DARIA

What about your parents?

 

NEILL

Well Dad was no Iron Chef......and Mum...well.......I never really had a chance to taste her cooking

 

DARIA

Oh...I'm sorry.

 

NEILL

That's ok, She went early on in the innings, didn't get a chance to know her. Anyhow, enough of these gloomy topics! What time does your class start?

 

DARIA

(Looks at her watch) 5 minutes ago.

 

(Runs out of dorm)

 

NEILL

Run Forrest! Run!

 

Scene III (INT, morning, Lecture Room)

 

(Daria tries to discreetly enter the room and sit down)

 

PROFESSOR

Lose your way?

 

DARIA

Um...yes.

 

PROFESSOR

That's okay, for now. See that it doesn't happen again. Grab a syllabus from the front of the room and sit down.

 

(Daria looks for a place to sit down, she sees only one seat left, and next to that seat, she sees Brad motioning to her to come and sit down)

 

DARIA

V.O- Good God No. Anywhere but there.

 

PROFESSOR

Well do sit down young lady!

 

(Daria goes against her better judgment and sits down next to Brad)

 

BRAD

Hey Daria

 

DARIA

Uhh......Hey.  

 

PROFESSOR

As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, my name is Professor Hamilton, and this is English Literature 101. Now you've probably already studied the American greats in High School I would imagine, so I'm going to go a different road this semester......

 

Scene IV (INT, Morning, Christie and Neill walking through the quad)

 

CHRISTIE

And then he tries to insist that lesbianism is a disease

 

NEILL

Damn! He must've been burnt! I don't think lesbianism is a disease, but it sure is pretty.

 

CHRISTIE

Don't make me kill you

 

NEILL

What are you gonna do? Climb up here and gnaw my ankles off?

 

CHRISTIE

No, but I can punch you where the sun doesn't shine quite easily.

 

NEILL

Good point and well made. Hey, I meant to ask, what do you think of Daria?

 

CHRISTIE

Nice girl, isn't completely illiterate. Seems like a smart person. Quite rare.

 

NEILL

So you don't find her, attractive?

 

CHRISTIE

Not Physically. She ain't my type of gal. Wait. Why do you ask? Going to put the moves on her?

 

NEILL

Trust me, If I wanted to put the moves on her, I would've already, and she would be putty in my hands.

 

CHRISTIE

Oh yeah, because you're such a super-stud.

 

NEILL

What can I say, it's the accent. No, it's just that Daria thinks that...

 

CHRISTIE

Oh God! She doesn't think...

 

NEILL

Yep. She's a bit shaken about the whole thing.

 

CHRISTIE

I bet we could have some fun with this...

 

NEILL

Christie, I like the way you think.

 

(A football flies near to them, out of instinct, Neill runs and catches the ball)

 

STEVE

A little help!

 

(Neill kicks the ball back, to a look of astonishment from the football training squad)

 

Scene V (INT, Day, inside room 317, Daria and Brad walk in)

 

DARIA

Now I know I brought a copy of Byron with me...

 

(Brad, upon seeing the lots of books that Daria brought with her)

 

BRAD

Whoah. Planning on being a writer?

 

DARIA

How can you tell?

 

BRAD

You know, glasses, lots of books, English Lit, all of the above

 

DARIA

And you plan on being a musician?

 

BRAD

Yeah, going to bring a new brand of emo/punk/hip hop/electronica to the world. How can you tell?

 

DARIA

You don't wear a watch

 

BRAD

Yeah, watches depress me.

 

DARIA

Yeah...watches suck

 

(Silence follows)

 

DARIA

V.O- Say something...anything....talk about corn...anything!

 

DARIA

So...you in a band?

 

BRAD

Yeah...The Random Pigeons

 

DARIA

Cool name V.O- Yes...I've gone insane

 

BRAD

Hey, you should come and watch us play some time...it'll be cool

 

DARIA

Ok...I will

 

BRAD

Cool

 

DARIA

Cool

 

(Neill Walks in)

 

NEILL

Hey, am I interrupting anything? (Looks at Daria)

 

BRAD

Nah, just telling Daria about our gig on Saturday.

 

NEILL

Oh, the one at the Pimento in town? Yeah, Daria would like that. Wouldn't you Daria?

 

DARIA

V.O-I can think of a few things I'd like right now- , Uh, yeah.

 

NEILL

Anyhow, I'm not here for long, I've got training.

 

DARIA

Training?

 

NEILL

Yeah, I made it onto the football team, turns out being a place kicker is incredibly easy.

 

BRAD

Whoa, you're a football player now?

 

NEILL

Yeah, I thought I'd give it a crack. You know, cheerleaders. Anyhow, I'm off then. Oh and Daria, I almost forgot, Christie was wondering if you wanted to meet up later for coffee and what have you...

 

DARIA

She what?

 

NEILL

Hey, I'm just the messenger. Brad, see you around.

 

BRAD

Yeah, I should be going now too. Thanks for the book Daria.

 

DARIA

That's umm...ok.

 

(Neill and Brad exit)

 

(Daria buries her head in her hands, and then sighs and walks over to the phone)

 

(Split screen with Trent)

 

TRENT

Hello?

 

DARIA

Hey Trent, what are you doing on the phone?

 

TRENT

I live here...the last time I checked

 

DARIA

Well...yeah...(blushes)...have you seen Jane?

 

TRENT

Not lately...Oh wait, here she comes. By the way, how's college?

 

DARIA

You know...idiots...pizza bad...

 

TRENT

Same old eh? (Chuckles) Ok, heres Janey

 

JANE

Hey, what's up?

 

DARIA

Just calling to see how you are

 

JANE

You don't call to see how people are, what's up?

 

DARIA

Nothing's up

 

JANE

Come on now, you expect me to believe that?

 

DARIA

Fine, if you tell anyone I will have to kill you

 

JANE

At least you haven't had a personality switch, out with it Morgandorffer!

 

DARIA

Fine, My roommate is now on the football team, One of only a handful of people I can get along with may in fact be looking for a romantic relationship, and I'm umm....in.....I like a musician.

 

JANE

What, another one? Daria, do you plan to date all members of the Backstreet Boys? Its ok, you can tell me.

 

DARIA

Screw you Lane!

 

JANE

Whoa, calm down there sister! Besides, I think that the Backstreet Boys should be classified more in the 'mime' category than the 'artist' one.

 

DARIA

I'm sorry, it's just getting used to this whole routine, seeing my roommate in a robe, it's been kinda stressful.

 

JANE

Your roommate cute?

 

DARIA

You'd probably find him cute, but then again, you always did like the pretty boys.

 

JANE

Tell me about this guy who's trying to force you into a relationship

 

DARIA

Not quite a guy as such...

 

JANE

You mean...

 

DARIA

Yeah. We met in a coffee shop........

 

JANE

Sounds like a whirlwind romance to me.....

 

DARIA

I will kill you Lane. No, it turns out she's a very nice girl, but she invites herself up to our dorm...

 

JANE

She tried to put the moves on you?

 

DARIA

Not as such.

 

JANE

So let me get this straight, she attempts to be your friend, announces her sexuality in an attempt to be totally honest with you, doesn't put the moves on you, and you decide that she's totally hitting on you?

 

DARIA

I'm being paranoid aren't I?

 

JANE

Have you checked under the bed for gremlins yet?

 

DARIA

Fine, I'm going to go.

 

JANE

Oh, before you go. Call your parents, for the love of God! If I have to comfort your mother again, you're paying for the therapy bill.

 

DARIA

She's that distressed?

 

JANE

No, I'm talking about my bill. I'll talk to you later.

 

(Split screen ends)

 

Scene VI (EXT-INT, Dusk, Outside Coffee shop, going in)

 

DARIA

Well, here goes nothing.

 

(Daria enters to find Christie working behind the counter)

 

CHRISTIE

(Sounding Perky) Hi Daria! Just the girl I wanted to see! I got you these flowers!

 

DARIA

Umm...thanks...listen.......I need to talk to you about something......

 

CHRISTIE

What is it Dar? Do I mind if I call you Dar?

 

DARIA

Umm......I guess not.

 

CHRISTIE

Good, it just sounds soooo cute on you

 

DARIA

I...uhh...(Getting flustered) Guess so?

 

CHRISTIE

Guess what!? I'm taking English Lit 101 for extra credit! I guess we'll be spending a lot more time together!

 

DARIA

Yes...I suppose so...Listen...Christie....you seem like an intelligent person, so I'm going to come right out and say it...Christie...I...

 

(Steven walks in)

 

STEVE

Hey Babe!

 

CHRISTIE

I told you Steve, I've moved on...not that there was anything to move on from...I've found someone new.

 

STEVE

Is this your little friend? (Referring to Daria)

 

CHRISTIE

You leave her out of this Steve!

 

STEVE

Fine! I'll let you and your little friend do your thing!

 

(Steve leaves)

 

CHRISTIE

Jerk! Now what is it you were trying to say Dar?

 

DARIA

I uh....have got to go. (Rushes out embarrassed)

 

(We now see that Neill was in the corner, behind a newspaper)

 

NEILL

Wow! That went better than I expected!

 

CHRISTIE

I don't know. I think she's getting seriously weirded out. I mean, I don't want to lose her as a friend you know?

 

NEILL

Don't worry; it'll only be for a little while longer. Then you can get back to your girly chats about perfume, or whatever it is that that you girls talk about.

 

CHRISTIE

We don't talk, we just compare breast sizes.

 

NEILL

Again...Hot.

 

Scene VII (INT, Night, Daria's Dorm)

 

(Daria enters, flustered, paces the room)

 

(There's a knock at the door, Daria answers)

 

DARIA

Brad! What are you doing here!

 

BRAD

Hey...I left my pick here...it's the good one too.

 

DARIA

Oh, do you know where you left it?

 

BRAD

I think I left it in your bedroom.....maybe.....or the study....whatever

 

DARIA

Ok, I'll search my room and you search the study

 

DARIA

V.O- What the hell was he doing in my room?

 

BRAD

Here it is....in the study

 

DARIA

Thank God

 

BRAD

What?

 

DARIA

Nothing

 

BRAD

Oh, ok then....cool.....I better go then.

 

DARIA

I guess....yeah...see you in class

 

BRAD

Maybe......depends on whether I lose my pick or not

 

(Daria chuckles and stifles herself)

 

BRAD

Well, bye.

 

(Brad leaves)

 

DARIA

That's enough weirdness for one evening.

 

(Phone rings)

 

DARIA

Oh yeah. Fate hates me alright.

 

(Picks up phone)

 

DARIA

Hello?

 

(Split screen with Helen)

 

HELEN

Oh, it's so good to hear you're voice again.

 

DARIA

I've been away for two days...its 10:30....shouldn't you be at the office?

 

HELEN

I am. I'm using company time to call you.

 

DARIA

Well that just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside

 

HELEN

I wanted to say I'm sorry I didn't show up to see you off at College.

 

DARIA

I understand....big case?

 

HELEN

Yes...it's just that you raise them, feed them, watch them grow up, go through loves and life, and then before you know it...they're out of the nest, and in the big bad world...(on the verge of crying)

 

DARIA

What have I told you about crying?

 

HELEN

I'm sorry...why haven't you called?

 

DARIA

It's been two days, I've been busy adjusting to the hustle and bustle of the big city...besides, I'll be back for semester break...got to help Jane move.

 

HELEN

Ok, well, I guess I'll let you go.....so....call us every so often ok?

 

DARIA

Ok...

 

(Daria hangs up)

 

DARIA

Ok, now that's enough weirdness for one day.

 

(Neill and Christie enter)

 

DARIA

I just had to open my big mouth didn't I?

 

CHRISTIE

Hey, Daria, can I talk to you alone?

 

DARIA

Ummm......no.

 

NEILL

I think you'll what to hear what she has to say

 

DARIA

Ok. It can't be any weirder than what I've had to endure today.

 

(Neill leaves)

 

CHRISTIE

Listen, Daria...

 

DARIA

No, me first. I think you're a nice girl, and I hope we can remain friends, I mean; you seem to be above the petty jerks here, but, I'm just not into...you know...

 

CHRISTIE

Trains Planes and Automobiles?

 

DARIA

You're not making this easier you know!

 

CHRISTIE

Oh...I know.

 

DARIA

Wait? You know?

 

CHRISTIE

Of Course I know you're not into women.

 

DARIA

Then why were you...

 

CHRISTIE

Do you know how fun it is to mess with your mind?

 

DARIA

Then it was all a joke?

 

(Neill Enters)

 

NEILL

Thank you! I'll be here all week!

 

CHRISTIE

Not now Neill!

 

(Neill exits)

 

CHRISTIE

Yes, me acting like I was coming onto you was all a joke. But I do think you are one of the more intelligent people I've met at this College. That's a pretty rare thing for me....So I've decided to put an end to it.....despite Neill's objections. I like to have fun, but the chance to be friends with someone totally original, that doesn't happen often. I'm sorry if you felt weirded out, I was just having fun...

 

DARIA

Well for what it's worth, I can see how it was like shooting fish in a barrel

 

CHRISTIE

Want to talk about it?

 

DARIA

Not really. Listen I think we can be friends, but it'll take a while to adjust you know...

 

CHRISTIE

Sure, I understand...Friends?

 

DARIA

Friends.

 

(Neill Enters)

 

CHRISTIE

Oh, Neill, you just missed us comparing breast sizes.

 

NEILL

Dammit!

 

(Neill exits)

 

CHRISTIE

Fun isn't it?

 

DARIA

You know what? It is fun...

 

(Daria give a Mona Lisa smile)

 

 

END

 

-Next Time: Daria tries to find a job? Will Brad develop any more personality? Will Steve ever get the hint? Where are the Snowdens of yesteryear? These questions and more answered in the next episode.-

 

 

 

(Authors Notes)

 

*Well, that's episode 2 done. I know its moving a bit slow now, but I want to take about 4 episodes for establishment and such. There are plenty of juicy storylines in the pipeline, so keep on reading*

 

**Questions? Comments? Badgers? Ranting_klown@hotmail.com