SCENE IX - SCHOOL
 

CHER V.O.
     Here's the four-one-one on Mr. Hall. He's single, he's 47, and he
     earns minor duckets for a thankless job. What that man needs is a
     good healthy boinkfest. Unfortunately, there was a major babe
     drought in our school. The evil trolls from the math department were
     actually married,... oooh Snickers... and in the grand tradition of
     P.E. teachers, Ms. Stoeger seemed to be same-sex oriented. Of
     course, there was always Miss Giest. Something told me not to
     discount Miss Giest. Well sure, she has runs in her stockings, and
     her slip is always showing, and she always has more lipstick on her
     teeth than her mouth. God, this woman is screaming for a make-over.
     I'm her only hope.
(Cher is writing a note outside Miss Giest's pidgeon hole)
DIONNE
     Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May but thy eternal summer
     shall not fade. Phat! Did you write that?
CHER
     Duh, it's like a famous quote.
DIONNE
     From where?
CHER
     Cliff's notes.
DIONNE
     Oh.
(Travis and Miss Giest walk out of her office
toward where Cher and Dionne have split the
scene)
MISS GIEST
     I know you're going to be better now. Now, you run along and I'll
     see you third period and you will try to remember to bring your
     textbook.
TRAVIS
     Uh, OK.
(Miss Giest reads the note left by the girls and her face brightens)
DIONNE
     Oh, my God! She actually looked happy!
CHER
     Oooh, classic!
(Scene changes to Mr. Hall's classroom)
MR HALL
     Paroudasm Budapshawn, 16 tardies to work off.
(Paroudasm mutters something in Farsi and his friends cheer)
     Janet Huon, no tardies.
CLASSMATES
     Kisser!
MR HALL
     Travis Berkenstock, 38 tardies. By far the most tardies in the
     class. Congratulations.
(The whole class cheers and applaudes. Travis approaches the podium)
TRAVIS
     This is so unexpected, I, uh, I didn't even have a speech prepared.
     Uh, but I would like to say this: Tardiness is not something you can
     do all on your own. Many, many people contributed to my tardiness.
     Uh, I'd like to thank my parents for never giving me a ride to
     school, the L.A. city bus driver for taking a chance on an unknown
     kid, and, uh, last but not least, the wonderful crew at McDonalds
     for spending hours making those egg McMuffins, without which I might
     never be tardy.
MR HALL
     Well, if Mr. Berkenstock has no political messages to include in his
     speech, I'll go on. Cher Horowitz, two tardies.
CHER
     I object! Do you recall the dates of these alleged tardies?

MR HALL
     One was last Monday!
CHER
     Mr. Hall, I was surfing the crimson wave, I had to haul ass to the
     ladies'.
MR HALL
     I assume your referring to women's troubles, and so I'll let that
     one slide.
CHER
     Thank you, Mr. Hall. Miss Giest was right about you.
MR HALL
     What do you mean?
CHER
     Well, she said that you were the only one
     in this school with any intelligence.
 

SCENE X - CHER'S HOUSE
 

MEL
     Cher, get in here!
CHER
     Yes, Daddy?
MEL
     Would you tell me what the hell this is?
CHER
     Um, a second notice for three outstanding tickets. I don't remember
     getting a first notice.
MEL
     The ticket is the first notice. I didn't even know you could get
     tickets without a licence.
CHER
     Oh, sure you can. You can get tickets anytime.
MEL
     Oh, is that so?
(Cher nods)
     Well not around here you can't. From this moment on, you will not
     drive, sit, do anything in that jeep without a supervised driver
     present. And no cruisin' around with Dionne, alright? Two permits do
     not equal a licence! Do I make myself clear?
CHER
     Yes, Daddy.
MEL
     Cher, I expect you to become a good driver. I want to see you apply
     yourself.
CHER
     I will. I'm gonna practise real hard.
MEL
     OK.
(The scene moves to the poolside)
CHER V.O.
     A licenced driver with nothing to do? Where would I find such a
     loser?
CHER
     Hey, granola breath, you got something on your
     chin.
JOSH
     I'm growing a goatee.
CHER
     Oh, that's good. You don't want to be the last one at the coffee
     house without chin pubes.
JOSH
     I can't tell you how much I enjoy these little chats of ours, but in
     the interest of saving time, why don't you just tell me what you
     want.
CHER
     OK. So, actually, I have a permit and I can drive and all, but Daddy
     says I can't take the jeep out without a licenced driver, and since
     your not doing anything and all, you know?
JOSH
     What are the chances of you shutting up until you get your way?
CHER
     Hmmm, slim to none. C'mon!
 

SCENE XI - CHER'S CAR
 

JOSH
     Hey, James Bond, in America we drive on the right side of the road.
CHER
     I am. You try driving in platforms.
JOSH
     Look, I got to get back to school. Ah, you want to practise parking?
CHER
     What's the point? Everywhere you go has valet. What class you going
     to?
JOSH
     Actually, I'm going to a tree people meeting. Me might get Marky
     Mark to plant a celebrity tree.
CHER
     How fabulous. Getting Marky Mark to take
     time from his busy pants-dropping schedule to
     plant trees? Josh, why don't you just hire a
     gardener?
JOSH
     You know, maybe Marky Mark wants to use his popularity for a good
     cause, make a contribution. In case you have never heard of that, a
     contribution is the giving of...
CHER
     Excuse me, but I have donated many expensive Italian outfits to
     Lucy...
JOSH
     time... funds...
CHER
     And as soon as I get my licence I fully intend to brake for animals,
     and I have contributed many hours helping two lonely teachers find
     romance.
JOSH
     Which I'll bet serves your interest more than theirs. You know, if I
     ever saw you do something that wasn't ninety percent selfish, I'd
     die of shock.
CHER
     Oh, that'd be reason enough for me.
 

SCENE XII - SCHOOL
 

CHER
     Would you call me selfish?
DIONNE
     No. Not to your face.
CHER
     Really?
DIONNE
     What's wrong? Is Josh giving you shit because he's going through his
     post-adolescent idealistic phase?
CHER
     Look, there's Mr. Hall.
(The girls run over to Mr. Hall)
     Mr. Hall, Mr. Hall, Mr. Hall, um, do you drink coffee?
MR HALL
     Well, not from this cafeteria. But, uh, yes under normal
     circumstances.
CHER
     Well, I am such a retard. When I was packing Daddy's lunch this
     morning I gave him my lemon snapple, and I took his sucky Italian
     roast. Do you want it?
MR HALL
     Are you sure you don't want it?
CHER
     Duh, it might stunt my growth. I wanna be 5'10" like Cindy Crawford.
     But I thought maybe you and Miss Giest might like it?
DIONNE
     Maybe you can share it?
MR HALL
     Well, uh, thanks.
CHER
     Sure.
(To Dionne)
     Hmm?
(Outside Miss Giest's office, she opens the door)
CHER & DIONNE
     Miss Giest!
MISS GIEST
     Hi girls. Did you sign up for the environmental fair?
DIONNE
     Oh, yeah, we will.
CHER
     You have such pretty eyes. Don't hide them. And these clips are so
     cute.
DIONNE
     And this tiny little waist. Oooh, wow.
MISS GIEST
     Girls. Oh, and don't forget to sign up for the environmental fair.
DIONNE
     Not a total betty, but a vast improvement.
CHER
     Well, we did our best.
DIONNE
     Mmmm, Hmmm.
CHER
     We gotta book it if we're going to make it to P.E.
(Scene moves outside)
     C'mon, Dee.
DIONNE
     Ohh, I feel like failing, dude, c'mon.
CHER
     I know what you mean, but at least it's exercise. I feel like such a
     heffer. I had two bowls of special K, three pieces of turkey bacon,
     a handful of popcorn, five peanut butter M&M's, and like, three
     pieces of licorice.
DIONNE
     (Gasp) Oh, my God. Look. Is that a photo op, or what?
CHER
     Will you look at that body language? Legs crossed towards each
     other. That's an unequivocal sex invite.
DIONNE
     Oh, Cher, he's getting her digits. Look at
     Giest, she is so cute.
CHER
     Ohh, old people can be so sweet.
"Change" Lightning Seeds
     (The following scenes show Miss Giest and Mr. Hall get it on while
     everyone is thanking Cher.)
CHER V.O.
     The entire student body was utterly
     grateful for the improvement in their grades.
 

SCENE XIII - CHER'S HOUSE
 

MEL
     Cher, what's this all about?
CHER
     My report card?
MEL
     The same semester?
CHER
     Uh-huh.
MEL
     What'd you do? Turn in some extra-credit reports?
CHER
     No.
MEL
     You take the mid-terms over?
CHER
     Uh-uh.
MEL
     You mean to tell me that you argued your way from a C+ to an A-?
CHER
     Totally based on my powers of persuasion. You proud?
MEL
     Honey, I couldn't be happier than if they were based on real grades.
CHER
     Thank you.
MEL
     Fabulous.
 

SCENE XIV - SCHOOL P.E.
 

"Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" Robert Hazard
CHER V.O.
     I felt so satisfied, I wanted to do more good deeds.
(Dionne sneezes)
CHER
     Dee, when your allergies act up, take out your nose-ring.
MISS STOEGER
     Follow... through! There you go, there you go. All right, Cher.
     Earth to Cher! Come in Cher!
CHER
     Oh. Miss Stoeger? I would just like to say
     that physical education in this school is a
     disgrace. I mean, standing in line for forty
     minutes is hardly aerobically effective. I
     doubt I've worked off the calories in a stick
     of care-free gum.
(Class cheers)
MISS STOEGER
     Well, you certainly exercised your mouth Cher. Now, hit the ball.
(Ball flies by, inches from Cher's nose)
CHER
     Miss Stoeger, that machine is just a lawsuit waiting to happen!
MISS STOEGER
     Thanks for the legal advice.
(Cher returns to line)
     Dionne? You're up.
DIONNE
     Uh, no, Miss Stoeger? I have a note from my tennis instructor, and
     he would prefer it if I didn't expose myself to any training that
     might derail his teachings.
MISS STOEGER
     Fine! Amber?
AMBER
     Miss Stoeger. My plastic surgeon doesn't want me doing any activity
     where balls fly at my nose.
DIONNE
     Well, there goes your social life.
(Girls giggle. Principal walks onto the scene)
PRINCIPAL
     Miss Stoeger? Got another one. Ladies, we have a new student with
     us. This is Tai Frasier.
MISS STOEGER
     Tai, you don't have time to change, but you could hit a few balls in
     those clothes.
AMBER
     She could be a farmer in those clothes.
CHER
     Dee, my mission is clear. Would you look at that girl? She is so
     adorably clueless. We have got to adopt her.
DIONNE
     Cher, she is toe-up. Our stock would plummet.
CHER
     Dee, don't you want to use your popularity for a good cause?
DIONNE
     No.
CHER
(Motions to Tai)
     C'mere. Yeah, c'mere. Hang with us.
TAI
     Oh, thank you.
CHER
     How do you like California?
TAI
     Man, I am freakin'. I could really use some sort of a herbal
     refreshment?
DIONNE
     Well, we do lunch in ten minutes. We don't have any tea, but we have
     Coke and stuff.
TAI
     No shit! You guys got Coke here?
DIONNE
     Well, yeah.
CHER
     Yeah, this is America.
(Scene changes to the girls walking down main path)
"Unknown song and artist"
CHER V.O.
     So, we decided to show Tai the ropes at Bronson Alcott High School.
CHER
     That is Alana's group over there. They do the T.V. station. They
     think that's the most important thing on Earth. And that's the
     Persian mafia. You can't hang with them unless you own a BMW. And
     there's Elton in the white vest, and all the most popular boys in
     the school.
DIONNE
     Including my boyfriend. Ain't he cute?
TAI
     Yeah.
CHER
     If you make the decision to date a high school boy, they are the
     only acceptable ones.
TAI
     Cher, which one of them is your boyfriend?
CHER
     As if!
DIONNE
     Cher's got attitude about high school boys.
CHER
     It's a personal choice every woman has got to make for herself.
(Murray approaches the girls)
MURRAY (to Dionne)
     Woman, lend me five dollars.
DIONNE
     Murray, I have asked you repeatedly not to call me Woman!
MURRAY
     Excuse me, Miss Dionne.
DIONNE
     Thank you.
MURRAY
     OK, but street slang is an increasingly valid form of expression.
     Most of the feminine pronouns do have mocking, but not necessarily
     in a misogynistic undertone.
(Murray hops away)
TAI
     Wow! You guys talk like grown-ups.
CHER
     Oh, well, this is a really good school.
TAI
     I'm gonna go get a soda. You guys want?
CHER
     Sure.
TAI
     Alright.
DIONNE
     She's nice.
CHER
     Oooh, project!

(Scene changes to inside cafeteria)
"My Iron Lung" Radiohead
TRAVIS (To food)
     Oh, wow. That's disgusting.
(To Tai)
     That's nice representation.
TAI
     Thanks. Those are really nice stickers.
TRAVIS
     Oh, you like 'em? See, I was thinking it was too cluttered. You
     know, I wanna wipe all of this out and concentrate on one main
     decorative statement. Like, uh, Marvin the Martian. Right there.
TAI
     Get outa town! I can do Marvin the Martian.
TRAVIS
     Really?
TAI
     Well, I mean, there's not really a lot to him. But, you wanna see?
TRAVIS
     Yeah.
TAI
     Here.
TRAVIS
     Oh, wow! That's really cool.
TAI
     Thanks.
TRAVIS
     You drew that?
TAI
     Yeah, and wait, I got... one here.
TRAVIS
     You didn't trace this?
TAI
     Uh-uh. No. Here's another one over here. And, lots of little guys.
TRAVIS
     That is so cute!
TAI
     I love to draw.
TRAVIS
     You're really good at it.
TAI
     No.
TRAVIS
     Yeah, really you are.
TAI
     No.
TRAVIS
     Yeah!
(Scene changes to outside)
DIONNE
     Are you sure that's fat free?
CHER
     Oh, yes. And you lose wait by doing it like this. Like really small.
(Dionne giggles/hisses)
     It's true.
TAI
     I met a really cool guy.
CHER
     Describe!
TAI
     Alright, he's got long hair, he's really funny, and straight off,
     right? He offers me some smoke. There he is!
CHER
     Are you talking about drugs?
TAI
     Yeah.
CHER
     Tai, how old are you?
TAI
     I'll be sixteen in May.
CHER
     My birthday is in April, and as someone older, can I please give you
     some advice?
(Tai nods)
     It is one thing to spark up a dubie and get laced at parties, but it
     is quite another to be fried all day.
DIONNE
     Do you see the distinction?
TAI
     Yeah.
CHER
     Loadies generally hang on the grassy knoll over there.
"unknown song and artist" guitarish
     Sometimes they come to class and say bonehead things, and we all
     laugh, of course. But no respectable girl actually dates them.
DIONNE
     Hmm-mm.
CHER
     You don't want to start off on the wrong foot, do you?????????????
(TAI shakes her head)
     I've got an idea. Let's do a make-over!
(Dionne lights up)
TAI
     No, no.
DIONNE
     Oh, c'mon! Let us! Cher's main thrill in life is a make-over. OK, it
     gives her a sense of control on a world full of chaos.
CHER
     Pleeeaaase.
(How could anyone resist that?!)
TAI
     Sure. Why not? Shit! You guys! I have never had straight friends
     before.