There's just one more
in the laundry room.
It's okay.
Mom...
What?
See, everything's fine.
Ashley!
We're going to be late.
I'm coming.
Sure you don't want to wear
something a little nicer?
No mom, I don't.
Okay. You ready?
Sure.
It's going to be fine.
Yeah, just another school.
Okay stop! Stop,
stop, stop.
What, here?
Yeah.
Ashley, that's a
bit extreme.
Mom, it's not
worth the risk.
The most
powerful civilization...
Hi.
Oh, here.
Thanks.
I got it.
A fight... A fight to
the death!
Wanna move?
Nice hoodie.
Oh, uh, thanks.
Miss Beardall used to
work out of here
so I hope this is okay
for you as well.
Of course.
Good because we don't have any
extra office space available.
Okay, let's see, you have
your first hour off,
class in the second
hour, fourth hour,
lunch and a sixth
hour class.
Okay.
And if you need
any help, call me.
That is Mr. Carlisle.
What is he...?
Don't even get
me started.
I need to get back
to my office.
Stop in this afternoon?
Thanks.
Maxie!
Hey! Don't do that!
Wait, did you
say something?
That's what I thought.
Yo, Burnside.
What's up man?
You going to Cal's
this weekend?
Yeah dude!
All right everyone,
take your seats.
I see we have a
new student.
Please stand, tell
us your name.
Um, my name is
Ashley Evans.
Hopefully you're not
too far behind
in the curriculum but
I'll get to you.
Just sit there.
It's always nice to have
some fresh blood here.
Let's turn our text
books to page 207.
Hey, check it out.
She's that girl...
Oh whatever.
Romans!
Did you see how
high she jumped?
Ah, good morning class.
Ancient Rome was one of
the most powerful,
most technologically advanced
societies in the world.
Also one of the
most violent.
Now, can someone tell me
what the coliseum was?
Oh, my parents saw it on a
cruise they went on last year.
Awesome!
What was it?
Awesome.
Oh, oh...
Wei?
Col-i-see-um,
an amphitheater in Rome.
Wei scores! Yes, it is the
amphitheater in Rome.
Thank-you Wei.
Now, the coliseum was the
mecca of all entertainment.
Let's say you wanted to go and
see two warriors fighting.
Yeah!
Where would you sit?
Sitting? I'd be fighting in
the middle of the arena.
Yeah!
That's a beast.
Okay, Nick?
Box seats - wherever
the emperor sat.
Okay. Carrie?
I guess that makes me
queen. Or empress.
No way I'm sitting in
the last section.
Totally! I get it.
Totes!
All right, anyone else?
Max?
Oh, I'd probably just be...
Max, he'd be in the middle of
the coliseum wetting his pants.
Yeah, I'd kick his butt.
Well as a gladiator you'd have
many opponents to fight.
Sure would...
Yeah with one
big difference.
What'd you say?
Uh, nothing.
No, you said something...
What was the difference?
Well...
they fought to the death.
Blondie's right. They
fought to the death
because they were
the lowest class.
What?
Most of them were prisoners of
war, slaves, criminals.
Or just people that the
Romans used to torture.
They had no choice.
It was either fight...
or die.
Throughout the coliseum
crowds roared and
people flocked to see
the latest fight.
Remind you of anything today?
Um, boxing.
Battles we gather to watch.
Anything else?
Oh, American football.
Yes, Wei.
Movies.
That's very insightful Carrie.
See, violence is as much a part
of our society today
as it was in ancient Rome.
Now, we may not literally kill
people for entertainment anymore
but we do flock to death
and suffering.
You ever rubber neck on the
side of the road
to see an accident?
When someone's house
goes up in flames
why do we rush to film it
on our cell phones?
You ever leave a negative
comment online
or spread a rumor for all
the world to see?
I know we talk about
the Romans and how
they really delighted
in the bloodshed,
but I think the real question
today for us here is this...
Why do we take
so much delight
in watching other
people suffer?
History is always
in the making.
What will your
history be?
Hey...
Watch it.
Uh, here.
Thanks.
Yeah.
I'm Max.
Ashley.
What's your next class?
Uh, spanish.
I've got drama.
I hear there's a new
teacher today.
Later!
Okay, well welcome.
I'm really looking
forward to hearing
what you've been
doing in drama.
Um, so what play have you been
working on this semester?
Any of the roles
been cast yet or
are we still in the
casting process?
Anyone?
Oh, thank-you.
Honey can you hand
me a tomato?
So? How'd it go today?
It was just school.
Come on, tell me
about one class.
Okay, um, history
was good.
Really? The teacher seems
kind of eccentric.
Yeah he was.
Okay, look, it's
not perfect.
But we're lucky you
know it's hard to find
a position in the middle
of the school year.
So does that mean we're
lucky
that the previous drama
teacher died?
Lemonade from lemons.
Subtle.
Here's your mom's locker you
loser. Ow, no, come on man!
What's your problem?
I can't believe you stabbed
me in the back like this.
I trusted you.
Lisa I didn't...
Of all people
I can't believe you
went and did that.
Ok, thank-you.
Hi.
Hi.
Where did you get
this dress?
Um, I got it from a costume
store years ago.
I'm thinking about using
it for our play.
I'm Julie Johnson by the way.
I'm the new drama teacher.
Kevin Carlisle,
history.
Wow, you've taken such
good care of it.
Thank-you.
Hey, watch this.
Hey, pick it up!
You gotta give them credit.
They know how to
make their own fun.
Want the run down on
everyone here?
Uh, yeah, sure.
All right. Well, there you've
got your intellectuals.
They got a full ride scholarship
through all the universities.
They're nice enough.
Then we got the foreign
exchange students.
You know, Brazilian, German,
Italian, French. Norwegians.
Now, they're always hanging
out with each other,
but none of them know english.
You gotta wonder how they
communicate right?
Then, right there, the
skaters and the drama geeks.
You know they merged together
because one of them
was dating the other.
Now it was very Romeo and Juliet
at first but now it's cool.
Then, Nick's the leader
of that... um...
Gang?
Yeah.
You know you've got
Burnside right next to him
who is 95% mass, 5% brain.
Then you've got Carrie,
the queen bee.
Got a whole hive following her
all the time, you know.
As long as they're on
top they don't care.
Okay. So they're the
group to avoid.
Yeah, well I try
to ignore them.
You know high school
isn't forever.
Oh, cool.
Um, where is...?
Oh yeah, I'll show you.
Okay.
You spend way too much
time on your costumes.
Carrie, how long did it
take you
to pick out your
clothes this morning?
I changed a couple
of times...
Maybe 20 minutes.
Oh, girls
Not just girls.
Uh, Nick if I'm not mistaken
you're wearing a shirt
from one of those
guy boutiques.
What?
You act like you just
picked whatever shirt
it is you wanted
out of your closet
And I'm willing to
bet you paid... what?
50 dollars for it?
It was 70, so?
Well doesn't it
mean something?
What we wear every day?
Maybe not a lot.
But we think about it.
It's a part of us,
part of our culture.
Part of our history.
Come on.
Since the early
age of knights
we've often had
romantic notions
of how wonderful
these men were.
Riding in on
white horses,
rescuing damsels
in distress.
But who were they?
Well, most knights were
sons of aristocrats.
Noble upper-class families.
Anyone ever heard
of chivalry?
Um, like when you open
the door for a girl?
How would he know?
It's not like any
girl's gonna get that
close to him anyways.
Yeah, that's what
it's become today.
It's been watered down.
Yes, Wei.
Chil-vary.
The rules and customs of
medieval k-nighthood.
Yes. It was a code of
conduct for the knights.
Honesty, obedience to God,
loyalty to king and country.
Humility and charity.
What a drag.
Knights were protectors
of the weak.
They were warriors.
Not just for battle sake.
But to protect.
Wouldn't you want to
become a knight today?
Not really.
Why not?
What's the point of
being a great knight
if that's all you do?
A knight stood on the battle
field and in society
as an example of what
a man should be.
Protectors of the weak
and defenseless,
and warriors against monsters
who threatened this land.
Lame!
You know, that's what all the
wannabe knights said.
They were too busy being
monsters instead of protectors.
Maybe...
If a knight broke this broke
this code of conduct
it was considered treason.
No wonder they're not
around anymore
Actually, they are.
But they're knights in titles
rather than armor.
But even though the
armor is gone,
a knight's ideals should always
remain in fashion.
History is always in the making.
And what will your history be?
Way to stay under the
radar Ashley.
Thank-you for participating
today Ashley.
No problem.
You know, I've put
together a list of
upcoming projects
for the year.
The biggest one
is called the
'History in Your
Life' project.
Okay.
It's a video presentation
about some event in history
and how it has
affected your life.
Wait, my life?
Mm hmm. The details about
it are right here.
Okay. Thanks.
I tracked down this virus
from my aunt's computer.
It's meant to intrude and
collect information
and send it back
to the sender.
Yeah, I found out where the
source is coming from.
Check that out.
That's pretty cool.
Oh, watch it.
Nick! Be careful
with my laptop.
Yeah it would have
fried it right?
Would you cut it out?
Oh, look Max, it's your
knight in shining armor.
I'm sorry, in what world
is this actually cool?
Didn't you push enough kids around
on the playground ten years ago?
Yeah, well,
later losers.
Hey.
Hi.
Have you met a girl
named Angie yet?
Uh, no I don't
think so.
Somebody dropped
out of the play.
I was thinking about using
her as a replacement.
Yeah? What role?
Olivia. We're doing
Twelfth Night.
You'd be such a
great Olivia.
It's not even the
starring role.
Mom, I don't have time in my
class schedule for drama, okay?
This is incomplete.
Well I don't get it.
Well maybe if you spent less
time goofing off with your friends
and more time actually paying
attention you'd understand.
Now I want you to take it
home and try again. Go on.
Hey that's mine.
Hey!
Here's where you're
getting it wrong.
That should be 'y'.
You're making the same
mistake on every problem.
Mr. Carlisle.
Mrs. Tanner,
what a surprise.
I heard something about
weapons in your class
and a stabbed mannequin.
What? Oh that?
It was a plastic sword. Is that
what you're talking about?
Are there more than that?
Oh there's an army.
And what's with the armor?
It's part of my lesson.
I can appreciate a little
devotion to your subject
but some common sense
would be good.
Swords real or fake, they can
send the wrong message.
And a suit of
armor is heavy.
Well I'm the one
wearing it.
It can be used as a
weapon itself.
Well so can a textbook.
But at some point you're going to have
to have a little faith in humanity.
I'm only responding to the concerns
of our students and their parents.
Well tell them to beware of
all those dangerous textbooks.
They have sharp edges.
Yeah, I will.
Hi.
Hi.
Need a break?
So Mrs. Tanner's not a fan, huh?
I can't blame her. I know my
methods are out there.
You do?
Sorry, I mean you just seem
so caught up sometimes.
I've always been fascinated
by history.
I mean, we read these
emotionless passages
out of these textbooks about
some battle or some event.
But if you really
think about it,
you have to be there to
understand the context.
You know? People's lives were
affected from the outcome.
You're really passionate
about this, huh?
Yeah, well, my passion drives
my administration insane.
I don't follow the book from
front to back, you know.
I'd rather focus on
the topic.
The message.
Message?
Yeah, the real message that
history can teach us.
History is not just
about dates and facts.
The real lesson in history is
what we can learn in hindsight.
That way kids can take it
and personalize it
and figure out how they feel
about it today.
Wow. I can certainly understand why
Ashley enjoys your class so much.
Ashley?
Yeah, she's my daughter.
She just doesn't like
people to know.
You're last name is Johnson.
Yup. Well, she changed her name back
to her father's a little while ago.
Oh.
Math?
Science.
Any good?
Yeah, well if you consider chemical
equations to be good then sure.
Want to watch a movie?
Can I pick?
Yeah, well, you promised me
skiing, so... On slopes!
Well you never specified that,
and besides...
Julie!
Hi.
Sorry... Hi.
I really wanted to ask
you if I, um...
if you could maybe, um...
give me your dress?
No, no, the costume
from the other day.
Oh, yeah sure.
Great, thank-you. Oh, can
I borrow you too?
Excuse me?
Okay, I need a volunteer.
Look at this one.
Carrie!
Carrie, can you stand
over here please?
Okay, Carrie. Now imagine you
see this really handsome guy.
That shouldn't be too hard.
How would you go
about meeting him?
Easy, go up and talk to him.
What if you weren't allowed?
Let me show you how it's done.
Max, can you come up
here please?
All right. Max, come on over
here and stand here.
According to society's rules,
a woman could
not even talk to a man
unless she was
formally introduced.
So, my lady Carrie may I
introduce you to
Maximillian of the
house of Bentley.
Max, bow to Carrie.
Good. Carrie, curtsy.
What?
Good, very good.
Ok, have a seat.
Now, that was just
meeting a person.
Now can you imagine
courtship, dating?
Nice curtsy.
Back in the early days, the only way that
a man could meet a woman was at a dance.
Dancing was the one place for true
interaction between a man and a woman.
And it would work something
like this...
A woman would receive
a dance card.
A man would then write his name
down on this dance card
and at the end of
the evening the woman
would review who she danced
with and who she like the best.
Now, if you guys aren't
familiar, I would like to
introduce our new drama
teacher Ms. Johnson.
She's going to help demonstrate
these traditional dances
which we will then all learn.
Now I'm not talking about the
fast paced sweaty stuff
that you guys do today.
You know the...
What I'm talking
about is dancing.
Okay, so, with dancing there
was real communication.
There was no asking each
other out by texts
or poking each
other on Facebook.
It was just man and a woman,
face to face.
With dancing... dancing was the first time
that it allowed you to hold a woman's hand.
Like so...
Dancing allowed for intimate
closeness...
and private conversation.
Okay, everyone come on up here,
Now we're all going to try it.
You know, Mr. Carlisle, I can't really risk
injuring myself in the off season, so...
If you injure yourself doing
this then I'd highly
reconsider calling
yourself an athlete.
All right, come on
guys let's pair up.
Nick and Ashley, Max and Wei,
Brenna and Patrick.
Come on up.
All right, everyone ready?
Grab your partners like this.
And follow us.
Now back in civil war times
dancing was enjoyed by everyone.
It was a way to forget about the conflict
and the bloodshed for a little while.
Now if you attended a ball or a
dance you were expected to dance.
The whole point was to
socialize after all.
Are you dancing with me or
somebody else?
Jealous?
Don't flatter yourself.
Can I ask you a question?
Sure.
You just moved here right?
That's your question?
What makes you think
that you know me?
I don't. I know guys like you.
What's that supposed to mean?
Nothing. Can we just dance?
No. I want to know.
Okay, fine. I know you lame, self
centered guys who always have to be on top.
You can't go two seconds without
putting someone else down. And why?
Because in some perverse way it
makes you feel better.
I'm not all those things.
Fine, prove me wrong.
You know what? I don't have to
prove anything.
Especially not to
some loner girl.
You're right. Who
cares what I think?
And one, two, three, four...
one, two, three and four.
Very good guys.
Okay. Now look at your partner
and bow or curtsy. Milady...
Hi sweetie.
Hey.
How was the rest of your day?
Um, it was okay.
I had a kid cut himself on one
of the pages of the play.
Are you serious?
Bled a lot for a paper cut. I had
to send him to the school nurse.
What is this?
What?
It came here?
Well I changed our address
with the post office.
Yeah, but mom they could
track us here.
They can't.
Are your sure?
They won't track us here, okay?
They got what they wanted.
Sweetie... It's just junk.
Want to get take-out tonight?
Hey.
What? Are you following me now?
No.
Just saw you coming back here and I
thought I'd see what you were doing.
Just exploring. My old school
didn't have anything like this.
It's just an old building.
I mean, nobody really comes
back here anymore.
That's fine by me.
So... kind of a
loner, aren't you?
Does it really matter?
No.
I guess you probably don't have
a boyfriend though. Do you?
I'm sorry, how is that
any of your business?
I guess it's not. I was just...
because you said you...
Just stop.
Okay, fine. I was just trying
to be nice, or whatever.
Yeah, well you could use a
little more practice.
Why?
Why what?
Why are you being nice
all of a sudden?
Why does it matter to you now?
It doesn't.
Okay, um,
Everyone around here knows me.
But you don't.
So...?
Well, it's like one minute you're getting all
over my case and the next you're helping me.
Am I supposed to
apologize for that?
No. I just...
I don't get why you
did what you did.
Look, I helped you with your math
okay, it's not that big of a deal.
It is that big of a deal.
I mean, I wouldn't have helped.
Oh, I know.
I don't know... it was the
right thing to do.
Yeah... the right thing to do.
It doesn't really sound
like me does it?
You know, people can change.
Seriously? People can change?
Yes, seriously.
People can change.
You know Max, right?
Yeah. So?
Why aren't you nicer to him?
I'm plenty nice to Max.
Oh no you are not.
Okay, okay. Um...
Me and Max grew up together.
We were actually friends.
Then he started getting into all
this tech stuff and I don't know.
That's not really how I roll,
so, we drifted apart
I mean, it's like you said,
people change.
Yeah but there's a difference between
changing and changing for the better.
Well, that's it for today.
Uh, but I do have your
next assignment.
Now, here's what I
want you to do:
I want you to pick a place that
has history. Any place at all.
City hall, a museum,
a monument.
Go there and write about it
and what it means to you.
Um, how long does the paper
have to be?
Just two or three pages.
Ugh.
You can make it longer.
Yeah, right.
Due next week
Oh, sorry.
Go ahead.
Thanks.
I could have sworn my
keys were in my purse.
Did you check your
school stuff?
Yeah, I already did.
When did you see
them last?
Yesterday. I came home, put
my purse down...
And what did you do next?
Uh, what did I do? I...
I got something to drink,
I paid the rent,
made dinner.
Found them.
By the spaghetti sauce.
Of course. Any special requests?
Chips and cereal.
Of course. Okay.
Thanks mom.
Hi.
Hi. Um, Is Ashley here?
What are you doing here?
Um, I was just going to go do
that history assignment.
Have you started?
Um, no.
Well, I had a place if
you wanted to go.
Sounds good. Yeah, you should get out,
You should get out a little bit today.
Uh, I'll go get my shoes.
Was that Ms. Johnson?
Yeah.
So Ms. Johnson is your mom?
Yes. But, don't tell
anybody okay?
Okay.
Thanks.
So, Carrie didn't want to come?
No, she had other plans.
She won't mind?
No. I mean, it's not like this
is a date or anything.
It better not be.
This place is so cool.
You come here a lot?
It's the first time. I usually
just see the planes from the road.
It's the first place I thought of when
Mr. Carlisle gave us the assignment.
So, what's your story?
My story?
Yeah, I mean, I don't know
much about you.
Other than the fact that you're
kind of quiet.
At least until you get mad
anyway. Where did you move from?
Uh, a small town a
few hours away.
Did your mom or dad change jobs?
Not my dad.
So, with your mom.
What?
Your mom.
Taking over for the
drama teacher.
Oh, yeah.
That sucks.
Changing schools in the middle
of the year.
Do you miss your friends?
I'm adjusting.
It's cool.
My mom's grandpa flew
one of these.
Yeah?
Uh huh.
Uh, B-17.
Flying fortress.
World War One.
Wait, what?
World War two?
Uh, yeah, they didn't exactly have
planes like this in World War One.
Yeah, well history isn't
my best subject.
Did he ever see any action?
Yeah, he was flying over
Germany when he was fired on.
No way!
Yeah!
What did he do?
It tore through the
whole side,
trapping one
of his crew in the tail.
He had five of his men bail just in
case he couldn't land the plane safely.
And the rest of the men used their
own parachutes to hold the tail on.
Were they okay?
Yeah, he landed the
plane safely.
Well, what was left
of the plane.
They gave him a medal for it.
Is he still alive?
No...
Not many from that time are.
Wow. That's a really cool story.
It's not just a story.
It really happened.
Thanks for today.
Yeah.
Why did you ask me to
go with you?
I don't know. I just thought
you might like it.
I did. So, thanks.
See you at school.
Yeah. Don't forget to
write your paper.
I won't.
In fact I think I know what I'm
going to write on already.
Her great-grandfather saved the
plane and the men in it.
To me it used to be some war
that happened years ago.
But to others it's a real event.
That changes your perspective.
Just like seeing that B-17
changed my perspective.
It wasn't just a story.
It was history.
Well hello.
What brings you here?
Just basking in a
moment of triumph.
One of my students is finally
starting to get it.
Oh, who?
Nick Thomas.
Very good.
You know him and Ashley have
been hanging out lately.
Is he a good kid?
He has potential.
He's spending time
with my daughter,
I'm asking as a mother.
He has potential.
What the... what is this?
A fog machine. I use it in some
of the plays that I do.
You know I'm just being
careful, you know?
What kind of mother would I be if I
let my daughter go out with just anyone?
Kevin?
Hey, you want a drink?
Yeah, sure.
All right, what can I get you?
Well, diet something.
Sheila's got me back on one of
her losing weight schemes again.
Oh boy.
All right, there you go.
Thank-you.
Mm hmm.
Washington's army was a rag-tag
group of British soldiers.
They didn't have the training, the
food, or the equipment of the British.
So three months prior he issued
a general order to his commanders.
"Instant to be observed.
"As a day of fasting,
humiliation and prayer,
"humbly to supplicate the
mercy of Almighty God,
"that it would please and pardon
all manifold sins and transgressions
"and to prosper the arms of
the United Colonies,
"and finally establish the peace
and freedom of America,
upon a solid and lasting
foundation. "
Hey, wait, wait, wait. This
isn't church, dude.
An astute observation.
What's with all the God stuff?
I'm quoting Washington.
Religion was a part of life and
therefore a part of history.
Now, the British and the Americans were
building their forces to battle on Long Island,
and it appeared that the British were
going to beat the Americans badly.
The British sent there ships to
cut off an escape route.
Sorry.
It's okay.
All they had to do was trap
Washington and make him surrender,
and the whole revolution
would be over.
Think of the despair in the
American troops must have felt.
Was God against them?
Was their whole fight in vain
now? Think of your own lives.
Have you ever had something
challenge you?
Made your life completely
unbearable?
Did you think it was the
end of the world?
Well, it wasn't the end of the
world for Washington.
He made his troops
ready to escape.
But in daylight on that island,
the British could easily see
them and corner them.
But then a fog came.
It came and stayed until the
sunlight came up and hid
the American troops and they
escaped unnoticed.
Because of this fog the American
cause was saved once again.
See, history teaches us that
we can't just despair.
Hope may yet come!
Better things may lie ahead!
History is in the making!
What will your history be?
Hey.
Clumsy much?
So that's where my
fog machine went.
Sorry.
But it added to the
ambiance perfectly.
Ok, good.
I should have asked.
I'm not surprised you didn't.
Oh, I know, I do have
to work on that.
All right, you can make
it up to me.
How?
Help me figure out how to
make this scene work.
What happens in it?
It's a scene
where Viola in disguise,
tells Orsino about a young
woman who loves a man so much
but doesn't know how
to tell him.
So what direction are you
thinking about taking it?
I don't know. I need to find a way
to balance the romance and the humor,
I mean, this is Viola almost declaring
her love for Orsino and yet he has no idea.
So do I keep them together?
Apart?
I don't know.
What if she draws closer to
him as she speaks...
And then when she remembers
she's in disguise
she sort of starts
drawing away again?
Um hmm.
You want to try it?
Would you?
Yeah.
Okay.
What page?
Page 141.
"My father had a
daughter, lov'd a man
as it might be perhaps, I were a
woman, I should your Lordship. "
"And what's her history?"
"A blank, my lord.
"She never told her love,
but let concealment,
like a worm in the bud feed
on her damask cheek.
"She pined and thought, and with a
green and yellow melancholy she sat...
"like patience on a monument,
"smiling at grief.
"Was not this love indeed?
"We men say more, swear more,
"but indeed our shows
are more than will.
"For still we prove
much in our vows
but little in our love. "
Hey mom, I can't the
keys to the...
Uh, keys to the house.
We're just rehearsing a scene.
Isn't Viola supposed to step
back there at the end?
Yeah, and Orsino should
probably just stay put.
I'll... I'll wait...
out, yeah.
Did you see what that
Ashley girl's wearing?
Blah.
Yeah, and her hair?
Maxie!
Hey!
Texting your mom?
Let's see what we got here? Cut it out.
Oh, let's buy something.
That looks good.
Oops, how about this one next?
Hey, I love to shop!
Stop.
Hmm, I need new shoes.
Pink maybe?
Hey. Let him go.
Hey! I didn't finish.
You're done.
Dude?
What was that?
You're freaking me out.
It's nothing.
Nothing?
Did you see what you just did?
Did you?
I don't know what's
going on with you
but just stop it.
No.
So you're going to
turn loser on me?
Why do you care?
I don't. I'm not hanging
around for this new Nick.
We're through.
Have fun crying yourself
to sleep at night.
I think I'll be okay.
Okay, those actually
need to be hemmed.
So, how are the kids
liking the play?
Um... When I sum it up
for them they like it.
But the language is a bit
tricky, you know?
Have you ever done
this play before?
Not as a teacher.
I did do a role in
college once though.
Oh... You should act out the
scene for them then.
No.
Why? I dress up and act all the
time. It will inspire them.
Yeah? Well maybe I'll save
inspiration for next year.
I thought you were only staying
until the end of the year.
Yeah. Hopefully it works out.
How's Ashley handling the move?
As well as can be expected.
She's a good student.
She's smart.
I noticed she tries to
stay quiet though.
Yeah.
But she seems like she
has a lot to say.
Well, we've been through a lot.
Divorce?
No... well yeah, but that
was a long time ago.
Oh, when was this?
About five months ago.
She had a ton of friends,
she was a great student.
Well, as great as any
teenage girl can be who spends
more time on the phone
than doing homework.
But, um, suddenly, I mean
completely out of the blue,
everybody started to hate her.
She had no idea why so many of
her friends were pulling away.
And... Well anyway we
found this profile online,
it was linked to all of
her friends,
everyone from her school.
Someone was pretending
to be her.
And they were saying all these
horrible things about everybody else.
And of course everybody
thought it was Ashley.
Well who was it?
Two of my students.
Two girls.
Were they stopped?
No.
Apparently there is a gray
area in the law between
cyber-bullying and free speech.
The local police didn't want
to get involved.
They said if the accusations
were true - if...
that it was
sad and unfortunate,
but probably not illegal.
They didn't believe you?
It was a really tight knit
town, you know?
Even some of the adults
started hearing what Ashley
was supposedly saying...
Absolutely unacceptable!
She should be suspended
if I had any say!
What kind of daughter
have you raised?
Wait!
You should be ashamed of
yourself and her.
Lies spread faster than truth.
And in everyone's mind Ashley was
guilty. The truth didn't matter.
Kids started shunning her at
school. Then attacking her.
With what was being said online
by the other girls it was just
so much hate.
How long did this
go on for?
Two months.
What did the
attorney say?
It wasn't good.
We'll just... this is
going to blow over...
No, mom, wake up! This isn't
going to blow over!
Ashley!
Ashley begged me to move.
We left in the middle of the
night two days later.
Julie, I'm so sorry.
Don't be.
Well, not for me anyway.
Is there anything I can
do to help?
Just be patient with her.
She's a good kid.
It's just going to take a little
while for her to open back up.
Thanks for your help.
Thanks for the pizza.
Hey, um, why did
those girls do it?
Ashley was cast as
the lead in a play,
she used to love theater.
I even had two other faculty members
decide on who to cast just to make sure
I wasn't inadvertently giving
her special treatment.
But one of those girls
really wanted the part.
Wait a minute... All of it
because of that?
Hell hath no fury like
a woman scorned.
And we're talking
about teenage girls.
Hey.
Hi.
Um, what are you doing?
Uh, just studying.
Well would you like to
take a break?
Uh, sure.
You ready for this?
Yeah, I guess so.
You're not scared of heights
or anything are you?
No.
So, what you're going to want
to do is use these grips
and, well, just climb with your
legs and try not to fall.
Okay, this isn't
rocket science.
I should be able to manage.
Want to race?
Hey that's not fair!
Oh yeah!
Okay, you're pretty good at
rock climbing.
But, how is your balance?
My balance?
So I was at the mall the
other day and I saw
these really cute,
lace, yellow...
Ugh!
Hey.
What's up with you?
Don't give me any of that crap.
You're not a saint
so this whole change is what?
A fake?
Oh wait, are you just trying to
score with that Ashley chick?
Hey man... Watch it.
Then what's really
going on?
Nothing.
Yeah, keep telling
yourself that.
You're being a wuss. Don't
forget who you are man.
I'm not.
Maybe I like who I am
better when I'm with her.
Scores! Come on, that wasn't fair.
Hey do you have any props,
1770s American?
Uh, not that I'm know of.
But there's a whole prop closet
I haven't even been through yet.
Ooh, really?
Yeah. What are you
looking for exactly?
I'm not really sure. I
haven't found that thing
to really drive home
an upcoming lesson.
Well we could go and check it
out after school if you want.
That'd be awesome.
Okay.
You are so obvious.
I am not.
Oh, just get back to class.
You get that paper done?
Hey.
Hi.
So did you hear about that
party this weekend?
Oh, I'm not really one
for parties.
Come on. It'll be fun,
I promise.
Uh, okay, we'll see.
Really?
Yeah.
Okay. See you.
See you.
Hey!
Ow!
Stay away from him.
Who?
Oh please, he's not
into girls like you.
Hey, Ashley.
Oh hi!
You came!
Yeah.
Wow, you look great.
Thanks.
Yeah, victory!
Come on.
So... what do you think?
Um, looks like fun.
Yeah?
Yeah.
Well are you ready?
For what?
To swim.
Wait! No!
Really?
You looked hot.
Here we are.
At least it looks more
promising than the last party.
Hey.
That bad?
Lame fest.
Ooh, that one's cute.
Whoa Carrie, who's
your friend?
Watch it Burnside.
She's my cousin.
I'm Mel this is Alana.
Okay cool. I'll see you
later probably.
I'll get your number.
Maybe.
Ow.
Hey, it was an accident.
Sure it was.
It was!
I'm sorry. You okay?
Yeah.
Sorry.
Hey!
No!
That little slut!
Who?
Is that...? No way!
Look who's here.
Ashley!
You know her?
Hey are there any
towels anywhere?
Uh, sure. Good luck.
Thanks.
Nick...
Hey.
We need to talk.
Yeah, well I'm a
little wet, so...
You need to see this.
Hi Ashley.
What are you doing here?
You didn't move
far enough away.
People still talk about you
at home you know.
About what you did.
I didn't do any of those things.
Yeah, that doesn't really
matter, does it?
I can't believe you!
HOW COULD YOU?
YOU RUINED MY LIFE!
Stop, okay!
Look, you got what you wanted.
Just leave me alone.
But what's the fun in that?
Why? Why me?
Why not? You got in my way.
You are so messed up.
YOU'RE SO HORRIBLE!
YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED!
Well I'm not. Okay?
And if you think that you can
blackmail me here, you're wrong.
I didn't think anyone would
have a reason to blackmail you.
Nick.
This is a very different
side of you.
What?
"Darren gained 15 pounds
over this weekend
making out with donuts. "
Did you Photoshop this?
"I caught Libby in the closet
with the janitor. What a ho. "
"Lisa, if you don't
get some gum,
I'm going to start
Lysoling your mouth. "
That's funny...
Yeah, it's a very interesting
profile you have here, Ashley...
Johnson.
I didn't say any
of those things.
Oh really?
You're just going to pretend like
you had nothing to do with this?
Do you know how many people
you hurt back home?
And now you're trying to do
it over again here!
Nick... please listen.
No, Ashley. I'm done listening
to all your crap.
Okay. You're crap about
the way I act...
make me feel like I've
done everything wrong.
Yet here you are...
the biggest hypocrite of all.
Been so busy judging
everyone else
you never really stopped
to look at yourself.
Nick, you have no idea what
you're talking about.
YOU'RE SUCH A FAKE!
GET OUT OF HERE!
Yeah, no one wants you
here anyway.
Just go Ashley.
Ashley?
Ashley?
Ashley what happened?
Did something happen with
you and Nick?
Mom just go away.
Come on, let me in.
Please mom, would you
just leave me alone?
Then she falls in...
Hey look, there she is!
So embarassing...
Should have stayed home...
Watch out.
Did you see her last night?
How embarassing.
Loser.
Hey Ashley.
Are you all right?
Yeah.
I saw the video of what
happened the other day.
I'm so sorry, I...
Your're a ho you know that?
Would you just
leave me alone?
How could you be so mean
to my cousin?
I wasn't. And I'm willing to
bet that you know that.
Yeah, but that's just
our secret.
Hey!
Next time you
insult my family
you better be ready to
face me. Got it?
Mel said it took her a couple of
months to run you out of town...
I'm betting I can do it
in a matter of days.
Nice locker!
So I wanted the pink ones...
I can't believe you
trashed my locker!
I don't know what you're
talking about.
Oh, drop the act.
It wasn't me.
Okay, fine, then you had
someone do it for you.
Maybe, maybe not.
You'll never know.
Why are you doing this to me?
Do I need a reason?
Now get out of here.
Yeah, girl fight!
Get off of me!
Stop it! That is enough!
I expect better behavior than
this from the both of you.
You are the last two girls I
would expect to be fighting.
She vandalized my locker!
I would never do
something like that!
She probably
did it herself.
Have you seen what she did at
her old school to get attention.
Oh stop it!
Look at all the mean
things she was saying.
That's a lie.
Mrs. Tanner, I've
grown up here. You know me.
Does this sound like me?
Ashley, I know you're new here and
your mother was sketchy on your history,
but at my school we don't stand idly
by while one student hurts another.
I didn't start this.
Oh please, you did it before!
Ashley!
What's going on here?
Max, did you see where
Ashley went?
Yeah, she went that way.
Thanks!
Wait, what's going on?
Ashley?
I'm done. I can't do
this anymore.
I spoke to Mrs. Tanner.
It's going to be okay.
Did she believe you?
See? It's just happening
all over again.
Why? Why is this
happening to me?
I don't know. But we're
going to fight this.
Why mom? There's no point.
Nobody believes me,
it doesn't matter
what I say.
And you know none of this would
have happened if it weren't for you.
Ashley, that's not fair.
No, mom. You're the one
that was always saying
what a good student I was,
and praising me.
No wonder they came after me.
You know if it wasn't you it
was going to be somebody else
You know how many times
I've wished that?
I bet you do.
Now you're dating
Mr. Carlisle...
are you trying to make
this worse for me?
We're not dating.
It sure looks like you are.
Look, Ashley,
if you want to blame me, fine.
I'm okay with that.
But better yet blame the girls
that are at fault here.
Blame Alana and Mel,
and now Carrie.
If it makes you feel any
better blame everybody who
never believed the truth.
I'm sure there's plenty
of blame to go around.
But whatever you do,
do not give them the satisfaction
of tearing us apart too.
I'm sorry.
Hey...
Ashley...
You know, maybe we shouldn't
have run before.
We gave them exactly what
they wanted.
I'm just so tired of it all.
I know... I know.
I don't know what to do.
Well whatever you do,
whatever you decide,
if you stay or go,
fight or run,
we're going to do it
together, okay?
Okay.
I love you mom.
I love you too.
It's okay.
Celebrations and balls were
early versions of pageants.
My mother, aunts and sisters
all followed tradition
to be beautiful winners.
I'm sure I'll follow
in their footsteps and
become another winner
in beauty pageant history.
Thank-you Kylie. That
was interesting.
Hey Nick,
you wanna go see a movie
later tonight?
No.
Nick.
What?
Have you seen Ashley?
No, and I don't want to.
I can't believe you
think she'd do that.
And you don't.
I know her better than that.
I don't buy it.
Okay, well you're
the only one.
Look, man, I saw it, I saw
what she wrote online.
Just because you heard something new
about her doesn't mean that it's true.
Well it doesn't mean
that it's not.
Does any of it even sound like
the Ashley that you know?
Okay look, she was pretending.
Why? I mean obviously people hated
her for the crap that was written.
If it was her why wouldn't
she take it down?
I don't know.
My guess is that it
was a fake account.
Okay, look, whatever.
You remember that rumor you
started about me?
How I put Principal Tanner on
the FBI's most wanted list?
Yeah. So?
What spread faster? That rumor or
me trying to say I didn't do it?
Just give her the benefit
of the doubt.
It is important. It helps me to
know what you don't know...
...what we need to focus on.
If you don't know how to do the
whole problem...
just do the bits you know
how to do.
Can I help you?
Um, yeah, is Ashley here?
She wasn't feeling up to
school today.
Is she here?
Did she answer?
No.
Then no.
Okay look, I just want
to talk to her.
Yeah...
Look... I was stupid.
Okay, I heard some things about
you and I just...
I assumed they were true.
But, I don't know what happened
to you before you moved here.
But, if I'm going to hear
it from anyone
I'd rather it be you.
Well you sure seemed like you
knew everything at the party.
I was stupid.
You can be mad at me.
I mean, obviously you are.
But, if it helps,
throw it at me.
Feel better?
No.
There's only one thing I can
think of that'll help.
Telling everybody off?
Do you really think
that they'd care?
Maybe. I mean, I did.
When you called me out
on being, well, me.
I just... I've got to leave
this place behind.
Thinking of moving?
I want to.
I don't know.
Stay.
Please?
You've no idea what I'm going
to face if I stay.
I'll be right here with you.
You said it yourself - you
don't even know what happened.
That doesn't matter.
I know you.
Mine went farther.
Hey.
Hi.
I didn't know you play.
Oh, I don't.
I just figured my life is pretty
much a country song anyway.
So, might as well learn.
Well... I brought you your
missing homework assignments.
Gee, thanks.
You're welcome.
Oh, and your video presentation
is due in history tomorrow.
Oh my gosh, I haven't
even started on that.
Well, would
you like some help?
Hey Max... yeah it's Nick.
So I was wondering if you could
help us with something?
Yeah, yeah. We're over at
Ashley's. Okay.
He said he'd be right over.
Okay.
I think this could work.
Yeah, it's perfect.
I guess you're innocent.
Come on... Ahh.
Max, this is great!
Oh, thanks.
You sure you can
pull this off?
Hacking into the school
network is cake.
Hey. You ready?
I think so.
Don't worry. You're
going to be great.
Okay, let's do this.
All right.
Continuing with our video
presentations
History in your life...
Ashley.
Thank-you.
Hi, my name is Ashley Johnson.
Not Evans...
I changed my name
when I moved here.
And I'll get to why later.
But the event in history that
I want to talk about
happened in many
parts of the world.
It happened over three
hundred years ago...
and resulted in the
deaths of anywhere from
50 thousand to
100 thousand people.
In colonial Masachusetts this event
started in a village called Salem,
where these girls
started having fits.
And these fits disturbed
local authorities.
What's wrong with these
crazy girls?
There's witches, three witches.
They put a curse on us.
Well bring the
witches here.
So, you're a witch?
No I'm not.
Too bad. That's the
story we're going with.
But it's not true.
Well, we'll
see. Drown her.
If she floats to the top
and is alive, she's a witch.
What if she survives that?
Then how do we execute her?
We'll hang her.
But what if I
die from drowning?
Well then, I guess
you're innocent.
Come on!
The girls' accusations led to a
chain of hysteria.
Over 200 people were accused
of witchcraft and 20 were hung.
Now the colony eventually
admitted that the witch trials
were a mistake.
But you're probably wondering how
this bit of history relates to my life.
I used to think that history
didn't really matter
Know that you could
just forget the past.
Ignore it and move on.
But, where I lived
before I came here...
It wasn't enough
that I was a good person,
All it took were those that
wanted to ruin my reputation.
I was accused of
terrible things.
And I did none of them.
All it took were two
girls and false accusations.
In a matter of days I lost
most of my friends.
A couple of my closest ones
held on for a few more weeks.
But people were believing the lies so
much that they started attacking me.
And other than my mom,
I had no one to
believe in me.
So, we ran away. And it didn't
help like I thought it would.
And for those of you that have heard
anything about me in the last few days...
you already know that.
And if history has
taught me anything,
it's that there are those people out
there that love to watch others suffer.
Loyalty fades under pressure.
And there are very few knights out
there that are willing to fight for you.
But they are out there.
But you know what?
My past... it isn't the
end of the world.
Better things are in store.
I just have to fight for them.
So I'm standing up.
I'm not going to sit here and
wait for someone to come forward
and admit that they made a
mistake. Enough is enough.
I'm not going to bow down to those who
get a thrill from watching me suffer.
In Salem, all it took to destroy
someone that you didn't like
was to call them a witch.
And today you just make up
some other lie.
Essentially, I have been
accused of being a witch.
No matter what I say, the witch
trials find me guilty.
But I know what happened.
So, I guess it's up to you to
decide whether you want to think
and feel for yourself,
or wait until I drown.
History is what you make
of it right?
So I'm making sure that
mine is the truth.
Hi, my name is Ashley Johnson...
You're a witch!
No I'm not...
I was accused of
terrible things...
So I'm standing up...
Enough is enough!
History is what you make
of it right?
So I'm making sure that
mine is the truth.
All it took were two girls
and false accusations.
In a matter of days I lost
most of my friends...
Do you want to say something to
me? Say it to my face!
That's them!
So...
Now that things are fine
with you and Ashley,
Do you think it would
crank up the awkwardness if
you and I went out on a date?
Yes, definitely.
But she's a strong girl...
She can handle it. Besides, I
think she likes history.