Paying Attention (transcript)

"Paying Attention" is the eleventh episode of the show "My Better Autistic Life".
Paying Attention
Episode # 	Series 12, Season 1, Episode 11
Previous Episode 	Staying Healthy 
Next Episode  	Eating a Better Lunch 
==Transcript==
(The episode starts by taking place at Debbie's house, then it zooms into Maraya's room. Maraya is seen relaxing on her bed and gets up when she greets the viewers)
Maraya: Oh, hi viewers! I'm just thinking about what to do while you're talking.
(A bubble of people talking pops up in Maraya's head. She tells the viewers what to do while they're talking)
Maraya: When the other person's talking, you have to pay attention to what they're saying. But if you're talking, you have to look at the other person's eyes, or do eye contact.
(The bubble pops away out of Maraya's head when she suddenly hears someone calling her name)
Haley (not seen): Maraya!
Maraya (shocked): Whoa! Who said that?
(While Maraya was thinking in a shocked feeling, Haley calls her name again)
Haley (not seen): Maraya! 
(While Maraya was still thinking about it, she looks behind her and sees Haley while the scene zooms out)
Haley: Maraya! Are you listening to me? You know that I'm trying to talk to you.
(Maraya shakes her head at Haley hard while she was confused)
Maraya: No, I am not. And sorry for not listening and paying attention to you.
Haley: That's okay. Just try paying attention more next time.
(Maraya rolls her eyes after Haley told her that. Then, she continues talking to her)
Haley: By the way, it's lunchtime. Come on, Maraya!
(While she was speaking, she grabs Maraya's hand and takes her downstairs. The scene changes to where Maraya tries to eat. While she was eating, she looks up at her grandma and sees her staring at Maraya. She points out at Debbie and tells her that it's not polite to stare at people)
Maraya: Grandma, it's not polite to stare at people.
Debbie: Maraya, I'm not staring at you. I'm talking to you.
Maraya: Oh. Okay.
(She continues eating her lunch when suddenly her grandma shocks her by saying that she's eating too fast)
Debbie (not seen): Maraya, you're eating too fast.
(After Debbie told her that, she tries to catch her spoon before it dropped on the floor)
Maraya: Whoa! Grandma, I'm not even eating fast. I'm eating slow and steady. See?
(She eats two spoonfuls of her lunch slowly. Then while she's actually talking about eating fast, a bubble with herself eating too fast pops up)
Maraya: Eating too fast looks like this.
(But the bubble pops away out of her head and Debbie tells her that she's eating too fast and needs to pay attention)
Debbie (not seen): Well, you need to stop eating so fast. Plus, you need to pay attention when other people are talking, okay?
Maraya (frustrated): Gah! Okay, okay! I will pay attention, you'll see.
Debbie (not seen): Thank you, Maraya. You may continue eating.
(Maraya continues to eat until the scene changes to where Maraya is back upstairs. Suddenly, someone else calls her name to come down)
Steve (not seen): Maraya! Come down! I want to tell you something!
Maraya (frustrated): Okay. I'm coming, I'm coming!
(She gets up from her bed to walk downstairs. The scene changes again to where Maraya is walking to where Steve is)
Steve: There you are, Maraya. I got to tell you that your behavior at lunchtime was bad, so I made a list of house rules for you to follow.
(As Maraya reads the big list of rules, she gets shocked)
Maraya (shocked): Huh?! (reading while not seen) 'No name calling'? 'No roughhousing'? 'Always follow and obey my rules'? (she stops reading) This is weird!
Steve: Maraya, it isn't weird. They're there to teach you a lesson.
Maraya: Huh? I don't get it. Why do I need house rules if I'm 15 and already knows these?
Steve: Because you're autistic, Maraya. I'll show you. Haley!
Haley (walking over): What?
Steve: Look what I have.
(When Haley reads the list of rules, she gets shocked too)
Haley (shocked): What? What's this, Steve?
Steve (not seen): It's a list of house rules for you to follow.
Haley (not seen): This is ridiculous! Why do you have house rules in here? I'm 17.
Steve: Haley, don't you want to be in trouble?
Haley: No…
Steve (not seen): Okay, then follow them.
Haley: Alright!
Steve (not seen): Okay. Here we go. Now the first house rule is when you visit us, you need to always knock on the door.
Haley: Okay, I'm getting it.
Steve (not seen): Good. Now the second house rule is to never do any name calling.
Haley: Then what?
Steve (not seen): Then, the third rule is to never do any roughhousing, such as fighting.
(While Steve was telling them the house rules, a bubble with a picture of Ruff pops up in Maraya's head. Then the scene changes to where Steve told them the last rule)
Steve (not seen): Now, the last rule is very important, but the last rule is to always follow and obey my rules. (he is seen again after he finished) And that's all the house rules I get to tell you about.
Maraya (confused): Huh? What did Steve say about the rules?
Haley: Maraya, you didn't pay attention to what Steve was saying. And plus, you just disobeyed rule number 10 the whole time!
Maraya (confused): Huh? What's rule number 10?
Steve: Rule number 10, Maraya, is to always pay attention to what someone's saying. And since you didn't pay attention to what I was saying, you have two more chances until you get into some trouble, okay?
Maraya: Okay.
(She walks back upstairs to her bedroom. The scene changes again to where Maraya got to her bedroom. When she got to her bedroom, she lands her bottom on her bed and talks to herself)
Maraya: Wow. I can't believe not only some strange things are happening, but I failed paying attention three times! (the scene zooms into her and Maraya looks at the camera) What I need is someone to help me pay attention better. But who? Hmmm…
(Maraya thinks about it for a second. Then a bubble with the picture of Ruff pops up again as Maraya gasps)
Maraya (gasps): I got an idea! I can get Ruff to help me! He can help me with anything there is.
(She gets out of her bed quickly and is seen walking to her computer)
Maraya (walking over): All I have to do is to make Ruff come to life, and I will need your help. To make Ruff come to life, we need to say the magic spell. Say the magic spell with me.
(She looks down at her computer and starts to say the magic spell)
Maraya: Computer, computer,
Let me see Ruff 
Let me see Ruff 
So life won't be tough!
(Then after she says the magic spell, she hops back on her side of the bed so Ruff can come to life. Out of her computer comes some magic dust, then Ruff comes out and lands on the floor. He walks over to the other side to where Maraya is, but when Ruff talks to her, she has her head turned)
Ruff: Hello, Maraya. What can I help you with today?
(After Ruff greets her, he notices that Maraya isn't paying attention to him)
Ruff: Maraya? Maraya, are you talking to me? (sing song voice) 🎵Maraya!🎵
(When Ruff calls Maraya's name for the third time, she gets shocked and looks behind herself)
Ruff: Hi! Um…were you listening to me, Maraya?
Maraya: Uh…no. I wasn't.
Ruff: That's okay. Try listening to me the next time. By the way, what do you need me to help you today? You have any problems?
Maraya: Well, before I tell you my problems for today, some strange things are happening to me.
Ruff: Like what?
Maraya: Like when I was having lunchtime with my family, my grandma told me not to eat so fast. And I wasn't even eating fast at lunchtime.
Ruff: Well, your grandma must be acting dumb if you weren't eating fast. What else has happened to you after that, Maraya?
Maraya: My grandpa then made a list of house rules for me and Haley to follow. And even though I was 15 and my sister was 17, we still had those weird house rules for no reason.
Ruff: But, Maraya. It's good to have house rules, because they keep you from being disciplined.
Maraya: Disciplined? 
Ruff: Yes. They keep you from being disciplined.
Maraya: Oh. I get it. But let me tell you more about the house rules I disobeyed today.
Ruff: Oh no. You disobeyed a rule? Which one?
Maraya: Rule number 10, which is to always pay attention when someone's talking.
Ruff: Oh. You disobeyed just that one rule?
Maraya: Uh huh.
Ruff: Well, can you show me the whole list of the house rules?
Maraya: Yeah. Come on!
(Maraya grabs Ruff's hand and leads him downstairs while they are running. But when they both get downstairs, they get caught from Debbie)
Debbie (not seen): Maraya, you just disobeyed rule number 13.
Maraya (confused): Huh? What was rule number 13?
Debbie (not seen): Rule number 13 is no running in the house.
Maraya: Uh oh! I just disobeyed another house rule!
Ruff: Actually, we disobeyed rule number 13.
Maraya: Oh. So I wasn't the only one who disobeyed rule number 13?
Ruff: No. You're not. But please, show me the other rules on the list.
Maraya: Okay.
(She leads Ruff to the list of house rules. When he looks at the list of house rules, he gets shocked as well)
Ruff (not seen): Whoa! Look at all those house rules. Now, tell me. Which one is rule number 10?
Maraya (not seen): That one.
Ruff (not seen): Hmmm…let's see here. (reading) 'Always pay attention when the other person's talking'. (stops reading) Why, Maraya. That's not hard to do, it's pretty easy.
Maraya: It is hard to do, Ruff. And plus, that's my problem.
Ruff: Huh? That's your problem? 
Maraya: Yes! I have a problem with paying attention to other people when they're talking.
Ruff: Well, don't worry, Maraya. I'll help you on that, because Ruff can help you with anything. Come on!
(He grabs Maraya's hand and walks her back upstairs. The scene changes to where they get to Maraya's bedroom)
Ruff: Okay, Maraya. Now that we're in your bedroom, let me help you with paying attention to other people. Now before I help you, tell me how you disobeyed rule number 10.
Maraya: Okay. Well, first, I didn't pay attention to my sister. Then my grandma, and now my grandpa. But while I was eating lunch with my family, I thought that my grandma was staring at me, so I caught her from doing it.
Ruff: Maraya, your grandma wasn't staring at you. She was wanting to talk to you.
Maraya: Huh? She wasn't?
Ruff: No. She wanted you to pay attention to her so she can talk to you.
Maraya (confused): Huh? I don't understand. Why did my grandma want to talk to me?
Ruff: I don't know. Maybe when she talks to you, you have to pay attention to what she's saying.
Maraya (still confused): Huh? What? Tell me more, Ruff.
Ruff: You have to pay attention to what the other person's saying, because if you don't, then you're going to get confused. 
Maraya: Are you meaning like for example, paying attention in the other person's eyes?
Ruff: Yes! Exactly, Maraya, exactly! And when you look at the person's eyes while they're talking, you'll understand them better.
Maraya (still confused): Huh?
Ruff: It's called eye contact, Maraya.
Maraya: Eye contact? What's eye contact?
Ruff: Eye contact is when you look at the other person's eyes while the other person is talking.
Maraya: Oh. I get it now. I have problems with eye contact.
Ruff: Good! Now that you get it, then how about if we can practice some eye contact?
Maraya: Yeah! Let's do it!
Ruff (not seen): Okay!
(Then they start practicing not only their conversation, but also their eye contact too. Ruff starts the conversation by greeting her)
Ruff: Hi, Maraya! How are you today?
Maraya: I'm doing well. How about you?
Ruff: I'm doing fine myself. Hey, Maraya. Are you thirsty?
Maraya: Yeah.
Ruff: Then come on. Let's go downstairs.
(The scene changes to where Maraya and Ruff are going downstairs to the kitchen to get some drink. When they got to the kitchen, he gets out a pitcher of water and pours Maraya a glass of it. Maraya drinks up the water and Ruff asks her a question)
Ruff: That's good stuff, isn't it, Maraya?
Maraya: Yeah. Thanks, Ruff.
Ruff: You're welcome, and thank you for paying attention to me.
Maraya: You're welcome, Ruff. Now let's go back upstairs.
Ruff: Okay.
(They walk out of the kitchen and goes back upstairs to Maraya's bedroom. The scene changes again to where they get to her bedroom)
Ruff: Wow, that was a great practice conversation, wasn't it, Maraya?
Maraya: Yeah. Thank you for helping me practice my poor eye contact, because I think it's gotten better.
Ruff: You're welcome, Maraya, and I think it's good that it's gotten better.
Debbie (not seen): Maraya! Come down and set the table for dinner, please.
Maraya: Okay! (starts talking to Ruff) Ruff, can you go down and watch me pay attention to my grandma?
Ruff: Sure! I would love to!
Maraya: Great! Then let's go.
(The scene changes again to where Maraya and Ruff reach to the kitchen and start talking to Debbie)
Debbie: There you are. Can you please set the table for us?
Maraya: Okay!
(Maraya runs to the table with the silverware in her hands. When she gets to the table, she begins to set it up for dinner)
Maraya (not seen): We need…a spoon here, a spoon there…a bowl here and a bowl there. (the scene starts to zoom out) There. Haley, Steve! Dinnertime!
Haley: Wow, that was quick.
Maraya: It was quick, Haley. Now, let's eat!
Haley: Okay! 
(Then everyone begins to laugh as the scene changes to where Maraya is in her bedroom)
Steve (not seen): Maraya! Come down!
Maraya: Okay! Come on, Ruff!
(It changes again to where Maraya and Ruff were downstairs with Steve)
Steve: There you are, Maraya. I just want to tell you since your behavior has gotten better, I'm going to take the list of rules down.
(As he takes it down, Maraya and Ruff cheer)
Maraya: Yay! No more rules! Whoo-hoo!
Ruff: Yay!
(After they just cheered, Haley and Debbie come to them and also start applauding)
Debbie: Yay! Maraya knows how to pay attention to us now!
Haley: Whoo-hoo! Great job, Maraya!
Steve: I agree! Incredible job!
Ruff (gasps): Maraya, you did it! You know how to pay attention to pretty much everyone now!
Maraya: Yay!
Ruff: Great job, Maraya! Ruff is very proud of you!
Maraya (laughing): Ruff, thank you for helping me today!
Ruff: You're welcome, Maraya, but now Ruff's got to go!
Maraya (sad): Aw…but, Ruff. Why? I don't want you to go!
Ruff: Don't worry, I'll come back. I promise.
Maraya (sad): Okay. Well, goodbye Ruff!
Ruff: Bye bye, Maraya. I'll see you soon!
Maraya: Bye, Ruff! I'll see you soon too!
Ruff: Goodbye, Maraya. See you another time!
(As he disappears into the computer, Maraya says goodbye one final time and thanks him for helping)
Maraya: Bye, Ruff! Thank you for helping me with paying attention today, because now, I can pay attention to you too!
(After Ruff disappears and Maraya says goodbye, she walks up four steps. Then she looks at the camera and thanks her viewers for helping her today too)
Maraya (looking at camera): And thank you, viewers, for helping me too! I could've done it without you! And now that Ruff's helped me today, I now have a better autistic life. (winks) Goodbye!
(She continues to walk back upstairs to her bedroom. While she's doing it, the scene zooms out of Debbie's house and when Debbie's house was zoomed out completely, the scene fades out, causing the episode to end)
==Characters==
*Maraya 
*Maraya's Computer 
*Ruff 
*Haley 
*Debbie 
*Steve
==Trivia==
*This is the first episode where Maraya says goodbye to the viewers at the end of the episode.
*Skill(s) that Ruff helps Maraya with: paying attention, eye contact.
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Category:My Better Autistic Life (Season 1)