Communication Breakdown

**Communication Breakdown** (103) is the third episode of the first season of the *Younkers* series.

Previous Episode: **Give It Up** (102)

Next Episode: **A House Is Not A Home** (104)

## Full Story

### Scene 1

CJ walks into his second period class. Angela is smiling at him, but Harrison is angry.

* CJ: What's wrong, man?
* Harrison: Well, your brother embarrassed me.
* CJ: I told-
* Harrison: I guess I'm never gonna popular, huh?
* CJ: That's why I-
* Harrison: All those hot girls there. Probably laughing at me right after I left.
* CJ: Well that's the-
* Harrison: The worst part is-
* CJ: CAN YOU LET ME FINISH?!
* Harrison: Alright, damn.
* CJ: I told you that place was not for you. I wasn't trying to kill your vibe. I know how my brother is. There had to be something going on when he was trying to be all nice to you.
* Harrison: Oh, so nobody cool could like me. Is that it?
* CJ: No, he's just... It sucks being his brother sometimes. What were you gonna say?
* Harrison: What- OH, yeah! The worst part is I can't find my phone anywhere.
* CJ: Oh no. What did your mom say when you got home?
* Harrison: She was really mad. Your mom lets you guys go to that park all the time.
* CJ: Nah, Justin tells her we're going to my dad's house.
* Harrison: And she doesn't find out?
* CJ: They don't really talk. They kinda hate each other?
* Harrison: Why?
* CJ: They used to fight a lot.
* Harrison: About what?
* CJ: How should I know?
* Harrison: You don't listen to the arguments?
* CJ: They don't argue.
* Harrison: I thought you said they fight.
* CJ: They do. I just never hear the argument.

Angela is listening really closely to this conversation.

* Harrison: So, how do you know they fight?
* CJ: I see them fight!
* Harrison: WELL WHAT DO THEY SAY?!
* CJ: THEY DON'T SAY ANYTHING!!
* Angela: Cam, stop. He doesn't get it.
* Harrison: Get what?!
* CJ: It's not that hard to understand.
* Harrison: You're messing with me too, huh? You're no different than Justin.

Angela gasps.

* CJ: Go to hell.
* Harrison: You go to hell. Nobody likes you.
* CJ: Nobody likes me?!
* Angela: Babe, chill out.
* CJ: NOBODY LIKES ME?!

Brian Chambers turns around.

* Brian: Can you two shut up?
* Harrison: Mind your business.
* Brian: What?

Brian stands up. Harrison also does. The teacher starts to walk towards them.

* Harrison: You think you're big?!
* Mr. Burke: Hey, you two need to stop this.
* Harrison: You two.

Harrison walks out of the room as the teacher is telling him to sit down. Harrison slams the door.

* Angela: What was that about?
* Mr. Burke: Let's get back to the assignment.
* Brian: What?! He's not in trouble.
* Mr. Burke: Take your seat Mr. Chambers.
* Brian: But-
* Mr. Burke: SIT!

Mr. Burke continues teaching.

### Scene 2

Jenny and Angela are sitting together at lunch.

* Angela: He just like flipped out.
* Jenny: I mean some guys are like that.
* Angela: They just get mad over stupid little things?
* Jenny: No but you didn't see how JJ and his boys were treating him on Friday.. I would've been pretty mad too.
* Angela: Why did JJ even do that?
* Jenny: We know he's kind of an ass.
* Angela: Why do you even date him?
* Jenny: I don't know. He's kind of exciting.
* Angela: He seems to piss you off a lot.
* Jenny: He does, but he knows what to say every time I'm mad at him. He's sweet when he wants to be.
* Angela: That's not sweet. That's manipulative.
* Jenny: Who cares. How's it going with you and Cam??
* Angela: It's great. He's actually sweet. He's all about me. I love it.
* Jenny: Sounds kinda wimpy. I don't like guys like that.
* Angela: You can keep letting your boyfriend treat you like crap.
* Jenny: You've only been dating him for like 3 days. Relax.
* Angela: I bet I know more about him than you know about JJ.
* Jenny: What's his birthday?
* Angela: You don't even know their birthday.
* Jenny: Yeah I do.
* Angela: What is it then?
* Jenny: November-
* Angela: (*fakes buzzer sound*) July 7th.
* Jenny: Oh. Virgos.
* Angela: You're so stupid.
* Jenny: Aren't Virgos the ones in July?
* Angela: They're cancers.
* Jenny: What a horrible name for a sign.
* Angela: They're both like the living definition of a cancer.
* Jenny: That doesn't sound good.
* Angela: No. Look, there's stereotypes about these signs. Cam's all the good ones.
* Jenny: What about JJ?
* Angela: He's all the bad ones.
* Jenny: How?
* Angela: Cancers are sensitive, loyal, and emotional. That's Cam. But then, they're also manipulative. That's Justin. Look, it's all right here. (*shows Jenny the phone*)
* Jenny: Astrologyzodiacsigns.com. So a website that's never met our boyfriends is telling you about them?
* Angela: Is that stuff not true?
* Jenny: It is. But it seems stupid. Wait, how did we get to history?
* Angela: Oh my god.
* Jenny: Weren't we talk about your boyfriend's psycho best friend.
* Angela: He's usually not like that. I don't get it.
* Jenny: (sees Cam walking) CJ!

CJ walks up to them.

* CJ: You know I really hate being called CJ.
* Jenny: What do you want me to call you?
* CJ: Cam.
* Angela: I knew that.
* Jenny: Who cares. Look, what's up with your friend?
* CJ: Who? Harrison?
* Jenny: What other friend is there?
* Angela: Jenny!
* CJ: Why aren't you on Justin's leash?

Angela laughs.

* Jenny: Why aren't you on Angie's?
* CJ: Wait, what about Harrison?
* Jenny: Why'd he flip out in class?
* CJ: Maybe because you guys are always torturing him every chance you get.
* Jenny: You guys? It's JJ.
* CJ: Do you ever stop it?
* Jenny: No.
* CJ: Then you're part of it.
* Jenny: But I'm not doing anything.
* CJ: You're letting it happen.
* Jenny: Not everyone is okay with ruining everyone's plans. You actually get in the way so much that JJ had to plan for it so he could get Harrison to the park.

Angela starts to look nervous.

* Jenny: That's why Angie-
* Angela: Shut up!
* Jenny: Oh. Yeah. My bad.
* CJ: That's why Angie what?
* Jenny: I didn't mean to-
* CJ: Angie what? What did you do?
* Angela: Babe, calm down. It's not what you think.
* Jenny: Don't be getting loud with my sister.
* CJ: Would you shut up?! I'm sick of you. You're not relevant. You're just my brother's bitch.

Jenny slaps CJ in the face. CJ walks away, embarrassed.

* Angela: Good job Jen. You just ruined my relationship and chased him away. You finish me off?
* Jenny: Nah, I don't care. He's not gonna talk to me like that.
* Angela: He wasn't wrong.
* Jenny: Oh it's like that?
* Angela: He wasn't.

### Scene 3

JJ and his friends are in the locker room changing.

* JJ: (*laughing*) He did what?
* Daxton: I heard he punched Burke dead in the face.
* Daynah: That's crazy.
* Aero: He's scared of you but he punched a teacher?
* Sebastian: I was about to say that.
* Daxton: He was about to fight that Brian guy.
* JJ: Who?
* Daxton: The one that played basketball last year.
* Daynah: Oh the one that can shoot?
* Sebastian: Oh, I know the one he's talking about.
* JJ: Yeah, the one that dropped Aero.
* Aero: Man.
* Daynah: That was funny.
* Aero: You guys can't guard him.
* Sebastian: That dude's kinda strong. What was Harrison doing about to fight him?

Jace and Ryan walk in with Jace's brother.

* Jace: Yo, you guys talking about Harrison?
* Ryan: I heard Brian was about to beat his ass.
* Daxton: Yeah, but why did he punch Burke?
* Drew: He didn't.
* Daynah: How do you know?
* Drew: I was in the class.

They're all asking him what happened.

* Drew: JJ, he was arguing with your brother.
* JJ: What do you mean?
* Drew: He told your brother that nobody likes him and your brother got mad and Brian told them to shut up and Harrison just got up like he wanted to fight Brian and then Burke told them to stop and Harrison got mad and ran out.
* JJ: So he didn't hit anybody?
* Drew: Nah. I was hoping he was gonna.
* Sebastian: Brian would've destroyed him.
* Daynah: That's a fact.

* Ryan: I always see him in the office.
* Jace: Doing what?
* Ryan: He goes into the guidance counselor's office.
* Jace: During class?
* Ryan: Yeah, some of them.
* Jace: That's not fair.
* JJ: Why does he get to miss classes?

### Scene 4

Angela walks into Mr. Burke's classroom after school.

* Mr. Burke: Hello, Ms. Arciela. What can I do for you?
* Angela: I just wanted to tell you that Brian started the whole thing. Not Cam or Harrison. I don't want them to get In trouble. Especially Cam.
* Mr. Burke: Cam wouldn't have been in trouble.
* Angela: Is Harrison in trouble?

Mr. Burke looked suspicious.

* Angela: No, why are you acting weird?
* Mr. Burke: I can't discuss this.
* Angela: Come on. You worked at my elementary school. You know my family. I'm just worried about my friend.
* Mr. Burke: Okay. Don't tell anybody about this.
* Angela: What's up?
* Mr. Burke: Harrison is mentally sick.
* Angela: No, he's not. He's just-
* Mr. Burke: He's been diagnosed with manic depression disorder.
* Angela: What's that?
* Mr. Burke: It's when your mood changes a lot and you're really upset deep down.
* Angela: So he's bipolar?
* Mr. Burke: Yes.
* Angela: But what's he upset about?
* Mr. Burke: I personally have no idea.
* Angela: What should I do?
* Mr. Burke: There's nothing we can do but be his friend. He's been seeing the guidance counselor when he can. He's just becoming comfortable with it.
* Angela: He gets bullied sometimes.
* Mr. Burke: By who? Cameron?
* Angela: No, no. Actually, they're best friends.
* Mr. Burke: Didn't seem like it today.
* Angela: He gets bullied by the other one.
* Mr. Burke: What?
* Angela: The other one. You know. The other McConn.
* Mr. Burke: Who's the other McConn? Sweetheart, spit it out.
* Angela: You don't know who Justin McConn is?
* Mr. Burke: Who's that?
* Angela: Cam's brother.
* Mr. Burke: He has a brother?
* Angela: Yeah.
* Mr. Burke: What grade is he in?
* Angela: Mine.
* Mr. Burke: How?
* Angela: They're the same age. They're twins.
* Mr. Burke: He has a twin brother?
* Angela: Yeah.
* Mr. Burke: Well. This is a bit of a problem.
* Angela: Why?
* Mr. Burke: Well, I need to get to the bottom of this but I don't have this kid in any of my classes. How am I going to find him? Do you know who he hangs out with or anything?
* Angela: He hangs out with the Bell brothers.
* Mr. Burke: Oh, he's one of those?
* Angela: (*laughs*) What do you mean?
* Mr. Burke: I've had every Bell brother at some point. I have Drew this year. I had Jace last year. I had Chase in the year before that. I had Lance the year before that. I had Blake the year before that. I had Ashton the year before that-
* Angela: I get it.
* Mr. Burke: I mean how many kids is that woman gonna have? I'm pretty sure there's more of them on the way too. I've been pleasantly surprised that Drew hasn't yet tried to get on my nerves. Every other Bell brother seemed to have taken pride in making my job as hard as it could be.
* Angela: Yeah, I don't really like them.
* Mr. Burke: Does he hang around that Kenya boy?
* Angela: Who?
* Mr. Burke: Ryan. Jace's little partner in crime?
* Angela: Oh, yeah.
* Mr. Burke: You know, I had him and his sister last year. I would've never guessed they were related. He was a real headache, but she was the nicest young lady you could meet.
* Angela: Happens.
* Mr. Burke: What classes does this kid have?
* Angela: Him and Harrison have the same first period.
* Mr. Burke: Do you know who the teacher is?
* Angela: I don't.
* Mr. Burke: That's fine. I'll look on the schedule. Thanks Ange. You're a good friend.

### Scene 5

Angela runs behind CJ and jumps on his back. CJ laughs.

* CJ: What's up?
* Angela: We gotta talk.
* CJ: What did I do?
* Angela: No, not like that.
* CJ: Oh thank god.
* Angela: I found out something. It's important.
* CJ: What is it?
* Angela: I found out Harrison has some kind of a disease.
* CJ: He looks fine to me. Who told you that?
* Angela: I can't say. But it's not that kind of disease. It's like a brain disease?
* CJ: Is he gonna be okay?
* Angela: Yeah. It just messes with his moods. I think that's what made him flip out today.
* CJ: Oh. That makes sense.
* Angela: Where is Harrison?
* CJ: His mom probably picked him up already.
* Angela: Wait. He's right there. Why are there so many people over there?

JJ runs over to Harrison and starts beating him up.

* Angela: Oh my god!

They both run over to the fight. Jace and Jenny are holding them back from breaking up the fight.

* CJ: Let me go!
* Jace: Hell no. He deserves this.
* Angela: How does he deserve this?!
* Jenny: He snitched!
* Angela: ...So?!
* Jace: Snitches get stitches. Alive and well.
* CJ: You guys are the worst.
* Jace: There's nothing we can do. He's at J's mercy now.

### Scene 6

CJ, JJ, and Harrison are sitting in the main office. Principal Eafford comes out.

* Eafford: All 3 of you were in this fight?
* CJ: No, I'm just his brother. I can't really leave without him.
* Eafford: Were you aware of any of this?
* CJ: Yeah, I was there. But I didn't-
* Eafford: Okay. So we have a third party. I'm not too sure I'll get all facts considering the biased.
* CJ: Oh, no. I'm on my friend's side.
* JJ: What?!
* Eafford: Oh. This is interesting. Come in.

They all sit down in Eafford's private office.

* Eafford: I'm gonna ask each one of you the same question. I'm gonna start with you, Justin. What happened?
* JJ: We were just playing around with him and he goes and starts stuff.
* Eafford: He hit you?
* JJ: He went and snitched on me. He's trying to get me in trouble.
* Eafford: Don't you think you did that yourself?
* JJ: No! He told on me. I have to miss lunch the whole week.
* Eafford: You were in a fight. You're gonna miss school for the whole week.
* JJ: Cool!
* Eafford: You're suspended.
* JJ: That's it? I can just miss school?
* CJ: Shut up.
* JJ: Why? This is cool. Thanks.
* Eafford: Let me know if you're still happy after I tell your parents you got kicked out of school for a week.
* JJ: Wait, what?!
* CJ: That's why.
* Eafford: So, he told on you?
* Harrison: I didn't tell on anyone.
* JJ: Than why did Mr. Walker give me lunch detention?
* Harrison: I don't know.
* CJ: I know who told. It wasn't Harrison.
* JJ: He's just defending his friend over his own blood like he always does.
* CJ: I'm serious. I know who it was. I'm not saying who it was but it wasn't Harrison.
* Eafford: For the sake of this situation, let me call Walker and find out who it was.

Eafford calls Mr. Walker on speaker.

* Mr. Walker: Hello?
* Eafford: Hi Shawn. It's me, Dianne.
* Mr. Walker: Hi Dianne. How can I help you?
* Eafford: Did you receive a claim against a student today?
* Mr. Walker: Yes, Tom told me. He got the information from a student.
* Eafford: Do you know who the student was?
* Mr. Walker: Yes.
* Eafford: Was it Harrison Black?
* Mr. Walker: It concerned him but the claim wasn't from him.
* Eafford: I see. Thank you, Shawn. You have a good day.

Eafford hangs up the phone.

* Eafford: Harrison, your story checks out. You're pretty banged up. I could've argued a false claim if I heard more about this situation, which would've been unlikely anyway. But as far as I'm concerned, Justin has beaten up an innocent student.
* JJ: Come on. How was I supposed to know he didn't do it?
* Eafford: That's enough. Even if he did, you would've been the only one getting in trouble. Nothing excuses hurting another student. Harrison, you're free to go. Unless, there's anything else I need to know? Is there?
* CJ: No.
* JJ: No, I guess not.

Harrison leaves. Eafford is staring at JJ.

* JJ: So, I'm suspended for a week?
* Eafford: Do you even care about what you did to Harrison?
* JJ: Well, I didn't know he didn't do it.
* Eafford: That doesn't answer my question.
* JJ: I mean. I guess.
* Eafford: You know you really embarrassed him?
* JJ: Yeah. I feel bad. I'm sorry.
* Eafford: After a while, people might forget. Don't do anything of this nature again?
* JJ: So you're not gonna tell my parents?

CJ laughs.

* Eafford: I have to. You're suspended.
* JJ: I'm still suspended? I said sorry.
* Eafford: I knew it. You didn't mean it. I hope that boy will be okay. Frankly, I'm a lot more concerned about him than about you when Alyssa finds out your suspended.
* JJ: You know my mom?
* Eafford: We went to school together.
* CJ: Really?
* Eafford: Yeah. Your father too. You two look just like him. I remember when they first got together. They were so alike but nobody predicted it. Your mother was the most popular girl in school. Nobody knew who your father was. We couldn't believe it.
* JJ: So our dad got all popular, huh?
* Eafford: No. None of us liked him very much. Everyone loved your mother. I have more to tell but I probably shouldn't share it with Xavier's teenage sons.
* CJ: Is it good or bad?

Eafford ignored the question.

* Eafford: Why don't we call your parents?

Eafford calls Alyssa on speaker.

* Eafford: Hey, Alyssa.
* Alyssa: HEY DIANNE. What's up?
* Eafford: I'm sorry to have to tell you this but your sons are in my office right now.
* Alyssa: Oh no. What did they do?
* Eafford: Well, Cameron is only here because he's waiting for Justin.
* Alyssa: I figured.
* Eafford: And Justin decided to beat up another kid.
* Alyssa: WHAT?!
* Eafford: Yeah. Chip off the old block, huh?
* Alyssa: Dianne! Don't say that with my kids right there.
* Eafford: Sorry. Anyway, we're suspending Justin for a week. He seems to think it's gonna be fun staying home.
* Alyssa: Oh, no it's not.
* JJ: No, don't tell my mom what I said-
* Alyssa: He was so happy. Then he found out I was gonna tell you. He's begging me right now not to tell you.

JJ angrily sits back in his seat, slapping his legs.

* Eafford: Now he's mad.

CJ laughs.

* Alyssa: I'll be there to pick them up in 10 minutes.
* Eafford: Okay, great.
* Alyssa: Okay, bye.

Eafford hangs up the phone.

* CJ: He's mad.
* JJ: Shut up! (*looks at Eafford)* Oh, are you mad because you couldn't tell my mom that, too?
* Eafford: Maybe I will when she gets here. (*looking at CJ, clearly messing with JJ*)

CJ and Eafford both laugh.

### Scene 7

Alyssa arrives at the school and hugs Eafford.

* Alyssa: Dianne, I'm sorry my kid's causing trouble.
* Eafford: It's okay. I'm sure you'll handle it. Your other boy is a sweetheart.
* Alyssa: I know.
* Eafford: Are you still with Xavier?
* Alyssa: Oh hell no.
* Eafford: Congratulations.

They both laugh.

* Eafford: Is it because of what I think?
* Alyssa: Yeah.
* Eafford: I told you. You didn't wanna listen. We told you it would happen. Now you got kids with him!
* Alyssa: It's fine. He doesn't get in my way too much.
* Eafford: You better watch he doesn't do that to either of your kids.
* Alyssa: I doubt it.
* Eafford: I don't know. I wouldn't be surprised if he does it to Justin.
* Alyssa: Maybe. I don't know. I hope not. I gotta go. You take care. You look great.
* Eafford: So do you. Mother of twins. Can't believe it. Where's head cheerleader Alyssa Childs?
* Alyssa: (*laughing*) Ancient history.

## Trivia

* This episode is named after Communication Breakdown by Led Zeppelin.
* This marks the first appearance of Brian Chambers, Principal Eafford, and Drew Bell.
* This also marks the first mention of Blake and Ashton Bell.
* It is discovered that Harrison was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder.