Chapter 3 (The SURFACK Club)

## Full Chapter

INT. CLEARWOOD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL - CLARENCE'S OFFICE

Clarence is settling in his new office, decorating his desk with personal items, and putting up medals from his military and police services and educational certificates on the walls. He sits at his desk and looks through another box of personal items.

Clarence pulls out a picture and looks at it for a while. It's the picture of Clarence and his MYSTERY WOMAN that we saw at the end of the previous story. Who is this woman and what is her importance to Clarence?

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

CLARENCE: Come in!!

Walking into Clarence's office is Tannen.

TANNEN: Hey. Am I disturbing you?

CLARENCE: No. Not at all. Come on in, Bill.

Tannen walks in and closes the door.

TANNEN: I just came to check up on you and see how you're doing on your first day.

CLARENCE: I'm doing good. Thanks.

TANNEN: No problem. If there is anything you need just let me know.

CLARENCE: I appreciate that. You've been good to me on my first day. Do you have any plans tonight?

TANNEN: I have no plans. What did you have in mind?

CLARENCE: Would you like to have dinner with my family? My wife is an excellent cook.

TANNEN: Oh, I'd love to. I'd love to meet your family.

CLARENCE: Five o'clock?

TANNEN: I'll be there.

The two shake hands before Tannen leaves.

Clarence sits back down on his desk chair. He continues to look at the picture of the Mystery Woman. He is haunted by his past with her.

INT. CARTER RESIDENCE - ANDREW'S BEDROOM - DAY

Andrew is sitting at his desk and writing. He hears noises coming from outside his window. He looks up and sees the new neighbors moving into the house next door. Curious, Andrew gets off of his bed and leaves his room.

EXT. CARTER RESIDENCE/PRICE RESIDENCE - DAY

Andrew steps out from the front door and walks over to the house next door. He finds the new neighbor, BOB PRICE (38), instructing movers where each box or item goes in the house.

ANDREW: Hello.

Bob turns to see his young neighbor.

BOB: Hello there, young man. You my new neighbor?

ANDREW: Yes, Sir. Andrew Carter.

BOB: I'm Bob Price. You're in high school right? About 17?

ANDREW: Yes, Sir.

BOB: I have a daughter your age...(turns towards the door)...DAPHNE COME MEET OUR NEIGHBOR!

Andrew focuses on the door to see -- THE REDHEAD GIRL FROM SCHOOL. Andrew and Daphne are surprised to see each other.

DAPHNE: Well, hello, stranger.

ANDREW: Wow! Didn't expect you to be my new neighbor.

DAPHNE: I know. What are the odds?

BOB: (Confused) You two know each other?

ANDREW: Well, we didn't properly introduce ourselves to each other.

DAPHNE: (to her Dad) We just seen each other at school today. (to Andrew) I'm Daphne.

ANDREW: I'm Andrew.

DAPHNE: I'm glad to finally meet you.

ANDREW: Me, too.

There is a moment between them. They just stare at each other. It's clear that they like each other. Bob notices this. But he doesn't say anything. It's only natural for his daughter to like a boy at her age. He just turns back to the movers.

Before Andrew or Daphne could say anything more, Clarence and Kathy come up behind Andrew to introduce themselves.

KATHY: Hello.

DAPHNE: Hello, I'm Daphne.

KATHY: I'm Kathy. This is my husband Clarence.

CLARENCE: (nodding) Daphne.

Bob comes by to introduce himself to the Carters.

BOB: (To Clarence and Kathy) Bob Price.

KATHY: It's a pleasure to welcome you to the neighborhood.

BOB: Thank you. My wife would be here. But she's still moving stuff from our old house. She'll be able to come by later.

KATHY: Well, we're having a friend of Clarence's over for dinner. Perhaps you and your family would like to join?

BOB: That sounds nice. I'll let my wife know.

KATHY: Great. We're having steak and salad.

BOB: Perfect.

CLARENCE: We'll see you hopefully around five. Let's go, Andrew. Let's let them finish moving in.

ANDREW: (to Daphne) I'll see you later.

DAPHNE: See ya!

Andrew joins his parents as they walk back home. But he turns his head to smile at her. She smiles back.

BOB: Good looking boy, huh?

DAPHNE: (faking) He's alright.

Bob chuckles as he walks away. He knows his daughter is interested.

INT. CARTER RESIDENCE - BASEMENT - NIGHT

Andrew, Scott, Scott's fling for the day TASHA, Nick, his ex-girlfriend MADISON MORGAN (17), and Iris are all sitting down watching TV. Suddenly, the basement door opens and coming in all upset is Madison's best friend -- KAREN KIRBY (17).

KAREN: That stupid asshole!

MADISON: What's wrong, Karen?

KAREN: My latest stupid boyfriend, Todd, just dumped me! And he won't answer any of my calls. I called about twenty times.

Andrew and Scott turn to each other with a "WTF" reaction on their faces over the amount of times that she's called her boyfriend. Madison is also disturbed by this but smiles to cheer her up.

MADISON: Don't worry, sweetie. You'll find a boyfriend.

KATHY: (from upstairs) ANDREW! THE NEIGHBOR GIRL IS HERE!

ANDREW: OKAY! (to his friends) Her name is Daphne. She's in our English class.

Daphne walks down to the basement. Andrew gets up to greet her.

ANDREW: Hey, you made it.

DAPHNE: I did. I'm so glad to be here.

Andrew brings her to the front to introduces her to everyone.

ANDREW: (points to each person) That is Scott. That's his friend Tasha. That's Nick. That's his ex-girlfriend Madison. That's Iris. And this...is Karen.

Since Karen is standing close by, Daphne offers her hand to Karen.

DAPHNE: I'm Daphne.

But Karen just gives her a creepy look.

KAREN: I'll be your best friend as long as you don't steal any of my boyfriends.

Daphne is somewhat creeped out by her behavior.

DAPHNE: I assure you that I won't be stealing any of your boyfriends.

Karen gives off a weird smile that makes her look friendly but gives off a creepy vibe as she says;

KAREN: Great! Now we can be besties!

Then she leaves out the basement door.

ANDREW: I am so sorry about that. Karen is extremely boy crazy and extremely jealous and extremely clingy with her guys.

DAPHNE: Oh, it's okay.

INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Clarence and Kathy are hosting Tannen, Bob, and Bob's wife/Daphne's mother MOLLY PRICE (33).

MOLLY: I was only sixteen when I got pregnant with Daphne. My parents insisted we get married.

BOB: Mine also insisted. And since I knew I was in love with her, I was willing to do it.

MOLLY: And I agreed. So we've been together since.

KATHY: I'm glad to see that worked out for you. You have a beautiful daughter.

MOLLY: Thank you.

TANNEN: I have a son. He's about the same age. A little older. He does his own thing. I don't get to see him much. I often wonder what he's up to these days.

Clarence and Kathy glance each other. They know how he feels. They hardly know what Lorraine is up to these days. Even when she's locked up in her bedroom.