JUST US TWO AND THE DEVIL MAKES THREE

 

This plot is recycled. These characters are recycled. Enjoy

 

 

 

EST. SHOT of LAWNDALE HIGH

 

CUT TO:

 

Jane and Daria walking the halls on Lawndale High, discussing the possibility of early senility

 

JANE

All I'm saying is that you could be one of those crazy cat ladies

 

DARIA

No, cats are inherently evil in my view. Anything that throws up in your boots is evil.

 

JANE

So if you got drunk one night and threw up in your own boots, what would that make you?

 

DARIA

That would make me your deluded fantasy where I marry Trent, we have kids, and you get to be the crazy Aunt that shows up at the most inappropriate of moments.

 

Jane turns to Daria after a pause

 

JANE

(Pointedly)

You've been reading my journal again, haven't you?

 

DARIA

Yes, and by the way, I don't think that writing 'Mrs Jane Costello' over and over again can be considered sane. Besides, what would happen if Elvis Costello and Trent met?

 

JANE

My guess is a new breed of quiet hipster thrash metal

 

DARIA

A 'new' breed?

 

JANE

Fine. Back to our original point, what if you just got a snake?

 

DARIA

Just the one?

 

JANE

You'd start out with one, but then gather more. You'd call them your babies. Then you could sit on your front porch in a rocking chair, with a snake coiled around a shotgun. In time the neighbourhood kids will dare each other to touch your fence.

 

(Long pause)

 

DARIA

Is it wrong that I can actually visualise that?

 

Daria and Jane pass the girls bathrooms, where Quinn runs out panicked and covering her eyes.

 

Quinn runs past Daria and Jane

 

JANE

Uh-Oh, I think somebody mixed shimmer with sheen.

 

DARIA

No, I know that look. It definitely means she's seen something grotesque.

 

JANE

As I said, somebody made a fashion faux-pas

 

Brittany exits bathroom, with frazzled hair and hastily applied make-up

 

JANE

Ah, I think we just found the source of our heroine's disgust.

 

Kevin pokes head out of girl's bathroom in looks in direction of departing Brittany

 

KEVIN

Wait! Babe!

 

DARIA

I think we just found the source of everyone's disgust

 

Kevin regards Jane and Daria

 

KEVIN

Uhh...Like, do any of you two know Quinn Morgandorffer?

 

JANE

To know her is to loathe her

 

DARIA

Even though we share the same last name, house and parents, I can safely say that I do not know Quinn Morgandorffer...

 

KEVIN

Uhh...cool. Because...whatever she tell you is a dirty lie

 

JANE

Dirty lies spring from dirty things

 

Daria looks coldly at Jane

 

JANE

I know. Even I'm surprised I went there

 

CUT TO:

 

INT.  MORGANDORFFER KITCHEN. DAY

 

Helen is on the phone when Quinn bursts into the house and runs upstairs

 

HELEN

Oh My. Eric, I'll have to call you back...no I don't know when... (Agitated)...No I can't give you an estimate!

 

Helen hangs up phone and departs for Quinn's room

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. QUINN'S ROOM. DAY

 

Quinn is frantically re-arranging her wardrobe when Helen knocks and enters

 

HELEN

What are doing sweetie?

 

Quinn is startled by the knock

 

QUINN

Going through my wardrobe because it helps me relax and sometimes I just need to relax because there's only so much one freakin' girl can see without wanting to go a little crazy!

 

Helen is taken aback by Quinn's outburst

 

HELEN

Can you tell me why you're home so early?

 

QUINN

Why are you home so early huh?

 

HELEN

(Nervously) Well, me and your father take an hour off work once a week, to, uhh, do mommy and daddy things.

 

(Quinn begins to look apprehensive)

 

QUINN

What kind of mommy and daddy things?

 

The sound of a car pulling up the residence, followed by the opening of the front door is heard

 

JAKE

From downstairs

Choo-Choo! I'm home! Warm up the fudge!

 

HELEN

(Panicked) We...uh...eat Ice-cream, with lots of fudge.

 

Footsteps on the stairs are heard, followed by Jake popping his head into Quinn's room

 

JAKE

Choo-Choo, there you are! We've only got a couple of hours before the kids (noticing Quinn) Hi-ya kiddo! What are you doing back so early from school?

 

QUINN

I don't want to talk about it

 

HELEN

Why not? You know that we love you and that we're here for you honey

 

QUINN

I don't think that I can say it

 

HELEN

What if you whispered it to me?

 

QUINN

I...guess I can do that

 

Quinn whispers in Helen's ear, and Helen is horrified with what she is hearing

 

HELEN

They did what!? Where!?

 

CUT TO

 

INT. MS LI'S OFFICE. MORNING

 

Ms Li is on the phone while members of the faculty are gathered in her office

 

MS LI

Yes, naturally I understand your concern, and I can assure you that action will be taken on the matter at hand...Yes, I do believe it is a most vile situation...Whereas I do regret the situation, I can not compensate before the matter is fully investigated...okay then, good day.

 

Ms Li hangs up the phone

 

MS LI

Okay, we've got to take charge of this situation before it gets worse. This is the type of shenanigan that has 'lawsuit' written all over it. Okay people, brainstorm.

 

MR DEMARTINO

Why don't we just suspend the two idiots?

 

MS LI

Out of the question Mr Demartino! We have the big game with Oakwood coming up this weekend!

 

MS DEFOE

Well we've got to do something! I hate having my class interrupted while Kevin completes a 'high five' lap of the class.

 

MS BARCH

If I had my way, we'd castrate him. It's always the filthy man's fault. One minute he's sweet, holding your hand in the bowling alley, and taking you for long walks along a moonlit beach, the next minute he's asking where breakfast is. (Ms Barch begins to shake angrily) Before you know it, you've given the best years of your life to a man who you hope can recapture some of the old magic, but no, he leaves you with no money and a stack of dishes waiting to be washed!

 

MS LI

Ms Barch, please get a hold of your self! We're trying to find a solution that would make all the lawsuits disappear, not multiply. What we need is a solution that is cost-effective, but shows that we care about the parents concerns.

 

MR O'NEILL

What if we were to set-up one on one counselling sessions for those who were affected by...the incident? Somebody has to see that these young and fragile minds are not scarred forever against the idea of love, as well as its more physical manifestations.

 

MS LI

Mr O'Neill! What we need is not to heal them, what we need is to avoid lawsuits! We need to make sure that this never happens again! We need to show the little monsters the consequences of such lewd conduct! We need to show the parents that we are in control, and repeat performances will not happen again! At least not in the hallowed halls of Lawndale High

 

MS DEFOE

(Quietly) Excuse me Angela, don't we already do Sex Ed?

 

MS LI

Well, we may do it, but apparently showing them pictures of various STD's hasn't slowed them down

 

MR O'NEILL

Well what could be worse than an STD?

 

CUT TO

 

INT. DAY. SCIENCE CLASSROOM-LAWNDALE HIGH

 

Ms Barch stands at the front of the classroom, behind her, the classroom reads 'Unplanned Pregnancy Week' in bold capital letters. Daria and Jane sit in class, with Daria with her head on the bench

 

DARIA

I'd lift my head, but I'm afraid the stupidity would get to me

 

JANE

There there, Daria. You're going to have to get used to the stupidity if you want to be a functioning adult

 

DARIA

Can't I just be an emotionally unbalanced adult like everybody else?

 

Ms Barch begins to speak

 

MS BARCH

Now, as part of 'Unplanned Pregnancy Week' you're going to experience life as a teenage mother or father

 

DARIA

Can't I just give you all my money and call it even?

 

MS BARCH

You're going to be taking home a baby doll that is designed to be as realistic as possible. You'll be feeding, changing and trying not to kill them.

 

JANE

What about selling them on the Thai black market?

 

MS BARCH

They are implanted with security devices that send data back to our computer, which means that if you neglect them, we'll know about it, and for this week, they can't be turned off.

 

DARIA

What if it's an emergency?

 

MS BARCH

What sort of emergency?

 

DARIA

What if, because of their constant crying, you lose the will to live? It would be best to turn them off, lest we have a teenage suicide prevention week.

 

MS BARCH

I like the way you think, but no, you can't turn them off. Who knows, maybe this little experiment will make some of you think twice before letting a man debase you.

 

JANE

Better than a Kangaroo molesting you

 

MS BARCH

Now, I'm going to have to pair you up. Kevin and Brittany.

 

Kevin and Brittany walk up to the front of the class

 

DARIA

I seriously doubt the system that would let DD and QB go home with a baby, no matter how fake it is

 

JANE

What are you talking about? The fake-ness of the child perfectly reflects their personality

 

DARIA

Yeah, but no baby should be able to outwit their parents

 

MS BARCH

Now, since it was you two that started this whole mess, I'm increasing the crying frequency on yours.

 

KEVIN

Aww Man!

 

MS BARCH

Quiet you man!

 

BRITTANY

We were just showing our passion for each other, is that such a crime?

 

DARIA

It is if you're Mark David Chapman

 

MS BARCH

It's enough to force me to come in early to work to set up this whole thing, so you will take your doll and you will love it. Next, Daria and Jane

 

Daria and Jane look at each other quizzically before moving to the front of the class

 

Ms Barch hands Daria and Jane a doll

 

MS BARCH

You two drew the short straw

 

JANE

Well, this is certainly going to fuel those rumours about us

 

DARIA

The homicidal maniac rumours or the gay rumours?

 

JANE

I'd like to think both

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. HALLWAY. DAY

 

Daria and Jane are walking down hall, awkwardly holding baby and 'caring parent' pack

 

DARIA

Don't worry, I'll download some software off the internet so we don't have to take care of the thing

 

JANE

And I'll take care of it in the meantime, because I'm good with kids

 

DARIA

Because deep down, you're just a big kid inside, aren't you?

 

JANE

You've really got to stop reading my journal

 

DARIA

No, you've got to start locking it. There's a difference

 

The baby starts to cry

 

DARIA

Hmm

 

JANE

What?

 

DARIA

You know, if you close your eyes and imagine, it kinda sounds like a Mystik Spiral song

 

JANE

Actually, I think a baby crying was the backing track for 'Confessing my Adult Angst'

 

DARIA

You say that about all Mystik Spiral songs

 

JANE

I know, sick isn't it?

 

DARIA

You, or the fact that all the backing tracks are crying babies?

 

JANE

Both

 

Daria and Jane depart for Girl's Bathroom

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. GIRLS BATHROOM. DAY

 

Jane puts baby in basin as Daria rifles through pack

 

DARIA

Okay wonder mom, what do we need to shut this thing up?

 

JANE

You're such a caring person

 

DARIA

It's why I'm your friend

 

Jane inspects baby

 

JANE

I think it may be hungry

 

Daria picks up bottle from pack and puts it to baby's lips

 

DARIA

Yum, electronic pulses

 

The baby stops crying

 

JANE

Look who has the golden touch

 

DARIA

What do think is worth more? A baby on the black market or a solid gold baby?

 

JANE

You'd just paint it gold, and then split as soon as the buyer pays up. What should we call it?

 

DARIA

Oh no, no names. It makes it that much harder to take it to the animal shelter.

 

JANE

How about we call it Monique and you can just neglect it as some sort of subconscious revenge fantasy?

 

Daria looks at Jane coolly

 

DARIA

How about I bust this baby open and get the electrical parts and apply electro-shock therapy?

 

Jodie enters holding baby

 

Daria and Jane stare at Jodie's baby

 

JODIE

(Annoyed) Yes, it's an interracial baby

 

JANE

Wow, you don't sound too pleased to be the overworked, overachieving person that you are.

 

JODIE

(Exasperated) It's just in between all my activities, keeping a job, a boyfriend and now this, I don't know whether to care for this baby, or choke it.

 

DARIA

We were just having the same dilemma ourselves. Unfortunately, baby choking is still frowned upon in the same vein as eating veal or human flesh.

 

JANE

Wouldn't Mack help you out? Seems like the sort of thing a young father should do...

 

JODIE

Yeah, well, we have that big game against Oakwood coming up, and the coach has called for double practices.

 

DARIA

You mean that Brittany has a baby to care for? All by herself?

 

JANE

It's like leaving Roger Rabbit in charge of the IRS

 

JODIE

Well, there's nothing Mack can do about this. He can't go and quit the team, and he sure as hell doesn't want to be doing double practices.

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. PIZZA KING. DAY

 

The football team sit in booth eating Pizza and laughing

 

The coach proposes a toast

 

COACH

To double practices!

 

MACK

I still feel this is wrong

 

KEVIN

What's wrong Mack Daddy? Not a team player?

 

MACK

(Angrily) I'm the goddamn captain, of course I'm a team player! I just feel wrong leaving Jodie to care for the baby is all!

 

KEVIN

Just chill Mack Daddy

 

MACK

I told you not to call me that!

 

The coach interrupts

 

COACH

Listen Mack, if we're going to win against Oakwood, I can't have half my team taking care of babies!

 

MACK

But

 

Coach interrupts

 

COACH

You're the captain of this team, and as captain, certain sacrifices are needed. I expect you to lead the team on and off the field Mack, or is being captain too much for you?

 

Mack begins to respond, but looks at all the faces staring at him

 

Mack sighs

 

MACK

Okay. I'll play along, but I still object to this.

 

COACH

Now there's a captain for you!

 

Team cheers and Mack slumps back in chair

 

CUT TO

 

EXT. SUBURBAN STREET. DAY

 

Daria and Jane are walking along, with Jane holding the baby

 

DARIA

So where are we going to keep the thing?

 

JANE

I figure my house, since I have all the maternal skills apparently

 

DARIA

But there's a noise sensor on it

 

JANE

So?

 

DARIA

I don't think Mystik Spiral practices can be considered pleasant noise, despite the 2 people on the Spiral's mailing list.

 

JANE

And they're deaf so good point. Can't be your house though...

 

DARIA

Why not?

 

JANE

Because Quinn will try to give the baby a makeover when your back is turned

 

DARIA

She's been so distracted by what she saw that I don't think she's in the proper state of mind to give makeovers.

 

JANE

I didn't think makeovers required a state of mind

 

DARIA

You'd be surprised. She has to analyse the state of the victim, and then see if they have any weaknesses. Much like a hunting cat.

 

JANE

A hunting cat with a curling iron? Hmm...that gives me an idea.

 

DARIA

We've discussed this, you can't train a puma to run a beauty salon. It can't do the math required to keep the accounts.

 

JANE

Damn you and your practicalities! Besides, that's where the monkey comes in

 

DARIA

Assuming the puma doesn't eat the monkey

 

JANE

I see your point. We're keeping the little one in your house then?

 

DARIA

It's where the software is after all.

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. MORGANDORFFER RESIDENCE. EVENING

 

Daria walks in holding baby awkwardly. Upon seeing Daria, Helen looks horrified

 

HELEN

What are they teaching you kids at that school!?

 

DARIA

Relax, this is a mechanical baby. In so many ways, those organic meat bag babies are inferior

 

Helen looks relieved

 

HELEN

Oh thank heavens!

 

DARIA

I'm more concerned by the fact that you would've been surprised by this child, if it were alive

 

HELEN

What do you mean Daria?

 

DARIA

Well, in order to have a child, one generally has to be pregnant first. That's something that you notice, like the Northern Lights, or Quinn using a word that contains five syllables.

 

HELEN

Oh, right

 

DARIA

Unless you have a spare 50 grand lying about. If you do, I hear that Singapore is the new Manilla in terms of baby shopping.

 

Helen Looks at Daria coolly

 

HELEN

Oh Daria

 

Helen departs and Daria walks upstairs

 

CAMERA PAN TO:

 

Quinn lies on the couch in deep thought, an oxymoron to be sure

 

The phone rings and Quinn answers

 

QUINN

Hello?

 

JAMIE

Hey Quinn

 

Quinn bites lip

 

QUINN

Uhh...hi Jerome

 

JAMIE

It's Jamie. Anyway, I've got my dad's Gold Card so I was wondering if you wanted to go to Chez Pierre. I know you like going there, and I...

 

Quinn cuts off Jamie

 

QUINN

Gee Jarrod, I'd love to...but I'm uhh....busy with...an all night blushathon.

 

JAMIE

It's Jamie...

 

Quinn hangs up

 

Quinn turns on the TV

 

TV

Sex Scandal Rocks Beverly Hills! 9021 oh-my! Next, on Sick Sad World!

 

Quinn turns off TV

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. DARIA'S ROOM. EVENING

 

Daria puts baby on bed before heading toward computer

 

The baby cries

 

DARIA

Wow, you're scary

 

Daria walks back to baby, pauses to examine it, and changes it

 

The baby stops crying

 

DARIA

Huh, I guess I'm getting good at this thing

 

Daria walks to computer and sits down before typing

 

The computer connects to the internet

 

DARIA

Okay random mysterious strangers on the internet, you haven't let me down before

 

Daria looks at screen which reads INSTRUCTIONS FOR TURNING OFF BABY MODEL THX-1138

 

As the page slowly starts to load, Daria's eyes widen

 

Smoke starts to emit from the back of Daria's computer

 

DARIA

Hey, what's that...

 

The computer frazzles

 

DARIA

I guess when trying to use technology to circumvent technology you can't trust technology. Huh, I'm so confused that I know what it feels like to be Kevin...

 

Jake rushes into her room

 

JAKE

Daria!? Are you okay!?

 

DARIA

'Okay' is a relative term. I could use a new computer though....lest I fall behind on my schoolwork and end up going to Beauty College.

 

JAKE

Why would we need a new computer? I can fix this, it'll be a great excuse to break out the toolset your mother got me for Christmas!

 

DARIA

Okay, you get the tools, I'll call the mortuary.

 

JAKE

Right!

 

Jake rushes off

 

Daria picks up cordless phone and dials