Wannabe

by Gordo

Ten years ago, I was asked to remove the screenplay.
The reason is that a team of film makers were going to use the screenplay to make a film.

I was happy when Gordo agreed and let me put the text on my website two years ago.
I was proud too, because the story was very good and strong, impressive and exciting.
Many people could enjoy reading it during those two years.
Now, I have to remove it.
Something must disappear so that something better could be born.
A team in Canada is going to use the screenplay to make a movie.
I believe it will be a great movie.

See by yourself: http://wannabefilms.ca/ (it will open in a new window)

Thank you Gordo for writing the story.
Thank you Peter for making the film.

We are looking forward to seeing your WANNABE.

OK, that was ten years ago. Nothing happened. The film was not made, the website about the film is long gone. I tried to contact the people, who were supposed to make the film,
but I could not reach them. They seem to have disappeared. I think the story is nice. I looked for a copy of it all over the Internet. Nothing. I found nothing. So, I decided to put it back here,, were it used to be for about two years before it was deleted. Fortunately, I found a copy on my backup DVD.

Enjoy the reading:

 

Wannabe Script

Written by Gordo A. Gordon Wednesday, 20 August 2008

Preface

The idea for Wannabe came shortly after another movie called Quid Pro Quo came out, which dealt with similar issues. Both movies deal with a character that feels the need to be paraplegic, but what I tried to do with Wannabe is do everything that Quid Pro Quo failed to do. Quid Pro Quo touched on what it means to be a “wannabe” but ultimately fails at showing the human aspects of the condition.

The wannabe character is shown as somewhat deranged, and not quite human in emotion. I have tried to counter that by telling the story from the point of view of Tracy, the hero of Wannabe, and showing her to be the same as any other person her age, minus the wannabe factor. I have tried to show both her happy times, such as when she is living the life of a paraplegic, and her sad times, when everything falls apart. I have tried to show that being a wannabe has its ups and downs, but ultimately, it is the downs that affect a person the most, and the downs are often caused by external factors rather than internal ones.

This screenplay is also meant to challenge the preconceptions that many people have towards wannabes, such as the notion that wannabes are attention-seekers or deranged individuals. I have incorporated aspects from my own life as well as some from other accounts available that contradict these notions.

Some of Tracy’s actions also symbolize the wannabe community extending our friendship to the “real” disabled community. We know that many of them do not want to be associated with wannabes, but there are many ways we can help; we can help advocate for accessibility issues, since we can see problems from the same point of view, as well as be a sympathetic ear to common issues.

It is my hope that someone takes this screenplay and transforms it into a solid film. For amateur and student filmmakers, you may contact me at gordogordon (at) hotmail.com for a printable Adobe Acrobat version of the script. All I ask for is a writer’s credit and creative input where deemed necessary. For professional and independent filmmakers, please use the same e-mail address to inquire about terms.

Special acknowledgement goes to Sean O’Connor and Sophie Smith, who have agreed to be the first distributors of the screenplay on their respective web sites, and Sean for providing the phrase, “It taints everything it touches,” which is by far my favourite line in the script. Another special thanks to Jay, whose input and experiences helped shape some pivotal scenes in the screenplay, for the support and friendship given to me over the years. Last, but not least, a shout out to Diablo Cody, who is more or less my inspiration when I write screenplays.

Gordo A. Gordon
Vancouver, BC, Canada (August 9, 2008 to August 19, 2008)

Abbreviations key:
O.S. = off-screen
V.O. = voice over
INT. = interior
EXT. = exterior

Each scene is numbered.

Wannabe

FADE IN:

1

EXT. PARK – DAY

It is 1993. Some children are playing at a public park. This is not a major city, nor is it a small remote town; this is squeaky-clean suburbia. About four kids, appearing to be between ages 4 to 6, are playing in a section of the playground, while their parents sit on a nearby bench conversing with each other.

MICHAEL: But I don’t want to play House! House is for girls.

GRACE: Well, you’re the only boy here. Three against one – girls win. We’re playing House.

MICHAEL: Can’t we just play Cops and Robbers instead?

TRACY: Your mom said you can’t play that game because you have asthma.

GRACE: And you’re terrible at that game anyway.

MICHAEL: (pouting) Fine. We’ll play House. But I get to be the dad. I’m not letting you girls make me the mom again.

GRACE: Well, WE thought it was funny.

MICHAEL: You know what’s funny? You being the mom.

GRACE: But you’re the dad!

MICHAEL: (with a sly grin) Exactly.

TRACY: And I’m the daughter then, I guess.

GRACE: That’s right. And we’ll start...now.

Michael opens an invisible door to the pretend home.

MICHAEL: Honey, I’m home!

GRACE: Oh, welcome back, dear! How was work today?

MICHAEL: It was great. The traffic was bad, but I earned lots and lots of money today. Where’s our daughter?

GRACE: She’s doing her homework. Tracy, darling! Your dad’s home!

Tracy comes up, using her hands to drag herself towards Michael.

TRACY: Daddy! Daddy!

GRACE: She’s been a very good girl today - (off Michael’s look) - What? What are you looking at?

Grace turns around to see Tracy on the floor, with both her hands in front of her.

GRACE: What are you doing?

TRACY: I - I - I’m saying hi to Dad? We’re still playing, right?

MICHAEL: She means, what are you doing on the floor, doofus? We’re playing House.

TRACY: (nods cautiously and slowly) Yes. We are. So?

GRACE: Why are you dragging yourself on the floor?

TRACY: Because I can’t walk.

GRACE: What? Yes, you can. Get up.

TRACY: No, I mean, I’m the daughter who can’t walk. So I’m using my hands to get to you.

Michael’s mother appears behind him.

MICHAEL: What the hell is wrong with you, booger-face?

MICHAEL’S MOM: Michael! Who taught you that kind of language?

Michael’s mother takes her son by the hand and drags him away from the girls. His playtime is definitely over.

GRACE: (shakes her head) You’re crazy. Totally cuckoo bananas.

Grace walks away, leaving behind a confused-looking Tracy, who remains on the ground of the playground.

BLACK OUT.

TITLE CARD.

2

We hear the voice of the adult Tracy for the first time.

TRACY (V.O.): I don’t remember when it started, really. As long as I can remember, I’ve always felt like I shouldn’t be walking.

CUT TO:

3

EXT. SHOPPING MALL PARKING LOT – DAY (FLASHBACK)

Tracy’s mother is dragging young Tracy towards the entrance of the mall, but Tracy’s legs continue to be limp as her mother Susan continues dragging her towards the entrance.

SUSAN: I am seriously sick and tired of your...

BLACK OUT.

4

TRACY (V.O.): It’s not like I’ve ever encountered a lot of disabled people when I was younger.

CUT TO:

5

EXT. HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL COURT – DAY (FLASHBACK)

A group of teenagers are hanging out. A fellow student hobbles by the group with a cane (or forearm crutches).

TEEN BOY: Look at him go! Seriously. I wouldn’t want to be friends with that dude.

TEEN GIRL: Me either. I mean, talk about NOT cool. I’d rather die than get caught hanging around that lame freak. Right, Tracy?

TEEN TRACY: (startled) What? Oh. Um. Right.

BLACK OUT.

6

TRACY (V.O.): Hell, it’s not like my parents ever have a good opinion of disabled people either.

CUT TO:

7

INT. LIVING ROOM – NIGHT (FLASHBACK)

A teenage Tracy and her parents, Henry and Susan, are watching the news together.

HENRY: Look at that gimp! Thinking he can make it in the real world. I don’t care how inspirational people say this is. If I ever turn lame, I might as well be dead!

Tracy rolls her eyes.

BLACK OUT.

8

ADULT TRACY (V.O.): Did I get kicked in the head when I was born? Did I get molested as an infant or something? All I know is something must’ve happened when I was younger, because as far as I can recall, I’ve always felt that I am not supposed to feel my legs. They are part of me, but they’re not supposed to WALK for me. I know what you’re all thinking—

CUT TO:

9

EXT. CITY SIDEWALK – DAY (FLASHBACK)

Tracy, as an adult, is rocking back and forth and muttering to herself in a crazed manner about the end of the world (or something along those lines).

BLACK OUT.

10

TRACY (V.O.): —and I don’t blame you for thinking that. The truth is, I know it’s not normal. I know it’s crazy. I know it’s irrational. But that’s always been the case for me. But all these years, I’ve kept it inside, tucked away from view, so nobody else notices. Why? Because it’s JUST NOT NORMAL. Sure, I’ve never been the “normal” type of person to begin with.

CUT TO:

11

INT. TRACY’S HOUSE – DEN – DAY (FLASHBACK)

Young Tracy is at the computer, typing something. Her mother walks in.

SUSAN: What are you writing, hon?

TRACY: It’s a story about a little boy who earns lots and lots of money.

SUSAN: Wow, that’s great, dear. How does he do it?

TRACY: He sells leather bras and dildos.

Susan looks on with a deadpan expression, not sure what to say about that.

BLACK OUT.

12

TRACY (V.O.): But that’s kid stuff, right? Every kid has a quirk, especially me. I mean, when your parents refuse to explain puberty to you, and instead expect you to figure stuff out on your own, you tend to learn by rather, um, unconventional means.

CUT TO:

13

INT. TRACY’S HOUSE – DEN – DAY (FLASHBACK)

A young Tracy is staring wide-eyed at the computer screen as grunting noises and moans of pleasure are coming from the computer’s speakers. The sound clip of a whip cracking can also be heard coming from the computer.

BLACK OUT.

14

EXT. UNIVERSITY - STREET – DAY

We see a vibrant university, complete with nice stone buildings, students walking here and there, and even the occasional squirrel or two, living off whatever leftover pizza that students happen to toss in the garbage cans. Hey, students can be slobs too.

TRACY (V.O.): But even considering my “interesting” exposure to certain material, I am relatively normal. And no, I don’t talk to myself on a street corner or look at internet porn every day, or even occasionally. Instead, I’m your everyday 20-something-year-old student majoring in Pop Culture Studies. Yes, there is such a thing, apparently.

We see the adult Tracy’s face for the first time, making her way down the street on campus.

TRACY (V.O.): Some people say college contains the best years of your life. Most of the time, that’s just another way to say, “College is where you’ll wake up with a hangover 8 days a week.” But for me, my “best years” mean something else altogether.

We zoom out and see that Tracy was making her way down the street in a wheelchair, looking confident and strong.

TRACY (V.O.): My name is Tracy, and I am a student at the University of the Northwest Cascades. I am 23 years old, and am an amateur writer and artist. I am a big fan of hot guys, especially when kissing and making out are involved. I am also a wannabe.

15

EXT. UNIVERSITY – STREET (CONTINUOUS)

Tracy turns a corner and goes downhill down the street in her wheelchair.

TRACY (V.O.): What’s a wannabe, you ask? Well, first of all, you should’ve figured it out by now. I want – no, HAVE – to be a paraplegic. But obviously, that’s something you usually don’t ask your doctor for. And unless you stage an accident where you may or may not get what you need, the only ways to become a paraplegic are rather...

CUT TO:

16

INT. DARK DANK ROOM – NIGHT

An unshaven doctor with a stained doctor’s outfit turns around and looks at the camera (the patient). He is putting on surgical gloves with grease marks on them.

DOCTOR: (heavy accent) You no need anti-bacteria, right? Have strong immune system?

BLACK OUT.

17

EXT. UNIVERSITY – VARIOUS – DAY

We cut back to Tracy making her way through various parts of the university.

TRACY (V.O.): ...yeah, exactly. It’s frustrating, but unless I want to end up with fatal gangrene contracted in some third-world country, the best I can do is keep wheeling on. If I can’t be a paraplegic, I’ll try to live my life as close to that as possible. I’ve tried to get rid of it for years, but if anything, the feeling has become stronger. Living my life in a wheelchair doesn’t solve the problem, but ironically, it keeps me sane enough to function until a solution is found. Call me crazy if you want; I probably am. I am just describing how I feel and what my life is like as a result. You don’t have to accept this; I’m just asking you to sit back and try to understand what my world is like – what I am like.

18

EXT. UNIVERSITY – PARKING STRUCTURE ROOFTOP – DAY

Tracy parks her car and looks around cautiously as she takes her wheelchair out of the trunk.

TRACY (V.O.): My routine is very simple. Get to campus early. Set up the wheelchair, and start wheeling. You never realize how fast your feet can take you until you force yourself to stop walking altogether.

Tracy looks around one more time, then sits down on the wheelchair. She activates her car alarm, and wheels off.

19

INT. UNIVERSITY - ELEVATOR SHAFT – DAY

Tracy is seen doing down in an elevator.

TRACY (V.O.): I live at home with my parents while I try to finish school, whenever the university’s not screwing me over for more money or with surprise course requirements. Of course, my parents don’t know that between the hours of 8:30am and 4:00pm, I am a disabled student.

We see Tracy exit an elevator shaft and wheel, to a place off-screen.

20

INT. UNIVERSITY – STUDENT LOUNGE – DAY

With a cup of coffee wedged between her legs, Tracy wheels towards a table in the lounge, where a fellow student, JANIE, is apparently studying with great frustration.

JANIE: Shit!

Janie slams her pencil down. It falls to the floor and rolls away; it comes to a stop right near Tracy’s feet. Tracy picks up the pencil.

TRACY: Pencils flying. That’s never a good sign. Rough morning?

JANIE: It’s this damn physics problem. I’ve been at it since last night and I’m still no closer to solving this stupid thing.

TRACY (V.O.): This is Janie. She’s the only person who knows about me being a wannabe. She hates being a physics major, but it’s the only thing she’s ever been good at. So naturally she decided to study something that makes her want to punch herself rather than study something she actually likes.

JANIE: Stupid fucking thing!

TRACY (V.O.): Although I think her courses have broadened her vocabulary more than her math skills.

TRACY: Hey, calm down, dude. Chill.

JANIE: (sighs) Alright. I’m calm. I’m calmly putting the physics book away. See? Putting it away calmly. Calm. That’s me. Calm as a clam.

TRACY: Right. Now stop saying “calm.”

JANIE: Calm.

TRACY: So guess what. I got a call from the mall today.

JANIE: Really? What did they say?

TRACY: Well, it took a lot of whining and complaining, but I talked to them about that wheelchair ramp issue, and they’re finally going to fix it next week. It’ll be less steep, and they’re going to put in automatic doors as well.

JANIE: That’s fantastic! It’s about time they did something.

TRACY: Totally. I mean, I don’t normally use my wheelchair at the mall, but a lot of people do, and they deserve much better access than this.

JANIE: You know, you should’ve gone in your chair and tip over on the ramp, and then threaten to sue them if they don’t fix it.

TRACY: You think?

JANIE: Totally. Anyways, I’m gonna go and clear my head a bit. You wanna come with?

TRACY: Nah, I got some stuff to do before class. See you at lunch?

JANIE: Sure thing. If you can’t find me, just look for the flying pencils.

Janie walks away as Tracy puts the cup of coffee on the table and starts drinking from it.

21

EXT. UNIVERSITY – VARIOUS – DAY

Tracy is wheeling through doors on campus; we see that people are holding doors open for her all the time.

TRACY (V.O.): When you’re in a wheelchair, people treat you differently. For example, you find that as long as there are people around, doors tend to be held open for you. It’s nice, since some doors are a pain in the ass. I know what you’re thinking – I’m using my wheelchair because I “want the sympathy.” I don’t know why I have this need to be a paraplegic, but it sure as hell isn’t so people can help me. I’d rather do things myself. I actually can’t stand it when people INSIST on helping me with things that I can still do. When people hold doors open for me, you see this.

A door is held open for Tracy.

TRACY: (grins) Thanks.

22

INT. UNIVERSITY – OUTSIDE A CLASSROOM – DAY

Tracy is wheeling towards a classroom. A classmate mutters a greeting and enters, but holds the door open for her again.

TRACY (V.O.): But inside, I’m practically screaming, “I can open it myself!” If there’s one thing I hate about being in a wheelchair, it’s how everyone feels the need to “help” me. I am not living a double life as a wheelchair user because I want the help. Why does everyone seem to think I need help all the time? What they don’t see is that I feel like a stronger person in my wheelchair.

23

INT. THERAPIST’S ROOM – DAY

We discover that the last voiceover from Tracy was actually her talking to her therapist, Dr. Tanabe.

TRACY: I want to feel strong and confident, but for some reason, I can’t feel fully independent unless I am a paraplegic. When I walk, it feels like I am... Well, like I’m lacking potential. I feel like when I walk, I can only do so much in my life before I hit the ceiling. But when I live as a paraplegic, I feel like there’s so much left to do. And I feel PASSIONATE about everything.

DR. TANABE: But...?

TRACY: But I can never be fully complete. If I tell my parents, chances are high that they will kick me out of the house. I mean, my father hasn’t even come to the point of accepting gays yet, let alone whatever is wrong with me. And I obviously can’t make myself a paraplegic without risking my life.

DR. TANABE: You’ve said before that you know this isn’t normal behaviour.

TRACY: I know this is totally insane! “Cuckoo bananas,” as a childhood friend of mine put it. But I’ve tried everything. I went against my better judgement and tried almost every medication and treatment I can think of, and nothing’s worked. If anything, the feelings tend to get stronger.

DR. TANABE: And those feelings overwhelm you to the point of not being able to concentrate on anything at all?

TRACY: Unless I’m using my wheelchair. I mean, that’s the one thing that’s kept me from trying to do something to turn myself into a paraplegic for real.

DR. TANABE: So how would you describe your present situation?

Tracy ponders that for a moment.

TRACY: I don’t know. I’ve always felt like something was a bit off with me. Walking has never felt natural to me. I’m a total klutz on my feet. But when I’m in my wheelchair, I feel like... me. It’s as if my body is capable of doing one thing, but me on the inside – my soul, if you will – is paralysed from the waist down.

DR. TANABE: Really.

TRACY: It’s as if... Well, the closest thing I can think of is that I am a paraplegic trapped in a walking body. So? Are you going to pick up the phone and have them institutionalize me now?

DR. TANABE: Why would you think that?

TRACY: I dunno. Maybe because all this stuff is completely insane?

DR. TANABE: What do you want me to do?

TRACY: (getting emotional) Whatever you can. I’ve dealt with this as long as I could, as well as I could. But it’s not going away. Please, Doc. I want it to stop so badly.

DR. TANABE: You know what I think?

TRACY: What?

DR. TANABE: First, I will tell you what I don’t think. I don’t think you’re crazy. Yes, your feelings are irrational, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re crazy. You are not delusional; you know that these feelings aren’t normal.

TRACY: If I’m not crazy, then what am I?

DR. TANABE: I don’t know. The truth is that what you have is something that hasn’t been recognized by the medical community yet.

TRACY: Great.

DR. TANABE: That doesn’t mean there’s no hope, Tracy. Just because it’s not recognized doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. What you have is real.

Dr. Tanabe points to Tracy.

DR. TABANE: What are you feeling right now?

TRACY: Well, I’m feeling hurt. On the inside, I mean. And I’m mad that there’s nothing I can do to stop feeling this way.

DR. TANABE: What you are feeling is real. What you have is real. I’m sorry there’s no way to stop you from feeling this way. I really am. But you know what?

TRACY: What?

DR. TANABE: You’re a lot stronger than you give yourself credit for. How old are you?

TRACY: I’m twenty-three.

DR. TANABE: And when was your earliest memory of these paraplegic desires?

TRACY: When I was four.

DR. TANABE: That’s nineteen years. You’ve been dealing with this for nineteen years, and you’ve only been a wheelchair user for about four of those years. Before then, you coped without one. But you still survived.

TRACY: Barely.

DR. TANABE: How has life been ever since you started using a wheelchair?

TRACY: Better. I started feeling more like myself.

DR. TANABE: And physically?

TRACY: I feel stronger, and more powerful. I stopped lounging around my house all day and found the energy to go out, and meet people, and try new things.

DR. TANABE: So feeling the need to live your life as a paraplegic may be, as you said, “cuckoo bananas.” Based on what you said, what are the downsides to living as a paraplegic, besides not actually being one?

Tracy thinks for a long time, but fails to come up with anything good. Dr. Tanabe nods knowingly.

DR. TANABE: Exactly. We can’t cure you, but we can make you live a fuller and more meaningful life in the meantime. What’s crazy about that?

Again, Tracy fails to find an answer.

24

INT. THERAPIST’S LOBBY – DAY

Tracy is wheeling out of the therapist’s room after her session. There are a few patients waiting in the lobby, most of them reading magazines or briefly glancing at her nonchalantly.

TRACY: Thanks, Dr. Tanabe.

DR. TANABE: See you next week then?

TRACY: Sure thing.

Dr. Tanabe closes the door. Tracy spins around the corner and wheels towards the door. As she turns, we hear a soft clink, and see that her keys had fallen out and dropped onto the floor. One of the patients waiting, a 24-year-old male named CARL, notices this. He picks up the keys and goes after Tracy.

TRACY (V.O.): I said I really don’t like people helping me. But sometimes, someone helping you can be a good thing.

CARL: Miss? You dropped this.

TRACY: (flustered) Oh my god, thank you. I would’ve been in big trouble if I lost those.

CARL: You’re welcome.

Tracy gives Carl a small smile and turns around, continuing her way to the door.

ANGLE: TRACY’S POV TOWARDS THE DOOR

TRACY (V.O.): Of course, some people try to be TOO useful. I was dreading this. The inevitable “help the wheelchair girl with the door” trick; the ultimate pity move.

Tracy’s hand lands on the handle. We wait for the inevitable help.

TRACY (V.O.): But once in a while, that someone will surprise you.

Tracy’s hand turns the handle and pulls the door open. She looks (almost in surprise) back at Carl, still standing there, as she pulls her wheelchair through the door and exits the room.

25

INT. LIBRARY MEETING ROOM – DAY

Tracy and a small group of people, some with very visible disabilities and some who look “normal” (but may have hidden disabilities) are talking in a room. We do not hear their conversation during Tracy’s voice-overs.

TRACY (V.O.): As you can see, even though I’m not considered “truly” disabled, there are a lot of things I face that many disabled people also face. But I realize because of what I am, I’ll never fit in. And the last thing I want is to show myself as a freak, or to make other disabled people feel like freaks. I don’t want them to think I’m some deranged maniac who is trying to do this for sexual pleasure. But somehow, I get the feeling that I owe something to those with so-called “real” disabilities. I don’t want to be the one to use a wheelchair and use things built for wheelchair users, like ramps and elevators, without giving back.

WOMAN WITH CRUTCHES: (fading in) And that is why we should let them know that, for a public institution, this is unacceptable!

TRACY (V.O.): I know at least half of them will be disgusted, or even angry, at the fact that people like me exist. But I can’t ask for their tolerance. I can’t ask for their forgiveness. I can’t even ask for their friendship. But what I can do is try to give back something, whether it be helping with accessibility campaigns, or taking part in disability awareness events. I feel like I owe them SOMETHING.

James, a man in an electric wheelchair and the head of the group, is speaking.

JAMES: Thank you, Lucy. I agree that what happened is truly something that needs to be dealt with. I’ll give the list of concerns to the management company of that building, and see if we need to go from there. I think that’s all the business I have from my end. Tracy, is there anything new to add?

TRACY: The mall management replied to the ramp issue I mentioned last week. They’re going to fix it, and I quote, “within the next seven days.”

The group applauds. Tracy acknowledges them politely, with a proud but flattered grin.

JAMES: You see that? Now that is a true hero, ladies and gentlemen. Who would’ve thought a 23-year-old paraplegic in college would be one of the leading pioneers of disability access in the city? I can’t be prouder of this girl.

James gives Tracy an appreciative tap on the shoulder; she just smiles back.

26

EXT. LIBRARY PARKING LOT – DAY

Tracy is wheeling in the parking lot towards her car. A man from the meeting, Scott, follows her as fast as his forearm crutches can take him.

SCOTT: Tracy!

TRACY: Oh. Hey, Scott. What’s up?

SCOTT: Look, what you did in the mall ramp thing. That was amazing.

TRACY: Well, if we don’t stick up for ourselves, who will?

SCOTT: Listen, I was wondering if you have a place to go tonight. Like, plans.

Tracy stops her wheelchair and turns to Scott, with a suspicious smile on her face.

TRACY: Are you asking me out?

SCOTT: Um, no.

Tracy starts to wheel towards her car again.

SCOTT: I mean, yes! I am.

TRACY (V.O.): I know this is tricky. I know I shouldn’t get myself involved in this. What if he eventually finds out the truth about me? How will he react? But at the same time, I recall something I said in the group once, which MAY make me a hypocrite at a time like this.

CUT TO:

27

INT. LIBRARY MEETING ROOM – DAY (FLASHBACK)

Tracy is shown in a previous meeting, getting rather passionate.

TRACY: And just because we’re in wheelchairs or whatever doesn’t mean we’re not sexual beings! We have feelings and desires just like anyone else. People always say they want to hear the concerns of disabled people. Well, here’s a message for them...

Tracy bangs her fist on the table.

TRACY: (shouting) MOMMA IS HORNY AND WANTS TO GET LAID!

Everyone else just stares back at her, caught off-guard by her approach to the issue.

CUT TO:

28

EXT. LIBRARY PARKING LOT – DAY

SCOTT: So what do you say? You and me, tomorrow night?

TRACY (V.O.): Normally, I would do what my gut feeling tells me to do. But right then, I thought about my life. I’m already living my life as a paraplegic. Dr. Tanabe said that nothing’s stopping me as long as I’m doing that. So is there really an excuse for me not going out for a night on the town like every other girl my age?

TRACY: Sure. I’d love to.

29

EXT. TRACY’S HOUSE – NIGHT

Tracy’s car pulls into the driveway. She turns off the engine. Inside her car, she takes out a large black cloak. Her wheelchair is in the passenger seat.

TRACY (V.O.): When I pull into my driveway, I am transformed. I turn from Tracy, the girl in the wheelchair, to Tracy, the proud daughter of Henry and Susan.

She unfurls the cloak and effectively covers the wheelchair with it, so that nobody can see the chair. She gets out of the car and locks it.

30

INT. TRACY’S HOUSE – ENTRANCE – NIGHT

Tracy enters her house.

TRACY (V.O.): When I first started using my wheelchair, I was worried. I was worried that someone I know will see me using it. I was worried that people will ask questions. I was worried that people will see it as suspicious. Over time, I stopped worrying and just got on with it. I have run into some familiar faces, and many of them didn’t ask much. Eventually, I stopped caring about what everyone thought; but I never got around to letting my parents know the truth.

31

INT. TRACY’S HOUSE – KITCHEN – NIGHT

Susan and Henry, Tracy’s parents, are in the kitchen. Susan is chopping vegetables while Henry is at the stove.

HENRY: Oh. Hey, sweet. You are just in time. I’m cooking up my famous pot roast tonight.

SUSAN: There he goes with the pot roast again. You’d think he’s a grand chef just because of his whoop-dee-do pot roast.

HENRY: Hey, don’t mock the roast. So how was your day?

TRACY: It was interesting. Janie got herself into a suicidal physics problem again.

SUSAN: Flying pencils?

TRACY: Flying pencils.

SUSAN: You’d think that girl would learn by now to do things that don’t make her into a bitchy banana.

TRACY: (smiles) Yeah. But then she wouldn’t be Janie.

32

INT. TRACY’S HOUSE – DINING TABLE – NIGHT

Tracy and her parents are eating dinner at the dining table, with the television on in the near background. Henry is telling a story at work.

TRACY (V.O.): I know what you’re asking. “Why haven’t you told your parents yet? They seem like nice enough people.” But the truth is, they’re nice when everything is fine and sober.

HENRY: (fading in) ...and then he turns to me and said, “I never knew bears could eat meat!” Anyways...

TRACY (V.O.): Whenever something out of the ordinary comes up, however, things tend to change, and then you see exactly why I’ve never told them about what I am.

HENRY: (fading in) ...and, of course, that’s what they always tell you!

TV REPORTER: Thank you, John. The 35th annual Northwest Cascades Pride Parade took place early this afternoon, and it was a sight to behold.

Henry suddenly stops and looks at the TV. The news is on, and is showing clips of the pride parade.

TV REPORTER: Thousands of people of all ages lined up on the streets of downtown to witness the diversity of this city. Ever since the 1990s, the local gay and lesbian population has exploded to unprecedented levels, and the pride parade is the perfect venue to reflect the change that makes our city what it is today.

HENRY: It’s a freaking disgrace. That’s what it is.

TRACY: What do you mean?

HENRY: Before long, this city is going to be overrun by fags. First, it’s going to be guys marrying guys, and girls marrying girls. What’s next? Pretty soon, we’re going to have guys marrying chipmunks and siblings making babies with each other.

TRACY: I don’t think it works that way, Dad.

HENRY: That’s what you think. We’ll see how you react when you see your cousin Jake making out with a chicken on his farm in Kansas. Pretty soon, things will get so screwed up that you’ll be begging to go back to the old ways.

TRACY: (looks for help) Mom?

SUSAN: Hush, dear.

TRACY (V.O.): Some say this is a horrible thing to wish for, but sometimes, I wish my parents would disagree with each other more often.

HENRY: Before you know it, your grandson will be married to a drag queen, your granddaughter will be dressing up in leather spandex, and your nephew will be married to an alpaca on a ranch. Then several generations down the road, your descendants will be either drooling retards or some half-human half-alpaca freaks of nature.

TRACY (V.O.): I figured if he couldn’t grasp the concept of same-sex relationships, he probably wouldn’t even come close to understanding my situation.

Tracy says nothing else and keeps on eating.

33

EXT. UNIVERSITY SPORTS FIELD – DAY

Tracy is back in her wheelchair, talking with Janie.

JANIE: Wait, so he thinks same-sex marriages will eventually turn to people wanting to make out with animals?

TRACY: Well, he did mention chipmunks and alpacas.

JANIE: Chipmunks, huh. I wonder where he came up with that.

TRACY: Quite honestly, I don’t think I want to know.

JANIE: (after a pause) Are you okay?

TRACY: Yeah, I’m peachy. Why?

JANIE: You seem a little... out there today. More than usual, I mean.

TRACY: Just something that happened yesterday with Doc Tanabe.

JANIE: Did he say you’re crazy yet?

TRACY: Not yet, although it’s probably just a matter of time. Actually, he said quite the opposite. He said that what I have is still pretty unknown because, well, nobody’s done much solid research about it. He also said I’m not crazy and that if using a wheelchair helps me get on with life, then I should keep doing it.

JANIE: I’m not seeing the problem here.

TRACY: You know I go to the disability support group after my appointments with Doc. Last night, after the meeting, Scott asked me out.

JANIE: The crutches guy?

TRACY: That’s the one.

JANIE: (whistles) Wow.

TRACY: I know.

JANIE: You said no, right?

Tracy doesn’t answer.

JANIE: Right?

Tracy looks at her friend nervously.

JANIE: Oh, Tracy. No-no-no-no-no. Oodles and oodles of no. Danger, babe.

TRACY: I know. I normally would say no, but I thought about what Doc said. As long as I’m like this...
(gestures to wheelchair)
...what’s stopping me from living a normal life?

JANIE: Um, how about the fact that you’re dealing with something that 99% of the population thinks is completely wacko? Tracy, I love you and all, but you shouldn’t do this. You CAN’T do this.

TRACY: Why not?

JANIE: Well, what if you and him get serious? What if he pops the question one day? Are you going to be able to keep lying to him about what you are? What if he finds out by accident?

TRACY: You think I wasn’t thinking about that all night?

JANIE: Well, if you had thought about it enough, you wouldn’t be going through with this whole thing.

TRACY: I can’t believe this. Out of everyone I know, I thought you were the only one who understood what I’m going through. I guess I was wrong.

JANIE: Maybe you are. Because what you’re doing right now is a bit reckless.

TRACY: You’re one to talk. I’m not the one who is turning into a total bitch because of choosing to study something you absolutely hate.

Tracy suddenly realizes what she just said, but it was too late; Janie’s face tells the story.

TRACY: Oh, shit. Janie, I didn’t mean it like that...

JANIE: Get away from me. Just...don’t.

Janie gets up and leaves. Tracy sighs, mad at herself for hurting her friend’s feelings this way.

34

INT. UNIVERSITY – LADIES’ WASHROOM – DAY

ANGLE: BOTTOM OF STALLS

This is what some guys dream about. We pan across the bottom of washroom stalls in the ladies’ room. We see legs. We see some stall doors open as some ladies have finished up their business. Eventually we reach the end of the row of stalls, where the wheelchair accessible stall is. We see the telltale wheel of Tracy’s wheelchair and her legs in front of the toilet, her ankles twisted in a way that makes them look “paralysed.”

35

INT. UNIVERSITY – LADIES’ WASHROOM – STALL (CONTINUOUS)

Tracy is fully clothed, sitting on the toilet, deep in thought.

TRACY (V.O.): Sometimes Janie and I get into arguments, but we’ve never had one about me like that before. Like I said, most of the time, I don’t give a damn what people think of my condition.

ANGLE: TRACY’S POV OF HER TWISTED ANKLES

TRACY (V.O.): After all, wheelchairs aren’t just for people who can’t walk. Not everyone who’s in a wheelchair is also paralysed. There are countless possible reasons for using a wheelchair. Mine is just one of the millions.

Tracy lifts her right leg with her hand, letting it dangle there as if it’s fully paralysed. She lets go, but leaves her leg dangling there in mid-air.

TRACY (V.O.): But my reason is in my head, not my body.

After a few seconds, Tracy lets her leg fall to the floor with a plop; her leg lands a bit awkwardly, as the ankle on that leg again twists in an unnatural looking “paralysed” position. Tracy, used to her legs being this way, doesn’t even flinch.

TRACY (V.O.): What if Janie is right? What if I get caught? What will people think of me? Will there be a witch-hunt against others like me? Will they throw me in an institution? Will they invent some anti-paralysis-faking crime so they can throw me in jail forever?

We see a pair of feet approaching the stall and jiggle with the lock.

GIRL: Damn.

TRACY: Occupado!

GIRL: Shit, every stall is taken.

TRACY: Well, I’m in a wheelchair, so can’t you choose some other stall?

GIRL: Oh. Sorry.

TRACY (V.O.): Maybe I’m being paranoid. Or maybe people just don’t want to think about being disabled as a good thing. I mean, think of that girl. Why is it that people always apologize to people with disabilities? “Oh, I’m sorry this happened to you.” “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you were handicapped.” What’s there to be sorry about? I’m not dead, and neither are the people with “real” disabilities. Just because you’re disabled doesn’t mean your life is over.

We hear more toilets flushing in the background. Tracy has been in the stall for a while now.

TRACY (V.O.): For me, disability isn’t an end of something – it’s a beginning of a new world with new opportunities. And I’m not just saying that because of my situation. Without living as a paraplegic, I wouldn’t be what I am today. I wouldn’t be a big disability rights activist. I wouldn’t be so aware of the challenges disabled people face. I wouldn’t be so aware of what great people they are. I wouldn’t have opened my eyes to their world.

Tracy, finally feeling ready to leave, transfers herself onto her wheelchair.

TRACY (V.O.): If I have become a better person because of all of this, then who’s to say my living as a paraplegic is something bad?

She exits the stall and goes to the sink to wash her hands.

36

INT. UNIVERSITY – OUTSIDE LADIES’ ROOM – DAY

Tracy leaves the washroom and turns the corner, and nearly runs into

CARL: Whoa!

Carl drops his load – books and pens galore, crashing to the floor.

TRACY: Oh, shit. I’m so sorry.

Carl starts picking up his stuff. Tracy, from her wheelchair, does the same. Eventually, they lock eyes.

CARL: Hey. It’s you, from Doc Tanabe’s place.

TRACY: Oh. Yeah. Hey. Fancy meeting you here.

CARL: Yeah. And this time, I’m the one dropping things.

TRACY: It was totally my fault. I wasn’t paying attention.

CARL: Yeah, it WAS totally your fault.

Tracy looks at him. They both share a laugh.

TRACY: It’s not often that someone blames me for my stupidity.

CARL: Really? Why?

TRACY: Because I’m the one on wheels.

CARL: (with a friendly smirk) And people think that automatically exempts you from being a klutz?

TRACY: I guess.

They both pick up the last of Carl’s things. At the same time, they both realize they should do something they didn’t do last time...

CARL: I’m Carl. Freshman, English literature.

TRACY: I’m Tracy. Senior, local klutz.

CARL: So does the local klutz want to walk with me for a bit and chat?

TRACY: Sure, if I’m not too busy making nice guys literally fall head over heels over me.

37

EXT. UNIVERSITY – GARDENS – DAY

Tracy and Carl are walking through the gardens. Nobody else is around, so they are feeling comfortable talking with each other.

TRACY: I didn’t expect to see you again so soon.

CARL: Neither did I. I’ve never seen you on campus before.

TRACY: Well, my classes are pretty close together, so I don’t really need to go anywhere except to my car at the end of the day.

CARL: Ah, that explains it.

TRACY: I was surprised you mentioned how I could be a klutz.

CARL: Did I accidentally accuse you of being one?

TRACY: No, no, no. I really am a klutz. But normally, I tend to get away with it. But you just faced that head-on and didn’t say something like, “Oh no, it was really MY fault.”

CARL: And that kind of response is... what, patronizing?

TRACY: Exactly.

CARL: I don’t know what to say, then. Because you could be a jerk, for all I know. You could be involved in the black market. You could be someone who tortures animals for fun.

TRACY: Gee, thanks.

CARL: The fact is, you can’t tell what kind of person someone is by looking at them. And you sure as hell can’t judge someone based on one tiny fact or fault. I mean, you’re in a wheelchair. I’m sure people judge you for that sometimes.

TRACY: You have no idea. Do you know how annoying it is sometimes? People treat you like you’re two years old, as if you can’t do anything by yourself.

CARL: Exactly. They look at you and see one little thing about you, and suddenly they think they’re experts on your life. I really don’t like to see that, so I try not to do it.

TRACY (V.O.): Is this guy for real? I mean, he’s saying everything I’ve been trying to tell myself. And he’s not just saying it; he seems to really believe it. I was almost tempted to tell him, right there and then, the truth about what I am.

TRACY: You sound like one hell of a guy.

CARL: I’m really not that great of a person. It’s just I’ve known some people who were my friends for a long time but then when they found out something about me that they don’t like, they suddenly looked at me differently, no matter how small that something is.

TRACY: I know exactly what you mean.

Carl and Tracy lock eyes for a while. They seem to be connecting, until a cell phone rings.

CARL: Oh, shit. That’s mine.

TRACY: (as if a spell was broken)
I, um, have to go anyways. Maybe we’ll see each other again?

CARL: Sure thing.

Tracy finds a crumpled receipt in her pocket, and writes her information down on it. Carl answers his phone. Tracy hands him the receipt and Carl, while still on the phone, writes down his information in return. Tracy rips the receipt in half accordingly, gives him the half with her number, and leaves.

38

EXT. VARIOUS DOWNTOWN STREETS – DAY

Tracy is wheeling down a busy street in downtown. She is noticeably shorter than everyone else on the street due to her chair.

ANGLE: TRACY’S POV

We see that her eye level is everyone else’s fly level. For most able-bodied people, this is an unusual view, but for Tracy, this is the reality of wheeling.

TRACY (V.O.): An estimated 450,000 people live with spinal cord injuries in the United States. That’s more than the total number of residents in the City of Miami. Yet, when you head out to downtown, where there are usually more people than anywhere else on a given day, how many of those people do you see?

Tracy continues to wheel down downtown streets. She is the only wheelchair user in sight.

TRACY (V.O.): It’s no wonder that people, in general, are uncomfortable around people with disabilities. It’s because they never encounter them in everyday life. They see someone in a wheelchair, or with a missing arm, or with a blind cane, and they panic.

39

INT. DOWNTOWN CLOTHING STORE (CONTINUOUS)

Tracy wheels off the street and into a trendy clothing store. She starts to look through some nice-looking tank tops on a rack. A clerk approaches her.

CLERK (in a sweet voice, talking slower than normal) Hello there, can I help you with anything?

TRACY: (nonchalantly) Nope, just browsing.

CLERK: (still in the same type of voice) Alright. If you have any questions, I’ll be over there.

The clerk gestures and walks back to the counter.

TRACY (V.O.): And, of course, when they panic, they tend to assume weird things, such as your mind is like your body and isn’t working properly either. They think they’re being nice to you, but actually, I think they’re just making fools of themselves.

40

INT. DOWNTOWN CLOTHING STORE – COUNTER (CONTINUOUS)

ANGLE: CLERK’S POV

The clerk behind the desk is reading a celebrity gossip magazine. We don’t see Tracy anywhere, until suddenly her hand pops up; she is in front of the counter, but because of her chair makes her look shorter, we can’t see her.

TRACY: (trying to get the clerk’s attention) Hey. Hi.

The clerk stands up and looks over the counter and down on Tracy, who is holding about four tank tops.

TRACY: Hey. Yeah, I want to try these on?

CLERK: (caught off-guard) Oh. Um. Sure.

The clerk gets up and leads Tracy to the change rooms. The clerk unlocks one of the change room stalls and opens the door. The store, in its bone-headed design, has no accessible stalls. This becomes immediately apparent as Tracy stops right in front of the stall, her chair too wide to go any further.

CLERK: Oh. Um...

TRACY (V.O.): As someone who has been living life in a wheelchair, I’ve come to realize several things. The first thing: not everything is accessible. In that case, it’s time to improvise.

TRACY: Do you have a small stool?

CLERK: Yeah, we do.

The clerk goes off and retrieves it. Tracy nonchalantly takes it and puts it inside the stall, and transfers herself into it. She closes the change room curtains, with the clerk still standing there, unsure of what to do (or what she just saw).

41

INT. DOWNTOWN CLOTHING STORE – CHANGE ROOM – DAY

Tracy is trying on the tank tops. This is another guy’s dream come true, but the camera angles do not show anything overtly revealing. Sorry, guys.

TRACY (V.O.): The second thing I’ve realized: People don’t expect girls in wheelchairs to worry about their appearance. So hence, a lot of people in fashion stores are bubbleheads when it comes to dealing with disabled customers. After all, when you can’t get anywhere without lugging a large piece of metal attached to your ass, people don’t expect you to try to look...

42

INT. DOWNTOWN CLOTHING STORE – OUTSIDE CHANGE ROOM (CONTINUOUS)

Tracy opens the curtains to reveal the tank top she tried on. She doesn’t just look nice in it – she looks absolutely stunning.

TRACY (V.O.): ...amazing.

The clerk looks over and is just taken aback by the sight.

CLERK: Oh, wow.

TRACY: (nonchalantly) Hmm. This looks alright. I’ll take one of these, I guess. Let me just take it off.

She disappears back into the change room, as the clerk is still standing there, amazed at how a girl in a wheelchair can make herself look so damn beautiful.

43

EXT. SCOTT’S HOUSE – NIGHT

Tracy parks her car in Scott’s driveway. She is wearing the tank top she bought from the store downtown. Using her rear view mirror, she puts on some lipstick; she wants tonight to be absolutely perfect.

44

EXT. SCOTT’S HOUSE – FRONT STEPS (CONTINUOUS)

Tracy wheels towards Scott’s house and stops short. There are stairs in the way.

TRACY: Crap.

She looks around. Looking up, she sees Scott’s outline; apparently his bedroom faces the front of the house. She picks up a small pebble from the steps and takes aim at the window.

SCOTT’S MOTHER: Can I help you?

Startled, Tracy drops the pebble. Unbeknownst to Tracy, Scott’s mother had opened the front door and is looking right at her.

TRACY: Oh. Um. Yeah. Is Scott here?

SCOTT’S MOTHER: You must be Tracy. I’m Rebecca, Scott’s mom.

TRACY: (shakes hands) Hi.

SCOTT (O.S.): Mom? Is she here?

SCOTT’S MOTHER: (calling) Yes, it’s her. Haul some ass already. She’s waiting for you.

Scott appears at the door. He looks embarrassed at the fact that his mother is the person to first greet Tracy.

TRACY: You ready?

SCOTT: Yeah, I’m all set. Let’s go.

SCOTT’S MOTHER: Behave, you two! If you’re not sure how to make out, just think about how I would do it!

SCOTT: (under his breath) Good god, that’s disgusting!

45

INT. RESTAURANT – NIGHT

Tracy and Scott are at a table, waiting for their meals.

TRACY: ...and that’s how I eventually ended up as a Pop Culture Studies major. I have no clue what that degree would be good for. Maybe I’ll be a world-renowned expert on Britney Spears or something.

SCOTT: Man, this makes me wish I were studying anything else but physics instead.

TRACY: My best friend is studying physics too. She’s at Northwest Cascades on a scholarship.

SCOTT: Wow. She must really love it then.

TRACY: No. Physics tends to make her suicidal.

SCOTT: And she’s still studying it? Silly girl.

The server arrives with their meals.

SCOTT: So you never really told us why you’re in a wheelchair.

TRACY: (“oh really?” look) Do you usually jump from one topic to another so suddenly?

SCOTT: Well, it’s just that you’re one of the more, let’s say, prominent members of our little group. You’ve been so passionate about making things more accessible and so forth, but we don’t know much about you personally. Were you born this way?

TRACY: (after a hesitation) I don’t really like to get into it. It’s a... disorder. One of the quirky things about the disorder is that as long as I have it, I need my wheelchair to get around.

SCOTT: Really. Is that so? Can you walk at all?

TRACY: (hesitates) Well, my disorder turns me into a paraplegic.

SCOTT: Ah, I get it.

TRACY: Like I said, I don’t really like to talk too much about it.

SCOTT: That’s fair game.

TRACY: What about you? What’s your story?

SCOTT: I was born this way. Cerebral palsy.

TRACY: (mimicking Scott’s earlier reaction) Really. Is that so?

SCOTT: Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you. The fact is that people tend to expect a more interesting explanation.

TRACY: Same here.

SCOTT: We have a lot in common, you and I.

The two lock eyes for a moment before returning to their meals.

46

EXT. UNIVERSITY – PARK – DAY

The next day, Tracy is studying on a park bench, her empty wheelchair parked in front of her. Janie approaches, causing Tracy to look up.

TRACY: Hey.

JANIE: Hey.

TRACY: So.

JANIE: Look, I’m sorry about the other day. I kind of flew off the handle and I really shouldn’t have.

TRACY: No, it’s my fault. I really should’ve thought ahead, but I guess I wasn’t thinking too clearly.

JANIE: So we’re cool again?

TRACY: Yeah.

Janie swings around and plops herself in Tracy’s wheelchair. Tracy doesn’t even bat an eye; the two are familiar enough with each other that this is not a big deal.

JANIE: (doing wheelies) It’s just that seeing you go on your first date before MY first date makes me a bit jealous.

TRACY: Really? Why?

JANIE: Well, come on, Tracy. You said it yourself many times: I look hot, and you look average. Add in the wheelchair factor, and suddenly I’m the hot girl in school that guys don’t go after. Do you know how weird that is?

TRACY: (good-natured ribbing) Maybe the guys are scared of your sexy legs!

JANIE: (smirks) Like how guys are scared of your huge arm muscles? (slight pause) So how was it? How did your date with Scott go?

Janie releases the wheelie and starts to push back and forth on the hand rims.

TRACY: Alright, I guess. We talked about random things and had a nice dinner at the Red Lobster. It wasn’t a big deal, really.

JANIE: Do you think he’s the one?

Tracy ponders that for a while.

TRACY: I’m not sure. I mean, what you said when we had the big pow-wow? You were right in a way. What am I going to say to him about who I really am?

JANIE: Are you going to tell him?

Tracy doesn’t answer.

47

INT. THERAPIST’S LOBBY – DAY

Tracy closes the door of Dr. Tanabe’s office. Like the other day, Carl is among the patients in the lobby. Tracy doesn’t notice him as she exits. Carl gets up and goes after her.

48

INT. OFFICE HALLWAY – DAY

Carl runs after Tracy, who is making her way to the elevators.

CARL: Tracy!

TRACY: Carl. Hey. Um. Not that I’m unhappy to see you, but aren’t you afraid of missing your appointment out here?

CARL: Actually, I came to see you.

TRACY: Really?

The elevator arrives and they both get on it.

49

INT. ELEVATOR (CONTINUOUS)

CARL: I don’t want you to think I’m some crazy stalker, because I’m not. I told you I was an English literature major last time. Well, we’re having a poetry festival this weekend, and I was wondering if you’d like to come.

TRACY: You’re asking me?

CARL: Yes.

TRACY: Carl, you just met me.

CARL: I know. I’m asking anyway. We’re allowed to invite one friend, and...

Suddenly he looks a bit sad. Tracy immediately understands why.

TRACY: And you don’t really have any...

Carl nods.

CARL: Look, I’m not looking for you to pity me, but I honestly don’t want to be at this thing alone.

TRACY: Nobody else will go with you?

CARL: Ever since I started seeing Doc Tanabe, my friends have been avoiding me, like I’m a total freak or something. They don’t even talk to me anymore. But you. You’re nice. And friendly. And beautiful.

The elevator arrives. The doors open but Tracy doesn’t get out. Instead, she turns to Carl with a smile.

TRACY: You think I’m beautiful?

CARL: Absolutely.

Tracy considers that for a moment.

TRACY: Alright, count me in.

She wheels away. Carl, too stunned to move, remains in the elevator.

CARL: (calls after her) Great! I’ll see you there then.

50

INT. JANIE’S HOUSE – BEDROOM – NIGHT

Janie is alone in her room, at the computer. She is looking at a website with the title “Life and Disability.” She scrolls down and her eyes scan the pages. She clicks on a link, and a video appears.

WOMAN IN VIDEO: What do you do when a friend suffers a spinal cord injury? That is the question that many people don’t want to ask, but since you’re watching this video, you may have to find out the answer.

JANIE: (to herself) Not quite, but close enough.

WOMAN IN VIDEO: The best you can do is listen to your friend. His or her life will be drastically different from now on, and the most you can do during this period of adjustment is try to understand life from your friend’s point of view. Imagine what kinds of challenges your friend will face after the accident. Again: try to imagine life from your friend’s point of view.

Janie stops the video.

JANIE: Maybe that’s it.

She minimizes the browser and leaves her computer.

51

INT. TRACY’S HOUSE – HALLWAY

Tracy is walking down the hallway in her house, in her pyjamas and holding a glass of milk. The phone rings.

TRACY: (calling) I got it.

She looks at the caller ID and picks up the cordless phone.

TRACY: Hey, what’s up?

JANIE: Are you in a safe spot?

TRACY: Not yet, but I will be.

Tracy looks around, and darts upstairs to her room.

52

INT. TRACY’S HOUSE – BEDROOM – NIGHT (CONTINOUS)

We get our first glimpse of Tracy’s room. Everything looks normal (considering what we know about her); we see posters on the wall for her favourite movies, singers and celebrities. She enters her room and closes the door behind her.

TRACY: Yep, I’m safe now.

JANIE: Where can I get a wheelchair?

TRACY: (after a long pause, very slowly) Janie, I’ve lived with this for a long time, but as far as I know, what’s wrong with me isn’t contagious. Therefore, I ask you this one question: are you feeling okay?

JANIE: Yeah, I’m fine. And I’m okay with whatever is wrong with you or whatever. It’s just that I was thinking... I want to spend a day in your shoes.

TRACY: (after another long pause) Why the hell would you want to do that?

JANIE: After our big blow-up the other day, I want to understand you better. I mean, if we can fight like that, I can’t help but feel like I don’t fully understand you, even though I think I do.

TRACY: You understand me better than anyone else.

JANIE: I know. But I just saw something on the internet, saying that it might help if I start seeing things from your point of view.

Tracy sits down on the bed and ponders what Janie just said.

TRACY: Are you sure you want to do this?

JANIE: I wouldn’t be asking if I wasn’t.

TRACY: Okay, then. Are you free this Saturday?

53

INT. UNIVERSITY – HALLWAY – DAY

Tracy is wheeling down the hall. She sees some people going into a room nearby. She approaches it, checks the room number, and enters.

54

INT. UNIVERSITY – CLASSROOM (CONTINUOUS)

Tracy enters the room. The crowd is just arriving at the poetry festival. Carl is standing alone near a window, and quickly spots her.

CARL: Hey, you made it!

TRACY: Yeah, I wouldn’t miss this for the world.

CARL: You wouldn’t?

TRACY: Well, no offence, but I’m not a big poetry fan.

CARL: Understandable.

TRACY: But then I said to myself, “Hey, if this guy is nice enough to ask me to come, there must be SOMETHING worth seeing in there.”

CARL: I hope so.

TRACY: So what happens? Everyone writes some poetry and read it aloud, and talk about it?

CARL: Basically.

TRACY: What’s your poem about, then?

CARL: You’ll find out. But I’m nervous as hell right now.

TRACY: You’ll do fine. Normally, I’d tell you to imagine everyone naked, but that’s a cliché nowadays.

CARL: I think the saying should be “Imagine everyone in their underwear.” Not... naked.

TRACY: (surprised) Really? Now that’s just weird.

FESTIVAL ORGANIZER: (at the podium) Can you all please take your seats? The festival is about to begin.

55

INT. UNIVERSITY – CLASSROOM (CONTINUOUS)

A somewhat emo woman is on the podium, reading a poem. Tracy, seated next to Carl, is looking on.

TRACY (V.O.): When I was in high school, I absolutely hated English class. It all seemed so bland and boring. I mean, what’s “Romeo and Juliet” supposed to teach me, besides the fact that having a love affair with an under-aged minor will eventually lead to a double suicide? I just never got literature. Call me ill cultured, if you will, but there’s a reason why I’m majoring in something called Pop Culture Studies. And it’s not because I bury my nose in books.

EMO WOMAN: (reading a very crappy but morbid poem)
                            My finger, I poked into his bullet-wound,
                            Finally feeling the substance of life.
                            His internal organs felt finely tuned,
                            So I stabbed him once more with my knife...

ANGLE: TRACY’S FACIAL REACTION AT THE POEM

TRACY (V.O.): Although I have to say, poetry festivals are a lot more interesting than English class.

FESTIVAL ORGANIZER: And I think that’s as good a time as any to stop. Thank you for that... um, insightful poem, Teresa.

EMO WOMAN: But I didn’t get to the part where his skin peels off...

FESTIVAL ORGANIZER: I think we get the picture. Let’s give a nice round of applause for Teresa Hardy, ladies and gentlemen!

The audience gives scattered applause combined with some stunned silence. Teresa walks off the stage and past Tracy.

EMO WOMAN: (mumbling to herself) But his skin peels off...

TRACY (V.O.): Wow. Maybe I’m not as crazy as I thought.

FESTIVAL ORGANIZER: Up next, we have Carl Fezzlebottom with his poem, entitled “Forbidden Love.”

TRACY: (to Carl) Fezzlebottom?

CARL: Shut up.

Carl gets up and makes his way to the podium.

CARL: This is a poem I wrote for someone I’ve noticed for a long time, but maybe she didn’t notice me. I was afraid of what to say, but more importantly, more afraid of what others would say. This poem is called “Forbidden Love,” and is dedicated to Tracy.

TRACY (V.O.): Wait. What?

CARL:       When I first saw you,
                I knew you were the one.
                My knees turned to goo,
                As if my body weighed a ton.
                Your eyes, your lips, your hair,
                Everything about you was too much to bear.

TRACY (V.O.): Oh, crap.

CARL:     I know how you make me feel,
              But my family says, “No way.
              This girl walks with wheels.
              Her body does not obey.”

TRACY (V.O.): Not good.

CARL:     But then, what is love?
               Who said this girl can’t be adored?
               Society? Someone up above?
               Why is love something she can’t afford?

TRACY (V.O.): What have I done?

CARL:      What if she wheels? What if she walks?
               Quite frankly and either way, I don’t care.
               Let them snicker. Let them stare. Let them talk.
               Wheelchair or not, no other girl is ever more fair.

Tracy, without much warning, starts to wheel out of the room, nearly bumping into several people on the way out.

CARL: (quickly) Thank you every much, you’ve been a wonderful audience.

Carl chases after Tracy.

56

INT. UNIVERSITY – HALLWAY (CONTINUOUS)

Tracy wheels quickly down the hallway, sobbing and visibly upset. Carl chases after her.

CARL: (calling) Tracy! Wait!

Tracy wheels into a ladies’ washroom. Carl stops, then sighs and goes in anyway.

57

INT. UNIVERSITY – LADIES’ WASHROOM (CONTINUOUS)

Carl enters the washroom to see Tracy, facing a wall, sobbing.

CARL: Tracy... Look, I’m sorry.

TRACY: (still facing the wall) “Forbidden Love,” Carl?

CARL: I can change the title if you want.

TRACY: That’s not the point.

CARL: I know. Look, I’m sorry if that embarrassed you, but when I’m alone with you, I can’t find the guts to tell you how I feel.

A female student opens the door and walks in.

FEMALE STUDENT: (upon seeing a guy in the ladies’ room) Hey, get out of here!

CARL: It’s okay! This is about love.

The female student isn’t sure what to say, so she instead turns around and exits.

TRACY: Carl... You’re a nice guy and all, but you can’t possibly love me.

CARL: Why not? You’re the most beautiful and charming girl I’ve ever met in my life.

TRACY: You can’t... because of this.

Tracy slaps the wheels on her chair.

CARL: Look. I don’t like you because you’re in a chair. This isn’t a pity thing. And even without the chair, I’ll still love you. And I love you because I’ve never met anyone like you before. Tracy, I don’t care if you can walk or not. I used to care that people said bad things about me because I have a crush on “the wheelchair girl,” but I don’t care any more. There is nothing about you that can make me lose my love for you.

Tracy sighs. There is a long moment of silence.

TRACY: Nothing?

CARL: Absolutely nothing.

TRACY: How about this?

Tracy, still facing the wall, stands up. She turns around, to see a stunned Carl.

TRACY: I don’t even need this wheelchair to walk. I can walk just fine. There is nothing wrong with me. I need this wheelchair because I’m a psycho freak whose brain tells her she should be paralysed below the waist, when her body is actually fine.

Carl is speechless.

TRACY: Do you still love me now?

Tracy gets back in her chair, and wheels out of the washroom, with Carl still standing there, trying to devour what he just heard and saw.

58

EXT. RURAL FREEWAY – DAY

We see a long stretch of freeway heading out into farming areas.

JANIE (O.S.): Why are we going this far again?

59

INT. TRACY’S CAR (CONTINUOUS)

Tracy is driving, with Janie in the passenger seat, looking a bit bored.

TRACY: Do you want to do this or not?

JANIE: I do, but why do we have to go all the way out to Oryx Crake nowhere?

TRACY: This is what I used to do before I started wheeling full-time: go to a place a bit farther away where nobody knows you, so nobody will start asking questions back home.

JANIE: (grumbles) You’re contributing to global warming.

TRACY: Probably. But remember which one of us is paying for gas.

60

EXT. PARKING LOT – DAY

Tracy pulls into a parking spot and turns the car off. She pops open the trunk and gets out. She takes her wheelchair out of the trunk and sets it up in front of Janie, who had opened her car door and is looking on.

TRACY: (gestures) Get in.

JANIE: What? In your chair? What happened to the other one? The one you keep in your closet?

TRACY: I’m walking today.

JANIE: Whoa.

TRACY: Yeah, yeah, get over it. Get in the chair.

Janie starts to get up.

TRACY: Stop. Stop. Stop.

JANIE: Did I do something wrong?

TRACY: You said you wanted to see things from my point of view, right?

JANIE: Yeah, so?

TRACY: So from this point on, you’re not allowed to use your legs.

JANIE: Are you serious, Trace? Not even from the car to the chair?

Tracy doesn’t budge; she is firm about this.

JANIE: All right, fine.

Janie attempts to transfer from the car to the chair, with great difficulty. She nearly falls to the ground several times, causing her to start the whole process over again. This happens several times, before she finally gets it right.

JANIE: Satisfied?

TRACY: (closing the car door and activating the alarm) Let’s go.

61

EXT. TOWN – SIDEWALK – DAY

Janie is wheeling laboriously down the sidewalk, while Tracy is walking next to her; this is a strange sight.

TRACY: So how does it feel?

JANIE: (straining) Damn, this is harder than I thought.

TRACY: Do I make it look easy?

JANIE: Well, not exactly easy, but I didn’t think it was that hard either. You’re usually faster on your wheels than on your feet.

TRACY: (surprised) I am? Sweet...

62

INT. SHOPPING MALL – FOOD COURT – DAY

Janie and Tracy are at a food court, enjoying some milkshakes.

TRACY: I don’t know why the hell we ordered milkshakes. The air conditioning is freezing in here.

JANIE: A bunch of morons - that’s who we are. But these shakes are so damn good.

TRACY: Well, that’s true.

JANIE: (after a pause) Is this about the attention?

TRACY: What’s about the attention?

JANIE: (gestures to the chair) Everyone here is staring at me. You saw the look on people’s faces when we were going down the street, and on our way here. They are all looking at me.

TRACY: (takes a sip) You know, I’m used to the staring by now, but I can tell you one thing; it’s not about the attention. And I’m even appalled you would ask me that.

JANIE: Sorry, but I just had to make sure.

TRACY: I actually hate it when people stare at me, or when people pay attention to me. I’d actually kill for the opposite. You just found out how annoying it is when people always look at you. I’d do anything to just be able to use my chair without people giving me any “special royal treatment” or whatever.

JANIE: So you don’t want the attention?

TRACY: No. That’s the LAST thing I want. I’ve been living as an able-bodied girl for most of my life, but feeling so different on the inside. And I finally do something to feel normal, but then people start treating me like I’m a freak. It’s a weird little yin-yang effect.

JANIE: So either way, you’re different from everyone else.

TRACY: Exactly. I basically have two choices: feel different on the inside or look different on the outside. You can choose to ignore looks, but you can’t choose to ignore feelings. I think the choice is obvious.

Janie nods and devours more milkshake.

63

INT. SHOPPING MALL – CLOTHING STORE – DAY

Tracy and Janie are looking at clothes.

TRACY (V.O.): For someone whose wheelchair experience was limited to fooling around in my chair for about five minutes at a time, Janie did pretty well.

64

INT. SHOPPING MALL – CLOTHING STORE – CHANGE ROOM (CONTINUOUS)

Tracy is standing outside a closed change room stall. We hear Janie inside as she squeals and falls to the ground with a thud.

JANIE (O.S.): (from inside the stall) I’m okay! I’m okay.

TRACY (V.O.): Well, relatively speaking.

JANIE (O.S.): (from inside the stall) I think I... broke my butt...

TRACY: (after a beat) How can you break your butt?

65

INT. SHOPPING MALL – HALLWAY – RAMP – DAY

Tracy is at the top of a ramp, and Janie is struggling to push her way up, even though it isn’t particularly steep.

JANIE: (labouring) Gahhh!

Tracy waits patiently at the top, watching Janie from a distance with an amused look in her eyes. A man appears behind Janie.

MAN: Need a hand?

JANIE: No, I want to do it myself.

MAN: Don’t be silly. Here, let me help you.

JANIE: No, it’s fine, really.

MAN: No, it’s okay. Here.

The man pushes Janie up the ramp. At the top, Janie spins around and faces the man.

JANIE: (very slowly but angrily) Sir, it’s not like I don’t appreciate your help or anything. But when I said no, that was what I meant. I’m not trying to be a bitch, but I didn’t want any help going up. Next time, remember that no means no. Okay?

MAN: (slightly embarrassed) Yeah. Sure.

He walks away. Tracy, who was watching from the sidelines, goes up to Janie.

TRACY: Bravo. You were WAY nastier than I would’ve been.

JANIE: The guy just didn’t understand the meaning of “no.”

TRACY: That happens to me ALL the time. You take a little longer to go up a ramp or something, and suddenly someone has to play hero and help you, even though you don’t want the help.

JANIE: Yeah, it’s like, “If I want your help, I’ll ask for it.”

TRACY: So how did that make you feel?

JANIE: It made me feel useless. Like I have to depend on other people to survive. Just humiliating. I felt embarrassed. And ignored, because he totally ignored me when I said no. And that made me angry. And-

Janie stops and notices Tracy nodding along to everything she just said.

JANIE: This is sounding totally familiar to you, isn’t it?

TRACY: Yep.

Janie thinks for a moment.

JANIE: Have I ever done anything like that?

TRACY: Not often, but yeah.

JANIE: (with realization) Oh my God, I’m so sorry.

TRACY: (gives a forgiving smile) Well, like you said, you can’t really understand me until you’re in my shoes, right?

They continue down the mall corridor.

66

EXT. SHOPPING MALL – PARKING LOT – DAY

Tracy and Janie are making their way back to the car.

JANIE: God, my arms are going to DIE soon!

TRACY: Already?

JANIE: Why the hell do you do this every day?

TRACY: Well, what else can I do? I don’t feel normal when I walk, just like you don’t feel normal in my chair right now. I wish I can walk around and feel like myself, but I can’t. I don’t know how to explain it.

JANIE: (still whining about her arms) Owwww...

TRACY: Come on, I can survive ten times more wheeling than that.

JANIE: But you’re used to it.

TRACY: That’s what you think.

SCOTT: Tracy!

Tracy stops dead in her tracks. Janie stops wheeling, then forgets that she needs to stop completely, so she quickly grabs the hand rims and stops the chair.

TRACY: Scott!

JANIE: This isn’t what it looks like.

SCOTT: It looks like Tracy’s been lying to me all along, and she can walk fine. And it looks like you’re in her chair pretending to be disabled as well.

JANIE: Okay, then it’s exactly what it looks like.

TRACY: Scott, I can explain.

SCOTT: (sarcastic laugh) Explain what? Explain why you lied to me? Explain why you’ve been lying to everyone else around you? Explain why you were pretending to be paralysed to the whole group?

TRACY: Scott-

SCOTT: You know what? I thought you were different. I thought you were someone I can relate to, someone who understands exactly what I go through. I guess I was wrong.

Scott walks away.

TRACY: Wait, Scott!

Scott continues to walk away.

JANIE: Don’t bother chasing him, Tracy. I don’t think there’s anything you can say right now.

TRACY: (on the verge of tears) Let’s just go.

67

EXT. TRACY’S HOUSE – NIGHT

Tracy pulls into her driveway. She looks at her wheelchair in the passenger seat. She gets out of the car, and loads it into the trunk. She looks at it, covers it with a large black cloak, and closes the trunk.

68

INT. TRACY’S HOUSE – BEDROOM – NIGHT

Tracy is lying on the bed, looking up at the ceiling.

TRACY (V.O.): At some point, everyone asks the same question: why am I here? We all wonder what our place is in this world. Some people are meant to be great scientists, like Albert Einstein. Others are meant to be great artists, like Picasso. The list goes on. So what is MY purpose in this world? Why am I the one who has to go crazy? Why is MY body different from what my brain tells it to be?

Tracy closes her eyes.

69

EXT. PARK – DAY (FLASHBACK)

We see the first scene of the movie, where Tracy was playing House with her friends.

MICHAEL: Honey, I’m home!

GRACE: Oh, welcome back, dear! How was work today?

MICHAEL: It was great. The traffic was bad, but I earned lots and lots of money today. Where’s our daughter?

GRACE: She’s doing her homework. Tracy, darling! Your dad’s home!

Tracy comes up, using her hands to drag herself towards Michael

TRACY: Daddy! Daddy!

70

INT. TRACY’S HOUSE – BEDROOM – NIGHT

Tracy opens her eyes.

TRACY (V.O.): What I am have affected everything I’ve ever done in my life. Everyone I’ve ever known. Everything that’s in my mind. Nothing is safe from what I am. What I have. It’s always there. It taints everything it touches. I want to get rid of it, but I can’t. It turns me into a monster. And I hate that monster. I hate it. I’d do anything to kill that monster inside me. Even if it means killing who I am in the process.

Tracy turns to her side, and sees the photos on her dresser; the photos have her looking happy with her family and with Janie. Her eyes get teary.

TRACY (V.O.): I hate who I am. I really want to be me, but how can you be someone you hate?

She closes her eyes, and turns out the dresser light.

71

EXT. STREET – DAY

Tracy is wheeling down the street. She turns the corner towards the library.

72

INT. LIBRARY MEETING ROOM – DAY

The disabilities support group is gathering for another meeting, which has not yet started. Tracy enters, but one by one, the members notice her and stop talking. Eventually, the whole room is silent, with everyone’s eyes on Tracy. James, the head of the group, pulls up in his electric wheelchair.

TRACY: What’s going on?

JAMES: I don’t know, Tracy. Why don’t you tell me?

Tracy sees Scott among the group, and is hit with a sudden realization.

TRACY: James, I can explain.

JAMES: Oh, really? Because from what we heard, Scott has already told us all that we needed to hear.

He rolls up closer to Tracy.

JAMES: What do you have to say for yourself?

TRACY: I guess “I’m sorry” isn’t enough to cover it?

Without warning, James reaches out and pinches Tracy’s thigh. Tracy yelps in surprised pain.

JAMES: Can you feel that?

TRACY: (yelping) Yes.

JAMES: Well, I can’t. But I know how I feel right about now. Right now, I feel like someone has slapped me across the face. I feel like someone has taken all our disabilities and spat on them, one by one. You’ve made a mockery out of us, Tracy. I don’t know what your game is, but you are no longer welcome here. And if you ever come back, we’ll call the police and have you removed from the premises. Who knows? Maybe they’ll even see what an insane nutjob you are and lock you up somewhere where you belong. Do I make myself clear?

Tracy nods.

JAMES: Good. Now roll your ass out of here before I do something I really regret.

Tracy quickly leaves, crying and clearly shaken.

73

EXT. STREET – DAY

Carl is walking down the street, eating a hot dog. Tracy is wheeling the opposite direction, crying. Carl stops and looks at her. Tracy doesn’t notice Carl as she wheels past him. Carl just continues looking at her, mouth full of hot dog.

74

EXT. SUBURBAN STREET – DAY

Tracy’s car drives down a suburban street. After a while, it pulls over and parks.

75

INT. TRACY’S CAR (CONTINUOUS)

Tracy turns off the engine. She sits there for a moment, and then starts sobbing. She bangs her fists on the steering wheel in frustration before calming down. After a while, she starts up her car again and drives away.

76

EXT. TRACY’S HOUSE

Tracy’s car pulls into the driveway. As per her normal routine, she covers her wheelchair in the car with a black cloak before exiting her car and walking towards the house.

77

INT. TRACY’S HOUSE

Tracy enters her house, which is unusually quiet tonight.

TRACY: Hello! I’m home!

There is no answer, so Tracy hangs up her jacket and peeks in the living room. Her parents are sitting, waiting for her.

TRACY: Hey, Mom, Dad. Why’s it so quiet tonight?

HENRY: Sit down.

Tracy finds an empty spot and sits accordingly.

TRACY: What’s going on?

SUSAN: Honey, we have something to talk to you about, and we want you to be honest with us.

TRACY: Of course. What’s going on?

HENRY: Have you or have you not...

Henry pauses for a moment, trying to get the words out.

HENRY: Have you or have you not been using a wheelchair at school?

There is a long silence as Tracy, stunned at this development, tries to find the words and fails.

HENRY: (shouting) Damn it, answer me!

TRACY: (murmuring) Yes.

HENRY: What?

TRACY: (a little louder) Yes. Um, I have.

Henry looks down and sighs.

HENRY: Why are you doing this to us?

TRACY: (appalled) I’m not trying to do anything to you. I’m trying to feel normal!

HENRY: (shouting) This is NOT normal! You do NOT become normal by masquerading around in a wheelchair pretending to be a damn gimp!

Henry stops and covers his head with his hands.

TRACY: I - I - I can’t explain this. I’ve been seeing a psychiatrist, and even he says there’s nothing else I can do about this right now. Dad, you have to understand.

SUSAN: Tracy, don’t. Just... don’t.

There is a long period of silence. The ticking from the clock in the kitchen is clearly audible.

HENRY: (quietly) How long have you been doing this?

TRACY: Um. A year and a half. Almost two years.

HENRY: Good God.

TRACY: But it’s helping. I’ve been feeling a lot better about myself since I started. Life feels a lot better in general. I feel like I’m finally who I’m supposed to be.

SUSAN: But this isn’t the life we wanted for you. We want you to live a healthy, successful, normal life. We don’t want you to be disabled.

TRACY: Mom, what I’m doing IS living a healthy, successful, normal life. I’ve never felt better, I’m doing things that matter, and I don’t feel like a freak anymore. This is me, Mom. This is who I’m supposed to be.

There is another long period of silence. Finally, Henry sighs.

HENRY: This is really who you are?

TRACY: Yes.

HENRY: Are you sure?

TRACY: I’ve been sure since I was four years old, Dad.

Henry finally looks Tracy in the eyes.

HENRY: Tracy, you know I’ll always love you, right?

TRACY: Yes, Dad.

HENRY: Good. Now pack your things and get out.

78

EXT. JANIE’S HOUSE

ANGLE: HAND KNOCKS ON FRONT DOOR

Janie opens the door, to see Tracy there, standing with several duffel bags.

JANIE: What happened?

TRACY: Can I come in?

Janie steps aside, and Tracy enters the house.

79

INT. JANIE’S HOUSE – BEDROOM

Tracy had just told Janie what happened.

JANIE: So they just said, “Get out”?

TRACY: Yeah.

JANIE: How the hell did they find out?

TRACY: Honestly? I have no clue. It’s not like I keep stuff out in the open. The only thing I have hidden is my spare chair in my closet, but that was untouched when I packed my stuff. There was no way they could’ve just found out by accident.

JANIE: I didn’t say anything to them.

TRACY: I know you didn’t. But someone did.

JANIE: Where are you going to stay?

TRACY: I was wondering if I could crash here for a while, until I figure out what to do.

JANIE: Well, let me ask my mom first. I’m sure she’ll understand.

Janie exits the room, leaving Tracy alone to reflect on what had happened.

TRACY (V.O.): Everything I was afraid would happen, has happened. People I care about have started to stop caring about me. And it has nothing to do with the 90% of me that they know about, but rather the 10% of me that they don’t. So what do they do? They stop caring because they don’t like that 10% of me.

Janie re-enters the room.

JANIE: Mom says it’s okay, and that you can stay as long as you like.

TRACY: Thanks. I mean it.

JANIE: (after a beat) Are you okay?

TRACY: (starting to cry) I don’t know.

Janie says nothing more, and embraces Tracy, who cries in her best friend’s arms.

80

INT. THERAPIST’S ROOM – DAY

Tracy is once again talking to Dr. Tanabe.

DR. TANABE: This is basically your worst nightmare.

TRACY: Basically. I mean, I knew that one day, I’m going to have to let the truth out, but I prayed for everything to end much more differently than this.

DR. TANABE: You know, if you don’t mind bending our doctor-patient confidentiality, you can always ask your father if he would like to talk with me. I can explain the situation to him, and tell him that you are not crazy and are going through a transitional thing.

TRACY: I could, but he’s not answering my calls right now. I don’t know, maybe he just needs some time to cool off.

DR. TANABE: Tracy, if I can just go from being your psychiatrist for a second, I want to say something from the heart.

TRACY: Okay...

DR. TANABE: When you first came here, you were freaking out. You had no idea what was going on with you, but you knew that something wasn’t right. After a couple of sessions and some research, when I told you that there is no known cure or solution, or even a treatment option, you were angry.

TRACY: I remember that.

DR. TANABE: But you got over that. You realized that it was up to you to find a way to deal with this, so you did. And I supported your method. Ever since, you have grown a lot as a person and turned from a young woman who had no idea what her life was about to a young woman who knows how she wants to live her life.

TRACY: Really?

DR. TANABE: Definitely. And the mere fact that you faced something face to face like that and still found a way to cope despite the shoddy prognosis is nothing short of amazing. I just want you to know that.

Tracy says nothing else. There is nothing to say.

81

EXT. TRACY’S HOUSE – DAY

Tracy’s car pulls into the driveway. She walks up to her front door, and takes out her keys. She stops and sees:

ANGLE: A BRAND NEW LOCK ON THE DOOR

TRACY: Argh!

She throws her keys down in frustration as Scott appears behind her.

SCOTT: Interesting how the tables have turned, isn’t it?

Tracy turns around. As soon as she sees Scott, she gets angry.

TRACY: What the hell do you mean by that?

SCOTT: It was interesting how, after you spent so long tricking us all and turning us into fools, now it’s your turn to play the clueless one.

TRACY: (teeth clenched) They kicked me out of the house. I’ve got nowhere to go, and everything I once cared about are gone.

SCOTT: I know. How does it feel to get what you deserve?

TRACY: What I deserve? In what way do I deserve ANY of this?

SCOTT: I don’t know, let me think! How about taking all our struggles and turning them into a joke? How about just being a horrible person?

TRACY: You don’t know ANYTHING about me.

SCOTT: Apparently not.

Tracy starts to walk away towards her car.

SCOTT: Just feel lucky that I told your parents about you before anything bad happened.

Upon hearing that, Tracy turns around and punches Scott in the face.

TRACY: (shouting) You stay the hell away from me! You hear?

Tracy gets into her car and speeds away.

82

INT. TRACY’S HOUSE – BEDROOM – MORNING

SUSAN: Tracy, dear, wake up!

Tracy opens her eyes.

TRACY: Mom?

SUSAN: Well, I prefer to be called Wonder Woman, but that’ll do as well.

TRACY: Oh, wow. I just had the weirdest dream.

SUSAN: Really? How weird?

TRACY: I dreamt that I had this weird need to be a paralysed, but in fact I was perfectly fine. And then everyone found out, and you and Dad kicked me out of the house, and...

SUSAN: (embraces Tracy) Oh, honey. You know my and Dad wouldn’t do that.

TRACY: I know.

SUSAN: Well, hurry up and get dressed. We don’t want to be late to Aunt Kristy’s party.

TRACY: No, we don’t.

SUSAN: (as she exits the room) And don’t forget you have physio afterwards, so don’t have TOO much fun!

We zoom out to see a wheelchair next to Tracy’s bed. Yawning, Tracy transfers herself onto it.

83

INT. TRACY’S HOUSE – WASHROOM – DAY

We see various shots of Tracy getting ready. She brushes her teeth. She cleans her face. She catheterizes (which we do not see, but we can guess that, via sound and her body language; sorry, guys).

84

INT. TRACY’S HOUSE – BEDROOM – DAY

Tracy, in her chair, dresses herself in a cute tank top and jeans. She checks herself in the mirror once more before exiting the room.

85

EXT. AUNT KRISTY’S HOUSE – DRIVEWAY – DAY

A car pulls up the driveway. Henry and Susan get out. Henry takes Tracy’s wheelchair out of the trunk and sets it up in front of her. Tracy transfers onto it and wheels up Aunt Kristy’s front steps.

86

EXT. AUNT KRISTY’S HOUSE – FRONT DOOR (CONTINUOUS)

The front door opens, and Aunt Kristy rushes out with her arms outstretched.

AUNT KRISTY: (hugs) Susan! Henry! So nice to see you two again!

HENRY: Hello, Kristy. How’s everything?

AUNT KRISTY: Super! Super. Everything’s set up around the back, so, um, why don’t you all meet me there in the backyard?

SUSAN: Sounds great.

87

EXT. AUNT KRISTY’S HOUSE – BACKYARD

This is quite the party. There are kids playing in the backyard, food served and refreshments aplenty. Kristy, Tracy, Henry and Susan are sitting at the same table, talking.

HENRY: And then I said to him, “Well, maybe you look like a penguin because you’re wearing it backwards!”

The foursome shares a laugh.

HENRY: Oh, look. It’s Darien. I haven’t seen him for ages. I’ve got to say hi. Excuse me.

He stands up and walks away.

AUNT KRISTY: (to Tracy) So Tracy. I haven’t seen you since you were a little girl.

TRACY: Yeah, it’s been a long time.

AUNT KRISTY: And this is the first time I’ve seen you since... um, the accident.

TRACY: Mm hmm.

AUNT KRISTY: It must be so hard for you.

TRACY: I get by. I mean, I go to physio three times a week. We’re still trying to see what parts of my body are still working. But I’m getting used to it all.

AUNT KRISTY: So what do the doctors say?

TRACY: Not much, actually. Just told me that I’m completely paralysed below the waist and that I probably won’t get any function back.

AUNT KRISTY: Poor dear.

TRACY: Come on, Aunt Kristy. It’s not that bad.

AUNT KRISTY: I just can’t imagine how I’d feel if it was my own daughter. Susan, your kid is something else.

SUSAN: (smiles) Yeah, she is. I’m so proud of her.

AUNT KRISTY: (notices something) Oh, shoot. The kids are playing too close to my tomato plants. Excuse me, I’ve got to rein them in a bit...

TRACY: It’s okay, Aunt Kristy. I’ll get them.

AUNT KRISTY: You sure?

TRACY: Yeah.

Tracy wheels off towards the kids.

AUNT KRISTY: (to Susan, admiringly) She’s so capable.

88

EXT. AUNT KRISTY’S HOUSE – BACKYARD (CONTINUOUS)

Tracy wheels towards the kids. She stops in her tracks when she hears their conversation.

LITTLE GIRL 2: Well, you’re the only boy here. Three against one – girls win. We’re playing House.

LITTLE BOY: Can’t we just play Cops and Robbers instead?

TRACY: (whisper to herself) What the hell?

LITTLE GIRL 2: She’s doing her homework. Jane, darling! Your dad’s home!

Little Girl 1 comes up, using her hands to drag herself towards Little Boy.

LITTLE GIRL 1: Daddy! Daddy!

TRACY: Stop!

The three small kids look at her.

TRACY: Stop playing this game right now!

LITTLE GIRL 2: We’re just playing House.

TRACY: Stop.

LITTLE GIRL 1: Why do you want us to stop, Tracy?

TRACY: Because I can’t handle this anymore.

LITTLE BOY: Tracy, this is who you are. This is the life you’re meant to live.

TRACY: Stop.

LITTLE GIRL 2: Don’t you feel happier here?

LITTLE GIRL 1: Don’t you feel normal for once?

TRACY: (screaming) Stop it!

89

INT. TRACY’S CAR – MORNING

Tracy shakes herself out of her sleep. It was just a nightmare. She looks down at her legs. She moves them, as if to confirm everything. Sighing, she lies back on the car seat and stares into space.

90

INT. UNIVERSITY – STUDENT LOUNGE – DAY

Tracy wheels towards Janie, who is sitting at a table reading a novel.

JANIE: Hey. You didn’t come in last night.

TRACY: Yeah, I was dealing with some things.

JANIE: (off Tracy’s look) Are you okay?

TRACY: I don’t know.

JANIE: What’s wrong?

TRACY: Well, I found out that my parents changed their locks.

JANIE: What? No way.

TRACY: They did. And as I was leaving, I ran into the person who tipped them off.

JANIE: Who was it?

TRACY: Scott.

JANIE: That weasel.

TRACY: Janie, what do you do if you feel like you don’t belong anywhere?

JANIE: Well, normally I would suggest dying your hair all black and start listening to Marilyn Manson, but I don’t think that’s exactly what this is about.

TRACY: I don’t know. I just feel like maybe things are falling apart because everything about me just doesn’t belong.

JANIE: I don’t follow.

TRACY: (after a beat) Never mind. Look, I’ve got to get to class. I’ll see you later, okay?

JANIE: Um, okay.

Tracy wheels away, with Janie looking at her suspiciously.

91

EXT. HIGHWAY AWAY FROM THE CITY – DAY

Cars are traveling on a highway away from the city, leading to the forests.

TRACY (V.O.): When someone contracts cancer, and the cancer threatens the patient’s life, a decision can be made to amputate a limb.

92

INT. TRACY’S CAR (CONTINUOUS)

Tracy is driving.

TRACY (V.O.): That limb, whether it is an arm or a leg, is still functional, but there is still a decision to remove it for the good of one’s physical health. So why is it that when something needs to be done to an otherwise healthy body, for the sake of mental health, doctors hesitate?

93

EXT. ROAD (CONTINUOUS)

Tracy’s car takes the off-ramp leading to a forested road.

TRACY (V.O.): If you can’t sacrifice one healthy thing to save a currently non-healthy thing, then what other choice is there?

94

EXT. PARKING LOT (CONTINUOUS)

Tracy’s car pulls into a parking spot and she gets out. She starts walking towards a point off-screen, with a purpose.

95

EXT. LARGE DAM

Tracy walks atop a large dam. She looks over the edge, and sees that it’s a long drop.

TRACY (V.O.): Sometimes, the only choice might be to sacrifice both the healthy and the unhealthy parts. Because what else is there?

Tracy raises one leg and prepares to climb the dam.

ANGLE: TRACY’S LEG PREPARING TO CLIMB

Suddenly, a pair of arms wraps around Tracy’s waist and pulls her well away from the edge.

CARL: Tracy, don’t do this!

TRACY: Carl?

CARL: Don’t do this.

TRACY: (getting angry) What the hell, Carl! What the hell are you doing! You ruined everything!

CARL: Tracy, there has to be another way. Just don’t do this!

Tracy breaks free of Carl’s grasp.

TRACY: There’s another way? Then tell me what it is. I’ve been living like this for over twenty years, and I can’t take this anymore! I’m sick of being a freak. I’m sick of living a lie. I’m the biggest lie in the world, Carl. Can’t you see that?

CARL: What about Janie, huh? She was worried about you. She was so worried that she called everyone she knew, trying to track me down.

TRACY: And what, you decided to chase after me?

CARL: I got her call, and then I saw you drive by in your car. What was I supposed to do?

TRACY: You could’ve let me go through with this.

CARL: Tracy, I can’t.

TRACY: And why not?

CARL: Because I care about you, Tracy.

TRACY: Right. That’s why you invited me to your poetry thing and then embarrassed both of us in front of everyone.

CARL: That’s not what I was trying to do.

TRACY: Look, forget it. Just forget it.

Tracy runs away back towards the parking lot, leaving Carl standing there, watching her disappear.

96

EXT. JANIE’S HOUSE – NIGHT

Tracy pulls to a stop outside Janie’s house. She gets out of the car, and leans on the passenger door for a while, looking at the stars.

TRACY (V.O.): When you’ve just been to a very dark place in your soul, it’s hard to crawl your way out of it. It’s even worse when someone sees you in that very dark place, with his own eyes, because then, whatever move you make is going to be closely monitored. What do I do? Where do I go from here? Do things ever get better? Those are just some of the questions that are going through my mind right now. And the fact that I have to ask these questions at all scares the hell out of me.

Tracy gets up and walks towards the front door.

97

INT. JANIE’S HOUSE – FOYER (CONTINUOUS)

Tracy takes off her shoes and hangs her coat on a hook beside the door. She turns around to see Janie waiting for her.

JANIE: (quietly) Are you okay?

TRACY: (just as quietly) Yeah.

She starts towards the stairs.

JANIE: There’s someone here to see you.

TRACY: Tell Carl I don’t want to talk to him right now.

JANIE: It’s not Carl.

Tracy looks at her in surprise, and follows Janie into the living room.

98

INT. JANIE’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM (CONTINUOUS)

Janie and Tracy both enter the living room, to see James, the head of the disability support group, waiting.

TRACY: (slightly surprised) James.

JAMES: (solemn) Hello, Tracy.

TRACY: I didn’t think you’d want to see my face again.

JAMES: Quite frankly, I didn’t think so either.

TRACY: So why are you here?

JAMES: Someone came by our meeting today and was looking for you. She was a bit disappointed to find out that you weren’t there, but she wanted to present you with this.

James turns over the picture frame he was holding in his lap, and hands it to Tracy. Tracy looks at it.

JAMES: It’s the National Disability Association’s award for Outstanding Advocate. This is the highest honour that can be given to a person with a disability.

TRACY: (after a beat) Throw it out.

JAMES: (sighs) Tracy. I don’t agree with what you did or understand it, nor am I happy about it. But after you left, and after that woman dropped this off, I got to thinking. Sure, you don’t have a disability. But in my twenty years of being an advocate in this field, I’ve never seen anyone so determined and so hard-working as you.

TRACY: But I don’t deserve this. Throw it out.

JAMES: Don’t be silly. Listen. You got me thinking. We always talk about inclusion, and how society needs to open the doors to people with disabilities. How society needs to include us in everyday life. When Scott told us the truth about you, we panicked. So we excluded you. Then I realized that is how society feels about us disabled folk; they get scared, so they slam the door.

TRACY: Yeah. So, what’s your point?

JAMES: Well, after discussing that in our last meeting, it seems a bit hypocritical for us to tell you to leave, because you understand our issues a lot better than any other able-bodied person. You don’t have to accept what I have to say, Tracy, but I just want to tell you that if you want to come back in our group, you are more than welcome.

TRACY: I’ll think about it.

JAMES: That’s all we can make you do right now. You have a good night. Think about what I said.

JANIE: I’ll show you out.

Janie and James both leave the room. Tracy, still a bit stunned, heads upstairs.

99

INT. JANIE’S HOUSE – BEDROOM – NIGHT

Janie enters the room.

JANIE: Wow, I didn’t see that coming.

TRACY: Me either. I thought he was here to rip into me again.

A long beat goes by before someone speaks again.

JANIE: Are you okay? Carl told me what happened.

TRACY: I don’t know. Things aren’t really looking up for me right now.

JANIE: Why did you want to do it?

TRACY: Things were getting shitty. I mean, they were shitty before, but this was bad. I felt like there was nothing left for me here. I don’t belong anywhere, and everything just seemed to shut me out. My own parents aren’t talking to me, and I can’t even get back in my own house. This... thing that I have is tainting everything and everyone I love, and there’s nothing I can do about it.

JANIE: You have me.

TRACY: I know I do, and I’m grateful for that. But the way all of this happened really got to me. I mean, the problems all started with Scott. You were right; I never should’ve gone out with him.

JANIE: None of us knew that he would turn out like this.

TRACY: I know, but if I had never gone out with him, he would’ve never told the group, or my parents. All my life, I imagined myself as a paraplegic, and meeting someone like that with a disability was a dream come true. Finally, we could be a pair who would understand each other, and what it means to live with a disability. But it turned out to be a living hell.

There is a long pause as both friends absorb that thought for a moment.

JANIE: You know what Scott’s problem is?

TRACY: He’s a big booger-face?

JANIE: What?

TRACY: Never mind. Go on.

JANIE: Scott’s problem is the same one you have. Both of you, living as disabled people, keep imagining your future lovers as someone who also has a disability. I mean, isn’t that a bit superficial?

TRACY: I guess.

JANIE: When you want to love someone, what’s more important? How someone looks, or what a person is like inside?

TRACY: I guess... inside?

JANIE: (triumphant) Exactly. You’re attracted to him because he has a disability, and he seems to be thinking the same about you. And when you accidentally showed that you DON’T have a disability, he started treating you like roadside trash.

TRACY: Yeah?

JANIE: So forget about Scott. If you’re going to go after a disabled guy, make sure you know that person very well before going on a first date. I mean, you remember how he asked you out. You didn’t know the first thing about him.

Tracy thinks about countering that claim, but realizes that Janie was right.

JANIE: So he has a problem with who you are. Great! Let him have that problem. You deserve a better guy than that. You deserve someone who loves you, whether you’re a walker, a paraplegic, or a wannabe paraplegic. Someone who loves you for who you are, not what you are. I know it’s a total cliché, but it’s true.

Tracy stares at her wrists, thinking about that for a moment.

TRACY: Yeah. Yeah, I think I know someone like that already.

JANIE: Then hold on to that person, no matter what it takes.

Tracy and Janie look at each other, in a moment of mutual understanding.

100

INT. THERAPIST’S LOBBY – DAY

Some patients are sitting in the waiting area of Dr. Tanabe’s office.

RECPTIONIST: Carl Fezzlebottom?

Carl gets up.

RECEPTIONIST: Dr. Tanabe is ready for you now.

CARL: Thank you.

He goes over to Dr. Tanabe’s door, knocks and enters.

101

INT. THERAPIST’S ROOM (CONTINUOUS)

Carl enters. Dr. Tanabe motions him to sit.

DR. TANABE: How are you today, Carl?

CARL: I’m great.

DR. TANABE: Before we start, I received a note today in my office, addressed to you.

CARL: (surprised) Me?

Dr. Tanabe hands Carl an envelope. Carl opens it and reads it.

“ROOM B213, WOODWARD BUILDING, 3PM TODAY”

DR. TANABE: All right. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, shall we get started?

102

EXT. JANIE’S HOUSE – DAY

A car pulls up. Henry and Susan get out and approach the front door.

ANGLE: SUSAN KNOCKING ON THE DOOR

Janie opens the door. Once she sees who it is, she turns to ice.

JANIE: (coldly) Can I help you?

HENRY: Janie, we need to see our daughter.

103

INT. JANIE’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – DAY

Henry and Susan are sitting on a couch, opposite Janie in another couch. Cue to music of awkwardness!

JANIE: So...

HENRY: So.

JANIE: You know she wanted to see you two.

HENRY: I know.

JANIE: And she tried to stop by.

SUSAN: We know she’s furious at us.

JANIE: And quite frankly, so am I.

HENRY: I don’t blame you.

JANIE: I mean, what kind of parents are you when you would just kick your daughter out onto the street without a place to stay?

Tracy enters the room.

TRACY: Janie, I’ll take it from here.

Janie looks annoyed; she was just getting started. But at her best friend’s wishes, she exits the room. Tracy sits down.

TRACY: So why are you here?

HENRY: Look. Your mom and I have been talking, and perhaps we overreacted a little bit.

TRACY: A little? You changed the locks and stopped answering my calls.

SUSAN: I know. And that was wrong of us.

HENRY: We can apologize all we want, but that doesn’t make things right. But we still care about you, and we realized that we want our only child home.

SUSAN: Please.

Tracy sits back and ponders that for a moment.

TRACY: Well, you two know who I am now. Or, rather, WHAT I am. Are you telling me that suddenly, you’re fine with it?

HENRY: I don’t think we can ever be FINE with it, hon. But thinking back, we’ve seen the signs. This didn’t come out of nowhere. And if that’s the way you feel like you should live your life, then I don’t know if we have any right to deny you that right.

SUSAN: You’re growing up, Tracy. You’re an adult now, and pretty soon, you’re going to graduate with a degree and go out into the real world. We need to learn to let go and let you find yourself, and let you find out who you’re meant to be.

A long beat goes by.

TRACY: I think I know who I am. I’m willing to move back home, but I’m not going to live a lie anymore. I don’t want to. This lie has been hurting everyone I care about, and it’s been hurting me too. I don’t want to hurt people anymore.

HENRY: So you’ll come home?

TRACY: Yes.

SUSAN: Oh, honey.

Tracy and her parents embrace in an emotional reunification.

104

UNIVERSITY – HALLWAY – DAY

Carl is walking down the hallway. He is glancing around, trying to find the room number on the piece of paper. He sees a crowd of people ahead, and finds out that they are filtering inside the room that he was looking for. He enters.

105

UNIVERSITY – CLASSROOM (CONTINUOUS)

Carl wanders around the room, looking around curiously. He tries to find a familiar face, but fails. A tall blonde girl walks up to a podium at the front of the room.

BLONDE GIRL: Guys, we’re about to begin. Can we all please take our seats?

Carl sits down. He locks eyes with the stoner-type guy next to him.

CARL: So... Are we expecting something special today?

STONER: Uh... Maybe. I don’t know, man. I’m too stoned to care.

Carl simply nods and decides that this guy is going to be no help, since he does indeed seem to be high.

106

UNIVERSITY – CLASSROOM – A WHILE LATER

A Chinese girl is at the podium, reading her poem in extremely bad and broken English.

CHINESE GIRL:     I go from supermarket today.
                            Vegetables cost too much.
                            When I go to pay,
                            Man ask me, “Nice boobs. Can I touch?”

She stops, and takes a bow. The audience applauds. Carl looks on uneasily, not sure what he just got himself into.

STONER: (to Carl) I’d love to get high with HER.

Carl gives a half-smile and nods nervously. The blonde girl takes the podium again.

BLONDE GIRL: Ohmigosh, that was soooo awesome. Thank you, Ching Lin, for that fetch poem. All right, next... We have a newbie in our group. She says she has never written a poem before...

CROWD: Oooooooh.

BLONDE GIRL: Oh, yeah! This is soooo cool, right? She calls herself the Wheeled Angel, and her poem is called “Why.”

She steps off the stage. The door at the back of the room opens, and we hear the voice start to recite the poem. Carl pays no attention at first.

TRACY:    Why do people like perfection?
                Is it ego? Is it fear?
                Why is it so dear?
                What do we see in each other’s reflection?

Carl perks up, realizing who the voice belongs to. Tracy continues to wheel slowly from the back of the room towards the front.

TRACY:    Why do I want to be defective?
                Is my mind going nuts?
                Am I losing my guts?
                How is my body not effective?

Tracy locks eyes with Carl for the first time.

TRACY:    Why is it wrong to be this way?
                Is it stigma? Is it fear?
                People just don’t want to hear.
                What are they afraid we’d say?

Tracy stops completely and spins her chair to face Carl for the next stanza.

TRACY:    People were scared, so they left.
                Or they sent me away, turned their backs,
                Treated me like a psycho to the max,
                Wished me nothing but pain or death.

Tracy resumes her journey to the front of the room, with Carl looking on.

TRACY:    But you, there was something about you.
                With or without wheels, you didn’t care.
                You possessed an attitude that was rare.
                Dating a freak was something you could do.

She motions towards the blonde girl, who grabs the back of Tracy’s wheelchair. Tracy pushes back on the rims, effectively rising to the stage in her chair.

TRACY:    When things turned bad, you stuck around.
                But in my anguish, I treated you like dirt,
                You were my saviour I couldn’t see through the hurt.
                Yet you stuck by me, like a faithful hound.

Tracy looks up and locks eyes with Carl again.

TRACY:    As things calmed down in my own safari,
                I dug deep, and finally it was clear.
                Through all my crap, you still held me dear.
                I hope you’ll still do so, because deep down...

Tracy pauses for a long time.

TRACY: ... I want to tell you I’m sorry.

Carl, after a pause, stands up.

CARL: Tracy.

TRACY: Carl.

CARL: That poem really fell apart at the end.

TRACY: (getting emotional) I’m sorry.

CARL: (approaching Tracy) For what? Being you?

TRACY: You saw who I really am, but you still stuck by me. But I treated you like shit. You don’t deserve it. You’re the most amazing person I’ve ever met. And I hurt you.

CARL: You can hurt me whenever you like, because there’s nothing that will stop me from caring about you. I don’t care what everyone else says about you, or what everyone else thinks. Tracy...

Tracy looks up, teary-eyed.

CARL: I love you.

TRACY: And I’ve never loved anyone else so much in my whole life.

They embrace. The audience, some teary-eyed as well, explode in applause. The stoner is standing up and pointing both arms at the couple.

STONER: (hollering like crazy) Dude! Wooooo!

TRACY: (noticing the stoner) He seems to be enjoying himself.

CARL: (laughing) Yeah, he is.

They lock eyes again.

CARL: Why don’t we both get out of here?

TRACY: (glances at the adoring crowd) Okay.

Carl picks Tracy up out of her wheelchair, and carries her out of the room through the applauding crowd, locking lips along the way. As Carl pushes open the door, they both exit into:

107

EXT. AUNT KRISTY’S BACKYARD – DAY

It is now several years later. Aunt Kristy’s backyard has been turned into a makeshift outdoor wedding chapel. “Here Comes the Bride” is playing along as the crowd stands and faces the rear. In comes:

ANGLE: TRACY AND CARL WALKING DOWN THE AISLE

We see some familiar faces in the crowd: Susan, Henry, Janie, even Dr. Tanabe and James. They are all looking along with pride in their eyes.

CUT TO:

108

EXT. AUNT KRISTY’S BACKYARD – WEDDING PODIUM – DAY

The minister is reading the wedding vows.

MINISTER: And do you, Carl Fezzlebottom, take Tracy Hannigan, to be your lawfully wedded wife?

CARL: I do.

MINISTER: I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride.

Carl kisses Tracy. Everyone erupts in applause. They both go back down the aisle as the crowd throws rice into the air. The camera slowly tilts up towards the sky while this happens.

TRACY (V.O.):

Sometimes it takes a while for people to understand who you are. They might not like what they hear, but what can you really do? Sometimes, it’s something you can’t really control. The best you can do is try to find people who care about you and love you no matter who you are. The path may not be smooth; people might hate you or hurt you. But in the end, they can’t change who you are. All of us is trying to find our place in the world, and all of us have an ideal version of ourselves. So in the end, aren’t we all just wannabes?

The camera is now tilted fully up to reveal the blue summer skies; everything is in harmony now.

FADE TO BLACK.

THE END

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