♪
♪ The sky's not cloudy
♪ The trees aren't white
♪ And all of the stars here
♪ Well, they're still shining bright ♪
♪
♪ It's Christmas in paradise
♪
(Alarm clock blares)
(Waking moan)
♪ The stockings are hung by...
(Sighs) Okay.
♪ The hammock of cheer
(Big exhale) ♪ Waiting for Santa
(Groans)
(Dog whines) ♪ And nine reindeer
Hmm.
♪ If Christmas can find me here ♪
Hey... get up.
(Dog whines)
(Big sigh)
♪ I see blue skies and orange sunsets... ♪
- All right. - Ready?
- Ready to go? Let's go. - Yeah. Let do it.
Joy: Their grass really is greener.
(Dog whimpers) (Joy sighs)
♪
(Dog whimpers)
(Phone keys tap)
♪ White sandy beaches...
- Hey, Come on, let's go.
Let's start the day. Come on.
(Dog whimpers, pants)
♪ Between my toes, there...
- Woo! All right!
You still can't beat the old man.
- Well, I guess not. - All right.
Why don't you head upstairs and cool down, all right?
Don't forget to stretch, all right?
- I won't! - Okay.
- Rise and shine! (Knocking)
Let's go, we're late!
Zack: Go away!
- (Knocking) Wakey, wakey!
Miles: I'm sleeping!
- (Sighs)
(Knocking) Dad? It's morning!
Bob: Uh, okay. I need a few more minutes.
- I get the first shower!
(Dog barks)
Joy: It's done now, Miles.
Miles: How can you tell? Zack: (Yawns loudly)
Hey. Can you make me an omelet?
- Uh, no. - Why?
You make Dad breakfast, like, literally every day.
- Dad pays the bills.
- You can have some of my bacon.
- No, Miles. No meat!
- (Firm) It's done, Miles.
- I like it extra-crisp. (Smoke detector beeps loudly)
- Okay, now do you believe that it's done?!
Step away, the grease is hot.
- You gotta be kidding me! What is wrong with you kids?!
- I told him to stop cooking.
- We wouldn't have this kind of problem
if people in our family didn't eat animal flesh.
- Oh, thank you, Mr. Gandhi.
(Metallic clank) Oh, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot.
(Pot clatters in sink, water runs)
(Smoke detector beeps)
Bob: Oh, I am gonna lose my mind, Joy.
- I got it. - Please.
Hey, you know what's great for breakfast?
I'll tell you what. Cereal.
Yeah, you know why?
It never catches on fire, not once.
- Dad, it's batteries... I'm pretty sure it's batteries.
- Thank you, thank you.
- Uh, futures, it's just the batteries.
(Alarm dies, dog barks)
Bob: Joy-- Joy: I got it. Levi?
Zip it!
(Levi stops barking) Thank you.
(Under breath) Vitamins...
- Do we have donuts?
- Uh, no, but you can take your vitamins.
Here. Swallow. - Do I have to?!
- Chew. Ahhh.
No cheating like last time, okay?
- Okay. Hey, Joy, Joy. - Yes, Dad.
- I need you to take the dog out for a walk
and just make sure that he goes number 1 and number 2.
- Why does it always have to be me?
- Because it's your dog. - It's the family's dog.
- You picked him out.
- I was like four years old.
Obviously, Mom technically picked him out.
Miles, sweetie, you do it!
- Me? - Yeah.
- I wasn't even born.
(Zack chuckles) - He likes you best.
It's just like number 1 and number 2.
- (Sighs) Lucky me. - Thank you.
- Both of you dress by the time I come back.
Levi? Let's go!
- Thank your sister.
- Thank you, Joy! - Thank you, Joy!
Bob: Has anyone seen my keys?
(Running footsteps, panting)
- What took you so long? Dad can't find his car keys!
- Okay, first of all, inside voice.
Second, he came home in the wind breaker.
Go check the pockets.
- We've got a car-key crisis!
- I know, I know. Miles is on it.
(Keys jingle) - I got you the keys!
- Ahh! Beautiful! Whoa! - Ah, good!
- Thank you. - Backpack.
- Zack! Zack! - Let's go, let's go!
- No, that is not helping!
- Aw. Oh, that's the attitude.
That's the winning attitude. (Joy sighs)
Let's go, let's go. Go, go, go, go.
- You. Go, go, go.
- Dad, don't you need this? - (Sighs heavily)
(Dog pants)
- (Sighs) Levi, you're in charge now.
(Door closes) Hey, hey.
- Thank you. - Yeah.
(Car doors bang shut)
Zack: Oh, Dad. Bob: Shh. All right.
Here you go. Do you mind?
- Guess not. - All right.
- Did you get the car fixed? - On my to do list.
Joy: I was supposed to get the front seat today.
- I need that for work. - I know, I'm bigger than you.
(Seatbelt catches)
- Start!
(Engine sputters)
All little luck.
(Engine sputters and knocks)
(Stressed sigh)
(Door shuts)
- I still don't see why you guys don't carpool with her.
Zack: The Wellmans aren't our kind of people, buddy.
- What's that mean?
Joy: She's way too cool for us.
♪
Bob: Oh come on, who's cooler than us?
Look at this. (Engine rumbles)
Oh! Cool car!
All right, let's go. (Engine dies)
Ah, man.
- Can you please get another car?
- I shouldn't have got cocky.
(Engine sputters)
♪
- Remember, I don't know you.
- Why should you be different than the rest of the student body?
(Bell rings)
(Girls laugh)
- So it was really fun yesterday,
I was racing my Dad and let him win.
(Girls laugh)
♪
♪ Dreamer...
♪ She thinks no one sees her
♪ Hides behind her blue eyes
♪ Glowing in the moonlight
♪
- Hey. - Hey.
(Locker door clanks shut)
- Ugh. How can you drink those?
- I've been up all night. - (Chuckles)
- Wanna know Principal Klozmier's credit score?
- No, thank you. Hacking is illegal.
- See, your problem is you think too much inside the box.
- Okay, that is not my problem.
You see, while you are getting bad posture and eye strain,
I am activating the right brain and the unconscious mind.
Here. Take a card.
- (Laughs) My mom already read my horoscope at breakfast.
- Oh, these card? Nothing like that.
- They are equally ridiculous.
- The unconscious mind is calling a lot of our shots.
(Card slides)
♪
- That's why I always get the same card?
- (Sighs) If only...
- Later.
(Bell rings)
- (Sighs)
♪
Joy: Tom Addison.
- Oh... He's so hot.
- He's totally perfect.
♪
He smells like my Grandma's hot apple cider.
- Like you've been close enough to smell him?
- Oh believe me, it is a scent that travels.
♪
(Brie and Chanel laugh)
(Brie growls at Joy)
- Did that just happen? - Uh-huh.
- Oh, God. Okay. - Walk.
(Random spurts of musical instruments tuning)
♪
(Drumming)
♪
- Look what she's wearing. - What does she think...
(Low hum of chatter)
- What're you doing?
- Visualizing world peace.
- Just say the word and I'll set Brie's hair on fire.
- Set her hair on fire.
- Well, I didn't mean literally.
- What did you mean?
- That I have your back.
But as a concept.
- (Giggles)
Mr. Elderberry: Greetings, musicians.
How's everybody doing with the holiday tunes?
(Students mumble) - Good. - Great.
- Ooh, not too good. - I don't really want to play.
- Oh... hmm.
Okay... Joy?
- Yes? - Would you play for us?
- Of course.
- Ah, she wants to play with Tom Addison.
Especially if she can get her hands on his instrument.
(Girls giggle)
- Hair, now!
Mr. Elderberry: That's enough, Brie.
(Laughter dies down) Continue.
- Yes.
(Joy plays "Joy to the World" on clarinet)
♪
- Splendid. Splendid!
I don't think you'll be surprised
that I want you to do the solo
for the holiday concert.
- Ooh.
- Um, didn't Miss Hockstatter get her turn at the Halloween assembly?
- You can't solo with a triangle, Brie.
- Oh, I'm not talking about myself, Mr. Elderberry.
I just think some of the other kids in the class
should get a chance.
- Joy will do the solo.
Continue.
- (Under her breath) Okay...
(Joy continues playing)
Zack: Joy! There you are!
Hey, do you have your house key?
- Uh, no. I gave mine to Miles.
- Oh no! Well, it's Tuesday,
so he's at Campfire Girls.
- Cub Scouts. - Same thing.
- No, it's not.
- Yeah, it is. Oh, you know what this means, right?
You're going to have to go with the DD.
- The what? - The doggy door.
- No. No. I am too big for that now.
- You are not too big! - Mm-mm.
- Look, it doesn't matter,
you're gonna have to do it anyways.
- Uh, no. I said no.
- Ah, well, if this door is not open.
(Door rattles)
Ha!
Um, Dad should be home in the next three to five hours,
so you let me know when you've come to your senses.
(Both sigh)
- You know what we should do? - What?
- You... should pick one.
- (Laughs) Yeah, no way.
- Don't you wanna know more about your life?
- My life? - Yeah!
- My life. Now, let's see.
We were born, we grew up, mom croaked on us,
and Dad has been having a breakdown ever since.
Which part did you miss?
- I just thought that...
that you would be interested in...
"understanding your current dilemmas."
- Our current dilemma, little sister,
is that we're locked outside.
It doesn't matter how many times
you deal those silly little cards of yours.
- Change. I've gotten this one twice today.
- You should put it in Miles's underwear drawer.
He needs a lot of reminders.
- Hmm...
Family.
- (Sighs) If only it were that easy.
(Blows on his fingers) Now please, please...
get your scrawny little butt through the doggy door.
- Ugh! (Sighs) Levi! Levi!
Don't! Levi! Ugh!
Please! Levi, go! Go!
Zack: You're doing fine. Just keep going.
- (Sighs)
- Look, hey, why don't you just try some of your yoga breathing.
- I don't do yoga!
- Well, you should!
- Ow! Not helping!
Ungh! Ungh!
I told you this wouldn't work!
(Grunt of effort) Zack!
(Hears footsteps)
- You look like a hunting trophy.
- Huh?
How did you get in here?
- Oh, I found a key.
- How'd you find the key?
- You remember the last time this happened
and you said I should probably hide a key somewhere outside?
- Yeah.
- Well, I hid a key somewhere.
- That's really great.
Now could you get me out?!
- What do I look like, a fireman?
(Birds chirp)
(Crickets chirp)
(Nails click on the floor)
- (Sighs)
(Nails click)
(Sniffing)
- Hey, bud.
Another day down, huh?
(Under her breath) Another day down.
(Levi pants loudly, Joy sighs)
♪
(Crickets chirp)
(Photo rustles)
- (Sighs) Hmm.
Mom...
- Do you have a sec?
- Hey.
What's up?
- Are we getting a tree this year?
- Wow. Uh, well, they're not great for the environment.
Plus they're expensive.
- I want a tree.
It was Mom's favorite thing.
- Um, well, Mom had many favorite things.
- Yeah, but... she loved Christmas.
- Well, I don't, okay?
Now, I need you to go back to bed and go to sleep.
It's past your bedtime.
- Okay.
Sorry, Joy.
- (Sighs) Come here.
(Pats bed)
Guess what? - What?
- We are going to get our very own Christmas tree this year.
I'll make sure of it. - Thanks.
- Now, go to sleep. Take off your uniform.
Don't make me ask you again, okay?
- 'Kay. (Light kiss)
- Thank you! - You're welcome.
- Goodnight. - Goodnight.
(Birds chirp)
(Door opens)
- I just don't' understand why.
- What? Five dollars? It's not like I have a money tree.
- A money tree?! - Yes, a money tree.
- Let me see, you still have jelly on your face. - No!
- You were supposed to brush your teeth.
(Car rumbles)
(Doors open)
- Good news is you still look half asleep.
- Bad news is you're still a child.
- Ha.
- (Sighs)
(Realizing) Oh NO! My clarinet!
- That's not my problem.
♪
- Oh God! Dad?!
Dad?
Dad?!
My clarinet's in the car!
(Panting) Okay.
(Breathing heavily)
Dad! My clarinet's in the car!
(Gasping for breath)
♪
(Car rumbles)
- Dad, stop! (Volvo rumbles by)
Dad! Stop!
(Fretful sigh) (Horn blares)
(Tires screech) - (Gasps)
(Hard thump)
♪
(Door opens and shuts)
Eve: (Panicked breaths)
- What's going on?
- Joy, I'm so sorry!
Okay, I'm so, so sorry!
- Help me...
♪
Eve: Joy. Joy, get up!
- (Deep inhale)
What the...?
What happened?
- You fell.
You were running.
- I was running...?
(Sighs)
I was running to catch Dad.
- Gimme a break, okay?
I told you it was a bad idea to race.
- We were racing?
- Stop messing around, Joy.
Your backpack will be by the doors.
- (Sighs) What? (Car door bangs shut)
(Engine starts) (Gasps) What?!
What? Are these mine?
(SUV pulls away)
- Wait! No, no, no, no. Where are you going?!
What happened to me?!
(Confused exhales)
Oh gosh...
(Happy gasps and sighs)
Woo!
Oh, dear God.
(Relieved) Oh, Montana! Hey!
Uh... (Sighs)
My bag, my bag... um...
Okay.
Tom: Where do you think you're going?
(Playful slap) - Oh! (Startled breaths)
(Surprised gasp) Tom Addison?
- Are you... are you mad at me?
- What?
- Yeah, you're being all weird.
- I... I am?
- All right, fine. Be mad at me.
But it's not my fault you've got such a hot body.
- (Giggles) Me?
(Exhales sharply)
- Joy, did you take those megavitamins again?
- I don't know. I must have taken something.
- Okay, I get it.
You're upset about the ring thing.
- The ring thing?
- Yeah. It's just a legit way of letting everyone know
that we're a total couple.
- (Gasps) - Let's go.
- Couple?! (Gasps)
(Door squeaks open, students chatter)
(Students chatter)
(Muffled whispers)
- Yeah.
- Hmm.
(Calming exhale)
- I don't want to go to class.
- No?
- I only wanna be with you. - Oh.
Oh... (Kissing)
- Thank you. - See 'ya after second period, baby.
- (Giggles and sighs)
(Happy squeals)
Oh-my-God-Oh-my-God-Oh-my God.
(Hard slap) Ow! Get it together.
Oh my God.
Chanel: I love this. - Yeah.
- Hey, sweetie! - Hot top!
- Cute pants. - You rock.
- So what're we doing this weekend?
- Yeah, maybe if you're not working out
we can go to the Westside Mall.
Northside Mall? - What?
- Southside Mall? - Eastside Plaza?
- There's a difference?
- Well, you don't have to tell us now -
just think about it, 'kay? We'd love to hang with you.
- Yeah, we can just like think about it or whatever.
- All right, well, see you later!
Both: Kisses! Muah!
- What is happening? What is happening?
(Students chatter)
That was so weird.
(Students chatter)
♪
- No... What?
Varsity volleyball?
Okay.
(Students warm up instruments)
- (Sighs) Sorry I'm late.
(Sighs) Um...
(Mr. Elderberry clears his throat)
- Uh... 'Kay.
Mr. Elderberry, I think that I left my instrument in the car.
- Excuse me?
- Sorry, my clarinet.
- You are so bold.
- I play the clarinet. First chair.
- (Laughing) No, you don't.
- Come on, you're joking, right?
- No, I'm not.
You've never taken a music class.
- But...
This is orchestra.
My name's Joy, right?
- You'd better figure out where you belong, young lady.
We've got work to do here.
(Taps baton)
Nurse: You're temperature is normal.
- (Muffled) I feel normal?
I... I don't feel normal.
And I don't look normal, that's for sure.
- I think I should call your mother.
- Good luck with that.
- What number should I try, sweetheart?
Um... 555-0100.
- Uh...
I've got three numbers, but that's not one of them.
- Oh... Could I see that?
- Yeah.
- Thanks.
Joy...
Wellman?
Joy Wellman.
Joy Wellman!
(Gasps and laughs) I'm Joy Wellman!
- Okay, honey. Easy does it.
How's your head feel?
- Honestly? I think I'm hallucinating.
- Okay. Maybe it's the flu.
Or maybe you ran too hard.
- Yes! I remember running.
I was running and that was when everything got weird.
- I told your Dad, I told him
that your new weight training was too hard.
- Weight training...
Can I ask you a question - Yes.
- Where are you taking me? - Home.
- To my house on Elm Street?
- Yeah, the one you've lived in your whole life.
- 242 Elm Street?
- 244 Elm Street.
Oh geez, come on.
Come on.
(Car doors bang shut)
- This sure is a nice car.
- Hey, don't start.
You know Daddy said when you turn sixteen
you'll get you exactly what Eve has.
- (Shocked) Really?
- As long as you continue to make all-City first team.
- Yeah.
You know, thanks for coming to get me.
- You are my bright shining star.
- The brightest one in the sky?
- Well, your big sister is also my bright shining star.
You know, some days.
- (Gasps) A sister is so cool.
You know, I've always wanted a sister. (Giggles)
- That's the attitude.
- (Fishing) And, um, Tom Addison,
he is my boyfriend, right?
- Joy, are you pregnant?
- Uh, wha-? No! No!
- Because if that's what this is about-
- No! No, no, no, no, no. No, I've...
I swear, I've... I've only ever kissed him!
- (Relieved) Okay. Don't scare me like that, Joy.
- (Exhales) Yeah. - Woo!
- (Whispers) So he's definitely my boyfriend. (Gasps)
- You know, I don't approve of the two of you
going up to his cabin.
I think I've been very clear about that.
- Wait. His cabin? Just the two of us?
- You said that his cousin was coming.
- He is. - She.
- She is. Yes.
♪
♪ There's a chill in the air
♪ So crisp and so fresh
♪ That Frosty himself would be proud ♪
♪ There's a cheer everywhere
♪ For times drawing close
♪ When loved ones and friends gather 'round ♪
♪ It's a feeling of joy
♪ In every girl, every boy
♪ Knowing Santa soon will be here ♪
♪ It's the time
- Joy, get out of the car. Come on. Let's go.
♪ The most magical time of year ♪
♪ See the lights how they glow
♪ And trees as it snows
♪ As shoppers fill up every street ♪
♪ Faces full of surprise
♪ And such twinkling eyes
♪ On every child that you meet
- Come on.
- The Wellmans?
- Aren't green and red so over used?
- Whoa! - You okay?
- Yeah... it's just...
it looks so nice in here.
- Does in it say Holiday in a whole new way?
- Whoa! My name's on a stocking!
- Of course it is.
There's nothing different.
Unless you're noticing I put new garlands up.
- Yeah. That must be it.
- Isn't turquoise a cheery color?
Do you want something to eat?
- Oh! I can't remember the last time I was in a kitchen
and someone made me that offer.
- Don't get sarcastic.
As long as you stick to your training foods.
- Right. - How about something to drink?
- Uh, do you have orange juice?
- Yeah. Coming right up.
- Or... what about cranberry?
- Okay.
- Or um... guava?
- It's fresh.
(Magical twinkling sounds)
- (Gasps)
It's like a portal to a magic kingdom!
Okay...
So um...
you're always here to take care of me
when I come home, aren't you?
- Of course.
- And you always make me good things to eat, don't you?
- I do. Your Dad and I are very concerned about your health.
- Wow... Wait.
Do you also make the beds and do the laundry and stuff?
- Okay, what is this about?
- Uh... to... thank you. That's all.
You know, I probably don't say it enough.
Who does?
- Okay. Well, you should go up to your room
and try to lie down.
- Yeah. Okay.
(Tentative) Mom?
(Fridge door bangs shut) - Yes, honey?
- (Chuckles)
I'll uh... I'll be in my room.
- Try to take a nap.
- Yeah.
(Door opens, brooms and mops clatter)
- Your organizational skills are so good.
- I know. - Yeah.
Do want any, um, help with the chores?
- Honey, just get going.
- 'Kay. (Mop clatters) Put that back...
Back in there.
(Door closes)
So good.
Okay.
(Footsteps thud on stairs)
- I'll drink the juice.
- Whoa!
♪ There's a part of me that wants to let go ♪
♪ Run away from everything that I know ♪
Yes!
♪ Getting ready, putting on my new shoes, ♪
♪ New dress, new face
♪ Whoa-oo-oa-oa
♪ Gonna make a night that we'll remember ♪
♪ Party like we're going to live forever ♪
♪ Favorite song is blasting through the stereo ♪
♪ Car's here, let's go
♪ I'm living the life
♪ I'm doing it right
♪ Just let it go
♪ Losing control
♪ Going it alone tonight
♪ I'm living the life
♪ (I'm living the life)
♪ I'm making it mine
♪ (I'm making it mine)
♪ Just playing hard (Happy squeal)
♪ I'm breaking hard
♪ So good to feel alive
♪ I'm living the life
♪ Raise a glass, let's celebrate the moment ♪
♪ Time to roll the dice, we're going to own it ♪
♪ Everybody has a chance to make it ♪
♪ There by their time
♪ Oh-ooh-oh-oh
♪ It's okay to get a little reckless ♪
♪ Make mistakes, you know you won't regret this ♪
♪ Live and laugh, the memories are priceless ♪
♪ One heart, one mind
♪ I'm living the life (I'm living the life)
♪ I'm doing it right (I'm doing it right)
♪ Just playing hard
♪ I'm breaking hard
♪ So good to feel alive
♪ I'm living the life
(Laughing gleefully)
- You! - Ooh, Eve!
- I heard you came home from school early today.
- Yeah-- - That's not fair.
- Oh... I--
- We're sisters, okay?
It needs to be equal.
- Yes. Sisters.
I've always wanted a sister.
- Are you mocking me?
- What? No! No, I would never do that.
- (Imitating) No, no! I would never do that!
- I'm sorry. Did I-did I sound like that?
My voice gets high when I'm nervous.
- I'm making a special wish this Christmas.
- Okay. What-what-what'd you wish for?
- It's not for me. It's for you.
- What is it?
- A vacation.
That you never come home from!
- Oh.
- No way. Really? (Giggles)
(Knocking)
- Oh, uh, I gotta go.
Thanks so much for calling to check on me, Brie.
Bye!
- Hey.
Carbs plus protein.
How's my little spiker?
- Good.
- All right. You had us worried.
- Yeah, I know. I feel okay now.
Actually, I feel more than okay.
I feel great.
- That's what I like to hear.
- So, uh, are you nervous about volleyball?
- I don't think so.
- It's just these Championship matches
have a way of messing with your mind.
- It's so amazing, you know?
I'm like a part of the whole thing.
- Yeah, well, being a captain
comes with extra responsibilities.
- Let me ask you something, Dad.
- Sure. What is it?
- Uh, have I always been good at volleyball?
- Joy, what's going on?
- It's just so surprising, you know?
I mean, who knew I was even coordinated?
- Well, we've worked very hard to get you where we are today.
- Oh, I bet. Everybody at school sure knows who I am.
- Well, you're a leader.
- I must have gotten like a hundred texts today.
- All right, I want you to get your sleep tonight, all right?
No screen-time.
We already told Tom you need your rest.
So I want lights out after you eat.
- Okay. Uh... but wait.
What... what about my homework?
- Homework? Look,
if any teacher gives you grief tomorrow, I'm gonna step in.
- Cool.
- Oh, and tomorrow morning,
we're back to our normal schedule.
- Schedule...?
- Yeah.
♪
(Birds chirp)
(Door opens)
Rod: Woo! Up and at 'em! Let's go!
- (Startled gasp) Oh my-- - Come on, we've got five miles to get in
before the rest of the planet wakes up.
Come on, little spiker!
Woo-woo-woo! Let's go, now! Come on!
- What?
What time is it?
(Brush thumps) Oh.
Rod: Let's go!
- (Under her breath) 5:30?
(Clock thumps on floor) Oh, okay...
Okay, I'm coming.
(Thumps on floor) I'm coming.
Okay.
(Door opens)
- Which way do you want to take?
- Uh, the shortest?
- Ennnh! The long way, through the park!
- The long way?
♪
♪ Don't change me
♪ I wouldn't have it any other way ♪
♪
- Are you okay? - Woo-hoo-hoo!
I can really run! (Giggles)
Come on!
- Okay!
♪ Walk around and I'm barely eatin' ♪
♪ But my heart is beating
♪ And I just can't quit so I say... ♪
♪ Can I go on forever... Ever... ♪
♪ She's said you're gone forever ♪
- Race to the house? - It's on!
- Okay.
(Don pants heavily)
- (Yelp of joy)
I did it!
I ran all the way.
I feel great!
(Giggles) And I beat you!
- Yeah. You usually don't.
- Re-really?
- No. (Out of breath)
- Oh.
(Realizing) Oh... yeah.
Uh, you know what?
Probably cause of all that extra rest
that I got yesterday.
I bet you beat me tomorrow.
- Yeah, we'll see.
(Out of breath) Do you wanna... grab some breakfast?
(Levi barks next door)
- Um... yeah, be in in a second.
- (Grunts his acknowledgement) Yeah.
(Exhausted breath)
- You-you okay?
- (Out of breath) Yeah, yeah, yeah.
(Chuckles quietly)
(Levi barks)
Levi. Zip it! (Barking)
Levi, shhh! Shhh! Hey!
I can't... no... stop!
(Giggles)
Stop it.
I guess you always did like me best, huh?
(Door bursts open)
- (Displeased) Hey! - (Gasps)
(Door bangs shut) - Zack?
- Get the hell off my property! - Excuse me?
- I want you and your tight-ass sweatpants away from our dog.
He bites. What, you don't remember?
- (Indignant gasp) He does not! Don't you say that!
- Then why did your family file a complaint against him
with the Board of Health?
- I... I didn't know that.
- Look, I don't care.
Beat it, before I call the cops.
Go! - Sorry.
(Sighs) Ooh...
- (Annoyed sigh)
- How was your workout? - Oh, it was great.
- Joy and I had better have the same breakfast.
It needs to be equal.
(Plates clunk) - Thanks.
(Levi barks outside)
- 7:35. Barking with minor interruptions.
(Levi continues barking)
- What's going on?
- When's the next hearing?
- Three weeks.
The Judge has ordered voice-box surgery,
and if they don't comply they will put the crazy beast down.
- (Giggles) Yes!
- Wait. You guys are talking about the Hockstatter's dog?
Levi?
- It's very important we get rid of that dog.
- Why?
- (Exhales sharply, takes deep breath and blows it out)
- Is she okay?
- You know that the Hockstatter's dog
is an anxiety trigger for your sister.
- You know that. - Oh.
- Yeah, mornings are hard for your sister.
But we can't sleep in until noon every day.
- No. - Nope.
- No.
- Rehab isn't just about substance abuse, Joy.
- Of-of course. Of course not.
Rehab. Wow--
- Don't touch me!
- Why don't you... take that to go and get ready
'cause your sister's gonna drive you to school!
(Metallic clank, fork stabs) - 'Kay.
- I'm gonna take the sharp knife.
(SUV rumbles)
♪
- Eve, before I go, I just...
I want you to know that anything that I have is yours.
Okay, I am all about sharing with you.
- Dr. Mike says I need to create my own destiny.
- Oh, that's a good idea.
- But I don't know how.
- Well, is there anything I can do to help?
- Yeah. - (Giggle of pleasure)
- You can get out of my car! - What?
(Seatbelt clicks) - Oh.
- Go! - I'm Sorry.
(Door bangs shut)
♪ Let's go wherever the wind blows ♪
♪ Take me now, roll the windows down ♪
♪ Let's go to a place only we know ♪
♪ Above the clouds won't you blow me away ♪
♪ Take me there wanna go there ♪
Tom: There is my Joy. Hey, baby.
- (Giggles)
Hey, Tom Addison.
(Kissing)
(Giggles)
- Feeling any better?
- Mm-hmm.
(Both laugh)
- 'Cause, uh, I missed you last night. Big time.
- Well, I missed you, too.
- All I could think about
was going up to that cabin with you and...
I was burning up. I kinda felt crazy inside.
(Laughs nervously)
- But... uh, d-do you feel better now?
- Only if you do.
- Yes. I feel great.
- Awesome! (Laughs)
You didn't see any other guys last night, did you?
- What? No.
- You swear?
- No, I-I swear. I wa-I was sick.
Besides, why... why would I do that?
- If-f-f-f-f I found out that you were into someone else,
I mean, I... (catches breath)
- Tom, Tom...
You are the only guy that I care about.
- Yeah? - Yeah.
- Say it again.
(Both chuckle)
- Lit-literally? - Go on.
- Oh, um...
You're the only guy that I care about.
- Thatta girl.
Can you say it louder?
- You know, why don't I just write it on a piece of paper for you?
- Yeah? - That way you can look at it all the time.
- Mmm... - Okay.
- (Realizing chuckle)
Um... Okay. (Bag rustles)
- Uh... - Here.
- Okay.
(Both chuckle)
(Pen scribbles) - Okay.
(Rips page from notebook, page crinkles as it's folded)
You know, uh, we should... we should probably get going.
- Yeah, I'll uh... see you after class.
- Okay.
- Uh, where do you think you're going?
- What?
- Uh, you work out with the volleyball team first period.
- (Laughs) Right! Yeah!
(To herself) That should be interesting.
- (Whispers) Think of me.
(Both giggle awkwardly)
Yeah. - Yeah.
(Approaching footsteps)
- (Sighs)
Were you up late jumping cyber walls?
- Excuse me?
- (Chuckles) It's okay. It's our secret.
- What's our secret?
- (Disbelieving chuckle)
Sam, it's me, Joy.
We were Bowling Pins for Halloween, remember?
We-we both got Chicken Pox from Ronnie Oldhauser
when we were in third grade.
- I don't know what you're talking about.
- Come-come on, we-we...
we did a community service project
at the animal shelter like two summers ago.
We spent a month not eating anything orange in fifth grade.
We took ceramics, we... we're both afraid of spiders--
- Uh, I'm-I'm not afraid of spiders.
- Yes, you-
Okay, fine. Just between us.
Look, we... we have our favorite shows, right?
And we read a lot of the same books and...
and-and you...
you were there for me...
You were there for me when my mom got sick.
You remember that, right?
- Look, we've been going to school together
since we were five. - Right.
- You've never said more than one word to me.
We should keep it that way.
(Emotional exhale)
(Head thumps lightly against locker)
(Sighs heavily)
(Light thumps as ball is volleyed around)
(Girls chatter excitedly)
- Okay.
- Mine. - Here. Yeah.
- Joy! - Joy!
(Happy chatter)
(Whistle blows)
Coach Weber: Girls, hustle in!
Okay!
Joy, are you okay today?
- Yeah.
- Okay. 'Cause if you're coming down with something
You gotta tell me, right? We gotta nip it in the bud.
- No, I'm good.
- Okay, superstar!
(Imitates sound of explosion)
- (Laughs awkwardly)
- All right! In two days we are facing Churchill
for the state championship.
And it's been a tough year, I get it -
we have faced some intense competition.
Now think to yourself,
why have we been able to win, huh?
- I don't know. - Because we have Joy.
- Yeah. - Of course.
- Okay. All right.
Yeah, not the answer I was thinking of,
but yes, yes!
She is a huge part of our - my! - our success.
- I am? - Absolutely.
Here we go. Don't leave me hanging.
- Oh. - Give me one of these.
- Again!
- But I, I was gonna say teamwork. Right?
Coming together as a unit.
Like that.
Let's get some nods on that one.
Yeah.
All right, let's uh, do a scrimmage to warm up.
Bring it in, ladies!
- Oh, yes!
All: One, two, three, break! Joy: Break!
- Thatta girl.
- (Chuckles awkwardly) Break.
Okay.
- Joy - pcckkk! - you got it.
- ' Kay. - Yep.
Coach Weber: (Laughs) Adorable.
Okay, look alive out there, ladies!
- (Under her breath) Okay.
Oh God. Coach Weber: Call it!
Keep it up! - What?
Call it!
- Oh! - Oh!
(Hard spike, hard bump)
(Clapping)
(Elated laugh)
Yes!
(Door creaks open, girls giggle)
- You guys were so good out there!
You were amazing!
Um, okay, guys, so tomorrow for the game, what are we...?
(Students chatter in the hall)
♪
You know what? I uh... I'll catch you guys later.
I gotta get a book from the library.
Girl 1: Yeah, right.
Are you meeting Tom in the reserve section?
- Mm-hmm. Very funny! (Girls giggle)
Bye!
(Students chatter)
(Readying exhale)
(Door bangs shut, approaching footsteps)
Hey! I love your shoes.
No, no. I... I mean it.
You know, I... I don't take orchestra anymore.
But I guess you don't either.
You never really did like the oboe, huh?
Hey, uh... wanna know a secret?
Tom Addison, he does smell like hot apple cider.
- What do you want from me?
- We used to be friends. - On another planet?
- Yeah, actually, kind of.
- I haven't played the oboe since fourth grade.
Why are you talking to me?
- I just thought that maybe you and I could hang out sometime.
You know, I feel like we would be good together.
Really! And we could even go to the pep rally...
if you wanted. Please?
- I could report you for bullying.
- Hmm.
That's nice.
(Kids cheer and clap)
- Okay. Okay.
(Kids cheer and clap)
- Okay, who's got some school spirit here?
(Kids cheer and clap)
I can't hear you!
(Cheers get louder)
- Woot! Woot!
Yeah, that's more like it!
(Clapping) That's more like it. Good stuff.
Guys, tomorrow, the girls' volleyball team
will be playing Churchill for the state championship,
and we are gonna run right over them!
Am I right? (Kids cheer loudly)
Yeah, I'm right!
(Clapping and cheering)
- Woo!
- All right, all right, I uh...
I wanna bring someone up, one of the athletes,
to say a few words.
And this player is the...
Oh boy, she is the backbone of our team,
and you know every single game she helps us in a critical way,
helps the entire team - not just me, but me for sure.
I know you know who I'm talking about -
I shouldn't cry through this.
(Sniffs) I mean, I love her, but I know you love her too.
She's just a sophomore right now,
but she is easily the star of the whole league.
You know who I'm talking about!
Let's hear for Joy Wellman!
(Students cheer and clap) Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!
(Cheering and clapping)
- Yeah.
- Get up here. - Go get' em, Joy!
- Come on, Joy!
No one's gonna believe that you're shy, Joy.
(Cheering and clapping)
Come on, you little cutie. - Woo!
(Cheering and clapping)
- All right! Let's do this.
Oh my God, I don't wanna let go, ever!
You smell great. Your hair is soft.
She can do anything!
- Hi... wow. Tom...
- Yup. - Um...
(Relieved sigh) - Yeah.
♪
(Nervous chuckle) - Yeah.
So far so good.
- Sorry. - You know what? Just um...
Just tell everybody your thoughts.
- (Nervous) Ahem. - Yep.
(Sighs)
- My God.
Sam Walker...
is going out with Mimi Taggelmeier?
Students: (Confused whispering)
- (Gasps) What's up with that?
(Students chatter)
I'm sorry.
(Students chatter)
Coach Weber: No, you were great.
- It's okay, but I...
You know, I just don't think I've ever been good at talking in front of groups.
- Okay, it wasn't you. It was that audience.
- It was me. - They were stinky. Yeah, yeah.
Besides, pressure does a funny thing to your mind.
You just have to shake it off.
- Thank you, Coach Weber.
- No, hey, call me Coach.
(Door clicks open)
- Hey.
- How was school?
- (Inhales sharply) Okay.
(Laughs) Hey, um, how come Eve doesn't take me home?
- You girls have your own schedules. You know that.
- Right. - This afternoon she starts her kick-boxing lessons.
- Oh. Kick-boxing...
- Did you want her to come with you today to Dr. Mike?
- Oh no, no.
Unless she wants to go with me to Dr. Mike.
Remind me again who Dr. Mike is.
- He's your Sports Enhancement specialist.
- Right.
- And your life coach.
- So I guess that sports are my life.
- (Laughs) Yeah.
(Seatbelts click)
You could say that.
(Engine starts)
Dr. Mike: So how was the weekend?
- Pretty mixed up.
- Is that because of issues with your family?
Look, you can share with Dr. Mike.
- (Chuckles) Dr. Mike will think I'm wacko.
- Do you feel like a wacko?
(under his breath as he writes) Feels like a wacko.
- I guess you always take notes, don't you?
- Oh. (Chuckles) I'm sensing a little bit of hostility.
Okay. (Claps hands)
How are your feelings about Tom?
- Tom... Yeah, I just...
I can't believe how much he likes me.
- Yeah. - You know? (Laughs) It's crazy.
- Is he still pressuring you to have sex?
- Excuse me?
- Yeah, you don't have to go the cabin if you don't want to.
- (Laughs) Uh...
(Flustered gibberish)
I don't really wanna talk about that right now.
- Okay. - No.
- Okay. (Claps hands)
Okay, so how are your feelings about your older sibling?
- Eve.
- Uh, do you have another older sibling?
- Yes. What is the story with my sister?
- What is this, test Dr. Mike day?
- I...
I just always thought that she was so happy.
- See, Eve feels like she lives in your shadow
and your achievements make her feel inferior.
Certain personality traits are better suited
to an only children.
- That sucks.
- It does suck.
And you have to remember to give Eve her own light.
- Yeah.
I'll try.
- Excellent. A breakthrough!
- No kidding.
- Okay, I'd like to try a little word association
seeing how you're so receptive today.
- Yeah.
- Now, no thinking - just off the top of your head.
Ready?
- 'Kay. - Here we go.
Bam!
- Sam.
- Sam?
- Yeah, he uh...
he goes to my school.
He's my bestie.
- Bestie? I'm...
- Uh, bestie.
My best friend.
- Oh. Okay.
- Or at least he used to be.
- Okay. Okay. Let's try one more, all right?
- All right. - No thinking.
You ready?
(Sharp exhale) Whew!
- Loss.
- Really?
(Car idles, door bangs shut)
- How was Dr. Mike?
- Good.
He'd like you to make an appointment to see him.
- Me?
You should do weights first and then your cardio.
- Oh, but... shouldn't I do my homework first?
- Workout first. Homework if there's time.
You know the rules.
- (Awkward laugh)
Obviously, yeah.
(Tap runs) - Give it a hundred and ten!
♪
(Sighs)
♪
Whoa.
(Sighs) Hm.
(Sharp inhale, exhale)
♪
(Hard clunk, glass shatters)
Miles?
What the...?
Oh, I don't think so!
♪
(Gate opens, lighter fluid sloshes)
Hey!
These are Nana's Christmas ornaments! Wha...?
- How do you know about our Nana?
Have you been spying on us?
- What? (Match snicks, gasps)
Put. That. Down!
(Flames whoosh)
What're you doing?!
(Water sprays)
What do you have to say for yourself?
- You're gonna get in big trouble for doing this.
- What?
- I'm gonna tell my Dad what you did.
- Oh, you're gonna tell him what I did?
- Yeah! - What about what you did, huh?!
You know you're not allowed to play with matches ever!
I have told you that, but-- Don't you walk away!
- Bite me! - (Shocked gasp)
(Marcie hums along to "Joy to the World")
- What're you doing?
- Uh, the little boy next door hit a ball over the fence.
- And you returned it? - Yeah.
- Joy! You know we're in a lawsuit with those people!
- I'm sorry, I... I wasn't thinking.
- You better high tail it up to the gym!
Your father just got home.
- Okay, sorry.
Weights... Weights... Weights... Weights... Weights...
Okay. (Clears throat)
Hmm. 101... 102--
(Light knock)
Oh, hey!
Just doing my weights.
- Ah. Where' Eve?
- Uh, today is her first day at kick-boxing.
- Oh! Hope that's better than all those hours she spent
learning how to throw an ax. Ugh.
(Volvo rumbles)
- (Sighs) Don't look.
(Door opens) I need to look.
♪
(Socked sigh)
Poor Dad.
Dad...
(Blind clicks shut)
(Hyperventilating)
What is happening
(Crickets chirp)
Tom: (Over phone) ...stop thinking about the soccer game
the other day. - Uh-huh.
How did I lose the sidelines... - Uh-huh.
-...advantage point... Must be really and looking and noticing--
- Wow. That's... that is crazy.
- Joy? - Ha?
Are you okay?
- Oh, uh, Tom, my Dad wants to talk to me. One second.
(Tom continue to talk)
- Take your vitamin pack? - Yeah. And I iced my knee
and I finished my protein shake.
- All right, good girl.
- Do we run tomorrow?
- What do you think? - Whatever you say.
- All right, that's the attitude!
But, uh, it's game day.
So let's put it all into the match, all right?
- Right.
- All right. Sleep well, spiker.
(Tom continuing to talk)
- Hey! Lights out.
- Mom, have I ever played a musical instrument?
- You were very musical when you were little,
always running around singing, making up instruments.
You were like the Jonas Brothers.
I mean, but not a brother and, and, and not a boy,
but you were very musical.
- Okay!
So then have you ever thought about having me take a lesson?
- Joy, with your schedule?
- No, I know, I just thought that if--
- Listen, your Dad always says:
No one ever gets a Gatorade endorsement
playing the violin.
- Right.
- Hang up the phone.
- (Hushed) I'm trying.
(Tom continues talking) - Okay.
(Takes a deep breath, clears her throat)
Hey, Tom, it's uh... it's been an hour, okay?
My parents want me to go to sleep.
No, I know, but guess what?
You're going to see me tomorrow.
Yes. (Tom chatters away) Yes, you are the best.
You are the one.
You're the dream.
Yeah, okay. I miss you.
I'm hanging up now.
I'm... I'm gonna hang up. I'm hanging up.
I miss you too. I miss you more.
I'll see you tomorrow. (Phone clicks off)
(Alarm beeps, Joy gasps awake)
(Groans)
(Smacks alarm)
(Inhales and exhales deeply)
(Bed creaks, Joy sighs)
(Housecoat rustles, floor creaks underfoot)
(Curtain swishes, beads clack)
(Sighs)
(Levi barks outside)
(Police car rumbles to a stop)
Officer: (Muffled) All right. We'll check it out.
(Levi barks)
- What the-? (Gasps)
(Running footsteps, Levi barks outside)
(Barking)
Levi, zip it!
Hi. Excuse me, what's going on?
Officer: Nothing to worry about.
- Uh, look, I have known the Hockstatters my whole life.
Is everything okay? - Everything's fine.
- If everything was fine you wouldn't be here
first thing in the morning!
- Don't you play volleyball for Roosevelt?
- Yeah. - And you run track.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
You're the girl with the incredible time for the mile.
- I guess so.
So, hey, why don't you tell me what's going on there?
- Well, the teenage kid took off last night.
- Zack.
Wait, are-are you sure?
- Yeah, he left a note.
But don't worry, most kids make their own way back,
and we're on it.
(Laughs softly, shaky breath)
(Birds chirp)
- Joy! - (Gasps)
(Levi barks)
- Ugh.
(Police car door opens and bangs shut)
- Sorry.
- Wha... What was that about?
- Zack Hockstatter ran away from home!
- Oh. So you risked getting a cold, or some awful virus
running around in your underwear?
- (Stammering) No, I just, I saw the police car
so I figured I would go see what was going on.
- Well, it doesn't surprise me that kid ran off.
That boy has a hateful look on his face day and night.
- Don't say that, okay? He does not.
He is funny and-and he is smart
and... (sniffs) and he's nice sometimes.
It hasn't been that easy for him since his Mom died.
- Joy, where is this coming from?
- I just don't think it's right
to say mean things about people.
(Running footsteps on stairs, Marcie cries)
- What is it, Marcie?
- (Crying) - What's wrong, Marcie?
- Eve has run away, and she left a note.
- What?
(Door opens)
(Levi barks, door closes)
Joy: Shhh...
Hey! No, no. Shh.
No, not the paw. Not the paw. We don't know each other.
- Crazy dog really seems to like you.
- Yeah, so weird. Shh... (Levi pants)
(Knocking)
(Door clicks and creaks open)
(Play gun beeps and wails) Hey! Put that down!
(Stops shooting)
- We need to speak to your father.
- (Sighs)
Hi.
I'm sorry, I'm staring.
There's something so familiar about you.
- I um...
I'm your next door neighbor.
- No, that's not it.
Oh, I got it.
It's your eyes. Do you see that?
She's got my big brother's eyes.
- Uncle Timmy. - Yeah.
- (Giggles)
- How'd you know that?
- Uh, we need to talk.
- Yeah, okay. Uh...
Come on in.
- (Whispers forcefully) Put that down!
Miles: (Annoyed sigh)
Rod: Ugh. (Door thumps shut)
We heard that your son Zack was missing.
- Do you know where he is? Marcie: Hardly.
Rod: Our oldest daughter, Eve, disappeared last night too.
Bob: Huh. Well, uh, maybe they ran off together?
Rod: We think that your son abducted our daughter!
- Excuse me? - You heard me right.
- My son doesn't even know your daughter.
I mean, he's home-schooled. He barely leaves the house.
- What? He's home-schooled?
That's why I never saw him at Roosevelt.
- Zack and Eve have been Face timing each other for months.
They even have code names.
He's Darth Vadar and she's Lizzie Borden.
- You see?! - Okay, but that doesn't mean he abducted her.
Joy: You know, maybe it's like "Romeo and Juliet."
Bob: Right there. Rod: I was thinking more like "Natural Born Killers."
- (Wistful) Oh, that's Eve's favorite movie.
- Okay. All right.
So let's say that they did run off with each other.
Did she leave a note?
- Actually--
- Uh, we didn't come here to be interrogated.
We came here for information!
- Show us your son's room.
There've gotta be some clues.
- Yeah. - Okay.
Uh... come on up through here.
Rod: Ugh... I can hardly wait. Bob: Bit of a mess.
Rod: A bit of a mess? Bob: Little bit.
Rod and Marcie: Ugh. Miles: Relax.
(Footsteps thump on stairs)
Bob: I wouldn't lean too heavy on that.
That's ready to come down.
Rod: Really, Bob?
Bob: Yup, yup.
Now, uh, uh...
Keep in mind we're behind on housekeeping.
Joy: It's okay.
- (High-pitched scream)
Rod: What? Bob: Uh...
(Marcie continues shrieking, Joy gasps)
(Rats squeak)
- (Gasps) What is going on in there?
- Uh, uh... it's-it's okay. They're, they're harmless.
You know, friendly actually.
Miles: They're lab rats. We raise 'em for money.
Joy: My room... Marcie: (Gagging) Ugh...
- Yeah.
Uh, see, I got laid off from the ad agency last year
and so, uh, we do this for the university.
It brings in a little bit of extra cash.
- I wanted to raise llamas but they're too big.
- What?!
Bob: Thanks, Miles. That's good. Miles: you're welcome.
Bob: All right, uh... yeah.
And, uh, there's Zack's room. Go ahead.
Please feel free to...
- Hmm
What the hell?
His favorite band is "Satan's Sandals!"
- I think I'm gonna be sick.
Bob: Real sad.
Not uh... not a lot of upbeat hits.
Well, I'm really smelling those socks right about now, so...
seen enough? Marcie: Mm-hmm.
Rod: Yeah, we've seen plenty, Bob.
Bob: Good. Let's get you to the door.
Rod: Still a lot of questions for you.
Bob: Ask away. Rod: A lot of questions.
Bob: You can ask them from the lawn. Rob: Yeah, fine.
(Footsteps thud, Marcie grunts, disgusted)
- (Startled gasp, high-pitched shrieks)
(Marcie screams, tumbling thumps)
(Hard thump) All: Oh!
Bob and Joy: Miles! Miles: What?
Marcie: I hurt my back. And my neck, and my elbow.
Rod: Oh, I knew we shouldn't have come over here!
- Well, who asked you to?!
I'm gonna call the police And tell them about Eve!
- Oh, don't you dare! - No!
Miles: Their names are Salt and Pepper.
Who wants to say hello? Bob: Miles!
- Get me outta here! Please!
Bob: Hey, uh, come over anytime.
Marcie: Ow! This hurts.
You'll hear from my lawyer.
Bob: It's the eyes.
(Door bangs shut) Miles...
- I still don't see why I can't help find Eve.
- There's nothing you can do.
Plus athletes need to be in school
or they can't play.
You know that. - Yeah.
- Now I've gotta take your mother to the hospital for X-Rays.
We've talked to the lawyers--
- Come on. Do you have to file a second lawsuit?
They don't look like they have deep pockets.
- Worst case scenario, we force them into bankruptcy
and they move.
Best case scenario, they have good insurance,
we collect a bundle of cash and we move.
Either way, we're no longer neighbors.
- I just... (Sighs)
I just don't get why we all can't get along.
(Seatbelt clicks) Feel better, Mom.
Marcie: (Groans in pain) Oh, thank you, honey.
(Grunts in pain)
- Honey, it can't-- it can't be that bad.
- It's so bad. (Door bangs shut)
(Low hum of chatter)
- (Blows out breath)
Hey, Sam.
Look, I'm sorry about the thing at the pep rally, okay?
I didn't mean to embarrass you.
Or Mimi.
- She broke up with me.
- Oh my gosh.
- Do you wanna tell the whole school that now, too?
It should get another big laugh.
- Sam, come on. (Lock clicks)
- See ya. - I really am sorry!
Sam, we need to talk!
(Upset sigh)
(Volleyball team chatters)
Coach Weber: I know, she's let us down. I know, it's brutal.
- Hey! - Stop.
- What?
- Joy, we need to talk.
- Okay.
Do you wanna do it in my office
or in front of your team?
- (Sighs) Bring it on.
- Well, you're not playing in the match tonight.
How 'bout that? Girl: Yeah, thanks a lot.
- What? What-what did I do?
- It's more like what you didn't do, Joy. 'Kay?
Academic eligibility is the one thing
that can trip you up in this system.
You know that.
- Rewind. Uh... (laughs) Academic eligibility?
- (Scoffs) Girls: Yeah!
Come on. You guys only need a "C" average to play.
- Oh my gosh...
OMG, right?
Guess what?
- (Gulps, realizing) I don't have a "C" average?!
(Team titters)
- She's making it super hard, isn't she?
- (Laughs) You guys are kidding right now, right?
I-I am smart!
I am that kid who uses pen for math
because no mistakes right here, hmm?
I own the honor roll!
- You're crazy, okay? - What?
- Seriously? - I know things!
A lot of things!
- Okay, you have put yourself, this team
and the entire school in a terrible position,
and your dad cannot get you out of it this time.
- (Scoffs)
- So what do you have to say for yourself, Joy?
We're all ears.
- (Emotional sigh)
I have a massive headache.
- Not my problem.
Super disappointed. - (Angry exhale)
Girls: Great! Thanks for everything.
Coach Weber: Joy?
Joy! Unbelievable! (Ball thunks loudly)
(Low hum of chatter)
(Clothing rustles)
- Look, I'm really sorry, you guys.
(Door opens, Joy sighs heavily)
(Low hum of chatter)
Announcement: Don't forget to buy your tickets
to see the Griffins play in the State Volleyball Championships.
Support your team.
Go Griffins!
(Heels clack lightly)
- Mr. Elderberry?
Mr. Elderberry! - Yes?
- I wanna play the clarinet.
- The clarinet isn't the easiest instrument.
Maybe you could ask your parents
to get you piano lessons.
- I already did that.
- So you play the piano? - Well, ages ago.
Almost like another lifetime.
- Do you read music? - Before. Not now.
But I can pick it up really fast.
I'm sure of that. - (Sighs)
- It's not too late to start, is it?
- I'm retiring next semester.
The next teacher might have more... energy.
Take it up with her.
- You're retiring?
- Teaching tone deaf teenagers leads to clinical depression.
It's a life sentence of sour notes.
I just can't do it anymore.
(Door squeaks shut) Bye, bye.
(Door bangs shut forcefully)
Who the hell was that?
(Students chatter)
(Heels clack, sniffs)
- Hey! Montana! (Gasps)
- Yo, baby. - Ugh!
- (Hyperventilating breaths)
- You said you'd meet me before class.
- Uh, yeah. - I'm getting so worried!
- I know, I'm sorry. Um... - Just shaking inside.
- Things have been rough.
Eve ran away from home last night.
So did the boy who lives next door.
- The boy next door?
- Yeah. Zack Hockstatter.
He's home schooled though. You wouldn't know him.
- So you care more about some neighbor dude than me?
- What? I-I didn't just say that.
I said that he and Eve disappeared.
- Oh. Okay, so I just made up that there's some guy who lives next door
and you're upset about him. Maybe you wanna go to his cabin.
Maybe you already have. - Tom, stop.
Can you calm down please?
It's nothing like that, okay?
- Don't act like it doesn't mean anything to you
to be going out with the hottest guy in school.
Me.
Can I... can I ask you something?
How um...
how did Eve running away from home become about you?
- What'd you just say?
- Um...
- (Angry breathes)
(Screams) Answer me!
(Loud metallic clang, hard thump)
- (Gasps)
Oh no! Oh...
- Is he alive?
- Uh... um...
he's breathing.
(Students chatter) - He's so good-looking.
- Yeah, especially when his mouth is closed.
Hey, uh, you learned CPR last summer, right?
(Students whisper and murmur)
(Students chatter)
♪
- His heart rate seems normal.
- Oh. Well, uh...
maybe he needs mouth-to-mouth.
(Students whisper and murmur)
♪
(Coughs, choking cough)
(Students gasp, Tom coughs)
- (Whispers) Nice work. (Tom coughs)
Oh, good luck. - Hmm.
Oh, 'scuse me!
Girl: Did you hear the news?!
Eve Wellman and a kid named Zack Hockstatter are barricaded
in the convenience store on Emerald Street!
(Students gasp)
(Shaky breath) - Oh my God...
♪
(Breathless) Okay, okay...
Ugh! I gotta change. Ugh.
Okay.
Here.
Ungh!
Okay...
I gotta help Eve.
Okay.
Other shoe.
Oh God, I'm really flipping...
(Struggling grunts)
Okay. Ungh! Okay.
Okay. (Bushes rustle)
Here we go, here we go.
Okay, you can help. Okay.
Excuse me!
Okay, okay...
♪
(Panting)
♪
(Sighs)
(Low hum of chatter)
Man: Dude, what's going on?
- You come out now and everything will be okay!
Dispatch: Officer Crowley, what is your status?
- Yeah, we followed them here, now they won't come out.
So we're sending in a SWAT unit.
(Eve pants loudly) Hey, hey! You can't go any closer!
Officer: Whoa, whoa, whoa... - My sister -
and my brother - are in there!
Officers: Miss, miss, stop!
(Agitated breaths) Zack?! Eve!
(Car rumbles, siren wails)
(Tires screech, door bangs shut)
- We have to go inside, my daughter's in here. Officer: Come on.
Marcie: Please, just listen. Rod: Okay, what's happening?
- Oh my gosh, you guys are okay.
- What're you doing here?!
- Me?! What about you?!
- Someone thought we needed some supplies
for our little road trip. Next thing we know...
we're surrounded by cops! Joy: Wait a second.
Is that Dad's old BB gun?
- M-My Dad or-or your Dad? - Oh shoot.
- That's just a BB gun? What else have you lied about?!
- I haven't lied to you about anything!
- I cannot believe that you guys ran away from home!
Eve: I didn't run away from home, okay?
I ran away from you.
- Oh, that's really nice. Thank you.
- Guys, guys, this could get ugly.
- Could? It already has.
- Look, Joy, you need to help us.
- Help you? - Just they'll listen to you.
Just... I don't know, tell them it was all a misunderstanding.
- A misunderstanding. - Yeah.
- This is a misunderstanding?
- Please? Okay, you owe me this.
We're sisters.
("Joy to the World" plays on the radio)
- Wait.
Can you turn that up?
Sorry.
Can you turn that up?
- What? What? Turn what up?
- The music. Can you make it louder?
- Joy, this isn't exactly the time to play holiday DJ.
- Zack, I am telling you, I know this song.
- Everybody knows this song!
- No. I used to play it on my clarinet.
("Joy to the World" continues)
♪
(Gasps)
They have Ah Cards?
Officer Crowley: Why don't you tell us exactly what you want!
(Siren wails, muffled chatter, radio static)
- These cards hold our secrets.
- Who says that we have secrets?
- She's clearly not gonna be any help.
- Joy, can we please focus on the problem at hand?
- I'm trying, okay?
Here. Pick a card.
- Forget it.
- Okay, you know what? Fine. I'll do it.
- Thanks.
- Family. - Yeah,
the source of all of our problems.
- You got that right. - Okay, Zack, here.
Pick a card.
- No.
- Fine! I'll do it.
Love.
- Not really my thing.
- Really?
(Annoyed sigh)
- Change...
(Police chatter, light clink)
(Gas canister clatters and rolls)
(Gas hisses)
- Oh no...
(Everyone starts coughing) Zack! Eve! (Coughs)
Eve: I can't breathe! (Coughing)
Zack: Now do you believe that we're toast?
(Coughing, display rack clatters)
(Joy thuds on floor, Zack and Eve cough)
("Joy to the World" swells)
♪
(Beeping)
Dr. Mike: Do you hear me, Joy?
Blink your eyes if you hear me.
(Beeping)
Do you understand? Blink your eyes if you do.
(Beeping)
- (Hoarse) Is it um...
Is it okay if I just talk? (Chuckles softly)
- (Chuckles)
(Monitor beeps)
- Where am I?
- You're in the hospital. You had an accident,
but you're okay.
- (Shocked breath) I don't feel okay.
- No.
But you will, I promise.
- I don't...
I don't remember anything.
- Do you know who you are?
- No.
- It's okay.
Now I wanna show you some people.
I think it's gonna help.
- 'Kay. - Okay?
- (Shaky, frightened breaths)
♪
(Shaky breath)
(Gasps)
♪
Dr. Mike: Do you remember now?
- (Shaky breath)
I'm Joy...
Dr. Mike: Yes.
- (Excited breaths)
Joy Hockstatter...
Bob: (Relieved sigh) Rod: Aw... Marcie: Yes!
- Daddy! (Kiss)
Hey, Dad. - Hi.
(Joyful chuckle)
- Hi. Hi, buddy.
I'm here...
(Kiss) Hi. Look at you.
- I missed you. - I missed you too.
(Happy sigh)
(Birds chirp, car engine rumbles)
(Volvo rumbles to a stop)
(Engine shuts off, parking break clicks)
- Well, I guess we got you back
just in time for Christmas, huh?
- But... where did the banner come from?
- Oh, that? A group of girls from school
brought it last week.
- They're cheerleaders!
- That's right. Yeah, they were very nice.
Although one of them - little pushy.
- Yeah. - Ahh... Brie?
- That's the one, yeah. Named after a cheese.
- (Giggles)
It's okay. Montana came, got her out of here.
- Yeah, and a soccer player stopped by.
- That's right, he did. Tom somebody.
- Tom Addison came to see me?
- That's the one. - Yeah.
He said he was getting community service credit.
- Good. (Chuckles)
- I'm gonna go and turn on the lights on our Christmas tree.
Joy, you can't believe how cool it looks!
- Can't wait. - All right, be careful!
- (Chuckles) Great. - See you in the house!
(Car door bangs shut, running footsteps)
(Happy sigh)
(Front door clicks shut) - Wait, what are they doing together?
- They spent a lot of time together at the hospital.
I guess something must have just clicked.
(Chuckles) - (Shocked laugh)
Wow. - Yeah. Let's go say hi.
- Yeah. (Doors open and close)
Hey, big bro. (Giggles) - Hey.
Are you feeling okay?
- Yes. - Well, you're looking a boatload better.
- (Laughs) Thanks.
- Come here.
Zack: All right, that's enough.
I can only take so much of this touchy-feely stuff.
- (Laughs) Okay.
- Joy? - Yeah.
- It really is good to have you home.
(Chuckles softly, opens door)
- (Chuckles softly)
- It's so good to have you back, honey.
We all love you.
- Me, too, you! (Kiss)
- I'll take your stuff inside. - Okay.
Dad, I missed you.
- Me, too, you.
(Door opens and closes)
- (Sighs)
(Horn blasts, car rumbles)
(Engine shuts off, door opens and closes)
- Hey! You're home! - (Giggles) Yeah.
- How're you feeling? - Good.
Really good, actually.
- Well, Marcie's gonna be so glad you're home.
And she's loved taking care of Levi.
- (Laughs) Levi! (Levi barks)
Marcie: Wait!
- Hi!
Hi. Muah!
I missed you! Marcie: Joy!
Welcome home.
- Thank you. It is so good to be back.
Truly.
I missed everybody... so much.
- Well, somebody's ready for their walk.
I've been walking him since the accident.
Miles and I go together.
- Wow.
You know, I um...
I was wondering if you'd ever wanna go on a run with me sometime?
- Yeah, I'd like that. A lot.
- Me too.
- We'll see you tomorrow for Christmas dinner.
- We're having Christmas dinner together?
- Yeah. I always wanted more people
around the holiday table,
and now, finally, my wish is coming true.
See you later. - Well, see you tomorrow.
- Have fun! - Come on, come on!
♪
- Hey. - Hey, Sam.
♪
- Hey.
- Hey. Here.
- Ah! (Sniffs) Thank you.
(Both chuckle)
So, um...
were you really at the hospital every day when I was sick?
- (Laughs) Yeah.
- That's pretty cool.
- I mean, I got a lot of work done.
- Yeah? - They don't have a very secure system.
- Oh. Does anyone?
I mean really? - (Laughs)
Joy?
- Yeah?
- I'll pick one of your Ah cards if you want me to.
- No. That's cool. - (Chuckles)
I got the same card a lot.
It sort of freaked me out.
- Really?
- I'm good with it now.
- Me, too.
Merry Christmas, Sam.
- Merry Christmas.
♪ Oh
♪ Cast out to sea
♪ Drifting with the tide
♪ Any way you're finding me
Joy: The secret to happiness is to want what you have.
There's the family you were born into,
and then the family you choose.
It took getting hit on the head to bring us together.
This is the best Christmas ever.
Joy: And that's holiday joy.
♪ Tired of all the troubles They've been wasting my time ♪
♪ I don't wanna fight Gonna leave it behind ♪
♪ Taking on fate Now I'm ready to fly ♪
♪ I'm in the middle of starting over ♪
♪ Back to the beginning Gonna hit rewind ♪
♪ Chance to do it over Get it right this time ♪
♪ Life gives you pennies, turn 'em into dimes ♪
♪ I'm in the middle of starting over ♪
♪ Oh
♪ Alone in a room
♪ Tearing down the walls
♪ Painting over stars and bruises ♪
♪ Now this is home
♪ Fill it up with love
♪ And make the best of something new, yeah ♪
♪ It's hard as it seems