Daria (1997–2001): Season 5, Episode 13 - Boxing Daria - full transcript
A large refrigerator box revives painful memories in Daria that suggest that she is a burden on her parents by being herself.
- ♪ LA-LA, LA, LA-LA ♪
♪ LA-LA, LA, LA-LA ♪
[tires screeching
and metal crunching]
[horn honking]
- MISS, ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?
MISS?
- OH, ERIC,
I'M SO SORRY I'M RUNNING LATE.
I HAD A HOUSEHOLD EMERGENCY.
OH, OUR REFRIGERATOR
SUDDENLY BROKE.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN I SHOULD CHILL?
I'M PERFECTLY RELAXED.
OH, REFRIGERATOR... CHILL.
[laughs]
OH, I AGREE.
THERE'S NOTHING FUNNY
ABOUT FOOD POISONING.
- UNLESS SOMEONE ELSE GETS IT.
THEN IT'S FRIVOLITY CITY.
DID I TELL YOU TOM'S GOING AWAY
FOR A WEEK?
- TO THE COVE?
- HOW'D YOU KNOW?
- THAT'S THE ONLY PLACE
HIS FAMILY EVER GOES.
I THINK THEY'RE TRAINING
A SECRET MILITIA UP THERE.
- I WISH.
THAT'S SO MUCH MORE EXCITING
THAN THEM JUST BEING
TOO DAMN CHEAP
TO GO ANYWHERE INTERESTING.
- HEY, HOW DO YOU THINK
OLD MONEY GETS OLD?
- ANYWAY, HE'LL BE UP THERE
FOR A FAMILY WEDDING,
SO MORE TIME FOR YOU AND ME
TO HANG OUT.
- HAVEN'T WE HAD
THIS CONVERSATION BEFORE,
ONLY I SAID WHAT YOU'RE SAYING,
AND YOU SAID WHAT I'M SAYING?
- ATTENTION,
LAWNDALE HIGH STUDENTS.
IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION
THAT DURING
OUR ALL-IMPORTANT
TRAIL MIX FUND DRIVE WEEK,
SOME INDIVIDUALS HAVE BEEN
FLAUNTING OUTSIDE SNACKS
FROM NON-SCHOOL-AFFILIATED
SOURCES.
NOW, STUDENTS,
THE BOOSTER CLUB,
LEADERSHIP CLUB, CHESS CLUB,
DOMINOES CLUB, FOOTBALL,
BASKETBALL, LACROSSE,
AND MARBLES TEAMS,
AS WELL AS
THE FRATERNAL BROTHERHOOD
OF FUTURE MARKETING
AND PROMOTION EXECUTIVES
NEED YOUR HELP.
I'M AFRAID WE'RE GOING TO HAVE
TO INSTITUTE SNACK SPOT CHECKS.
I'M SORRY, YOUNG PEOPLE,
BUT YOU ABUSED YOUR PRIVILEGES.
- I HATE THIS PLACE.
- THAT REMINDS ME.
I NEED SOME CHOCOLATE...
UNAUTHORIZED CHOCOLATE.
[chuckling]
- DARIA, HELLO!
I WANT TO ASK YOU SOMETHING.
- I'M NOT SURRENDERING
MY PUDDING SNACK.
- WHAT?
- WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ASK ME?
- IT'S ABOUT THE FRESHMAN TOURS.
YOU KNOW,
THE TOURS WE GIVE STUDENTS
WHO WILL BE
ENTERING SCHOOL NEXT YEAR.
- FORGET IT.
- WE'RE LOOKING FOR BRIGHT,
ARTICULATE,
AND EMPATHETIC STUDENTS
TO LEAD GROUPS OF...
FORGET IT?
- "EMPATHETIC"?
- WELL, YES, DARIA.
WITH YOUR VIVID
STORYTELLER'S IMAGINATION,
YOU CAN REALLY PUT YOURSELF
IN THE SHOES
OF THESE YOUNG PEOPLE
ENTERING HIGH SCHOOL
FOR THE FIRST TIME.
- I DON'T THINK
I CAN BRING MYSELF
TO SAY ANYTHING ENCOURAGING
ABOUT A PLACE
THAT STRIP-SEARCHES
FOR CHEEZ-ITS.
- DARN IT, DARIA,
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY
TO POLISH UP
THOSE PEOPLE SKILLS.
I PROMISED MYSELF
I'D GET YOU TO DO THIS.
- WHY?
- BECAUSE I CARE.
- THEN YOU NEED TO WORK
ON YOUR CALLOUSNESS SKILLS.
[dramatic instrumental music]
- THEY GAVE HER
A GOOD-BYE PARTY AT 65...
MILES PER SECOND!
"RETIREMENT BY ROCKET,"
NEXT ON SICK, SAD WORLD.
- SO I ASKED MY PARENTS,
AND IT'S COOL WITH THEM
IF YOU WANT TO COME UP
FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS.
- I CAN'T STAND TO GO
TO MY FAMILY'S WEDDINGS.
WHAT MAKES YOU THINK
I COULD EVER GO TO YOURS?
- COME UP AFTER THE WEDDING.
- OH, SURE,
SO I CAN GET THERE
JUST AS THE MARRIAGE
STARTS TO DISINTEGRATE.
- [sighs]
- LOOK, I APPRECIATE THE OFFER,
BUT, YOU KNOW,
TOO MANY PEOPLE,
NOT ENOUGH EVACUATION ROUTES.
I'LL SEE YOU WHEN YOU GET BACK.
- I'M WORRIED.
I DON'T THINK YOU CAN REALLY
DO WITHOUT ME FOR A WEEK.
- NO, YOU SHOULD WORRY THAT ONCE
I REMEMBER WHAT IT'S LIKE
NOT TO HAVE YOU
CRAMPING MY STYLE,
I'LL WANT TO MAKE IT PERMANENT.
- ROMANTIC.
- THIS SAYS
THE DIFFERENT VEGETABLE BINS
HAVE INDIVIDUAL THERMOSTATS.
- THAT MEANS
I CAN HAVE CELERY STALKS
AT ONE TEMPERATURE
FOR THEIR OPTIMUM CRISPNESS
AND CARROT STICKS
AT ANOTHER FOR THEIRS.
- JUST MAKE SURE
THEY NEVER TOUCH... OR KABLOOEY.
- HA.
- WHAT DO YOU THINK
OF THE NEW REFRIGERATOR, DARIA?
- I THINK...
I THINK THEY LEFT THE BOX.
- OH, ISN'T THAT RIDICULOUS?
THEY CARTED OFF THAT HEAVY
OLD REFRIGERATOR
AND LEFT THE CARDBOARD BOX.
WELL, IT'S LIGHT.
YOU AND YOUR SISTER CAN MOVE IT
OUT TO THE CURB
FOR THE TRASH COLLECTORS.
- ISN'T THAT SORT OF
BRUTE DONKEY WORK
THE REASON THEY MADE FATHERS?
- DARIA, I'M SURPRISED
AT YOU BEING SO TRADITIONAL.
- I'M NOT BEING TRADITIONAL.
I'M BEING LAZY.
- WELL, YOUR FATHER HEARD ABOUT
A LAST-MINUTE OPENING
AT SOME MARKETING CONFERENCE
AND RAN OFF,
SO I GUESS YOU GIRLS
WILL HAVE TO DO IT.
- A LAST-MINUTE TRIP?
HE DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING
ABOUT THAT.
- WELL, NO, DARIA.
THAT'S BECAUSE
IT WAS LAST-MINUTE.
- OH, OKAY.
DID WE HAVE ONE OF THOSE
WHEN I WAS A KID?
- ONE OF WHAT?
- A REFRIGERATOR BOX.
I SEEM TO REMEMBER
SPENDING A LOT OF TIME
PLAYING IN ONE WHEN I WAS A KID.
- OH, I DOUBT THAT, DARIA.
I DON'T REMEMBER YOU
DOING MUCH PLAYING AT ALL.
[laughs]
OHH.
- DO YOU REMEMBER US HAVING
ONE OF THESE WHEN WE WERE KIDS?
- DARIA,
I'M DOING MANUAL LABOR HERE.
I'M NOT IN THE MOOD
FOR A STROLL DOWN MEMORY ROAD.
- YOU WERE PROBABLY
TOO YOUNG ANYWAY.
I THINK I WAS
AROUND FIVE OR SIX.
- DARIA,
I'M NEAR THE PERSPIRING POINT.
- OH, COME ON,
THIS THING ISN'T HEAVY.
I COULD DRAG IT MYSELF.
- OKAY, BYE.
- WAIT.
- WHAT?
- WHY DO YOU THINK DAD
REALLY WENT AWAY?
- DARIA, WHY ARE YOU SO WEIRD?
[light acoustic guitar music]
♪ ♪
- HI, MRS. SLOANE, IT'S DARIA.
UM, IS TOM THERE?
OH, OKAY.
NO, JUST THAT I CALLED.
THANKS.
- DAMN IT, HELEN, THAT'S IT!
HOW MUCH AM I SUPPOSED TO TAKE?
- JAKE, SHE'S A CHILD.
SHE DOESN'T KNOW ANY BETTER.
- THAT'S WHAT SHE WANTS YOU
TO BELIEVE!
[crickets chirping]
- ERIC, I'M RUNNING
A LITTLE LATE.
NO, IT'S NOTHING TO DO
WITH THE REFRIGERATOR.
OH, I SHOULD CHILL.
[laughs]
THAT'S FUNNY.
OKAY, BYE.
HUH.
QUINN,
I THOUGHT I ASKED YOU AND DARIA
TO MOVE THAT BOX
OUT TO THE CURB.
- WHAT?
WE DID.
- MAYBE YOU DREAMT THAT YOU DID.
I WANT YOU TO GO OUT THERE
AND MOVE IT RIGHT NOW.
- BUT, MOM, I SWEAR.
- I DON'T HAVE TIME
TO PLAY GAMES, QUINN.
I'M LATE.
BRING THE BOX OUT TO THE CURB,
OR I WON'T BE RESPONSIBLE
FOR WHAT HAPPENS
TO YOUR CARROT STICKS.
- STUPID FREAKIN' CARTON,
HARD FREAKIN' LABOR.
I'M ONLY FREAKIN' HUMAN.
HOW MUCH CAN ONE
FREAKIN' GIRL TAKE,
EVEN AN ENORMOUSLY
FREAKIN' POPULAR ONE?
[engine revving]
[brakes squeaking]
[upbeat jazzy music]
♪ ♪
- NOW, THE NEXT STOP ON OUR TOUR
IS THE LUNCHROOM.
WHO HERE KNOWS WHAT PEOPLE DO
IN THE LUNCHROOM?
- [sighs]
OH, DARIA, I WANTED TO ASK YOU
IF YOU'VE GIVEN ANY MORE THOUGHT
TO HELPING OUT
WITH THE FRESHMAN TOURS.
- IF NOMINATED,
I WILL NOT RUN.
IF ELECTED,
I WILL NOT SERVE.
- BUT JODIE'S DOING IT.
- JODIE DOES EVERYTHING.
- MAYBE YOU AND JANE WANT
TO GIVE SOME TOURS TOGETHER.
- I'D DO IT.
HEY, IF I'M GIVING A TOUR,
THEN I CAN'T BE IN CLASS,
SIMPLE PHYSICS.
- I TOLD YOU.
I'D FEEL LIKE
A COMPLETE HYPOCRITE
TELLING
IMPRESSIONABLE YOUNGSTERS
WHAT A GREAT PLACE THIS IS
WHEN I DON'T BELIEVE IT MYSELF.
- BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO TELL
THEM WHAT A GREAT PLACE IT IS.
I WANT THEM TO SEE
THAT LAWNDALE HIGH
IS THE SORT OF SCHOOL THAT
EMBRACES ALL KINDS OF STUDENTS.
- WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?
- WELL, JODIE AND THE OTHERS
ARE SORT OF JOINER TYPES,
AND YOU...
- ARE SORT OF A NON-JOINER TYPE,
AN OUTCAST, AN ODDBALL,
A FIFTH WHEEL,
AND YOU WANT ME TO TELL
OTHER ODDBALLS
THAT LIFE AT LAWNDALE HIGH
WILL BE JUST PEACHY?
- DARIA,
IS EVERYTHING ALL RIGHT?
- NO, WHY DO I HAVE TO BE PEGGED
AS THE MISFIT ALL THE TIME?
I CAN GET ALONG WITH PEOPLE.
- OF COURSE YOU CAN, DARIA.
THAT'S MY POINT.
SO YOU'LL THINK ABOUT IT?
- KIDS.
[gentle acoustic guitar music]
- DARIA,
WHY IS THAT REFRIGERATOR BOX
IN THE BACKYARD AGAIN?
- WHY DO YOU REFUSE
TO ACKNOWLEDGE
THAT WE HAD A BOX LIKE THAT
WHEN I WAS A KID?
- WHAT?
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
- WHERE'S DAD?
- I TOLD YOU.
HE'S AT A CONFERENCE.
HE'LL BE HOME TOMORROW.
CALL HIM IF YOU WANT
TO SPEAK TO HIM.
- WHY,
SO HE CAN LIE TO ME TOO?
WHERE IS HE, REALLY?
- DARIA, ARE YOU FEELING OKAY?
- DID YOU AND DAD
HAVE A HUGE FIGHT ABOUT ME
WHEN I WAS LITTLE?
- WHAT?
NO.
- YOU'RE LYING.
SO WHEN ARE YOU COMING HOME?
- NEXT WEEK, LIKE I SAID.
- CAN YOU GET BACK ANY SOONER?
- I WISH I COULD.
WAIT, ARE YOU KIDDING?
- DO YOU HAVE TO MAKE FUN OF ME?
- I'M NOT MAKING FUN OF YOU,
BUT WHAT HAPPENED TO,
"I DON'T CARE
IF YOU'RE HERE OR NOT"?
- IT'S CHANGED.
LISTEN, DO YOU STILL WANT ME
TO COME UP THERE?
- WELL, YOU COULD, BUT IT'S
EVEN DULLER THAN I THOUGHT.
I MEAN, IT WOULD BE GREAT FOR ME
IF YOU CAME UP,
BUT I THINK YOU'D HAVE
A HORRIBLE TIME.
- SO YOU LIED TO ME TOO.
- WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
- YOU SAID YOU WANTED ME
TO COME UP.
NOW YOU SAY YOU DON'T.
- THAT'S NOT WHAT I SAID AT ALL.
COME ON UP.
I WANT YOU TO.
IT'LL BE GREAT.
- NO, THANKS.
- [sighs]
- CALL ME TOMORROW, OKAY?
- DARIA, SERIOUSLY,
IS SOMETHING WRONG?
- CALL ME TOMORROW, ALL RIGHT?
BYE.
- BUT WE CAN TALK RIGHT NOW.
[dial tone drones]
[quirky electronic music]
♪ ♪
- WELL, YOU SPOKE THE TRUTH.
IT'S A BOX, ALL RIGHT.
- IT'S MORE THAN A BOX.
- UM, FROM HERE,
IT LOOKS LIKE EXACTLY A BOX.
- I MEAN, THAT BOX IS TRYING
TO TELL ME SOMETHING.
- IF YOU SAY SO.
ALL I HEAR IS THE RUSTLE
OF A GENTLE BREEZE
WAFTING THROUGH CARDBOARD,
QUITE SOOTHING, REALLY.
- YOU'RE RIGHT,
IT IS SOOTHING.
- I WAS KIDDING.
- NO,
THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
- UM, DARIA,
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
- YES, THIS IS RIGHT.
- DARIA?
- DAMN IT, HELEN, THAT'S IT!
HOW MUCH AM I SUPPOSED TO TAKE?
- JAKE, THIS ISN'T ABOUT YOU.
IT'S ABOUT HER HAVING
A LITTLE TROUBLE FITTING IN.
- SHE DOESN'T WANT TO FIT IN,
DAMN IT.
WHY CAN'T YOU ADMIT THAT?
- JAKE, SHE'S A CHILD.
SHE DOESN'T KNOW ANY BETTER.
- THAT'S WHAT SHE WANTS YOU
TO BELIEVE!
- WHERE ARE YOU GOING?
[door slams shut]
- DARIA, COME ON,
THE NEIGHBORS
ARE STARTING TO TALK.
- UM... GOOD.
SOON THEY'LL PROGRESS
TO CAVE DRAWINGS,
AND CIVILIZATION
WILL BE ON ITS WAY.
- DARIA, I REMEMBERED.
YOU WERE RIGHT.
I REMEMBERED
I WAS THREE OR FOUR,
AND IT WAS NIGHTTIME,
AND I WOKE UP,
BECAUSE MOM AND DAD
WERE FIGHTING,
AND THEN DAD WAS YELLING,
AND A DOOR SLAMMED,
AND THEN I HEARD A CAR START UP,
AND HE DROVE AWAY.
- THANK YOU.
I KNEW I WASN'T IMAGINING IT.
DO YOU REMEMBER
WHAT THEY WERE FIGHTING ABOUT?
- UM... YEAH.
THEY WERE FIGHTING ABOUT YOU.
- NOW, DARIA,
I WANT YOU TO TELL ME
WHAT YOU SEE
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PICTURE.
- WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
THAT'S NOT A PICTURE.
- WELL, NOT THE KIND OF PICTURE
WE'RE USED TO SEEING.
THIS PICTURE LETS YOU MAKE UP
WHAT IT'S ABOUT.
- THEN WHY DON'T I JUST DRAW
MY OWN PICTURE?
- FOR INSTANCE,
ONE LITTLE BOY OR GIRL
MIGHT LOOK AT IT
AND SEE A FIRE TRUCK OR A HOUSE.
ANOTHER MIGHT SEE A HERD
OF BEAUTIFUL WILD PONIES
RUNNING FREE ACROSS THE PLAINS.
- IT'S JUST A BLACK SPLOTCH.
- DARIA, WHAT'S YOUR
FAVORITE GAME TO PLAY AT RECESS?
- I DON'T LIKE GAMES.
I LIKE TO READ.
- DON'T YOU ENJOY PLAYING
WITH THE OTHER CHILDREN?
- NOT REALLY.
THEY NEVER UNDERSTAND
WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT,
AND THEN THEY MAKE FUN OF ME.
I LIKE TO READ.
- I'M JUST SAYING, DARIA,
IF YOU GIVE THE OTHER BOYS
AND GIRLS A CHANCE,
YOU MIGHT FIND SOMEONE YOU LIKE.
IT TAKES ALL KINDS.
- I LIKE LOTS OF KIDS.
- THEY CALL ME EGGHEAD.
- SWEETIE, IT'S A LITTLE HARD
FOR YOUR FATHER AND ME
TO KEEP TAKING TIME OFF FROM
WORK TO TALK TO THE COUNSELOR.
WHY DON'T YOU MEET US HALFWAY
AND TRY TALKING
TO THE OTHER KIDS?
- THEY DON'T SAY ANYTHING
THAT INTERESTS ME.
- I TALK A LOT
TO THE OTHER KIDS,
AND THEY TALK BACK.
- DARIA, HOW DO YOU KNOW
THEY DON'T INTEREST YOU?
- I'M TIRED.
- I'M NOT TIRED.
- WELL,
I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.
I'M AT MY WIT'S END.
- DAMN IT, HELEN, THAT'S IT!
I GO IN THERE EVERY DAY
TO FACE A PSYCHOTIC BOSS,
A JOB THAT MAKES ME FEEL LIKE
A FREAKIN' SLAVE,
AND THEN I HAVE TO COME HOME
AND DEAL WITH THIS?
HOW MUCH AM I SUPPOSED TO TAKE?
- JAKE, THIS ISN'T ABOUT YOU.
IT'S ABOUT HER HAVING
A LITTLE TROUBLE FITTING IN.
- SHE DOESN'T WANT TO FIT IN,
DAMN IT.
WHY CAN'T YOU ADMIT THAT?
- JAKE, SHE'S A CHILD.
SHE DOESN'T KNOW ANY BETTER.
- THAT'S WHAT SHE WANTS YOU
TO BELIEVE!
- WHERE ARE YOU GOING?
[door slams shut]
- OH, HEY, KIDDO.
UM, DARIA?
BUT WHAT'S SHE DOING IN THERE?
- I DON'T KNOW.
SHE'S BEEN ACTING SO STRANGELY.
I'D HAVE CALLED YOU,
BUT BY THE TIME I GOT HOME
AND SAW HER,
YOU WERE ALREADY IN THE AIR.
- OH, HI, DAD.
HOW WAS THE BAND-AID CONFERENCE?
- BRANDING.
IT WAS A BRANDING CONFERENCE.
- BRANDING?
OH, NO, THOSE POOR COWS.
- QUINN, DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA
WHY YOUR SISTER IS OUTSIDE
SITTING IN THAT RIDICULOUS BOX?
- IS SHE STILL OUT THERE?
UM, IT'S ABOUT THAT FIGHT
YOU TWO HAD.
- FIGHT?
WHAT FIGHT?
- WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY FIGHT.
- BACK WHEN WE WERE KIDS
IN THE OLD HOUSE.
YOU KNOW,
YOU HAD A BIG FIGHT ABOUT DARIA,
AND THEN DAD STORMED OUT.
IT WAS VERY TRAUMATIC.
THE SCARS ARE WITH ME
TO THIS DAY.
DO WE HAVE ANY DIET SODA?
- COME ON, DARIA.
COME OUT OF THE BOX.
WE WANT TO TALK TO YOU.
- YEAH, COME ON, KIDDO.
WE'LL ALL HAVE A NICE TALK.
- NO.
- DARIA, YOU CAN'T SPEND
THE REST OF YOUR LIFE IN THERE.
- I CAN ONCE THEY PUT IN MY
HIGH-SPEED INTERNET CONNECTION.
- DARIA, PLEASE COME OUT?
- ALL RIGHT,
BUT YOU HAVE TO PROMISE
TO BE COMPLETELY HONEST WITH ME.
- UM... UH... OKAY.
- HELEN,
IS THAT SUCH A GOOD IDEA?
- JAKE.
- HONEST IT IS.
- WHEN I WAS SIX YEARS OLD,
DID YOU HAVE A BIG FIGHT
ABOUT ME?
- YES.
- NO.
- YES.
- I'D FORGOTTEN ALL ABOUT IT.
QUINN REMINDED US.
- WHY WERE YOU FIGHTING?
- DARIA, YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND.
WE KEPT GETTING CALLS
FROM THE SCHOOL.
YOU WOULDN'T TALK
TO THE OTHER CHILDREN.
YOU WOULDN'T PLAY
WITH THE OTHER CHILDREN.
WE KNEW HOW SMART YOU WERE.
TALKING TO YOU WAS LIKE TALKING
TO A MINIATURE ADULT.
BUT YOU WOULDN'T ENGAGE
WITH THE OTHER KIDS.
- THEY DIDN'T INTEREST ME.
- THAT'S WHAT YOU SAID.
- YOUR FATHER WAS IN A JOB
HE HATED
WITH A REALLY SADISTIC BOSS.
- LOUSY MINI-MUSSOLINI...
- JAKE!
- TENSE, DARIA.
I WAS VERY TENSE.
- I WAS TRYING TO RESUME
A FULL-TIME WORKLOAD
AND STILL RAISE TWO YOUNG GIRLS.
WE WERE ALL TENSE.
YOUR PROBLEMS AT SCHOOL
WERE SORT OF THE STRAW
THAT BROKE THE CAMEL'S BACK.
WE HAD AN ARGUMENT.
YOUR FATHER STORMED OFF,
SPENT THE NIGHT IN A MOTEL...
- A CRAPPY MOTEL.
- AND THE NEXT DAY,
WE MADE UP AND CARRIED ON.
- SO I CAUSED
A BIG MARITAL RIFT.
- NOT A RIFT, DARIA.
- WE HAD A FIGHT ONE NIGHT.
YOU HAPPENED TO BE THE TOPIC,
NOT THE CAUSE.
DARIA?
[door clicks shut]
[engine turning]
[tires squealing]
- HELLO, MRS. SLOANE,
IS TOM THERE?
WELL, WOULD IT BE OKAY IF I TOOK
YOU UP ON YOUR OFFER TO VISIT?
YEAH, I CAN BE THERE
IN ABOUT FOUR HOURS.
THANKS VERY MUCH,
MRS. SLOANE.
[rain pattering]
[tires screeching]
[metal crunching]
- MISS, ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?
MISS.
MISS.
- YEAH.
YEAH, I'M OKAY.
[light rock music]
[horn honking]
- I'M NOT QUITE GETTING THIS.
YOU RAN OFF BECAUSE OF A FIGHT
YOUR PARENTS HAD 11 YEARS AGO?
- IT'S NOT THE FIGHT.
IT'S THE SUDDEN REALIZATION
THAT ALL THESE YEARS,
WHEN I THOUGHT
THEY WERE TORTURING ME,
IN REALITY,
I WAS THE ONE TORTURING THEM.
- FIRST OF ALL,
I DON'T THINK IT'S EITHER/OR.
FROM WHERE I'M SITTING,
YOU AND YOUR FOLKS HAVE DONE
A GREAT JOB
OF TORTURING EACH OTHER.
AND SECOND OF ALL,
YOU MEAN TO TELL ME
YOU DON'T KNOW
WHEN YOU'RE BUSTING THEM?
- YES,
I KNOW WHEN I'M BUSTING THEM.
WHAT I DIDN'T REALIZE
IS WHAT A PAIN I'VE BEEN
WHEN I THOUGHT
I WAS JUST BEING ME.
- HUH?
- AT AGE SIX,
I DECIDE I DON'T NEED TO TALK
TO OTHER KIDS EVER AGAIN.
MY PARENTS ARE THE ONES
WHO GET CALLED IN TO SCHOOL.
AT 12,
I DECIDE TO TRY OUT
SOME SHAKESPEAREAN INSULTS
ON MY TEACHERS.
MY PARENTS ARE THE ONES
WHO GET CALLED IN TO SCHOOL.
AT 15, I START WRITING
VIOLENT REVENGE FANTASIES
JUST TO GET A REACTION.
- YOUR PARENTS,
ET CETERA, ET CETERA, GOTCHA.
BUT I NEVER GOT THE IDEA
THAT THEY MINDED THAT MUCH.
- YEAH,
WHICH JUST MAKES IT EVEN WORSE.
- YOU REALLY NEED
TO DISCUSS THIS WITH THEM.
- I KNOW, BUT FIRST I HAD TO
TALK TO SOMEONE I COULD TRUST.
- YEAH, I'M SORRY YOU DIDN'T
MAKE IT TO THE COVE.
- I'M NOT.
IT WOULD HAVE BEEN GOOD
TO SEE TOM, BUT THIS WAY,
I GOT TO TALK TO THE PERSON
I TRUST MOST.
[horn honks]
- OH, THANK GOD.
BUT, DARIA,
WHY DID YOU HAVE TO RUN AWAY
WHEN YOU HEARD THAT STORY ABOUT
GETTING CALLED IN TO SCHOOL?
- YEAH, WE USED TO GET CALLED
IN TO SCHOOL ALL THE TIME.
- JAKE.
- I MEAN... WE WERE USED TO IT.
- JAKE.
- I MEAN...
- JAKE!
- IT WAS PART OF THE DEAL.
IT WAS THE OTHER SIDE TO YOU
BEING SO SMART AND PERCEPTIVE.
- OH.
- WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
- DARIA, YOU CAN'T HAVE A CHILD
WITH YOUR KIND OF INTELLIGENCE
AND EXPECT HER TO FIT IN EASILY
WITH OTHER KIDS.
WE WEREN'T HAPPY
TO BE CALLED IN TO SCHOOL
BECAUSE WE KNEW IT MEANT
YOU WEREN'T HAPPY.
- BUT WE WERE NEVER UNHAPPY
WITH YOU.
- OH, WELL, THAT'S GOOD.
UM...
DO YOU THINK I'M A MISFIT?
- DARIA, YOU MAKE YOUR CHOICES.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT.
- YEAH... WE DO?
- CHOICES?
- YES, LIKE DECIDING NOT
TO VISIT TOM WHILE HE WAS AWAY
OR TO GIVE THOSE STUDENT TOURS.
YOU CHOOSE NOT TO INTERACT,
AND WE UNDERSTAND.
IT DOESN'T MAKE YOU A MISFIT.
- IT JUST MAKES ME ANTISOCIAL.
THAT STUDENT TOUR THING
IS A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE.
- YOU KNOW,
IF I COULD INTERJECT HERE.
- UM, I'M GONNA GO TO BED.
- GOOD NIGHT.
- GOOD NIGHT, KIDDO.
- I JUST WANT TO SAY
IT OCCURS TO ME
THAT MAYBE I WASN'T
THE EASIEST CHILD
IN THE WORLD TO RAISE,
AND, UM...
PERHAPS I'M QUITE LUCKY
TO HAVE YOU FOR PARENTS.
- THANK YOU FOR KNOWING
WHEN NOT TO SPEAK.
- I THINK YOU BROKE MY TOE.
- "DIDN'T KNOW IF YOU'D NEED
THIS, BUT JUST IN CASE...
QUINN."
- ANYWAY, SORRY I WASN'T HOME
WHEN YOU CALLED,
AND I'M REAL SORRY
YOU NEVER MADE IT UP THERE,
ALTHOUGH I THINK
THAT LAST CHECKERS GAME
BETWEEN ME AND MY UNCLE
IS STILL GOING ON.
- HEY, YOU HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING
I WAS GONNA WANT TO DRIVE UP.
- I MEAN, IF I'D HAD ANY IDEA
THAT YOU'D END UP
IN A HORRIFIC MULTI-CAR CRACKUP
WHISPERING MY NAME OVER AND OVER
IN A DESPERATE BID
NOT TO SLIP INTO A COMA...
- HORRIFIC CRACKUP?
I SPUN OUT ON THE SHOULDER.
- YOU TELL IT YOUR WAY.
I'LL TELL IT MINE.
- [sighs]
NOW,
OVER HERE IS THE LUNCHROOM.
AS MIDDLE SCHOOL VETERANS,
YOU ALREADY KNOW
THAT THIS IS THE CENTER
FOR SPITBALLS,
LAUGHING MILK UP
THROUGH YOUR NOSE,
AND FOOD POISONING
OF EVERY VARIETY.
- WHO HERE WANTS TO SLIP ME A 20
TO POINT OUT THE POPULAR TABLE,
SO YOU CAN START FIGHTING
FOR A SEAT NOW?
- OKAY, LET'S MOVE ON
TO HELL AND PURGATORY,
ALSO KNOWN AS THE GYM
AND LOCKER ROOMS.
- WHERE FOR 20 BUCKS,
I'LL SHOW YOU WHICH SHOWERS
HAVEN'T BEEN PEED IN...
TO MY KNOWLEDGE.
- MY FRIEND IS JUST KIDDING YOU,
OF COURSE.
THEY'VE ALL BEEN PEED IN.
NOW, AS WE HEAD FOR THE GYM,
TAKE SPECIAL NOTE OF THE FINE
INDUSTRIAL-GRADE LOCKERS,
WHICH MAKE THE PERFECT NOISE
WHEN YOU BANG YOUR HEAD
AGAINST THEM.
- ♪ LA-LA, LA, LA-LA ♪
♪ ♪
♪ LA-LA, LA ♪
♪ LA-LA, LA ♪
♪ LA-LA, LA ♪
♪ LA-LA, LA, LA-LA ♪
[tires screeching
and metal crunching]
[horn honking]
- MISS, ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?
MISS?
- OH, ERIC,
I'M SO SORRY I'M RUNNING LATE.
I HAD A HOUSEHOLD EMERGENCY.
OH, OUR REFRIGERATOR
SUDDENLY BROKE.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN I SHOULD CHILL?
I'M PERFECTLY RELAXED.
OH, REFRIGERATOR... CHILL.
[laughs]
OH, I AGREE.
THERE'S NOTHING FUNNY
ABOUT FOOD POISONING.
- UNLESS SOMEONE ELSE GETS IT.
THEN IT'S FRIVOLITY CITY.
DID I TELL YOU TOM'S GOING AWAY
FOR A WEEK?
- TO THE COVE?
- HOW'D YOU KNOW?
- THAT'S THE ONLY PLACE
HIS FAMILY EVER GOES.
I THINK THEY'RE TRAINING
A SECRET MILITIA UP THERE.
- I WISH.
THAT'S SO MUCH MORE EXCITING
THAN THEM JUST BEING
TOO DAMN CHEAP
TO GO ANYWHERE INTERESTING.
- HEY, HOW DO YOU THINK
OLD MONEY GETS OLD?
- ANYWAY, HE'LL BE UP THERE
FOR A FAMILY WEDDING,
SO MORE TIME FOR YOU AND ME
TO HANG OUT.
- HAVEN'T WE HAD
THIS CONVERSATION BEFORE,
ONLY I SAID WHAT YOU'RE SAYING,
AND YOU SAID WHAT I'M SAYING?
- ATTENTION,
LAWNDALE HIGH STUDENTS.
IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION
THAT DURING
OUR ALL-IMPORTANT
TRAIL MIX FUND DRIVE WEEK,
SOME INDIVIDUALS HAVE BEEN
FLAUNTING OUTSIDE SNACKS
FROM NON-SCHOOL-AFFILIATED
SOURCES.
NOW, STUDENTS,
THE BOOSTER CLUB,
LEADERSHIP CLUB, CHESS CLUB,
DOMINOES CLUB, FOOTBALL,
BASKETBALL, LACROSSE,
AND MARBLES TEAMS,
AS WELL AS
THE FRATERNAL BROTHERHOOD
OF FUTURE MARKETING
AND PROMOTION EXECUTIVES
NEED YOUR HELP.
I'M AFRAID WE'RE GOING TO HAVE
TO INSTITUTE SNACK SPOT CHECKS.
I'M SORRY, YOUNG PEOPLE,
BUT YOU ABUSED YOUR PRIVILEGES.
- I HATE THIS PLACE.
- THAT REMINDS ME.
I NEED SOME CHOCOLATE...
UNAUTHORIZED CHOCOLATE.
[chuckling]
- DARIA, HELLO!
I WANT TO ASK YOU SOMETHING.
- I'M NOT SURRENDERING
MY PUDDING SNACK.
- WHAT?
- WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ASK ME?
- IT'S ABOUT THE FRESHMAN TOURS.
YOU KNOW,
THE TOURS WE GIVE STUDENTS
WHO WILL BE
ENTERING SCHOOL NEXT YEAR.
- FORGET IT.
- WE'RE LOOKING FOR BRIGHT,
ARTICULATE,
AND EMPATHETIC STUDENTS
TO LEAD GROUPS OF...
FORGET IT?
- "EMPATHETIC"?
- WELL, YES, DARIA.
WITH YOUR VIVID
STORYTELLER'S IMAGINATION,
YOU CAN REALLY PUT YOURSELF
IN THE SHOES
OF THESE YOUNG PEOPLE
ENTERING HIGH SCHOOL
FOR THE FIRST TIME.
- I DON'T THINK
I CAN BRING MYSELF
TO SAY ANYTHING ENCOURAGING
ABOUT A PLACE
THAT STRIP-SEARCHES
FOR CHEEZ-ITS.
- DARN IT, DARIA,
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY
TO POLISH UP
THOSE PEOPLE SKILLS.
I PROMISED MYSELF
I'D GET YOU TO DO THIS.
- WHY?
- BECAUSE I CARE.
- THEN YOU NEED TO WORK
ON YOUR CALLOUSNESS SKILLS.
[dramatic instrumental music]
- THEY GAVE HER
A GOOD-BYE PARTY AT 65...
MILES PER SECOND!
"RETIREMENT BY ROCKET,"
NEXT ON SICK, SAD WORLD.
- SO I ASKED MY PARENTS,
AND IT'S COOL WITH THEM
IF YOU WANT TO COME UP
FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS.
- I CAN'T STAND TO GO
TO MY FAMILY'S WEDDINGS.
WHAT MAKES YOU THINK
I COULD EVER GO TO YOURS?
- COME UP AFTER THE WEDDING.
- OH, SURE,
SO I CAN GET THERE
JUST AS THE MARRIAGE
STARTS TO DISINTEGRATE.
- [sighs]
- LOOK, I APPRECIATE THE OFFER,
BUT, YOU KNOW,
TOO MANY PEOPLE,
NOT ENOUGH EVACUATION ROUTES.
I'LL SEE YOU WHEN YOU GET BACK.
- I'M WORRIED.
I DON'T THINK YOU CAN REALLY
DO WITHOUT ME FOR A WEEK.
- NO, YOU SHOULD WORRY THAT ONCE
I REMEMBER WHAT IT'S LIKE
NOT TO HAVE YOU
CRAMPING MY STYLE,
I'LL WANT TO MAKE IT PERMANENT.
- ROMANTIC.
- THIS SAYS
THE DIFFERENT VEGETABLE BINS
HAVE INDIVIDUAL THERMOSTATS.
- THAT MEANS
I CAN HAVE CELERY STALKS
AT ONE TEMPERATURE
FOR THEIR OPTIMUM CRISPNESS
AND CARROT STICKS
AT ANOTHER FOR THEIRS.
- JUST MAKE SURE
THEY NEVER TOUCH... OR KABLOOEY.
- HA.
- WHAT DO YOU THINK
OF THE NEW REFRIGERATOR, DARIA?
- I THINK...
I THINK THEY LEFT THE BOX.
- OH, ISN'T THAT RIDICULOUS?
THEY CARTED OFF THAT HEAVY
OLD REFRIGERATOR
AND LEFT THE CARDBOARD BOX.
WELL, IT'S LIGHT.
YOU AND YOUR SISTER CAN MOVE IT
OUT TO THE CURB
FOR THE TRASH COLLECTORS.
- ISN'T THAT SORT OF
BRUTE DONKEY WORK
THE REASON THEY MADE FATHERS?
- DARIA, I'M SURPRISED
AT YOU BEING SO TRADITIONAL.
- I'M NOT BEING TRADITIONAL.
I'M BEING LAZY.
- WELL, YOUR FATHER HEARD ABOUT
A LAST-MINUTE OPENING
AT SOME MARKETING CONFERENCE
AND RAN OFF,
SO I GUESS YOU GIRLS
WILL HAVE TO DO IT.
- A LAST-MINUTE TRIP?
HE DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING
ABOUT THAT.
- WELL, NO, DARIA.
THAT'S BECAUSE
IT WAS LAST-MINUTE.
- OH, OKAY.
DID WE HAVE ONE OF THOSE
WHEN I WAS A KID?
- ONE OF WHAT?
- A REFRIGERATOR BOX.
I SEEM TO REMEMBER
SPENDING A LOT OF TIME
PLAYING IN ONE WHEN I WAS A KID.
- OH, I DOUBT THAT, DARIA.
I DON'T REMEMBER YOU
DOING MUCH PLAYING AT ALL.
[laughs]
OHH.
- DO YOU REMEMBER US HAVING
ONE OF THESE WHEN WE WERE KIDS?
- DARIA,
I'M DOING MANUAL LABOR HERE.
I'M NOT IN THE MOOD
FOR A STROLL DOWN MEMORY ROAD.
- YOU WERE PROBABLY
TOO YOUNG ANYWAY.
I THINK I WAS
AROUND FIVE OR SIX.
- DARIA,
I'M NEAR THE PERSPIRING POINT.
- OH, COME ON,
THIS THING ISN'T HEAVY.
I COULD DRAG IT MYSELF.
- OKAY, BYE.
- WAIT.
- WHAT?
- WHY DO YOU THINK DAD
REALLY WENT AWAY?
- DARIA, WHY ARE YOU SO WEIRD?
[light acoustic guitar music]
♪ ♪
- HI, MRS. SLOANE, IT'S DARIA.
UM, IS TOM THERE?
OH, OKAY.
NO, JUST THAT I CALLED.
THANKS.
- DAMN IT, HELEN, THAT'S IT!
HOW MUCH AM I SUPPOSED TO TAKE?
- JAKE, SHE'S A CHILD.
SHE DOESN'T KNOW ANY BETTER.
- THAT'S WHAT SHE WANTS YOU
TO BELIEVE!
[crickets chirping]
- ERIC, I'M RUNNING
A LITTLE LATE.
NO, IT'S NOTHING TO DO
WITH THE REFRIGERATOR.
OH, I SHOULD CHILL.
[laughs]
THAT'S FUNNY.
OKAY, BYE.
HUH.
QUINN,
I THOUGHT I ASKED YOU AND DARIA
TO MOVE THAT BOX
OUT TO THE CURB.
- WHAT?
WE DID.
- MAYBE YOU DREAMT THAT YOU DID.
I WANT YOU TO GO OUT THERE
AND MOVE IT RIGHT NOW.
- BUT, MOM, I SWEAR.
- I DON'T HAVE TIME
TO PLAY GAMES, QUINN.
I'M LATE.
BRING THE BOX OUT TO THE CURB,
OR I WON'T BE RESPONSIBLE
FOR WHAT HAPPENS
TO YOUR CARROT STICKS.
- STUPID FREAKIN' CARTON,
HARD FREAKIN' LABOR.
I'M ONLY FREAKIN' HUMAN.
HOW MUCH CAN ONE
FREAKIN' GIRL TAKE,
EVEN AN ENORMOUSLY
FREAKIN' POPULAR ONE?
[engine revving]
[brakes squeaking]
[upbeat jazzy music]
♪ ♪
- NOW, THE NEXT STOP ON OUR TOUR
IS THE LUNCHROOM.
WHO HERE KNOWS WHAT PEOPLE DO
IN THE LUNCHROOM?
- [sighs]
OH, DARIA, I WANTED TO ASK YOU
IF YOU'VE GIVEN ANY MORE THOUGHT
TO HELPING OUT
WITH THE FRESHMAN TOURS.
- IF NOMINATED,
I WILL NOT RUN.
IF ELECTED,
I WILL NOT SERVE.
- BUT JODIE'S DOING IT.
- JODIE DOES EVERYTHING.
- MAYBE YOU AND JANE WANT
TO GIVE SOME TOURS TOGETHER.
- I'D DO IT.
HEY, IF I'M GIVING A TOUR,
THEN I CAN'T BE IN CLASS,
SIMPLE PHYSICS.
- I TOLD YOU.
I'D FEEL LIKE
A COMPLETE HYPOCRITE
TELLING
IMPRESSIONABLE YOUNGSTERS
WHAT A GREAT PLACE THIS IS
WHEN I DON'T BELIEVE IT MYSELF.
- BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO TELL
THEM WHAT A GREAT PLACE IT IS.
I WANT THEM TO SEE
THAT LAWNDALE HIGH
IS THE SORT OF SCHOOL THAT
EMBRACES ALL KINDS OF STUDENTS.
- WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?
- WELL, JODIE AND THE OTHERS
ARE SORT OF JOINER TYPES,
AND YOU...
- ARE SORT OF A NON-JOINER TYPE,
AN OUTCAST, AN ODDBALL,
A FIFTH WHEEL,
AND YOU WANT ME TO TELL
OTHER ODDBALLS
THAT LIFE AT LAWNDALE HIGH
WILL BE JUST PEACHY?
- DARIA,
IS EVERYTHING ALL RIGHT?
- NO, WHY DO I HAVE TO BE PEGGED
AS THE MISFIT ALL THE TIME?
I CAN GET ALONG WITH PEOPLE.
- OF COURSE YOU CAN, DARIA.
THAT'S MY POINT.
SO YOU'LL THINK ABOUT IT?
- KIDS.
[gentle acoustic guitar music]
- DARIA,
WHY IS THAT REFRIGERATOR BOX
IN THE BACKYARD AGAIN?
- WHY DO YOU REFUSE
TO ACKNOWLEDGE
THAT WE HAD A BOX LIKE THAT
WHEN I WAS A KID?
- WHAT?
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
- WHERE'S DAD?
- I TOLD YOU.
HE'S AT A CONFERENCE.
HE'LL BE HOME TOMORROW.
CALL HIM IF YOU WANT
TO SPEAK TO HIM.
- WHY,
SO HE CAN LIE TO ME TOO?
WHERE IS HE, REALLY?
- DARIA, ARE YOU FEELING OKAY?
- DID YOU AND DAD
HAVE A HUGE FIGHT ABOUT ME
WHEN I WAS LITTLE?
- WHAT?
NO.
- YOU'RE LYING.
SO WHEN ARE YOU COMING HOME?
- NEXT WEEK, LIKE I SAID.
- CAN YOU GET BACK ANY SOONER?
- I WISH I COULD.
WAIT, ARE YOU KIDDING?
- DO YOU HAVE TO MAKE FUN OF ME?
- I'M NOT MAKING FUN OF YOU,
BUT WHAT HAPPENED TO,
"I DON'T CARE
IF YOU'RE HERE OR NOT"?
- IT'S CHANGED.
LISTEN, DO YOU STILL WANT ME
TO COME UP THERE?
- WELL, YOU COULD, BUT IT'S
EVEN DULLER THAN I THOUGHT.
I MEAN, IT WOULD BE GREAT FOR ME
IF YOU CAME UP,
BUT I THINK YOU'D HAVE
A HORRIBLE TIME.
- SO YOU LIED TO ME TOO.
- WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
- YOU SAID YOU WANTED ME
TO COME UP.
NOW YOU SAY YOU DON'T.
- THAT'S NOT WHAT I SAID AT ALL.
COME ON UP.
I WANT YOU TO.
IT'LL BE GREAT.
- NO, THANKS.
- [sighs]
- CALL ME TOMORROW, OKAY?
- DARIA, SERIOUSLY,
IS SOMETHING WRONG?
- CALL ME TOMORROW, ALL RIGHT?
BYE.
- BUT WE CAN TALK RIGHT NOW.
[dial tone drones]
[quirky electronic music]
♪ ♪
- WELL, YOU SPOKE THE TRUTH.
IT'S A BOX, ALL RIGHT.
- IT'S MORE THAN A BOX.
- UM, FROM HERE,
IT LOOKS LIKE EXACTLY A BOX.
- I MEAN, THAT BOX IS TRYING
TO TELL ME SOMETHING.
- IF YOU SAY SO.
ALL I HEAR IS THE RUSTLE
OF A GENTLE BREEZE
WAFTING THROUGH CARDBOARD,
QUITE SOOTHING, REALLY.
- YOU'RE RIGHT,
IT IS SOOTHING.
- I WAS KIDDING.
- NO,
THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
- UM, DARIA,
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
- YES, THIS IS RIGHT.
- DARIA?
- DAMN IT, HELEN, THAT'S IT!
HOW MUCH AM I SUPPOSED TO TAKE?
- JAKE, THIS ISN'T ABOUT YOU.
IT'S ABOUT HER HAVING
A LITTLE TROUBLE FITTING IN.
- SHE DOESN'T WANT TO FIT IN,
DAMN IT.
WHY CAN'T YOU ADMIT THAT?
- JAKE, SHE'S A CHILD.
SHE DOESN'T KNOW ANY BETTER.
- THAT'S WHAT SHE WANTS YOU
TO BELIEVE!
- WHERE ARE YOU GOING?
[door slams shut]
- DARIA, COME ON,
THE NEIGHBORS
ARE STARTING TO TALK.
- UM... GOOD.
SOON THEY'LL PROGRESS
TO CAVE DRAWINGS,
AND CIVILIZATION
WILL BE ON ITS WAY.
- DARIA, I REMEMBERED.
YOU WERE RIGHT.
I REMEMBERED
I WAS THREE OR FOUR,
AND IT WAS NIGHTTIME,
AND I WOKE UP,
BECAUSE MOM AND DAD
WERE FIGHTING,
AND THEN DAD WAS YELLING,
AND A DOOR SLAMMED,
AND THEN I HEARD A CAR START UP,
AND HE DROVE AWAY.
- THANK YOU.
I KNEW I WASN'T IMAGINING IT.
DO YOU REMEMBER
WHAT THEY WERE FIGHTING ABOUT?
- UM... YEAH.
THEY WERE FIGHTING ABOUT YOU.
- NOW, DARIA,
I WANT YOU TO TELL ME
WHAT YOU SEE
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PICTURE.
- WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
THAT'S NOT A PICTURE.
- WELL, NOT THE KIND OF PICTURE
WE'RE USED TO SEEING.
THIS PICTURE LETS YOU MAKE UP
WHAT IT'S ABOUT.
- THEN WHY DON'T I JUST DRAW
MY OWN PICTURE?
- FOR INSTANCE,
ONE LITTLE BOY OR GIRL
MIGHT LOOK AT IT
AND SEE A FIRE TRUCK OR A HOUSE.
ANOTHER MIGHT SEE A HERD
OF BEAUTIFUL WILD PONIES
RUNNING FREE ACROSS THE PLAINS.
- IT'S JUST A BLACK SPLOTCH.
- DARIA, WHAT'S YOUR
FAVORITE GAME TO PLAY AT RECESS?
- I DON'T LIKE GAMES.
I LIKE TO READ.
- DON'T YOU ENJOY PLAYING
WITH THE OTHER CHILDREN?
- NOT REALLY.
THEY NEVER UNDERSTAND
WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT,
AND THEN THEY MAKE FUN OF ME.
I LIKE TO READ.
- I'M JUST SAYING, DARIA,
IF YOU GIVE THE OTHER BOYS
AND GIRLS A CHANCE,
YOU MIGHT FIND SOMEONE YOU LIKE.
IT TAKES ALL KINDS.
- I LIKE LOTS OF KIDS.
- THEY CALL ME EGGHEAD.
- SWEETIE, IT'S A LITTLE HARD
FOR YOUR FATHER AND ME
TO KEEP TAKING TIME OFF FROM
WORK TO TALK TO THE COUNSELOR.
WHY DON'T YOU MEET US HALFWAY
AND TRY TALKING
TO THE OTHER KIDS?
- THEY DON'T SAY ANYTHING
THAT INTERESTS ME.
- I TALK A LOT
TO THE OTHER KIDS,
AND THEY TALK BACK.
- DARIA, HOW DO YOU KNOW
THEY DON'T INTEREST YOU?
- I'M TIRED.
- I'M NOT TIRED.
- WELL,
I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.
I'M AT MY WIT'S END.
- DAMN IT, HELEN, THAT'S IT!
I GO IN THERE EVERY DAY
TO FACE A PSYCHOTIC BOSS,
A JOB THAT MAKES ME FEEL LIKE
A FREAKIN' SLAVE,
AND THEN I HAVE TO COME HOME
AND DEAL WITH THIS?
HOW MUCH AM I SUPPOSED TO TAKE?
- JAKE, THIS ISN'T ABOUT YOU.
IT'S ABOUT HER HAVING
A LITTLE TROUBLE FITTING IN.
- SHE DOESN'T WANT TO FIT IN,
DAMN IT.
WHY CAN'T YOU ADMIT THAT?
- JAKE, SHE'S A CHILD.
SHE DOESN'T KNOW ANY BETTER.
- THAT'S WHAT SHE WANTS YOU
TO BELIEVE!
- WHERE ARE YOU GOING?
[door slams shut]
- OH, HEY, KIDDO.
UM, DARIA?
BUT WHAT'S SHE DOING IN THERE?
- I DON'T KNOW.
SHE'S BEEN ACTING SO STRANGELY.
I'D HAVE CALLED YOU,
BUT BY THE TIME I GOT HOME
AND SAW HER,
YOU WERE ALREADY IN THE AIR.
- OH, HI, DAD.
HOW WAS THE BAND-AID CONFERENCE?
- BRANDING.
IT WAS A BRANDING CONFERENCE.
- BRANDING?
OH, NO, THOSE POOR COWS.
- QUINN, DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA
WHY YOUR SISTER IS OUTSIDE
SITTING IN THAT RIDICULOUS BOX?
- IS SHE STILL OUT THERE?
UM, IT'S ABOUT THAT FIGHT
YOU TWO HAD.
- FIGHT?
WHAT FIGHT?
- WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY FIGHT.
- BACK WHEN WE WERE KIDS
IN THE OLD HOUSE.
YOU KNOW,
YOU HAD A BIG FIGHT ABOUT DARIA,
AND THEN DAD STORMED OUT.
IT WAS VERY TRAUMATIC.
THE SCARS ARE WITH ME
TO THIS DAY.
DO WE HAVE ANY DIET SODA?
- COME ON, DARIA.
COME OUT OF THE BOX.
WE WANT TO TALK TO YOU.
- YEAH, COME ON, KIDDO.
WE'LL ALL HAVE A NICE TALK.
- NO.
- DARIA, YOU CAN'T SPEND
THE REST OF YOUR LIFE IN THERE.
- I CAN ONCE THEY PUT IN MY
HIGH-SPEED INTERNET CONNECTION.
- DARIA, PLEASE COME OUT?
- ALL RIGHT,
BUT YOU HAVE TO PROMISE
TO BE COMPLETELY HONEST WITH ME.
- UM... UH... OKAY.
- HELEN,
IS THAT SUCH A GOOD IDEA?
- JAKE.
- HONEST IT IS.
- WHEN I WAS SIX YEARS OLD,
DID YOU HAVE A BIG FIGHT
ABOUT ME?
- YES.
- NO.
- YES.
- I'D FORGOTTEN ALL ABOUT IT.
QUINN REMINDED US.
- WHY WERE YOU FIGHTING?
- DARIA, YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND.
WE KEPT GETTING CALLS
FROM THE SCHOOL.
YOU WOULDN'T TALK
TO THE OTHER CHILDREN.
YOU WOULDN'T PLAY
WITH THE OTHER CHILDREN.
WE KNEW HOW SMART YOU WERE.
TALKING TO YOU WAS LIKE TALKING
TO A MINIATURE ADULT.
BUT YOU WOULDN'T ENGAGE
WITH THE OTHER KIDS.
- THEY DIDN'T INTEREST ME.
- THAT'S WHAT YOU SAID.
- YOUR FATHER WAS IN A JOB
HE HATED
WITH A REALLY SADISTIC BOSS.
- LOUSY MINI-MUSSOLINI...
- JAKE!
- TENSE, DARIA.
I WAS VERY TENSE.
- I WAS TRYING TO RESUME
A FULL-TIME WORKLOAD
AND STILL RAISE TWO YOUNG GIRLS.
WE WERE ALL TENSE.
YOUR PROBLEMS AT SCHOOL
WERE SORT OF THE STRAW
THAT BROKE THE CAMEL'S BACK.
WE HAD AN ARGUMENT.
YOUR FATHER STORMED OFF,
SPENT THE NIGHT IN A MOTEL...
- A CRAPPY MOTEL.
- AND THE NEXT DAY,
WE MADE UP AND CARRIED ON.
- SO I CAUSED
A BIG MARITAL RIFT.
- NOT A RIFT, DARIA.
- WE HAD A FIGHT ONE NIGHT.
YOU HAPPENED TO BE THE TOPIC,
NOT THE CAUSE.
DARIA?
[door clicks shut]
[engine turning]
[tires squealing]
- HELLO, MRS. SLOANE,
IS TOM THERE?
WELL, WOULD IT BE OKAY IF I TOOK
YOU UP ON YOUR OFFER TO VISIT?
YEAH, I CAN BE THERE
IN ABOUT FOUR HOURS.
THANKS VERY MUCH,
MRS. SLOANE.
[rain pattering]
[tires screeching]
[metal crunching]
- MISS, ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?
MISS.
MISS.
- YEAH.
YEAH, I'M OKAY.
[light rock music]
[horn honking]
- I'M NOT QUITE GETTING THIS.
YOU RAN OFF BECAUSE OF A FIGHT
YOUR PARENTS HAD 11 YEARS AGO?
- IT'S NOT THE FIGHT.
IT'S THE SUDDEN REALIZATION
THAT ALL THESE YEARS,
WHEN I THOUGHT
THEY WERE TORTURING ME,
IN REALITY,
I WAS THE ONE TORTURING THEM.
- FIRST OF ALL,
I DON'T THINK IT'S EITHER/OR.
FROM WHERE I'M SITTING,
YOU AND YOUR FOLKS HAVE DONE
A GREAT JOB
OF TORTURING EACH OTHER.
AND SECOND OF ALL,
YOU MEAN TO TELL ME
YOU DON'T KNOW
WHEN YOU'RE BUSTING THEM?
- YES,
I KNOW WHEN I'M BUSTING THEM.
WHAT I DIDN'T REALIZE
IS WHAT A PAIN I'VE BEEN
WHEN I THOUGHT
I WAS JUST BEING ME.
- HUH?
- AT AGE SIX,
I DECIDE I DON'T NEED TO TALK
TO OTHER KIDS EVER AGAIN.
MY PARENTS ARE THE ONES
WHO GET CALLED IN TO SCHOOL.
AT 12,
I DECIDE TO TRY OUT
SOME SHAKESPEAREAN INSULTS
ON MY TEACHERS.
MY PARENTS ARE THE ONES
WHO GET CALLED IN TO SCHOOL.
AT 15, I START WRITING
VIOLENT REVENGE FANTASIES
JUST TO GET A REACTION.
- YOUR PARENTS,
ET CETERA, ET CETERA, GOTCHA.
BUT I NEVER GOT THE IDEA
THAT THEY MINDED THAT MUCH.
- YEAH,
WHICH JUST MAKES IT EVEN WORSE.
- YOU REALLY NEED
TO DISCUSS THIS WITH THEM.
- I KNOW, BUT FIRST I HAD TO
TALK TO SOMEONE I COULD TRUST.
- YEAH, I'M SORRY YOU DIDN'T
MAKE IT TO THE COVE.
- I'M NOT.
IT WOULD HAVE BEEN GOOD
TO SEE TOM, BUT THIS WAY,
I GOT TO TALK TO THE PERSON
I TRUST MOST.
[horn honks]
- OH, THANK GOD.
BUT, DARIA,
WHY DID YOU HAVE TO RUN AWAY
WHEN YOU HEARD THAT STORY ABOUT
GETTING CALLED IN TO SCHOOL?
- YEAH, WE USED TO GET CALLED
IN TO SCHOOL ALL THE TIME.
- JAKE.
- I MEAN... WE WERE USED TO IT.
- JAKE.
- I MEAN...
- JAKE!
- IT WAS PART OF THE DEAL.
IT WAS THE OTHER SIDE TO YOU
BEING SO SMART AND PERCEPTIVE.
- OH.
- WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
- DARIA, YOU CAN'T HAVE A CHILD
WITH YOUR KIND OF INTELLIGENCE
AND EXPECT HER TO FIT IN EASILY
WITH OTHER KIDS.
WE WEREN'T HAPPY
TO BE CALLED IN TO SCHOOL
BECAUSE WE KNEW IT MEANT
YOU WEREN'T HAPPY.
- BUT WE WERE NEVER UNHAPPY
WITH YOU.
- OH, WELL, THAT'S GOOD.
UM...
DO YOU THINK I'M A MISFIT?
- DARIA, YOU MAKE YOUR CHOICES.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT.
- YEAH... WE DO?
- CHOICES?
- YES, LIKE DECIDING NOT
TO VISIT TOM WHILE HE WAS AWAY
OR TO GIVE THOSE STUDENT TOURS.
YOU CHOOSE NOT TO INTERACT,
AND WE UNDERSTAND.
IT DOESN'T MAKE YOU A MISFIT.
- IT JUST MAKES ME ANTISOCIAL.
THAT STUDENT TOUR THING
IS A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE.
- YOU KNOW,
IF I COULD INTERJECT HERE.
- UM, I'M GONNA GO TO BED.
- GOOD NIGHT.
- GOOD NIGHT, KIDDO.
- I JUST WANT TO SAY
IT OCCURS TO ME
THAT MAYBE I WASN'T
THE EASIEST CHILD
IN THE WORLD TO RAISE,
AND, UM...
PERHAPS I'M QUITE LUCKY
TO HAVE YOU FOR PARENTS.
- THANK YOU FOR KNOWING
WHEN NOT TO SPEAK.
- I THINK YOU BROKE MY TOE.
- "DIDN'T KNOW IF YOU'D NEED
THIS, BUT JUST IN CASE...
QUINN."
- ANYWAY, SORRY I WASN'T HOME
WHEN YOU CALLED,
AND I'M REAL SORRY
YOU NEVER MADE IT UP THERE,
ALTHOUGH I THINK
THAT LAST CHECKERS GAME
BETWEEN ME AND MY UNCLE
IS STILL GOING ON.
- HEY, YOU HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING
I WAS GONNA WANT TO DRIVE UP.
- I MEAN, IF I'D HAD ANY IDEA
THAT YOU'D END UP
IN A HORRIFIC MULTI-CAR CRACKUP
WHISPERING MY NAME OVER AND OVER
IN A DESPERATE BID
NOT TO SLIP INTO A COMA...
- HORRIFIC CRACKUP?
I SPUN OUT ON THE SHOULDER.
- YOU TELL IT YOUR WAY.
I'LL TELL IT MINE.
- [sighs]
NOW,
OVER HERE IS THE LUNCHROOM.
AS MIDDLE SCHOOL VETERANS,
YOU ALREADY KNOW
THAT THIS IS THE CENTER
FOR SPITBALLS,
LAUGHING MILK UP
THROUGH YOUR NOSE,
AND FOOD POISONING
OF EVERY VARIETY.
- WHO HERE WANTS TO SLIP ME A 20
TO POINT OUT THE POPULAR TABLE,
SO YOU CAN START FIGHTING
FOR A SEAT NOW?
- OKAY, LET'S MOVE ON
TO HELL AND PURGATORY,
ALSO KNOWN AS THE GYM
AND LOCKER ROOMS.
- WHERE FOR 20 BUCKS,
I'LL SHOW YOU WHICH SHOWERS
HAVEN'T BEEN PEED IN...
TO MY KNOWLEDGE.
- MY FRIEND IS JUST KIDDING YOU,
OF COURSE.
THEY'VE ALL BEEN PEED IN.
NOW, AS WE HEAD FOR THE GYM,
TAKE SPECIAL NOTE OF THE FINE
INDUSTRIAL-GRADE LOCKERS,
WHICH MAKE THE PERFECT NOISE
WHEN YOU BANG YOUR HEAD
AGAINST THEM.
- ♪ LA-LA, LA, LA-LA ♪
♪ ♪
♪ LA-LA, LA ♪
♪ LA-LA, LA ♪
♪ LA-LA, LA ♪