01x09 - A Star is Born

[bunniefuu]

I'm sorry. What have you told him?
You're going to try and take her

away from me, aren't you? Sometimes
I just need to be on my own.

What are you doing? Just my
homework, miss. You're lying to me.

We will be putting up the
cast list later today.

Yes, yes, yes! How did you
find us? I had some help.

I could lose my job for this.
So why are you doing it?

Because we're not so
different, you and me.

We have six hours until Lady
Godiva is unveiled to the world.

Where's Leila? I'm sure
she'll be here soo... Uh!

I don't want to
hear your excuses.

Call her and tell her she's putting
the entire show in jeopardy.

I'm sure we can give
her a few minutes.

And that, Ms Benson, is
the reason I'm a director

and you're teaching drama
at a provincial school

in the West Midlands.

Right, well, while
we wait for Leila,

should we make a start
on the tech rehearsal?

Morning! You're late. Traffic.

Don't you walk to school? Just
hurry up and get in your position.

Deep... breaths.

I'm going to be a star today.

FEEDBACK FROM MICROPHONE

BUZZING AND CRACKLING

♪ Wake up in the morning We rise

♪ When the early
bird calling We rise

♪ When we get up in our
feelings do what the phoenix do

♪ So of course we rise

♪ When we gotta get
to class We rise

♪ When we stuck
under the ash We rise

♪ All my friends
gonna see this through

♪ Cos we just do what
the phoenix do We rise. ♪

BELL RINGS

WOMAN'S VOICE: Let me guess.
You slept through your alarm?

Miss Abel's going to
give me another sanction.

No, positive thoughts, remember?

Repeat after me. "Today is
going to be a good day."

Today is going to be a good day.

Oi, Nathan!

Oh...

THEY LAUGH

Forgot your nappy, mate?

LAUGHTER CONTINUES

Erm... Are you new
to Breakfast Club?

Yeah.

Mr Stewart knows about
it. You can ask him.

You need to clear your plates before
you leave. Right. Sorry, miss.

What if Mr Stewart
gets into trouble?

No, he's got it
sorted. Don't worry.

CHEERING

GROANING

All right, party's over.
Get to registration.

Poltergeists. Come on, get
a move on. Look lively!

Hey, Billy boy. Glad to be back?

I didn't go anywhere.
Oh, check out the creps.

All right, miss? Morning. Billy?
Don't forget our one-to-one later.

It seems we've got a
few things to discuss.

That did not sound good, mate.

What happened to you?

Don't.

I've already had all the nappy
jokes from Nathan and his crew.

What, he did this? I swear...

No!

I'm just sick of everyone
treating me like I'm a joke.

Well...

..stand up for yourself, then.

It's easy for you to say. People
know not to mess with you.

DOOR SLAMS

CAMERA CLICKS

Phone away, please, Leila. I'm
promoting it on socials, miss.

You should be paying me. Let's
just focus on your solo, shall we?

Mm. From the top.

MUSIC STARTS

OFF-KEY: ♪ I can see you
out there on the streets

♪ I hear you cry, I know
you've nothing to eat

RANI SINGS IN TUNE: ♪
Let's stand together

♪ Let's all stand up tall

♪ Let's bridge the gap between
the rich and the poor... ♪

LEILA'S VOICE
BOOMS IN BACKGROUND

What? You're so good, Rani.

It's Leila's part.

Have you heard her? She sounds
like a broken washing machine.

LEILA SHOUTS THE LYRICS

Stop! Stop. I can't
take much more of this.

Let's rest that voice, Leila.

We don't want you
getting hoarse.

That song isn't working for
me. Why? It's my masterpiece.

Why is she always moaning?
She's got good hair, a horse...

She's fighting for the poor,
for equality and freedom.

Boring! OK, let's take a
five-minute break, shall we, Sam?

I'm sorry. I just... can't.

Summer, where'd you
get your nails done?

I do them myself.

SHE SCOFFS Told you.

Have you seen what's written
about you in the toilets?

What? Yeah, you want
to get that dealt with,

before any more people see it.

I thought you was
ignoring me. Ignoring you?

Yeah, no reply to my text. Oh, I
lost my phone. And this is new.

I haven't finished setting it up
yet. Do you want me to do it? No.

Don't worry. I weren't going to go
through your messages or nothin'.

Are you all right,
though, yeah? Yeah.

The size of the
largest angle, anyone?

85.

Oh, come on.

We went through this
last week. It's 80.

I don't think that's right.

Is that so? Do you want to
come up and take the class?

No, sir. Go on, then.
Enlighten us, Professor Rani.

Well, the angles in a
triangle add up to 180.

So if that one's 55
and that one's 40,

then it has to be 85.

NATHAN COUGHS Shame!

You sure YOU should be
teaching us maths, sir?

LAUGHTER Quiet!

You think you're funny? No.

Apologise. Apologise
for what, sir?

Get out.

All she did was tell you the
answer. I said get out my class.

Right, page 32 of
your textbooks.

It was just a matter of
seconds and the power was back.

I called for an engineer, but you
know how long these things can take.

As if we haven't got
enough on our plates.

Oh, I'm glad you're here. She thinks
she's smart, disrupting my class.

Rani? She humiliated me.
I didn't mean to, I swear.

I just corrected sir's
answer and everyone laughed.

Don't play the fool. You knew
exactly what you were doing.

Take a seat, please, Rani.

Look, they're kids.
They laugh at us.

You'll drive yourself mad if
you take offence every time.

I've tried really hard
with this project of yours.

You can't keep making
excuses for them!

Thank you, Mr Kathari.

Miss Abel, I'll
take it from here.

I'm sorry, Mr Stewart. I
shouldn't have said anything.

Next time you correct Mr Kathari,
maybe do it a bit more...

..diplomatically.

Go on.

Oh, one other thing.

My cushion, in
the boiler room...

I... the one with
the blue stripes?

It wasn't my idea, sir. Listen,
return it by the end of the day,

and case closed. Go on.

If she dares to
give me one note...

Sam? SAM GROANS

Oh, remember, every great writer
has to endure some criticism.

The important thing is to
not take it personally.

That's easy for you to say.

You just float around
with your clipboard.

I've put everything
I've got into this show.

It says here the poor
can't pay their taxes.

That's right. So why
don't they just get jobs?

Because it's the 11th
century. There are no jobs.

What are you doing? I'm
crossing out the boring bits.

Nobody cares about
taxes. Right, that's it.

Chill, yeah? I'm just trying
to make it better. Better?

Have you heard this? Ah,
OK, tensions are high.

It's only natural before a big
performance. She can't even sing.

Ooh, moody! No,
I'm being serious.

You sound like a cat
being strangled, Leila.

And even that would be
more tuneful than you.

You can't dance, you can't act.

You've got the stage presence
of an empty carrier bag!

That's enough, Sam.

Ri knows how good
I am, right? Erm...

LAUGHTER

Why didn't anyone tell me?

I did try.

Lei!

Ease up, Sam! You're starting to
sound like a power-crazed dictator.

I'll die before I sacrifice my
creative integrity. Oh, enough!

Or you are banned from drama
and music for the rest of term.

SAM SCOFFS Oh,
and another thing.

You might want to
refresh that liner.

No-one likes a
massive eye bogey.

All right?

What's going on? Mr Stewart
has got me doing karate.

Why? He reckons it'll help
keep my anger under control,

as if I need it.

Anyway, I thought
I could show you.

I'd rather do boxing.
And knock Nathan out.

Trust me, karate has
got some bad-boy moves.

Well, I don't really care. Just
show me what you've got. OK.

KHALED SNIGGERS

Yeah, you've got to
take this seriously, K.

HE EXHALES

Do it a bit higher.

Yeah, good. You need to block,

in case anyone comes for you.
Both your hands on the hips.

Up.

BILLY LAUGHS

Yeah. You don't have
to worry about Nathan.

You'll be knocking yourself
out. It's not funny.

No, I... I'm messing.

Let's go again. Khaled!

DOOR CLOSES

Did you say sorry, then?

To Kathari. I had
nothing to apologise for.

Didn't know you had it in you.

Don't leave a boy hanging.

He got hit by the water bottle!

No more little accidents?

Get to class now, both of you.

Erm, where are your
school trousers?

That's a sanction. But...

But it wasn't my fault.
You know the rules.

I got hit by a water b*mb.
What was I supposed to do?!

Don't you raise your voice
at me, Kasim. It's Khaled!

My name is Khaled.

You know your
problem? Too much lip.

Now get to class before I
hand you a detention, too.

Come on. Show's over, everyone.
Let's go. Move it, now!

And say what? An apology
would be a start.

About our little
disagreement earlier...

Uh, you said I can't sing. I
wouldn't put it quite like that.

Tell him, Ri.

Ah. Look, I don't see the
point in arguing about this.

We have a show to put on.
You call that an apology?

Please don't make this any
harder than it needs to be.

Fine.

The show isn't the same
without you, Leila.

Now, will you please get
up on that stage and sing?

Sounds more like it.

Not bad for an
empty carrier bag.

I'm just catching up
on coursework. Same.

Bye, then.

SAM: Cue Godiva!

HOOFBEAT SOUND EFFECTS

And cue music.

MUSIC STARTS

THEY GIGGLE

Right, again, from the top!

GIGGLING CONTINUES

Lei, wait!

Why'd you run off? I ain't going
to make an idiot of myself, Ri.

But the whole school's coming this
afternoon. It's not my problem.

Well, if the show gets cancelled,
then everyone will know you quit.

I'm no quitter.

So then... tell them
you lost your voice.

I mean, I bet it happens
to Mabel all the time.

I do feel a bit croaky.

That's probably why I can't
hit all them high notes.

I do know someone who
could go on for you.

I ain't being funny, Ri, but
you ain't exactly Cardi B.

I was talking about Rani. Rani?

Yeah, well, I mean, she can sing
and she knows all the words.

She could go on for you

CLIP PLAYS OF RANI SINGING

RANI: ♪ I will fight...
♪ Over my dead body.

PHONE BUZZES

QUACKING, LAUGHTER

LAUGHING CONTINUES

What's going on in here?

LAUGHTER, QUACKING

Right, stop laughing.
It's not funny.

Guys, stop laughing!

Stop laughing. It's not funny.

Take it down.

You, Mr Stewart's
office now. Up. Go.

BELL RINGS

It was a joke. Hacking into
school systems is not a joke.

Right, detention for a week
and no IT privileges. What?!

Oh, come on, sir. And I'll
be speaking to your parents.

This is unacceptable. Right, you
said if we own up to our mistakes

we deserve another chance. You got
away with a sanction this morning.

I'd say you've had your
fair share of chances.

If it were Billy you
would've let it go.

You've been late
six times this term,

and you disappeared from school the
other day. What's going on, Billy?

Disappeared, like magic?

You think this is
the time for jokes?

I just... I don't know
what you want me to say.

Well, let's go wild and start
with the truth. About what?

Well, I haven't heard
from your dad all term.

Well, he's been working a lot.

I mean, it's just him now, innit?
And he's got the bills and that.

That's never stopped him
from contacting me before,

checking in on you. Is he ill?

Why would I lie if he was ill?
Well, you're not exactly helping.

Do you really want me to
fill in the blanks myself?

Becky, everything is fine.

I'll get him to ring
you if you want.

If that'll make you feel better.

Yeah, actually, it would.

Amazing. Can I go now?

All right?

I haven't seen you in a while.

You're from Billy's old school,
ain't you? Yeah, and his new one.

I was hoping to speak to Carl.

He's back? What do
you mean, "back"?

Ah, nothing. Best
be getting on.

If this is about Billy and
Rihanna, you need to tell me.

Look.

I do what I can.

But Carl shouldn't be leaving
them alone for so long.

That headteacher fella came round
the other day to drop off food.

And now you. It's
not right, is it?

Leila... I don't talk to snakes.

I didn't make those videos cos
I wanted people to see them.

So why do it?

Singing's my happy
place, I guess.

My way of expressing
myself. Weirdo.

I wish I could be more like you.

What? The girl who can't sing?

Who cares what people
think? You're Leila.

You're not scared of anything.

Except Billy getting
a girlfriend.

I should go help Sam clear up.

Rani?

You better take this.

20 minutes until curtain up.
You sure you can do this, Rani?

I'm sure.

Lady Godiva rides again!

SHE WHISPERS: You've got
Leila to thank for that.

MUSIC STARTS

No!

What is going on? I'm on
hold with the engineers.

What about my show? That's not
top of my priorities right now.

Everyone, back to your forms.

We're going to have to
send you home early.

Oh, this cannot be happening.

Right, you heard Mr
Stewart. Everyone, pack up.

RANI: I guess it just
wasn't meant to be.

I wish there was
something we could do.

Do I have to think
of everything?

For the last time, back to
your forms. Come on, get going.

Khaled. I'm going, I'm going.

Listen, I'm sorry
I was harsh before.

You just need to understand,
whenever you kids play up

it puts me in the firing line.

Look, I won't involve
your parents this time,

but no more messing
with the systems. OK?

I love it in here.
Don't be getting ideas.

Ready?

MUSIC STARTS

You proper love musicals,
don't you? Not really.

♪ I see you out
here on the streets

♪ I hear you cry, I know
you've nothing to eat

♪ So let's stand together

♪ Let's all stand up tall

♪ Let's bridge the gap
between the rich and the poor

♪ I want more than this... ♪

It's all down to my coaching.

♪ I feel for my people

♪ There's more than this

♪ And I'm sure of this

♪ I will fight till
they're given much more

♪ Are you all going to
sink into depression

♪ Or stand with me
and fight oppression?

♪ Sit by while they
raise your taxes... ♪

ALL: No!

♪ Be a Phoenix and
rise from the ashes

♪ Why should having
money mean superiority?

♪ That's not how things
work here in Coventry

♪ We're the heart of our country

♪ Let's push for equality... ♪

Come on, come on!

THEY CHEER

Aw, your mum
forgotten about you?

LAUGHTER

Come here and say that.

What? You heard.

Freak!

Is that Mr Stewart?

What?

Look at that! What?!

PHONES BEEP

Oh... my... days.

Mr Stewart's a carjacker?

PHONES BEEP

INDISTINCT CHATTER

It's unbelievable.

The Phoenix Rise
end-of-term party! CHEERING

With everything that's happening,
you're going on about some

pointless note from
a pointless film?

What's wrong? Talk to me. This is
nothing for you to worry about.

He's risked everything to help you.
Don't you think you should help him?

♪ Wake up in the morning We rise

♪ When the early
bird calling We rise

♪ When we get up in our
feelings do what the phoenix do

♪ So of course we rise

♪ When we gotta get
to class We rise

♪ When we stuck
under the ash We rise

♪ All my friends
gonna see this through

♪ Cos we just do what
the phoenix do We rise. ♪