At the airport

Craig: Waiting for someone?

Manny: Nobody in particular. 

Craig: Oh. 

Manny: Just this guy. Tall, curly hair, pretty cute. 

Craig: Mm hmm. Yeah. He’s like your boyfriend? 

Manny: Boyfriend? I don’t know. I haven’t seen him for months and he hardly ever calls.

Craig: Wow. Guy sounds like a real jackass. Sure you want to keep seeing him?

Manny: Like I said, he’s pretty cute.

(They kiss.)

Manny: I missed you, you jerk. 

Craig: I know. I missed you too. It’s so good to see you again. I just wish I could stay longer. 

Manny: Well I’m sure we can pack a lot into the next few days together. 

Craig: Sure. Totally. Let’s go by uh Marco and Ellie’s. They’ve got this welcome home party or something. 

At the party, Craig finishes playing a song

Marco: That was awesome.

Spinner: Did you write that?

Craig: That one I wrote on a ferry to Vancouver Island. It’s a long story. 

Ellie: I love the illusions to Melville. 

(Manny is shown glaring at them.)

Craig: Wow you picked up on that?

Ellie: The night’s young. Let’s hear another. 

Marco: Yeah man for sure.

(Manny points to her watch, but Craig starts singing and Ellie bops her head.)

Craig: (singing) I know you say you been a-passing by, but I just saw you drowning on a ship tonight-

Outside the school

Craig: We were supposed to run lines last night. I forgot. 

Manny: Well you were pretty busy. Everyone needs some Craig. 

Craig: Well I don’t care about everybody. I care about you. So can I help?

Manny: I don’t know.

Craig: Too late.

(He grabs the script and they start rehearsing.)

Craig: (reading) I just don’t want you to get hurt.

Manny: (acting) I already got hurt, remember? He left and he hasn’t come back. 

Craig: Okay what if you tried angrier?

Manny: Well that was my instinct, but I thought I couldn’t pull it off. 

Craig: Of course you can. Just try it.

Manny: (acting) He left and he hasn’t come back!

Craig: Don’t ever doubt your instincts Manny. You’re good.

Manny: I got to go.

Craig: I’ll come with you.

Manny: I’m sure you have more important music stuff you need to do. 

Craig: Well I got a sound check for a show tonight, but this is more important. Come on let’s grab a cab. 

Manny: Across town? It’ll cost a fortune.

Craig: It’s on me. Don’t worry about it. 

In the hallway

Mia: JT! Isabella’s sick. They sent her home from daycare. I spent all night writing this “Waiting for Godot” presentation and now the period’s half over. 

JT: It’s too bad the daycare’s so far, but I mean Kwan will give you an extension. 

Mia: Yeah she might if she hadn’t have already given me two already. 

JT: Listen um, leave Isabella with me. I have a spare this morning. 

Mia: JT are you sure? I wouldn’t usually do this, but it’s not like there’s any daycares near here I could bring her to. Man I wish there was one here, but might as well keep dreaming. 

JT: Seriously Mia. Go bend it like Beckett. We’ll be great. 

Mia: You’re not like any boy I know.

JT: Well then you can make up to me. Hot date tonight at the Dot?

(She nods yes.)

JT: Good. Hey there. You know the best part about being sick? Popsicles!

(Isabella smiles and Mia kisses her on the cheek while Liberty watches them.)

Mia: Bye. 

JT: Alright! You like popsicles?

At Marco and Ellie’s

Craig: Guys you are looking at a future acting legend. Manny just nailed her audition. 

Manny: Thanks to my acting guru Craig.

Craig: Hey if you land that part, that’s a big deal. West Drive is huge. 

Ellie: If you like earnest teen melodramas filled with woefully bad writing. 

Marco: Well hey no Saved By The Bell, huh? And speaking of which El, I think it’s time we went to get our Screech on. 

Ellie: Yeah. 

(Marco and Ellie leave.)

Craig: I wish I could have seen that audition. I bet you k*lled it.

Manny: I just wish I could do it again so I can get more of this buzz. 

Craig: Man I live for that buzz. Sometimes when I’m on stage, I think it’s my job to make them remember just one chord, one moment. 

Manny: That’s exactly how I feel.

Craig: That’s why you’re my girl.

(They kiss.)

At the Dot

(Mia sits down and Liberty walks over to her.)

Liberty: Mia you look pretty.

Mia: Oh thanks. Do you want to sit down? JT hasn’t come yet. 

Liberty: So where’s Isabella?

Mia: Uh she’s at home with my mom.

Liberty: She sure is cute. Charms everyone. 

Mia: Well except for when she’s being a nightmare. Anyway how are you? You seem a little bit tense. 

Liberty: Oh uh just in a quiet mood, you know?

Mia: Sure. It’s not usually quiet enough in my head. 

Liberty: Yeah it’s far too quiet in my life, although a child would change that. 

Mia: Like when you’re a parent someday?

Liberty: Oh uh no. I already am. Gave him up for adoption last year. 

Mia: Oh I…wow. I didn’t know.

Liberty: Yeah I don’t usually talk about it much. After JT sold drugs to support us and almost committed su1c1de, I really had no choice, but to give him up. 

Mia: What?!

Liberty: Oh he didn’t tell you? Typical.

(She goes back over to Toby and Mia leaves angry.)

Toby: Ouch. 

Outside Mia’s house

(Mia walks out onto the balcony.)

JT: Are you okay? How’s Bella? I was so worried and then your cell wasn’t on. 

Mia: Solution? Don’t call.

JT: Mia at least tell me what’s wrong!

Mia: You couldn’t tell me the truth about your life? About your baby?!

JT: Liberty talked to you?

Mia: And you didn’t. You stole drugs?

JT: Look uh you don’t know the whole story. 

Mia: I trusted you with my daughter.

JT: And you still should. Okay Liberty and her parents gave up the baby and it still drives me crazy!

Mia: Is the drug stuff true?

JT: Prescription, but Liberty didn’t want to stay at home so we had to get some extra cash. 

Mia: Liberty’s not the problem here, JT. You are.

(She goes inside angry.)

At Craig’s show

Manny: He must be so excited. I bet he’s going to be so great tonight. 

Emma: He’s music personified, ya di da. I know. 

Manny: But Em we so completely get each other. It’s so good. 

Sean: A couple days ago you were pretty down on the guy. What changed?

Manny: We just reconnected. I can‘t explain it Sean. It’s magic. 

(Manny sees that Ellie’s there.)

Manny: Oh great. She’s here. Craig’s shadow. 

Emma: You worry too much about her.

Manny: Well not tonight. Tonight no one can bring me down. Not even smelly mcsnooty pants. 

Backstage, Manny opens the door

Manny: Special delivery. I have that Manuela Santos for you. 

(She sees Craig snorting cocaine.)

Craig: Hey! I’m so happy to see you.

Some guy: Alright man you’re up.

Craig: Aren’t you going to say anything?

Manny: Break a leg…I guess. 

(He leaves and Manny stares at the drugs on the table.)

On stage, Craig is performing

Craig: (Singing) I fly too close to the sun. I chase the whale on the run, but I am…I’m jumping from mountains and I’m jumping from skies. Trying to realize my size. 

Emma: Are you okay? You were a bouncing love bunny ten minutes ago. What’s going on? 

Manny: I can’t see. I’m gonna move up. 

Craig: (Singing) What you say when we…what you feel when you see. Drowning in the sea. Drowning close to me. 

(He finishes and everyone claps for him.)

Craig: Thank you. 

Marco: Hey Craig. Hey! That was awesome man. Congratulations. 

Craig: Yeah? Thanks man. 

Ellie: You’re a genius. 

Craig: Stop it. 

Ellie: Is that why you were asking about drowning allegories last month? 

(He hugs Ellie.)

Craig: You caught it! Again. Man I can’t get anything past you Ellie. You’re so, you’re so keyed into what I’m doing. 

Ellie: Well it was perfect, especially that melancholy key. Listen I’m gonna do a profile on you for the Core. 

(Manny starts to leave, but Craig goes after her.)

Craig: Hang on El. Manny are you okay? We didn’t get a chance to talk and it was so great that you came backstage and not for a second did I want you to think that I do that. 

Manny: It’s fine. I just have spirit squad at the crack of dawn. 

Craig: I couldn’t stand it if you were upset. I could see your eyes shining the whole time I played. 

Manny: You were incredible. Go get congratulated. 

Craig: Okay.

(He leaves and Emma and Sean walk over to Manny.)

Outside the school

JT: Hey we need to talk.

Mia: You should have thought about that weeks ago. 

JT: Mia I’m sorry. I should have told you the whole truth, but I just was scared you’d bail on me. 

Mia: You know I’m not judgemental. 

JT: I know. That’s one of the things that I love about you. You just, you need to forgive me. Please? 

Mia: Look I can’t do this right now. I’m tired and I’m stressed. Isabella’s sick again. I had to leave her with my aunt. 

JT: I’ve been thinking. I think that there should be a daycare at Degrassi. 

Mia: And I should be Lindsay Lohan.

JT: No I’m serious. You said yourself it was a good idea. I really think that’s what the school needs. 

Mia: And this isn’t about you trying to suck up to me? 

JT: No. It’s about me doing the right thing and I’m gonna do it. 

In the hallway

Emma: The pout is officially out of fashion, so speak. What’s up?

Manny: West Drive went in another direction, which probably means they cast some tall blonde with long legs. 

Emma: West Drive, Smest Drive. That show is so issue of the week. 

Manny: I have my own issue of the week. Craig, he’s not the same.

Emma: Seems like the same old rock star to me, just more sure of himself. 

Manny: Yeah that’s the problem. 

Emma: Ego? Groupies? Is this an Ellie thing? 

Manny: No it’s definitely Craig. 

Emma: Well I’ll tell you what I’ve learned. If you want the guy, you take the flaws. See Cameron, Sean.

Manny: This is a different problem than you had with Sean. Way. 

Emma: Well Craig is crazy about you and your shining eyes, remember? 

Manny: Maybe I need to remind him. 

Emma: True love is worth fighting for. 

At Marco and Ellie’s

Craig: Hey. 

Manny: I need to say some stuff.

Craig: Say away.

Manny: Last night with the-

(She makes a motion around her nose.)

Craig: You said it didn’t bother you.

Manny: I lied. Craig it does. Why? Why do you do it?

Craig: When I get nervous, it’s like my synapses have a party. I need a little confidence boost sometimes. 

Manny: How often is sometimes?

Craig: Please I’ve done it like twice. It’s no big deal, believe me. 

(He kisses her.)

Manny: I didn’t get the part on West Drive.

Craig: Oh man. Their loss. You’re a star. Listen uh Ellie’s having a dinner party tonight and I want you to come.

Manny: If Ellie sees me here, she’ll probably poison the food. 

Craig: Manny you’ve got to get over her.

Manny: She makes me feel dumb when I speak. I’m not smart like she is. 

Craig: Yeah you are. You’re just not book smart. Who cares? Seriously you’re, you’re brilliant in every other way. 

Manny: So comforted right now.

Craig: Manny I’m crazy about you. That should be all the comfort you need. 

At a student council meeting

Liberty: Fine. A donation will be made in Degrassi’s name and uh council will now hear new business. 

JT: I propose that Degrassi should have an onsite daycare. Benefits will be plentiful for both staff and students with children, as well-

Liberty: That’s preposterous. Next.

JT: Wait a minute. I haven’t even finished my pitch. 

Liberty: You don’t have to. I already know it’s foolish and ill-conceived. What about buildings codes JT? What about child height counters, facilities, a playground?!

JT: Come on. Toby? Help me out.

Toby: Um maybe you should let him finish his pitch.

(Liberty glares at him.)

Toby: Or not.

Liberty: Next! Moving on.

JT: Wait just hear me out. Our community can benefit from this. 

Liberty: You mean your girlfriend can.

JT: Yeah and? 

Liberty: And so this isn’t practical for Degrassi. Especially since the daycare wouldn’t even open for two years. Look this is personal, not serious. Next!

JT: Is this Earth? You’re the one making it personal. It’s a good idea. 

Liberty: We don’t take pitches from irresponsible slackers with ill-researched schemes. 

JT: I guess not since judgemental robots make the decisions. A Degrassi daycare could make life easier for students. 

Liberty: For one student!

Mia: Liberty you of all people know I’m not alone. It could help eventually.

JT: So just to clarify here, the reason you won’t support a Degrassi daycare is purely selfish. Is that right Ms. President? 

(Liberty storms away angry.)

At Ellie, Marco and Dylan’s

Jesse: Well Rousseau did say man’s choices are limited. Man is born free, but everywhere he’s in chains. 

Ellie: Only true if he’s part of society. 

Craig: Yeah well you can’t not be though. It’s not exactly optional. 

Manny: So true. So true. 

Ellie: Manny you studied Rousseau?

Manny: Um not exactly.

Craig: He was, uh he was a big 18th century thinker. Ellie sent me one of his books when I was on the road. 

Manny: How nice. 

Marco: Well uh Ellie and I have been taking intro to psych and uh Jung says that we all have like massive complexes. 

Jesse: No kidding. Neuroses rule!

Craig: Manny what do you think?

Manny: Um someone told me that Woody Allen was a perfect onscreen neurotic. 

Dylan: Uh huh.

Ellie: Well I don’t have any neuroses, of course.

Manny: Really? Because I thought being constantly rejected by guys would mess you up Ellie. 

Ellie: Yeah. Yeah I feel bad that I take time to meet guys who actually like me. 

Dylan: Oh dear.

Ellie: In fact I don’t know how I made it through high school without having my breasts shown online.

(Manny leaves the table and Craig follows as Jesse tries not to laugh.)

Craig: Where are you going?

Manny: Did you hear what she said?

Craig: Yeah, but you started it. I mean why can’t you just get over her?

Manny: Because she’s smarter than me. She’s funnier than me. She’s everything that I’m not. 

Craig: Keep believing it Manny. It’s real attractive. 

Manny: They won’t let me into their little club.

Craig: Manny you’re spontaneous, you’re bright and you’re my girl. Why can’t you just be yourself? 

Manny: Maybe I just need a little boost. Where is it? 

Craig: What are you talking about?

(She searches for the coke and pulls it out of his pocket.)

Craig: Woah. 

Manny: Show me. 

Craig: What? No. Why?

Manny: ‘Cause then I can talk with all your smart friends. These are people you want to spend time with, right?

Craig: Come on.

Manny: This is your club. I want in. 

(They go upstairs to do the coke.)

At the table, Manny and Craig are high

Manny: (Talking incredibly fast) Anyways it doesn’t really matter if I get the part because it, all that matters is how I present myself in the long term. That’s what my agent says. 

Marco: Yeah. Yeah no. I mean you have to get them to remember you?

Manny: Yeah because who wants to be yet another dumb, boring actress? Right Ellie? Anyways I told her just cast me as the funny girl, you know? I said that to her!

Craig: It’s smart. You have to get noticed, right?

Manny: I love you so much Craig!

(Manny hugs Craig and spills her drink all over the floor.)

Manny: Oh my god. Get it-

(Her and Craig are laughing hysterically while Marco tries to clean the mess up.)

Marco: Manny it’s really fine.

Manny: I am so sorry. I am so sorry. 

(They keep laughing as Ellie rolls her eyes.)

Outside the school

JT: Liberty what the hell was that yesterday? You dismissed everything I said. Very professional and then you bailed. 

Liberty: You don’t even know what words like that mean, man-child. 

JT: What was irresponsible? Supporting you? Begging you to go to the doctors? Backing you when you gave him up, even though he was my son too?

Liberty: You don’t know what you’re saying. 

JT: What I’m saying is that I’m happy and that makes you burn. Why? 

Liberty: You’re ridiculous.

JT: No I’m right. Okay I have a right to be happy so stop trying to make me as miserable as you are. 

At Marco, Ellie and Dylan’s

(Manny rushes down the stairs.)

Ellie: Good morning.

Manny: I’m late!

Ellie: And so much less chatty than you were last night. Shocking. 

(Ellie goes upstairs to give Craig a cup of coffee.)

Ellie: Coffee? It was a late night.

Craig: Yeah thanks. 

(Ellie starts to leave when she sees the coke.)

Ellie: Is…what is this?

(She picks up the coke.)

Craig: El I don’t know how this happened. 

Ellie: What happened? What’s going on? 

Craig: I never thought it would get bad so fast.

Ellie: Craig are you doing coke?

Craig: Manny is.
{"type": "series", "show": "Degrassi Next Generation", "episode": "06x09 - What it Feels Like to be a Ghost"}