Second Executive Council Meeting

December 18, 2010, 7:00pm, PST

Location: William Friedman’s rooms, at NRH. Friedman and Sal Levy are meeting with the Student Executive Council (SEC), consisting of Chloe Gold, Tom Rosen, Mitch Bennett and new members Jaime Cohen and Kevin Reilly. 

Friedman: [Handing out drinks from a tray] Let’s see if I’ve got this straight. Beers for Jaime and Kevin, Pinot Grigio for Chloe, Scotch for Tom and me, and coffee for Mitch and Sal.

Tom: [Sipping his Scotch] Correct to the last. You have a good memory.

Jaime: What impressed me was how you carried the tray, without dropping it.

Friedman: [Laughing] After a decade of waiting tables and bartending on and off, through college and graduate school, it’s second nature.

Tom: So, what’s on the agenda?

Friedman: First, I’d like to offer a special welcome to the newest members of New Ridgemont High’s Executive Council, Kevin Reilly and Jaime Cohen.

Sal: Hear, hear!

Tom: [Holding up his glass] Cheers! Welcome.

Chloe: It’s awesome that you guys are joining us!

Jaime: [Raises her glass] Thanks!

Friedman: I’ve put this group together, because you represent the full breadth of New Ridgemont High’s student body, and because each of you has demonstrated leadership within your respective social circles.

Kevin: And here I thought you invited me for my studliness.

Jaime: What do you want us to do?

Friedman: Strategic planning and internal communications. You know your constituencies better than anyone; what they care about and what they need. This will allow you to represent their interests at the highest level.

Tom: What do you want to talk about first?

Friedman: [Leans back and glances over at Sal] What should we do first, Sal? The expansions? The Spring event calendar? Graduation?

Sal: I’ve always been a believer in leaving the fun stuff, until the end.

Friedman: Okay, then, the hard stuff first. [Pauses to take a drink] Let’s talk about the expansions. I take it you’ve all been following the reporting that Mitch and his team have done on the state’s plans to open two more schools based on the NRH model?

Kevin: I don’t know if I’d exactly call it following, but yeah, I have a decent idea of what’s going on.

Jaime: They’re gonna’ be in Oakland and Berkeley, right?

Friedman: Yes. And the plan is to follow up with a half dozen more, if things go well.

Tom: [Whistles] Damn. Not even a semester in and we’re a runaway success.

Sal: [Dryly] I think of it more as a runaway train.

Tom: [Laughing] You would.

Friedman: Let’s just say that there is definitely an air of urgency in Sacramento. 

Jaime: So where do we come in?

Friedman: In a consulting capacity. Mitch will be coordinating, so I’ll let him speak to it.

Mitch: [Puts down his coffee and stands up] I thought we might send small teams over to the new schools to advise them on setting things up. Given the wide social territory this group covers, we’re well-positioned to help them with every aspect of student life.

Kevin: What do you have in mind, specifically?

Mitch: [Looks slightly embarrassed and reaches for a stack of papers] Well, I was informed of the composition of the committee ahead of time, so I took the liberty of typing up some suggestions for the different areas we might cover. [Hands around mimeographed sheets] 

Kevin: [Scans the sheet and laughs.] You should come down and organize the shop. I haven’t been able to find my favorite pipe wrench for, like, two weeks.

Mitch: Yeah, well, this is how I figure it. Chloe and Tom cover student government.

Jaime: No, duh.

Mitch: Ixne on the Star Crewisms, please.

Jaime: Sorry, I forgot that we’re in a cool-free zone.

Mitch: [Looks at the ceiling and counts silently] My team will cover all the computer implementation. We’ll also consult on school newspapers and media.

Jaime: I won’t say “No, duh” again.

Mitch: Thank you.

Tom: But, you did say it again.

Jaime smiles sweetly.

Mitch: Kevin, I figured you could put a team together and consult with the new schools on shop.

Kevin: What kind of shop?

Mitch: There are kinds?

Kevin: Carpentry, electrical, auto…

Mitch: Oh, right, of course. What kind do we have?

Kevin: All three. I’ve been talking with Doc F. about adding a fourth: TV and major appliance repair.

Mitch: Well, those then.

Kevin: [Saluting] Aye aye, sir.

Mitch: [Puts the sheet down] That just leaves Jaime.

Jaime: I’m all ears.

Mitch: Well, cheerleading, obviously, but I thought you might consult on athletics more generally. I mean, you’re friends with all the sportos. You could easily put together a team to help familiarize the new schools with 80s varsity.

Jaime: I’ll need contact info. Athletics directors, team coaches, student managers…

Mitch: You’ll have it. I’m gonna’ prepare packets for each of you.

Chloe: What about the purely social stuff? Student clubs, parties and dances, that kind of thing.

Jaime: Valerie Saunders and Denise Diamond, for the parties and dances at least.

Tom: Now, there’s a brain trust.

Jaime: [Indignantly] I’ll have you know that Valerie is very smart.

Tom: Denise has a low enough IQ for both of them.

Chloe: Why them in particular, Jaime? 

Jaime: They throw the best parties in Ridgemont. What other qualifications are there?

Tom: Oh, I don’t know, organizational skills, responsibility with money, the ability to play nicely with others.

Chloe: [Laughs] They’ll be fine. I can help them with the budget.

Tom: What about the clubs?

Chloe: Well, since most of them are themed, we could just divide the work up according to our respective interests and expertise. I’ll take the charities, you help with the political groups, Mitch can do the science and math clubs, that sort of thing.

Tom: Good plan.

Friedman: Okay, then you’ll coordinate with Mitch regarding your assignments when the time comes.

Kevin: When will that be?

Friedman: Probably around Spring Break. I don’t see them being ready earlier than that.

Kevin: So much for my trip to Cancun.

Jaime: You’re going to Cancun for Spring Break?

Kevin: No, it just seemed like the thing to say. 

Jaime: Mexico will be relieved.

Sal: What’s next, Will?

Friedman: Event planning for the Spring. What we’re doing and who’s doing it.

Kevin: Could we break for a few minutes? I’m dying for a butt.

Jaime: You’ve got a one-track mind don’t you?

Kevin: A cigarette, Jaime. 

Jaime: Oh.

Kevin: Looks like I’m not the one with the one-track mind. [Raises one eyebrow, suavely] Not that this makes me unhappy.

Tom: Don’t you think it might be better to hit on a guy’s girlfriend, when he isn’t sitting right next to you?

Kevin: [Strokes his chin, nodding] It’s a good point.

Friedman: [Laughing] You can light up here, Kevin. I’m gonna’ have one too. We’ll crack the windows.

Kevin: Righteous! [Lights a cigarette, which he offers to Friedman, then lights another for himself]

Sal: Why don’t we just meet in a bar from now on?

Tom: You can’t smoke in bars in California.

Sal: Only in high schools, apparently.

Friedman: Stop being an old woman, Sal. [Blows a stream of smoke in his face] Alright, events. What have we got?

Chloe: Stage Night, the Senior Party, and Graduation.

Friedman: Sal and I have graduation covered.

Sal: We do?

Friedman: That’s one event that we – the “adults” – should be in charge of.

Chloe: I was thinking that the arts kids could run Stage Night. I know that Billy Johnson and Tim Goldstein are chomping at the bit to do it. 

Friedman: Great choice.

Kevin: [Downs the remnants of his beer] That show’s gonna’ fucking kill. Tim’s band rocks. Marty’s a monster drummer and they’ve got Joanne singing.

Tom: Somehow, Joanne Genduso and singing don’t seem to go together.

Kevin: Okay, screaming. It’s a punk band.

Mitch: They are good. Lee’s brought me over a few times to watch them rehearse. They’re gonna’ have some tough competition, though. The Compton boys are doing old-school rap. Run DMC, Public Enemy, Schoolly D…. They’re amazing.

Kevin: [Waving his cigarette] And how do you know this? I didn’t think you got out much.

Mitch: I’ve been hanging with the brothers a little bit.

Tom: He’s being modest. From what I hear, Mitch has been seeing the hottest girl in Compton. Kim isn’t it?

Mitch: [Coolly] Yeah, we’ve been chilling together.

Jaime: “Chilling’”? You? In Compton?

Kevin: My mind is bending.

Chloe: And why haven’t I heard about this, until now?

Mitch: It never came up?

Chloe: [Eyes narrowing] Never came up…riiight.

Mitch: [Weakly] Well, it’s my thing, you know?

Chloe: [Laughs and hugs him] I’m just kidding, honey. It’s wonderful.

Kevin: [Shaking his head] First Lee and Joanne. Then Tom and Jaime. Now Mitch and Queen Latifah. I mean, what the fuck?

Jaime: [Sighing] It’s the death of the cliques, Kevin. You’ll just have to learn to cope, like I did. [Finishes her beer] It’s a one day at a time kind of thing.

Chloe: And I figured Will and I would plan the Senior Party. [Looks at Kevin] Give you guys the best sendoff you could ever dream of.

Kevin: Rocking!

Friedman: [Finishing his drink] Well, that’s all I have for tonight.

Tom: [Laughs] I’d say that’s quite a bit.

Friedman: Anything you guys want to bring to the floor?

Chloe: I have something.

Friedman: What’s that?

Chloe: A number of students have asked me if we could keep the building open later.

Friedman: I’m not opposed in principle, but why?

Chloe: We have a lot of two-parents-working households. With the LA traffic the way it is, many of them don’t get home until 7 or 8 o’clock. Students are spending hours alone, in their houses, every day, and for the ones who can’t drive yet, it means they’re almost completely isolated. Doing their homework by themselves; working on projects by themselves. They’d rather stay on campus.

Friedman: It’s an excellent idea, Chloe, one I should have thought of. Starting Monday, the building will stay open until 7pm.

Sal: You can’t ask the staff to stay that late, Will.

Friedman: Of course not.

Sal: You can’t let the students stay in the building by themselves, either.

Friedman: Why not? You think they’re gonna’ burn the place down or something?

Sal: Could you please put on your practical hat for just one minute?

Friedman: I am being practical. These kids shouldn’t have to stay at home alone for hours because it’s impossible for a family to survive on one salary.

Sal: Not that kind of practical. There are insurance issues, not to mention state laws. Minors can’t be in the building by themselves.

Tom: I’m sorry, but I have to agree with Sal. One kid slips and falls and a lawsuit could bring the whole thing down.

Friedman: No problem.

Sal: But what about…?

Friedman: They won’t be alone in the building. I’ll be here.

Sal: Every night.

Friedman: Every night.

Sal: [Throwing up his hands] Fine.

Friedman: [Puts his hand on Sal’s shoulder] This is important.

Sal: I know. I just wish that you could accept the limitations imposed by reality; at least sometimes.

Friedman: A reality that hurts young people isn’t something to be accepted. And it’s not like this is a hardship for me. I’m here most nights, anyway. Shit, I sleep here half the week.

Jaime: But don’t you have, you know, a personal life to go to after school?

Friedman: Not really.

Jaime: You’re not seeing anyone?

Friedman: [Looking down] No.

Jaime: I’m sorry.

Sal: [With a tinge of bitterness] Didn’t you know? Will’s married to the company.

Friedman: [Holds up a hand] Sal, please. Chloe, you can spread the word that school will stay open late. I’ll make an official announcement, when we come back after the weekend.

Chloe: Thank you.

Friedman: Well, I think that’s more than enough for one meeting. Everyone cool to drive?

Kevin: Si, senor.

Tom: Fine. None of us had more than one.

Chloe: Have you two decided to go out to the clubs?

Tom: [Looks at Jaime] I think so. We can still drop you off, though.

Chloe: No, I’m on the opposite side of town. [Squeezes Friedman’s arm] How about giving me a ride home?

Friedman: [Smiling] It’ll be a pleasure. Clear skies; full moon. We can put the top down. [Turns to Sal] Want to take a ride under the stars?

Sal: Sorry, but I’ve gotta’ pass. I have, like, a gazillion exams to grade.

Friedman: We’ll catch you next time.

Sal: [Gives the “ok” sign, as he makes his way out the door] Be seeing you!

Friedman: What about you, Mitch? Want to take a ride in the convertible?

Mitch: [Looks from Friedman to Chloe] Uh, I’ve got my Mom’s car, so…

Chloe: It’s okay, sweetie.

Kevin: [Heaves himself up and takes his leather jacket from the back of the chair.] I’m off, too. [Points at Will] You take care of that car. No hot-rodding or drag racing or any of that shit.

Friedman: [Laughing] I won’t wreck it Dad, I promise.

Tom and Jaime: [Arms around each others’ waists] We’ll see you guys on Monday.

Friedman: Have fun!

Chloe: Don’t stay out too late!

Mitch: Wait, I’ll leave with you! [Hurries to catch up with them.]

Friedman: [Turning to Chloe and offering his arm] Shall we, my dear?

Chloe: [Taking his arm and nodding] We shall.

The two depart, pausing just for a moment, to turn out the lights.