Work Text:
Act 1
1 INT. LIVING ROOM/ PARTY – NIGHT
TUBBO sits alone on a sofa, in a room full of loud music, people talking loudly and flashing lights.
TUBBO puts earplugs in his ears and downs some painkillers from his bag. He looks up at the clock, it’s 7pm, he closes his eyes. It goes dark.
SFX Finger Snapping Effect
JAY snaps his fingers in TUBBO’s face.
TUBBO opens his eyes quickly, dazed and looks up at JAY, squinting, who stands with his hands on his hips. Tubbo takes out his earplugs. Once JAY’s mouth stops moving, he points to his forehead.
JAY throws his hands in the air and rolls his eyes at TUBBO.
TUBBO mouths the word “what?” but JAY goes back to the dance floor and plasters a smile on his face.
He watches for a while, a glare from JAY when he catches TUBBO’s gaze before he turns away. He fiddles with the bracelet on his wrist and closes his eyes again. Someone – TOMMY - squeezes onto the sofa beside him. TUBBO opens his eyes and looks over.
He offers him his cup. TUBBO shakes his head. They sit in silence.
TOMMY
The name is Tommy!
TUBBO
I’m Tubbo.
TUBBO looks at the clock, it’s 8pm. He grabs his stuff and stands up, awkwardly waves at him.
TUBBO looks for JAY, unable to find him. He leaves silently.
CUT TO:
EXT. FRONT DOOR/ PARTY - NIGHT
TUBBO closes the door and all the noise becomes muffled. He takes a deep breath.
2 INT. TUBBO’S BEDROOM - DAY
The bedroom is dark with a sliver of light shining through the cracks of the black-out blind. An alarm clock RINGS, TUBBO lifts his head up from under his pile of teddy bears. He slams the alarm clock off groaning and sits up slowly, rubbing his eyes. He opens his blinds. He sees a single magpie on the tree outside.
TUBBO
(saluting)
Good morning, Captain!
TUBBO takes his medication, hesitating before swallowing them. He presses his air diffuser on and sniffs the air, smiling. At his desk he brushes his hands through his hair. He cleans his face with a wipe before walking into his walk-in closet and comes out dressed. He picks up his bag from the floor beside his bedroom door and leaves.
CUT TO:
INT. HALLWAY/ SCHOOL BUILDING - LATER
TUBBO approaches his locker. JAY is waiting there for him.
JAY
You left early.
TUBBO
Yeah…
JAY
You made me look stupid.
TUBBO
I didn’t mean to. I just couldn’t handle the noise or the flashing lights.
JAY
Oh yeah. Your migraine. Sometimes you just need to get over it. It’s not all about you.
TUBBO looks down at a loss for words and nods before grabbing a book from his locker.
JAY
I’ll see you later.
JAY walks away, leaving TUBBO to close his locker and walk in the opposite direction.
3 EXT. GRASS AREA/ SCHOOL GROUNDS – DAY
TUBBO walks towards the grass and sits at the first bench that’s free. He pulls out his food.
His eyes land on a boy hanging upside down from a tree. He’s talking passionately and making lots of hand gestures. Another boy, TECHNO, sits against the trunk of the tree listening to him. TUBBO recognises the boy hanging as TOMMY. he finishes his food and walks over to him.
TUBBO
Tommy, right?
TOMMY
The one and only. And you’re Tubbo.
TOMMY flips himself right way up and jumps off of the tree branch.
TUBBO
I’m also your partner for the interview project.
TOMMY
Oh right, awesome.
TOMMY points towards the other boy watching.
My older brother Techno. He just hangs around with me.
TOMMY’s tone turns to a poorly executed whisper.
He has no friends. It’s an act of charity really.
TECHNO
You know I can hear you right? You’re not as great at whispering as you think you are.
TECHNO turns to TUBBO.
It is a pleasure to meet you. Don’t listen to this idiot.
TOMMY
Persona non grata!
TUBBO looks between the two brothers, confused.
TECHNO
An unwelcoming person. You’ll get used to it soon. He decided to learn Latin to feel superior to others.
TUBBO
Oh… right… Well, uh, can I get your number so we can organise a day to meet up for the project?
TOMMY
Sure! But you’re welcome to hang out with us.
TOMMY sits down beside TECHNO and pats the ground on his other side. Tubbo smiles and sits down with them. He sees a magpie and refrains from saluting it.
TOMMY
So where is your mate?
TUBBO
(becoming uncomfortable)
Oh yeah, it’s just me today.
TECHNO
Sore subject?
Tubbo nods timidly.
TOMMY
Why so sad, chum? Friends are meant to be good.
TUBBO
You clearly haven’t met Jay.
TOMMY
Why do you still hang out with him then?
TUBBO
He's all I have. We’ve been friends forever.
TOMMY
He can’t be that bad then, right?
TECHNO nudges TOMMY with a disapproving look on his face. TOMMY whines.
The bell RINGS, signifying the end of lunch.
4 INT. HALLWAY/ SCHOOL BUILDING – LATER
As TUBBO opens his locker. JAY appears behind him bouncing from foot to foot and taps Tubbo on the shoulder and drops his bag.
Tubbo jumps and turns around.
JAY
Tubs! We’re going to another party tonight!
TUBBO
I really don’t feel up to going out again Jay.
JAY
Tubs come on! It’s the biggest party of the year. There is no way you’re about to pull a migraine on this one.
TUBBO
Jay…
JAY
No Tubbo. I’m sick of it. Your migraines ruin everything for me. You’re so selfish.
JAY snatches up his bag and walks away. TUBBO doesn’t wait for Jay to be gone before slamming his locker and runs out the building, with tears in his eyes.
TUBBO bumps into TOMMY at the gates. He wipes his eyes and tries to get past.
TOMMY
Woah, woah, woah. What’s got you in such a hurry?
TOMMY holds TUBBO in place and sees the tears that are now falling.
Tubbo? What’s wrong? Are you ok?
TUBBO
Jay… We fought… He…
TOMMY looks at TECHNO, who nods. TOMMY pulls Tubbo into a hug. Tubbo holds tightly onto him.
TOMMY
You’re ok, I’ve got you. Want to get out of here?
TUBBO nods and the pair move from the hug, TOMMY keeps his arm over his shoulder. They walk out with TECHNO trailing after them.
The trio go to the movie, they never speak. TUBBO is basking in the comfort and kindness shown to him.
Act 2
5 PARK / SERIES OF SCENES
1 .FLOWER FIELD
TOMMY runs into the field dragging TUBBO along with him. He weaves perfectly through the flowers so as to not trample them. TECHNO strolls along, following them.
TOMMY flops down onto the floor and starts picking daisies. TUBBO watches with a mix of confusion and excitement.
TOMMY
So, what is your biggest fear?
TUBBO
What?
TOMMY
Our project, duh! Ex nihilo nihil fit! No time like the present!
TUBBO shifts uncomfortably but nods.
So, what’s your biggest fear?
TUBBO thinks for a little bit before answering.
TOMMY begins making daisy chains. TECHNO sits a few feet away reading a book.
TUBBO
Well, I guess, my biggest fear, probably that I won’t live a normal life? Like the way it’s intended to be lived.
TOMMY
(nodding)
Why are you so scared of that?
TUBBO
I can’t do what everyone else can. I can’t do the parties or the long days out. I can barely muster up the effort to get out of bed some mornings. What if I always have chronic migraine? What if I never get better?
TOMMY
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I think chronic means it’s for life…
TUBBO spits as he tries to hold in his laugh before laughing loudly and hitting TOMMY playfully.
2 . PARK BENCH
TUBBO and TOMMY sit with a laptop between them. TOMMY presses record on the voice memo app on his phone.
TOMMY
What’s something that makes you feel unstoppable?
TUBBO
(shrugging)
I don’t really think anything makes me feel unstoppable. I’m pretty stoppable if I’m honest.
TOMMY holds a chuckle until he sees TUBBO laugh at himself. TOMMY falls off of the bench. They laugh harder and harder. He continues from the ground.
TOMMY
Would you call yourself brave?
TUBBO
I suppose yes? It takes a lot of courage to keep getting up when it feels like my body actively hates me.
They take regular breaks. Making daisy chains from stray flowers around the bench. They show each other funny videos and photos.
They take a selfie together and then pack up their bags.
3 . ICE CREAM PARLOUR
TUBBO jumps on TOMMY’s back and points to the parlour giggling. TECHNO leads the way, while TOMMY runs circles around him with Tubbo on his back.
They order their ice cream and sit at a table laughing and talking.
TECHNO gets up and returns with all three ice creams. He hands it to the pair and they eat their ice cream. TOMMY gets it over his face unknowingly.
TOMMY throws his sticky tissue at TECHNO when they have all finished. TUBBO laughs a lot and points at TOMMY’s face. He almost falls off his chair but TECHNO catches him.
6 INT. HALLWAY / SCHOOL BUILDING - DAY
TUBBO walks out of class and is instantly jumped on by TOMMY. He laughs as TECHNO pulls him off of him.
TOMMY
Tubs, my favourite person!
TECHNO coughs, glaring at TOMMY jokingly.
Whattttt!? He's definitely my favourite. De facto, you’re not even close.
TUBBO
Don’t worry Techno, you're my favourite!
TOMMY mocks a hurt expression, holding his chest.
TOMMY
Dulce est desipere in loco! Anyway, before I was rudely interrupted.
There's a party tonight, it’s a pretty chill thing. Think less of the party, more get together with music!
TUBBO
Today has been a good day, I think I will be up for a party.
TECHNO
(feigning disappointment)
Tubbo! You were my only hope to get out of it!
TUBBO
(laughing)
My sincerest apologies kind sir.
Act 3
7 INT. LIVING ROOM/ PARTY – NIGHT
TUBBO, TOMMY and TECHNO enter the front door. It is loud and there are a lot of lights darting around. TECHNO grabs Tubbo’s arm.
TECHNO
Are you sure you’re up for this? We weren’t lying when we said you didn’t have to, you know.
TOMMY
Techno, stop going dad mode on the guy. Tubbo knows if he wants to leave, we will leave.
TUBBO tilts his head in confusion.
TUBBO
We?
TECHNO
(smugly)
He knows, does he?
TOMMY
We’re not just going to make you leave on your own if you’re not feeling well. What kind of friends would we be?
TUBBO smiles and TOMMY’s tone turns to a poorly executed whisper.
Well friend and whatever TECHNO is.
TUBBO laughs and hits TOMMY playfully before he drags the pair into the main party. The three start dancing immediately.
TOMMY and TUBBO begin to compete, who can do the funniest dance move. TECHNO bounces from foot to foot, faux dancing and shaking his head at the pair. TUBBO and TOMMY simultaneously turn toward TECHNO.
TOMMY
Join in dad!
TUBBO
Yeah! Come on dad!
TECHNO shakes his head, crossing his arms. TOMMY and TUBBO look at each other before both lunging forward. They begin prying TECHNO’s arms apart.
TECHNO stops resisting and throws his arms up in the air in a mock surrender. He dances with the two. They are laughing and talking all the while.
Until JAY stops over and grabs TUBBO’s arm, spinning him around.
JAY
So I was right then? You only have migraines when it suits you.
TUBBO
Of course you’re not right. Just because today was a good day doesn’t mean it wasn’t true.
JAY
We all get headaches Tubbo. You found some new…
JAY gestures towards TOMMY and TECHNO, rolling his eyes. TECHNO holds onto TOMMY.
Weird friends, and suddenly you’re cured.
TUBBO
Not true. I am always in pain.
JAY scoffs and TECHNO places a hand on Tubbo’s shoulder to keep his calm. TUBBO snaps in JAY's face to make him listen.
You don’t see the mornings that I can’t even sit up in bed with the pain. You don’t see the nausea that I get after being in school. You don’t notice how my body starts to sway when I’ve walked around the shops with you for hours on end, all the noise and different smells worsening my migraine. You don’t see my face and neck getting boiling hot, but my body remaining freezing cold.
You. Don’t. See. That. You don’t want to, why would you need to. I was only your best friend.
TUBBO walks away, holding his head up high. TOMMY and TECHNO are stuck in place, shocked by TUBBO’s outburst.
The door opens and SLAMS shut.
TOMMY and TECHNO then turn to JAY.
TECHNO
Until you learn how to be empathetic, don’t bother Tubbo again. Got it?
JAY nods sheepishly.
TOMMY
Utis ameris, amabilis esto.
The two boys walk around JAY and follow TUBBO’s path out of the party. JAY stays standing in shock.
8 INT. TUBBO’s BEDROOM – NIGHT
TUBBO rushes into her room, throwing his bag on the ground. Tears falling down his face
TUBBO turns a Christmas movie on, the T.V is dimmed and the volume is low.
TUBBO stops rushing at the sight of a framed photo of himself and JAY when they were younger, sitting in his tree house. He sighs and places it back down.
TUBBO kneels down beside his bed and pulls out a big blue box. He lifts the lid off and places it beside him. He smiles with tears in his eyes.
TUBBO
We used to always be there for each other, what happened to us...
TUBBO picks up a photo from the box, it is his and JAY dressed up for Halloween a few years back.
I just had to get sick. I had to ruin everything.
TUBBO flops backwards and stares at his ceiling. He listens to the movie and lets the tears continue to fall.
Why can’t life be like a movie? I would end up in the right place, like, instantly. I wouldn’t even be sick.
TUBBO turns to look at the T.V but his eyes land on something.
INSERT:
A daisy-chain hanging out of his bag.
TUBBO gets up slowly and shuffles towards it. He picks up the daisy chain and smiles sadly.
TUBBO returns to his bed laying down with the daisy chain in hand. He fiddles with the intricate chain as he falls asleep.
9 INT. TUBBO’S BEDROOM - DAY
The bedroom is bright, the blinds still open. TUBBO slowly lifts his head up from under his pile of teddy bears. His bed is covered in different photos of him and JAY. His outfit from the night prior is still on, his eyes puffy and wet.
TUBBO sits up rubbing his eyes and sighs. He sees two magpies on the tree outside.
TUBBO
I really hope so, Mr Magpie’s.
TUBBO goes to his desk and begins cleaning his face. He detangles his hair and then goes into his wardrobe. he comes back out in fluffy pyjamas and returns to his bed.
Picking up his T.V remote, TUBBO turns on a Christmas movie and snuggles back up into his bed.
From his position, TUBBO picks up different photos from around his bed and puts them in a neat pile on his bedside table.
His phone PINGS, and TUBBO opens the message.
TOMMY
(through the phone)
I know you’re upset over last night but if you want some company, shoot me a text. I’ll bring TECHNO too if he’s lucky.
Castigat ridendo mores, laughing corrects morals.
TUBBO smiles and holds his phone to his chest before pulling it back out and texting TOMMY back.
9 INT. TUBBO’S BEDROOM - LATER
TOMMY and TECHNO walk into TUBBO’s room. They both have their arms full with snacks, drinks, movies and boardgames.
TUBBO sits up in his bed and waves them over, patting the bed for them to sit.
TUBBO
You came!
TECHNO
We’ll always come Tubbo, we're brothers.
TUBBO
Brothers?.
TOMMY
I know I am but are we 100% sure about Techno?
TECHNO smacks TOMMY jokingly and TUBBO bursts out laughing. TUBBO pulls both boys into a huge group hug.
TOMMY
Ita vero. We’ve got you Tubs. Forever and always