Sweet Valley High (1994) s01e14 Episode Script
Poetic Injustice
1 Look right down any crowded hall You see there's a beauty standing Is she really everywhere Or a reflection? One always calls out to you The other's shy and quiet Could there be two different girls Who look the same at Sweet Valley Sweet Valley High? Meet you at Sweet Valley High Sweet Valley Sweet Valley High Meet you at Sweet Valley High Sweet Valley Sweet Valley High Meet you at Sweet Valley High Sweet Valley Sweet Valley High OK.
So that's the plan.
We're going to the Blue Iguana tonight to hear Adam.
8:00.
I don't understand.
Why do we have to go to a coffeehouse just to hear some stupid poems all night? They're not stupid.
I think you'll enjoy yourself.
Besides, Todd, she goes to all your basketball games.
But those are exciting.
I never thought I'd say this, but I agree with Todd.
Why do you guys want to go listen to some teacher on your free time? Adam's more than a teacher.
He's really cool.
His work is so stimulating.
So is a cattle prod.
You should come tonight, Jess.
Poetry's fun.
It's like cheerleading.
What? They're both performance art.
I don't think a poetry reading is Jess' type of thing.
After all, the guys will be fully dressed.
And why are you going? Are they holding it at Tiffany's? It takes a certain sort of sophistication to appreciate poetry.
Well, of course it does.
8:00, was it? "But my refrigerator did not want my ice cream "nor my yogurt, nor my fat-free juice bar.
"Fudgicles were not enough to fulfill its frigid hunger.
It longed for the love of my only daughter.
" Thank you.
Did anyone get that? No.
The refrigerator symbolized the cold reality of our society, which has become numb as a result of modern technology.
It's obvious he's using his poetic license.
It ought to be revoked.
Todd.
You're snoring.
I'm up.
I'm up.
Where's Adam? I don't know, but I know where the women are.
Beatnik girls are suckers for quirky intellectual types.
Gee, guys, thanks for letting me know about this.
I mean, otherwise I might be out enjoying myself.
And now for a different perspective, Adam Buckman.
Shh.
This is him.
I'm so excited.
Doesn't take much, does it? I'm out of here.
"Where are you going" "with your indifference? "Last night I dreamt I was a king, and all my friends, kings around the world" "tore down the walls.
"The light of our souls shone round the world.
" Now.
Glad you guys could make it.
I've got all a poet could ask for good words, good friends and a flashing "applause" sign.
How many cappuccinos did she have? Adam, this is my boyfriend Todd and my sister.
Jessica.
Quite an opening you had out there.
Did I get your attention? I'll say.
Well, then I'm glad you came along.
I wouldn't have missed it for the world.
I love poetry.
Really? Are you into the classics? Oh, absolutely.
I have all the Beatles' CDs.
That's very funny.
We're always laughing at Jess.
No luck, Eggman? One girl said she wanted to pierce my eyelid.
Can they do that? This place is great, Adam.
Yeah, where else can you pay 5 bucks for a cup of coffee and play "count the nose rings" at the same time? You know, every Sunday night they have an open mic session.
You guys should give it a try sometime.
- Wow.
- Right.
If you'll excuse me.
I have to go talk to someone.
Catch you guys at school.
Bye.
See you at the next Poetry Club meeting.
Really? Great.
That's I'll look forward to that.
Now that inspires me.
Jessica, you want to go to the mall this afternoon? They're giving free makeovers.
Please, Lila, I prefer to spend my time with great literature.
Oh, is that a new pop-up book? No, Walt Whitman.
Brushing up on your poetry? Yeah.
I really liked that coffeehouse scene.
We should go there more often.
Be serious, Jess.
What are you gonna do, wear your cheerleading uniform? Liz.
Will we be graced with your presence this afternoon? I'll be there.
I was wondering if you could take a look at this poem, though.
I'm having some trouble with it.
Sure.
In fact, I'll trade you.
This is a piece of mine that may get published.
I think it's finished, but I'd like your opinion.
"Final Insight.
" Sounds deep.
It was either that or "Dog Hair in my Omelet.
" Oops.
You're supposed to be learning, and I'm supposed to be doing whatever it is they pay me to do.
I'll see you later.
OK.
Bye.
What do you think? Of what? My goatee.
I thought I'd go for the manly intellectual look.
You mean that dirt on your chin? For your information, facial hair is in.
Yeah, but on a man.
You should stick with the juvenile goofy look, Winston.
It suits you better.
This is so cool.
What a place for a poetry reading.
Shh-shh.
- Greetings, fellow poets.
- Hi.
Sorry I'm late.
I had to break up a fight in the teachers' lounge.
Chrome Dome and Mrs.
Bitters were going at it over the last prune Danish.
I see we have a welcome addition.
Stick with me, Jessica, and I promise you a life of emotional fulfillment, creative frustration Oh, yeah, and lots of coffee.
The other night I met someone that inspired me.
"I want to take you in my arms, "my face buried in your black tresses, "and fling you high into the night sky.
I watch you shine.
" That was beautiful.
Thank you.
And your applause timing has greatly improved.
Does anyone else have anything to share today? A poem? A thought? Dumb? Dumb is good.
I know I always say you can't force creativity, but by next meeting I'd like everyone to have something prepared.
As for today, we'll try a little Whitman.
My favorite.
I guess we're kindred spirits.
What? You guys, I'm telling you, he likes me.
It's official.
Your sister's gone insane.
Jess, the poem was about a girl with black hair.
I know that.
It's poetry.
It never means what it says.
Oh, so "black hair" means "blond.
" Now we know you've really lost it.
Oh, go wax your face.
You guys can think whatever you want.
I don't have time for this.
I've been inspired.
Uh-huh? Jess! Jess! I can't believe how much poetry is teaching me about myself.
I'll have to call you back.
Liz, what are you doing? Do you mind? Some of us are trying to write around here.
You're still working on your poem? Talk about slow.
You're done? It was easy.
I just write what I was thinking.
I've been writing for three hours, and all I've written is "The," and I don't even know if I like it.
Remember what Adam says.
"You can't force creativity.
" Come on.
Let's go to the Moon Beach.
Some chili fries will clear your head.
Come on.
"It's the part of me that keeps me free and brings me glee.
" "Oh, can't you see "How I love thee "my new goatee?" That's it.
Thank you, Winston, and you definitely got that rhyming thing down.
Thanks.
OK.
I think that just leaves you, Jessica.
"I wake up and wonder what to wear, too much mousse in my hair.
" "Who can see beneath the wild the real me, a lonely child?" What are you laughing at? You? Lonely? Ha.
OK.
You all may have found some humor in Jessica's work, but I think she's just expressing the anxieties of everyday life.
A very impressive first effort.
OK.
I think that's it for today.
Hope to see you Sunday night at the Iguana.
Did you really see all that in my poem? Of course I did.
Listen, when I first started writing poetry people laughed at me, but I followed my passion and I learned to believe in myself.
You can do that, too.
You think so? Yeah.
I know you can.
Do you think I should read it Sunday night? Well, it still is a work in progress.
Sometimes you have to completely transform yourself to create something new.
Do you understand? Yeah.
I think I do.
Jess! Are you ready? I'll meet you at the Blue Iguana.
OK.
We'll see you there.
Bye! God.
Forget it! "Final Insight.
" Wow.
This is deep.
Adam's gonna love this.
Did I miss anything? Winston? Why is there a rodent on your face? It's not a rodent, Lila.
Everybody say hello to my full goatee.
I'm really gonna get the girls now.
Ow! You'd get more action in a petting zoo.
Hey.
This is my passport to Babe-alonia, thank you very much.
Before we get started, I'd like to thank everyone for coming to open mic night.
OK.
Let's get things going now with a few friends of mine.
The guy no one is watching The boy no one can see Sitting in the corner just as happy as can be He's happy as can be Rose-colored glasses See the world Rose-colored glasses See the world Don't you know he's laughing At everyone he sees? 'Cause everything's amusing When you cover it in pink It really makes you think Rose-colored glasses See the world Rose-colored glasses See the world Rose-colored glasses Rose-colored glasses OK.
I think that about wraps it up.
- Thanks once again and - Wait! Oh my God! Jessica? Who does she think she is Cher? Jessica, this is quite a change.
Well, you said I should transform myself.
Yeah, but it's not exactly what I meant.
What are they talking about? Probably about how the hair dye fried her brain.
I've seen it all now.
And you guys thought my goatee was over the top.
Greetings, fellow poets.
My poem, "Final Insight.
" "Traveling to the edge of the Earth, "forever searching for the truth.
That's your poem! Give my dreams so I may know" What? She must have found it in my poetry book.
I am so sorry.
It's OK.
Everybody, just let it go.
"Give me hope and comfort me.
Together we will rise above.
" Thank you.
Well? What did you guys think? Couldn't have said it better myself.
I still don't understand it.
You were praising her.
She did a good job.
You heard those people.
They loved her.
But it was your poem.
Jessica's really gaining an appreciation for poetry.
We shouldn't do anything to discourage that.
You're rewarding stealing.
It's not like that.
Your sister's excited about learning.
That's worth more than any poem.
I gotta go.
The only thing she's excited about is him.
It's so obvious.
Just look what she's done to herself.
Isn't it cool? What do you mean by that? I don't know.
I just think it's interesting.
Oh.
And I'm not? It's not that.
She just looks different.
Yeah.
From me.
I've got three tests, all next Monday.
Yeah, I know.
It's a teacher thing.
They do it on purpose to ruin our weekends.
Wake up the neighbors.
There's a new babe in town.
Always good.
And the welcoming committee has arrived.
Watch the Patman magic in action.
So, I was thinking to myself, "Bruce, you've got the money, "you've got the car, you've got the looks.
What else could you possibly need?" A frontal lobotomy? Wakefield.
What, uh, what happened to you? I've altered my outer persona.
Huh? Forget it, simpleton.
You're quite the magician, Bruce.
You made her disappear.
Shut up or I'll saw you in half.
I can't believe Jess.
She looked like Elvira at a Pearl Jam concert.
I don't know.
It's kind of funky.
Sure, Enid.
Hi, girls.
Did you enjoy yourselves last night? Oh, yeah.
I especially enjoyed the part where my best friend showed up as an entirely different person.
Relax, guys.
So I changed my style.
I'm trying new things, discovering myself.
Besides Adam says I look great.
He has to say that.
He's your teacher.
Oh, he's more than just a teacher.
He happens to be a respected poet.
And he thinks I have potential.
You're not serious? You heard him last night.
He loved my poem.
Of course he did.
He wrote it.
Adam wrote it? That's ridiculous.
Give it up, Jess.
Everyone knows you stole that poem from Adam.
He said so last night.
You're out of your league.
You don't know anything about poetry.
Is it true? Was that really Adam's poem? How can he do this to me? Why didn't he tell me? Bye-bye, now.
See you later.
See you tomorrow.
Bye-bye.
Jessica.
You made a complete fool out of me.
You must have had a pretty good laugh at my expense.
Jessica, nobody's laughing at you.
How can you say that? Look at me.
My clothes, my hair.
And this Thanks for nothing.
Next time I need my life ruined, I'll give you a call.
Jessica, please, listen to me.
When you first came to the group, you didn't know much about poetry, and now you have a real interest.
You're a very talented young woman who just needed a little encouragement.
That's all I wanted to give you.
Adam, are you ready to go? This is so humiliating.
Jessica, I'm sorry things happened this way.
I hope you'll keep coming to the group.
You can give up on me, but, please, don't give up on yourself.
I'm gonna go talk to Jess.
See you later.
Did you talk to Adam? Why am I such an idiot? Jess, you're not an idiot.
I did all of this for him.
This isn't about him, this is about you.
You found out you liked poetry and you're good at it.
I was a joke.
I can't find it in here.
I know it's supposed to be I'm looking it up.
It's a poem about nature.
Isn't it the one Adam read last week "The Untold Want"? That's my favorite.
"The untold want, "by life and land ne'er granted.
"Now, Voyager, sail thou forth to seek and find.
" Wow.
How did you know that? It's my favorite poem, too.
Nice to have you back, Jess.
Look right down any crowded hall You see there's a beauty standing Is she really everywhere Or a reflection? Sweet Valley Sweet Valley High Meet you at Sweet Valley High Sweet Valley Sweet Valley High
So that's the plan.
We're going to the Blue Iguana tonight to hear Adam.
8:00.
I don't understand.
Why do we have to go to a coffeehouse just to hear some stupid poems all night? They're not stupid.
I think you'll enjoy yourself.
Besides, Todd, she goes to all your basketball games.
But those are exciting.
I never thought I'd say this, but I agree with Todd.
Why do you guys want to go listen to some teacher on your free time? Adam's more than a teacher.
He's really cool.
His work is so stimulating.
So is a cattle prod.
You should come tonight, Jess.
Poetry's fun.
It's like cheerleading.
What? They're both performance art.
I don't think a poetry reading is Jess' type of thing.
After all, the guys will be fully dressed.
And why are you going? Are they holding it at Tiffany's? It takes a certain sort of sophistication to appreciate poetry.
Well, of course it does.
8:00, was it? "But my refrigerator did not want my ice cream "nor my yogurt, nor my fat-free juice bar.
"Fudgicles were not enough to fulfill its frigid hunger.
It longed for the love of my only daughter.
" Thank you.
Did anyone get that? No.
The refrigerator symbolized the cold reality of our society, which has become numb as a result of modern technology.
It's obvious he's using his poetic license.
It ought to be revoked.
Todd.
You're snoring.
I'm up.
I'm up.
Where's Adam? I don't know, but I know where the women are.
Beatnik girls are suckers for quirky intellectual types.
Gee, guys, thanks for letting me know about this.
I mean, otherwise I might be out enjoying myself.
And now for a different perspective, Adam Buckman.
Shh.
This is him.
I'm so excited.
Doesn't take much, does it? I'm out of here.
"Where are you going" "with your indifference? "Last night I dreamt I was a king, and all my friends, kings around the world" "tore down the walls.
"The light of our souls shone round the world.
" Now.
Glad you guys could make it.
I've got all a poet could ask for good words, good friends and a flashing "applause" sign.
How many cappuccinos did she have? Adam, this is my boyfriend Todd and my sister.
Jessica.
Quite an opening you had out there.
Did I get your attention? I'll say.
Well, then I'm glad you came along.
I wouldn't have missed it for the world.
I love poetry.
Really? Are you into the classics? Oh, absolutely.
I have all the Beatles' CDs.
That's very funny.
We're always laughing at Jess.
No luck, Eggman? One girl said she wanted to pierce my eyelid.
Can they do that? This place is great, Adam.
Yeah, where else can you pay 5 bucks for a cup of coffee and play "count the nose rings" at the same time? You know, every Sunday night they have an open mic session.
You guys should give it a try sometime.
- Wow.
- Right.
If you'll excuse me.
I have to go talk to someone.
Catch you guys at school.
Bye.
See you at the next Poetry Club meeting.
Really? Great.
That's I'll look forward to that.
Now that inspires me.
Jessica, you want to go to the mall this afternoon? They're giving free makeovers.
Please, Lila, I prefer to spend my time with great literature.
Oh, is that a new pop-up book? No, Walt Whitman.
Brushing up on your poetry? Yeah.
I really liked that coffeehouse scene.
We should go there more often.
Be serious, Jess.
What are you gonna do, wear your cheerleading uniform? Liz.
Will we be graced with your presence this afternoon? I'll be there.
I was wondering if you could take a look at this poem, though.
I'm having some trouble with it.
Sure.
In fact, I'll trade you.
This is a piece of mine that may get published.
I think it's finished, but I'd like your opinion.
"Final Insight.
" Sounds deep.
It was either that or "Dog Hair in my Omelet.
" Oops.
You're supposed to be learning, and I'm supposed to be doing whatever it is they pay me to do.
I'll see you later.
OK.
Bye.
What do you think? Of what? My goatee.
I thought I'd go for the manly intellectual look.
You mean that dirt on your chin? For your information, facial hair is in.
Yeah, but on a man.
You should stick with the juvenile goofy look, Winston.
It suits you better.
This is so cool.
What a place for a poetry reading.
Shh-shh.
- Greetings, fellow poets.
- Hi.
Sorry I'm late.
I had to break up a fight in the teachers' lounge.
Chrome Dome and Mrs.
Bitters were going at it over the last prune Danish.
I see we have a welcome addition.
Stick with me, Jessica, and I promise you a life of emotional fulfillment, creative frustration Oh, yeah, and lots of coffee.
The other night I met someone that inspired me.
"I want to take you in my arms, "my face buried in your black tresses, "and fling you high into the night sky.
I watch you shine.
" That was beautiful.
Thank you.
And your applause timing has greatly improved.
Does anyone else have anything to share today? A poem? A thought? Dumb? Dumb is good.
I know I always say you can't force creativity, but by next meeting I'd like everyone to have something prepared.
As for today, we'll try a little Whitman.
My favorite.
I guess we're kindred spirits.
What? You guys, I'm telling you, he likes me.
It's official.
Your sister's gone insane.
Jess, the poem was about a girl with black hair.
I know that.
It's poetry.
It never means what it says.
Oh, so "black hair" means "blond.
" Now we know you've really lost it.
Oh, go wax your face.
You guys can think whatever you want.
I don't have time for this.
I've been inspired.
Uh-huh? Jess! Jess! I can't believe how much poetry is teaching me about myself.
I'll have to call you back.
Liz, what are you doing? Do you mind? Some of us are trying to write around here.
You're still working on your poem? Talk about slow.
You're done? It was easy.
I just write what I was thinking.
I've been writing for three hours, and all I've written is "The," and I don't even know if I like it.
Remember what Adam says.
"You can't force creativity.
" Come on.
Let's go to the Moon Beach.
Some chili fries will clear your head.
Come on.
"It's the part of me that keeps me free and brings me glee.
" "Oh, can't you see "How I love thee "my new goatee?" That's it.
Thank you, Winston, and you definitely got that rhyming thing down.
Thanks.
OK.
I think that just leaves you, Jessica.
"I wake up and wonder what to wear, too much mousse in my hair.
" "Who can see beneath the wild the real me, a lonely child?" What are you laughing at? You? Lonely? Ha.
OK.
You all may have found some humor in Jessica's work, but I think she's just expressing the anxieties of everyday life.
A very impressive first effort.
OK.
I think that's it for today.
Hope to see you Sunday night at the Iguana.
Did you really see all that in my poem? Of course I did.
Listen, when I first started writing poetry people laughed at me, but I followed my passion and I learned to believe in myself.
You can do that, too.
You think so? Yeah.
I know you can.
Do you think I should read it Sunday night? Well, it still is a work in progress.
Sometimes you have to completely transform yourself to create something new.
Do you understand? Yeah.
I think I do.
Jess! Are you ready? I'll meet you at the Blue Iguana.
OK.
We'll see you there.
Bye! God.
Forget it! "Final Insight.
" Wow.
This is deep.
Adam's gonna love this.
Did I miss anything? Winston? Why is there a rodent on your face? It's not a rodent, Lila.
Everybody say hello to my full goatee.
I'm really gonna get the girls now.
Ow! You'd get more action in a petting zoo.
Hey.
This is my passport to Babe-alonia, thank you very much.
Before we get started, I'd like to thank everyone for coming to open mic night.
OK.
Let's get things going now with a few friends of mine.
The guy no one is watching The boy no one can see Sitting in the corner just as happy as can be He's happy as can be Rose-colored glasses See the world Rose-colored glasses See the world Don't you know he's laughing At everyone he sees? 'Cause everything's amusing When you cover it in pink It really makes you think Rose-colored glasses See the world Rose-colored glasses See the world Rose-colored glasses Rose-colored glasses OK.
I think that about wraps it up.
- Thanks once again and - Wait! Oh my God! Jessica? Who does she think she is Cher? Jessica, this is quite a change.
Well, you said I should transform myself.
Yeah, but it's not exactly what I meant.
What are they talking about? Probably about how the hair dye fried her brain.
I've seen it all now.
And you guys thought my goatee was over the top.
Greetings, fellow poets.
My poem, "Final Insight.
" "Traveling to the edge of the Earth, "forever searching for the truth.
That's your poem! Give my dreams so I may know" What? She must have found it in my poetry book.
I am so sorry.
It's OK.
Everybody, just let it go.
"Give me hope and comfort me.
Together we will rise above.
" Thank you.
Well? What did you guys think? Couldn't have said it better myself.
I still don't understand it.
You were praising her.
She did a good job.
You heard those people.
They loved her.
But it was your poem.
Jessica's really gaining an appreciation for poetry.
We shouldn't do anything to discourage that.
You're rewarding stealing.
It's not like that.
Your sister's excited about learning.
That's worth more than any poem.
I gotta go.
The only thing she's excited about is him.
It's so obvious.
Just look what she's done to herself.
Isn't it cool? What do you mean by that? I don't know.
I just think it's interesting.
Oh.
And I'm not? It's not that.
She just looks different.
Yeah.
From me.
I've got three tests, all next Monday.
Yeah, I know.
It's a teacher thing.
They do it on purpose to ruin our weekends.
Wake up the neighbors.
There's a new babe in town.
Always good.
And the welcoming committee has arrived.
Watch the Patman magic in action.
So, I was thinking to myself, "Bruce, you've got the money, "you've got the car, you've got the looks.
What else could you possibly need?" A frontal lobotomy? Wakefield.
What, uh, what happened to you? I've altered my outer persona.
Huh? Forget it, simpleton.
You're quite the magician, Bruce.
You made her disappear.
Shut up or I'll saw you in half.
I can't believe Jess.
She looked like Elvira at a Pearl Jam concert.
I don't know.
It's kind of funky.
Sure, Enid.
Hi, girls.
Did you enjoy yourselves last night? Oh, yeah.
I especially enjoyed the part where my best friend showed up as an entirely different person.
Relax, guys.
So I changed my style.
I'm trying new things, discovering myself.
Besides Adam says I look great.
He has to say that.
He's your teacher.
Oh, he's more than just a teacher.
He happens to be a respected poet.
And he thinks I have potential.
You're not serious? You heard him last night.
He loved my poem.
Of course he did.
He wrote it.
Adam wrote it? That's ridiculous.
Give it up, Jess.
Everyone knows you stole that poem from Adam.
He said so last night.
You're out of your league.
You don't know anything about poetry.
Is it true? Was that really Adam's poem? How can he do this to me? Why didn't he tell me? Bye-bye, now.
See you later.
See you tomorrow.
Bye-bye.
Jessica.
You made a complete fool out of me.
You must have had a pretty good laugh at my expense.
Jessica, nobody's laughing at you.
How can you say that? Look at me.
My clothes, my hair.
And this Thanks for nothing.
Next time I need my life ruined, I'll give you a call.
Jessica, please, listen to me.
When you first came to the group, you didn't know much about poetry, and now you have a real interest.
You're a very talented young woman who just needed a little encouragement.
That's all I wanted to give you.
Adam, are you ready to go? This is so humiliating.
Jessica, I'm sorry things happened this way.
I hope you'll keep coming to the group.
You can give up on me, but, please, don't give up on yourself.
I'm gonna go talk to Jess.
See you later.
Did you talk to Adam? Why am I such an idiot? Jess, you're not an idiot.
I did all of this for him.
This isn't about him, this is about you.
You found out you liked poetry and you're good at it.
I was a joke.
I can't find it in here.
I know it's supposed to be I'm looking it up.
It's a poem about nature.
Isn't it the one Adam read last week "The Untold Want"? That's my favorite.
"The untold want, "by life and land ne'er granted.
"Now, Voyager, sail thou forth to seek and find.
" Wow.
How did you know that? It's my favorite poem, too.
Nice to have you back, Jess.
Look right down any crowded hall You see there's a beauty standing Is she really everywhere Or a reflection? Sweet Valley Sweet Valley High Meet you at Sweet Valley High Sweet Valley Sweet Valley High