Bates Motel Page #7

Norman looks worried, wondering what she wants...

SAME - MINUTES LATER

Norman is seated across from Miss Watson. She has his school

records out. He is uncomfortable. Feels like he’s going to

get in trouble for something although he doesn’t know what

exactly.

NORMAN:

Is something wrong?

MISS WATSON:

No, no. Not at all. I’m going to

be your advisor here. Now, I’ve

just been reviewing your school

records and -- I have a question.

Your grades are less than stellar.

They’re actually less than average.

But then, here and there, you’ll

suddenly have an A plus in geometry

or, here, in life science. And

your test scores are really

impressive. But your grades don’t

match up with them. And that’s a

shame. Why do you think that is,

Norman?

NORMAN:

I don’t know - exactly.

16.

Awkward silence. She just looks at him. Smiles.

MISS WATSON:

Well, take a guess.

He really doesn’t know. This direct questioning is making

him really uncomfortable. Feeling very vulnerable. This is

not lost on Miss Watson. Finally...

NORMAN:

We move a lot?

MISS WATSON:

I see that. You’ve been in five

different schools.

He smiles. Awkward. Nervous. Miss Watson studies him for a

moment. Feels like there’s something going on with this kid.

MISS WATSON (CONT’D)

Is everything okay at home?

NORMAN:

Yeah. Yeah. My mom’s just a

little -- impulsive. She gets

ideas about things and then we move

and “start over”.

Miss Watson just studies him for a beat, then...

MISS WATSON:

Have you started thinking about

colleges?

NORMAN:

Not really.

MISS WATSON:

Don’t you ever think about the

future? About when you “grow up”?

NORMAN:

I guess not, really.

She smiles at him, but looks concerned and makes a few

notations on his records. He quietly tries to read them but

she notices and closes it. Still smiling. He smiles back,

awkward. A moment, then...

MISS WATSON:

I think it might be a good idea,

now that you’re here, for you to

try and put down some roots.

(MORE)

17.

MISS WATSON (CONT'D)

Get involved. Maybe try out for a

sports team -

NORMAN:

I don’t really play any sports. My

mom never really liked them -

She looks at him another beat, then...

MISS WATSON:

How about track? All you need to

know how to do is run. You look

like a runner. Ever do any

running?

NORMAN:

Not as a sport, no.

MISS WATSON:

Track team try outs are today. Why

don’t you talk to Coach Carpenter

after school? I’ll tell him you’re

coming down -

Norman isn’t at all sure how he feels about this. He nods,

dubious.

NORMAN:

Um, okay...

Miss Watson leans toward him, innocently intimate.

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