THE UNDERSTUDY - Act Two

Summary

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Table Read – THE UNDERSTUDY: Act Two

Podcast: Table Read by Manifest Media
Air Date: December 16, 2025
Episode Type: Scripted Fiction Drama | “Cinema for Your Ears”
Summary by: [Your Expert Podcast Summarizer]

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Episode Overview

Main Theme:
This episode continues the gripping, magical body-swap drama set in a high-pressure teenage ballet world. After a supernatural accident, Natalie, the school's star ballerina, and Ava, her less-accomplished peer, have switched bodies—Natalie seizing Ava’s life to hold onto the spotlight, while Ava lies comatose in Natalie’s broken body. As reality, personal ambitions, and magical consequences converge, the two girls and those around them navigate secrets, shifting loyalties, and the darker side of adolescent aspiration.

The script unfolds with vivid, cinematic performances, underscored by a film-quality score and immersive sound design.

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Key Discussion Points & Storylines

1. Recap and Stakes Set (00:32–01:40)

• Narrator quickly recaps the magical body-swap: “Natalie got the role [of Sugar Plum Fairy] and Ava got cast as her understudy…at the exact same time Ava made a wish on Mr. Constantine's magic snow globe to be Natalie.”
• Ava (in Natalie’s body) is now in a coma; Natalie (in Ava’s body) is living Ava’s life.
• Suspicion grows among Ava’s mom, sister, friends, and boyfriend.

2. Natalie Navigates Ava’s Life (01:40–04:50)

• Natalie commits to fully “being Ava”: early morning runs, Instagram updates, attempts at coffee, and barbed family banter.
• Bean, Ava’s sharp little sister, is suspicious: “I'm watching you.”
  — 02:21
• Natalie’s new attitude shocks Ms. Ross, Ava’s mother, especially when Natalie bluntly calls Ava “not a ballerina” and criticizes her mother’s support. Family anxieties deepen.

3. Social Pressures and School Dynamics (05:00–11:01)

• Online bullying and negative comments rattle Natalie: “You will never replace Natalie. Too stupid for two. Tutus.” — 05:16, Natalie/Ava
• Chemistry class highlights Natalie’s disregard for propriety and sorrow over her changed status.
• Light is shed on the performative grief of classmates. Fake posts and performative social media “mourning” for Natalie irritate her, especially when “devastated about my bestie Natalie Primavera” is posted for clout. — 07:38
• Tension escalates as Natalie flounders with her boyfriend, Trevor, and distances herself from true friends.

4. Rising Competition and Artistic Pressure (11:01–16:38)

• Rehearsal studio power plays: Jasmine is named new understudy for the Sugar Plum Fairy role, ramping up competition.
• Role security is threatened: “The role will be subject to recasting at the discretion of myself and Ms. Miyako and me.” — 11:32, Mr. Constantine
• Insecurity and rivalry grow, especially between Natalie and Jasmine.
• Natalie becomes obsessed with coaching herself and the “loser” friends, forcing military-style runs and intensive training in pursuit of perfection and popularity.

5. Family, Friendship, and Identity Tensions (16:38–18:42)

• Natalie’s social media prowess inflates Ava’s reputation, but at the expense of grades, health, and relationships.
• Tender moments emerge, especially in rehearsal, underscoring loss and longing. Ballet director Mr. Constantine pushes Natalie to find emotional depth in the dance:

  "This is the last piece Tchaikovsky wrote for this ballet after learning of his sister's death... Can't you hear it? The heartbreak of saying goodbye." — 18:09–18:27, Mr. Constantine

• Emotional resonance causes teachers and students alike to break down mid-rehearsal.

6. Identity Crisis and the Magic’s Consequences (22:24–37:50)

• Ava wakes from her coma, confused and unmoored. “Who are you? Where’s my mom?” — 26:03, Ava (in Natalie’s body)
• Supernatural horror increases as the magical “snow globe” is smashed, unleashing two smoky, spectral dancers into the world.

  "What have you done? You've let them loose." — 37:31, Mr. Constantine

7. Friendships and Family Bonds Fraying and Mending (38:40–43:32)

• Relational dynamics become raw as Kenzie and Bean uncover the truth.
• Heartfelt confessions about yearning, family, and self-loathing surface:

  “Over the summer my dad went on a work trip and never came back and I was just tired of being me and being sad all the time. I thought...I would be like you, always posting these beautiful pictures.” — 42:29, Ava

• The girls realize they may be stuck in each other’s bodies, and together with their friends, vow to “figure this out.” — 44:04

8. Magic, Responsibility, and Taking Control (44:58–50:22)

• Kenzie and the crew investigate “body swap movie logic” to restore the girls.
• Natalie adopts Ava’s academic and family roles, striving to right wrongs and meet the “natural order” mentioned by Mr. Constantine:

  “In all of these [movies], a cosmic lesson, magic and ta da. What’s done is undone. Once you accept that the role isn’t yours, the natural order will be restored.” — 49:29, Narrator

• Natalie tries to make amends, promise to fix the shattered magic, and restore balance.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Natalie admits:

  “Okay, here goes. I'm not your daughter. I'm Natalie Primavera. Ava made a wish on a magic snow globe to be me and so now she's stuck in my body in a coma and I'm stuck in this one. But I'm gonna turn Ava into a ballerina and basically save the show. And yeah, it is a lot of pressure.” — 04:34

• Gleeful Black Comedy:

  “Did the Karate Kid quit when he broke his leg? Did Matt Damon quit when he was stuck on Mars?” — 38:57, Kenzie

• Mr. Constantine’s Ballet Philosophy:

  "May the best rise to the top." — 12:41
  “Someday we all have to find our second dream. I had to. You learned nothing from being Ava. Instead, you failed her classes, broke up with her boyfriend.” — 36:31

• On Friendship:

  “I didn’t care that I was the understudy. This was about us making the best of our last nutcracker before you’re off to Boston. We’re never going to have time like this again.” — 39:15, Kenzie

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Timestamp Guide to Key Segments

• 00:32 — Recap of previous episode and magical accident
• 02:26–04:50 — Natalie awkwardly inhabits Ava’s family life, confesses the truth
• 05:16–06:17 — Mean-spirited social media, Mr. Hall's vulnerability, comic moments
• 11:22–11:59 — Jasmine made official understudy, recasting rules announced
• 18:09–18:27 — Ballet and grief: Mr. Constantine’s emotional lesson
• 26:03–26:14 — Ava wakes, reveals confusion; magical trauma aftermath
• 37:14–37:31 — Natalie smashes the snow globe, unleashing magic
• 42:29–43:32 — Heart to heart between Natalie and Ava about identity and yearning
• 49:29–49:40 — “Body swap rulebook”: cosmic lessons and natural order
• 50:01–50:22 — Vow to “fix it;” end of episode cliffhanger

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Tone and Style

The episode shifts fluidly between biting teen comedy, poignant drama, and supernatural mystery, expertly balancing satire of performance culture with real emotional stakes. The language is sharp, contemporary, and frequently hilarious, but never loses sight of the human dilemmas at the heart of the fantasy premise.

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Conclusion (No Spoilers)

“THE UNDERSTUDY – Act Two” ratchets up the drama, magic, and emotion as secrets unravel, ambitions clash, and the cost of getting what you wish for comes into sharp focus. The episode ends with the promise that fixing the “natural order”—and learning what it means to let go and truly become yourself—will demand everything from both Natalie and Ava…and maybe their entire circle of family and friends.

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For more episodes and behind-the-scenes content, visit TableReadPodcast.com.

Transcript

[VRBO Announcer]

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[Narrator]

Okay, so check this out. Last episode, Natalie Primavera, our school's diva ballerina, auditioned for the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Nutcracker. My best friend Ava Ross, who's only been dancing for five years, also went for it. Our new ballet director, Mr. Constantine, is also super weird and creepy. But anyway, Natalie got the role and Ava got cast as her understudy. To celebrate, Natalie took this epic Instagram shot on a bridge. At the exact same time Ava made a wish on Mr. Constantine's magic snow globe to be Natalie. Natalie falls off the bridge and mid fall, they switch. So now Ava is stuck in Natalie's body in a coma at the hospital. I know. Super dark. And Natalie is in Ava's body. Natalie thought about switching back, but she decided to stay in Ava's body and have her moment as the Sugar Plum Fairy before switching back to her injured body and saying goodbye to ballet forever. The problem is Ava's mom and little sister are getting suspicious. Not to mention me, Theo, and Ava's boyfriend, Trevor. Not sure how Natalie's gonna pull this off, but let's see.

[Scene Description]

Ava's bedroom. Night. Early morning and still dark. Ava's phone chimes 5am Natalie shuts off the alarm and jumps out of bed. Exterior, Street. Sunrise. Natalie jogs as the sun rises. Natalie snaps a photo of the sunrise. She posts the photo on Ava's Instagram page with the caption, early bird gets the worm. Sugarplumfairy Nutcracker. Interior, Ava's bedroom. Day. Bean wakes up and sees Natalie at her dresser doing ballet bar exercises. Bean points two fingers from her eyes to Natalie to say, I'm watching you. Interior, Ava's hallway. Day. Bean rattles the lock knob of the bathroom door.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Please, I need a pee.

[Scene Description]

Interior, Ava's bathroom.

[Mr. Constantine (ballet director)]

Day.

[Scene Description]

Natalie puts her hair into a perfect high bun. She's applying the lipstick she stole from her room and takes a selfie with Ava's phone. She posts the photo on Instagram with the caption tutotuesday Bunhead Sugarplumfairy Interior ava's kitchen. Day. Ms. Ross has breakfast ready. Fruit Loop cereal. Bean is chowing down and Natalie makes a face at the bowl.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Do we have any coffee? When did you start drinking coffee? Now. Figure I should start.

[Narrator]

Caffeine is a drug, you know.

[Scene Description]

Ms. Ross walks to the counter to pour an extra cup of coffee. Bean pulls out a pill container from Ms. Ross Purse and pushes it towards Natalie. Natalie snatches it and tosses it back into the purse.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Hey, stop being weird.

[Narrator]

Interesting.

[Scene Description]

Bean jots in her diary as miss Ross hands Natalie a mug of coffee. Natalie takes a and makes a disgusted face. Ms. Ross folds her arms and eyes Ava nervously.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

With your AP classes, your work study and college applications. Maybe we should talk about switching roles. You two. I'm the Sugar Plum Fairy. Ava, this is just an extracurricular. You're not a ballerina. Wow. I mean, I don't blame you for thinking it. We were all thinking it. Let's face it, this body's weak with shit training. But to say it out loud to your own daughter. That's really cold. Mrs.

[Scene Description]

Mom. Ms. Roz looks up and her chin starts to tremble. Natalie rolls her eyes.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Sorry, I didn't sleep. I just want to know what's going on. You skipped school, ava.

[Scene Description]

Natalie watches Ms. Ross fight tears for a moment and sighs in defeat. Bean is jotting in her notebook with fury.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

You really want to know what's going on? Yes. Just talk to me. You won't get in trouble.

[Narrator]

Even after saying shit.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Will you get dressed, please?

[Scene Description]

Bean frowns and stomps off.

[Narrator]

Being a kid is shit.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Okay, here goes. I'm not your daughter. I'm Natalie Primavera. Ava made a wish on a magic snow globe to be me and so now she's stuck in my body in a coma and I'm stuck in this one. But I'm gonna turn Ava into a ballerina and basically save the show. And yeah, it is a lot of pressure.

[Scene Description]

Ms. Ross looks at her, wiping away tears from her cheek.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Natalie Primavera. Yes. Not funny, Ava.

[Scene Description]

Interior Chemistry Classroom day Natalie and Grayson stand together at a lab table with textbooks and 3D Atom models. Kenzie in front of them. Grayson peeks at Natalie's feet, doing degages while she scrolls through Ava's phone, reading comment after comment.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

You will never replace Natalie. Too stupid for two. Tutus.

[Narrator]

NotMySugarplum fairy.

[Scene Description]

The chemistry teacher. Mr. Hall, 40s, forgettable in appearance and a voice that could be mistaken for white noise. His sweater vest has a portrait of.

[Mr. Hall (chemistry teacher)]

A cat in order to calculate the value of the enthalpy change of the reaction, we'll use the balanced equation for the oxidation reduction reaction.

[Scene Description]

Kenzie turns around.

[Narrator]

Where'd you go yesterday?

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

To the hospital. I went to see Natalie Primavera.

[Narrator]

Oh my God. I don't think I've ever seen her without makeup on. How'd she look?

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Super messed up.

[Narrator]

Is it bad that that makes me happy? In a small way, yes.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

What's wrong with you?

[Scene Description]

Kenzie's smile drops.

[Mr. Hall (chemistry teacher)]

Ava, do you have something you want to share with the whole class?

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Oh, me? No, thank you.

[Mr. Hall (chemistry teacher)]

Then would you like to explain to the class what a happy atom is?

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

One that doesn't take this class.

[Scene Description]

Mr. Hall's face scrunches up. Uh oh, he's gonna cry. Mr. Hall's face scrunhes up and tries to stifle himself from crying. Kenzie turns around, raises her eyebrows to say. What are you doing?

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

What? Since when does anyone care about chemistry?

[Scene Description]

Kenzie and a few other classmates go up to comfort Mr. Hall. Natalie puts her face in her hands.

[Grayson (classmate and friend)]

Is he always this like, brittle?

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Thank you. Catastrophe just died. Jack Hole.

[VRBO Announcer]

Who?

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

His cat.

[Scene Description]

The class gathers to comfort Mr. Hall as he sobs. Natalie sits alone before rushing to grab the hall pass. Interior Bathroom Stall Day. Natalie scrolls through her own Natalie's social media feed. She scrolls past smiling picture after smiling picture. Zoey and Jasmine enter. Natalie peers at them through the crack as Zoey puts in eyedrops and Jasmine has her phone out. Natalie can't get a clear look at what's happening. Zoe, you're ridiculous.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

No, watch.

[Narrator]

It's gonna look authentic. Okay, on the count of three. Ready? One, two, three.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Okay, duck it. Perfect.

[Narrator]

Looks kinda artsy. Do you think Timothy will see it?

[Scene Description]

Ava's phone buzzes. Natalie looks at it. It's Zoe's Instagram page with a photo she just took. Her face with one tear running down her cheek. Captioned, devastated about my bestie Natalie Primavera. Get better soon.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

You've gotta be kidding.

[Narrator]

You're made to be the sugar plum fairy. Why didn't you just audition for it and deal with Natalie Prima Donna?

[Scene Description]

Not worth it. Both girls laugh as they exit. Natalie's jaw drops. Interior School Hallway Day. Natalie marches down the hallway, fuming. Trevor jogs, carrying his viola case and catches up with her.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Aves avers Ava.

[Scene Description]

Natalie walks faster, dodging students.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Slow down there, Speed racer.

[Scene Description]

Trevor jogs in front of Natalie, walks backwards.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

So I was wondering if. You need to stop following me. Did I do something wrong?

[Scene Description]

Natalie pushes past Trevor and he keeps following her.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Wait, can't you talk to me? Just cool it, okay? Cool it? What does that mean? Like, let's just pause this whole thing until after Nutcracker. That's three months, Ava. It'll be okay, really. Just focus on your tiny violin there, okay?

[Scene Description]

Trevor runs into a water fountain and falls. Kenzie, at her locker, turns and sees this. Natalie keeps walking.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

It's Viola.

[Scene Description]

Interior School hallway. Rehearsal Studio day. Natalie starts to push the studio door open but hears muffled sounds behind it. She peers through the window and sees Jasmine, Mr. Constantine, Ms. Miyako and Ms. Lana all having a meeting. Jasmine, if you wanted to play the Sugar Plum Fairy, you should have auditioned for it.

[Narrator]

And compete against my best friend? You guys know I couldn't do that. Look, Ava's a hobbyist. I'm hoping to go pro, so just start me off as an understudy. I mean, you can't risk the entire show by not having an understudy to the spf, right?

[Scene Description]

Natalie pulls away from the door, breathing heavily. Interior Locker room Day. Natalie gets dressed in her new dance attire, eyeing Jasmine and Zoey, who are lost in conversation as they stretch. Kenzie and Theo enter and approach. Natalie, senior dancer 17, gasps upon seeing Theo.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Ew. Theo, get out of here.

[Narrator]

You're Natalie.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

What?

[Narrator]

This is an intervention. I thought you'd be more like beautiful White Swan Natalie Portman, but you're unraveling into psychopathy. Red Eyes, Black Swan Natalie Portman.

[Scene Description]

Natalie is focused on laughter. It's Zoe and Jasmine. Kenzie and Theo exchange glances. Kenzie waves her hand as though to say chime in.

[Grayson (classmate and friend)]

Look, you skipped classes yesterday and now you're blowing off Trevor. We know you're going through a hard time and we want to help, okay?

[Scene Description]

Natalie eyes Kenzie and Thea standing in front of her. They're schlubby and mismatched. Natalie laughs.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Why don't you guys just work on helping yourselves, okay? And what's Her Face is right. You're not allowed to be here.

[Scene Description]

Natalie pushes past Kenzie and Theo.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

What's her face? You were at my birthday party last week, bitch.

[Scene Description]

Interior, Rehearsal Studio. Day dancers line the wall, seated with their various cliques. Jasmine with the cool kids on one side and Kenzie and the misfits on the other. Natalie weighs the two sides before plopping down in the center of the studio. Mr. Constantine, Ms. Miyako and Ms. Lana stand in front.

[Mr. Constantine (ballet director)]

I have a couple of last minute announcements. Ms. Jasmine Kern will be filling in as an understudy for the Sugar Plum Fairy.

[Scene Description]

A few murmurs, some polite claps and.

[Mr. Constantine (ballet director)]

The role will be subject to recasting at the discretion of myself and Ms. Miyako and me.

[Scene Description]

I have a say to you. Natalie shoots her hand up.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Ms. Ross, does this only apply to me?

[Scene Description]

All soloists have an understudy.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

No. Am I the only one with a role subject to recasting at your discretion? Is there a deadline? Or am I just supposed to be on pins and needles until the show closes?

[Scene Description]

Mr. Constantine and the other teachers look at each other.

[Mr. Constantine (ballet director)]

End of October. Halloween. And yes, it applies to all roles.

[Scene Description]

Dancers burst out in angry protest.

[Narrator]

Natalie smirked.

[Scene Description]

Enough. Natalie smirks, satisfied and continues putting on her brand new pointe shoes.

[Mr. Constantine (ballet director)]

Enough.

[Scene Description]

Dancers, quiet down.

[Mr. Constantine (ballet director)]

This is one of the top performing art school in the country and you all shit yourselves over a little competition. How many of you plan on dancing for a company?

[Scene Description]

Quiet.

[Mr. Constantine (ballet director)]

The best dancer for the role will play the part. Let's stop half assing. What do you say?

[Scene Description]

Yeah, in ballet we only full ass. Mr. Constantine looks at Natalie.

[Mr. Constantine (ballet director)]

May the best rise to the top.

[Scene Description]

Natalie looks at Jasmine who is smiling back at her confidently as she stretches her leg up to her ear. Next to Jasmine, Natalie also notices Grayson looking at her and quickly averts his eyes. As dancers get up and gather their things. Natalie approaches Kenzie and Theo.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

So are you losers ready to rise to the top?

[Scene Description]

Interior empty classroom. Day. Natalie writes RIP on the whiteboard. Kenzie and Theo are seated and exchange looks.

[Grayson (classmate and friend)]

Are you gonna kill us?

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

First up, every morning starts with a run. I don't run daily runs is the fastest way to increase stamina. The more stamina you have, the more you can practice. And practice makes perfect.

[Scene Description]

Begin Montage various A. Natalie meets Kenzie and Theo in running attire. They begin their slow, pathetic jog around the school. Back to interior empty classroom. Day.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Incorporate ballet into everything. Let's face it, Jasmine, Zoey and Brock put in the time.

[Narrator]

We have other things going on besides ballet.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

It's Christmas.

[Grayson (classmate and friend)]

It's September.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

September to December is Nutcracker season. The other things will be waiting for you in January.

[Scene Description]

B In chemistry class, Natalie is doing leg lifts while checking her own Instagram page. Comment?

[Narrator]

We miss you, Natalie.

[Scene Description]

Comment.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Get better soon.

[Scene Description]

Mr. Hall is handing out test papers and puts Natalie's face down. She flips it over and sees a large red F. Grayson looks over, concerned. Natalie shrugs. See Kenzie and Theo at rehearsal in their spot in the back turns. Not as tight as the principals and leaps not as high. Dee Sugar Plum Fairy Rehearsal Pas de do. Natalie and Grayson are dancing up front while Jasmine and Brock mirror them in the back. Natalie is growing stronger. Her Grand Jeter's in near splits, but Jasmine's extends in an oversplit and seems to linger in midair forever. Both pairs hit their ending pose. Natalie falls to the floor, exhausted, looking over to Jasmine, who is all smiles. Eve Ava's kitchen in pointe shoes. Natalie unloads the dishwasher, going on pointe to put away dishes. Bean quietly sifts through Ava's backpack, finding a receipt. Back to interior, empty classroom.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Day number three. Post all the time. You both have less than 200 followers.

[Narrator]

Isn't this supposed to be about dancing?

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

This is about being desirable.

[Scene Description]

Natalie pulls up Zoe's Instagram page and swipes through photos of Zoey. Amazing poses and perfect lighting.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

If it's between you and Zoey, who do you think it's harder to say no to?

[Scene Description]

F Outside, Natalie, Kenzie and Theo are running steadily g Paulwalk Natalie at Ava's locker, decorated with photos of Ava and Trevor. She closes it. Natalie opens Ava's locker. It's transformed with a collage of ballerina photos and quotes. Trevor sees this from his locker across the hall and sadly pulls down a photo of him and Ava looking happy. H Shots of the understudies in rehearsal in their spot in the back. Extensions at their shoulders, but principals have their extensions by their ears. I shot after shot of Ava, Kenzie and Theo's Instagram pages. Hearts growing by the hundreds. Back to interior, empty classroom day. Kenzie stands up.

[Narrator]

Now your turn. Have you ever been winter soldiered?

[Grayson (classmate and friend)]

Yeah, and I don't know about all this. Look, we're not them.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Don't you guys want your chance at the spotlight? This is it, okay? Senior year, I want my swan song. And we have one last nutcracker. Jasmine Kern is not playing my role. RIP bitches.

[Scene Description]

Jay, Theo, Kenzie and Natalie are all doing their morning jog, this time mixing in leaps and turns while they jog. Interior ICU room 2:02 night. Natalie walks in holding two coffees in a cardboard coffee lover's tray in one hand and Ava's phone in the other hand. Now full of pictures at rehearsal, doing dance poses and selfies with Kenzie and Theo. All smiles. Followers are now at 7860. Comment?

[Narrator]

You're beautiful, Ava. Ava is a ballerinaboss.

[Scene Description]

Mr. Primavera straightens up with company. Natalie looks up and her smile drops upon seeing her body in casts and hooked up with tubes for the first time. Interior, rehearsal studio Day. Sugar Plum Fairy. Pas de deux. The pianist is now accompanied with a violinist. Natalie and Jasmine look nearly identical. Mrs. Primavera enters and she double takes. Seeing Natalie dance. She leans into the wall, taking a deep breath. Moved. After the final drop. Natalie sits on the floor, out of breath. Mr. Constantine shakes his head. Notes, Mr. Constantine snaps. The musicians play the pas de deux.

[Mr. Constantine (ballet director)]

Tell me about this music.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

It's in 4.

[Scene Description]

4.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

And the melody goes down a major scale. And then There's.

[Mr. Constantine (ballet director)]

Stop talking.

[Scene Description]

Mr. Constantine takes Natalie's hand and they step through the routine.

[Mr. Constantine (ballet director)]

This is the last piece Tchaikovsky wrote for this ballet after learning of his sister's death.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

So this song is about his sister?

[Scene Description]

Wow. You really don't get it, Ms. Kern.

[Mr. Constantine (ballet director)]

Let the teacher stick to teaching, eh? Can't you hear it?

[Scene Description]

Hear what?

[Mr. Constantine (ballet director)]

The heartbreak of saying Goodbye.

[Scene Description]

Natalie studies Mr. Constantine. He gives her a knowing nod. The music swells and Natalie is swept up in the sad song.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

I'm not ready.

[Mr. Constantine (ballet director)]

We don't say goodbye because we're ready.

[Scene Description]

Both Ms. Lana and Ms. Miyako have tears in their eyes. Stop.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

I can't listen to this anymore. My divorce.

[Scene Description]

Ms. Miyako puts her hand on Ms. Lana's shoulder. The musicians stop. Okay, dancers, I think that's all for today. Great rehearsal. Remember, tomorrow you can wear your Halloween.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Costumes, but you still need to be able to dance.

[Scene Description]

Natalie quickly grabs her bag, eyeing Mr. Constantine, who is talking to other teachers. Kenzie and Zoe and Brock and Theo.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Can you stick around?

[Scene Description]

Natalie's eyebrows shoot up. Kenzie, Zoe, Brock and Theo move toward the three teachers.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Ava.

[Scene Description]

Mrs. Primavera timidly approaches Natalie.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Can I show you something?

[Scene Description]

Interior, small studio. Day. Natalie is dancing the pas de deux with Mrs. Primavera, half stepping through the role of Prince Cavalier. There's no music, just the sound of Natalie working, breathing, and pointe shoes thumping and grinding. Mrs. Primavera corrects Natalie with gentle touches, pulling up her chin and arms. Natalie finishes with a smile. That's it. Beautiful.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Thanks. I needed this.

[Scene Description]

Your mom doesn't dance, huh?

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Who? Ms. Ross? No. I think she wants me to quit.

[Scene Description]

Well, I'm happy to help. Anytime.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

You and Natalie have the same bad habits.

[Scene Description]

Sometimes it's easier for someone on the.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Outside to see what's going wrong.

[Scene Description]

Mrs. Primavera takes a sip of water. Natalie watches her mother, eyes darting to find something to say, but instead mouths, you are my heart. Jasmine pops her head into the studio.

[Narrator]

Oh, sorry. Are we still on?

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Oh, I think we're done here.

[Scene Description]

Jasmine needs my help with her Royal Ballet audition. Natalie flashes Jasmine a stunned look. Jasmine winks. Interior, school hallway. Day. Natalie enters the hallway from the studio and watches her mother and Jasmine through the window, eyes starting to. Well.

[Narrator]

Boo.

[Scene Description]

Natalie jumps back in surprise and sees Trevor.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

What are you doing here? Rehearsing orchestra for the show. I'll be in the pit. I'll be dancing. We'll be together again. I gotta go. Here. I wanted you to know I'm here for you. Always. And I'm wearing my half of our costume tomorrow. Your half?

[Narrator]

Actually.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Don't tell me.

[Scene Description]

She takes the flowers and heads down the hall. Trevor's chin trembles a bit. Zoe bursts out of the studio sobbing with Brock comforting her. Kenzie exits with Theo a moment later, watching Zoe and Brock. Kenzie and Theo exchange guilty glances. Interior, ICU room 202. Night. Natalie enters with Trevor's flowers. Mr. Primavera is drinking coffee and has a second untouched cup. Nurse Sandy is switching out IV fluid bags. She takes the flowers from Natalie and puts them in a vase.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Any news?

[Mr. Hall (chemistry teacher)]

She's stirring a lot. Doc thinks it can happen anytime now. You see your other friends around? Jasmine and Zoe and Brock?

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Yeah, every day in rehearsal. Mrs. Primavera, too.

[Scene Description]

Natalie sits down next to Mr. Primavera. He hands her the second cup of coffee. Ava's phone buzzes. It says Mom. Natalie swipes to ignore. Mr. Primavera looks at her, concerned.

[Mr. Hall (chemistry teacher)]

So tell me about yourself. What do you plan on doing after school?

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

I plan to dance professionally. But that's not possible anymore.

[Mr. Hall (chemistry teacher)]

Well, Natalie would tell you that nothing is impossible. She has a goal and she's after it like a. Like a runaway train.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Runaway train makes it sound bad.

[Scene Description]

Mr. Primavera swallows, looking at his daughter's body. Natalie grabs her father's hand. Interior, Ava's kitchen. Day Bean sits at the table dressed as Marie Antoinette with a bloody neck. Natalie enters dressed as the sugar plum fairy. Ms. Ross holds up a large gray sphere costume.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Here it is. I wanted to show you last night, but. Is that a nuke costume? Oh, it's Venus.

[Scene Description]

Oh.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Men are from Mars. Women are from Venus. That is a cute couple costume.

[Narrator]

Interesting.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

I spent all night on this costume. Aw, that's so sweet. But we're not a couple anymore. You're not? What happened? I gotta run. I need to get to the studio before anyone else. It's two hours before school starts. Can we talk?

[VRBO Announcer]

Hi.

[Scene Description]

Hello. Natalie walks off. Ms. Ross with a flustered sigh, starts angrily opening mail and gasps as she pulls out a credit card bill of $2,670.

[VRBO Announcer]

Did you know you can opt out of winter with VRBO? Save up to $1,500 for booking a month long stay when thousands of sunny homes are waiting for you, why subject.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Yourself to the cold?

[VRBO Announcer]

Put the snow shovel down, put the parka back in the closet and don't you dare scrape another windshield. Slip into some flip flops, consider a sunless tan and use the monthly stays filter to save up to $1,500. Book your warm getaway at vrbo.comava's bedroom.

[Scene Description]

Day Ms. Ross walks into the bedroom, Bean following close behind her. She looks underneath Ava's bed, her dresser drawers.

[Narrator]

What are you looking for, Mom?

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Something isn't right with her. There's drugs or she's cutting herself or something.

[Narrator]

You're looking for drugs or razor blades.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

I'm looking for proof I'm not crazy.

[Scene Description]

Bean walks over and pulls out a folder underneath her bed. She hands it to her mom. Ms. Ross jaw drops. Seeing a chemistry test with an F on it. She flips through the folder. Paper after paper with D, C F Do better. Not your best written in red ink.

[Narrator]

There's no drugs, mom, other than the caffeine. But I have eight theories. Do you want to hear them? Mom? You listening? Hello?

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

I need you to be quiet.

[Scene Description]

Ms. Ross Gaze is stuck on the large black and white poster over Ava's bed of Patricia McBride as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Ms. Ross peels off the corner of the poster, revealing the Harvard flag underneath. Interior ICU room 202 day POV of eyes opening we see Mr. Primavera, Nurse Sandy and Dr. Patel all standing above.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Good morning. I'm Dr. Patel. Can you tell me why you're here? I'm in a hospital. You're at St. John's Hospital. Can you tell me your name?

[Scene Description]

Ava Ross. I'll exchange a concerned glance.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

What's your birthday? May 14th.

[Scene Description]

They look at Mr. Primavera. He shakes his head no.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Who are you? Where's my mom?

[Scene Description]

Mr. Primavera's heart breaks.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Some confusion is to be expected with this kind of trauma. Sandy, would you.

[Scene Description]

The lights flicker.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

What was that?

[Scene Description]

I'll look up at the ceiling. Ava's eyes squint, trying to make out her reflection in the TV hanging in the corner of the room. She sees the fuzzy but recognizable image of Natalie's body. Avis screams and begins to scramble to get out of the bed. Dr. Patel and Nurse Sandy jump into action.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Two milligrams of Orazepam.

[Scene Description]

Nurse Sandy applies some medication to the IV drip while Dr. Patel secures her arms in restraints.

[VRBO Announcer]

Mom?

[Scene Description]

Ava. POV concerned faces blur to black. INTERIOR REHEARSAL STUDIO DAY Natalie dressed As the Sugar Plum Fairy walks into the dark studio and plugs Ava's phone into the speakers, the pas de deux music starts and Natalie puts on her pointe shoes and starts to warm up.

[Grayson (classmate and friend)]

You know, it takes two to pas de deux.

[Scene Description]

Grayson is standing at the door dressed as a werewolf.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

What did you say?

[Grayson (classmate and friend)]

I mean, it's kind of hard to dance, you know, without, like, a partner. Can I?

[Scene Description]

Natalie nods. The two join together and begin to dance.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

I'm just making up for lost time.

[Grayson (classmate and friend)]

I can see that. Hey, do you know how Natalie is doing?

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

How would I know that?

[Grayson (classmate and friend)]

Well, I mean, her dad said you've been stopping by. I swung by the hospital.

[Scene Description]

Why?

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

He only met her once.

[Grayson (classmate and friend)]

I don't know. I mean, thinking about her. I was there when she fell. I feel like. I don't know, I should have said something to stop her.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

You can't stop a runaway train.

[Scene Description]

They dance. Awkward silence.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Inspiration is a guest that does not willingly visit. The lazy Tchaikovsky said that.

[Grayson (classmate and friend)]

Is there a chip in your brain?

[Narrator]

What?

[Grayson (classmate and friend)]

Sorry. Stupid joke. I mean, are you always, you know, like, this intense?

[Scene Description]

Yeah.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Is that a bad thing?

[Grayson (classmate and friend)]

Not at all. You know exactly what you want. I mean, you're dressed as a ballerina for Halloween. That's like, next level.

[Scene Description]

Natalie blushes.

[Grayson (classmate and friend)]

Okay, look, so I got this offer from the Houston Ballet.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Wait, what? That's amazing.

[Grayson (classmate and friend)]

Yeah, well, that's the thing. I love dancing, but I don't know if I'm loved enough to commit my whole life to it.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

You know, all I've ever wanted to do is dance.

[Scene Description]

Grayson smiles. They dance quietly for a moment.

[Grayson (classmate and friend)]

Hey, so do you want to, like, grab some food or coffee or watch a movie or. Honestly, whatever.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Or whatever.

[Grayson (classmate and friend)]

Whatever will get you to hang out with me.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Are we not hanging out?

[Grayson (classmate and friend)]

I meant more like socially.

[Narrator]

Oh.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Oh. I. I don't.

[Scene Description]

I don't date.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

I just. I don't have time. You know? I barely have the time to do anything. I haven't been to the movies since I was, like, nine.

[Grayson (classmate and friend)]

Since you were nine? You gotta go.

[Mr. Constantine (ballet director)]

It's amazing.

[Grayson (classmate and friend)]

Popcorn Stadium seating 3D 45D 60.

[Scene Description]

Natalie laughs. Does she like him? Grayson takes her hand to keep moving through the choreography. They look at one another and stop. Are they about to kiss? Grayson leans in, noses nearly touching. Win.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Eva, who. Who is this guy?

[Scene Description]

They turn to see Trevor. He's dressed in a nude bodysuit with a short blonde wig and bright red lipstick.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

This guy.

[Grayson (classmate and friend)]

Who are you supposed to be?

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Miley Cyrus. And you were supposed to be my wrecking ball. Oh, the planet Costume.

[Narrator]

That's cute.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Dated, but cute. Well, I can see this isn't a pause button anymore. It's a stop button.

[Scene Description]

Treffer leaves. Natalie's sheepish smile drops. Trevor pops back in.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Everything hurts. My pinky hurts. I don't get it.

[Scene Description]

Trevor exits. The moment is gone. Interior, School Hallway. Day. The hallway is crowded with characters of ghouls, cartoons and tropes. Natalie is at her locker and sees a haunting Grim Reaper in her mirror.

[Narrator]

I'm not the understudy. I'm Clara.

[Scene Description]

Natalie shuts her locker, revealing Kenzie dressed as Red Riding Hood and Theo as a wizard. What?

[Grayson (classmate and friend)]

And guess what? I'm the Russian soloist.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

That means I'm safe, right? Jasmine didn't take my role. RIP, bitches. Selfie time.

[Scene Description]

Natalie lifts Ava's phone just as a call comes in. Mr. Primavera pops on screen.

[Narrator]

Why is Natalie's dad calling you?

[Scene Description]

Down the hallway, we hear a viola playing Wrecking Ball. It's Trevor playing the song with his lip quivering, and he begins singing terribly.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

We clawed, we chained, our hearts in vain. We jumped, never asking why. Oh, my gosh.

[Scene Description]

Students giggle as Trevor. No. Students giggle at Trevor, who keeps singing. Ava's phone buzzes again. Natalie answers.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Hello.

[Scene Description]

Suddenly, a string quartet pulls their instruments from their lockers and starts accompanying Trevor.

[Narrator]

Hello?

[Mr. Hall (chemistry teacher)]

Natalie woke up.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Natalie woke up. Is that what you said?

[Scene Description]

Natalie looks up and sees her mother, Mrs. Primavera, walking the far end of the hall with her arm full of tutus. Mrs. Primavera is greeted by Jasmine with a hug.

[Mr. Hall (chemistry teacher)]

Natalie's asking for you.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Why isn't mom there?

[Mr. Hall (chemistry teacher)]

What was that?

[Scene Description]

The choir Glee club steps out from behind Trevor and starts singing the chorus of the song.

[Narrator]

Hello?

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

You're my wrecking ball. Ava, I have to go.

[Narrator]

Where are you going, Ava?

[Scene Description]

The lights flicker. The row of lockers thump as though something were trying to escape. Natalie breathes in sharply as the girl Grim Reaper appears at the end of the hall behind Trevor.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Did you see that?

[Narrator]

I don't think I'll ever unsee that.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Is he naked?

[Narrator]

Where's his penis?

[Scene Description]

The locker right next to Natalie pounds from the inside. With every pound, the reaper flickers closer and closer until Natalie screams and covers her eyes. As her scream echoes down the hallway, everyone goes quiet and all eyes turn to her. Principal Waters clears his throat. Natalie uncovers her eyes and sees the principal dressed as the Grim Reaper.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Oh.

[Scene Description]

Interior, Principal Waters. Office day. Principal Waters sits behind his desk with Mr. Constantine, Ms. Miyako and Ms. Lana standing beside him across the desk. Natalie is seated with Ms. Ross.

[Mr. Hall (chemistry teacher)]

I'm sure you know why you're here.

[Scene Description]

Ava's phone buzzes with Mr. Primavera calling. Natalie hits ignore, shoving the phone under her thigh.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

I'm not sure, actually.

[Mr. Hall (chemistry teacher)]

Her grades are dangerously low and Mr. Hall has had a few comments about your. Well, your attitude lately.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Who?

[Mr. Hall (chemistry teacher)]

Mr. Hall. Chemistry.

[Scene Description]

Oh.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Well, he's a very brittle man.

[Scene Description]

Ms. Lana nods.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Ava, not an insult. It's an observation.

[Mr. Hall (chemistry teacher)]

And your mother is concerned with your behavior at home.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

You went to the principal to talk about my behavior at home?

[Scene Description]

Ms. Ross pulls out the credit card bill.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Now that I finally have your attention, you've spent over $2,000 on dance apparel. Pointe shoes are expensive. Do you want me to dance with dead shoes?

[Scene Description]

It is dangerous to dance on dead shoes.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Mrs. Ross. Ms. Ross and since when did you start Ubering everywhere? You know we can't afford that.

[Mr. Hall (chemistry teacher)]

You haven't been participating in your work study, which is a required part of your tuition assistance.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

I've been working my as but off.

[Scene Description]

Ava, we love your newfound dedication. It's remarkable how much you've transformed yourself in such a short time. We know you're working very hard on your dancing. Silence. But.

[Mr. Hall (chemistry teacher)]

But we've collectively decided that Jasmine Kern will be be taking over the Sugar Roll.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Wha.

[VRBO Announcer]

No.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

No. I've worked too hard to be just the understudy.

[Mr. Constantine (ballet director)]

Actually, you won't be participating in this year's Nutcracker at all.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

But this is my last Nutcracker. This was just supposed to be for fun, Ava. Extracurricular. For college applications? No, no. This is the most important thing to me.

[Mr. Hall (chemistry teacher)]

It's just a roll in a high school production. Ava, this isn't your whole life.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Is this some kind of lesson you're all trying to teach me? Yes, absolutely. I'm the Sugar Plum Fairy. I can do the role, get my grades up and my work study. Please, let me prove it to you.

[Scene Description]

Interior Rehearsal Studio Day. Everyone is wearing Halloween costumes. Natalie is in the back of the studio dancing with Brock and glaring at Jasmine, who is dancing the pas de deux with Grayson up front. Jasmine wipes a tear, missing a cue. Natalie rolls her eyes but continues dancing.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

I'm sorry. It got the better of me.

[Scene Description]

The music stops.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

We're still going here.

[Mr. Constantine (ballet director)]

You four danced together.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Wasn't our fault.

[Scene Description]

She messed up.

[Mr. Hall (chemistry teacher)]

We had to stop every time you fell on your ass.

[Scene Description]

Dancers chuckled.

[Mr. Constantine (ballet director)]

Enough. Ms. Ross, a word?

[Narrator]

Oh, don't worry. We'll wait for you.

[Scene Description]

Interior. Mr. Constantine's office. Day. Mr. Constantine closes the door.

[Mr. Constantine (ballet director)]

You're being a sore loser.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

You made Me? The understudy?

[Mr. Constantine (ballet director)]

Principal Waters made you the understudy. If it was up to me, you'd be off this production.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

So you gave Jasmine the role to make me switch back.

[Mr. Constantine (ballet director)]

You promised to switch back when Ava woke up.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Just one more show.

[Scene Description]

Please.

[Mr. Constantine (ballet director)]

Someday we all have to find our second dream. I had to have. You learned nothing from being Ava. Instead, you failed her classes, broke up with her boyfriend.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

He's a loser.

[Mr. Constantine (ballet director)]

He dresses as a naked woman and gets his whole class to play a song for her. Who does that for you, huh?

[Scene Description]

Natalie is quiet. Stung, Mr. Constantine pulls out the snow globe from his desk, still illuminating a magnificent green, and hands it to Natalie. She takes the globe with shaky hands.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

I did learn from being Ava. My friends are fake. My mother doesn't want anything to do with me if I can't dance. And the only thing I've been working towards my whole life is no longer possible. Why would I switch back?

[Scene Description]

Natalie smashes the globe into the ground. The room engulfs in green light and black smoke until they form into two smoky dancers. Papers fly everywhere like snow, snowflakes swirling. Natalie and Mr. Constantine are frozen in fear.

[Mr. Constantine (ballet director)]

What have you done?

[Scene Description]

You've let them loose. The smokey dancers shoot out of the office window into the world. Papers fall to the floor as the room settles. Natalie breathes uneasy, body paralyzed. Mr. Constantine scrambles to collect pieces of the globe.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

I'm so sorry, Mr. Constantine. Get out.

[Scene Description]

Interior, Ava's kitchen. Night. Ms. Ross and Bean's faces are illuminated by a green glow. Ms. Ross face is awestruck.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

This is magical. Uh oh.

[Narrator]

I've unleashed a monster.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

It's like a whole new world. I had no idea existed.

[Narrator]

It's just Instagram, Mom.

[Scene Description]

They're seated at the breakfast bar, looking at an iPad.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

And where's Adrian?

[Scene Description]

Bean goes to Ava's page. Ms. Ross brow furrows as she looks at picture after picture of Ava's dance poses.

[Narrator]

What's wrong?

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

I don't recognize my own daughter.

[Narrator]

Theory 12. Have you noticed her dipping into a British accent? You delivered twins, didn't you? Are you listening to me, Mom?

[Scene Description]

Interior, locker room. Night. Natalie, handshaking, empties out her locker. Ava's phone buzzes. Mr. Primavera. Natalie swipes to ignore. Natalie shuts her now empty locker, clothes, turns and shrieks. Kenzie is standing right there, arms crossed.

[Narrator]

You're quitting? Did the Karate Kid quit when he broke his leg? Did Matt Damon quit when he was stuck on Mars?

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Why do you care? You got your role. You're welcome by the way for what? For what? For dragging you out for 5am runs, working with you, building your brand. I got you that role.

[Narrator]

I didn't care that I was the understudy. This was about us making the best of our last nutcracker before you're off to Boston. We're never going to have time like this again.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

You got up at 5am to spend time with me?

[Scene Description]

Natalie softens. Then Ava's phone buzzes. Natalie jumps.

[Narrator]

What's going on? I'm your best friend. Talk to me, Natalie.

[Scene Description]

Eggs. Leaving her duffel bag behind, Kenzie sighs, defeated, picking up Natalie's bag and notices the Royal Ballet keychain looped around the zipper. Exterior Mr. Hall's backyard. Night. Mr. Hall puts an open container of cat food on a small tombstone that reads Catastrophe. The best cat ever. Several cats roam his yard.

[Mr. Hall (chemistry teacher)]

Things haven't been the same without you. Catastrophe. But we have a new friend now.

[Mr. Constantine (ballet director)]

Rex.

[Mr. Hall (chemistry teacher)]

You'd like him. I wish you could meet him.

[Scene Description]

Mr. Hall exits. A moment later, the Smokey dancer enters the grave and exits the ground. Pulses. Interior. Hospital room 304. Night. Natalie enters cautiously. Her body lies asleep. Natalie walks toward her body and Ava's eyes open as Natalie shrieks.

[Mr. Hall (chemistry teacher)]

Shh.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Oh my gosh. What the hell? I've been pretending to be asleep so they won't talk to me.

[Scene Description]

Ava examines Natalie, her body standing in front of her, mascara streaked as though she's been crying.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Is it. Are you Natalie Primavera? I look different. You're welcome.

[Scene Description]

Natalie and Ava stare at each other in silence.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Where's dad? Cafeteria. I told him I wanted to be alone. He told me what happened. The fall, the Instagram picture. And you told him you were Natalie? I had to. Look, I know how to fix this. A Snow globe from Mr. Constantine's office. Yeah. That globe is destroyed. What? How?

[Scene Description]

Natalie is silent.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

What does this mean? Are we stuck? I don't know.

[Scene Description]

Ava looks at her, stunned, and then bursts into tears.

[Narrator]

Hey, hey, hey.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

It's not so bad. My dad makes a lot of money. And you can study hard and go to Harvard like you wanted. And I'll stay and dance. Maybe it was supposed to happen this way. What about Trevor and my family? Well, you can date Trevor. It's gonna be a big upgrade for him to date you as me and mom and Bean. They're doing great. You call my mom Mom? It's become a habit. I miss her so much.

[Scene Description]

Natalie swallows, doesn't know what to say. She leans in to give Ava a hug. Ava takes the cue and quickly scoops both of her arms tightly around Natalie, crying into her shoulder.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

You seriously have the best dad. He always brings me coffee. I hate coffee.

[Scene Description]

Natalie pulls out of the hug, regretful, confused and sad.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Ava, did you wish to be me? It was stupid. Over the summer my dad went on a work trip and never came back and I was just tired of being me and being sad all the time. I thought for a second I might be the Sugar Plum fairy and something would go right for once and I would be like you, always posting these beautiful pictures. And I know Instagram isn't real. I spend six hours in the studio six days a week, 45 minutes doing my hair and makeup and I can't remember a time I had big toenails. That still sounds glamorous. I've got one thing you've got so much going for you. You're a total brain and naughty to boot. And your mom really gives a shit about you. And you have friends. Real friends. I bet they'd be in this hospital room every day if it were you. I miss them, Natalie. Yeah.

[Scene Description]

Natalie turns to see Kenzie and Bean standing at the door. Kenzie's mouth agape and Bean with a large smile.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

I mean, she's right here. Bean. Kenzie.

[Scene Description]

Bean rushes over and hugs Ava in bed. Ava groans in pain.

[Narrator]

Oh, I knew it.

[Scene Description]

Kenzie walks over to Ava like she's seen a ghost.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

How did you know?

[Narrator]

You've been off since the fall. The ballet and social media obsession. The Royal Ballet. Zipper always fighting with Mom.

[Scene Description]

What?

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

I'm gonna figure this out, okay?

[Narrator]

Damn straight we are.

[Mr. Hall (chemistry teacher)]

What's going on?

[Scene Description]

Mr. Primavera enters with two cups of coffee.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Oh nothing. High school shit.

[Scene Description]

Ava nods. Natalie reaches for the coffee and Mr. Primavera pulls back.

[Mr. Hall (chemistry teacher)]

This is for Natalie. Sorry, I wasn't expecting you. I wasn't sure you got my messages.

[Scene Description]

Mr. Primavera and the girls stand quietly for a moment.

[Mr. Hall (chemistry teacher)]

Do you guys mind coming back? There's a two visitors policy and I like some time with my Nat.

[Narrator]

We'll be back tomorrow.

[Scene Description]

Bean gives Ava one more hug before walking out with Kenzie. Natalie walks out the door, pausing to watch as dad hands Ava a coffee. Ava takes a sip and forces a smile. Ava's BEDROOM NIGHT Kenzie and Bean sit on Ava's bed as Natalie stands next to a whiteboard that reads Far so.

[Narrator]

By learning to be Ava, you'll become Natalie again. It's an every body swap movie. It's science.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

That's definitely not science.

[Narrator]

You're right. It's magic. You're already Sounding more like Ava.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Okay, so first up is family. I definitely need mom off my back.

[Narrator]

No, Ava is mom's rock. Mom works two jobs and cries in the car when she thinks I can't see her.

[Scene Description]

Wow.

[Narrator]

And she still texts dad that she misses him, even though he left us for a 24 year old. She told us he moved to South Korea for work.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

How do you know that?

[Narrator]

I read her text messages.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Where's my phone?

[Scene Description]

Interior, Ava's kitchen. Day. Ava's kitchen. Natalie sets the table for three. Ms. Ross walks in on the phone, and Natalie hands her a cup of coffee.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

I'm just wondering if the late fees can be waived just this once. I understand. Typically that card is only used for emergencies.

[Scene Description]

Interior, Ava's bedroom. Night.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Next up, academics. Right now, Ava's failing chemistry.

[Narrator]

So you mean you're failing chemistry. You need to end the semester with an A or else. Ava is definitely not getting into Harvard.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

How hard can chemistry be?

[Scene Description]

Interior, Rehearsal studio. Day. Natalie is sweeping the studio floor, walking on pointe with earbuds in. She listens to Mr. Hall's lecture.

[Mr. Hall (chemistry teacher)]

A happy atom is an atomic shell that is full. Sometimes atoms have an extra electron or.

[Scene Description]

Two and the lights flicker and a ghostly dancer swooshes by in the mirror. Natalie pauses, pulls the earbuds out. Mr. Constantine rushes out of his office with an arm full of books. A note taped to the door that reads the end is near. Save yourself. Natalie gulps. Interior, chemistry Class. Day.

[Mr. Hall (chemistry teacher)]

Who can tell me why water molecules are attracted to each other?

[Scene Description]

Natalie raises her leg to her ear as raising her hand.

[Mr. Hall (chemistry teacher)]

That's different, Ava.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Because water molecules have both a positive hydrogen charge and negative oxygen charge.

[VRBO Announcer]

Oh.

[Mr. Hall (chemistry teacher)]

Correct.

[Scene Description]

Grayson flashes Natalie a smile. Natalie beams back to. Interior, Ava's bedroom. Night. Kenzie walks up and adds T at the end of far.

[Narrator]

Before we talk about R, we need to talk about T for Trevor.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Ava can do better than him.

[Narrator]

Trevor's amazing. So whatever you're doing with Grayson needs to stop until after you switch back.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

One, nothing is going on with Grayson. And two, do you really want me to get back together with Trevor? They've had sex, you know. Am I supposed to just have sex with Trevor?

[Narrator]

Yeah, you really have to do it for Ava. No, Don't do that. Just steer clear of Grayson and be nice to Trevor.

[Scene Description]

Interior, school hallway. Day. Natalie is at Ava's locker. Trevor is at his locker across the hall. She looks over at him. He fumbles, trying to pull something out of his locker. Everything falls out. Natalie takes a deep breath and shuts Ava's locker. She helps Trevor pick up his things.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Look, I'm sorry I've been mean to you. I haven't been myself.

[Mr. Hall (chemistry teacher)]

You're in a school hallway.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Oh, okay.

[Mr. Hall (chemistry teacher)]

You're not in the front seat of a car. A little more, you know, normal.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Look, I'm sorry I've been mean to you. I haven't been myself. No, you asked for and I got you stupid flowers. The flowers were sweet. I get you're trying to get me back.

[Narrator]

What?

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

No. That was for your dad's walking out anniversary. I just. I just wanted to make sure one good thing happened to you that day. Huh?

[Scene Description]

Trevor stands up to walk away. Natalie stands and bumps into Grayson.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Sorry.

[Scene Description]

She stumbles and Grayson catches her dipped. Like in a dance. They're face to face. Natalie blushes.

[Grayson (classmate and friend)]

Watch your step.

[Scene Description]

Trevor sees their moment and exits, running down the hall in half sob. Natalie watches him with a sigh. Back to interior, Ava's bedroom. Night. Natalie circles.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Roll. The sugar plum fairy is my destiny. Wrong.

[Narrator]

It's Ava's destiny. She's the real understudy.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

But this is my role.

[Scene Description]

Kenzie flips over the whiteboard revealing a list of movies. Freaky Friday, the Hot Chick, the Change up, et cetera.

[Narrator]

In all of these, a cosmic lesson, magic and ta da. What's done is undone. Once you accept that the role isn't yours, the natural order will be restored.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Hold up. Are we in a movie? Stop being weird. Stop being weird.

[Narrator]

Wait.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Natural order? Where did you hear that?

[Narrator]

Mr. Constantine monologues about it all the time during rehearsal. Oh, and there's usually a wishing well or fortune cookies or some kind of wish fulfillment. MacGuffin.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Right about that.

[Scene Description]

Interior, Ava's living room. Night. Kenzie with a poster board under her arm. Speed walks to the front door. Natalie and Bean follow.

[Narrator]

I can't believe you broke it. This is going to be impossible. Hey, I'm fix it.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

Okay?

[Scene Description]

Kenzie exits with a slam of the door. Natalie looks at Bean.

[Natalie/Ava (main character, body swap)]

I'm going to fix it.

[Scene Description]

End of episode two.

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