Suspension 4 o'Clock Club

# Where do you go when you know Nobody can understand you?

# When it's just too much to handle

# What do you do when you end up Somewhere you never planned to?

# Wash that stress out Like it was shampoo

# You should stay It can change

# There's good days And bad days

# But one day down the line, It's time for show to stop

# So the only time is now, Four o'clock. #

-What is this?

-Info for Careers Day.

Oh, my days, this school is well failboat. Careers Day.

That's, like, worse than nettles.

Urgh. Just another way of pigeonholing kids into things

they don't care about. So wrong!

-Morning, Miss. Could I hand some of those out?

-Yeah. Sure.

Thanks, Miss.

This whole thing is so pointless. I got my music, innit?

I don't need a bunch of nobodies trying to sell me

-a no-hope job in Nowheresville.

-Oh, where's that?

My mum says she sees me as something big in the sciences or the arts.

-A big numpty!

-So is that why she sent you to ballet class?!

-That was contemporary dance!

-In a pink leotard?

-Light-red!

And it wasn't a leotard, it was a UNITARD. For men.

-OK. Of course.

-UNITARD!

-Chill out, Billy Elliot!

Heads up, losers!

THEY LAUGH You lot! DETENTION!

-25 seconds we've been here.

-Yes! New record!

Right, then. Careers Fair.

-HE CLICKS HIS FINGERS

-Meg. Update.

Well, we have a few different professionals coming in

with their own stalls with info and freebies.

-A few doesn't sound like many.

-I could make some calls.

Yes. Do that. And while you're at it... Sir John Wintersun.

Local businessman, opened up a chain of discount stores.

-Getting a lot of press. Now HE'D be a good visitor.

-Good idea!

That'll get the kids talking about starting their own businesses!

Or, more realistically, their chances of them getting a job

-behind one of his checkouts.

-I'm all over it! Leave it with me!

-Mmm.

-BELL RINGS

You.

All right, Mr Helpful!

The kids aren't the only ones thinking about their career!

I don't want to be an assistant for ever.

Try being on your hands and knees on a soggy floor picking up

flyers that say "Be All You Can Be." That's what you call irony.

OK, so remember, if you can dream it, you can do it.

Sure you're in detention now, but where might you be in ten years?

-Probably still here, judging by that speech.

-This is WELL pointless.

-Bit like you, really.

-It's NOT pointless.

Josh, you know how important a career is.

You know what you want to do, right?

"One - remix new songs. Two - get Record Deal.

-"Three - be epic."

-There you go.

Friday is a chance for all you guys to be inspired!

-Just like Josh, here.

-Inspired? By who? The local Baked Bean packers?

Yeah, sir, just cos this lot are in detention now,

doesn't mean they WANT to grow up to be losers.

Who you callin' loser, Batmobile? How are you supposed to

DREAM to be the president or whatnot when you ain't even

got us one to see how they do their hair and stuff?

-It's a JOKE.

-It's true, sir.

The closest thing we've got to a role model is you.

And that's quite tragic.

I think in many ways, teaching is a noble profession.

That ain't what my aunt said.

She said after three divorces, a nervous breakdown and ten years

unemployment, she hit rock bottom and teaching was the only option.

It's a very disappointing line up, sir. Look...

-BELL RINGS

-4:30!

Don't sweat it, yeah? Better teachers than you

have flopped trying to get this lot on side.

-Hey, I haven't flopped yet!

-Night, sir.

-HE RAPS

-# No, I haven't flopped yet

# But some'd say I'm putting off the obvious, I bet

# For all these kids who think I'm a flop, or ever thought that

# All this Careers Day does is support that

# As an idea - it makes me slacker

# Is the best I can do a Baked Bean Packer?

# I should be viewing this as a test

# A way to impress, inspire the kids and try to be the best

# But I guess the word "test" is the issue

# It always seems to end with my eyes buried in tissues

# Like my driving test, I flopped, you could say

# That river kinda got in the way

# Or on that farm school trip as a kid

# Put it this way - don't ever try to milk a pig

# But I'm a grown man now - it's gotta stop

# It's time to show everybody I'm not a flop - what? #

-You're a flopper, Harris!

-Such a flopper, Harris!

-What a flopper, Harris!

-Stop flopping, Harris!

So you got embarrassed?

-How you gonna manage?

-You're a proper cabbage!

Stop flopping, Harris!

# I've always got good ideas, and the best intentions

# Try to give the kids some cheer when they get detentions

# Try to get Bell to notice when I'm grafting

# Then I undermine it all with a daft thing

# I wish I had a nice surprise up my sleeve

# Instead of an embarrassment - it's like a disease!

# That I hope Friday won't bring

# So I won't have to hear the same old thing... #

You're a flopper, Harris!

-Such a flopper, Harris!

-Why you flopping, Harris?

-Stop flopping, Harris!

-Dog plopper, Harris!

-Gobstopper, Harris!

-Look, I've got a rabbit! Stop flopping, Harris!

I. Cannot. Flop.

I need a visitor that'll wow Bell and the whole of Year Nine!

Maybe you need someone from a profession that everyone's

interested in. You know, like...

-showbiz or something.

-Showbiz?

-Yeah. Say you...

-managed to get someone from... a major record label?

-Right...

Then you've got the glamour guy, as well as the posties and plumbers.

-That might help.

-Genius!

Now when you say major record label, what sort of... Josh! Josh!

Wait up!

Don't forget, I'm on nights this week,

so minimal noise before and after school, OK?

-Why is this manky thing so slow?!

-Are you listening, Josh?

I need my sleep! Especially if I'm going to be up all day Friday.

Yes, but if someone from Superfine Records, ANYONE really,

could just come for 20 minutes even, that would... Please?

Pretty please? No, don't hang up! Don't...

Well, thank you! You will?!

That's great. Yeah, well, that'll be...SUPERFINE! Haha.

Friday it is. Say hi to Raydog for me!

You got someone from Raydog's label coming to Careers Day? No way.

Way!

So, I've just got to put an effect on the vocals,

then save the songs back onto this. Boom.

-And on to the Superfine exec.

-Josh, Josh.

-We could get caught. We shouldn't be in here! It's break time.

-Ach! Ach!

-Awoooo!

-Owl! Run!

-No! Just practising! THAT'S the signal, OK?

If you hear that, there's someone coming.

-Hurry up! Click click!

-Ryan, no!

I can't work with you flapping around! Go outside with Ash. Go on!

-Miss Andress!

-Ryan, come back, you big hairy chicken!

-What are you doing in here unsupervised?

-Er, just...

-running an errand for Miss Poppy.

-Really?

-Shall we just double check with her then?

-Ah...

-Didn't think so.

Mr Bell's office. Now!

I've just got to turn the computer off.

Yes!

Nice hankie.

HE SIGHS

Perhaps your apparently relaxed demeanour is a side effect of you

feeling "at home" in this office, being here as often as you are.

I guess you guys are just good company.

Allow me to remove you from your comfort zone.

This is your tenth detention-worthy offence this term.

You'll know what that means from the policy changes

-highlighted in this month's newsletter.

-Oh, yeah!

Never miss an issue.

The accumulation of ten minor offences over

a period of either a half or full term is to be

sanctioned in a fundamentally more substantial manner.

-Who put a where in a what now?

-You're suspended, Josh.

-Really?!

Really. You're suspended from Elmsbury, effective immediately.

-I'll contact your mother now to confirm.

-No! I mean,

-you can't, she's sleeping.

-Sleeping?

-Yes. She's been on nights all week.

Are you really going to disturb a hard-grafting nurse who's out

there in the night saving lives?

Fine. A letter then.

It'll be with your mother at the latest, on Thursday morning.

-Your suspension will take place on Friday.

-OK, sir.

-Understand this.

Sneaking around and hoodwinking authority will result in nothing

but punishment.

Yes, sir. If I'm honest, I feel like my "sneaking around and hoodwinking"

days are behind me.

So I hide the letter from my mum,

hoodwink the school into thinking that she's got it, then it's to

the cinema for a matinee, leisure centre for a swim - or both!

He's right - a suspension's just a 24-hour holiday.

-I'm so jealous.

-Wait. You're suspended on Friday?

-Mm-hm.

-But that's Careers Day!

-Well, boo-hoo, Billy, who cares?

-Not me.

But it means Josh won't get to meet the guy from Raydog's record label.

Cuss!

Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!

-You're leaving early.

-Staff meeting.

Why are you up so early? What was that letter?

You might as well know the facts before you hear the one-sided

staff room version. Look, I'm suspended tomorrow.

-Suspended?!

-All right! Keep your voice down!

-I'd like to break it to Mum my way, OK?

-What a waste.

Yeah, don't rub it in.

I mean - only chance I'll get to meet an exec from Superfine and...

Uh, yeah... Look, Josh... Actually, you won't miss much there.

-About that. It isn't happening.

-Aw man, course it isn't.

Get a Superfine guy to Elmsbury? As if YOU'D be able to sort that.

-Now, just a...

-What was I even thinking?

You're just a huge flopper!

-What's the matter - no more spotted dick?

-Huh?

No, it's... I wanted to get this visitor from this record label.

They said no.

-So try another label.

-No! It has to be these Superfine guys.

All their acts are huge with the kids.

They've got this guy Raydog. "Yeah!

"I got solid gold stairs, solid gold chairs, two big

-"statues of solid gold bears."

-Dexter! Save it for "The Voice".

Mel, if I can get a guy from this label, do you know what that means?

-No more rapping at me during my lunch break?

-It means respect.

Respect from the kids, from Bell.

I doubt there's ever been a Teacher of the Year without...

Teacher of the Year!

Glad I could help.

Leo James, Superfine A&R Department...

arriving tomorrow at 9.30 tomorrow.

Thanks for sorting this, Nathan, you're a life saver.

HE WHISTLES

Mr Harris. You seem in high spirits. Rein it in.

Just satisfied at a job well done, sir! Got my special guest sorted.

Ah! THE Sir John Wintersun!

I can't wait to meet him face to formidable face. Well done, Harris.

Wintersun! Unngh!!

Good night.

Good night, Mr Wintersun, Sir.

I think you might just catch him before he leaves.

I'll try to put you though.

PHONE RINGS

-Just one moment, please...

-No, wait!

-There's no time!

-Sorry?

I'm Dexter Harris, calling from Elmsbury Academy.

Now, I know this is ridiculously short notice, but would

you like to be the guest of honour

at our Careers Day tomorrow afternoon?

I'm not the guy you want. I mean, you want someone else.

No, really - we don't want anyone else from that office. No-one else.

-We want YOU. You're exactly what our school aspires to.

-Really?

We won't need you for more than 20 minutes. I'll send a car for you

at your office, all you need to do is turn up and just... be you!

-Go on then.

-Yes!

-I'll make my own way there.

Thanks so much for this! You won't regret it. Thank you. Bye!

-You know, it really is a shame.

-What?

This free day off school I'm having?

That you're going to miss Leo from Superfine.

-He will be popping in to Careers Day after all.

-Yeah. Right.

You called it, Josh. I couldn't sort it. But I knew a man who could.

Being suspended not so clever after all.

HE RAPS # I gotta smarten up I could lose everything

# If I'm not sharp enough

# As if it ain't hard enough

# This task is tough, gotta smarten up

# I gotta smarten up

# I could lose everything, if I'm not sharp enough

# As if it ain't hard enough

# This task is tough, gotta smarten up

# Why can't life always be this simple?

# All I gotta do is get my three hit singles

# To a guy I've never met

# In a place I've got to get into, but I'm suspended so I'm not so set

# Foot in my school and I still got to fool my mum

# Into thinking that everything's all cool

# It's nothing - little bit of three way bluffing

# But can't afford to drop a single ball that I'm juggling

# Almost as if I have to hold all my breath, cos if I drop one?

# Snowball effect

# Get caught by Mum, then caught by Bell

# Then I miss the Record Executive as well

# And that's one thing I can't miss, now see

# That's why I gotta keep all my wits about me

# Gonna have to be a class above

# The very best, yes, time to smarten up

# I gotta smarten up, I could lose everything

# If I'm not sharp enough

# As if it ain't hard enough

# This task is tough, gotta smarten up

# I gotta smarten up

# I could lose everything if I'm not sharp enough

# As if it ain't hard enough

# This task is tough, gotta smarten up

# I just gotta get there, mate, cos if I don't

# It could all go pear shaped

# I can't act as if today doesn't matter

# In ten years I could be a washed up rapper

# No offence - just doesn't make sense

# To miss an opportunity that's soon to be immense

# But it starts with appearance

# I can't look rough

# Part one of the plan - smarten up! #

CLATTERING

-What's the ruckus?

-Mum! Ah - just... desperate to get to school on time!

Yeah. That's all. Love you.

So, I shove this up Ding-Dong's exhaust.

He starts his car. It inflates massive.

Then, he thinks he's being chased by

a big, yellow hand. Wham, bam, detention.

-Or wham, bam, prison.

-Pssst!

Are all my friends completely nuts?

Listen, that Superfine guy is back on.

Today could be my only chance to meet him.

I've gotta give him these tracks

and sell myself like the Junior Apprentice. I need your help.

Harbouring a fugitive? I'll get suspended too! My mum'll disown me.

I'll have to school myself on the move, living in the wild,

surviving on leaves and berries!

We're in.

-Quick!

-Er, chop chop, boys, classes, please!

Yes, miss, sorry, I was just...

Maybe best to let the lads know...

No usage for 20 to 25 minutes.

All right, just keep it moving.

-There ya go, see - "Weasels."

-Where do they come up with this stuff?

Get rid of it.

"John, isn't it?

"Hi, I'm Dex." No, too casual...

-"Good afternoon, Sir Wintersun..."

-Mr Harris!

-Any sign of Wintersun?

-I was just on my way to reception to check.

Make sure there's no problems.

Without him we've got nothing! Nothing...

..except these unique professionals.

Which reminds me, this one is your friend from the music business.

Oh, wow. Pleasure. Thank you so much for coming down!

It's a pleasure to meet you, the kids are all really looking

forward to meeting you.

'Scuse me, mate.

Let me give you hand with that.

I'm looking for the Careers Fair? I'm the cleaner.

I'm manning one of the stalls at the Careers Fair.

-End of the hall as you go in.

-Cheers, mate.

Good afternoon, I'm Mr Harris.

Can I just say what an incredible honour it is to have a great

leader like you at our school.

O-o-o...kay.

-Mum!

-Hey, Josh!

-Wh-What are you doing here?

I'm doing the Nursing stall - I told you.

I don't remember you telling me this.

No, cos you were too busy thumping my laptop.

Stress Ball? D'ya want one?

Here's your stall...

-As you can see, I...

-Ah, I see what's happened here.

Mr Harris, I think you've made a mistake...

Follow me, you lot! Keep up!

-How come you're being so helpful?

-Um...

Turned over a new leaf.

Snake!

Aaaaaaaaaaaagh!

Sorry! Stubbed my toe.

Road Safety Advisor. What the cheesecake is that?

Wait - you're a Lollipop Lady? How does that even work, you Lolli-MAN?

You're stealing jobs off ladies! AND lollipops!

That's well sexist and lollipopist!

OK, what do you know about business?

If whoever did it hasn't flushed, it's up to me.

OK, here's what we do.

Anyone asks you anything, you just tell them,

"In the current economic climate, it's difficult to say".

You'll sound like you know exactly what you're talking about. OK?

Sir Wintersun! What an honour! How are you?

-In the current economic climate, it's difficult to say.

-True.

Very true. Mr Harris - a word.

Sir?

-I say we get him up in front of the Year group to make a speech.

-Speech?

No, no need, I'm sure the kids will flock to his stall.

The man's being ignored. He NEEDS to speak! Make it so.

-Can I help you, Josh?

-Ah... Buddy duty! Just...

came to help out my Year 7 buddy. How's it all going, Jamelia?

I think you being here is a very positive influence on him,

-considering.

-Considering...?

-Well, his behaviour. He's not here, is he?

I know what you mean. Sometimes I don't know where his head's at.

-I think today will be a steep learning curve for him.

-Yeah, yeah.

I think it will be. He's been looking forward to it all week.

Errr... Do, you guys want to know what an amazing science teacher

Mr Adamson is? It was a cold September morning,

I was a fresh-faced Year 7, full of hopes and dreams...

And fears. So!

To conclude - always be punctual, behave

and...teacher's always right!

Thank you, Mr Adamson. THEY LAUGH

-Josh!?

-Ah.

-You can't be in school! You're suspended!

C'mon Dexter, you know this is massive for me!

You know I need to meet that label guy face to face!

Sorry, Josh, I can't go around hiding stuff from Bell!

Yeah, like the fact that Mr Wintersun OBE is actually

-Mr Bogroll, No-BE!

-How did you...?

-I just want to say hi to the guy, give him my songs, that's all.

-No.

I'm not getting into any more trouble.

-Bell's on his way down - he wants the cleaner to make a speech!

-Look.

You let me see Mr Superfine and I'll make the cleaner's stall

so popular there's no need for a speech.

-OK, deal.

-I'll sort it. Tell the label to meet me in my office.

-Office?

-The broom cupboard. With the mops? Down the hall.

-Hey, Ash, how would you like a date with destiny?

-Oh!

-What's she look like?

-I'm talking about suspension.

Guaranteed this time.

Free ice cream at Table Five! Get it while it's hot!

-Hello?

-Hi. My name's Josh Carter.

-Thanks for meeting with me.

-Nice office.

-Yeah.

Thing is, I'm an artist. Like no-one you've ever seen before.

I'm a ready-made star.

On this little device are three of the biggest songs you've ever heard!

Plus, I've got a website up and running - videos,

galleries already up and steamrollered with traffic!

-You get in now, you reap the benefit in six months, trust me.

-Get in now?

-Where do I sign?

-Look, erm...

-Josh.

-Josh.

You've got a lot of guts - I like that.

But music, it's just a job like any other, you gotta be patient

and you've got to work hard.

You know Raydog was making videos for six years before we signed him?

-Whoa.

-Yeah. Keep it up though, Josh. You've got a bright future.

-Look, er... I gotta get back.

-Thanks.

Erm...

Can I take that? I'd love to listen.

Sure!

Oi, thingy! Where's the flippin' ice cream?

-In the current economic climate, it's difficult to say.

-You what?

-OK, look, everyone calm down.

-I was made a promise and it wasn't kept.

That gives me the right to kick him in the shins.

-Don't know about that.

-Maybe I'll start on you.

You're right - he deserves it.

They love him!

Clear that rabble and get him up here!

Sir, I'm sure he's told them everything that he knows...

Let's give someone else a shot?

What about the guy from the record label? He's contemporary.

High profile. Finger on the pulse and all that.

-Josh!

-Ssh!

Keep it down! It's... embarrassing.

The guy from the label is doing a speech.

-Yeah, I kinda heard it already.

-Come on!

-It's a better view from here!

What? Through the window?

Yeah, yeah, s'like watching it on the telly... It's wicked.

..persistence, self-belief, and yeah, maybe a little luck.

But always stay humble.

I came here to inspire you guys today,

but in a funny way I ended up being inspired by all of you.

I mean, one lad actually tried to set up a business meeting

with me, gave it his all! Now I don't want to embarrass him

but how about a hand for Josh Carter!

APPLAUSE

-I thought he was suspended.

-Carter?

Mr Bell is hard, but not unreasonable.

I'm sure once he understands our motives, he'll ease up.

Well, I have to say, Josh, I'm surprised you trying to break

INTO school, but hey, however hard the Head goes,

I can promise you, that I'll double it when we get home!

He said I'd never amount to anything.

That I was destined for a life of nothingness. Future sofa dweller.

Suspended me for a week! Come here, you!

-BELL:

-Next!

-He means you.

Oh, no, I think he means you.

NE-E-EXT!!

-# Can't live with 'em

-And you can't kick 'em out

# When they're up they rub it in your face

-# Kick you when you're down

-When no-one understands them

-# You know what they're on about

-Who's going to be around?

# Got to find the common ground

# If you know so much about me

# Where do I go from here?

-# If you see 'em every day

-You can never get away

# Only time that you're the boss, 4 o'clock. #

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd