Smoke and Mirrors Dead Gorgeous

# Some things have changed

# Some things have stayed the same

# Life and death are not so far apart

# Oh! Walking through the walls

# And I wouldn't have it any other way

# Life and death are not so far apart

# From where we are

# Some things have changed

# Some things have stayed the same

# Life and death are not so far apart. #

Hey, Rebecca, what's up?

I got another F.

-Harsh. What did you fail this time?

-Geography.

I do not understand. My governess praised my use of the globes.

Maybe, but things have changed.

You can't just colour Australia pink and label it part of the Empire.

Same for India, New Zealand, Canada.

Have you learnt any geography since you've been here?

I have been so busy as of late.

-Doing what?

-Rebecca, meeting in five, remember?

-Oh, yes, Christine.

-What's going on?

Rebecca's helping with our entry for the science and innovation show.

-Fashion of the future.

-Since when was fashion scientific?

Wait till you see what we wear. Innovation's my middle name.

Meet us on the front pathway. We're going to use it as a catwalk.

Move.

Why ever would they require cats?

They don't, believe me. And you don't need them.

-Why would you help them?

-Rebecca, good news.

I've found us another volunteer. This is Ernesto.

Ah, so you're working on the fashion show!

-I'm doing the lighting.

-Wow, that's illuminating!

-Your hands, put your hands down.

-Sorry, sorry.

You're doing it completely wrong.

Am I the only one that's taking this seriously because...

David, Rebecca, you're late.

Chill, Christine. We brought some extra help.

-This is Ernesto and he's new.

-Hi, nice to meet you.

Likewise. I'm Christine, the designer.

These are my assistants, Piper, Danni. You've met Rebecca.

Oh, I did, yeah. Surely you must be one of the models.

No! No, no, no, no, no, no!

We are the models. Rebecca's just here to help with the sewing.

-Oh, am I?

-Oh, don't be modest, Rebecca.

You're the best at needlework in, like, the whole school.

-Yes, but I...

-So here's some stuff to be getting on with.

-Take these.

-Enjoy.

Now, boys, let's discuss how we're going to light me.

I was thinking soft lighting, not that I need it of course,

but Piper and Danny might.

-Oh!

-Oh!

Ah, looks like they've lumbered you with all the donkey work.

Rebecca, why don't you just tell them where to stick it?

They are relying upon my skills as a needlewoman, I cannot let them down.

No, you can't let David down.

Ah, Rebecca, a word in my office, if you don't mind.

-Flour.

-Tomato sauce.

-Ginger.

-Sugar.

-Yeast.

-What else?

-Silver tray and some toilet roll.

-Got it.

-Eggs. Oh, and three glasses.

-Oh, good.

-Lots of newspapers for the volcano.

-Oh, and a cutting board.

-Oh, yeah.

Done. This is going to be the most awesome!

Rebecca, are you familiar with the term "feedback sandwich"?

No, headmaster.

Praise, criticism, praise.

For example, your sandwich will taste something like this.

Your manners are delightful, but you're failing every subject.

Oh, I see.

This is our waiting list.

237 bright, keen students desperate for a place in the school.

I don't think you realise how lucky you are to be here.

But I do, headmaster, indeed I do.

I believe you, but you've got to throw me a bone here.

Figure of speech.

-Oh.

-Listen, I've got to see some commitment from you

otherwise I don't see how I can justify keeping you on.

What must I do, headmaster? I will do anything.

All right, bottom line, I'm getting reports that you are bright,

but lazy.

You've got to turn this around.

Rebecca, I need you to pass geography.

But you cannot fail.

The Ghost Council made it crystal clear, no second chances.

And if one goes we all go.

Go where? Back?

You cannot go back to being a ghost and nor can we.

This is our home, Rebecca!

It's too dreadful to even contemplate.

Rebecca, you must apply yourself to your studies.

Well, I have it! You can join us in our entries for the science show.

-We are using eggs to test gravity and we're making a volcano.

-No!

That will not do. The headmaster has demanded that I pass geography.

Well, then we are saved!

Your use of the globes was exemplary.

All has changed, Sophie. Did you know that the empire has fallen?

-Of course.

-You mean you did not know that?

Rebecca, if we pledge ourselves to help you

will you at least try to study?

I will. I will pass geography even if it kills me...

..again!

Remind me please, Rebecca, what is your geography assignment about?

The environment.

I am designing an ecologically friendly home for the future.

And you are structuring your research by keeping up with celebrity gossip?

What an odd way of fighting for academic survival.

Give me back my magazine.

I will do nothing of the sort until you begin your research.

As you wish.

I am doing this for your own good! Some day you will thank me.

-Wow, Sophie sounds like my mother.

-I know.

Sophie, don't you think you're being a little hard on Rebecca?

Let's see, shall we?

No! Oh, no! No!

Oh, this cannot be!

What is the matter, Sophie?

It is worse than we thought.

She is failing everything.

Hi, David.

I may have failed tests, but does that make me a person to be avoided?

You should be more careful with people about.

What are you talking about?

I walked through that doorway like normal people do.

All right, Jonathan,

let's talk music.

I'm thinking techno rap, ultramodern so we can strut our stuff,

like this.

-Christine!

-SHE SCREAMS

Don't sneak up on people like that, it's really creepy.

-Where did Rebecca come from?

-So, how are you getting on with the sewing?

The sewing, I...

I will complete it presently.

Good one, Rebecca. If we pull this off it'll be down to you.

Right, everyone, where were we?

What have you been doing all these months?

All the while you have been slavishly trying to curry the favour

of Christine and David you have been failing all of your subjects.

They are my friends and I promised to help them.

Are they your friends

or are they just exploiting your skill with a needle?

If I let them down I will truly be an outcast.

They are already ignoring me.

Then they are not your true friends.

This is no time to fall apart, Rebecca. You must be strong.

We will do everything in our power to help you.

I do not know where to begin.

Search under "homes of the future".

I did not say "fashion of the future".

You have not changed in 150 years.

You have the mind of a butterfly.

How am I to concentrate on houses

when I should be sewing futuristic fashions?

I must explain why I cannot help them.

I will be back in five minutes.

No, get distracted again!

Leave me to do your work.

Does it help you, giving yourself a good talking to like that?

What?

I made a start on our innovation show project. Do you like it?

What is it?

It's a shoulder bag, it's a sleeping bag, it's a multipurpose solution

to every traveller's needs.

I won't lie to you,

right now it's a bit of a mess,

but when you sew it in canvas it will be waterproof,

rollable and, though I say it myself, pretty amazing.

-When can you start?

-I don't know.

-I see.

Charlie, wait,

you don't understand! Rebecca needs me.

David, David, the lighting needs to fall perfectly on us

so will need to be evenly strung. No ugly shadows. Cool.

-Whoa!

-Oh!

Sorry, I didn't see you there. I didn't hurt you that much, did I?

I am in enormous trouble. Not only am I on the verge of expulsion,

but everyone is suddenly treating me like I'm invisible.

Oh, it's OK.

Jonathan! Oh!

Yes, I know, emergency sisters' meeting in the attic.

Find Sophie and Hazel, tell them.

Tell them! Oh.

Quickly, Jonathan, quickly!

Are you still there?

What is happening to me?

You're disappearing. Now I can see straight through you.

What is worse, I have this sudden urge to wear an old nightdresses

and go "oooh" in darkened corridors.

This is no time for jokes.

I am not joking!

Come.

Together to Agatha.

-Oh, yeah, this is so not good.

-Well, what is happening to me?

Well, it looks like the Ghost Council is taking away

-your living ghost status.

-Can they do that?

Not unless you've done something to tick them off. Have you?

I know that look. You flunked out of school, didn't you?

No. Not yet.

Oh, girls!

What have I told you since day one?

ALL: Follow the Ghost Council's rules.

But I have not broken them...much.

Girls, it's like this, the future is not ours to know, but

once a chain of events has begun you can figure out what comes next.

What do you mean?

Link one, you decide that you'd rather be popular than smart.

Well, naturally, wouldn't everyone?

Link two, you waste time sucking up to the popular kids.

Link three, you neglect your studies and, finally,

you get chucked out of school and your re-ghosting is complete.

I am so sorry.

Well, how... How long do I have?

It is a process.

Firstly people stop seeing and hearing you, and then...

You go first, your sisters will follow.

Please, not my sisters! There must be something I can do.

-Fight, lassie!

-Break the chain and change your fate.

What have you got to lose?

Nothing.

-Christine, hi! Danny! David!

I want... I want...

You know the sort of things, OK?

So I want them over the roof and I want holes in them for the smoke.

I am here! Everyone, here!

You're late. We started ages ago.

Sadly, Christine,

I fear I am not feeling all that well and, therefore,

I cannot do the fashion project after all.

You are joking.

-That's the most unoriginal excuse I've ever heard.

-Me, too.

Just because she didn't get to be a model. Pathetic.

I'm sorry.

Don't worry, girls, we can do it without her.

Rebecca, watch this.

-I do not have time for that, as you well know.

-Just watch.

Oh, go both of you!

If you want to practise for this contemptible show, do it elsewhere.

Mr Griffiths told me to concentrate on my geography assignment,

-that is what I'm going to do.

-Sorry.

Right, let's see if this works.

Have you seen Rebecca? Did she resign from the fashion project?

She's in the dorm and judging by her atrocious mood

I would say yes, she did.

Ow!

Here, let me help you.

You need a darning needle for something that thick. I have one.

How come you've suddenly decided to help me?

I always intended to,

-but I have been worried sick about Rebecca.

-Why?

She is failing in every way.

If she leaves, we must all go.

So, you've been helping her, right?

Yes, but I have to keep chastising her or she does nothing.

Excuse me if I'm being a bit thick,

but how does telling her off help exactly?

Well, I...

It was...

Do you have a better idea?

Kindness, understanding.

She'll be freaking out about failing. Maybe she's just scared.

I must help both of you, even if I have to work around the clock.

Who needs sleep? Not I.

Hey, if she fails it's not the end of the world.

We'll always be friends, no matter where you go.

You're the best friend in the world, Charlie.

EXPLOSION

THEY SCREAM WITH DELIGHT

Rebecca, you're here, right?

Jonathan! Jonathan, I have to do my assignment.

I'm just not very sure where to start.

Well, it looks like these Fs have a lot to answer for.

I know you can't change the past, but you can change the future.

Shall we cross them all out?

-There, how does that feel?

-Better.

Except I still have no ecological inspiration

for my geography project.

Right, OK, well maybe your eco home

could have an electric car and a green carpet of fake grass.

Well, fake grass saves water, so, you know...

I tried telling Sophie that, but she would not listen.

I am listening now.

I am sorry.

I meant to help, but instead I hindered.

The fault was mine.

How does one show unconditional support in the 21st century?

Are you sure you do not need our help, Rebecca?

-I

-am going to do this, even if it takes me all night.

Really?

Hazel, for shame!

Rebecca has found her own inspiration, we must trust her

-and concentrate on our own projects for tomorrow.

-Very well.

Look, I am not disappearing!

I feel as though I am returning to my old self.

BOTH: Keep working!

And next up in our science and innovation show,

Hazel and Mattie.

Behold the awesome power of gravity!

-One.

-Two.

-Three!

Ta-dah!

Thank you, Hazel and Mattie,

and now Sophie and Charlie unveil an invention simply called "Charlie".

May we present our all-weather sleeping bag?

Made of blankets and canvas, designed to assist hikers or campers

who are travelling light.

And people sleeping rough.

Love it!

It is lightweight and waterproof

and it doubles as a shoulder bag.

Yeah! Oh, love it! That's good as!

Thank you, Sophie and Charlie, for that innovative invention.

And now Christine Richardson presents fashions of the future.

Mm...OK.

-Sorry.

-What are you doing?

-I'm sorry.

Move out of my way. Get out of my way!

Ow!

-Oh, sorry. Sorry.

-Ow!

What do I do?

Oops!

LAUGHTER

Cut the lights! I said cut the lights, you idiots!

Cut the lights means turns the lights off. It's not that hard.

-We...

-It's technical language, I know...

-We couldn't hear you.

-It wasn't my fault...

-No, it was your fault.

Well done, Christine.

May I apologise again and I do hope that you will allow me

to assist you next time, if my study programme permits.

You mean if you're still here.

-We heard you might not be around much longer.

-Well, who told you that?

-A little birdie.

-Whose name starts with an F.

I'd hate it if you had to leave.

Who would we laugh at? I mean, with.

Funny! Not!

I believe congratulations are in order, Rebecca.

On what account, sir?

The B you scored for your eco-friendly Ainsbury concept,

most impressive.

I particularly liked your explanations

based on current eco trends set by celebrities!

-Terrific!

-I do beg your pardon, sir, but did you say I scored a B?

A high B, almost an A.

Oh!

Well done. Keep up the good work and your place here is assured.

Thank you, sir.

A "B"! I got a B!

Oh, the Ghost Council send you their hearty congratulations, Rebecca.

They, too, applaud you for breaking the chain.

-You mean they did not reverse the re-ghosting?

-No, that was you.

Then I am saved because I passed my geography assignment!

More than that, you used your own passion to solve your problems.

The council loved that.

They thought it was very "alive".

-I knew you could do it.

-So did I.

Oh, well, I could not have done it without you.

That being the case,

might I venture to suggest that we celebrate with a group hug?

THEY CHEER

# Some things have changed

# Some things have stayed the same

# Life and death are not so far apart. #

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