Dita Gets The Blues
Commentator: The two teams are coming on to the court.
Redouane: Great, it's going to start.
Kamina: Come on, Team 18.
Redouane: More people should be arriving soon. Look at all those reserved seats.
Brian, from the other side of the stands, is also looking in that direction.
Commentator: On the court, Hugues Warusfel, Rusty Howell, Adrien Singh...
Dita: My, what happened to the age of chivalry?
He could at least have introduced the girls first!
Dorothy: Why don't we go and show him what we girls can really do? Right, Jennifer?
Jennifer: Just try and stop me!
Commentator: Lea Frye, Josefa Hadley and Gladys Nelson.
Justin: Here we are, it's your turn now.
Commentator: Nicolas Pocski...
Dita: The boys first.
Justin shrugs.
Commentator: Alexander Costaud, Justin Loiret, Jennifer Stiehlschmeyer and Dorothy Nandaya.
The referee whistles the start of the game.
Dita mutters to herself.
Commentator: Service Gladys Nelson and Alexandre Costaud receiving.
Dorothy: Alex, to your right!
Commentator: He makes an amazing pass to his left, but the Super Jumper manages to miss it.
First point is given away. Mr Savax is already asking for time out.
Mr Savax: Dorothy, that was a great initiative, deciding to feint like that.
Dorothy: Thank you, Sir.
Mr Savax: But you, Dita, you know that tactic off by heart.
Jennifer: Yeah, what happened to you?
Nicolas: Anyone can slip up.
Dita: It's not that.
Justin: The commentator forgot to introduce her and it's sticking in her throat.
Alex: You're not letting that bother you, surely?
Mr Savax: On you go, get into position. Dita, you keep to the rules.
Put your heart into it, all of you!
All: Yes, Sir!
Commentator: Team 18 is coming back on to the court. Let's hope their coach had a talk with...
what's her name? Oh yes, Dita Ratino.
Dita glares at him.
Nicolas: Drop it, Dita.
Commentator: Singh serving, easily caught by Loiret, a pass by Dorothy
to the Invisible Girl who spikes.
Kamina: Yeah!
Redouane: Great!
Dita: Hey! Look at all these people arriving.
Nicolas: Dita, we're in the middle of a game.
Dita grumbles.
Mr Sonlim: Our Super Jumper's looking grumpy.
Brian: Good!
The people settle into the reserved seats.
Commentator: Yet another point scored by Jennifer.
Redouane: But what are they doing?
Kamina: Oh look! They've made banners. "Jennifer GO" and "Dorothy 4 Ever".
Jennifer and Dorothy glance over at them.
Alex: You've got fans there, the pair of you.
Dorothy: I won't disappoint them. For once that we don't have all those girls
drooling over Nicolas.
Jennifer and Dorothy score several points.
Commentator with obvious enthusiasm: And it's another point for Dorothy!
Alex: Great shot!
Dita: Aren't you going to leave me a few?
Nicolas: Yes, of course they will.
Commentator: Reception by Alex who passes to Justin. A spike by Dita Fatino.
Dita turns to the commentator and yells: GATINO with a G for Grandiose.
Commentator: There wasn't anything particularly 'grandiose' about that spike.
Brian: Couldn't have put it better myself.
Jennifer and Dorothy continue to score.
In the stands, the public are wildly waving their banners.
Kamina: Look, they're bringing out new banners.
Redouane laughing: What a stock!
Banners with "Super Sonic Girl" and "Marry me Jennifer" appear.
Dita is well aware of the fact that not one single banner has her name on it.
Dita: I may have no fans but I'll show them who I am!
Josefa: Adrian and Rusty, you get ready to put the wall up.
We won't let the Invisible Girl score one single point more.
This has gone on long enough.
Commentator: Léa Frye serving. The ball is easily recovered by the Teleport.
He passes to Dorothy who throws to Jennifer.
Josefa: The boys now.
Adrian/Rusty: Gotcha.
Dita sees the tactics and lunges.
Commentator: But what's the Super Jumper doing? She runs in front of Jennifer
and spikes in her place, knocking her over.
Dita: Yes the ball's in!
Alex: Are you okay, Jennifer?
Jennifer getting up: Yes, yes I'm fine.
Commentator: Mr Savax requests time out.
Mr Savax: What was all that about?
Dita: But Sir...
Mr Savax: Jennifer and Dorothy are having a great game, so don't try and spoil it.
Dita: I only wanted to...
Mr Savax: They're only following my instructions.
Dita: But the wall...
Fan: JENNIFER, JENNIFER!
Fan: DOROTHY, DOROTHY!
And Dita's explanations are swallowed up in the shouts of the fans.
Mr Savax: Get back on to the court now.
Brian: Dita looks really upset.
Mr Sonlim: I do believe that Aristide has just made a mistake,
and that's a stroke of luck for us.
Dita can hear what the fans are saying about her.
Fan: No, but did you see what she did, stepping in front of the Invisible girl like that?
Fan: She could have got hurt when she fell.
Fan: What on earth was she thinking of?
Fan: She's jealous of the other two because their powers are greater than hers.
Fan: In any case, look at the banners-do you see any with her name on it?
Dita gives a sweeping glance around the gym looking for a banner
she knows she won't find and holds back the tears.
Fan: She's just so useless.
Mr Sonlim: She's about to break down.
Brian in a mean voice: Well let's give her a bit of help.
Mr Sonlim: Not right away, let's wait for the right moment to make it really hurt.
The game resumes. Although Dorothy and Jennifer are leading the dance
under the hurrahs of the crowd, they let the boys score a few points.
Dita stays in the background. Team 18 wins the game.
The fans rush forward to get their autographs.
Justin: Easy, easy does it!
Nicolas: One person at a time.
Alex: Usually Nicolas, it's us who have to calm your female fans down! Calm down!
Justin laughing: Try not to break them!
Kamina: You two girls were just great.
Dita to herself: Out of the mouths of babes …the truth…She didn't say you three girls.
Redouane: You were good, too, Dita.
But she can't hear a thing over the noise of all the fans congratulating Jennifer and Dorothy.
The next day at the cafeteria everyone is talking about the game
and reading the school gazette. All Team 18 is sitting at the same table as Redouane.
Nicolas: The Dorothy/Jennifer tandem was spitting sparks!
Alex: A winning combination, indeed.
Justin: A daunting duo!
Dorothy laughing: More! More!
Jennifer laughing: One of the best articles in the gazette.
Dita: Do they mention me at all?
Just then, a noisy crowd arrives to pay tribute to the champions.
Sabine, one of the gazette reporters, appears. She draws Dita to one side.
Redouane follows them.
Redouane: What was that you were saying, Dita?
Dita: Oh, nothing really.
Sabine: I'm sorry, Dita, but my article was too long and my editor
cut out the part where you blocked Adrien and Rusty's wall and scored that great point.
Redouane: Yes, it really was a great shot.
Dita: Never mind, it doesn't matter.
Fan: Long live the two girl stars of Team 18!
Redouane: WE saw why you cut in front of Jennifer.
Dita: The main thing is we won.
Fan: So good, the Sonic Power/Invisibility combination!
Sabine: Still, all the gazette talks about is your two girl team-mates.
Dita: Believe me, that doesn't bother me. Don't worry about it.
They were terrific and your editor was quite right to do what he did.
Sabine: Well, if that's how you feel about it, I feel happier.
Jennifer and Dorothy get their picture taken. Brian and Mr Sonlim are looking on.
Redouane raising his voice meaningfully: That's right, maybe you shouldn't forget
that you're a team, after all.
Dita: Let them be, they're so pleased. Don't go and spoil their pleasure.
Sabine: Redouane, do you think you could proof-read my next article on the play?
Redouane hesitates and looks at Dita. The Sonic and Invisible girls are still
the centre of attention, in a shower of congratulations.
Dita: I'm a big girl. Go on, I can't wait to read your next article.
It's about a play, did you say?
Sabine: Yes, it is. And the wardrobe mistress is really nice.
She let me try on dresses and wigs of all colors. It was so much fun trying on
all these clothes and she even let me take some accessories for the carnival.
My locker is full to bursting.
Dita: See you later.
Redouane and Sabine: Ciao.
Dita: Ciao.
Dorothy rushes over to Dita : Isn't it great having all these fans?
Dorothy is again surrounded by the crowd.
Dita: Yeah, I guess so.
Jennifer: You'll be impressed next game.
Fan: Let's raise our glasses in a toast.
He serves and hands round glasses to Team 18 and the fans.
Alex: To victory!
Nicolas: Health!
Justin: Health!
Fan: To the Sonic girl!
Fan: To the Invisible girl!
Fan: To victory!
They all try to clink glasses.
Fan: Remember, no crossing over!
In the commotion, the heaving crowd pushes Dita out of the way.
A general 'Cheers!' resounds. Dita shyly raises her glass. Nobody clinks with her.
Brian: So, Dita, we're toasting your victory.
Dita: Obviously.
Brian: It's just as well that Jennifer and Dorothy were there,
because you were...Well, I know what I mean.
Dita: Shall I pour you a drink in the hope it chokes you?
Brian: Please excuse me. I think I'll go and congratulate the real stars of the team.
He leaves her and walks down the hall. He catches Sabine and Redouane
in the middle of a conversation.
Redouane: We shouldn't have left.
Sabine: You heard her, too. She said she was fine.
Redouane: You know, sometimes you can feel more lonely in the middle
of a crowd than in the middle of the desert.
Sabine: Even so, her team-mates would notice if something was the matter with her.
Redouane: The way things are going at the moment, I doubt that very much,
and she wouldn't get much support from the fans either. What would you do
if you were in her shoes?
Sabine: Nothing good.
Redouane: We just have to do something for her.
Sabine: I'll go and see the fans and give them my point of view.
Brian: This is going to be a big laugh.
Redouane: No point in going to see them right now. It wouldn't do any good.
Sabine: You're right! I'll do it tomorrow.
Redouane: Dita's a good person.
Sabine: That's why she's our friend.
Redouane: I'll take care of...Ouch.
He brings his hands up to his temples.
Sabine: Your migraines.
Redouane: It'll go away. I'll take care of the boys in the team. The captain first.
Nicolas was blind and I'm going to make sure he sees the light.
Sabine: Have you been to see a doctor?
Redouane: We'll think about that later. First we take care of Dita.
The next day.
Sabine: So your behavior has been having a bad effect on team spirit.
Fan: I had no idea.
Fan: Ok, but her power is still less spectacular than Invisibility or Sonic waves.
Sabine: Less spectacular? You're kidding. With the power she's got,
she can spike from impossible heights.
Fan: That's true.
Sabine: And with the strength she has in her leg muscles she can leap
and receive almost all the difficult balls.
Fan: If you take that angle.
Sabine: I think that giving her some encouragement on your banners would do her
the world of good, and it wouldn't stop you cheering on the Invisible and Sonic girls.
Fan: Basically, we're supporting the team as a whole.
Fan: You can count on us! She won't be forgotten next time.
Redouane, for his part, is at the cafeteria, talking to Nicolas.
Brian is at the next table.
Nicolas: I didn't know her problem was all this business with the fans.
Redouane: Now you understand why she's got the blues. Despite the fact that she's a good player,
they've all forgotten her.
Nicolas: And she's Dorothy's and Jennifer's best friend. When all three of them get together,
they're unstoppable. Thanks for telling me. Sometimes there are things just staring you
in the face and you don't see them.
Redouane: Glad to have been of help to the team.
Brian to himself: It's too late, Mr Team Captain.
The day of the game.
Team 18 is already on the court waiting for Dita. She walks past the stands.
Mr Sonlim: It's surprising that Aristide should have scolded you.
Any good coach would have seen that you had scored a decisive point.
Brian: Well, well, still no banners. If you like, I'll go and make one just for you.
Dita: Just enjoy the show. I'm going to give you a volleyball lesson.
Brian: I'd rather watch Dorothy and Jennifer. At least they're good-looking.
Mr Sonlim: Take that back this instant. Even if it's the truth and their power is a lot greater,
there are some things it's just not right to say.
Dita lets these hurtful words sink in, in silence.
Mr Sonlim: Dita, you're welcome to join our team if you wish.
Dita: In your dreams.
She walks on.
Brian: In any case, I don't want any fatso in the Tornadoes.
Dita turns round.
Brian: Oops! Did I say anything to hurt you?
Mr Sonlim: What kind of manners are those? To punish you for being so rude,
you'll run 50 times round the court.
Brian: But Sir...
Mr Sonlim: No buts. Don't you agree, Super Jumper?
Dita: Yes, Sir. See you. I've got a game on.
She leaves.
Mr Sonlim: Good Luck.
Dita shrugs.
Mr Sonlim: Brian, you were perfect. Poor thing. Now she's really confused.
Brian: And hold on, coach, it's not over yet. I can tell you for sure that
Team 18 is going to lose a player.
Meantime, on the court.
Jennifer: Well now, no banners?
Dorothy: They'll unfurl them the first time we score.
Nicolas: By the way, we haven't been very nice to Dita.
Alex: Sorry?
Nicolas: I'm the captain and I should have noticed that Dita was feeling down.
Dorothy: But what about?
Nicolas: About the fans and all the banners without her name on them. And we all ignored it.
She wasn't even mentioned in the gazette, and I think...
Dita is on the court. The referee whistles the start of the game.
Jennifer: We'll talk about this again later.
Commentator: Service by Hadley, recovered by the Invisible girl who passes to Dita who spikes,
but the ball is stopped by Adrien and Rusty's wall. Well, looks like the Super Jumper
is starting this game exactly the same way as the last one.
Justin: Hey, it's your favorite commentator again.
Nicolas digs him in the ribs.
Dita: Very funny.
Justin: Why? What did I say?
Dita turns to look at the coach. He doesn't look pleased.
Commentator: Mr Savax has asked for time out.
Mr Savax: Jennifer and Dorothy, I'm relying on you. Boys, every time you can
pass them a ball, do it.
The boys: OK, Sir.
And the duo moves in and scores.
Commentator: Yet another terrific point.
Brian: Super Jennifer.
Mr Sonlim: Super Dorothy.
Commentator: Dita Fatino serving. She's running, and oh, what a shame,
the ball ends up in the net.
The duo continues to score.
Dita: I'm here, pass me the ball!
Commentator: And Alex passes the ball to Dorothy who scores another point.
Dita: I could have scored. But then it's only the 8th ball in a row that you pass to her.
Commentator: Dita lunges and spikes, but I'm afraid that…
Dita: Oh no! It's out!
Commentator: Really, the girl hasn't got her mind on the game.
Alex: Coach said to pass to Jennifer or Dorothy.
Nicolas: Dita's part of the team too.
Justin: We lost easy points because of her.
Nicolas: And so what? Do you want her to leave the court?
Brian: Now!
All the fans unfurl the banners.
Jennifer: Look at that!
Nicolas: Whatever you do, don't read them.
Too late. Dita looks at the banners and reads what's written,
"Gatino No Good", "Dita Queen of Losers", "Gatino Go Home",
"Dita Learn How to Play", "Down With Dita".
Dita: I get the message.
Dita leaves the court. Brian and Mr Sonlim are beside themselves with glee.
Mr Savax asks for time out. Dita heads off in the opposite direction.
Sabine and Redouane race over to the fans.
Sabine: Are you out of your minds?
Fan: I'm so sorry, I didn't know what was written on them.
Fan: Neither did I.
Fan: Brian asked us to open our banners at his signal. And incidentally it was he and his team
that made them.
Redouane: What? What planet have you been living on? He's their worst enemy.
He would do anything to harm them.
Fan: I did think it was strange for them to pay us to do his banners.
Sabine: This guy is rotten to the core. He'd sell his mother if it would hurt someone.
But what's done is done. Now we have to find a way to speak to Dita, and fast.
Fan: I didn't think that...
Redouane: This isn't a play where all you have to do is put wigs and costumes on and act.
Sabine: Here, that's the idea! Just a minute, I'll be back.
Team 18 and the coach run after Dita. They're outside the gym. She keeps on walking.
Jennifer: We can't beat them without you. Come back on the court.
Dita: So, now you think I am somebody, do you?
Nicolas: That's what I wanted to talk to you about earlier.
Alex: I was following the coach's instructions when I didn't pass you the ball.
Dorothy: Our powers go well together, but if we don't have friendship, we're nothing at all.
Justin: And I added insult to injury when I commented on the commentator. I'm so very very sorry.
Dita: Brian and Sonlim were right. The two stars in the team are getting all the attention.
Mr Savax: I've obviously made a mistake in judgment.
Dita: They asked me to join their team.
Justin: What? Is your head stuffed with electric rollers, or something?
Dita: You'll still have your fans.
Dorothy: Don't be silly.
Nicolas: Dita, I...
Dita: Listen, Nick. The girls in the crowd who are crazy about you, that makes us all laugh.
But right now, for me, they're purely and simply rejecting me.
Mr Savax: Looks like a put-up job to me.
Redouane arrives at that point.
Redouane: I can confirm that. A put-up job with Brian's name on it. Everyone is so sorry.
The fans didn't know about the banners. I swear to you it's true.
Sabine wants you to come back onto the court. You're not going to let the Tornadoes win, surely?
Justin: I won't call you Frog ever again. Promise.
Redouane laughing: That's a promise you can't resist!
Commentator: Team 18 is back on the court with Dita Gatino.
Brian: Even if she is back, she won't be strong enough psychologically to stay the course.
Mr Sonlim: Savax has lost.
Sabine is waving her arms about.
Alex: But what is Sabine doing?
The fans are all putting wigs on, green wigs to match Dita's hair,
and are giving her the V for Victory sign.
Jennifer: Fantastic!
Dita has tears in her eyes.
Dorothy: Go for it, honey.
Brian: Oh no!
Mr Sonlim: That was definitely not part of the plan.
Commentator: There's no holding Dita back now and she is in phase with her whole team.
What a lesson! This Super Jumper is a great, unique volleyball player.
And here's the final point that brings victory to Team 18.
The fans are wild with joy. Dita and her coach walk over to Brian and Mr Sonlim.
Dita: Thanks for the offer to join your team, Mr Sonlim,
but I'm not going to come down to your level and play with amateurs like you
when I've got the best team in the world, and a fine, talented coach.
Mr Savax: You've lost again, Adam.
Dita: Well, Brian, now that you've got some time to spare, why don't you make me
some new banners, if you see what I mean?
Mr Sonlim: Come on, let's get out of here.
They stomp away in rage.
Dita: Thank you, Sabine. And thank you, Redouane.
Redouane: Wasn't that a brilliant idea to bring out the green wigs
as a sign of solidarity with the Super Jumper?
Dorothy: Too cool, really!
Redouane: I've made an appointment with the doctor.
Sabine: About time, too!
Everyone looks relieved.
Mr Savax: You know, Dita, a coach can make mistakes too. And Sonlim played on that to get to you.
But I make this solemn promise to you. I will take you, and all the team,
up to the highest rank in top-notch volleyball.
Dita: Thank you, Sir. I don't doubt that for one second.
Justin: Super! We're going to be champions, Frog!
Dita: What? What did you call me? And what about your promise, then?
Justin: Well, you know what, Frog? I had my fingers crossed!
Dita: Just let me teach you to keep your promises!
She hits him over the head. Everyone bursts out laughing.
STORYBOARD
next episode: Holiday Time for Team 18
copyright Jean-François Schwaiger
Translation: Eileen Harris
"Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental
and unintentional."
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