this takes place in 1962, 12-year-old rory holloway was in his home, with his two friends, 13-year-old jewish boy theodore “teddy” goldberg and 13-year-old phillip “phil” malkin, the three have been friends since first grade before rory moved away but now, they were reunited.

Phil: i really don’t understand what’s so special about science, it’s literally just science.

teddy was sitting at a table, studying while phil was pacing around the room and rory studying along with teddy.

Teddy: you know, it would be better if you actually studied with us.

Phil: hell no, studying is for losers, i rather do something else.

teddy rolls his eyes at phil before going back to studying.

Rory: phil, why do you hate science so much?

Phil: i wouldn’t say i hate it, more like….. i just don’t like it, do you have a problem?

rory stays silent before shaking his head.

Teddy: phil, just study with us, it’s not that hard.

Phil: i told you, teds, studying is for losers.

Teddy: for jesus sake, why are you so stubborn?

Phil: cause i can, rory, is your mom gonna be home any time?

Rory: no, she said she had to work late, but carol is here, she’s probably sleeping.

Phil: dude, your sister is so hot.

teddy stares at phil with a “what the heck?” expression.

Teddy: she’s twice your age, phil and besides, there’s no way you’ll have a chance with someone as popular as carol holloway.

Phil: so what? i’ll try anyway.

Teddy: phil, you can’t be serious..

Phil: i’m joking, chill out, teds!

rory stares at the two before phil takes out a book filled with missing children posters.

Teddy: what is that?

Phil: missing children, duh, teds.

Rory: why do you have that and where did you even find that?

Phil: i made it, every child goes missing after school, do you wanna know why?

Teddy: how are we supposed to know that?

Phil: exactly, and about a week ago, another child went missing, don’t you think that it’s a coincidence?

Teddy: i don’t know phil, nobody knows where they go, the police assume that there just runaways.

Phil: why the hell would tons of children run away? who does that? this isn’t the 1930s, don’t be ridiculous, teds.

Teddy: i never said that i believed that they ran away, i’m saying that the police believe that they did.