Charlene

It is the mid-1970s, and Joan Jett walks out of high school when the bell rings. She is eager to get to the studio that night and jam on her blonde Gibson Les Paul with her band, The Runaways. Joan walks across the front lawn of the school in her platform heels, satin bell bottoms, and tube top while carrying her history books. Before she can get to the sidewalk, she gets surprised by a group of boys who come up behind her.

Muscular Boy: [throws a small rock at Joan's back] Aa-oo, diamond dogs!

Joan turns around to see the bully, Hector, and his homeboys. Hector had thrown the rock at her, but Joan is used to that.

Hector: Hey lil' Joanie, you got that new Bowie record yet?

Homeboys: [laugh].

Joan: As a matter of fact, yes, I have [walks up to Hector and the homeboys].

Hector: Well, lookie at this. You dropped your guitar strings [waves the packages of strings in front of Joan]!

Joan: Give it back.

Hector: No, Joan. I need these strings for my guitar. I'll just keep these like I have been doing in the past year. Thanks, by the way.

Joan: No more, Hector. Give it back.

Hector: Joan Marie Larkin, since when did you ever step up to me, huh? You were too chicken to sing for the talent show last year. You didn't even know what a demo was when you went to form that dumb band with that dumb blonde! You're a pushover! You know girls can't play guitar, right?

Joan: [throws her history books onto the ground] That was months ago. I'm not the same person I was. I don't take shit from people anymore. I can play on stage and write songs. Now, hand over the strings. Girls play cello in a symphony, so girls can play guitar.

Hector: [pulls out his switchblade from his jeans pocket] You take all that back! You want them? Come and get them!

Joan: [pulls out her switchblade].

Hector: [surprised] Huh, it's like that?

Joan: It's like that. No more stealing my strings or I'm gonna smash your head all over this town.

Tall Homeboy: Hey Hector, we gotta go, she's too crazy now, homes.

Fat Homeboy: Yeah, cuz, es el diablo.

Hector: [tosses strings to Joan] Hey, man, you can have them, then. Let's go.

Later that day, Joan walks with her bandmate, bassist Jackie Fox, around the streets of L.A. as they look for a cheap guitar store so Joan can buy more picks. This time, Joan changed into jeans and a black t-shirt.

Joan: Jackie, the only thing I really want in this world is a white Gibson Melody Maker... hey wait.

Jackie: What?

As Joan and Jackie stumble upon the store, Joan sees a beautiful red guitar in the front window. Jackie headbangs to the Creedence Clearwater Revival song that the store blasts outside. They walk inside and take a look.

Joan: 1958 Fender Stratocaster, cherry red with white pickguard and custom shiny chrome trim pieces!

The shiny chrome trim pieces glisten in the sunlight. Joan is enamored by the glowing metal on such a beautifully sculpted instrument. So much for that Melody Maker.

Joan: I'm gonna buy it!

Jackie: What? Joan, we don't have any money.

Owner: You girls play guitar?