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Lesson 17
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LOGLINE: Renee and Maxine, on the run from their pimp, must fix a flat tire in the mountains.
ESSENCE: Renee convinced Maxine to go on the run with her to save her unborn child but Maxine isn’t totally behind the plan.
TRAIT YOU CHANGED: Renee – from conformist to unpredictable
EXT. RENTED SEDAN ON MOUNTAIN ROAD – DAY
Sedan climbs up the snowy, unplowed two-lane mountain road. HUGE flakes of some blow into the windshield.
INT. SEDAN ON MOUNTAIN ROAD – DAY
RENEE, mid 20’s, prim black puffer jacket and knitted cap, no makeup is behind the wheel. MAXINE, 19, in the passenger seat, is all pink – from her fur-trimmed jacket to her matching teased hair and eyeshadow.
MAXINE
We should have stayed on the interstate. I don’t like this. We’re all alone. What if something happens?
RENEE
Stop worrying. Nothing is going to happen–
Out of the snow, a DOE jumps over the hood of the car. Maxine screams.
RENEE
Omigod! That was close —
A second DEER, this one with a full set of antlers, leaps —
Maxine jams on the brakes. The car goes into an uncontrolled skid. The deer smashes into the passenger door with a horrible thud. Maxine and the doomed deer are eye to eye for a split second. The deer disappears beneath the car. THUMP! It’s ANTLERS puncture the tire.
The car skids dangerously close to the edge of the mountain. Pine trees up to the tree line and far below a huge drop-off into nothing.
Maxine barely manages to steer the car to the far side of the road. Both women sit in shock. Maxine is the first to move.
MAXINE
We almost died! This whole thing was a terrible idea.
RENEE
Stop, we’re still alive, aren’t we? Once we see how much damage there is we’ll know what we’re up against.
MAXINE
How can you be so calm? We need to call the rental car company to send roadside assistance.
RENEE
That could take hours. We can’t sit here. Let’s stick with the plan.
Renee gets out of the car. Surveys the dented door and fender. She squats to see the front right tire is flat. She pops open the trunk, pulls out the spare.
RENEE
Hey! I need your help. Bring my gloves.
Maxine reluctantly leaves the protection of the car. She holds out Renee’s knitted gloves.
MAXINE
Seriously? You’re going to try to change the tire. That’s what men are for. Maybe one will come along soon.
RENEE
It’ll be dark soon.
MAXINE
So? Even more reason to wait in the car. It’s freezing out here. It’s not good for you or the baby. You’re not thinking straight —
Renee puts the jack together.
RENEE
That’s exactly what I’m doing. Taking care of all of us!
The jack slips, pinching her hand. She creams in pain. Forces herself to try again.
MAXINE
We could die out here in the cold. I should have never let you talk me into running.
RENEE
Roll the spare to me. You said you’d didn’t want to wind up like me with no option but to have an abortion.
MAXINE
No, I didn’t. I said I never wanted to be a mother. Not after what I saw in foster homes. No child should have to go through what I went through.
RENEE
Fine. Then let’s get this fixed and get out of here before — what’s that?
Down the cliff, HEADLIGHTS on the road.
MAXINE
A car. I’ll flag them down.
RENEE
No, don’t. I’ve got this.
MAXINE
Are you sure about that?
A CADILLAC pulls into view. Parks by the side of the road.
Renee gasps.
RENEE
What’d you do?
A burly bearded man, PIERRE, 40’s, bundled in a parka gets out of the Cadillac.
RENEE backs away in terror.
RENEE
How’d you find us?
Pierre glances at Maxine.
PIERRE
Cell phone tracker. Thanks, babe.
RENEE
(to Maxine)
Traitor! How could you!
PIERRE
It’s his kid, too.
Renee runs to the side of the cliff.
RENEE
Don’t come any closer.
PIERRE
You wouldn’t.
RENEE
I won’t go back. I won’t! Don’t take another step or I will —
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LOGLINE: Two teenagers tussle over a crush as they do homework.
ESSENCE: Renee exposes her true feelings.
TRAIT YOU CHANGED: Renee: Prissy to ambitious.
SCENE:
INT. SCHOOL LIBRARY – DAY
NATHAN [14], a teenager trying to be cool, pretends to concentrate on his laptop, but his eyes are on two girls across the room.
MAXINE, an elegant young woman [13] with trendy earrings, necklace and rings on her fingers, sits at distant work table with her laptop open. Alongside her, also on her laptop, is RENEE [13], minimal jewelry, but neatly presented.
Maxine’s eyes flick from laptop to Nathan and back to the laptop.
MAXINE
(through her teeth)
He’s looking again.
RENEE
‘The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off’ – how’s that for an opening line?
MAXINE
Do you think he knows?
RENEE
Have you told anyone else?
MAXINE
No. Except you.
RENEE
Then he can’t know, can he?
MAXINE
He keeps looking in a funny way.
Renee looks from her research to Nathan.
RENEE
I’ll ask him for you.
MAXINE
What?
RENEE
I’ll just ask why he keeps looking at you.
MAXINE
(unsure)
Oh, I don’t know, Renee, that could…
RENEE
You think he knows something, right?
MAXINE
I guess.
RENEE
So, if you want to find something out, you ask.
MAXINE
Asking would be so un-cool.
RENEE
Okay.
(goes back to her work)
What do you think of the quote as an opening for the speech?
MAXINE
Good.
RENEE
Because I really want to get the top mark for this.
MAXINE
Maybe I should send him an anonymous card or something, to see how he reacts.
RENEE
Maybe… have you decided on a topic yet? This speech is due by Thursday.
MAXINE
I’m still thinking about it.
RENEE
Thinking about Nathan more like it. How you and he are going to make out… oh Nathan, oh…
MAXINE
Ssh!
RENEE
No-one’s listening. Why don’t you speak about drug addiction or homelessness?
MAXINE
Urgh. No thanks.
RENEE
Pick something the teacher cares about and you get a better mark.
MAXINE
I’ve got to figure out how best to test him before I let on that I like him.
RENEE
‘Never tell the truth to people who are not worthy of it’. Hmmm.
MAXINE
Do you think someone overheard us in the bathroom and told him?
RENEE
Why are you so paranoid?
MAXINE
I just don’t want what happened last time.
RENEE
Last time?
MAXINE
When the whole school was talking about my crush.
RENEE
What about this quote: ‘a lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes’. Mark Twain.
MAXINE
And never the twain shall meet.
RENEE
Huh?
MAXINE
It’s a play on words… you know… twain… never mind.
RENEE
You know what, I just need to tell you.
MAXINE
What?
RENEE
Jack told Megan, and she told me.
MAXINE
What!?
RENEE
About Nathan.
MAXINE
Tell me already.
RENEE
You sure you want to know?
MAXINE
Oh my days, are you going to tell em or not?
RENEE
She said he doesn’t like you; he likes me.
Maxine stares at her.
MAXINE
Why would he even say that if he doesn’t know I like him?
RENEE
Maybe I will start with the first quote…
MAXINE
You did tell!
RENEE
‘The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off’.
NATHAN
Hi Maxine. Renee.
The girls turn in surprise.
NATHAN
I’ve been wanting to ask something…
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LOGLINE: Stranded miles from her car after the first night of intimacy with Max, MAXINE calls Renee to the rescue, knowing she will give her shit for it.
ESSENCE: Feeling abandoned and hopeless, Maxine is determined to regain her freedom.
TRAIT YOU CHANGED:
Changing Maxine’s tricky character trait to her being brutally honest.EXT. POLAND, LAKE HOUSE – DAY
Renee drives slowly down the dirt road in her beat-up Subaru with worn-out shocks, comically bouncing along the deep ruts through the thick Maine forest. A Siberian Husky excitedly alternates between panting in her ear and barking loudly out of the back window when seeing Maxine outside the weathered cabin by a lake reflecting glistening fall colors.
Renee pulls up to the lake house and lets Togo out.
MAXINE
TOGO! Come here, boy. Your mama really needs a big kiss.
An exuberant Togo bounds up to Maxine, nearly knocking her down. Maxine recovers herself as Renee exuberantly wraps them all in a huge hug. Maxine is stunned by Renee’s glaring orange sweater.
MAXINE CON’T
(laughing)
Thank God, Renee! You saved us both!
I don’t know what I’d do without you.
RENEE
Yeah, no worries mate, traffic was light.
Rescuing you seems to be the pattern.
MAXINE
Whoa-quite a sweater-new?
Pretty unusual for you, always the one dressed like you’re headed to church.
I thought you don’t do bright colors.
RENEE
(irritated)
Get off it, Maxine, you know, there are other people to consider besides yourself.
Not that you care, remember last week, how you dissed that poor girl…
MAXINEPoor girl what. Did you see the emerald she was sporting and the bad attitude to match! Besides, I didn’t trust her.
RENEE
So… What’s going on?
You made it sound like you were in jail or stranded.
Now I find you lounging in a super cute place by a lake.
Leave it to your magic.
MAXINE
Well, I AM stranded. This guy he….
RENEE
(interrupting)
What guy?
This doesn’t sound like an emergency.
Don’t tell me, you slept with him, right?
MAXINE
You’re such a prude. I don’t need your judgment.
You wouldn’t believe it. His name is Max. Not only synchronicity about his name, he happens to work for the water bottling corporation. Besides, he’s cute, a cowboy in fact.
Walking down the wooded trail to the lake edge, a buoyant Togo charges into the water, sending spray flying. Togo’s antics break the tension momentarily.
RENEE
I KNEW IT! Only you …
Your adventures are always tied to sexual escapades!
MAXINEAt least I follow my heart.
You should try being a little adventurous sometimes.
Max is a link to the mystery of the resort.
RENEEDon’t change the subject. You’d follow any guy who pays you the slightest bit of attention. You have no moral standards. You’ve got some shit to work out, or you’re never going to find happiness and a healthy relationship with any man. You need to deal with the issues with your father. Just sayin’.
MAXINE
I am, that’s what led me here.
I shouldn’t have told you. I am not even sure what happened, if anything.
RENEE
(rolls her eyes, shaking her head)
MAXINE CON’T
I know you’re thinking that I don’t really know him, and now he has left me here alone. Just like my dad, unemotional and withholds information. He gave me the keys and just left me here. (pointing to the sky) Renee, let’s stop this and enjoy the lake. Oh, my…do you see the hawk circling above.
RENEE
You’re deflecting.
I’m concerned about you, and so are your parents.
MAXINE
I am not deflecting, and why are you bringing my parents into this?
RENEE
You know your folks worry about you.
I just told them you’re okay and that I was coming to see you today.
What’s wrong with that?
MAXINEYou promised not to say anything.
They think they always know what’s best.
This time, I’m following MY dreams.
RENEE:
Maxine, you haven’t been the same since the accident.
They want to ensure you are all right, and let’s not forget about Annie.
Renee goes to give Maxine a hug, and Maxine shrugs her off, withdrawing, opening the screen door to walk into the cabin.
MAXINE
I trusted you. You promised not to say anything.
RENEE
Well, I needed to break this promise. Enough is enough.
Anyway, I was introduced to a water keeper named Grandmother Sasa.
Ever heard of her?
MAXINE
Now, who’s changing the subject?
No, I’ve never heard of her.
RENEE:
She’s an Abenaki grandmother who says she’s a healer of healers. She holds this Medicine Hoop of Life ceremony twice a year. Maxine, go see her, maybe she can help you.
MAXINE
You know how I feel about therapy.
But I will give you this. I found his genealogy paper that had the name Molly Ockett scribbled on top. Looking on my phone…she was the last Pequawket in the area-she was Abenaki.
RENEE
Ahh – been snooping, eh? It’s not therapy, and this time they ARE right.
How will the woman who wants it all land the man if you keep running?
MAXINEWho are they to talk about running?
RENEE
Maxine, you need to work through this. Annie, being autistic, is already experiencing the pain of your not being there for her.
MAXINEI’m done with this, take me back to the resort to get my car.
RENEESeriously, Max, it’s for your own good, go see Grandmother Sasa, even if to burn some sage. Besides, you might learn more about this Molly Ockett, woman.
MAXINE
(yelling)
Can’t you give it a rest, Ren?
I bet you’ve already told her all about what you think are my issues.
The look on Renee’s face shows how hurt she is by this accusation.
RENEE:
I wouldn’t ever do that to you.
The confrontation is interrupted when Mollie stops to respond to a text from Red Fox.
MAXINE
(Phone dings-Maxine checks her text, smirks)
RENEE
(looking over Maxine’s shoulder)
What! You’re still talking to the Maori guy, too?
I thought you let go of him a long time ago!
MAXINE
(turning the phone over)
Renee… enough.
RENEE
Maxine, listen to me!
Your parents are right. At some point, you’re going to have to stop chasing the illusion of Prince Charming and deal with the reality of your life.
Maxine hears Max’s truck and runs to the door as Max arrives unexpectedly. Opening the truck door, Max jumps aside when Togo runs up barking, challenging his closeness to Maxine.
RENEE
(staring out the window)
What’s happening here?
Whose truck is that?
MAXINE
Shit.
RENEE
WHAT THE FUCK, Maxine?
You didn’t tell me he was going to show up.
MAXINE
I had no idea.
RENEEI don’t believe you for a second.
Togo, get in the car! Are you really doing this again?
I just drove two hours! YOU asked me to come up here. Damn you, and here I am taking care of your dog while you follow your crazy dreams and a hidden treasure.
MAXINE(runs out after Renee. Stunned, she’s caught standing between Renee and Max)
Renee, calm down!
RENEE
Fuck you, I’m going! Even I can only take so much.
Are you coming with me, Maxine?
MAX
(hands on hips, eyeballing them both)
Nice to meet you, too.
MAX (cont)
(lifts a six-pack)
Does anybody need a beer?
Stimulated by Maxine’s discomfort and Renee’s behavior, slides up behind Maxine, and grabs her waist.
RENEE
Make up your mind, Maxine, this train is leaving NOW!
Caught in the middle of Renee’s manipulations and Max’s seductive, sexy grin, Maxine is frozen in confusion. Is she choosing to return to her old life or be brave enough to trust herself to discover a new way of being?
MAXINE
(looking helplessly past Max and up to the sky, mumbles)
MAX
Speak up, woman. Your words matter,
especially at this moment.
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Lesson 17: QE Cycle #4
LOGLINE: Renee and Maxine are college roommates.
Essence: Trust is vitally important but may be easily broken.
Trait changed: Maxine is not paranoid but is sympathetic.
Scene1: Renee is in the dorm room primping her hair and Maxine comes in.
RENEE
Thanks for keeping my secret. No one must know until I figure things out.
MAXINE
Of course. You have a lot of things to sort out.
RENEE
I will likely drop out of school, but I don’t know when.
MAXINE
Do you know who the father is?
RENEE
That is a secret that I must keep to myself and especially from you.
MAXINE
I don’t know why. You got yourself into this situation. But it is not helpful to keep things from me. This indicates that you do not trust me.
RENEE
Just know that I must deal with this in my own way and in my own due time.
Maxine’s cell phone rings. It is Jack her boyfriend.
Maxine
Hello
JACK (V.O.)
Maxine, I want to talk to you before you got to your dorm.
MAXINE
Too late for that. I am already here.
JACK
Is your roommate there?
MAXINE
Yes, she is here, WHY?
JACK
Oh, no reason. I’ve got to go. Bye
MAXINE
Renee, do you know Jack?
RENEE
No, why would you ask?
MAXINE
It seems strange that he abruptly hung up knowing you were here,
Pause.
MAXINE
Something’s fishy going on.
RENEE
Oh, if you must know. He has come be a couple of times when you were not here.
MAXINE
So, you’re lying to me!
Maxine takes all this in. Then begins to sob.
RENEE
We got to know each other. A little. He is really good-looking.
MAXINE
HOW MUCH DID YOU GET TO KNOW HIM?
Renee does not answer.
Is he the father?
Renee still does not answer.
END of SCENE1
Same circumstances except Maxine is not paranoid, but sympathetic.
Scene2: Renee is in the dorm room primping her hair and Maxine comes in.
RENEE
Thanks for keeping my secret. No one must know until I figure things out.
MAXINE
Of course. You have a lot of things to sort out.
RENEE
I will likely drop out of school, but I don’t know when.
MAXINE
Do you know who the father is?
RENEE
That is a secret that I must keep to myself and especially from you.
MAXINE
I don’t know why. You are going through some difficult times. You can share your burdens with me. It will help you
RENEE
Just know that I must deal with this in my own way and in my own due time.
Maxine’s cell phone rings. It is Jack her boyfriend.
Maxine
Hello
JACK (V.O.)
Maxine, I want to talk to you before you go to your dorm.
MAXINE
Too late for that. I am already here.
JACK
Is your roommate there?
MAXINE
Yes, she is here, WHY?
JACK
Oh, no reason. I’ve got to go. Bye
MAXINE
Renee, do you know Jack?
RENEE
No, why would you ask?
MAXINE
It seems strange that he abruptly hung up knowing you were here,
Pause.
MAXINE
What’s going on.
RENEE
Oh, if you must know. He came be a couple of times when you were not here.
Maxine takes all this in. Then Maxine walks over to Renee and raises her chin and looks squarely Renee’s eyes.
RENEE
We got to know each other. A little. He is really good-looking.
MAXINE
HOW MUCH DID YOU GET TO KNOW HIM?
Renee does not answer.
Is he the father?
Renee still does not answer.
END of SCENE2
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