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Lesson 17
Reply to post your assignment.
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3 Replies
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Subject line: Stephen Maynard Act 3 Reaction to Midpoint
“What I learned doing this assignment is…?” A good place to restate the problem and show the protagonists pondering the way forward as they grow from what they have learned or come to realize. Realizing that change is necessary.
Write Key Scene 1: Reaction/Rethink.
EXT. ROAD – DAY
Stevie and Johnny ride their bicycles. Chuey sleeps in the baby carrier at Stevie’s chest
JOHNNY
Ask yourself, Dude, Why were they crying?
STEVIE
Emotion, girls get emotional.
JOHNNY
Exactly. They were sad at the thought of losing
true love.
STEVIE
Meaning you and me?
JOHNNY
A girl wants to be wooed.
STEVIE
Wooed?
JOHNNY
Yeah. You know, they liked to be courted.
STEVIE
How does one court a girl who hates one?
JOHNNY
Well, one could bring one’s hateful girl flowers and
candy to soften her up.
STEVIE
How about we dress up like Troubodors and serenade
‘em? Make complete fools of ourselves.
JOHNNY
That’s good, Dude… Man’s purpose is to understand
what a woman wants and to give it to her.
STEVIE
You could be right.
JOHNNY
Sapere aude.
STEVIE
Dare to know. You’re on to something, Dude.
We go for the twofer.
JOHNNY
Sure, win the child and you own the parent.
And that’s the only path to saving Pearl’s property.
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Steve Jones Act 3 Reaction to midpoint
What I learned doing this assignment is how quickly you can get a scene down on paper.
EXT. WOODS – EVENING
BEGINNING: Harry wants to arrest Carina
MIDDLE: The robot reminds him that he really wants to catch the killer and she could be the key because Harry won’t be able to do it without evidence and Worple is too clever to leave any.
END: Harry reminds the robot that she’s also a criminal and she should be in jail. But the robot tells Harry she’s not an illegal immigrant.
INT. CARINA’S APARTMENT – NIGHT
BEGINNING: Harry gives Carina one chance to come up with a plan to help him stop Worple or he’s going to arrest her.
MIDDLE: Carina explains that the only way to catch Vor and for Harry to get his badge back is to return as the next illegal with whatever Vor is smuggling and catch him in the act of trying to extract it. She won’t set anyone else up because the risks are too great but Harry is a professional and invested in catching Worple and he’ll have their help.
END: Harry explains that the illegals don’t survive this process as far as she knows. Carina reminds him that the Immigration force won’t have him, so he’ll get through easily.
INT. MARS SPACEPORT – DAY
BEGINNING: Harry and Carina wait to leave for Earth.
MIDDLE: Harry explains why he dreads being on Earth.
END: Carina reminds him that billions live out their lives there every day.
INT. EARTH SPACEPORT – NIGHT
BEGINNING: Harry and Carina plan their return and Worple’s capture. The plan is foolproof.
MIDDLE: Harry and Carina arrive on Earth.
END: Harry is arrested, has his Martian passport taken leaving him trapped with criminals in a cell in his version of Hell.
EXT.WOODS – EVENING
Harry finishes up with the cops who mock him in some way.
Harry ignores them and he and the robot leave the crime scene.
They come to the edge of the woods and enter parkland.
At the edge of the park, they head into the city.
HARRY
I should arrest her.
ROBOT
Undoubtedly.
HARRY
She’s sending illegal immigrants here.
ROBOT
Undoubtedly.
HARRY
So, she’s breaking the law.
ROBOT
Undoubtedly.
HARRY
Why aren’t you arguing with me?
ROBOT
Because you are correct. You are not right, but you are correct.
HARRY
What’s that supposed to mean?
The robot stops and looks at Harry.
ROBOT
I’m only a robot so I couldn’t possibly understand human emotions.
HARRY
I don’t need to twist your arm to make you give it a try though.
ROBOT
You couldn’t twist my arm.
HARRY
Just say it!
ROBOT
The correct thing to do is to arrest Miss Ellis. But you still won’t catch Worple in all likelihood. Or, you could keep this whole thing to yourself and she can help us catch him. It’s what she wants.
HARRY
But that’s not thew right way to do it. There are laws…
ROBOT
But does it feel right?
HARRY
OK, there it is.
They walk on in silence for a minute.
HARRY (cont’d)
You think we should ignore what we know about what she’s done on Earth and how she’s been implicit in the murders of at least two Earth Illegals because she can help us catch the guy behind it all?
ROBOT
May I ask you three questions?
HARRY
Go on.
ROBOT
One. Will anybody care if we stop Earther Illegals being killed or is it more important to them that Mars’ reputation remains intact?
HARRY
No and yes. technically that was two questions.
ROBOT
Pedant. Two. Can we catch Worple without her help?
HARRY
Probably not.
ROBOT
Then, this is the big one. Does a woman who tries to make people’s lives better deserve to go to jail more than someone who takes their lives away from them?
Harry stops at a crossroads. He looks at the dome above their heads and the buildings around them. He sees the beauty that Mars delivers in spades.
HARRY
No-one should be killed for wanting to come here.
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INT. OFFICE LOBBY – DAY
James exits the elevator and heads to the door where MICHAEL LEE, 40s, dressed in a power suit, looks like the high-powered executive he is.
They greet each other with a dap.
JAMES
Hello, my brother. Happy you were free for lunch.
MICHAEL
Glad you called. I wanted someone to go to Grand Market with me. They have this new Jamaican spot I want to try.
EXT. GRAND AVENUE – DAY
The two walked briskly to Grand Market.
INT. GRAND MARKET – DAY
Michael picked up his food, popped the cap on his Ginger Beer, and took a long swig. He glances around the market.
James picks up his food but skips the ginger beer. James finds an empty table near the back of the restaurant.
MICHAEL (CONT’D)
Aah, that’s good.
JAMES
How’s that beautiful wife of yours? You know, all the guys still talk about is how they can’t believe you got her to marry you.
MICHAEL
You all got jokes, but I’ve been happily married for five years, and you are all still single. She’s doing well, and I keep her happy.
JAMES
You’re right. But I want to get there.
MICHAEL
What’s so urgent that you needed to meet right away?
JAMES
You remember I told you about Delores Chaney, the Chief of our Marketing Department? We’ve known each other for more than five years, but we’ve been dating for a few months, and I’m feeling her but getting mixed messages. I’m not sure how to move forward.
MICHAEL
Yes, I remember. She’s the one you took on the picnic, right? Sounds like it’s more than feeling her.
JAMES
Yes, that’s the one.
MICHAEL
You’ve never been uncertain of any of the women you’ve dated in the past.
JAMES
It’s not like that. I see us as being that ‘Power Couple.’ You know, she fits the business world.
MICHAEL
You know that’s not how relationships work, right?
JAMES
Michael, man, what do I need to do? I want to have what you and Carol have with Delores.
MICHAEL
James, you know what to do; you just have to make sure she knows you want her because she’s the woman who makes you a better man. She has to feel your passion for her.
Michael grabs his plate, James follows, and they quietly head back to the office.
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