Day 11 Assignments

[Kimberly Gore]

<div>Kim’s Scene Requirements</div>

What I learned from doing this assignment was discovering places where I could add more tension and conflict in the scene. This is my first pass. I may update with my edited second pass.

ACT ONE

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INT. NATALIE’S YOGA STUDIO—midday

• Start: Natalie instructs a yoga class. Most people know her.

• Challenging Situation: Woman coming for first time knows Natalie’s handsome husband. This makes Natalie uncomfortable.

• Conflict: Woman makes naïve remark that irks Nat.

• Action: Nat tells the woman off.

• Finish: Nat’s friend, LaDonna, has to soothe Natalie.

INT. ERIC AND NATALIE’S LIVINGROOM—Evening

• Start: Natalie plays Barbies with Eric’s daughter, and it’s creepy.

• Challenging Situation: Eric is upset Natalie is acting like a child when his ex-wife is about to pick up Linnie.

• Conflict: Eric and Natalie argue about her behavior, and he sends her off as if she’s a child being punished.

• Action: She leaves, but Eric’s ex has already seen the odd behavior.

• Finish: Natalie comes back into the room acting as if nothing has happened.

ACT TWO

INT. ERIC AND NATALIE’S LIVINGROOM—Evening

• Start: After Linnie and Danielle leave, Eric accosts Nat about taking her medicine.

• Challenging Situation: She feels she doesn’t need the medicine. It makes her feel “foggy.”

• Conflict: He explains what just happened, and how Danielle already is concerned since he is married to “his patient.” Natalie feels slighted, is angry that he is making her seem like a charity case.

• Action: He tries to explain himself, but she’s pissed.

• Finish: She leaves for the grocery store.

INT. ERIC AND NATALIE’S KITCHEN—Continuous

• Start: Eric flirting with someone on the phone.

• Challenging Situation: He thinks his wife has left, but she went back in to grab her car keys.

• Conflict: She hears him flirting, and her personality, the one from 1955, Linda, grows angry and attacks him.

• Action: She harms him, but frightened by her violence, runs off and leaves the house.

• Finish: Natalie doesn’t realize what’s happened, doesn’t remember the attack, since it was not her, but Linda. She honestly does not think she was the attacker.

ACT THREE

EXT. ERIC AND NATALIE’S HOUSE—Continuous

• Start: The detective is suspicious of Natalie, seems like an open and shut case.

• Challenging Situation: Natalie wants to see her husband.

• Conflict: The police won’t let her go to the hospital, and even though Natalie is in her right to refuse, the detective intimidates her. She knows she is innocent.

• Action: She leaves, humiliated at the audience judging her. Especially that woman who earlier made a big deal about Eric’s flirtatious ways.

• Finish: She makes an announcement to the group, determined not to appear guilty or look foolish.

INT. POLICE STATION’S INTERROGATION ROOM—Continuous

• Start: The detective is sure Natalie is going to fail the polygraph test.

• Challenging Situation: She passes the test.

• Conflict: He has no real evidence against her, and she threatens to sue him if he keeps her against her will. Suddenly, she’s furious, lashing out at him.

• Action: They let her go, but he finds her behavior odd.

• Finish: She leaves, and her personality changes. She’s back to being dignified.

ACT FOUR

INT. ERIC’S HOSPITAL ROOM—Continuous

• Start: Aggie shows up, ready to take charge, as usual.

• Challenging Situation: The detective isn’t done interrogating Eric. And now Eric is emotional.

• Conflict: The detective is upset that Eric’s mother has ruined his interview. Eric’s mother thinks the detective needs a life. In fact, she knows plenty about his life.

• Action: Eric tells his mother he will be okay.

• Finish: The detective doesn’t get any more information out of Eric.

INT. ERIC’S HOSPITAL ROOM—Continuous

• Start: Eric’s mother makes a sneaky phone call. Natalie shows up, and it’s clear they are not close with one another.

• Challenging Situation: The detective is disturbed once again, this time by Natalie.

• Conflict: Eric stands up for his wife.

• Action: The detective leaves, unsure of what to think.

• Finish: Natalie asks Eric who did this to him. He stares at her, then says he honestly doesn’t know.

ACT FIVE

INT. BATHROOM—Later

• Start: Nat finds Eric’s phone with an unfamiliar number.

• Challenging Situation: While in the bathtub, she becomes the little girl again and plays with the Barbie. But then she reenacts a scene, and it wakes her from her personality.

• Conflict: It upsets her, but even worse, she is even more upset when she reads the accusatory message.

• Action: She erases the message.

• Finish: She’s terrified.

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[Brigitte Timmerman]

What I learned from this assignment is creating an outline with challenging the characters creates interest throughout the piolet.

Concept: In a dystopian future a family traveling on the road must find their nephew’s Native American community for survival.

Inciting incident: Community was raided and they start their dangerous journey on the road in search of Isaac’s family.

Story lines:

A. Family’s search for Isaac’s Native American relatives for survival.

B. Blended family issues with Isaac, Mira and Grandpa Frank.

C. The dangers they face from bandits and traffickers

Teaser:

INT. blonde girl drug overdose. Baby crying

Act 1

Pass 1.

Start: Irene and Mira singing driving down the road.

Situation: Dystopian world. Dangerous to travel in. They are trying to get to the displacement camp for safety.

Conflict: Come across bandits blocking the road. They attempt to rape and kill Irene and Jessie. Mira and Isaac are hiding.

Action: Grandpa Frank advises them to kill them and not take chances. Irene and Jessie kill them.

Finish: They head down the road in route to the displacement camp.

Present

Pass 2.

INT. Bus Day

Irene and Mira are singing to a song. Isaac wakes up and joins in the fun. Grandpa Frank joins in the fun. Jessie hung over sleeping on the bed wake up irritated.

EXT. Dystopian world

Scenes of a dystopian world revealed.

EXT. Day Road.

Three men wait at a road block to check cars for contraband before they are allowed on their community. Irene and Jessie hide the children for safety. They are bandits that try to rape Jessie and kill Irene. Jessie and Irene kill the bandits and escape.

Act 2

INT: Social Worker Office

7 Years earlier

Start: Social worker office informing Isaac’s loss of mother their sister. They pass Grandpa Frank as they enter.

Situation: They are now Isaac’s guardians and have to make the decision to find his family.

Conflict: Finding Isaac’s family will be high risk and hard to find. They are also low in resources at their community.

Action: They go through the government agency to find the steps for what is best for Isaac.

Finish: They hit the road for another agency and are tipped off from the fuel station attendant about agencies that find families for a price. They can meet at the social worker building.

7 years ago.

INT. Social Worker office

Family makes an effort to find family.

INT. Bus

Burden too much for family they seek help.

EXT. Fuel station

Act 3

EXT: Social Worker Building

Start: They meet the non profit group across the street from the social worker office. Grandpa Frank is introduced sitting outside talking with an elderly man.

Situation: For a small fee they claim will set out with security and their contacts to find Isaac’s family.

Conflict: The women says something that tips them off they may not be legit. Grandpa Frank tells Irene in passing they are not legit.

Action: They make an excuse to leave. They call the social worker she informs them to contact the police. They show up the non profit takes off.

Finish: Grandpa Frank walks with his cane asks to get a lift because he does not walk so good.

7 years ago

EXT. Social worker building

Meet agency that finds families. Irene is on they are fake. They leave.

INT. Bus

Family flees back to their community.

Act 4

Start: Family arrives at the community camp with Isaac and Grandpa Frank. Community greets them.

Situation: The leader is concerned about the resources they have on taking them in. Irene’s best friend is pregnant with Mira.

Conflict: Irene’s best friend informs them they have intel they may be at risk.

Action: Irene thinks its overblown and sluffs it off.

Finish: Irene puts Isaac to bed.

7 years ago

EXT. Community Camp

Family arrives at their community and is greeted by everyone to meet Isaac.

INT. Family is informed community safety at risk.

[Marcus Wolf]

Lesson 11

Marcus’ Scene Requirements

What I learned doing this assignment is a way to amp up every scene. A lot of my scenes were getting the point across, but were not too interesting. I used this method to figure out how to raise most of them up a level and make each scene interesting.

Here’s what it looks like now. I’m still having trouble with the teaser, though:

TEASER

MONTAGE

SUPER: 1141 A.D. Near Lincoln, England

EXT. A LARGE FIELD – DAY

In the distance is a castle and a cathedral in the town of Lincoln. On the field before the castle, a pitched battle rages with infantry and cavalry.

All women in their 20s, CASSANDRA, BEATRIX, WINIFRED and ENDOR, dressed in armor, stand at the points of a pentagram. At the fifth point, stands EMPRESS MATHILDA, 40, dressed in royal clothes. They are far enough from the battle to go unnoticed by the combatants. They join hands. Led by Cassandra, completely coordinated, they perform SFX magic.

EXT. BATTLEFIELD – DAY

At the battle itself.

The fighting suddenly changes. Leaders from one side flee. TRABEUS, a man in his 20s desperately tries to rally the losing troops and uses magic. But to no avail. It becomes a massacre. Trabeus narrowly escapes.

SUPER: [15^th century]

Place holder: Cassandra and her coven influence an event. They are now in their mid-40s. They argument before Cassandra can assert her dominance. They are successful against Trabeus who is involved on the other side of things and who appears to be on the side of evil.

SUPER: [18^th century]

Place holder: Cassandra and her coven influence an event. They are now in their late 50s. There are significant arguments before Cassandra can assert her dominance. They are successful against Trabeus who is involved on the other side of things and who appears to be on the side of evil.

SUPER: [early 20^th century]

Place holder: Cassandra and her coven go up against Trabeus directly. They all appear in their late 60s. ASTRA, 30s, is now the fifth witch. There is a great deal of discord among the witches. Beatrix argues against killing Trabeus. After argument and negotiation, they agree try to disable him.

They fight Trabeus magically and after a vicious struggle, they place a spell on him, focused through Cassandra, that suppresses the greatest of his powers. Trabeus is gravely wounded and they leave him to die. Beatrix sneaks away from the others and checks on Trabeus. She says a tearful goodbye to him, apologizing for what they have done to him and telling him that she had hoped that he would survive. He’s too wounded to respond. Beatrix has to leave.

There are hard feelings among the witches and they go their separate ways. Beatrix returns to where Trabeus was, but he’s gone. There are evident reasons why his body might be gone leading to the conclusion is that he’s dead.

SUPER: Present Day

INT. SUPERMARKET – DAY

CASSANDRA, 80, pushes a shopping cart through the aisles. She is bored and impatient when people get in her way. No one acknowledges her presence. She enters an empty aisle. She can’t reach a can atop a shelf and is angry and frustrated. She fails to get anyone’s attention. She performs magic (with SFX) and the can flies over her head. Enjoying this little display of power, she makes a few other cans fly around in formation. Suddenly she loses control, and a can hits her on the head and knocks her out. Someone calls an ambulance.

ACT 1

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – NIGHT

Hospital room with two beds. Cassandra lies in one bed; the other is empty. She is festooned with tubes, oxygen, etc. A large bandage is on her head. She awakens from unconsciousness. Bewildered by all the machinery around her, she pulls the sensor off her finger and the heart monitor flatlines. She removes other things. NURSE runs in and tries to reattach these things and struggles against Cassandra’s resistance. Nurse calls the doctor.

DOCTOR comes and informs her that while unconscious, they did extensive tests uncovering that she has end stage metastasized cancer and some other bad problems, as well. He doesn’t understand how she could even be alive. She’s very upset that they did all these tests without her consent. Doctor insists she stay in the hospital. Doctor and Nurse leave the room. Cassandra rips off all the attached stuff and leaves the hospital against medical advice.

INT. CASSANDRA’S APARTMENT – NIGHT

LIVING ROOM

A small, sparsely furnished living room with no technology other than a land line phone. Cassandra arrives home. She tries to do a magical examination on herself but can’t get it right. She agonizes, then finally gets on the phone and calls Beatrix for the first time in years.

INT. PHYSICS LABORATORY – NIGHT

Beatrix, late 70s, collects data on a device under test. Other PHYSICISTS and ENGINEERS also work feverishly on this clearly critical project, some new weapon tech. Beatrix gets the call and unhappily speaks to Cassandra who she doesn’t want to hear from, especially right now.

She tries to get out of helping Cassandra. Cassandra begs pathetically. Beatrix reluctant, argues with her BOSS citing a family emergency. He insists she continue her work. She leaves the lab, irritating her BOSS. She holds up her cell and tells him he can always get ahold of her. He threatens to take away her position as head of research over this. She leaves.

INT. CASSANDRA’S APARTMENT – NIGHT

Cassandra lets Beatrix in. Beatrix is angry. There’s no warm greeting. Beatrix looks at Cassandra’s head with minimal concern. Cassandra, gets right to it. She lies on the couch and tells Beatrix to examine her magically. Beatrix refuses. An argument ensues.

Beatrix agrees, on the condition that it’s the last time. With great effort she holds her hands over Cassandra and performs SFX magic scan.

Beatrix confirms the cancer. She also discovers something else. The remnants of the spell they had cast on Trabeus are there, indicating that Trabeus lives. Beatrix quickly suppresses momentary joy. Cassandra, too, is happy, because now she has a purpose in life. Kill Trabeus.

The spell itself has weakened in proportion to Cassandra’s weakening condition. Cassandra and Beatrix argue bitterly over what to do. Cassandra: kill – she admits to holding a grudge about something unspecific and seeks revenge. Beatrix: leave him alone. Either way, the old spell connects Cassandra with Trabeus. Cassandra entreats Beatrix to help her find Trabeus.

Beatrix, distracted, leaves the apartment without another word.

ACT 2

EXT. TRABEUS’ NEIGHBORHOOD – DAY

An old suburban neighborhood with tall old trees along the street.

TRABEUS, 70s, distinguished and well-dressed, smiling and pleasant, walks along the sidewalk. Everyone he passes happily says hello to him, calling him “Mr. Belmondo”. He helps somebody do something.

Trabeus is accosted by three young MUGGERS. He tries to reason with them. They pull out knives. MARIUS, 40s, a very large man, comes up behind Trabeus, joining him, and stares angrily at the thieves. Thieves are a little intimidated but don’t run; they adopt fighting stances. Trabeus tells Marius to back off and asks the muggers to just leave, or else.

Nice car pulls up, ANTONIO, 30, a well-dressed good-looking man gets out and joins Trabeus. He approaches the thieves, they back off. They recognize him. He tells them not to bother Trabeus and they run off.

Trabeus turns angry and confronts Antonio, who is a gangster. His deal with the gang is they stay out of his neighborhood. Antonio tells him he hasn’t been answering his burner phone and the Carlos wants to see him, then leaves.

Trabeus pulls out the phone and it won’t work. He gives it to Marius who tells him the battery is dead. Another phone rings, Trabeus pulls it out and says he’ll be right there.

EXT. OFFICE BUILDING DOWNTOWN- DAY

Establishing shot. Marius waits in the car. Trabeus enters.

INT. US MARSHAL’S OFFICES – DAY

Trabeus’ witness protection CASE OFFICER is very friendly with Trabeus and informs him that she’s being transferred for a promotion. The REPLACEMENT CASE OFFICER is an asshole who complains about Trabeus’ association with Marius, a suspected criminal, known to the people that Trabeus had testified against. Trabeus defends Marius and threatens to leave the program, despite the dangerous criminals that are hunting him. Replacement Case Officer takes him up on it despite vehement objections from Case Officer.

INT. TRABEUS’ CAR – DAY

Trabeus tells Marius what happened. Marius drives. He is unhappy that Trabeus didn’t discuss it with him first. Trabeus ignores him. Marius pulls the car over. Marius complains that Trabeus never listens to him. Trabeus reminds Marius what will happen (unspecified) if he doesn’t obey. He orders him to go to the gangster’s house. Marius expresses disapproval about working for the gangster. Trabeus ignores him. Marius drives, steaming.

EXT. LOWER CLASS SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOOD – DAY

The houses have bars on the windows and doors, etc. Trabeus and Marius enter one.

INT. GANG HEADQUARTERS – DAY

CARLOS, late 30s, the gang leader, speaks disrespectfully to Trabeus, angering Marius. Trabeus does independent jobs for this man. Marius steps forward and insists that Carlos show respect. A number of GANGSTERS stand up and move towards Marius, drawing weapons. Marius stands menacingly. Trabeus calmly asks Marius to go wait in the car. Marius hesitates. Trabeus tells him again. Marius leaves. Trabeus sternly orders Gangsters to put away their weapons. They don’t. Carlos tells them to back off. He gives Trabeus an important assignment: capture and get information from a rival gang member. By whatever means necessary.

INT. CASSANDRA’S APARTMENT – DAY

LIVING ROOM

The suppression spell that Cassandra and the coven used on Trabeus connects them and might be used to locate Trabeus if a locating spell is cast in conjunction with it. Cassandra desperately wants to kill him while he’s still weak and she’s still alive. She does her locating spell wrong, inadvertently interfering with Trabeus’ locating spell, which then goes wrong.

INT. TRABEUS’ HOUSE – DAY

LIVING ROOM

A warm and cozy sitting room with 19^th century style décor.

Marius, Trabeus’ magic apprentice, wants to cast the location spell to find the rival gangster. He can’t get it right. Trabeus loses patience with Marius and belittles him. Trabeus does it himself. He can tell something is going wrong as he casts it but won’t let Marius help. Marius insists that Trabeus has located the wrong man, angering Trabeus. Trabeus does something magical that intimidates Marius. Marius once again backs off, brooding.

ACT 3

INT. CASSANDRA’S APARTMENT – DAY

OFFICE

A small bedroom. An old dusty computer sits on a desk. Cassandra tries to find Trabeus on the internet, but gets nowhere. She’s frustrated. She angrily starts to make the computer fly, then touches the bandage on her head and lets the computer down. She smashes the computer. She calls Beatrix.

INT. TRABEUS’ HOUSE – NIGHT

BASEMENT

An unfinished basement with a drain in the floor. A metal chair is attached to a pole. VICTIM, 30s, is tied to the chair. Trabeus tortures the man physically, causing Marius to wince. Trabeus then attempts to extract information magically. Everything fails. Marius asks to try. They argue – Trabeus doesn’t think Marius is strong enough. They argue and Trabeus gives in. Marius tries to use magic. He tells Trabeus that this is the wrong man and he knows nothing. They argue intensely, Trabeus loses his temper.

Trabeus lifts a spell he has on Marius that quells his vampire bloodlust. Marius uncontrollably drinks the man’s blood. Marius is furious with Trabeus for allowing him to do such a thing when he’d promised to prevent it. Marius starts to come at Trabeus, but stops. He fears Trabeus.

Trabeus quickly reestablishes the spell. Marius remarks that it took him three days to put that spell on the first time. Trabeus is getting stronger. Marius is losing respect.

ACT 4

INT. GANG HEADQUARTERS – DAY

Carlos is furious about Trabeus’ failure to get the information. Trabeus tells him a better way to do what the information would have helped him with. Carlos is appeased but still angry with Trabeus and reduces his payment by half. Trabeus, unhappily leaves the house. Marius stays behind to use the bathroom.

Marius discusses with Carlos joining the gang. Marius brings many skills to the table and no longer feels safe with Trabeus. Carlos says he’ll get back to Marius. Meantime, it’s just between them.

Marius privately prays that his own magic is now strong enough to keep his vampirism suppressed without Trabeus’ help.

INT. TRABEUS’ HOUSE – NIGHT

LIVING ROOM

Trabeus offers to teach Marius a new spell. Marius sees this as reconciliation and is happy. The spell has to do with why Trabeus’ strength is improving by the day.

Marius performs the spell and the result is that the long-term suppression spell on Trabeus is weakening. It allows Trabeus to feel the presence of Cassandra, wherever she is. She can feel his presence as well.

Trabeus then determines that Cassandra’s spell is to blame for his failure to find the right guy. He orders Marius to find Beatrix. Using only the internet. Marius questions this, why Beatrix when Cassandra is the head of the coven?

Trabeus reveals to Marius that he had once loved Beatrix and still does. Trabeus can’t try to magically connect with Beatrix without alerting Cassandra to his whereabouts. Trabeus knows Beatrix – she will search for him on the internet. He orders Marius to lay some clues for Beatrix on the internet – something Trabeus is not capable of doing – that will lead her to Trabeus.

Trabeus eagerly wants to find Beatrix before Cassandra finds him. Cassandra and her coven have repeatedly foiled his attempts to rid the world of injustice. He senses her weakness and feels the best course of action is to avoid her at all cost – until she dies – rather than a potentially costly confrontation.

But with this new threat, he will have to accelerate other plans.

OFFICE

Marius sits at a well-appointed computer table and works at a first-class computer set up. He works confidently and expertly.

ACT 5

INT. BEATRIX’S OFFICE – DAY

A very modern office with a window. Beatrix sits at a computer feverishly working. She searches for her old lover, Trabeus, online.

Beatrix speaks to Cassandra on the phone. Cassandra has sensed the murder Trabeus committed and tells Beatrix. That gives Beatrix her first clue to find Trabeus (the murder made local news). She searches for smaller towns where there was recently a murder. Many results come in, frustrating her.

INT. TRABEUS’ HOUSE – DAY

OFFICE

Marius, working through the night, finds what he’s looking for. He knows Beatrix is a famous scientist and finds where she works.

He opens a dialog window. In it, he greets Beatrix, posing as “Mr. Belmondo”.

INT. BEATRIX’S OFFICE – DAY

A dialog window pops open on Beatrix’s screen. She is being contacted by a Mr. Belmondo. “Mr. Belmondo” implies that he’s Trabeus and reveals information that only Trabeus could know. Beatrix is very excited. Mr. Belmondo proposes a live meeting in a hotel in a town several hours away. Beatrix goes to her boss to beg for leave for a few days.

INT. BEATRIX’S APARTMENT – DAY

BEDROOM

Nice comfortable bedroom. Beatrix feverishly packs a bag.

Cassandra calls Beatrix to see how far she’s gotten. Beatrix tells her she’s been unsuccessful and will let her know as soon as she finds anything. Cassandra insists on more information and Beatrix hangs up on her.

Beatrix gets in her car and drives away.

INT. TRABEUS’ HOUSE – DAY

OFFICE

Trabeus pops his head in and informs Marius he’s going out. Trabeus is dressed casually but elegantly. Marius insists that he should drive, but Trabeus orders him to keep working. Marius’ job is to protect Trabeus and wants to know where he’s going. Trabeus tells Marius he’s going nowhere until he finds Beatrix.

EXT. LOWER CLASS SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOOD – DAY

Trabeus parks in front of gang headquarters. Some local toughs eye his nice car. Trabeus, cocky, puts a spell SFX on the car. He goes into the house. The toughs touch the car which shocks them with painful sparks. They hustle away.

INT. GANG HEADQUARTERS – DAY

BACK YARD

There is a large grill where Carlos cooks meat. There are tubs filled with ice and beer. GANGSTERS and their GIRLFRIENDS party. Trabeus, clearly unexpected, is confronted by two GANG MEMBERS. Carlos sees Trabeus and calls them off. He waves Trabeus over.

Antonio approaches and hands Trabeus a cold one. Carlos fixes a hamburger for Trabeus and Trabeus goes off with Antonio to a picnic bench to eat. He privately informs Antonio that plans have been moved up and he should be ready to take over the gang, as planned. Today. Antonio is worried and doesn’t think it’s a good idea for Trabeus to murder Carlos out in the open with everyone to see. Trabeus assures him that he isn’t murdering anyone. He simply has a hunch Carlos isn’t as healthy as he looks.

Trabeus turns and looks at Carlos. Trabeus magically focusses on Carlos with SFX. No one else can sense the magic except for MATEO, a lieutenant of Carlos. Mateo doesn’t know what he’s seeing but watches closely.

Carlos clutches his head and falls to the ground. An ambulance is called, but he is dead.

Antonio takes charge and most of the gang goes along, informally accepting him as the new leader.

The barbecue breaks up and Girlfriends and most Gangsters leave. Antonio calls a meeting of the leadership in the house. Everyone goes inside including Trabeus.

Mateo insists that Trabeus leave. Antonio says he can stay. Several Gangsters back Mateo. A fight between Mateo and Antonio erupts.

Trabeus with magic SFX tries to help Antonio, but his magic won’t work on Mateo, who can actually see it. Mateo punches Antonio. There is a magic SFX in the punch. Antonio drops to the floor, dead. Mateo takes over. There is a brief fight between some of Antonio’s backers and Mateo’s men, who prevail.

Mateo faces off with Trabeus and pulls a gun.
Trabeus surrounds himself with a magical aura (SFX) which he knows Mateo will
sense. Mateo is not intimidated.

[Phyllis Strong]

Phyllis’ Outline Requirements

From this assignment, I learned that identifying the challenging situation led to my zeroing in on the conflict and that action helped make my scenes more interesting (and helping with show, don’t tell).

Passes 1 & 2 combined

FOOL’S ERRAND

Outline

Show Concept: A disgraced criminal investigator for the Environmental Protection Agency takes a bizarre offer from a billionaire environmental activist, and these two lost souls transform each other for the better as they dive into a supernatural underworld.

Pilot as Inciting Incident for Series: Sasha and Duncan team up and they start searching for creatures Sasha deems delusions, but may be real.

TEASER

EXT. SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA – RUSTIC HOUSE – DAY

A rugged man resembling a lumberjack and his brother are hosing down his house to save it from a wildfire raging miles away. A pickup filled with personal belongings comes up. Their neighbor tries to convince them to evacuate, but it’s not mandatory. The two men and their wives refuse to leave.

· Start: Lumberjack & brother hosing down house.

· Challenging Situation: Wildfire that could possibly jump a firebreak and overwhelm them.

· Conflict: Fireman, brother and their wives vs. the friends who want them to evacuate.

· Action: Hosing down their house.

· Finish: Fireman, brother and their wives refuse to leave.

INT./EXT. RUSTIC HOUSE – EVENING

The four adults are eating dinner when they get the alert that the fire won’t break through to their area. Relief lightens the mood. Unnoticed, outside a window, a reptilian eye peers in. A few moments later, the door is battered down, splintering in half. OFF the startled, terrified looks of the four adults.

· Start: The four adults eat dinner and get alert that fire won’t break through the area.

· Challenging Situation: A creature is outside.

· Conflict: The creature vs. the four adults.

· Action: A reptilian eye appears outside a window and then the door is battered down.

· Finish: The startled, terrified looks of the four adults.

ACT 1

EXT. EPA HEADQUARTERS (ESTABLISHING) – DAY

Marble columns and towering arched entryways adorn the headquarters of the Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.

INT. EPA CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION – CONTINUOUS

A collegial atmosphere, with people floating from one cubicle to another, or talking by the coffee machine. Not SASHA LAMBERT. She’s alone in her cubicle, wearing an over-the-ear headset, watching a press conference on her laptop. Special agent JONAH LATIMER, in his EPA jacket, comes up to her, taps her on the shoulder. Without turning, puts up her finger—one sec. We PUSH IN on the laptop screen showing Price Petroleum CEO DELIA PRICE declaring that the charges are unfounded and they will fight in court. Press conference over, Sasha turns her attention to Latimer. The boss wants to see her. As she leaves, Latimer mutters under-his-breath: fucking teacher’s pet.

EXT. PRICE PETROLEUM BUILDING – CONTINUOUS

As Delia walks away from the microphones, she tells her lawyer, TOM SULLIVAN, to open up a backchannel with the DOJ.

· Start: Colleagues milling about, chatting and collaborating.

· Challenging Situation: Delia claims she will fight the charges in court.

· Conflict: Sasha vs. Delia over punishing her company.

· Action: Sasha alone in her cubicle. Delia at press conference

· Finish: Delia tells her lawyer to open a backchannel to the DOJ.

INT. EPA SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE OFFICE – DAY

Her boss (and mentor) AUDREY MANNING is expressing wonder at how Sasha got Price on a criminal indictment. She confirms Sasha will receive a pay bump and, best of all, an office. Manning asks her how she’s going to celebrate. And please, take time to savor this moment.

· Start: Sasha’s boss praising her for getting an indictment against Price Petroleum.

· Challenging Situation: Her wound makes Sasha think that, despite her success, something will undermine it because she doesn’t deserve anything good.

· Conflict: Sasha’s internal conflict of her wound vs. her goal.

· Action: Sasha’s boss gives her a gift.

· Finish: Boss asks Sasha how she’s going to celebrate.

EXT. PRIVATE GOLF COURSE – TEEING AREA – DAY

DUNCAN PRICE, who is sponsoring this golfing event to raise funds to clean up oil spills, charms a wealthy lobbyist into giving more for the cause. The lobbyist asks if Duncan can get him tickets to the next Superbowl and he says he doesn’t do that anymore. He greets his team for today’s tournament—a Senator, a media mogul, and the Chairman of the Federal Reserve. He goes first, teeing off with a magnificent drive. Then he challenges the other players to double their contributions if his team wins the charity tournament.

· Start: Duncan charms a wealthy lobbyist into giving more for the cause.

· Challenging Situation: Duncan must keep his real goal to himself.

· Conflict: Duncan’s internal conflict of his impulsiveness vs. discipline.

· Action: Duncan tees off with a magnificent drive. One donor asks if Duncan can get him tickets to the next Superbowl. Duncan says he doesn’t do that anymore.

· Finish: Duncan challenges the donors to double their contributions if he wins the charity tournament.

INT. EPA CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION – EARLY EVENING

Sasha asks ELI BARNES, the lawyer, and MADDY REESE, the forensics expert she has been working with closely to join her for a celebratory drink for their case. Reese has to get home to her kids, Barnes has plans. Some other day, maybe. She then asks other colleagues to join her and her friends (she’s lying about the friends), but they all have excuses.

INT. WASHINGTON D.C. BAR – NIGHT

Sasha is having a drink on her own. She toasts: “well, Dad, I did it. Here’s to you, wherever the fuck you are.” She hears a birthday celebration at one of the tables. It’s her colleagues from work, including the lawyer, and the guest of honor is Latimer. After a beat, she calls up Zack, her “friend with benefits” and tells him to meet her at her place.

· Start: Sasha roams the office, asking colleagues if they want to have a celebratory drink with her.

· Challenging Situation: Convincing people she’s kept at arms-length to celebrate with her.

· Conflict: Sasha vs. her colleagues.

· Action: Sasha is celebrating on her own when she notices a colleague’s birthday party attended by those she asked to come out.

· Finish: She calls up Zack, her “friend with benefits” and tells him to meet her at her place.

EXT. DUNCAN’S MANSION (ESTABLISHING) – NIGHT

A magnificent Tudor mansion with pool and tennis court.

INT. DUNCAN’S MANSION – UNDERGROUND SHOOTING RANGE – NIGHT

Duncan, armed with a pistol, finishes shooting at the target. Mediocre results. He calls COLLINS, his private investigator, to have him look into the suspicious deaths in Sonoma that we saw in the Teaser. After the call, Collins calls someone else to report the conversation.

· Start: Duncan is finishing up target practice.

· Challenging Situation: His private investigator is betraying him.

· Conflict: Duncan wants to improve his shooting but he may not be good enough to kill the creatures he seeks.

· Action: Target practice.

· Finish: The private investigator calls someone to report his conversation with Duncan.

INT. SASHA’S APARTMENT – LIVING AREA – NIGHT

Neat, orderly, with tasteful furniture that looks expensive. ZACK REILAND, an up-and-coming lawyer at the Department of Justice (DOJ), has brought a bottle of champagne. He is the lawyer prosecuting the indictment—that’s how they met. Their physical chemistry is palpable. A toast and small talk leads to a seductive Sasha drawing Zack in. They have dynamite sex.

· Start: Zack and Sasha toast to her success.

· Challenging Situation: Sasha wants casual sex but Zack has fallen for her.

· Conflict: Sasha’s idea of their relationship vs. Zack’s.

· Action: Seduction.

· Finish: Sasha and Zack have dynamite sex.

INT. SASHA’S APARTMENT – BEDROOM – EARLY MORNING

Zack is still sleeping. Sasha picks up his clothes scattered over the room, puts them on a nearby chair. She rouses him gently. He awakens, wants her back in bed. She nearly succumbs, but then pulls back. Zack protests that it’s the weekend. Doesn’t matter, Sasha has to get to the gym and run errands. He offers to come with, but Sasha says that’s not what they’re about. Zack doesn’t move. Starts a fight, with the subtext that he is hurt that she never wants to spend time with him outside her apartment. Sasha strips off the covers, shoves his clothes at him, and kicks him out of the bedroom. A beat later, we hear the front door slam shut.

· Start: Zack still sleeping. Sasha rouses him and wants him out.

· Challenging Situation: Zack is acting out of hurt.

· Conflict: Sasha’s idea of their relationship vs. Zack’s.

· Action: A vicious verbal fight.

· Finish: Zack storms out.

INT. DUNCAN’S HOME OFFICE – A FEW DAYS LATER

Collins is delivering a standard report. Duncan’s frustrated. Collins presses for more details, including a subtle inquiry about the possibility of some kind of animal, or unknown creature, involved. Now Duncan knows he’s working for his sister.

INT. DUNCAN’S LAIR – SHORT TIME LATER

A command center with screens. A training area nearby. Duncan is staring at a wall covered in corkboard, with articles and photos of suspicious deaths, as well as renderings of what could be creatures pinned to it. He calls his sister to complain about Collins and we realize it’s Delia. She’s in a great mood…

· Start: Private investigator delivering findings to Duncan. They are perfunctory.

· Challenging Situation: Private investigator is trying to get Duncan to admit he’s looking for creatures.

· Conflict: Duncan vs. Private investigator.

· Action: First view of Duncan’s lair, with command center, training area, and articles and photos about suspicious deaths.

· Finish: He calls his sister to complain about the private investigator, revealing it’s Delia, and she’s in a great mood.

INT. EPA CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION – DAY

Sasha is preparing to go out into the field, strapping on her weapon and putting on her jacket with EPA emblazoned on the back. Manning intercepts her, carrying infuriating news: Price Petroleum has reached a settlement with the DOJ. Sasha calls Zack, straight to voicemail. Texts him, no response.

INT. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE – ZACK’S OFFICE – CONTINUOUS

Zack is looking at his phone with Sasha’s text. He deletes Sasha from his contacts, blocks her number.

· Start: Sasha is preparing to go out into the field.

· Challenging Situation: Price Petroleum has reached a settlement with the DOJ.

· Conflict: Sasha vs. Delia and Zack.

· Action: Sasha calls Zack, can’t reach him.

· Finish: Zack deletes Sasha from his contacts and blocks her number.

ACT 2

EXT. ZACK’S APARTMENT BUILDING – NIGHT

Sasha is across the street. A stakeout. As Zack approaches, she races up to him, asking loudly how Delia got to him. Is he doing it for money, maybe a lobbyist position for oil and gas? Embarrassed, Zack ushers her inside.

· Start: Sasha is staking out Zack’s apartment.

· Challenging Situation: Sasha has to connect with Zack even though he doesn’t want to see or hear from her.

· Conflict: Sasha vs. Zack over his decision not to prosecute.

· Action: Sasha loudly confronts Zack about Delia on the street outside his apartment.

· Finish: Zack ushers Sasha inside.

INT. ZACK’S APARTMENT – MOMENTS LATER

Sasha starts urging Zack to reconsider, all the while trying to keep her anger in check. Does he realize what this prosecution could mean to holding fossil fuel companies accountable for their actions? Zack tells her the problem is on her end—the evidence just wasn’t strong enough. Hell hath no fury like Sasha when it comes to how she does her job protecting the environment. The subtext of the fight is that she didn’t let him get close.

· Start: Sasha starts with urging Zack to reconsider.

· Challenging Situation: Sasha is trying to convince Zack to rescind the settlement without letting her anger get the better of her.

· Conflict: Sasha vs. Zack over his ruining her blow to fossil fuel companies.

· Action: A verbal fight with subtext that Sasha didn’t let Zack get close. Sasha smashes a gift she gave Zack.

· Finish: Off Zack’s reaction, and Sasha’s realization that she lost.

INT. EPA – MANNING’S OFFICE – NEXT DAY

Sasha asks Manning for a minute. She thinks Delia and Zack were colluding and if she brings it to light, the settlement will be voided. And, if she’s lucky, they’ll both face blowback. Manning warns her that accusing Delia and Zack of collusion will be tough to prove. She should take the win and move on.

· Start: Sasha asks her boss/mentor for a minute.

· Challenging Situation: Sasha must decide whether to accuse Delia and Zack of collusion to get settlement thrown out.

· Conflict: Sasha vs. Boss over tactics.

· Action: A warning from Boss not to pursue collusion.

· Finish: Sasha should take the win and move on.

INT. EPA – LAWYER’S OFFICE – SHORT TIME LATER

Sasha is with Barnes, the lawyer who has been on the Price case with her. She appeals to his disappointment and insists that Delia had to have gotten to Zack somehow. It’s a long shot, but maybe Zack recently received a large deposit. Even if it’s not immediately traceable to Delia, it will be a start. Barnes agrees to subpoena Zack’s bank records.

· Start: Sasha is commiserating with lawyer.

· Challenging Situation: Sasha lied to her boss and is pursuing collusion anyway.

· Conflict: Sasha vs. Delia and Zach.

· Action: Convinces lawyer to subpoena Zack’s bank records.

· Finish: Sasha expects to find a large deposit, probably untraceable, in Zach’s bank account.

INT. DUNCAN’S MANSION – LAIR – DAY

The screens show Google Earth-type details of the Sonoma wildfire area. Duncan is on the phone with the Secretary of the Interior, asking for permission to go to the wildfire zone, now that it’s 50% contained. As he talks, he magnifies the images and we see an aerial view of the rustic house from the Teaser. Duncan makes a final, humorous appeal but we don’t hear the answer.

· Start: Screen maps showing locations of homes near wildfire area.

· Challenging Situation: Duncan has to convince the Secretary of the Interior to send him into the fire zone, without telling him the real reason.

· Conflict: Duncan vs. Secretary of the Interior granting permission.

· Action: Duncan zeroing in on the house from the Teaser

· Finish: Duncan makes a final, humorous appeal and we don’t hear the answer.

EXT. RUSTIC HOUSE – NEXT DAY

Duncan is chatting up the lone deputy left guarding the house, which is marked with “CRIME SCENE” yellow tape. He’s trying to get as much information as possible without giving too much away about himself. Duncan is too open, as is his style, but he does trick the deputy into revealing which neighbor found the bodies.

· Start: Duncan is chatting with the lone deputy left guarding the house, marked with yellow tape as a crime scene.

· Challenging Situation: Duncan is trying to get as much information as he can from the deputy.

· Conflict: Duncan vs. deputy on who gives whom information.

· Action: Duncan gives away too much, but manages to find out who the neighbors are.

· Finish: Duncan tricks deputy into giving him neighbor who found the bodies.

EXT./INT. MODEST HOUSE – SHORT TIME LATER

Duncan presents himself to NORRIS, the man who found the victims, as an environmentalist seeking answers. He pushes hard on what condition the bodies were in, the splintered door, anything unusual. Norris becomes increasingly wary and asks exactly what does Duncan have to do with this investigation? Duncan says he’s authorized to offer money, but Norris turns him down.

· Start: Duncan introducing himself to wary neighbor who found the bodies.

· Challenging Situation: Duncan is trying to get as much information as he can from the neighbor.

· Conflict: Duncan vs. the neighbor over how much Duncan find out.

· Action: Duncan pushes too hard, then offers a bribe for information.

· Finish: The neighbor turns down the bribe.

EXT./INT. SHERIFF’S OFFICE – LATER

Duncan enters, looking for the Sheriff. He’s there to help: the sheriff’s theory that somebody attacked the group with a blow torch is wrong. It’s too late to sway the Sheriff—he’s heard from Norris and is incensed that Duncan tried to bribe a witness for confidential information. He arrests Duncan for witness tampering. His mug shot is taken, he’s fingerprinted, and escorted to a jail cell.

· Start: Duncan enters, looking for the Sheriff.

· Challenging Situation: Duncan is not savvy enough to realize the Sheriff will be upset by his interference.

· Conflict: Duncan vs. the Sheriff over the bribe to the neighbor.

· Action: Duncan is arrested for witness tampering.

· Finish: Duncan’s mug shot taken, fingerprinted, taken to jail cell.

INT. CORPORATE JET – DAY

Delia is en route, with her lawyer, Sullivan, to Price’s DC office from their headquarters in Houston. She has a closed dossier in her hand, labelled “Sasha Lambert.” She’s surprised to learn that Sasha’s father was responsible for that chemical dump twenty years ago that killed thousands of fish in New Jersey. This apple ran far away from the tree. Now, what do they do about her?

· Start: Delia is discussing a problem.

· Challenging Situation: Delia needs to figure out how to stop Sasha from investigating collusion.

· Conflict: Delia vs. Sasha over collusion accusation.

· Action: Delia on private jet, has dossier on Sasha.

· Finish: Delia asks her lawyer, Sullivan about how they can shut down Sasha.

INT. DOJ – ZACK’S OFFICE – A FEW DAYS LATER

Delia is there to sign settlement papers but also to deliver a thumb drive to Zack. It has data and photos of tankers, deliberately and expertly falsified. Zack is reluctant to deliver this info to Sasha’s boss, Manning. Delia says Sasha is relentless and this is the only way to stop her from destroying the two of them.

· Start: Delia is signing settlement papers.

· Challenging Situation: The way Delia has come up with to stop Sasha is to destroy her career.

· Conflict: Delia vs. Zack over whether to deliver the falsified data impugning Sasha’s integrity.

· Action: Delia has a thumb drive for Zack.

· Finish: Delia says Sasha is relentless and this is the only way to protect themselves.

INT. EPA – MANNING’S OFFICE – DAY

Sasha is defending herself against Manning’s accusation that Sasha buried evidence of other ships in the vicinity of Price’s tanker. The other tankers were in the same storm, meaning they could have been responsible for the oil spill, too. Other ships add credence to the argument that the spill was an accident, not a result of criminal negligence. Forensics expert Reese confirms that this evidence throws their investigative work into doubt. Sasha’s temper flares, and Manning says she’s sorry, she has no choice.

· Start: Sasha is defending herself against her boss’ accusation.

· Challenging Situation: Sasha is being framed and her boss believes it.

· Conflict: Sasha vs. boss over her guilt or innocence.

· Action: Forensics colleague on case confirms the data is plausible. Sasha’s temper flares, even though it makes matters worse.

· Finish: Boss is sorry, but she has no choice.

INT. EPA – CORRIDOR – CONTINUOUS

Sasha wants to know why Reese didn’t back her up – they’ve worked together many times. She would never do this. Reese says she doesn’t know Sasha well-enough to know what Sasha is capable of.

· Start: Angry Sasha comes up to Forensic colleague.

· Challenging Situation: Sasha wants to know why her colleague didn’t stand up for her.

· Conflict: Sasha vs. Forensic colleague over loyalty.

· Action: Sasha accuses Forensic colleague of siding with Boss without talking to her separately.

· Finish: Forensic colleague says she doesn’t know Sasha well enough to be certain of what she would or wouldn’t do.

INT. EPA – SASHA’S CUBICLE – LATER

All eyes are on Sasha as she packs up a box with her sparse personal belongings while two security guards wait. Manning comes over to ask for Sasha’s badge and gun. Sasha hands them over, pushing down her anger. Then Manning asks for her phone—it’s EPA property. Sasha defiantly removes the SIM card and smashes the phone against the edge of her desk, breaking the screen. Then she hands it over.

· Start: Sasha is at her desk filling a box with her sparse personal belongings while two security guards wait.

· Challenging Situation: Everyone knows she’s been fired.

· Conflict: Sasha and Boss over her firing.

· Action: Boss comes over to take Sasha’s badge and gun.

· Finish: Sasha has to give up her company phone. She removes the SIM card and smashes the phone against her desk.

ACT 3

EXT. DUNCAN’S MANSION – TENNIS COURT – DAY

Duncan’s lawyer, LUCAS FINLEY, finds Duncan hitting against a tennis ball machine, taking out his frustration over how his “investigating” went. Finley explains why pleading guilty to a lesser charge of harassment made sense. The fine wasn’t a problem for him, and the records were sealed. But Duncan is at a loss as to how he will get info without paying for it. Finley tells him to find a new private investigator. One who can resist Delia’s money.

· Start: Duncan’s lawyer explaining why pleading guilty to a lesser charge made sense.

· Challenging Situation: Duncan fears he won’t be able to track creatures on his own.

· Conflict: Duncan vs. Lawyer over Duncan’s facility for investigating.

· Action: Duncan hitting against tennis ball machine; conversation on tennis court.

· Finish: Lawyer: find another private investigator.

INT. RESTAURANT – DAY

Sasha is meeting with executive recruiter over lunch. The recruiter has done her homework, and tells her that Delia put out a press release regarding her firing. Bad press dominates her Google page. Her ex-boss Manning is describing Sasha as untrustworthy and defiant to anyone who shows an interest in her. She’s unemployable in the environmental field and in law enforcement. She wouldn’t be able to get a job as a night watchman, even if she wanted it.

· Start: Executive Recruiter asking Sasha how wide a search she’d be willing to do.

· Challenging Situation: Sasha faces stiff obstacles getting an environmental job that pays a living wage.

· Conflict: Sasha vs. Delia, the source of those obstacles.

· Action: Lunch at a restaurant.

· Finish: Sasha realizes she’s unemployable in her field.

EXT. RESTAURANT – DAY

Sasha gets a call from her Mom, Trish. Sasha lies and says she’s fine, then asks what’s wrong. Is she taking her insulin? Needy mom upset she hasn’t called. Sasha works too hard.

· Start: Sasha gets a call.

· Challenging Situation: Sasha feels suffocated by her needy mom.

· Conflict: Sasha vs. Mom over her independence.

· Action: Underlying tension during phone call.

· Finish: Sasha dismisses her mom.

INT. DUNCAN’S HOME OFFICE – DAY

Duncan is interviewing GARRETT, a private investigator candidate. He has excellent credentials and references. Garrett insists he can only do his job if Duncan tells him what he’s really looking for in these suspicious death cases. Garrett hints at the “unexplained” nature of these deaths and confides that he’s a believer, too. It’s obvious that Delia has gotten to him.

· Start: Duncan interviewing a private investigator candidate.

· Challenging Situation: Candidate is probing Duncan for reference to the creatures Duncan seeks.

· Conflict: Duncan vs. Private Investigator over his real mission.

· Action: Tense exchange between the two men.

· Finish: Duncan realizes Delia has gotten to this candidate.

INT. DELIA’S CORPORATE APARTMENT – EVENING

Phone calls don’t seem to be working, and Delia is currently in DC, so Duncan pays her a visit. He orders Delia to stop interfering with his private investigators. Delia admits she has a deep list and can get to anyone Duncan is considering—but she’s just looking out for him. Is he seeing creatures, like he did ten years ago? Duncan protests that he wasn’t in his right mind back then.

· Start: Duncan tells Delia to stop interfering.

· Challenging Situation: Duncan has to persuade Delia to stop interfering with his business.

· Conflict: Duncan vs. Delia over Delia’s intrusiveness.

· Action: Delia turns the tables—she’s just looking out for him.

· Finish: Duncan protests he wasn’t in his right mind then.

INT. SASHA’S APARTMENT – NIGHT

Sasha is on the phone with her landlord about the notice she just got that her rent is doubling. She tries to negotiate and fails. She also looks at a promotional letter advertising “consolidate your credit card payments into one easy-to-manage loan. She scans it, and picks up the phone. Instead of calling this company, a defeated Sasha calls her mother, asks if she can come home for a while.

· Start: Sasha is on the phone with her landlord about the rent.

· Challenging Situation: Sasha is in economic trouble.

· Conflict: Sasha vs. landlord/credit card companies.

· Action: Sasha pays the minimum on $5000 in debt.

· Finish: Sasha calls her mother, asks to come home.

EXT. NECKER ISLAND RESORT – DREAM SEQUENCE

A barrage of images tells the jumbled-up story of how Duncan lost his daughter Caitlyn at her sweet 16 party, during hurricane season, because it had to be on her actual birthday. A clip of an exuberant Duncan saving the best for last: Katy Perry is going to perform at this private party. A hurricane hits, waves crash, and the surge wipes out thatched beach houses. Duncan and Caitlyn are swept away. Duncan loses her, and, in the distance, sees the shape of a creature formed by the water. The creature, takes Caitlyn.

INT. DUNCAN’S BEDROOM – NIGHT

Duncan bolts upright in bed as he awakens from his nightmare.

· Start: Duncan at a Sweet 16 party.

· Challenging Situation: Duncan and daughter Caitlyn are in the middle of a hurricane.

· Conflict: Duncan vs. nature.

· Action: Duncan and Caitlyn are swept away; he loses her and, in the distance, sees a watery creature take her.

· Finish: Duncan awakens from his nightmare.

INT. TRISH’S CONDO – NEW JERSEY – NEXT DAY

Sasha is unpacking her clothes in her childhood bedroom while her mother stands nearby, as if overseeing the process. Trish says the EPA was too political a place for her, and maybe quitting the job was a good thing (Sasha lied about being fired). Trish starts to rearrange the clothes in Sasha’s drawers (putting sweaters together, then T-Shirts). As she does, she comments that maybe Sasha can find a less pressured job that will give her time for a relationship, too. Sasha explodes, dumping the contents of her suitcase on the bed and telling her mother to finish what she’s obviously in the middle of.

· Start: Sasha is unpacking her clothes.

· Challenging Situation: Sasha trying to keep her independence with a needy mom.

· Conflict: Sasha vs. her mom about her life.

· Action: Mom starts rearranging Sasha’s drawers and closet.

· Finish: Mom says maybe her next job will allow her to develop a relationship.

ACT 4

INT. DUNCAN’S LAIR – DAY

Duncan is at his control center, working on his computer. On one large screen, Zack is at a podium announcing the DOJ settlement with Price Petroleum for $2 billion (4^th largest for environmental violations in EPA history). On another screen, we see several windows open to past articles detailing the investigation of Price Petroleum (which mention Sasha’s name). Duncan copies and pastes the name “Sasha Lambert” into a search engine.

· Start: Duncan is watching Zack announce settlement while he works a computer.

· Challenging Situation: Duncan is trying to find out who got his sister to pay such a hefty fine.

· Conflict: Duncan vs. Delia over everything between them, encapsulated in this “win” for Duncan.

· Action: Several screens show different text and photos of the investigation (one is the EPA website).

· Finish: Duncan googles Sasha’s name.

INT. TRISH’S CONDO – DAY

A miserable Sasha is administering insulin to her mother. Her laptop is open on the table, the screen showing a resume. Sasha is trying to explain that job hunting is done on line now, and she’s been sending out resumes, but no bites yet. It will take time, and she’ll probably be hearing from online recruiters any day now. Her mom doesn’t understand why Sasha can’t get a job with all these “for hire” signs all over town. It doesn’t have to be permanent.

· Start: Sasha is giving Trish her insulin.

· Challenging Situation: Sasha is trying to keep calm in the face of her mom’s neediness.

· Conflict: Sasha vs. her mom over Sasha’s independence.

· Action: Sasha is explaining how all job hunting is done on computer now. No responses to her resumes.

· Finish: Trish says the job doesn’t need to be permanent.

INT. LOCAL SHOP-RITE – DAY

Sasha is just inside the entrance of the supermarket, holding a filled-out application form. She looks over at the checkout stand, and envisions herself (literally) working there. The Sasha behind the counter hands a receipt to a customer and turns to see her next customer. It’s Zack. He doesn’t acknowledge her. He just starts loading groceries on to the conveyer belt. Sasha is mortified. Then she hears the ring of a phone and comes out of her reverie to realize it’s her phone that’s blaring. She answers automatically—this could be a job—and listens to Duncan’s voice introducing himself. OFF her surprise…

· Start: Sasha at supermarket, filled out application in hand.

· Challenging Situation: Sasha needs a paying job but doesn’t want this one.

· Conflict: Internal conflict as Sasha weighs taking a job vs. having her mother hounding her at home.

· Action: Sasha envisions herself at Checkout Counter ringing up Zack’s food items.

· Finish: Duncan calls.

INT. TRISH’S CONDO – SHORT TIME LATER

Sasha is excitedly explaining to Trish who Duncan is and what he does. She’s going to be his assistant, helping to fund climate scientists and supportive politicians. It’s like a dream come true. Even the transportation is fairy-tale like—a towncar takes her to a heliport where Duncan’s helicopter awaits to fly her from New Jersey to DC.

· Start: Sasha excitedly explaining to Trish about Duncan.

· Challenging Situation: Sasha is extrapolating about what she’ll do for Duncan before meeting him.

· Conflict: Sasha vs. her mom over what Duncan’s phone call means.

· Action: Perhaps Sasha giving her mother insulin.

· Finish: A helicopter comes for Sasha.

INT. DUNCAN’S HOME OFFICE – DAY

Duncan clears up Sasha’s misunderstanding, explaining that he needs an investigator who would never betray him to his sister. Sasha’s confused: what is he investigating and why would any investigator “betray” him? Duncan appears to go off on a tangent, asking if she knows about the global warming event 55 million years ago. It’s being used as a model for today. Back then, all deep-sea species went extinct, and so did a number of land species. Others adapted. And new species were spawned. These creatures have hibernated since the planet’s temperature cooled, but have now awakened with the recent concentration of greenhouse gases. And, if his theory is correct, the dead bodies of the creatures will absorb vast amounts of greenhouse gases. He’s prepared to do the killing—he just needs Sasha to track them down. But he’s trusting her to keep his true mission a secret; otherwise, Delia will claim he is delusional and seize control of his assets. Sasha is disappointed and angry. If he’s trying to make up for his family’s sins, he can’t risk his fortune by hunting these creatures. His promises of money are worthless. She storms out.

INT. DUNCAN’S LAIR – SHORT TIME LATER

In the training area, Duncan is hitting a punching bag to relieve his frustration that Sasha has crippled his plan to hunt for the creatures.

· Start: Duncan chose Sasha because she won’t betray him to Delia.

· Challenging Situation: Sasha discovers what Duncan is really offering.

· Conflict: Sasha vs. Duncan over the job he’s offering.

· Action: Duncan shows Sasha renderings of creatures from 55 million years ago; Sasha insults Duncan and storms out.

· Finish: Duncan hitting a punching bag in frustration over losing his only chance at pursuing these creatures.

INT. HELICOPTER – DAY

Flying home, Sasha receives a call from her mother. Trish’s diabetes has led to severe kidney disease. She may need dialysis and has no one but Sasha to rely on. Sasha hangs up, and puts her head in her hands, overwhelmed by the events of the day.

· Start: Sasha receives call from her mother.

· Challenging Situation: Her mother’s worsening physical condition.

· Conflict: Internal—does Sasha stay trapped with her mother or does she accept a job that will provide the funds for caregivers.

· Action: Sasha’s mother relays the news at the worst time.

· Finish: Sasha hangs up, torn.

ACT 5

INT. TRISH’S CONDO – EVENING

As Sasha is placing all of Trish’s doctor’s appointments on a calendar app, her mom says she’s so grateful Sasha moved in with her. What lucky timing, since she can’t afford to hire help on her teacher’s pension. Sasha can feel her independence slipping away and snaps at her mom, telling her she won’t be able to be her chauffeur for all these appointments.

· Start: Trish is so grateful Sasha moved in with her.

· Challenging Situation: Sasha has to decide whether she will become her mother’s primary care-giver.

· Conflict: Sasha vs. her mom over Sasha’s independence.

· Action: Trish is having Sasha calendar all of her upcoming doctor’s appointments.

· Finish: Sasha is feeling trapped. Snaps at her mom.

EXT. SASHA’S CHEVY BOLT – NEXT DAY

Sasha’s electric car glides down a highway.

INT. CHEVY BOLT – CONTINUOUS

Sasha, driving, is on the hands-free phone inquiring about the cost of part-time home care. She listens to the sales talk for a beat, then asks how much will all this tender loving care cost every month. When she hears $6000, she hangs up the phone.

· Start: Sasha’s car driving down a highway.

· Challenging Situation: Sasha is exploring the cost of home care.

· Conflict: Sasha vs. the home care salesperson.

· Action: Speaking on the phone while driving.

· Finish: Hanging up.

EXT. DUNCAN’S MANSION – LATER

Sasha buzzes in at the front gate, is told Duncan is not available. Sasha reminds the housekeeper she was there yesterday. Can she please wait?

INT. DUNCAN’S MANSION – PARLOR – SHORT TIME LATER

Sasha is taking in the art work when Duncan enters. She launches in to an apology for her behavior yesterday before he can get a word out. She wants the job—if these creatures exist, she’ll find them. Duncan asserts they do exist, but it will take time, so he needs a three-year commitment from her. Sasha, reacting to Duncan’s eagerness, adds one condition: after that period, she wants him to fund a foundation for her so she can be her own boss and fight climate change directly. Duncan welcomes her to their team of two—can she start today?

· Start: Sarah at front gate, Duncan not available.

· Challenging Situation: Sasha must convince Duncan to hire her.

· Conflict: Sasha vs. Duncan over his hiring her.

· Action: Duncan needs a commitment from Sasha.

· Finish: Duncan agrees to funding foundation in three years’ time.

INT. DUNCAN’S LAIR – MOMENTS LATER

As Duncan shows Sasha the wall of suspicious deaths, she comments that there doesn’t appear to be a connection between the events. That’s not the way you do an investigative board. He responds that’s why she’s here. Meanwhile, he briefs Sasha on the recent incident. She dissuades Duncan from sending her to interview people to tease out if they saw signs of these creatures. What they need is cause of death. Duncan contacts the California Attorney General for help with a special autopsy of the bodies.

· Start: As Duncan shows Sasha his wall of suspicious deaths, Sasha criticizes it.

· Challenging Situation: How does Sasha act in this new boss-employee relationship?

· Conflict: Sasha vs. Duncan regarding approach to the mysteriously burned bodies (from the Teaser).

· Action: Sasha dissuades Duncan from going for interviews to investigating cause of death.

· Finish: Duncan contacts California Attorney General for help.

INT. DUNCAN’S GUEST HOUSE – A FEW DAYS LATER

Sasha is directing the movers bringing in her furniture while on the phone with her mom, who’s complaining about the aide. Duncan calls.

INT. DUNCAN’S HOME OFFICE – SHORT TIME LATER

As crime scene photos come across Duncan’s laptop, HENRY WINSLOW, the biologist who attended the special autopsy, reports that the bodies were cooked from the inside out. Duncan notes that the interior of the house was slightly charred, but not the outside. The temperature had to have risen quickly to a humid 200 degrees to kill those people as they ate dinner. That just doesn’t happen. After Winslow leaves, Duncan says it was his creature and shows Sasha a photo of a scorch mark that looks like a claw, at least to him. Sasha tells him we all see what we look for.

· Start: Sasha gets phone call from Duncan.

· Challenging Situation: More questions than answers concerning the suspicious wildfire deaths.

· Conflict: Sasha vs. Duncan over the creatures.

· Action: Biologist relates finding of special autopsy.

· Finish: Duncan insists a creature was responsible. Sasha remains skeptical.

[David Thome]

This was a great step in the development of the outline, providing all kinds of new insights and answers to questions that existed going in. It’s great to see things filling in this way.

[Diana Ceres]

Diana’s Scene Requirements

What I learned: Looking at the structure of each scene showed me where I needed to make the scenes more interesting. As I was doing so, new/better ideas surfaced. I also discovered some holes and created a few new scenes and some errors with the timeline. So grateful to have done this exercise.

Teaser

INT. PRIESTESS CHAMBERS INSIDE THE COMPOUND OF SINOLOA CARTEL LORD – NIGHT

A young Dolores is cleaning the shrine of the cartel’s santeria priestess, Maya, as the priestess is preparing a spell. Dolores accidentally spills ceremonial wine on the cover of the sacred Book of Spirits. Maya chastises Dolores and hands her the sacred tome, commanding her to clean it immediately.

Start: Dolores cleaning shrine.
Challenging Situation: Dolores spills wine on the
sacred book of secrets.
Conflict: She has just tainted the book and angered the
cartel’s witch and now Dolores’ life could be in danger.
Action: Maya, the witch/santeria commands Dolores to
clean the sacred tome and to not bring it back until there is not one drop
of wine on the pages.
Finish: Dolores rushes out of the priestess chambers
with the tome.

INT. DRUG LAB OF SINOLOA CARTEL LORD – SAME

Dolores’ husband, Hector, is packaging bricks of heroin in the lab. One of the cartel members interrupts him to check an inventory error.

Start: Hector is packaging bricks of heroin.
Challenging Situation: Cartel captain approaches Hector
and accuses him of skimming heroin.
Conflict: Hector must prove his innocence.
Action: Cartel captain roughs Hector up.
Finish: Captain leaves Hector beaten to a pulp on the floor.

INT. PRIESTESS CHAMBERS – SAME

When Dolores returns with the cleaned book, Maya is nowhere to be found. Dolores feels a gentle pulsation from the book and looks up when she hears bottles rattling and observes one of the potion bottles release smoke. Frightened, she heads upstairs, forgetting to leave the book on the altar.

Start: Dolores returns with book.
Challenging Situation: Book connects with Dolores
energetically, claiming her as the new owner. Dolores does not know what
to make of the purple smoke coming from the book. It frightens her.
Conflict: She is mesmerized by the Book of Secrets, a
book that belongs to the cartel’s priestess, and when she tries to place
it on the altar, it refuses to be set down.
Action: Bottles rattle on the shelves, purple smoke emanates
from the book. Dolores sets the book on the altar and turns around and the
book flies in the air and hits her on the back.
Finish: Dolores hurriedly leaves with the book, instead
of leaving it on the altar as instructed.

INT. MEETING CHAMBER IN COMPOUND OF SINOLOA CARTEL – NIGHT

The boss and captains are seated around an ornate table. Some conversation about shipments, who’s doing what. Any problems. Solutions. Competitors. New tunnel being made with Maya’s help, etc.

Start: Cartel meeting with head of cartel.
Challenging Situation: One of the captains mentions one
of the workers is stealing heroin (Hector).
Conflict: Hector is family. The head of the cartel must
decide whether to spare Hector or have him executed.
Action: The head of Cartel stands up and tells his
second in command to decide.
Finish: The members of the cartel take a vote, and
Hector is toast.

INT. BEDROOM OF DOLORES AND HECTOR – NIGHT

Dolores pores over the book, relishing each page. When Hector inquires, she just shrugs and says it’s some old book she found while cleaning. Hector pulls the book toward him and realizes what she holds. He warns her of the curse and Dolores says she cannot be curse because the book was handed to her, not stolen.

While Hector is sleeping, Dolores continues to read the book.

Dolores, realizing the power of the book, wakes Hector up.

They go to the laundry room and put on soiled clothes from the guards.

Dolores stuffs the pants into her boots and Hector helps her roll up the sleeves on her shirt.

Start: A wounded Hector rushes into the bedroom.
Challenging Situation: He tries to convince Dolores to
leave with him.
Conflict: Dolores wants to stay.
Action: Hector tries to force Dolores to come with him.
Finish: The book’s magic throws Hector to the ground.
Dolores, has a change of heart and picks him up.

EXT. COMPOUND OF SINOLOA CARTEL LORD – NIGHT

Several armed guards stand watch. Dolores and Hector approach the guards and nod.

Once they pass and head toward the gate, one of the guards grows suspicious and yells. Dolores and Hector run. The book opens to an invisibility spell and Dolores vanishes in a puff of smoke. Instead of helping Hector, Dolores leaves him to be gunned down by the guards, running down a dirt road we see a shimmer that soon disappers into the night. [He could haunt Dolores during the series and Dolores, who is carrying the drug lord’s baby, uses Hector as leverage against Lupe who has been led to believe Hector is in a Sinoloan prison and once they raise $20M, he will be released, unharmed. Lupe, is even more ruthless than Dolores as she has cartel blood running through her icy veins.

Start: Hector and Dolores steal soiled guard uniforms
from the laundry room.
Challenging Situation: They must escape the compound,
which is heavily armed.
Conflict: Dolores doesn’t want to leave. The guards
question Dolores and Hector, who state they were told to patrol the
exterior grounds.
Action: The guards recognize Dolores and Hector and
cock their guns.
Finish: Hector and Dolores make a run for it. The book
protects Dolores with a thick cloud of smoke, but Hector is shot. Dolores
looks back and keeps running, leaving her dead husband behind.

Act 1

INT. JAKE’S HOME – DAY

The news is on and Jake is having breakfast with the family and dismisses threat of hurricane.

Start: Jake having breakfast with family.
Challenging Situation: Category 3 hurricane predicted.
Conflict: Jake has to travel to a medical conference,
as he is a keynote speaker.
Action: Jake gets up from the table, dismissing the
threat.
Finish: Lupe follows him upstairs, shouting expletives
in Spanish.

INT. JAKE AND LUPE’S BEDROOM – SAME

Jake and Lupe fight over the conference he is going to.

Start: Jake and Lupe fight.
Challenging Situation: Jake wants to leave. Lupe wants
him to stay, or so we think.
Conflict: Jake ignores Lupe’s pleas, which further enrages
her.
Action: Jake packs his suitcase as Lupe belittles him.
Finish: Jake walks out while Lupe is still yelling,
without his suitcase.

INT. DOLORE’S BEDROOM – SAME

Dolores smiles as she hears Jake and Lupe argue then opens closet door to expose a santeria altar. She lights a black candle and chants something in Spanish.

Start: Dolores approaches her altar and reaches for her
book of secrets.
Challenging Situation: The sacred book is missing.
Conflict: She needs the book or the plan to catfish Lupe’s
husband won’t work.
Action: Dolores casts a spell to locate the book.
Finish: She finds the book in the kids’ room.

INT. CARLOS’ ROOM – SAME

Carlos isn’t packing. He’s reading Dolores’ book.

Start: Dolores barges into Carlos’ room.
Challenging Situation: Carlos has been cursed because
he stole the Book of Secrets.
Conflict: Dolores doesn’t know how much Carlos knows
and must decide whether to reverse the curse.
Action: Dolores takes the book from Carlos and tells
him to stay away from her altar.
Finish: She storms out of his room with her book.

INT. JAKE’S HOME – SAME

Jake SLAMS front door and heads toward garage.

Start: Jake is going on his trip.
Challenging Situation: He is defying his wife.
Conflict: He forgets his suitcase and must face the
wrath of Lupe, who is threatening to divorce him if he leaves, which is an
idle threat and he knows it.
Action: Jake goes upstairs and finds all his clothes on
the floor.
Finish: Jake throws everything into his suitcase and
leaves without saying goodbye.

EXT. GARAGE DOOR – SAME

Jake clicks remote, closes garage door, then drives away.

Start: Jake enters garage and clicks remote.
Challenging Situation: Car won’t start.
Conflict: He is late for his flight.
Action: He takes Lupe’s car.
Finish: He closes garage door and drives away.

Turning point: Jake ignores Lupe’s divorce threats and leaves for conference.

Act 2:

INT. JAKE’S LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

The TV is blaring with news that Tropical Storm Lupe is growing stronger. Lupe and Dolores fight over the volume.

Start: Lupe and Dolores are watching the storm report
on the TV.
Challenging Situation: They fight over the volume.
Conflict: Lupe takes the remote from Dolores.
Action: Dolores slaps Lupe and insults her in Spanish.
Finish: Lupe rubs her cheek as Dolores walks away.

INT. DOLORES’ BEDROOM – SAME

Dolores storms up to her room and SLAMS the door. She opens her closet, exposing an elaborate altar. She chants in Spanish as she lights several candles and places an offering of flower, fruit and rum on her altar.

Start: An angry Dolores walls herself up in her room.
Challenging Situation: She must decide whether to remove
the curse on her grandson.
Conflict: If she does that he could inherit the book’s
power.
Action: Dolores approaches her altar and lights several
candles and places an offering of flowers, fruit, and rum on the altar.
Finish: Dolores chants in Spanish and curses Lupe instead,
while leaving Carlos cursed for now.

INT. MARCO’S HOUSE – NIGHT

Marco and Lupe have sex. Afterwards they discuss plans to liquidate Jake and Lupe’s shared accounts and for Marco to contact the movers.

Start: Marco and Lupe discuss plans to steal from Jake.
Challenging Situation: Lupe and Marco must work quickly.
Conflict: A powerful tropical storm is headed their way
and they are running out of time.
Action: They finalize their plans.
Finish: Lupe leaves while Marco calls the movers.

Turning point: Lupe sets the plan to rob and frame Jake in motion.

Act 3:

INT. JAKE’S HOUSE – DAY

News reports Tropical Storm Lupe is building momentum. 24-foot swells are predicted. Lupe rushes everyone to pack.

Start: Tropical storm is growing stronger and more
sinister than predicted.
Challenging Situation: Roads are closing. They have one
day to pack and haul ass out of there.
Conflict: Marco is having trouble finding movers.
Action: Lupe rushes upstairs and tells her mother to
locate some movers.
Finish: Dolores, still miffed over the TV battle, tells
Lupe to find them herself.

INT. JAKE’S HOME OFFICE – DAY

Marco walks into Jake’s office and sticks a thumb drive into Jake’s computer.

Start: Marco walks into Jake’s office.
Challenging Situation: Marco only has five tries to
guess his password.
Conflict: They are running out of time. Storm is
getting worse.
Action: Marco gets in on the last try.
Finish: Marco hacks a child sex trafficking site and
redirects it to Jake’s IPS. He also uploads X-rated pics of naked kids to
frame him as a pedophile and creates a folder of additional incriminating
photos on his desktop. His inbox is teeming with emails of eager
customers.

INT. DOLORES’ ROOM – DAY

Dolores packs santeria shit calmly while everyone else is rushing. She is more focused on the lit candles on her altar than packing.

Start: Dolores
Challenging Situation: Tropical Storm Lupe has turned
into a Category 4 hurricane and is growing in speed and intensity.
Conflict: Dolores isn’t packed.
Action: Dolores casts a spell to release Carlos from
the curse.
Finish: She beings to calmly dismantle her altar.

INT. BANK – DAY

Lupe empties all of her joint accounts.

Start: Lupe enters the bank and approaches a teller.
Challenging Situation: The bank is resisting emptying
all of the accounts, which hold millions.
Conflict: Lupe is running out of time.
Action: Lupe works her charm and convinces the teller
to transfer all the funds to “their” new account.
Finish: Lupe walks out with all of Jake’s money.

INT. BEAUTY SUPPLY STORE – SAME

Lupe purchases hair dye, clippers, scissors, wigs, makeup, etc.

Start: Lupe shops for disguises for the family.
Challenging Situation: The store is crowded and is
limited in supplies.
Conflict: Dolores gets into an altercation with a
customer over the last wig.
Action: Dolores plays tug of war with the customer and
lets go of the wig and the woman falls flat on her ass.
Finish: Dolores kicks the woman and snatches the wig.

INT. JAKE’S HOUSE – DAY

Marco arrives with a team of movers who clear out the house FAST. The only items left are Jake’s clothes (left in closet and on bedroom floor), his office furniture, and computer.

Start: Marco lets the movers inside.
Challenging Situation: They have 1 hour to pack up and
leave.
Conflict: The movers are drunk.
Action: Marco rounds up the boys and makes them help.
Finish: Lupe shows up with burner phones and disguises.

Turning point: Lupe robs Jake and prepares for escape.

Act 4:

INT. JAKE’S HOUSE – DAY

Marco boards up office windows. Lupe and the kids start carrying suitcases downstairs.

Start: Marco boards up window in office to protect the
computer and evidence.
Challenging Situation: They are out of time. More roads
are closing. The winds are blowing hard. Debris and lawn furniture are
blowing across the yard.
Conflict: The movers left with most of the wood.
Action: He boards up as much of the office windows as
he can.
Finish: Lupe yells at Marco for hiring a bunch of
drunks and then hands him a burner phone and snatches his other phone out
of his hands before he can comment.

INT. HOTEL ROOM – DAY

Jake unpacks his suitcase and answers a knock at the door. It is an attractive woman, smiling.

Start: Jake at hotel, unpacking suitcase.
Challenging Situation: Lupe calls Jake to keep up the
front so he doesn’t suspect anything as a woman knocks on his hotel room
door.
Conflict: Jake is having an affair with a doctor from
the conference and tries to explain the knock to Lupe.
Action: Lupe keeps calling. Jake turns his phone off.
Finish: Jake and the doctor have sex.

INT. JAKE’S HOUSE – DAY

Lupe is stressed out, because it’s time to go and Dolores is casting spells in her bedroom when they need to go. NOW.

Start: Lupe barges into her mother’s bedroom.
Challenging Situation: Dolores is pissed at Lupe.
Conflict: She still hasn’t packed her clothes.
Action: Lupe starts tossing clothes into Dolores’
suitcase.
Finish: Dolores yells at Lupe. They fight over why she
isn’t packed.

INT. HOTEL CONFERENCE ROOM – DAY

Jake gives keynote speech.

Start: Jake is about to give his keynote speech.
Challenging Situation: Jake reaches into his briefcase
and discovers Lupe has ripped up his printed speech. There are hospital
administrators in the audience from prestigious hospitals, scouting speakers
to convice speakers to work at their hospitals for higher pay.
Conflict: He doesn’t have his laptop or any other notes.

Action: Jake fumbles through his speech in front of a
large audience.
Finish: People start leaving in droves, including the
hospital administrators.

EXT. JAKE’S HOUSE – SAME

The wind is growing louder, branches are blowing across the yard. The remaining neighbors are piling into cars and leaving. Lupe tosses everyone’s cell phones into the bushes.

Start: Lupe collects everyone’s cell phones and hands
out burners to her mother and kids.
Challenging Situation: Lupe’s car is missing.
Conflict: They have to get out NOW.
Action: Lupe tries to start Jake’s car, and it’s dead.
Finish: Lupe pounds the steering wheel and screams.

INT. JAKE’S HOUSE – SAME

Jake calls to check on the family. Calls go to voicemail. Lupe yells at Dolores to hurry.

Start: Marco calls with bad news.
Challenging Situation: There are no rental cars.
Conflict: Only three fit in the moving truck.
Action: Lupe screams and gets into a fight with Marco
on her burner phone.
Finish: Lupe tells Marco to hurry and hangs up.

EXT. JAKE’S DRIVEWAY – LATER

Lupe rushes everyone in the moving van, packing them in like sardines. Dolores is the last one in. Before she gets in the van, she looks up at the dark sky and smiles.

Start: Marco is dropped off at Jake’s house.
Challenging Situation: The wind is so strong, he can
barely up the driver’s side door.
Conflict: He can’t shift gears with everyone packed in
so tightly.
Action: Lupe tells Dolores to get her fat ass in the cargo
area of the truck.
Finish: Dolores kicks the boys out of the truck,
forcing them to ride cargo. Another argument ensues.

INT. DOLORES’ ROOM – SAME

Closet door open, snake slithers on floor.

Start: Snake hisses as it moves across the room.
Challenging Situation: It’s a black mamba and
programmed to kill Jake.
Conflict: If Jake dies, it will foil Lupe’s plans.
Action: Snake exits room and heads toward the hall.
Finish: Snake slowly slithers down the stairs.

EXT. HWY – LATER

Long stretch of cars leaving. Hail pummels the cars as one hydroplanes its way into a ditch.

Turning point: Lupe and family leave. Tropical storm Lupe predicted to turn into a Category 5 hurricane and hit land by the middle of the night.

Start: Marco driving on shoulder to get out of town
fast.
Challenging Situation: The cops are after them. The hurricane
is coming.
Conflict: Marco doesn’t have a license and is
struggling to stay on the road because of the strong winds.
Action: He tries to speed up and skids off the road, almost
toppling the truck.
Finish: The officer arrests Marco for reckless driving.
Lupe is forced to take over, struggling to handle the truck.

Act 5:

INT. POSH HOTEL – DAY

Lupe and her family are out of state. Everyone except Mikey has changed their appearance. Large sealed envelopes are on the bed.

Start: Lupe investigates everyone.
Challenging Situation: Mikey refuses to get a buzz cut.
Conflict: He is stronger than Lupe.
Action: Marco holds Mikey in a headlock while Lupe
shaves his head.
Finish: Mikey looks at himself in the mirror and shatters
the mirror with his fist.

INT. JAKE’S HOME – NIGHT

Jake comes home to an empty house. He searches frantically from room to room. Everything is empty, save for his office.

Start: Jake enters house.
Challenging Situation: No one is home. House is empty.
Conflict: He tries calling Lupe, but it goes straight
to voicemail.
Action: He storms upstairs, nearly stepping on the
snake.
Finish: The snake hisses while Jake inspects the
upstairs.

INT. POSH HOTEL – NIGHT

Marco beats up Mikey.

Start: Marco arrives with dinner.
Challenging Situation: Mikey threatens to call the cops
on them.
Conflict: Lupe is forced to choose between her lover
andher son.
Action: Mikey picks up his cell phone and is about to
dial.
Finish: Marco tackles him to the floor and beats the
crap out of him and threatens to kill him if he calls the cops.

INT. JAKE’S HOME – NIGHT

Jake calls Lupe again. Call goes to voicemail. Jake calls police to report a robbery and his missing family.

Start: Jake tries to reach family.
Challenging Situation: No one’s picking up their
phones.
Conflict: Jake is conflicted. He hated Lupe, Mikey, and
Dolores but is concerned for Carlos.
Action: Jake calls police to report a robbery and his
missing family.
Finish: The power goes out. Jake is alone in the house
with a deadly snake.

INT. JAKE’S HOME – LATER

The police show up. Jake is relieved. He gives them photos of the family to place on TV so they can find his mising family.

Start: Jakes answers the knock at the door.
Challenging Situation: All the lights are out, so the
police have to use flashlights.
Conflict: The police are more interested in Jake than
his missing stuff or family.
Action: Jake explains what happened. The fight. The
conference. The voicemails.

Finish: The police walk into Jake’s office, heading for his computer. While the police in his office, Jake texts a photo of his family to a local TV station.

INT. POSH HOTEL – NIGHT

A news bulletin flashes. A photo of Lupe and family appears and newscaster says they are missing.

Start: Lupe and family are watching TV.
Challenging Situation: Their photos appear on the news.
Conflict: They are on the lam and fear being discovered,
even with disguises.
Action: They start packing.
Finish: They peel out of the parking lot in Lupe’s new
car.

INT. JAKE’S HOME – NIGHT

Jake is confused because the police do not seem interested in the robbery or his family, but rather his computer and what’s on it.

Start: Police snoop in Jake’s office.
Challenging Situation: Jake has been framed for sex
trafficking and pedophilia.
Conflict: He is innocent and a pediatrician. This could
ruin him.
Action: The police start asking Jake probing questions.
Finish: Jake refuses to answer and calls his lawyer.

Turning point: Jake is investigated by police for posession and dissemination of child porn and running a child sex trafficking ring.

[Diana Ceres]

Pass 2:

Diana’s Scene Requirements

What I learned: Taking the outline, step by step in this fashion helps me create a more engaging story. I even had some new ideas that I incorporated as I went through each scene. Having the skeleton/beginning of the outline makes it much easier to start adding flesh to the bones of the show, and this format makes me feel more confident in the quality of my writing, because I am following a specific formula designed to get audiences hooked. I can’t wait to see the final product!

Teaser

INT. PRIESTESS CHAMBERS INSIDE THE COMPOUND OF SINOLOA CARTEL LORD – NIGHT

A young Dolores is cleaning the shrine of the cartel’s santeria priestess, Maya, as the Cartel’s Santeria priestess is preparing a spell to keep rival cartels away. Dolores accidentally spills ceremonial wine on the cover of the sacred Book of Spirits. Maya chastises Dolores and hands her the sacred tome, commanding her to clean it immediately.

Sidebar: If the book is stolen, a person is cursed. Curse TBD. But since Maya handed the book to Dolores, she avoids the curse.

• Start: Dolores cleaning shrine.

• Challenging Situation: Dolores spills wine on the sacred book of secrets.

• Conflict: She has just tainted the book and angered the cartel’s witch and now Dolores’ life could be in danger.

• Action: Maya, the witch/santeria commands Dolores to clean the sacred tome and to not bring it back until there is not one drop of wine on the pages.

• Finish: Dolores rushes out of the priestess chambers with the tome.

INT. DRUG LAB OF SINOLOA CARTEL LORD – SAME

Dolores’ husband, Hector, is packaging bricks of heroin in the lab. The cartel accountant is looking over the books. He calls over one of the cartel captains and points out an inventory error in Hector’s log. The captain accuses Hector of stealing heroin, when it was actually the captain who is doing the skimming and selling it to a rival cartel. Cartel captain questions Hector and accuses him of theft. Hector denies it and the captain roughs Hector up. Hector begs him to stop. The captain beats Hector to a pulp and leaves the lab, sending a powerful message to the other mules as Hector groans in pain.

• Start: Hector is packaging bricks of heroin.

• Challenging Situation: Cartel captain approaches Hector and accuses him of skimming heroin.

• Conflict: Hector must prove his innocence.

• Action: Cartel captain roughs Hector up.

• Finish: Captain leaves Hector beaten to a pulp on the floor.

INT. PRIESTESS CHAMBERS – SAME

When Dolores returns with the cleaned book, Maya is nowhere to be found. Dolores feels a gentle pulsation from the book. Little does she know the book has now bonded with her and believes her to be the new priestess and owner of the book. Dolores rubs the book’s leather cover and admires the glyphs on the cover. Soon purple smoke emits from the book and the cover glyphs change. Dolores looks up when she hears bottles rattling and observes one of the potion bottles releasing gray smoke. Frightened, she tries to put the book on the altar, but it refuses to be set down, clinging to her like a powerful magnet. The rattling of the bottles on the altar and shelves grow louder. Dolores tries to pry the book from her hands. When she realizes the book won’t leave her hands, she heads upstairs, instead of leaving the book on the altar as instructed.

• Start: Dolores returns with book.

• Challenging Situation: Book connects with Dolores energetically, claiming her as the new owner. Dolores does not know what to make of the purple smoke coming from the book. It frightens her.

• Conflict: She is mesmerized by the Book of Secrets, a book that belongs to the cartel’s priestess, and when she tries to place it on the altar, it refuses to be set down.

• Action: Bottles rattle on the shelves, purple smoke emanates from the book. Dolores tries to set the book on the altar but it won’t let go of her.

• Finish: Dolores hurriedly leaves with the book, instead of leaving it on the altar as instructed.

INT. MEETING CHAMBER IN COMPOUND OF SINOLOA CARTEL – NIGHT

The head of the cartel and his captains are seated around an ornate table. There is some conversation about shipments, the tunnel Maya is going to protect, who’s shipping what when, etc. When the drug lord inquires of any problems, one of the captains mentions Hector’s “theft.” The head of the cartel smiles calmly. Before he makes a decision, he asks each of the captains what he should do, they all say some variation of the same thing: he’s a traitor; kill him. When he gets to Hector’s boss, his boss says the theft was not that big, perhaps he should not have brought it up. He says he will deal with Hector himself. It is then when the head of the cartel knows that it is Hector’s boss who has been stealing and not Hector. The head of the cartel nods at his second in command who shoots Hector’s boss in the head, making an example of him in front of the other captains, so they remember what happens to traitors.

Start: Cartel meeting with head of cartel. They are going to discuss a new tunnel they are building with Maya’s help.

• Challenging Situation: One of the captains mentions one of the workers is stealing heroin (Hector).

• Conflict: Hector is family. The head of the cartel must decide whether to spare Hector or have him executed.

• Action: The head of Cartel stands up and asks each of the captains the same question: What should he do?

• Finish: Hector’s boss is executed.

INT. BEDROOM OF DOLORES AND HECTOR – NIGHT

Hector, covered in blood and bruises limps into the bedroom. Dolores, who has been poring over the book, relishing each page, looks up and asks, matter of factly, what happened. Hector says his boss accused him of stealing. When Dolores asks if he did it, he says of course not. When Hector inquires what Dolores is reading, she just shrugs and says it’s some old book she found while cleaning. Hector comes closer realizes what she holds. Mortified, he warns her of the curse, and Dolores says she cannot be cursed because the book was handed to her, not stolen.

Dolores, fearing they will come after Hector and discover she now posesses the book, tells Hector they must leave at once. Hector resists, but Dolores won’t stand down. They sneak down to the laundry room and put on the guard’s soiled clothes and boots. The uniform too big for Dolores, she stuffs the pants into her boots and Hector helps her roll up the sleeves on her shirt.

• Start: A wounded Hector limps into the bedroom.

• Challenging Situation: He is wounded, beaten to a pulp.

• Conflict: He has been accused of stealing.

• Action: Dolores convinces him they need to leave.

• Finish: Hector and Dolores put on disguises, in hopes of escaping.

EXT. COMPOUND OF SINOLOA CARTEL LORD – NIGHT

Several armed guards stand watch. Dolores and Hector approach the guards and nod.

Once they pass and head toward the gate, one of the guards grows suspicious and yells. Dolores and Hector run. As they are running, one of the new glyphs on the cover emits a thick purple smoke, causing Dolores to escape in a puff of smoke. Instead of staying to help Hector, Dolores leaves him to be gunned down by the guards. Running down a dirt road, we see a shimmer that soon disappers into the night.

[Aside: Hector could haunt Dolores during the series and Dolores, who is carrying the drug lord’s baby, uses Hector as leverage against this baby, Lupe, who has been led to believe Hector is her biological father, held in a Sinoloan prison, and once they raise $20M, he will be released, unharmed. Lupe, is even more ruthless than Doloresk as she has cartel blood running through her icy veins.]

• Start: Hector and Dolores steal soiled guard uniforms from the laundry room.

• Challenging Situation: They must escape the compound, which is heavily armed.

• Conflict: The guards are suspicious and question Dolores and Hector, who state they were told to up security and patrol the exterior grounds.

• Action: The guards grow suspicious and cock their guns and yell for the couple to stop.

• Finish: Hector and Dolores make a run for it. The book protects Dolores with a thick cloud of smoke, but Hector is shot. Dolores keeps running, leaving her dead husband behind, without a backward glance in his direction.

Act 1

INT. JAKE’S HOME – DAY

The news is on and Jake, a renowned pediatric surgeon, is having breakfast with the family. A Category 3 hurricane is predicted. Lupe is concerned, and Jake dismisses the threat of a hurricane and says he has to go to the medical conference, since he is the keynote speaker. Lupe warns him of the storm, and Jake says the only storm there is her. As he gets up from the table, tossing his napking on his plate, Lupe follows him upstairs, shouting expletives in Spanish.

• Start: Jake having breakfast with family.

• Challenging Situation: Category 3 hurricane predicted.

• Conflict: Jake has to travel to a medical conference, as he is a keynote speaker.

• Action: Jake gets up from the table, dismissing the threat.

• Finish: Lupe follows him upstairs, shouting expletives in Spanish.

INT. JAKE AND LUPE’S BEDROOM – SAME

Jake and Lupe fight over the conference he is going to. Lupe pleads Jake to stay as he packs. She knows if she doesn’t create a fuss, he will stay, so she is going full boar, giving the best performance of her life. Jake ignores Lupe and zips his suitcase shut. Distracted by all of Lupe’s belittling remarks and threats of divorce, Jake walk out while she is still screaming, leaving his suitcase on the bed.

• Start: Jake and Lupe fight.

• Challenging Situation: Jake wants to leave. Lupe wants him to stay, or so we think.

• Conflict: Jake ignores Lupe’s pleas, which further enrages her.

• Action: Jake packs his suitcase as Lupe belittles him.

• Finish: Jake walks out while Lupe is still yelling, without his suitcase.

INT. DOLORE’S BEDROOM – SAME

Dolores smiles as she hears Jake and Lupe argue then opens closet door to expose an elaborate santeria altar with candles and rosary beads and pictures and statues of saints. She lights a black candle and chants something in Spanish. Then she reaches for her Book of Secrets and notices it is not there! She cannot catfish Jake without the book, meaning their plan will be for not. Dolores casts a location spell and finds the book in Carlos’ room.

• Start: Dolores approaches her altar and reaches for her book of secrets.

• Challenging Situation: The sacred book is missing.

• Conflict: She needs the book or the plan to catfish Lupe’s husband won’t work.

• Action: Dolores casts a spell to locate the book.

• Finish: She finds the book in Carlos’ room.

INT. CARLOS’ ROOM – SAME

Carlos isn’t packing. He’s on his bed, flipping through Dolores’ book. Dolores barges into his room, warning him that stealing this sacred book will curse him. Carlos scoffs and says curses only work if you believe in them. Dolores narrows her eyes, suspicious of her grandson. How much does he know? And should she reverse the curse? Furious, Dolores snatches the book from Carlos and warns him to stay away from her altar or next time she won’t reverse the curse. Carlos rolls his eyes as Dolores storms out of the room with her book.

• Start: Dolores barges into Carlos’ room.

• Challenging Situation: Carlos has been cursed because he stole the Book of Secrets.

• Conflict: Dolores doesn’t know how much Carlos knows and must decide whether to reverse the curse.

• Action: Dolores takes the book from Carlos and tells him to stay away from her altar.

• Finish: She storms out of his room with her book.

INT. JAKE’S HOME – SAME

Jake SLAMS the front door and heads toward garage. Walking toward his car he realizes he forgot his suitcase. Shit! For a moment he wonders if he should go back in. When he realizes his speech is inside his suitcase, he rushes back inside to face the wrath of Lupe. When he enters the bedrom, he finds all of his clothes on the floor. Furious, Jake throws everything into his suitcase and rushes out of the room without saying goodbye.

• Start: Jake is going on his trip.

• Challenging Situation: He is defying his wife.

• Conflict: He forgets his suitcase and must face the wrath of Lupe, who is threatening to divorce him if he leaves, which is an idle threat and he knows it.

• Action: Jake goes upstairs and finds all his clothes on the floor.

• Finish: Jake throws everything into his suitcase and leaves without saying goodbye.

INT. GARAGE – SAME

Jake tries to start his car, but it is dead. Pounding his hands on the steering wheel, Jake screams. Looking at his watch he realizes he is running late for his flight. He gets out and opens Lupe’s car, starts up the engine, clicks the remote, backs out, closes garage door, and drives away.

• Start: Jake enters garage and clicks remote.

• Challenging Situation: Car won’t start.

• Conflict: He is late for his flight.

• Action: He takes Lupe’s car.

• Finish: He closes garage door and drives away.

Turning point: Jake ignores Lupe’s divorce threats and leaves for conference.

Act 2:

INT. JAKE’S LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

The TV is blaring with news that Tropical Storm Lupe is growing stronger. Lupe and Dolores fight over the volume on the TV set. Dolores says she can barely hear it. Lupe takes the remote from Dolores, because the blaring volume is giving her a headache. Dolores slaps Lupe and tells her to go to fuck herself. Lupe rubs her cheek as Dolores leaves with the remote in her hand.

• Start: Lupe and Dolores are watching the storm report on the TV.

• Challenging Situation: They fight over the volume.

• Conflict: Lupe takes the remote from Dolores.

• Action: Dolores slaps Lupe and insults her in Spanish.

• Finish: Lupe rubs her cheek as Dolores walks away.

INT. DOLORES’ BEDROOM – SAME

Dolores storms up to her room and SLAMS the door, taking care to lock it to avoid intruders. She opens her closet, exposing an elaborate altar. She chants in Spanish as she lights several candles and places an offering of flower, fruit, and rum on her altar. Dolores opens her book of secrets. If she reverses the curse, Carlos will be the new ower of the book, thereby inheriting the book’s power. Unwilling to share or give her power away, Dolores’ eyes grow dark as she chants in Spanish and curses Lupe instead.

• Start: An angry Dolores walls herself up in her room.

• Challenging Situation: She must decide whether to remove the curse on her grandson.

• Conflict: If she does that he could inherit the book’s power.

• Action: Dolores approaches her altar and lights several candles and places an offering of flowers, fruit, and rum on the altar.

• Finish: Dolores chants in Spanish and curses Lupe instead, while leaving Carlos cursed for now.

INT. MARCO’S HOUSE – NIGHT

Marco and Lupe have sex. During sex they discuss plans to liquidate Jake and Lupe’s shared accounts and for Marco to contact the movers to clear out the house. They don’t have much time and must act quickly. As Marco is calling the movers, he pushes Lupe down under the covers, so she can give him a blow job. [Later it will be revealed that Marco and Lupe are cousins who Dolores paired up so she could use their combined incestual energies to create a powerful hex on her daughter.]

• Start: Marco and Lupe discuss plans to steal from Jake during sex.

• Challenging Situation: Lupe and Marco must work quickly.

• Conflict: A powerful tropical storm is headed their way and they are running out of time.

• Action: They finalize their plans as Lupe has multiple orgasms.

• Finish: Lupe gives Marco a blow job while Marco calls the movers.

Turning point: Lupe sets the plan to rob and frame Jake in motion.

Act 3:

INT. JAKE’S HOUSE – DAY

News reports Tropical Storm Lupe is building momentum and growing stronger. 24-foot swells are predicted and roads are closing due to flooding. Lupe rushes everyone to pack as Dolores watches the news with the TV blaring. Choosing her battles, Lupe decides to go upstairs and start packing.They have 24 hours to pack up and leave. Marco calls. He can’t find movers. Lupe asks Dolores to locate some movers. Still miffed at her daughter, Dolores tell Lupe to find them herself.

• Start: Tropical storm is growing stronger and more sinister than predicted.

• Challenging Situation: Roads are closing. They have one day to pack and haul ass out of there.

• Conflict: Marco is having trouble finding movers.

• Action: Lupe rushes upstairs and tells her mother to locate some movers.

• Finish: Dolores, still miffed over the TV battle, tells Lupe to find them herself.

INT. JAKE’S HOME OFFICE – DAY

Marco walks into Jake’s office and sticks a thumb drive into Jake’s computer. He has five tries to guess the password. If he guesses wrong, the house alarm will sound, and the police will arrive within minutes. A clever program Carlos created for his stepdad. Marco is sweating with each missed try. On his last try, he looks up at Jake’s diploma. Graduation date? He types in the month day and year as one word lowercase and he’s in. The wind is growing stronger and the windows are shaking. Marco redirects a child pornography site on the dark web and redirects it to Jake’s IPS. He also uploads X-rated picks of naked kids to frame him as a pedophile and then creates a folder of additional incriminating photos on his desktop. Marco opens up Jake’s inbox and sees a barrage of sex trafficking emails from eager customers.

• Start: Marco walks into Jake’s office.

• Challenging Situation: Marco only has five tries to guess his password.

• Conflict: They are running out of time. Storm is getting worse.

• Action: Marco gets in on the last try.

• Finish: Marco hacks a child sex trafficking site and redirects it to Jake’s IPS. He also uploads X-rated pics of naked kids to frame him as a pedophile and creates a folder of additional incriminating photos on his desktop. His inbox is teeming with emails of eager customers.

INT. DOLORES’ ROOM – DAY

Tropical Storm Lupe has turned into a Category 4 hurricane, damaging most of the Bahamas. It continues to grow in speed and intensity. Dolores isn’t packed. Instead she inspects her santeria shit calmly while everyone else is rushing. She is more focused on the lit candles on her altar than packing. She is about to cast a spell to release Carlos from the curse, when she hears a knock at the door.

• Start: Dolores

• Challenging Situation: Tropical Storm Lupe has turned into a Category 4 hurricane and is growing in speed and intensity.

• Conflict: Dolores isn’t packed.

• Action: Dolores casts a spell to release Carlos from the curse.

• Finish: Lupe knocks on the door to harass Dolors.

INT. BANK – DAY

Lupe rushes into a bank, heart racing but trying to appear calm as she approaches a teller. She is dressed to the nines in a Channel suit and matching bag. She approaches a teller who initially smiles but then scowls when Lupe mentions she wants to empty all of her joint accounts, which contains millions. Lupe is panicking and asks to speak to the branch manager. The manager also resists and Lupe threatens to call her lawyer unless they give her what she wants. She is speaking in a loud tone. To keep customers calms and Lupe quiet, the manager gives the teller the go-ahead and the teller hands her bags of cash.

• Start: Lupe enters the bank and approaches a teller.

• Challenging Situation: The bank is resisting emptying all of the accounts, which hold millions.

• Conflict: Lupe is running out of time.

• Action: Lupe threatens to call her lawyer

• Finish: Lupe walks out with all of Jake’s money. In cash.

INT. BEAUTY SUPPLY STORE – SAME

Lupe rushes into the store and starts tossing hair dye, clippers, makeup, clippers, and scissors into her basket. The shelves are practically bare. The is a wig Lupe has an eye on, but a customer grabs it before Lupe can. They get into an altercation and play tug of war with the wig. Lupe lets go of the wig and the woman falls flat on her ass. Dolores laughs and snatches the wig from the injured woman, taking care to step on her hand with her stilletos as she heads to the register.

• Start: Lupe shops for disguises for the family.

• Challenging Situation: The store is crowded and is limited in supplies.

• Conflict: Dolores gets into an altercation with a customer over the last wig.

• Action: Dolores plays tug of war with the customer and lets go of the wig and the woman falls flat on her ass.

• Finish: Dolores kicks the woman and snatches the wig.

INT. JAKE’S HOUSE – DAY

Marco arrives with a team of movers. When they walk to the front door, Marco notices they are tipsy. He yells at them for coming to work drunk and shoves them on the lawn, since they are useless. Marco enlists Carlos and Mikey to load the truck. The boys need convincing as Marco burns time begging them to help. With an hour and counting, they need to move FAST. Lupe shows up with burner phones, bags of money, and disguises. She drops them on the marble floor and inspects the empty house, pleased. The only items left are Jake’s clothes (left in the closet and on the bedroom floor), his office furniture, and office computer.

• Start: Marco lets the movers inside.

• Challenging Situation: They have 1 hour to pack up and leave.

• Conflict: The movers are drunk.

• Action: Marco rounds up the boys and makes them help.

• Finish: Lupe shows up with burner phones and disguises.

Turning point: Lupe robs Jake and prepares for escape.

Act 4:

INT. JAKE’S HOUSE – DAY

Marco starts to board up the office windows to protect the incriminating evidence. Unfortunately, the drunk movers called a cab earlier and left with most of the wood. Out of time, Lupe and the kids start carrying suitcases downstairs. All the main roads are closed and the winds are blowing hard. Debris and branches blow across the lawn, with one large branch hitting their dining room window, causing Lupe to jump. Lupe yells at Marco for hiring a bunch of drunks and then hands him a burner phone and snatches his other one before he can comment.

• Start: Marco boards up window in office to protect the computer and evidence.

• Challenging Situation: They are out of time. More roads are closing. The winds are blowing hard. Debris and lawn furniture are blowing across the yard.

• Conflict: The movers left with most of the wood.

• Action: He boards up as much of the office windows as he can.

• Finish: Lupe yells at Marco for hiring a bunch of drunks and then hands him a burner phone and snatches his other phone out of his hands before he can comment.

INT. HOTEL ROOM – DAY

At an out-of-state hotel, Jake unpacks his suitcase and answers a knock at the door. It is an attractive woman, smiling. As Jake opens the door, his phone rings. It’s Lupe calling to keep up the front so he doesn’t suspect anything. Jake shushes the woman who greets Jake with an eager “hi…” Jake lies and tells Lupe it’s the TV and says he has to go for drinks with the other conference attendees and hangs up. Lupe keeps calling while Jake kisses the woman on her neck, savoring every inch of her as each call goes to voicemail and beeps. Annoyed, Jake turns his phone off and tosses it across the room as he pulls the woman closer to him and the bed.

• Start: Jake at hotel, unpacking suitcase.

• Challenging Situation: Lupe calls Jake to keep up the front so he doesn’t suspect anything as a woman knocks on his hotel room door.

• Conflict: Jake is having an affair with a doctor from the conference and tries to explain the knock to Lupe.

• Action: Lupe keeps calling. Jake turns his phone off.

• Finish: Jake and the doctor have sex.

INT. JAKE’S HOUSE – DAY

Lupe is stressed out, because it’s time to go and she can’t control Jake and or her mother who is casting spells in her bedroom when they need to go. NOW. Lupe barges into her mother’s room, furious to see Dolores hasn’t even packed. Lupe starts opening drawers and tossing clothes into Dolores’ suitcase. Dolores yells at Lupe and says the suitcase is for her book and candles as they fight in Spanish over the fact that she isn’t even packed.

• Start: Lupe barges into her mother’s bedroom.

• Challenging Situation: Dolores is pissed at Lupe.

• Conflict: She still hasn’t packed her clothes.

• Action: Lupe starts tossing clothes into Dolores’ suitcase.

• Finish: Dolores yells at Lupe. They fight over why she isn’t packed.

INT. HOTEL CONFERENCE ROOM – DAY

Jake walks into the great room with his briefcase, confident. When he gets to the stage, he sets his briefcase down and opens it on an adjacent chair. Flummoxed, it is not where he left it in the top pocket. He fumbles through the briefcase, frantic. Nothing. But then he notices a lump under a notepad and finds a pile of shredded papers. His speech! There are hundreds of hospital adminstrators in the audience from prestigious hospitals, scouting speakers to work at their hospitals for higher pay. Jake left his laptop at home and is going to have to wing it. He’s not very good at winging it. People start leaving in droves, including the hospital administrators. His mistress is one of the few people left by the time he gives up and turns off the mic.

• Start: Jake is about to give his keynote speech.

• Challenging Situation: Jake reaches into his briefcase and discovers Lupe has ripped up his printed speech. There are hospital administrators in the audience from prestigious hospitals, scouting speakers to convice speakers to work at their hospitals for higher pay.

• Conflict: He doesn’t have his laptop or any other notes.

• Action: Jake fumbles through his speech in front of a large audience.

• Finish: People start leaving in droves, including the hospital administrators.

EXT. JAKE’S HOUSE – SAME

The wind is growing louder, branches and lawn chairs are blowing across the yard. The remaining neighbors have left days ago. Lupe tosses everyone’s cell phones into the bushes and one flies back and slaps her in the face. Lupe screams and then storms inside and hands out burner phones to Dolores and the kids. Marco gets in the moving truck and everyone else follows Lupe to the garage, but her car isn’t there! Furious, Lupe tries to start Jake’s car, and it’s dead. After screaming and pounding her hands on the steering wheel, Lupe calls Marco to help. Marco, halfway down the street, has to manuever the awkward truck, as they waste more time and the rain and winds grow heavier. He tries to jump start the car with the truck, but there are no cables in the back of Lupe’s car. Lupe and Dolores fight over how stupid Lupe is.

• Start: Lupe collects everyone’s cell phones and hands out burners to her mother and kids.

• Challenging Situation: Lupe’s car is missing.

• Conflict: They have to get out NOW.

• Action: Lupe tries to start Jake’s car, and it’s dead.

• Finish: Lupe pounds the steering wheel and screams.

INT. JAKE’S HOUSE – SAME

Jake plays the devoted husband and calls to check on the family. All of his calls go to voicemail. Marco calls from the car rental place with bad news. There are no rental cars and only three fit in the moving truck. Lupe screams and gets into a fight with Marco over the phone about how useless he is. She hangs up and tells him to hurry up.

• Start: Marco calls with bad news.

• Challenging Situation: There are no rental cars.

• Conflict: Only three fit in the moving truck.

• Action: Lupe screams and gets into a fight with Marco on her burner phone.

• Finish: Lupe tells Marco to hurry and hangs up.

EXT. JAKE’S DRIVEWAY – LATER

Marco returns with the moving trck. The wind is so strong, he can barely open the driver’s side door. Lupe rushes everyone in the moving truck, packing them in like sardines. Dolores is the last one in. Before she gets in the van, she looks up at the dark sky and smiles. Marco tries to back out, but with everyone packed in, he can’t shift gears. Lupe tells Dolores to get her fat ass in the cargo area of the truck. Dolores kicks the boys out of the truck, in the hailing rain, as Marco opens the cargo door. Lupe and Dolores fight in Spanish over the situation.

• Start: Marco is dropped off at Jake’s house.

• Challenging Situation: The wind is so strong, he can barely up the driver’s side door.

• Conflict: He can’t shift gears with everyone packed in so tightly.

• Action: Lupe tells Dolores to get her fat ass in the cargo area of the truck.

• Finish: Dolores kicks the boys out of the truck, forcing them to ride cargo. Another argument ensues.

INT. MIKEY’S ROOM – SAME

Mikey’s closet door is open, a snake slithers out of a terrarium and glides across the room. With a closer look we see it is a black mamba that he forgot to pack. If the snake kills Jake, it will foil Lupe’s plans. Moving slowly, the snake moves quietly to the door of his room and proceeds to slither down the hall, heading toward the stairs.

• Start: Snake hisses as it moves across the room.

• Challenging Situation: It’s a black mamba.

• Conflict: If Jake dies, it will foil Lupe’s plans.

• Action: Snake exits room and heads toward the hall.

• Finish: Snake slowly slithers down the stairs.

EXT. HWY – LATER

I-75 is a parking lot. A LONG stretch of cars are trying to escape the wrath of Hurricane Lupe, which is now predicted to turn into a Category 5 hurricane and hit land by midnight. Hail pummels the cars as one hydroplanes its way into a ditch. Frustrated, Lupe yells at Marco to hurry. With no other recourse, Marco slowly moves his way over to the shoulder and starts passing all of the cars. A cop spots them and starts to chase after their truck. Marco freaks out. His license was suspended and he could get arrested. Lupe tells him to shut up and drive faster. Marco speeds up and spots another car in front of them. Because of the slippery road, when Marco slams on his brakes to avoid colliding into another car riding on the shoulder, he skids off the shoulder, almost toppling the truck. The officer catches up with them and arrests Marco for reckless driving and driving with a suspended license. Lupe is forced to take over and struggles to get back on the highway as she awkwardly tries to handle the truck, whose wheels are spinning in the mud. She pounds the steering wheel and gets out of the driver’s seat, opens the cargo door, and commands the boys and Dolores to push her out of the mud. Dolores refuses to help, forcing Lupe to get wet and muddy, along with the boys. After much effort and wasted time, they get back on the shoulder. Lupe closes the boys back in the cargo and shushes Dolores before she can complain further.

Turning point: Lupe and family leave. Tropical storm Lupe predicted to turn into a Category 5 hurricane and hit land by the middle of the night.

• Start: Marco driving on shoulder to get out of town fast.

• Challenging Situation: The cops are after them. The hurricane is coming.

• Conflict: Marco doesn’t have a license and is struggling to stay on the road because of the strong winds.

• Action: He tries to speed up and skids off the road, almost toppling the truck.

• Finish: The officer arrests Marco for reckless driving. Lupe is forced to take over, struggling to handle the truck.

Act 5:

INT. POSH HOTEL – DAY

Lupe and her family are out of state in a very nice hotel. Everyone except Mikey has changed their appearance. Marco tosses large, sealed envelopes are on the bed, informing them these are their new identities. Lupe walks the room, inspecting everyone. Mikey still looks like Mikey, and he refuses to dye his hair and eyebrows blonde and get a buzz cut. Mikey is built like a bull. He is the muscle of the operation and Lupe cannot overpower him. When Mikey is caught off guard, Marco holds Mikey in a headlock. A fight ensues. Marco wins the fight as Lupe shaves her sons head as he weeps on the floor. Marco tells him it’s time to dye his hair. Mikey stands up, looks at himself in the mirror, and shatters the glass with his fist.

• Start: Lupe investigates everyone.

• Challenging Situation: Mikey refuses to change his appearance.

• Conflict: He is stronger than Lupe.

• Action: Marco holds Mikey in a headlock while Lupe shaves his head.

• Finish: Mikey looks at himself in the mirror and shatters the mirror with his fist.

INT. JAKE’S HOME – NIGHT

Days after the conference, Jake pulls into the neighborhood, shocked by all the damage Hurricane Lupe left in her wake. As he pulls into his driveway, he notices his garage door has been torn off and several windows have been broken. He pulls into his garage and notices his car is still there. A mixture of dread and relief come over him. She’s still there. Or so he thinks. When he walks inside, he calls for his family. No one is there. Not only that. The power is out! He sets his suitcase down and fumbles in the utility drawer in the kitchen for a flashlight. It’s empty. He looks up. His entire house is empty! He tries calling Lupe several times, each call going straight to voicemail. With the dim light from his cell phone, he searches frantically from room to room. From what he can see, everything is empty, save for his office. He storms upstairs, using the railing for leverage and just misses stepping on Mikey’s snake. The snake hisses as Jake rushes by.

• Start: Jake enters house.

• Challenging Situation: No one is home. House is empty.

• Conflict: He tries calling Lupe, but it goes straight to voicemail.

• Action: He storms upstairs, nearly stepping on the snake.

• Finish: The snake hisses while Jake inspects the upstairs.

INT. POSH HOTEL – NIGHT

Marco arrives with Chinese food. Mikey, still pissed, refuses to eat. As the rest of the family is eating, Mikey smiles and tells everyone he left Negrito, the black mamba, back at the house. Lupe gasps as she realizes this could ruin everything. As he and Lupe are arguing, Dolores slaps Mikey hard across the face, chastizing him for potentially ruining everything. Mikey back away and picks up his burner phone and threatens to call the cops. Lupe tells him to stop being a child and to put his phone away. Mikey refuses. Marco stands up and glares at Mikey. He looks toward Lupe for permission. Lupe closes her eyes and nods quickly. Marco gets up and bodyslams Mikey and proceeds to beat the living shit out of him. Holding him by the throat, nearly strangling him, Marco says he will kill him if he ever pulls that shit again. With his eyes bulging and face reddening, Mikey nods and Marco releases his grip while Mikey coughs, lying wounded on the floor.

• Start: Marco arrives with dinner.

• Challenging Situation: Mikey threatens to call the cops on them.

• Conflict: Lupe is forced to choose between her lover andher son.

• Action: Mikey picks up his cell phone and is about to dial.

• Finish: Marco tackles him to the floor and beats the crap out of him and threatens to kill him if he calls the cops.

INT. JAKE’S HOME – NIGHT

Jake calls Lupe again, but the call all go to voicemail. Jake takes a moment to think things through. Pacing across the floor, the starts talking to himself. If he calls the police, they will find the family. Does he really want Lupe back? But then there’s Carlos, who’s a real smart kid with a good head on his shoulders. He wants to make sure the kid’s OK. Plus all his stuff. What the fuck happened there? Was he looted? Without a second though, he calls the police to report a robbery and his missing family. With the power still out, Jake is alone in the house with a deadly snake he knows nothing about.

• Start: Jake tries to reach family.

• Challenging Situation: No one’s picking up their phones.

• Conflict: Jake is conflicted. He hated Lupe, Mikey, and Dolores but is concerned for Carlos.

• Action: Jake calls police to report a robbery and his missing family.

• Finish: The power goes out. Jake is alone in the house with a deadly snake.

INT. JAKE’S HOME – LATER

There is a loud knock at the door. Unable to see, Jake asks who it is. When the police announce themselves, he opens the door. With all the lights out, the cops use their flashlights. Jake is relieved they have arrived. He explains what happened: the fight, the conference, the unanswered voicemails. He tries to give them photos of the family to place on TV so they can find his mising family. Disinterested in the photos, the police, who were tipped off by one of the drunk movers, walk right into Jake’s office and head straight to his computer. While the police inspect his office, Jake thinks for clues, he texts a photo of his family to a local TV station.

• Start: Jakes answers the knock at the door.

• Challenging Situation: All the lights are out, so the police have to use flashlights.

• Conflict: The police are more interested in Jake than his missing stuff or family.

• Action: Jake explains what happened. The fight. The conference. The voicemails.

Finish: The police walk into Jake’s office, heading for his computer. While the police in his office, Jake texts a photo of his family to a local TV station.

INT. POSH HOTEL – NIGHT

Full from dinner and tired from the day’s drama, the family watches TV. A news bulletin flashes. A photo of Lupe and family appears and newscaster says they are missing. Shit! Jake just inadvertently made their escape more difficult. They are on the lam and do not want to be discovered. The family starts packing. Marco calls one of his workers to confirm the furniture has been taken to the warehouse before they peel out of the parking lot in Lupe’s new car.

• Start: Lupe and family are watching TV.

• Challenging Situation: Their photos appear on the news.

• Conflict: They are on the lam and fear being discovered, even with disguises.

• Action: They start packing.

• Finish: They peel out of the parking lot in Lupe’s new car.

INT. JAKE’S HOME – NIGHT

As the police look through Jake’s computer, Jake is confused, because the police do not seem interested in the robbery or his family, but rather his computer and what’s on it. He asks them why they are so focused on his computer, and one of the officers starts questioning Jake about the images of naked children and sex trafficking websites he created. Jake refuses to answer. This is bullshit. What the fuck is happening? Jake says he wants his lawyer. One of the officers cuffs Jake while reading him his Miranda rights as the other officer calls the CI team to come and bag the computer and take it to the lab for further searches.

• Start: Police snoop in Jake’s office.

• Challenging Situation: Jake has been framed for sex trafficking and pedophilia.

• Conflict: He is innocent and a pediatrician. This could ruin him.

• Action: The police start asking Jake probing questions.

• Finish: Jake refuses to answer and is arrested on the spot.

Turning point: Jake is investigated and arrested by police for posession and dissemination of child porn and running a child sex trafficking ring.