Day 14 Assignments

[Robert Kerr]

Title: Robert Kerr QE Cycle #3

LOGLINE: Nancy and Squire have been tasked to agree on a new leader for a volunteer program of the Alumni Association they both work in at the university.

ESSENCE : Two staff people, with a past, must identify a new leader for the Parents Association, without destroying the assignment entirely.

INT. OFFICE – NIGHT

SQUIRE, a twenty something handsome man with dark hair, walks into NANCY, a late twenties stunning auburn haired woman’s office for an emergency meeting after hours.

NANCY

Okay Squire this is an emergency. Now I want to get this done quickly and don’t want any of your antics slowing us down! I have plans that don’t include you.

SQUIRE

You didn’t seem to mind my antics last spring. Sure you don’t want to go for drink at the Hotel Boulderado instead of working here after hours? Would be a lot more fun.

NANCY:

Last spring was a lifetime ago. Before I really knew you and as far as I’m concerned it never happened. Now, let’s get down to business.

SQUIRE:

I work better when the right mood is set and I know you remember how to do that. Just breath and I’m sure it will come back to you.

NANCY:

Stop it. Like it or not we’re stuck with this project and I want to get out of here as fast as possible.

SQUIRE:

Stuck is right. The answer to our problem is simple. But, you seem to think you’re in charge so where do you want to start?

NANCY:

God almighty, do you ever turn it off? Look we have to come up with a replacement for the President of the Parents Association and we need to agree on the replacement and get their willingness to serve. Can you focus on that task, just this once?

SQUIRE

Says the woman dressed for a good time. I can do anything you want, I’m here to please.

NANCY:

Okay, now the issue is the Gene, past President, left in a huff when the Director pissed him off. You were briefed on that, right?

SQUIRE

That’s not the way it went down. Rich insulted Gene and questioned his integrity. Gene is a retired Colonel and West Point graduate. He wasn’t about to stand for anyone insulting his honor. His resigning was entirely predictable.

NANCY:

You seem to know a lot more about this situation than I was told. I expect you to give me all the details of this situation so I don’t walk into any traps.

SQUIRE:

I can’t really tell you anymore than that. You’ve always been Rich’s right hand gal in the office. I think it is best we move on.

NANCY:

You obviously know something you’re not sharing. I want to know what it is you are keeping from me. I care about this organization and your suggesting this assignment is based on a lie.

SQUIRE:

Well, did you ever wonder why we were paired together to solve this dilemma? After all, you haven’t worked with any of the parents ever. But, if you will join me for a drink, I will be happy to give you all the inside scope of what is really going on. It’ll save time and who knows, you might even have some fun.

NANCY:

(pauses and leans back in her chair)

You seem to have one thing on your mind and it doesn’t include getting this assignment completed tonight. Rich expects me to give him the outcome of our work first thing in the morning. We both have to sign off on it

SQUIRE:

One things for sure, one of us trusts Rich and one of us doesn’t. Care to guess which one of us that is?

NANCY:

Exactly what are you implying?

SQUIRE:

Just thinking out loud. But, I think I’m going to get a drink and forget this whole clown show.

Squire gets up and heads to the door.

NANCY

(stands up)

You can’t leave, we’re not done.

SQUIRE:

Depends on your point of view.

(puts his hand on the doorknob)

NANCY:

Do you want me to tell Rich you refused to cooperate on this assignment?

SQUIRE:

Figure it out yourself. But this assignment with just a wild goose chase.

(Squire opens the door and leaves)

NANCY:

(raising her voice as Squire leaves the office)

Wild goose chase, what exactly do you mean?

[Edward Gillow]

Title: Ed. Gillow QE Cycle 2

LOGLINE: A new EOD team is tasked to diffuse an IED found beside a well traveled road.

ESSENCE: The high risk associated with bomb diffusing when you work with someone who hasn’t earned your trust.

EXT. AFGHANISTAN DESERT – DAY

Two EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) soldiers in blast suits slowly approach what looks like a pile of rocks.

Several Marine sniper teams provide backup cover for the two soldiers.

SQUIRE

So sweetheart, how many of these IED tricks you done before?

NANCY

Several.

SQUIRE

Several? What’s that one or twenty?

NANCY

What are you worried about, sarge? How many have you done?

SQUIRE

I done enough.

NANCY

Glad this turd is away from the city so no civilians get affected.

SQUIRE

What, we got a bleeding heart here?

NANCY

Stuff it, asshole.

Squire spots some partially concealed wires.

SQUIRE

Well. Well. Well. What do we have here?

NANCY

Looks like a typical matrix layout. Think its remotely triggered?

SQUIRE

I sure hope to shit it’s not, sexy.

NANCY

You treat your last partner like that?

SQUIRE

My last partner got the shit blown out of himself. That ain’t goin’ to happen to me.

NANCY

Whatever you say, Squire. Hmm. You follow those right leading wires. I’ll take the left.

SQUIRE

Yes sir, LT.

Squire follows the right leads, carefully pulling the wires from under the dirt.

Nancy does the same with the left leads.

WHEN:

SQUIRE

Whoa! Hold on to your panties there.

NANCY

What is it, Sargeant?

SQUIRE

I think I found the mother load.

Nancy makes her way over to Squire as fast as the blast suit allows her.

NANCY

So what are you thinking? Hundred pounds of tnt there?

SQUIRE

Yup, at least. Jammers are on to rule out remote trigger.

NANCY

Leaves pressure, trip, infrared, and magnetic as triggers.

SQUIRE

Very good LT. I’m starting to trust you a bit more.

NANCY

That makes my day, sarge. Let’s get to it.

SQUIRE

Ladies first, I always say.

NANCY

Cut the shit, ace. Let’s get these rocks off here.

SQUIRE

Oooh, now you’re talking my language sweetheart.

Nancy shoots Squire a look. They work together to carefully remove the rocks off the IED.

NANCY

That’s a complicated looking one. Definitely made by someone who knows what they’re doing.

SQUIRE

I know what I’d like to be doing right now and who I’d be doing it with.

NANCY

Can you give it a rest, Squire? I was just starting to trust you. Get down there and figure out what the trigger is.

As Squire gets down on all fours:

SQUIRE

Say baby, you like doing it this way?

Nancy is about to respond, WHEN:

CLICK.

NANCY

DON’T MOVE!

Squire freezes.

SQUIRE

Oh shit!

NANCY

Just stay frosty, sarge. I’ll check it out.

Nancy gets down on all fours as she slowly checks around Squire and the IED.

NANCY

Definitely pressure trip. Let me get the robot over here and free you.

SQUIRE

Good idea, I don’t want to die.

As she moves back from Squire to stand up:

CLICK!

Nancy freezes.

SQUIRE

What the fuck, LT?

NANCY

Chill sarge. It’s not like I planned this.

VOICE (OVER SUIT RADIOS)

What’s taking so long? Our asses are in the breeze here.

Squire looks at Nancy.

SQUIRE

So what do you say, sweetheart, you gonna answer him?

Nancy looks over at Squire.

NANCY

I don’t know which hand is over the pressure plate.

VOICE (OVER SUIT RADIOS)

EOD one! I say again. What is your status?

NANCY

Can you lift your hand?

SQUIRE

No! I’m not gonna lift my hand. You’re the LT. Answer him.

Nancy looks at Squire, then looks at both her hands.

As she lifts her right hand:

The blast could be felt one hundred meters away.

As Marines recovered and stood up, the Major looks at his second.

MAJOR

Damn. That’s the third EOD unit we’ve lost this week.

[Denice Lewis]

QE #3, Lesson 14

Logline: Nancy and Squire, ex-girlfriend/boyfriend have to take care of a pet shop.

Essence: Forced together causes disaster.

SCENE:

INT. WE LOVE PETS – DAY

The rising sun shines through the windows of a small, tidy pet shop.

NANCY (17), pushes through the door. A small bell over the door rings. She relocks the door.

NANCY

Morning!

Birds twitter. Puppies bark. A Blue-Throated Macaw screeches. Nancy pets the bird’s blue neck feathers.

NANCY

Ahoy, Bluebeard.

BLUEBEARD

Ahoy.

SQUIRE (17), knocks on the door. Bluebeard flies toward it.

BLUEBEARD

Ahoy, me hearty.

Nancy looks at Bluebeard in surprise. Carefully opens the door an inch.

Squire slips inside.

The bell rings.

He frowns when he recognizes Nancy. A second later, he leans toward her with a grin.

SQUIRE

Hey, beautiful. Didn’t know you worked here.

NANCY

What do you want?

He pets Bluebeard.

SQUIRE

Just helping the owner out.

NANCY

Joshua didn’t tell me about you. How do you know him?

Squire looks at his watch.

SQUIRE

Time to clean and feed.

NANCY

I don’t want or need your help.

He smiles.

SQUIRE

I wouldn’t want you to dry out those soft hands. Go home.

NANCY

You can’t expect me to believe you’ll do a good job. Why do you always have to have everything your way?

Squire shrugs with a wink.

SQUIRE

I give up. Dibs on the puppy side.

She takes a deep breath.

SQUIRE

But, you’re doing the snake.

NANCY

(under her breath) What a good idea.

Squire beelines for the puppy pen. Feeds, laughs, plays with the dogs.

Nancy strolls to her side. Rushes with her cleaning and feeding. Finishes is record time before he’s half-through.

She turns her back on Squire. Reaches into the aquarium for the Corn Snake. Pulls back. Changes her mind. She puts the snake on the floor.

Bluebeard’s wings flutter.

BLUEBEARD

Ahoy.

Squire cleans the mouse cases a few feet away.

Nancy sings, YO-HO-HO AND A BOTTLE OF RUM.

Squire takes a white mouse out of its cage. Pets it.

SQUIRE

I think you look like a Nance.

Nancy glares at him.

The gold, orange, and black snake slithers across the floor toward Squire and the mouse.

Nancy chuckles.

Snake climbs on Squire’s tennis shoe. He looks down. Freezes in terror.

The mouse skitters up his shoulder. Leaps to the top of a nearby cage.

Bluebeard sweeps toward the mouse.

NANCY

Avast ye!

She jumps to catch the bird, misses.

The mouse flees between aquariums.

Corn Snake climbs up Squire’s jeans to his arm. He faints. Falls backward. Hits the latch on the puppy gate. The snake flies into the puppies. Puppies leap out.

Nancy screams.

NANCY

Help me before anything gets hurt.

She plunges after the mouse. Bluebeard follows her. Squawks.

Puppies tear around the pet shop. Knock over the stand of toys and paper goods. They slip on cards, poop, pounce on squeaky toys, chew everything.

Nancy snatches the mouse and puts it in his cage.

Bluebeard flies around Nancy’s head. Craps on her.

Squire drags himself up on the edge of the puppy pen. Wobbles. The snake’s orange eyes stare at him. He yells. Backs up. Trips on the knocked-over stand. Puppies leap all over him.

The bell on the door rings.

[Zev Ledman]

Zev Ledman Max Entertainment Part 2

Logline – Nancy and Squire meet to finalize Divorce.

Essence – Nancy wants to protect her assets from her ex, Squire who wants to figure out how to get the most out of her without angering her.

Scene – A quaint bar. The place is almost empty except for a few people sitting at the bar. NANCY, with a large shopping bag beside her, and SQUIRE, both thirtyish, sit in a back corner with a drink.

SQUIRE – So, what have you been up to? And, what’s with the bag.

NANCY – It’s nothing. Let’s just focus on why we came here.

SQUIRE – Always so wound up. I hope someday you learn to relax.

NANCY – I know where that leads. Never again.

SQUIRE – Fine, I just thought we could do this in a nice way.

NANCY – So, what did you come up with?

SQUIRE – You’ve had time to think about it, what do you think is fair?

NANCY – Are you kidding me? Why are we even here?

SQUIRE – To work out our differences.

NANCY – Okay, what do you think needs to be changed?

SQUIRE – Nancy, I can’t live on what you’ve offered.

NANCY – You wouldn’t have that problem if you would just get a job. I mean, why did you even get a degree in Computer Science.

SQUIRE – I never realized how that type of work would affect my nerves.

NANCY – I’m sorry about that, Squire. But, why did you bother getting so many more certificates if you were never going to use them. That cost me a lot of money.

SQUIRE – I really thought that by improving my skills, it would make my job less stressful. It didn’t.

Nancy – Surely, there’s some other job you can do.

Seeing Squire’s almost empty glass, WAITRESS comes to the table.

WAITRESS – Refill?

Squire is relieved the Waitress came and gestures to refill both drinks.

Nancy shakes her head.

SQUIRE (to Waitress) Both. (to Nancy) Come on, Nancy. Chill out and let’s work this thing out.

Waitress leaves and Nancy sighs as she furrows her brow at him.

SQUIRE – Tell me, what do you have a problem with?

NANCY – What makes you think I would ever give you half of anything?

SQUIRE – Because that’s the way it works? All I want is my share.

NANCY – First of all, over seventy percent of those assets you claim were from an early distribution from my parent’s estate. I know your attorney told that’s not included in the joint assets.

SQUIRE – I’m not asking for all of that, just a little.

NANCY – Not a chance. Give a little and you’ll want more.

SQUIRE – Not true. You know I can’t work in computer programming. So, I just need something to cover me until I find something.

SQUIRE – And, I’ll find it. I just need time.

NANCY – How much time?

SQUIRE – I don’t know.

NANCY – What does that mean? So, what are you looking at?

SQUIRE – A lot.

She glares at him intently.

Squire start chuckling.

Nancy’s pissed.

SQUIRE – Sorry, honey. I was just thinking about how we used to fight. Remember how we used to make up. You know I always did my best to make it up to you.

Nancy thinks and smiles.

SQUIRE – I will always love you.

NANCY – Love is much more than making love. We have children to think about.

SQUIRE – Do you think our split has been good for the kids?

NANCY – Of course not. But, neither was it good for them to see us fighting all the time.

The Waitress sets the drinks down on the table.

WAITRESS – Can I get you anything else.

Both shake their heads and Waitress leaves.

NANCY – Okay, this is what I’ll agree to. I’ll give you my entire Fidelity account if you agree to let me have sole custody of the children.

SQUIRE – You call that working things out? Either, I get next to nothing or I never get to see my kids.

NANCY – Let’s face it, you were a lousy father. You only took the kids on what you wanted to do. You were never interested in even finding out what they wanted to do.

SQUIRE – Bullshit. I wanted them to experience unusual things in their life.

NANCY – What, like racetracks and boxing.

SQUIRE – What’s wrong with that?

NANCY – Never mind. That’s my offer.

SQUIRE – No way.

NANCY – I know you think my brother was the reason I decided to seek a Separation. Not true. I was just scared of your reaction. All he told me was not to worry. He would handle it.

SQUIRE – He’s an asshole.

NANCY – Well, that asshole was going to beat the daylights out of you after you slashed his tires and broke his windshield. And, you know what he’s capable of!

SQUIRE – I don’t know what you and your brother have been smoking, but I didn’t even know about this until you told me.

NANCY – I know you saw the cameras on my brother’s home. Did you really think that by wearing a hoody and ski mask, nobody would figure it out.

Squire rolls his eyes, shakes his head and, his hands lightly shaking, takes a big swallow off his new drink.

NANCY – This is how it stacks up, because of how lazy you are, you’ll be out on the street within six months if you don’t take my offer. It’ll be better for the kids too. And, here’s another bonus, I’ll even pay off all the credit cards you ran up. We both know you’ll never pay a dime on them.

SQUIRE – You never gave a shit about me. Your whole focus was always trying to outdo everyone at your office. It’s apparent that this is nothing but a waste of time.

NANCY – So, was that your excuse for having numerous affairs. My family thought there was something fishy going on. So, I followed their advice and got a P.I. to follow you. And, you’ll never guess what he discovered he tailed you over a month’s time. And, to my big surprise. You’re quite the busy bee. And, it wasn’t only affairs you were doing.

Squire glares at her, shocked.

NANCY – That’s right. And, it will be presented at the court, and special delivered to the D.A.’s office. Oh yeah, did you happen to notice how those special, real expensive boots you bought when we went to Sweden ended up missing?

She reaches in her bag and pulls the boots out and sets them on the table.

NANCY – That’s how we knew it was you. It’s on the camera.

SQUIRE – You fucking bitch!

Nancy throws her new drink all over him. Everyone in the bar turns towards them. Squire is raging.

He grabs for the boots in one hand and prepares to punch Nancy with the other. Nancy sticks her cheek out at him.

NANCY – Go on, you coward! My brother drove me here and he’s still waiting outside. So, go on!

Squire starts shaking a little as he looks at her with trepidation.

NANCY – Think good and about my proposal… And, I’m taking the boots.

She grabs the boots and looks at him steely eyed.

He releases the boots and she put them back in the bag.

She throws $50 on the table.

NANCY – I know you had no intention of paying.

She scurries out. An embarrassed Squires wipes the drink off his face as he smiles uncomfortably while looking around the bar.