Day 23 Assignment

[Judith Watson]

LOGLINE: when is protection not protection

ESSENCE: taking care of oneself seems to be the way of today

JUDITH’S QE CYCLE #5 SCENE DRAFT 1 93,523 round ideal

INT. MANSION – LIVING ROOM – DAY

BRANDY, dressed to the hilt, strolls into the room and finds PHILLIP. He jumps when she speaks to him. He turns toward her.

BRANDY

What’s up?

PHILLIP

You surprised me.

BRANDY

You called…

He holds up a five-carat diamond.

Brandy smiles. Sashays toward him. Puts her arm around him.

BRANDY

Yes, 5 carats, loose, I, VVS2, GIA Certified, $202,735. You think I was going to lose this house and move out of this neighborhood.

PHILLIP

Where did you get it? I appreciate you trying to save us, but Brandy, you stole this. I don’t think we should keep it.

BRANDY

You’re the one always saying the Jones’ and the Smiths’ have everything, why can’t we?

A ring at the front door blares through the house. Phillip and Brandy freeze.

BRANDY

Who do you think that is?

PHILLIP

I’ll check.

INT. MANSION – ENTRY WAY – DAY

Phillip opens the door to face two policemen, OFFICER GARCIA and OFFICER JOHNSON. They flash their badges. Phillip acts casual.

PHILLIP

Officers, may I help you?

OFFICER GARCIA

Can we come in?

PHILLIP

Of course.

As Garcia and Johnson enter Brandy parades into the entry way a very warm smile kissing her face.

BRANDY

I’m Brandy. This is my husband Phillip. Sorry he forgot to introduce himself. Is there a problem?

GARCIA

We got a report that someone in this house stole a diamond from RENE’S JEWELERS.

BRANDY

You don’t think it was Phillip.

GARCIA

We don’t know madam.

She laughs.

BRANDY

Calling me madam. Silly. Brandy, I’m Brandy…follow me officers, you can look anywhere you want, Phillip is innocent. Actually, look around, you think we need to steal.

Taken with Brandy. Johnson steps up.

JOHNSON

Just doing our job. Rene’s called.

She motions the officer to follow her into the living room.

INT. MANSION – LIVING ROOM – DAY

As Brandy enters the room she twirls around.

BRANDY

Search anywhere, officers.

They look at one another, shrug.

Garcia pulls open drawers. Empties their contents. Finds nothing.

Johnson checks behind the bars. He looks behind glasses and bottles of booze, nothing.

GARCIA

Next room.

BRANDY

What’s your pleasure?

JOHNSON

The bedroom.

BRANDY

We have five. Which one do you want to start in?

JOHNSON

The master.

BRANDY

Good choice.

INT. MANSION – MASTER BEDROOM – DAY

Huge. The officers stop in their tracks. Look at each other.

GARCIA

Okay…

He pulls out drawers. Empties them on the ground.

GARCIA

Sorry.

PHILLIP

No, sweat, officers.

Johnson, pulls items off the shelf in the closet. He pulls aside clothing, checks the shoes. Nothing. After checking the huge room, the officers appear worn.

PHILLIP

May I get you two a glass of water?

Johnson sits on the bed. Marvels at the excellent bed. He pushes he arms around enjoying it all when a surprise crosses his face. He pulls the diamond out from under a pillow.

Holds it up in the air.

PHILLIP

Good job.

He turns turn Brandy who rushes toward him. Beats on his chest. The officers approach. Phillip shakes his head. He grabs Brandy’s arms and holds them still.

BRANDY

You creep. I did this for us. To keep what we have.

PHILLIP

I couldn’t take it anymore. I knew you were stealing and paying off bills. When Rene’s called, I couldn’t cover for you anymore. That’s were all the money went. Paying off your misconceived way to save the house.

He pushes her away. Shrugs.

Garcia pulls out his handcuffs and puts them on Brandy.

GARCIA

You have the right…

THE END.

[Sandra Nelles]

Sandra’s QE Cycle #5

LOGLINE: An undercover detective sets up an innocent woman to get to her brother.

ESSENCE: Whatever it takes to get the job done.

SCENE: INT. STOREROOM – NIGHT

PHILLIP (35) ruggedly handsome and fit. Dressed in black slacks, white shirt, and leather jacket. His cellphone buzzes and he looks at a text, “Want to go to a party?”, he answers, “Sure.” Next text, “Can you bring a gift?” He replies, “Car in the shop. Pick me up outside City Bank.” Next test, “C U in 15.”

Phillip walks between rows of shelving to the back. The storeroom is neatly organized with perfectly uniform white boxes all numbered in order. When he finds the right box, he pulls it part way out. Slides the lid back, takes out a small manila envelope, carefully puts it in his jacket pocket and zips it closed. Pulls the lid back and pushes the box back on the shelf.

EXT. CITY BANK – SAME

Phillip stands on the corner. A red Mercedes sports car pulls up to the curb and Phillip gets into the passenger side. The driver BRANDY (30) is a gorgeous, shapely woman with long blond hair. She’s wearing four-inch high heels, black leggings, a multicolored tight fitting tank top, flashy jewelry, and a white studded jacket.

BRANDY

(flashing a big smile)

Hi, sweetie.

They share a passionate kiss.

PHILLIP

Got you a gift.

He slips the envelope from his jacket pocket into her bag by his feet. She pulls away from the curb and speeds off.

BRANDY

I’m so excited about this party. There’s supposed to be some important people there.

EXT./INT. LIQOUR STORE – SAME

They pull up to a liquor store.

BRANDY

Grab a case of expensive beer and put it in the trunk. I’ll grab some snacks.

They get out of the car, Brandy hands Phillip the car keys and they walk inside. He goes to the back and grabs a case of beer. She takes snacks to the checkout counter.

CLERK

Will that be all?

BRANDY

Did you go to City High?

CLERK

No.

BRANDY

(handing him her credit card)

You look like someone I went to school with?

Do you have an older brother?

CLERK

No, just a sister.

Phillip takes the beer to the car. Two police officers (one male and one female) in uniform pull up in a patrol car and get out.

PHILLIP

Good evening officers.

They nod and go inside, pour coffee and take them to the check out behind Brandy.

CLERK

Stop that guy. He just took a case of beer without paying.

The officers go outside, handcuff Phillip and bring him inside.

BRANDY

We’re together. It’s a mistake. He’s innocent.

CLERK

Your credit card won’t go through. I tried three times

Brandy looks at Phillip.

PHILLIP

I thought you were paying for it.

Phillip pats his pockets.

PHILLIP

(CONT’D)

Sorry, I seem to have forgotten my wallet.

BRANDY

We’ll just return everything and go get some cash. You can let him go.

MALE POLICE OFFICER

(gruffly)

Once it goes out of the store it’s considered a theft. You’ll have to come back to the station with us.

They handcuff Brandy.

BRANDY

(protesting)

This is a big mistake. We’re not trying to steal.

The officers take Brandy and Phillip outside and put them in the back of the patrol car. They place Brandy’s bag in the trunk.

PHILLIP

(whispers to Brandy)

Calm down. You’ll make things worse.

PHILLIP

(to the police officers)

I have a right to call my attorney.

INT. POLICE STATION – SAME

Male officer takes Phillip to a small room with a table and two chairs. Female officer takes Brandy to another room with a table and two chairs. Brandy sits down as the officer begins going through her bag. The female officer finds the small manila envelope and opens it.

FEMALE POLICE OFFICER

What do we have here?

BRANDY

(lies)

Dunno. I’ve never seen that before.

FEMALE POLICE OFFICER

Looks like cocaine to me. I’ll get it to the lab.

BRANDY

Where’s Phillip? Is he okay? I need to see him.

Brandy is really in an observation room with a window. Phillip and the POLICE CHIEF are in the next room watching and listening.

CHIEF

Good job.

PHILLIP

I feel kind of guilty, but it’s the only way to get to her brother.

[Paul McGregor]

Logline: Brandy calls on a former lover to bury the new one she has just murdered.

Essence: Who said women are the weaker sex?

[NB: for the purposes of the plot, I have reversed the traits between Brandy and Phillip.]

Scene:

EXT. CAR DRIVING ALONG HIGHWAY. NIGHT.

Brandy is driving fast. Philip holds the new spade they have just bought in Home Depot.

PHILLIP

Hey, what’s the hurry?

BRANDY.

Can’t risk someone finding the body.

PHILLIP

You should always have a spade ready for this kind of situation, you know!

BRANDY

Very funny, I’m sure.

She points at Phillip and the blood stains on his t-shirt.

BRANDY

If you could have dragged him a bit further, we wouldn’t need the spade.

Phillip looks at the scars on Brandy’s face.

PHILIP

Wow! He really messed you up. Those scars look bad.

They are suddenly interrupted by the sound of a police siren and flashing lights.

BRANDY

Oh, no. Now we’re in real mess.

Brandy comes to a stop on the side of the road. She quickly tries to wipe her scars while Philip uses the spade as best he can to conceal his bloodied t-shirt.

A POLICE OFFICER signals Brandy to wind down the window.

POLICE OFFICER

Good evening, Miss. Do you know how fast you were going?

PHILLIP

We’re sorry, Officer. I’ve been giving her driving lessons and she hasn’t yet got the hang of it.

POLICE OFFICER

Could I see your license and registration?

Brandy pulls the papers out of her handbag and hands them to the Police Officer.

POLICE OFFICER

What’s with the scars on your face, Miss. Had a fall?

BRANDY

Oh, must have been the branches. I do a lot of gardening.

POLICE OFFICER

Is that why your friend has the spade?

PHILLIP

Exactly!

Meanwhile, POLICE OFFICER 2 appears at Phillip’s side of the car and signals him to wind down the window. Phillip complies.

POLICE OFFICER 2

Could I ask you to step out of the car please?

PHILLIP

Officer, really, I’ll make sure she respects all the speed limits. She’s just not so used to driving at night.

POLICE OFFICER 2

Step out of the car please.

Philip steps out of the car, holding the spade wrapped in Home Depot bags, using it to shield his t-shirt.

POLICE OFFICER 2

You’re really attached to that spade, aren’t you.

PHILIP

As the ad says: the Ace of Spades!

POLICE OFFICER 2

Very funny.

He firmly removes the spade from Philip’s grip.

POLICE OFFICER

What have you got?

POLICE OFFICER 2

Looks suspicious.

POLICE OFFICER

Looks like domestic violence to me.

POLICE OFFICER 2

(Turning Philip around and placing him in handcuffs)

Sir, I am arresting you on suspicion of domestic violence. Anything you say….

PHILIP

You can’t do this! I’m on the City Council!

BRANDY

But, please, Officer.

POLICE OFFICER

Here are your papers, Miss. (Saluting her) Everything’s in order. You’re free to go.

Philip is taken away by the Police Officers.

BRANDY

(Shouting)

But my spade!

POLICE OFFICER 2

(Returning with the spade to Brandy’s car)

You can have it. Don’t think this was the weapon.

BRANDY

Thank you, Officer!

PHILIP

(Screaming)

Brandy, do something! Tell them I’m innocent.

POLICE OFFICER

(Pushing Philip into the police car)

Come along, Sir. You can explain your innocence down at the station.

PHILIP

Brandy!

The police car heads off.

Brandy puts the spade on the back seat and drives off home.

BRANDY

Now who can I get to bury Jim?!

END

[Amechi Ngwe]

Amechi’s QE CYCLE #5

SITUATION: Brandy protects Phillip when talking to the police, but is then arrested. The next scene reveals that Phillip set the whole thing up.

SCENE ARC: From Phillip looking innocent to Phillip looking evil.

SCENE

INT. HOUSE
Brandy tells the police that Phillip was at home all night last night. She was there with him.

BRANDY
I’m the woman of the house. Can I get you anything?

The detectives shake their heads.

BRANDY
My late husband…
(A theatrical hand to her chest)
God rest his soul… was one of the supreme architects that this city has ever seen. Did you know that?

The detectives are puzzled by this.

PHILLIP
Mom, I don’t think they want to hear…

A glare from Brandy silences Phillip.

BRANDY
Phillip is going to follow in his father’s footsteps, and create buildings as beautiful as these.

She gestures to a series of miniature building models on top of the mantle piece, that depict glorious skyscrapers.

BRANDY
Isn’t that right, Phillip?

PHILLIP
Yes, ma’am.

DET. SUMMERS
We’re here because your son’s math professor is missing…

BRANDY
Phillip had nothing to do with it.

DET. GANZ
How can you know that?

DET. SUMMERS
You can’t keep an eye on him 24/7…

BRANDY
I don’t need to.

DET GANZ
People saw them arguing about grades. It got pretty heated.

PHILLIP
I feel bad about that, but I swear I kept under control, sir.

BRANDY
He deserved an A. Phillip needs an A.

PHILLIP
I worked really hard. I think I deserved a better grade. That’s all I said.

BRANDY
He’s has to follow in his father’s footsteps. Few people know the pressure he’s under to restore this family’s pride…

PHILLIP
Mom spoke to him too…

Brandy stares daggers at Phillip, who looks at the floor.

PHILLIP
Sorry, ma’am.

DET SUMMERS
You spoke to Professor Bayer too?

BRANDY
No… I mean, yes. In a friendly manner. It had nothing to do with Phillip.

DET SUMMERS
You’re the woman who was seen screaming at him by his car…

DET. GANZ
Was it about Phillip’s grade? You were scared of losing his dream?

BRANDY
The professor and I used to… we had a relationship.

PHILLIP
They were in a few community theater plays together.

DET SUMMERS
And that’s it? Did it ever get more personal?

Brandy flops down on the couch.

BRANDY
You know, I’m not feeling up to volunteering any more information. My son is no killer, and neither am I!

DET. GANZ
Who said he was dead?

BRANDY
You implied it. Do you have proof he’s not?!

PHILLIP
Mom, you rest, I’ll show the detectives out.

INT. HALLWAY – CONTINUOUS

Phillip leads the detectives into the hallway and starts for the back of the house.

PHILLIP
This way please detectives.

DET. SUMMERS
We came in through the front…

PHILLIP
The floor’s a little sticky.

DET. SUMMERS
Sticky?

PHILLIP
And wet. My mom just told me to mop it. This way is fine.

The detectives exchange a look and follow Phillip through the kitchen and out to—

EXT. BACK YARD – CONTINUOUS

They cross towards the gate and walk past A SHED.

DET. SUMMERS
What’s in there?

PHILLIP
My mom does her woodworking in there.

The door is open.

DET. SUMMERS
Can we take a quick look?

They head in without waiting for a response. Phillip doesn’t object but looks nervous.

INT. HOUSE – CONTINUOUS
Brandy sees them entering the shed from upstairs. She bangs on the window to get Phillips attention but he doesn’t hear her. She hurries down.

INT. SHED – MOMENTS LATER
Brandy rushes in. The detectives are looking around at the blocks of wood, sculptures, and works in progress.

BRANDY
I thought you were leaving!

DET. SUMMERS
And I thought you were sick…

Caught, Brandy shakes her head.

BRANDY
I didn’t invite you in!

DET. SUMMERS
Your son did.

Brandy glares at Phillip again.

PHILLIP
Wait, I didn’t say…

DET
This is your workshop, ma’am?

Brandy nods.

BRANDY
Welcome! Can I get you anything?!

PHILLIP
Am I allowed in, mom? I won’t touch anything.

Brandy is fuming. She bumps one of her sculptures over. It hits the floor, startling the detectives. Det. Ganz notices something.

DET GANZ
What’s this?

He turns, holding up a BLOODY KNIFE.

BRANDY
A knife.

DET GANZ
Is this blood?

BRANDY
Out! Right now! This instant!

Something in the corner catches Det. Summers eye.
A man’s shoe…
On a foot… attached to a leg…
Detective Summers shoves aside a table revealing
The body of PROFESSOR MAYER.

Brandy screams and turns to run. Det. Summers is on her before she makes the door, dragging her arms behind her back.

EXT. FRONT YARD – MOMENTS LATER

Brandy kicking and screaming the whole way as they lead her to the waiting car. Lights go on the neighbors home.

BRANDY
I’m a tax paying citizen! You can’t handle me like this!

Brandy is driven away.

BRANDY
Phillip! Help me!

PHILLIP
Let her go! She didn’t do anything!

INT. LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

Phillip sits in the living room alone. He hears a noise, looks up. Det. Summers coming to him from the kitchen.

DET. SUMMERS
This doesn’t look good for your mom…

PHILLIP
This is my fault. She was trying to protect me. Trying to help me…

Phillip bursts into tears. Det. Summers pats him on the shoulder.

DET. SUMMERS
Hey, it’s gonna be okay…

PHILLIP
No, it won’t. What am I supposed to do with my life now?

DET. SUMMERS
Anything you want.

Det. Summers leaves.

Phillip walks over to the mantle, where his father’s model buildings stand. And sweeps them all to the floor.

He turns to the window with a smile on his face and takes a deep relaxing breath.

END OF SCENE