Lesson 13

[Stephen Maynard]

Subject line: Stephen Maynard Act 2 Reaction to TP 1

“What I learned doing this assignment is…?” Important to show the protagonist screwing up here so they can learn and grow, change tactics, and live for a better day.

Write the “Reaction to the Turning Point” scene.

EXT. BEACH – DAY

Johnny uses a stick of driftwood to scrawl stock market ticker symbols in the sand.

Chuey watches unimpressed.

JOHNNY

Let’s try a few more.

Stevie smooths out the sand with a foot and holds his phone for Johnny to see.

Johnny scratches out five more stock symbols.

Chuey cocks his head and looks up at them. He looks out to sea.

STEVIE

This ain’t gonna work.

Johnny looks at the phone and scribbles five more symbols in the sand.

Chuey runs over to a symbol and indicates, tail wagging.

MONTAGE – PLAYING THE MARKET

— Stevie and Johnny open a brokerage account and deposit some money.

— They buy a stock and watch it climb in value.

— Stevie and Johnny write stock symbols in the sand. Chuey picks three stocks.

— They celebrate as they watch their portfolio of three stocks increase in value.

— They sell the stocks, take the check to the bank and get cash.

END MONTAGE.

INT. GREYSTONE HOUSE – KITCHEN – DAY

Johnny pops the caps off three long-neck Coronors and hands a bottle to Stevie and one to Pearl.

He fills a saucer from his bottle and places it on the floor for Chuey. They all drink.

STEVIE

You done real good, Chuey.

JOHNNY

We’ve got six thousand seven hundred dollars.

That should buy us some time.

STEVIE

Times running out. We gotta move.

PEARL

I have some money, boys. Buy more time.

Pearl mounts a three-step stool and rummages in the cabinet above the refrigerator.

Johnny steadies her as she climbs down carrying a rusty metal canister.

PEARL

I was saving this for when my boys graduated

College, but –

JOHNNY

You’re so sweet, Miss Pearl.

Pearl opens the canister, takes out a block wrapped in a red napkin, unwraps the napkin, and lifts two stacks of currency.

The boys separate the money into stacks by denomination. They do a count and make the tally.

STEVIE

You’re rich Miss Pearl. Three thousand

four hundred and seventeen dollars.

JOHNNY

That makes a total of ten thousand

one hundred and gas money.

INT. BANK – DAY

The boys are ushered into Bradfors’s office. Bradford rises to greet them.

BRADFORD

Pearl’s boys, nice to see you again. Be

seated Gentlemen.

JOHNNY

Thanks for seeing us, Mister Bradford.

BRADFORD

What’s this about a payment on the Jackson property?

Johnny produces the money and puts it on Jackson’s desk. Jackson takes the money and counts.

He touches a button on his intercom.

BRADFORD

Gertrude, prepare a receipt for Miss

Jackson… Eleven hundred dollars.

JOHNNY

Miss Jackson wants you to know that she

appreciates —

BRADFORD

You tell Miss Jackson I say it’s a pleasure,

and it’s a pleasure doing business with you

two astute young men.

STEVIE

You’re a gentleman, Sir.

Bradford rises goes around his desk, shakes hands with Johnny and Stevie, and walks them to the door.

BRADFORD

You can collect your receipt on the way out.

Johnny

We appreciate the breather, Sir. I think this loan

business can be resolved within a couple of months.

BRADFORD

Ten thousand buys four days. Gentlemen.

Foreclosure proceedings will resume on Friday.

[Jennifer Williams]

Subject line: Jennifer Williams – Act 2 Reaction to TP 1

1. What I learned doing this assignment is…?”

· I learned that what happens in Act 1 must be in the proper sequence or Act 2 can’t proceed as it should to move the story forward with the character reacting to the turning point.

2. Using your Beat Sheet, outline Key Scene 1.

BEAT SHEET

Act 2:

• New plan:

· Delores retreats to old ways, spending late days in the office.

· Unbeknownst to Delores, Cindy posted photos on the Internet that made it seem like she had reconciled with her Lyle, Ex-husband.

· Delores decides to move on from Lyle.

· Kendra talks Delores into going out with her James.

3. Write the “Reaction to the Turning Point” scene.

BEGINNING

INT. DELORES HOME – DAY

Delores and Mauri have breakfast before starting their day.

DELORES

Mauri, I might be late coming home today.

MAURI

Mom, you said you were going to start looking out for yourself and not working late.

DELORES

I know but I have lots to take care of since I returned from vacation.

INT. DELORES’ OFFICE – DAY

Everyone in her department has left for the day. Delores is on her computer.

Delores returns to occupying her time online, but it doesn’t serve her. Searches for Lyle online.

MIDDLE

INT. DELORES HOME – NIGHT

Delores gets home from work and sees Mauri has gone to bed. She grabs some fruit from the refrigetaor and goes to her laptop. Delores calls Kendra to share what she found online.

DELORES

Hey Kendra, sorry to call so late, but I had to share this with someone.

KENDRA

It’s fine, I’m up. What’s so urgent.

DELORES

I searched online and found a new post with pictures of Lyle, and I guess this is Cindy together at an event.

KENDRA

I thought you were going to stop looking. Let it go, Delores, you’re making yourself miserable.

DELORES

I know you’re right, but…

KENDRA

But nothing. You need to get some sleep; we have an early day tomorrow.

DELORES

I’m letting go. Go night, Kendra.

END

INT. GYM – DAY

Delores slowly comes out of the funk she’s been under and joins Mauri and Kendra as they prepare to go to the gym; she has a different attitude.

DELORES

I’m ready for our bike race today.

MAURI

It’s about time, but you’re still going to lose.

KENDRA

We’ll see about that I’m feeling energized this morning.

They finish their work out and Delores has scheduled them for the sauna.

MAURI

Mom, sorry, but I have to leave. I’ll take an Uber to class. See you all later.

Delores and Kendra give her a hug and then head for the sauna.

INT. GYM SAUNA – DAY

They find themselves alone in the sauna, which is perfect for Delores.

KENDRA

Spill girl. What’s up? You are usually in a hurry to get to your office.

DELORES

Nothing, I just want to take some time to cool down.

KENDRA

You’re talking to me. It’s that guy right? James? You’re avoiding him.

DELORES

I can’t avoid him; we work for the same place, but I don’t have to see him first thing when I get in. He always meets me at the elevator, whether it’s flowers, pastries, coffee, or something.

KENDRA

And what’s wrong with that? He’s showing you he’s interested.

DELORES

I know, but it’s a lot.

KENDRA

Delores, James showed you long before Lyle he was interested and you said it was too soon after Trevor’s death. Now, Lyle has turned out wrong. James is still here.

DELORES

I know.

KENDRA

To me, James was and is the relationship you can commit. Think about it.

DELORES

I will. Let’s go so we can both get to work.

[Steve Jones]

Steve Jones – Act 2 reaction to turning point.

What I learned doing this assignment was never to try and save documents in a hurry.

INT. POLICE HQ – DAY

Harry has set up a screen and chair and is reviewing what they know about the case. All they have is the pathology report and the possibility someone is smuggling something into Mars.

The robot stands beside the screen while Harry sits and stares at the meager information.

HARRY

We need more information.

ROBOT

May I suggest following procedures carried out by the police forces on Earth where the crime rate is significantly higher?

HARRY

I’ve got this. We just need to find out what the (BEAT) or how he (BEAT). OK, what do they do?

ROBOT

As I understand they start with the victim and work backwards to establish who he was and how he did what he did, in order to develop a possible motive.

HARRY

But in our case the motive is the smuggling and the victim was just a mule. He probably had no connection with the killer.

ROBOT

Then, how did he get here illegally. He didn’t just buy a fake passport. We’d have spotted that. He was in the system as a Martian resident. So was the lady you arrested.

HARRY

And I’m convinced she was a decoy to keep us from spotting him.

ROBOT

In which case we know that whoever smuggled the unknown substance has considerable financial, technological and other wide ranging resources.

HARRY

And on Earth and Mars.

ROBOT

Most likely.

HARRY

Buzzard’s not going to like this. So, we need to find out anything we can about the victim’s life on Earth, how he came to Mars and who helped him. Same with the woman.

The robot turns to the screen and as Harry speaks, the robot transcribes the list onto the screen wirelessly.

HARRY (cont’d)

We need to find out what was being smuggled, who met the victim in the woods, who… Shit biscuits! The woman. She’ll be sent back when the shuttle makes its return run to Earth.

ROBOT

The Captain is coming.

HARRY

Come on!

Harry rushes out with the robot right behind him. Buzzard is nearly trampled as they fly past.

BUZZARD

Harry, where are we with the case?

HARRY

Just about to interview a major witness! (SOTO) If we’re not too late.

Harry and the robot are gone.

Buzzard reads what’s on the screen and frowns.

BUZZARD

Smuggling?

[Steve Jones]

Steve Jones Act 2 Middle Scenes

What I learned doing this assignment is the power of focusing on one character to move an early draft along quickly.

BEGINNING: Harry and the robot go to interview Vor Worple despite being told not to by Buzzard

MIDDLE: They get into the clinic and ask their questions. Harry is now getting into this and thinks he can read everyone like a book.

END: Vor Worple runs rings around Harry who comes away with nothing.

BEGINNING: Harry and the robot are called into Buzzard’s office

MIDDLE: Buzzard asks them to explain themselves.

END: Buzzard royally bollocks them.

INT. MARS SPACEPORT – DAY

Harry rushes into the port a few paces ahead of the robot. He heads for the observation room.

INT. OBSERVATION ROOM – SAME

Officer Wisecrack stands over the woman prisoner who is restrained in a chair.

WISECRACK

You lot amuse me. You go to all this trouble to get here and you get to spend a couple of days inside a cell and then get a free ride back to where you came from. How does that feel?

WOMAN

You have a high opinion of yourself, don’t you?

WISECRACK

I’m a Lieutenant in the Martian police. What do you think?

WOMAN

I think it’s entirely unfounded.

WISECRACK

What did you say?

Harry barges in.

WISECRACK

Oh, here we go. What does he want?

HARRY

Wisecrack. It had to be you didn’t it? I need to speak to her.

WISECRACK

I don’t think so.

HARRY

She’s got information I need to find out who’s killing these Earthers.

WOMAN

Who’s been killed?

WISECRACK

The bloke you came with. he got iced half a click from here.

HARRY

Did you know him? Did you travel together?

The woman is upset.

WOMAN

He’s dead?

WISECRACK

Get out of here, Koala. She’s not talking to you.

The port PA system announces the arrival of the ship.

Wisecrack undoes the restraints holding the woman to the chair but keeps her hands bound. He puts a jacket over them to cover the cuffs.

WISECRACK (cont’d)

Time to go back home.

HARRY

Who sent you here? Who planned this?

WISECRACK

Get out of my way! She’s got nothing to say to you.

HARRY

Wisecrack, she may know who did this. She could be able to help me stop more killings.

WISECRACK

So? Makes my life easier if I don’t have to babysit them.

WOMAN

She said you were all fascist asshats.

HARRY

Who? Who said this man is a fascist?

WISECRACK

She said we’re all fascists. Not just me.

HARRY

Can I scan your neck?

WOMAN

What? Is there something inside me?

Wisecrack pulls the woman out of the room.

WISECRACK

Come on. Fuck off Harry.

INT. MARS SPACEPORT – SAME

Harry and the robot follow Wisecrack as he leads the woman through the spaceport to the departure gate.

HARRY

Who were you going to contact when you got here?

The robot has not said anything since they arrived. Now he takes Harry to one side.

ROBOT

i have been able to access this woman’s records now that I have identified her accurately. There is something of interest in her medical history that may be pertinent.

HARRY

Not now. We’re about to lose her.

Wisecrack checks the woman through and follows her. Harry is allowed through when he shows his badge.

WOMAN (TO HARRY)

Help me stay here and I’ll tell you everything I know.

HARRY

I can’t do that. Help me stop this killer.

The woman is about to tell Harry something when Wisecrack takes her onto the ship and has his officers block Harry from following them.

WOMAN

(OVER HER SHOULDER) Carina Ellis!

Harry is frustrated.

HARRY

That prick Wisecrack!

ROBOT

I may have what we’re looking for.

HARRY

All I needed was a few minutes with her. She wouldn’t have been able to lie to me. I could have read her like a book.

ROBOT

May I read my book to you?

HARRY

What? What’s so important! We just lost our biggest lead.

ROBOT

The lady is on record as having been treated for SISCO.

HARRY

What? So?

ROBOT

Soon after her initial diagnosis she made contact with a clinic here on Mars and spent the next year investigating ways to get here.

HARRY

What clinic?

EXT. MARS CITY STREETS – TAXI – DAY

Harry and the robot are traveling across the city towards the spire that reaches to the highest point of the middle of the dome.

ROBOT

He told us not to do this.

Harry ignores him.

ROBOT (cont’d)

I was under the impression that one of your major character traits was an adherence to the law and all it stood for.

HARRY

All I have to do is look him in the face as he answers my questions. Then I’ll know the truth.

ROBOT

That does not acknowledge the flat refusal we were granted when suggesting this course of action.

HARRY

You really need to stop talking like a robot.

ROBOT

I am a robot.

HARRY

I thought all robots wanted to be more human and develop feelings and stuff.

ROBOT

Feelings, while essential to the human psyche after you spent millions of years evolving your thinking brain on top of your feeling brain, are quite unnecessary for mechanicals. They get in the way.

HARRY

But you sound like you’ve taken offense to me saying you talk like a robot.

ROBOT

Only a human could mis-read the comment to such a degree.

HARRY

You sound nervous.

ROBOT

I draw your attention to my previous statement.

HARRY

Buzzard won’t do anything. He’s full of hot air.

ROBOT

For one who relies entirely on seeing and interpreting micro-signals and physical nuances, you are remarkably obtuse when your feelings come to the fore. I suggest that your bluster is the product of your nervousness.

HARRY

(GRUMPY)

We’re here.

Harry jumps out of the taxi barely before it’s stopped and stalks up the steps of the Worple Clinic.

The robot follows.

INT. WORPLE CLINIC – RECEPTION – DAY

Harry enters the reception area and is greeted by a HOLOGRAM. The hologram changes age, sex and facial appearance as Harry speaks to it.

HARRY

I need to speak to Mr Worple. Police business.

Harry shows his badge to an attractive 40-something female.

HOLOGRAM

Certainly Lieutenant Koala. May I inform Mr Worple bout the subject of the proposed meeting.

HARRY

Christ, you talk like him.

Harry gestures towards the robot who bows slightly to the hologram.

HOLOGRAM

Good day, Robot 3574.

ROBOT

Good day, hologram Deirdre.

Harry tries again.

HARRY

We’re trying to understand any connection Mr Worple may have with Earth and particularly the SISCO breakout.

The hologram answers as a silver haired lady in her sixties.

HOLOGRAM

Please wait on the seats.

Two seats rise from the floor behind them and the hologram disappears.

Harry remains where he is. The robot takes a seat.

The hologram returns as a teenage boy with freckles and red hair.

HOLOGRAM (cont’d)

I regret that Mr Worple cannot see you now. He suggests you make an appointment for next July.

HARRY

It’s August.

The hologram answers as a Jack Russel.

HOLOGRAM

Mr Worple was most apologetic.

HARRY

Tell him we’ll be talking to Carina Ellis.

HOLOGRAM

As you wish.

Thee hologram disappears and returns a few seconds later as a circus clown.

HOLOGRAM (cont’d)

Mr Worple suggests that he could possibly see you at the end of June.

HARRY

This is ridiculous. OK, tell him that we will we return with a search warrant to go through this building, interview his patients, make a nuisance of ourselves and generally disrupt his business.

HOLOGRAM

Oh, nicely played. He will not be happy with that.

The hologram disappears and does not return.

A door at the back of reception opens and Harry and the robot tentatively pass through into a corridor and then through a second door that opens off the passage. They find themselves in a consulting room.

INT. CONSULTING ROOM – DAY

Harry and the robot potter about I the room for a minute before Vor Worple enters. He’s wearing a white lab coat and appears to be very busy.

WORPLE

Five minutes.

HARRY

Thanks you for this. I appreciate that you’re busy and we’ve probably taken you from something very important. But this is an important case and we need your help.

WORPLE

Four and a half minutes.

HARRY

OK, I get it. What dealings do you have with Earth?

WORPLE

Many of our clients have SISCO and come here from Earth for treatment.

HARRY

OK, what about Carina Ellis? Do you know her?

WORPLE

No.

HARRY

You have no dealings with Carina Ellis?

WORPLE

Not to my knowledge. She could b someone I have some dealing with but whose name I don not know. She could be someone I have dealings with who uses an alias with me. There are a number of scenarios where I could have dealings with her but not know it is the woman you mention. Could you describe her? Perhaps I’d recognize a physical description.

HARRY

No, let’s leave that one. So, you aren’t using illegal immigrants to smuggle contraband into Mars?

WORPLE

No. Time’s up I’m afraid Lieutenant. I have to return to my tests. Please leave the building the way you came in.

Worple leaves. The door stays open and Harry and the robot leave the building.

EXT. MARS CITY CONCOURSE – DAY

HARRY

How do you think that went?

ROBOT

I learned nothing. How were his micro-expressions?

HARRY

Buzzard’s going to kill me.

INT. POLICE HQ – OUTSIDE BUZZARD’S OFFICE – DAY

Wisecrack watches from a chair he’s positioned facing Buzzard’s office as Harry and the robot are shouted at by Buzzard.