Lesson 14

[Stephen Maynard]

Subject line: Stephen Maynard Act 2 Middle Scenes

“What I learned doing this assignment is…?” A writer’s opportunity to show the entrenched hero, and how difficult it is to leave the old ways and move to a new and better way to solve his problems. In the case of this COMEDY, it is another opportunity to have some fun with the developing arc of the protagonist as we show him losing once again.

INT. EL CAMINO – DAY

A grim-faced Johnny at the wheel, Stevie in the shotgun seat.

Silence but for the sound of the engine and tires on the pavement.

STEVIE

What a couple of losers… to think we

could beat the man at his game.

JOHNNY

We got to locate the forger, Dude. There’s no

other way.

STEVE

So we’re back to playing the man’s game?

JOHNNY

This time we play to win… Ubi est voluntas, ibi est via.

STEVE

Where there is a will, there’s a way.

EXT/INT. TREE – BRADFORD RESIDENCE – LIBRARY – NIGHT

Dawn reclines in pajamas, on a branch outside a second-story window, talking on her phone.

DAWN

(into phone)

She’s in for an oil change.

She goes quiet when she sees Bradford and Gordon enter the library.

DAWN (CONT’D)

(whispering)

Hang on. Your dad’s here! They’re in

the library.

She moves to conceal herself the the leaves and listens.

GORDON

He said we pay up or he goes to the Chronicle.

BRADFORD

We’ve got real trouble if this gets out.

GORDON

I’ll skin that little weasel alive. I’m calling mother.

He produces his phone, taps it, and waits.

GORDON

(into phone)

Mother, call JG.

He puts his phone in his pocket

BRADFORD

That scammin’ little son of a bitch! And here’s a

news flash. Those collector balls he sold us,

the signatures are forged.

Phone RINGTONE. Gorden takes his phone.

GORDON

Put mother on the phone… Someone I want

permanently silenced … I don’t give a shit how

you do it. Use your head… 231 Shadow Lane…

Dirty blond hair… five feet tall. ASAP.

Bradford goes to the open window, closes and locks it.

DAWN

(into phone)

Shadow lane? That’s my Uncle Gimmy’s house.

Call you right back.

INT. RANGE ROVER – NIGHT

Charlie at the wheel, Dawn riding shotgun, She lays her phone on the seat.

DAWN

He’s still not answering.

CHARLIE

I love the pajama outfit.

DAWN

Can we speed up a little?

The Range Rover accelerates.

INT. GREYSTONE HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

Stevie and Johnny sit looking at Johnny’s phone.

STEVIE

Try the Chronicle, items for sale.

Johnny taps his phone, searching.

JOHNNY

Looks like a buyer’s market for cars.

STEVIE

Try memorabilia, Yogi Berra.

Johnny taps his phone.

JOHNNY

Here we go.

(reading)

R-E-A-R Yogi Berra baseball for sale.

Best offer. Bring cash to 231 Shadow Lane.

STEVIE

Spelling and logic not his strong suits.

JOHNNY

Could be our man. Let’s go see.

EXT. 231 SHADOW LANE – NIGHT

The El Camino rolls up to a rundown yellow one-bedroom house. As it circles to the back, the boys note the two vehicles parked in the side yard. The pickup stops next to three plastic trash bins.

The boys get out and head for the back door.

JOHNNY

Wait in the truck, Chuey.

A black Hummer with a PEAKED-LOOKING THUG at the wheel rolls up and parks on the street.

A TALL SKINNY THUG climbs out from the back seat and assists a SHORT FAT THUG to the ground, he brings out two coils of cotton rope and pushes the door shut. The three head for the house.

INT. 231 SHADOW LANE – LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

Stevie and Johnny enter and see Dawn helping Jimmy to put on a shirt. Charlie hurries in wheeling a carry-on bag.

DAWN

What are you doing here?

STEVIE

We need a word with this guy.

DAWN

Not now, please. We have to hurry.

Come on, Gimmy!

The three thugs burst in, Short Fat brandishing a chrome-plated revolver.

SHORT FAT THUG

Police business. Everyone stay where you are.

PEAKED-LOOKING THUG

Face the wall. Do like Gut says.

Tall Skinny throws Jimmy against the wall and brings his hands behind him. The others stand facing the wall

Peaked drops the coils, produces a tie wrap, binds Jimmy’s hands, picks up the coils, and stands panting.

SHORT FAT THUG

When you catch your breath you can tie up

the other four people.

PEAKED-LOOKING THUG

We ain’t got enough for four people, Gut.

We only got two ropes.

SHORT FAT THUG

Use your head, moron. Tie ‘em together.

Tall Skinny goes to Peaked, takes a rope end from each coil, and ties them together.

SHORT FAT THUG

Not the rope, you idiot, tie the people. Use

your head.

TALL SKINNY THUG

How am I supposed to tie people with my head?

LATER

Johnny and Charlie sit back to back on a chair with a rope coiled, elbow to armpit, binding them.

On the floor, Stevie and Dawn lay face to face, with a rope coiled around them.

DAWN

Stop struggling, Stevie. The ropes are hurting me.

JOHNNY

Call Chuey.

STEVIE

Not so fast. I think I’m liking this.

DAWN

Chuey.

JOHNNY

All together now, on three. Two and, three.

The four bellow in unison, CHUEY.

INT. EL CAMINO – NIGHT

Chuey’s ears go up. He jumps up and stands on the front seat looking out the open window.

FOUR VOICES (OS)

CHUEY.

He scampers to the doorsill, teeters, and jumps. He bounces on the trash bin’s lid, lands on the ground, and runs to the open door.

INT. 231 SHADOW LANE – LIVING ROOM – SAME

Chuey stands looking at the four trussed-up people.

JOHNNY

Good boy, Chuey. Untie us.

Chuey goes to Johnny and looks up.

CHARLIE

Untie your Stevie, Chuey.

Chuey runs over to Stevie and Dawn. He takes the knotted rope-end in his mouth and tugs, tightening the rope.

STEVIE

It’s woven through the coils, Chuey.

Gotta pull where it goes in.

Chuey bites the loop where the rope enters the first coil, pulls it up, and gnaws on it.

STEVIE

Take your time, Chuey.

LATER

Chuey leaves the frayed loop, returns to the knot end, takes it in his mouth, pulls out a short piece of rope, and backs up thrashing the rope left to right as he goes.

He returns to the frayed end of the rope coiled around Stevie and Dawn, takes it in his teeth, and braces himself.

Stevie and Dawn roll, unwinding the coil from abound their bodies.

JOHNNY

Good boy, Chuey.

[Jennifer Williams]

Subject line: Jennifer Williams – Act 2 Middle Scenes

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

· The learning curve continues to reinforce the use of the Beat Sheet and Outlining to be a great tool for the writer to breakdown the essential parts of the script.

2. Outline Key Scenes 2 & 3.

KEY SCENE 2

INT. DELORES HOME – NIGHT

· Delores gives in to Kendra’s suggestion of seeing James.

· Delores agrees to assist James with Young Camp.

· Delores gets Mauri to come along.

EXT. YOUNG CAMP – DAY

· Delores attempts to let her guard down.

· Delores interacts with camp counselors and James.

EXT. THEATER LOBBY – NIGHT

· Enjoys the company of James, attends a stage play, and they become incredibly close.

INT. COFFEE SHOP – EVENING

· Conversation with James after play

KEY SCENE 3

INT. DELORES’ HOME – NIGHT

· Delores goes online to the book lover’s online group, checks the people online, and responds to questions on critiques.

· She sits to contemplate her next move before she exits the website.

· Delores terminates her account.

3. Write Key Scene 2: Protagonist takes on a plan and executes it.

KEY SCENE 2

BEGINNING

INT. DELORES HOME – NIGHT

Mauri, Delores, and Kendra are together for a movie night.

MAURI

It’s two against one Mom; you have to watch the romantic comedy. We’re tired of the murder mysteries you always choose.

DELORES

Your movie is so unrealistic. I’m just saying.

KENDRA

Suck it up. You’re just mad they haven’t written the script for your life.

They all laugh. The doorbell rings, and Mauri goes to answer it.

VICKI LYNN, 19, follows behind Mauri into the living room.

VICKI LYNN

Hi, Mrs. Chaney. Hi Perkins. I hope I’m not interrupting.

Kendra waves.

DELORES

Hello Vicki, welcome to movie night. The more, the merrier.

MAURI

Sorry, guys. I forgot Vicki, and I have a project to complete. We’ll be up in my room.

DELORES

All right, your loss.

The girls head upstairs. Kendra brings the popcorn to the sofa and places it between them, and Delores pours two glasses of wine.

KENDRA

Okay, spill. I want to know about your lunch date with James.

DELORES

It was nothing. I told you we just discussed the camp.

KENDRA

So, you’re going.

DELORES

Mauri and I are going.

Kendra gives her the side-eye and turns up the volume on the movie.

MIDDLE

EXT. MALIBU CREEK STATE PARK – DAY

Two buses pull into Malibu Creek State Park. The doors open, and a huge gathering of excited young people and their chaperones file out.

Delores and Mauri get off and retrieve their duffle bags, followed by James.

MAURI

Mom, this place is gorgeous. I can’t wait to hike up to the M.A.S.H. site and take pictures.

DELORES

There’s a schedule, Honey, and you’ll have to wait and follow the leaders’ directions.

JAMES

Mauri, don’t worry; that’s the first activity on the itinerary. We also have a trail ride scheduled. Can you ride?

MAURI

Awesome. Yes, I can. Thank you so much for allowing me to attend with my Mom.

JAMES

You’re welcome. We’re happy to have you in our Jr. Counselors Group.

James helped Delores and Mauri pitch their tent.

BEGIN MONTAGE

-Delores and Mauri sit around the campfire with James close as they make s’mores.

-Mauri works in Mess Tent for Breakfast and enjoys interacting with other counselors

-Group arrives at M.A.S.H site, and Mauri, Delores, and James take pictures at all the landmarks.

-Delores leads a group of campers on a trail ride. They explore the rock formations.

-The day ends around the campfire with singing.

END MONTAGE

END

EXT. YOUNG CAMP – DAY

James and Delores take an early morning hike on their last day of camp.

JAMES

Delores, I can’t thank you enough for assisting me with the camp.

DELORES

No thanks needed. I enjoyed it. I especially enjoyed seeing Mauri so involved and happy.

JAMES

Yes, I think I have a new friend. She’s a lovely young lady.

DELORES

Thank you, I think so.

James stops them by the lake, and they take in the view. He takes advantage of their alone time, moves closer to her, and takes her hand. To his surprise, she allows it.

JAMES

I hope you don’t mind, but I had the cook pack our breakfast.

DELORES

Good thinking. I starving after the hike up here.

James grabs the blanket from the backpack and lays out the breakfast. They sit and eat, enjoying the warmth of the sun and stunning views.

DELORES

This is the second time you’ve provided me with a feast in the wilderness. Is this your hook, Mr. Price?

JAMES

That all depends; is it working?

Delores grins, picks up her juice, and touches his in a toast.

4. Write Key Scene 3: Not only does their plan fail, but…

KEY SCENE 3

BEGINNING

INT. DELORES’ HOME – NIGHT

Delores sits on the sofa, opens her laptop, and ventures into the Book Lover’s Group.

Kendra comes downstairs from assisting Mauri with her project, flops down next to Delores, and catches her on the site.

KENDRA

I thought you agreed not to go into the group anymore?

DELORES

I’m checking the new book list. I also wanted to upload a couple of critiques I completed.

KENDRA

You’re looking for Lyle.

DELORES

No, I’m not.

KENDRA

I see you. You have the ‘Who’s Online’ list open. You don’t need that for critiques.

All of a sudden, a private message bubble appears. Delores freezes because she can only see the last name, Collins.

MIDDLE

INT. DELORES KITCHEN ISLAND – NIGHT

Kendra gets up, heads to the kitchen, grabs two glasses and pours them some wine.

Delores picks up the laptop and follows Kendra into the kitchen.

KENDRA (Cont’d)

Are you going to respond? Maybe he’s ready to talk.

Delores clicks on the bubble, and an audio message appears. She pushes play. A woman’s voice is heard.

AUDIO MESSAGE

You still looking for my husband? I told you, we’re back together. You’d be wise to go about your business!

Delores was stunned. She quickly exited the group.

KENDRA

OMG! Delores, she is a stalker!

DELORES

This is over for me. I’m not going to deal with her. I don’t even know this woman. I only spoke to her that night and haven’t had any other contact. Why is she doing this?

A tearful Delores terminated her membership to the group and closed her laptop.

END

INT. DELORES LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

Delores leaves the laptop on the island and retreats to the living room. She curls up on the sofa with her wine.

Kendra tries to console Delores.

KENDRA

Well, she won’t be able to get to you now.

NOTE: Consider Delores receiving a telephone call from James immediately after this incident, and she blows him off in her state of mind. Maybe they have a date, and she doesn’t show; doesn’t answer the door &/or call.