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Lesson 14
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EXT. WILD RIVER LANDSCAPE, CANADA – DAY
Mama bear catches fresh salmons in the sunshine. Several bear cubs romp around on the riverbank.
Suddenly a large cloud covers the sun. Mama bear looks up anxiously and sniffs.
MAMA BEAR
Snow?
The cubs freeze and look toward their mother, also anxiously.
SQUIRE
So what! Let’s keep playing.
MAMA BEAR
Squire… this is serious… remember last year?
The other cubs start to whine.
SQUIRE
Hmm… yes… but… we finally had a great winter sleep.
NANCY
Don’t play the innocent… we did not starve during winter because mama had good provisions and… I made sure that all the food got split equally.
(pause)
Remember, guys, I took good care of you?
The cubs nod. Squire nestles against his mother.
SQUIRE
But… I helped too? No, mom?
Mama bear shakes her head and pets Squire.
MAMA BEAR
I remember that you got yourself the biggest fish…
Mama bear stops laughing when suddenly heavy snowfall sets in.
MAMA BEAR
I have to change plans… otherwise…
The bear cubs cluster around their mother.
MAMA BEAR
Remember we agreed to do your wildlife graduation at the end of summer?
NANCY
Yes!
MAMA BEAR
We have to do it now… otherwise, it might be too late.
SQUIRE
But I did not have enough time to prepare…
NANCY
Nobody had…
MAMA BEAR
Nancy and Squire – stop! You will go and get the honeycomb. Now! And this is not just for fun… if you get the honey back, you already get your graduation – and next year… you’ll be with the adults.
Squire gets even closer to mama bear.
SQUIRE
I bring you all the honey, promised mom… but please… not with Nancy… she is way too…
Nancy gets between Squire and mama bear. She gets very close to her ear.
NANCY
Mom… Squire will keep the honey for himself… you know it. Let me go with Lolli… he’s stronger and faster… and not so egotistical.
Mama bear shakes her head.
MAMA BEAR
I have my reasons… it’s you two… and hurry up… and remember… it’s in your paws if we’ll pass a good winter.
Nancy and Squire loot at each other in disgust.
MAMA BEAR
Come back quickly… straight to our cave…
The bear cubs wave goodbye as Nancy and Squire disappear in the heavy snowfall.
EXT. FOREST, CANADA – DAY
The ground is slightly covered with snow. Some fresh human footprints in it.
EXT. FOREST, CANADA
Nancy stumps through the snow. Squire follows her and chases snowflakes. Nancy stands on her back paws and looks around.
SQUIRE
I’ve never seen such large snowflakes…
NANCY
Come on… where is the tree again?
SQUIRE
Why don’t you search for the tree and then come back!
Nancy pushes Squire in front of her.
NANCY
This is serious. Do you remember where the tree stands?
SQUIRE
Of course… just follow me.
Squire runs ahead, and Nancy follows him until they arrive at the bottom of a big tree. There is a giant bees’ nest a bit further up.
SQUIRE
Let me get up there…
NANCY
Of course… as soon as you’re up there… you’ll grab the biggest part for yourself… it would have been so much better with Lolli…
Squire dances in the snow.
SQUIRE
You know… I’m the better climber…
NANCY
Maybe… but mama bear chose me because I care for the others…
Squire starts to climb. The branches are already covered with snow and very slippery. Nancy tries to climb as well.
NANCY
Let me do it…
Squire pushes Nancy down from above. But Nancy does not give up.
NANCY
Stop it…
Squire throws snow at Nancy. But Nancy tries to get to the bee’s nest by climbing other branches.
Squire is definitively the better climber and reaches the bee’s nest first. He carefully watches it.
NANCY
Let me open it… I saw mama do it… you might get hurt…
Suddenly, a couple of gun SHOTS. Squire groans, and Nancy sees blood dripping into the white snow.
NANCY
Squire? Squire!
Nancy looks to the top and sees Squire holding on to a branch without moving. Nancy quickly climbs backward, always looking back up.
NANCY
Squire… are you hurt?
Suddenly, Squire falls from the branch and lands right before Nancy. Nancy does not really see Squire. He is covered with bees.
NANCY
You’re bleeding…
Nancy tries to wipe the bees off Squire.
Another couple of gun SHOTS.SQUIRE
I’m out of here…
Squire gets up and starts to run, the bees following him. Nancy follows Squire.
NANCY
Are you ok?
Also, Nancy is now covered with bees, and the entire swarm follows them as they run through the forest.
INT. CAVE, CANADA – DAY
Mama bear looks worried. The bear cubs play around.
MAMA BEAR
Let me have a look outside… see if they’re soon back.
Mama bear gets up and walks outside the cave. There is already a lot of snow, and she looks worried.
Suddenly she sees in the distance her two cubs approaching. They’re running like hell.
MAMA BEAR
I never would have thought that they were back so quickly.
(pause)
What a dream team.
Then she squints her eyes.
MAMA BEAR
But what’s this strange hum? -
LOGLINE: Nancy, an uptight New Yorker, is paired with Squire, an easy-going Texan, to work together on the disaster recovery team.
ESSENCE: Nancy wants to prove Squire is unfit
EXT. DISASTER RECOVERY TEAM SITE, OKLAHOMA – DAY
Food kits and pallets of water are lined up ready to be distributed.
A large group of volunteers stand in front of FEMA manager, THOMAS, (40’s), waiting for instructions.
THOMAS
We use the buddy system, with one experienced volunteer paired with a newbie. Remember, people, we’re here to serve the people who’ve lost their homes and their possessions, not ourselves. Be sympathetic if they have something to say, no judgment, but keep things moving! Any questions?
NANCY, 25, liberal New Yorker, wearing a trendy bib overall, scans the volunteers for familiar faces. She spots a hunky lumberjack type, CLANCY, at the end of the line. He glances her way, grins. She gives him “fingers crossed” sign and he gives her a thumbs up.
Standing next to Clancy, SQUIRE, 50’s, grizzled Texan, in cowboy attire, winks at Nancy, much to her horror.
THOMAS
Okay, let’s get going. CLANCY, you’re with Margery —
ON Nancy, deflated.
THOMAS
Nancy, you’re with Squire —
On Nancy, totally disgusted.
Squire walks, extremely bowlegged, toward Nancy.
SQUIRE
Howdy, sugar.
NANCY
Hello. And it’s Nancy, not sugar.
SQUIRE
I call you whatever you want me to call you, boss lady. Pull whatever you’ve got from your little bag of tricks. I’m ready to learn.
NANCY
I don’t have tricks. What I have is a deep knowledge of FEMA protocols and procedures, if you’re truly interested in learning them. May I ask why you volunteered?
SQUIRE
(grinning)
Sure. You may ask.
NANCY
I just did… Oh, never mind. Let’s get started. We need to set up our station for distribution of…
LATER
The sun is blinding. It’s gotten hot and muggy. The distribution queue is so long there’s no end in sight. Nancy’s neck bandana is drenched with sweat. She swats flies buzzing around her ears as she oversees the flats of bottled water and paper products leaving the station. Squire sits on a wooden spool, fanning himself.
NANCY
Mind answering me now? Because I’d really love to know why you volunteered since you obviously have no intention of putting in the effort it requires.
SQUIRE
I don’t believe in sweating the piddly details, sugar. You might try it sometime.
NANCY
For the last time, my name is Nancy, not sugar, not darling, not little lady!
People in the line take notice.
SQUIRE
I have a suggestion. Why don’t you head over there in the shade, cool off with a nice tall drink of water, take a siesta. I’ll handle things here. You’ll feel much better in no time.
NANCY
Better! You think I’d leave you hear without supervision?
SQUIRE
What’s the worst that could happen?
NANCY
All right. I’ll be back in fifteen. Make sure no one takes more than what they’re allotted? Have you got that?
He winks at her. She storms off. Heads straight to the tent area where Thomas is going over a checklist.
NANCY
Tom, have you got a minute?
THOMAS
Sure, what’s going on?
NANCY
It’s Squire. I don’t trust him. He’s not here to help. He has some kind of an agenda —
THOMAS
Whoa. What makes you think that?
NANCY
Everything. I mean, it’s not something specific, but he’s definitely not here to help.
THOMAS
What gives you that impression?
NANCY
His attitude. He’s up to something, mark my words.
THOMAS
Nancy, I think you need to admit you simply don’t like him.
NANCY
It’s more that that. I care about the people we’re helping. If he did he’d put in the work to make a difference.
THOMAS
People volunteer for many reasons. Not all are altruistic. Just get through the day and I’ll pair you up with someone else tomorrow, okay?
NANCY
Okay, hopefully not some lazy, misogynist cowboy.
She stomps back toward her station. She stops short.
Squire is chatting up two ladies, stalling the line.
Nancy breaks into a run. She doesn’t see his stool, trips over it and goes flying.
Nancy bumps into Squire, they both fall, and she winds up on top of him on the ground.
SQUIRE
Well howdy, sugar. Miss me?
Nancy can’t get up fast enough. She sees everyone in the line staring at her.
NANCY
Um, sorry, people. Let’s keep things moving, shall we?
Michael approaches them, a worried look on his face.
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Lesson 14 – QE Cycle 3- Landers
Logline: Two high school lab partners argue over a failed frog dissection.
Essence: Nancy’s hard focus on grades is softened by Squire’s artful flattery.
INT. HIGH SCHOOL BIO LAB – DAY
NANCY (15 years old, conservatively dressed) hunches over a frog dissection, deep in concentration. Her lab partner, SQUIRE (15, handsome, hip) blithely gazes around the room, checks his phone, and yawns.
NANCY
Try paying attention. It’s your crappy work I’m trying to fix.
SQUIRE
You’re the genius here. I’m just the pretty face.
NANCY
Flirt with your girlfriends on your own time. If you cause me to get a a bad grade I’m going to scream like hell to the teacher.
SQUIRE
That’s a ‘B’, right? Bad grade for you, but a sky-rocket for me.
NANCY
You didn’t even read the chapter.
SQUIRE
Didn’t have time.
NANCY
Too busy with your girlfriends?
SQUIRE
Never mind.
NANCY
If I’m going to do your work for you, you owe me an explanation.
SQUIRE
Are you going to the dance tonight?
NANCY
Why would I?
SQUIRE
Dances are fun. You know, new people? Friends? Romance? Do you have a boyfriend?
NANCY
Focus on the frog, Romeo.
Nancy pauses her dissection to make notes in her lab book.
SQUIRE
A girlfriend?
NANCY
If you’re not going to help, you can at least be quiet.
SQUIRE
Can I copy your notes?
NANCY
No. You can keep out of my way.
SQUIRE
What makes you think I have even one girlfriend?
NANCY
Please. I’ve seen you at lunch. In the hallways. And you certainly don’t spend your nights doing homework.
SQUIRE
You think you know all about me because I didn’t do my homework last night, but that’s all you know about me.
NANCY
I know you’re a lazy, self-centered ass, and if you cost me an A on this lab I’m going to the teacher.
SQUIRE
Grades, grades, grades. Is that all you think about? What do you do for fun?
Nancy hovers over the dissection, ignoring him.
SQUIRE
Come on, have you ever been kissed? You can tell me, I won’t tell anyone.
NANCY
Why don’t you go play with yourself in the bathroom or something?
SQUIRE
I really like your hair like that.
NANCY
Stop. I mean it. You’re insulting my intelligence.
SQUIRE
No. I’m completely sincere. You have a pretty face. The hair lets me see it. And the color brings out your eyes.
NANCY
You don’t have to be nice to me. I have to do the work either way and you’ll get a good grade out of it.
SQUIRE
You think so little of me! Did it occur to you that I might be a pretty good student? Not in your class, but mostly Bs. I do my homework. I missed last night because we took my mom to the emergency room. She had her appendix taken out.
Nancy sits up and stares at him in sympathy, all thoughts of grades and the frog dissection gone.
NANCY
Oh my goodness. I’m so sorry. Really, I had no idea. How is she?
SQUIRE
She’s recovering. She wants me to go to the dance tonight. To get my mind off things.
NANCY
Are you going to go?
SQUIRE
After I see her. I’d like it if you’d dance with me. Just one dance? It would mean a lot.
NANCY
I wasn’t going to go.
SQUIRE
I hope you change your mind.
NANCY
(touching him)
Are you setting me up? Get me to go to the dance so you and your friends can make fun of me?
SQUIRE
I’m not like that. I want to dance with you. I want to know who you are.
He eyes her notebook.
SQUIRE
Can I copy your notes?
NANCY
The dissection is a mess. You severed the heart and I don’t know how you did it but the intestinal tract is completely mashed.
SQUIRE
But your notes are perfect, and that’s what counts.
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Lesson 14 – QE Cycle 3
LOGLINE: Estranged parents must work together to talk their child out of committing a crime
ESSENCE: A teenager forces his parents to pay him some attention
EXT. WYOMING SENIOR HIGH – DAY
NANCY, early 40s, a well-groomed woman in a business suit, speaks into a cell phone that she holds in front of her mouth, the phone on speaker.
NANCY
Put the gun down now!
She eyes the POLICE OFFICER next to her.
He speaks quietly into her ear.
OFFICER
Tell him to come out slowly with hands visible.
NANCY
If you want what I think you want, you need to come out slowly with your hands visible.
JOHN
What is it I want?
NANCY
That’s what we’re going to talk about when you come out.
JOHN
We’re talking now.
SQUIRE, 40s, good-looking, dressed in jeans, boots, open neck shirt, offers a wry smile as he leans against the police car, listening to the conversation.
Nancy notices. She’s annoyed.
NANCY
We’ll talk face to face. You put the gun down and come on out.
JOHN
No can do.
Nancy covers the phone, speaks to Squire.
NANCY
What?
SQUIRE
You’re still issuing commands. He’s not a kid anymore.
NANCY
You think this is my fault?
SQUIRE
I didn’t say that.
NANCY
That’s our son in there. Don’t you care?
Squire evades the question, looking to the school.
NANCY
(to phone)
John, your father wants to speak to you.
Nancy forces the phone on a reluctant Squire.
SQUIRE
Hey Buddy, how you doing?
Nancy can hardly believe the idiocy of the question.
Squire turns his back on her.
SQUIRE
We gotta get together and have a yak about what’s going on.
JOHN
Sure Dad.
Squire turns to Nancy with a smile.
SQUIRE
There you go. I knew you’d see reason, Buddy.
JOHN
Come on in and we’ll talk.
Squire’s smile disappears.
SQUIRE
Ah, well, the idea is, we talk when you come out here.
JOHN
No can do, Pa.
Johnny ends the call.
SQUIRE
No such thing as can’t, John… John?
NANCY
Oh for goodness sake! I’ll do this.
Nancy grabs the phone off Squire and starts walking towards the school.
NANCY
Johnny? Johnny? How do I get this number back?
The Police Officer steps over to stop her.
OFFICER
Ma’am!
Nancy keeps walking.
NANCY
He wants to talk.
OFFICER
I can’t let you go in there.
NANCY
He’s my son. I’m going in one way or another.
The Officer now has no cover. He gives up, beaten by this stubborn woman. He appeals to Squire.
OFFICER
Sir!
SQUIRE
Nancy! Come back.
NANCY
You afraid of your own son, Squire?
SQUIRE
(under his breath)
Shit.
He darts after her.
SQUIRE
You don’t know what he’s capable of.
Nancy just looks at him as she strides on, her question still floating in the air, phone to her ear now.
Squire falls into step with her. The police Panic behind their vehicle protection.
NANCY
Come on, Johnny, pick up.
SQUIRE
If he’s not picking up we shouldn’t be going in here.
Nancy keeps walking, Squire keeping up.
INT. ROOM – DAY
JOHNNY, an High School Senior in a hoodie, smirks at the phone ringing next to him.
He takes his time picking it up, hesitates, then accepts the call.
INT. WYOMING SENIOR HIGH CORRIDOR – DAY
Nancy and Squire stand uncertainly in the corridor.
NANCY
Thank you for taking the call, Johnny.
SQUIRE
We’re here to talk, Buddy, just like you asked.
JOHN
Have you talked to Mom about your girlfriend yet?
Nancy swings around, staring hard at Squire.
SQUIRE
Sure. Sure I have.
(winks at Nancy)
Good one Johnny.
NANCY
You arsehole! I knew it.
NANCY
Where you are Johnny?
JOHN
Does Dad know about that account you’ve been shifting all that money into for years?
It’s Nancy’s turn to cover up.
SQUIRE
You’ve been what?
NANCY
Well, it looks like I was right to do it.
SQUIRE
Bullshit. That’s effectively cheating on me.
NANCY
No, that’s what you’re doing!
Squire turns away.
SQUIRE
True to form. Attack is best form of defense.
JOHN
So, just like I thought, you two are so selfish and stubborn, even now you can only focus on yourselves.
NANCY
(back to the phone)
Where are you, John? We’re in the building. We need to talk face to face.
Silence.
NANCY
John. Where are you?
JOHN
I’m not in the building.
A moment this registers.
NANCY
Then where are you?
JOHN
I left. With all the other kids when we evacuated. I called and pretended to be the shooter.
SQUIRE
You want to tell us why, Buddy?
JOHN
I guess… I guess wanted to get your attention.
SQUIRE
You sure have our attention now.
NANCY
If you’re not… where’s the real shooter now, John?
JOHN
I don’t know. I guess he’s still in the building.
Nancy and Squire make real eye contact for the first time.
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L:14 QE CYCLE #3
Audrey
Logline: Divorced parents try to plan their son’s engagement dinner.
Essence: Unresolved grudges will surface between lovers.
EXT. MOUNT TREMBLANT, QUEBEC LODGE – DAY
Nestled in the Laurentian Mountains. Ski territory. Picturesque. Feels magical. It’s Blustery winter day. NANCY and SQUIRE, hurrying to their destination bump into each other.
SQUIRE
Nan!…
He goes to hug her, but it’s awkward. So they don’t.
(taking her in)
You look great!
NANCY
Thanks!
Squire looks at the fancy lodge. Raises an eyebrow.
SQUIRE
Can you believe our Jason? I can remember his full head of black hair, and that sweet newborn smell.
Takes a deep breath reminiscing the scent.
Nancy isn’t the least bit moved.
NANCY
Yeah, the sooner we get through this the better.
SQUIRE
C’Mon… Nan. I think we can do this without any animosity.
NANCY
Don’t call me Nan. No one calls me that. Nan was when we were married which we are not!
She enters. Squire follows.
INT. MOUNT TREMBLANT, LODGE, DINING ROOM – MOMENTS LATER
Rich Rustic. It’s a sample tasting! The MAITRE D’ greets Nancy… La Bise, (two people kissing both cheeks). He leads Nancy and Squire to their table.
MAITRE D’
(to Nancy)
Puis-je vous obtenir quelque chose?
(translation))
(Can I get you anything?)
NANCY
Merci! J’ai deja decide.
Juste le faire senitir important.
(translation)
(Thank you! I’ve already decided. Just making him feel important.)
The Maitre d’ smiles, scurrying away.
SQUIRE
I speak English. I prefer that you don’t speak French for this thing.
NANCY
Fine!… Well, I already know that the popular choices for dinner are Poultry and fish.
SQUIRE
I think we should have a vegan menu.
NANCY
Why?
SQUIRE
My wife is a vegan.
NANCY
Maybe she should bring her own food.
(beat)
You insist on parading your poor taste in front of our friends and family and at our son’s engagement dinner.
SQUIRE
I’ll pay the extra for the vegan menu.
NANCY
She can’t come!
SQUIRE
What!
(beat)
You can’t mean that–
NANCY
— I do!
SQUIRE
We’re adults. Let’s show everyone that we’re bigger than out gripes.
It’s mutual compassion. Hell, if anyone should be mad, it should be me. You left… remember?
NANCY
Don’t you dare deflect…Like you’ve got cobwebs in your damn head. Next, you’ll be asking if we can all sit together.
SQUIRE
That’s exactly what I was thinking.
Maitre d’ crosses with a tray of small dishes. LOADS the table with delicacies.
MAITRE D’
Monsieur, Madam — Quest-ceque–
SQUIRE
(clears his throat)
— English… please!
MAITRE D’
(to Squire)
These are samples of the poultry and fish dishes…
Nancy and Squire pull plates closer.
SQUIRE
(to Maitre d’)
Do you have a vegan menu?
MAITRE D’
Yes, of course–
NANCY
— We don’t need a vegan menu.
SQUIRE
Yes.. We do.
NANCY
I don’t think we do!
Nancy stabs whatever is on her plate.
SQUIRE
You wanna fight about one dinner?
NANCY
Uh huh!
And she begins to butcher the meat as though she’s killing it all over again.
The Maitre d’ slowly backs away.
SQUIRE
Look!… I made some mistakes. That thing with the Hooker… I wasn’t in my right mind. I’m sober and clean–
Nancy’s stabs the food with each syllable she utters.
NANCY
–and with CANDY.
(under her breath)
What grown woman wants to be called Candy?
(beat)
Oh, wait! And she’s the indiscretion.
SQUIRE
You know what? We’ve done something right. We’ve got this amazing son. Thank you for not turning him against me. Our son will take his lead from us. It’s like making a box cake. Follow the instructions and it’ll all work out fine.
(beat)
What’d you want me to do?
Nancy gives him a hard stare…
NANCY
If she must come…do not introduce your wife to my friends or family.
LOADS the table with dishes of delicacies.
She will sit at the furthest table from me… and if you have children wit her, do not EVER say the I’m their step mother.
Squire stabs something on the plate before him.
SQUIRE
I can’t even believe that I would ever say anything like this to you…
(a beat)
I still love you!
Puts the food in his mouth.
ON HIM as he walks out.
LONG PAUSE
Nancy stares after Squire.
-
LOGLINE: In the water corporation conference room, secret agendas and conflicts of interests cause chaos when Squire’s ordered to deliver a Cease-and-Desist order to a prying journalist.
ESSENCE: In the wake of desire, control, and power, the purity of purpose is forgotten.
SCENE: INT. WATER CORPORATION BOARDROOM – DAY
Nancy, a petite Jewish woman (38), is the former owner’s sister of the Water Company. Married to William (60), the head honcho of the water company’s board of directors, she’s dressed in a black suit, red turtleneck, and black pumps.
Squire (40), wearing sunglasses, has longish wiry unbrushed loose hair and is dressed in plaid flannel and jeans.
Entering the Water Corp lobby, Nancy spies William and Squire in the hallway.
NANCY
(Sarcastically to Squire)
We can always count on you to dress for the occasion.
Nancy brushes between William and Squire to pour her coffee before entering the boardroom.
WILLIAM
I hope you and Nancy have got this right this time.
SQUIRE
Nancy and I have got this one. Don’t worry.
William looks at his watch and heads into the boardroom.
SQUIRE
Light/Seductive-Flippant
Hey babe- Got a serious look on your face. What’s up?
You got this one. Right?
NANCY
I’m not sure you do; someone needs to be serious here.
Whose side are you on? It’s time to cut her loose; you’re getting too close. I thought I knew, but…
SQUIRE
(Walking away-whispering)
Stop! I can’t do this now. I’m heading in.
NANCY
Squire- If you don’t do this, your life will be in ruins.
Get called in. At the conference, everyone has a bottle of spring water. William’s eyes are glued to Nancy and Squire as they are the last to enter. Nancy, the center of attention, deliberately stays standing.
WILLIAM
Nance, take your seat, please.
This meeting is adjourned.
NANCY
(Smiling sweetly)
Whatever you say…darling.
WILLIAM
As you know, we are here today to hear from Squire, whose been working with Nancy. Let’s go right to his proposal for improving community relations.
SQUIRE
We all know the wells are going dry, and people are getting desperate. We must show our integrity and uphold our family legacy and goodwill with the community. We have been true to this since the original people were on this land.
NANCY
(Breaks in)
What…that’s not.
The company has been loose with the rules way before our time. Whose side are you on? What are you getting at?
WILLIAM
Nancy, you know our protocol about interrupting a speaker.
Not even you-
SQUIRE
Look here; the proposal is simple. It’s time we invite our indigenous relations to be included in our water discussions. First, we can create goodwill and benefit the community by taking down the old dam and restoring the river so the salmon can run.
NANCY
This is preposterous, Squire-your ancestors are going to roll over in their graves!
Chaos erupts, and all members are in an uproar.
NANCY CON’T
(Turning to William) Do something. (Turning to the board members) Speaking of the river, if we don’t hold to our bottom line, our profits are going to pour into the sea.
WILLIAM
Squire, go on…
NANCY CONT
(Stands up)
We have more pressing things than this! There’s word about an investigative journalist prying into the water company business. It’s time we deliver the Cease and Desist!
SQUIRE
What the heck are you talking about?
The boardroom is bubbling with noise William slams his gavel on the table-
WILLIAM
Let’s have some order here.
We have two agendas here today. (Looking at Nancy) The second one we need to address-but let’s give Squire the time to finish.
SQUIRE
(Eyes on Nancy)
I am done. Go on…
Nancy, how come I wasn’t told about this?
WILLIAM
Well…There’s talk of an investigative journalist on the property. She needs to be curtailed, and we need to find out what she’s up to. Squire, you seem to be already engaging with her-so it’s been decided that you will be the one to hand her the cease and desist.
SQUIRE
What…I can’t…I have no idea what you are talking about.
NANCY
I told you…Your family ties aren’t going to get you out of this one. There have already been too many missed opportunities. Your job is already wobbly, and you’re getting another chance. Don’t mess this one up.
SQUIRE
(Stands up-pushes his chair back into the table)
I got better things to do. I value my time and relationships, unlike some people here.
WILLIAM
Squire. You need to do this.
Squire gets up to leave, brushes his hair back, puts his sunglasses on, and heads toward the door. Looking at Nancy, he winks.
WILLIAM CON’T
Squire, not so fast.
We need to protect the family interests and the Corp. We want to see the happy-go-lucky guy land…and (looking at the others at the table) WE will ALL consider the proposal. But first things first. Here- (hands him the envelope) you have 24 hours. We’ll meet back here tomorrow at 11 am sharp.
-
Logline: Their past condemns the future
Essence: This is why it didn’t work
—————Begin Scene————–
INT. HIGH SCHOOL GYM – DAY
Nancy and Bubba Squire, not long divorced, meet to plan their son’s baseball team’s upcoming celebration banquet. Nancy is not thrilled at having to see Squire, but if it means providing for her son….
NANCY
(exasperated)
Why can’t the past be the past? Why am I looking at you now?
SQUIRE
Who would you rather be looking at?
NANCY
I don’t know. Jabba the Hutt, maybe.
SQUIRE
He’s one charming devil alright, but not nearly good looking enough for you.
NANCY
And you are?
SQUIRE
Well, I didn’t say that, but now that you mention it, you did use to think so.
NANCY
Before you talked me into selling my house —
SQUIRE
— our house —
NANCY
— and giving you all the money to open a stupid restaurant. Now I think you look like a really bad dream…. But I guess I’m gonna have to look past that if we’re gonna get this project done for the boys.
SQUIRE
You’re a beautiful woman, Nancy. Thank you.
NANCY
Everyone is thrilled to hear that you’re paying for the food and the event space.
SQUIRE
I never said that.
NANCY
No? Somehow they got that idea. And now they’re counting on it.
SQUIRE
Well they won’t even need all their fingers. I’ll kick in five bucks. That’s it.
NANCY
You are so generous, Squire.
SQUIRE
Hey, anything for you darlin’, including dinner tonight. At Fredo’s, your favorite Italian place if I remember right.
NANCY
What part of all that did you not understand?
SQUIRE
Come on, Nance, relax a little. It’s just that you look so good today…. I’m captivated by your everlasting beauty. And I’m thinking about how it used to be with us, so sweet, so sexy…. In fact, maybe we should have sex one last time. After dinner tonight.
NANCY
(incredulous)
Really?
SQUIRE
One last time.
NANCY
We already did that…. Listen, I care about you, Squire, as much as you infuriate me. I always will. In some way, I suppose. You’re my son’s father. But that’s all there is. So don’t push it. We had our time. And now it’s over…. Did you bring those sconces?
SQUIRE
No, I decided to keep them.
NANCY
I really wanted those. Did you keep the other good stuff for yourself too?
SQUIRE
No, it all went in the liquidation.
NANCY
So we’re gonna split the money?
SQUIRE
We would, except there wasn’t even enough to pay all the bills.
NANCY
So you’re broke? And you want to take me out to dinner? How would you even pay for it?
SQUIRE
I’m not that broke.
NANCY
Just enough so you can’t pay for the banquet.
SQUIRE
I told you, I never said I would.
NANCY
But it’s our son, Squire. How’s he gonna feel? His father not paying for his team celebration when everyone’s expecting it and looking forward to the big evening.
SQUIRE
(voice rising)
Hey! I never said I would! Okay? You told them that to make me look bad!
NANCY
You do a good job of that all by yourself. You do not need me for that.
SQUIRE
Hell, I don’t need you for anything, Nancy.
NANCY
Well then. Glad we got that settled. And you know what? That’s just fine because I’m gonna go now and find some way to pull off this celebration for the boys. And that’s mutual, by the way. Goodbye, Squire.
——END SCENE—–
-
Bill Southwell writes the Lesson 14 QE #3 Scene
What I have learned is that Dialogue is driven by the character traits.
LOGLINE: Nancy and Squire are detectives just assigned together for the first time to investigate a family dispute. They are enroute in a car.
ESSENCE: (The relationship between Nancy and Squire begins with distrust and ends with disgust)
Squire
(driving) Wow, this is great. I have been wishing to assigned with you ever since you came on the force.
Nancy
Don’t get your hopes up buddy, this is just a temporary assignment. I have heard about other encounters you have had with other female detectives. What can you tell me about that?
Squire
(Ignores the question) I just like having a good time. This work gets gruesome too much of the time.
(back to business) Will you call in to see what we may expect at this home? Is it a violent dispute?
Nancy,
NO! I am not your girl-Friday. We were told the wife called in that her husband was getting rough with her.
Squire
I didn’t know that. I’m not trying to suppress you in any way, sweetheart. I would like to be on your good side.
Nancy
That’s nice. I do care for you. So, after this visit will you do something for me? Drive over to the Hillside Mall? I want to pick up something.
Squire
That is quite a ways away and out of our jurisdiction. We shouldn’t do that.
Nancy
I don’t understand you! You are sweet to me but you refuse to do me a little favor. What am I to make of that? Why are you like this? Did you have a conflicted relationship that hangs over you?
Squire
(again ignores her question) No need to get riled up. You know we have to be respectable in our profession.
Nancy
(pause) Tell you what. You take me to the Mall and I will be in and out in 3 minutes.
Squire
I am beginning to see why others don’t want to work with you.
Nancy
What are you talking about? Tell me what you have heard. It’s all lies!
Squire
I will not leave our jurisdiction. But I wish I could do something to please you.
Nancy
(another pause) There is a donut shop in that Mall. I will buy you a chocolate glazed. Doesn’t that make your mouth water?
They arrive at the designated house. They park and walk up to the door.
End of Scene
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