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Lesson 16
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Pat’s Act 2
What I learned from this assignment is
ACT II
INT. HANK’S OFFICE – DAY
Hank boxes up the office
INT. HANK’S HOUSE – DAY
Carrot Top enters the house with her cleaning clothes on.
She rushes about dusting, then moping.
HANK
Well, Mom, it was a clean sweep. Lights are out, doors locked no more counseling services.
CARROT TOP
What about the Marriage school you going quit that too?
HANK
I haven’t decided that yet. I do think I was getting something from it.
CARROT TOP
If you finish the school they can’t stop you from opening back up.
HANK
It’d give me something to do?
INT. MARRIAGE SCHOOL – DAY
Hank enters the school and takes his seat. Terri looks away. Still disqusted with Hank. He feels the brush off.
TEACHER
Let’s get tonight class started. We going do some one on one conversations tonight to get a feel for your clients. Hank would you like to be out first client?
HANK
Sure, why not?
TEACHER
Terri would you like to be the therapist.
TERRI
(smiling)
Sure would.
Teacher hands Terri her assignment. Tells the specifics of why Hank has come in to see a therapist.
TEACHER
Hank has come in to see a therapist because he’s having trouble getting along with people at work
Terri reads from the assignment.
TERRI
Mr. Bonner, can you describe for me a sample of the problems you are incurring at work?
HANK
I’ve closed the doors. Nobody will be bothering me any more.
TERRI
What doors have you closed, Hank?
HANK
To let anybody in.
TERRI
So you’ve closed yourself off from everybody.
HANK
Turned off the lights and locked the doors.
Terri lays down the assignment and goes on her own.
TERRI
Have you been hurt by those people?
HANK
No, I’ve hurt them, they don’t have anybody now.
TERRI
So, Hank what do you want to do about it?
HANK
Haven’t decided yet, I was hoping you could help me.
TERRI
I’d need a little more insight maybe we could make another appointment for you Hank.
INT. CARROT TOP’S CAR – DAY
The phone chimes it’s Hank.
HANK
Where you headed?
CARROT TOP
I have 2 more houses to clean today. I’ll be by later.
HANK
That’s ok Mom. Just wanted to let you know that I’m going back to school. I won’t stop, not now. I need this.
CARROT TOP
Good boy, I‘m going scratch you behind the ears.
HANK
Oh mom. What would I do without you?
INT. BISTRO
Hanks sits at the bar nursing his beer consoling himself. Terri enters the bar and catches sight of Hank. Coming over.
TERRI
Hey Mr. Bonner, want to follow up on class discussion.
HANK
No. Thanks.
TERRI
Come on. Spill it. I know you got a problem. After all it’ll be good practice for our businesses.
HANK
You got a business already?
TERRI
No I’m speaking in terms, If I did.
HANK
What do you think the problem is?
TERRI
A woman?
HANK
You must be psychic?
TERRI
It’s usually a woman or a man.
HANK
I’m in the middle of divorce. My business was closed. I used to have a license. They closed me up cause the license was expired. So it’s more than a woman.
TERRI
Anything I can do?
HANK
No. Time will tell. I hope to get her back.
TERRI
Hey there my date. Talk later.
Terri rushes off to catch up to her date.
INT. ELAINE’S APARTMENT – DAY
There’s a knock at the door. A handsome man, SAM (50), stands in the door.
ELAINE
Hey, your Sam the maintenance guy?
SAM
Yep, it’s me.
ELAINE
My faucet is dripping and it’s annoying can you fix it?
Elaine smiles.
SAM
Be done in a minute, princess.
Elaine smiles again.
ELAINE
I’ve got to run out pick up some pickles. Carrot Top loves pickles.
SAM
I’ll just let myself out.
INT. ELAINES’ APARTMENT – DAY
Elaine lets Carrot Top in. She’s carry a couple of bags.
CARROT TOP
I brought us a bottle of wine and a desert to go with that hamburger.
ELAINE
Come on in I’ll get the pickles.
ELAINE
So, how’s Hank?
CARROT TOP
He’s a wreck. He’s business has been shut down. You do know that he wants you back, right.
ELAINE
It’s really not a good idea. He made me miserable. He’s not a happy man.
CARROT TOP
Well he loves you.
ELAINE
I don’t know what I feel. I think I want and need him, then I come to my senses.
CARROT TOP
I just wanted you to know he’s working on being a better person.
INT. BISTRO – NIGHT
Hank sits at the bar and gets a call from Terri.
HANK
Who is this?
TERRI
I’m sorry to bother you Hank but I’m sitting on the side of the road with a flat tire. Can you come pick me up.
EXT. SIDE OF ROAD – NIGHT
Hank pulls up along side Terri’s car.
TERRI
Thanks for coming Hank. I was so scared.
HANK
Let’s get out of here. You hungry?
TERRI
I sure am.
They pull into and all night cafe.
INT. CAFE – NIGHT
Hank and Terri sit in a booth, waitress brings there food.
HANK
So, what were you doing out on that road?
TERRI
Coming back home. My boyfriend and I just had a fight.
HANK
Oh no, and your a marriage counselor?
TERRI
Ironic right?
HANK
I’m not one to talk. Been there done that. Need a therapist?
TERRI
Need the practice?
INT. HANKS HOUSE – DAY
Hank gets a call from Rosy.
ROSY
Mr. Bonner this is Rosy we went by your office and it’s closed. Can we meet you somewhere and talk. We got a real problem.
HANK
Well, I guess that would be okay. Just stop by my house about four would that work for you?
ROSY
That would be just fine. Thank you so much for seeing us.
INT. HANKS OFFICE – DAY
Rosy and Max sit across the desk from Hank.
HANK
So we’ve got a problem.
MAXY
Rosy likes being the rabbit. So we have two rabbits now.
HANK
So what’s the problem?
MAXY
I can’t keep up with her now.
Hank’s looks over at Roxy and sees the rabbit again.
HANK
You go girl.
This just means that you both know how you feel. You might need to schedule it. That is if becomes too much sex.
The couple look at each other and smile.
ROSY
He’s so right.
Max looks in Rosy eyes.
MAX
Let’s go home and make love.
Hank decides he’ll invite his other clients to his house.
” Main Conflict: Getting his wife back. Hank must learn how a real marriage works.
” Old Ways Hank uses sarcasm in his daily life. Alienating his wives and friends.
” New plan: The plan is to save other people’s marriages through his new profession and win his wife back.
” Turning Point: Hank discovers his license is out of date but opens the marriage counseling business anyway.
” Plan in action: Hank goes to night school to get the license reinstated. Hank continues with his sarcasm. His clients are not impressed.
” New Ways: Hank learns better ways to approach people in his life without sarcasm.
40 Halfway through school
INT. MARRIAGE SCHOOL – DAY
Hank sits at his desk reading over the test the teacher has just passed out. The look on his face is quizzical.
He turns the page and frowns that there is so much of it.
Terri looks confident. Calvin seems to not have a problem either.
Hank looks up at the clock.
Time passes.
The students begin to turn in the test. Hank is still at it. He wipes sweat from his brow as he finishes up.
INT. BISTRO – DAY
Hank sits at the bar having a drink. Calvin enters the bar.
CALVIN
Hey Hank, how it go?
HANK
That was one more test. I hope I just passed it. Not hoping for anything better than that.
CALVIN
It was a dozy, maybe she’ll grade it on a curve.
HANK
That sure would help. Hate to make myself look too stupid.
CALVIN
They’ll be a lot of us in the same boat.
HANK
I just want to be in the boat, not under the water.
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Tasha Has Completed Act 2 Draft 1
Doing this assignment, I learned the following: a better understanding of the structure of Act 2 and how each scene contributes to driving the narrative further.
Act 2
INT. COFFEE – DAY
Bethany walks up to Amy at the cash register.
AMY
Back again so soon?
BETHANY
What?
AMY
Weren’t you here yesterday and the day before that?
BETHANY
So?
AMY
So we have a strict policy about people using our wifi to work remotely. Go home. Pay for your own wifi.
BETHANY
I have my own wifi.
AMY
So then why are you here all the time? I mean you already came in a lot before–don’t you have a life?
BETHANY
I do.
AMY
What about that cute guy you were in here with? You know, that Sailboat Ken guy. Go see him.
BETHANY
Have you seen him?
AMY
Nah, I have a girlfriend.
BETHANY
I mean here, have you seen him here? Recently?
AMY
I haven’t. Wait, is that why you’re here all time now?
BETHANY
Just give me a latte and a chocolate chip cookies.
She throws a $10 bill on the counter and takes a seat at an empty table.
She pulls out her phone and takes a look at her call log. 23 outgoing messages to Brad, but no calls from him.
She calls his number again.
AUTOMATED MESSAGE
The number you have dialed has been disconnected.
Bethany dials the number again and gets the same message.
She slams her phone on the table and rubs her head with her palm. She thinks for a moment. Then she grabs her laptop and logons to the [Name of Dating Site].
She clicks on the link to Brad’s profile, but gets an error message.
BETHANY
What?
Frantically she refreshes the page a couple times, but still gets the error message.
Amy looks over Bethany’s shoulder at her screen.
AMY
Oh, that’s too bad.
Amy drops off the latte and the cookie.
AMY
Usually you get that kind of message when you’ve been blocked. Believe me, I know.
BETHANY
What do I do?
AMY
I don’t know, but sitting in here day after day probably isn’t it. What did you do to him?
BETHANY
Nothing.
AMY
Sure. I guess if it was “nothing” and it was me, I’d hunt him down and make him explain himself.
Amy walks back to the counter where her co-worker, ADAM, pencil thin, black turtleneck, art-student adjacent, covers the cash register.
ADAM
What were you and Desperate Barbie talking about?
AMY
Nothing. I just told her to stalk her ex.
INT. COSTCO WAREHOUSE – DAY
Bethany walks into the Costco in the early morning. The store has just opened, so only the staff is milling around along with a few shoppers intent on beating the crowds.
CHASE, a 30 y.o., bass player for a punk alt pop fusion band, chipped purple polish, black tee, black knee length skirt and a blue costco staff vest, gabs with a coworker as he preps his work station at the Lens Center.
Bethany spots him.
BETHANY
Chase!
Chase looks up. At first he doesn’t recognize Bethany. Then his face contorts into sheer terror and he bolts.
BETHANY
Chase?
Bethany sprints after him.
INT. COSTCO HALLWAY – DAY
Chase runs down an aisle. He gets to the end and looks behind him.
Bethany enters the aisle on the other end and Chase screams. He takes off at a faster clip.
BETHANY
(calling after him)
I just want to talk to you! Geez!
Bethany runs harder.
INT. COSTCO HALLWAY – DAY
Chase enters the Hallway. He comes to a fork. He looks down one way and then the other. He chooses the fork to his left and disappears down it.
Bethany enters the Hallway and arrives at the fork. She looks down both hallways. Chase is nowhere in sight. She doesn’t know which one to pick.
She closes her eyes. She feels something push her towards the left fork. She opens her eyes. Nothing is there.
Slightly weirded out, she heads down the fork to the left.
INT. COSTCO STOCK ROOM – DAY
Bethany searches the rows and rows of shelves.
She passes Chase’s hiding place and he makes a run for it, but he’s so panicked, he trips over a box.
Bethany turns and sees him fall.
She rushes over and crouches down to help him, but he pulls away from her.
CHASE
Get away from me!
He clumsily scoots back a few inches on his butt.
CHASE
Ow!
BETHANY
Chase stop! Why are you running away from me?
Bethany reaches for him.
CHASE
Don’t touch me you monster?
Bethany stands up in surprise.
BETHANY
Monster? What have I ever done to you?
Chase stops. He thinks for a second.
CHASE
Well, nothing.
BETHANY
Then what’s going on? Why did you run from me?
CHASE
Because I’m afraid of you.
BETHANY
Is that why you ghosted me?
CHASE
Yes.
BETHANY
I don’t understand. I thought we had a pretty good date. But then you just decided that I was scary?
CHASE
There’s more to it than that.
INT. COSTCO BREAK ROOM – DAY
Bethany, Chase and a whole lot of his fellow Costco employees gather around the big T.V. in the break room.
Chase connects his laptop to the T.V. and his laptop screen lights up the T.V. He clicks on a folder and brings up a clip.
Chase looks over his shoulder at the crowd.
He clicks the clip. It fills the screen and starts to play.
On the screen Bethany is 14 y.o. She writhes on the bed as Father Ptolemy and Frank try to restrain her.
BETHANY
How?
Bethany suddenly remembers that day. She sees a series of events:
The arrival of Father Ptolemy and Deacon Anders.
Frank yelling at her as he holds her down.
A camera on a tripod pointed at her from the corner of the room.
Suddenly, Bethany in the video breaks free from Father Ptolemy and Frank and leans forward on the foot of the bed, taunting Deacon Anders.
Deacon Anders pushes himself against the wall on the other side of the room and Bethany extends her arm towards him. Suddenly, he is dragged across the floor.
The crowd jumps and gasps.
Chase pauses as Bethany holds Deacon Anders by the throat with one hand.
MARIA, a middle-aged mother of three, clutches her Costco vest at her chest.
MARIA
That’s some Darth Vader shit.
(to Bethany)
Is that you?
BETHANY
Yes.
MARIA
(to Chase)
And you dated her?
CHARLES
Oh hell, no!
Fellow COSTCO employee, CHARLES, 35 y.o., large and typically intimidating, heads for the door.
The other Costco employees start to move away from Bethany and vacate the room.
CHASE
Don’t leave me with her!
Chase leaves with them.
INT. COSTCO WAREHOUSE – DAY
Chase walks out onto the main floor with the other Costco employees.
Bethany follows right behind him.
BETHANY
Please Chase!
MARIA
(to Chase)
Don’t let her out on the main floor.
(to Bethany)
You need to go, to like a convent or the Vatican or something.
BETHANY
(to Chase)
I just need to know who sent that video to you. Then I’ll be on my way. I swear.
MARIA
Swearing! Not today Satan!
Maria crosses herself and backs away.
MARIA
You better get rid of her, Chase!
Chase looks back at Bethany wide-eyed and freaked out.
CHASE
I can’t help you.
BETHANY
Please.
CHASE
I don’t know who sent it to me. All I know is we had our date and when I got home, it was waiting for me in my inbox.
BETHANY
Do you have the email it came from?
CHASE
The person used a disposable address.
BETHANY
Can you send me the file? I’ll give you my email.
CHASE
No offense, but I don’t want anything to do with you, not even a one-time email exchange.
Bethany looks defeated.
CHASE
I’m sorry.
Bethany looks up at him. She tries not to cry.
BETHANY
Chase, if someone hadn’t sent you the video. If I was still that normal girl you went on a date with, would you have asked me out again?
Chase softens.
CHASE
You were awkward as hell, but I dug it. Yeah, probably.
Bethany nods, shoulders sagging. Defeated.
BETHANY
I just don’t understand.
She turns to leave.
CHASE
(to himself)
Ah, man. Don’t do this.
(to Bethany)
There is one thing.
Bethany stops and looks back at him.
CHASE
There’s this group. They meet at the community center. Thursdays at 8. If you need answers. I go sometimes. Although after this, I don’t think they’ll want me back.
BETHANY
Thank you.
CHASE
Please leave.
Bethany nods and leaves.
INT. COMMUNITY CENTER – NIGHT
Bethany peers through the narrow window of one of the side doors to the Community Center. She sees a group of men have gathered in a circle near the stage. Each man sits on a metal folding chair.
Bethany slips in very quietly. As she approaches the circle she looks from face to face. They all look familiar.
CARL, 28, young guy, basic looking, wearing dark pants and a shirt, clasps his hands between his wide legs and hangs his head as he talks to the group.
CARL
And the worst part is, I don’t trust any girl after that date. What if they all have some weird stuff going on with them. You never know. I can barely work on stuff with a girl that’s just regular. What do you do when your relationship problems are supernatural?
Bethany recognizes him.
BETHANY
Carl!
Carl’s eyes widen in terror and he slowly rises from his seat pointing a shaky finger. The rest of the guys turn to see what he’s pointing at.
Bethany looks from face to face.
BETHANY
Luke? Jim? Jordan? Guy I don’t remember the name of? What are you all doing here?
The men are frozen with terror as they watch her walk around their sacred circle.
Then Bethany looks up at the stage and sees the meeting banner. It reads: Survivors of Bethany.
BETHANY
Is this a support group…for guys who have dated me?
They all just stare at her. Then Carl screams and faints, falling to the ground. This calls the guys to action. A few guys rush to help him. Others jump out of their chairs, some run out of the room, some run behind their chairs like a protective barrier. Others stay frozen.
JAKE, 33 y.o., knit cap, suspenders, a stylist at a doggy spa, starts rocking back and forth in his chair.
JAKE
No, no, no, no, no, no! It’s happening!
JIM, 27 y.o., jersey of his favorite team, baseball cap, immaculate tennis shoes, scrambles out of his chair.
JIM
What are you doing here?
Bethany takes a few steps forward.
BETHANY
I need help.
JIM
Get back you spawn of Satan?
BETHANY
I take it you’ve all seen the video?
PHILIP, slacks, a long sleeve button up loose at the collar, a junior at a finance firm, addresses the others.
PHILIP
Don’t respond to her, it’s a trick.
BETHANY
It’s not a trick.
Somebody throws a paper cup at her.
BETHANY
Hey! That’s not cool!
PHILIP
That’s it, men! Attack! Throw whatever you have!
All the men are on their feet now, launching paper cups and napkins at her. She dodges a half eaten donut.
BETHANY
Stop! Please!
The barrage continues as Bethany starts to back away.
BETHANY
Please! Please!
No mercy from her ex suitors.
BETHANY
Please just stop!
Suddenly an unseen force blasts the men back down into their seats.
No one is hurt, but everybody is stunned, including Bethany.
BETHANY
I swear, I didn’t do that.
The men don’t say a word.
BETHANY
I just came here to see if any of you had seen the video of my possession. And if you had, I was going to ask if you could tell me who sent it to you and if you could give me a copy. That’s it. I didn’t want to traumatize you any more than I guess I already have. I know I only had one date with most of you. But there were others, like Jordan, that I got to spend a few dates with.
The guys look at Jordan.
JORDAN
I’m really bad at checking my email.
The guys nodded in agreement.
BETHANY
Some of the dates were awkward and they weren’t going to turn into second dates. But some of them were nice and some of the connections I made felt good. Maybe I should have told you guys up front that I was once possessed, but honestly it was such a long time ago and until recently, there hadn’t been any ramifications. I’m so sorry if my desire to find love made me naive or even maybe a little bit selfish. I’m going to go now. I’m glad I got to at least say I was sorry.
JORDAN, 28 y.o., handsome and cool, stands up.
JORDAN
I’ll help you.
BETHANY
You will.
JORDAN
I’m tired of being afraid of you. And it was useless coming here and hearing all of these guys. All it did was reinforce the fear. And you found us anyway. If all you want is answers, then I’ll help you. I have the video and I can send it to you. As for who sent it, none of us know. But we do have a theory.
JIM
But if we tell you, you have to promise to leave us alone.
BETHANY
Of course.
Jordan looks at the group and they nod.
JORDAN
Okay, then.
EXT. FARMHOUSE – DAY
Bethany looks up at the farmhouse. It looms over her, intimidating. She closes her eyes and walks up the front porch steps. She hesitates to knock on the front door. KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK.
After a moment Bethany hears somebody approach the door on the other side.
FRANK (O.S.)
(through the door)
Who’s there?
BETHANY
(clearing her throat)
Uh…I’m looking for Frank Sawyer.
The door creaks open. Frank, 49 y.o., flannel, still brawny but haggard, stands in the frame holding a rifle.
FRANK
I don’t know you.
BETHANY
You used to.
Frank stares at her and then recognition flickers across his face.
Bethany picks up on this.
BETHANY
How’s mama?
FRANK
She don’t want to talk to you.
BETHANY
She doesn’t have to talk to me. I just want to know how she’s doing. And the twins? And Joey? How are they?
FRANK
I told that priest never to bring you around here again or I’d kill you myself.
He cocks his rifle.
BETHANY
What? No, I-I’m sorry. I just wanted to know if you’re sending people videos of my exorcism.
Frank’s rifle involuntarily lowers and his mouth drops open a bit. He did not expect such a question.
FRANK
I don’t have video of that. That little guy who came with the priest. He’s the one that recorded he events of that God-forsaken day.
Bethany flashes to that day. She sees a series of events:
Deacon Anders telling Father Ptolemy he won’t fail him again.
Deacon Anders putting the camera back in its bag.
Deacon Anders with the camera bag and tripod on his shoulder as he helps Bethany walk past Frank and leave her room.
BETHANY
(to herself)
How did I forget that?
FRANK
Maybe your demon made you forget.
BETHANY
My demon? It’s not my demon. It doesn’t belong to me.
FRANK
But you belong to it. Whatever you did, you belong to it.
BETHANY
I didn’t do anything.
FRANK
Sometimes the wicked don’t have to do anything. Just existing is enough.
Bethany is stunned into silence. This statement cuts her to the quick.
FRANK
I answered your question. You have about 3 seconds to get off my property before I see to it you don’t do anything ever again, wicked or not.
Lost in thought, Bethany absentmindedly raises her hand in an automatically polite gesture of farewell, but cuts him off just the same.
BETHANY
(interrupting)
Thank you.
She blindly turns aways and walks down the steps to her car.
Frank aims his rifle at her once again then slams the door closed.
INT. RECTORY – DAY
Bethany slips into the rectory through a set of double doors. It’s deserted. The entrance to Deacon Anders’ chambers is visible on the other side of the rectory.
As she quietly makes her way across the tiled floor, she notices vase after vase of dead flowers. The smell of rot fills the air. Flies BUZZ around the deadened black petals that are strewn all over the premises.
As if mesmerized, Bethany picks up a dead flower off the ground and holds her nose.
BETHANY
(to herself)
Dead roses?
HAZEL
Smells terrible doesn’t it?
Bethany jumps.
HAZEL, 62 y.o., medium build, short, choppy, dyed-blond custodian with a smoker’s lip, wheels in a trash can.
Bethany waves away the scent in vain.
BETHANY
Yes, just awful. Why do you keep them around for so long?
HAZEL
Oh, these were fresh this morning.
She stretches her arm wide and gestures to the other flowers.
HAZEL
All of them were.
BETHANY
What happened?
HAZEL
I don’t know. Probably the HVAC on the fritz.
She bends down with a groan and starts shoveling the dead flowers into the trash can.
HAZEL
Only thing I can’t figure is how they became roses.
BETHANY
What do you mean?
HAZEL
I’m an old broad so maybe the old noodle ain’t what it used to be, but I could have sworn these were all chrysanthemums this morning.
BETHANY
Are you sure?
HAZEL
Pretty sure. It’s not the first time this has happened, but the Deacon, forgive me, Father Anders, tells me that I’m probably seeing things, he says it nicely of course, but–oh I don’t know. So I just clean them up. I’m okay with being crazy.
BETHANY
Where is…Father Anders now?
HAZEL
In his chambers not to be disturbed. He’s in deep prayer.
BETHANY
Really?
(to herself)
Sometimes the wicked don’t have to do anything. And sometimes they pray.
HAZEL
Come again.
Bethany smiles.
BETHANY
Oh, I didn’t say anything. Well, if the priest is in his room, I better be on my way.
HAZEL
Did you need me to tell him anything?
BETHANY
No. I just had a question, but I think I answered it myself.
Have a good evening.
Bethany leaves. Hazel dumps another putrid bouquet in the trash can.
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Kim Reed has completed Act 2 Draft 1 The Desert Songs of Ana Victoria
What I learned in this lesson is that the action needs to mesh with the psychological motivations of each character, otherwise the script will not have enough urgency and depth.
INT. MANNY’S HOUSE – AFTER THE WEDDING
MANNY CARRIES ANA VICTORIA OVER THE THRESHOLD INSIDE HIS HOUSE. THEIR DINING ROOM IS FULL OF THE SEARCH PROJECT MATERIALS, LISTS OF ORGANIZATIONS, PLACES THAT HELP IMMIGRANTS SETTLE IN, ADOPTION SERVICES, GOVERNEMENT HELP NUMBERS.
MANNY SETS ANA VICTORIA DOWN. SHE RUNS INTO THE BEDROOM AND CHANGES INTO A COMFORTABLE ROBE. MANNY TAKES OFF HIS JACKET AND SHOES. HE DID NOT INTEND TO GET DISTRACTED, BUT HE STARTS TO SORT THROUGH THE PROJECT MATERIALS. ANA VICTORIA REJOINS HIM. THEY ARE BOTH OBSESSED WITH THE SEARCH FOR CARMINA AND GAEL.
MANNY
Oh, I have three leads up north! I made hotel reservations. I think we should drive and see the country. That way you will not be asked for identification on the train.
ANA VICTORIA
Ah yes, identification. I will try not to worry.
MANNY
You are worried about going to Chicago. I haven’t even told you about the leads.
ANA VICTORIA
I wonder how Gael and Carmina…. …will feel about the snow and cold winds. I never saw snow. I saw it on television, but the frozen ice must be very cold.
MANNY
You are afraid. But we will be outside that much. The children are living with adults somewhere. Paid a lot of money for them.
ANA VICTORIA STARTS TO CRY.
ANA VICTORIA
My children are living with people who do not know them or what they are like. It’s hard for me to imagine their lives.
MANNY
Ana Victoria, you know what we have to do. You inspired me to help. Sit down. I want to go over our three leads.
ANA VICTORIA AND MANNY SIT DOWN.
MANNY
First, some informants in the Pilsen precinct reported that children were being ‘distributed’ or offered to business owners. The men offering them said they were ‘lost’ or orphaned. It is likely that your child was told that you died, or you and your husband split up and he died. That way the child can miss the parent, and even remember things, but the situation reinforces that they will never see you again. No one will question that the trip north traumatized many children, and no one will look for the lost parents. Then they put them to work.
ANA VICTORIA
Gael knows that I am not dead. He is old enough to know that I was in the truck. He and Carmina saw me in the truck. We told him that we were going to meet his father. He would be sad, but I do not know if these guys knew Alejandro’s full name. They just called him my husband, so they would not be able to answer any questions.
MANNY
Second, someone in the local chamber thinks he saw a couple in his church who adopted a girl Carmina’s age, an orphan from Mexico who they said was the child of a distant relative. We can go to that church and see if they attend with a child. You can identify Carmina there, or we can cross it off our list.
ANA VICTORIA
Did they know they were stealing my daughter?
MANNY
The couple may not know you are alive. If the traffickers told them that Carmina is an orphan, they may feel good about giving her a home. I don’t know. We can learn more about them from the guy from the chamber who talks to the police. Maybe confront them?
ANA VICTORIA
I want to go to that church and watch for Carmina.
MANNY
We cannot take her from them if we see them. This will be hard for you. We have to go to the police and get their help establishing how the child was adopted to prove that she was not adopted. We have to be careful. They could retaliate and tell people you are threatening, illegal, a nut who has no proof she is the girl’s mother.
ANA VICTORIA
How can I prove anything? I have no paperwork. I have to go back to Mexico to get their birth records.
MANNY
At least we can follow the lead. If we see her, you will know how to locate the couple who are taking care of her.
ANA VICTORIA
Tell their priest.
MANNY
No, let’s wait until we are sure. Maybe they knew. They could make trouble for us. When we are ready, we can move quickly.
ANA VICTORIA
I keep imagining her with some boring couple. I wonder what kind of business they own.
MANNY
I don’t know. I am hungry.
ANA VICTORIA
What about the third lead?
MANNY
Are you hungry?
ANA VICTORIA
I ate at our wedding reception. Ron did some great chicken on the grill for us. Didn’t you eat?
MANNY
It was lovely. Everyone was great.
ANA VICTORIA
Third lead?
MANNY
One of my colleagues at the police department knows that there is an investigation of trafficking in Chicago, trafficking of women and young boys for brothels, for sex. Gael is probably not being used that way, but we don’t know what happened to him. If they placed Gael the way they placed Carmina, it would make them vulnerable because he was old enough to identify them and think about how they lied to him. He could id them to the police. So, his life may be in danger. He is probably still alive. He may not be trafficked for sex, but that is the worst case scenario. The police plan to bust the sex traffickers. They located a brothel in St. Charles, a suburb of Chicago. They are following the guys who brought women to the place. It is just a matter of time before they kick in the door and end them.
ANA VICTORIA
The trafficker said they were going to take me to their brothel. That I would meet men with money there. They talked about it like it was an opportunity for me to make money. Oh, God, please protect Gael from those monsters.
MANNY
Every lead will take time to investigate, work with people who are in Chicago.
MANNY GETS UP AND HUGS AV.
MANNY
Can I have a snack now?
ANA VICTORIA
Now I am hungry. For justice!
ANA VICTORIA SMACKS THE TABLE.
MANNY
And love?
ANA VICTORIA
You got it. I love you.
EXT. CHICAGO STREETS – DAY
ANA VICTORIA
No one will admit they know anyone who is using children from Mexico in their businesses. I must look foolish walking in off the street and asking questions.
MANNY
We need to wake up my police friends and follow them. It is against the federal wage and hours laws to employ anyone under age 17 in industry. The state laws in Illinois are against child labor too.
ANA VICTORIA
So I just asked half a dozen Mexicans if they are breaking the law, without any other authority to back me up?
MANNY
Yes, but it could have opened conversation. You never know.
ANA VICTORIA
I am keeping my eyes open for under-age workers. I just can’t see through this place. I just arrived and I don’t know anyone. I don’t even see a boy we could follow.
A SHOPKEEPER WHO THEY SPOKE WITH EARLIER PASSES THEM ON THE SIDEWALK ON THE INSIDE. ANA MARIA IS ON THE INSIDE AND MANNY IS ON THE STREET SIDE.
SHOPKEEPER
Don’t stop walking. I wanted to tell you something. You should look for the automobiles. The trade is cars, trucks, parts. I heard there was a new boy there somewhere. I don’t know where. I don’t know their names. But they run up and down 18<sup>th</sup> street on their way to an empty lot where they have a business. I don’t know anything. But if you keep asking the same questions, they will find out and they do not like to be found out.
THE SHOPKEEPER SPEEDS UP AND LEAVES ANA VICTORIA AND MANNY MOVING SLOWLY ON THE SIDEWALK.
ANA VICTORIA
I think we have a new lead.
MANNY
It paid to ask. I have messages.
MANNY LISTENS TO HIS CELL PHONE MESSAGES.
MANNY
Okay, my friend says they had to go through with the bust on the brothel. They caught five people involved in that location. There were no children in this one. There were no boys.
ANA VICTORIA
That is a relief. They said they sold my children. I was the only one they wanted to bring to the brothel.
MANNY
I don’t want to think about what that means. I am glad they can rescue other women where were trapped there.
ANA VICTORIA
Are there other places, other than St Charles?
MANNY
My friend just told me about this one bust. I don’t know. Do you think he was just trying to give me something, to ease my mind?
ANA VICTORIA
Chicago is a big city. That place was out in the suburbs. There are other sex clubs here. But I need to believe that Gael is not trapped there. Working, yes. Maybe adopted like Carmina, yes. The other is too hard to keep in my mind.
MANNY
Do you want to go to the settlement and aid organizations now? We have time to visit at least two before everything closes at 5.
ANA VICTORIA
I think can be more honest there.
MANNY
I am texting a note for the log about the auto business that the shopkeeper mentioned. We don’t have time to visit all these organizations. We can add her tip to the list.
ANA VICTORIA IS NOT LISTENING. SHE IS LOOKING AT SOME YOUNG MEN WALKING INTO A RESTAURANT.
ANA VICTORIA
Oh, I saw an older boy who looks like Gael. But he is much older than Gael. My mind is playing tricks now. Let’s go.
THEY GET INTO MANNY’S SUV AND DRIVE OFF.
INT. CHICAGO ORGANIZATIONS – DAY
TE 3
AID ORGANIZATION MANAGER
Yes, we see underage immigrants and refugees here all the time. The public focusses on the adults because they are going to work, but there is less attention to the children. The city does care about them. But neglect is a big problem in the United States, for the children who are born here. Working parents take more than one job to survive, and kids get left at home alone. Chicago has programs for immigrant kids to make progress in their language skills and education. There are no detention centers like the ones in Texas.
ANA VICTORIA
Yes, we are looking for two children who were known to our church family back home. One was a little girl, four years old, who is very gentle, but she does not say much. The other is a boy, about seven to eight years old, difficult to control. His eyes shine.
AID ORGANIZATION MANAGER
OK, I am making a note to look for a boy about eight years old, and a girl about four years old, from?
ANA VICTORIA
They came in through Nogales. Their mother lives in AZ now. She is a domestic there.
AID ORGANIZATION MANAGER
Is she a relative of yours? I mean, why is your church involved instead of the mother?
THE AID WORKER LOOKS SKEPTICAL ABOUT ANA VICTORIA’S INTENTIONS. PAUSE.
ANA VICTORIA
She is a recent immigrant who lost her paperwork. She can’t prove they are her children. Manny is retired and I worked for him before marrying him, so we have time to help while we are visiting Chicago.
AID ORGANIZATION MANAGER
That is good of you two to make inquiries. I can leave this information on our bulletin board with your telephone number. Someone may know something. But today, it is getting harder to see the new Mexicans because there are so many coming in from the south, Honduras, Guatemala, Columbia, the new wave from Venezuela. Newcomers may mix with these groups.
ANA VICTORIA
Do they go to Pilsen and La Villeta where the Mexicans do business?
AID ORGANIZATION WORKER
They go all over the city. There are shelters…
ANA VICTORIA
These two children would not be in a shelter. They were driven north by two men who said they were going to live with an older couple who was childless.
AID ORGANIZATION WORKER
Then I will never see them. The only moment when anyone might ask questions is when they register for school. The parents have to have their birthdays and identification. But its not hard to get your kids in the door here. We want children to go to school.
ANA VICTORIA
If they put the boy to work?
AID ORGANIZATION WORKER
An eight year old boy? Young, but he could work in a restaurant or with a cleaning service. Those hires are out the back door, hidden from the public. Guys will bring kids in with a contract service. The owners of the business they clean may not even know they are there.
ANA VICTORIA
I don’t know how to find them.
ANA VICTORIA LOOKS LOST. THE MANAGER HANDS HER A KLEENEX.
AID ORGANIZATION WORKER
There are thousands of contractors out there who may use new immigrants of all ages. Your friend from church may have to accept that her son and daughter are part of a much larger story about coming north and getting lost and fitting in.
INT. HOTEL ROOM – EVENING
MANNY
We spoke to so many people today. Someone will know something.
ANA VICTORIA
We must keep going. I don’t want to go back home without them.
MANNY
We eliminated the brothel lead. That is good. We have a new lead about some people who deal in cars and trucks in Pilsen. We will look into it. But I am tired after three days here. I think we should go home and rest. Come back when we have better ideas or more confirmation from new leads.
ANA VICTORIA
I can’t leave my children here.
MANNY
No one has seen them. We don’t know if they are in Chicago. They could have dropped them off anywhere.
ANA VICTORIA
No, they are here. I feel it. I am their mother. I feel it!
MANNY
To help others, you should first help yourself to stay strong. If we exhaust everything on the first trip, it will be harder to come back.
ANA VICTORIA
Let’s go over every place we visited and everything we heard. Then I will feel more confident that we did our job. We may be close to finding the children. I don’t want to miss anything that would lead me to them.
MANNY MAKES HOTEL COFFEE IN THE SMALL COFFEE MAKER. HE HADS AV A CUP.
ANA VICTORIA
This coffee is awful, Chicago hotel coffee. It tastes like boiled paper.
MANNY
Let’s take a shower and get some rest.
INT. CHICAGO HOTEL ROOM – MORNING
ANA VICTORIA
I just can’t leave without finding my children.
MANNY
We have leads. We can come back. If we waste all our money all at once we will not be able to go on. Let’s check out and spend a few hours in Pilsen. We’ll get the good flan and coffee. We can watch the street.
ANA VICTORIA
We can look for that open car lot.
MANNY
I put the description in our log list.
EXT. INSIDE SUV – MORNING
MANNY
It should be somewhere close to this stretch.
ANA VICTORIA
What is that large building?
MANNY
Don’t look. Just kidding. That is where the bodies are dissected for use. Individuals donated their body to science or for use before they die. Most of their employees are black or Mexican.
ANA VICTORIA
Oh God, donations. When the dead become the sum of their parts.
MANNY
Your children were healthy. Wait, there is a parking lot or empty lot here.
ANA VICTORIA
There is nothing in it. Just a couple some fill dirt. You could hide a truck in there.
MANNY
It is quiet here. No one would notice a meeting or transfer. But it is empty. Okay, time to find the flan.
INT. FAMOUS CAFÉ IN PILSEN – MORNING
ANA VICTORIA
This is good. I like their flan.
MANNY
Worth the trip.
ANA VICTORIA
That empty lot is haunting me. I want to keep it on our list.
MANNY
It’s in our log list. We can go back on the next trip.
THEY ENJOY THEIR COFFEE. MANNY JUST ENJOYS BEING WITH ANA VICTORIA. HE IS IN LOVE WITH HER.
INT. SUV – LATE MORNING
MANNY TURNS ON SOME MUSIC. THEY LISTEN. ANA VICTORIA’S CELL PHONE RINGS.
SHE TAKES THE CALL.
ANA VICTORIA
Yes, good morning. Yes, I think they came in on the dates I gave you from Nogales. What? Yes, the boy would be old enough to remember where he was.
Manny, the woman at the aid organization was talking to some people. They met a boy who was working with a trucker. He said his father was dead and he stayed in Nogales around the time I described. They were trying to get him to register for school, but they left and ignored the community social worker.
MANNY
That’s Gael! How many kids would have the same story related to that time?
ANA VICTORIA
She is sending me the information.
MANNY
But we have to come back. We can’t stay up here all the time.
ANA VICTORIA
He could disappear again if we don’t search quickly.
MANNY
You are right. We could lose the trail. We know he is alive. We know he is working and not in school. We know he is in or around Chicago.
THE SUV TURNS AROUND AND SPEEDS BACK TOWARD PILSEN.
END OF ACT 2
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This reply was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by Kimberly Reed.
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This reply was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by Kimberly Reed.
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This reply was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by
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H. Vince’s Has Completed Act 2: Draft 1
The 30-Day Screenplay – 2023
Lesson 16: Finish Act 2
What I learned from doing this assignment is…
Since I signed up for too many Screenwriting Classes at once, I have to outline this rather than write it out to stay on track with the class.
REACTION TO TURNING POINT IN ACT 1/NEW PLAN:
Act 2:
12. INT. DIMLY LIT ROOM – UNKNOWN TIME OF DAY
BEGINNING: Victor wakes up not knowing where he is
MIDDLE: Victor tries to get up but he’s tied down
END: A beautiful woman approaches Victor holding eyedrops
13. INT. DIMLY LIT ROOM – UNKNOWN TIME OF DAY – CONTINUOUS
BEGINNING: Victor asks if the eyedrops are safe.
MIDDLE: The woman says something familiar that his mom would say.
END: Victor recognizes her from before he gave his order at the fast-food restaurant
14. FAST FOOD RESTAURANT – DAY – FLASHBACK
BEGINNING: Woman giving Victor his phone after he set it down
INT. DIMLY LIT ROOM – UNKNOWN TIME OF DAY – BACK TO PRESENT DAY
MIDDLE: The woman asks Victor if he wants to know what happened to his real mom
END: The woman puts eyedrops in Victor’s eyes
PLAN IN ACTION:
15. INT. DIMLY LIT ROOM – UNKNOWN TIME OF DAY – CONTINUOUS
BEGINNING: A song starts playing in Victor’s head
EXT. RAILROAD TRACKS – NIGHT – FLASHBACK – DIFFERENT OUTCOME
MIDDLE: Victor sees the ducks incident this time differently that brings tears to his eyes
END: Victor decides he’s going to escape
16. INT. VICTOR’S HOME – DAY
BEGINNING: Donna is trying to reach Victor
INT. DIMLY LIT ROOM – UNKNOWN TIME OF DAY – CONTINUOUS
MIDDLE: Victor tries to escape again
END: Victor agrees to find out why he’s there
MIDPOINT TURNING POINT:
17. EXT. ABORTION CLINIC – DAY
BEGINNING: Victor finds out about his real mom
INT. ABORTION CLINIC
MIDDLE: Donna was assigned to take care of Victor
INT. DIMLY LIT ROOM – UNKNOWN TIME OF DAY – CONTINUOUS
END: Victor is devastated that he was supposed to be aborted and Donna is not his mom.
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