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Lesson 17
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R Whitney Lesson 17
Logline: Renee attempts to help out her friend Maxine only to find out she was being used.
Essence: How two people use their friendship against each other.
INT. RENEE’S APARTMENT – EVENING
RENEE – late 30’s – -wears lots of makeup – long brown hair – keeps her apartment spotless – wears nice clothes.
MAXINE – Late 30’s – short black hair – wears expensive clothes.
Renee sits in her perfect living room as she watches television. She hears a knock at her door and she gets up to see who it is.
She peeks through the peep hole in the door and sees it’s her good friend Maxine. She unlocks the door and greets her.
RENEE
Maxine. What brings up out to this neck of the woods?
MAXINE
Can I come in?
Renee motions for her to come in.
RENEE
Are you and Bill fighting again?
MAXINE
Sort of. He’s being unreasonable like usual. Would it be possible for me to stay here for a couple days?
RENEE
Of course you can stay. Me casa su casa.Bill’s Gonna figure you came over here.
They sit down in the living room.
MAXINE
Could you not let him know I’m here.
RENEE
I guess so. You want to give him the ole silent treatment.
MAXINE
Something like that. Don’t let anyone know I’m here. I don’t want him to find me.
RENEE
You could use a stiff drink. Let me get you one.
Renee Leaves the room for the kitchen.
RENEE (O.S.)
Scotch alright?
MAXINE
That’ll be fine.
Maxine relaxes as she gains a little smile. She then thinks she hears Renee talk.
MAXINE
Did you say something?
RENEE (O.S.)
What’s that?
MAXINE
I said did you say something?
Renee returns with two scotch on the rocks.
She hands one to Maxine as she sits. She reaches under the table and presents coasters for their drinks.
RENEE
Tell me what happened this time.
MAXINE
(sips her drink)
You know how we go to the annual ball our country club holds each year.
Renee nods.
MAXINE
Bill decided we shouldn’t go this year. I told him all the in people were going to be there but he insisted we couldn’t afford to go this year.
RENEE
That’s silly. You go every year.
Maxine finishes her drink.
MAXINE
Things got out of control and and I slapped him. He then slapped me back and pushed me to the couch.
RENEE
You poor dear. That’s abuse.
Renee finishes her drink.
RENEE
Let me get you another.
Renee leave the room for the kitchen again.
RENEE (O.S.)
Keep talking. I can hear you.
MAXINE
I got scared and left immediately. I came here because I can trust you to keep quit about this.
RENEE (O.S.)
Do you mind if I use the same ice. I seem to be out.
MAXINE
That’s fine.
RENEE (O.S.)
You don’t have to worry. I won’t breath a word.
Maxine smiles a bit more as she nods her head.
Renee comes back in to the living room and hands her the drink.
RENEE
Won’t Bill get worried?
MAXINE
Let the bastard worry.
RENEE
(sits)
He’s gonna know I’m covering for you.
The doorbell rings.
RENEE
Who could that be?
She gets up to answer.
MAXINE
You didn’t try to call or text Bill?
Renee opens the door and two policemen stand in view.
POLICEMAN 1
You called about a spousal abuse one Maxine Wassermann?
RENEE
That would be her over there.
MAXINE
You called the Police?
RENEE
Bill assaulted you. You need to tell these officers what he did.
POLICEMAN 1
We just got a call from 517 Casino Way about a possible homicide.
(to Maxine)
You are Maxine Wassermann of 517 Casino Way?
Maxine remains silent with no expression.
POLICEMAN 1
You are married to William Wassermann?
She remains silent.
POLICEMAN 1
We’ve been informed that your husband was found murdered in your home. He was discovered about ten minutes ago in the kitchen with a kitchen knife stuck in his back.
She remains quiet as Renee is in shock.
POLICEMAN 1
You’ll have to come with us.
They get the cuffs out as they move towards her and stand her up. She looks back over at Renee as the policeman reads her Miranda Rights.
MAXINE
I had it all planned. Lay low here for a couple days and head North. You had to be Miss goody two shoes and get the police involved.
The two policemen escort her out the door. Renee closes the door as she stand in disbelief.
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William Whelan — Lesson 17 QE Cycle #4: Write this scene.
Logline – Maxine asks Renee to keep it a secret that she is dating someone in the office and that she has a child from a previous relationship.
Essence – Maxine wishes to keep her relationships and child a secret.
Trait changed: Maxine from snobbish to secretive.
INT. COTTEE SHOP – DAY
Renee and Maxine are chatting over lunch.
MAXINE
I don’t want you to tell anyone in the office I’m dating him — you’re the only one that knows. And also, don’t forget, you’re the only one who knows about Josh.
RENEE
Why would I tell anyone — it’s in the vault.
Renee makes a zipping motion across her lips with her fingers.
MAXINE
Well, you did date him for awhile and I thought….
RENEE
(interrupts with mock New York accent)
Fuggedaboutit! That’s long over — anyway he wasn’t my type.
MAXINE
Which is?
RENEE
Ambitious, upwardly mobile — wears a Rolex.
MAXINE
He is kind of country bumpkinish, but what can you expect — he’s from Mississippi.
RENEE
Tell me about it. That southern drawl was really starting to get on my nerves.
MAXINE
You’re right, it can get annoying at times.
RENE
Besides, I wanted someone I could bring home to meet my parents who would fit into our fun loving life style — he can really be a stick in the mud sometimes.
MAXINE
Yes, I realize he’s not the country club type. And he’s so religious! I didn’t realize there were Catholics in Mississippi, I thought they were all Southern Baptists.
RENEE
Yes, he can be sanctimonious at times.
MAXINE
I’m afraid if he finds out I had Josh out of wedlock it might be curtains for the relationship before it even gets started.
RENEE
You’ll have to tell him sometime — you don’t think the sooner the better?
MAXINE
I’m not sure. If I wait till we know each other better he might overlook it, then again, he might feel I tricked him into a situation that wasn’t what he thought he was getting into. What would you do?
RENEE
Honesty is the best policy. I’d tell him ASAP.
MAXINE
I’m not sure I could deal with another failed relationship — I’m just getting over Josh’s father walking out on me.
RENEE
One thing about Spencer — he seems the loyal, trusting type.
MAXINE
That’s the way I feel about him. I think I’m going to wait awhile before I tell him about Josh — work my feminine magic on him so he’s like putty in my hands.
RENEE
Sounds like a plan.
Maxine phone chimes for a text message.
MAXINE
It’s a message from Spencer.
Maxine’s face goes ashen as she views the message.
MAXINE
He sent me a pic of me and Josh — the one I gave you. He wants to know who the little boy is. (pause) You sent him that pic didn’t you?
RENEE
Maybe.
MAXINE
Bitch!
RENEE
Really? Let’s face it he wasn’t your type either — you should thank me for keeping you from getting hurt again.
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LOGLINE: A confrontation between two servers who are up for the assistant manager job.
ESSENSE: Do what you can to win.
TRAIT CHANGED:Outgoing to Introvert (Renee)
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INT. RESTAURANT – DAY
MAXINE, a 20 something server in a swanky restaurant, is filling salt shakers. She is not happy about it.
RENEE, another 20 something server, comes over to Maxine and drops off more salt shakers.
MAXINE
Why didn’t the night shift fill these salt shakers?
RENEE
Sometimes things happen on the night shift… Today’s the day.
MAXINE
Yeah. I hate doing the shakers. Fill them so there is a gap. If they are filled, they are filled.
Renee picks up a shaker and looks at it.
RENEE
It matters because that’s the way Ron wants it. We need to be consistent.
MAXINE
Such a stickler.
Maxine puts down the shaker gently and looks at Renee.
MAXINE (CONT’D)
Did you tell him?
RENEE
No, I told you I wouldn’t.
MAXINE
I thought maybe you’d use it to get over on me. Just like my sister.
Another server, JILL comes up to them. Renee turns and smiles warmly.
RENEE
Jill! I’m so glad you’re on the shift with us!
Jill nods at Renee but clearly doesn’t care for her. She turns to Maxine.
JILL
Thanks! Hey, I have a problem. There’s a three year old who won’t get into his booster chair.
RENEE
It’s not our place to ensure children get into their booster seats. Let the parents handle it.
Renee is ignored.
MAXINE
True, but maybe Jill can help. Ask the three year old how they want to be able to sit at the table and eat. Talk about phone books and a high chair. Let the three year old choose.
Renee looks away.
JILL
Huh, I never thought of that. Thanks Maxine!
She heads off. Maxine turns to Renee.
MAXINE
Hey, I know you’re trying to do everything by the book, but people aren’t like that. Sometimes we have to be creative. I know you have that in you.
Maxine leaves. Renee sees a customer waving and goes to help them. As she’s helping them, she sees Maxine stopping at one of her tables, talking to the guests and laughing. When Maxine steps away, Renee rushes up to her.
RENEE
What are you doing? What did they want?
MAXINE
Oh, they just asked a question about group reservations.
RENEE
I can take care of my own customers.
MAXINE
Hey, I’m here for you. When I’m assistant manager, I’ll still be here for you.
RENEE
(under her breath)
Getting ahead of yourself..
MAXINE
What do you mean by that? You told him, didn’t you. Betrayed me just like my sister did.
RENEE
Of course I told him, I had to. It’s company policy.
MAXINE
What did you say to him? You’re doing this on purpose!
Maxine goes to the kitchen window and picks up a plate. She loses her grip and the plate and food fall to the ground, breaking.
MAXINE (CONT’D)
(to the kitchen staff)
I’m so sorry about this, can you make me another one?
Renee helps her clean up.
RENEE
(condensendingly)
Maybe you’re reaching too far.
MAXINE
I can’t believe you told him.
RENEE
It wasn’t easy for me, either. But I really want the job.
Maxine cleans up the mess and looks up at Renee.
MAXINE
I’m still up for the job. Even after what you did.
RENEE
Maybe, I guess.
MAXINE
Stop it.
RENEE
I just can’t take all the chaos around here. If that means I have to take over, then that’s what I’ll do.
RON, the manager, a man in his 40s is off to the side, watching the two without them knowing it. Maxine stands.
MAXINE
What exactly did you tell him? Did you tell him the whole story? Or even the truth? Why are you acting like this?
RENEE
The salt shakers? The plate? Let it go.
MAXINE
What did you say?
RENEE
Just that the large table that you let go without paying their bill and then covered it up was actually your cousins and it was a set up.
MAXINE
But that’s not true. I messed up the transaction and tried to cover it up but that was it.
RENEE
I also told him that it wasn’t the first time. You’ve been at it since you got here.
MAXINE
Disloyal little…
RENEE
…If you bowed out of trying to get the job, maybe I’ll talk to Ron for you.
Maxine sees Ron watching and smiles a little.
MAXINE
What if I already talked to Ron about that table? What if I already admitted it and made amends?
RENEE
You don’t have it in you.
MAXINE
Are you sure about that?
RENEE
Yeah I”m sure. The job is mine.
Ron waves at them and motions to his office. They head that direction.
RENEE (CONT’D)
No way did you tell on yourself. No way.
They enter Ron’s office.
FADE OUT
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