Lesson 18

[Pat GALBRAITH Galbraith]

ASSIGNMENT 18

Subject line: Pat’s Act 3 Middle Scenes

What I learned doing this assignment is better understanding of structure.

Outline Key Scenes 2 & 3

2. Hank continues to operate a counseling business out of his house.

3. He gets a large fine in the mail for operating a business in his home.

Scene 2

INT. HANK’S HOUSE – DAY

Elaine begins to take calls from Hank. Elaine is cautious.

INT. MARRIAGE SCHOOL – DAY

Hank continues to attend the marriage school. The students like Hank now.

INT. HANK’S HOUSE – DAY.

Hank continues to operate his marriage counseling business out of his house.

Scene 3

EXT. HANK’S MAILBOX – DAY

Hank receives mail from the county.

HANK

This can’t be good.

He rips the envelope open to find a $10,000 fine for operating in his house.

[Tasha Espinoza]

Tasha’s Act 3 Middle Scenes

Doing this assignment, I learned the following: Resist the urge to fix logic holes. Now is not the time. Just get the story down first.

1. Outline Key Scenes 2 & 3.

Outline – Key Scene 2

INT. HEALING CENTER – DAY

Beginning: Bethany meets with Koju. He confirms that someone sent an email to him of Bethany’s exorcism (maybe it’s a link to a website).

Middle: She tells Koju she thinks her demon is back. Koju tells her he doesn’t think Deacon Anders is going to help her. Koju.

End: She asks if Koju and his school can help and he says they can try but they’ve never really dealt with this before. But they can guarantee her that whatever they try, it will always be with her best interest in mind. Bottom line, they believe she can date again and maybe even find love. Bethany asks, but will she be able to get rid of her demon?

Outline – Key Scene 3

INT. NEW AGE SCHOOL

Beginning: Koju tells her she’s strong enough to take on her Demon. She has to quip that she can’t believe they all play by Rumplestilskin rules.

Middle: She summons Demon 23 and says she can reveal his name, but before she can say it, Deacon Anders summons him.

End: Bethany uses Cosmic Mind Telepathy to connect to Deacon Anders and she sees an image of a pentagram drawn on the floor of a room and an image of the Bishop.

2. Write Key Scene 2: Makes a new plan.

INT. HEALING CENTER – DAY

Bethany enters through the front glass door of a commercial building in a strip mall. A string of bells JANGLE her arrival.

The center consists of an open main space bathed in calming earth tones and pastels. Most of the floor is taken up by a huge mat. The place is empty.

BETHANY

Is anyone here?

Koju, 32 y.o., tall, lean muscle, thick jaw-length hair, pulled back in a half ponytail walks in from a side room with a sign over it that says library.

He walks over to Bethany with quiet confidence.

KOJU

Bethany?

Bethany notices to her disappointment that unlike his dating profile picture, he’s wearing a shirt and swallows involuntarily.

BETHANY

Yes, hi. Um, did you receive a copy of the video?

KOJU

It hit my Inbox yesterday after you accepted my date.

BETHANY

I wasn’t sure, it usually gets sent out after the date.

KOJU

Well maybe he figured out how to hack your account and get the details upfront.

BETHANY

As opposed to following me to the restaurant and eavesdropping from a bush

KOJU

And then rushing home to do an internet search.

Koju smiles.

BETHANY

Yeah.

KOJU

Yeah.

BETHANY

You seem relaxed around me. Did you watch it?

KOJU

Yes.

BETHANY

What did you think?

Koju takes her hands in his. They are big and warm and so comforting.

KOJU

I think that whatever it is, you’ve been put through the ringer and you need help and guidance.

BETHANY

So you don’t believe I was possessed?

KOJU

I believe you believe you were possessed.

BETHANY

If only it were mental illness. That’s a lot less scarier.

KOJU

I disagree. But,

Koju raises his hands and gently cups her face. He gazes into her eyes.

KOJU

We can help you here. We believe that the road to any type of healing begins with one’s spirituality [make it sound more woo woo].

Bethany gazes into his eyes.

BETHANY

I want to roll my eyes, but your hands are kind of making it hard.

Koju removes his hands gently.

KOJU

Why do you want to roll your eyes?

BETHANY

Because one’s [woo woo term]? It sounds so hokey.

KOJU

Any hokier than what you learned at Church?

BETHANY

I guess not.

KOJU

And did that stuff end up helping? Amy filled me in about that Deacon guy. All the dead roses. And what priest calls himself Deacon.

BETHANY

It’s his name.

KOJU

Maybe he should use his middle name. I do.

BETHANY

Your name’s not KOJU?

KOJU

My middle name is. My first name is Jeff.

BETHANY

Jeff Koju?

KOJU

And it usually gets that kind of reaction so don’t go spreading it around.

BETHANY

Did Amy tell you that I think I’m being harassed again by Demon 23.

KOJU

Demon 23? Why do you call it that?

BETHANY

I don’t know. It’s just what we’ve always called it.

KOJU

Fair enough.

BETHANY

So you still think you can help me.

KOJU

Well, we’ve never dealt with a person who thought they were being– what–haunted by a demon per say, but yeah, I think I can. Who couldn’t use a beefed up sense of spirituality when dealing with their demons.

BETHANY

It’s not my demon.

KOJU

I was speaking metaphorically.

BETHANY

Oh. So when do we begin?

KOJU

Let’s start by meeting the team that’s going to help you. Now, I have to say that a lot of our instructors are properly freaked out by this whole thing and declined to participate.

BETHANY

(interrupting)

Full out refused?

KOJU

Yes. But a handful said they thought it was their duty to help you.

BETHANY

That’s very kind.

KOJU

(yelling towards the library)

Okay guys! I think it’s safe! You can come out!

SOLEIL, 24 y.o., short, bright pink dreads, spunky and earnest, walks out of the library. She’s followed by LINDA, 42 y.o. everything about her is skinny and long from her nose to her toes. Linda is followed by BOB, 56 y.o., a polo, pair of jeans and a grown out crew cut.

They stand in a line in front of Bethany.

Koju points at Linda.

KOJU

This is Linda. She’s a yoga and mediation master who has taken a vow of silence.

BETHANY

(interrupting)

Nice to meet you Linda.

Bethany realizes what Koju said at the end of Linda’s introduction.

Linda smiles and nods.

Bethany stares at Koju.

Kojou points to Bob.

KOJU

This is Bob.

BOB

Hi there.

Bob steps out of line and shakes Bethany’s hand.

BOB

I do psychic vibration, visualization and protective projection.

Bob steps back in line.

Koju gestures to Soleil.

KOJU

This is Soleil. She specializes in Reiki.

Soleil presses her hands together in prayer and bows towards Bethany.

SOLEIL

I will use the life force to work through the heaviness that surrounds you.

BETHANY

That’s from my demon.

SOLEIL

I do feel a separate negative energy that is bringing you down, but I’m referring to your energy. You’re…spiritually constipated.

BETHANY

Thank you.

And finally Koju joins the line.

KOJU

And me. I will train you in Cosmic Mind telepathy. Together, we are going to try to do our best to help you spiritually. Like I said, your particular situation is new territory for us, but they can guarantee her that whatever they try, it will always be with her best interest in mind. I don’t think Priest Deacon Anders can say as much.

BOB

(to Linda)

Priest Deacon Anders?

LINDA

(nonverbally)

I know, right?

SOLEIL

We are committed to helping you find love. Or at least be able to date normally.

BETHANY

And help get rid of my demon.

SOLEIL

Sure.

Bethany looks at the team, her team and smiles toothless as she tries not to shrug.

3. Write Key Scene 3: Things go well, until…

INT. NEW AGE SCHOOL

Bethany and Koju enter the learning center giddy.

KOJU

This is crazy.

BETHANY

So do you believe me now about the demon stuff.

KOJU

Definitely starting to.

BETHANY

Man, what will it take.

KOJU

It doesn’t matter. Bethany, there’s been a spiritual growth in you the likes I’ve never seen. The whole team agrees.

You are one powerful mamajama. And after what I saw at the park, especially with that kid, I think you’re ready. I think you’re strong enough to take on Demon 23.

BETHANY

You mean I should summon him?

KOJU

It’s not my method, but my method doesn’t really pertain to demons and other supernatural phenomena. So yeah. Use the summoning spell and the naming spell. Wse what we taught you, too. And name that motherfucker and send him straight back to Hell.

BETHANY

Or his point of origin.

KOJU

He’s not from Hell.

BETHANY

Let’s ask him. Then I’ll name him and send him back there, wherever it is. I can’t believe that the rules of Rumpelstiltskin apply.

KOJU

Why not, wasn’t he a demon?

Bethany opens the Black Magic book and finds the summoning spell.

[Insert her performing the incantation]

Wind from no source fills the studio sending papers and loose objects flying around.

KOJU

Holy–

Koju pulls his loose hair out of his mouth.

KOJU

Holy–

Koju pulls his loose hair out of his mouth and puts his hair into a ponytail.

KOJU

I wanted to say Holy shit.

But Bethany doesn’t respond.

KOJU

Bethany?

Bethany just stares straight ahead as if in a trance.

But then she starts to speak. Koju can only see Bethany’s side of the conversation.

BETHANY

You’re not at all what I expected.

DEMON 23, [insert description] stands before her unseen by Koju.

DEMON 23

I’m an interdimensional being. I’m not going to look the way you expect.

BETHANY

So you’re not from Hell?

DEMON 23

You won’t get where I’m from.

BETHANY

That’s okay, I don’t need to know the name of the point of your point of origin. You do. So when I tell you to go back to it, you will. All I have to do is reveal your name.

DEMON 23 grabs the book and rips it to pieces.

BETHANY

I have it memorized.

[Insert Bethany starting to recite the Revealing Incantation]

DEMON 23

Wait! I need to warn you about Deacon Anders.

Bethany stops reciting the incantation.

DEMON 23

I know I’ve been coming on real strong. And at first I was confused why I was brought back after all this time and attached to you. But now I know what’s happening and it involves us both.

Demon 23 cuts himself off abruptly. His eyes grow wide and jerks upwards.

BETHANY

Did a bee sting you?

Demon 23 can’t answer.

BETHANY

If you don’t talk now, I’m going to reveal your name.

Demon 23 tries to speak. He reaches out for Bethany and then he’s yanked away, vanishing before Bethany’s eyes.

Bethany looks down at the tattered Dark Arts Book.

BETHANY

Damn, I didn’t memorize the Summoning spell.

Bethany looks up.

BETHANY

Oh, Koju. You’re still here.

KOJU

Is Demon 23 still here?

BETHANY

He just vanished.

KOJU

Oh snap. Well, I saw what happened to the book. So looks like you’re going to have to pay a visit to the local witchcraft store tomorrow.

BETHANY

Maybe.

KOJU

I wonder where he went.

BETHANY

Before he disappeared, he said he wanted to warn me about Deacon Anders.

KOJU

Well who doesn’t?

Bethany nods.

BETHANY

Yeah, but this time the warning comes from a demon, so it’s probably worse that I can imagine.

KOJU

Why don’t you reach out to the Deacon and find out.

BETHANY

You mean like call him?

She raises her cell phone.

KOJU

I mean like contact…

(he touches his hand to his forehead and then mimics touching Bethany’s head)

…him. You remember how you found out that I like to [insert weird but non-threatening activity a man would like to hide here] when we had our Cosmic Telepathy session the other day. Do that.

BETHANY

Okay.

KOJU

Remember, close your eyes and concentrate.

Bethany closes her eyes.

KOJU

Visualize Deacon Anders. Do you see him?

BETHANY

Yes. I see from him.

Bethany can see a room from Deacon Anders perspective.

KOJU

Where is he?

Deacon Anders looks around a room.

BETHANY

At church I think.

Through Deacon Anders perspective, Bethany can see a bed and a hat rack.

BETHANY

In his chambers.

Deacon Anders looks down on the ground.

BETHANY gasps and jumps back.

She loses the telepathic connection.

KOJU

What?

BETHANY

I think he’s the one who summoned Demon 23.

KOJU

What?

BETHANY

I saw a huge red Pentagram painted on the floor of his bedroom. A photo of the bishop was at the center of it.

KOJU

Holy shit, this isn’t good.

BETHANY

No it isn’t. I think I need to get into that room.

KOJU

I think I need to go with you.

Bethany nods and they head out the door of the Healing Center.

[H. Vince]

H. Vince’s Act 3 Middle Scenes

The 30-Day Screenplay – 2023

Lesson 18: Act 3 Middle Scenes

What I learned from doing this assignment is…

I’m having mixed feelings about the journey of the story. I’ll just put whatever comes to mind for now and revise later to keep moving forward.

Act 3:

MAKE A NEW PLAN:

Victor looks up his real mom to ask Donna about it

THINGS GO WELL UNTIL: Donna ends up trying to have Victor controlled

21. INT. JEREMY’S HOUSE – DAY

BEGINNING: Victor wakes up again at his friend’s house like he did when he blacked out at the party not sure if he dreamed it all.

EXT. DRIVING

MIDDLE: Victor leaves but no ducks are seen this time

EXT. VICTOR’S HOUSE

END: Victor arrives at home

22. INT. VICTOR’S HOUSE- DAY

BEGINNING: Victor sees Donna but doesn’t mention what happened in case he sounds crazy

MIDDLE: Victor remembers his real mom’s name and calls his friend for help.

END: Victor finds info about his real mom

23. INT. VICTOR’S HOUSE – DAY

BEGINNING: Victor confronts Donna with evidence

MIDDLE: Donna tries to have Victor’s chip controlled

END: Victor leaves