Lesson 21

[Rick Whitney]

R Whitney

What I learned: Reveals are a big part of my writing. Some you can see coming some are OMG moments. What I learned was the types and structure of these reveals.

Logline: Nora accidently comes upon a time portal in nature and is whisked back in time to when the area was a farm during the depression.

Essence: one of life’s lessons.

Scene:

EXT. FARMHOUSE PORCH – MORNING

NORA – Woman in her late twenties – short dark hair – petite – wears farm clothes.

HERMAN – Man in his early 30’s – crewcut hair – tall – slender – wears farmers clothes.

AUNT MANDY – Woman in her late 50’s – gray hair up in a bun – short – heavy set – wears work dress and apron.

It’s the mid 1930’s depression era. Nora is now been on Herman’s farm for over a month. She stands on the front porch of the farmhouse and listens to the quiet sound of the morning doves.

Herman comes out on the porch with her.

HERMAN

It’s peaceful here. Not like the big city you’re used to.

NORA

There’s a certain kind of beauty and serenity here I’ve never knew existed.

HERMAN

My wife disappeared almost three years ago. I about drove myself crazy trying to find her.

NORA

I didn’t know that. I thought maybe she died or you divorced.

HERMAN

Sometimes I just don’t like to talk about her. She disappeared without a trace. We had police and everything.

He looks down at his feet as he still misses her. Aunt Mandy sneaks up to the door to listen in.

HERMAN

Maybe you could stay here permanent like.

Nora reacts with surprise.

NORA

Are you asking me to marry you?

HERMAN

I guess so. The kids adore you and I know Aunt Mandy would love having you around.

(pauses)

I don’t know.

Nora turns to him.

NORA

You know how out of place I am around here.

(grows emotional)

I don’t belong here. I belong somewhere else.

Herman grows emotional too.

HERMAN

I sorta figured so.

(take a deep breath)

I got chores to do.

He rubs his nose as he moves off the porch towards the barn. Aunt Mandy come out on the porch.

AUNT MANDY

I couldn’t help overhearing.

Nora composes herself.

NORA

It’s alright.

AUNT MANDY

You come here from another time, didn’t you.

NORA

What are you talking about?

AUNT MANDY

I’m talking about that strange time portal area thing out by the big rock.

NORA

How do you know about that?

AUNT MANDY

I could tell you’re not from around here by the way you act and talk.

Nora hesitates to say anything.

NORA

I stumbled on that strange area by the rock and I ended up here.

(she hesitates)

I came from your future.

She looks out towards the strange area.

NORA

I’ve tried to go back but it’s like it only works at certain times. How do you know about it?

AUNT MANDY

It stole my life.

NORA

(turns to Aunt Mandy)

It what?

AUNT MANDY

That what ever time thing stole my life.

Aunt Mandy sits on the porch chair.

AUNT MANDY

I discovered it much like you did. It sent be back some hundred years before now at a time when there was nothing around here.

She pauses and takes a deep breath.

AUNT MANDY

I found my way to a town nearby and learned to live in that time period coming back here to that spot hoping It would send back to here. The years went by. Nothing.

She pauses.

AUNT MANDY

I come back once more to that spot in a last chance to return and it did bring me back here but I was 25 years older. It stole my life in my time here.

She pauses once again.

AUNT MANDY

You see, I’m Herman’s wife. The one that disappeared. Those Kids are mine.

NORA

It can’t be. You’re not Aunt Mandy. You’re …

AUNT MANDY

Their mother. I ask you to stay here. Stay with Herman. Be the wife I couldn’t be. Give the love only a mother can to my children.

Nora thinks as her head spins.

NORA

I’m out of place here. I think and act completely different from what this era expects of a woman.

Nora sits next to Aunt Mandy.

NORA

I need to go back where I belong or at least keep trying.

AUNT MANDY

I understand. I felt the same way but I ended up wasting my life trying to get back here when maybe, just maybe, I could have had a good life back then.

Nora get’s up and move off the porch towards the time portal area to try.

AUNT MANDY

Don’t make the same mistake I did.

Nora stops and looks back at Aunt Mandy. She nods to her and continues towards the portal area.

[William Whelan]

William whelan – Lesson 21: Reveals that pique curoisity.

DEMAND: After Betty professes her love for Lance, Emmylou feels it’s necessary to tell her that Lance is the father of her child.

COVER-UP: The father of both Emmylou’s and Grady’s children are unknown.

REVEAL: It is revealed that Lance is the father of both Emmylou’s and Grady’s children by artificial insemination but also that Lance is gay.

EXT. SWIMMING HOLE DAY

Betty and Emmylou sun themselves on blankets at the swimming hole.

BETTY

I think I’m in love.

EMMYLOU

Lance?

BETTY

Yes!

EMMYLOU

You sure it’s not a summer infatuation?

BETTY

What? I’m not old enough to distinguish between true love and a summer romance. I’m hurt you would say something like that.

EMMYLOU

Sorrrry! It’s just that this is such a fab place it’s like living a fantasy — and when you leave and return to reality you might find out that some of the emotions you felt while here could fade a bit.

BETTY

Well, I don’t think that is going to happen — the feeling is mutual. He said he’d come visit me at Carnegie-Mellon in the fall.

EMMYLOU

Wow! Way cool. It does sound serious.

BETTY

It is. I think I’m going to get a hotel room and lose my virginity — I just love him so much!

EMMYLOU

We’re friends, right?

BETTY

Sure.

EMMYLOU

I have something to tell you.

BETTY

I don’t think I’m going to like this!

EMMYLOU

Lance is the father of my child.

BETTY

No way! How can that be? I mean I know you’re friends and all but I never saw anything romantic between the two of you.

EMMYLOU

It’s been over for a while.

BETTY

I guess we’re okay then — I wish he had told me about it. I don’t like it when people aren’t totally honest. Is there anything else I should know?

EMMYLOU

I think there is something Grady needs to tell you.

BETTY

Wow! I’m starting to get a very weird vibe!

Emmylou sees Grady approaching the swimming hole for a dip.

EMMYLOU

Great, here comes Grady, I’ll let her tell you herself.

Grady, dressed in a bathing suit and carrying a towel and water bottle joins Betty and Emmylou.

GRADY

How’s the water?

EMMYLOU

Chilly, like it’s been all summer.

GRADY

You okay, Betty? I haven’t seen you this down in the mouth since your father told you he wasn’t going to leave your suitcase on the porch.

BETTY

Emmylou says you have something to tell me.

EMMYLOU

I told her about me and Lance.

GRADY

Okay! I guess I have some splaining to do. Lance is the father of the child I’m carrying also.

Betty, her head on a swivel, looks incredulously at both Emmylou and Grady.

BETTY

Don’t tell me! I hope it’s not what I think it is.

GRADY

What is it you think it is?

BETTY

Well, you are both three months pregnant, and Lance is the father of both of your babies so I’m thinking it’s one of those…I can’t remember the exact name of it but it’s french and it’s when there’s three people…

GRADY

(interrupts)

Manage-a-trois.

BETTY

Yeah, that’s it.

GRADY

No, that didn’t happen.

EMMYLOU

It was artificial insemination.

BETTY

You’re kidding me!

EMMYLOU

No, that’s the truth.

BETTY

I think my head is about to explode.

GRADY

All three of us were here last summer and Lance agreed to make a deposit at the sperm bank at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. On Mayday we both decided to make a withdrawal and get pregnant.

Emmylou and Grady look at each other lovingly and squeeze hands. Betty starts to slowly hyperventilate.

BETTY

Well, I guess the silver lining is that Lance is a free agent.

GRADY

There is something else you need to know.

Betty puts her hands over her ears and squeezes her eyes shut tight.

BETTY

Stop! TMI! TMI! TMI!

Grady gently removes one of Betty’s hands from her ear.

GRADY

No, you really need to know this, Betty.

Betty removes her hand from her other ear.

BETTY

Okay, lay it on me. But be gentle.

GRADY

Lance is gay.

Betty’s eyes pop open.

BETTY

You mean gay gay?

EMMYLOU

Yes.

BETTY

Not part gay? Like bi?

GRADY

No full-blown gay.

BETTY

But he…..

GRADY

What?

BETTY

(meekly)

Kissed me.

EMMYLOU

And that’s all he’s going to do.

BETTY

This is turning into the worst day of my life!

Betty abruptly stands.

BETTY

I think I’m going to throw up!

Betty takes off on the run towards the farmhouse. Emmylou and Grady look at each other concerned.

GRADY

Tough love.

EMMYLOU

Yes, but it had to be done.

GRADY

You feel like going for another dip?

EMMYLOU

Sure.

Emmylou and Grady hold hands and enter the water.

THE END

What I leaned during this assignment was to use reveals to add suspense and twists to my scenes.