Lesson 23

[Stephen Maynard]

Subject line: Stephen Maynard Act 4 Resolution

What I learned doing this assignment is…?” This is the place to settle the Dilemma. By blackmailing the bad guys into good behavior, the boys resolve Pearl’s problem without having to expose the girls to what their naughty fathers have done.

Outline Key Scene 4.

BEGINNING: To rescue Chuey they must find the dognappers and confront them.

MIDDLE: The boys capture the bad guys with Chuey’s help.

END: The Boys force the bad guys to confess their
sins and vow to sin no more avoiding a nasty court appearance that would crush
the daughters.

Write Key Scene 4: Resolution – Wrap it up and show us the “new normal.”

EXT. BARN – SAME

Stevie and Johnny stand on the roof of the Ford pickup’s cab. Stevie jumps to the hay carrier, climbs the rope, and enters the barn through the hay door.

INT. BARN – SAME

Johnny comes in through the hay door and stands in the loft looking around, assessing the situation.

He reaches up and slides a trolly on its rail, positioning the block and tackle above the five men.

Stevie looks down at Bradford and Gordon who stand side by side chastising the three thugs.

Chuey looks up at Stevie,

Stevie signals to Chuey and he runs to Gordon and puts a bite on his ankle.

Gordon lurches away from Chuey and into Bradford, who catches and steadies him.

Lasso nooses fall from above. One circles the three thugs and one circles Bradford and Gordon.

The nooses tighten around the man and they are hoisted kicking and wailing.

They take a ride via the hay trolly to the center of the barn where the five swaying men look down at their shoes, dangling ten feet above the barn floor.

Bradford

What the hell is this, Gut?

SHORT FAT THUG

Stop calling me Gut.

LATER

The five villains hang, feet dangling, shoes inches above the barn floor.

Johnny films, using his phone.

Stevie holds up a sheet of paper for Bradford and Gordon.

ON PHONE – LANDSCAPE MODE

The three Thugs hang wiggling and fidgeting.

Bradford and Gordon hang awkwardly, faces pressed against one another.

BRADFORD GORDON

I Bradford confess. I Gordon confess.

GORDON

We wanted to steal an old lady’s property.

BRADFORD

We caused the forging of a loan document.

BRADFORD

We have the document forger locked in my vault.

GORDON

We promise to destroy the fake loan document.

BRADFORD

We promise to free the forger and stop foreclosure

proceedings.

GORDON

We have been very bad men.

BRADFORD

And we will never again pay stupid thugs to

enforce our evil intentions.

GORDON

And we promise to be good men from now on

and you won’t ever show this video clip to the

Chronicle.

BRADFORD

Pretty please.

BACK TO SCENE

Johnny taps his phone sending the clip.

JOHNNY

Gentlemen your confession is safe and in

good hands.

Stevie reaches and cuts the rope holding the Thugs.

They tumble to the ground, untangle themselves, and immediately begin lashing out at each other with slaps and punches.

Stevie cuts the rope holding Bradford and Gordon. They hit the floor, remove their rope, glare at each other, and turn away.

STEVIE

Go and sin no more.

[Steve Jones]

Steve Jones – Act 4 resolution

What I learned doing this assignment is that I can write a first draft of a screenplay in 24 days.

INT. POLICE HQ – DAY

Harry strolls in. Wisecrack stands as Harry passes his desk.

WISECRACK

Nice work, Harry.

Harry nods at Wisecrack. He stops at his desk which the robot is using.

ROBOT

Harry! You’re back!. Here, have your desk.

HARRY

No, you keep it. I don’t have use for it any more. Besides, it fits you perfectly.

The robot watches Harry as he heads to Buzzard’s office.

INT. BUZZARD’S OFFICE – SAME

Harry marches in without knocking and sits. He puts his feet on Buzzard’s desk.

BUZZARD

Get your feet off my desk, Harry. Even the planet’s biggest arrest doesn’t warrant that behavior.

HARRY

Sorry, but you are no longer my boss. I quit.

BUZZARD

Rubbish…what? You can’t. We need you here. Look at all those fresh-faced robots that need you to teach them.

HARRY

My guy can do it. He’s the best cop here.

BUZZARD

What are you going to do? There’s nothing else for a man like you here.

HARRY

I’m retiring from police work and going into politics.

Buzzard laughs.

BUZZARD

Good one. Now, fuck off and take a few days leave to get yourself straight.

HARRY

I’m serious. I’m going to campaign to get the immigration law changed. We need new blood here.

BUZZARD

Right. Good luck with that.

HARRY

I expect your full support.

BUZZARD

Really?

HARRY

I was wondering as I walked up to the building what would happen if the cat was released from the bag.

BUZZARD

What?

HARRY

Let’s imagine a high ranking public official changed the central files to show illegal visitors to the planet were residents. How do you think that official’s career and status as a free citizen would be affected if this information was made public?

BUZZARD

That’s blackmail!

HARRY

Maybe just a little bit.

BUZZARD

You’ve changed.

Harry stands.

HARRY

I can count on your support?

Buzzard stands and shakes Harry’s hand.

BUZZARD

Now, fuck off.

Harry leaves the office.

Harry leaves the building.

EXT. POLICE HQ – BEAUTIFUL MARTIAN DAY

Carina is waiting.

HARRY

Why don’t you stay for a bit?

FADE OUT

• This reply was modified 1 year, 7 months ago by  Steve Jones.