Lesson 24

[Susan]

Susan McClary’s Maximum Interest Cycle 5 Revision

Logline: Russian Spy vs Ukraine Spy at the Russian Circus

Essence: Betrayal upon betrayal leading to assassination

Scene: CIRCUS PLAYERS

INT/EXT CONTINUOUS MOSCOW CIRCUS

MAIN RING AFTERNOON

BRENDI ROSTOVANOVA and FILIPP KAZAK are Aerialists performing a trapeze love dance. Near the end FILIPP allows one of her hands to slip through his. She quickly grabs his forearm before he can snap it away and saves herself. A look of fury overtakes her face.

BRENDI purposefully ends the show early and swings down into the net.

The TWO aerialists bow to a roaring crowd. BRENDI bows again with a flourish, and they ballet out of the circle.

CUT TO:

DRESSING ROOM:

BRENDI bangs open the door to their dressing room.

BRENDI

(Angrily whispering)

You fool! You almost dropped me!

The muted SOUNDS of clowns and a calliope can be heard in the background.

FILIPP

(Snuggling up)

It’s a good thing there are nets, no? My darling girl, I don’t know what I would do without you.

FILIPP twirls BRENDI around by her hand and then kisses it.

BRENDI pushes FILIPP away and turns her face from him, we can see her face in the makeup table mirror.

BRENDI

(Agonizing)

I don’t want to look a fool on stage! I work my body so hard, to be precise, and the work beautiful.

FILIPP

(Manipulatively stroking her face, chuckling)

The audience adored you. You threw dust in their eyes…. Forgive me, please. It was accident. Moya lyubov (my love)… You think I purposefully drop you? Why?

FILIPP gently tickles BRENDI, she laughs.

BRENDI

Stop… FILIPP!

FILIPP turns BRENDI tightly to him, squeezes her amorously.

FILIPP

Because you in agreement with Putin cancel Christmas for third population?

BRENDI

(Playfully pushing him away, giggling)

Don’t hang noodles on my ears, Filipp.

There is a knock on the door, a STAGEHAND brings in a bouquet of several dozen roses for BRENDI.

FILIPP

See… what did I tell you?

BRENDI puts one leg up on the makeup table chair and plays with her short skirt.

BRENDI

I don’t understand why you were so off today. You seem nervous. What’s bothering you, darling?

Suddenly a trio of Politseyskiy barge into the Dressing Room.

POLITSEYSKIY #1

Brendi Rostovonova we are searching you for contraband.

BRENDI

(Shocked)

What?! What are you talking about?

POLITSEYSKIY #2

(Dismissively)

We received call that you have been smoking and drinking in public place. Circus is public place.

POLITSEYSKIY #3

(Condemning)

You go up in air drunk? If we find contraband you will be arrest.

FILIPP

(Feigning Disbelief)

Who would do such an idiotic thing?

The THREE POLITSEYSKIY upend the entire dressing room throwing large quantities of cigarettes packs and miniature liquor bottles on a tarp in the center of the room. BRENDI manages to catch the huge vase of roses before it falls on the floor.

FILIPP stares at the pillage.

FILIPP

Where did all that come from?

POLITSEYSKIY #2

Mister Kazak you will come too for questions.

FILIPP is startled. This does not fit in with his plans.

FILIPP

(Hiding guilt)

I have nothing to do with this!

BRENDI rushes over to FILIPP and POLITSEYSKIY #2

BRENDI

(Spicily)

He has nothing to do with it. It is all me. Leave him to clean up… pretty please.

POLITSEYSKIY #2

Since you confess, we will leave him. You, Miss Rostovonova, are arrest.

BRENDI grabs her coat and is hauled out the door.

CUT TO:

POLITSIYA VEHICLE BACK EXIT OF CIRCUS

It is snowing and the streets are covered in at least a foot of snow.

BRENDI is shoved into the back of the police car. As soon as the door is closed she speaks with authority.

BRENDI

I am Agent 7831 of the FSO. I need to speak to my handler immediately.

I have been set up. Give me your phone now.

All three Poliseyskiy are seriously distressed, and defer.

BRENDI takes the phone and calls.

BRENDI

(In hushed tones)

Agent 7831 urgently calling.

ALEXSANDR

Tell me.

BRENDI

I believe Filipp the assassin for Illya Kiva and Darya Dugina… and he is planning something… wait he is sneaking out the back of the Circus.

Filipp is still wearing his costume, his coat thrown over it. He does not hail a taxi or call for a Yandex, but starts walking.

BRENDI

(To Politseyski #2)

Follow him on foot and report back here. We will be behind.

BRENDI lifts the phone back up to her ear.

BRENDI (CONT’D)

(Continuing in hushed tones)

Alexsandr?

ALEXSANDR

(Testily)

Cut it out! That’s enough. I’m jumping out of my pants.

BRENDI

(Determined)

Filipp sneaks out of Circus. He is on foot. We are following him. I believe he is planning something terrible, another assassination. Putin vstrechayetsya a dedushkoy Frost v visit v tsirk. (Putin meeting Grandfather Frost at Circus visit)

ALEXSANDR

(With haste)

I am making immediate appointment with you and General Kochnev. I will be there as well. Call me back when you know about Kazak.

BRENDI

(Thrilled)

Yes Sir. Immediately.

BRENDI puts the phone down next to her, she pulls a small listening device out of her coat pocket. The vehicle slows down and stops near the Farsh Restaurant Bar. Filipp goes inside.

CUT TO:

INT RESTAURANT

The inside of the place is dark and crowded. It is Happy Hour. Filipp walks to the back looking for his coconspirator. He sees him and sidles up to him.

FILIPP

(Hissing, grumbling angrily)

Are you kidding me?! I believe lost Brendi forever. She will hate me. If she ever find out who set her up with Politsiya… only to meet you. First woman I ever truly love….

FILIPP removes a closed switchblade from his coat pocket, hiding it in his hand.

FILIPP

(Threatening)

What is so urgent?

There is a man concealed in shadow in a corner next to Filipp.

SHADOW MAN

(Ominously)

Don’t make an elephant out of a fly! Remember your brother. I have your next assignment.

CUT TO:

POLICE CAR

BRENDI is listening to every word.

BRENDI picks up the phone…

BRENDI

(To herself)

I knew it.

[Michael Jones]

Mike’s QE Cycle 5 Revision

LOGLINE: Phillip and Brandy run from a pursuing detective after executing their plan to steal an important book from Phillip’s past.

ESSENCE: Phillip and Brandy play each other to get something the other has.

EXT. VILLAGE CHURCHYARD – NIGHT

Phillip hurries Brandy to the edge of the cliff in the eerie Victorian churchyard overlooking the Atlantic below. A muffled VOICE follows but they can’t make it out, but the following GUNSHOT they hear with utter clarity.

Phillip pushes Brandy behind a tree and he takes cover behind another parallel to her.

BRANDY

Nice place.

PHILLIP

Not as green as great-grandpa described. But, you know, time and tide.

Another gunshot and this time it takes the bark off Phillip’s tree.

VOICE

This doesn’t have to end in injury.

Phillip peeks out from the tree and sees the VOICE approaching and another FAINT FIGURE further behind.

BRANDY

Distract him.

PHILLIP

What are you gonna do?

BRANDY

Get away.

PHILLIP

Can I see it?

BRANDY

This is hardly the place.

PHILLIP

If you only knew.

BANG!

BRANDY

Or the time.

(to the Voice)

Stop shooting, already!

PHILLIP

Brandy, please, I need to see it.

BRANDY

Always such a rush with you.

PHILLIP

Please.

Brandy reaches into her bag and takes out a cloth-wrapped package. She swings it a couple times getting ready to toss it to him and when she does she lets it go…

…right off the cliff into the waters below. Phillip, aghast.

BRANDY

Guess it’s like the vacation you promised me, now, isn’t it. Riches and comforts, you said.

She takes out another package and waves it at him.

BRANDY

This’ll do the trick. You can come, if you want, but if not, oh well.

Anger surges in Phillip and he steps out from the tree towards her but the VOICE, now embodied before him as DETECTIVE HENNY, aims his gun at him.

DETECTIVE HENNY

Another step and you’ll find a permanent home here.

Brandy mocks Phillip with a victorious smirk but Detective Henny gets in view and lets the threat of the gun urge her out of hiding. She does so but also takes note of the drop-off behind her.

The Faint Figure ducks behind a grave.

PHILLIP

Who’s that with you?

DETECTIVE HENNY

I have a whole army with me but you ain’t gettin’ me to turn around so you can try to run.

PHILLIP

Someone’s with you.

Detective Henny pats his revolver.

DETECTIVE HENNY

And she’s dyin’ to speak. Just try it and I’ll let ‘er talk.

PHILLIP

I need to show you something.

DETECTIVE HENNY

Don’t move.

PHILLIP

I have to. It’s in her bag.

DETECTIVE HENNY

I see something and you’re a flyin’ to be food for the fishies.

Phillip nods and edges to Brandy and forces her in front of him like a shield. A bullet whizzes by.

BRANDY

Watch it! I’ve a plane to catch.

DETECTIVE HENNY

They don’t get any plainer than prison.

BRANDY

I’ve got money and I’ll give it to you if you let me go. You can have him.

Phillip has his hand in her bag…

BANG!

Detective Henny drops his gun and grabs his chest. A perfect shot if the heart’s the target. Smoke rises from the hole in Brandy’s bag.

BRANDY

Find what you’re looking for?

Phillip pulls out the gun aiming it at Brandy but also takes a package out in his other hand.

BRANDY

Now we can take that vacation. You didn’t think I’d forget that, did you?

Phillip observes the book, like something he’s long sought has finally been found.

BOOK

“A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas.” The first page shows a first edition copy with a handwritten tribute to a Mr. Bob Cratchit.

BACK ON PHILLIP

A boyish smile returns to his face but Brandy knocks him out of his reverie with a hefty right hook.

He falls back but ducks in time to miss the next one, but she loses her footing and trips almost going over the edge.

BRANDY

I just want that vacation. That promise. Phillip, let’s get out of here. Let’s see some sun and other warm comforts.

Phillip takes her bag, withdraws the money and tosses everything else over the cliff.

PHILLIP

You need a vacation. I won’t get in the way. Happy travels.

With that, Phillip boots her over the cliff. His eyes follow the descending echo of an unhappy traveller.

PHILLIP

We’re all fellow passengers on the way to the grave. Looks like your stop is here.

The Faint Figure appears before Phillip. It really is faint. Ghost-like. Maybe, because, it’s a ghost!

PHILLIP

It can’t be. This isn’t you. It can’t be. You could be an undigested bit of beef, a blot of mustard.

The Faint Figure just glares at him, unamused, unspoken.

PHILLIP

I recognize you.

The Faint Figure points to a grave in the churchyard.

PHILLIP

I know it well. So, you’re my Grandpa Tim.

The Faint Figure nods.

PHILLIP

I have it back. It’s in the family again. The memoirs of Scrooge’s nephew’s friend.

The Faint Figure remains motionless.

PHILLIP

I had no choice, really, I didn’t. She would’ve seen me go the same way. Her or me. I guess we have to do what we need to keep alive. If you just—

The Faint Figure kicks Phillip in a most powerful way and Phillip flies into the air as if he were a ball heading for a goal…if only the goal wasn’t a bunch of jagged rocks below.

[Christi Falk]

Christi Maximum interest Cycle 5 Revision

Sorry everyone! I was having crazy tech issues. I thought I loaded this already!

Logline: Marcus and Carley have known each other for years but will soon discover they belonged together all along.

Essence: Marcus and Carly finally come to a realization.

The Home

FADE IN:

SHADY PINES RETIREMENT HOME

Carley, 60s, petite, sat at a games table in the active nursing home games room across from Marcus, 60s, lumbering frame as he hunches over a Scrabble board. NURSES smiled knowingly at them as they passed by.

CARLEY

Are you sure there isn’t a timer on this game?

MARCUS

I have to see the board standing up is all.

Carley looks absentmindedly at the room as ELDERLY patients with walkers and wheelchairs ambled past.

MARCUS

What’s wrong with you?

CARLEY

Always the charmer.

MARCUS

Sorry, just the last time I saw you this distracted, you were trying to decide whether to marry Frank.

CARLEY

I did marry Frank.

MARCUS

I’m sorry, I’m just saying…

CARLEY

Just take your turn.

Marcus plunks down letters onto the board.

MARCUS

Fleury.

CARLEY

Not a word.

MARCUS

Is too. It’s flurry but in french.

CARLEY

No other languages.

MARCUS

Then what was Bistro?

Beat.

CARLEY

Fine.

MARCUS

Seriously, what’s wrong?

CARLEY

I have to move.

MARCUS

To a different chair?

CARLEY

A different home. Frank sold the house while he was still alive and we’ve been renting from the owner. I found the paperwork yesterday.

Marcus sits down and looks at her.

MARCUS

You never knew.

CARLEY

No, so now I have to ask the kids if they can help me buy back the house or maybe move in here.

She looks around the nursing home.

MARCUS

Frank didn’t tell you?

CARLEY

Do you have an I?

MARCUS

Go fish.

Carley takes the bag of tiles and sorts through them, looking for her letter.

CARLEY

I don’t think this is the proper way to play.

MARCUS

We’ve just made a better way.

CARLEY

I’m tired of this game.

MARCUS

You can have mine. I have 3.

CARLEY

How on earth?

MARCUS

You can never have too many I’s.

Exasperated, she takes a tile from him. She still considers the tiles on her holder.

MARCUS

I bought it.

CARLEY

Bought what?

MARCUS

The House.

CARLEY

You what? Why?

MARCUS

Frank and I had a deal. I would look after you when he was gone.

CARLEY

Is that what these stupid games days are about?

MARCUS

You didn’t want to go sailing.

CARLEY

Couldn’t afford it.

They stared at each other as a Nurse came by, dropping a floral arrangement on the table beside them. She then smiled and moved on again.

MARCUS

You never knew?

CARLEY

Of course not, Frank never told me!

MARCUS

No, I meant, I’ve been in love with you for 40 years. And I think you love me too.

Marcus picks up her hand and kisses it.

FADE OUT.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by  Christi Falk.

[Susan]

Hi Christi,

This is the Cycle 6 Revision. Did you mean to post the Cycle 5 Revision here?

I posted feedback for Cycle 6 on the Lesson 28 Forum.