Lesson 24

[Tasha Espinoza]

Tasha’s Filled In Missing Scenes!

Doing this assignment, I learned: When the bones are there, it’s easy to see the gaps. And once you fill those scenes in, the story really starts to get fleshed out and feel like a story.

1.Tell us what scenes you added and why.

I added the following scenes:

Added: New opening at the confessional that recaps Bethany’s most disastrous dates.

Reason: I really wanted to show Bethany bad luck with dating to set-up her journey and her goals and to explore what it would be like if you had a stigma attached to your dating, self-imposed or not.

Added: A scene where Demon 23 is at the foster kids facility.

Reason: I wanted the kids to represent the different facets of Bethany’s heart. I also wanted to show that she is a loving person and has a lot of love to give.

Added:A scene where Bethany has to say goodbye to her kids and explains she has to go away for their safety.

Reason: When Bethany realized Demon 23 is back and tormenting her, the last thing she wants to do is put her kids in peril.

Added: Projects a message of love to Brad

Reason: We had the scene that resulted from this action, but it seemed a little bit harder to understand and less impactful without this scene to set it up.

Added: Bethany sees part of Koju’s conversation with Demon 23 where Demon 23 makes the epiphany.

Reason: I thought this was a good transition and it also created better pacing. Also, the conversation is referenced in the Climax and I thought it would be fun to see a snippet of it.

2. For each missing scene, create a quick outline.

INT. CHURCH – DAY

Beginning: Bethany is in the confessional talking to Deacon Anders about her most recent dates.

Middle: She describes 3 terrible dates.

End: Deacon Anders suggests that she cancel the latest date and then says he’ll see her at the cafe the following day to go over the church newsletter.

INT. YOUTH HOME – DAY

Beginning: Bethany helps a group of kids with their homework.

Middle: They goad her into talking about her date with Ben by accusing her of being boring.

End: They tell her they love her and stupid Ben is stupid and should have stayed for their date even if she’s boring. Bethany sees some activity in the play room that puts her on alert even though it can be explained away.

INT. YOUTH HOME – DAY

Beginning: Bethany asks the kids to meet her in the homework room because she has a few things to talk to them about.

Middle: She tells them she has to go away for a little while. She needs to figure something out before she can come back.

End: The kids are sad and some start to cry. They worry she won’t come back and that she doesn’t care about them anymore. She tells them she will do everything she can to come back. She leaves broken-hearted.

INT. APARTMENT – NIGHT

Beginning: Bethany gets out a picture of the foster kids and frames it with her hands. She tells them she loves them and to be safe.

Middle: She finds her old junior high book and finds the picture of Brad. He has acne.

End: She frames him with her hands and tells him she wishes him nothing but peace and love. She understands why he reacted the way he did. She forgives him and tells him she will always care about that little boy in junior high.

INT. UNKNOWN ROOM – DAY

Beginning: Bethany sees Koju and Demon 23 standing and talking to each other.

Middle: She doesn’t understand what she hears but Koju seems to be guiding Demon 23 to a conclusion.

End: Demon 23 has an epiphany of some sort and Bethany regains consciousness.

3. Write a high speed first draft for the most important of those scenes.

INT. CONFESSIONAL – DAY (intercut between the left and right side at needed)

BETHANY, 26 y.o., still blonde, cute, a funky Barbie, sits in a confessional awaiting the priest.

The window opens and Bethany can see movement behind the screen.

BETHANY

Forgive me father for I have sinned. It’s been 3 days since my last confession.

Deacon Anders, [insert description], nods his head.

DEACON ANDERS

Confess my child.

BETHANY

Well, father, I lied. Three times. I lied three times.

DEACON ANDERS

Why did you lie, my child.

BETHANY

I lied while I was on a date.

DEACON ANDERS

Is this 3 lies on the same date or a lie per date?

BETHANY

A lie per date.

DEACON

What were the lies?

EXT. BUSY BEACH FRONT PROMENADE – DAY

Bethany, side ponytail, cute dress, skates while holding hands with MAC, 27 y.o., muscular, wife beater, ripped jeans. He wears big black lace up boots. He does not skate.

They walk/skate up to an ice cream parlor. There’s a sign that says NO SKATES.

Mac spots a very sexy lady in a bikini inside.

MAC

Oh no, you can’t go in.

BETHANY

I can take off my skates.

She rolls over to a nearby fountain and sits down.

BETHANY

Just give me a minute.

MAC

That will take too long. I’m happy to go in and get you an ice cream. What’s your favorite flavor?

BETHANY

I don’t really have one. I was hoping to look at the menu.

MAC

No problem. I’ll just get you my favorite flavor, mint chocolate chip. How does that sound?

Bethany tries to hide her grimace.

BETHANY

Delicious.

MAN

Great.

Mac gets up and goes inside. Bethany watches him as he waits in line. She sees him get a text message. He seems shocked out of his mind. He gets called up to the counter and shows the ice cream scooper the video. Then he calls the sexy girl over and she looks at the video. He points at Bethany over at the fountain and they clearly start talking about her. The ice cream scooper give him two ice creams and he hands one two the bikini girl.

Mac and the bikini girl walk out of the ice cream store feeding each other ice cream. They walk in a direction opposite of the fountain. Bethany scrambles to get up but loses her footing and falls into the fountain.

INT. CONFESSIONAL – DAY (intercut between the left and right side at needed)

Deacon Anders holds his steepled fingers to his chin.

BETHANY

Can you spot the lie there?

DEACON ANDERS

Was it about the ice cream?

BETHANY

Yes, I hate mint chocolate chip.

DEACON ANDERS

Mmmm-hmm. And what about the second date? The second lie.

BETHANY

That one was a little different.

INT. BAR – NIGHT

Bethany looks cute with another sassy side pony and a spaghetti strap max dressed cinched tight to show off her small waist.

She’s dressed too cute for the dive bar.

She spots LIAM, 35, skinny, punk-rocker type, weathered and ruddy, hot in a craggley stubbed out cigarette kind of way.

Bethany waves and takes a seat next to Liam at the bar.

LIAM

(Slurring)

Hi Beautiful.

He slobbers a kiss hello all over Bethany.

BETHANY

Have you been hear for a while.

LIAM

Naaaaaaaah.

He tries for another kiss and Bethany dodges and guides him back to his drink on the bar.

He laughs gleefully, grabs his drink and roughly throws an arm around Bethany’s neck and brings her in close.

LIAM

Would you like a drink?

BETHANY

I think one is definitely in order. I’ll have what you’re having.

LIAM

Ha! Good girl!

Liam addresses the 10 or so patrons in bar.

LIAM

Hey everybody! This is Brenda!

BETHANY

Bethany.

Liam releases her.

LIAM

Bethany? I thought your name was Brenda.

(To the bar)

Bethany. Bethany? Brend—Bethany. This is Bethany.

Bartender walks over to Bethany.

BARTENDER

What will it be love?

BETHANY

I’ll have what he’s having, I guess.

The bartender gives he a Dubois look.

BARTENDER

He’s drink a whiskey double straight up.

BETHANY

Oh, thank just a beer. Anything light.

BARTENDER

Coming right up.

Liam throws another arm around Bethany.

LIAM

Brenda, have you ever had a supernatural experience?

Bethany looks shrinks back from him in a guilty manner.

BETHANY

No. Why do you ask that?

Because I suspect you’re about to have one.

Liam leans over and vomits on her shoes. He vomits so hard he falls off his stool and rolls into the vomit.

LIAM

(Playing in the vomit)

I just Exocisted.

INT. CONFESSIONAL – DAY (intercut between the left and right side at needed)

Deacon Anders rests his face in his hand. He is almost at a lost for words.

DEACON ANDERS

And so the lie for that one would be that you have experienced the supernatural.

BETHANY

Yes.

DEACON ANDERS

Why did you lie.

BETHANY

Because I didn’t want any questions.

DEACON ANDERS

Okay. And the third?

BETHANY

Oh, it went really well.

DEACON ANDERS

Are you lying?

BETHANY

Yes.

DEACON ANDERS

Is that the third lie?

BETHANY

Yes.

DEACON ANDERS

Why did you lie?

BETHANY

Because…

INT. RUN DOWN APARTMENT – NIGHT

Bethany is in a cute cocktail dress and high heels. She holds a screaming, dirty faced baby while SHAUN, 27 y.o., mullet for style, black graphic tee with sexist logo, and CHLOE, 24 y.o., overweight, midriff, make out noisily and hungrily on a couch.

INT. CONFESSIONAL – DAY (intercut between the left and right side at needed)

Deacon Anders shakes his head.

DEACON ANDERS

So Shaun?

BETHANY

Was my date.

DEACON ANDERS

And the baby was?

BETHANY

Shaun’s baby, yes.

DEACON ANDERS

And Chloe was the baby’s mother?

BETHANY

No, the next door neighbor.

DEACON ANDERS

Okay. Are you sorry for sinning?

BETHANY

For these and all sins, I am truly sorry.

DEACON ANDERS

Great. Say five Hail Marys and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, I’ll say the rest later, but I have to go.

BETHANY

Amen.

DEACON ANDERS

Go in peace.

BETHANY

Thanks be to God.

DEACON ANDERS

I’ll meet you outside.

INT. CHURCH – DAY

Father Deacon meets Bethany outside the confessional.

DEACON ANDERS

Those were some dates. I wouldn’t wish them on my worst enemy.

BETHANY

Thanks.

DEACON ANDERS

Do you have any others lined up.

BETHANY

Just one tonight.

DEACON ANDERS

Are you sure you want to go through with it.

BETHANY

Like they say, no pain, no gain.

DEACON ANDERS

Yeah, but it’s mostly pain.

BETHANY

I’m still optimistic.

DEACON ANDERS

Is that what it is?

SISTER RENEE, 50s, white hair, slim build, modern habit with sweater and skirt singles Deacon Anders .

DEACON ANDERS

I got to go. See you tomorrow at [Insert Cafe name] to work on the newsletter?

BETHANY

Yes.

Deacon Anders joins up with Sister Renee and they leave the chapel.

Bethany watches after them and exits the chapel through a side door.

INT. YOUTH HOME – DAY

Bethany sits at a table in the homework room helping SHIRLEY, 13 y.o., curly chestnut hair, freckles on her nose with math.

BETHANY

And that’s how you solve for X. Make sense?

SHIRLEY

Yeah, I think so.

BETHANY

Try the next one.

She watches Shirley work the problem, when she feels someone tug her shirt at the elbow.

She looks down and sees Bridgy, 5 y.o., skinny, darling little button nose.

BETHANY

Hi Bridgy. What can I help you with.

BRIDGY

I broke my crayon.

Bridgy holds up a purple crayon missing it’s tip.

BETHANY

No problem.

She grabs the crayon and uses a sharpen on the table to give it a point again. She looks back at Shirley’s work.

BETHANY

See you got it.

She hands Bridgy her crayon.

BETHANY

Don’t forget to show me what you draw.

BRIDGY

When I’m finished.

JAMIE, 17 y.o., REGINA, 15 y.o., CHANTAL, 16 y.o., BARTHOLOMEW, 17 y.o., JACKON 14 y.o., and SERGE 10 y.o., approach the table.

Bethany looks up.

BETHANY

Yes?

JAMIE

There’s nothing to do.

BETHANY

Define nothing.

JACKSON

Can’t you entertain us or something.

REGINA

Yeah, tell us about your date with that Ben guy.

BETHANY

Not everyone is done with their homework.

SERGE

You know, you’re lucky we have affection for you because you’re pretty boring.

BETHANY

You know, Serge, I think you’re onto something. Maybe that’s why Ben left me in the middle of our date.

CHANTAL

He left you in the middle of your date?

BRIDGY

He’s a stupid.

BETHANY

Bridgy, that’s not nice.

CHANTAL

But he was a stupid. He should have stayed on the date, even if you’re boring.

The kids all agree with her.

BETHANY

Thanks guys.

Bethany stands up.

BETHANY

You all get a big hug from me. Come on, get in here.

She opens her arms wide and the kids all squeeze into a group hug.

She smiles and looks up.

She sees several small numbs of crayon from the pile Bridgy was drawing with all stacked on top of each other in a straight line. She narrows her eyes as if she can’t believe what she sees.

BETHANY

Bridgy, did you stack the crayons.

Bridgy looks up from the group hug.

BRIDGY

What?

BETHANY

The crayons.

Bethany looks back at the stack, but the crayon lay in a pile.

Bethany stares at the pile.

BETHANY

Never mind.

INT. YOUTH HOME – DAY

Regina, Jackson, Serge, Jaime, Bartholomew, sit on a big couch in the homework room. Chantal sits in a reading chair with Bridgy on her lap. Shirley sits on a pillow on the ground.

They all look up at Bethany who stands in the center of the room. Her arm in a sling.

REGINA

So what’s up, Beth? Why you call us in here.

BETHANY

I wanted to tell you guys that I have to go away for a while.

JAMIE

I knew it. She’s leaving us.

BETHANY

No, it’s not like that. I don’t want to leave. I really want to stay and see you guys every day.

BRIDGY

Then stay, Beth.

BETHANY

Oh, Bridgy. I can’t.

BARTHOLOMEW

Why, then? And don’t bullshit us.

BETHANY

Please watch your language.

CHANTAL

He’s right. Don’t bullshit us.

BETHANY

Okay. There are some things in my life that are getting out of hand. And it’s getting dangerous.

REGINA

Mmmhmm. Is that why your arm’s in a sling? Same shit happens to my mom. Is it an ex?

BETHANY

It is some…one from my past. And he’s starting to act out. And he’s targeting people I care about. So until I can stop him, I can’t be here. I can’t bring anything bad here. If something were to happen to one of you, I think that would be it for me.

JACKSON

We don’t care. We’ll protect you. You’re our boring Bethany and we won’t let anyone hurt you.

The group echoes Jackson’s sentiment.

BETHANY

I appreciate that so, so much. But I’m the adult and I have to protect you. So I have to go. Please don’t be mad at me.

The group stays silent.

BETHANY

It’s okay if you are. I just wanted you to know that I love you guys and I’m going to try very hard to get this all taken care of as fast as I can, so I can come back to you.

Some of the kids start to cry.

BETHANY

Group hug?

Serge runs out of the room.

Jackson chases after him.

REGINA

You better go Bethany. I’ll try to help them understand, but right now, it just feels like you’re abandoning us.

Bethany nods sadly and tries to smile through her tears.

BETHANY

I understand. I better go now. Please look after each other and be safe.

She exits the room.

EXT. GROUP HOME – DAY

Bethany exits the house. It’s pouring rain, but she doesn’t notice.

She walks to her car and looks back at the house.

She sees Bridgy watching her from the window. Bridgy waves goodbye. Bethany waves back and then Bridgy disappears from the window.

Bethany enters her car and ugly cries.

INT. APARTMENT – NIGHT

Bethany looks at the picture of the kids from the group home that is pinned to her cork board. She studies the picture of silly faces and poses.

She smiles.

BETHANY

(to the picture)

I sure do miss you guys.

She raises her hands up and frames the picture.

BETHANY

I wrap each one of you up in a hug. Feel my love. Carry it with you. Know that I am always with you. I send protection with this love so you will always be safe.

She lowers her hands.

BETHANY

I’m working hard guys. I can’t wait to see you and bore you with all the new stuff I learned. And maybe one day, if all goes well, I can finally tell you about a date that doesn’t suck.

Bethany chuckles to herself.

BETHANY

Speaking of which, I think Bob was right.

She walks over to her walk shelf and retrieves her junior high yearbook from the bottom row.

Opening the book to her class year, she searches the little squares for a minute or two before she finds him, 14 y.o. Brad. Cute but dorky with a little bit of acne sprinkled here and there.

It makes Bethany smile. But the smile is a little sad.

She walks over to her desk and sets the book down while keeping it opened on Brad’s picture.

She frames the picture with her hands.

BETHANY

Brad, I wish you nothing but peace and love. I understand why you reacted to me the way you did and I forgive you. I will always care about the little boy from junior high.

INT. UNKNOWN ROOM – DAY

Bethany floats in a white space. She is disoriented but calm. She hears voices below her and rotates around until she can see who’s talking.

Koju and Demon 23 stand next to each other. They are engaged in quiet conversation. Bethany can barely pick up what they are saying.

KOJU

Why her?

DEMON 23

Because of her light.

KOJU

Her light is pure love, man.

DEMON 23

We don’t have that where I come from.

KOJU

So did you want the light because you wanted the love.

DEMON 23

But all I know is pain and fear.

Bethany is fascinated by what they are saying and tries to get closer to the conversation.

KOJU

So you used what you were taught to go after–

DEMON 23

After the light. I thought I had to extinguish it because I didn’t know any other way.

KOJU

But now you do.

DEMON 23

But now I do.

Bethany is on the cusp of understanding, but then she regains consciousness and is whisked back to reality.