Lesson 25: Exchange feedback on Mastery Cycle 5

[Madeleine Gentinetta]

LOGLINE: The experienced cyclist coach Phillip delivers the autohemotherapy to his young cyclist talent Brandy as preparation for her first competition.

ESSENCE: Brandy does not want to commit doping sins, as her coach wants.

SCENE:

INT. SMALL BATHROOM – DAY

Construction noises from behind closed toilet door. Scissors DROPPING on the floor.

BRANDY (O.S.)
Shi, shi, shi… shit.

The noise of tape being torn off.

BRANDY (O.S.)
Whew! I did it!

The toilet door opens. BRANDY (19) jumps out and performs a fist pump. She is dressed in a professional cycling outfit and carries scissors, tape, and an empty box of a surveillance camera.

INT. SMALL CYCLING STUDIO – DAY

Brandy quickly puts the scissors and the tape into her sports bag and grabs a Gatorade. She folds up the empty box and hides it under a sports mat.

Then she climbs on a training bicycle, sets the measuring devices, and starts to cycle like crazy.

CUT TO:

INT. SMALL CYCLING STUDIO – 15 Minutes later

Brandy is entirely soaked by sweat.

A KNOCK on the door.

BRANDY
Success-driven coach of promising young talent?

The door opens, and PHILLIP (59), a very athletic guy in a casual but sportive outfit, steps in. He carries a cooler.

PHILLIP
Yes… that’s me and myself. Here comes your personal Gatorade deliverer.

Brandy stops cycling and wipes off the sweat.

Phillip locks the door behind him. He walks across the studio to pose the cooler beside the small fridge.

BRANDY
Can you put them right into the fridge?

PHILLIP
That’s what I’m here for.

Phillip puts some Gatorade into the fridge. At the bottom of the cooler, two blood IV bags become visible.

BRANDY
Armstrong, Pantani… I’m on my way…

Phillip puts on a reassuring smile.

PHILLIP
You got the right attitude for your first race…
(pause)
and you’ll rise to the top with me. I promise.
(pause)
The only thing…

Phillip opens his vest, grabs some syringes and needles, and puts them on the fridge.

PHILLIP
The blood is fresh, and we must do it within the next few hours.

Brandy looks frightened.

BRANDY
I… I can’t do this!

PHILLIP
Trust me… you can do it even yourself… subcutaneously… really easy.

Heavy KNOCKING on the door?

Phillip looks at Brandy, puzzled.

PHILLIP
Somebody after us?

Brandy shrugs.

The KNOCKING gets more intense.

BRANDY
Who is it?

POLICE OFFICER 1 (O.S.)
Police… open the door.

BRANDY
I’m in a training cycle…

The closed-door shakes from the attempts to open it.

Phillip grabs the two blood IV bags and rushes to the toilet.

BRANDY
Coming…

Brandy opens a water bottle and sprinkles her face with it. Then she approaches the door.

POLICE OFFICER 2
Brandy? Brandy De… Deneve?

Brandy rolls her eyes.

BRANDY
Deneuve… it’s French, like Catherine Deneuve.

The police officers look around suspiciously.

POLICE OFFICER 1
Are you on your own… Madame?

BRANDY
No… my coach is… in the bathroom.

POLICE OFFICER 1
What’s his name?

BRANDY
Phillip Nash.

Police officer 2 approaches the bathroom door.

POLICE OFFICER 2
Are you in here, Mr. Nash? Please step out.

FLUSHING of toilet and WATER RUNNING from hand washing.

PHILLIP
I’m sorry… but my mother told me not to skip the hand-washing part.

Philipp steps out and looks puzzled as he sees the police officers.

PHILLIP
Good afternoon, gentlemen. How can we help you?

POLICE OFFICER 1
Who’s car is the red Toyota? 6 TRJ 244?
(pause)
We got a notice of severe speed driving.

Police officer 2 walks around and inspects the studio. Brandy notices the syringes and needles on the fridge.

She gets close to the fridge.

BRANDY
It’s my car… but…
(pause)
Somebody wants something to drink?

She gets the syringes and needles and opens the door of the fridge.

BRANDY
A Gatorade?

Phillip realizes that Brandy wants to hide the syringes and clears his throat.

PHILLIP
Yes, it’s her car… but I was driving… I’m really sorry, but I was in a hurry.

Brandy hides the syringes and needles in the fridge.

She looks at Phillip in disbelief.

POLICE OFFICER 1
We have to take you both to the police station to get some verification on this matter.

PHILLIP
I’m really sorry, Brandy…
(pause)
I’m her coach, and she should not get involved in this…
(pause)
She is in a critical training phase…

BRANDY
If you need me… let me know, and I’ll join you. Is that a deal?
(theatrical toward Phillip)
I would have never thought that you speed drive with my car… We’ll talk about this later.

Phillip nods, guilt-ridden.

POLICE OFFICER 1
Sorry, Miss Deneve.

BRANDY
Deneuve!

The two officers grab Phillip.

PHILLIP
Can you handle the situation without me?

Brandy gives him a thumbs up.

INT. POLICE STATION, INTERROGATION ROOM – DAY

Brandy sits at the interrogation table. Police officer 1 and 2 enter.

POLICE OFFICER 1
Bonjour, Miss Deneuve.

He throws some surveillance camera pictures on the table.

Brandy has a closer look. It’s obvious, that it’s her behind the steering wheel.

POLICE OFFICER 2
We got the order to release Mr. Nash immediately and take you into custody instead… speed driving, hiding crucial information.

They look at Brandy with disgust.

POLICE OFFICER 1
It’s up to your lawyer to come up with a reasonable justification for such behavior.
(pause)
Shall we get you one?

Brandy opens her bag and takes out some printed screenshots from a surveillance camera with the date and time on them. She spreads the pictures in front of the police officers.

POLICE OFFICER 2
That’s the time when we were at your studio.

The police officers look at the pictures where Phillip enters the toilet, opens the trash can, and puts some bags into it.

POLICE OFFICER 1
What do you want to show us?

Brandy opens her bag again and throws the two blood IV bags on the table.

BRANDY
It’s my blood.

The police officers cringe.

BRANDY
Remember Lance Armstrong? Remember Marco Pantani? They all did it…

The police officers nod.

BRANDY
Autohemotherapy… He forced me to do it as well… I saw no other way out.
(pause)
Maybe it’s time for a lawyer… do you know a good one?

• This reply was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by  Madeleine Gentinetta.

[Laurie Stoner]

Good job with the max interest techniques! Your setup gave us <font face=”inherit”>dramatic irony, the setting was interesting, i </font>experienced<font face=”inherit” class=””> some alternating hope/fear during with Brandy and her coach’s exchange although it fell when the police arrived. Her dilemma of not wanting to cheat but also wanting to win was clear, and of course the betrayal of her coach was on point. Since it looks like the coach was caught, I don’t think it included a big cliffhanger. </font>

With respect to character and dialogue, I thought Brandy was status seeking, deceptive and I found her subtext. Her dialogue was entertaining and funny but I didn’t find her needy. I thought she was determined!

Philip was a bit manipulative, and I suspect he felt entitled to have her cheat so he has a sense of entitlement but I don’t think he expressed any guilt. I think Philip’s role could be stronger in the scene so he plays an equal role with more hope and fear.

[Hilton Garrett]

Logline – Brandy betrays Phillip to get back at him for something

Essence – Brandy reveals her deceptive ways

———–Begin Scene———–

INT. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, RARE BOOKS SECTION – DAY

Phillip and Brandy, deep into their research into the loss of the Spanish galleon Santa Lucia off the coast of Florida in 1623, work at a table strewn with charts and folders and several leather-bound books of contemporaneous charts, hand-drawn illustrations of the ship’s architecture, maps and survivors’ accounts of the shipwreck.

Pinpointing the location of the sinking will assure them of the recognition and prestige among their peers that Brandy so desperately needs.

Brandy suspects Phillip of sharing the results of their research with Emily, a competing researcher and a rival of Brandy’s for Phillip’s affection.

BRANDY

Talked with Emily lately?

PHILLIP

I ran into her the other day.

BRANDY

How was she?

PHILLIP

She seemed alright. We didn’t really talk much.

BRANDY

Really? Hmhhh. I noticed she posted something that you and I had dug out.

PHILLIP

Well, if we found it others might too.

BRANDY

Maybe somebody could. But not Emily. Her idea of research is to look over somebody’s shoulder during the exam.

PHILLIP

She’s pretty nice.

BRANDY

So nice you had to fuck her too?

Phillip’s face turns red.

PHILLIP

Why would you think that?

BRANDY

Because she has our material. And why would she have our material? Maybe in exchange for something?

PHILLIP

Or she just dug it out like we did.

BRANDY

You owe me, Phillip.

PHILLIP

I love you, Brandy, but I’m entitled to speak to Emily if I want to. There’s no harm in that.

BRANDY

Then how come your face turned red when I mentioned her? Feeling a little guilt?

PHILLIP

You know what? I’m gonna go look for that Obregon book with the ship’s diagram in it.

Phillip leaves. Brandy produces a tiny surgeon’s knife.

She opens the book that contains rare and valuable maps of the Caribbean and Eastern North American coastline. While pretending to run her fingers along the inside border of an exquisitely drawn and embellished map, she carefully slices the page. She removes it from the book. She repeats the process on another page, and wipes the blade clean of fingerprints. She then slips the two pages into one of Phillip’s folders before he returns.

As they continue with the research, Brandy opens the book she removed the pages from and appears startled that the pages are missing. A library monitor walks past and notices her upset.

LIBRARIAN

What seems to be the problem?

BRANDY

Missing pages.

LIBRARIAN

Let me see.

Brandy shows her the book with the clipped edges of the pages.

LIBRARIAN

These maps are worth a small fortune. Even removed from the book.

She speaks into a small device.

LIBRARIAN

Come to the fourth floor, east wing, and get the D.C. police.

The police arrive.

LIBRARIAN

This lady reported the missing pages.

POLICE 1

When did you notice the pages missing?

BRANDY

Just now. I was using the book and just happened to turn to the missing pages and saw they were gone.

POLICE 1

Do you know how the pages might have disappeared?

PHILLIP

Officer, I’m quite sure Brandy does not know what happened to the pages.

POLICE 1

Let her answer.

BRANDY

Well, I like doing magic tricks but I can’t actually make things disappear like that.

PHILLIP

I’ve known Brandy for two years and I know her to be above reproach. Can we please wrap this up and let us get back to work?

Brandy shuffles some papers. The knife blade falls to the floor. The officer sees it and picks it up.

POLICE 1

What’s this? Is this yours?

BRANDY

No, I’ve never seen it before.

PHILLIP

You have to understand, officer, we’re serious students of early-American trade routes and shipwrecks, not thieves. We’re entitled to some respect here.

BRANDY

That’s right. I’m only interested in my research.

POLICE 1

Still, what’s this knife doing here?… You mind if I look through your things?

PHILLIP

Sure, go ahead.

The cop finds the missing pages in Phillip’s materials. He holds them up. He puts them against the cut edges in the book and they fit like the right piece to a jig-saw puzzle.

POLICE 1

You’re under arrest for the theft of U.S. Government property.

BRANDY

Phillip, how could you?!

PHILLIP

I didn’t take those. I don’t know how they got there.

POLICE 1

You can explain that down at the station house.

BRANDY

Phillip, you surprise me. I’m gonna have to re-think our relationship.

The police handcuff Phillip and walk away. Brandy watches with a smirk on her face.

——–End Scene——-

[Laurie Stoner]

Brandy does more that betray Philip she exacts revenge! I found Brandy to be deceptive and absolutely vengeful rather than needy. She does not accept Philip’s denial and believes he’s guilty because his face turning red is evidence of his guilt. I also found her stubborn and self-righteous. In the setup, we are told she is status seeking and desperately needs the recognition of finding the sunk ship, but it isn’t shown. I felt her rivalry with Emily was jealousy-driven. I the opening had showed Brandy finding Emily’s photo and confronting her, and she doesn’t deny she slept with Philip (and the Q & A between Brandy and Philip was omitted), we’d be hooked with a mystery and feel the suspense of what Brandy is going to do. Would a needy person exact this kind of revenge? I’m not sure. After Security is called, and the photos are found in Philip’s possession (if we weren’t shown she was the one who cut them out), and we see her secretly pocketing the scissors, it would be bigger reveal. One other note: When Brandy says, “you
owe me, Philip” – it doesn’t hit home because we don’t know their history. Why does he owe her? Maybe “You owe me the truth after all the work you got me to do to build your career!” That would indicate both her status seeking trait and acknowledge that she knows he has manipulated her to get what he wants.

[Laurie Stoner]

Logline: A simple sale between a squaw and a shopkeeper goes terribly wrong.

Essence: Philip is so ashamed of being a half breed that he will sell out his own mother.

EXT./INT. REAR OF GENERAL STORE (CIRCA 1840) – DAY

BRANDY, (mid 40’s), drab gingham belted shirt over buckskin leggings, long braided hair, totes a large leather sack through the back door into the storeroom where JESSIE, (20’s) is unpacking a crate of can goods.

BRANDY

Is Philip here?

JESSIE

I’ll get him.

Jessie leaves the storeroom.

INT. GENERAL STORE – DAY

PHILIP PARKER, (late 20’s), shop keeper, white shirt with banded sleeves, finishes loading up a crate of goods for a WOMAN CUSTOMER.

PHILIP

Have a nice day, ma’am.

JESSIE

You know who is in back.

PHILIP

Okay, you know what to do.

INT. STOREROOM – DAY

Philip walks in, stops. He and Brandy stare at one another.

PHILIP

I didn’t expect to see you so soon.

BRANDY

Spring is early this year. I wanted to see you one last time.

PHILIP

You’re leaving for good?

BRANDY

My people need me. I am their shaman.

PHILIP

And you need money? Blankets don’t sell this time of year. Not after the first thaw.

BRANDY

No blankets. I brought pretty things for you. They will make you plenty money. Want to see?

PHILIP

I’m always open to making money. If you please…

She carefully unloads and unwraps small intricately hand-painted clay vessels. She moves each in the air in a mystical little dance to show off the beauty of her wares.

BRANDY

You like what you see? Worth much money?

PHILIP

No one wants Indian trinkets no matter how pretty. Money is too tight. Will you trade for flour and coffee?

BRANDY

These are more than trinkets! They hold special powers from the spirits! The power to see all things, to heal the sick, the lame.

PHILIP

I’m not interested in your mumbo jumbo. I don’t believe in that nonsense.

She holds a anarrow-necked jar high, enticing him with it and finally hands it over so he can peer inside. A smile crosses his lips.

PHILIP

Perhaps, we can do business after all.

BRANDY

Yes! You do want the magic these hold. You like? You pay!

PHILIP

My buyer will take all I can come up with, but it’s too dangerous. I don’t want any trouble.

BRANDY

No trouble from me! I will be gone!

PHILIP

Hey! You owe me, after those furs you brought last fall. You should have told me they were trapped on private property!

BRANDY

Animals roam where they please! The Great Mother knows no bounds.

A BELL RINGS.

PHILIP

Okay, we will settle up after I take care of this customer. Have a seat!

As soon as he leaves, Brandy murmurs to herself, looks through the goods in the storeroom. She smells a packet of sachet then pockets it.

Philip re-enters, followed by SHERIFF TATE, (50’s), who has his six shooter drawn, pointed at his back.

Brandy blanches, pulls a knife as she darts to the back door. Sheriff fires above her head.

SHERIFF

Hold it there, squaw! Let me see your hands.

Brandy stops dead. Drops her knife.

SHERIFF

What do we have here?

Sheriff waves his gun at the vessels on the table.

Brandy and Philip exchange looks of fear —

BRANDY

You like? You take, no charge.

SHERIFF

Filthy squaw! You think you can bribe an officer of the law?

BRANDY

No, sir. Pardon, sir. I meant no disrespect. Take! A pretty gift for your wife!

SHERIFF

(to Philip)

I warned you about selling the filth from the likes of her kind. Final warning. I’ll shut you down for good if I catch you at it again.

(to Brandy)

Now git outta here for good!

Brandy hurriedly gathers her things into the sack. Runs through the door.

SHERIFF

(to Philip)

My deputy is waiting down the road to snatch her up. Good riddance!

PHILIP

Remember. You promised if I let you know when she came back, you wouldn’t let on that it was me.

SHERIFF

She won’t know her half breed son squealed, if that’s what you’re worried about.

PHILIP

What’s in those jars is worth a small fortune. You won’t forget my share for putting you in the middle of this.

SHERIFF

I don’t know. My memory is real bad. We’ll have to see.

PHILIP

She won’t be harmed either —

A LOUD scream. SHOTS ring out.

Sheriff and Philip run through the door.

[Tim Adeney]

You have a good setup and payoff at the end; that keeps the suspense going throughout the scene. And the uncertainty on a couple of levels – the relationship between the two and the mystery of the unknown element of what Phillip is planning. It’s difficult to create empathy for a character in a short scene, but I mention it because if we had more empathy for Brandy, we’d feel that hope/fear more strongly. Otherwise, I think this works well to keep us interested.

There’s also the surprise of the Sherriff arriving – and he’s an uncertain fellow, so that created uncertainty for us in relation to Phillip. Phil also has a dilemma, although maybe that could be played up a bit more. Does he feel any guilt at what he’s about to do? Maybe the uncomfortable moments with his mother could be played up a bit more, without letting on that she’s his mother, as that is one of the big reveals at the end. And the twist of her getting shot. That’s also a bit of a cliffhanger, although I’m assuming she’s been shot. If we heard shots and not a scream, then the deputy swearing… keeps it uncertain. Or maybe Phillip is stronger on ‘she better not get hurt’ line, making it uncertain about how he may react.

Of course there’s a big betrayal, and the sherriff is also betraying Phil. Arguably this is the result of a radical change in Phil.

Although I’ve made a few suggestions here, you’ve included almost all the interest techniques. Impressive!

Brandy is status seeking [shaman], entertaining in a way, needy for sure and a little deceptive [would this trait come out with her son?], and it’s not clear to me that she’s lying.

Phillip is manipulative, entitled, polite… his guilt doesn’t come through as strongly, and while he has manipulated the situation, I think he could be more manipulative of the sherriff. Yes, he does try to manipulate him, so maybe that’s the payoff for the interest ending.

Great work.

[Tim Adeney]

LOGLINE: Philip lies to the cops about Brandy’s whereabouts the night before.

ESSENCE: Philip’s entitlement gets him into trouble.

SCENE:

EXT. COVERED CAR PARK – DAY

Brandy and Philip hurry toward a car.

Suddenly, flashing lights – read and blue; cops at both ends of the car park.

COP

Stop! Remain where you are.

Brandy and Philip freeze, caught like rabbits in headlights.

BRANDY

Oh shit…

COP

Put your hands in the air.

As they obey, raising their hands.

BRANDY

… I told you, Phil, they’re going to pin it on me.

PHILIP

But you were at home.

BRANDY

(desperate)

I can’t prove it. Don’t you get that?

PHILIP

Okay, I’m sorry. I’ll say you were with me last night.

A Detective and accomplice approaches. The pair are still covered.

PHILIP

I’ll handle this. Just go along with it.

(to the cop)

Hello Officer, what can we do for you?

COP

Mr Trudeau?

PHILIP

Correct.

COP

And Ms Carsons.

PHILIP

Correct again, Sir. What is this about?

COP

Please turn around, keep your hands up. We need to check for weapons.

PHILIP

I can assure you, we are unarmed.

COP

Please, turn around.

PHILIP

Of course.

They turn. The accomplice quickly pats them down.

ACCOMPLCE

Clear.

COP

You may relax your arms.

PHILIP

Thank you.

COP

Ms Carsons. Where were you last night between the hours of 8 and 10?

Brandy looks at Philip. He smiles.

PHILIP

She was with me.

COP

Not at your boyfriend’s?

PHILIP

That depends which boyfriend you mean, Officer.

COP

You have more than one?

PHILIP

Brandy spent the night with me last night.

COP

In that case, Mr Trudeau, you’re under arrest. Anything you say or do may be used against you in a court of law.

PHILIP

Surely you’re mistaken, Officer. You can’t arrest me for the murder. I was with Brandy last night…

COP

For the murder? Of her other boyfriend?

PHILIP

I have my rights.

COP

I’m arresting you for obstruction of justice. We know exactly where Ms Carsons was last night. She was not with you.

Philip swings on Brandy.

BRANDY

You said you would handle it, Philip. I didn’t want to steal your thunder. I didn’t know what you were going to say.

The cops pull Philip’s hands behind his back, cuff him.

COP

Thank you for the tip off, Ms Carsons.

For a moment, Brandy’s facade drops.

Philip stares at her.

PHILIP

Tip off?

COP

Come along Mr Trudeau.

PHILIP

Oh, this is good. Well played, Brandy.

Philip is taken away.

PHILIP

This is not over, Ms Carsons. Be assured, I’ll be back.

BRANDY

(calling after him)

I’m sure you will, Philip. I’ll be waiting.

[Shelley darling]

Shelley Darling Writes QW Cycle #5 Scene

LOGLINE: In a heated water protest, uncaring Water Corp officials take note as Brandy, a novice journalist, has stopped filming enraged community members to interview the local native Chief.

ESSENCE: Brandy meets her match when colliding with Phillip’s unyielding dogmatism.

SCENE: EXT. COMMUNITY WATER PROTEST – DAY

In the middle of a maddening crowd during a heated street protest, Phillip (44), a stocky, gregarious mixed-race middle-aged guy dressed in ripped jeans and a worn-out Earth Day tee shirt, stands scanning the crowd next to a huddle of finely dressed Water corporation executives.

PETE

(Handing Phillip his hat)

Go on, cowboy, get out there and do your job.

Stay away from any pretty reporters.

PHILLIP

No need for insults.

Have you called the authorities? I am just checking.

Catching an interview with the local indigenous chief, Brandy (34) stands with camera ready in one hand. With the other hand, she tugs on her black tank top, under her short sleeve off-white, lace blouse, over her belted black jeans. The loud crowd surges and closes in on Brandy. Thrown off balance, attempting to save her camera, she trips on the curb, awkwardly colliding with Phillip, and knocking off his hat.

PHILLIP

(in reaction and recovering his hat)

HEY…there-um, please watch where you’re going.

Seeing her daisy belly button tattoo, Phillip changes his tune seeing she’s a cute petite blonde. Having pity, he tries to lead her away from the thick of the crowd.

BRANDY

(smiling, gives exaggerated bow with a flourish of her hand)

Oh, Geez- I’m sorry.

PHILLIP

Hmm-need a hand?

Maybe you should film MY best side instead of…

BRANDY

(spinning around, scanning Philip’s from the ground up)

Seriously?

And why should I film you?…Are you a new actor or celebrity in disguise?

PHILLIP

And what if I were?

Sweet Daisy, as cute as you are, this isn’t a good place for you to be right now.

BRANDY

(flipping her badge)

What – I have every right to be here.

See, I’m legal, a professional journalist filming today’s protest…

PHILLIP

My mistake, sorry.

BRANDY

(intrigued and flirtatious)

You should know whose land we are still standing on. (pointing to the huddle of executives). There’s a LOT THEY could be doing.

PHILLIP

Believe me, I know, but that’s ancient history.

It’s in my bones, but there’s nothing anyone can do about it now-

BRANDY

Maybe this veteran journalist could interview a handsome lost cowboy later?

You could be in the news tomorrow.

PHILLIP

Thanks for the invitation but I’ve got things to take care of.

Chaos ensues as police with batons and tear gas arrive on the scene, aggressively grabbing Brandy’s camera and questioning Phillip.

PHILLIP CON’T

Shoot. I was worried about this happening.

POLICE OFFICER#1

(hassling Brandy)

We’ll take that camera.

No filming allowed here today.

BRANDY

Hey, give that back to me!

I am legal. I need it-I can’t work without it.

POLICE #2

(pointing the tear gas)

It’s coming with us-

Brandy coquettishly shows her badge while sliding her hand slowly over her busty blouse.

BRANDY

(scheming look at Phillip)

Our uncle Baxter- you know Baxter State Park? The Judge?

He’ll have his way with you.

POLICE #1

(moves in on Brandy)

Hands behind your back.

PHILLIP

Officer, she’s ok. She’s with me.

BRANDY

I’m his little sister.

POLICE MAN #2

Sister, YEAH, RIGHT.

We have our orders.

PHILLIP

(looking around for help from the group of men- all backs are turned)

Orders? Whose orders?

POLICE #2

You better get on your horse and ride, or you’re getting booked along with her!

PHILIP

Hey, she’s already shown you her badge.

POLICE #1

Look, you heard me – get out of the way.

You can bail your “SISTER” out later.

BRANDY

(blowing the police a kiss)

Truthfully this will be great for my story, but I could use you to bail me out later.

POLICE #1

(handcuffing her)

Yeah, if YOU DARE to set loose a lying agitator.

POLICE #1 handcuffs Brandy as POLICE #2 grabs Phillip’s hands.

PHILLIP

What the, hey?

Why are you arresting me?

I’m not guilty! I have done nothing.

You know my family. I’m working with them. (pointing to the huddle of men)

BRANDY

(whips her head around)

What’s going on here, Mr. Withholding?

Whose side are you on, anyway?

Will Brady, at 6’6″, towers over the other executive standing in the nearby huddle, eyes the commotion and acts quickly.

WILL BRADY

(quickly shoulders Pete)

Hold on here. Pete. We need to save our boy again and be quick about it. (Pete doesn’t move) Right now, you are riding on thin ice as it is…Philip needs help.

PETE

(mumbling snidely)

Sure boss-our littlest agent Philip needs help-again.

Pete disdainfully leaves the group, approaching the officers.

PHILLIP

It’s about time. Please let them know I’m a Baxter!

POLICE #1

All of you, ENOUGH!

(to Police #2) Let’s take them all in.

POLICE#

Let’s check the orders.

PETE

Officers!

No need to check your orders; take in…yes, ALL the protesters.

(Pointing to Phillip)

This poser as well!