Lesson 26

[carl marshall]

Carl Marshall
LOGLINE: Carley and Marcus realize they were meant to be together
ESSENCE: learning how to love.
INT. SMALL BOOKSTORE- EVENING
CARLEY, late 20s, stands rigidly by the “Self-Help” section, clutching a paperback. MARCUS, early 30s, dressed with precision, leans against a nearby shelf, arms crossed.

MARCUS
(sarcastic)
Let me guess, you’re here to fix yourself again?

CARLEY
(sharp)
At least I admit I need fixing.

MARCUS
(grinning)
I prefer to win. Fixing’s for losers.

CARLEY
(igniting)
There it is. That stupid game-playing ego.

MARCUS
You’re confusing strategy with ego.

CARLEY
You’re confusing people with pawns.

They lock eyes. A beat.. Carley shifts to another aisle, hiding behind a stack of romance novels.

CARLEY
(firm)
Not everything’s a game of chess, Marcus.

MARCUS
It is with you. You distract, deflect, run…

He steps closer. She steps back.

CARLEY
(quiet)
You don’t know me.

MARCUS
(softer now)
I did. I think I still do.

CARLEY
(pain surfacing)
You set me up to fail last time. Don’t act surprised I walked away.

MARCUS
I didn’t mean to—

CARLEY
(interrupting)
But you did.

MARCUS
I thought if you saw how bad it could get, you’d finally believe in yourself.

CARLEY
That’s not strategy. That’s sabotage.

A long pause. Her anger is spent. His confidence falters.

MARCUS
(genuinely)
I wanted to be the reason you fought harder. Not the reason you quit.

CARLEY
(tearing up)
And I wanted you to just believe I was enough without the war games.

Silence. Then, laughter—nervous and unexpected. Carley wipes her eye. Marcus smirks.

MARCUS
We’re a mess.

CARLEY
(deflecting with a grin)
Tragically poetic.

They look at each other. A long, weighted pause.

MARCUS
(soft)
What if we tried again… no games?

CARLEY
Only if you promise no sabotage.

MARCUS
Only if you stop running.

She steps closer. He matches. Inches apart.

CARLEY
What now?

MARCUS
We stop fighting.

They kiss. Not dramatic, but honest. Real.

[Rita Roberts]

Rita's QE Cycle #6 Scene – Draft 1
WHAT I LEARNED:
-This looked difficult as a scenario but using the ITs to outline made it much easier.
-It's also getting easier to keep all the QE items in mind as I write the first draft.
-I don't exactly know what the cover up is covering up but I trust that it will be more clear in the next pass.

EXT. LIFEBOAT-MIDDLE OF THE OCEAN – DAY
Marcus (35) in slacks and a white shirt, ready for fine dining reclines with his head against the inflated yellow rim.

Carley (26) huddles with her head on her knees. She covers as much skin as possible with her skimpy sundress.

The boat rocks on a peaceful surface in the full, hot sun.

CARLEY
What are we going to do with him?

MARCUS
We're all just bodies.

He lifts his head finally to inspect the third passenger/body.

A middle-aged man lies in a puddle on the floor of the boat. Unconscious in underwear and a ripped shirt. PASSENGER THREE is somehow pale and sunburned at the same time.

Carley checks their compadre's pulse.

CARLEY
Three is still kickin'.

MARCUS
Really?

CARLEY
You sound like you're disappointed.

MARCUS
Sorry. I'm just so… thirsty.

He eyes her cleavage as she leans over Three to listen for breathing. He gurgles.

CARLEY
I don't understand. He was so lively when I fell asleep last night. What happened?

MARCUS
How would I know? He didn't even want to tell us his name. Bum ticker?

CARLEY
Did you rip his shirt?

Marcus lays his head back down. Over it.

MARCUS
Right. It was me. Couldn't be any other cause in this whole situation.

Carley sighs and goes back to her duck and cover.

A shark fin breaches the surface in the distance. Then another.

CARLEY
Have you ever considered being nice and like, realize I'm your only friend right now?

Marcus flips himself to his knees, the boat rocks.

MARCUS
Oh, I've considered.

Marcus crawls past Three toward Carley.

Carley grabs the perimeter ropes as the boat tilts and sharks move closer but unseen by these two. Or Three.

CARLEY
You're going to capsize us!

Sharks submerge out of sight as Carley scans the waters in a panic.

MARCUS
Hey, we're probably shark meat anyway. What do you say we go out with a literal bang.

She shoves him back with her foot.

CARLEY
Oh. My. God. That wins the creepiest pick up line ever. No, thank you.

MARCUS
Yeah, I saw your plan. You're just sorry that Mister Swarthy Moneybags here shit the bed. You were getting all cozy with him before he…

Marcus gestures at the non-responsive, almost corpse.

CARLEY
Gross. You are so not cool.

Sweat beads up and runs down her clavicle into her dress.

MARCUS
Neither are you.

He splashes sea water at her.

CARLEY
That actually feels good.

He obliges her with a full handful over her head.

She finally looks at him with kindness.

He smiles.

Three coughs. Startles them both.

But then goes quiet.

Carley checks him again.

CARLEY
Oh, no.

MARCUS
Really?

CARLEY
I think he was Saudi royalty.

MARCUS
No, he wasn't!

CARLEY
How do you know?

Marcus switches moods.
MARCUS

I mean, nah. I don't think so.

CARLEY
Do we say a few words?

Marcus does a hitchhiker's thumb to point overboard.

MARCUS
You want to do a science experiment out here? How long does it take for a corpse to decompose in the sun? I got dibs on his shirt. You want his boxers?

CARLEY
Gross.

MARCUS
You could wash them. Plenty of water.

CARLEY
Ha, ha.

She shades her eyes and squints. At Three.

CARLEY
Maybe.

MARCUS
Gimme a hand.

Carley buries her head again.

CARLEY
Oh, God. Please, no.

Marcus inhales sharply. A ship sails on the horizon. Marcus's eyes dart between Three, the ship and Carley. And a shark's fin. He undresses the limp, lifeless corpse named Three.

MARCUS
Come on. Under these circumstances, all sins are forgiven.

He dunks Three's boxers several time, keeping a close eye on the shark fins. Wrings them out. Drapes them over Carley's head.

CARLEY
I can't believe I have a dead man's boxers on my head.

MARCUS
And you like it.

Carley laughs. Inordinately hysterical. Turns to tears.

Marcus scoots closer, careful not to cause the boat to tilt.

CARLEY
I can't do this.

MARCUS
I'll take care of it.

He moves a matted strand of hair out of her eyes.

She accepts the kindness. Gazes into his eyes.

He kisses her cheek.

CARLEY
I can't stand it.

She grabs his face. A full, passionate kiss next to a naked, dead body.

The ship isn't any closer but the girl is.

Marcus, in one motion, tosses Three overboard.

He sinks, then bobs back up.

Shark fins close in on Three.

Marcus closes in on Carley.

The ship continues on the horizon.

[Jeremy Kirk]

Jeremy QE Cycle #6 Scene – Draft 1
WHAT I LEARNED: This was an interesting scene to write, more character driven. Had a little fun with it.

INT. AMERICAN KARATE STUDIOS – DAY.

CARLEY (23) a dark haired, rough and tumble student. She clearly has a shiner under one eye.

MARCUS (21) a handsome, black Sensei of the Dojo, he meets her gaze and bows in return.

Carley gestures for Marcus to enter ahead of her.
Both fighters take their place on the mat and fall into a fighting stance.
Marcus swings a round house kick.
It is blocked.
CARLEY
Obvious.
He drops low – sweeps a leg, she jumps over it, but not before he is on his feet and delivering a kick to her face. It stops inches short.
CARLEY
Ok, not so obvious.
MARCUS
Come on you’re better than this.
Carley shakes out her nervous energy, falls back into fighting stance.
She attacks with a double punch, spins to a back fist. But Marcus is already gone.
MARCUS
You going to tell me about the black eye?
CARLEY
What black eye? The black eye I’m going to give you?
She kicks, but he evades.
MARCUS
Carley, come on?
CARLEY
I’m not a battered wife, I can take care of myself.
MARCUS
I’m not trying to offend. Just asking if you need help?
CARLEY
Do I look like I need help?
A flying kick. Blocked.
MARCUS
You’re leading with your back foot too much, giving away the attack. Try shifting weight to the front and you’ll give less of a warning.
They stalk each other.
MARCUS
You’re old man give you that?
Carley shrugs.
CARLEY
You know how he is? He drinks, he throws punches. Sometimes I dodge, sometimes I get hit.
MARCUS
He still like to drink at Sutter’s Mill?
A punch from Carley – blocked.
CARLEY
You know he does.
MARCUS
Still likes to shut down the place on a Friday night?
CARLEY
Yep, and he still likes to go out to the alley to take a piss like a fucking degenerate.
Marcus low kicks then snaps to a high kick. Carley blocks both.
MARCUS
What if I was to grab a drink at Sutter’s Mill on Friday night? What if I was to run into your old man taking a piss in the alley? And what if I coaxed him into a fight?
CARLEY
I don’t want you to get hurt?
MARCUS
I’m not too worried about me. But what if your old man comes home with a shiner…or worse?
CARLEY
If someone broke both his hands, sure would make it difficult to punch someone.
MARCUS
If we broke both his legs, that would keep him from the bar. Would also keep him from being mobile enough to hurt people.
CARLEY
Yeah, if only his legs and hands were broken?
Marcus shoots in, grabs Carley and hip throws her to the mat. He straddles her, when she reaches up and pulls his head down.
Instead of delivering a elbow to the temple or a karate chop to the neck, she plants a kiss on his lips.
Marcus kisses her back, then pulls away.
MARCUS
I’m not doing this because of us. I’m doing this because of you.
CARLEY
I know.
MARCUS
A sensei has to look out for his students.
CARLEY
Totally. Besides if my old man found out about us, he would try and –
MARCUS
What, kill me? Not without arms and legs.
CARLEY
Don’t forget about the shiner.
MARCUS
The shiner? I’m going to break all of his limbs? What’s the point of the shiner?
CARLEY
It’s the cherry on top of the milkshake.

• This reply was modified 3 weeks, 3 days ago by  Jeremy Kirk.

[Mary Albanese]

Logline: Extreme danger makes Marcus and Carla realize that opposites DO attract.
Essence: The line between love and hate can be fuzzy, elastic, and surprising.

EXT. DOCK – DAY

CARLA, well-toned and no nonsense, perches on the back seat of a 32-foot charter boat. Crusty Captain ALGIERS unties the boat from the dock. He hops in and takes the steering wheel to back it away.

As it inches out, someone JUMPS in. This is MARCUS, his Hawaii tourist shirt flapping.

MARCUS
Sorry, sorry, sorry I’m late. NOW you can take off, Captain Ahab.

CARLA
Pardon me, but I chartered this boat.

MARCUS
No, I did.

CAPTAIN ALGIERS
I double-booked?

MARCUS
It’s okay. You can take off. We’ll share. I don’t mind if she fishes, too, on my charter.

CAPTAIN ALGIERS
Fine. Just remember, the cabin is off limits.

Captain Algiers steers the boat away from the dock.

CARLA
(to Marcus)
YOUR charter? I’m here for whale watching. To enjoy the beauty of nature. I hope your fishing is catch and release.

MARCUS
Catch them just to let them go? That doesn’t make sense.

CARLA
You’re going to take these beautiful creatures from their environment, abuse them, and torture them, for your fun?

MARCUS
No. I’m going to bash them on the head, gut them, and eat them. Don’t you eat fish?

CARLA
I do. Packaged, from the store. I don’t squeeze the life out of them.

MARCUS
Ah, I see. I’m a killer. And you’re a hypocrite.

She gives him a glare like acid.

Radio noise comes from the inside the cabin. Captain Algiers leaves the wheel and goes into the cabin.

INT. BOAT CABIN – DAY
Captain Algiers speaks into his radio.

CAPTAIN ALGIERS
(into the radio)
Yes, I… It has to be today? But I… all right. I’ll meet you out there as soon as I can.

Angry, he stomps out of the cabin.
Behind him in the cabin sits stacks of illegal drugs.

EXT. BOAT – DAY
As Captain Algiers resumes steering the big wheel, he takes a swig of whiskey.

MARCUS
Everything okay, skipper?

CAPTAIN ALGIERS
Yes. But I need to meet a friend a few miles out.

MARCUS
Go ahead.

CARLA
Excuse me, but who put you in charge of making decisions for MY tour?

MARCUS
The current heads out. Better chance of whales in deep water. You do want to see them, right?

She purses her lips.

MARCUS (CONT’D)
Okay. I’m making you uncomfortable. Let’s change the subject. So, what do you do? Wait. Let me guess. Tight muscles, no tan, no make-up. I’m thinking you drive a truck. A big one.

CARLA
No, I… Actually, it’s a tanker truck. How did you guess?

MARCUS
I put things together, like a logic puzzle. And I’ve got a big-ass imagination. Wanna know what I do? I’m a bookie. People pay me to place bets for them.

CARLA
You win money for them?

Marcus laughs.

MARCUS
Mostly they lose money. The beauty of it — the more they lose, the more I make!

CARLA
You’re proud of that?

MARCUS
It’s fun! Hey, if they want to throw their cash away, why shouldn’t I score? You don’t agree?

CARLA
I’d rather not say what I’m thinking.

MARCUS
Come on, tough chick. Spit it out.

CARLA
You’re a bottom-feeder.

MARCUS
And you’re a dike. Oops. Did I say that out loud?

She turns red with rage — her hands shake.

MARCUS (CONT’D)
You want to hit me, don’t you? But you can’t, because we’re in public.

He looks at Captain Algiers, taking another glug of whiskey.

MARCUS (CONT’D)
If you call Captain Ahab ‘public.’

CARLA
I can’t do this. I just can’t.

She bolts into the cabin.

CAPTAIN ALGIERS
No! Get back out here!

Captain Algiers dives into the cabin after her. He pulls her out and slams the cabin door shut. Then blocks it with a spear gun shoved into the door jam.

CAPTAIN ALGIERS (CONT’D)
I told you when you booked — lead paint, asbestos, insurance nightmare. NO CABIN ACCESS.

Captain Algiers takes another swig as he steers. Marcus frowns. Carla looks nervously out to sea.

Then she goes to Marcus.

CARLA
Since you do finance, I want to ask an investment question. In private.

She nods towards the far corner of the boat. They go. When they’re as far from the captain as possible:

MARCUS
(quiet)
Okay. Shoot. What did you see in the cabin?

CARLA
How did you..? Never mind. It’s drugs. He’s got bales of them all packaged up, ready to go.

Marcus thinks a moment. Then:

MARCUS
He’s going to unload them. Out at sea. Which means he’s going to have to get rid of us. They’ll have to kill us.

CARLA
In cold blood? You think he could do that?

MARCUS
You think he can’t? Think about it. He’ll have no other choice. Okay, here’s the plan. You get his attention for five seconds. Then I’ll take control of the boat.

CARLA
How are you going to do that?

MARCUS
Just give me those five seconds.

She nods. Then she goes to her seat behind the captain.

CARLA
Oh, Captain. It’s awfully hot, isn’t it?

Captain Algiers ignores her.

CARLA (CONT’D)
Captain, I said I am REALLY REALLY hot!

Captain Algiers turns his head towards her.

Carla WHIPS off her shirt, her chest fully exposed.

Captain Algiers stares.

Marcus stares.

CARLA (CONT’D)
(to Marcus)
Hey!

Marcus takes the whisky bottle and BASHES the captain over the head. The captain crumbles to the floor.

Carla wiggles back into her shirt.

CARLA (CONT’D)
Is he all right?

Marcus takes the steering wheel and turns the boat around.

MARCUS
The question is… can we get out of here before his “friends” track us down? Quick. Find something to scope the horizon.

As he steers, she finds a pair of binoculars. And sees:

CARLA
Damn! There’s a boat heading towards us! Really fast. What do we do? Dump the drugs? Fight them off?

MARCUS
They’ll have guns! And we don’t even have a life-boat. But wait — they don’t know he had people on board, do they? They might think he tripped. Got drunk and fell. Listen. Can you swim?

CARLA
Sharks? Or drug lords with guns? Yeah, I can swim.

He turns the ship to face the oncoming boat. They look down at the raging waves, the water so cold. The land so far.

CARLA (CONT’D)
If this works, I will never forget – you saved me.

MARCUS
You saved me back.

CARLA
I’m not a dike.

MARCUS
I know.

He pulls her to him and kisses her. She kisses him back.

They hold hands…

And JUMP.

• This reply was modified 3 weeks, 2 days ago by  Mary Albanese. Reason: re-posted so that it gets the line spacing correct