Lesson 26

[Bill]

Bill Southwell writes QE Cycle#6 Scene

Logline: Carley and Marcus take a mountain hike together to get-to-know each other better.

Essence: Love comes from service and caring

Scene:

EXT. Mountain trail. Day

(Carley and Marcus are hiking a trail in the California mountains.)

Carley

I don’t know about this idea of yours. I’m getting winded.

Marcus

You told me you were tough, so I thought you could handle it. Do you want to back out?

Carley

(Avoiding the question) (pause, then) This is beautiful. Just look at those flowers over there.

Marcus

This is my thinking. A trip like this puts us both under some level of stress. We get to see how we react in such circumstances. That is a good strategy to determine compatibility.

Carley

You mean you brought me up here to test me? Well, I don’t like being treated like a race horse.

Marcus

Certainly, if you have a race horse, you want to see how they can perform before you enter them in a race. Come on. You can do it. Imagine you were a pioneer crossing the plains. You have much better shoes than they had.

Carley

(disgusted) I’ve had about enough of this.

Marcus

I didn’t think you were such a wimp. Stick with it a while longer. In about 2 miles more is Little Lake. We will rest there and have lunch.

(They walk on in silence, the trail getting steeper. Carley is determined to keep up with Marcus, but does not ask him to slow down.)

(Finally, they reach a ridge where they see the lake below. They head for it, relieved to be going downhill. Marcus is about 50 feet ahead of Carley.)

(Suddenly, Marcus stumbles. With his hands on his head he wanders off the trail and moans.)

Carley

(calling out to him) Is this part of your strategy? To fake an emergency to see how I will react.

Marcus

No!

Carley

Well, Now I have had enough. I’m not buying it. You are seeing just how well I can jump through your hoops. I have had enough of you! Yeah, your scheme worked! We could never be compatible. Thanks for the lesson.

(Marcus continues moaning, dancing around holding head. Then he falls to the ground.)

Marcus

I have a severe headache.

(Carley approaches his side.)

Carley

Good job buster. You should go to Hollywood.

(Marcus does not answer. Carley sees sweat beads on his forehead and his eyes rolling side to side. Then while on the ground, his legs start to shake.

Carley (cont)

What’s happening?

(Marcus twists.)

Carley (cont)

Marcus, talk to me!

(She gets on her knees beside him)

Carley (cont)

What can I do?

(He does not respond. She puts her arms around him to control his thrashing)

Carley (cont)

This is all I can think of. I don’t know what to do.

(After a couple of minutes he quiets down.)

Marcus

I have a severe piercing headache. I did not bring my medication

(Carley then clinches his head in her hands and holds them tight.)

Marcus (cont)

OOOh. Yes! Continue to press hard. That helps.

Carley

I will.

Marcus

Without my aspirin with codeine, these can last for hours.

Carley

Just relax. We will sit it out.

Marcus,

I see double. I don’t know what to do. It’s probably the high altitude that brought it on.

(They are there on soft pine needles. She is holding his head. Occasionally releasing them and shaking her fingers. This continues for 20 minutes.)

Marcus (cont)

Oh, thank you, thank you.

(He repeats this every minute or so. Then, two men appear on the trail with walking sticks.)

Carley

(Shouts out to them) Can you help us? Please.

(they come over to them)

Carley

He has a severe migraine.

Marcus

(without looking at them) Do you have any Advile or Asprin?

(One of the men pulls out a bottle of Advile and hands it to him. But Carley takes it, opens it takes 2 of them. She hold up Marcus’s head with her water bottle in the other hand.)

Carley

Here. Take these.

(Marcus takes them)

Marcus

May I keep the whole bottle.

Hiker

Sure. Good luck

(The 2 strangers go on their way.)

Marcus

Give me some more.

(Marcus takes 4 more. And then lays back)

(Carley strokes his hair. 20 minutes pass)

Marcus

It is starting to work. In another 30 minutes, I will take more.

(Feeling much less pain, but still keeps his eyes closed.)

Marcus

Carley, I am so sorry. I am so sorry I put you through this. I should have told you.

Carley

It’s ok. It’s ok. What should you have told me.

Marcus

I get these migraines. But I have medication that keeps them under control. I haven’t had one for months. I was so excited about this trip that I forgot to bring the pills.

(Pause)

Marcus (cont)

You were an angel to me.

Carley

I am glad I was here to help you.

(Pause)

Carley (cont)

When you went down, I thought you were dying. I panicked. I did not know what to do. Then a calmness came over me and I felt a prompting to just hold you.

Marcus

Ah, that was just wonderful. And putting my head in your vice grip fingers really did the trick.

(pause)

Marcus

I am so sorry I put you through this.

Carley

No, it was good. I care for you with all my heart.

(she leans down and kisses him)

End of Scene

[Shelley darling]

Shelley Darlingl QE Cycle#6 Scene

LOGLINE: Carley divulges the mystery surrounding the Confederate soldier’s lost treasure. Moses, needing to deliver the cease and desist order, is caught in a riptide of emotions.

ESSENCE: Finally trusting Marcus, Carley is beside herself when betrayed.

In the parking lot of the Forest Inn, Carley, (34) dressed in teal blazer and pressed black linen skirt, and a luggage-filled car is getting out, when Marcus, (44) in his casual ‘cowboy’ attire of boots, Levis, and flannel shirt drives up and lets Pepper out of the back of his beat-up truck.

SCENE: EXT. CEMETERY PARKING LOT – DAY

MARCUS

Hey Babe – What’s up with the formal look?

Are you going somewhere? I thought we were heading over to the lake.

CARLEY

Sorry I didn’t let you know. I wanted to spend the day with you, but something came up, and I’ve got to go back to Boston to be with the family.

MARCUS

Wait, running away again?

What about your mission with the ghosts, dream girl?

CARLEY

(reaching for kiss)

I’ve to go, my dad’s insisting. Plans sometimes change, sweetie.

MARCUS

(grabs her into his arms)

Hey, yesterday we had a plan, and now you’re backing out on me?

I need an hour-you have to stay here with me.

CARLEY

Look, cowboy, you’re not my boss.

MARCUS

Sorry, guess I’m being a little overbearing.

Besides, you can’t leave our dog, Pepper, hanging. You two just met.

CARLEY

I only booked my room for the week.

MARCUS

You said you didn’t have a home anymore.

When are you coming back?

CARLEY

(laughing)

I don’t know.

Why? Do you think we have a future together?

MARCUS

You know you need to focus and get on with your investigations.

CARLEY

Investigations? Hmm…I never used that word.

MARCUS

(Catching himself)

Oh, yes, right. Error in your favor.

CARLEY

Hey, I’ve got something to show you,

I’ve discovered at the cemetery. Let’s walk over.

MARCUS

Hold on. I have got to grab something from the truck first.

CARLEY

What’s up?

MARCUS

(slyly grabs envelope from the dash)

Hold on.

CARLEY

(coyly)

Is that something for me?

MARCUS

(Stuffs envelope in his jacket)

Stop being so snoopy. C’mon here.

(Scoops her up-kisses her)

Marcus, with his arm around Carley, walks toward the Cemetery.

CARLEY

Do you know anything about the Confederate soldier, Robert Cheever?

MARCUS

Heard he was a wild romantic, came up here to sweep up one of those New England rich girls..

CARLEY

Funny-great storyteller you are.

Why would a Confederate soldier be buried in a Maine resort family cemetery?

MARCUS

(a bit nervous)

What are you getting at? That’s it!

You’re after the treasure, too?

CARLEY

No, it’s just that I met this aged, satiated drunk guy dressed in a tattered Confederate jacket and, well, he told me…

MARCUS

(Grumbles)

Stop… enough!

Your ongoing distractions are killing me.

CARLEY

Whoa, someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

Didn’t Pep bring you your coffee?

MARCUS

Cmon, truth. Why are you REALLY here?

Dreams. Now the treasure and water?

Let’s get to the point.

The word is that you have been digging up dirt surrounding the water corp?

CARLEY

Wait, a minute. I said nothing about the water.

What are you getting at?

MARCUS

Well, Why are you here, and tell me the truth where are you going off so fast?

CARLEY

something’s seriously off here, love.

I thought this time; you were someone I could trust.

Caught in a riptide of emotions of confusion and anger, Marcus jumps up on the Confederate Soldiers gravestone as the envelope with Cease and Desist drops out of his pocket. Carley stretches to pick up the envelope and opens it.

CARLEY

What the hell is this? I’m so pissed at myself for believing in you.

I should have known better.

MARCUS

It seems like you have been playing me too?

CARLEY

(Slams her foot down)

Me playing you?

You’re the delivery boy for a business you don’t even want to be a part of, and you’ve chosen that instead of us!

MARCUS

Oh, you who walk around distracted in rose-colored glasses.

I’ve been trying to protect you!

CARLEY

How is delivering a cease and desist protecting me?

I’m not your china doll.

MARCUS

Those fuckers. They pushed me into it.

CARLEY

That’s it. I’m out here, I’m done!

MARCUS

Go then. It’ll be written on your gravestone…she ran away.

Just like your dad.

CARLEY

(walking away at a fast pace-yelling)

Fuck you! Maybe in the past I did.

At least I’m not running away from myself anymore.

MARCUS

Carley, I’m sorry-really I am.

I…I…

CARLEY

Love me? Is that what you wanted to say?

Or is this another one of your self-created stories that sex is better after a fight?

Carley rips and throws the Cease and Desist on the ground.

MARCUS

I know I haven’t been trustworthy-I’ll make it up to you.

and. sex sounds like a great idea.

Marcus picks up Carley and lays her on the Confederate soldier’s gravestone, passionately lifting her skirt, noting she has no underwear on.

CARLEY

mmm..

Marcus-Marcus did you hear that? The rustling in the bushes?

MARCUS

Stay focused on the feeling babe…this is how you like it isn’t it?

Tell me how you like it…

Shocking Marcus, Nancy his past swinging partner, and Pete, his nemesis at the corporation, jump out of the bushes.

NANCY

Markie-I had no idea you were so creative!

Imagine that, using the cemetery for our swinging date.

PETE

(smirking)

You had one job to do- (bending over hilariously laughing)

yup, caught red handed-a true sucker.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 1 month ago by  Shelley darling.

[Audrey Gomes]

LESSON 26

Audrey Gomes

LOGLINE: Two lawyers fight over the plaintiff’s claim that she was kidnapped and the defendant’s claim it was consensual.

ESSENCE: The argument gets personal.

INT. FEDERAL COURT – DAY

Court already is session… An OLD LADY, the exact picture of what miserable looks like at age 90, on the stand…

OLD LADY

(scowls)

I thought he was running a whore house. Cheap ‘broads’ coming and going…

PLAINTIFF (Miss Wilder), voluptuous everything, jumps to her feet, eyes peeled in DEFENDANT’S direction.

PLAINTIFF

(Yells at Defendant)

I’m not that! You can’t take what you want then to dispose of me like a snotty tissue…

JUDGE, STRIKES the gavel.

Wilder tries bolting toward him. Her attorney, CARLEY SOBERMAN, holding her back…

JUDGE, STRIKES the gavel again.

JUDGE

Miss Wilder!…

PLAINTIFF

I’m not some cheap whore you bought in clearance at Walmart!

Courtroom erupts in laughter.

JUDGE, STRIKING the Gavel repeatedly.

JUDGE

Order in the court!… Order in the court…

Wildly striking the gavel…

JUDGE

Sit down Miss Wilder!

(to Carley)

Counselor, control your client. Another outburst… I’ll hold you in contempt!

Carley Pushes Miss Wilder back in her seat.

DEFENDANT, JOE JOHN, 40-ish, beautiful smile, great teeth, good skin and very handsome, clad in Paisley shirt with Big Gold Chains hanging from his neck, looks totally out of place. MARCUS WELLS is the defense lawyer.

CARLEY

(to Old Lady)

What kind of activity did you witness?

Marcus jumps to his feet…

MARCUS

I object! Seeing people come and go doesn’t say anything about my client’s character.

JUDGE

Overruled! An eyewitness is relevant.

(to Old Lady)

You may answer the question.

Marcus sits.

OLD LADY

(scowls)

People with purple hair. Hairy-chest men. One wears two different shoes. Another has no shoes. I’ve seen a grown man with a ring in his nipple!

MARCUS

I object! This is an attempt to smear my client’s reputation…

CARLEY

(to Marcus)

Joe John is attracted to a collection of oddities! The company he keeps could be revealing his mental state.

Marcus jumps to his feet…

MARCUS

Your honor, my client’s state of mind isn’t in question.

Judge Strikes the gavel, looking totally disgusted.

JUDGE

Let’s adjourn till 9 am tomorrow.

(to Marcus/Carley)

In my chambers.

INT. JUDGE’S CHAMBERS – MOMENTS LATER

Judge, totally aggravated… Arms folded, she’s in control…

JUDGE

You realize this is a kidnapping case carrying a sentence of 5-8 years.

(sneering)

Are you two dating?

CARLEY/MARCUS

(overlapping)

Absolutely not!… No! Not at all!

JUDGE

Then, why are you like bad children in a candy store?

CARLEY

My client alleges being held against her will for two weeks.

MARCUS

(snaps back)

My client says it was a love fest.

JUDGE

Enough already!

(To Carley)

You make your case.

(to Marcus)

And you make yours. Or settle this before either of you makes a case.

INT. CONFERENCE ROOM – LATER

Carley and Marcus stare down each other across the conference table.

CARLEY

Does your client have a witness who’d corroborate a love fest?

MARCUS

Do you have a witness spying on you while you’re having wild sex? Oh, that’s right! You don’t know what that is!

CARLEY

Excuse me?

MARCUS

Still seeing that married man? You know, the once-a-week Wee-wee visitor?

CARLEY

(hurt)

I confided in you! You don’t get to ask that!

MARCUS

NOW, you’re evasive? I used to get a blow-by-blow account.

She starts gathering her papers. Visibly upset.

MARCUS

(Clearly sorry)

Carley, that was pretty low. I’m sorry… I apologize! Really–

CARLEY

You can be such —

MARCUS

— a dick! I know–

CARLEY

— A shell of a man without an ethical compass.

He raises an eyebrow… Not what he expected.

MARCUS

Okay! I call for a truce.

(softens)

I’m using my imagination here! I can see at a swanky restaurant, having a nice dinner. A drink. Over candlelight. We’ll work it out.

CARLEY

(a beat)

I’d rather die of starvation. Can we discuss settling the case?

MARCUS

My client is innocent.

CARLEY

A defense attorney’s mantra!

MARCUS

Carley, I could set you up to lose.

BEAT as Marcus has got Carley’s attention.

MARCUS

Off the record?

Carley says nothing.

MARCUS

Your client fell in love with my client. She discovered Joe John’s lovefest is habitual. Two weeks of hot baths, lovemaking, then, sex and cooking naked, scrumptious meals, and more sex. All consensual. No one was forced. You won’t win.

Carley takes a moment for it all to sink in.

CARLEY

Thank you, counselor! Duly noted. But I’ll take my chances.

MARCUS

Okay! This is also off the record.

(beat)

I… really… love you.

CARLEY

What?! We were best friends. I know you. That’s the line you use when you wanna to get laid.

She gets up. Gathers her file, stuffing papers in a folder.

MARCUS

It doesn’t have to be tonight!

CARLEY

Okay! You know what? You sycophantic worm, you’re like bird food pellets to me.

Marcus tries to get close. She throws a right hook to his left nostril. Doubles over in pain.

MARCUS

Ow! But I love you!

Carley pushes him out of the way. Exits. Slamming the door.

LONG PAUSE as Marcus gathers his files, nursing his nose. Carley enters. And her look is sobering…

CARLEY

What are we doing? We’re… like playing a game of checkers when it should be chess dealing with people’s lives. And we’re getting our crap all mixed up in it.

LONG PAUSE as Marcus digests the comment.

MARCUS

You’re right!

CARLEY

Let’s forget about my once-a-week Wee-wee visits, and you —

MARCUS

— stop being a dick.

They move in close for a gentle, tender kiss. A lingering hug. They share a look.

CARLEY

Let’s talk about settling the case.

MARCUS

Ah… my client is innocent!

Carley gently pushes him away.

CARLEY

See you in court tomorrow.

MARCUS

Do I have to wait that long?

Carley, rolling her eyes, exits. Slamming the door.