Lesson 5

[Diane Keranen]

INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY – DAY

TRENT (18), football quarterback and school champion, struts down the middle of the hallway in his letter jacket. The unpopular students clear the way. They know who they are. A wannabe high-school strongman tags along in his wake.

The kids are excited to get out of school. The chatter is all about getting rides to the bonfire party and how late they can stay out.

TRENT
There she is Robert. Do it.

ROBERT (17), buzz-cut hair, a head shorter than Trent, and a good 50 pounds overweight, looks to see the head cheerleader walking their way.

ROBERT
I figured you would. Bein’ you’re the hero of the night and all.

TRENT
Have I ever steered you wrong, my friend?

The look on Robert’s face suggests he has.

ROBERT
But look at her. Look at me. Sure, I’m a ton of fun, but she’s … she’s stylish and pretty. I couldn’t be those things if I tried.

TRENT
Fine. Leave it to me.

Trent and the cheerleader come face to face and stop to chat. Robert and the third wannabe continue on but stop and turn to watch just out of hearing distance.

Trent whispers to the girl. She looks at Robert and smiles. But is it at Robert or at what Trent is saying to her? Can’t tell.

Trent and the girl continue on in their original directions.

Trent closes in on Robert and whispers to him.

TRENT
Okay. I warmed her up for you. No one has asked her to the bonfire yet. I think she actually likes you.

ROBERT
Everyone likes the fat kid. Until he asks you out. No way.

TRENT
Look, she almost came out and said as much. C’mon, just stand up straight. Shoulders back. Walk like you mean it. And tuck in for Christ-sake.

Trent straightens Robert’s shirt and motions for him to tuck it in.

TRENT
Go. Impress me. You want in on the popular team, you gotta perform. I can’t hang out with a loser. Go get her.

Robert, now a bit tidied up. Takes a tentative step to follow the cheerleader who has stopped to chat with a fellow cheerer.

Trent urges him on as he himself takes cover behind a group of students at their lockers so he can watch the disaster unfold.

Robert stands back a few steps from the cheerleader until her friends walk off. Then he makes his move.

Trent watches as Robert approaches the girl. Robert talks to her and, to Trent’s surprise, she listens. He watches the conversation which goes back and forth for far longer than he expected.

The girl puts her hand on Robert’s arm and, by God! She nods and they share a laugh as she walks away.

ROBERT
Seven-thirty!

She turns and nods and motions with her phone. She actually added him to her schedule!

Trent abruptly walks toward Robert and bumps the student group he was hiding behind.

He approaches Robert.

TRENT

A word.

He motions down the emptying hallway. Robert follows Trent into an empty classroom.

INT. CLASSROOM – DAY

Robert closes the door. He turns to Trent and OOOF! Robert is gut punched and doubles over.

Robert can’t catch his breath. He wheezes the tormented groans of his diaphragm shocked to paralysis. Robert can only mouth “What the fuck!”

TRENT
What did you say to her?

He shoves Robert into a desk. Robert reaches to get hold onto something to say on his feet. Trent shoves Robert’s backside with a foot and sends him grappling for balance and some sort of hand hold.

TRENT
She was supposed to shut you down. Laugh at your ass. Do not tell me she’s going with you!

Robert wheezes out a reply.

ROBERT
I told you everyone likes the fat kid.

TRENT
“Until you ask them out.” That’s what you said. That’s what you said!

Robert, finally getting his diaphragm working properly again, smiles.

ROBERT
I didn’t ask her out. I implied that the cousin she saw you with this morning was your new love interest. I then offered her a ride to and from the party. Her and her friends. In my dad’s new Mercedes.

TRENT
A new love int…

He catches himself.

TRENT
Your dad has a new Mercedes?

ROBERT
No, but, like you, she doesn’t know that.

Robert smiles. I still got a date with the lead cheerleader. Me. The fat kid. I told you everyone likes the fat kid.

ROBERT
So, it really doesn’t matter. It still looks like I asked her out and she agreed. I already got my uncle to agree to give us a ride in his limo. She’ll not care it’s not a Mercedes.

TRENT
You son-of-a-bitch.

Trent punches Robert in the jaw. It’s lights out for Robert. On his way out of the room, Trent rages.

TRENT
She was supposed to go with me! I’m the hero of the night!