Lesson. 7

[Jeanne Sanner]

Jeanne Sanner’s Beat Sheet and High-Speed Writing

What I learned from this lesson is: I have learned that I am not very good at High-Speed Writing. I do commit to keep trying. I visualize each scene, so I put the slug in first in each case. Wrong procedure, but since I know where and when, I just start with that. I also had to go back and take out things that were not necessary for this lesson. I will get better at that as I go along. I found myself adding scenes, and I like what I added. In some cases, I have added more than what is called for, but I want to be sure to remember those ideas.

EXT. PARK – MID-MORNING

OPENING: ANDREA and LAURA are jogging. Andrea notices OC (Odd Character) on bench. Laura does not notice. They leave to get things done before Andrea’s birthday dinner tonight which includes Justin, Laura, and Darin.

INT. RESTAURANT – NIGHT

TE 1: Dinner goes well. During dessert, Andrea gets angry about her. Others share their forgiveness issues; Andrea reveals her father sexually abused her and puts their “little, petty” issues down and leaves. Darin starts to follow; Justin stops him.

INT. ANDREA’S BEDROOM – CONTINUED

TE: Andrea is in bed with headphones. Laura tries to talk to her. Andrea dismisses her.

INT. CAR – DAY – WEEK LATER

TE: Andrea and Justin head to the beach. Andrea gets a text from her father, and she goes off again. Justin reaches his limit. They argue.

INT. HOTEL ROOM – MORNING

TE: Justin is packing. Andrea is confused. Justin has decided the relationship is over.

INT. CAR – SAME MORNING

TE: Justin explains why he fell in love with her, and why it has gone downhill. No argument. She says why she fell in love with him and asks if there is anything she can do to fix this situation. He says she has to genuinely forgive her father. She tries other ways – what if I just stop talking about him, etc. He says there is only one solution. She agrees to try, but still believes it is impossible.

INT. ANDREA AND LAURA’S KITCHEN – NOON

TE: Andrea now sees Justin as being very manipulative. Explains to Laura that she will find a way to convince Justin that she has forgiven her father. Laura questions whether it is good to deceive Justin. Andrea justifies her position.

INT. ANDREA’S BEDROOM – NIGHT

TE: Andrea writes an email to her father, saying she is sorry, and that she would like to talk things out. She calls Justin and reads the letter to him. Justin congratulates Andrea. Andrea deletes the email. Laura sees what she did.

EXT. MOVIE THEATER – EVENING

TE: Andrea tells details about how well a phone call with her father. Justin and Darin are celebrating. Laura stays quiet.

INT. JUSTIN’S BEDROOM – NIGHT

Justin keeps applauding Andrea for her progress and pressing to find out how she feels now. She starts getting irritated. Tries to change the subject. Ultimately goes home.

INT. ANDREA AND LAURA’S LIVINGROOM

TE: Laura is up late watching TV when Andrea comes home. Laura suggests that she meet the person Darin said helped him forgive Brad. She agrees.

EXT. PARK – MONDAY AFTERNOON

TE: Darin introduces Andrea and Laura to Odd Character (OC). Andrea already knows a little. They go through OCs routine. Andrea finds it ridiculous. Laura finds it fun. Darin knows it works.

EXT. PARK – TUESDAY MORNING

TE: Andrea is jogging through the park alone. Comes to a stop realizing she may run into OC but decides to keep going. OC is not there after all. She ultimately stops again and calls Justin. She suggests pizza and beer at his place. Justin agrees.

INT. JUSTIN’S LIVINGROOM – NIGHT

TE: Andrea comes clean about lying to Justin. Justin becomes furious. He asks her to leave and don’t expect to ever get back together again. She leaves.

EXT. MOTHER’S GRAVE SITE – MORNING

TE: Andrea tells her mother everything. Darin comes up behind her and tells her what her mother would say. Laura had told Darin what happened. He arrived just as Andrea was pulling away and followed her. Andrea still confesses she can’t believe it is possible, but she will try again. Darin reveals something OC said in an attempt to encourage her.

INT. SHIP – MORNING – ONE WEEK LATER

TE: Andrea is getting ready to ship out again in a month. She finds out Justin has transferred to a different cruise ship. Andrea had hoped that cruising together might bring him back, but that dream is now lost.

EXT. PARK – MORNING – NEXT DAY – WEDNESDAY

TE: Andrea and Laura are jogging. Laura tells Andrea that OC is not there today. Laura reveals she has been going to OC to learn how to forgive her mother, and that all is well with their relationship now. Andrea is shocked. (Does he talk? Yes, but you have to earn his trust first.)

MONTAGE

TE: Andrea decides to find a way to forgive her father but is still not sold on OC. She meets with a counselor, prays with a minister, meditates with a guru, gets high with a mystic, etc. Walks away from each situation with no satisfaction.

EXT. GYM – AFTERNOON

TE: Laura grills Andrea about what happened with each of the experiences she had. Andrea explains in a sentence or two what happened. Laura reminds her of OC.

EXT. OC’S PARK BENCH – MORNING

TE: OC hands Andrea a card. (she laughs) She sets a permanent appointment for Monday and Thursday for the next two weeks (when her ship sails)

EXT. OC’S PARK BENCH – MORNING

TE: PLACEHOLDER for meetings with OC. They have a real conversation before Andrea sails. She returns in three months since she is scheduled for several cruises leaving from different ports. OC clarifies what she heard from the psychologist, minister, guru, and mystic.

MONTAGE

TE: Andrea keeps a journal, prays in the chapel, and does other tasks OC assigned. The montage demonstrates Andrea’s true caring, friendly, and professional personality. There is one moment when she is inappropriately touched by a male passenger. She reacts in the old way; then applies a new away. She is laughing again.

INT. ANDREA’S CABIN BALCONY – SUNSET

TE: Andrea is relaxing on the deck of her balcony. Laura and Darin call. OC wants an update. Andrea now wants ready to call her dad and begin the process. Laura reveals she is dating OC. Darin is heartbroken. Darin reveals Justin is dating someone.

INT. RESTAURANT – NIGHT

TE: Andrea, Darin, OC, and Laura celebrate her brief homecoming. Andrea announces she called her dad last night, had an awkward but nice chat, and she invited him out to dinner. She wants them to come, too. They are reluctant, especially since they know what he did, but Andrea shares where she is now and where she hopes to be soon. They all agree to go to dinner.

EXT. OC’S PARK BENCH – MORNING

TE: Andrea gets OC’s advice about how to handle the dinner with dad.

INT. CHINESE RESTAURANT – NIGHT

TE: Everyone is introduced. Talk about chopsticks. Dad is the only one proficient. Andrea follows OC’s advice, and the evening goes well.

INT. ANDREA’S AND LAURA’S LIVINGROOM – CONTINUED

TE: Laura is genuinely happy for Andrea. Doorbell rings. Laura answers. It’s Justin. Laura goes to OC’s. Justin has been betrayed by his new girlfriend. Andrea understands, and indicates she knows someone who can help him forgive her, and once he does, she will welcome him back.

[Margaret]

Margaret’s Beat Sheet

What I learned doing this assignment: Thinking about the TE’s and structure helped me see gaps in the story.

Masada Moments – Beat Sheet

Act 1 – pages 1-25, set up and see the Old Ways

1. EXT. WHITTIER – DEPARTMENT STORE – DAY

Opening: An earthquake in Whittier, CA. Jabe runs from a building as its facing crumbles. He hops over fallen bricks, trying to get away from the building. He struggles to keep his footing, jumps aside as a car veers towards him. He stumbles. A crack in the road widens, comes towards him.

2. EXT. OTHER WORLD – BEACH – DAY

Inciting Incident: Wakes up in another world, runs with a horde of lizards, chased by snakes. Saves a lizard from a snake. (Chase/Pursuit)

3. EXT. ROCKY BLUFF – DAY

Alo (Counselor of the Dorek) meets Jabe, introduces him to several Dorek, all who are trim, petite in size versus Jabe’s tall, overweight appearance. Notes the iridescent aura surrounding Alo. Jabe tries to brush off his own purple aura, jokes about looking like Barney. His aura turns yellow. Alo tells him not to be afraid, but he denies his fear with a joke.

4. EXT. TOWN SIDEWALK – DAY

Jabe asks the way “home” and realizes he does not know where he is. Alo invites Jabe to his home in the Dorek sector. States he will have to choose between the Hedeon and the Dorek. “Thinking you can remain undecided is an illusion of the mind. Not choosing is to be. No choice is a choice.”

5. INTERIOR – ALO’S HOME – DAY

Imara, a woman with a purple aura, serves dinner. Jabe asks why she is “purple” and not like the others (Everyone else in the room has a pearly iridescent aura). She answers, “We are all born that way. I have not seen the Orb.” Jabe jokes about “seeing things” and “is this another no choice is a choice moment?”

Motivation: Jabe sees the conflict between the Hedeon and Dorek. If he can keep the peace, it ensures his survival.

6. EXT. HEDEON SECTOR – PLAZA – DAY

Armann tells the Hedeon men to start fights with the Dorek, purposely kill them to intimidate them. All the men have the purple aura. As Armann speaks, his aura turns red.

7. EXT. TOWN – DAY

In town, Jabe watches as Armann (red aura) picks on an innocent Dorek man, kills him in what appears falsely to be a justified attack. Jabe’s aura turns yellow, he freezes, does nothing to help.

8. EXT. TOWN – SAME – DAY

Armann moves down the street and taunts other Dorek who run in fear.

9. EXT. OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN – DAY

TE#1 On his way back to Alo, Jabe finds a Hedeon fighting a Dorek. The man’s aura turns dark red

as he strikes the Dorek. Jabe stops, towers over the Hedeon man, says, “Can’t we all get along?”

The man is much smaller than Jabe and decides not to fight this giant of a man. Jabe picks up the

wounded man, takes him to Alo.

10. EXT. OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN – DAY

A Hedeon man sees Jabe carrying the man, warns him to leave the Dorek and join the Hedeon. He seems to be a kind man, but his aura turns yellow when he speaks of Armann’s power.

11. EXT. ALO’S HOME – DAY

Imara’s aura is red as she talks with Jabe. She spews her hatred of the Hedeon. Jabe tries to help her move on, and Imara turns purple as she states she trusts the Dorek and Taaba.

12. INT. ALO’S HOME – DAY

A glowing ball of light (Orb) floats towards her. She reaches out, pulls it to her chest, her aura changes to a nacreous glow. Jabe learns that once you touch the Orb and pull it towards you, your aura changes to nacreous and you will never be purple again.

Turning point:

13. INT. ARMANN’S HOME – DAY

TE #2 Armann sends a letter to Alo stating all purple must be returned to the Hedeon tribe or else they will be sought out and killed.

14. INT. ALO’S HOME – DAY

Time is up. Alo receives Armann’s letter and gives Jabe the choice to stay with the Dorek or leave and join the Hedeon. Jabe wants to try and work it out with Armann. Jabe turns red as Alo accuses him of not being able to move from the status quo, to better himself, to make a decision.

Act 2 – pages 25- 45 Challenge the Old Ways

New Plan:

15. EXT. HEDEON SECTOR – DAY

Jabe leaves the Dorek to meet with the Hedeon (a tribe with a purple aura). Since he is of purple aura himself, he is accepted and attempts to negotiate. Jabe arranges to meet with Armann.

Plan in Action:

16. EXT. ARMANN’S HOME – PATIO – DAY

Jabe meets Armann and is introduced to his son Grigo (Imara’s 9 yr old son). Grigo sees that Jabe is purple and asks if he knows of Imara and if she is still purple. Jabe jokingly says she is his “little sister” and says “not anymore.” This angers Armann who turns green while Jabe talks. Armann tells Grigo her aura doesn’t matter, Grigo will never see her. Armann sends Grigo from the room.

17. INT. ARMANN’S HOME – DAY Armann gives Jabe a choice – stay with the Hedeon as Armann’s body guard or be killed as an example to the Dorek and puts Jabe in a guarded room to think about it.

18. INT. ARMANN’S HOME – BEDROOM – DAY

TE #3 Jabe escapes through a window (barely fits and jokes about his morning donuts), making himself Armann’s enemy. (Obstacle)

Midpoint

Turning point:

19. INT. TEMPLE – DAY

TE #4 Alo speaks to the Dorek in the temple of “Taaba” and his expectations of the Dorek. Jabe is taken by the peaceful way of Taaba and so when the Orb floats towards him, he accepts the Orb and loses his purple aura.

20. EXT. TOWN – DAY

TE #4 Jabe learns from the Orb and stands up to the Hedeon in the street.

21. INT. ARMANN’S HOME – DAY

When Armann realizes the Dorek has “turned” Jabe, he burns the temple and vows to kill all of the Dorek so that none of the Hedeon will come under the influence of the Orb.

Act 3 – pages 45-65 With the Midpoint change, the Old Ways are dropping off and profound moments give us the New Ways

Rethink plan:

22. ALO’S HOME – DAY

TE #6 After discussing the situation with Imara, Jabe comes up with an idea and influences Alo to leave the city and take the Dorek to Masada.

New Plan:

23. EXT. MASADA – DAY

The Dorek settle into Masada

24. EXT. HEDEON SECTOR – DAY

Armann stirs up his tribe, they plan the attack on Masada.

Turning pt/huge failure:

25. EXT. FOOTHILLS MASADA – DAY

The Hedeon attempt to enter Masada but the few Dorek hold them at bay.

26. EXT. FOOTHILLS – HEDEON CAMP – DAY

Armann tells the Hedeon they must build a ramp and take the fortress.

27. EXT. MASADA FORTRESS – DAY

The Hedeon build the ramp as the Dorek fight from the walls.

28. EXT. MASADA FORTRESS – MORNING

TE #7 The Hedeon are close to breaching the walls.(Escalation)

29. INT. MASADA MEETING PLACE – Day

The Dorek form a suicide plan and want Jabe to assist them (Overwhelming Odds). Jabe: “Die or Die? I’ll take my mind’s illusion” States he will fight the Hedeon, with or without the Dorek.

Act 4 – pages 65-90 Test the change in this character! Prove New Ways!

Climax:

30. EXT. MASADA – DAY

TE #8 Jabe realizes the Dorek must survive to save future generations from remaining “purple”. He plans with Imara to escape so she can find and help Grigo and the other children, at the cost of his own life. (new Plan)

31. INT. MASADA HOMES – DAY

Montage. The Dorek take their own lives, Jabe hides Imara.

32. EXT. MASADA – DAY

Jabe helps fend off the Hedeon while Imara escapes.

Resolution:

33. EXT. MASADA – DAY

Jabe falls off mountain fighting with Armann, (Full out attack). They fall together.

34. EXT. WHITTIER – STREET

TE #9 Jabe lands back in his own world. Sees the same auras (purple) as the world he left. Realizes he cannot stay neutral in this fight. He must help those with a purple aura find a better way.

[Timothy Barley]

Tim Barley’s High Speed Beat Sheet

What I learned from doing this assignment is that I had already partially done this, but now it’s real and I have to add more flesh to the bones, so to speak!

ACT 1

INT. MARTIN’S HOUSE – DAY

Martin is working while also getting himself ready for the Oscars. Lucifer shows up at his door, dressed as the limo driver. “Let’s talk”

Lucifer discusses what Martin has done with their deal since it was struck. “But, you lied about lying about how you got to where you are.” (none of what has been written about Martin actually happened). Still, if he wins, then Lucifer gets his soul.

INT. TRAVELING LIMO – DAY

They stop to pick up Martin’s +1 – his longtime assistant, bulwark against his shenanigans, and brilliant writer in her own right, Marnie. Lucifer playfully attempts to make a deal with her, but she’s smarter.

INT. OSCAR AWARDS – NIGHT

Lucifer ditches the car and joins them inside (of course he has an invite – someone else’s that he got with a deal that day).

Martin wins his Oscar for Best Picture. He’s not as happy as everyone thinks he should be, of course.

INT. OSCARS AFTER PARTY #1 – NIGHT

Martin strikes a new deal. Makes a deal for that night: let’s do all the things I’ve every pretended to do and we’ll see if we can survive. But, Lucifer must give up his abilities. Lucifer accepts.

ACT 2

INT. OSCARS AFTER PARTY #1 BATHROOM – NIGHT

Martin is confronted by another producer with a score to settle, accusing him of stealing the award.

Lucifer is confronted by Azazel, in the form of an alluring young actress, who tells him that he needs to stay on task or things “must change in Hell.”

Martin comes back as Azazel leaves. They agree it’s time to get on with the bet. Shots are taken…

INT. OSCARS AFTER PARTY #2 – NIGHT

Outdoor party, dancing, drinking, confronted by a young actress (old flame) who wants a break. Lucifer could offer a deal, but he doesn’t. Can he, without his powers?

Azazel offers her a tissue when Martin tells her there is nothing he can do, even though there are on good terms.

They go in search of drugs and more parties.

<u style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>ACT 3

INT. DTLA ELECTRONIC DANCE CLUB – NIGHT

Both are partying hard and dancing, doing drugs in a corner booth with many women. One sparks Lucifer’s interest. Jealous guys show up. A wild fight ensues.

EXT. DTLA – NIGHT

Lucifer, Martin and woman run out of the club. She takes them to her place. Turns out, she is a servant of Azazel and takes them prisoner.

They escape and find themselves in more trouble when they end up in a very bad part of town. Lucifer is shot and is bleeding when Azazel shows up and takes Martin’s soul.

ACT 4

EXT. COFFEE SHOP – NIGHT

Martin doesn’t understand why he has no soul. Lucifer reveals that he isn’t in trouble, “I’d never give up my immortality. It’s too dangerous up here.”

They come up with a way to get Martin’s soul back.

EXT. BEACH – DAWN

Lucifer tells Martin how Hell actually came to be and how he came to rule it.

Azazel shows up and makes a deal with Lucifer to get Martin’s soul back.

Lucifer pretends to go back to Hell, pushes Azazel in and closes the door. He wants to stay and be a producing partner. Or writer. Or actor. Maybe there is just a little vanity still there.

First, he has to go back to Hell and check on something. The door is locked. Azazel tricked HIM!

END

[Ed Preston]

Ed’s High Speed Beat Sheet

What I learned from this assignment is that it takes a lot of time to write fast, mainly because I started from a level closer to a treatment than from a concept. Not the best approach in retrospect. Also I had a buttload of unexpected and unrelated work to do, and oral surgery to boot! But maybe, just maybe, this is what it’s like —occasionally— for a professional writer, so why not accept it?

ACT 1

INT. DINER, VERY SMALL TOWN IN RURAL NEVADA – DAY

Six men, their appearance suggests they’re from a variety of backgrounds, are at a round table having breakfast. Their discussion reveals that each has a different assignment. One of them, dressed for motorcycle touring, says he’s headed to Massachusetts for a college graduation.

INT. SMALL APARTMENT IN MANCHESTER, MA – DAY

Two roommates, Dave and Glen, are talking. Dave is graduating today, and about to leave. Glen holds up 3 letters that were delivered while Dave was getting ready, and says that one of them smells nice. Dave says he knows who it’s from, and he’ll open them when he gets back, and dashes out the door. Glen feels a round object in the envelope and looks concerned.

EXT. OUTDOOR GRASSY AREA, SUMMIT COLLEGE, WENHAM, MA, CHAIRS AND PLATFORM SET UP FOR COMMENCEMENT – DAY

While preparing for their procession, Dave and some of his friends discuss their plans. Dave, a life- long ‘planner’, tells them he’s not only getting married to his High School sweetheart, but he’s been offered a job, with equity, at the social networking company, MegaFace, that’s been in the news lately for their spectacular growth. They all express admiration and envy, but when he leaves, one of them calls him an ass and the others nod in agreement.

The commencement speaker, a famous lawyer, tells the graduates he wishes them not only success, but enough adversity, hardship, setbacks, and unfairness to develop compassion and a sense of justice.

INT. BACK AT DAVE’S APARTMENT – FOUR HOURS LATER

Glen is gone. Dave picks up the three envelopes. He opens the first, from Tall Pines College in Northern California, offering him a full graduate scholarship. He tosses it aside. The second is from MegaFace, ‘regretfully’ withdrawing their offer of employment. He’s shocked. He opens the third, from his fiance, basically saying that the wedding is off and she’s gotten engaged to Dave’s oldest friend, the son of a man who owns six large automobile dealerships. He turns the envelope over and an engagement ring falls out, hitting the counter with a thud. He’s gone from shocked to devastated.

EXT. DAVE’S APARTMENT – SAME TIME

Dave comes storming out, snatches the ‘For Sale’ sign off the Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle on the lawn, starts the engine and roars off like a rocket.

EXT. ROUTE 128, MANCHESTER, MA, NORTHBOUND – MINUTES LATER

Dave races down the highway at insane speeds, weaving in and out of traffic, then swerves around a minivan that won’t get out of the way fast enough, only to find himself heading straight for the back of a slow-moving truck that just lumbered onto the highway from a utility vehicle turnaround. In a split second, another figure on a motorcycle, Sam, races past and snatches Dave off his bike just before it hits the truck and explodes in flames.

Immediately after, Dave and Sam are sitting at the side of the road, joined by the family in the minivan, and the driver of the truck. Everyone has a different account of what they saw, the children’s stories are most accurate, but the adults dismiss them as fanciful because they’re clearly ‘impossible’. In a moment when others are occupied, Sam leans in and tells Dave he’s his guardian angel, for a while, anyway. He promises to catch up with him later, but leaves just as the police arrive..

INT. BACK AT DAVE’S APARTMENT – FORTY MINUTES LATER

Glen has returned. He looks out the window as Dave is dropped off by a police car. Dave enters and tells Glen everything that happened. Glen holds up the previously discarded letter from Tall Pines College and says maybe Dave should reconsider. Dave flops on the couch, exhausted.

INT. JOE’S PAWN SHOP, GLOUCESTER, MA – NEXT DAY, AFTERNOON

Dave puts the engagement ring on the counter, along with his expensive motorcycle helmet. Joe, a retired cop with perceptive people skills, chats with Dave and examines the ring. He’s heard about Dave’s close call and takes him out back where he pulls the cover off a beautiful, fully-restored ‘73 Moto Guzzi (rhymes with Gucci) Eldorado touring motorcycle. A genuine classic.

ACT 2

EXT. SOMEWHERE IN WESTERN MA ROUTE 2, MID-DAY, 3 DAYS LATER., SUNNY & CLEAR.

Dave is riding the Eldorado, now loaded for a trip. A triumphant break-up song, similar to the Eagles’ “Already Gone” is playing. As the song concludes, he pulls into a diner for lunch.

INT. ROADSIDE DINER, NOON, SAME DAY.

Dave sits at a booth looking at a menu. Sam comes in. Dave recognizes him from the other day. They have a conversation where Sam reveals more about his mission. From then on he accompanies Dave on his journey.

INT. BIKER BAR/ROADHOUSE SOMEWHERE IN WESTERN PA, SAME DAY, EARLY EVENING

Sam and Dave are having dinner. Dave asks about Sam’s appearance. Sam says he can look many different ways and demonstrates, switching from Mr. America, to a soldier, to a famous movie star, etc, but says he prefers the way he looks now. They finish their dinner, Dave leaves to use the men’s room, Sam leaves a tip and takes the check to the cashier. Dave returns from the men’s room and sees a gorgeous, buxom biker chick in Sam’s seat. He assumes it’s Sam again, showing off. Dave sits, gives her a slow once-over and expresses his admiration. A hand on his shoulder distracts him. It’s Sam. He tells Dave it’s time to go, and also apologizes to the woman’s bad-ass biker boyfriend who just appeared and looks ready to punch Dave out. Sam and Dave leave quickly.

EXT. EATON BAPTIST CHURCH, EATON OH, SUNDAY AFTERNOON, SUNNY

At the softball game, Sam is encouraged to participate. In the bottom of the last inning, they’re behind, 6-5, two men on base, with Sam at bat. He hits a line drive straight into the glove of the

clumsiest guy on the opposing team, ending the game. As the ball field clears out, Dave tells Sam he thought he could hit better than that, Sam picks up a bat and ball and points to the Al’s Root Beer sign atop the outfield wall and tells him to pick an ‘o’. Dave picks the first one and Sam tosses the ball in the air, swings, and drives the ball clean through the center of the ‘o’. Dave says “you can do that, but you couldn’t hit over the head of the second baseman?” Sam explains that the man who caught the ball looked like he was having a serious self-confidence crisis and afraid he’d disappoint his wife and kids yet again. But now he was the hero of the game, and why couldn’t Dave be happy for him and his family, and besides, isn’t the point of church sports to have fun? Dave says “You did that intentionally?” “Yup, seemed like a good idea at the time. Still does.” Dave reluctantly agrees.

Dave wants to see Sam do it again, through the other ‘o’. Sam obliges. The ball sails through, just like the first time, then they hear a loud ‘crack’. They go to the parking lot and discover that the ball hit the windshield of an old car, and the owner is giving a “I don’t need another thing to fix on this old junker” speech. Just then a guy comes up to the owner and asks if the car’s for sale and offers him $3,000 for it because the body is so good. Dave looks at Sam and asks if this was his doing. Sam shrugs.

EXT. GAS STATION/CONVENIENCE STORE, RURAL KANSAS, 3 DAYS LATER, AFTERNOON, SUNNY AND WINDY

Crossing Kansas, they stop at a small gas station outside a small city. After getting gas they go in for refreshments. There’s a Weather Channel report of an incredibly fast developing tornado just outside the city they’re near, centered on their location. The sky darkens ominously and it looks like a funnel cloud will form and drop down exactly where they are. The other occupants of the gas station begin to panic, but Sam tells everyone to stay put and they’ll be all right. The funnel cloud passes over, and indeed somehow never touches the gas station, which almost seems to be in a bubble. Everyone is of course relieved and kind of amazed. As they watch, the funnel cloud moves directly towards the city. Dave asks Sam why he doesn’t do anything about it. Sam answers that his mission is to protect him, wherever he happens to be, and he can’t just go around doing whatever he wants. Dave, angry, gets on his motorcycle and heads straight towards the funnel cloud. Sam shrugs, closes his eyes, folds his hands, and as Dave nears the funnel cloud, it evaporates in less than a minute, as though it was never there. Dave returns and Sam says, “Well played”.

INT. STUCKEYS, WEST OF LAS VEGAS, LATE AFTERNOON, CLEAR

On a remote road west of Vegas they stop at a Stuckey’s for gas and coffee. On the way to the register they poke through the gift shop. Dave notices Sam glaring at a display of sappy angel figurines, and quips “Pity they don’t have any wearing little biker outfits.” Sam shakes his head, grabs a few postcards and heads for the register. A tiny TV showing Wheel of Fortune is interrupted with breaking news of the CEO of MegaFace being arrested for fraud and embezzlement.

EXT. DARK DESERT HIGHWAY, 11PM, NIGHT, CLEAR

An old pickup truck a mile ahead of Dave and Sam hits a pothole and a roofing nail bounces out. Dave picks up the nail in his tire, which blows and nearly throws him off the bike, though he is able to

come to a stop still upright. They decide to camp under the stars and deal with the problem the next day. While Dave is sleeping, another angel (or two) visits Sam and they have a conversation we cannot hear.

EXT. OLD TOWN THAT APPEARS ON NO MAPS, DUSK, CLEAR

Sam takes Dave to the outskirts of town where a field is set up for a big gathering, with lots of tables,

chairs, a dance floor and a stage, all surrounded by lights. As dusk begins to fall, food is brought out. People arrive in groups of various sizes, including quite a few elderly dressed as people did in the 40’s and 50’s (varsity sweaters, poodle skirts, saddle shoes, etc) which Dave finds amusing. After everyone has eaten, the big lights come on, and a band has assembled on the stage. No sooner do

they begin playing when the dance floor is crowded with people dancing incredibly well. Dave walks to the edge of the dance floor for a better view, and Sam joins him. Soon a really cute girl, Kathy, in a pink sweater and poodle skirt comes up to Dave and reaches for his hand. He hesitates, but Sam encourages him to try anyway. Sure enough, Dave and Kathy tear up the dance floor for hours. Dave is having the time of his life. Just after they stop at the punch bowl for refreshment, a bell sounds and Kathy seems anxious to leave. Dave asks why, but she begs off, thanking him for dancing with her. She gives him a kiss on the cheek and runs off. Dave notices many people seem to be leaving. Sam joins him and Dave asks what’s going on. He says “Just the end of the evening. We need to go, too.”

After they get their jackets and are walking back, Dave notices a frail-looking woman in a wheelchair, dressed in a pink sweater and poodle skirt. The woman is staring at him, and when their eyes meet, she suddenly looks away. Dave looks at Sam, bewildered. Sam nods in answer to Dave’s unspoken question. Dave goes over to her, takes her hand, they speak, Dave gives her a kiss on the cheek, and walks back to Sam. He comments that this is a very unusual place. Sam agrees.

EXT. 80 MILES EAST, UNKNOWN ROAD, WELL AFTER MIDNIGHT, DARK, COLD, STARRY SKY

They are on the edge of a dry lake bed, surrounded by low hills. This is an intensely evil place, infested with demon spirits, and they must cross it. Sam and Dave are joined by six ‘special forces’ angels. Because he’s human, Dave’s presence will draw out the demons, thirsty for blood. Dave is offered the option of going around rather than crossing, but they cannot defeat the demons that way. He chooses to cross. They race across, in formation, the angels fighting off the demons, but are nearly overwhelmed. They are joined by reinforcements from above, and the demons are wiped out.