Lesson 9

[Joan Butler]

Day 9. Introduction of Protagonist

I learned that it is difficult to create an interesting situation.

Name: Selma

a. What is the interesting situation?

She is in an alley next to a dumpster. She talks to a framed photo of her mother and says sorry. She throws rose petals into the dumpster.

b. What is the Insight about this character?

She lives in the past.

c. What Action and Description will sell this character?

EXT. ALLEY – DAY

An old Versa sedan pulls up alongside a dumpster.

SELMA(37) is an African American who always speaks softly and unconsciously drops I from most of her speech. She always wears Walmart clothes with a necklace of smooth stones and beads.

She exits the car with a suitcase and a dozen pink roses. Opens the suitcase on the hood.

Removes two pamphlets–Welcome to St. Joseph’s Psychiatric Hospital and Depression and You–that rest on a framed photo.

In the photo MOMMA(mid-20s), a tiny African American, stands next to CHILD SELMA(7), an African American girl. Momma wears a green sweater.

SELMA

(to the photo)

They were going to let me out next week but signed myself out to be here for you… Can you believe it’s the thirtieth anniversary? It feels like you died yesterday.

She tosses rose petals into the dumpster. Her eyes fill. Scarred wrists show when her sleeves ride up.

SELMA

So sorry, Momma.