As some of you may know, I am currently patting myself on the back vigorously for finishing my first full-length screenplay.
Skye Excerpt
EST. LEAVER J. HIGH SCHOOL--DAY
It's the early morning, the next day. The sky is gray and shows signs of rain. A few police cars pull up to the curb outside the front door.
CUT TO:
INT. LEAVER J. HIGH SCHOOL--DAY
The reception desk: two grown cops, in uniform and holding handcuffs, enter the room and walk up to the desk. They are OFFICER JANSEN and OFFICER GREY, both in their thirties or forties, and they make the RECEPTIONIST almost wet herself.
OFFICER JANSEN
Ma'am, we're from the Manderson Police Department.
He flashes a badge.
OFFICER GREY
We're here on behalf of Miss Lauren Williams, do you know her?
RECEPTIONIST
Um...
(She gulps)
I can call for her...
LAUREN (O.S.)
That won't be necessary.
The officers turn and see LAUREN in the doorway to the office hall, dressed in a red sweatshirt hoodie, jeans, and converse. She crosses her arms and leans in the door frame.
LAUREN
Come with me.
CUT TO:
INT. LEAVER J. HIGH SCHOOL--DAY
LAUREN, flanked by both OFFICER JANSEN and OFFICER GREY, walks with determination through the hall, leading them on to find her target. They each hold a pair of handcuffs, at the ready like any officer should be.
OFFICER GREY
Ma'am, might we ask who exactly we are going to be arresting?
LAUREN
(She doesn't stop walking and they follow)
Ever since I first set foot in this school, another boy has been ruling it. Yesterday, he drugged the punch at the school assembly for some reason and pretended it was a fire.
OFFICER JANSEN
So that's what the whole fiasco was about?
LAUREN
You got it.
OFFICER GREY
How could a high school senior be capable of drugging an entire assembly?
LAUREN
No one knows how he does it, but no one has ever had the courage to try and fight him, either. And the worst part is, the teachers don't know about it.
OFFICER JANSEN
Lauren, your evidence is feeble. Are you sure this is worthy of an arrest?
LAUREN
(She finally stops walking and turns towards them)
Sir, if you went to this school, you would know that I am EXACTLY right. Now just trust me and keep up.
The two officers exchange doubtful glances.
CUT TO:
EXT. LEAVER J. HIGH SCHOOL--DAY
Outside, on the lunch patio, MASON sits alone, eating his sandwich. He glances up at LAUREN, OFFICER JANSEN, and OFFICER GREY, as they burst through the doors and march up to him. His face is nonchalant and bored.
LAUREN
There you are! We need to talk!
MASON
Well, Lauren, what brings you to this lunch deck on such a fine day?
LAUREN
You, sir, have crossed the line!
LAUREN stops at his table and looms over him. She is determined and wild with rage. The two officers stop behind her, watching.
MASON
I'm sorry, Lauren, I don't know what line you're talking about.
LAUREN
Yesterday, Mason, you drugged the assembly punch!
MASON
Lauren! I resent that accusation!
LAUREN
Oh yeah, well then why don't you explain what happened?
MASON finishes his sandwich and pulls a small tupperware container full of black cherries. He plucks the stem off of one and pops it in his mouth.
MASON
Well, Lauren, didn't you see the news? I realized what was happening just before I passed out, so I pulled the alarm. Didn't you hear it? Oh, that's right...
(He spits the cherry pit onto the ground menacingly)
...you were UNCONSCIOUS.
The officers watch, looking at the whole situation with a bit of doubt. LAUREN looks desperate for more things to say.
LAUREN
Mason, ask any kid in this school, and they will say that you are ruthless, harsh, and wickedly cruel!
MASON
Whoa whoa whoa! I didn't know you hated me that much, Lauren!
LAUREN
Well, surprise! Now did you or did you not drug the punch?
MASON
(He holds his hands up in a "DUH" gesture)
NO.
LAUREN
(Turning to the officers)
Here, point your gun at him. That ought to get him talking.
She is desperate and losing her strength. The officers don't move.
LAUREN
Well?
They don't move. Instead, they just watch her with mutual amusement. LAUREN turns to MASON, who just watches with a slight cocky grin.
MASON
You see, Lauren, you have no proof that I drugged the school or whatever.
(He spits out another pit)
So, next time you decide to try and accuse me of an extremely horrible crime just because you're upset about the fact that I unveiled your jerk boyfriend's true colors, why don't you back it up with some evidence?
LAUREN is fuming with anger. She turns desperately to the officers, who exchange glances, and then turn around casually to leave. She just watches them enter the school.
LAUREN
Wait! Guys! Please! Come back! I swear, I'm not lying, please!
After they're gone, she turns to MASON.
LAUREN
You're a horrible person, you know that?
MASON
No, I'm not a horrible person, I'm an honest person.
LAUREN storms off angrily, huffing and puffing.
MASON
(Calling after her)
Why don't you go mull that over while you write desperate love letters to Michael!
She enters the building and shoots him one last glare, which he matches with a sneer. Then he smiles and spits out another cherry pit.
c. Taylor Ward 2013. All rights reserved.
Oooh! Intense! It makes me want to know more :)
ReplyDeleteWay to go on finishing your first screen play, TWard! It looks great. I wanna know more!
ReplyDelete