Hi Everyone
Hope you had a great weekend! Thanks MonnyUK and Anne for commenting on episode 20!
Episode 21 is very almost ready; I hope to submit in the next few days. Till then, here are the first few scenes.
FADE IN
INT. LIBERTY HIGH SCHOOL - ENGLISH CLASSROOM - DAY
Mr. Katimski reads from Our Town.
KATIMSKI: There's an early-afternoon calm in our town: a buzzin' and a
hummin' from the school buildings; only a few buggies on Main Street -
the horses dozing at the hitching posts; you all remember what it's like.
Doc Gibbs is in his office, tapping people and making them say "ah." Mr.
Webb's cuttin' his lawn over there; one man in ten thinks it's a privilege to
push his own lawn mower.
He puts the book down and pauses.
KATIMSKI: See, the story is about the people. It's about how they live their lives.
CLOSEUP: His eyes move left to right, scanning the room. Our POV shifts to his, and we see...most students not paying attention.
KATIMSKI: Anyway, since the drama club is performing Our Town this Friday and Saturday evening, I thought it would be good for you all to read it. Oh, and did I mention? Extra credit for all those who attend.
Twenty sets of eyes look to him.
KATIMSKI: And write me a short two-page analysis.
Twenty simultaneous groans.
KATIMSKI: Now, I know this is not alot of time. Maybe we can pair off and help each other.
He pairs them off.
KATIMSKI: You and you; you and you; you and you. Who's left?
On opposite ends of the room, Angela and Brian sit, uneasy.
KATIMSKI: Angela? Why don't you pair with Brian.
They exchange a quick glance.
Bell Rings. Notebooks slap shut. Bookbags zip. Students crowd the exit.
KATIMSKI: Please read act one for tomorrow please!
Brian eyes Angela and tries to push through the crowd to get to her. Just as he gets close, Jordan moves in.
JORDAN and BRIAN: Hey.
Angela whips around. She looks at Jordan, lingers on Brian, then back
to Jordan.
ANGELA: (weirded out) Hey.
Jordan stares at Brian, who yields and leaves. For just a moment, Jordan watches him go. Turning his attention to Angela, they walk into:
INT. LIBERTY HIGH SCHOOL - HALLWAY - DAY
JORDAN: So, extra credit, huh?
ANGELA: *Yeah*.
JORDAN: Sounds like somethin' I could use.
ANGELA: Tell me about it.
Jordan looks at her, questioning.
ANGELA: I mean, I could sure use extra credit, too.
This satisfies him.
KATIMSKI (O.S.): (calling) Angela!
She cringes but turns toward him anyway.
ANGELA: Mr. Katimski, hi.
Katimski enters the frame.
KATIMSKI: (like he's telling her for the first time) Tom Baker? Had to drop out of Our Town. You were so emotive with Rayanne a while back, I thought you'd be perfect.
JORDAN: Catch you later.
Jordan walks away. Angela wordlessly protests his leaving.
KATIMSKI: I know it's last minute but...(to get her attention) you have such potential! (beat, Angela's more rattled than he expected) I'm sorry, I don't mean to be....but you do.
ANGELA: (recovering) I really don't mean to sound rude or anything? Because that *sounds* really-- (beat, one last longing glance at Jordan) It's just that because I'm already selling *tickets*? And, oh gosh lines? I like even forget to--
KATIMSKI: Gee wiz; it's just a small part. A few lines really.
He steps closer.
KATIMSKI: I can see you being so good in this role.
ANGELA: (grudgingly curious) Which role?
KATIMSKI: (excited) See, it's usually played by a male, but *I* think--
ANGELA: (overlapping) A male?
KATIMSKI: (cont'd) You'd be perfect. (tantalizing) There's extra
credit involved.
ANGELA: (more curious) Like extra *extra* credit?
KATIMSKI: Oh, of course. For all cast and crew, I'm giving extra credit cause theatre is strenuous business. N-not that you'd be *strained* in any way, mind you….
Beat, he gauges her interest. Then starts walking with her.
KATIMSKI: (soothing) Why don't you take a few hours? No pressure. You can come to rehearsal with Enrique. He can introduce you. (beat, he lets it sink in) I'd better get to my next class. (he moves away, cheerful) Have a good day!
Ricky approaches as a befuddled Angela watches him go.
RICKY: What's he up to this time?
ANGELA: (with distaste) He wants me to take this part in Our Town.
RICKY: Tom Baker's?
ANGELA: Yeah, how’d you--
DELIA (O.S.): (bubbly) *There* you are. I've been looking for you.
Delia enters the frame and grabs Ricky's arm. Ricky and Angela share a
confused look.
RICKY: (neutral) Oh, hi.
DELIA: I was wondering, could you please help me with Bio over lunch?
RICKY: I'd like to, but I promised Angela I'd--
ANGELA: No, it's okay. Go help Delia.
RICKY: You sure?
ANGELA: Yeah, I still have like 20 tickets to sell.
RICKY: Thanks.
Delia smiles at Angela then steers Ricky away.
DELIA (O.S.): There's *something* in my petri dish, but I'm not sure what. Let me show you.
PRELAP:
RAYANNE'S VOICE: *What*?!
INT. LIBERTY HIGH SCHOOL - GIRLS' ROOM - DAY
Rayanne, in front of the mirror, anxiously tosses her braids. Sharon, at the sink, is giving Rayanne a look.
SHARON: Nothing. I...what are you *doing*?
RAYANNE: (irritated with them) *Something* with these braids.
She steps closer to Sharon and gazes at her.
RAYANNE: Sometimes? It's like my hair's a metaphor for my life.
(not distressed) It makes no sense. (beat, she takes in Sharon's whole
head) Like *your* hair? Makes perfect sense.
Sharon backs away.
RAYANNE: Oh, it's not a bad thing.
Rayanne tilts her head, studying Sharon's long, straight hair.
RAYANNE: It's like you've got stuff figured out. Like, your*self* figured out.
This flatters Sharon.
RAYANNE: And the stuff you don't understand? You just *force* it smooth. So it's like...easier. To deal with.
SHARON: (unsettled, possibly even disgusted) *Why* are you *telling*
me this?
RAYANNE: (off Sharon's tone) See? See what I mean?
Frustrated, Sharon turns to leave.
RAYANNE: Like I said, it's not like a bad *thing*. At least that's what
Amber says.
Sharon considers and then says in a softer, conspiring tone:
SHARON: You know whose hair I *completely* can't resist?
Rayanne, very curious, shakes her head. Sharon's eyes go dreamy.
SHARON: *Brad* *Pitt*.
Rayanne's eyes go dreamy.
RAYANNE: It's so smooth.
SHARON: Even when it's wavy.
Angela enters, and, catching them in dreamy bliss, stops, not sure
what to make of them.
ANGELA: Hi you guys.
Startled, they snap out of it and stand rigid, side by side. Sharon tries to hide her guilt:
SHARON: Hi, Angela. So, what's new?
Their uneasy gazes follow as Angela walks to the sink. She
studies her reflection, running fingers through her hair.
ANGELA: Can I ask you guys something?
SHARON and RAYANNE: *Sure*.
ANGELA: Should I let my hair color go natural?
Sharon attempts to conceal giggles, and Rayanne grabs her bag.
RAYANNE: In my opinion? (beat, Angela nods slightly) Keep the red. It's a good thing for you.
She pats Angela's shoulder and exits.
SHARON: What makes you think about your hair color?
ANGELA: Katimski wants me in his play.
SHARON: Our Town? Doesn't it open like this weekend?
ANGELA: Friday, but I haven't even decided if I want to do it.
Sharon steps closer.
SHARON: You know? From one friend to another? You should do it. (Angela looks curious) It might be… good for you.
Sharon touches Angela's shoulder and exits.