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FADE IN: EXT. BAY AREA -- AERIAL SHOT -- EVENING -- SEPTEMBER 2001 We have an AERIAL SHOT of the BAY AREA. Both the SOUTH BAY, the PENINSULA, and the EAST BAY are EASILY VISIBLE. The shot includes a bit of the OCEAN and ends somewhere around WALNUT CREEK/CONCORD. Generic alternative rock plays. Simple 4/4 rhythm and some neat guitar solo. Something that FUEL, LIFEHOUSE, INCUBUS, or 3 DOORS DOWN probably could have and would have made back in 2001, but none of those bands made this exact song. There are no lyrics yet, but the theme of both love and pain can be heard in the song without having any lyrics. It is very melodic for a song that only uses guitars for melody. As the song builds up to a hook and then a "wall of sound" guitar style (distorted power chords) that was very popular in the late 1990s, we are constantly drifting down toward SUNNYVALE, CA. As the song reaches its WALL OF SOUND the drifting turns into a freefall and the music instantly shutting off as we reach our destination. EXT. NICK'S MOM'S HOUSE -- CONTINUOUS We can see NICK doing his homework. He is 5'6 and somewhat thin, but barely within the normal range for his height. He does not look especially out of shape. It is clear he has some muscle, but the issue is more of a lack of weight than any weakness at this point. He is unaware of the camera as he sits at an OLD WOODEN DESK writing some HOMEWORK. He has a hairstyle that shows he used to slick his hair back with gel but stopped at some point. However, his blonde hair is still trained to slick back on his own, making him look a bit like Brian Setzer but with shorter hair. He touches his hair as he stops writing. Even though it's not overly long, he seems like he wants it gone, like it is in the way. More noticable is the strange facial hair. It is a lot for someone at 16. It does not fit very well with his hair. It seems like he is unsure of what style he wants, but he looks like he wants to be a college student but is stuck in high school. We begin to drift in the window slowly and a song can be heard. INT. NICK'S MOM'S HOUSE -- JESSE'S ROOM -- CONTINUOUS The song that could begin to be heard even from outside is now distinct. The volume is not too loud, but the SPEAKER SYSTEM is set up to play the BASS PART very loudly. Thus, even with the music not being loud enough to bother anyone, the end of LIFEHOUSE's TRYING can be heard. We hear the last bits of piano and then the start of the next song on the NO NAME FACE album. The lyrics are more distinct than the bass line.
2.
The guitar riffs take a backseat to the bassline and drums
in this setup, even if the average person would have wanted
it the other way around. The line "She's got a pretty smile,
cuz of the poison that she hides, she walks around in
circles in my head, waiting for a chance to break me, chance
to tear me down..." play and we notice NICK agreeing with
the lyrics strongly by nodding as that lyric plays, even as
he continues his homework. He has finished his homework and
puts it away in a MESSY BINDER which he places in a MESSY
BACKPACK. He seems RELAXED but SLIGHTLY EDGY at the same
time. A radio alarm clock by his bed reads 7:43. He heads
toward the camera.
INT. NICK'S MOM'S HOUSE -- JESSE'S ROOM -- TEN MINUTES LATER
LITTLE has changed deep down, but quite a bit has changed on
screen. NICK sits on his feet as he types on his computer.
We can see he is INSTANT MESSAGING with a girl about MUSIC.
The camera is close enough that we can see the conversation.
He is asking her about the band SUBLIME and she is giving
him the band's history. The conversation has now moved to
the band LIVE. They both agree that LIVE and LIFEHOUSE are
somewhat similar. LIFEHOUSE's song SIMON is playing in the
background. The lyrics that play are "Refuse to feel
anything at all, Refuse to slip, Refuse to fall. Can't be
weak, Can't stand still, You watch your back 'cause no one
will." As the conversation continues, NICK does not react
normally to music, finding the beat and tapping to it. He
seems to be more EMOTIONALLY ATTACHED to the LYRICS of the
particular song, more so than with ONLY ONE. We can tell
simply through his body language that this song relaxes him
and allows him to release his fears. We begin to hear
footsteps that sound like the owner of these feet has LEAD
SHOES. NICK begins to tense up. There is a KNOCK on the DOOR.
We hear it open.
INT. NICK'S MOM'S HOUSE -- HALLWAY
We can see SARAH step in through the HALLWAY and we can see
NICK JUMP as though he has been hit by an electric shock.
SARAH looks hurt.
SARAH (UPSET)
Nick... why do you always have to
jump like that? Am I really so scary?
NICK (SCARED SHITLESS)
Well... n-n-n-no... just... surprised.
SARAH
Are you even doing anything so bad
you have to hide it from me?
3.
NICK
N-no...
SARAH
I want you to stop being afraid of
me... it's just so... weird.
NICK
O-okay mom... I'm sorry... I'll try.
SARAH
Don't just say "I'm sorry."
NICK
But I am...
SARAH sighs and leaves her son be. The Lifehouse has
continued throughout this scene. SARAH walks off and sighs,
loud footsteps there as always. The camera follows her and
the Lifehouse music fades away with the shot.
FADE OUT.
EXT. EAST BAY -- AERIAL SHOT -- EVENING
Another aerial shot, but only the east bay is covered.
Softer rock begins to play. It sounds like one of SR-71s
songs from their one album that sold well, but without any
lyrics and only with cool guitar effects, there is no way to
tell. This time the shot does not take as long as before to
drift. At a moderate pace it falls down to earth, targeted
at CSU HAYWARD. We end up at a closed dorm hall named Whet
Hall. Everything screeches to a halt when we get here. We
can see quite a few different people. We hear a blur of
popular "college" rock. Fuel, Incubus, Lifehouse, and sadly,
Dave Matthews Band. Fortunately, the Dave Mathews Band is
made up for by some SR-71 being heard distinctly by someone
who knows their taste in music.
EXT. CSU HAYWARD -- WHET HALL -- EVENING
The shot is of Whet Hall. We still hear the cacophony of
melodic rock mixing together oddly. We drift to the second
floor and certain bands fade away. Dave Matthews is a
constant backdrop of annoyance, but the Fuel, Incubus, and
Lifehouse would only stand out to someone who was a college
student in 2001 and spend their time pondering life. As we
drift into one dorm, once again Lifehouse becomes the only
band available. We reach a window and see two girls. The
camera stops. The Lifehouse song Sick Cycle Carosuel plays.
It is playing quite a bit louder than NICK had the volume in
the prior scenes. It seems to be played not to aid with
concentration on homework, but to relieve stress.
4.
We see ERICA, 5'11, 140, looking passionate as she listens
to her music. SAMMIE is at the other desk. Sammie is 5'7,
120, 16 She looks lost in thought, like she wants to shut
out the world. She is rapidly typing something and looks
inspired as she types.
INT. CSU HAYWARD -- WHET HALL -- SAMMIE AND ERICA'S ROOM --
CONTINUOUS
SAMMIE and ERICA remain in their positions. The QUASIMODO
song is rather loud. SAMMIE looks uncomfortable and nervous
as ERICA continues to listen to her music. It's not the
music that bothers her, but that ERICA seems to be blasting
it on purpose. We can tell that SAMMIE doesn't really feel
ready for college and wants to be home. We see that she is
writing poetry about hiking in SAN RAMON.
SAMMIE
Can you please turn your music down...?
ERICA
What? It's not THAT loud.
SAMMIE
I really need to concentrate.
ERICA
Fine... but it's not like you're
doing anything important.
SAMMIE sighs quietly. We can tell that the two roommate are
actually close friends, but that they frustrate each other
greatly. SAMMIE feels that ERICA is expanding too much,
becoming too social, and ERICA feels SAMMIE is holding her
back. QUASIMODO turns to SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN and the bass
is way too loud. ERICA doesn't seem to notice or care, but
we can tell SAMMIE doesn't like the uneven sound of this raw
album that cause the bass sound to be way too long on
SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN. SAMMIE has a huge library of music. NO
NAME FACE is one of them as with many people in this day and
age, but more noticeable is the large collection of LED
ZEPPELIN. In the shot we can see a closed door and a cheap
paper nametag. LISA C.
INT. CSU HAWARD -- WHET HALL -- SAMMIE AND ERICA'S ROOM
The song continues, with the bass way too loud due to
Erica's settings on her speaker system. LISA comes out,
looking frustrated, tired, yet also bored.
LISA
Hey, guys.
5.
ERICA
Hey, Lisa!
LISA
Could you turn the bass down a bit?
I can really hear it... even in my
room.
SAMMIE (QUIETLY)
Yeah... this one song... the sound
is all off. Very raw production
values...
ERICA (MORE TO LISA)
Yeah guys... sorry, I get lost in
my thoughts. I'll turn it down.
ERICA quickly changes her setting from BASS to ROCK and
turns it down slightly. The BASS is no longer annoyingly
loud. SAMMIE continues to write her poetry, feeling as
though ERICA is already bored with her.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
EXT. CUPERTINO HIGH SCHOOL -- QUAD -- CAFTERIA LINE --
OCTOBER 2001
The shot starts out as more of a crowd shot but the camera
pans and shows our main shot rather clearly. We can identify
two boys as being good friends. ROGER stands out due to his
overall height and size. 6'4 and 230, he still has a bit to
grow. NICK is wearing a leather jacket and looks HAPPIER in
this environment than in his house. Both of them are SMILING.
Girls look at both of them, more look at NICK, but the boys
seem more concerned with getting their food quickly than
conversing. Both boys are wearing backpacks, and NICK's
seems full and heavy.
EXT. CUPERTINO HIGH SCHOOL -- QUAD -- CAFETERIA WINDOW --
MINUTES LATER
ROGER is just ahead of NICK in the line and thus goes first.
The camera focuses just on him and the cafeteria worker,
JILL. JILL is in her 40s and looks very BITTER and AGED by
her job serving ungrateful kids in a cafeteria.
ROGER
Hi!
JILL (BORED)
Hey... what do you want?
6.
ROGER
I'll have a breadstick, fries, a
donut, and a milk.
JILL types these things into a register, looking uninterested
in having any possible conversation with ROGER. She looks
like she'd rather be at home.
JILL
That'll be $4.50
ROGER hands JILL a $5 bill. JILL tries to smile as she hands
back fifty cents.
JILL
50 cents is your change.
ROGER takes his CHANGE and his FOOD and begins to WALK
BRISKLY away from the line.
EXT. CUPERTINO HIGH SCHOOL -- QUAD -- CAFTERIA WINDOW
NICK is now at the WINDOW. He has a smile but looks ANXIOUS
and IMPATIENT. JILL is still there. NICK is looking at the
MENU. Nick looks down and begins to speak quickly.
NICK
I-I would like breadsticks.
JILL blinks. NICK speaks much faster than most people, and
it takes her a second to catch up.
JILL
That'll be $2.00.
NICK hands her two dollars. After grabbing his BREADSTICKS
NICK walks brisky away. He narrowly misses hitting the pole
that separates the line from the rest of the quad. He begins
to jog away from the quad. It is clear that he does not want
to be here (in the quad), but he doesn't want to make a
scene about it, either.
EXT. CUPERTINO HIGH SCHOOL -- ROGER AND NICK'S TABLES
ROGER is with BILL. To the side, we see several ASIAN KIDS
playing MAGIC: THE GATHERING but BILL and ROGER are the
focus of the scene. NICK comes soon after ROGER, looking
like he's in a rush. He looks at his digital watch. The time
is 12:59.
BILL
Relax. Lunch doesn't end for half
an hour.
7.
NICK
Yeah, I-I know...
NICK sits down next to BILL with ROGER seated at the other
end of the table. He puts his BREADSTICKS on the table and
opens up his backpack on the ground. In there we find a
BROWN LUNCH BAG. There is an orange, two oreo cookies in a
ziploc bag, and a sandwich in another ziploc bag. The
sandwich looks unimpressive as sandwiches go. It was
designed more in haste than for enjoyment value. There is
also a 6.75oz orange juice box. Nick quickly begins to tear
his orange apart. Despite looking destructive and random,
he is easily able to remove the peel. He then takes the
orange apart and attempts to eat each segment separately.
Orange juice drips down onto his chin as onto his SAN JOSE
SHARKS SHIRT as he attempts to eat as if it were a race.
ROGER and BILL are both amused. He looks sheepish, but not
offended.
ROGER
Gotta slow down on the orange, eh
buddy?
NICK
Nah... you know me. I like to eat fast!
BILL
And talk fast!
NICK looks upset at the comment. Not at BILL, but that being
told he talks fast is a trigger that brings him back to the
past. NICK has finished his orange and takes a couple of
bites of his sandwich. He takes out his juice box and
cookies as well Unimpressed, he puts it in his now empty
lunch box.
NICK
Yeah... I guess my whole family
talks kind of fast.
NICK devours the two cookies as if he were starving and then
begins to drink his juicebox.
ROGER
Yeah, your dad can a little. Are we
doing D&D this weekend or next weekend?
NICK
Next weekend... it's every two
weeks now... and I'm playing this
other D&D game with my brother's
friends this weekend.
8.
BILL
I want to join a game, but Mort
always complains about how I play.
ROGER
Mort complains about everything...
and he thinks he's better than
everyone.
NICK
Yes... he once said "I am superior
to both my father and mother every
way."
Everyone starts LAUGHING, though there was an air of
amusement around the whole time even before that comment.
NICK still has his breadsticks left. He throws out his BROWN
PAPER BAG and gets to work on the BREADSTICKS.
EXT. CUPERTINO HIGH SCHOOL -- TWENTY-FIVE MINUTES LATER
NICK and ROGER now sit in front of a clean table. BILL is
now sitting with the ASIAN KIDS and is also playing MAGIC
CARDS. Things have changed slightly. The tables are cleaner,
but NICK's backpack remains open in one compartment and his
shirt is stained with a bit of orange juice. But he is
talking to ROGER, and doesn't seem to care.
ROGER
So, are you excited for D&D?
NICK
Yeah, I can't wait to play Cade, my
new rogue. But it seems like Mort
never lays traps. He's only
interested in dealing with fighters
and mages.
ROGER
I know. I guess I'm lucky that I
get to have Brombsy, the ice mage.
I haven't seen a single trap. I
used to lay them down all the time!
NICK
Yeah... he just wants to make stuff
up and stay one step ahead of us.
ROGER
Steve was a much better DM...
NICK
I'm thinking he's going to take
over again soon.
9.
ROGER
That's good!
The bell rings.
ROGER
Bye, Nick.
NICK
Bye, Roger!
ROGER grabs his closed backpack and is ready to go. NICK
rushes to close his backpack and puts it on. He quickly
scampers off to his next class, even though he is not close
to being tardy. After ROGER and NICK have left the scene,
BILL and a KOREAN boy, AI-TEN, are still playing MAGIC THE
GATHERING, intentionally oblivious to the first bell. The
other ASIAN KIDS begin leaving, but BILL and AI-TEN are so
wrapped up in their game that they suffer from tunnel-vision.
INT. CSU HAYWARD -- CLASSROOM -- FRIDAY
SAMMIE, LISA, ERICA, and MARIE are sitting in a classroom.
SAMMIE sits in front of ERICA, LISA, and MARIE, who are in
the second row. The clock shows 11:28, and MOST STUDENTS are
eyeing the clock. SAMMIE however, is intently writing in a
notebook. AMANDA and LISA are paying attention but not
writing, while MARIE taps her fingers randomly and
continually glances at the clock. She WANTS and NEEDS to be
on her feet, or at least believes she does. The psychology
teacher, PROFESSOR NUNEZ, continues to talk, ignoring any
hints from her students.
PROFESSOR NUNEZ
And next week, we will discuss how
Jung built upon Frued's basis for
psychotherapy. I told you on
Wednesday that I would have your
tests today. However, I was busier
than I expected. I apologize, but
your tests will not be graded under
Monday. Wednesday at the latest, I
promise.
Most of the students look frustrated, but MARIE looks VERY
AGITATED and feels an URGENT NEED TO SPEAK. MARIE is an
attractive redhead shorter than most of her friends, but
taller than LISA.
MARIE
Can't you just work a little faster?
AMANDA, LISA, and some of the other students snicker. The
professor looks both frustrated and amused
10.
PROFESSOR NUNEZ
Ah, to be in college again... where
you have all the time in the world...
INT. CSU HAYWARD -- CLASSROOM -- FOCUS ON SAMMIE
SAMMIE feels like she needs to interject, like she can
somehow soften the slow. The clock now shows 11:30 and
students are signifying that they want to leave by putting
their books in their backpacks. MARIE looks disorganized and
SAMMIE doesn't look quite ready to leave in the first place.
SAMMIE looks like she can't help but speak, and the words
come out, much to the frustration of MARIE.
SAMMIE
I could help you Ms. Nunez... I
could grade papers... if you wanted.
I have plenty of time.
MARIE sighs loudly and AMANDA looks at SAMMIE, disappointed.
LISA begins to walk off, trying to avoid what will happen next.
PROFESSOR NUNEZ
That's very nice, Sammie... but
under-age students cannot be
teachers aides. That's just the rules.
SAMMIE
I hate rules.
Some of the other kids who haven't left begin to laugh.
MARIE looks PISSED OFF. SAMMIE looks even more depressed
than usual. AMANDA looks conflicted, both concerned and in a
hurry to get the hell out of the classroom.
PROFESSOR NUNEZ
Oh. Look at the time. It's time to
go, everyone!
SAMMIE seems to be getting ready very slowly, while MARIE
has already gotten to the door where LISA is waiting.
ERICA
Hurry up, Sammie... it's time to go.
SAMMIE glares at AMANDA, feeling like she's being treated as
a child. She was pushed ahead to college, but sometimes
feels too young to really enjoy the college world.
SAMMIE
I know!
11.
SAMMIE hurries up a little bit, but there's a sense of
"dawdling" or intentional slowness on her part. AMANDA walks
to the door, and SAMMIE does get the hint, speeding up and
following AMANDA quickly.
EXT. CSU HAYWARD -- HALLWAY - ONE MINUTE LATER
The four girls are now all safely outside, out of earshot of
PROFESSOR NUNEZ. MARIE looks VERY ANGRY still. AMANDA looks
conflicted between support and anger. SAMMIE looks upset and
ashamed, while LISA mostly looks bored and hungry. We can
see they are heading to a FOOD COURT. The camera shows all
four girls walking initially.
MARIE
What the fuck was that "oh let me
grade your papers" shit in there?
Didn't I teach you anything? People
are tired of this "good girl"
bullshit. And quite frankly, I
don't buy it!
SAMMIE
I don't care what anyone else
thinks. I'm just being myself!
MARIE
Well maybe you could be a little
less of "yourself" and a little
more of "normal!"
SAMMIE
I hate normal people!
ERICA
Marie, leave her alone.
MARIE
Why? She does this all the time!
You're her friend. You tell her.
ERICA SIGHS. This is not going to be a good day. LISA and
SAMMIE look longingly toward the food court where they are
headed. They both want this conversation to be a band-aid.
Quick and painful.
ERICA looks at SAMMIE. SAMMIE looks back at ERICA, giving
her a hopeful look. That hopefully, she understands MARIE is
one of THEM, and not one of US.
12.
ERICA (CAREFULLY)
I guess... all Marie is really
saying, is that you need to get
your head out of the clouds, you
know? Just... be a little more focused.
SAMMIE
Then why couldn't she have just
said that? I hate being yelled at.
I hate all the swearing.
ERICA (SHRUGGING)
That's just the way she is.
SAMMIE
Then maybe SHE should change. Who
says she's normal?
ERICA and LISA laugh nervously and MARIE just looks pissed
off. They have arrived at the food court. LISA feels
uncomfortable, feeling the pain of all of her friends.
LISA
Look guys... I'm hungry! Let's just
go to the food court...
EVERYONE nods, but nothing is said.
INT. CSU HAYWARD -- STUDENT CENTER -- FIVE MINUTES LATER
The FOUR GIRLS are all standing at a table. It is clear that
this has become THEIR table at the food court, that this
table is a tradition only a month old, but a tradition
nonetheless. Their four BACKPACKS are on the table. ERICA
and MARIE go to BURGER KING while LISA AND SAMMIE go to SUBWAY
INT. CSU HAYWARD -- STUDENT CENTER -- LISA AND SAMMIE --
MOMENTS LATER
We are close up on LISA, SAMMIE and the CASHIER. The
CASHIER's tag reveals that his name is FRANKIE. FRANKIE, 18
is Hispanic, yet somewhat light skinned.
FRANKIE
Here you go. That will be $6.17.
SAMMIE
Thanks.
SAMMIE takes her TURKEY sandwich with BAKED LAYS and a water
cup. She steps aside to let LISA, who is carefully studying
the small menu. It shows a CHICKEN sandwich, a ROAST BEEF
Sandwich,a TURKEY Sandwich, and a BLT.
13.
INT. CSU HAYWARD -- STUDENT CENTER -- FOCUSED ON LISA --
MOMENTS LATER
LISA
You don't have a vegetarian sandwich?
FRANKIE (ROLLING HIS EYES)
You could just get another sandwich
without the meat on it. There are
plenty of toppings to choose from!
LISA
The vegetarian sandwich is $2
cheaper than any of the ones you
guys have. I'm not paying extra!
FRANKIE
Well, I'm sorry, but rules are rules.
LISA
Can I speak to your manager, please?
FRANKIE (EFFEMINATE TONE)
Peter, could you come here right
now, please?!
PETER slowly strolls over. PETER is wearing a nicer uniform
than FRANKIE.
PETER (CALMLY)
What seems to be the problem?
LISA starts to speak but FRANKIE interrupts her.
FRANKIE (WHINY)
Well, like, she wants a vegetarian
sandwich, and I told her she could
take the meat off one of the other
sandwiches but she won't do that!
LISA
No! That's not exactly what I...
PETER gives LISA a look that shows that he finds her
attractive and that he's really sorry for FRANKIE.
PETER
I can do a vegetarian sandwich for
$3.99.
LISA (EXASPERATED)
Thank you...
14.
PETER takes over Frankie's register. FRANKIE looks incredibly
upset, as though he has been wronged by PETER.
LISA and SAMMIE walk to their table, where ERICA and MARIE
are already waiting.
PETER
See, Frankie. You don't have to
just give them what's on the menu.
You can push this button to get a
basic veggie sandwich instead.
There's also a grilled cheese
sandwich option.
FRANKIE
Well, it SHOULD be on the menu.
PETER sighs and walks back to clean.
INT. CSU HAYWARD -- STUDENT CENTER
The four girls now all have their food. ERICA has a DOUBLE
WHOPPER with LARGE FRIES and COKE. She is already almost
done with the WHOPPER. LISA and SAMMIE have barely touched
their food and MARIE is about halfway done with her WHOPPER.
MARIE
Oh my god. Erica. How do you stay
so fucking thin when you eat like that?
ERICA
Metabolism... and exercise?
LISA
That cashier is such a douchebag.
MARIE
He's actually the main reason I
choose Burger King. That kid just
freaks me out. He's such a little
faggot.
SAMMIE glares at MARIE.
SAMMIE
Don't use that word.
ERICA
Relax, Sammie.
MARIE
Yeah. It's just a joke. Do you have
to make everything some sort of cause?
15.
SAMMIE
No, but using that word is
unacceptable.
ERICA
Yeah, it's really GAY to say that!
SAMMIE starts eating her sandwich more quickly. She gives
ERICA a frustrated look. LISA looks like she's literally
trying to hypnotize herself, or at least put herself in a
mental state where she can block out her annoying friends.
EXT. SAN JOSE -- LOW AERIAL SHOT -- NEXT SATURDAY
We are on a low aerial shot over the freeway. The song IT's
BEEN A WHILE by STAIND plays as we are on a low flight
following an old 1993 TOYOTA COROLLA. The song and its
moderate pace influence the camera to fly through the window
and into a car at said pace, not going much faster or slower
than the car. The whole shot seems timed to the moderate
whine-rock song.
INT. ED'S CAR -- SAN JOSE -- CONTINUOUS
AS our camera flies into the car, the watcher becomes aware
that the source of the STAIND song is not some magical place,
but it is actually coming from an old car stereo set to
104.9. In the CAR we see two new characters. ED and MATT. We
also see NICK, who currently has head head out the window in
the shot. ED, 53, sports a jewfro. The best celebrity match
would be Weird Al. MATT looks like a young ED, from his own
jewfro he is growing. They seem engaged in some high level
of nerdence that NICK is not very interested in. The music
is set at a volume that it is more like background music
than a defining moment. Even NICK seems only slightly aware
of STAIND playing on his radio station with his head fully
out the window.
MATT
So dad, do you think my model
rocket needs new fins to fly better?
ED
I-I think I could make something
aerodynamic... but that's more of
an E engine rocket, and you gave it
a D engine... we need to look into
a bigger engine.
MATT
Okay, dad. I drew up a design for
the new fins that I had in a
dream...I left it in my room. We
can look at it tomorrow!
16.
NICK seems frustrated by there being conversation he cannot
contribute to. He presses a button on the radio and it turns
to 97.3. LIFEHOUSE's HANGING BY A MOMENT plays on the radio,
and it is in the part where Jason Wade's voice reaches its
highest level. While the two songs are similar in their core
musical elements, the lyrics and positive nature of
LIFEHOUSE seem to reanimate NICK despite lacking any
stimulation other than a change in song. ED seems to be a
poor driver in the DMV-approved sense. He drives with just
one hand on the wheel and seems more engaged in conversation
than paying attention to where he is going. However, he
pulls over to MERIDIAN AVE, knowing where he is going.
EXT. SAN JOSE -- WILLOW GLEN NEIGHBORHOOD
ED's car pulls in and PARALLEL PARKS on the side of the
street. NICK, ED, and MAX all walk out of the vehicle after
it stops. NICK walks out first, looking bored and lonely. He
walks to the back of the car. MATT looks MORE CHEERFUL THAN
NICK as he walks out. ED looks CHEERFUL, in his natural
state. ED unlocks the trunk of his car. Revealed are the
spoils. Three bags of groceries and another bag that we can
see has a DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS book as part of its rewards.
ED, NICK, and MATT each take one, and ED takes the bag with
the BOOK in it. NICK looks inside his bag and gets a bit
happier.
NICK
Do you have the dice and all the
books, dad?
ED
Yes. I have everything!
NICK looks much happier after he gets reassured. Our group
of three walks up to the door. ED puts the BAG WITH THE BOOK
on the ground and knocks on the very big DOOR KNOCKER. The
camera follows them away from the car to this house. A
heavyset man, STEVE, opens the door. He has a mullet and
looks like a clean-shaven version of the COMIC BOOK GUY. Two
DOGS also come up to the door with him.
STEVE (CALM VOICE)
Arcy! Tanya! Stay.
ED
H-Hey Steve.
STEVE
Welcome, Ed, Max, Steve.
NICK and MATT chuckle nerdily. STEVE misheard MATT's name as
MAX months ago and thus NICK and ROGER gave MATT the
nickname of MAX and STEVE still had not caught on.
17.
Through the open door, we can see MORT and his mother, JULIA.
INT. STEVE'S HOUSE
EVERYONE is now INSIDE. MATT and ED are setting up the food,
and NICK, MORT, and ROGER are talking. JULIA sits, sort of
oblivious to her surroundings, or at least not interested in
them. MORT could only be descirbed as a"HALF-ASIAN VAMPIRE
WITH ACNE. He randomly grabs NICK with some sort of MARTIAL
ARTS MOVE. It's not a threat, but merely a show of male
domination. NICK struggles to get out but canot. MORT seems
amused by this. He begins to scratch his neck. His scratch
is awkward. His HANDS stroke up his neck and he has a
strange smile on his face, as if to say HEY LOOK AT ME, I'M
ITCHING MYSELF. MORT is two inches taller and more muscular
than NICK, but much smaller than ROGER, who looks unimpressed
and uninterested in MORT's behavior. We can see a MENORAH
throughout this shot, and an OLD SCHOOL LARGE TV.
NICK
How do you do that?
MORT
Oh... it's just some martial arts.
You know, my father was trained by
Bruce Lee.
ROGER chuckles to himself and shakes his head slowly. MORT
seems to ignore ROGER as if he is not in the room.
NICK
Do you think you could do it to Roger?
MORT (SKEPTICALLY)
Well... I could... but he could
easily break out.
NICK looks at ROGER who seems more amused than annoyed at
this point. ROGER begins to TWIRL HIS FINGER IN THE AIR and
do a FAKE YAWN.
NICK
Well you are Dark Lord Chamberlain!
DLC.
MORT lets out a laugh. Not really a boisterous one, but a
controlled one. He seems to enjoy being called a DARK LORD.
MORT makes an odd "Ahh..." sound as he cracks his knuckles.
ROGER and NICK both observe this with amusement. ROGER
begins to walk toward a large DINING TABLE that has a MAP
and PEWTER FIGURINES set up on it.
ROGER
I think we should get ready to play.
18.
MORT
Yes... Steve, are you ready?
STEVE (OS)
Yes. Just got the chicken in the oven!
JULIA
Bye... Mort.
MORT
See you, mom.
JULIA WALKS OUT THE DOOR. Not out of anger, but seeing that
all is fine, she can safely leave.
INT. STEVE'S HOUSE -- THREE HOURS LATER
We return to the same table we saw pictures of in an earlier
shot. The battle is now staged. We see the hexagonal map
closely and the five characters and the three monsters are
clearly displayed. The monsters are a YELLOW DRAGON with a
broken tail, a zombie, and some sort of creature with wings.
The five characters are a variety of humanoids with swords
and axes and maces. MORT has a PLAYER's HANDBOOK in front of
him that works as a shield to hide some dice, but not hide
his face. MORT looks ARROGANT and EXCITED. Some of the
players are asleep and there is a die set up in the center.
It's hard to tell, but it a CAMPFIRE with a RED DIE. Potato
chips and sodas are around the table. Throughout the scene,
Nick is eating potato chips, and Mort, pretzels. The seating
arrangment: MORT (one head of table) ROGER on left, MATT on
left of ROGER, NICK at other head, STEVE on right of NICK,
ED next to STEVE and MORT.
MORT
Cade, roll a listen check.
NICK rolls a 20-sided die. The result 15 shows.
NICK
I get a 25.
MORT
You are able to hear something in a
language that sounds foul... do you
speak Abyssal?
We see NICK look at a CHARACTER SHEET from D&D 3. The name
CADE HILLTOPPLE is shown.
NICK
I speak... Draconic, Elven, Halfing,
Giant, and Orcish. Do any of those
help?
19.
MORT
Well... yes. You are able to get
the general sense that they saw the
campfire. What will do you?
NICK
I would like to hide and move silently.
MORT
Very well... give me your rolls.
INT. STEVE'S HOUSE -- FOCUSED MORE ON MORT
AFTER MORT speaks, he sneezes and itches randomly. rubbing
his hands all over his face. NICK rolls two 20 sided dice.
He gets a 9 and a 17.
NICK
My hide is a 19, and my move
silently is a 27.
MORT
Ahh... very good. You are able to
move undetected, or so you assume.
MORT lets out a fake "evil" laugh. ROGER rolls his eyes.
NICK
I'd like to do a sneak attack... on
the dragon on the map.
MORT
Yes... the garillon. It is actually
a gorilla with four arms, not a
dragon... we just have to use
Steve's figurines for this.
INT. STEVE'S HOUSE -- FOCUSED MORE ON NICK
NICK does not seem very interested in what he is fighting,
but more in the aspect of killing it.
NICK
Okay... so I go behind it, and I
get my sneak attack, and then my
second attack as a regular attack.
MORT
Okay. Roll your attacks.
NICK takes a while to roll his die. He is like a baseball
pitcher with a windup that is unnecessary. This die falls to
the ground and is an 18.
20.
NICK
Well... 18. At least 30, with all
the modifiers...
MORT (INTERRUPTING)
You hit. Do your damage.
NICK rolls five six sided nice. They are 1 1 3 5 3 (13). He
looks a bit disappointed in the two ones.
NICK
I do... only 16 damage.
MORT
He did not like that. Do your
second attack.
NICK rolls a 20-sided die but only gets a 3.
NICK
That'd be just... 13.
MORT
It glances off his thick hide and
he grunts.
INT. STEVE'S HOUSE -- ON GROUP
MORT
Well, you guys are awoken by the
sounds of battle. Everyone state
your actions... we have initiative
this round. Cade got the surprise
on the enemy.
Everyone rolls a 20-sided die. ED makes a show of it, as if
it is more of an art than just an act of rolling a die. His
visible reaction shows he did not roll well.
ROGER
I got... 23!
ROGER seems very happy with his character and his high
initiative.
MATT (QUIETLY)
16.
ED
D'oh... 7!
NICK
24!
21.
ROGER
Dammit!
STEVE
Ah... er. 11.
INT. STEVE'S HOUSE -- ON MORT
MORT
Well, it looks like Cade and
Bromsby will have the jump on the
monsters... this time!
NICK and ROGER, or CADE and BROMBSY, look like two tacticians.
ROGER
Nick... Cade. I need you to get out
of the way and attack. Do you have
that feat?
NICK
I think I might be able to do that,
but I'd lose a second attack. I'd
rather just bring the gorilla-thing
down myself. You can hit the other
ones. They seem more important.
ROGER
Hmm... yes. They seem a lot more
important, but I was hoping to kill
the gorilla this round.
NICK
I'm sure my dad has a good spell,
but it may take him an hour to find it.
ROGER chuckles.
ROGER
Yes... Biggen is pretty reliable.
BIGGEN lets out a NERDY LAUGH.
INT. STEVE'S HOUSE -- ON ROGER -- MOMENTS LATER
The focus is now mostly on ROGER. ROGER looks excited.
ROGER
Bromsbsy casts a cone of cold that
hits the guy with wings and the
skeleton. They need a reflex save
of 18 to save for half damage
22.
ROGER looks impressed, knowing he will decimate any of
Mort's cheap moves. He looks as though he believes his
character is invincible.
MORT
Okay... roll the damage, then I'll
make the saves...
ROGER looks PLEASED as he rolls eight six sided dice. The
numbers: 1 6 5 5 4 2 5 5. Roger looks VERY HAPPY with the
result, noticing the four fives.
ROGER
I do... 29 damage. Now suffer!!!
ROGER seems to actually be roleplaying, unlike Nick, who
seems to be enjoying the game, but not at all getting in
character. MORT chuckles to himself as he rolls three dice
from behind his PLAYER'S HANDBOOK.
INT. STEVE'S HOUSE -- ON MORT
We see two dice drop. A 2 and a 5. The camera shows MORT
looking VERY FRUSTRATED.
EXT. CSU HAYWARD -- WHET HALL -- OCTOBER 2001 -- FRIDAY
AFTERNOON
We see a dorm exterior with people WANDERING AROUND. There
is AMY, 14 YEAR OLD GIRL with BROWN HAIR and her mother. The
girl seems IN AWE by her surroundings. Her mother, NANCY,
looks BORED AND IMPATIENT, and YOUNG FOR HER AGE.
SAMMIE walks out, looking like she is nearly running to her
mother when she exits, yet she puts on a facade of being
uninterested when she sees her family.
NANCY
How was school?
SAMMIE
Fine.
AMY (ANNOYED)
That's what you ALWAYS say!
SAMMIE
That's all there is TO say.
NANCY
Girls... let's get to the car.
SAMMIE looks happy to go home, though NANCY practically has
to drag AMY away from the college atmosphere.
23.
EXT. CSU HAYWARD -- PARKING LOT
SAMMIE, AMY, and NANCY walk into NANCY's STATION WAGON. The
car backs up, turns around, and drives out of the parking lot.
EXT. SAN RAMON -- FREEWAY 680
The STATION WAGON gets off at a freeway exit.
EXT. SAN RAMON -- SAMMIE'S HOUSE
THE STATION wagon parks in the driveway in front of a house.
AMY bolts out with energy, while SAMMIE is slow and
meticulous as she exits the car. She takes one glance in the
car to make sure she hasn't forgotten anything, then she
follows her sister inside, carrying a huge CD CARRYING CASE
and wearing her BACKPACK. AMY quickly gets into the house
and SAMMIE sighs as AMY closes the door. SAMMIE opens the
door again and goes inside.
INT. SAMMIE'S HOUSE
SAMMIE enters her house. Her dad, ZEKE, is on his computer.
ZEKE
Hey, Sammie... how has school been?
SAMMIE
It's... fine...
ZEKE
Really, that's all you have for me?
It's been a week!
SAMMIE
Well... I guess. I mean, I just
don't really fit in as much as I
thought I would. Everyone else is
so much older than me.
ZEKE
Oh, you'll be fine... it takes time
to adjust.
SAMMIE
I sure hope so.
SAMMIE walks to her room, still looking like she's missing
something in her life.
INT. SAMMIE'S HOUSE -- SAMMIE'S ROOM
SAMMIE has her CD case out. We see a large variety of music
inside, organized alphabetically.
24.
We can see AEROSMITH early on, BLACK SABBATH, CREEDENCE
CLEARWATER REVIVAL, ERIC CLAPTON, FOO FIGHTERS all pass by
as she quickly flips through her large collection. We stop
on LED ZEPPELIN. She puts in the CD LED ZEPPELIN I. She puts
it on a SONY DISCMAN and puts on BIG HEADPHONES. She
immediately becomes lost in the music as she pulls out a
notepad. We see drawings, poems, and writings that seem to
work together to create some images. As she finds a blank
page, she begins to write.
SAMMIE (V.O.)
I wonder what my destiny is. I
always told myself I was too mature
for my high school, but when I see
all those kids at college, I feel
like I still have much to learn. I
thought college would be full of
people like me, but so far, I
haven't really found any. No one
else really enjoys writing and
poetry like I do. Perhaps I'll find
someone... perhaps even a boy who
understands me.
INT. SAMMIE'S HOUSE -- AN HOUR LATER
SAMMIE is sitting, looking outside her window at a bird
outside. The bird observes SAMMIE as well, but is not
threatened. It continues building its nest as SAMMIE watches
it. We hear a KNOCK on the door. SAMMIE jumps up a little,
and pauses her DISCMAN, leaving it on her desk. She walks up
to the door and opens it. NANCY is on the other side.
SAMMIE
What?
NANCY
It's time for dinner... didn't you
hear me calling you?
SAMMIE
No. I didn't.
NANCY
You must have your music up too loud.
SAMMIE shrugs and walks out of her room.
INT. CSU HAYWARD -- SAMMIE AND ERICA'S ROOM
ERICA sits on her bed next to LISA. MARIE and MITCH sit on
SAMMIE's bed, which still looks properly made from that
morning. LISA looks a bit NERVOUS.
25.
MARIE
So... you guys ready for tonight?
MITCH
Yeah! It's gonna be awesome.
ERICA
I've never been to a frat house
party before... what are they like?
MARIE
Oh... they're awesome! Just being a
girl pretty much gets you anything
you want.
ERICA
Yeah... I know how that is.
LISA
I don't know if I can go...
ERICA
Come on, Lis... you HAVE to go. It
won't be as much fun without you there.
LISA
Yeah... I guess. I guess... I'll go.
LISA looks slightly more convinced, but still a bit NERVOUS
as well.
EXT. CSU HAYWARD -- FRAT HOUSE
INT. SAMMIE'S HOUSE -- DINING ROOM
The four of them sit around a circular table. Everyone has
SALMON except for AMY, who has much more SALAD and BREAD
than everyone else.
NANCY
Amy, is that really all you are
going to eat?
AMY
I told you... I'm vegan! I don't
eat any animal product.
NANCY
You need to eat more than that.
26.
AMY
I would eat more... you could just
go and buy some meat substitutes.
NANCY
It's enough work feeding everyone
as it is. I can't cook two meals.
AMY
I guess you don't really care, then.
SAMMIE
Amy... I'm proud of you for
sticking to your convictions.
AMY
Thank you.
NANCY
Sammie, don't bait her.
SAMMIE
I'm not. I'm really proud of her.
I'm still addicted to meat myself.
ZEKE looks nervous, but instead of saying anything, he cuts
off a large piece of SALMON and begins to chew it.
