Lock-In: A Teen Dramedy (2)
Leah Which is where I come in right? Rob C'mon Leah. You're my best friend and I really need your help, I'm begging you just help me here please. A pause, as they look at each other, Leah seeing the determination and desperation in Rob’s eyes. Leah Okay. But this against my better judgement, and I still don’t think you have a chance, but I’m going to help you anyway. What do you want me to do? Rob Just keep the rumors from getting too big and out of control, and… Leah And what? Rob Talk to her. Leah (voice rising) Jesus Rob! That means I have to go through Maryruth and all her BS! Rob (trying to clam her down) Better you than me— Leah (interrupting) I think you’re wrong on that one. Rob No reason to add fuel to her fire, I just want you to talk to her, then come back to me and tell me what she said. Leah Right now? Rob No not now, find a point sometime today. Ok? Leah (reluctantly) All right. But you owe me sooo much. Rob (grinning) Yeah I know. Thanks Leah, I’d hug you but Maryruth is undoubtedly watching. (pauses) You know, I’m going to get her back for this crap. Leah Better people than you have tried and failed… Rob (grinning again) Thanks for the vote of confidence. Ryan suddenly appears behind Rob and Leah. Ryan Don’t you guys have a skit to work on? Rob Yeah, but (gestures to Zoe who has been looking at Rob but abruptly looks away when he looks over) it’s hard to do when you don’t have your whole group. Ryan (grinning) I know what you mean. Sarah and Brenna went to the bathroom and god knows when they’ll be back. Rob laughs, Leah rolls her eyes. Leah Does anyone know what the three stooges that you guys hang out with are doing? Rob You mean Curran, Stills and Lokey? Leah Yeah. Rob I’m too scared to ask. Ryan nods. Leah What about you Ryan? Ryan Well Brenna and Sarah are supposed to fight over me, beat me up then decide they’re better off without me. Rob That’s not funny. Ryan (grinning) You haven’t seen the fight yet. Leah rolls her eyes again. Ryan I’m going to see what Janni’s doing with Maryruth. Leah Be careful. She bites. Ryan makes his way around to the back right corner of the theatre class, taking the long way around. Ryan (to the camera) Usually this class is extremely tight, it’s always a pleasure and everyone looks forward to it. But this whole mini Dawson’s Creek episode has caused boundaries to be set up. Things could get ugly. I’m going to see how this plays out. He reaches Maryruth’s group, and she’s digging into Mia with a vengeance. Janni stands against the wall watching the events unfold. Zoe sits in the seats by them looking absently at the back wall. Mia (weakly) I just don’t think it’s a good idea. Maryruth (mocking her) I just don’t think it’s a good idea. Listen, do you have a better one? Mia (softly) No. Maryruth (yelling so that all can hear) Then shut the hell up! This is the skit we’re doing, if you don’t like it then tough! (mutters) I can’t believe I got put in this group with you people. What do you think Jan? Do you think we should change the skit too? Janni opens his mouth to speak but is cut off by Maryruth. Maryruth Nevermind, shut up, I don’t care anyway. A look of anger crosses Janni’s face but before he can speak Ryan comes in. Ryan Hey Maryruth, PMS getting you down? Maryruth (turning to Ryan) Hey Ryan. (comes over and gives him a hug and pouts) Tell them to stop being mean to me. Ryan and Janni exchange looks. Ryan Something like that. Anyway, what are you guys doing? Maryruth (grinning broadly) Mia and I play friends. It’s a stretch I know but this is an acting class. Mia is visibly hurt and Janni winces. Maryruth Anyway she’s tried to steal my boyfriend played by Jan, and she and I have it out, then decide not to be friends anymore. It’s very dramatic. Ryan (giving Janni a look) I can imagine. But when you say, “have it out” does that mean you yell at Mia and verbally abuse her? Maryruth (with a sly smile) Not me Ryan, but the character. Ryan Whatever. Maryruth So what happened I thought you were working with Sarah and Brenna? Ryan I was but they went to the bathroom and I haven’t seen them since. Maryruth (exclaiming) They went without me?! C-ya Ryan, Zoe come on! Zoe (looking up) Huh? Oh ok. Maryruth pulls her from the seat and they walk out of the theatre. Mia (flatly) Nice to know that she focuses on the important stuff. Both boys chuckle. The scene shifts suddenly as time warps to the end of class, all people are back in their respective groups working and talking. Once again there is a shot of the clock as it says BELL, and then back to the theatre. Everyone moves to collect his or her books and depart. Liefert (yelling over everyone else) All right folks I’ll see you tonight. Have a good day. Mia and Amy leave together. Rob and Leah get up to leave as well. Janni begins to make his way over to them. Zoe and Maryruth and her gang leave through the doors by the stage casting looks back at Rob and Leah. Rob Thanks again Leah. Leah I wasn’t kidding earlier; you are in debt to me buddy, seriously. Rob (grinning) Anything within reason. Janni joins them and Leah takes the exit by the stage as well. Just as she opens the double doors Eddie, Mike and Josh come through talking loudly. Eddie I’m telling you dude all you would need is a dead monkey, some nails, and a hammer… Mike But what would you do with all those Reeses Pieces? Rob and Janni give them a look as they depart but say nothing to them talking amongst themselves, Eddie, Mike and Josh taking the same way out. As they leave Eddie calls out: Eddie C-ya Babcock! Ryan, alone in the theatre, waves putting his CD player earphones on his head and then begins walking up toward the double doors. The camera pans down to Nirvana’s Nevermind CD as he inserts it and then the song ‘Drain You’ begins to play on the soundtrack. INT. HIGH SCHOOL HALLS/CLASSOOMS/CAFETERIA—MUSICAL SEQUENCE (DAY) Time passes again, but this time entire periods are going by. Shots of the hall, the characters going into their respective classes and lunches. One of them sees Maryruth humiliating Mia and Amy is nowhere in sight. Mia runs to the bathroom and seems to be having a panic attack. She considers taking pills she has in a pocket, but then decides not to. Somehow Ryan is always around; in this case he is outside the classroom when Mia is being made fun of. In a class of his own he witnesses Maryruth gossiping (obviously about Zoe and Rob, Zoe is in the room adding bits to the conversation; though Leah watches from the sidelines) while in another Zoe and Rob try to ignore one another when they sit right next to each other. Lots of moving between classes, Janni listening to Rob and the boys talk at lunch. There are also shots of the types of classes people are into. Small comical moments of Curran, Stills and Mike and Eddie in Marshal’s tech class. Leah and Babcock talking. Amy helping Mia at lunch. Mia standing against a wall looking up to the sky with her eyes closed. The periods are over when the camera pans back to the BELL readout on the clocks. There are shots of people’s mouths moving and little graphics saying the period numbers fade in and out on the screen. As the song winds down you have very rapidly cut shots of the characters in the hall (Maryruth and her entourage, Mia walking alone avoiding all eyes, almost running through the halls seemingly trying to escape, Janni, Rob, and Ryan talking, the stoners smoking outside the school, Leah watching Zoe at her locker, and other random hall traffic) finally till the final BELL shows and school lets out. Leah meets Mia and Amy at her locker. Mia, who is near tears once more, relays what happened earlier in class with Maryruth. Leah So she made fun of you…so what? Mia (incredulously) C’mon Leah if it were just that do think I’d be this upset? I’m not just some depressed loser freak like Maryruth says I am, but I AM a person, with feelings that get hurt just like everybody else. Leah (apologetic) I know, I know. You don’t have to tell me, I understand. I just-- Amy (interrupting) What happened? Mia Well… we were sitting in English class with Ms. Fales, and she was talking about the story we were reading? Y’know the one about the yellow wallpaper and the way women used to be put in these “hospitals” (makes air quotes) because people thought they were crazy? Leah (nodding) I remember the story. So what happened? The camera focuses in on Mia’s face as she’s remembering the incident, but as “Yeah, Whatever” begins by Splender, it begins to fade back to the classroom with Mia’s voice on the soundtrack. Mia (V.O.) Ms. Fales said that a lot of women— CUT TO: INT. MS. FALES’ CLASSROOM (DAY) Mia’s voice fades into that of Ms. Fales as the flashback is fully into the classroom. Ms. Fales --were wrongfully put in these hospitals and kept locked up by these doctors, these “men” (the last word spoken as if it were a expletive) who thought they knew what they were doing. This story is a direct testament that they just didn’t know what they were doing and that they were making things worse for these poor women. Mia (V.O.) And then Maryruth said: Maryruth You should ask Mia about that. (Turns in her seat to look her in the eye with a devilish grin) You spent some time in Shepherd Pratt didn’t you Mia? CUT BACK TO: INT. HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY—LEAH’S LOCKER (DAY) Mia What could I do, I couldn’t lie, so I answered truthfully. CUT TO: INT. MS. FALES’ CLASSROOM (DAY)--RESUMING Mia (with a cornered look on her face) Yeah, a little while. (Trying to cover) But that’s not the same thing as what’s going on here. Ms. Fales (sensing the danger) You’re probably right. Different time, different reasons. Maryruth But this could help our lesson Ms. Fales. So Mia (in a sweet friendly tone) why were you in the hospital anyway? Mia (scrunching in her seat and speaking softly) No reason. The entire class is watching as Maryruth makes Mia squirm. Maryruth Well you had to be in there for a reason? They don’t put you in there for nothing. Are you psycho, or something? Mia (with a heartbreaking look at Ms. Fales) I really don’t want to talk about it. Ms. Fales (in authoritative tone of voice) Neither do I. We’re not here to talk about Mia; that’s her business, Maryruth. Maryruth But Ms. Fales— Ms. Fales (warning) Not another word Maryruth. Mia manages to look humiliated and relieved at the same time. Ms. Fales begins to talk again but her voice is fading out as is the Nickelback song, and the camera pans out on Maryruth looking at Mia, with a smug grin on her face. INT. HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY—LEAH’S LOCKER (DAY)—RESUMING Amy Why didn’t you tell me during lunch? Mia Cause Maryruth was there. You’d have just made a scene and drawn it out. It would’ve gotten all over school. Leah Knowing Maryruth it still might. Mia looks frightened. Amy (give Leah a look) Don’t worry, she’ll find something else to taunt you with I’m sure. Mia (suddenly smiling) Is that supposed to make me feel better? (She laughs) Amy (smiling as well) Y’know what…it is, how sick is that? All three girls laugh. Mia I'm just glad I have you guys to lean on, I know that no matter what she does tonight I have you guys to help me through it. Amy Yeah. Don't sweat it. I've been learin some new wrestling moves. Mia (amused) I can't believe you joined the wrestling team. Leah I can. Speaking of which, don't you have practice now? Amy I think so. Leah closes her locker and comes face to face with Rob. Leah (jumps, startled by him) Jesus Rob. You scared the hell out of me. Rob Whatever, did you talk to Zoe? Leah winces then shakes her head. Rob (beginning to freak out) WHY?! Leah (giving him a stern look) Because I never found a good time to do so. Get over it, I’m going to do it. (Looks at Mia and Amy) I’ll see you guys later ok? Amy Yeah. The girls walk away. Rob So when are you going to talk to her? Leah I’ was planning on doing it tonight. Rob I was hoping you could do it before then. Leah (exhales) Rob… Rob C’mon Leah, I really need your help. I can’t talk to her until you do. I…I really need your help. I tried to talk to her today and all we did was ignore each other, and we sit right next to each other. Leah I know, Ryan told me. Rob Ryan eh? Yeah that kid knows everything that goes on in school. So you’re going to go talk to her? Leah Yeah I guess so. (Looks about the emptying hall) Is she even still around? Rob I did some checking of my own. She’s staying after-school to help Liefert set up for the lock-in tonight. Which is where I plan to make my move. Leah All right. I’ll find you and talk to you later-on tonight at the lock-in. Rob Thanks Leah…I really appreciate this. (Hugs her) Leah (over his shoulder) I know. INT. HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE—MUSICAL SEQUENCE (DAY) The scene shifts again and Leah is seen walking from into the double door lobby of the theatre entrance, and as she enters the sound of a piano is heard from inside the theatre. She gently walks into the theatre. Ryan is sitting in the audience as Zoe, who is up front, plays the piano to ‘The Promise’ off the Pure Moods CD. The camera pans in from Leah to Zoe and goes straight to her hands as she plays the beautiful song. The camera pans in from her hands to her face. She plays with a strange look as if remembering something. The camera then pans back to Rob at his locker he picks up a pictures that show Zoe and he going from friends to more than friends (including junior prom). As the song progresses there are brief flashbacks that they both are remembering. Rob and Zoe laughing together, fooling around, footage of the two of them together in the play. Leah continues to walk toward Zoe and Ryan watches as if in a trance. Rob laughs at a flashback, Zoe smiles, then a split screen as the smiles fade away and they begin to share a memory. The camera keeps panning back to Zoe’s hands as she plays. EXT. NIEGHBORHOOD/ROB’S LOCKER/THEATRE—MUSICAL SEQUENCE (DAY) A flash of lightning. Rob slumps to the floor remembering. They’re in a residential neighborhood and it’s raining. Rob and Zoe are outside and they are talking seriously about something but you cannot hear what they’re saying; all you hear is the piano. Suddenly as the song shifts, the camera goes to Rob as he says something but the ending words are “I love you.” Zoe looks at him, and says something that obviously doesn’t sit well with him. The expression on Rob’s face turns from hopeful to angry in an instant. He yells at Zoe and she yells back. The rain continues to fall, as they scream at each other out in the street. Finally Rob throws his hands up giving her his final word, and begins to walk away. Zoe says something else to him but Rob continues to walk away, as the song fades on the soundtrack. The scene shifts back to Zoe playing the final bars of the song with a passion, and Rob closing his locker and walking away putting the photo back in his locker as Leah comes up behind Zoe and taps her on the shoulder, startling her and breaking the mood. Zoe Leah! What are you doing in here? Leah I came to talk to you. I think you know what about. Zoe (exasperated) Yeah. God everyone wants to talk about that today! Zoe gets up from the piano and begins to move toward the front row of the middle section of chairs. Leah and she talk as they move. Leah You didn’t seem to have those sort of feelings about it this morning when you and Maryruth were bashing Rob earlier. Zoe (whirling on her) Y’know what Leah… (decides not to get into it) Ok so I was venting, I’m sure he’s talked about me like that. Ryan (speaking up from behind them) Actually he hasn’t. (Gets up and moves to join them) Zoe (amused) Ok! If there are any more of Rob’s friends hiding in the theatre would you please come out? Leah This isn’t funny. Zoe I know, I know. Ryan (coming to sit behind Leah in the previous row) And I wasn’t hiding I’ve been here the whole time watching you play. Zoe (getting up again) So he sent you guys to… what? Nag me? Get information? Ryan He didn’t send me I’m just concerned. Zoe About him? What about me, everyone is so worried about him, what about me? Ryan I’m worried about both of you. I’m watching two good friends of mine live out something that’s like some Dawson’s Creek plot reject. Leah (rolling her eyes) Shut up Ryan. Zoe If you don’t mind, would you leave Ryan? I have to talk to Leah. Leah looks a bit confused but nods to Ryan’s departure through the nearby doors by the stage. He stands behind the door however and listens. Leah So what are we going to talk about? Zoe Rob. Leah (nodding) Uh-huh. Zoe But we shouldn’t be. (Gets up and begins to move around again) Leah (getting up with her) Yeah I know. HE should be talking to you instead of me. Zoe So why isn’t he here? Leah Because he thinks that I can magically work this problem out for him. And I can’t. (The next question is asked almost hopefully) Can I? Zoe (flatly) No. Leah (concerned) Do you know how he feels about you? Zoe (painfully) Yes. Leah (moving toward her) How do you feel about him? Zoe (throwing up her hands in exasperation) I DON’T KNOW! DAMMIT I DON’T KNOW! (Groans loudly then looks back at Leah) Is that what you came to ask me? Leah Yeah. Zoe Well you go back and tell Rob I don’t know how I feel about him, and to come ask me himself. (Sits on the stage) Leah (speaking in a stern tone of voice) Oh C’mon Zoe! You know how you feel about him. You have to have at least some idea. Zoe just sighs and bows her head. Leah (coming to sit beside her) You’re not the victim here, and neither is he, but you can’t keep this up... It’s just hurting you both.
Copyright © 2001 Robert G. Hagans |