Friday, June 5, 2015

The Core - Pilot - Act 2

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ACT II

28. INT. SCOTT ENTRY WAY – NIGHT

JON, wearing all black, straightens his silver tie in front of a mirror. PAUL walks out of his home office.

PAUL
Going somewhere?


JON
I was invited to a party tonight.

PAUL
Shouldn’t you be putting a pause on extracurriculars?

JON
Don’t worry; I only plan on making an appearance. I’ll be at work.

PAUL
Oh, that reminds me. How did your tryouts for football go? Is my son the quarterback?

JON
(Beat)
They were good. Team captain said I was a shoe in but it’s doubtful they would make me the quarterback.

PAUL
Seventeen-year-olds actually use the phrase ‘shoe-in’?

JON
No, I was just translating to old guy. (Laughs)

PAUL set’s his briefcase down on the table to give his son a hug.

PAUL
I’m so proud of you. It’s good to see your changing things around this year.

JON
What? You didn’t like my rebellious stage?

PAUL
It wasn’t so much that you were rebellious as it was you were constantly getting into trouble. But things are different now. You are going to a new school. That troublemaker Michael has seemed to stay away a good long while, Nancy is back in the United States with us… All is right.

JON
You really think my friends were the problem?

PAUL
Maybe they weren’t the source, but you did always seem to get into trouble while Michael and Jordon were around. Though maybe it was just Jordon.
(Beat)
You’re not still broken up about that situation are you?

JON
It’s hard sometimes. I feel like Jordon was the only one who really understood what I was going through emotionally.

PAUL
Girlfriends can give that illusion. Anyways, I’ve got to get going. See you at eight?

JON
See you at eight.

PAUL leaves through the front door. JON picks up a silver leather jacket lying on a near by table. KENDRA passes by on her way to the kitchen. SHE steps back in surprise with what JON is wearing.

KENDRA
Is it new years already?

JON
Don’t be jealous.

KENDRA
How could I ever be jealous of you?

JON
Because you weren’t invited to a back to school party, plus you could never pull this jacket off as well as I do.

KENDRA
Neither can you. I don’t think anyone can pull of that jacket; except maybe Michael Jackson, (Chuckles) Or Lady Gaga.

JON
Hey Kendra?

KENDRA
What Moron?

JON
Do you think my friends were the source of my behavior last year?

KENDRA
Please, you can’t blame those idiots for your own idiocy.

JON
I’m being serious.

KENDRA
So am I. Michael was actually good for you. I think he held you back. Now that I think of it, you did most of your trouble-making after Michael left, where ever he went. He didn’t die did he?

JON
No. Michael had his reason for leaving.

KENDRA
And you know what they are don’t you!? Do you know where he is?

JON
Of course not.

KENDRA
Where is he?

JON
I don’t know. He left. Headed South, that’s all I know.

KENDRA
Mexico. It must be Mexico.

KENDRA walks back to the kitchen. JON puts his Fedora looking at the jacket one more time.

JON
(To himself.)
I totally pull this off.

JON tilts his head to the side the gives in and takes it off before he heads out the door.


29. EXT. ALLEY – NIGHT

STELLA walks through the dark streets dressed in silver on her way to the party. CHAIN sounds are heard from behind and STELLA quickly turns. When turning back, SUPERSONIC is revealed in a blue-grey suit and head-mask. STELLA gasps in surprise.

SUPERSONIC
You shouldn’t be walking in these streets at night. You could run into (beat) shifty people.

STELLA
You’re one to talk. What are you doing here?

SUPERSONIC
I told you I would protect you. I keep my word.

STELLA
If you’re always out saving me, how is the rest of the city going to be safe?

SUPERSONIC
You always have a knack for getting into tight situation.

STELLA
Well, worry no longer. My boyfriend is very protective. I’m on my way to his place right now.

SUPERSONIC
When that kid can protect you from derailing trains I’ll leave you alone, but for now, I’ve got your back.

STELLA
A mysterious man protecting a ‘nobody’ like me. I’ve got to ask, do I happen to know who is under the mask?

STELLA steps closer to SUPERSONIC putting her hand up to his face.

SUPERSONIC
That’s a secret I’ll never tell.

STELLA puts her hand down and smiles.

STELLA
Thank you.

STELLA turns and walks away.

SUPERSONIC
For what?

STELLA turns back around.

STELLA
For saving my life so many times. But I don’t think I need you anymore.

SUPERSONIC
Fine, risk your life. I’ve got people to save anyway.

STELLA smiles as SUPERSONIC flies away.

CUT TO:

30. INT. DEVOLA LABS – NIGHT

PAUL SCOTT and DARIUS BROOKS wearing white labs coats set up equipment for lab experiment.

DARIUS
You think DeVola will actually make it tonight?

PAUL
He better. Everything is planned to go smoothly. Plus Jon is supposed to come tonight.

DARIUS
Really? That’s surprising.

PAUL
He seems to have really shaped up since he got back from the camp. No attitude. Agreeable.

DARIUS
If you say so. I would put too much important responsibility on him just yet though.

PAUL
Just today he tried out for football and made the team.

DARIUS
So he must be making friends.

PAUL
He must be.

CUT TO:

31. INT. EVAN AND NOAH”S PENTHOUSE – NIGHT

PARTY is less the elegant but filled with many kids from the school. STELLA is off in a corner with SEBASTIAN and CLAIRE.


STELLA
You should have seen him today. I felt so bad. The guys out there just killed him.

CLAIRE
Did he survive the hazing?

STELLA
Not quite. Apparently he didn’t make the team. But we’ll see what he’s good at when school gets started tomorrow.

SEBASTIAN
The guy is also very tall.

STELLA
Not bad looking either.

NOAH comes up behind STELLA holding her drink.

NOAH
Who’s not bad looking?

CLAIRE
Stella was just telling us about the new guy. Jon something.

STELLA
Jon Scott. I think you’ll like him.

SEBASTIAN
Did I mention TALL.

NOAH
Awe man. He’s going to be another one of those cool guys isn’t he? Hate those guys. They always make you feel- uncool.

SEBASTIAN
What would be cool is if he would hang out with us and then we became cool by association!

STELLA
This stuff really matters to you guys?

NOAH
Well you wouldn’t know what it’s like to be uncool because you’re a cheerleader. It’s like being cool by default.

JON walks through the penthouse elevator taking in the party scene.

STELLA
There he is.

JON walks the opposite direction of STELLA and NOAH and SEBASTIAN.

NOAH
Well, so much for the hope of being cool.

STELLA
I really thought he would come over here and talk to us.

SEBASTIAN
On second thought maybe he won’t be cool. Did you see how much black he was wearing? If he’s in some kind of cult he’ll most definitely be uncool.

NOAH
Is it just me, or are there too many people here?

The camera follows JON as he wanders through the party looking for just one familiar face.

JON
(to himself)
Why did I come?

JON walks into the kitchen to see SIERRA standing drinking a soda alone and goes to make conversation.

JON
So how long have you been going to this school?

SIERRA
Sixth grade.
(beat)
How about you?

JON
You couldn’t tell?
(beat)
This will be my first year.

SIERRA
I thought maybe you were just a friend of a friend.

JON
Oh, no although Stella invited me, do you know her?

SIERRA
Stella, blonde hair, always up in a bun, cheers like there’s no tomorrow?

JON
Guess your not a fan of cheerleaders.

SIERRA
Guess you’re not a fan of color.

JON
Is it too much? I’ve been thinking about staying away from black as a part of the new me.

SIERRA
What’s wrong with the old you?

JON
The old me would get into too much trouble.

SIERRA
I say stay the old you, at least one last night. Who can it hurt?

JON
You’d be surprised.

SIERRA
Let’s dance.

JON
Okay

JON is dragged out by SIERRA amongst the dancing teens. EVAN who is with his friends laughing notices with a look of suspicion.

JEREMY
Isn’t that the new kid with your girl?

EVAN
Don’t worry. He hasn’t got any moves. He failed on the field today. Completely wiped out.

EVAN watches intently. JON and SIERRA start dancing with the music. Furious EVAN approaches and pushes JON away from SIERRA.

EVAN
Stay off my girl.

JON
(To Sierra)
This is your boyfriend?

SIERRA
Evan, don’t. I pulled him out here to dance.

EVAN
That’s no excuse Sierra. He shouldn’t be grinding hips with some other man’s girl.

JON
Don’t blame me for her promiscuity.

EVAN
What did you just call her?

JON
You heard me. (Deep stare)

EVAN
I won’t be provoked.

EVAN begins to walk away with SIERRA but JON’s rage can’t be held anymore and he pulls EVAN’s shoulder to punch EVAN in the face. Flooded with anger EVAN goes to punch JON back but JON pulls out serious ninja moves to deflect any attack EVAN has.

The CROWD of teens goes silence from the sudden action. TEENS pull out cell phones to record the action.

TEEN #1
Is that Evan he’s beating up?

TEEN #2
Who is that guy?!

TEEN #3
Best party EVER!

JON sweeps EVAN off his feet causing EVAN to land on his back. EVAN’s friends step in to hold JON back and help EVAN up.

EVAN
What is your problem?

EVAN limps away. STELLA and SEBASTIAN look at each other in amazement, NOAH behind them unimpressed.

SEBASTIAN
That was some kick; did you see him hit Evan right in the face? It’s gotta be because he’s so tall!

NOAH
Sebastian, if you’d admit that your short, none of this ‘tall’ stuff would be quite so amazing to you.

SEBASTIAN
I’d like to see you kick someone in the head like that.

EVAN
Sorry for the inconvenience everyone. Just get back to your dancing and the party will go on as planned.

JON shakes off the guys holding him back. The MUSIC starts back up and teens hesitate back into their dancing. EVAN walks up to JON.

EVAN
I don’t know what it was like at your old school, but here things are done differently. If you want to fight, you name a time and place so we can do it the right way.

JON
I apologize. It won’t ever happen again.

EVAN
Good. Now get out of my house and don’t ever come back.

JON heads back to the elevator to leave.

32. INT. O’NEIL PENTHOUSE ELEVATOR – NIGHT

JON takes a minute to breath as the elevator moves. JON pulls out his phone and scrolls down to the name JORDON and presses call.

JON
Jordon hey. I know you don’t want me calling you but I just – I messed up. I was good all summer but I, I thought I could handle another party. Friends aren’t exactly easy to make these days. Maybe I shouldn’t have called. I’m sorry. You can just delete this as soon as you get it.

The ELEVATOR DOOR opens and JON walks out.

33. INT. O’NEIL LOBBY – NIGHT

The Neighboring elevator door opens and STELLA runs out after JON.

STELLA
Wait up.

JON
Stella? I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to find you.

STELLA
What was all that up there?

JON
Probably my ticket out of this school.

STELLA
Are you kidding? You’re the star of tonight’s party. It’s all over Facebook.

JON
That’s not who I want to be. Not anymore.

STELLA
You were cool at your old school?

JON
My friend, Michael and I ruled Echo High. But it’s not who I want to be any more. He left home and I-

STELLA
Labels are all the rage in high school. The bright side is though; you can take you label and completely ignore it and become your own person. Make a name for your self. Who is it that you want to be?

JON
Surprisingly insightful.

STELLA
I have my moments. I’ll see you tomorrow, Jon.

JON
Jonny. (Beat) Goodnight Stella.

JON smiles as Stella walks back to the elevator then heads outside.

34. EXT. ECHO CITY AIRPORT – NIGHT

MICHAEL and CODY stand in Terminal Pick-Up? Trying to hail a cab.

CODY
Are we going to stay with your parents?

MICHAEL
Unfortunately I haven’t talked to my parents yet. We’ll have to stay with a friend.

A FLASH of lighting lights up the area and thunder resonates around them.

CODY
Sorry, I didn’t mean to stumble onto a touchy subject.

MICHAEL
It’s not your fault Cody.

MICHAEL pulls out a cell phone and scrolls through his contacts.

MICHAEL
The guy who came to talk to us in Oregon, he’s the one who will help us find a place to stay.

CODY
But don’t you have friends here? You told me you grew up here?

MICHAEL
Cody, I didn’t exactly leave on good terms with everyone. I certainly didn’t tell anyone where I was going.

CODY
Just don’t treat me like the little brother you need to protect. Just because all of my family is gone doesn’t mean I can’t take care of myself.

MICHAEL puts his hood on in anticipation of the rain coming down. It begins to rain.

MICHAEL
I know you can. I’m just not ready to lose you too.

CODY
(Beat) I hate your way of being emotional. It’s too compelling.

END OF ACT II




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