Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Return to the Pen

Hello? Anyone still here? It's kind of dusty.

Okay, I want to apologize. I created this blog with the intent of regularly posting on it as a way to not only share my writing, but to motivate myself to write. Now it's been almost a month since my last post. I have no one to blame but myself on that one. So what happened? Well, a lot of things changed. My schedule became really busy, and classwork started piling up. A lot of other things changed too. Plans for the summer, relationships, and even priorities. So, now that I've dealt with all of that, I hope to get back to this blog, my writing projects, and my goal to actually be a published writer.

So what about my writing? I haven't written any new poems, but I am proud to say that I went to a poetry reading for the first time in years. I was insanely nervous, but I read "Wanderlust" and "Maybe," and to my surprise, everyone else liked it. It was very fulfilling. However, I'm ashamed to admit it, but my novel has not been touched upon in this last month. My goal for the rest of the year and the summer is to get a lot of work done on it. Like, actually complete a chapter. My admiration and bitter jealousy goes out to the writers who actually have the drive and energy to sit down and write. Sometimes I feel like a poser, claiming to be a writer, but not doing anything towards that claim. At least I have this: Study Day.

Study Day is my entry into a "blackout" film festival on campus. The idea behind the festival is that writers submit scripts, and the festival-runners blackout certain adjectives, locations, proper nouns, etc, so that the film production groups have to come up with their own ideas. It could be serious, it could be hilarious. I'll find out when the films screen on the 23rd. Study Day is my attempt at dissonant styles. Essentially, I wanted to take the tone and kinetic feel of a big budget action/adventure film and then place it in a context which made no sense: college students trying to find a book that guarantees a passing grade on the final. It's part satire, part subtle comedy, and part Bourne-style foot chase and fight scene. For those of you who do not go to USC, I apologize if any of the locations are hard to visualize. I hope you enjoy.

Study Day
By
Nicholas Slayton

EXT. MCCARTHY QUAD - NIGHT

It’s empty or nearly empty in McCarthy. A few people are out
by Trojan Grounds, but beyond that, not much.

SHAWN RUNS across McCarthy. In his hand is a bag filled with
3 books. He’s running as fast as he can, looking back over
his shoulder. There is someone chasing him. He keeps
running, jumping over a bag in his way.

He turns the corner, running onto Trousdale and running
towards a building. He throws open the doors and enters it.

INT. BUILDING - NIGHT

The building is lit. Shawn runs into a room with stairway.
He takes off to the second floor. At the top of the stairs
he looks back at the bottom of the stairs. He hears
footsteps, and takes off running again.

He runs down a hallway, turning a corner. He stops, leaning
against the wall. He turns around, leaning around the
corner. It’s empty. He’s safe.

Shawn exhales with relief. He starts to walk down the
hallway, bag in his hand. Things are good. He reached an
intersection of hallways.

Out of nowhere ALEX tackles him from the side, knocking the
two out of frame.
CUT TO:
BLACK FRAME
Text: STUDY DAY
FADE TO:
BLACK FRAME
Text: Earlier that day...
CUT TO:


INT. SGM - DAY
Alex walks out of a classroom, very stressed out. Behind him
a bunch of people file out, including MICHAEL and SHAWN.
Alex’s phone rings. He answers it.
CUT TO:
CHRIS is talking on his cell phone. He’s in a hoodie.
CHRIS
Hey Alex, what’s up?
CUT TO:
ALEX
Uh, I’m screwed, Chris.
CUT TO:
CHRIS
You should be happy man, classes
are done!
CUT TO:
ALEX
Yeah, but I am doomed.
CUT TO:
CHRIS
What, did Sarah cheat on you again?
CUT TO:
ALEX
(takes a step back from his
phone, confused)
What? No. Fuck you man. It’s my
Philosophy of Life class. The
final’s on the first day of tests,
and we are all screwed. It’s like,
impossible to pass.
CUT TO:
CHRIS
Ouch.
CUT TO:
ALEX
Yeah.
CUT TO:
CHRIS
Wait. What class is that?
CUT TO:
ALEX
Philosophy of Life. Why?
CUT TO:
CHRIS
I think I can help you out! My
friend Zack took that last
semester. He said that there was
this one book at Leavy that the
professor takes the entire test
from.
CUT TO:
ALEX
Oh that’s helpful. Wouldn’t
everyone in the class check it out?
CUT TO:
CHRIS
No! Nobody knows about it. Zack
only knew about it because he was
dating his TA.
CUT TO:
ALEX
What’s it called? If this works you
may be a lifesaver!
CUT TO:
CHRIS
"Everything You Wanted to Know
About Life But Were Afraid to Ask."
CUT TO:
ALEX
I’m going to get it tonight. Thank
you! I owe you so much.
CUT TO:
CHRIS
Eh, just send Sarah my way.
CUT TO:
ALEX
(pause)
Fuck you man.
Alex hangs up the phone. Even with the subtle insult, he’s
happy. He may have a chance of passing this apocalyptic
final.
CUT TO:
Chris hangs up the phone, shrugging. He walks into a
bathroom. He goes over to the sink, turning on the faucet to
splash to water on his face. He turns off the faucet and
looks up in the mirror.

Michael is standing behind him, glaring.
CUT TO:
INT. ROOM - DAY

Michael pulls a hood off Chris’s head. He’s tied to a chair
in a room. Michael and Shawn stand over him. Chris looks
around, with a nervous smile.
CHRIS
Umm...hey. What’s up?
SHAWN
Where’s the book?
CHRIS
What book?
SHAWN
You know what book I’m talking
about.
CHRIS
(Trying to get up)
Look, I threw out my Cannabis
Cultivator Guide two weeks ago. I
thought I told you guys that.

Michael puts a hand on Chris’s shoulder, forcing him back
into the chair.
MICHAEL
No no no. What my friend Mr. Wood
is trying to say is-
SHAWN
Wait, Mr. Wood? I though I was Mr.
Stone.
MICHAEL
(sighs in exasperation)
No man, I’m Mr. Stone. You’re Mr.
Wood.
SHAWN
But Mr. Stone is badass. Wood is
kind of bland.
Chris looks up at the two, confused.
MICHAEL
Look, Wood, Stone, whatever.
(To Chris)
What I’m trying to say is, where’s
the book for that Philosophy of
Life class?
CHRIS
(deadpan)
I have no idea what you could be
talking about.
MICHAEL
Hmm, okay, funny guy here. Look Mr.
Funny Man, you can tell me and my
friend Wood here-
(Shawn rolls his eyes)
-Or I can show you how painful dorm
room chairs can be when smashed
against your face. So, what’s your
pick?
CHRIS
(nervously)
Guys, it’s just a book. No need to
go all Liam Neeson on me.
SHAWN
Just a book?! This is a big test!
If I don’t pass this GE, I’m
screwed out of my 5 year plan!
CHRIS
5 year plan?
SHAWN
I’m an engineer, shut up.
MICHAEL
So, what’s it going to be? Tell us,
or Liam Neeson?

Chris gulps nervously.
CUT TO:
INT. LEAVY LIBRARY - NIGHT

Alex walks up to a help desk. The librarian on duty looks
up.
LIBRARIAN
What’s up? Need some help?
ALEX
Yeah, I was wondering where I could
find "Everything You Wanted to Know
About Life But Were Afraid to Ask?"
LIBRARIAN
Weird, you’re the second person to
ask for that tonight.
ALEX
Second guy? Was he kind of shady
looking? Wears a lot of hoodies?
LIBRARIAN
No, not at all. He’s --
(He looks up suddenly and
points)
--that guy!

Alex turns around, looking at the exit to McCarthy. Shawn is
walking out, a bag of books under his arm. Shawn stops,
looking around. He meets eyes with Alex. Alex glares. Shawn
glares. They hold their stares for a few seconds.
Then all of a sudden Shawn bolts out the door. Alex takes
off after him. The librarian looks around, confused.

LIBRARIAN
Well...okay then.
CUT TO:
EXT. MCCARTHY QUAD - NIGHT

Shawn runs across the Quad, looking back over his shoulder.
Alex is right behind him.
CUT TO:
EXT. TROUSDALE - NIGHT

Shawn runs onto Trousdale, almost sliding along the ground
from the quick turn, dashing southward. Alex makes a similar
turn, still chasing him.
CUT TO:
Shawn runs into the building.

INT. BUILDING - NIGHT

Shawn runs up the stairs.
CUT TO:
Shawn turns the corner in a hallway. He looks back. Nothing.
He sighs in relief, and walks to an intersection of
hallways.
CUT TO:
Alex tackles Shawn to the ground from the side. The two
slide a little across the ground. The bag of books falls a
little ahead of them. Alex reaches for it, but Shawn kicks
him away, hurriedly getting to his feet. Alex does the same.
The two men run at each other. They throw punches at each
other, blocking each one. After three rounds of that, Alex
punches Shawn in the face. Shawn kicks Alex in the back of
his leg, causing him to lose his balance. They stumble away
from each other.

They both charge at each other again. Shawn throws a punch at
Alex, who blocks it with his left forearm, before punching
Shawn in the face with his other arm. Shawn punches again,
Alex grabs his fist, but Shawn then pulls Alex towards him,
spinning around and slamming Alex into a wall. Alex
headbutts Shawn in the face. Shawn stumbles back, but
punches Alex in the face, knocking him to the ground.

Shawn reaches down to grab the bag, but Alex grabs him from
behind, knocking the bag to the ground. Shawn has one of the
books in his hand. Shawn pushes backwards, slamming Alex
against a wall. Alex lets go of Shawn, who spins around,
hitting Alex in the face with the book.

Alex falls to the ground, but before Shawn can do anything,
Alex kicks out, tripping Shawn and sending him to the ground
as well. The two scramble to their feet, Shawn using the
wall as support. The two stand up, and Shawn lunges at Alex
with the book, but before he can hit him, Alex kicks him
straight in the chest, sending Shawn stumbling backwards.
Alex lunges forward, punching Shawn in the face. He then
knees him in the stomach, before throwing him to the ground.
Shawn tries to get to his feet, but Alex kicks him in the
face. Shawn collapses.

Alex picks up the book from the ground, along with the bag.
He takes a step back, looking down at Shawn. He is utterly
angry, confused, and exhausted.

ALEX
(pause)
What the hell?

Alex leaves. Shawn is still there, unconscious.
CUT TO:
INT. SGM - DAY
CAPTION: The Day of the Final

Alex walks out of the room, unscathed and smiling. Chris is
there waiting.
CHRIS
Well, how’d the final go?

Alex grins. Michael and Shawn look over, glaring.
ALEX
You’re a lifesaver with that book.
Aced it!

The two high five.

CHRIS
Awesome! Want to get a drink?
ALEX
Yeah!
The two walk away.

The End.

A (horribly late) tale of the writer,
Nicholas