You never know when you read a script how it's going to turn out.*
WHAT JUST HAPPENED
Or: How to Crush a Sickle
SCENE ONE
INT. BEDROOM
SICKLE is sitting at a desk - the drawer handles are missing. She is typing, a concentrated look on her face. She stops, leans forward and rereads the document, scrolling up and down a number of times before being satisfied. CLOSE-UP on the final line: "Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, SICKLE."
INT. HALLWAY
SICKLE walks down a dark hallway. CLOSE-UP on the USB STICK in her hand.
INT. LIVING ROOM
SICKLE'S MOTHER is sitting on a sofa with a laptop. SICKLE inserts the USB STICK into the laptop.
SICKLE
Do you want to read my cover letter?
CLOSE-UP on the opening document, then PAN OUT to SICKLE'S MOTHER and SICKLE sitting on the couch. TRACK on SICKLE as she leaves the room. Disjointed scenes of SICKLE waiting, pacing the hallway and rooms as SICKLE'S MOTHER reads.
SICKLE'S MOTHER
It's great!
PAN OUT to SICKLE's face as she stands by the sofa. Her expression is guarded.
SICKLE
Really? Everything's okay? You don't think there's anything missing?
SICKLE'S MOTHER
No, it looks good. Anyway, I don't know why you ask me: I don't know anything about all this.
SICKLE
I just wanted to know what you thought.
CLOSE-UP on SICKLE removing the USB STICK. TRACK SICKLE moving towards the door.
SICKLE
I'll read this over this afternoon, then, just to be sure, and send it along with the application.
SICKLE'S MOTHER
Did you look into the other programme?
SICKLE
No, not yet. I'll do it this afternoon.
SICKLE'S MOTHER
How could you not have done it already? March is almost over - a whole other month wasted! At this rate you'll never get anywhere, what with not doing anything at all. Don't you have the least bit interest in anything?
SICKLE'S MOTHER continues to speak, but the sound is muted, thrumming in the background. SICKLE's response is also muted and intelligible, at lower volume than SICKLE'S MOTHER, as she exits the room. FOCUS on the door closing in the darkness of the hallway.
INT. BEDROOM
Camera PANS OVER the bed to SICKLE's head as she sits slumped on the floor beside the bed. FOCUS onto SICKLE's hand holding a worn tissue. The thrumming sound effect dimms as muted sobs are brought to focus.
SCENE TWO
INT. BEDROOM, BATHROOM, HALLWAY
Disjointed images of SICKLE crying, running her hands and face under a tap and getting dressed. The muted, thrumming sound effect of SICKLE'S MOTHER is heard in the background. FOCUS on a mirror as SICKLE steps into view, slowly pulling her expression into control from despair to neutrality. SICKLE'S MOTHER's voice seagues this image with that of the two leaving the house and walking down the road.
EXT. STREET
SICKLE'S MOTHER
Don't pull that face.
Disjointed images of SICKLE and SICKLE'S MOTHER walking down the street. Cut in are images of SICKLE at the mirror, in reverse, so that the neutral expression slowly breaks down. SICKLE'S MOTHER's voice is laid over these images.
SICKLE'S MOTHER
Oh God, what a face you've got today.
When we get to the photographer, you'd better put on a better face.
I can't stand it with you loking like that.
SCENE THREE
INT. OFFICE
SICKLE, SICKLE'S MOTHER, WOMAN and MAN are standing, with WOMAN and MAN in suits, standing by a desk. Introductions have just been done and SICKLE'S MOTHER is speaking to WOMAN and MAN. She is bouyant and cheerful. WOMAN looks at SICKLE.
WOMAN
Wow, child, you're so tanned!
SICKLE makes as if to reply, but SICKLE'S MOTHER interrupts, laughing.
SICKLE'S MOTHER
Oh yes, she's gone skiing! But look, it's only her face that's tanned!
SICKLE'S MOTHER gestures to her jawline.
SICKLE'S MOTHER
She was wearing a turtleneck, you see, so she's only tanned right here.
Camera FOCUS on SICKLE then cuts to flashbacks:
INT. BEDROOM
SICKLE is standing in front of the mirror, turning her head and examining her marked tanline with displeasure.
INT. BATHROOM
SICKLE is brushing powder along her jaw and neck, trying to blend in the tan. Her face is worried and focused.
INT. HALLWAY
SICKLE stands before SICKLE'S MOTHER, her head to one side.
SICKLE
Is it okay? Does it look okay? I tried to blend in the tan so it wouldn't look so silly.
EXT. STREET
SICKLE is walking by SICKLE'S MOTHER, running her hands carefully along her jaw and chin with concern.
SICKLE
Does it still look okay? I mean, in the daylight? Can you tell?
INT. OFFICE
Scene opens on SICKLE's face again. SICKLE'S MOTHER's laughter is heard and SICKLE's mouth twitches in a frown. PAN to show SICKLE'S MOTHER, WOMAN and MAN laughing at SICKLE'S MOTHER's gestures of turtlenecks and sunburns.
SCENE FOUR
INT. BEDROOM
Scene starts off similar to SCENE ONE. Shots of SICKLE'S NOTEBOOK with notes and To-Do lists are interspersed, set to the sound of typing keys. The lists are progressively shown with items crossed off. The passage of the morning is indicated by SICKLE'S MOTHER entering thrice into the room, the camera focused on her and the typing sound constant.
SICKLE'S MOTHER
All right, I'm off to buy vegetables. Good bye, darling.
Just got back - I'm going across the street for bread.
Hey sweetheart, I'm back.
Shot of the clock - it is 1 pm. The typing stops and SICKLE pushes the chair back and stands.
INT. LIVING ROOM
SICKLE sits down on the couch beside SICKLE'S MOTHER, exhaling loudly, looking tired.
SICKLE
I just couldn't work anymore. I've been at it all morning!
SICKLE'S MOTHER
What did you do?
SICKLE
I looked through the World Food Programme for internships - no such luck, 'cause they're only for current students. But I filled out their online CV form. And I looked into some other UN volunteer webpages... Right now I was working on making a whole new CV for this IPGRI organization: they don't have internships, but you can apply for a temp. job. They make you write the CV in their own style, though, so there I was, rewriting my CV for the hundredth time.
SICKLE'S MOTHER
What about that other thing? Did you call the people your dad gave you the number for?
SICKLE
What thing? Oh, that, no. I've been doing this other stuff today. And anyway, I don't know who these people are - where they're working - and Dad's handwriting is atrocious anyway. I can barely figure out what they're called!
SICKLE'S MOTHER
How could you not have done it already? March is almost over - a whole other month wasted! At this rate you'll never get anywhere, what with not doing anything at all. Don't you have the least bit interest in anything?
The last line - both audio and image - is intermixed with that from SCENE ONE. The muted sound effect comes in, with SICKLE's sobs barely audible.
SCENE FIVE
INT. BEDROOM
A quick shot of SCENE TWO's mirror and kleenex.
INT. KITCHEN
SICKLE is setting the table whilst SICKLE'S MOTHER is making a salad. Camera FOCUS is on SICKLE's hands as she places things down, some with a touch of aggression or frustration. A shot of SICKLE's face in the mirror at its saddest is quickly shown. SICKLE takes out a package of ham, with an immediate shot of her putting it away to SICKLE'S MOTHER's voice:
SICKLE'S MOTHER
No, not that ham. That one'll last longer than the other one.
SICKLE takes out a breadbasket, then replaces it to SICKLE'S MOTHER's voice.
SICKLE'S MOTHER
No, don't use that breadbasket for the rye bread, it'll ruin the cloth.
SICKLE removes the cloth to SICKLE'S MOTHER's voice.
SICKLE'S MOTHER
Not that basket, I said. Use a plate.
SICKLE does not use a plate, but instead places a napkin into the bread basket, then lays the bread in.
SICKLE'S MOTHER
I can't stand it with you, slamming things and throwing them down!
SICKLE's hands snatch back from the basket. Her face is confused, still sad, with red-rimmed eyes.
SICKLE'S MOTHER
I can't stand it when you're like this! Can't you do things without whipping them out angrily?!?
FOCUS on SICKLE'S MOTHER who is shouting, waving her arms out like a child throwing a tantrum in time to her words.
SICKLE'S MOTHER
I hate you when you're like that! I hate you, hate you, hate you! I'm not going to let you embitter my life! Do you hear?
The shouting continues visually, but the audio changes to a buzzing whine then the previous muted roaring thrum. FADE TO BLACK.
INT. BEDROOM
Similar PAN over the bed as in SCENE ONE, with the FOCUS ending over SICKLE's shoulder. She is very still, her breathe audible over the muted thrum of SICKLE'S MOTHER's voice. Suddenly, her arms jerks towards her head OFFSCREEN and moves vigorously. The rustle of hair as it is pulled is hear in the sudden silence, then SICKLE's arm lowers, crossing the camera, and SICKLE is still again. The muted thrum starts up again and SICKLE's shoulder tenses.
Quote of the Day: Vladimir Nabokov
Turning one's novel into a movie script is rather like making a series of sketches for a painting that has long ago been finished and framed.
Links of the Day
Supernatural:
hellybongo's Icons
icondothat's Icons
blackcat333_99's Meta Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid
caffienekitty's Meta Adversarial Methodology in 5x15 ; 5x15 Reaction ; On the Supernatural Wall
amonitrate's Meta The stuff heroes are made of: family dysfunction and the Winchester cycle of self-sacrifice
tahirire and blacklid's Review Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid
leonidaslion's Fae!Verse Fic Taste
mydearheart's Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid Icons
Lost:
ack_attack's Ab Aeterno Recap
Comic - Benery Knows Best: A Different Kind of Bunny
Heroes:
trust_tissues's Discussion Post How do you solve a problem like Sylar?
Watchmen:
likeanabattoir's Fic Unravel (Dan/Rorschach, NC-17)
True Blood:
trueblood_lj's flocked Season 3 Promo (Sam) and GIFs (Source)
Multifandom:
mediocrechick's Icons - Lost, Supernatural, The Simpsons, Saturday night Live, Celebrities
garvaldmains's Supernatural Challenge to fill in a Fandom Table
equanimousicons's Icons - Lady Gaga, BSG, SPN, Lost, Star Trek: TOS, Star Trek: XI
iconomicon's Icons
Random:
made_of_fail_pc's Episode 27: ECC Squee - \o/
qthewetsprocket's The most perfect piece of live theatre ever: The Mighty Boosh on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
secretlytodream's Fanvid Tutorial Workshop: I Make Images Move with the Music
marika_kailaya's Last Page Barricade: 39 - No Longer ; Last Page Barricade: 40 - You Will Reap It ; Last Page Barricade: 41 - Nemuri-no-hi ; On Not-Quite-Happy Endings
wtf_nature's All-Black Penguin Discovered
theweaselking's GIF: Mouse on dog! ; USMC corporal Drew Carey.
quinto_daily's Zachary Quinto in Theatre!
Hey, aren’t you...?: 15 actors’ winking nods to past characters
Benny the Autistic Horse - i.e. with Orphan Syndrome.
* Molly Ringwald
Or: How to Crush a Sickle
SCENE ONE
INT. BEDROOM
SICKLE is sitting at a desk - the drawer handles are missing. She is typing, a concentrated look on her face. She stops, leans forward and rereads the document, scrolling up and down a number of times before being satisfied. CLOSE-UP on the final line: "Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, SICKLE."
INT. HALLWAY
SICKLE walks down a dark hallway. CLOSE-UP on the USB STICK in her hand.
INT. LIVING ROOM
SICKLE'S MOTHER is sitting on a sofa with a laptop. SICKLE inserts the USB STICK into the laptop.
SICKLE
Do you want to read my cover letter?
CLOSE-UP on the opening document, then PAN OUT to SICKLE'S MOTHER and SICKLE sitting on the couch. TRACK on SICKLE as she leaves the room. Disjointed scenes of SICKLE waiting, pacing the hallway and rooms as SICKLE'S MOTHER reads.
SICKLE'S MOTHER
It's great!
PAN OUT to SICKLE's face as she stands by the sofa. Her expression is guarded.
SICKLE
Really? Everything's okay? You don't think there's anything missing?
SICKLE'S MOTHER
No, it looks good. Anyway, I don't know why you ask me: I don't know anything about all this.
SICKLE
I just wanted to know what you thought.
CLOSE-UP on SICKLE removing the USB STICK. TRACK SICKLE moving towards the door.
SICKLE
I'll read this over this afternoon, then, just to be sure, and send it along with the application.
SICKLE'S MOTHER
Did you look into the other programme?
SICKLE
No, not yet. I'll do it this afternoon.
SICKLE'S MOTHER
How could you not have done it already? March is almost over - a whole other month wasted! At this rate you'll never get anywhere, what with not doing anything at all. Don't you have the least bit interest in anything?
SICKLE'S MOTHER continues to speak, but the sound is muted, thrumming in the background. SICKLE's response is also muted and intelligible, at lower volume than SICKLE'S MOTHER, as she exits the room. FOCUS on the door closing in the darkness of the hallway.
INT. BEDROOM
Camera PANS OVER the bed to SICKLE's head as she sits slumped on the floor beside the bed. FOCUS onto SICKLE's hand holding a worn tissue. The thrumming sound effect dimms as muted sobs are brought to focus.
SCENE TWO
INT. BEDROOM, BATHROOM, HALLWAY
Disjointed images of SICKLE crying, running her hands and face under a tap and getting dressed. The muted, thrumming sound effect of SICKLE'S MOTHER is heard in the background. FOCUS on a mirror as SICKLE steps into view, slowly pulling her expression into control from despair to neutrality. SICKLE'S MOTHER's voice seagues this image with that of the two leaving the house and walking down the road.
EXT. STREET
SICKLE'S MOTHER
Don't pull that face.
Disjointed images of SICKLE and SICKLE'S MOTHER walking down the street. Cut in are images of SICKLE at the mirror, in reverse, so that the neutral expression slowly breaks down. SICKLE'S MOTHER's voice is laid over these images.
SICKLE'S MOTHER
Oh God, what a face you've got today.
When we get to the photographer, you'd better put on a better face.
I can't stand it with you loking like that.
SCENE THREE
INT. OFFICE
SICKLE, SICKLE'S MOTHER, WOMAN and MAN are standing, with WOMAN and MAN in suits, standing by a desk. Introductions have just been done and SICKLE'S MOTHER is speaking to WOMAN and MAN. She is bouyant and cheerful. WOMAN looks at SICKLE.
WOMAN
Wow, child, you're so tanned!
SICKLE makes as if to reply, but SICKLE'S MOTHER interrupts, laughing.
SICKLE'S MOTHER
Oh yes, she's gone skiing! But look, it's only her face that's tanned!
SICKLE'S MOTHER gestures to her jawline.
SICKLE'S MOTHER
She was wearing a turtleneck, you see, so she's only tanned right here.
Camera FOCUS on SICKLE then cuts to flashbacks:
INT. BEDROOM
SICKLE is standing in front of the mirror, turning her head and examining her marked tanline with displeasure.
INT. BATHROOM
SICKLE is brushing powder along her jaw and neck, trying to blend in the tan. Her face is worried and focused.
INT. HALLWAY
SICKLE stands before SICKLE'S MOTHER, her head to one side.
SICKLE
Is it okay? Does it look okay? I tried to blend in the tan so it wouldn't look so silly.
EXT. STREET
SICKLE is walking by SICKLE'S MOTHER, running her hands carefully along her jaw and chin with concern.
SICKLE
Does it still look okay? I mean, in the daylight? Can you tell?
INT. OFFICE
Scene opens on SICKLE's face again. SICKLE'S MOTHER's laughter is heard and SICKLE's mouth twitches in a frown. PAN to show SICKLE'S MOTHER, WOMAN and MAN laughing at SICKLE'S MOTHER's gestures of turtlenecks and sunburns.
SCENE FOUR
INT. BEDROOM
Scene starts off similar to SCENE ONE. Shots of SICKLE'S NOTEBOOK with notes and To-Do lists are interspersed, set to the sound of typing keys. The lists are progressively shown with items crossed off. The passage of the morning is indicated by SICKLE'S MOTHER entering thrice into the room, the camera focused on her and the typing sound constant.
SICKLE'S MOTHER
All right, I'm off to buy vegetables. Good bye, darling.
Just got back - I'm going across the street for bread.
Hey sweetheart, I'm back.
Shot of the clock - it is 1 pm. The typing stops and SICKLE pushes the chair back and stands.
INT. LIVING ROOM
SICKLE sits down on the couch beside SICKLE'S MOTHER, exhaling loudly, looking tired.
SICKLE
I just couldn't work anymore. I've been at it all morning!
SICKLE'S MOTHER
What did you do?
SICKLE
I looked through the World Food Programme for internships - no such luck, 'cause they're only for current students. But I filled out their online CV form. And I looked into some other UN volunteer webpages... Right now I was working on making a whole new CV for this IPGRI organization: they don't have internships, but you can apply for a temp. job. They make you write the CV in their own style, though, so there I was, rewriting my CV for the hundredth time.
SICKLE'S MOTHER
What about that other thing? Did you call the people your dad gave you the number for?
SICKLE
What thing? Oh, that, no. I've been doing this other stuff today. And anyway, I don't know who these people are - where they're working - and Dad's handwriting is atrocious anyway. I can barely figure out what they're called!
SICKLE'S MOTHER
How could you not have done it already? March is almost over - a whole other month wasted! At this rate you'll never get anywhere, what with not doing anything at all. Don't you have the least bit interest in anything?
The last line - both audio and image - is intermixed with that from SCENE ONE. The muted sound effect comes in, with SICKLE's sobs barely audible.
SCENE FIVE
INT. BEDROOM
A quick shot of SCENE TWO's mirror and kleenex.
INT. KITCHEN
SICKLE is setting the table whilst SICKLE'S MOTHER is making a salad. Camera FOCUS is on SICKLE's hands as she places things down, some with a touch of aggression or frustration. A shot of SICKLE's face in the mirror at its saddest is quickly shown. SICKLE takes out a package of ham, with an immediate shot of her putting it away to SICKLE'S MOTHER's voice:
SICKLE'S MOTHER
No, not that ham. That one'll last longer than the other one.
SICKLE takes out a breadbasket, then replaces it to SICKLE'S MOTHER's voice.
SICKLE'S MOTHER
No, don't use that breadbasket for the rye bread, it'll ruin the cloth.
SICKLE removes the cloth to SICKLE'S MOTHER's voice.
SICKLE'S MOTHER
Not that basket, I said. Use a plate.
SICKLE does not use a plate, but instead places a napkin into the bread basket, then lays the bread in.
SICKLE'S MOTHER
I can't stand it with you, slamming things and throwing them down!
SICKLE's hands snatch back from the basket. Her face is confused, still sad, with red-rimmed eyes.
SICKLE'S MOTHER
I can't stand it when you're like this! Can't you do things without whipping them out angrily?!?
FOCUS on SICKLE'S MOTHER who is shouting, waving her arms out like a child throwing a tantrum in time to her words.
SICKLE'S MOTHER
I hate you when you're like that! I hate you, hate you, hate you! I'm not going to let you embitter my life! Do you hear?
The shouting continues visually, but the audio changes to a buzzing whine then the previous muted roaring thrum. FADE TO BLACK.
INT. BEDROOM
Similar PAN over the bed as in SCENE ONE, with the FOCUS ending over SICKLE's shoulder. She is very still, her breathe audible over the muted thrum of SICKLE'S MOTHER's voice. Suddenly, her arms jerks towards her head OFFSCREEN and moves vigorously. The rustle of hair as it is pulled is hear in the sudden silence, then SICKLE's arm lowers, crossing the camera, and SICKLE is still again. The muted thrum starts up again and SICKLE's shoulder tenses.
Quote of the Day: Vladimir Nabokov
Turning one's novel into a movie script is rather like making a series of sketches for a painting that has long ago been finished and framed.
Links of the Day
Supernatural:
hellybongo's Icons
icondothat's Icons
blackcat333_99's Meta Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid
caffienekitty's Meta Adversarial Methodology in 5x15 ; 5x15 Reaction ; On the Supernatural Wall
amonitrate's Meta The stuff heroes are made of: family dysfunction and the Winchester cycle of self-sacrifice
tahirire and blacklid's Review Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid
leonidaslion's Fae!Verse Fic Taste
mydearheart's Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid Icons
Lost:
ack_attack's Ab Aeterno Recap
Comic - Benery Knows Best: A Different Kind of Bunny
Heroes:
trust_tissues's Discussion Post How do you solve a problem like Sylar?
Watchmen:
likeanabattoir's Fic Unravel (Dan/Rorschach, NC-17)
True Blood:
trueblood_lj's flocked Season 3 Promo (Sam) and GIFs (Source)
Multifandom:
mediocrechick's Icons - Lost, Supernatural, The Simpsons, Saturday night Live, Celebrities
garvaldmains's Supernatural Challenge to fill in a Fandom Table
equanimousicons's Icons - Lady Gaga, BSG, SPN, Lost, Star Trek: TOS, Star Trek: XI
iconomicon's Icons
Random:
made_of_fail_pc's Episode 27: ECC Squee - \o/
qthewetsprocket's The most perfect piece of live theatre ever: The Mighty Boosh on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
secretlytodream's Fanvid Tutorial Workshop: I Make Images Move with the Music
marika_kailaya's Last Page Barricade: 39 - No Longer ; Last Page Barricade: 40 - You Will Reap It ; Last Page Barricade: 41 - Nemuri-no-hi ; On Not-Quite-Happy Endings
wtf_nature's All-Black Penguin Discovered
theweaselking's GIF: Mouse on dog! ; USMC corporal Drew Carey.
quinto_daily's Zachary Quinto in Theatre!
Hey, aren’t you...?: 15 actors’ winking nods to past characters
Benny the Autistic Horse - i.e. with Orphan Syndrome.
* Molly Ringwald