Week 7
Hey folks, happy week o Thanksgiving! Anyone else looking forward to the Broadway numbers to be performed in the parade on Thursday? I need to track down the list of shows.
For those of you keeping track, I'm now in week 7 of the screenplay writing class and have outlined both Act One and Two of my script. It was surprising how emotional I got writing some of the more intense scenes toward the end of Act Two. I think it came from dragging up emotions I hadn't dealt with in nearly 10 years. That and it was like 4:30 in the morning so I was tired.
Anyway, please feel free to respond with any comments.
Thanks
ACT
"Dragged Out" -- Matt Smith Week 5
This is a story about Howie, a 29 year old, corporate middle man whose only understanding of his place in the world is that he doesn't want to be different. When he's tossed into the world of gay drag, he's forced to confront not only the possibility that he's "different", but that that difference can help him find pride in himself which has been missing for years.
INT. DANCE CLUB - NIGHT
HOWIE, 29, and his girlfriend DONNA, 31, are a handsome couple tearing up the dance floor. Together they display an impressive trust and understanding of each other's bodies. Alone they're great dancers in their own right. Donna's gay best friend, BEN, 27, pairs up with Donna, sweeping her across the floor then attempting to pair up with Howie, who stops him and heads to the bar.
Howie flirts with the female bartender, ordering some cocktails as Ben joins him on the bar stools. Ben points out Donna dirty dancing with other guys, Howie slurs he's not concerned as his evening of drinks catches up with him. Slumped in his chair, Howie slowly spins himself into the bar as he follows the path of an attractive man who walks by them to the bathroom. Ben jokingly calls him out and Howie denies it. Donna arrives at the bar, Howie hands her a drink with a big smooch. She indicates it's time to leave since it's a work night and they depart.
EXT. SIDEWALK - NIGHT
Howie and Donna hold hands as they walk through the winter night. They compare highs and lows of their day and she keeps him from slipping and falling on the ice. He refers to her as his savior and they cuddle and giggle their way home.
INT - CORPORATE OFFICE -DAY
Howie, crisp and professional despite the long night before, banters with a female co-worker's. He passes by his friend CRAIG's desk covered in NFL merchandise, discusses the ongoing play offs and returns to his desk where his online shop for engagement rings is on his computer monitor. Craig mocks him for surrendering to pressure. Howie is confident that, after so many years, proposals are what nice guys do. Despite such a thoughtless attitude, his genuine affection is obvious. Howie's cell phone rings.
Coming from the phone is a high pitched wine that Howie identifies as Ben.
Howie makes a fey gesture to Craig, indicating who's calling and Craig leaves. Howie's eventually able to discern that Ben needs to meet with him immediately at the near-by hardware store. Howie agrees and leaves.
INT. HARDWARE STORE - DAY
Ben explains that the drag show he's directing at his restaurant, "Flamin' 'Mo's," is in serious trouble because his stage manager just quit. Ben remembers Howie saying he did some stage work in college. Ben begs Howie to take over as stage manager. Howie has no interest.
Howie discovers that Ben has entered the show in a competition and needs the prize money to ensure the success of his business. Howie now understands what's at stake and agrees to come to rehearsal that night. He then follows up with a concerned question over whether the restaurant is in the gay neighborhood or not.
INT. "FLAMIN' MO'S" - NIGHT
Donna is already seated when Howie arrives. The garish accessories on stage, the half-made costumes scattered around the near empty restaurant, the effeminate men in various stages of undress and make-up kind of creep him out. He explains to her what the show means to Ben and therefore why he's taking part. In the same breath he quietly bitches about how the whole world has gone swishy. She's proud that he's helping their friend, but surprised at his apparently new-found homophobic attitude. She says something about Ben being his friend and gay and Howie responds that he doesn't "act gay."
The lights go down and when Ben crouches next to Howie, placing his hand on his shoulder, Howie nearly leaps out of his chair. Ben shrugs it off and joins the partially done up drag queens on stage. Howie's comments continue to get more offensive until Donna calls him on his attitude and leaves. Ben sees her leave from onstage and runs after her, glaring at Howie as he passes.
EXT. "FLAMIN' MO'S" - NIGHT
Ben chases after Donna, worried that Howie may have said something to hurt her. She tells him she's concerned with how strange Howie is acting. They've both found indications that Howie is shopping for an engagement ring but this is the first time in 4 years Donna's really questioning if Howie is someone she wants to spend the rest of her life with. Though angry, Ben jokes to calm her. He voices his own theory on why Howie's such an asshole about homosexuals.
INT. "FLAMIN' MO'S" - NIGHT
As the men bump and grind on stage, one of them accidentally comes untucked mid-dance step. Howie decides he's seen enough and leaves out the back way he came in with Ben.
INT. HOWIE AND BEN'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Howie watches a rebroadcast of the NFL play-off games from the previous Sunday when Ben comes in, arms laden with the costumes he has to work on before the next rehearsal. Ben's angry with Howie for leaving and expresses surprise at what Donna told him. He lets Howie know his homophobic bullshit is unacceptable in his show and his house. Howie's not trying to be a jerk but only partially apologizes, and withdraws from the show. Ben's perplexed and hurt. They roomed together since college and Howie always seemed fine. Howie reminds him that, until Donna came along, they had separate social circles. Ben's surprised by this realization but proposes the show as a growth opportunity and promises Howie he won't charge him rent the entire time he's working on the show (which should help for a down payment on the engagement ring) but Howie needs to cut out the homophobic stuff immediately. Howie agrees to his terms.
INT. CORPORATE OFFICE - DAY
Howie works to reconcile his rehearsal schedule with the play offs and Super Bowl, hiding the paperwork when Craig enters his cube to discuss the latest scandal in the NFL world. One of the star players in the play offs has been outed after being caught with a male prostitute. Craig voices his disgust and tells Howie of a friend he had in high school who thought he was gay until he went to "Open Arms, Closed Legs Ministries".
Donna shows up at Howie's desk. She and Howie need to talk. They leave the office as Craig watches, shaking his head over how whipped Howie is.
EXT. SIDEWALK - DAY
Donna asks Howie what's wrong. He spouts about small town origins, being a jock, etc. She comments he's put a lot of though into why he hates gays. Howie accuses her of twisting his words. She realizes that he has consistently put borders between himself in the gay world as long as she's known him. He continues to feign ignorance and she leaves him with a hug informing him he can talk to her about anything. Howie's left angry and frustrated.
INT. "FLAMIN' MO'S" - NIGHT
Howie finally sits down with a note pad to watch rehearsal as Ben walks through a song.
The fast paced Iranian dance song startles Howie. He's captivated by the brand new world unfolding before him on stage. Although he knows the performer, GIGI HAAD, is a man, he can't take his eyes off her sensual figure writhing to the beat. They lock eyes as Gigi slinks toward him and draws a scarf around Howie's shoulders. She prances back to the stage and finishes amid a triple-time crescendo of drum beats which end suddenly and Ben strikes the lights. When they come back up, she's gone and Howie hasn't taken any notes. Ben consoles himself that at least Howie is finally interested in the show and sets up for the next number.
INT. SPORTS BAR - NIGHT
Howie shoots whiskey like it's going out of style. A trim, attractive man of Persian descent sits down next to him and orders a beer. He introduces himself as ASIF and they banter about sports. Howie talks about how a high school injury took away his opportunity for college and ultimately professional ball. After an offhand comment, Asif confesses he's Gigi. Howie scoffs him off until he looks into Asif's eyes. Realization compels him to take another shot. He then dashes to the bathroom as the bottle erupts from his stomach.
INT. SPORTS BAR, BATHROOM - NIGHT
Asif sidles into the bathroom while Howie unloads headfirst into a toilet. Howie's ashamed to be seen in such a weak position. Asif respects his wishes and leaves.
INT. SPORTS BAR - NIGHT
Howie emerges looking drained. While he downs a glass of water, Asif hands him his coat and helps him outside.
EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT
The blustery winter night helps sober Howie. Asif realizes he left his gym bag at 'Mo's and asks Howie to escort him to the restaurant then they can split a cab.
INT. "FLAMIN' MO'S" - NIGHT
Ben runs through a number on stage as Asif and Howie enter. Howie's reluctant to go into the dressing room and stays by the stage talking with Ben. Asif emerges with his bag, distressed over his missing misbaha, his Muslim prayer beads. He dumps his bag on the table and Howie asks him about his faith as he helps him look. Asif explains he's mostly left Islam behind, but his prayer beads were a childhood gift and good luck charm. He gets sentimental as he tells the story. Howie pulls the beads out of the pile and Asif is ecstatic. They have a slight moment.
Ben watches the scene unfold and when Howie easily touches Asif without cringing, he's mesmerized and trips over his own feet. He falls off stage with a crash, wrenching his ankle and knee. The spell is immediately broken. Ben needs a doctor. Howie picks him up and hauls him outside to search for a cab. Asif follows.
INT. CITY STREET - NIGHT
Howie flags down a cab with Ben leaning against him. Asif hangs in the background trying to be useful. As Howie loads Ben into the cab, he tosses Asif Ben's key to the restaurant and asks him to lock up. They pull away before Asif reacts.
INT. CAB - NIGHT
To take his mind off the pain, Ben searches for different topics of conversation. When they don't lead anywhere, he confronts Howie on his immediate rapport with Asif. Howie jumps into defense mode, saying he'd been drinking and he can't understand why Ben and Donna are ganging up on him and calling him gay. Ben can't believe Donna said that and calls her. Both deny ever calling him gay and when Donna hears they're in a cab to the hospital she hangs up to drive over.
Between the booze, the time of night, and the roller coaster of the past few days, Howie is wrung out. Ben tells him he knows what he saw when Howie was watching Gigi and offers his support. Howie is silent.
INT. EMERGENCY ROOM - NIGHT
Howie can't stand sitting alone with his thoughts as he and Ben. He's captivated and horrified by an MTF Transsexual and her Creepy Boyfriend; trapped by this image of the nightmare scenario he's worried will evolve if he actually addresses these feelings he's having for a drag queen. Donna enters and fusses over Ben. She criticizes Howie, saying he's staring too much(at the couple) and that she can't believe he's throwing a fit when Ben is the one who's injured. Howie storms outside.
Frazzled, Donna compares notes with Ben about this whole gay "issue." He fakes being overcome by the pain, she continues to push and it's obvious he's holding back. She asks Ben if he knows that Howie's gay and when Ben won't give her an answer, she leaves to go after Howie.
EXT. HOSPITAL- NIGHT
Donna follows Howie who yells at her for trying to make him into something he's not. They fight as she confesses she doesn't know what he is anymore. He shouts "I'm not some trannie chaser!" She's silent, taken aback.
After a pause, she gets angry and suggests that he should give that concept some serious consideration, implying he's protesting too much. She tells him to go home and goes back to Ben. Howie, startled by the subtle accusation realizes perhaps he does have things to think about and leaves the hospital grounds. Now that someone else has actually voice the suggestion, he can't avoid it any longer.
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
INT. HOWIE AND BEN'S HOUSE, HOWIE'S ROOM - DAY
Howie lays in bed staring at the ceiling, numb. Ben enters in a wheelchair offering his friendship while Howie figures things out. Howie asks about Donna.
Ben confesses that he'd taken a second mortgage out on the house to pay for this show, which is now missing a hook since he's no longer the lead. Howie can't believe what he's hearing but noticed Ben dodged the Donna question. Ben implies she had a rough night. Howie dresses and leaves, too mad to discuss the house.
INT. DONNA'S OFFICE - DAY
As a Veterans Administration Counselor, Donna has a comfortable office set up for easy conversation. Howie arrives with flowers and a cd by her favorite band. She reluctantly lets Howie in and he begins with an apology, turning on his usual charm, he starts the cd and tries to coax her into a dance.
She pushes away and turns the music off. When confronted he weakly states he doesn't know what he wants in the long run but pleads for her to stay with him for now. She insists she can only be a friend until he figures himself out and blames herself for missing signs of his confliction because the relationship was comfortable. Howie attempts to hold her as he used to. Near tears, she tells him to go.
INT. HOWIE AND BEN'S HOUSE, HOWIE'S ROOM - DAY
Angry and resenting the idea that he's shown "signs" of being anything other than straight, Howie ransacks his room. A few Cds and DVDs stand out as being a little queer but no red flags. For ultimate confirmation, he opens up his porn collection on his computer and is shocked to realize how many pictures and movies have extremely attractive men just as prominent as the women. Ben surprises Howie entering the room behind him and confirming Howie has excellent taste in men. He then tells Howie it's time for rehearsal.
INT. "FLAMIN' MO'S" - NIGHT
Ben wheels on stage and tells the cast and crew he can't star in the show anymore as he'll still be in a brace on opening night. Howie, having assumed Ben was confined to the wheelchair, and convinced there must be a way to salvage the show, thinks the dance won't be that hard balancing on one foot. He reenacts what he saw Ben doing the night before, leaning on one foot. As he dances, he shakes off his depression from the past few days. When he finishes he receives a rousing applause from the group and he beams. Ben escorts him outside.
EXT. "FLAMIN' MO'S" - NIGHT
Ben sees the hook, the show will be Howie's debut drag performance. Howie bristles with fear. He's not a drag queen, he doesn't want to make a spectacle of himself. Ben apologizes but doesn't see any other solution if they want to keep the house.
INT. "FLAMIN' MO'S" - NIGHT
Ben pairs up Howie and Asif and directs them to the stage, informing them that Asif will get Howie in shape and trained for the show. He turns to announce that the show will now revolve around the creation of a new drag queen performed by Howie. He adds that he will replace Howie as stage manager. There's dissent at the thought of having the show Emceed by an amateur but Ben gets the brainstorming ball rolling and the group gets into the idea.
INT. "FLAMIN' MO'S", STAGE - NIGHT
Asif has Howie mimic his basic stretches. When Howie struggles, Asif grabs his leg to help and Howie freezes. Asif senses the issue and offers to grab tequila shots to loosen Howie up. Howie declines, secretly concerned that alcohol brings his gay out.
INT. "FLAMIN' MO'S", STAGE - LATER
Howie and Asif are the only ones in the restaurant, they laugh and chat as Asif teaches Howie to tango as the woman. Howie spins into Asif's arms and the moment is electric. Howie's watch beeps the hour and he abruptly leaves, realizing how late it is. Asif gives him his number if he wants to work on stuff outside of rehearsal.
INT. CORPORATE OFFICE - DAY
Howie's exhausted and sore. Craig accuses him of coming back to the office still sick. Howie plays it off as recovering from his break up.
Since it's Friday, Craig rallies the other men in the office to hit the titty bar after work to help cheer up the newly dumped Howie. Howie isn't sure how to react.
INT. STRIP CLUB - NIGHT
Howie's friends parade women in front of him as he vacillates between agreeing this is exactly what he needs and wanting to be left alone. He ignores Ben's repeated calls to his cell phone from rehearsal.
INT. HOWIE AND BEN'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Howie sneaks in with a WOMAN, ensuring Ben's not around to catch him and call him out on avoiding his feelings.
INT. HOWIE AND BEN'S HOUSE, HOWIE'S ROOM - NIGHT
Howie aggressively initiates sex and the pair strip down, but Howie can't get hard. After a few red faced attempts at compromise and small talk, the Woman gets dressed and leaves.
INT. HOWIE AND BEN'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Ben rolls in the door, crossing paths with the Woman.
INT. HOWIE AND BEN'S HOUSE, HOWIE'S ROOM - NIGHT
Howie hears them interacting and gets dressed with a sigh.
INT. HOWIE AND BEN'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Howie steps out as the Woman exits. Ben rages about Howie's missing rehearsal and more importantly wonders what a woman's doing at their house. Howie claims Ben keeps trying to force him to be something he's not, Ben responds that Craig seems to be doing that just fine. Indignant and tired of the pressure, Howie withdraws from the show (despite the threat of homelessness) and leaves.
EXT. HOWIE AND BEN'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Howie's flummoxed, going through his contact list on his phone, he realizes he doesn't really have a close enough friend to call for a couch to crash on. He calls Donna.
INT. DONNA'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Alone in the dark, Donna watches her phone ring as Howie's name flashes on the screen.
EXT. HOWIE AND BEN'S HOUSE - NIGHT
When Donna's phone goes to voice mail, Howie hangs up. He nearly goes back in the house, and after much thought calls Asif.
INT. ASIF'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Howie apologizes for the late night intrusion but Asif is only upset when he finds out Howie has left the show. He sees talent and potential in Howie as a performer. He offers his couch until Howie and Ben work out whatever the issue is, but tells him to come to rehearsal with him in the morning. Howie is flattered. He agrees and goes to bed.
INT. "FLAMIN' MO'S" - DAY
When Howie apologizes, Ben accepts but acts out in hurt and becomes the hard ass director. He tells Howie if he's going to stay in the show he needs to loose some weight, attend all rehearsals, and do research to find "his song." He's also noticeably tight-lipped regarding Howie staying at Asif's. Howie's insulted by the weight comment, decides he can play the hard ass game too and hops on stage.
INT. "FLAMIN' MO'S", STAGE - DAY
Asif works with Howie in a group of guys where Howie is passed around like a piece of meat. After the first run-through Howie takes a winded pause on the steps. Ben criticizes Howie's stamina from the back of the theater. Howie defiantly steps back into the throng and shouts to Ben to start the music again.
INT. "FLAMIN' MO'S", STAGE - LATER
Howie's soaked in sweat as the group runs another number. Asif can see he's exhausted and dismisses the group for the day. Howie still has something to prove even though Ben already left, but Asif takes him into the dressing room.
INT. "FLAMIN' MO'S", DRESSING ROOM - NIGHT
Squeezed into the claustrophobic space, Howie nervously fidgets while Asif shows him the basics of drag makeup using Howie as a canvas. Asif comments on Howie's clammy palms as he applies nails and nail polish to Howie's hands.
INT. "FLAMIN' MO'S" - NIGHT
Donna enters the bustling restaurant looking for Ben. No one knows where he is. She heads to the back of the building.
INT. "FLAMIN' MO'S", DRESSING ROOM - NIGHT
Asif does Howie's eyes, holding his chin, keeping Howie's face inches away from his own. Donna enters, not realizing Howie's the one under the makeup. When she realizes Howie's there, she's shocked. Howie practically hides himself behind Asif and scans the table for something to wipe his face off. Once Donna leaves. Before cleaning off his face, Howie chases after her.
EXT. "FLAMIN' MO'S"/SIDEWALK - NIGHT
Donna won't stop as Howie races to catch up, shouting that they need to talk. She yells at him for being so cruel. She thought he was conflicted and needed time, she didn't know he was headlining a drag show. He tries to explain the situation but she won't hear it. If their relationship meant anything to him, he wouldn't do this. He tells her he has to. She tells him to leave her alone and leaves. He's left with his frustrated rage.
EXT. SIDEWALK - NIGHT
Lost in his thoughts, Howie walks right by Craig and the guys from work without noticing. They see his makeup and nails and are freaked out. Realizing what just happened, Howie quickly turns a corner and enters the first door he sees. Craig and the guys turn the corner too late and can't be totally sure that was Howie.
INT. GAY CLUB - NIGHT
Howie pays his cover charge and searches for the bathroom.
INT. GAY CLUB, BATHROOM - NIGHT
Ben, now on crutches, comes out of the bathroom as Howie scrubs the makeup off in the sink and pries his fake nails off. Assuming being at the bar means Howie is finally coming out, Ben's friendly again, escorting him to the bar. He comments that Asif had texted him looking for Howie.
INT. GAY CLUB - NIGHT
The rest of the performers, except for Asif, are there. They all welcome Howie and order a round in celebration of his coming out. Between the softcore porn on the monitors and the fruity drinks the boys offer him, Howie's overwhelmed. Asif enters, giving Howie a good-natured ribbing about running out, but stops when he sees Howie is genuinely upset. He gets Howie outside with him.
EXT. GAY CLUB/CITY STREET - NIGHT
Asif asks for the backstory and Howie relates it as they wander the streets. They end up in a park by a fountain where they sit down. Once Howie has broken down all the pressures he's under, a tear rolls down his face and Asif hugs him reassuringly. He escorts Howie to where he lives with Ben and gives him another hug at the door. Howie gratefully accepts the comforting.
INT. HOWIE AND BEN'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Ben lounges on the couch, watching tv. When Howie enters, Ben comments on how calm and relaxed he looks and praises him on finally accepting that he's gay. Howie informs him he's still not sure. He loves Donna, and is attracted to Asif, but maybe that's just a one time thing. Or maybe he's bisexual. Ben rolls his eyes and remembering that phase. He tells Howie he's jealous that he gets to start at the beginning, going on his first date, having sex for the first time, etc. He jokingly plays the hardcore porn DVD sitting in the player as an example of what Howie will probably be doing by the end of the month. Howie's still far too uncomfortable about gay sex to watch and asks him to turn it off. Ben continues to egg him on until Howie shuts off the tv and heads to his bedroom in awkward silence.
INT. HOWIE AND BEN'S HOUSE, HOWIE'S ROOM - NIGHT
Howie curls up in bed with a photo album of him and Donna and their four years together. He listens to their song and pauses on a picture of them kissing and can't hold back the tears any more. He clutches the album to his chest and lays back in bed.
INT. "FLAMIN' MO'S", STAGE - DAY
A tired Howie plays his selection for "his song" for Ben. It's his and Donna's song and not going to work in the drag show. Ben and Asif, not knowing the history of the song, both tell him to dig deeper for a song that means something more. Craig calls Howie's phone, asking to meet. Asif and Howie practice a tango together. The sensual movement leaves Howie equally charged with passion and uncomfortable and unsure with Asif grinding on him.
INT. "FLAMIN' MO'S" - DAY
Craig enters and shouts to Howie, telling him he doesn't need to be this way. The rehearsal screeches to a halt. Craig presents a pile of information from "Open Arms, Closed Legs Ministries". He appeals to Howie's insecurities, emphasizing the issues Howie had with the gay community and stressing how his uncomfortableness with those issues is a clear indicator of his heterosexuality.
Ben tells Craig to leave. Howie tells Ben it's ok. Ben fights back, telling Howie that Craig's full of shit. Craig ignores Ben, telling Howie that he can have a normal life. He can have the family and children, the successful marriage, the life that's the envy of everyone else for his entire life. Ben pleads with Howie to resist but Howie tells him to shut up. Asif, arm still around Howie, defends Howie's right to be whatever he is and Craig shuts him down by accusing him of being an attractive individual who used that gift for evil and sucked Howie into gayness.
Craig offers Howie a chance to get his life back. He declares everyone else at the restaurant to be sick and in need of a cure too. Howie looks over the group assembled for the show. He steps off stage and tells Craig he wants to come to the meeting. Ben continues to argue his point until he realizes Howie is firm. Defeated, he tells them both to leave his restaurant. Asif has tears in his eyes as he watches his new friend leave their community. Without a word, Howie exits escorted by Craig.