Writing Wednesday: Extracurriculars
I know I've been on a Gloves Off kick for the past month, but I felt like doing something different this week. I wrote a short scene from my high school sitcom High Eyes, which I think I'm renaming Honeywood, same name as the school. I wanted to practice my dialogue, so it's just that and a quick description of the setting, almost like a script. And since I'm starting to think about how I'm going to write the pilot episode, I designed this scene to be an introduction to these two characters. I know the jokes need some work (this is a sitcom, after all), but how do you think it plays otherwise?
Nat and Roger sit across from each other at a table in a busy lunchroom. Each of them is holding colored sheets of paper: lists of the clubs and activities at their new high school. Nat looks eager, marking items with circles and exclamation points, while Roger glances up and down the sheet with only mild interest.
NAT: Marching band. That's the way to go, Roger.
ROGER: You're not a musician, Nathaniel.
NAT: I played trumpet all through middle school!
ROGER: Not very well.
NAT: I wasn't thinking of playing an instrument for the band anyway. I want to be the guy that walks in front of the band and twirls a baton.
ROGER: With the gaudy hat?
NAT: The hat's the best part! And I'll get to wear the uniform with the shiny buttons and the gold braid and the shoulder pad fringey things.
ROGER: Epaulets.
NAT: You should march with me! We could match!
ROGER: I'm joining theater.
NAT: That's all?
ROGER: That and choir so I can practice for the musicals, that's all I need.
NAT: But look at the other activities you can do! How about Chess Club? Book Circle? Debate Team? You're great at public speaking!
ROGER: I looked. I'm not interested. All I want to do is theater. Didn't you want to do it with me?
NAT: Yeah, but that won't fill up my whole year, I need more, Roger.
ROGER: How much more?
NAT: I'm thinking Student Council. Newspaper. Maybe a sport. Oh, and Pep Club!
ROGER: Nat, when are you going to sleep?
NAT: I'll find time, that's what the bus rides and study hall are for.