WHATS THE SCORE?

by Jude Ashton

Short Film
Email: [email protected]

Guy wants girl, however she wants to pass her exams. Janet does everything right and always comes out top. They are tasked together to complete an assignment, bottom of the class with the best. He needs her to stop midway and brace the different things in life. She just wants to pass with or without him.

 

 

 

 

WHATS THE SCORE?©

 

Written by Jude Ashton.

 

 

 

 

Two college teenagers have to do a video essay on today’s young society. Who they are, what they stand for? How different it is, compared to other generations etc. Drugs, sex, unemployment, war etc. The teenager will do a video essay and will interview people. It starts with main and Janet starting their essay project together.
Int. College. A full class of teenagers are getting addressed by their lecturer.

SCENE 0

LECTURER

Assignment time class! I want you all to do a video assignment about today's youth. You will be working in pairs and you have two weeks to complete it. Who they are? What they stand for? What are their views? How are they affecting today's society? I expect quality work and sharp editing. Okay. Any questions?

COLLEGE KID 1

Sir...do I have to?

 

LECTURER

Yes and because your are a perfect sample of today's youth. You can hand yours and your partners within one week!

 

COLLEGE KID 2

Excuse me sir but that's wrong. He should have two weeks like everyone else.

 

LECTURER

He had two weeks, but he should think before he speaks. A perfect example for your assignment.

 

COLLEGE KID 1

Freedom of speech, sir.

 

LECTURER

Indeed. Good luck with all your assignments. I look forward to seeing them. Class dismissed!

COLLEGE KID 1

Can our assignment feature pornographic images sir?

 

Lecturer looks at College Kid 1 in the eye.

 

LECTURER

 

Your dismissed!

 

The class gather round the notice board and find out who they are working with. Student Main finds his name and chases after his partner(Janet) who walking fast down the corridor.

MAIN

 

Hey Janet wait up! I'm working with you.

 

Janet keeps walking and doesn't give him eye contact.

JANET

 

I know.

 

MAIN

 

So when shall we start? We need to discuss how we are going to do this.

 

She stops & faces him.

JANET

Well is tonight okay? At mine.

 

MAIN

 

Yeah fine. Shall we say eight o'clock?

 

JANET

 

Yes, see later then.

 

She leaves the college building and gets in her car and drives off. Main is left standing watching her drive off into the distance. He heads off towards the bus stop, sees the bus and gets on it. Main enters his house and closes the door quietly.

 

MAINS MUM

 

Main is that you? Hun?

 

Hmm.

MAIN

Main doesn't look his Mum in the eye and continues on his business. His Mum comes down the stairs to greet him.

 

MAINS MUM

 

How was your day? Have you worked hard?

 

Yeah.

MAIN

MAINS MUM

Are you happy babe? Are things okay? You know...
Main sighs in despair.

..if you want to talk to me about anything, I'm here for you.

Yeah.

MAIN

Main takes his coat off and proceeds upstairs to his room.

MAINS MUM

 

Do you want your tea now?

 

A large loud burst of 'Nivarna' is blasted out of his room. His Mum waits for his answer. He opens the door.

 

No.

MAIN

Main goes to slam the door and stops. His Mum hasn't gone yet and she gives that stare.

 

..thanks.

MAIN

 

His Mum sighs and he closes the door.

Later that evening at 7.30pm. Main is getting ready to leave to meet Janet. Someone knocks at Mains front door. His Mum opens the door and Janet is standing there.

 

JANET

 

Hello is Main in?

 

MAINS MUM

 

Yes, dear! Hes upstairs in his bedroom. I'll get him for you.

 

Mains Mum goes to the foot of the stairs and shouts Main.

 

MAINS MUM

 

Main come down dear. Theres a beautiful girl down here who wants to see you!

Main panic's Scene 1

1ST INTERVIEW - SUBJECT: MR.HEADPHONES

MAIN

 

Run camcorder.

MAIN

 

Can we interview you? Hello?

 

What?

MR.HEADPHONES

MAIN
We are interviewing people about the youth of today. Can we interview you?

MR.HEADPHONES

 

What? Cant hear you man because I got my sounds on!

JANET

 

Do think you could turn it off then? Please?

MR.HEADPHONES

 

Oh no babe I cant do that. That would break my flow I need my sounds. But you can stay in my vision if you know what I mean.

JANET

 

Lets go, were wasting our time with this weirdo. Shall I rewind it?

MAIN

 

No, no. This is good stuff, we can put this in somewhere I’m sure.

JANET

 

Under what subject, alien lifeforms?

 

MAIN

 

What sounds have you got on?

 

Check it..

MR.HEADPHONES

HE PUTS THE HEADPHONES ON MAIN.

MAIN

 

Wow…that’s loud mate!

PUSHING THEM OFF.

MR.HEADPHONES

 

Yeah, that’s so I can hear it.

MAIN

 

Do you play your music, sorry I mean sounds all the time?

MR.HEADPHONES

 

Yeah man but I dont when I go crash.

 

Crash?

JANET

MR.HEADPHONES
Yeah you know sleep.

JANET

 

This guy is brain dead!

MAIN

 

I know, but he’s real. Trust me. Why do you need your sounds?

MR.HEADPHONES

 

Because I’m not there I’m somewhere else…

JANET

 

He so right there.

MR.HEADPHONES

 

I dont have to listen to my parents or anything. It makes you feel good, I switch off.

 

MAIN

 

I understand, so what do you need to switch off from?

MR.HEADPHONES

 

School, the news on tv, old pensioners talking about weather on buses.

JANET

 

Then why are you in college then?

MR.HEADPHONES

 

Because its cool babe!

JANET

 

How about learning something too?

MR.HEADPHONES

 

Well yeah! And because my parents sent me here. They said I need to learn stuff.

JANET

 

And what stuff are you learning?

MR.HEADPHONES

 

Sociology babe, its deep you know?

JANET

 

I know. Is that it?

MR.HEADPHONES

 

Chemistry..and oh yeah psychology.

MAIN

 

Perfect! Lets finish and play it back later.

JANET

 

Do we get graded on this individually? Or as a group?

MAIN

 

This essay will be fine, trust me will you?

 

Hmm.

JANET

SCENE JANET VISITS

LATER THAT DAY JANET KNOCKS AT MAINS HOUSE AFTER COLLEGE.

JANET

 

Hi. You weren’t in our last class.

MAIN

 

I wanted to see the footage, I couldn’t wait. There is something about watching video footage for the first time. Then you shape it the way you want.

JANET

 

Shape the way you want? How about the way we want?

MAIN

 

Yeah, sorry. Come in, I show you it.

JANET

 

Hey this is good. Its much better than I’d thought it would look.

MAIN

 

Yeah I know.

JANET

 

Hey I’ve got us an interview.

 

Yeah who?

MAIN

 

Dave.

JANET

 

Dave?

MAIN

JANET
You dont know him. Come to think of it I dont know him.

MAIN

 

Huh? How did you meet him then?

 

JANET

 

He pinched my cheek in a bar last night and I dont mean my face.

MAIN

 

And what’s the subject cheeky?

JANET

 

No, pervy Dave.

MAIN

 

This I like, grab the camcorder.

 

SCENE 2

ON THE WAY TO MR.PERVY.

 

MAIN SEES THE SOME SKATEBOADERS AND GOES UP TO THEM.

MAIN

 

Hey boys, how’s it going?

 

THE SKATEBOADERS CHOOSE TO IGNORE HIM. BY ACCIDENT ONE OF THE SKATEBOARDS GOES LOSE AND GOES TOWARDS MAIN. MAIN GETS ON IT AND ATTEMPTS A JUMP THE SKATEBOARD MAKES THE JUMP, BUT MAIN DOESN’T.

SB1

 

The geek flipped out! Ha,ha!

JANET

 

Nice try Main. Give me a board.

JANET DOES THE JUMP AND LANDS SAFELY. AND DOES A 360 TURN IN FRONT OF THE SKATEBOADERS.

MAIN

 

Such hidden talents.

SB1

 

Yeah, you should learn from her.

 

THEY LEAVE THE SKATEBOARDERS AND CONTINUE THEIR JOURNEY.

 

JANET

 

Do you think they were impressed with that?

MAIN

 

Well yes. But I’m surprised they didn’t propose to you there and then. That was amazing, I didn’t know you could do that. I’ve wanted to speak to those guys for ages.

JANET

 

You want interview them then?

MAIN

 

Definitely and with your success back there they should be cool with us.

SCENE 3 INTERVIEW SUBJECT: MR.PERVY

JANET

 

Subject Mr.Pervy…

MR.PERVY

 

Hang on, stop the tape. Why am I Mr.Pervy?

MAIN

 

Because you pinched her ass.

MR.PERVY

 

Yeah, but I pinch everyone’s ass.

JANET

 

Exactly, hence the subject name. You want to change it?

MR.PERVY

 

Yeah I do, how about Romeo.

MAIN

 

As in Shakesphere?

MR.PERVY

 

No, just Romeo.

MAIN

 

Don’t you know who Shakesp…

 

JANET

 

JANET TURNS HER BACK ON MR.PERVY AND SECRETLY SIGNALS TO MAIN TO SHUT UP.
We need get started Main, its getting late.

MR.PERVY

 

So the subject should be Mr.Romeo, not Mr.Pervy. Okay?

 

Whatever.

MAIN

MAIN TURNS ON THE CAMERA.
Subject, Mr.Romeo…

MR.PERVY

 

No sorry that doesn’t sound right. Can we leave the Mr. out?

JANET

 

Look this only going ten minutes. Main is that okay with you?

MAIN

 

Whatever though Romeo wants, thee shall have.

JANET

 

Then thee shall start.

MR.PERVY

 

Why are you two talking like that?

MAIN

MAIN TURNS ON THE CAMERA.
Subject: Romeo, how art thou Romeo.

 

SCENE ?? SKATEBOARDERS REVISITED

SB1

 

This is our art. We should be free like birds y’know. We could skateboard on that park bench or on that bowling green. We just don’t care. And you what?

 

What?

JANET

 

SB1
I say skate and die.

SB1’S MUM

 

Come on Davey, your tea going cold!

JANET

 

Is that your Mum…Davey?

SB1

 

Yeah, but shes in touch with my art and skills.

MAIN

 

You mean she makes your tea.

SB1

 

Yeah, that’s it. Anyway I gotta go, later.

 

SCENE ?? THE CAR THIEF

RON

 

All people think I rob cars, take drugs, have unprotected sex and listen to loud music.

MAIN

 

So that’s not true then?

RON

 

Yeah its true, but I only do all that shit on Friday and if I’m still buzz’in on a Saturday.

MAIN

 

What about Sunday, you missed that out?

RON

 

That’s because I don’t remember them. They are like void. Is that when Songs of Praise is on and Little House on the Parie?

JANET

 

Yes, amongst things.

 

ROD

 

Naah man. You can keep them days.

MAIN

 

Do you go to work on Monday?

ROD

 

 

SCENE EXPOSED

JANET

You filmed me without me knowing?

MAIN

 

Yes.

JANET

Is that all you can say?

 

MAIN

 

What do you want me to say? I'm sorry...you should be flattered.

 

JANET

 

I want you arrested, your a pervert! That's sick. Obsessive!

 

MAIN

 

I know. I suppose I like you.

 

JANET

 

Well, why didn't buy me flowers or ask me out? How much did you film?

 

An hour.

MAIN

 

JANET
Is that all?

 

MAIN

 

Yeah, but I edited it.

From what?

JANET

 

Four hours.

MAIN

 

JANET
Right that's it, I'd rather fail this stupid essay.

Janet starts to leave the room grabbing her things along the way, with Main following her.

 

MAIN

 

But wait! I only did it because I thought at the end of this essay you wouldn't see me again. My own memory wasn't enough. I had to capture you, in the way I could remember you best.
Janet leaves the room and slams the door shut.

My vision, through a camera..of you..
The door slowly reopens and Janet stands in the entrance of the doorway. They slowly embrace and kiss.

 

Scene ??

RESULTS OF THE ASSIGNMENTS ARE ON THE NOTICE BOARDS.

 

F…F!

JANET

 

JANET RUSHES TO THE LECTURERS OFFICE.

JANET

 

We got an F?

LECTURER

 

Yes I know, that’s what happens when you dont hand your assignment in. I’m surprised at you Janet, I paired you with Main so that you would get a decent piece of work from Main. Mains work has been very poor of recent.

 

JANET

 

But we’ve finished it. Its ready, something happened. I’ll go and get it myself for you if you just….

LECTURER

 

Are you covering for him?

 

No, I’m not.

JANET

LECTURER
You’ve got till tomorrow morning nine o’clock in my office. Its that, or an F okay?

JANET

 

Thanks! You'll have it.

SCENE JANET KICKS ASS

 

JANET RUNS TO MAINS FLAT. BANGING ON THE DOOR, PRESSING THE DOOR BELL.

JANET

 

Are you in Main? Answer the door will you!

 

SHE SEES THE WINDOW OPEN AND CLIMBS IN. SHE THEN ENTERS MAINS LIVING ROOM AND SEES MAIN WATCHING “EMPIRE STRIKES BACK” ON THE TV.

 

MAIN

 

You can use the front door you know.

JANET

 

I did, but there was no answer!

MAIN

 

Sorry I didn’t hear the bell. Look this the Yoda scene..

SOUND FROM THE TV

 

Use the force Luke!

 

JANET

 

Hey look at me, we got a F today! F stands for failed. Where is our assignment, why haven’t you handed it in? Today was the deadline.

 

Oh…

MAIN

MAIN IS STILL WATCHING THE TV.

JANET

 

Look oh is the wrong answer. Where is it? I’m not failing because of you.

MAIN

 

Look I really think we’ve got something special and we would get a good grade. A very grade probably A+.

JANET

 

What do you mean probably? It needs to go in tomorrow.

SCENE FED UP

MAIN

It's no good.

 

What isn't?

JANET

MAIN

The video, theres nothing in it.

JANET

 

Are you joking? You've got a jerk of a joyrider thinking he's the new anti Christ. And don't forget Mr.Pervy, who is more sex starved than you!

 

MAIN

 

Yeah I know. But we need a body to it, a structure. Where are we going with it? Joyriders and virgins is that today's youth?

 

JANET

 

No. But we can do more on it. Am I a joyrider?

 

MAIN

 

Hardly. But that's my point, we are stereotyping ourselves…

 

JANET

 

Hang on a minute. We picked these people, they didn't come to us. They were randomly picked, where they not?

 

MAIN

 

Yeah I suppose so.

 

JANET

 

And if that's stereotyping then lets balance it out.

MAIN

 

So are we going to be more selective?

JANET

 

No. We are going to finish the assignment and worry later. I don't care if we portrayed as sad people or sickos. I need the grade okay? Anyway I have our next subject.

JANET POINTS THE CAMERA AT MAIN.
Mr.Main the creative one. Who or what is your main influences?

MAIN TRIES TO MOVE AWAY.

MAIN

Not me. I'm not interesting, stop the camera Janet.

JANET

 

Dont be an old biddy. I'll ask you again who or what are your main influences?

MAIN

 

Do I have to?

NO ANSWER.

MAIN

In film making or what? That's a general question.

 

JANET

Let it flow, anything.

 

MAIN

 

Joe Montana because he was cool under pressure he was always in control of his team. He never looked stressed. Oh and Classuis Clay.

 

JANET

 

You mean Mohammand Ali.

MAIN

 

No I mean Classuis Clay. They were different boxers, different people. Clay when he started had passion and the biggest confidence the world had ever seen. He didn’t go to war, so they took his title. I loved the guy. He was more than a role model. Every fight he won he destroyed my fears and gave me strength.

 

JANET

 

But he got his brain bashed for years. Went fat and got Parkinson’s disease.

MAIN

 

Yeah but a lot of my idols had their problems, as did Elvis. Those problems happened because those type of people are so focused on what they love the most.
Everything else doesn’t exist, immaterial. I admire their dedication, no matter what. Hell when Ali did that comeback and he got beaten up to a pulp. Worst thing I’d seen at the age of six. I cried all the way through the last half of the fight. I screamed stop the fight and they didn’t.

 

JANET

 

Did you do a lot of sport at school?

 

MAIN

 

Yeah but it was awkward. I learnt a hard lesson in school. I learnt to always support the underdog, when you can.

 

JANET

 

Why? Your idols weren’t underdogs, they were kings. Champions.

 

MAIN

 

Wrong. They gave hope to the underdog, the loser if you like. They were once the underdog, they must of been from the start. At school when we did sport, I was always picked last when the kids picked the

 

teams. It affected me. It left a scar I suppose. I always feel I have to prove myself. Funny isn’t?

JANET STOPS THE VIDEO.

JANET

What about your family?

MAIN

 

Granddad. William Main. He passed away recently. The comedian, the showman. My granddad. I know sounds silly but if I get a break. I’ll setup a production company and I’ll call it William Main presents.

JANET

 

Were you close?

MAIN

 

Well you don’t know how close you are till that person leaves you. I was surprised really. Not being religious, I was scared for him when he died. Where was he going? But heck it made me think about death and life in general. I hear people all the time moaning how they are bored or they aren’t happy with things. Well my granddad lived so long because he never stopped enjoying life. He took it to the max.

JANET

 

So did he go to heaven?

MAIN

 

Yeah Granddad heaven. He’ll be cracking jokes, dancing and if they allow it a little gambling too.

 

JANET SMILES AND HUGS HIM. DURING THE HUG. CAMERA FOCUSES ON MAIN, HE SMILES LIKE HE HAS JUST SCORED A GOAL.

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