“Third CHANGE” – Script

Duo ex Mania
(Show #03)

Written by: Jeremy Sears

FIRST DRAFT:
06/12/08
SECOND DRAFT:


Script Terms
Ext – Exterior – Setting outside
Int – Interior – Setting inside
POV – Point of view – from characters perspective
CLOSE ON – Focusing on a body part(s)/object(s)
WIDEN ON – Zoomed out on a person/people/object(s)
OV – Over View
UV – Under View
SV – Side view
FV – Front View
VO – Voice over
OS – Off screen

PROLOGUE

OPEN ON

Ext. wasteland – day – sunny

CLOSE ON (UV) a slope on the road set in the middle of nowhere.

Narrator (VO)
Last time, on Duo ex Mania!

A classy purple roofless Cadillac car LEAPS over the slope and into the air at full speed.

WIDEN ON (SV) the Cadillac car being driven by Pocky with Jem in the passenger seat as it lands on the road and continues to race on.

CLOSE ON (SV) the passenger side of the car while Jem looks behind them.

Jem
Faster Pocky! The radioactive ninja motorcycle gang is gaining on us!

PAN behind the Cadillac quickly too reveal the gang of green glowing ninjas riding on choppers not far behind them while spinning around nunchucks.

CLOSE ON (UV) Pocky’s face while she has a big grin on her face.

Pocky
Oh, looks like it’s time for a turbo boost!

POV – Pocky – she reaches down and pushes the “TURBO” button on the dashboard.

CLOSE ON the exhaust pipe on the right end of the Cadillac as fire BURSTS out like a rocket.

WIDEN ON (OV) the Cadillac as flames BURST out of its two exhausts, launching it like a rocket.

WIDEN under the car from inside a canyon as it leaps over the left side dramatically.

POV – hood of the Cadillac – Pocky and Jem’s eyes widen with comically exaggerated shock as the car begins to lean forward while only half way across the canyon.

Pocky and Jem
WOOOOOooooooowwww!!!!!

CUT TO

Int. church – wedding

ZOOM IN behind the bride and the groom standing at the altar while facing the priest that stands before both of them.

Priest
You may now kiss the bride.

The bride and groom turn their heads and look at each other, only to realize it’s Jem that’s in the bride’s dress and Pocky’s in the groom’s suit. They both look just as surprised as their eyes widen with shock.

Pocky and Jem
HUH?!

CUT TO

Int. water dungeon cave

WIDEN ON Jem as he gets pulled away from the screen in the squishy grips of a giant squid monster’s tentacle as it prepares to make a snack out of him.

Jem
AaaaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAH!!!!!

CLOSE ON Jem as he struggles to try and get free while looking over his shoulder at Pocky (OS).

A little help Pocky!!!

CLOSE ON Pocky’s face while she looks back at Jem (OS).

Pocky
Kinda busy right now, Jem!

ZOOM OUT to reveal Pocky’s stuck to a giant spider’s web and covered in a sticky goo while three spiders twice her size crawl in around her.

CUT TO

Int. Jem’s house – Jem’s bedroom

POV – over Pocky’s shoulder – Pocky watches everything the audience just saw continue on Jem’s TV via his Xii’s internet browser that’s on YourTunnel.com.

CLOSE ON Pocky sitting in front of the TV (OS) with an unenthused expression while holding the Xiimote in her left hand and resting her chin against her right fist.

Pocky (reality)
(unenthused)
Jeez this anime is stupid, good thing I’m watching it on the Internet instead of paying for the DVD…

Pocky looks over at the screen and frowns.

Yeaaaah, I’m talking to you!

Jem leans in from the left side of the screen in the background and looks at Pocky.

Jem
Uhhh Pocky? Who are you talking to?

Pocky
The audience! See they’re right there!

POV – back of the room – Pocky turns around and points at the screen again while Jem sits in his computer chair.

And now they’re over there.

CLOSE ON Pocky as she turns around to face the screen from the original angle again.

And over here again.

Jem blinks a couple times.

Jem
Oh…right.

Jem leans off screen.

CLOSE ON (SV) Jem as she sits up in front of the computer with a bit of a frustrated expression.

Hmm…

POV – Jem – on Jem’s monitor, Nanosoft Word – a typing program is opened up at the cover page for a script.

CLOSE ON (SV) Jem’s eyes while he gets more and more frustrated.

Hmmmmmmm…

CLOSE ON the top of the word document while the black vertical line flickers between quotations with “-Script” beside them.

CLOSE ON (SV) the keyboard as Jem bangs his head against it with his eyes closed tightly.

(frustrated)
Gahhhh! I can’t think of anything!

CLOSE ON Pocky while she rolls her eyes, continuing to watch stuff off of the TV (OS).

Pocky
(sarcasm)
Just keep Tryin’ Jem, you’ll get it~

Pocky looks away from Jem (OS) and narrows her eyes.

(mutters)
Eventually…

CLOSE ON (SV) Jem’s face against the keyboard.

Jem
GRrrrrrrrrr…

The doorbell rings and Jem’s eyes quickly open.

Huh?! The doorbell,

CLOSE ON Pocky while Jem runs past her towards the door (OS).

(OS)
Maybe it’s mom and dad!

Pocky
Huh? Mom and dad?

WIDEN ON (SV) Pocky while she watches Jem run out of the room through the door at the end of the right wall.

Why would your parents ring the doorbell to their own house?

CLOSE ON Pocky as she drops her head with an aspirated breathe.

Ugh…it’s been like a month…

Pocky opens a Hammerspace portal and pulls out her list.

You sure aren’t making this easy.

Ext. Jem’s house – day – sunny

POV – at the front door – Jem opens the door quickly but stands still with a single glance at who’s at the door and blinks.

Jem
Huh? Who’re you?

POV – Jem – A women with long curly dark brown hair tied back stands at Jem’s doorstep wearing black military pants with a matching undone military jacket and a gray camo tank top underneath along with combat boots and a military cap. She undoes the flap of her jacket’s left breast pocket and pulls out Secret Ops badge.

Chelsey
My name’s Chelsey Tavarez and you and any other residents of this house are hereby under arrest

END PROLOGUE

Duo ex Mania

ACT ONE

OPEN ON

Int. College – lecture hall

POV – Connie – she slides some books into her shoulder bag.

WIDEN ON Connie standing alone in front of a table near the large windows in the background, closing up her bag while a few people walk by in the foreground.

Connie
(thinking)
Finals are soon.

Ext. College – day – sunny

WIDEN ON the front of the college while people walk in and out of the building.

WIDEN ON (SV OV) Connie walking down the concrete path cutting through the grassy field.

CLOSE ON (SV) Connie walking quietly while a couple of her friends walk by in the background and wave at her.

Connie’s friend (girl) #1
Hey Connie! Good luck on your finals!

Connie smiles politely and waves back.

Connie
Hehe, hey, good luck on yours.

Connie’s friends (both girls)
Thanks!

Her friends go off screen and she retains her polite smile.

WIDEN ON (SV OV) Connie as she stops in front of a bench and sits down it lightly.

CLOSE ON (SV) Connie as she holds her head back and then leans forward.

Connie
(long hard sigh) Hmm…

FLASHBACK

Ext. Jem’s house – day – sunny

CLOSE ON Connie from outside the bus window as looks over at Jem (OS) and blinks.

POV – Connie – Jem can be seen clearly happily squeezing Pocky in the middle of the lawn in front of the his house that’s suddenly back like nothing ever happened to it.

END FLASHBACK

CLOSE ON (SV) Connie’s face while she looks downward.

I know what I saw; it was the same girl who was spying on us at the Generic Anime Convention, at Jem’s house when it got hit by the comet and beside him in that abandoned trailer park…but who is she? (sighs)

POV – Connie – looking up at the sky while a few puffy, white clouds drift through the sky.

(OS)
I wish you’d forgive me Jem; I’d really like to know what’s going on…

Int. Jem’s house – living room

(FV) Jem blinks a couple times.

Jem
Arrested? For what?

Pocky slides up over his shoulder at looks at the screen.

Pocky
Yeah! What gives?

POV – Jem – Chelsey stands in front of the closed entrance door with her arms folded.

Chelsey
Well you see, I’m a secret agent sent here to investigate for the cause of several potentially threatening phenomena that’ve occurred at this exact address.

WIDEN (SV UV) between Pocky bouncing behind Jem while looking over his shoulder and Chelsey standing across from them.

Pocky
Secret agent? You musn’t be a very good one if you told us that already…

An anger vein twitches above Chelsey’s head as she stomps her foot.

Chelsey
Well If I didn’t tell you, I doubt you’d take the arrest charge given to you by some women standing at your doorstep very seriously!

Pocky
You’ve been here for 10 minutes and I still don’t take you seriously.

Chelsey puts her arms down and clinches fists as she starts to growl comically.

POV – Jem – Chelsey gets a hold of herself, covering her mouth as she coughs lightly and then folds her arms again.

Chelsey
Anyways, these phenomena include this house getting destroyed by an unidentified comet and leaving nothing but a crater,

Chelsey raises her right hand and holds up one finger.

Strange creatures crawling out of the crater after it had flooded with rainwater,

Chelsey holds up a second finger.

And the sudden disappearance of these creatures along with the return of this house like nothing ever happened to it.

Chelsey holds up a third finger and looks at Jem and Pocky (OS).

Any of this sounds familiar?

POV – Chelsey – Jem and Pocky both blink.

Jem
Uhhh…~

Pocky
~Nope!

CLOSE ON Chelsey’s eyes as they narrow into a stern glare.

Chelsey
Hmm…

POV – Chelsey – Jem looks upward while he tries to remember.

Jem
Actually…everyone saw the comet blow up the house; I don’t know anything about those monsters, and as for the house coming back…I’m really not sure…

CLOSE ON (FV) Chelsey’s face while her eyes remained narrowed and stern as she ponders intently.

Chelsey
Hmmmm…

POV – Jem – Chelsey puts a hand on her hip and stares at Jem and Pocky (OS).

Well at any rate, because both of you are living in this house you’re the prime suspect as to the cause of these phenomena and will be placed under house arrest for a maximum of 10 days while I continue my investigation. If by the tenth day I still don’t have any definitive proof that either of you are responsible…then I’ll have no choice but to lift the charge and give you compensation for the time wasted, sound good?

POV – Chelsey – Jem keeps standing, still looking dumbfounded while Pocky is curled up like a kitten behind him, sleeping out of boredom. Jem looks down at Pocky.

CLOSE ON Pocky while the snore bubble sticking out of her nose pops, waking up her up as she looks around lazily and then ahead at Chelsey (OS).

Pocky.
(half asleep)
Huh? Wha? Oh…does that me we need to pull out the bed in the sofa?

CLOSE ON Chelsey as she grins a little.

Chelsey
Heh heh, a bed would be nice.

POV – Chelsey – Pocky gets up and lazily stutters down toe hall to the stairway to Jem’s room in the background, waving her hand limply at Jem behind her.

Pocky
You take care of that Jem; I’m sleepy…

Jem
Uh…

CLOSE ON Chelsey’s face while she continues to grin.

Chelsey
Heh, so it’s Jem is it? It’s nice to meet you.

CLOSE ON Jem’s face while he blinks slowly.

Jem
…Want a tour of the house?

Chelsey (OS)
Sure.

WIDEN ON Jem and Chelsey while the stand in the living room.

Jem
Well…this is the living room,

Int. Jem’s house – dining room

The frame of the room changes to the dinning room with Jem and Chelsey remaining in the exact same spot.

This is the dinning room…

Int. Jem’s house – kitchen

The frame of the room Jem and Chelsey are in swaps to the kitchen.

This is the kitchen,

Int. Jem’s house – main bathroom

The room their in swaps again to the bathroom.

This is the bathroom…

Ext. Jem’s house – day – sunny

WIDEN ON Jem’s house from the front of the small forest across the road.

Int. Jem’s house – Jem’s room

POV – Jem’s balcony door – Jem walks into the room with Chelsey following him while Pocky can be seen curled up in Jem’s bed at the left side of the room and covered in a blanket.

…And this is my room.

Chelsey
Oh, hehe neat.

CLOSE ON Chelsey while she walks past Jem’s TV and looks back at it.

Oh, you have a Teninedo Xii? Awesome!

Chelsey walks ahead (going OS) while Jem follows slowly.

POV – Jem – Chelsey stops near the balcony door and turns around with a smile.

Hehe, so’s that the end of the tour?

POV – Chelsey – Jem gulps a little and nods slowly.

Jem
Yeah…

CLOSE ON Jem while Chelsey walks up to him and puts her left hand on his left shoulder.

Chelsey
Aw, well you did a fine job,

Chelsey leans over and kisses Jem on the cheek quickly.

CLOSE ON (SV) Jem’s eyes as they widen.

Jem
(light gasp)

CLOSE ON (SV) Jem standing stunned while Chelsey notices Jem’s computer (OS) and walks towards it.

Chelsey
Hmm? Oh a computer.

(FV) Jem stands with his hand over his left cheek while Chelsey takes a seat in front of Jem’s computer.

Mind if take a quick look for any evidence?

Jem
Huh?!

CLOSE behind Jem as he turns around slowly to face Chelsey (OS).

No…it’s ok.

POV – Jem – Chelsey nods with a smile.

Chelsey
Thanks.

Chelsey turns her head forward and stares at the monitor.

POV – Chelsey – looking at the word document of the script Jem was trying to work on but couldn’t even figure out a title.

CLOSE ON Chelsey’s eyes while they look on with a bit of intrigue

Hmm,

CLOSE ON Chelsey’s hands as she holds down one button on the keyboard then taps at least 10 buttons VERY quickly.

POV – over Chelsey’s shoulder – the screen suddenly turns black as random code begins scrolling up the screen rapidly.

CLOSE ON Chelsey’s face while her eyes shift quickly as she analyzes all the code with ease.

ZOOM OUT from behind Chelsey to Pocky curled up in a ball at facing the wall (OS) with an odd pouting look on her face.

Pocky
Hmm…

PAN right to show Jem standing near Chelsey.

CLOSE ON Jem’s face while he looks at Chelsey (OS).

POV – Jem – looking over at Chelsey while she sits there just staring attentively at the monitor.

CLOSE ON Jem’s face while he turns his head left and looks at Pocky (OS).

POV – Jem – looking at Pocky while only her head is exposed from the blankets as she faces the wall.

CLOSE ON Jem’s face while he looks slightly saddened.

Jem
(light sigh)

POV – Chelsey – the on-going list of code finally stops and the screen turns back to display the word document once again.

POV – Jem – Chelsey leans back with her hands on her lap.

Chelsey
Annnd we’re good, no evidence here.

CLOSE ON Jem’s face as he blinks.

Jem
So now what?

POV – Jem – Chelsey pats her legs as she stands up and faces Jem (OS).

Chelsey
Well. I’d like to have an interview with each one of you privately and see if that can give me more to work with.

Chelsey holds up her index finger, folding it back repeatedly.

So come on Jem, you’re up first.

CLOSE ON Jem as he nods slowly.

Jem
Sure…

WIDEN ON Chelsey as she stops in front of the door, holding it up for Jem while he stops in front of her and they both look at Pocky (OS).

Chelsey
And Pocky is it? Your up next after I’m done talking to Jem, so don’t get too comfy there.

POV – Chelsey – Pocky pulls her arm out from the blanket and swats it around lazily.

Pocky
(half asleep)
Yah-mra-myah…

WIDEN ON Chelsey while Jem walks through the door (going OS) followed by Chelsey as she closes the door behind her.

CLOSE ON Pocky’s face while she hears the door close.

CLOSE ON (SV) Pocky as she flops out of the blanket and sends it flying (OS) while she stretches out on her back.

MMMMMMMMMM!!!! Meow…hmm…

Pocky rubs her chin while she pulls her list out of a Hammerspace portal and holds it up over her head.

CLOSE ON the next option on the list that says “Make Jem happy”.

(OS)
”Make Jem happy”…

CLOSE ON (SV) Pocky staring up at the list, still rubbing her chin.

Huh, well the only time I really got Jem happy was when I pulled a duplicate of his house out of Hammerspace, and that amount of happiness made me want to vomit; I can’t do it! But this “secret agent”…it’s subtle, but I can tell he seems more willing and a lot easier to get happy and stay that way when in her presence then he ever did with any of my attempts.

Pocky leans back, arching her stomach upward while tapping her chin.

Hmm…maybe this method to get Jem’s power ain’t a lost cause after all

Int. Jem’s house – pitch-black room

CLOSE ON (UV) a ceiling lamp clicks on.

WIDEN between Jem and Chelsey sitting at opposite sides of a long table in a room that’s completely black with ceiling lamp as the only source of light.

CLOSE ON the clipboard Chelsey’s holding in front of her while she taps a pen against the table.

Chelsey
So I noticed that you were trying to start a script on your computer,

PAN up to Chelsey’s face while she looks straight at Jem (OS).

So does that mean you like to write?

POV – over Chelsey’s shoulder – Jem nods quietly.

Jem
Yeah, ever since I was 13 I wanted to tell stories…

CLOSE ON (UV) Chelsey as she blinks.

Chelsey
“Wanted to”? Does that mean you don’t have that dream anymore?

POV – Chelsey – Jem looks down slowly, hiding between his shoulders.

Jem
No, not exactly…I’ve just been stuck with this writers block for so long that it’s made me begin to question if it’s really what I’m here for…

CLOSE ON (UV) Chelsey as she bites her lip a little.

Chelsey
Hmm…

POV – end of the table – looking onward at Jem and Chelsey.

Do you go to school?

Jem
No…I graduated almost a year ago…been trying to get into college, haven’t heard back from them yet…

CLOSE ON (SV) Jem’s face while he stares at his lap.

I’m currently on a waiting list…

Chelsey (OS)
So do you work?

Jem closes his eyes and shakes his head slowly.

Jem
Nu-uh…

Chelsey (OS)
Why not?

Jem
I’m afraid…

Chelsey (OS)
Afraid of what?

POV – over Chelsey’s shoulder – Jem keeps his head down, trying hard to hide his face.

Jem
…I don’t know…

CLOSE ON (UV) Chelsey while she chews her lip more.

Chelsey
Hmm…

(SV) PAN from Chelsey to Jem slowly.

How long have your parents been gone?

Jem
About three months maybe… I’m not sure. Before they always came home at night and were out by lunch…but I haven’t seen them since the day before the comet destroyed the original house…

CLOSE ON (UV) Chelsey while she places the top of her pen against the left corner of her lips.

Chelsey
And how did you and Pocky meet?

CLOSE ON (SV) Jem as he raises his head a little bit.

Jem
She randomly busted through my balcony door the day the comet destroyed the original house…

Chelsey (OS)
Before or after the impact?

Jem
Before.

QUICK CLOSE ON Chelsey’s eyes as they narrow into a stern glare.

Chelsey
Hmmmmmm…

CLOSE ON (SV) Jem’s face while it remains lowered.

(OS)
Thank you Jem, you can go get Pocky now.

Jem
Okay.

Jem gets up slowly.

CLOSE ON (UV) the ceiling lamp.

WIDEN between Pocky and Chelsey sitting at opposite sides of the table while Chelsey scribbles something on her board.

Chelsey
Alright Pocky, all I’m going to do is just ask you a few simple questions~

POV – Chelsey – Pocky leans over and flails her arms around as she walks like she’s a 60s hippie in a POW camp or a clichéd prison movie.

Pocky
What? No way man, I’ll never talk! I won’t become your rat! Interrogations suck!!!

POV – Pocky – Chelsey remains civil while she gives Pocky an un-amused look.

Chelsey
This aint an interrogation, it’s an interview.

WIDEN between Pocky and Chelsey. Pocky instantly sits up properly and puts her hands on her lap.

Pocky
Oh! …Say what’s this do?

Pocky tugs on a beaded pull switch between her and Chelsey and with a classic clicking noise it turns all the lights in the room on at once, revealing that their sitting in the dining room. Chelsey reaches over and pulls on the switch, abruptly turning all the lights off again.

Chelsey
Please don’t ruin the atmosphere.

Pocky pouts and looks away like a child with her nose in the air.

Pocky
Aw finnnne!

POV – over Chelsey’s shoulder – Pocky continues to pout with her eyes closed and her nose in the air.

Chelsey
Now then, if we can get started, how did you and Jem meet?

Pocky over dramatically puts her hands together and wiggles around while the background turns soft pink with sparkles and cheery blossoms petals flowing around her.

Pocky
(romantic)
Ohhhhhhh…twas a lovely summers’ day, a day destine for love to blossom. We met by the river at the local nature park while feeding baby ducks and squirrels. (Dreamy sigh) It was like Romeo and Juliet except there wasn’t any nudity and we both lived at the end.

POV – Pocky – Chelsey blinks, looking rather unimpressed behind her clipboard.

Chelsey
K…now how’d it REALLY happen?

POV – Chelsey – Pocky freezes as the flowery background cracks instantly and shatters to pieces that fall (going OS). She frowns and quickly leans in at the screen with a sour expression.

Pocky
Huh? Ok, FINE! We met at the back of a bowling alley, I changed 6.50 but he only had a 5 so I’ve been following him ever since for that last dollar-fifty! I WILL NOT BE RIPPED OFF!

POV – Pocky – Chelsey blinks again, her eyes left wide open at what she just heard.

Chelsey
…You can’t be serious,

WIDEN between Pocky and Chelsey as Pocky randomly bursts into a fit of loud and uncontrollable laughter. She holds her stomach as she leans back, laughing so hard that she falls out of her chair (going OS).

POV – Pocky – Chelsey leans over the table and looks down at Pocky (OS).

Are you intoxicated or something?

WIDEN between Pocky and Chelsey as Pocky slowly gets back up in front of the table while trying to catch her breath.

Pocky
Ha-ha…no, trust me, the only thing I’m intoxicated on is your mother’s looooove…~

Pocky bursts into another fit of laughter as she plants her face against the table, pounding at it repeatedly.

POV – behind Pocky – Chelsey’s closes her eyes and slouches her shoulders as she finally gives up trying to conduct the interview.

Chelsey
(Defeated sigh) Well this is getting nowhere.

Ext. Jem’s house – living room

WIDEN ON Chelsey sitting on the couch while examining a handful of papers while many more are scattered around her along with a laptop.

POV – over Jem’s shoulder – Jem steps into the living room as he knocks at the hallway wall (OS) gently.

Jem
Is it okay for me to come in? Or are those papers there private?

CLOSE ON (UV) Chelsey while she shakes her head gently and picks up the papers on the left side of the couch.

Chelsey
No it ok, I got nothing to hide.

Chelsey puts the small pile of papers on the right side of the couch as Jem sits down beside her.

If you’re guilty, you’re guilty.

WIDEN ON (FV) Chelsey and Jem sitting beside each other.

And if not, well…

CLOSE ON Chelsey while she holds up a few papers and examines them.

Then there are several possible reasons why you wouldn’t come out sooner and tell me it was Pocky’s doing.

POV – beside Chelsey – Jem leans over a bit and looks at Chelsey.

Jem
So then how’s your investigation going?

POV – beside Jem – Chelsey smiles a little and looks back at Jem.

Chelsey
Well, Pocky’s interview wasn’t very productive, but with it in mind; on the surface I’m about 75% positive that you’re not guilty. Any deeper and things quickly start getting complicated.

POV – Chelsey – Jem looks down slowly.

Jem
Oh…

Chelsey leans in and strokes a lock of Jem’s hair, his eyes widen as he begins to blush.

(gasps) huh?!

CLOSE ON Chelsey looking over at Jem and holding the lock of hair in her hands gently.

Chelsey
Hehe, you’ve got beautiful long hair…when’d you start growing it out?

POV – Chelsey – Jem blinks slowly, but his eyes narrow as he looks down.

Jem
About 2 or 3 years ago…around the same time Connie left me…


Chelsey (OS)
Connie…an ex-girlfriend?

Jem nods.

Jem
I’ve hated her ever since…

CLOSE ON (UV) Chelsey as she blinks and looks downward.

POV – Chelsey – she notices Jem’s clinching his left fist really tightly.

CLOSE ON (UV) Chelsey’s face while she watches his fist (OS).

Chelsey
Hmm…

POV – beside Jem – Chelsey looks back at Jem again.

And have you ever been in another relationship since?

Jem
No…

CLOSE PAN across Chelsey’s eyes while they narrow and a white jolt sparks past her in the black background.

Chelsey
(thinks)
That eliminates 95% of the likelihood that there’s any truth to what Pocky said in the interview.

POV – beside Jem – Chelsey puts her hand on Jem’s right shoulder and smiles at him gratefully.

Thank you Jem, you don’t have to say anymore, I can tell it’s upsetting you.

CLOSE ON Jem’s face while he sniffles with his eyes closed tightly, trying hard to hold back his tears.

Jem
You’re welcome…

WIDEN ON (FV) Jem leaning into Chelsey’s arms as she hugs him tightly and comforts him. ZOOM OUT slowly to reveal Pocky standing against the wall in the hallway that leads into the living room, leaning her head over while she watches and listens.

CLOSE ON Pocky turning her head forward with a small frown.

Pocky
(light growl)

FADE TO a montage depicting everything Jem says as he narrates

Jem (VO)
(Narrator)
It didn’t take long at all until Chelsey’s presence felt normal and even right. A week had already pasted and every day I’d find her taking care of the house, cooking all the meals for me and Pocky, and at night I always saw her by the lamp in the living room, reading over everything she wrote during the day. Like Pocky, having Chelsey around made me feel…happier, but Chelsey went beyond that. She’d get me to talk about my past…but would always comfort me when digging up the memories became too much for me to handle. Though I also noticed Pocky got a lot quieter…she was frowning a lot, and always managed to find something new to bicker about with Chelsey. She began acting a lot weirder, even for her – she’s guard the door to the basement with her life, to the point that she’d curl up in front of it at night and snarl if either Chelsey or myself just passed by to go to the kitchen…but that didn’t stop me from being happier then when Pocky brought my house back…even if I still had the writer’s block…and the possibility of being arrested still looming over my shoulder…

Int. Jem’s house – dining room

CLOSE ON Chelsey’s face while she looks around smiling.

WIDEN ON Chelsey standing at the end of the table while holding her arms out at the big spread of food.

Chelsey
Hehe, well don’t be shy everyone, I made all your favorites so dig in!

POV – opposite side of the table – Pocky sits in the middle of the long side of the table, resting her chin against her palm while looking down unenthused at the odd meal in front of her, a stake with a big scoop of ice cream on it floating in a bowl of chamomile tea.

Pocky
(Unenthused)
You make our favorites everyday; I don’t see a reason to get excited.

CLOSE ON (FV) Chelsey as she sits down in her chair and smiles.

Chelsey
Hey Jem, I’ve been thinking,

CLOSE ON (FV) Jem sitting at the opposite end of the table from Chelsey, with a handful of crabmeat in his mouth, he blinks and tilts his head.

Jem
Mm?

CLOSE ON (FV) Chelsey while she dips one of her fish sticks in a small bowl of ketchup.

Chelsey
I noticed your hairs’ in pretty bad shape and thought maybe after dinner I could give you a hair cut.

Chelsey bites down on the fish stick.

POV – across from Pocky – her eyes shift from Jem to Chelsey while they talk to each other.

Jem (OS)
(startled)
A haircut?! Well – mmm…how short?

Chelsey (OS)
Only a little bit past your shoulders, don’t worry I know how much you like your hair long.

Jem (OS)
Mm…ok…

Chelsey (OS)
Hehe, awesome!

Pocky
Ugh…

Pocky uses her fork to flip over her stake and ice cream.

I’m going to be sick.

Int. Jem’s house – Jem’s room

PAN (OV) across Jem’s Teninedo Xii and television.

PAN across Jem’s computer, showing a fancy art wallpaper of a dragon swooping down on some mage girl.

PAN across Chelsey sitting behind Jem on his bed while giving him a haircut.

CLOSE ON Jem and Chelsey.

Chelsey
Ah yes…it’s looking great already Jem!

CLOSE ON (SV) Jem’s eyes while he looks downward.

Jem
If you say so…

POV – in front of Jem – Chelsey blinks and leans over Jem’s shoulder to look at him with a bit of concern.

Chelsey
Hmm? What’s wrong?

Jem
Nothing… it’s just, I hate it when people say something’s good just because it’s different…

CLOSE ON Chelsey as she looks at Jem with a slightly upset frown.

POV – Chelsey – she puts a comb through Jem’s hair and then snips a bit of hair off at the ends.

Chelsey (OS)
But change is a good thing, dear.

CLOSE ON (SV) Jem’s eyes while he keeps them narrowed.

Jem
It can’t always be a good thing though…

Chelsey (OS)
Only if you allow it to be anything else, kind of like with Connie.

Jem’s eyes widen.

Jem
(Shallow gasp)

POV – in front of Jem – Chelsey focuses on Jem’s hair while he remains frozen at the sound of Connie’s name.

Chelsey
You can take it as a traumatizing experience and grow to fear any kind of change, or you can take it as an opportunity to start things anew and undoubtedly for the better.

CLOSE ON (FV) Jem’s eyes while they narrow slowly, unable to deny Chelsey’s words.

(OS)
And very rarely is it ever too late to take the other route when you know you’re ready.

CLOSE ON (SV) Jem and Chelsey as she finished cutting his hair, which is now layered and just a bit past his shoulders.

Chelsey
There…and we’re done!

She puts the scissors down, pats the trimmings off Jem’s back and them pulls up a mirror and holds it in front of her.

So turn around and tell me what ya think.

Jem turns around slowly and looks at the mirror.

POV – over Jem’s shoulder – Jem blinks as he stares at himself like he’s seeing a different person.

CLOSE ON Chelsey while she looks at Jem (OS), carefully awaiting his response.

Jem (OS)
…It’s good.

Chelsey smiles.

Chelsey
Hehe!

POV – Chelsey – Jem keeps staring downward at the mirror quietly with a detached look on his face.

(OS)
You see? I told you it wouldn’t be so bad!

WIDEN ON (SV) Jem and Chelsey as she puts her right hand on his shoulder and puts the mirror down.

Now then, it’s getting pretty late, we should probably hit the hay, what’d you say?

Jem nods slowly.

Jem
Sure…

Chelsey
Hehe, great! I’ll see you in the morning.

Chelsey gets up and walks out of Jem’s room (going OS). Jem looks down at the mirror.

POV – over Jem’s shoulder – Jem keeps looking down at the new self he sees in the mirror.

Jem
A new start…

CLOSE ON (SV) Jem’s face as he bows his head.

Int. Jem’s house – basement/crater

CLOSE ON (FV) Pocky’s face as she sits down and rests her head against a background of brown fur.

Pocky
(Aggravated sigh)

WIDEN ON Pocky resting against Joshua the buffalo while he sits in the middle of the crater with the Mr. Big Bucks Inc. storage truck saddled to him like a carriage.

This isn’t working! Sitting back and letting that secret agent make Jem happy for me is taking too long!

CLOSE ON (FV) Pocky while she looks over at Joshua’s head (OS).

Not to mention it’s making living up there unbearable!

Pocky wraps her arms around herself and sways side to side.

With all their hugging and comfortinggg…

Pocky shivers.

And she’s supposed to be here for another three days? I’m not going to make!

She covers her mouth as she leans over and has a coughing fit.

CLOSE ON (UV) Reggie the talking penguin with a British accent as he sits down at the edge of the left side of the truck with a cup of chamomile tea in his hand while it sits on a coaster that’s held in the other.

Reggie
You know Ma’am; a possible problem with your plan just came to me.

Reggie slurps his cup of tea.

POV – Reggie – Pocky keeps her mouth covered while she looks up at Reggie (OS).

Pocky
(Cough-cough) Yeah? And what’s that?

CLOSE ON (UV) Reggie as he finished sipping his tea and rests the cup on it’s coaster.

Reggie
If that girl is the one making Jem happy, and it does manage to unleash his hidden power…then what reason would he have to ever give that power to you?

POV – Reggie – Pocky blinks and then stares up at Reggie (OS) while she lowers her hand from her mouth.

Pocky
Ah damn it…you’re right!

WIDEN ON Pocky as she stands up in front of Joshua and Reggie.

If I don’t do something Jem’s more likely to give the power to that secret agent because he’s practically falling head over heels for her!

CLOSE ON Pocky as her eyes widen and her face goes sour. She holds her stomach and bends over while her stomach rumbles angrily.

(Long groan)…My stomach…

CLOSE ON the wooden stairwell at the back of the basement as Pocky stops at the first step and looks over at Joshua and Reggie (OS) while holding her stomach.

(Light groan), you guys hold the fort…I’ll be right back…

Pocky slowly trudges up the stairs.

Int. Jem’s house – hallway

(FV) Pocky steps through the door to the basement and closes it behind her. She turns to her right and steps into the washroom right beside the basement and slams the door shut. PAN UP and FADE to~

Int. Jem’s house – upstairs

CLOSE behind Chelsey standing in front of Jem’s door that’s opened slightly.

Int. Jem’s house – Jem’s room

WIDEN ON Chelsey’s left eye while she peaks into Jem’s room.

POV – Chelsey – she sees Jem sleeping soundly in his bed with his head peaking out from the blankets.

Int. Jem’s house – upstairs

CLOSE ON Chelsey as she turns around, smiling with her eyes closed. She opens her eyes and they quickly grow stern as her smile turns into a light frown.

Chelsey
Hmm…

Chelsey walks off screen.

WIDEN ON (UV) Chelsey walking down the short hall towards the stairs quietly.

Int. Jem’s house – hallway

WIDEN ON Chelsey from the front of the hall as she steps out of the stairs and walks towards the screen slowly.

CLOSE ON (SV) Chelsey creeping past the washroom slowly

CLOSE ON the basement door as Chelsey stops in front of it and looks around the hall.

CLOSE ON (FV) Chelsey’s face as she looks over each shoulder and then looks ahead of her, taking a deep breathe.

CLOSE ON Chelsey’s right hand as it slowly extends towards the handle of the basement door end very gently rests against the top of the doorknob.

WIDEN ON Chelsey as she delivers a fast swing of force that turns the doorknob and “accidentally” opens the door a crack.

CLOSE ON her face as she lets out the deep breath she inhaled.

Few…

Int. Jem’s house – basement/crater

CLOSE ON Chelsey as she carefully opens the door and walks inside.

POV – Chelsey – she looks around a bit while stepping down the stairs, discovering for herself that the basement is just the crater with no foundation at all supporting the house.

CLOSE ON Chelsey as she reaches the bottom of the stairs and continues to look around the room.

I knew it…the houses’ only covering up the crater…

(SV) Chelsey continues to ponder to herself at her discovery.

But there isn’t any foundation…there’s no way this house should be even standing right now,

Chelsey looks to her left (at the screen) and her eyes widen.

HUH?!

POV – Chelsey – Joshua sleeps on the ground while Reggie sits on top of the storage truck and raises his hat to Chelsey.

Reggie
Charmed,

CLOSE ON Chelsey’s face while her eyes tremble comically.

Chelsey
(startled)
A-A-A talking penguin and a buffalo?!

POV – basement doorway – looking down at Chelsey.

Pocky (OS)
Well, well, well, what do we have here?

CLOSE (OV) behind Chelsey as she quickly turns around and looks up at the doorway.

Chelsey
Huh?!

POV – Chelsey – PAN up the stairs slowly to reveal Pocky standing at the basement doorway with a frying pan held over her shoulder

Pocky
Planning on doing some late night laundry? Oh I’m sorry,

CLOSE ON (UV) Pocky while she has a very dark grin on her face.

But the washer and dryer are currently out of service.

CLOSE ON (OV) Chelsey’s face as her eyes narrow into a stern glare.

POV – over Pocky’s shoulder – Chelsey turns around to look up at Pocky with her fists clinched.

Chelsey
I know it’s you who’s behind all this Pocky; it’s dead obvious to me now.

CLOSE ON (UV) Pocky while she tilts her head and twirls her frying pan slowly.

Pocky
Hmm, I’d like to some proof.

POV – over Pocky’s shoulder – Chelsey points at Joshua and Reggie (OS).

Chelsey
Well they’re a good start.

Pocky turns her head to the left slightly.

POV – Chelsey – Reggie slurps on his tea while Joshua looks over at Chelsey (OS)

Joshua
Moo?

CLOSE ON (UV) Pocky as she looks down at Chelsey.

Pocky
Heh, never seen them before in my life.

CLOSE ON (SV) Chelsey while she continues to glare up at Pocky (OS).

Chelsey
And how about the disappearance of Jem’s parents just DAYS before you showed up?

CLOSE ON (FV) Chelsey’s eyes as they narrow into an even sterner glare.

Whatever you’re planning to do with Jem, I WON’T let it happen.

CLOSE ON (UV) Pocky as her grin grows.

Pocky
Ha, I’d like to see you try.

WIDEN ON (SV) the staircase as Chelsey walks up towards Pocky.

Chelsey
So is that a challenge?

Pocky begins taking a few steps down the stairs.

Pocky
Heh, I guess it is,

CLOSE ON Chelsey and Pocky as they bump meet right in front of each other and bump shoulders.

But I have to commend you. So far you’ve done a pretty good acting job~

POV – Pocky – Chelsey stares at Pocky (OS) without letting up her stern glare.

(OS)
~For an actress in Adam Sandler film.

Chelsey
Hmm,

POV – behind Chelsey – Pocky glares at Chelsey like a hawk.

Pocky
And just remember~

CLOSE ON Pocky’s left eye as Chelsey’s reflection can be seen off of it.

Jem is mine, and there’s nothing you can do to change that.

POV – Pocky – Chelsea blinks and smirks.

Chelsey
Hmm, we’ll see.

CLOSE ON (FV) Pocky as she lets Chelsey pass and walk out of the basement.

Pocky
Heh that we will…

Int. Jem’s house – Jem’s room

CLOSE ON Jem curled up in his bad while he shuffles around a little bit.

Jem
…My bed itches.

END OF ACT ONE