My CS Open round 2 submission…

I was able to finish my scene for round two of the CS Open at around 11 o’clock last night, which is great because I like sleep and it likes me.

I submitted the scene online and also emailed it in as an attachment, so hopefully there won’t be any craziness that unfortunately happened to other writers in round one.

Only ten out of the hundred and thirty finalists will make it to the final round.

Anyway, my submission is below.

Once again, the premise:
Your PROTAGONIST’S allies have turned on him (or her.) His reputation is now in tatters, largely due to his own screw-up — which has been magnified and broadcast by the ANTAGONIST. Write the scene in which the protagonist tries to win the allies back. The scene should include a heartfelt mea culpa. You may use any setting, era or characters in addition to the ones indicated, as needed.

And my scene, entitled “Percy.”

INT. STADIUM RUNWAY/LOCKER ROOM – DAY
It’s somewhat of a miracle that PERCY is able to carry the enormous mist-blower down the stadium runway, but that’s exactly what he does.

He wraps his scrawny arms around it… bear hugs that thing. He may get only inches with each shuffle, but he won’t stop.

A CROWD ERUPTS from O.S.

The cheer causes Percy to pick up his pace. He barely steps into the LOCKER ROOM as FOOTBALL PLAYERS run up from behind.

As the excited Players pass, Percy gets jostled and bumped… he struggles to keep his balance.

The Players CHEER, YELP, and slap each other’s butts… obviously the winning team.

JULES, the biggest one, stops, takes the mist-blower from Percy’s arms, and sets it on the ground next to a few others.

She… that’s right, she, pulls off her helmet and offers Percy a passing smile.

She slaps his butt as if he were one of the girls and then joins her teammates, who continue their celebration near their lockers.

STACY
Knock ‘em down! —

PATRICE
Roll ‘em around! —

TEAM
(in unison)
Come on Falcons, work, work, work!

STACY and PATRICE lead the cheer, but Percy’s eyes linger on Jules… he’s taken, gone… adores that woman.

He grabs a roll-cart and gathers up the players’ laundry… all the time sneaking brief glances at Jules.

With each player he passes, he offers a congratulatory comment-

PERCY
Great blocking Stacy… Heck of an interception “Pat” –

The players love him. Patrice rubs his head and Stacy “chest bumps” him as he passes. He’s awkward, but loves it.

As he approaches Jules, he becomes nervous.

PERCY (CONT’D)
Jules, you —

RICHARD (O.S.)
I want to see you in the ice bath in five, Jules.

The athletic trainer, RICHARD, who knows about the crush, turns to Percy and rolls his eyes.

Richard steps into the center of the crowd of Players… attempts to interrupt the celebration. He throws bags of ice at each of them.

RICHARD (CONT’D)
Stacy, get this on your knee! Patrice — your shoulder!

Stacy grabs Percy, plops him in front of Richard.

STACY
Why can’t you be more like Percy?

RICHARD
You want me to be like an anorexic schoolboy?

STACY
Percy’s the best, right girls?

They return to their cheer, but change the words–

TEAM
(in unison)
Percy! Percy! Percy! Percy!

The entire team goes nuts. Richard looks on, disgusted.

JULES (O.S.)
Hey — heads up!

The Players hush immediately and take a seat. Jules’ “heads up” was a signal that COACH ROLLINGS is approaching.

You wouldn’t be able to tell by his face that the team won… it’s somber, serious. Actually, he looks kind of pissed.

He stops in the front of the team. All eyes are on him. With his melancholy voice —

COACH ROLLINGS
I need you to listen to me closely.

He rubs his forehead, like what he’s about to say is difficult… then his face changes, he cracks a big smile.

COACH ROLLINGS (CONT’D)
We won!!!

The Players explode with him.

COACH ROLLINGS (CONT’D)
It was such an incredible team effort… you all worked together!

They CHEER and “high-five.” He’s got them fired up.

COACH ROLLINGS (CONT’D)
But, I have to point out one player. One of us really stepped up. Not usually a starter–

They know who he’s talking about. Players start rubbing Jules’ shoulders, patting her on the head. She smiles.

COACH ROLLINGS (CONT’D)
– But with the unfortunate situation with Riley, unable to play because she couldn’t find her lucky purple hair “thingy” —

RILEY (O.S.)
“Scrunchee!”

COACH ROLLINGS
Whatever-

RILEY sits in her pristine, fresh uniform, her hair down. She shrugs her shoulders.

COACH ROLLINGS (CONT’D)
Jules came in and rocked it!

Coach Rollings hands Jules a football.

COACH ROLLINGS (CONT’D)
Game ball goes to Jules!

TEAM
(in unison)
Jules! Jules! Jules! Jules!

The Players all stand and bounce around. Even Percy gets in on the act now. He jumps around with the Players.

A PURPLE “SCRUNCHEE” falls to the floor amongst the group. Stacy is the one to notice it.

STACY
Hey Riley… your “scrunchee” —

The Players stop cheering, look down at the “scrunchee”…

RILEY
Where’d it come from?

RICHARD
It fell out of Percy’s pocket!

The Players turn, gawk at Percy.

RILEY
Percy, what is he talking about?

JULES
You didn’t, right?

Percy looks up to Jules and then looks away in embarrassment. An admission of guilt.

Stacy picks him up, drops him into his own laundry cart.

Percy stays in the laundry cart and tries to defend himself.

PERCY
I… uh…

PATRICE
How could you do that?

PERCY
But we won —

Richard SNORTS.

RICHARD
You tried to make us lose.

JULES
You really took it?

PERCY
I was gonna’ give it back…

RICHARD
Sounds like backstabbing to me.

JULES
What were you thinking?

Percy really doesn’t get it. He pleads with Jules.

PERCY
But you were twenty for twenty-two in completions… with two touchdowns…

RICHARD
Who are you working for, traitor?

PERCY
I… I didn’t mean to hurt the team. I’m sorry.

Jules’ disappointed look kills him. She turns, walks away.

RICHARD
You deliberately stole the “scrunchee” to sabotage the season!

PERCY
No… it’s just… I didn’t… I love Jules!

Jules turns back, faces him.

PERCY (CONT’D)
I’m sorry. You smile when you get to play. And Coach never gives you the chance. I want you to be happy. I love you.

Not sure about Jules just yet, but Percy has won over the rest of the team. Stacy wipes tears, Patrice hugs another teammate.

Jules approaches him… her intention unclear. A moment, then she pulls him from the cart, wraps her arms around him.

It’s all he’s ever wanted.

TEAM
Ahhhhh…

Percy feels a tap on his shoulder. He looks up to see Coach Rollings in his face.

COACH ROLLINGS
You’re fired.

But Percy doesn’t care. He maintains his embrace with Jules and lowers his head into her… which with their height discrepancy ends up being onto her chest.

THE END
_______________________________

Thank you for taking the time to read my scene… any feedback is always welcome.