BOOK IT (Screenwriting Contest)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BOOK IT

 

Written by

 

 Rhyan Anthony Soroten

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 29, 2009

FADE IN:

 

EXT. LIBRARY COURTYARD – DAY

 

The scene opens up with mild-mannered library volunteer, Andrew, 16, standing in the center of the library’s courtyard. Crowds of people bustle on by as Andrew hands out fliers for an upcoming book sale. Always resilient, Andrew fails to miss a single person passing by.

 

Just then, Dylan, 15, bumps into Andrew without so much as an apology. Andrew stumbles a bit as he calls out:

 

ANDREW

Hey watch where you’re going!

 

At that moment, Andrew realizes that he has failed to bestow a flier onto the young man who had bumped into him. In a panic, Andrew grabs Dylan by the arm to seize him.

 

ANDREW

Hey wait!

 

Dylan jerks his arm free from Andrew’s grasp, looks back, and then simply takes off. Without a second thought, Andrew decides to go after him.

 

A chase ensues as Dylan uses parkour to maneuver himself through obstacles. Andrew pauses after Dylan has managed to elude him by entering a nearby alley, kicking off and jumping over walls.

 

ANDREW

Whoa!

 

Shaking off the adrenaline, Andrew trudges back to his spot in the library courtyard to resume his payless job. However, something is different.

 

As more and more people walk along, Andrew misses his goal of passing a flier out to each person. He wants to speak up, but can’t find any sound emitting. Spinning around in terror, Andrew begins sweating and breathing heavily.

 

Flashbacks of Dylan escaping Andrew’s clutches fill his head as he falls to the ground, allowing all of his fliers to scatter around him.

A time lapse shows people passing by without helping Andrew up or picking up any of his fliers. He stays lying on the ground through the lapse.

 

As regular speed resumes, a young girl, Katie, 15, stops and gets down on her knees in front of Andrew’s face. Her sparkling eyes catch Andrew’s attention as he looks up to her.

 

KATIE

Hi. Are you okay?

 

ANDREW

Um...I think so.

 

KATIE

Good!

 

With a smile, Katie gets up and brushes off her knees. She turns around and takes a step.

 

ANDREW

Wait!

 

Andrew shuffles back up to his feet as Katie turns to him.

 

KATIE

Hm?

 

ANDREW

The library’s having a book sale soon. Would you care to come?

 

KATIE

(giggling) Sure, why not?

 

Andrew quickly picks up a nearby flier and hands it to Katie. With a smile, Katie takes off, leaving Andrew standing in a trance.

 

Behind Andrew, Dylan emerges from inside the library and spots Andrew. Although unnoticed, Dylan is alarmed and trips over a trash can. Andrew turns and pursues Dylan.

 

Andrew grabs Dylan, lifting him up to his feet.

 

 

ANDREW

You!

 

DYLAN

Look man, I didn’t do anything to you!

 

ANDREW

You bumped me earlier today, and then left without taking one of my fliers.

 

DYLAN

Is that what all this is about? Just give me one of your stupid fliers then!

 

ANDREW

It’s not that simple. After you, nobody got any fliers. You messed with my groove...

 

DYLAN

Huh!?

 

Andrew drags Dylan to the door of the library. Just as Andrew is about to open the door, Dylan breaks free and makes a run for it yet again.

 

ANDREW

Not this time!

 

Another chase develops as Andrew sprints behind Dylan. Dylan resumes the use of his free-running, as well as the misplacement of trash cans and other obstacles to block Andrew’s path. This, however, doesn’t stop Andrew.

 

As the pursuit carries on, Dylan passes a corner. Before Andrew makes his way to the same corner, Katie comes around and Andrew crashes into her. The two hit the ground as Dylan stops to look back.

 

DYLAN

Better luck tomorrow!

 

Andrew groans in pain as he gets up from the ground. He helps Katie up, who pushes Andrew away.

 

ANDREW

I’m so sorry!

 

KATIE

Get away from me!

 

In tears, Katie runs off, leaving Andrew alone. He lets out a long sigh and makes the dreadful trek to the library courtyard once more.

 

Andrew sits at a bench in the courtyard and puts his hands to his face. He lets out stubborn grunts and moans.

 

Then, out of nowhere, Dylan appears holding a flier before Andrew. He coughs to get Andrew’s attention.

 

DYLAN

If it means that much to you, I’ll take a flier. Bye.

 

He walks away, leaving Andrew confused. As Andrew gets up, the librarian, Frank Anthony, 27, comes rushing out from the library.

 

FRANK

Andrew!

 

ANDREW

What is it Mr. Anthony?

 

FRANK

The fliers I printed out for the book sale! They have the wrong date on them!

 

ANDREW

Whoa whoa whoa let me get this straight: the fliers I’ve been handing out all day have the wrong date on them.

 

FRANK

Exactly! We’re gonna have a bunch of people looking to buy books, but the library will be closed.

 

Andrew stops to reflect on what had happened to him throughout the day. A smile comes across his face.

 

FRANK

You okay Andrew?

 

ANDREW

When’s the next available date for events open?

 

FRANK

Well, there’s next Tuesday.

 

ANDREW

We’ll just make the sale that day.

 

FRANK

That may work. Book it!

 

FADE OUT: