Prep Class: Narrative Short Film

By: Drew Henry

FADE IN:

EXT. FUNERAL - DAY

CHELSEA, ALEXIS, and JD walk down aisle of white chairs one after another, treating it like a runway. They all make their way over to a tree set apart from the funeral.

(walks over to girls, hands in pockets, looks up, putting an e-cig in mouth)

Hey

CHELSEA does not respond. ALEXIS and JD remove sunglasses as a greeting and look awkwardly around them. ALEXIS texts on phone, CHELSEA applies lipstick.

ALEXIS

(looks up from phone, starting to tear up)

Like, I can’t believe we’re like actually here, and this like really happened. It’s not fair.

CHELSEA

(closing compact)

It really fucking sucks Lex. It’s hard for all of us.

ALEXIS looks vacantly at CHELSEA and JD. JD leans against tree.

ALEXIS turns to see PROF. LOWMAN looking for a seat among the chairs. She buries her face in her hands.

JD walks to ALEXIS. CHELSEA takes selfie.

(hugging Alexis)

Everything is going to be ok Lexie baby. We’re going to get through this together kid.

JD looks up from hug to see MARK walking into the funeral. A look of surprise and realization crosses his face. MARK smiles awkwardly to him.

CHELSEA lets out a loud sigh, dramatically fiddles with her purse, takes of sunglasses, and fans her eyes trying not to cry.

CHELSEA

Fuck. I already cried in front of the whole God damn shoe store this morning. Shit. I’m just like, really unhappy right now you guys.

ALEXIS rushes to hug her.

(leaning on tree, looks at Mark sitting at funeral)

Maybe we were never really happy.

EXT. PREP SCHOOL CAMPUS - DAY

SCHOOL BELL rings. Students switch classes. JD, ALEXIS, CAMERON, CHELSEA, walk side by side, wearing sunglasses (except CAMERON), drinking coffee, texting, hair flipping while others keep out of their way.

MARK walks towards them, while talking to a friend, and bumps into JD.

(pushing MARK to the ground)

Get outta my way fag. Shit, bro. You walk like you’ve got something stuck up your ass.

(to friend)

I’m sure your bitch here will inspect it for you later.

(laughs at own joke)

ALEXIS flirtatiously grabs JD’s arm and they both walk ahead.

CHELSEA

(helps MARK up)

That’s a cute jacket Mark. I love that we, like, go to a school that, like, encourages self expression. That way we can see what poor people wear, such a cultural experience right?

CHELSEA resumes a snarky face and walks ahead. CAMERON begins to approach MARK.

CAMERON

I...I’m. They’re

ALEXIS (O.S.)

You know he was kinda cute. I’d do him.

CHELSEA (O.S.)

OMG, you slut!

JD (O.S.)

No offense Lex, but you don’t have what he’s into.

CAMERON looks off towards the group, ashamed.

Cammy, whaddup? Get over here bro!

CAMERON

(to MARK)

Sorry.

CAMERON walks off. SCHOOL BELL rings.

INT. CLASSROOM - DAY

PROF. LOWMAN writes on the board. JD, CHELSEA, and CAMERON walk into class.

PROF. LOWMAN

(to the three)

Well, well. I see we had time for a coffee break. (Pointing) Tardy. Tardy. Tardy.

Catch ya in detention Prof. L!

ALEXIS seductively fills doorway.

PROF. LOWMAN

(checking her out, smiles)

Hello, Lexie. Good to see you again. Take your seat please.

ALEXIS playfully enters classroom, playing with her hair, giggling, and waving. PROF. LOWMAN looks at her butt as she walks to her desk. Clearing his throat, he collects himself. ALEXIS sits next to CAMERON.

PROF. LOWMAN

Now class, take out your homework and books. We’re discussing the remainder of The Great Gatsby today, and I will be handing back your essays, which were quite disappointing I must say.

Class groans as they take out their books. ALEXIS plays with her pen and stares at PROF. LOWMAN suggestively as he passes out papers.

CAMERON

(to ALEXIS)

Hey Alexis, did you finish the homework last night? I didn’t have time to finish because...

ALEXIS

(unchanging in action, interrupts CAMERON)

Nope.

CAMERON

Did you finish the book?

ALEXIS

Nope.

CAMERON

(looking at PROF. LOWMAN)

Alexis, why are you doing this?

ALEXIS continues to ignore CAMERON.

(turns to look at CAMERON’S paper)

Bro you need help?

CAMERON

You actually read the book JD?

SHH, I gotta image to keep. Now ok, basically this dude Gatsby was like totally rich and pimpin. But he was tragically unhappy, because he had everything, and it meant nothing without this Daisy chick who he was like totally obsessed with and trying to fuck.

LOWMAN hands ALEXIS her paper which reads, “see you this Saturday babe [heart].”

ALEXIS turns paper over, and looks over to see JD helping CAMERON finish his homework.

PROF. LOWMAN (O.S.)

And Miss Chelsea, Marc Jacobs was not a character in the book.

INT. STAIRWELL - DAY

SCHOOL BELL rings. CAMERON, ALEXIS, CHELSEA, and JD descend the stairs. MARK walks up the stairs as they’re coming down. CAMERON looks at MARK as he passes, trying to make contact. MARK ignores him.

JD (V.O.)

He was tragically unhappy, because he had everything, and it meant nothing.

CAMERON

(to CHELSEA)

Umm, you know you really shouldn’t have said that thing about the jacket to Mark. You know, not buying designer clothes doesn’t mean you’re poor.

CHELSEA

(looking at compact)

Who?

(annoyed with mention of MARK)

Dude, I need a smoke.

EXT. PREP SCHOOL CAMPUS - BENCH/TABLE - DAY

CAMERON, CHELSEA, and ALEXIS sit. JD stands and smokes cig with ALEXIS. CHELSEA takes selfies.

ALEXIS

(gesturing to CHELSEA’S jacket)

No, I think it’s cute Chels.

CHELSEA

Really, I don’t know. But girl, we need to fucking go shopping. I have, like, nothing to wear for, like, going out, and that bitch Tessa is having another party this weekend. She’s such a whore, but she always looks hotter than me.

ALEXIS

Shut up! You always look hot, and that girl Tessa is so grody.

CHELSEA

Grody? OMG, you’re like so retro. Is that like 60s?

JD(rolling his eyes, wanting to change topics)

Yeah whatever, Tess is a whore, ok. What are we doing tonight? Going out?

ALEXIS

(playfully takes cig from JD)Oh God, yes! This week has been like, so stressful.

CHELSEA

Fuck you Lex. I just fucking told you that I don’t have any going out clothes. Do you, like, even care?

JDOk, check it. The parents are out of town this week on “business,” and my bro Scott hooked me up with some pills yesterday. I say we have ourselves a classy ass champagne rager at my place.

CHELSEA

I hardly call popping pills classy, JD.

ALEXIS

(pulling at JD’s jacket)

Come on Chels, don’t be a little bitch. I wanna get high.

CHELSEA glares, unamused.

Come on Chelsea. They’re top notch and expensive just like you.

CHELSEA

(grinning) Ohh, well at least they’ve got some clout.

JDWhat about you Cammy, you down?

CAMERON

(looks distant and depressed)

Sure.

(over excited, gesturing for a high five)

I said, you ready to get wasted tonight, beyotch?!

CAMERON

(forced, jumps off bench to return high five)

Hell yeah!

(playfully punching CAMERON)

That’s what I’m talking about!

PROF. LOWMAN walks past, winking at ALEXIS. ALEXIS pushes hair back, takes drag on cig, and returns to laughter of the group.

ALEXIS

(jumps up)

WOO! Getting it on tonight!

EXT. JD FAMILY HOME - DUSK

JD, ALEXIS, and CAMERON drive through JD’s neighborhood to his house. They park in front.

CHELSEA arrives at the same time walking on the sidewalk.

ALEXIS

(calling out)

Looking good Chels!

CHELSEA

(wearing ridiculously high heels kicks up a leg)

A girl never goes anywhere without her heels, bitch!

ALL cross the yard to the front door in a group, laughing.

JD motions for them to settle down as he puts the key in the lock and opens the door.

CHAMPAGNE CORK pops.

INT. JD FAMILY HOME - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

JD pours champagne onto four glasses. It is obvious that the group has been drinking for a while. Rap and party music plays.

Alcohol bottles collect around the room. The group dances, spills drinks, and laughs.

CAMERON

You know that guy Mark is pretty cool. You guys should lay off him, and maybe we could all hang at lunch one day.

CHELSEA

Who is this fucking Mark dude?

Why would we want to hang with that gay pansy, bro?

ALEXIS

(suggestively, leans towards JD)Come on JD, be a little more...open minded.

Care to demonstrate, Lexie?

ALEXIS leans in to kiss JD, but takes an abrupt turn and kisses CHELSEA. ALL laugh.

JD plants one on CAMERON jokingly. JD looks back at CAMERON with serious tone.

ALL toast glasses, spilling their drinks.

The music turns down and JD pulls out pill bottles from his jacket.

Okay bitches, who's ready for the real fun?

ALEXIS

Hell yeah! Bring it on brotha!

They pass the bottle of pills around. JD sets the bottle on the table. CAMERON looks distant from the group and eyes the bottle of pills on the table.

(popping pill)Catch ya when I’m sober.

ALEXIS, CAMERON, followed by CHELSEA each take a pill.

INT. CLOTHING STORE - DAY

CHELSEA shops in a clothing store, buying several bags of clothes that she can barely carry, along with her coffee, sunglasses and phone of course.

EXT. FIELD - DAY

CHELSEA walks through field carrying bags and packages when a dress seems to fall from the sky. She drops her bags to pick up the dress, several more fall. She grabs them as they fall. Soon she becomes overwhelmed, a sea of dresses fall and smother her in a pile of fabric.

INT. CLASSROOM - DAY

ALEXIS sits in classroom alone while PROF. LOWMAN writes on the board. ALEXIS gets up from her desk, seductively and approaches PROF. LOWMAN. They embrace, and begin to kiss.

The Great Gatsby falls and hits ALEXIS on the head. Puzzled and annoyed she looks up.

All the papers she never wrote and all the A’s she never earned fall and spin around her, mocking her decision to sleep with her professor for an A.

ALEXIS runs from the classroom slamming the door.

INT. JD FAMILY HOME - LIVING ROOM (ALTERED) - NIGHT

JD sits center on couch, framed by ALEXIS and CHELSEA. All are lavishly dressed.

ALEXIS and CHELSEA fawn over him, kissing his cheek and brushing through his hair, giggling.

CAMERON stands opposite of JD and the couch.

JD stares at CAMERON across the room.

JD (V.O.)

He was tragically unhappy, because he had everything, and it meant nothing.

JD rises off couch and walks toward CAMERON. JD kisses CAMERON who returns the kiss.

They look into each other’s eyes, JD comes to realization of his sexuality and acceptance for CAMERON. There is a reluctance to leave and visit CAMERON’S trip.

EXT. BEACH/WATERWAY - CLOUDY DAY

CAMERON stands at the edge of the water, behind an old window frame held by ALEXIS and CHELSEA. CAMERON stares out the window, blankly.

On the other side of the window, he watches MARK leave him and JD flip him off, losing a sense of hope and acceptance.

JD (V.O.)

He was tragically unhappy, because he had nothing, and it meant everything.

CAMERON closes his eyes and falls back into the water.

INT. JD FAMILY HOME - LIVING ROOM (ALTERED)

JD stands facing CAMERON who disappears. JD realizes he has lost what he just accepted in his own trance. He begins to run out of his living room and trance to the beach to stop CAMERON from committing suicide.

EXT. BEACH - CLOUDY DAY

JD runs from his own trance into CAMERON’S screaming for him as he watches him fall into the water.

CAMERON hits the water. CHELSEA and ALEXIS realize what has happened and drop the window frame, crying for him.

JD falls to the sand, crying and screaming for CAMERON.

INT. JD FAMILY HOME - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

JD comes out of his trance. And rushes to where CAMERON lies.

(screaming frantically)

Cameron, CAMERON!

JD looks to see an empty pill bottle on the table. CHELSEA and ALEXIS realize what’s going on and rush to try and help CAMERON and clam JD down.

EXT. FUNERAL - DAY

CHELSEA, ALEXIS, and JD walk down the aisle of chairs one after another to their seats in the front. Each show a greater sense of concern and realization.

JD realizes it is time to start. ALEXIS touches his knee in a caring and reassuring manner. JD gets up to read the eulogy.

JD steps behind the podium, unfolds his paper, and looks towards the urn of ashes on the table.

JD looks back at ALEXIS and CHELSEA, who look back at him, tearing up.

(reading)

Hello everyone, I Jared Day, one of Cameron’s good friends from school. Cameron Roberts was actually a good friend. Something that is overlooked and undervalued, and that many people cannot say about themselves, including me.

JD looks back at ALEXIS and CHELSEA

Cameron was a good friend because he taught all of us how to be better friends, and in general, better people. These were lessons that often went ignored, as most lessons are, until something more drastic happens.

I was there the night Cameron died, and I think we all managed to learn something from that night. Which, I think would make Cameron happy. Because, you know, it will be the last time Cameron is able to teach us something.

EXT. FUNERAL - LATER

JD (V.O)

We learned that it is not what someone wears that defines them, but how they treat the people around them. And to be a good friend, you have to give more attention to others than yourself.

CHELSEA takes off her heels, standing barefoot in the grass talking to a small group, engaged and not self absorbed.

JD (V.O.)

We learned that they’re are easy ways to do things, but the easy way is not always right. And a challenge can help you grow as a person.

ALEXIS talks to PROF. LOWMAN aside. He grabs her arm and gestures to his watch. She pushes him aside, and walks back to the funeral, flipping him off.

JD (V.O.)

We learned to be honest and true to ourselves and accept others for their differences. Because that is the only way anyone can be truly happy.

JD approaches MARK, shaking his hand and embracing him. Starts conversation and consoling friendship.

EXT. FUNERAL - EARLIER

(looking up, no longer reading)

So maybe we were just a group of spoiled rich kids who were never really happy with what they had or realized its worth until we lost it, but with Cameron looking out for us...maybe we could be.

JD releases ashes into the wind. CHELSEA and ALEXIS join him, putting their arms around him in a touching embrace of friendship.

FADE OUT:

THE END.