It's Not That Easy Being Green

So I'm laying in my bed not reading or writing or cleaning or "being productive" (whatever that is), and I started to think about superheroes --try to save your shock and awe til the end of the piece please we have a long way to go-- and I started thinking about characters that have really piqued my interest as of late:

The Mask

The Incredible Hulk (and his son Skaar)

Green Lantern

Ragman

Green Hornet

These Guys

and of course... Green Arrow


The common theme here being that they're all definitely men. So I present Exhibit B:

Abigail Brand

Jade

Polaris

She-Hulk


Do you see what I'm getting at?

GREEN! Lots of green. I'm not anti-green or anything but I really just brainstormed those characters sitting on my bed. That doesn't even include people like Doctor Doom, Scorpion, Count Vertigo. The list goes on and on.

Now I know there are other colors used like blue (Captain America) and red (Daredevil) but for whatever reason green just seems to pop up everywhere.


Like that guy.

For whatever reason there's an abundance of green and I can dig that, I really can. What really astounds me though is what draws me to these characters. Similar themes of fathers (Incredible Hulk, Green Arrow, Green Hornet, Spidey and Green Goblin, THe Ninja Turtles), the stigma attached to something greater than themselves (a generic superhero theme to be sure but look at how the "green" heroes approach it, it's really cool) and a sense of unpredictability. All of these characters have noble intentions but can go completely crazy at the drop of a hat.

I don't know what it is, but I am totally digging this whole "going green" thing as far as super heros go.

Lesson over.

Work Work Work (please)

So, in anticipation for graduation, (I got the mad beats)



I've been thinking about places I'd like to work. At school they told us to expect 99 "no's" out of 100 so I though I'd make a list of 50 and see if I might be able to ride the odds have it work out it my favor.

So in no particular order, here's my list:


1. Marvel studios
2. DC Comics
3. Malpasso
4. Bad Robot
5. Mutant Enemy
6. Jim Henson Studios
7. Scott Free
8. Troublemaker Studios
9. Wingnut Films
10. Europacorp
11. Bay Films
12. Brooksfilm LTD
13. Anchor Bay
14. Lucasfilm LTD
15. Criterion Collection
16. Weinstein Company
17. View Askew
18. Legendary Pictures
19. Tim Burton Productions
20. Imagine Entertainment
21. Dreamworks
22. Plan B
23. Earthship Productions
24. Magnolia films
25. Smokehouse Pictures
26. Lionsgate
27. Amblin
28. Apatow production
29. Stoopid Monkey
30. Ghoulardi
31. Ten Thirteen Prodctions
32. Jerry Bruckheimer films
33. Village Roadshow
34. Working Title
35. Focus Features
36. Cha Cha Cha
37. American Zoetrope
38. Spectacle Entertainment Group
39. Dark Horse Entertainment
40. Strike Entertainment
41. Screen Gems
42. Lakeshore
43. Overture films
44. Interscope
45. Red Hour
46. Impact pictures
47. Rough House Pictures
48. O Entertianment
49. Section Eight
50. A Band Apart



This isn't be all end all, but it's a good start.

Let me know what you think!

Lesson Over.

Hey Eckhardt!

Think about the future!



That's what I've been up to... sort of. I graduate in April (barring failed classes) and with that brings the excitement of new beginnings! and the terror of the end of the current status quo.

I'm a pretty sedimentary kind of guy. I like to root down and sit for a while (you know get comfortable and get to know people) then once I have a basic set of friends I'm down to go where ever. I've got the friends and the down-for-where-ever thing all set but the two ideas don't seem to want to work together, and that's frustrating.


(THE FOLLOWING BLOG CAN BE FILED UNDER "POOR ME")


So dig this right?

I'm finally at the school of my dreams (Full Sail University) and I love it. Love love love it, it's everything I hoped it would be but with the minor complaints attached as expected. It's a film school and I'm learning to do something that I think I can love and actually do for the rest of my life. -comics notwithstanding-

What I really don't like is a lot of my classmates and I'm sure that will disappear with time. Right now most of them are pure potential stuck inside a teenager's body, so take my old man view of the world ("turn down your music!", "What do you mean naps don't sound like fun?") and my military established work ethic ("get it done quickly so we can go home to quiet and naps!") and combine those with relative children who have never held down a job before and my patience just flies out the window.

What bothers me most about The Children is that their collective over-eagerness is too unfocused. They're trying so hard to set new bars and blow down doors that they've forgotten to look at how the bars were placed there and check out the materials that make up the doors. Plus each one wants to have the highest role they can have in production (which is great as an overall goal but put it in perspective and learn the rolls of the little guy. It's important to know the work you'll be doing right out of school. -see it's alllll coming around I swear-)





So we're gearing up for entry into the "real world" filled with mythical "jobs" and "bills" and new things that they keep describing to us all for the first time in frightening detail. (get this... apparently you have to be polite and dress nice for job interviews!) For those of you who aren't keeping track, I'm going to be 28 in November -my wishlist is on my profile-.

Now I have three options ahead of me and I'm going to write them out in as much detail as I can in hopes that my stress will transfer itself to the interwebs and allow me to sleep.

(I figured out to post pics on here! I'm all happy)




So I have:

1. My WISHFUL plan
2. My EASY(er) plan
3. My SUPER HARD BUT ULTIMATELY REWARDING plan

1. WISHFUL: My buddies Eric and Yorgo are moving to Chicago in hopes of landing entry level film jobs while pursuing a passion project by Yorgo in the form of a documentary and I would love to head out there with them. It's also the most likely scenario in which I could convince my best friend Joe to come with me :P

This plan is the pipe dream of the bunch. Perfect world in which I get to stick with my buddies from school and bring in my best friend, but overall it seems to be a bit touchy and the job opportunities that I want just don't exist there.


2. EASY(er): New Orleans in a post-Katrina world is looking to boost revenue with a burgeoning film program, and it's working. Low cost of living mixed with a high rate of employment add to the allure. I don't really know anyone heading out this way but with a lower cost of living and a revolving door of projects coming through all the time, the opportunity to get my foot in the door is definitely there.

Of the three, this seems to be the most accessible in terms of starting out, but again running into the reality of knowing nobody hangs like a dark cloud over everything (I'm sure I'll get over it, I always do). While the revolving door option sounds good I kind of like the idea of staying with one production company and learning my craft with a group who does it a specific way instead of adjusting to many different ways. Joe won't move to New Orleans.


3. SUPER HARD BUT ULTIMATELY REWARDING: L.A. Yikes. This one is by far the most difficult of the three. It scares me the most but also fills me with a huge amount of hope. Perfect world scenario I get to intern at Marvel Studios or Mutant Enemy or something like that and I get work side by side with my heroes right outside the box (again PERFECT world, not naive expectation).

Realistically this could bite me in the butt quickly. It has literally caused me a lack of sleep in the last month. I know NOBODY in L.A. and I've only spent about 4 days out there and that was just on Hollywood Blvd. so.... yikes.






A good X-Factor included in this is my GI Bill. I plan on working on my Master's Degree in Creative Writing through Full Sail online over the course of the next year and that should allow me some extra cash (and also supremely help out with 1. and 3.).

I think I'm going to lean towards L.A. and try for an unpaid internship while working on my masters.

But I don't know.

What do you think?

Thanks for reading.

Lesson over.

Another Lesson :D

Why hello there..... blog.... we meet again.

Your blank pages that once filled me with wonder and excitement now terrify me and only bring to light the fact that I can't write.

Curses.

Foiled again.

I might have to rename you. In order to achieve mediocrity one has to actually WRITE. Silly "words" and your "letters" who do you think you are anyway? You come into my conversations daily. DAILY! No one invited you! Sometimes I think it'd be better if all you "words" would just be quiet!

I can't even think sometimes.

Oh blog, with all the pressure you put me under to be entertaining to my mother and anyone who clicks on this link after I post it a million times (or read it when/if I RE-post it on Facebook)

At least I know the problem is YOU and not me. Clearly.

I mean I'm writing what are you doing?

Sitting there in your smugness all blank page-y.

I think you need to seriously re-consider your role in this relationship Blog. I can't be doing all of the work!

Maybe you should take some time and think about your actions.

I'm going back to Youtube.

Lesson Over.

been away

Johnen Vasquez is the man



Lesson over.

Comics! 07/08/2010

Welcome to another longwinded and rarely read Lesson in Mediocrity!

Budgeting sucks. But I'm getting better as the weeks go. I said "no thank you" to many many enticing books today and I think my mother would proud of how much I DIDN'T spend today.

I picked up a few Number 1's just to see what's to come and figure out if they were books for me. Among them were Shadowland, the much anticipated adjective-less X-Men, as well as Steve Rogers: Super Soldier.

I also picked up Brightest Day 5 (my only DC book today) and the penultimate chapter of X-Men: Second Coming.

"But Tim!" you ask me in my mind, "what book tops your personal list today? That's what I really want to know!"

Okay I'll tell you! (mostly because of your enthusiastic yet terribly specific way of asking)

Top of my pile today was Scarlet #1 with art by Alex Maleev and words by Brian Michael Bendis.

I'm a Bendis nut. If you didn't know that about me then we probably aren't friends and I'm curious why you're reading my blog... you can stay but I'm keeping an eye on you...

Where was I...

ah yes Scarlet.

I had no idea what to expect from this book other than I virtually worship the ground that Bendis walks on and I'm only interested in Maleev's art when he's paired with Bendis. So based on that principle alone I was all over it (I wasn't really into Spider-Woman all that much and I don't really know why... curse you iTunes).

Right off the bat (<--- yeah I said it) the narrative absolutely hooked me. Scarlet broke the fourth wall and welcomed me to her story. Now let's define what breaking the fourth wall entails.

Aaron Haaland co-owner of the esteemed establishment in which I buy my comics http://www.acomicshop.com argued that this is the same technique used in many prose books the world over in terms of narration. I disagree and here's why: in most books (that I've read at any rate) that use first person expository dialogue, the main character is almost keeping a diary or explaining to himself what's happening all the while never actually addressing the reading him/her-self. In my world (the only one that matters thank you) the fourth wall is broken when the character leaves their setting, looks you in the eye, grabs your hand and says "hold on tight we're going on an adventure". Scarlet not only does this, at the end of the issue she alludes that you the reader are integral to her plan.

I buy into this stuff (comics) hardcore. It doesn't matter if I'm reading Batman, Daredevil, Green Lantern, what have you. I buy it hook line and sinker. While I'm reading it, it may as well be true. What Bendis has constructed here is a world that not only looks beautiful thanks to the masterful artwork of Maleev, he plunges you literally INTO the world by saying "you are a part of this, embrace it"

I have, and I plan to stick around for quite a while.

Thanks Bendis!

Lesson over

Documentary Journal

Tim Runge
Documentary
Journal 1

I felt a definite progression in my abilities as a filmmaker this month. For Digital Cinematography we got tossed into a trial by fire scenario that made us think on our feet and try to make the most out (essentially) a bad situation. Through the various trials and speed bumps many of us found a foothold or at least a comfortable place from which to stand in order to serve various projects in the future. DC class notwithstanding I think that our documentary “Admit One” is going to be what I will look back on fondly as my first real foray into the world of film.
Our film essentially showcases The Enzian, which is a local movie theater that shows indie films, foreign films, and films that you won’t see in the big chain theaters. They also serve amazing food as well as having their own bar. It’s a place that many people in our group held very dear and those that didn’t, quickly learned to.

Day 1:
I have a small background in camerawork and felt that running the camera would be the best way for me to facilitate myself for the group, but I did feel trepidation because of the passion that was involved. I had been to The Enzian twice before and I loved it, but our co-directors and our DP were virtual regulars as well as some of my best friends, so I had to live up to a standard of greatness that I knew I couldn’t achieve on my own but would reach for none-the-less. (Only time will tell how it turned out.)
Our first day of filming was nerve wracking. We would be talking to the president of the company. We were already nervous because we wanted to do well across the board for our film and for each other, and the first interview that they could supply us with was the big man himself.
We got everything set up for his shot, lights were perfect, I had managed to get the camera in a respectable spot. All we had left to do was get the sound calibrated. Robert was our sound guy and he had set everything up properly and his levels were good. The camera on the other hand was showing everything blown out so I stepped down the gain on the back of the camera to adjust properly and plugged in my headphones.
I found that the levels were at a tolerable level but everything sounded a bit tinny to me. I asked Robert if he thought it was a concern, he mentioned that everything sounded fine to him, I brought also brought it up to the rest of the crew and we all collectively decided it must have been a flub with the headphones. Our biggest downfall for the project rested in our not checking into the issue further.
The interview was amazing. He was a very engaging speaker and seemed to almost intrinsically know where the frame of the camera was as he rarely leaned out of it. I noticed that I was going to have to work on my headroom but overall I was proud of how it looked and, after an informative half hour, we thanked him for his time and tore down the interview to prep for B-Roll. As we put our equipment away our editor Libby moved the footage on to her computer and discovered our sound discrepancy, and it was a doozy. Everything I had heard in my headphones was committed to the picture. We were devastated. Luckily Robert had brought a backup camera that managed to record all of the sound and helped us to overcome a potential disaster. We managed to hit our biggest speed bump right out of the gate unscathed. We managed to get the sound adjusted inside the camera and any hesitation we had felt at the beginning was replaced by a cautious confidence. We shot some exterior B-Roll without issue. We didn’t really have a lot of shots to get on location based on what the president had talked about but we got some good stuff at any rate.

Day 2:
Our group quickly got accustomed to what we called in the military “hurry up and wait”. We had various interviews laid out for the rest our shooting schedule so we would collectively meet an hour or so before hand, make sure everything was set up properly then continually check our color and light while sitting around waiting for our subject to arrive.
On this day we were interviewing a manager and we set everything up properly and waited. And waited. And waited. We started to get antsy, checking our sound to make sure we didn’t run into the same issues, making sure we were white balanced, checking the sun to make sure she would actually show up on camera. We all understood that she had duties to perform and an actual “job” to do so we weren’t frustrated, we just felt… unproductive.
When she finally made her way over to us we did a final check of everything with her in frame and got about 15 minutes or so of her answering Yorgo’s questions. The sound recorded fine and everything went smoothly. The only hiccup from my point of view was that it didn’t seem that she had anything different to say from the president of the company. I trusted Eric and Yorgo though and pushed through my hesitation.
After her interview we broke for a good chunk of the day. Eric wanted to return at dusk to get some time-lapse photography on the marquee on the outside of the building. So again we all meet and get the camera set up. Robert had a family situation that needed attending and of course we let him go home to take care of his wife. He wasn’t going to be needed for the rest of the day. We proceeded to sit for about four hours while the time-lapse photography did it’s thing. We all managed to sit through this time talking about nothing and learning of various uncomfortable awkward silences. We got about 4 minutes of footage.

Day 3
This was the day where any nervousness we had about filming went away. We had an interview with a gentleman who worked in the projection booth. We arrived early as usual, got everything set up properly and waited a fairly small amount of time. His interview went smoothly and he gave us a ton of new information. He was also more engaging than the manager had been and, since he was so close in age to us, knew how to communicate in a way that captivated our attention as a group.
We had gotten another 20 minutes or so out of our interview with him and Eric and Yorgo had us tear down the interview and re-arrange everything to make it better than it was before. The same man we had just interviewed would be down in an hour or so to take some of us up to the projection room to get some footage of “Caddyshack” being loaded onto the reel as it was going to be played the next day (as well as serve as the centerpiece of our film).
He came and got us and we recorded some B-Roll inside with Eric’s camera. I flubbed on the sound but it turned out alright because it would have been too loud and nonsensical to use anyway.

Day 4:
This was our big day. They were showing Caddyshack and we had one more staff interview to lock down. We arrived early as always and got our interview set up. We would be interviewing Liz who not only worked at The Enzian, but was related to the people who had actually had it built. She talked for quite a while about the history of the place, the celebrities that came through and just added that extra layer that our project needed to lend it some validity. She spoke for about 45 minutes and we broke for an extended lunch. We would return that night before the Caddyshack crowd and get the finishing touches
We arrived an hour or two before the crowds and got some amazing shots of the foliage and the mural on the wall by the bar. We got some crowd shots of people purchasing tickets and mingling. They let me and Robert into the kitchen to shoot the cooks doing their thing. Most of all it was another game of hurry up and wait.
About 30 minutes before the show they let Eric, Robert and myself in to set up a camera. Before each film at The Enzian, someone comes out and gives some general trivia about the movie as well as updates on what’s happening at The Enzian itself. We got some good footage of the speaker and exited the theater quietly.
Once outside all we really had to do was get some shots of the streetside sign at night and grab some interviews with patrons. At the end of the evening Eric told us that we were pretty much wrapped.


Wrap up:
I’m proud of our work on this film. We put in a lot of time, effort, and stress into this project and I think that passion will shine through. I’m sure there will be flubs and mistakes. There will be things that make us smack our heads and question why we did what we did, but we’re students. Still learning. Overall I think we knocked it out of the park as a group and I think that our work will stand out on it’s own.

quick update

Hi interwebs! (and mom)

So I've been busy what with shooting our first "film" (I prefer to call it a "learning experience") and editing it. Then going into working my butt off with the finest group of future filmmakers anyone could have the privilege to work with in my documentary class.

We've been shooting a documentary on a local theater called The Enzian (www.enzian.org) and it's been wonderfully exhausting. They show indie movies, foreign films, cult classics, you name it. (And it seems as though all of the females that work there are required to be hot -not a complaint-)

aaaannnnyyyyway the hard part for me is over. I was a cameraman on the shoot so when it's eventually posted online you will all (both of you) get to see my handiwork! Hooray!

Right after this post I will be posting our mandatory "journal" chronicling our experience making our film (entitled Admit One). It's and excellent example of tedium and mediocrity!

So I'm off. Hopefully I'll be back in dour spirits soon and go off on another rant. Until then I suppose I'll just have to be chipper.






oh wait! It's 1am and my neighbors are listening to the TV uber loud! Oh hi headache!

Lesson Over

Just when I thought I was out!

So I want to remove the insurance from my VZW phone and working there for a year or so I know a thing or two about a thing or two when it comes to making adjustments. I just hop onto my trusty interwebs, clickity clack away on the keyboard and/or mouse and then I'm done.

It seems as though I can't remove the feature from the website any longer which is a bit of a shame cause now I have to call customer service.

I don't want to call customer service.... at all...

I have no desire to be on the other end of that call. IN FACT; I know how the conversation will go EXACTLY!



here's the transcript for if I call in:



VZW: Thank you for calling Verizon Wireless my name is: X. May I have your name please?

ME: uh sure, my name is Tim Runge

VZW: Okay Mr. Runge just to verify can I have only the last four of your ssn?

ME: 2288

VZW: Very cool, how can I help you out today Mr. Runge?

ME: I just want to remove the insurance from my phone

VZW: So you'd like to remove your insurance feature from your phone, well I can help you with that. Is there any special reason why you'd like to adjust your account in this manner?

ME: I get a new phone next month.

VZW: Oh yeah! I can see that on your account right now Mr. Runge. Hold on just a second while I make some adjustments.

(TYPING ON A KEYBOARD)

VZW (CONTD.): Now Mr. Runge did you know that through our website Verizonwireless.com you can make changes like this to your account?

ME: I did in fact know that X. I tried to make the change there and couldn't find it for the life of me.

VZW: That's unfortunate, sometimes that website can be tricky.

ME: yup

VZW: Well Mr. Runge I got that insurance feature adjusted is there anything else I can do for you while I have you on the line?

ME: no

VZW: Alright well thank you so much for calling Verizon Wireless we...

then I'll hang up.


I really don't want to deal with this right now! Blerg.

Oh the horror's of my life

Brighthouse note.

After my "On Suggestion" fiasco I wrote this to Brighthouse.

"I didn't get the name of the lady who "helped" me when I called in today. My cable box was working appropriately but my screen was black and wasn't transmitting picture or audio.

Now I understand that you have to ask if my TV is on the right setting and if the cable box itself is in fact on. I get it. But This lady was INCREDIBLY rude. I was insulted.

I worked for a time doing customer service myself and I understand that sometimes it's tedious and sometimes you have a bad day but I didn't appreciate being talked down to.

I'm not going to threaten to leave Brighthouse due to this one hiccup, I'm an adult and above such things. On that note if I have to continue calling in to deal with rude people AND my cable doesn't work like I pay for it to, then I will absolutely be seeking an alternative."

That will teach them.

On Suggestion

I paid my bill. I love my TV and I love my internet. I do NOT however, love my provider.

I was enjoying an episode of 30 Rock (as I am prone to do cause I love Tina Fey) and had a whole other episode to get through. I was all excited to get my laugh on when my TV froze up and told me that it was "unavailable". I get that technology can be iffy so I do what most people would do (I assume).

I shut off the cable box then turned it back on. My cable itself was working so I switched over to "On Demand" and I could go through all of my menus just fine I selected NBC, then 30 Rock, then the most recent episode. Completely ready to laugh minus the minor irritant.

It was "unavailable at this time". Okay, we just went through a hiccup together, I can dig this. My cable box has to catch up. Just to double check, I try watching something else on demand. CSI Miami (the Rob Zombie episode wasn't up yet but I thought I'd give it a shot) I clicked it. "Currently unavailable" well crap. At least I could switch over to "live" TV and see what was up.

My screen was black. Huh. I paid my bill in full more than 24 hours ago. I was online so obviously they hadn't shut off all of my stuff and my menus were all showing what was "on" but nothing. No sound and no picture but a black screen.

Same old song and dance, shut it off, turn it on, no dice. Which leads me to what I hate most. Calling customer service.

Those of you who read this (Hi mom!) probably know me and know that I worked for Verizon Wireless answering phones for customer service and I hated it, I don't like making other people do it but what other choice did I have?

I should have gotten her name.

I'm pretty hard to offend most days. I'm pretty chill and I can take most things off the cuff and not worry about it. But this lady... (by the way VZW peeps, she didn't even TRY to call sequence me).

One of the things I hated at VZW was trying to find out if people were as un-smart as they sounded. Tip toeing around trying to find out if their phone is on or if they have a battery inserted is almost uncomfortable while you try to help solve your customer's issue.

Man I wish I had gotten her name!

She was extremely put out by the fact that I called (I bet that new issue of Cosmo is pretty darn engaging). She asked what was wrong and I explained what was up with the menus and the screen and no sound yadda yadda yadda. So she takes one of those irritated inhales and our journy begins.

"okay is your TV turned to channel zero zero three?" she asked through her nose

"of course it is, but let me double check" I sat down and double checked the settings I know she has to do her thing and maybe I was being flighty, "yes it's all set properly"

(another sigh)

"Is the little green light to left of the box lit indicating that it's turned on?"

at this point I'm beyond irritated

"okay of course it's on, did you miss the part where I said I could see the menus? yes it's turned on." Now we get to be miserable together

"Fine, what I'm going to do now is send a signal to your cable box, let me know when it says it's resetting and you should see some lines on the cable box."

"okay I can do that" I trusted that I wasn't an idiot. She didn't

I stared intently at the cable box and my TV (At the same time! CAUSE I'M AWESOME!.... ladies) and nothing changed.

"Well?" She asked, presumably flipping through the latest personality test in her magazine.

"Yeah I got nothing yet." I assured her.

A couple seconds later I tell her "ah there it is."

"great. let me know when it says mystro"

we wait for a couple more minutes. Finally my screen changes. and I advise her appropriately.

"Okay what I'm going to do now is put you on hold for 2 minutes while the process finishes"

She puts me on hold. Thirty seconds later my TV resets and I sit there on hold for a little while. Finally I hung up. Irritated but with Tina Fey once again, I started musing. I thought about what would happen if I treated someone like that at VZW. So I provided feedback on our friend.

I should have gotten her name.

Quitlove hatchet'd

As the titles pass we hear TANNER a radio DJ (20’s).

TANNER (V.O.)
So here we are, it’s been just over a year since our “beloved” world leader Phineas Quitlove took over in a public, shall we call it “hostile takeover”. Let’s not forget that before “His Eminence” took office, he was the leader of the most efficient task force of criminals the world had ever seen, and now this glorified hoodlum is no longer robbing trains but trying to make them run on time. We’ll touch on that after the break. The time is now 1:42pm. This is Tanner Collins.


INT. WORLD PRESIDENT’S OFFICE - Day

There is a man at a desk behind a mountain of paperwork. His looks disheveled. This is PHINEAS QUITLOVE (30’s-40’s), World President. His assistant VALERIE, (20’s-30’s) enters carrying a small stack of papers.

VALERIE
I have some more paperwork for you sir.

QUITLOVE
It’s so nice to know I can rely on you to help alleviate my stress!

Valerie
It comes with the job sir.

QUITLOVE
How do you know what comes with the job? I’m the first one!


INT. RECEPTION HALLWAY – Day

We follow FOOTSTEPS down a hallway towards a reception desk. KRISTINE, Quitlove’s daughter (19) checks in with THE RECEPTIONIST (20’s).

KRISTINE
Can we move this along?

RECEPTIONIST
I’m sorry miss, I’m trying to process it as quickly as I can but these things take time. He isn’t everyone’s favorite person at this point.


INT. WORLD PRESIDENT’S OFFICE – Day

Quitlove sits head in hand as he half-heartedly signs various papers. In a huff he SNAPS his writing utensil in half then SWIPES a stack of papers off his desk making a mess. He takes a couple BREATHS to compose himself.

QUITLOVE
This is not what I was expecting.

VALERIE
All due respect sir, what were you expecting?

Quitlove shakes his head. He and Valerie exchange a look. Kristine SLAMS the door open and enters.

KRISTINE
We need to talk.

QUITLOVE
Honey, Daddy’s a little busy running the world right now. He doesn’t have the time to talk to his princess.

KRISTINE
Now!

QUITLOVE
Val?

He doesn’t need to make eye contact with her. She leaves without protest, closing the door behind her. Quitlove stands from behind his desk.

QUITLOVE
Sit.

KRISTINE
I’m not going to sit! You have to answer for what you’ve done!

Quitlove’s demeanor changes, he’s no longer the stressed out “suit”. He’s now the stern, stoic Father set on disciplining his young daughter.

QUITLOVE
Sit. Down.

She sits.

QUITLOVE (CONT’D.)
Regardless of what you might think, I’m not an evil monster. I’m not stealing or raping or selling drugs.

He picks up a stack of papers.

QUITLOVE (CONT’D.)
Hell! I’m trying to get this crap organized!

He SLAMS the stack of papers back onto the desk. Kristine chooses her words carefully.

KRISTINE
You overthrew every major power in the world dad. There was a system in place.

QUITLOVE
They system was broken! It was sick and needed to be purged! Do you have the medicine to fix it?

KRISTINE
Do you?

QUITLOVE
It would certainly appear so!

The room falls silent. Quitlove changes to a somber tone.

KRISTINE
What if you’re wrong?

QUITLOVE
I’m not wrong. I can’t be. I don’t have that kind of luxury.

As she fights back tears he gets down to her level.

QUITLOVE
We are at the dawn of a new age. One that will see me bring about an end to war, famine, all of it.

Valerie KNOCKS and enters with a head nod from Quitlove.

VALERIE
Sir, the research on the cure is done and we’re beginning prep on the final stage of testing. Just need you to sign here.

He signs. She exits.

KRISTINE
Research?

QUITLOVE
Ah yes, my team and I have been working for months now on a cancer cure. We may have found it.

KRISTINE
Cancer? But I thought that…

QUITLOVE
You’re young, there are a lot of things that you “think”.

KRISTINE
What about your old job?

QUITLOVE
My old job?

KRISTINE
Dad, you were a villain! A bad guy!

QUITLOVE
Who defines what a villain is my dear? Certainly not the villain himself.

KRISTINE
Are you trying to say there was some worldwide conspiracy against you?

QUITLOVE
The leaders that were, decided that they didn’t like my ideas. They were deemed too radical, too unattainable. So I made a support group of sorts, and we set out to show that our way

QUITLOVE (CONT’D.)
of thinking was not only attainable, it was necessary!

Kristine’s sees her father’s point of view for the first time.

KRISTINE
So now you’re going to make sure that everyone gets what they need? You’re going to end poverty, world hunger.

QUITLOVE
Exactly! You see! I’ve been misunderstood for so long. It’s time to spread the word. Go and tell everyone you can! Phineas Quitlove is going to change the world!

She jumps out of her chair, hugs her father and kisses him on the cheek.

KRISTINE
I love you daddy!

She exits. Valerie enters. Quitlove becomes more stoic again.

QUITLOVE
Make sure she doesn’t leave her room. In fact, double the guard. I don’t care if she sees they’re there.

VALERIE
Yes sir. Should we hold off on final testing til we know for sure that she’s secured in her quarters?

QUITLOVE
No. We will proceed as planned. I won’t let that little brat get in the way of years of planning.

VALERIE
I’ll give Englebert the green light.

QUITLOVE
Do that. Soon they will all curse they day they crossed me. Daddy is home.


A radio crackles to life as we fade to end credits. Tanner is back from his break.

TANNER (Panicked V.O.)
We’re back! It sounds like “His Majesty” is a fan of our program. The military censors are here I can hear them beating down doors. It’s only a matter of time before they get to me.

A door BURSTS open in the studio.

TANNER (Panicked V.O. CONT’D.)
Stay strong, and always remember…

The radio transmission ends in static.

I have no idea...

If people read this or if it's just me rambling, but rambling is kind of my thing. Had my first day of Digital Cinematography today. FINALLY! A class that I get behind. I finally feel like I'm in film school... (bout time I know).

AAANNNYYYYWAY, we got to see some stuff that previous students have shot and that was pretty boss. and then we went over the criteria for submitting script ideas. Turns out my Script was about a page and a half too long so I got to do my first hatchet job on my script (a step towards being a Script Doctor -boosh-) and that will be what's posted on top of this bad boy.

Leave me comments if you read this (only if you like it, if you hate it I don't need to know!),

Tim

Boosh

Felling good about Quitlove for the most part. It's due tomorrow at midnight. Supposed to be 5-9 pages, I clocked in halfway down page 8.

Teddy might help me pitch it for next month and Stan said he might be up for it too. If it's picked that means that we get to spend the next two months shooting it. So wish me luck if you'd like.

Quitlove Conquered the World

INT. WORLD PRESIDENT’S OFFICE - Day

There is a man at a desk behind a mountain of paperwork. Late 30’s-early 40’s. His dress shirt’s top button is undone, his tie hangs loosely tied around his neck. This man is PHINEAS QUITLOVE, World President. As Quitlove muses over the work staked in front of him, his assistant VALERIE, who’s in her late 20’s to early 30’s enters carrying a small stack of papers.

VALERIE
I have some more paperwork for you sir.

QUITLOVE
Oh really Val? Do you really have more? Why thank you! It’s so nice to know I can rely on you to help alleviate my stress!

Valerie
It comes with the job sir.

QUITLOVE
How do you know what comes with the job? I’m the first one!


INT. RECEPTION HALLWAY – Day

We’re following FOOTSTEPS down a hallway towards a reception desk. The person we’re following is KRISTINE, Quitlove’s college freshman daughter. As she approaches the desk a radio CRACKLES. The DJ is a political commentator named TANNER COLLINS (age 20s-30s) his co-host is PHIL (age 20’s-30’s).

TANNER (V.O.)
So here we are, it’s been just over a year since our beloved world leader Phineas Quitlove took over in a somewhat public, shall we call it “hostile takeover”. Phil?




PHIL (V.O.)
That’s true Connor and we have yet to see exactly what this administration actually has planned. I mean, who died and made this guy boss?

Tanner and Phil LAUGH NERVOUSLY

TANNER (V.O)
It seems like just about everyone Phil! Let’s not forget that before His Eminence took office, he was the leader of the most efficient criminal task force the world had ever seen.

At the desk Kristine holds up her badge to THE RECEPTIONIST (in her 20’s) who checks the computer system. Kristine grows impatient.

PHIL (V.O.)
At this point Tanner I think it’s essential to point out that it wasn’t a police task force against criminals, it was a task force made entirely of criminals!

TANNER (V.O.)
Very interesting point! We’ll touch on that after the break. The time is now 1:42pm. This is Tanner Collins.

Kristine is visibly irritated at waiting this long.

KRISTINE
Excuse me! I know you’re very busy trying to catch up on the latest quiz in Cosmo or whatever but I need to get in to see him!

RECEPTIONIST
I’m sorry miss, I’m trying to process it as quickly as I can but these things take time. He isn’t everyone’s favorite person at this point.



INT. WORLD PRESIDENT’S OFFICE – Day

Quitlove sits head in hand as he half-heartedly signs various papers. Valerie is looking busy. In a huff he SNAPS his writing utensil in half.

QUITLOVE
Would someone like to explain to me why on Earth we have so many pages dedicated to keeping track of paperclips!

VALERIE
It’s part of the job sir.

QUITLOVE
Stop saying that!

In a fit of anger he SWIPES a stack of papers off his desk making a mess. He takes a couple BREATHS to compose himself and looks at Valerie.

QUITLOVE
This is not what I was expecting.

VALERIE
All due respect sir, what were you expecting?

Quitlove shakes his head.


INT. RECEPTION HALLWAY – Day

Kristine is at the end of her rope as the radio CRACKLES back to life. As the DJs speak again we see her yell at the receptionist and grab her ID, STORMING down an adjacent hallway. Over the radio, GUNFIRE can be heard. Phil sounds shaken.

PHIL (V.O.)
We’re back live. If you can still hear us, Tanner has been shot. I don’t think he’s going to make it.

An explosion ROCKETS over the airways.

PHIL (V.O. CONT’D.)
The Marines are here and they are making their way through the station. Tanner went to use the bathroom, he hasn’t returned yet.

A door is KICKED IN inside the radio’s studio. A MARINE can be heard entering.

MARINE (V.O.)
Get on the ground now! Do it or I will shoot you!

PHIL (V.O.)
Well we can wave goodbye to freedom of speech ladies and gentlemen. This is Phil, and don’t worry, I got this.

A couple of BURSTS of gunfire and the radio transmission ends.


INT. WORLD PRESIDENT’S OFFICE – Day

Quitlove and Valerie are staring at each other when Kristine SLAMS the door open and enters.

KRISTINE
We need to talk.

QUITLOVE
Honey, Daddy’s a little busy running the world right now. He doesn’t have the time to talk to his princess.

KRISTINE
Now!

QUITLOVE
Val?

He doesn’t need to make eye contact with her. She leaves without protest, closing the door behind her. Quitlove stands from behind his desk.



QUITLOVE
Sit.

KRISTINE
I’m not going to sit! You have to answer for what you’ve done!

Quitlove’s demeanor changes, he’s no longer the stressed out “suit” behind closed doors. He’s now the stern, stoic Father set on disciplining his young daughter.

QUITLOVE
Sit. Down.

She sits.

QUITLOVE (CONT’D.)
Regardless of what you might think, I’m not an evil monster. I’m not stealing or raping or selling drugs.

He picks up a stack of papers.

QUITLOVE (CONT’D.)
Hell! I’m trying to get this crap organized!

He SLAMS the stack of papers back onto the desk. When Kristine speaks she chooses her words more carefully, she knows who her father can be.

KRISTINE
You overthrew every major power in the world dad. There was a system in place.

QUITLOVE
They system was broken! It was sick and needed to be purged! Do you have the medicine to fix it?

KRISTINE
Do you?


QUITLOVE
It would certainly appear so!
The room falls silent for a beat. Tears begin to form in Kristine’s eyes. Quitlove’s demeanor changes back to a more somber tone.

KRISTINE
What if you’re wrong?

QUITLOVE
I’m not wrong. I can’t be. I don’t have that kind of luxury.

As she fights back tears he gets down to her level.

QUITLOVE
We are at the dawn of a new age. An age that will see me bring about an end to war, famine, all of the horsemen.

Valerie KNOCKS and enters with a head nod from Quitlove.

VALERIE
Sir, the research on the cure is done and we’re beginning prep on the final stage of testing. Just need you to sign here.

He signs. She exits.

KRISTINE
Research?

QUITLOVE
Ah yes, Englebert and I have been working for months now on a cancer cure. We may have found it.

KRISTINE
Cancer? But I thought that…

QUITLOVE
You’re young, there are a lot of things that you “think”.

KRISTINE
What about your old job?

QUITLOVE
My old job?

KRISTINE
Dad, you were a villain! A bad guy!

QUITLOVE
Who defines what a villain is my dear? Certainly not the villain himself.

KRISTINE
Are you trying to say there was some worldwide conspiracy against you?

QUITLOVE
The leaders that were, decided that they didn’t like my ideas. They were deemed too radical, too unattainable. So I made a support group of sorts, and we set out to show that our way of thinking was not only attainable, it was necessary!

Kristine’s tears are gone as she sees her father’s point of view for the first time.

KRISTINE
So now you’re going to make sure that everyone gets what they need? You’re going to end poverty, world hunger.

QUITLOVE
Exactly! You see! I’ve been misunderstood for so long. It’s time to spread the word. Go and tell everyone you can! Phineas Quitlove is going to change the world!

She jumps out of her chair, hugs her father and kisses him on the cheek.

KRISTINE
I love you daddy!

She exits. Valerie enters. Quitlove becomes more stoic again.
QUITLOVE
Make sure she doesn’t leave her room. In fact, double the guard. I don’t care if she sees they’re there.

VALERIE
Yes sir. Should we hold off on final testing til we know for sure that she’s secured in her quarters?

QUITLOVE
No. We will proceed as planned. I won’t let that little brat get in the way of years of planning.

VALERIE
I’ll give Englebert the green light.

QUITLOVE
Do that. Soon they will all curse they day they crossed me. Daddy is home.

Fade out.

Yay for me!

I got 100 on my "Spec Writer's script" which for anyone who may have been confused, was my last post.

My teacher said "Geez Louise Tim… Yah leave me hanging….what’s in the darn box? This is a good story and your aesthetic execution of such tender, yet gut-retching subject matter will capture the heart of many. Keep it up and the overall impact will build as your characters mature and begin doing things you’d never imagined. Fun stuff…aye… "

September - 2nd Draft -

INT. JONES HOUSE – NIGHT

INT. SEPTEMBER’S BEDROOM

All of the lights are off in the room except for the soft glow of a nightlight. The lull of an argument can be heard in the background between MOTHER and FATHER a few rooms away. On the bed is a 13 year-old girl SEPTEMBER JONES. She is visibly shaken as the argument progresses to a shouting match.

FATHER (V.O.)
Then I come home after slaving away for hours, only to have to deal with you and that little brat in there! All I want is to come home, kick off my shoes, and have a nice meal. Is that too much to ask?

MOTHER (V.O.)
It is when you ask with your belt to my face! Or to hers!

Tears stream down September’s face as she rubs her cheek. She glances toward the open delivery box with a half eaten pizza in it.

MOTHER (CONT’D.)
If you absolutely have to hit someone you hit me! You do not touch our daughter!

A loud crash from the other room makes September jump.

FATHER (V.O.)
You don’t get to tell me my business! Get back here!

Footsteps fade into a third room. A door SLAMS. September lays there in terrified anticipation. Her breathing is audibly heavy in the awkward silence.

FATHER (V.O.)
What do you think you’re doing? This is getting ridiculous!


MOTHER (V.O.)
Yes! It really is!

The door SLAMS again and the sound of a pistol FIRING three times startles September. She sits there as time dissolves around her inside the room. Tears run down her cheek as sirens sound from outside.


EXT. HIGH SCHOOL – AFTERNOON (3 years later)

It’s a rainy/muggy day. The school bell RINGS and a flood of children come out anxious to run home. One of the more subdued is a now 16 year-old September. There is a group of boys playing around, they accidently knock her into a muddy puddle and run off not noticing.

SEPTEMBER
Oh that’s perfect. Let’s just knock the nerdy girl into puddles, it’ll be fun. Boys.


EXT. MARTINSON HOUSE – LATER

September, wet and muddy, runs up the steps to the house and removes her shoes before entering.

SEPTEMBER
Aunt Kathy? Uncle Charlie? I’m home. School sucks like always. Where are you guys?

September walks into the kitchen to see her Aunt (KATHY) and Uncle (CHARLIE) standing in front of a table with a cake and some small gifts.

KATHY and CHARLIE
Happy Birthday!

September runs over to them and hugs each in turn. Charlie gives her a kiss on the cheek.

CHARLIE
How does it feel to be 16 kiddo?


SEPTEMBER
I think it would feel better with a car!

Her smile fades as she notices a plain brown package on the table.

SEPTEMBER (CONT’D.)
What’s that?

KATHY
Your mother sent it. Would you like to open it?

September bursts in to tears and runs to her room. Her aunt takes a couple steps forward intent on following her.

CHARLIE
Let her go dear, this is the first time her mother’s tried to reach out to her since the incident. There’s no need to make it any worse for her.

KATHY
Poor thing. I can’t even imagine what’s going through her mind right now.


INT. SEPTEMBER’S BEDROOM – LATER

September is curled up on her bed with a stuffed animal clutched tightly to her chest. She is crying.


INT. SEPTEMBER’S BEDROOM – AFTERNOON (flashback to 3 years earlier)

September’s mother is holding ice to September’s face. She has been beaten by her father. Her mother also wear evidence of her fathers rage. September is crying, her mother stopped crying years ago.



MOTHER
I know baby I know. You’re very brave.


SEPTEMBER
I hate him! I hate him!

MOTHER
Your father loves you very much. He just doesn’t know how to show it very well.

September manages to compose herself slightly better than most 13 year-old girls in her position.

SEPTEMBER
He certainly knows how to drink.

MOTHER
That he does.

Mother leans forward and kisses September’s head.

SEPTEMBER
And how to hit.

MOTHER
Oh baby!

September bursts into tears. Mother holds her close.

MOTHER (CONT’D.)
I know, I know. Just stick with it for a little while longer. Just think: your birthday is coming up soon. What would you like?

SEPTEMBER
In a perfect world I’d get to have a pony, but I know that’s not realistic. Sometimes I just like the idea of jumping on a pony and riding away.



MOTHER
Trust me, I know how you feel. How about this?

Mother adjusts September so they are staring into each other’s eyes.

SEPTEMBER
Yes?

MOTHER
You keep being as strong as you are right now and on your sixteenth birthday, not only will we not have to deal with your daddy but you will also get your pony.

SEPTEMBER
Yeah right mom. Thanks for trying to make me feel better. Do you think I could be by myself for a while?

MOTHER
Sure thing, would you like me to order you some pizza?

SEPTMBER
That would be awesome mom. I love you.

MOTHER
I love you too baby.

Mother walks out of the room and stands by the door before closing it.

MOTHER (CONT’D.)
Baby, when your dad comes back home tonight, why don’t you lock your door and put on your headphones.

SEPTEMBER
So like every other night?




MOTHER
Tonight might be a little different. I need you to promise me you won’t come out tonight.

SEPTEMBER
Okay mom I promise.

MOTHER
Let me go order you that pizza!


INT. SEPTEMBER’S BEDROOM – EVENING (Present time 3 years later)

September wakes from her dream/memories. Cheeks tear stained but her demeanor is mostly composed. There is a light knock at her bedroom door.

SEPTEMBER
Come in.

KATHY
Are you doing alright?

SEPTEMBER
No Aunt Kathy I’m not doing alright at all. My murderous mother decides to taunt me on my sixteenth birthday. I preferred it when she didn’t want to have anything with me.

KATHY
I’m sorry I know it’s your birthday but no one gets to talk about my sister that way. Maybe you don’t remember it clearly. She killed your father in order to protect you.

SEPTEMBER
Did she? She told me that night to lock myself in my room and not come out for any reason. He came home and she shot him!



KATHY
Oh you teenagers know everything don’t you? Did you know that your father was addicted to drugs? And I don’t mean he was a pot head, he was doing hardcore stuff. Your mother discovered a stash of heroin in his gym bag. That was when she bought the gun.

As Kathy explains this, the conflict of emotion pouring through September is palpable.

KATHY (CONT’D.)
Your mother confronted him about the drugs and informed him that she would be taking you away from him. He threatened her, burst into your room, whipped off his belt and slapped you across the face with it. Then he left to go to the gym. Guess why?

Tears formed in September’s eyes.

SEPTEMBER
Why wouldn’t she let me visit her in prison?

KATHY
She was ashamed to be honest. She said she couldn’t face her baby knowing that she took her father away from her.

SEPTEMBER
I miss her so much Aunt Kathy.

KATHY
I know you do Dear. Why don’t we go see what’s in that box?

They get up and head to the kitchen.

Blerg

I have a revised draft from my 3 page script (expanded to 7 pages) I'll post it sooner or later. I swear. Also I'm trying to figure out if my Best Haircut Ever story translates well outside of my head so we'll see on that soon as well. That is all.

3 page script

Next up in my storytelling class we had to format a three page script based on our "spec writer's outline"



SEPTEMBER
TIMOTHY C.W. RUNGE


INT. JONES HOUSE – NIGHT

INT. BEDROOM

All of the lights are off in the room except for the soft glow of a nightlight. The lull of an argument can be heard in the background between MOTHER and FATHER a few rooms away. On the bed is a 13 year-old girl SEPTEMBER JONES. She is visibly shaken as the argument progresses to a shouting match.

FATHER (O.C.)
(to MOTHER)
Then I come home after slaving away for hours, only to have to deal with you and that little brat in there! All I want is to come home, kick off my shoes, and have a nice meal. Is that too much to ask?

MOTHER (O.C.)
(to FATHER)
It is when you ask with your belt to my face! Or to hers!

Tears stream down September’s face as she rubs her cheek.

MOTHER (CONT’D.)
If you absolutely have to hit someone you hit me! You do not touch our daughter!

A loud crash from the other room makes September jump.

FATHER (O.C.)
(to MOTHER)
You don’t get to tell me my business! Get back here!

Footsteps fade into a third room. A door slams. September lays there in terrified anticipation. Her breathing is audibly heavy in the awkward silence.

FATHER (O.C.)
(to MOTHER)
What do you think you’re doing? This is getting ridiculous!

MOTHER (O.C.)
(to FATHER)
Yes! It really is!

The door slams again and the sound of a pistol firing three times startles September. She sits there as time dissolves around her inside the room. Tears run down her cheek as sirens sound from outside.


EXT. HIGH SCHOOL – AFTERNOON

3 YEARS LATER

It’s a rainy/muggy day. The school bell rings and a flood of children come out anxious to run home. One of the more subdued is a now 16 year-old September. There is a GROUP OF BOYS playing around, they accidently knock her into a muddy puddle and run off not noticing.

SEPTEMBER
Oh that’s just perfect. Let’s just knock the nerdy girl into puddles, it’ll be fun. Boys.


EXT. MARTINSON HOUSE – LATER

September, wet and muddy, runs up the steps to the house and removes her shoes before entering.

SEPTEMBER
Aunt Kathy? Uncle Charlie? I’m home. School sucks like always. Where are you guys?

September walks into the kitchen to see her Aunt (KATHY) and Uncle (CHARLIE) standing in front of a table with a cake and some small gifts.

KATHY and CHARLIE
Happy Birthday!

September runs over to them and hugs each in turn. Charlie gives her a kiss on the cheek.

CHARLIE
How does it feel to be 16 kiddo?

SEPTEMBER
I think it would feel better with a car!

Her smile fades as she notices a plain brown package on the table.

SEPTEMBER
What’s that?

KATHY
Your mother sent it. Would you like to open it?

September bursts in to tears and runs to her room.

"For Hire" Script outline for Storytelling Class

QUITLOVE CONQUERED THE WORLD
Tim Runge

As the smoke gives way to debris one man stands alone, laughing an evil laugh. This man is Phineas Quitlove. Fade out.

One year later. Many phones ring inside various offices as people scramble about to get their work done. Through phone conversations we understand that these are the offices of the President, and the people are not happy. Pieces of conversations can be heard with employees assuring the people on the other line that all of their concerns will be addressed.

At the end of the hall a door is opened by a woman who confidently enters the office. There is a desk with a chair facing the wall behind it. The chair rotates forward to show the President, it’s Phineas Quitlove. His lead henchman Englebert runs to him with a bottle of water as Quitlove and Valerie discuss the status of the people. One year ago all Quitlove wanted was to overthrow the planet and become Supreme President of the World. Now that he’s gotten it, he’s found that it’s far more complex than he originally conceived. Changing every currency in the world to one with his face on it seemed really cool on paper but the logistics behind money changeovers was ridiculous, not to mention that now he had to oversee running the entire world. Today Valerie has a specific problem that needs to be tackled: there is rumor of an underground resistance rising up to overtake Quitlove. And he’s not entirely opposed to the idea.

Quitlove has poured everything he’s got into achieving his status, and he’s worn down to the core, the thought of his stress being alleviated is enticing for fleeting seconds until he finds his resolve. Valerie informs him that they have a mole cemented with the rising underground forces. Quitlove decides to leave the mole there and not act at this time. He wants the underground to be a significant threat before he enacts his final resolve against them. He will instruct the mole to place explosives strategically throughout the enemy’s encampment and at the appointed time, the explosives will go off. Quitlove himself will be there to put a bullet between the eyes of each of the leaders as a show of force. And that will be one less gnat he’ll have to worry about.

This scene serves as a character piece. Our “heroes” are dealing with a problem internally and must come up with what they assume will be a master plan. Expect it to be driven by dialogue moreso than action as most takes place inside an office.

wow

So it's been two years and a day since I've posted anything, so what? People who used to read this back in the day probably forgot all about me and I'm now writing to nobody.

Oh well. I'm going to post my papers from class on here, probably going to rant about stuff too. As a rule I tend to not swear in my writing but from time to time it could happen. just so you know.

If you like my stuff, shoot me an email and let me know! I love hearing good feedback, if you think I'm awful and should never write again, well let's keep this to ourselves.

Thanks a lot for reading (mom),

Tim

"Spec Writer's" outline for Storytelling Class

September

Tim Runge

It’s a rainy afternoon and a high school just let out for the day. Teens come rushing out, excited and elated to be out of class. One girl in particular doesn’t fit this mold. She looks irritated as she walks, books clutched tightly, to her home. This girl is September Stephens.

A group of roughhousing boys fail to notice September (following in the footsteps of many who came before them) and carelessly run into her knocking her into a puddle in the street. She gets herself up, as she always does, and soldiers on home. Her tears betray her halfhearted attempt to regain some dignity, and something below the surface stirs.

The rain stops with her tears as she turns the corner on her street. The closer she gets to home the more relaxed she feels. She opens the gate and heads up the sidewalk passed the well-kept lawn. She skips every other step as she confidently glides up to the front porch and dutifully removes her shoes and enters.

A series of quick flashbacks ensue each showcasing parts of her life. Flash back 16 years: her father Donald is yelling in a room adjacent to an empty room with a crib. Flash again, 2 year-old September is held by her mother, Martha, who looks at her with love as dad bursts in, bottle in hand. Flash to Donald raising his hand to Martha with violent intent as September (approx. 8) looks on in tears. A loud bang and a flash to September as a young teen on the ground crying as a female shoulder is placed on her arm encouraging her to stand. The hand belongs to her Aunt. Flash back to the present.

Inside the house September is greeted with Happy Birthday banners, this is her 16^th birthday. Her aunt and uncle hug her and give her small gifts, but her aunt has a despairing look in her eye. She directs September to the kitchen table where a box sits, wrapped in brown paper and bound with twine. The package states it’s from the prison.

Outside September is running down the street, tears flowing like the rain that is pouring down. Random flashes from before can be seen, her parents arguing, a gun shot, police lights. She can no longer contain herself. She falls to her knees in the rain and screams. She sits there for a little while, unable to contain her emotion, she’s letting out everything that had been bottled up for the last 3 years, things that a 16 year old might not be able to handle on her own.

The rude boys are still horsing around. This time the rain adds to their roughhouse and again they fail to notice September. They knock her into another puddle. No longer interested in trying to contain herself, September jumps up screaming. Knocking each of the confused boys over one by one, they don’t fight her. She yells at them explaining that the world doesn’t revolve around them and gets them to think about how they’ve been treating her.

Her uncle’s car pulls up and she gets in. He doesn’t yell at her, doesn’t say anything. They just drive home. She goes into her room and changes into some dry clothes. She comes back downstairs and sits at the table. Her Aunt and Uncle place the hands supportively on her shoulders. In front of her on the table is a toy horse and the letter that she threw on the ground.

He aunt volunteers to read the letter out loud, September agrees. The letter is from her mother who went to prison shortly after shooting her abusive husband in the head. He died instantly. September had no contact with her (per her mother’s request) in 3 years. In the letter, her mother explains that she had always felt torn between doing what she knew had to be done and leaving her little girl who, even though they’d been apart all these years, still lights up her dreams at night. When September was younger, and daddy was away at the bar, her mother told her that when she was 16 she would buy September a horse so she could gallop away and not worry about daddy coming home and hurting her. The toy horse was the best she could do given her current incarceration. She assured September that she loved her and thought of her often. She did, in fact, wish to see her little girl. She closed the letter by telling her not to let her anger control her. If she lived by anger she’d miss out on love. The one good thing about her husband was that he gave her September. May the bastard rest in…. nah she was still glad he was dead.

Her aunt and uncle gave her a hug, and they talked about when they should head over to the prison.

It’s a coming of age story that deals with loss and trauma, and one girl’s fight to overcome her emotions.