Eric’s bedroom
Trophies and awards are all over the room. A
letter jacket is laying across the bed. It is
the middle of the week. |
|
| Eric is looking for a beer stash he has hidden
in his room. He finds it, opens a can of beer and
takes a long, hard drink. He looks over at a picture
of Ashley. |
(ERIC)
Why do you love me so? |
Eric turns, looks at his team pictures, his
friends, his trophies. It is as if he is remembering
the good days.
He takes another drinks. |
(ERIC)
Ahhhh, much better. Now I’m ready to go out. |
Cut to living room
Eric comes down the stairs. His mother and father
are sitting in the living room. They are reading.
Father looks as if he hardly wants to be disturbed.
Mother stops Eric. |
(MOM)
Where are you off to on a school night? Mr. Landers
called about that unfinished schoolwork you still
owe him.
He said he might have to go and talk with the coach
if you didn’t get it done. |
| |
(ERIC)
I know, Mom. I’ll get it to Mr. Landers just
as soon as I’m done. Besides, I’m the
star. What can any teacher do? The coach will stick
up for me. |
| |
(MOM)
Well, where are you going anyway? It still is a
school night. |
| |
(ERIC)
I’m just going over to Ashley’s. We’re
going to study and then maybe go and get a burger
somewhere. Why the third degree? |
Editor’s note:
This scene could also be developed with a
heated argument between mom and son, father
and son or parents and son. |
|
(MOM)
I just worry that you might go out and do something
you shouldn’t be doing. |
| |
(ERIC)
Mom, I can take care of myself. |
| |
(DAD)
Good Lord, Emma. Loosen up the apron strings a bit,
will ya? He’s almost an adult. I don’t
think Eric would have gotten as far as he has if
he couldn’t handle himself. Quit bugging him.
I’m sure he’s got everything under control. |
| Turning to Eric’s father. |
(MOM)
Well, all right. If you think so… |
| Eric gives his mother a kiss and exits. |
(ERIC)
Mom, don’t worry. I’ll be okay. |
Cut to Eric’s car
Eric is on his way to pick up Ashley, but he
has stopped at the neighborhood carryout store
first.
Eric is sitting in his car. He has an open can
of beer. He is drinking. |
(ERIC)
It is good to be a sports star. The owner of the
convenient store is all too willing to sell me a
six-pack — and I don’t need an ID. |
| Eric finishes the beer and puts the remaining
five cans in the backseat. |
(ERIC)
Ah, that hit the spot. Now on to Ashley’s. |
Cut to Ashley’s house
Eric is talking with Ashley’s parents.
Eric is a very polite young man. He shows no signs
of his drinking. |
(ERIC)
We’re going to hit the library for a bit,
and then maybe we’ll stop for a burger and
soda on the way home. |
| |
(ASHLEY’S MOTHER)
Well, don’t stay out too late. It is a school
night, you know. |
| Ashley comes down the stairs. |
(ASHLEY’S FATHER)
Oh look, here’s Ashley now. Remember sweetheart,
your mother and I want you back here by 11. |
| Ashley replies as she and Eric are leaving. |
(ASHLEY)
Okay Dad, Mom. We’ll be back by then. |
Cut to Eric’s car
Eric starts the car and then leans over to kiss
Ashley.
Ashley smells the beer on Eric’s breath
and pushes him away.
She looks into the back and sees the remaining
beer. |
(ASHLEY)
I thought you promised me you were going to stop
the drinking.
And I see you have the rest of your six-pack
in the back seat.
Eric, I’m serious. Either you stop the
drinking or I’m not going steady with you
anymore. |
| Pulling her close. |
(ERIC)
Oh, baby. You know how much I really need you. This
was the last six-pack I had lying around. It didn’t
seem right to just throw it away. That’s throwing
money away. I promise this is the last time. |
| FADE TO BLACK |
|
FADE UP FROM BLACK
School hallway
It is game day.
The coach is talking to Eric in the hallway. |
(COACH)
I want to tell you, Eric, there are going to be
some big college scouts watching tonight’s
game. I don’t have to tell you what this
means. You know it could be a scholarship.
Let me tell you, tonight it’s show time.
You need to get yourself ready for this …
and forget about everything and everybody else. |
| |
(ERIC)
I got it under control coach. I’ll have my
head in the game. |
| FADE TO BLACK |
|
FADE UP FROM BLACK
Eric’s room
A few hours later, just before he leaves for
the game. |
(ERIC)
This could be a big night. I just need one drink
to relax. It always helps me loosen up a bit. |
Cut to locker room
Eric and his teammates are talking typical locker
room-type talk before a big game. There is a party
planned for after the game tonight, so talk of
the party is mixed in with the locker room bravado. |
(TEAMMATE)
Eric, man. You’re gonna be there tonight,
right? We’re countin’ on you.
Besides, my brother got us a keg. |
| A teammate of Eric’s turns to him. |
(ERIC — mumbling)
I dunno. Ashley’s been really at me to stop
the drinking. |
| |
(TEAMMATE)
So stop tomorrow. Hey man, it’s just one more
night. Besides, it’ll be a night to celebrate
when we win and you impress those college scouts. |
| |
(ERIC)
Yeah, maybe you’re right. I can start my promise
tomorrow. I’ll get Ashley to go with me. If
I get too outta control, she can set me straight. |
Cut to after-game party
Ashley is reluctant to go into the party. |
(ASHLEY)
Eric, I don’t think we should be here. When
you’re with your friends you change. You made
a promise to me. |
| |
(ERIC)
Ashley, don’t worry, I know what I’m
doing. Besides, I need to thank my teammates.
Without their blocking and opening the holes in
the line for me, I wouldn’t a been able
to score three TDs and win the game.
These guys probably helped me get a college scholarship.
I owe it to them to say thanks.
We’ll just make it a quick visit and then
leave and go get something to eat. |
| Ashley kisses Eric and holds him tightly. |
(ASHLEY)
Okay, but don’t forget your promise. |
Cut to party in progress
Eric and Ashley enter to a cheering crowd. Eric
is steered to the center of the room. Ashley moves
off into another room to talk with her friends. |
(TEAMMATES — cheering)
ERIC, ERIC, ERIC, ERIC, ERIC … |
| Eric is high-fiving his friends. Someone hands
him a beer. They all toast each other and chug the
beer. |
(ERIC & TEAMMATES)
(Typical jock bravado, cheering, etc.) |
| They all toast each other again and chug another
beer. |
(ERIC & TEAMMATES)
(Continuing the mayhem) |
| Ashley suddenly appears. She sees Eric in the
middle, beer in hand and chanting along with the
others. She starts to cry. |
|
| When Eric turns and sees Ashley, she turns and
leaves. Eric follows. |
|
Outside party
Eric and Ashley are standing by Eric’s
car. |
(ASHLEY)
I don’t think you should drive. You better
give me the keys.
(ERIC)
It’s not like you think — I only had
one little sip. I can handle it. |
| Ashley holds her hand out for keys. |
(ASHLEY)
I don’t know Eric. I really think I should
drive. |
| Walking a straight line. |
(ERIC)
I’m fine. Look I can walk a straight line. |
| Reluctantly. |
(ASHLEY)
All right. If you really think you can … |
| Winking and giving her the “thumb’s
up.” |
(ERIC)
Of course I can. I’m in control. |
FADE TO BLACK
As Eric and Ashley get into the car. |
|
FADE UP TO FLASHING EMERGENCY LIGHTS.
Accident scene.
Lying on the ground is a body, covered with the
EMT’s blanket.
Police officers are standing by taking notes
and making measurements. |
(EMT - 1)
Jeez. Another one too young to die. |
| Emergency Medical Technicians are picking up their
equipment. |
(EMT - 2)
When are these kids ever going to learn, drinking
and driving just don’t mix. |
Cut to funeral
(This scene is optional — it can either
be in a church or graveside.)
Medium shot of friends and teammates from behind
— neither Eric nor Ashley are in the group.
Cut to medium shot from the front
They are standing, hugging and crying.
One by one, or in a small groups, they turn and
walk away. |
|
Cut to burial site
Tight shot of fresh gravesite
Crowd is gone. Gravesite is covered with flowers.
A shadow passes over the grave. Suddenly a high
school ring drops into the dirt. |
|
Camera pulls back
We see Eric from behind as he drops down to his
knees. |
(ERIC)
(Sobbing)
Why! Why Ashley and not me?
It was all my fault. I was drunk but I convinced
her I was okay to drive.
I never meant to hurt her. I loved her. But I
lied, to her … and to myself.
Why?
Why not me? |
| FADE TO BLACK |
|
FADE UP TO ROOM
(This could be risers on a stage, a classroom,
a living room in a house, etc.) Actors, in their
original roles and costumes, are sitting in a
casual group. |
DISCUSSION |
For every question that is asked, the following
graphics will appear:
Who is at fault for Eric’s drinking?
Who could have helped Eric?
Who let Eric escape the consequences?
Is the drinker always the one to suffer?
Who was affected by Eric’s actions?
What is peer pressure?
|
DISCUSSION
Actors sitting and discussing each question. |
| FADE TO BLACK |
Closing music |
| CREDITS |
|
| Copyright 2005 — Your school |
|
