Chapter 30: Chapter Fourteen: He’s Bothered
After the heated argument, the meeting was resumed, and the other members were all called back to their cramped and gloomy clubroom. They didn't discuss Dianne's script and focused on five different scripts. The scriptwriters went to the platform and explained their writings one by one.
Shane first presented the script she had written for the film and hopefully pitched the members' votes. Her script was entitled 'Was Once a Little Girl,' it was about a young girl turning eighteen and essentially entering the phase of adulthood. She's about to face a future with many possibilities, but her past keeps pulling her from moving forward. Shane proposed a complicated screenplay alternating past and present to make the short film exciting and unique rather than narrating it in a linear timeline. From a week before her 18th birthday, then the little girl was happily playing with toys in the vague child psychologist's consultation room, to her 18th birthday with her friends celebrating it joyfully to move forward, and then the little girl who was whimpering as the adults around her carry and rescue her from her scum father. It was a controversial theme, but everyone could agree that the idea was good for an independent short film.
The round of applause stopped when Keith raised his hand. He smirked and gave Shane goosebumps. Shane wanted to scream internally, but she just put on a fake smile while she was preparing herself mentally about what to say in case Keith insulted her script.
"Is the club capable enough for this type of screenplay? You mentioned the settings for the protagonist's eighteenth birthday party and the psychologist's children's playroom. I assume that when the father was arrested, there were police cars, right? Now, again, how much do you think this film would cost?"
The question was essentially: are they capable enough to execute the script? Do they have enough resources on hand? Keith questioned those, and no one had the answer. Some wanted to say, "Isn't it your job now to find resources?"… but they chose to shut up.
"Maybe we can hold a separate meeting for that after the script is decided?" Alex recommended with a questioning tone. Keith nodded, and Shane finally had a temporary peace.
After Shane, Lisa, the one who had a crush on Keith and then Drake, followed the nerve-racking presentation of the script. She was shaking, thinking, how the fuck did she like Keith before? Her script was entitled "The Smiles of a Prince." It was inspired by Drake. A typical heartthrob, rich, handsome, and has a gorgeous smile, falling madly in love with a girl who has no dreams. Later, after courting and flirting, the girl found her goal with the prince's smile… to be a dentist! She discussed while casually stealing a glimpse of drake from time to time
"Is this for a short film or a toothpaste commercial?!" Keith sarcastically asked, not letting go of those stolen passes to his boyfriend.
"Tooth- ah! Sh-short film?" Lisa stuttered. She was almost whimpering like a rabbit in Keith's testing laboratory, and she could vividly imagine her fate— torture and death.
"Oh, please. Why don't you submit this script to advertisers? They might actually pitch for this story." Keith then immediately called for the next presenter.
Keith arbitrarily dismissed Lisa's script, and now it was Jian's turn. His work was called "1+1 is Not Always Equal to Two". It was about twin brothers who grew up competing with each other. The main character did everything to be the first in whatever he joined, but he would always see his brother overpassing him, and it drove him to feel so much anxiety. Later, on graduation, he was awarded as the class valedictorian, but they did not call his brother second. Then, his parents hung his graduation portrait… next to his brother's portrait when he was in grade school. Then next to those pictures, the main character looked at the framed photograph of his brother on the altar. The incense was burning for his brother. He was dead for so long, but the main character was still haunted. He couldn't get over his silly competitions with him.
Keith did not say anything after his presentation, and Jian happily left the platform because he survived Keith.
The winning pressure was followed by Rachel, the only first-year who submitted a script. With a tiny voice, she explained her script, "The Song Unheard." It tells about a timid girl who can see ghosts. She was ostracized and alienated because of her quirk. When she was in the gym for PE, she heard a humming voice. She followed the sound and found a lady in a white dress with a veil over her head humming on the stage. Then, the lady followed her. The humming didn't stop, and it was driving her crazy. Until one day, they have a school play. She was suddenly pulled to do the protagonist's role, she wore a white dress, and then… her classmates put the veil over her head. When she was about to sing, she saw the lady in white in front of the crowd. Her veil fell off, and she saw that it was her. A lady with a sewn mouth and bloody eyes, looking exactly like her. Keith also did not say anything.
Lastly, Alex stood again on the platform and presented his script called "Bridge To You." It was about the life the main lead could have had if he did not jump on the bridge. The life he could possibly spend with his parents, with his classmates, with his friends, and with a future lover… The topic was heavy, but the festival did not have restrictions on suicide.
"Where do you plan to shoot the suicide scene?" Keith strictly asked right after the synopsis was told. They live in the mountainous area of the city. They have to go to a different town to shoot a dangerous scene. Forget about permission, and they might find themselves in trouble if they shoot far away without adults supervising them.
"City E has a bridge," Alex answered.
"I bet you want Drake to play this role. How are you going to make this scene believable and safe at the same time? Are you crazy? It will be November soon. If we film this as soon as possible, do you have any idea how cold it would be?!"
"Can we vote first before discussing the execution and casting? Please?" Alex pleaded, forming eye contact with Shane, agreeing how hot-headed their new boss was.
After voting, Alex's script gained the majority's vote. Next was Shane's, followed by Rachel's, then Jian's, and lastly, Lisa's script. After deciding on the script, they had to talk about casting. Even though everyone wanted Drake because of his face, they had to consider his skills. So, they opted for an audition next week. As for budgets, they had to leave it to the officers, mainly Keith.
The meeting ended late, and before Keith and Drake could leave the school, Shane ran after them with Alex. The two bowed down to them.
"I'm sorry for pushing you to carry the club's financial responsibilities. I really did not want to do it, but we've been in a real pinch ever since the club existed. Even though we have many members and a lot of activities, we don't get the same funds as sports clubs and Science Program Clubs. I know this won't justify my selfishness. I'm really sorry." Alex apologized.
"Ah. I'm sorry, too, about how I acted before. I'm sorry about Dianne's writings too. I knew about it and did not say anything. I also judged you as closeted gay. I'm sorry for my manners." Shane also admitted and apologized to Keith properly.
"And about the club. We're sorry because we allowed it to happen." Alex also bowed his head again for the club.
Drake smiled at them and responded on behalf of his boyfriend. "It's okay now. Just make sure to help my boss."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Paracetamoore
Paracetamoore Hahaha... Enjoy the five scripts.
Which of the scripts caught your attention? Feel free to let me know!
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