over black

hi.

so, i've got this scene i wrote a while back that is meant to be the opening scene for a feature length screenplay. mostly, it's just been sitting on my computer for more than a year - i've made notes on different aspects of potential stories and characters and kind of messed around with it a bit, but nothing's really driven it forward yet. but i like this one scene... so, i thought i would share it with you, dear reader.

please. enjoy.


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OVER BLACK:

STEVE
Okay what's the situation here?

CROSSING GUARD
He's having a heart attack.

STEVE
Cardiac arrest. Okay. Everyone clear back.
You kids, step back please. Thank you.

FADE IN:

EXT IRVINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - AFTERNOON

STEVE, 32, and a little scruffy in his wrinkled EMT uniform, is on his knees looking over the obese PRINCIPAL ALLRED, 52, who is laying unconscious on the pavement in the middle of the crosswalk.

Steve takes a deep breath.

STEVE
Okay.

He moves in and starts performing CPR - counting in WHISPERS to himself.

Thirty or so SCHOOL CHILDREN stand in a circle around Steve, watching him work. The CROSSING GUARD, 57, in his yellow vest looks over Steve's Shoulder.

Steve continues WHISPERING as he pushes on Allred's chest. He goes in for mouth-to-mouth, blowing into the obese man. No response.

The Crossing Guard furrows his brow.

CROSSING GUARD
Nothing's happening.

Steve ignores him.

The Crossing Guard leans in closer.

CROSSING GUARD
Maybe you're doing it wrong.

STEVE
Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to please
step back now.

The Crossing Guard ignores him. Steve continues with the chest compressions. He goes in for another breath.

No response.

Steve starts again with the chest compressions.

CROSSING GUARD
Are you pushing in the right place?

STEVE
Yes I'm pushing in the right place! I told
you - step back.

He looks toward the ambulance that's parked just past the circle of children.

STEVE
Kai, I'm gonna need a hand with this one.


EXT. AMBULANCE - CONTINUOUS

KAI, 31, is sitting in the back of the ambulance, with the back doors open, just out of view of the fallen principal. He's talking on a cell phone.

KAI
No, I love you the most.
(beat)
No I don't want to hang up first, you hang
up first.

In the distance, Steve comes up from giving another breath and, as he starts compressions again, turns toward the ambulance.

STEVE
Kai, I'm serious. He's starting to look like
a fucking Smurf. Bring the paddles.

KAI
(shouting back to Steve)
I'm warming them up right now, buddy.
(into phone)
But I don't want to let you go.

STEVE
Kai!

CROSSING GUARD
Who's he talking to?

A few of the children turn to look at the ambulance.

KAI
(into phone)
Okay, honey. I have to go save this man's
life now. I'll call you in three minutes.
I love you I love you I love you.
(beat)
You too. Bye.

Kai closes the phone.


EXT. THE CROSSWALK - CONTINUOUS
Steve in giving another breath - he finishes and comes back up, desperation in his eyes.

No response.

The Crossing Guard SIGHS and shakes his head.

STEVE
What is your problem, jerk off?

CROSSING GUARD
He's dying, asshole. Do something!

Steve starts the compressions again.

Kai pushes his way through the circle of children carrying the debfribulator, the Crossing Guard stares at him.

CROSSING GUARD
Where've you been?

KAI
(to crossing guard)
Sir, I need you to step back.
(to Steve)
What's the situation?

STEVE
He's having a heart attack, what does it
look like. Are those things juiced up?

KAI
Yeah, ready?

Kai preps the paddles.

Steve pulls off Allred's clip-on tie and rips open his shirt.

KAI
Clear!

Kai hits him with the paddles. Allred flinches and COUGHS.

KAI
Alright. He's going to be alright, everybody.

The children all MOAN.

Steve stands up and EXHALES LOUDLY. He drifts away from Allred and Kai.

Kai leans forward and pats Allred on the cheeks.

KAI
You okay, old man? You awake?

Allred's eyes flutter open.

KAI
It's okay. You're going to be fine.

The Crossing Guard stands up and looks off, muttering:

CROSSING GUARD
Nice work, assholes.

Steve turns to face him.

STEVE
What did you say?

The Crossing Guard glares at him Steve.

CROSSING GUARD
He almost died.

Steve steps over and punches the Crossing Guard in the nose, knocking him to the ground. The children all CHEER and LAUGH.

Steve pushes his way through the crowd of children, storming toward the ambulance.

Kai jumps up and helps the crossing guard to his feet, grabbing his arm.

KAI
Are you okay, sir. Are you in need of
medical assistance?

CROSSING GUARD
He punched me. That asshole just punched me.

Kai continues to hold the crossing guard's arm.

KAI
Let's not rush to conclusions, sir. It's
been a difficult and draining day for all of
us. Maybe you should just sit down and take
a deep breath.

The Crossing Guard pulls free of Kai's grip.

CROSSING GUARD
I'm gonna sue you, asshole. You're ass is mine.

Steve doesn't look back, he just keeps walking.

KAI
(to crossing guard)
Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to watch your
language - there are young children present.

CROSSING GUARD
Oh, fuck you.

The Crossing Guard throws down his flag and storms off toward the school.