The Final Showdown Begins

This is the third and final scene (until I decide otherwise) I'm sharing from the screenplay I wrote a few years back. This particular dream sequence signals the story's climatic showdown. The number one rule when writing description in any script is that it must be VISUAL. If you can see it on the page, then so can a paying audience.

INSIDE SKYLAR’S HEAD (PART FLASHBACK/PART FANTASY)

Falling through the eye of Skylar’s mind, all fades to black as the beginnings of a wail slowly starts to take shape in the form of an incoherent and dreamlike image of Skylar being wheeled into surgery.  He moves his head from side to side in terrified protest.  His open mouth begins to release the volcanic pressure inside his soul.  No notice is made as medical personnel already masked prepare his scalp for surgery.

The scream continues to build as an immobilized Skylar (mouth open throughout) looks on in terror as cellophane is wrapped around his face.  The terror mounts as he looks up through a watery veil of cellophane, up at the common steel faucet drowning him.  As before, no notice of his presence is taken.

The scream is unmistakable as his open eyes and mouth wail powerless against a surgeon, yanking an evil looking abrader through flesh and bone and human skull.

Now in a hospital bed, his eyes, dilated and fervid, stare up into the barrel of a pistol aimed right between his eyes.  The howl reaches crescendo.

PRESENT TIME

Skylar’s face hardens.

SKYLAR
Burn with me.

And so the showdown begins like the universe:  violently explosive.

My Trips to the Store

My trips to my local HEB are usually routine and prosaic. I mean how exciting can grocery shopping be? Well, today it proved a tad eventful while picking up some cans of soup, bread, tuna---the usual prosaic items. However I noticed this sale of 6-pack, bottled Snapple on display. Something that my HEB doesn't carry every day. But what really stood out was the buy-two-get-two-dollars-off coupon. Hmm, well I really love peach Snapple, and since I've cut out sodas, I intended to snag a pair. Problem was that intention was on Sunday. And so today while picking up the cans of soup, bread, tuna---the usual prosaic items, I noticed that enticing display of Snapple was gone. That’s when I did something I don't normally do at a grocery store: I persisted. Which is where my adventure began.

Persisting, I stopped and asked a clerk if they still had any Snapple left. He didn't know, but he kindly checked with a manager. Between them they confirmed what I already knew: there wasn’t any Snapple to be found on display. But the manager had someone check in back. Sure enough he found some. Hurray! But I couldn't take any right then because I can only carry so many cans of soup, bread, tuna and the usual prosaic items home. (That's the truly wonderful benefit of having a car---a benefit I no longer possess.) So I said I would be back in half an hour to get them, which was fine with them. So I checked out my cans of soup, bread, tuna and the usual prosaic items and lugged my bags home. Then I returned to the store (I live only .7 of a mile away; a fortunate benefit when one no longer owns a car), and snagged my pair of peach Snapple using my $2 off coupon. However I wanted to get FOUR packs of Snapple (I couldn't be sure when the next time my HEB would have them in stock, let alone on sale---a suspicion I felt confirmed by their removal from display). This meant I would have to return AGAIN for the next pair. But as it turned out, I didn't have a coupon for another pair. Not deterred, I once more persisted: I asked if they had any coupons left. Upon which the guy who fetched my Snapple told me I could get one at check-out from the cashier. The cashier however told me she didn't have any, but she called another employee over. That employee said she could print one, but it would "take a minute". Ten minutes later a manager came out with enough coupons for every customer in the store. Somehow he had gotten the impression I wanted to buy the whole pallet. Wow, who knew managers possessed mental powers of mind-reading. But sensibly I recognized that my insatiable desire for Snapple was greater than my pocketbook allowed. So I settled on the one coupon. That mission now accomplished, I lugged my bottled prize, one in each arm, home. Then I returned once more to my HEB (third trip in case you were getting lost), and snagged my SECOND pair of 6-pack, bottled Snapple. (Kudos to the guy in dreadlocks---he actually made them look good---who went back into the bowels of the store THREE times: first to confirm that yes, they still had some left; and twice to fetch me some. He even gave me another coupon...Huh, wish he would've given me that earlier; I wouldn't have had to wait ten minutes while a manager printed like a gazillion of them for me on my previous trip.) Nevertheless, thankful for the extra $2 coupon (this time I decided I would save it for another day), I checked out of the store, lugging my second and final pair of Snapple home one last time.

In retrospect I figure I walked nearly four and a half miles over three trips (two and a quarter of which involved lugging sacks of prosaic groceries and multiple bottles of peach Snapple), received assistance from half a dozen people, and walked away with a more than average memorable story for what started out as an ordinary trip to the store.

Movies That Moved Me in 2011

There were a number of great, and not-so-great films that I saw this past autumnal year. Films that would stay and linger long after the final credits. Only two I paid coin however to see (which were not many): Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Super 8. Apes was a masterfully intelligent reboot of a very bad sci-fi prequel from another era. Super 8 harkened back to Spielberg's early adventure films; most notably E.T., albeit a much less friendly version. I suppose I should add the new Sherlock Holmes sequel, which was like watching a great rock anthem. Each scene played to unabashed hyperbole.

This is by no means a full account. Like many these days the movies I watch are less often at the movies thanks to the great gift of home theater. Here on the comfort of my sofa, with the prerequisite pause button nearby, I was able to watch films I missed at the theater; films I've always wanted to see, and rewatch ones I love. Here's a list of the films (thank you Netflix...although not so much thanks now, but that's another story) that stayed and lingered with me this past year: 8 1/2. Wow. No, I mean WOW. Every frame is meticulously choreographed. Each still frame could be a Seurat or a Renoir or a Manet. This is Federico Fellini at his finest. The Last Picture Show. This has been called by some as the greatest American film in the 30 years following Citizen Cane. It probably is. Annie Hall. Ground-breaking. One of the most inventive dramatic comedies I've ever seen of any era. Nashville. Robert Altman's finest masterpiece, and he made a few. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (I'm talking about the original Swedish version). A mystery thriller that explores really dark places before it gets to the other side. A lot of films exploit our darkness for entertainment's sake. Somehow the shock of this one makes the film all that more powerful. Blue. A powerful depiction of loss and grief. Powerful because it takes something so painful and transforms it into a journey of self-discovery and renewal. A Single Man. Some may see this as a gay film, as it's about a man reeling from the death of his long-time partner. Not so. This experience is universal. And Colin Firth provides us as rich a character as any who've portrayed loss and the meaning of it. The Battle of Algiers. Hailed as one of the most influential political films ever made. To see it, is to understand why. One that's been studied and imitated countless times. All That Jazz. A dazzling display of musical showmanship. Here we see Bob Fosse, the greatest dance choreographer of his day (maybe ever), elevate the genre to its highest artform.

Other notable films I saw this past year were Toy Story 3. Oh my gosh, I can't believe the moving "at-peace-with-dying" scene was actually part of an animated film. How could anyone not be moved by that scene? Dial M for Murder. Well crafted Hitchcock. The payoff comes in the ending. Mystic River. Kudos to Sean Penn. American Splendor. An example of a quirky independent film that's good. Kick-Ass. A refreshing take on the superhero genre. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. This could've been so bad, and yet it was so good. Funny and inventive in all the right (and risky) places. Winter's Bone. Who would have thought that rural hillbilly white trash would make for compelling drama? If you like this sub-genre, check out the TV series Justified. Z. Follows in the hallowed footsteps of The Battle of Algiers. Tangled. Great Disney film. Can definitely see the Pixar influence. And why not? The new head of Disney Animation is one of the original founders of Pixar. Rebecca. Wait for the twist. This is Hitchcock at his finest. Lust, Caution. Is this beautifully crafted, yet overly explicit, NC-17 film really from Ang Lee? Reds. Now I get why Warren Beatty is so famously associated with the far Left. What I most liked about this film was being exposed to a slice of American history I didn't know about, and that's the point. And, Life is Beautiful. Comedic take on the Holocaust? Oh this could've been so offensive, but instead is so heartwarming. Far from trivializing the unspeakable nature of the holocaust, it affirms how beautiful life is.

As an addendum, one may notice that several of the films I chose are foreign films. While it is true that American cinema has the greatest body of work, it by no means has a monopoly. I know from mentioning foreign films to family or friends that many are put off by having to read sub-titles, but with practice (I know) it is possible to acclimatize oneself to the art of reading dialogue while watching film. To those who are willing to make the effort, there's a whole world (literally) of great cinema out there to behold.

It's All About the Dialogue

Here's an early scene from Touch the Bright and Burning Sun, the screenplay, I wrote a few years back. It's a scene I really liked. The dialogue was fun. The pace was snappy. And I managed to work in a little of Jean-Paul Sartre to boot. Alas, it would end up on the cutting room floor after I accepted that the story didn't really begin to take flight until page 47. It was a ruthless decision, but as a writer, one can never fall in love with a particular scene more than the story you're telling. Hope you enjoy it as I did.

HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY

It's the typical hustle and bustle between classes. Skylar walks along with books in hand. He is joined by DEREK, an entertaining and free-thinking classmate with his own individual style.

DEREK
You look like you're having a good day.

SKYLAR
Yeah, I suppose I am.

DEREK
So are you gettin' laid?

SKYLAR
No!

DEREK
All right now, be honest. You can tell Doctor Derek.

Derek pantomines a doctor examining a patient. Skylar plays along.

SKYLAR
I don't know doc. I think it started after calculus this morning with a general feeling of euphoria.

DEREK
Uh-oh. Educational delirium. This is more serious than I thought.

SKYLAR
Is it fatal?

DEREK
If not caught early, most assuredly.

SKYLAR
What symptoms should I look for?

DEREK
Well, are you feeling a delusional sense that school is good for you?

SKYLAR
Come to think of it, I am feeling an urge to do logarithmic functions.

DEREK
Catastrophic! We must operate immediately.

Derek performs a series of rapid-fire surgical moves on Skylar. They're momentarily parted by a wave of students--several of whom glance back curiously.

DEREK
Well, will the patient live?

Skylar checks himself over.

SKYLAR
It's a complete miracle, doc.

DEREK
Whew! That was touch and go. In the future doc recommends that you stay away from water fountains and door knobs.

SKYLAR
Huh?

DEREK
That's how they pass the virus, O Simple One! It's all part of the master plan. How the powers-on-high turn us into sheep.

SKYLAR
What? Derek, what are you talking about?

DEREK
I see your recent illness has affected your pitiful brain. So I will overlook your ignorance.

He stops to enlighten the uninstructed Skylar.

DEREK
It's all about indoctrination into the system. Teachers, bosses, the police, the government. Even parents. Before you know it, they got you joining the military pledging "allegiance to the flag..."

He parodies the salute and march of a soldier as he recites, then punctuates his words with a finger to Skylar's chest.

DEREK
But cloaked from reality you're just being brainwashed to uphold the whole goddamned oppressive system. It's all about maintaining control. Remember that.

SKYLAR
Obviously your capitalistic indoctrination hasn't taken hold.

DEREK
Ah, mock me if you will troglodyte. But when you find yourself one day in a widget factory wondering, "Why am I here?" Remember ol' Derek here warned you.

Skylar mimics the theme from The Twilight Zone.

SKYLAR
I better get to class, or I'll have to deal with one of those "Powers-On-High."

DEREK
Hey, it's good to see you lightening up a bit. You know when you first got here, you used to walk around with that deer-caught-in-the-headlights look all the time.

Volunteering at the GDC Online 2011 event

What a great time I had. Five days of meeting people from coast to coast. North and south (that is, North America). From all over the world (China, Russia, Germany). Not just attendees, but volunteers like myself. Volunteers who paid their own way across continents and country to work and be a part of this event.

Their reasons for attending were simple. They came out of a creative hunger; a passion to create. They came to network and find jobs. They came to be dazzled by the latest multi-million dollar games. Listen to honored trailblazers who've blazed the trail they themselves long to blaze. To acquire new arcane magics and knowledges and skills of the acolyte. Keep abreast of emerging trends, future trends and what's yesterday's trends. And to shake hands. Lots of them.

They came for four days of festive ritual. Four days of speakers and sessions. Video games and video game-makers. Creative artists and passionate players. Titans of industry and lowly minions seeking admittance into the kingdom. Private parties and after parties. Sales pitches and job pitches. And everywhere groups of twos and threes and milling throngs. In hallways and around tables. Huddled in corners and along stairwells. Lounging on couches and wide leather chairs. All to the constant buzz and hum of people mingling and intermingling. Tirelessly networking and hobnobbing and working their field. With drinks in hand and drinks near of hand. Forever ready to make that ubiquitous exchange of professional cards.

As for me, I came into this arena uncertain of what I would find. Hoping that I might find that I could belong amidst such a pantheon. Whether I could translate my skills as a writer into the gaming world. What I found were two things: how much impact the enthusiasm of those attending had on me. And how unready I was for this technically challenging and excitingly creative world. It was a Lazarus moment. A wake up call. I could feel the spark, but it needed to be plugged in. Needed to go the next step. That meant I had to do. Reach out to people I had met at the conference. Get advice. Join local industry groups. Attend meetings. Call companies. Learn. If I wanted to continue this great experience---what I had gotten out of the GDC, I had to take action. Live my passion. Surround myself with others who felt the same. And enjoy the journey.

Can't wait to volunteer again next year!

A Pivotal Moment

A number of you know that I wrote a screenplay a few years back. What a great experience that was! At some point I'll elaborate more on that. But for today, I thought I'd share a pivotal moment from that story. A moment, where the main character, is confronted by his phobia of running water (a result of being waterboarded). It's overcoming this crippling phobia that will lead him into a final showdown with the government/military forces bent on capturing him as a great totemic prize.

HIKING TRAIL

Skylar is once again on his own--and more alone than ever. He doesn't know where he's going. He's just following the trail.

AFTERNOON

Skylar stares ahead, eyes unfocused, shivering underneath a large Ponderosa pine. IT'S RAINING. Sheets and sheets of endless water pouring down as if nature were intent on drowning the whole world in a single hour.

He pays no attention to the cold dampness soaking into his skin. His shivering is a product of memories, not moisture. Memories that lock his lungs and his muscles and his mind in a replay of drowning.

FLASHBACK - THE INTERROGATION CELL

As before, Skylar is strapped to the table, looking up at the faucet through the mask of cellophane and running water. His terror is muted by the water drowning him.

PRESENT TIME

A bright flash of lightning precedes a DEAFENING PEAL of thunder. The resulting salvo triggers a synaptic thaw in his brain. More lightning/thunder. More thaw. And so his eyes slowly regain awareness. An awareness of the raging storm, and the violence of its present and past metaphors.

Then by some internal decision, he stiffly steps away from the umbrella of the pine and crosses over into a realm of furious wind and rain. He stops. Lets it cleanse him of past oppression. The weight of so many incubi. Then he begins his journey anew and is lost in the grey downpour.

Strange How Life Works

Strange how life works to hem us in. The chains we forge link by iron link. Never perceiving how the decisions we make limit the vistas open to us in the future (which is to say, those open to us today). In the flower of our lives our world seems so wide...as wide as an open prairie. We merely need make our choice of destinies. Like so many delicious flavors. But life is so much messier---blind as we are. Blinded by desire and want. Blinded by false starts. By trial and error. And more error.

How many live the life they wanted? Picked the right line? I'm not speaking of those living the high life (what goes up, comes down), or those well off. Wealth has its own miseries (although I'd trade a few of mine for theirs). But truthfully, I've been around enough rich people to see they're no happier or more secure. But for those who truly blazed the right path for themselves; a life of genuine fulfillment, I envy them. Because that isn't mine.

On the contrary, this isn't the life I imagined: tied to an unrewarding, low-paying job. Boxed into a cubicle. Trapped in a city without car or the ones I love. Straining under a mountain of credit card and college debt...and the subsequent choices lost there. Few marketable skills...and fewer opportunities. Lord, this isn't where I meant to be. I was going to do something with my life. Make a difference. Burn a path through a bright blue sky. That however wasn't the reality I forged.

(Pondering what might've been) Given the chance, I'd most definitely opt for a re-boot as it were. A do-over. An opportunity to clean the slate; start afresh. Retake some of the key choices I've made; do this instead of that. But to start over in mid-life; relive a perfect imperfect is, I think, a dream I'm not alone in sharing.

That said, I'm not advocating such. Such is a life of regret and self-pity. I know, I do it all the time. No, rather it is my aim at this juncture in life to make the most of this imperfect bargain rather than waiting for "life" to find me. That is, to do my job well. Build friendships here. Seek the Most Beautiful One. Find some fulfillment that gives meaning. Which ultimately is the result of making good choices. Something which isn't so obvious until seen in the rearview mirror strangely enough.