The Group Project

By Joshua Powlison
Based on a Series by Shari Stephens
MRS. LITNERS CLASSROOM
Mrs. Litner is at the head of the classroom, all the
students seated.
MRS. LITNER
Good morning, class.
EVERYBODY
(bored, monotone)
Good morning Mrs. Litner.
MRS. LITNER
Today, you will all be split into
pairs to complete our literature
project assigned for today. You
will each be working on 1 poster
board. You need to show how the
book progressed by use of pictures
drawn directly onto the poster
board.
GARRETT BASS
(to AMANDA BAILEY)
Does she hate us or something?
MRS. LITNER
Most teachers would probably give
you 45 minutes to complete this,
but you should be able to do it...
(thinking) within a half-hour.
All the students groan.
AMANDA BAILEY
I guess so.
MRS. LITNER
Listen! These are the assigned
student pairs:
THE CAFETERIA
GARRETT BASS and BRANDON DEAN are sitting in the cafeteria.
Both are obviously unsure what to do. Garrett Bass and
Brandon Dean both clear their throats at the same time and
are both about to speak, but both stop when they see theyre
going to interrupt the other. Brandon starts.
BRANDON DEAN
So, any ideas?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 2.
GARRETT BASS
Short of going on strike, no.
BRANDON DEAN
Yeah, too bad only the teachers are
allowed to do that. (thinking) What
parts of the book particularly
stood out to you?
GARRETT BASS
Definitely the part where the main
character lept off the spaceship
and almost got slingshotted around
Jupiter into Mars. I thought that
was pretty intense.
BRANDON DEAN
Yeah, me too. That guy sure did a
lot to save his girlfriend.
GARRETT BASS
(thinking, going off on a
rabbit trail obviously)
You know, Brandon, I dont know if
I could do that.
BRANDON DEAN
Yeah, I dont know if I could
either. I would probably mis-jump
and fly all the way to Mars.
GARRETT BASS
No, I dont mean that. I mean do
that for Amanda.
BRANDON DEAN
Its not like shes your wife,
shes your girlfriend. Heck, shes
not even your girlfriend. What is
she?
GARRETT BASS
I dont know, but we walked down
the hallway that one time together
when I showed her around the
school...
BRANDON DEAN
That doesnt mean squat. I mean,
you havent even eaten lunch with
her.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 3.
GARRETT BASS
Hey, you havent done that with
Muriel either, and you say shes
your girlfriend.
BRANDON DEAN
I know, but thats different, Ive
known her longer.
GARRETT BASS
Yeah, a whole 10 episodes longer.
Like that makes a huge difference.
Silence. Garrett is getting an idea
GARRET BASS
Wait!
BRANDON DEAN
Wait for what?
GARRETT BASS
I just got an idea.
BRANDON DEAN
Come on then, what is it?
THE CONFERENCE ROOM
MURIEL NEEDHAM and STACEY COLEMAN are in the conference
room, talking.
MURIEL NEEDHAM
So, do you have any ideas? I
personally have plenty.
STACEY COLEMAN
I dont know, but it would probably
be good to start with the basics,
ask the questions. Like, did you
actually read the book?
MURIEL NEEDHAM
Yeah. How much did you read?
STACEY COLEMAN
Well, I got to the part where the
main guy shot the Blorfians
spaceship and it exploded.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 4.
MURIEL NEEDHAM
Thats not too bad. The book kind
of goes downhill after that anyway.
Okay, so at least we can show most
of the book.
STACEY COLEMAN
Why dont we just get started right
now? Thats what I usually do with
this sort of project, and it helps
me think.
THE LIBRARY
STEVE BASS is very bossy and arrogant towards AMANDA BAILEY.
STEVE BASS
No.
AMANDA BAILEY
Why not?
STEVE BASS
We have to plan for everything,
Amanda. Youre not looking at the
big picture.
AMANDA BAILEY
Im looking at what I can do and
how I can do it well.
STEVE BASS
Which apparently isnt very much,
as youve been absolutely no help
in planning for this project.
AMANDA BAILEY
Please, Steve, she only gave us a
half-hour, and weve already lost 5
minutes.
STEVE BASS
I am well aware of the lost time.
Now, get started on those sketches!
THE STAIRS
LAUREN LATIMORE and NANCY MAY are both sitting on the stairs
talking.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 5.
LAUREN LATIMORE
Personally, I know what Id like to
put on the poster board already. So
if you feel like youre ready, we
can just get started now.
NANCY MAY
Sure, that sounds good. (thinking
about what to do) That book was
sure weird.
LAUREN LATIMORE
Yeah, I still dont get most of it.
I guess if we can make our drawings
half as weird as the book though,
well get a good grade.
NANCY MAY
(laughs)
I mean, I could probably write
something better. (pauses, feeling
embarrassed) You know, wed better
get started.
LAUREN LATIMORE
Okay, sure.
THE CAFETERIA
Garrett and Brandon continue:
GARRETT BASS
A double date!
BRANDON DEAN
What?
GARRETT BASS
We should have a double date with
Muriel and Amanda!
BRANDON DEAN
(pause)
Garrett, I dont like you that
much, and Im not...
GARRET BASS
No, me with Amanda and you with
Muriel!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 6.
BRANDON DEAN
You know, thats actually not a bad
idea, even though it is in no way
related to the project. But where
would we take them to eat?
GARRETT BASS
Where we go whenever we have a
special occasion! (Brandons
evidently not getting it) Yummy
Burger, duh!
BRANDON DEAN
Oh, right, right.
THE CONFERENCE ROOM
Stacey and Muriel continue:
MURIEL NEEDHAM
What would you do if a man from
another galaxy came all the way
over from there to your house,
risking his life along the way,
just to say that he loved you?
STACEY COLEMAN
I dont know, thats kind of
creepy.
MURIEL NEEDHAM
Yeah, its true. I cant believe
the girl in the book fell for him.
STACEY COLEMAN
Well, you remember what it said in
the book. (obviously mocking it) It
was destined by the stars.
MURIEL NEEDHAM
I must say, if a guy came to me
like that, I definitely wouldnt
fall for him.
STACEY COLEMAN
(thinking)
What if... God told him? Oh, snap!
MURIEL NEEDHAM
Then Im pretty sure that God would
tell me too.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 7.
STACEY COLEMAN
Oh. Right.
THE LIBRARY
Steve and Amanda continue:
STEVE BASS
As I said, Amanda, these exercises
develop organizational skills and
character.
AMANDA BAILEY
And since when was it your job to
teach me them?
STEVE BASS
(coming up with an answer)
Since I was Class President.
AMANDA BAILEY
(looking at what shes done)
There. I have the sketches done.
Are you going to get to work and
off my back now?
STEVE BASS
Now that a leader is needed instead
of a supervisor, yes.
THE STAIRS
Lauren and Nancy continue:
LAUREN LATIMORE
Nancy, just draw what you want to.
Im not afraid of you doing
something stupid or anything like
that.
NANCY
Thank you, I just dont want to
ruin your work.
LAUREN LATIMORE
Dont worry about that. Do you mind
if I offer a bit of advice?
NANCY
(worried)
Why, what am I doing wrong?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 8.
LAUREN LATIMORE
No, its not that at all... just
please stop worrying, everything
will be fine!
NANCY
Yeah, youre right. (continues
drawing)
THE CAFETERIA
Brandon and Garrett continue:
BRANDON DEAN
Why dont we just eat lunch here
with them? I mean, you know... its
free.
GARRETT BASS
Yeah, but thats not a date.
Besides, it would be awkward to do
that with all their friends around.
BRANDON DEAN
Okay. Though we will need to get to
know their friends better
eventually. I mean, its not like
were going to pull the girls out
of their lives or something.
GARRETT BASS
Yeah. And we will get to know their
friends better, but we dont have
to right now.
BRANDON DEAN
Right.
THE CONFERENCE ROOM
Muriel and Stacey continue:
MURIEL NEEDHAM
Wasnt it hilarious how awkward the
main character was when he finally
met her?
STACEY COLEMAN
Well, he should feel awkward, hes
totally a stalker.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 9.
MURIEL NEEDHAM
I mean, the author tries to make
everything sound so horrible, when
really the whole thing is quite
silly.
STACEY COLEMAN
Hey, that sounds like Steve.
MURIEL NEEDHAM
Yeah, youre right. It kind of
does.
THE LIBRARY
Steve and Amanda continue:
STEVE BASS
Come on, that is not a square! Use
your compass and straightedge if
you have to, but dont draw
anything like that on my poster
board!
Amanda, fed up with Steve, slams down her Sharpie and turns
to him.
AMANDA BAILEY
Steve, I heard that when you were
elected Class President you said
that to lead you had to be a
servant, and that you would be that
for us.
STEVE BASS
I did.
AMANDA BAILEY
Well then what is this?
STEVE BASS
(thinking as he speaks)
Its me... (frustrated) serving you
by giving you advice!
AMANDA BAILEY
But I dont need or want advice!
Youre not doing this for me,
youre doing it for yourself,
because you want to create a
euphoric, perfect world where
nothing is your "imperfect"! (Steve
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 10.
AMANDA BAILEY (contd)
is trying to protest, but he knows
shes right) So please, cut it out
with the advice and actually help!
Steve isnt sure how to respond, so just clears his throat
and gets ready to work.
THE STAIRS
Nancy and Lauren continue:
LAUREN LATIMORE
(getting frustrated with
Nancy)
Really, Nancy, I appreciate how
sensitive you are, but you cant
let your sensitivity develop into
fear of hurting people! I have
absolutely no issue with you
helping me; just draw on my stuff!
NANCY
(meekly)
Im sorry.
LAUREN LATIMORE
And quit being sorry, please. I
forgive you, but youve done
nothing wrong whatsoever.
NANCY
(getting more and more meek in
her speech)
Okay.
THE CAFETERIA
Garrett and Brandon continue:
BRANDON DEAN
But what if they say no?
GARRETT BASS
Thats just a womans yes! We ask
them again later.
BRANDON DEAN
(skeptical about the whole
thing, but still interested in
trying out the plan)
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 11.
BRANDON DEAN (contd)
Yeah, thats true. I admit Im a
little nervous about the whole
thing, but sure, Ill go in on this
with you.
GARRETT BASS
(fist pump)
Yesssss!
(holds out his hand)
Secret handshake.
Brandon puts out his hand and grips Garretts
enthusiastically, then pauses.
BRANDON DEAN
I think I forgot it.
GARRETT BASS
Yeah, me too.
Pause. They do a regular handshake.
GARRETT BASS
Yeah!
BRANDON DEAN
Did we ever have a secret
handshake?
GARRETT BASS
I dunno.
THE CONFERENCE ROOM
Stacey and Muriel continue, finally drawing on the poster
boards:
MURIEL NEEDHAM
Stacey, what is this?
STACEY COLEMAN
What do you mean, "what is this?"
Its a spaceship!
MURIEL NEEDHAM
But the way you drew it is just...
ugly!
STACEY COLEMAN
Muriel, if you want to spiffy it
up, you can do that yourself.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 12.
MURIEL NEEDHAM
But Stacey, I dont have time to
work on your spaceship! Just look
at what you drew! (holds it up) An
oval on top of another oval? All
with just a dull, black sharpie,
might I add?
STACEY COLEMAN
Yeah, and whats wrong with that?
MURIEL NEEDHAM
Whats wrong with it is that you
could have drawn something much
more appealing, like this!
Muriel shows her UFO. its silver with a sheen, and has
yellow lights going across the side. It has also has glass
windows.
STACEY COLEMAN
Muriel, Im sorry, but Im not as
artistic as you.
MURIEL NEEDHAM
Come on, anybody can learn to think
artistically!
STACEY COLEMAN
But I dont care to, and even if I
did I couldnt learn within the 15
minutes we have left. You can do
things that way if you want,
Muriel, but I just dont think that
way. Im more (thinking of the
right word) practical.
MURIEL NEEDHAM
(evidently very upset with
Stacey)
Yeah, right, with all your
expensive jewelry and clothing.
STACEY COLEMAN
Hey! I get things on sale! (pauses)
...sometimes. And besides, my
clothing and your art are two way
different things.
MURIEL NEEDHAM
Im just glad that your clothing
and your art are two way different
things.
13.
THE LIBRARY
Amanda and Steve continue, both drawing on the poster board
now:
STEVE BASS
(notices something Amandas
doing)
Amanda? You missed... (Amandas
stare stops him, and he clears his
throat before continuing. He is
still very strong in tone, however)
never mind, it doesnt matter.
AMANDA BAILEY
(kind of enjoying bugging
Steve about it)
Okay, if youre sure.
STEVE BASS
(snaps back)
Im sure!
AMANDA BAILEY
All right. (continues drawing) See,
isnt it so much more fun when you
quit being paranoid about
everything for this sort of
project?
Steve grimaces and gives a slight groan in response.
THE STAIRS
Lauren and Nancy continue:
LAUREN LATIMORE
Oh, I like what you did there,
Nancy.
NANCY
Really? Thank you.
LAUREN LATIMORE
Yep, no problem. Im going to do
that to my planets atmospheres too
from now on, its a real neat
effect.
NANCY
Thank you.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 14.
LAUREN LATIMORE
Really, I like what youre doing
with everything, you have a good
eye for this stuff.
NANCY
So, I guess maybe I dont have to
worry about ruining your stuff.
(laughs uncomfortably)
LAUREN LATIMORE
Honestly, in a way youre kind of
the anti-Steve. He has a lot of
ideas, and cant shut up, and you
have a lot of ideas, and cant
speak up.
NANCY
(laughs uncomfortably)
Yeah, I guess so.
THE CAFETERIA
Garrett and Brandon continue:
GARRETT BASS
(leans back in his chair)
I think Im done.
BRANDON DEAN
(still drawing)
Come on, Garrett, I dont want to
work on this either, but please get
your mind off the double date, we
only have 10 minutes before we have
to get back to class.
GARRETT BASS
Well just sketch quickly when
were almost out of time.
BRANDON DEAN
I think it makes more sense to just
get this over with right now, and
if we have extra time, then we can
talk.
GARRETT BASS
(not very excited about doing
it. Looks over at Brandon)
You are still the new guy, arent
you? Fine. (leans back in and
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 15.
GARRETT BASS (contd)
sketches some more) There, lets
add a little more blood to this
guy...
THE CONFERENCE ROOM
Muriel and Stacey continue:
STACEY COLEMAN
(puts down her marker)
There, Im done.
MURIEL NEEDHAM
No, youre not, you still havent
colored in anything.
STACEY COLEMAN
Im not good at that. You can do
that if you want, but I like my
sketches. Youve got to admit, Ive
drawn much more then you have.
MURIEL NEEDHAM
Okay, I do admit that. Its just
that what youve drawn looks so
(shivers) ugly. (leans over and
briefly colors in one of her
spaceships)
STACEY COLEMAN
See, if you just color in
everything like that, well get it
all done much faster.
MURIEL NEEDHAM
Fine. My hands are tied now anyway.
Either everything colorless or
everything barely colored. Thanks
for ruining the project, Stacey.
STACEY COLEMAN
(smiles, totally clueless)
Your welcome.
THE LIBRARY
Steve and Amanda continue:
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 16.
STEVE BASS
(leans back and looks at the
project)
There. Its done.
AMANDA BAILEY
I want to do a little more work on
it before we go.
STEVE BASS
(clears his throat)
This is more then sufficient to get
an A grade, not to mention that
youll be going beyond the
sketches.
AMANDA BAILEY
I know, but its fun. Besides, just
because our plans didnt go any
farther than this doesnt mean we
should cage ourselves in.
STEVE BASS
Fine. Have fun. I guess that
personal enjoyment is more
important then success. Draw your
dumb butterflies or whatever, just
please dont ruin our project.
AMANDA BAILEY
I wont. (leans over and resumes
drawing)
THE STAIRS
Lauren and Nancy continue:
NANCY
(looks over their poster
board)
There, I think were done!
LAUREN LATIMORE
How much time do we have left?
NANCY
I dont know, (looks over at clock)
about five minutes. (they both
pause for a second.) So, what do
you want to talk about?
17.
THE CAFETERIA
Brandon and Garrett continue:
BRANDON DEAN
(leans over picture and makes
a final mark)
There! I think its safe to say
that thats good.
GARRETT BASS
I should hope so.
BRANDON DEAN
Now we can quit worrying about the
time. Isnt that better? (pauses,
interested to getting back to what
they were talking about before) You
can go back to talking about that
double date now.
GARRETT BASS
Oh, yeah. So, I think we can easily
talk to them after class about it
and just take them out for lunch
right then...
THE CONFERENCE ROOM
Stacey and Muriel continue:
STACEY COLEMAN
(colors in something)
There, doesnt that look nice?
MURIEL NEEDHAM
(head in her hands, she looks
like a mess)
Its a disgrace to arts disgraces.
Stacey is about to make another mark on the paper, Muriel,
protesting, stops her and nabs the marker away before she
can do it. Muriel slams the marker down on the table. Stacey
snatches the marker and Muriel snatches it back, twice.
Muriel holds the marker close, away from Stacey.
18.
THE LIBRARY
Steve and Amanda continued. Amandas still drawing and
humming. Steve is evidently very annoyed and impatient,
wanting to say something at several points, but never doing
so.
AMANDA BAILEY
There! Im done!
STEVE BASS
Good. (snatches the poster board
away before Amanda can even
resheath her marker) Lets get this
to Mrs. Litner and be done with it.
Ive had enough of this group
project.
AMANDA BAILEY
But at least it was a good
experience, right?
THE STAIRS
Lauren and Nancy continue:
LAUREN LATIMORE
Well, Im satisfied. What about
you?
NANCY
Yep, Im good. Ready to head back
to class?
LAUREN LATIMORE
Yeah, come on. (they both head
upstairs)
MRS. LITNERS CLASSROOM
This shot watches the door as the students come through.
Brandon Dean and Garrett enter first. Both are still
evidently distracted by their plans for a double-date.
BRANDON DEAN
So, do you really think your idea
is going to work?
GARRETT BASS
Of course it will! Have my plans
ever failed before?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 19.
BRANDON DEAN
Dont get me started.
Stacey Coleman and Muriel Needham enter next. Staceys
confident, but Muriels a mess.
STACEY COLEMAN
Come on, Muriel, quit worrying
about it, Mrs. Litner will love it.
MURIEL NEEDHAM
No she wont, but whats worse is
that my friends will hate it too.
Steve Bass and Amanda Bailey enter. Steve is still very
bitter about not being in control of the project, while
Amandas just doing her best to take everything in stride.
STEVE BASS
You know, Amanda, I think I would
be much more satisfied with the
product if we had followed the
sketches just a little more
closely.
AMANDA BAILEY
Cant you just learn to let
inspiration flow sometimes, Steve?
Steve and Amanda walk into the classroom. Lauren and Nancy
enter, both happy with their project.
LAUREN LATIMORE
I think shell like it, though she
is an unpredictable grader.
NANCY
Yeah, I think so too. I mean, we
like it.
MRS. LITNERS CLASSROOM
Mrs. Litner is sitting at her desk, checking a list of
students.
MRS. LITNER
(without even raising her
eyes)
So, how did your projects go Class?
Silence. Mrs. Litner looks up.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 20.
MRS. LITNER
Class?
Everybody does their best to respond positively and somewhat
enthusiastically.
Well, now its time to present them
in class. Whod like to go first?
Brandon and Garrett! You come up
here!
Brandon and Garrett go up, smiling and holding their poster
board.
MRS. LITNER
C+, not the most creative Ive
seen.
GARRETT BASS
Thats okay, we had more important
things to talk about.
BRANDON DEAN
(whispers to Garrett)
I still wouldnt mind a higher
grade next time, though.
MRS. LITNER
Muriel and Stacey.
Brandon and Garrett head back to their seats, Stacey and
Muriel come up.
MRS. LITNER
A+, very nice. I like the variety
of styles on there, charmingly
simple to very artistic, I can tell
you worked together.
MURIEL NEEDHAM
(very surprised)
Really? You like it?
STACEY COLEMAN
Woo-hoo! High five!
Muriel high fives her and they both head back to their
seats, Muriel in a bit of a daze.
MRS. LITNER
Steve and Amanda.
Steve and Amanda go to the front.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 21.
MRS. LITNER
A+, I can tell you had fun working
on it.
STEVE BASS
Wait, we get points for having fun?
AMANDA BAILEY
See? I was onto something, that
whole actually trying to enjoy
myself thing.
MRS. LITNER
Lauren and Nancy. (they come up)
Very cute, B+.
Nancy is very excited, "yaay"s, she and Lauren high-five.
STEVE BASS
(to Amanda)
How can they be so happy about
their B+ when we got an A+?
AMANDA BAILEY
Steve, some people dont actually
make life a competition.
MRS. LITNER
Very good, class... (looks around)
most of you. We still have 10
minutes and 27 seconds of class
time left, so lets continue
with...
HALLWAY
Garrett and Brandon exit the classroom, beginning to walk
towards Muriel and Amanda.
GARRETT BASS
(to Brandon)
You ready, man?
BRANDON DEAN
I dont know, Garrett.
GARRETT BASS
Come on!