FILM FESTIVAL SCRIPT (NARRATIVE)-SHORT FILM

INT. GAVIN’S CAR - MORNING

NATHAN, barely a junior with the natural understanding of a

friend. He is sitting in the back middle seat of his parents’
Toyota with his backpack next to him. Listening to them going on
and on about how much they love their pet cats.

KAREN
I really miss our furbabies, Gav. They’re so cute and
cuddly…

GAVIN - chuckles
We left the house five minutes ago, Karen. They’re fine.
They are animals and can take care of themselves.

KAREN
Then what have we been doing for them for the past few
years?

NATHAN
You two are having such a weird conversation. It’s been
five minutes since we left our house.

Nathan looks out the left back side window of the car, and sees
a gay couple holding hands and walking down a side walk. Their
smiles spark recognition in Nathan’s eyes.

NATHAN - thinks - sighs

I wish I could live as happily as they do.

KAREN
Why are you judging us, Nathan? Last night, when we started
talking about you getting married someday, you brought them up
as if there was no tomorrow.

Nathan looks back towards his parents, now realizing he had not
paid attention to his mother’s cat babbling.
 (Continued)
KAREN - giggles
Nate, are you even listening to me!?! Nate!

NATHAN
Oh um, no. Sorry, I zoned out.

GAVIN - chuckles
Son.

KAREN - motherly petty

Anyways, if this conversation is so weird, why don’t you
bring up another topic? Like how you missed your bus this
morning, so me and your father had to drive you to school on our
way to our doctor appointments?

NATHAN - nervously points with sarcasm

Oh look, the school building. There is no time for me to
create a conversation I don’t feel like having.

KAREN - annoyed
Nathan, that’s rude!

NATHAN - awkward
Please pull in dad.

Gavin pulls the car into the parking lot. Nathan opens the left
car door, and walks out.

NATHAN - waves
Bye mom, bye dad.

NATHAN’S PARENTS
Bye!
 (Continued)
EXT. OUTSIDE SCHOOL BUILDING - MORNING

NATHAN sees his friends Nevaeh and Jordan ahead of him at the
entrance of the school. He runs up to them, energetically
shouting “Hey guys!” They turn around and smile at them. Nevaeh
rolling her eyes, and Jordan slighting bumping their hip at
hers.

NEVAEH - laughs
Hey!

Nevaeh hits Jordaan’s hip with hers, back. Nathan laughs at

them.

JORDAN
Why did you get here so late?

NATHAN
I missed my bus, so my parents had to drive me to school
today.

NEVEAH - smirks
Sheesh, sounds like heaven.

NATHAN
Hell no.

JORDAN
Did you come out to them last night, You said you would.

NATHAN - sighs
No,I did not.

JORDAN
Why not?
 (Continued)

NATHAN - paranoid
I’ll explain it to you both at lunch,I am kinda paranoid
they can hear me.

NEVAEH looks behind Nathan’s shoulder, and peers her eyes at the
parking lot. Once she observes what she needs, she looks back at
her friends with a smile.

NEVAEH
Your mom’s car is no longer in the parking lot.

NATHAN
Well… I… Uh…

NEVAEH - concerned
Would you just rather talk about it with fewer adults
around?

NATHAN - faintly smiles

Yeah…

NEVAEH reassuringly pats Nathan’s arm. Jordan looks at the

time on their phone. It says 8:05 AM. They have got to hurry, if
they want to make it to class on time.

JORDAN
Not to be a mood ruiner guys, but we have five minutes
until the bell rings.

NEVAEH
Well down Jordan, you did exactly what you didn’t want to
do. Aye-ye-ye.

NATHAN - smirks
Oh shush, you heard the person, Nevaeh. It’s time to head
inside.
 (Continued)
A feminine looking teacher wearing professor-like glasses walks
towards Nevaeh from behind. With their hair up in a messy bun,
while dressed in a plaid red brownish dress.

NEVAEH - huffs
I’d rather ditch.

DR. BAMFORD
Hi Nevaeh.

NEVAEH turns around in fright; her best friends smiling.

NEVAEH
Hey… Dr. Bamford. How are you doing on this lovely day?

DR. BAMFORD - kind

I am doing just fine, thank you. How are you doing sweetie?

NEVAEH - slightly worried

Good! Good…

DR. BAMFORD
That’s amazing, Nev, I’m glad you’re doing well. BUT, I did
happen to hear what you said about ditching class. Fortunately,
I can forget it all, as long as you start heading there now.

NEVAEH
Oh, thank you Dr. Bamford.

DR. BAMFORD
Please sweetie, call me Astor. I am your guidance
counselor. Hahaha, I didn't mean to make that rhyme.

NATHAN, Jordan, and Nevaeh look at each other then back at their
guidance counselor. A bit uncomfortable, but trusting of her.
 (Continued)

JORDAN - fake laughs

Ha ha… Very funny.

DR. BAMFORD looks at her watch, then opens the entrance doors.

DR. BAMFORD
Well come inside now. The bell is about to ring.

NATHAN
Okay.

JORDAN
Yes, mam’.

NEVAEH
Alright then.

INT. SCHOOL BUILDING - MORNING

The three friends walk inside the school building, then head to
class. From morning to the end of the last period before lunch,
Nathan had only one thing on his mind; wanting to admit his
sexuality to his parents. He has been worried about it for the
entire seventeen years of his life, fearing that they wouldn’t
accept him.

NATHAN has had a hint of worry showing in his eyes, but an

expressionless expression.

Sound - The school bell rings; making the talkative teenagers

more quiet and pack their things.

MR. TAYLOR
Well, that is all for today folks. Remember to read one
more chapter of “The Crucible” for homework.
 STUDENTS - excluding Nathan
Awe… (Continued)
MR. TAYLOR - fake smiles
Heh, if it wasn’t so rowdy in here, we would’ve had
time to read it, and you’d have none.

NATHAN - eye-rolls
Yeah, yeah…

NATHAN stands up, putting his backpack on, and walks out of
the classroom, and heads to lunch. He sees Nevaeh and Jordan
in the hallway, catches up to them, and finishes walking to
lunch with them. The trio sits down at their own table.

JORDAN
So, how has your day been, weirdos? Mine was very
tiring.

NATHAN - nervous
Same here.

NEVAEH - shrugs
School days are always the same. Anyways, quit it with
the common talk.

JORDAN
Huh?

NEVAEH - eye-roll before speaking - smiles

Nate said he was gonna tell us why he didn’t come out
to his parents yesterday. So tell us.

JORDAN - smiles
Oh yeah, he did say that. Spill the tea brother.
 (Continued)
NATHAN - sighs
Okay, so I was going to come out during dinner time,
but before I could my parents started talking about church
and Christiannity.

NEVAEH
Oh my goodness.

JORDAN
Continue.

NATHAN
They ended up talking about religion for a few minutes,
and brought up myself someday marrying a woman.

JORDAN
Yikes.

NEVAEH
How did you respond?

NATHAN
I faked a laugh, and in a panic, changed the subject of
the conversation to our cats. Which I guess persuaded my mom
to start freely talking about them more.

NEVAEH - holds Nathan’s hands - sighs

Nate, you know that I ain’t straight either. I am a
proud pansexual. It wasn’t easy for me to come out to my
parents, but I did it.

NATHAN - anxious
I know.
 (Continued)
NEVAEH - reassuring
Now, because of it, I am able to freely express my
sexuality at home and at school.

NATHAN - frustrated
It isn’t that easy for me, Nevaeh.

NEVAEH
I know it ain’t easy, Nathan. Coming out is hard, but
once you do it, negative reaction or not. You will feel as
though a huge weight has been lifted off your chest. You
won’t have to hide who you are or who you love anymore. I am
not trying to peer pressure you into doing it, but I am
highly suggesting that you do.

NATHAN - worried - hands shaking

I want to, I really do, but what if they don’t accept
me.

JORDAN - very serious

When they decided to have you,they decided to love you
unconditionally, and if this makes them love you less. Then
their love for you is filled with their “perfect”
expectations of you. They are horrible parents, if they stop
loving you for being gay. Live your life your own smart way,
not theirs. If you do, you’ll forever be miserable.

NEVAEH
I agree with Jordan, they are one-hundred percent
right.

NATHAN - sly smiles

Thank you for your support guys, it means a lot to me.
I am going to try to do it.
 (Continued)
JORDAN & NEVAEH - whisper cheering
Yay!!!

The rest of the school day went by very slowly for Nathan,
each class he’d watch the clock, and keep hearing a ticking
sound in his head.

INT. NATHAN’s HOUSE - EVENING

It is 3:05 PM, and Nathan just got home from school, and
entered his house. His parents are sitting on the living
room couch cuddling.

KAREN - smiles
Hi sweetie.

GAVIN - smiles
Hey Nate.

NATHAN - anxiously shaking

Hi mom, hey dad. I thought you both had work today?

GAVIN
Since we had our doctor appointments today, we figured
we should use it as an excuse to take off from work and
spend quality time together.

NATHAN - panic yelling

Well, that’s great because I need to tell you both
something right now. That cannot wait.

There is a minute of silence, as Nathan’s parents stare at

him with confusion.

KAREN - right eyebrow raised

 Well… What is it, honey?

NATHAN runs in front of the TV and shouts “I’m gay!”

Credits Page:
Writer - Madelaine Demas
The Crucible - Book - Arthur Miller
Characters:
Nathan(Lead - Cis Man - he/they)
Nevaeh(Nathan’s best friend - Cis Woman - she/her)
JORDAN(Nathan’s best friend - Nonbinary - they/them)
Astor Bamford(Guidance Counselor - Woman - she/her)
Mr. Taylor(English Teacher - Man - he/him)
Gavin(Nathan’s dad - he/him)
Karen(Nathan’s mom - she/her)