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KALEIDOSCOPE CAROUSEL

1. EXT. SMALL TOWN THEATER, AFTERNOON

2. INT. THEATER, CHILDREN'S BEAUTY PAGEANT

There are TEN GIRLS 8 - 10 years old, in formal dresses, lined up on stage, along with SHANNON and HEATHER, both 9 years old. The AUDIENCE is filled with parents, including Shannon's mother TERRY, and Heather's mother SAMANTHA. SHANNON walks up to the microphone, and SINGS and DANCES. She sings "Stupid Cupid" TERRY mouths the words while SHANNON is singing. TERRY CHEERS and YELLS out words of encouragement. When she finishes, the AUDIENCE APPLAUDS. Then HEATHER walks up and SINGS and DANCES incredibly well. She sings "The Shoop Shoop Song - It's in his Kiss". Afterwards, the AUDIENCE APPLAUDS. TERRY looks unhappy, and SAMANTHA smiles at her. The female ANNOUNCER comes up to the microphone.

ANNOUNCER

(on PA system)

Thank you very much. It was very difficult decision for the judges. Third place winner goes to Jennifer Jackson.

The AUDIENCE APPLAUDS, and a GIRL walks over the ANNOUNCER and she hands her a trophy.

ANNOUNCER

Second place goes to Tiffany Smith.

The AUDIENCE APPLAUDS, and a GIRL walks over the ANNOUNCER and she hands her a trophy.

ANNOUNCER

(melodramatic)

And this years first place winner for the America Sweetheart Peach Pageant is -

TERRY and SAMANTHA are looking at the stage, and then look at each other, SMILING menacingly.

ANNOUNCER

Heather MacMillian!

The AUDIENCE roars with APPLAUSE. TERRY's smile vanishes. SAMANTHA beams a huge smile, and gloats, and then starts applauding her daughter, hooting and hollering. SAMANTHA then stands up. The AUDIENCE then stands up, and gives HEATHER a standing ovation. HEATHER walks up to the ANNOUNCER who puts a crown on her head, gives her bouquet of roses, and a giant trophy. SHANNON crosses her arms, and looks mad.

3. EXT. THEATER, AFTERNOON. Members of the AUDIENCE and other GIRLS are walking back and forth in the background.

TERRY is berating SHANNON.

TERRY (angry)

You have to stand straight with your back straight when you walk, and now show me how you walk!

SHANNON then demonstrates her walk.

TERRY

(angry)

And you did not project your voice! I told you to sing with your diaphragm, and try the song again!

SHANNON SINGS a bit of her song.

TERRY

(angry)

No! Do you think people in the back in the back can hear? You're singing to the angels remember? You're an angel singing. Sing so the other angels will hear you and say, wow what a beautiful little girl with a beautiful voice! Now try again.

SHANNON SIGHS in exasperation.

TERRY

Well, you're going to be practicing tonight when we get home.

SHANNON

I have homework tonight.

TERRY

This comes first. You know that. When I'm satisfied, you can do your homework.

SAMANTHA and HEATHER walk up.

SAMANTHA

(gloating)

Hi Terry! Look at Heather's trophy!

TERRY

(coldly)

Hi Samantha. That's very nice.

SAMANTHA

Wow! You've got a room full by now, don't you sweetheart? We're running out of room to put them all aren't we?

TERRY

We've entered Shannon in the talent show next week.

HEATHER

I won the talent show last year, and the year before that also.

SAMANTHA

I heard there's going to be a talent scout in the audience looking for the next child star.

TERRY

Oh really?

SAMANTHA

Maybe you could hire a singing coach to help her with her singing.

TERRY GRIMACES as if stuck with a cattle prod.

TERRY

Hiring professionals is not important when your child has natural talent. Shannon can sing very well, and not only that but she can dance also. Show them your dancing.

SHANNON starts DANCING. HEATHER bursts out LAUGHING.

HEATHER

I hope you don't think you're going to win the talent show with that!

SAMANTHA

Well, It's been wonderful, but we've got to get going. Bye!

SAMANTHA picks up HEATHER's giant trophy, and SAMANTHA and HEATHER walk off.

4. EXT. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, MORNING

5. EXT. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLAGROUND, MORNING

CHILDREN are PLAYING on the playground equipment. CAITLIN and MACKENZIE, both 9 year old girls, are talking when SHANNON walks up to them. CAITLIN and MACKENZIE are jumping rope, and quit jumping when SHANNON walks up.

CAITLIN

Did you win at the pageant?

SHANNON

No

MACKENZIE

What pageant?

CAITLIN

Shannon was in a beauty pageant

MACKENZIE

Did you win?

SHANNON

No

MACKENZIE

Who did?

SHANNON

Heather

MACKENZIE

How come?

SHANNON

Because

CAITLIN

She's so pretty!

SHANNON

I guess

KAITYN

Are you going to be in the talent show?

MACKENZIE

When is it?

SHANNON

(proud)

Next week, and yes I'm going to be in it.

CAITLIN

Cool

MACKENZIE

I hope you win.

SHANNON

My mom will be so mad if I don't win.

CAITLIN

(suddenly)

Hey! You know what?

SHANNON

What?

CAITLIN

Y'know that old lady at the library?

SHANNON

The librarian?

CAITLIN

Yeah, you know what? She's got a fake leg.

MACKENZIE

For reals?

CAITLIN

Yeah, it's fake

SHANNON

Nuh-uh

CAITLIN

Uh-huh!

SHANNON

Nuh-uh

CAITLIN

Yeah, it's wood. You can take it off. I'll show ya. C'mon!

6. INT. SCHOOL LIBRARY. CAITLIN, MACKENZIE, and SHANNON sneak up behind an extremely elderly LIBRARIAN sitting at a desk, hunched motionless over a book.

CAITLIN

(whispering)

Now up sneak behind her, and grab her leg, and it'll come right off!

SHANNON

(whispering)

No way!

MACKENZIE

(in normal voice)

How do you know?

CAITLIN

(whispering)

Ssssh! Now look, I'll show you. Shannon?

SHANNON

(whispering)

What?

CAITLIN

(whispering)

Sneak up behind her, grab the leg, and it will come off!

SHANNON

(whispering)

What do you want me to do?

CAITLIN

(whispering)

Get down on the ground.

CAITLIN, MACKENZIE, and SHANNON KNEEL on the ground.

MACKENZIE

(whispering)

You're going to get in trouble!

CAITLIN

(whispering)

Now just sneak up on her and grab her leg.

MACKENZIE

(whispering)

I'm gonna tell.

SHANNON looks nervous, but she starts creeping along the ground, getting closer to the LIBRARIAN. When SHANNON is right behind the LIBRARIAN's chair, she looks back.

SHANNON

(yelling while whispering, sort of yelling without using your vocal cords)

Which one??!!

CAITLIN

(whispering)

What?

SHANNON

(whispering)

Which one?

CAITLIN

(whispering)

The right! No, wait, the left!

SHANNON grabs the LIBRARIAN's left leg. The LIBRARIAN jumps up and SHRIEKS. The LIBRARIAN reaches down and grabs SHANNON. CAITLIN and MACKENZIE run out of the library.

LIBRARIAN

(stern)

What is the meaning of this, young lady?

SHANNON

(afraid)

Nothing!

LIBRARIAN

(stern)

Just what do you think you're doing?

SHANNON

Caitlin told me to do it.

LIBRARIAN

I don't care who told you to do it.

SHANNON

Caitlin and Mackenzie were here too!

LIBRARIAN

No more monkey business! You're going to the office!

SHANNON looks worried, as the LIBRARIAN writes out a note and gives it to her.

LIBRARIAN

Take this to the office!

SHANNON sheepishly leaves the library.

7. EXT. SHANNON'S HOUSE, MORNING

8. INT. SHANNON'S HOUSE, LIVING ROOM, MORNING

SHANNON's mother TERRY, and father BOB are talking.

BOB

This is too expensive.

TERRY

It's one of the cheapest dresses they sell.

BOB

Why does a nine year old need a 750 dollar dress?

TERRY

You don't think Shannon's worth it?

BOB

I don't think the dress is worth it. She already has an expensive dress.

TERRY

Do you have any idea how embarrassing it was for me for her to be wearing the same dress at the American Sweetheart Peach Pageant as she wore at the Fairy Tale Princess Pageant? I heard the other mothers snickering when she showed up wearing the same dress!

TERRY then calls out SHANNON, and her brother TOMMY, 6 years old.

TERRY

(yelling)

Shannon! Tommy! You're going to be late for school!

SHANNON and TOMMY come out. TOMMY is pretending to fly around like Superman. BOB is trying to read the newspaper. TERRY goes in the kitchen, and is putting dishes in the dish washer.

TOMMY

How do you make milk shake?

TERRY

I don't know.

TOMMY

Give it a good scare

TOMMY LAUGHS at his own joke.

TOMMY

Why kind of ant is good at math?

SHANNON

What?

TOMMY

Account-ant

SHANNON rolls her eyes.

TOMMY

What kind of hair does the ocean have?

SHANNON

What kind?

TOMMY

Wavy!

TOMMY

What goes ha ha bonk?

SHANNON

A man laughing his head off.

BOB

Why did the ant elope?

TOMMY

Why?

BOB

Nobody gnu.

This elicits a blank look from TOMMY

BOB

Eloping is if nobody knows you get married. An antelope is a type of deer. A gnu is also a type of deer.

TOMMY

So they got married?

SHANNON

Yes, dear

BOB

No, it's a joke.

TERRY

Now, remember Shannon, the talent show is on tonight, and I want you to practice before you go, so I need you to come right home after school, you understand?

SHANNON

(sighing)

Yes

TERRY

You can�t go to Caitlin�s house or Mackenzie�s house after school, because you have to get ready for the talent show.

SHANNON

Ok, yes, I know

TERRY

Ok, now both of you hurry up or you�ll be late for school.

SHANNON and TOMMY kiss their mother goodbye, and leave the house.

9. EXT. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AFTERNOON

10. INT. CLASSROOM - The TEACHER and a boy named named LEWIS are standing in front of the class. SHANNON, CAITLIN, HEATHER, and other KIDS are sitting in the desks. There is a large clay model of a volcano on a table in front of the class.

TEACHER

Wow, Lewis, that is a very impressive science project. I can't wait to see it. Everyone give a big hand for Lewis.

There is some hesistant APPLAUSE from the class.

TEACHER

Ok, Lewis, let's hear about your project.

LEWIS is an awkward skinny nerdy boy with glasses.

LEWIS

(awkward)

Well, ok ... uh... this is a volcano, and ... uh...a volcano is geological feature where the magma that is in the mantle of the Earth comes to the surface like in the islands of Hawaii, where ... um...the plates...se from plate tectonics, the plates of the Earth's crust move over the hot spot in the ocean forming a chain of islands which are the islands of Hawaii...

TEACHER

(interrupting) great, so this is a volcano.

LEWIS

what? Oh right, yeah, this is a volcano or a model of a volcano.

TEACHER

You made it yourself?

LEWIS

Oh, yeah, yeah, I made this in the garage.

TEACHER

So, do we get to see it erupt?

LEWIS

Yeah, ok, everyone so now we'll see if we can demonstrate the volcano erupting...so, ok...

LEWIS then pours vinegar into the top of the clay volcano, which then erupts with enormous force. Masses of thick oprage molasses spew out in every direction. We see it splatter on the celing, the chalk board, all the KIDS sitting in the class. KIDS raise their arms to try to shield themselves from the onslaught. KIDS SCREAM.

HEATHER

Ewwww!!!

TEACHER

Class! Class! Quiet!

11. EXT. PLAYGROUND - AFTERNOON, KIDS are playing. SHANNON is sitting on a bench with a lunch box. CAITLIN and MACKENZIE are playing jumprope with another GIRL. HEATHER is sitting on the ground playing with barbie dolls with other GIRLS. In the background near the school, there is a CUSTODIAN sweeping the floor. Focus on SHANNON who opens the lunch box, and takes out a thermos, a sandwinch, an apple, and a bag of potato chips.

MACKENZIE

That was funny when the volcano exploded.

CAITLIN

Did you see Heather screaming that it ruined her dress?

SHANNON

She's got like two hundred dresses. One of the bedrooms in her house is a walk in closet filled with all her pageant clothes.

MACKENZIE

And her trophies?

SHANNON

(grumbling)

I guess.

CAITLIN

You know what would be funny? Tell Heather that that custodian is actually an undercover talent scout looking for a girl to be on a tv show.

MACKENZIE

Yeah!

SHANNON

I can't do that!

CAITLIN

Yeah, you can! Just walk over there, and point to that janitor, and say hey look there's a talent scout. Yeah, just go ahead and do it. That would be funny.

SHANNON

really?

CAITLIN

Yeah, go ahead, do it. Go on.

SHANNON

uh...ok..

SHANNON gets up, and walks over to HEATHER who is aitting on the ground playing with her barbie dolls. She stops when SHANNON walks up. SHANNON crouches down next to HEATHER.

SHANNON

Yeah, Heather, how is it going?

HEATHER

What do you want?

SHANNON

Do you see that custodian over there?

SHANNON points to the CUSTODIAN.

HEATHER

yeah

SHANNON

My mom said that he was not really a custodian. My mom said that he was really a talent scout, and he's undercover so people don't know who he is, and he's really here to find a girl to be on a tv show.

HEATHER

(excited)

Really? Is that really true?

SHANNON

Oh yeah, I swear it's true. God honest!

HEATHER

Oh wow! Thanks!

HEATHER gets up and walks over to the CUSTODIAN who is sweeping the floor.

HEATHER

Hi

CUSTODIAN

Hi

HEATHER

You know, I've won the talent competition every year. I've done modeling and acting, and I can sing and dance too! Do you want to see?

CUSTODIAN

Well, I'm kind of busy...

HEATHER then launches into an elaborate broadway-style song and dance routine. She sings "Paint with all the colors of the wind" from "Pocahontas" while dancing ballet. When she finishes, other GIRLS gather around and APPLAUD.

CUSTODIAN

Wow! You should be on tv!

HEATHER is so excited, she runs back to SHANNON, CAITLIN, and MACKENZIE.

HEATHER

(gloating)

I'm going to be on tv! That talent scout said that I'm going to be on a tv show!

SHANNON, CAITLIN, and MACKENZIE burst out LAUGHING.

CAITLIN

(laughing)

That's no talent scout! That's just a custodian!

SHANNON

He's not a talent scout. I just made that up! You were singing and dancing to a janitor! You're not going to be on tv!

HEATHER

(angry)

Why of all the rotten...well ask the other girls what they think of my beautiful voice, and if they think I will win the talent show!

SHANNON

ok, fine

SHANNON, CAITLIN and MACKENZIE get up and walk over to the other girls. While they are gone, HEATHER digs through the dirt, and finds a worm. The camera focuses on the squirming earthworm. Then HEATHER walks over to SHANNON's sandwinch. HEATHER takes off the top bread, places the worm on the sandwinch, and replaces the top bread. SHANNON, CAITLIN, and MACKENZIE return.

SHANNON

They all say that I'm a much more beautiful singer than you.

HEATHER

Ok, we'll just see that on the talent show won't we?

HEATHER skips off. SHANNON sits down on the bench and starts eating the sandwinch.

CAITLIN

Heather thinks she's so perfect, oh look at me, I'm little miss perfect...

SHANNON starts GAGGING and making sounds of revultion.

MACKENZIE

What's wrong?

SHANNON

What's wrong with this sandwinch?

SHANNON lifts up the top bread, and starts SCREAMING.

CAITLIN

What's wrong?

SHANNON starts frantically spitting on the ground.

12. EXT. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AFTERNOON

The school bell RINGS, the classroom doors open, and KIDS pour out. SHANNON walks out. SHANNON is walking home when CAITLIN and MACKENZIE run up to her.

CAITLIN

Hey, Shannon!

SHANNON

Hi, Caitlin

CAITLIN

Are you coming over?

SHANNON

No, I can�t.

CAITLIN

Are you coming to my house?

SHANNON

No, I can�t. I gotta go home. My mom will be mad.

MACKENZIE

How come?

SHANNON

Cuz we got to go to the talent show.

MACKENZIE

Isn�t it tonight?

SHANNON

Yeah

MACKENZIE

Then ya don�t hafta go home now.

CAITLIN

Hey, you know what?

SHANNON

What?

CAITLIN

Ya wanna go to my grandma�s house?

MACKENZIE

Why?

CAITLIN

Cuz there ain�t nobody there.

SHANNON

Why not?

CAITLIN

Cuz she�s dead.

SHANNON

Oh

CAITLIN

So wanna come?

MACKENZIE

So what�s to do there?

CAITLIN

All kinds of neat stuff. There�s lizards and if you grab their tail, their tail will come off. There�s a pond behind her house. You skip rocks across it.

MACKENZIE

Ok

SHANNON

I gotta go home.

CAITLIN

Why?

SHANNON

(wavering)

My mom will be mad

CAITLIN

We�ll just go there for a few minutes, and then you go home after that.

SHANNON

(reluctantly)

Oh, ok

CAITLIN, MACKENZIE, and SHANNON run off.

13. EXT. POND, SURROUNDED BY TREES, AFTERNOON

CAITLIN, MACKENZIE, and SHANNON are walking along the edge of the pond.

CAITLIN

I wish I could stay here all the time.

MACKENZIE

Don�t you like going to school?

CAITLIN

I like going to school, and I like coming home. I just don�t like the time in between.

CAITLIN picks up a rock and tries to skip it across the water, but it just plops in.

CAITLIN

My dad can make it skip across the water.

CAITLIN tries to again to skip a rock across the water, but it just splashes in.

SHANNON

I�m bored. Is there anything else to do here?

CAITLIN

(suddenly)

Hey! You wanna go swimming?

SHANNON

I don�t have a swimming suit.

CAITLIN

You don�t have to wear a swimsuit. You can swim naked.

SHANNON

What?

CAITLIN

You can swim naked. I did it before. There�s nobody here.

MACKENZIE

People will see you.

CAITLIN

No cuz nobody�s here but us

SHANNON

Are you sure?

CAITLIN

Yeah, I�ll show you.

CAITLIN starts taking her clothes off.

MACKENZIE

Ya shouldn�t be doin� that!

CAITLIN

Why not?

MACKENZIE

I don�t think this is a good idea.

SHANNON

I ain�t doin� it.

CAITLIN

Why not? Ya chicken?

SHANNON

No

CAITLIN

Then prove it.

CAITLIN, MACKENZIE, and SHANNON take off all their clothes so they are in the nude. CAITLIN is exhibitionist. MACKENZIE and SHANNON try to cover their bodies with their hands, and glance around nervously.

CAITLIN

See? It�s no big deal!

MACKENZIE

I�m naked.

SHANNON

Are you sure nobody�s here?

MACKENZIE

Make sure there are no boys looking!

CAITLIN

Wanna go swimming? C�mon!

CAITLIN, MACKENZIE, and SHANNON go in the water, and start LAUGHING and SPLASHING.

CAITLIN

I thought it was a fake leg.

SHANNON

Nuh-uh. It was real.

CAITLIN

(suddenly nervous)

Wait! Wait stop!

MACKENZIE

What?

CAITLIN

Wait, shut up!

There�s an awkward silence.

SHANNON

What?

CAITLIN

I thought I heard somebody coming.

SHANNON and MACKENZIE immediately put their hands over their bodies, and get worried expressions on their faces.

MACKENZIE

(afraid)

Oh my gosh! Is it a boy?

CAITLIN

(yelling)

If there�s anybody here, show yourself!

All of a sudden, HEATHER walks up. HEATHER points and LAUGHS.

HEATHER

(amused)

No, I�m not a boy, lucky for you, and I�m not going to show myself as much as you are.

MACKENZIE

Go away! We�re naked!

SHANNON

Heather, what are you doing here?

HEATHER

I followed you. I�m telling your mom!

CAITLIN

Go ahead!

SHANNON

(to Caitlin)

No! No! My mom would kill me if she knew.

HEATHER

I won�t tell your mom if you don�t go to the talent show.

SHANNON

My mom will kill me if I don�t go.

CAITLIN

(to Heather)

Why? Are you that afraid she�ll beat you?

HEATHER

Then I�ll make sure you don�t go.

HEATHER picks up all of SHANNON�s, CAITLIN�s, and MACKENZIE�s clothes, and runs away.

SHANNON

(angry)

Hey! Stop that!

CAITLIN

Wait! Get back here!

CAITLIN, MACKENZIE, and SHANNON climb out of the water, and run to where their clothes were, but they�re gone.

MACKENZIE

She took all of our clothes!

CAITLIN

Heather! Get back here! Bring back our clothes!

SHANNON

Heather! Where are you? Come back here! Please please my clothes back!

CAITLIN

We�ll have to chase after her.

MACKENZIE

You chase after her! We�re naked!

SHANNON

Oh God! My moms going to kill me!

MACKENZIE

For reals?

SHANNON

If I don�t go home.

CAITLIN

Then go home.

SHANNON

It�s five blocks away!

CAITLIN

Ok, listen. When I don�t show up to dinner, my mom and dad will come looking for me, and they�ll come here, and then they�ll get clothes for us, and we can get home.

SHANNON

But that will be too late cuz I gotta go to the talent show and I gotta practice before I go.

MACKENZIE

Why doncha practice now?

SHANNON SINGS the beginning of �Tomorrow� from �Little Orphan Annie�.

14. INT. SHANNON�S HOUSE, LIVING ROOM, EVENING

BOB is sitting down, holding TOMMY in his lap. TERRY is frantically pacing back and forth.

TERRY

(furious)

Where is she?

BOB

(trying to calm her)

She probably went to a friend�s house.

TERRY

(hysterical)

I called Caitlin�s house, and Mackenzie�s house, and the school, and the police, and nobody knows where she is. Oh my God, where is she?

BOB

(reassuring)

She�s only been gone for a couple hours. She�s been out this long before. If she�s not home by dinner, I�ll be worried.

TERRY

She knows we have to be at the theater by 7:30!

BOB

That�s what this is about isn�t it? You�re not afraid something�s happened to her. You�re just afraid you won�t make it to the talent show on time!

TERRY

Is that bad? You know how hard she�s worked on this! She spends hours practicing every day!

BOB

Only because you make her do it.

TERRY

Only because I want her to do well. She would be so disappointed if she didn�t win.

BOB

Would she be disappointed or would you be disappointed?

TERRY

Of course I would be disappointed! There�s going to be a talent scout in the audience! This could be her big break! This could give her the exposure she needs.

BOB

If it means as much to her as you claim it does, she�ll show up at the theater. Why don�t we go down there, in case she shows up there?

TERRY

But she�s got to come home to put on her dress. She can�t show up without wearing a good dress! She can�t go to the talent show in her school clothes! It would be like going naked!

BOB

Someone�s talent doesn�t depend on what they�re wearing. The talent scout won�t choose someone based on what they�re wearing. Let�s just go to theater in case, she shows up there.

15. EXT. POND, EVENING

SHANNON, MACKENZIE, and CAITLIN are sitting on the ground, in the nude.

CAITLIN

I�m sorry I said we should go skinny dipping.

SHANNON

I gotta go to the talent show!

CAITLIN

My mom will come here looking for me.

SHANNON

My mom will kill me if I don�t go to the talent show!

CAITLIN

(excited)

Hey, you know what? I got an idea!

MACKENZIE

No, not another idea! CAITLIN

We could steal clothes from someone�s clothesline!

MACKENZIE

Yeah!

CAITLIN

Mrs. Petaluma�s got a clothesline, and there�s always clothes on it.

SHANNON

Alright, let�s go.

SHANNON, MACKENZIE, and CAITLIN stand up.

MACKENZIE

Wait! Somebody will see us!

CAITLIN

Nah, it�s right near here. We�ll go through the alley. Come on.

SHANNON, MACKENZIE, and CAITLIN walk away.

16. BACKYARD WITH CLOTHLINE, EVENING

There is backyard with a clothesline stretched across it, with clothes hanging on it. SHANNON, MACKENZIE, and CAITLIN walk into the backyard, in the nude, and walk towards the clothesline with trepidation.

MACKENZIE

This is stealing! We�re gonna get in trouble!

CAITLIN

I�m sure it would be ok just this once.

As SHANNON, MACKENZIE, and CAITLIN near the clothesline, they suddenly hear a dog BARKING. A BARKING DOG suddenly appears and runs towards them. SHANNON, MACKENZIE, and CAITLIN start SHREIKING, turn around, and run away.

17. EXT. THEATER, EVENING

18. INT. THEATER, EVENING

10 KIDS, HEATHER, and the ANNOUNCER are on the stage. In the rest of the theater, sits the AUDIENCE, TERRY, BOB, TOMMY, SAMANTHA, and the TALENT SCOUT.

TERRY

(to a member of the audience)

Have you seen Shannon?

ANNOUNCER

(on PA system)

Our next contestant is Heather MacMillian.

HEATHER walks up to the microphone, looking gorgeous. HEATHER SINGS her song. She is fabulous, and does extremely well. The TALENT AGENT SMILES and takes notes. SAMANTHA SMILES at TERRY. After the song, SAMANTHA APPLAUDS and stands up. The rest of the AUDIENCE, except for SHANNON�s family, stands up and gives HEATHER a standing ovation.

ANNOUNCER

That was wonderful! Our next contestant is Shannon Richards!

There is silence. TERRY slings down into her chair.

ANNOUNCER

Our next contestant is Shannon Richards.

There�s a long awkward pause. The AUDIENCE starts to MURMUR.

ANNOUNCER

Shannon, are you there?

TERRY

(whispering to Bob)

Where the hell is she?

ANNOUNCER

Last call for Shannon . . . Alright, I guess she�s not here.

The camera then focuses on a window of a theater. We can see the faces of SHANNON, CAITLIN, and MACKENZIE looking in.

19. EXT. THEATER, EVENING

SHANNON, CAITLIN, and MACKENZIE are in the nude, and are looking in the window into the theater.

SHANNON

I have to go in.

CAITLIN

Then go in.

SHANNON

I can�t.

CAITLIN

Then don�t.

SHANNON

But I have to. This is my last chance.

CAITLIN

Then go in.

SHANNON

I can�t.

MACKENZIE

She has to but she can�t.

SHANNON

I need clothes! Any clothes!

CAITLIN

(suddenly)

Hey, you know what? I have an idea.

MACKENZIE

Not another idea!

SHANNON

Whatever it is, I don�t want to hear it! You got us into this mess!

CAITLIN

People donated used clothes at the church, right?

MACKENZIE

Those clothes are for the needy.

SHANNON

We�re needy! Nobody needs them as much as us!

MACKENZIE

You can�t steal from a church! That�s like stealing from God.

CAITLIN

Well, I�m going.

SHANNON

Let�s go!

SHANNON, CAITLIN, AND MACKENZIE run away.

20. INT. THEATER, EVENING

ANNOUNCER

That�s the last of our contestants, and we�re now ready to choose this year�s winner. It was a tough decision for the judges. This year�s winner of the talent show is. . .

HEATHER is beaming with pride. SAMANTHA is on the edge of her seat, her fingers crossed. All of a sudden, SHANNON, CAITLIN, and MACKENZIE burst into the room, wearing old clothes that had been donated. They are very worn out, and have patches. SHANNON is wearing clothes like an old man would wear.

SHANNON

(yelling)

Wait! I�m here!

MACKENZIE

There�s one more contestant.

A MURMUR goes through the AUDIENCE. TERRY has overwhelming relief wash over her face. HEATHER looks WORRIED and DISTRESSED.

ANNOUNCER

(flustered)

Excuse me? Who is this?

TERRY stands up.

TERRY

This is my daughter Shannon Richards. You�ll see she�s on the list.

ANNOUNCER

Oh, Oh, I see, ok. She wasn�t here when I called.

TERRY

She�s here now. You haven�t chosen the winner, yet. We�ve already paid the registration fee. She�s on the list of contestants. Let her go now.

ANNOUNCER

Ok, I guess you can go right now, then.

TERRY WHISPERS words of encouragement to SHANNON. TERRY sits down. SAMANTHA SCOWLS at TERRY. SHANNON gets on stage, and walks up to the microphone. SHANNON SINGS �Tomorrow� from �Little Orphan Annie�. It�s incredibly beautiful, a stunning touching moving performance. Afterwards, the AUDIENCE erupts in spontaneous APPLAUSE and gives SHANNON a standing ovation.

ANNOUNCER

That was breathtaking. I believe the judges have revised their decision. This year�s winner of the talent show is�Shannon Richards!

The AUDIENCE bursts into APPLAUSE. The ANNOUNCER hands a giant trophy to SHANNON. TERRY, BOB, and TOMMY hug each other. SHANNON runs over to CAITLIN and MACKENZIE and they hug each other. SAMANTHA and HEATHER look furious. SAMANTHA and HEATHER storm out of the room. TERRY, BOB, and TOMMY walk over to SHANNON.

BOB

Congratulations, sweet heart!

TERRY

I am so proud of you!

SHANNON

(beaming with pride)

Thanks, mom!

TERRY

(suddenly noticing she has different clothes on)

Where are your clothes?

SHANNON

Uh..That�s a good question...

The TALENT SCOUT walks up.

TALENT SCOUT

Are you Shannon�s parents?

TERRY

(flustered)

Yes. . . yes

TALENT SCOUT

I�m a talent scout. We would be interested in signing a contract with Shannon.

SHANNON, CAITLIN, MACKENZIE, and TOMMY start jumping up and down for joy.

TERRY

(excited)

Are you serious?

TALENT SCOUT

Yes, I am serious. What told me that she was serious was that she dressed the part.

TERRY

(not understanding)

What?

TALENT SCOUT

It looks ridiculous when someone sings a song from Little Orphan Annie, and they are dressed up like a supermodel. Shannon actually decided to wear clothes appropriate for the song. She actually got into the character, and wore clothes like a poor orphan in the 1930�s. That impressed me.

TERRY

Oh yeah, right, yeah that was the idea I had with this outfit.

SHANNON

That�s what I was thinking. That�s why I was late because I was looking for these clothes.

MACKENZIE

(truthfully)

We were late because we had to get these clothes.

TOMMY

Would you like to hire me too? I can tell jokes. Why did the clock get sick?

TALENT SCOUT

Why?

TOMMY

It was run down.

TALENT AGENT

That�s nice ...Here�s my card

The TALENT AGENT hands his business card to TERRY.

TALENT AGENT

Call me and we�ll set up an audition for her.

TERRY

Thanks a lot!

The TALENT AGENT walks away.

BOB

How did you think of the idea of wearing those old clothes?

SHANNON

It was Caitlin's idea.

CAITLIN

Shannon refused to come in without them.

TERRY

That was very a daring risky thing to do.

SHANNON

I was afraid you would be mad.

TERRY

I wouldn't be mad if you didn't want to do it.

BOB

Yes you would.

TERRY

When you missing, I was so worried, I just wanted to make sure you're safe and sound. I was hoping that I hadn't pushed you away by putting too much pressure on you.

SHANNON

No mom, it's ok. I want to do it.

TERRY and SHANNON hug each other.

TERRY

So where are your clothes?