The following is an excerpt from Shannon Ko’s screenplay, Bet’n Jive:
EXT. UNIVERSITY QUAD – DAY
It’s a small Catholic University. The type that hosts haunted castles, secret underground passageways and cemeteries.
BET (O.S.)
(Shaken)
He… I… woke up in the communal
bathroom. There was… blood on
my thigh. My name is Angela Roberts.
Sun shines upon a healthy student body – we see an ultimate Frisbee match, theater club dressed in medieval costumes rehearsing and beach bodies sunbathing.
BET (O.S.)
My name is… Angela Roberts. Last
night, I was…
BET (20s) dangerously attractive female stands at the bottom of the quad staring up at the castle on the hilltop. She’s very PALE and visibly BRUISED, her clothes are RIPPED. She LIMPS her way up the walkway.
BET (O.S.)
Raped
(weeps)
INT. CAMPUS SECURITY
DEAN HOWARD (50s) stares at several monitors, images fast forward.
SECURITY MAN
Two fifteen?
DEAN HOWARD
There.
Security guard hits play.
VIA Monitor – we see Bet at the entrance of a dormitory. She reaches into her purse when a masked man attacks her from behind and drags her into the dormitory.
In walks VICE PRESIDENT DAVIS (60s).
VICE PRESIDENT DAVIS
Well…
DEAN HOWARD
I’m afraid so…
(motions to the screen)
Vice President Davis leans in. We see her getting attacked again.
VICE PRESIDENT DAVIS
That’s the second one…
DEAN HOWARD
Third…
VICE PRESIDENT DAVIS
Jesus John, the semester hasn’t even
started yet. Set up a meeting now.
Dean Howard nods.
VICE PRESIDENT DAVIS
And John. Quietly.
DEAN HOWARD
(To security guard)
Second floor, South west corner.
Dean Howard nods. Vice President exits.
Security guard punches into a keyboard. Dean squints his eyes searching… Security guard takes another sip of coffee.
SECURITY GUARD
There… he took off his ski mask.
Security guard rewinds the image and points.
VIA SCREEN we see the back of a man’s head in regular clothes carrying a woman in his arms down the hallway and into a communal bathroom.
INT. EXAMINATION ROOM
Bet lays on an examination bed with her legs wide open. On her neck we see her skin has been chewed off.
The doctor examines her.
INT. CASTLE DEAN HOWARD’S OFFICE
A strong wooden desk rests in front of huge floor to ceiling windows. The books on the shelves match the carpet on the floor match the life size fully armed and armored jouster in the corner.
Bet sits on a chase lounge. She stares out of the windows at college life passing her by.
She looks down at a cup of coffee.
Dean Howard walks in with THERAPIST WOO.
They startle Bet.
They smile warmly at Bet.
DEAN HOWARD
The University agrees with your
decision. We fully support you. We’ve
reimbursed your tuition in full.
(Beat)
In exchange, we hope to keep this quiet.
There’s no reason to cause panic.
Dean Howard hands her a tissue.
She doesn’t take it.
DEAN HOWARD
Angela? Angela?
Bet snaps out of it.
DEAN HOWARD
This is Doctor Woo.
Bet turns to Doctor Woo; her face is full of pain.
INT. DEAN OFFICE’S BIG STATE UNIVERSITY – DAY
JIVE a late (20s) male is curled up on a window sill. He’s flamboyant with his colorful hair and quirky fashion sense. He clashes against the sports memorabilia which dominate the space.
DEAN SMITH (60s) teddy bear of a man shifts his attention to COACH TOM PARSONS a 40s man child.
Parsons plays with his cap which reads BEAT ALABAMA!!!
DEAN SMITH
Mr. Randolph, I assure you that
Coach Parsons will be rightfully
disciplined when the time is right.
Jive jumps off the window sill. He drags a chair across the room. He crosses his legs. He uncrosses his legs.
JIVE
They did things to me sir. Things that…
Fuck your national championship!
He stands up and walks back to the window sill. He curls up again and consoles himself.
DEAN SMITH
Hazing is not…
JIVE
That was not hazing!
INT. BANK – DAY
Banker counts a bundle of money. Bet’s really enjoying a smoke.
BET (O.S.)
My name is Sylvia Roe and I was violated…
(weeps)
Banker stops counting and points to the no smoking sign.
JIVE (O.S.)
(distraught)
My name is Douglas Gannon and I was
Violated…
Bet blows smoke in his face.
BET (O.S.)
(screams)
I was violated…
He gestures – how rude. Banker continues counting.
INT. GREYHOUND BUS – MORNING
JIVE is caught off guard by a newspaper article and picture of a woman. Jive touches the picture. He’s full of guilt.
A male passenger sits down next to him, trapping him. Man stares at him.
Jive feels his gaze, but, ignores him. He swims in a bitter memory.
MALE PASSENGER
You do that too huh?
Jive notices that the paper is opened to the obituary page. CU we see a few names and lives circled.
MALE PASSENGER
…read the obituaries. Sometimes
you get a good one, you know.
Jive is uncomfortable, but not shaken.
JIVE
Excuse me.
Man doesn’t budge, stares at Jive some more. Jive tries to push his way through. He looks up at the man and again the slightest hint of guilt escapes his cool calm exterior.
We see Bet board the bus and immediately exit after spotting Jive’s situation.
MALE PASSENGER
Do you mind?
Man points at the newspaper.
Jive hesitates.
He rips out the section that he’s circled.
MALE PASSENGER
Bet you got all the good ones.
Male passenger lets him by. He continues to watch Jive.
EXT. BUS STATION BENCHES
Jive and Bet sit on the bench. They’re full of sexual tension.
A line of passengers with their luggage and travel accessories stand in line at gate 30.
Bet uncrosses her legs and rests her playful hand in between. Her sunglasses fall off. We see her eyes are closed. She moans. She gets up and rolls her luggage toward the station.
Bus pulls in. Jive looks at the bus, and then watches Bet’s sway. He looks down at his penis – a rock and a hard place.
INT. BUS STATION BATHROOM
Jive enters to the very long, very luscious leg show. Jive tries to lock the door behind him – it’s broke.
BET
Uncle, Cousin?… Daddy.
JIVE
Boss.
BET
Boss.
(She likes that)
Boss.
Jive’s in a sexual trance.
She touches her body and breathes a delicious erotic breath. She pushes her breasts together, opens her mouth and is about to… then changes her mind. She lets go of her breasts and Jive watches them talk to him.
She makes her way to him. She goes right for the crotch. She fondles him just the way he likes.
BET
Well…
JIVE
You lost.
BET
Yeah?
JIVE
Yeah.
BET
Well?
JIVE
No, no, you first.
She unzips his fly, reaches her hand inside. Jive’s playing it cool, but, well his little partner can’t.
BET
No, you first.
JIVE
70.
Bet looses her zest. She pulls his fly back up. She waits, she suspects, but, nevertheless she enjoys the games.
JIVE
…at Big State.
BET
70 at Big state alone.
(twitches)
I think I just came a little.
JIVE
Well, I guess you’ve had yours…
BET
So what are we talking?… 140?
Jive pulls his fly back down. He gestures. She knows what that means…
BET
FUCK!
Jealousy and admiration surface on Bet’s face.
She pulls it out and makes him feel like a man – a very spoiled man. In between the oral sex, she interrogates him. She can’t get an exact figure and it’s making her all the more excited.
MALE PASSENGER ENTERS.
Jive can’t get his pants half way up when he’s met with a powerful right, followed by an impressive combo.
Bet sits on the sink and enjoys the show as they fight near and around her.
Jive duck and well, jives. Jive spears him, man swings Jive’s off of him. They lock heads. They exchange blows. Jive head butts him – busts open the man’s lip. Man smiles – he apparently enjoys pain.
Man kicks him. Jive catches his leg. He slams the man. Man gets Jive into a submission hold. He gargles. Jive reaches back. He rips away at the man’s eyes. Man holds steady. Jive wiggles free.
Jive catches man with a violent elbow to the man’s throat. He chokes. Jive lands a series of punches, kicks and knees. Man finally falls over. Jive catches his breath.
He kicks him once more for good measure.
Jive pretty roughed up.
He turns around to see Bet lying on the floor in a FETAL POSITION dealing with a ton of pain.
INT. HOSPITAL
JIVE
Leave it… please.
Male Nurse hesitates.
NURSE
Are you two siblings?
Jive doesn’t answer.
Nurse’s disgusted. She exits.
Bet and Jive stare at a pan on top of an elevated platform in the corner of the room.
Bet takes Jive’s hand and kisses it.
CU blue lips, Chunky thighs and one slightly opened eye. We pan out on that slightly open eye.
