Mock Sides: Original Scripts for Workshop Actors TAKING ADVANTAGE. Written by. David Dalton & Chad Schnackel

Transcription

1 TAKING ADVANTAGE Written by David Dalton & Chad Schnackel Pages: 4+ Characters: Catherine, 70+ Simon, 25+ Luke, 25+ Synopsis: Catherine meets with a shady scam artist, Simon. Fortunately her nephew Luke finds her before she takes the bait. PERMISSION FOR USE Educational Use: YOU HAVE PERMISSION to use this script for acting classes & workshops, general auditions, audition workshops, school entry auditions, school scholarship auditions, personal practice, and school related competitions where no monetary awards or prizes are given. Film or Video Productions: YOU HAVE PERMISSION to film or videotape a performance of this script for the purpose of demonstration (demo reel or show reel) as long as the writer's names appear in the film/video credits in the finished production. Expansion/Development/Film Festivals: YOU MUST OBTAIN expressed written permission from the MockSides administrators (writers David Dalton & Chad Schnackel) to expand or develop this script into a short film, feature, or any sort of episodic series for commercial use or for entries into film festivals and competitions where a monetary award or prize is offered, in which case, monetary compensation may be required by the writers. NOTE: Most film festival organizations and their sponsors may not even allow a produced video/film of this script to be entered, since there may already be produced versions of this script by others, making it an "unoriginal film". We recommend you commission the writers of this script to create original content for your use only.

2 INT. BAR - NIGHT is sitting at the bar casually sipping on a drink. She looks around for anyone she may recognize. Noticing no one, she turns back and takes another sip of her drink. casually walks up to her after a moment. He looks at her then sits down next to her. Are you Catherine? Yes, I am Catherine. Are you Mr. Callahan? Yes. Thank you so much for meeting me here. As I said before, I am in a bit of a predicament. How did you get my address? Through a friend of a friend. They just told me that you might be able to help me. Catherine gives him a once over. What kind of help were you needing? Well, it turns out that I had an uncle in Africa that had a lot of money. I am his only remaining heir which means I control his estate. The only problem is in order for me to get the money out of the bank there, I have to pay a twenty-five thousand dollar fee to transfer it to America. How much is the estate worth? Well, my attorney says it s a little over ten million. I am not exactly sure because of the conversion rates. (MORE)

3 I promise, once it gets transferred here, I will pay you the money back as well as give you an extra twentyfive thousand for helping me out. Catherine ponders this for a moment. Well... Of course, I have some paperwork for you to sign. It s a rock solid contract that guarantees you ll get it all back within thirty days. Well, in that case... She starts to get her check book out when walks into the bar. Catherine? Catherine looks over a bit shocked but smiles. Luke, what are you doing here? Luke looks over at Simon. Simon stands up. Who is he? Hi there, my name is Simon. Luke looks down at the checkbook. What are you doing with the checkbook? And how do you know this guy? Oh, this is a friend of a friend. He just needs a little help. Luke looks over at Simon.

4 Friend of a friend? Who? Simon doesn t exactly know what to say. He looks around. Well, I am friends with Jimmy. We don t know any Jimmy s. I m sorry, who are you? I am Catherine s nephew. Pretty much the only family she has left. (To Catherine) How much is he asking you for? Twenty-five thousand. But don t worry, I am going to double my return when he gets his money to the states. Twenty-five thousand dollars? That s most of your life savings! Are you nuts? Simon backs away a bit. You know, I do have some more serious people I can talk to. Don t be silly. Here let me just... Catherine reaches for her check book again. Luke grabs it from her. Can t you see this is a scam? Catherine, you have to trust me on this. This guy is bad news. He is going to take your money and run. Simon once again tries to defend himself. What do you mean this is a scam? This isn t a scam. (MORE)

5 I am just in a bit of a bind here. Tommy told me that Catherine may be able to help. Tommy? I thought it was Jimmy. Look, I have to run. I have another meeting with a guy that said he would possibly help me out as well. Catherine looks over. Don t listen to him. I have the money. Luke holds tight to the checkbook. Luke, give me my checkbook. Luke puts it behind his back. He looks over to Simon. How about I call the cops and they can help us straighten this whole thing out? Well, clearly, I was mistaken. I thought I could trust you for help. I ll be going now. Simon rushes out of the bar. Catherine looks over at Luke. I can t believe you. I could have doubled my money. Why do you have to butt into everything I do? Catherine, I am telling you that it was a scam. You have to believe me. They take advantage of the less fortunate. They prey on them in fact. Oh so now I am less fortunate? I will have you know that I can make my own decisions. I don t need any help from you!

6 Luke drops his head. He slowly reaches for her arm. He also hands back her check book. Come on, lets get you back to the home. Catherine relaxes a bit. In an almost childlike voice... Do you think they are going to serve ice cream tonight? I don t know. I ll ask them when we get back. FADE TO BLACK.