1
Never Really Was...
Screenplay
By
Maurice L. Brown
Registered, WGA 2005
Fade in:
Ext. High school - late afternoon
At the side of the building are cheerleaders, dressed in blue sweats. They are all in formation with there arms straight up holding pompoms. The head cheerleader is KERI SPACEY. She is front and center. She goes down the first row of cheerleaders chastising them one by one. First LORI HAWKINS.
KERI
Okay... Lori bad posture.
Next JOY BRYANT who is showing a bright smile.
KERI (cont'd)
Joy.., you need some mouth wash.
Next MICHELLE HALL.
KERI (cont'd)
Michelle. Good form. And great betrayal of a best friend.
Next MIA BRADLEY.
KERI (cont'd)
Wrong.
Next HILARY BURTON.
KERI (cont'd)
Wrong. Wrong. You girls!
They all drop there arms. Keri goes back front and center.
KERI (cont'd)
In a few days is "The Classic." It's our biggest cheerleader competition. Aren't you tired of Teresa Walker and the Washington Bulldogs taking home the trophy every year? Because I am. We need to get it together here and I'm not just talking about our routine. I'm talking hair, finger nails--
(looks at Joy in disgust)
Breath, Joy.
MICHELLE
Keri, cheerleading is supposed to be fun.
KERI
Yeah? Well, winning's funner. And if you don't understand that, you can go cheer for the junkies on the street. Take five.
All the cheerleaders take a break. Michelle confronts Keri.
MICHELLE
All right, you know what? You don't like me any more. I get it. Fine. Just don't take it out on the squad.
KERI
The world doesn't revolve around you, Michelle. Did you ever think that maybe I'm being a bitch because I want us to do well this weekend? Those Judges are not going to be as forgiving as I am.
MICHELLE
Is that right? I didn't know you was forgiving at all.
Michelle goes back over to the group of cheerleaders who are gathered around each other having conversation.
Keri sees BOBBY JACKSON walking by.
KERI
Hey you, come here.
Bobby comes over to Keri.
Bobby
It's Bobby.
KERI
I know. You're gonna be at "The Classic" this weekend, right?
BOBBY
EaglesHoops.com I never miss a game.
KERI
How would you like to be my scout? Scope out the competition for me. I'll pay you 50 bucks.
BOBBY
To spy on cheerleaders?
KERI
That's right.
BOBBY
All right!
Bobby walks away.
KERI
Break's over, girls!
Hilary
You said ten minutes.
KERI
Yeah, well, sue me. Let's do this.
All the cheerleaders get back into formation.
In the front of the school KEVIN CONRAD and KELLY THOMPSON are walking down the walkway together. They are both carrying book bags.
Kelly
You should feel lucky to have a chance to hang around me like this. You have any other wishes I can award?
KEVIN
Yeah.
KELLY
Hit me baby?
They both stop in there tracks.
KEVIN
Why don't you come to "The Classics" this weekend?
KELLY
Uhhh! Okay. Yeah. You got it.
KEVIN
Okay.
KELLY
Well, okay, then.
KEVIN
See you later.
Kevin walks away. LUKE PERRY comes over to Kelly. He has on a book bag.
Luke
What's up?
KELLY
Well, I have some good news. It looks like I will be joining you at the tournament.
LUKE
You and me in the same hotel? This weekend is getting better and better.
KELLY
Down, home doggie.
(laughs)
Plus, it might be good if I don't leave you all by yourself with all those cheerleaders anyway. So how did it go?
LUKE
I got the apartment.
KelLY
(excited)
Ah! That's tight!
LUKE
I'm gonna have to spend my savings to pay the rent.
KELLY
(excited)
Ahh! So tight!
Luke put's his arm around Kelly and they walk away.
Int. HIGH SCHOOL - coach johnson office - cONTINUOUS
Coach JOE JOHNSON is sitting at his desk reading a play book. He looks up and sees...
Kevin walk by his open door.
Joe
Kevin, let me speak to you for a second.
KEVIN
What's up, Coach?
JOE
Is your wrist feeling any better?
KEVIN
Therapy is going mighty slow.
JOE
Well, that's not good. The team could use you this weekend.
KEVIN
Ah, come on. The Washington Bulldogs suck on Defense. We'll get you your 500th win easy, Coach. I just wouldn't be able to help though.
JOE
Maybe you can.
(stands up)
One of your teammates needs a little extra coaching.
KEVIN
All right, I'll help who ever.
Luke comes in.
LUKE
You wanted to see me, Coach?
JOE
Yes, I sure do. With Kevin on the injured list, you're gonna see more double-teams. Now, Kevin is damn good at creating space for open shots. I want you two to work together.
LUKE
There's nothing I can learn from him about my game or anything else.
JOE
He can teach you how to listen when I tell you to do something.
(to Kevin)
I would start now if I were you.
Kevin and Luke stand there for a beat.
They then leave.
Int. Outside basketball court - nIGHT
Luke is shooting jump shots. Kevin is waiting under the goal for the rebound.
LUKE
Coach, wants you to feel like you're accepted on the team, great. I just--. I don't know why I have to baby-sit you, though.
KEVIN
He wants to make sure you're gonna be able to get open.
LUKE
I don't have trouble with getting open.
KEVIN
Well, you will with me out of the lineup. All right... The fadeaway is a great shot for creating space. You wanna work on it or what?
LUKE
I don't need to work on anything.
KEVIN
Okay. Show me.
Kevin sets his defense. Luke tries to dribble past and does a fadeaway jumpshot. The shot doesn't go in as it hits the rim. Kevin gets the rebound and throws the ball back to Luke.
KEVIN (cont'd)
Do it again.
LUKE
I'll tell you this-- I'll hit your fadeaway when you can do this.
Luke dribbles the ball for Kevin to see. He drives to the basket and dunks the ball.
LUKE (cont'd)
Thought so.
KEVIN
Luke, the thing is you're not going to be able to do that anymore.
Luke gathers the ball back.
LUKE
I'm sorry?
KEVIN
You won't be able to get to the hole like that. You'll be double-teamed.
LUKE
You know what? I don't need your coaching.
Luke walks off the court leaving Kevin standing there.
LUKE (V.O.) (cont'd)
Just watch me get to the hole... this weekend.
Int. SPACEY HOUSE - KERI'S BEDROOM - cONTINUOUS
KERI is seated in front of her dresser mirror staring at her somber expression. She pulls a picture off the mirror and stares at it like something is wrong. On the picture is Keri. Kevin is behind her holding her by the waist. And MICHELLE is standing near. They all appear to be very happy.
Int. SPACEY HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - dAY
Keri opens the front door. It's Kevin the guy from the picture. There's seems to be some tension between the two.
KEVIN
I just want you to know how sorry I am for what I did.
KERI
Why don't you tell that to the girl you hooked up with last night?
Ext. HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT - cONTINUOUS
Keri is having a heated conversation with MICHELLE the girl from the picture.
MICHELLE
If I could take back what I did, I would.
KERI
Back to when my best friend was cheating with my boyfriend and I was to dumb to realize it?
MICHELLE
Hold on, we were going to tell you and then the accident happened and you liked him so much and I just--
KERI
Spare me the heartache?
MICHELLE
Yes!
KERI
Yeah, well, that worked out real good, ain't that right?
Keri storms away.
Int. SPACEY HOUSE - KERI'S BEDROOM - nIGHT
Keri is still seated at her dresser staring at the picture. She tears straight down on the picture getting rid of KEVIN. She then tears away Michelle leaving herself. She stares at her singled out self on the picture and begins to weep.
Fade to black.
The end