Lockdown
By
Scot Zolkoske
Copyright © 2011 This
may not be used or reproduced without
the express written permission of the author.
FADE IN
INT. KITCHEN - EARLY MORNING
A thirteen year old girl (JAMIE) sits at a kitchen table and pours herself a bowl of cereal for breakfast. Before pouring milk in the bowl, she reaches over and turns on the TV that sits at the edge of the table.
Cartoons play in the background while MOM walks into the kitchen and pours herself a cup of coffee. She is sleepy and is moving slowly. Sipping from her coffee cup, she sits down at the table and turns down the volume on the TV.
MOM
Good morning, sweetie. Did you sleep okay?
JAMIE
(hesitantly)
Not really. You know, I could hear you guys last night.
MOM
I'm sorry, honey. You shouldn't have to deal with
things like that. I hope you don't think that any of
this is your fault.
JAMIE
(slightly angered)
Of course not, it's his! He shouldn't hit you, mom.
Jamie continues to eat her cereal and starts to read the back of the cereal box.
Mom sips her coffee and hangs her head a bit. Then, with a renewed sense of pride, she grabs Jamie's hand and looks her in the eyes.
MOM
Last night, I told your dad to leave and that I
wanted a divorce.
JAMIE
(quietly)
Really?
MOM
I know that's probably difficult for you to hear,
but I hope that you understand I had to do it.
JAMIE
It is, but I'm not surprised, mom. You guys have
been fighting for a long time. I don't know how
you put up with it for so long.
Jamie can't seem to eat anymore, and she pushes her bowl away from her. 2.
MOM
(sighing)
Well, you think you're doing the right thing,
but eventually, it gets to be too much.
JAMIE
(scoffing)
Yeah, I bet.
MOM
(sipping her coffee)
Anyway, that's enough of that. Your dad is
supposed to come get some of his things today
while you're at school. I didn't think either one
of us should be here with him. He was pretty
angry with me.
JAMIE
Do I have to see him again?
MOM
What do you mean? You don't want to see
him anymore?
JAMIE
(confused)
I don't know. Not really. I don't think I can
forgive him for what he did to you.
MOM
(slowly getting up from the table)
Well, we don't have to decide right now. For
now, let's just go get you ready for school.
Mom grabs the cereal bowl and walks towards the kitchen sink, while Jamie leans over and turns the TV off.
INT. CAR - EARLY MORNING
Jamie is sitting in the front passenger seat while her mom drives. Jamie is flipping through radio stations, unable to find a song that she likes.
MOM
Got anything special happening today at school?
JAMIE 3.
(still searching channels)
Nope, just another day.
MOM
Well, I hope you have a good one. Don't
forget, don't ride the bus home tonight. I'll
come pick you up when you get out. Just
wait for me at the front of the school. Okay?
JAMIE
Alright. I won't forget.
Pulling up to the front of school, Jamie grabs her backpack. When the car stops, Jamie gets out, as if in a hurry, and closes the door behind her.
Mom rolls down the passenger side window.
MOM
(yelling)
Have a good day, sweetie!
JAMIE
(turning around and
giving a quick wave)
Okay. Bye.
INT. GIRL'S BATHROOM - MORNING
Jamie is alone in the bathroom. She is leaning over the bathroom sink and splashing water on her face. She is sobbing quietly.
Jamie's best friend, another thirteen year old girl (ABIGAIL), walks in and she quickly runs to her aid.
ABIGAIL
(concerned)
Hey, what's wrong?
JAMIE
(splashing more water on
her face and then grabbing
a towel)
My mom and dad got into another fight
last night.
ABIGAIL
What happened?
JAMIE 4.
(hesitatingly)
She kicked him out. Asked for a divorce.
I can't believe this is happening.
ABIGAIL
(consoling)
It'll be okay. Just think how much happier
you and your mom will be. They were
fighting for a long time.
JAMIE
(calming down)
I know...it can only get better, right?
ABIGAIL
You'll be just fine. Just give it some time.
In the background, a school bell rings.
Abigail starts to straighten Jamie up and primp her hair and clothes.
ABIGAIL
Now, we'd better go get to class. Mr. Dawson
is probably wondering where we are.
Jamie grabs her backpack and throws the used paper towel away.
JAMIE
Alright...I'm better. Let's go.
The two girls walk out the bathroom door and head to class.
INT. CLASSROOM - MORNING
The teacher (MR. DAWSON) is standing at the front of the room and is taking attendance. When the door opens he raises his head to see who's coming into the room.
Jamie and Abigail walk into the room and head towards their desks.
MR. DAWSON
(jokingly)
Well, good morning girls. Nice of you to join us.
JAMIE
(apologetic)
Sorry, Mr. D. It was my fault. Girl trouble...
you know.
MR. DAWSON 5.
Alright, no problem. Just have a seat so
we can get started.
The girls sit down at their desks, which are located side-by-side, near the back of the room. They both take out their books and get ready to take notes.
The teacher begins class, but Jamie is not listening. She doodles in her notebook and daydreams about what's going on at home.
The teacher's voice drones on, and when his back is turned, Abigail leans over to whisper something to Jamie.
ABIGAIL
(whispering)
Hey, how about spending the night Friday?
JAMIE
(whispering)
I don't know. I think I should try to stay
at home with my mom.
ABIGAIL
(whispering)
Are you sure? I'm sure my parents
wouldn't mind.
JAMIE
(whispering)
Yeah, I'd better stay home, but thanks
anyway. Maybe next weekend.
Jamie goes back to doodling and time slips by (picture fades and voices are muffled). She successfully avoids being called on by the teacher and eventually the school bell rings to signal the end of class.
MR. DAWSON
(speaking loudly over the
rustle of students getting up
to leave)
Don't forget, we've got PE after lunch today,
so be sure to get ready quickly. I've got a fun
game planned!
INT. CAFETERIA - NOON
Students fill the tables and talk while eating their lunches.
Jamie and Abigail get their lunches and try to find a booth where they will have a little bit of privacy. They are able to sit at a booth by themselves, but there are kids at the tables around them.
JAMIE 6.
(leaning in so nobody else
will hear her)
Abby, do you think it's wrong for me to
not want to see my dad again?
ABIGAIL
(looking surprised)
Really? It's that bad?
JAMIE
He hit her, Abby.
Abigail was about to take a drink, but she puts her drink back down when she hears this.
ABIGAIL
(shocked)
What? Really? No wonder she
kicked him out.
JAMIE
I don't think I can be around him,
knowing that he did that.
The girls continue eating their lunches slowly. Other kids are starting to get up around them, but they do not notice. They are too involved in their conversation.
JAMIE
I don't know how I'll act the next time I
see him. I'm a little scared.
ABIGAIL
You don't think he'd do anything to you,
do you?
JAMIE
(hesitating)
No... I mean...I don't know...no.
ABIGAIL
Come on, Jamie, you're his daughter,
I'm sure he wouldn't do anything.
JAMIE
Yeah, you're right. I guess I shouldn't
worry about it.
Just about finished with their lunch, but not feeling like eating anymore, the girls begin to pick up their trays and get ready to go outside.
ABIGAIL 7.
Let's go outside for a bit. It's a nice day.
Maybe that'll make you feel a little better.
JAMIE
Okay, then we gotta get ready for PE class.
Jamie and Abigail leave the cafeteria and head out towards the playground.
EXT. P.E. FIELD - EARLY AFTERNOON
The entire 7th grade class is on the field, dressed in PE uniforms, and they are playing a softball-type game.
Jamie and Abigail are near each other on the field, but they aren't close enough to talk to each other.
The teacher runs the game and tries to get everyone excited about it, but Jamie and Abigail are not really interested. Time passes and soon the school bell rings to signal the end of class. All of the students run off towards the locker rooms to get changed back into their normal school clothes.
INT. CLASSROOM - AFTERNOON
The class settles into their desks and gets ready for their next class to start.
The teacher comes in, with the PE equipment in his hands and puts it all down next to his desk. He checks to make sure everyone is there and tries to start class.
A female student (MARISSA), who is sitting at her desk, raises her hand.
MARISSA
Hey, Mr. D, can I go to the bathroom?
MR. DAWSON
Why didn't you just go on your way here?
Fine, you can go, but make it quick, class
is starting.
Marissa gets up from her desk and hurries out the door.
Just as she leaves the room, the phone on the teacher's desk rings. Mr. Dawson quickly walks over and answers it.
MR. DAWSON
(increasingly concerned)
Hello?.....Yes....But one of my students is
in the restroom.....Okay, I'll get right on it.
Mr. Dawson walks quickly to the classroom door and locks it. He proceeds to go to 8.
the windows and close all of the blinds.
The students get increasingly suspicious and wonder what is going on.
ABIGAIL
(raising her hand)
What's going on, Mr. D? Why are you closing
all of the blinds?
MR. DAWSON
(trying to remain calm)
Kids, please stay in your seats. It seems that there
is a lockdown situation here at school. That was
the office. They told me to lock the doors, close
the blinds, and wait for further instructions. We'll
just have class, as normal, but nobody can leave
the room.
JAMIE
(rising from her seat and
pointing towards the door)
But what about Marissa? She's outside.
MR. DAWSON
Yes, I know. She'll be fine. One of the other
teachers will have seen her and they'll take her
into their classroom.
ABIGAIL
Are you sure? I'm worried about her.
Looking around the room, the teacher can see that the students are getting worried and are scared because they don't understand what is going on.
MR. DAWSON
(slowing down, speaking calmly)
Look, everyone, sometimes these lockdowns are
nothing more than a drill. I will keep in contact
with the office with emails and they will let me
know what is going on. Why don't you all just
take out your book and read silently while I
send an email to the office.
Everyone in the class sits at their desk quietly and takes out a book. A couple of boys try to act like it's all a joke, but a quick glance from Mr. Dawson silences them.
Sitting at the computer, Mr. Dawson writes a quick email to the office.
MR. DAWSON 9.
(typing an email)
My classroom is locked and secure. All
of my students are in the room, except for
Marissa Jenkins. She went to the restroom.
Did she make it to another classroom?
Can you tell me what's going on?
- Mr. Dawson Rm. 14
Mr. Dawson finishes the email and sends it. He checks his inbox, to see if he received any news, but there wasn't any.
Mr. Dawson walks to the front of the room to talk to the students.
MR. DAWSON
Thank you for being so quiet. Everyone listen up.
There are two types of lockdowns. One is where
you are just supposed to have class like normal,
but you stay in your locked classroom. The second
is more serious and we would have to sit up against
a wall, out of view from the windows. We've had
drills like this before and I don't have any reason to
believe its anything serious.
The students are quiet while Mr. Dawson is talking, but as soon as he's done, most of the kids turn to one another and start whispering. They are telling stories about what they think is going on. There is quiet confusion in the room as the students' imaginations begin to run wild.
One female student starts to cry and Mr. Dawson goes over to console her. He leans down to ask what is wrong, but there is a noise from the computer. An email has just arrived and Mr. Dawson goes over to check the computer. Another student comes over to her and consoles her.
EMAIL ON SCREEN
All Teachers: the lockdown has just been changed
to a LEVEL 2. Students and staff are to sit against
a wall, away from the windows. Police will notify
us when the situation is all clear. Further details
will follow when available.
Mr. Dawson gets up from his seat quickly and addresses the students.
MR. DAWSON
(trying to stay calm)
Okay kids, it's time to have a talk. It seems that
this is a more serious lockdown than I expected.
Quickly, but carefully, we need to sit down
against the back wall and stay out of sight from
the windows.
Before he could finish, the entire class gets up quickly and runs to the wall and sits 10.
down. There is panic and fear on the faces of most students.
ABIGAIL
(scared)
Mr. D, what's going on? We're getting scared.
MR. DAWSON
I wish I could tell you, but I honestly don't
know. The email didn't give me any specific
information. It sounds like the police are
involved and they will let us know when the
the problem is solved.
JAMIE
What are we supposed to do until then?
As they are talking, students are trying to settle in and find a spot to sit against the wall.
MR. DAWSON
We are going to stay away from the windows
and stay quiet. Hopefully it will end soon.
ABIGAIL
Is there somebody bad here at school?
MR. DAWSON
I don't know. They haven't told me either.
We'll just have to wait for the police to
to their job, okay?
ABIGAIL
But what if there is?
MR. DAWSON
(to Abigail and then to the
whole class)
Let's not think about too many “what if's,”
okay?...Boys and girls, please try to stay calm.
We're all safe in here. We'll be alright.
With everyone sitting safely against the wall, the teacher and the students sit quietly.
Just as Mr. Dawson is about to speak, there is a loud banging on the corner window that is right next to the wall where the students are sitting.
The girls near the window scream and then are quickly quiet, as if they did something wrong. Tension mounts in the room and the students huddle together, leaning away from the windows. Another single bang on the window, but nobody makes a noise inside the classroom.
Everyone is holding their breath and 15-20 seconds pass without a sound. Just then, 11.
there is a loud bang on the door. Nobody moves.
A voice is heard on the other side of the door.
MARISSA
(muffled)
Mr. Dawson, please let me in.
Mr. Dawson slowly gets up and creeps over to the door. He stands to the side of it, but leans his ear towards the door, so he can hear.
MR. DAWSON
(quietly)
Marissa, is that you?
MARISSA
(slowly getting frantic)
Yes, it's me. Please let me in. All of the doors
are locked. I'm scared. Please let me in.
MR. DAWSON
(struggling with his decision)
I'm sorry. I can't let you in. We're on lockdown.
I have to keep the doors locked.
By now, other girls in the room are crying and the boys are distressed. A couple of students are gesturing to the teacher to let her in.
MARISSA
(begging)
Please, Mr. D, you've gotta let me in.
MR. DAWSON
(hesitating)
Go back to the bathroom, lock yourself
in. You'll be safe there.
MARISSA
(begging and obviously crying)
Please, let me in. Please let me...
Before she gets out the last word, Mr. Dawson makes a quick move and opens the door to find Marissa standing there.
He reaches for her to pull her in and lock the door, but as she gets halfway through the doorway, a man (DAD) grabs the door and he pushes his way through. As he enters the classroom, Marissa and Mr. Dawson are knocked down. Mr. Dawson looks up and sees that he is carrying a gun. The man turns around and locks the door.