[TA Store. . .Inside, Front End.]
[ Returning from the lot, Maxx
cuts through the Aisles on his
way toward the back end.
Hidden behind dark shades, he
casually steps up to the meat
display, tapping it to get the
attendant’s attention. ]
“Geez, I think you sprayed quite
enough. I
can smell you from
across the counter.”
[ Ricky smiles, through fake coughing. ]
MAXX: Good, that was my point!
RICKY: I realized. So, have you
figured out what you’re going
to do for your bestie’s birthday?
MAXX: Not yet.
But you know
how much Scott went above and
beyond with his best man duties
last year.
You only turn 30 once
and I want to make sure this
night is special for him.
RICKY: Yeah, and he’s been
single since Lisa moved away.
MAXX: He reminds me every day.
RICKY: Here’s a suggestion. Instead of the
typical drinking based party, you could
try planning something more adult.
MAXX: Right.
What about a dressed up
dinner party? Imagine. Long, decorated
table with his closest friends around.
RICKY: I’m sure.
But where are we going
to organize something big like that at?
And in two days.
[ Maxx
shakes his head, silent. ]
“Afternoon, guys.”
[ They turn to see Erme walking past
them, heading to the back. ]
MAXX: That’s it!
[ He states, already beaming with
premature excitement. ]
: [TV Studio. . .3MS-Channel
7. ]
[ After wrapping up her midday on screen
report, Trailyn gathers her cards and walks
to station manager’s office. ]
“Hello Sir, you wanted to see me?”
SMNGR: Yes, take a seat
please.
TRAILYN: This sounds
serious.
SMNGR: No need for alarm. I just wanted
to tell you that you’re
doing a great job.
Especially getting us that
follow up story
after that incident at
TA. You’re intuition
is something I haven’t
seen at the station
in a long time.
TRAILYN: Thank you. I’ve learned a lot
here over the last three
years. And that
is thanks to you and our
amazing staff.
SMNGR: And speaking of. You know Rita
Mendez, right?
TRAILYN: Of course. She’s one of the debate
show host.
SMNGR: Well, she’s
retiring from television
this month. And we
wanted to offer you a
chance to replace
her.
TRAILYN: Wait, I’m no Rita.
SMNGR: We don’t expect
that. Look, our
viewers see you everyday
on the news and
are already familiar
with your personality.
This could be a very smooth
transition for
you.
Here’s some more
information. Take it,
read it over. And if you’re interested,
you can sit in on a
taping before you
decide. How does that sound?
[ Trailyn just stares at
him, searching
for the words. ]
TRAILYN: Thank you, Sir. Thanks so much!
[ She grabs the packet,
exiting his office. ]
[Outside Scott’s. . .Two Days Later.]
[ Maxx & Brian are seen carrying a
blindfolded Scott & lightly tossing
him into the back seat. ]
“Whoa! I could have walked.”
MAXX: No way! And don’t take that
off, I want you to be surprised when
we get there.
[ He gets in the drivers’ side with
Brian sitting next to him. ]
BRIAN: Let’s go!
We’re about
20 minutes away.
[ Later, they arrive at Towne Ranch.
Maxx & Brian are leading Scott toward
a massive open barn with lights on.
Scott removes his blindfold seeing the
people sitting around the dinner table. ]
“SURPRISE!”
[ After being greeted, and everyone is
seated, Ricky takes over introduction. ]
RICKY: Scott.
This is Yazmyn and
Kira.
They work at Kutz.
SCOTT: Nice to meet you ladies.
So, what is on the menu for tonight?
[ He opens the cover over his plate. ]
ERME: It’s called beef wellington.
[ Everyone starts to eat. ]
MAXX: And after dinner, Erme’s
going to take us for a ride through
the property.
SCOTT: A ride?
[Café. . .Across
From TA. ]
[ Trailyn joins her mother Monica
& her husband Kyle at an inside
table. ]
“Hey sweetie, how was work today?”
TRAILYN: Oh, it was pretty good
I’d say.
Considering this.
[ She hands Monica the contract
as she shuffles into the booth. ]
TRAILYN: I got a promotion!
MONICA: Congratulations! I’m
so proud of you.
KYLE: That’s awesome. So
what will you be doing now?
TRAILYN: You know Rita from
Debate Live.
They want me to
take her place.
KYLE: Wow, what a great opportunity!
This could be really good for your career.
MONICA: But what about the topics they
get into?
Sometimes it can be quite
controversial.
TRAILYN: You raised a strong woman. I
can handle it.
KYLE: Coming from someone who knows
about contracts, just make sure you go
over the whole thing with a fine tooth
comb. You
don’t want any surprises
later on.
[ A few hours later, Trailyn is home settling
down for the night.
Still sorting through the contract, she gets
to the back few pages. Noticing names of
the host down the page, she examines
further, suddenly realizing she is holding
a very in depth typed-out script. ]
“Wait a minute”
[ Everyone is following Erme’s horse who
has Yaz sitting close, up against his back,
with her gloved hands wrapped around
him.
Maxx & Ricky, Scott & Kira, and Brian
is riding alone. ]
SCOTT: Are you having fun?
KIRA: Yeah, this is great. I’ve never
been on a horse before. It’s smoother
than I would have guessed.
YAZ: Your family’s property is beautiful.
I’d love to meet them sometime.
[ She says as Erme get down, helping
her back to the ground. He chooses
not to respond. ]
MAXX: Oh, I’ve got an idea!
[ Back At Trailyn’s. . . ]
[ She is on the phone with Mairya,
getting her input on the promotion. ]
“How was the taping?”
TRAILYN: Very awkward. I’ve been
watching the show since I started
there.
Who knew it was all fake
and the responses are guided.
MAIRYA: Yeah, that’s wild but
knowing how popular the reality
genre is today. I can’t say I’m
shocked.
TRAILYN: What do you think I
should
do? Not one of the hosts
mentioned any of it. They just
acted like it was a normal thing.
MAIRYA: Well, it has been for
them and for a long time.
If you want my opinion, you have
toiled at that station for three long
years.
You deserve this. Especially
that raise! So just go for it.
[ Trailyn takes a moment to respond. ]
TRAILYN: Yeah, you’re right.
I’m going to take it!
[ Scott is sat perched on his white stallion
with a determined look swept across his
face.
Erme is peering straight forward on the
right, focused on the ending gate.
& Maxx is in the middle ready to ride. ]
ERME: Just don’t take off too fast!
YAZ: Ready. . .SET. . .GO!
[ Erme & Maxx take off at a mid-speed,
keeping up with each other as Scott
trails a little behind.
Gaining ground, Maxx is getting close
to passing by Erme when a white
streak comes speeding past him.
Everyone is cheering on Scott as he gets
closer and closer to the fence. They expect
him to stop but instead see him hit hard,
falling down at the side of the horse. ]
“Scott! Are you okay?”
[ Erme yells to him, getting off while
everyone else is running to his side. ]
