School Daze

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In Chapter 22 of FRANKENSTEIN IN LOVE, the shit hits the fan when the cops come to Frankie's school to question him about missing dead cheerleader Shayla Petrie, but when former flame Vita calls Frankie to warn him, things take an unexpected turn ...


INT. HIGH SCHOOL - PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE - DAY
Functional furniture. Fake Persian rug. Fake plants.
American flag on the wall. Bowling trophies.

Would be almost nice if it weren’t
for the pukey-colored painted brick walls.

Seated at his desk is PRINCIPAL BACON (50’s),
a large bear of a man.

Florid-faced, balding,
and stuffed into a threadbare suit
that the eighties would like to have back.

Beck and Chet
sit in chairs facing him.

BECK
Thanks for seeing us.

CHET
First time I asked
to go the principal’s office --

PRINCIPAL BACON
Don’t worry, I’m not
going to give you detention --
(SLAPS desk)
But enough tomfoolery.
You didn’t come here
to trade quips and banter.
I assume you have a suspect?

BECK
Yes, we do.
One of your students --

CHET
Frankie Stein, a sophomore.

PRINCIPAL BACON
Frankie Stein?
But he’s one of our best students.
He got into MIT, early admission --

BECK
We think he might have something to do
with Shayla Petrie’s disappearance.

CHET
We’d like you to ask him
to come to your office.
We’ll take it from there.

PRINCIPAL BACON
Are you going to arrest him?

CHET
We just want to ask him a few questions.

BECK
Given the hysteria
over Shayla’s disappearance,
we need to handle this quietly.
We don’t want the students
to know what’s going on.

PRINCIPAL BACON
Do you fear for his safety?

CHET
Missing cheerleader?

PRINCIPAL BACON
(nods)
Indeed.
(picks up his phone)
Ruth, could you please find out
what class Frankie Stein is in,
and get word to the teacher
that I would like to see him?
(listens)
No. Don’t use the PA.
We need to keep this quiet.
(listens)
Thank you.
(hangs up, to them)
He should be here soon.

Beck and Chet nod.
Fidget awkwardly.
Look around the room.

BECK
So, uh -- I see you’re quite the bowler --

INT. HIGH SCHOOL - FRONT OFFICE - DAY
The typical school office with ancient furniture.
And what’s that? A mimeograph machine?

Seated behind her desk is RUTH CHUBB (60’s),
Miss Grundy incarnate.
She studies a schedule.

Gets up from her desk.
Walks toward the door.

EXT. CLASSROOM DOORWAY - DAY
Ruth whispers to the TEACHER (20’s),
a hot young thing.

Her eyes grow wide.
Shakes her head ‘no.’

RUTH
Returns to her desk. Sits.

Turns on the PA system.
Leans into the microphone.

INT. SCHOOL CORRIDOR - DAY
Completely empty.
Ruth’s voice comes over the PA system.

RUTH (O.C.)
(electronic)
Will Frankie Stein please
report to the Principal’s office?
Frankie Stein, please report
to the Principal’s office.

CHET AND BECK
Sit in their chairs.
WHIP their heads toward the speaker.

BECK
What the fuck?

CHET
Great.
Just great --

PRINCIPAL BACON
Fucking old CROW.
(clears his throat)
Excuse me --

INT. SCHOOL CLASSROOM - DAY
A room full of STUDENTS
sitting behind their desks.

They murmur to each other.
CAMERA finds Vita. Freaking out.

VITA
(raises her hand)
May I be excused, please?

INT. SCHOOL CORRIDOR - DAY
Vita hurries down the hall.
Pulls out her cell phone.

Passes the Principal’s office.
Stops. Looks in the window.

VITA
(whispers)
Cops?
Shit.

She continues walking.
PUNCHES a number. Listens.

INTERCUT WITH:

EXT. OHIO BURGER KITCHEN - BACK ALLEY - DAY
Frankie walks through the alley,
searching for Shayla.

FRANKIE
SHAYLA, where are you? Come BACK.
I’m SORRY you don’t feel well,
I should have listened to you --

His phone RINGS.
He pulls it out. Listens.

FRANKIE
Hello?

VITA
Frankie, it’s Vita.
We got trouble.
The cops are in the principal’s office.
They want to see you.

FRANKIE
I can’t talk right now --

VITA
What are we gonna do?

FRANKIE
WE?
What do you mean WE?

VITA
But I thought we were --

FRANKIE
I said I CAN’T TALK NOW.
Shayla’s MISSING
and I’ve got FIND HER --

He hangs up.
Continues down the alley.

Vita stares at the phone.
Incensed. Heartbroken.
Starts MARCHING down the hall.

VITA
You just crossed the WRONG chick,
boy wonder --

INT. PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE - DAY
Vita stands at the door.
KNOCK-KNOCKS.

Principal Bacon’s
SURLY OLD SECRETARY (70’s) opens it.

SURLY OLD SECRETARY
I’m sorry.
The Principal is in a meeting.

VITA
I know.
Tell him I’ve got
some information about Frankie Stein.

PUSH IN ON Surly’s face.
Eyes flashing.

SURLY OLD SECRETARY
Get your ass in here.