INT. NITA’S BEDROOM -- NIGHT

She’s hidden by the tented-up blankets on her bed. The dim light welling out from underneath would make you think she’s doing the reading-by-flashlight thing.

NITA (O.S.)

I don’t get why some spells call for these weird objects. The knotted string you were using. Batteries. Sugar cubes! Who needs this stuff when you have the Speech?

KIT (V.O.)

It’s something to do with the way they bend space around them.

INT. NITA’S BEDROOM -- UNDER THE COVERS WITH HER -- NIGHT

She’s reading the Manual by Fred’s light, while using the Manual to talk to Kit. We can see his face in a WINDOW on the open page.

KIT (V.O.)

They’re shortcuts. You could do it with words, but it’d take more energy.

NITA

Today took plenty. I feel like I had three gym classes in a row.

KIT (V.O.)

The Manual says it’s like exercise. It takes time to get in shape.

NITA

I can’t wait forever for my magical muscles to bulk up! I’ve got to get my pen back before Joanne loses interest and ditches it.

KIT

We’ll start Operation Frustrated Bully first thing Monday morning. Did you look up Fred’s “advisories?”

NITA

Yeah. They’re other wizards! Older ones, here in town.

NITA’S MOM

Nita?

Nita’s eyes go wide in reaction.

NITA

(whispers)

Fred -- !

INT. NITA’S BEDROOM -- CONTINUOUS

Her mother stands in the doorway.

NITA’S MOM

Who are you talking to? Don’t say “nobody.”

NITA

Uh, a kid I met today. A friend.

NITA’S MOM

Fine. Come out of there.

Nita’s head pops out from under the covers.

NITA’S MOM (CONT’D)

You know the rules about phone calls after lights out.

Her mom holds her hand out. Nita grimaces, SIGHS an exaggerated teenage sigh, reaches under the blankets and hands her mother her CELLPHONE.

NITA’S MOM (CONT’D)

And on the subject of lights...

Nita reaches under the blankets: the light under them GOES OUT. Nita pulls out a FLASHLIGHT and hands it to her mother.

NITA’S MOM (CONT’D)

Thank you. Now get some sleep!

She goes out, shuts the door.

INT. NITA’S BEDROOM -- UNDER THE COVERS -- CONTINUOUS

Nita ducks under the blankets again.

FRED

Is it all right now?

NITA

Yeah.

Fred’s light FADES UP. Nita opens her Manual again: Kit looks out at her.

KIT (V.O.)

Everything okay?

NITA

Yeah, my mom thinks I’ve been disarmed. Where were we?

KIT (V.O.)

The third part of that repulsion spell. Let the seventh-graders deal with that.

NITA

Right. Fred, a little more light here?

FRED

Sure.

KIT

Don’t think you’re gonna hog him! I get him tomorrow night.

NITA

So I keep hearing. Now about the rest of these ingredients...