[scrippet]
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…
[/scrippet]
(etc…)
2 comments
Looking good. I’m enjoying the apparently seamless transfer from the 80’s to present times. I couldn’t imagine how you would re-work “High Wizardry” for the 21st century.
Yes! I love it!! Hope the movie works out!
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