NEXT SCENE OPENS:
INT. MALL, NEAR THE FOOD COURT
(The scene opens showing BENNTING pacing back and forth. HICKS is standing off to the side watching him. Behind them, resteraunts and tables are visible, showing a relatively crowded food court. Despite the success of his scheme, BENNTING still has a scowl on his face.)
HICKS: Mr. Bennting?
BENNTING: (Still pacing, not even looking at HICKS.) What?
HICKS: Well, sir... your brilliant plan seems to have gone off without a hitch. Security guards are everywhere in the mall looking for Lyle... but you still seem angry about something. Why?
BENNTING: (Stops pacing, and wheels angrily on HICKS.) Why am I still angry? Why am I still angry?! I'll tell you why! Because he hasn't been caught yet! Despite all my best efforts, that worthless, disrespectful blemish on the face of humanity, slacker is still at large! He still isn't officially out of my life! He's made a fool out of me again and again, and I still haven't had my complete revenge! I'm beginning to grow a bit impatient!
HICKS: (Slightly taken aback.) Well... with all due respect, sir.... I'm sure the mall security is doing their best. They'll catch him eventually.
BENNTING: Eventually?! Eventually isn't good enough! I've put up with that slacker and his shenannigans for four years! I shouldn't have to wait! I deserve better than that! I deserve for him to be caught now! Not eventually! (He pauses, calming down, and looking around. Slowly, his eyes light up with an idea.) I've waited around long enough. Its time to take matters into my own hands!
HICKS: Uh... what do you mean, Mr. Bennting?
(BENNTING doesn't answer him, instead walking over into the food court, amongst the crowd of mostly seated people. He clears his throat loudly.)
BENNTING: Excuse me! May I have everyone's attention, please? (Most of the people continue what they are doing, ignoring him. BENNTING speaks a bit louder.) Excuse me! (Still nothing. Now speaking quite loudly.) How would one of you like to make five thousand dollars?
(Immediately, all the shoppers stop what they are doing, and turn their attention to BENNTING, who is now grinning evilly.)
BENNTING: That's better...
(The GUY FROM CROWD from before is shown, sitting at a nearby table, very attentative to what BENNTING is saying now that he knows money is involved. The GIRL FROM CROWD is also with him..)
GUY FROM CROWD: Well, I'm pretty sure everyone here'd be willing to take five thousand dollars.
GIRL FROM CROWD: Yeah... what do we gotta do?
BENNTING: Ah. It's a very simple task really. (As he speaks, a crowd begins gathering around him.) There is a young man somewhere in this mall. The very same young man that stole three extrememly valuable comic books from the convention that is taking place here today. And while the stolen goods have been recovered the authorities are doing a very asinine job of capturing the felon. So, therefore, I'm offering five thousand dollars to anyone, anyone at all, that can get the job done!
(A random voice from the crowd, possibly the man or girl from before speaks up.)
RANDOM VOICE: But why are you offering the five thousand dollars? What do you get out of it?
BENNTING: Personal satisfaction! I have my own reasons for wanting this perpetrator out of the way, and I am willing to part with large sums of money so long as it produces results!
(The crowd starts murmering suspiciously. The GUY FROM CROWD is shown, with a contemplative look on his face. After a moment, he speaks up again.)
GUY FROM CROWD: How do I know I'll actually get the money, assuming I get the job done? You don't exactly look like the type who can just throw five thousand dollars out the window whenever he wants.
GIRL FROM CROWD: (Nodding in agreement.) Yeah.
BENNTING: (Beginning to get irritated. He pulls out his checkbook.) Look, I'll write the check now, if that'll make any difference!
GUY FROM CROWD: (Nodding slowly.) Well... if you give it to me up front...
BENNTING: (Incredulously.) Up front?! I'll write it out, and even make it out to you if you want, but you will NOT lay hands on it until the job is done! What do you take me for?!
(Before the GUY FROM CROWD can respond, a new voice suddenly interjects.)
VOICE: A hate-filled, cranky, lonely, old man trapped in a 35 year old body.
(All eyes suddenly turn to this new voice... which belongs to none other than KATJA. She is now standing amongst the throng that has gathered around BENNTING, a few feet away from the art teacher. On either side of her stand PAUL and SILENT ZACH.)
BENNTING: (Slightly taken aback by KATJA's comments.) Uh... ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce Ms. Katja Farrell, one of the most promising students at the Lutheran High where I teach.
KATJA: (Waving her hand dismissively.) Don't even try it, Mr. Bennting. I know all about your scheme, and-
BENNTING: (Interrupting.) Scheme? What scheme? I'm simply trying doing my part to insure that a criminal is brought to justice! You, my dear Katja, know that slacker Grant better than almost anyone, save for that unpleasant Corey Ryker. Surely even you can't refute the fact that Grant is nothing but an irresponsible, troublesome, aggrivating, rule-breaking, lazy, uninspired, slacker, who has no regard for authority, and seems to enjoy causing trouble to good, decent people such as myself!
KATJA: Well... he may be all those things... but at his core, Lyle is a good person. He may not be the most respectful guy in the world, but he's not a criminal. Which is more than I can say for-
BENNTING: (Cutting her off.) Unfortunately, that little detail is for our law enforcement authorities to decide, not you. And right now, our authorities seem to see fit to have Mr. Grant taken into custody. (Addresses the crowd again.) And there's five thousand dollars in it for anyone who helps make this possible!
(At the mention of money, PAUL, who has been silent, and seemingly completely uninterested the whole time suddenly perks up. SILENT ZACH notices this, and looks a little worried. KATJA, meanwhile, crosses her arms, looking at BENNTING incredulously.)
KATJA: Mr. Bennting, seriously. There's no way you have five thousand dollars to just give out like that.
BENNTING: On the contrary, Ms. Farrell! According to my checkbook, which I've recently balanced, I have approximately five thousand and twenty three dollars and fifty eight cents in my account! Therefore, I can offer such a reward. Granted, I'll be left with only twenty three dollars and fifty eight cents to my name.... but, it'll be well worth it!
KATJA: (Shaking her head.) You know... at first I thought you were just a jerk. Then I began thinking you were genuinely a bad person. But now I realize that you are completely insane. I almost feel sorry for you.
(BENNTING glares at her as PAUL, who has been making a contemplative face ever since perking up at the mention of the five thousand, finally decides to speak.)
PAUL: Five thousand dollars, you said?
BENNTING: Yes, you worthless- (Suddenly realizes who he's dealing with, and smiles insidiously and begins speaking in an ominously friendly tone.) Uh... I mean. Yeees. Five thousand whole dollars! And it's all your's.... if you just tell me where Lyle Grant is hiding!
(PAUL pauses, then slowly looks over his shoulder, to a Dotz: Ice Cream of the Future stand just outside the foodcourt area. The camera suddenly shifts to reveal LYLE and COREY croutched on the opposite side of the stand from BENNTING, KATJA, and the rest. COREY looks up at LYLE.)
COREY: I'm not so sure about this plan of your's.
LYLE: Not sure about this, huh? This coming from the guy who was so certain that Britton was the "one for him!"?
(COREY shoots LYLE a dirty look. LYLE just grins at him. COREY sighs and shakes his head.)
COREY: Well, I'm glad you're so confident.
LYLE: Of course I'm confident! This plan is fool proof, so long as Katja doesn't screw it up!
COREY: Katja's not the one I'm worried about. It's-
(Suddenly, PAUL's voice is heard, cutting COREY off mid-sentence.)
PAUL: (Loudly.) He's hiding behind the ice cream stand! Now, gimme my money, bitch!
COREY: (Sighs, and finishes his previous thought in an exasperated tone.) -Paul and Silent Zach that I'm worried about...
(Without warning, BENNTING suddenly dashes around the side of the stand. His eyes light up as he sees LYLE.)
BENNTING: There you are!
(LYLE, seemingly caught off guard, looks back at BENNTING, wide-eyed. There is an abrupt pause as hero and villain stare eachother down, before LYLE finally breaks the silence.)
LYLE:.... eep.
(And with that, he and COREY quickly dash off, exitting the scene.)
BENNTING: You cannot escape me! I'll hunt you to the ends of the earth!
(And with that, he too dashes off after the duo, exitting the scene as well.)
(The scene then shifts to show KATJA, PAUL, SILENT ZACH, and HICKS who have all witnessed what just happened, and are still standing amongst the now confused crowd.)
KATJA: (Slowly a grin forms on her face.) Hook, line, and sinker...
(HICKS looks at her, confused at first. Slowly, as he realizes that his mentor may have just walked into a trap, his eyes widen. He turns in the direction BENNTING ran.)
HICKS: Mr. BENNTING! Come back! It's a trap! (As he is speaking, KATJA nods to SILENT ZACH, who taps HICKS on the shoulder.) Mr. Nu- (turns to SILENT ZACH.) What?!
(SILENT ZACH proceeds to punch him square in the face. HICKS collapses in a heap on the ground, unconcious.)
PAUL: (Jabbing his fist into the air triumphantly.) Yeah!!
END OF SCENE.
NEXT SCENE OPENS: INT. MALL, AMONG THE UPPER LEVEL STORES
(The scene opens showing LYLE and COREY running through the upper level. The camera shifts to show BENNTING in hot pursuit. It then shifts back to LYLE and COREY who continue to run for a few moments, before COREY finally stops LYLE in front of the Hot Topic store.)
COREY: (Panting.) Here... let's hide in here!
(He starts to run in, but stops when he notices LYLE isn't budging. Instead, he's staring up at the Hot Topic logo, with a look of disgust on his face.)
LYLE: Bah! This place makes me sick! A franchised retail store that specializes in selling "punk" merchandise?! (Shakes his fist at the logo, shouting.) You can't commercialize punk, you bastards!
(COREY rolls his eyes, grabbing LYLE by the elbow and pulling him into the store.)
CUT TO: INT. MALL, INSIDE HOT TOPIC
(As they enter, COREY pauses, looking around for a decent place to hide. Standing behind the counter, filing her nails, and looking very bored, is a Hot Topic clerk, a GOTH CHICK, dressed all in black, with long, dyed purple hair, and her lip, nose, eyebrows and ears considerably peirced. She looks up at the two as they enter.)
COREY: Uhhh... (Spots a circular clothes rack.) There! (He quickly dives into the center of the clothes rack, pulling LYLE with him, hiding behind the clothes.)
GOTH CHICK: (Pauses, then says.) Hey... hey! None of that in here!
(The scene suddenly shifts to show the inside of the clothes rack where COREY and LYLE suddenly realize they're not alone amidst the clothes. JENN POLTEK is with them.)
COREY: Jenn?
LYLE: Locker gnome!
JENN: (Smiling.) Hi, guys.
COREY: What're you doing in here?
LYLE: What else?! Nosing around in other peoples' business!
JENN: Keeping myself up to date on current events!
LYLE: Eavesdropper!
JENN: Slacker!
(The scene suddenly shifts to show outside the clothes rack, just as BENNTING enters the store. He looks around briefly, pausing when he hears voices coming from the circular clothes rack.)
LYLE: Get a life!
JENN: Take a shower!
LYLE: Dammit! Why does everyone think I don't shower?!
(BENNTING moves quickly over to the circular clothes rack, and deftly parts the clothes encircling it. LYLE, COREY, and JENN are all revealed. They all look at BENNTING like deer caught in the headlights.)
BENNTING: Ah-hah!
LYLE: Uhh... think fast! (He grabs JENN and shoves her into BENNTING. BENNTING staggers back and falls into a rack full of wallet chains. As this is happening, LYLE and COREY quickly climb out from the middle of the clothes rack, and dash out of the store.)
BENNTING: (Lets out a growl.) Cursed slacker! (Picks himself up out of the wallet chains and takes off after LYLE and COREY..)
(JENN and the GOTH CHICK both stand silently for a moment. Finally the GOTH CHICK breaks the silence.)
GOTH CHICK: I've decided I hate working here...
CUT TO: INT. MALL, NEAR THE ENTRANCE TO SEARS
(COREY and LYLE are once again shown running. They dash into the SEARS department store.)
CUT TO: INT. MALL, INSIDE SEARS
(COREY and LYLE are shown, still running, throughout the Sears store, dodging shoppers, and ducking into different aisles as they go. The camera shifts to show BENNTING enter the store. He pauses as he doesn't see COREY or LYLE, and begins scanning the store, looking for the duo. The camera then cuts back to LYLE and COREY, who by now are in the women's clothing department of the store, ducking down low amidst several clothes racks to avoid being scene.)
LYLE: (Panting.) This... is why... I quit... jogging... in the mornings!
COREY: (Pausing, also panting, though not as badly as LYLE.) You never jogged in the mornings.
LYLE: (Nods.) Damn straight! And I never will! Ever! (There is another brief pause as the two try to catch their breath as quietly as possible.) Did we lose him?
COREY: I dunno. Let me check. (He stands up straight, looking over the clothes racks around him. Directly to their left, two clothes racks away, looking the opposite direction from them, is BENNTING. COREY's eyes widen, alarmed at how close the art teacher is. He ducks back down.) Crap! He's like, right over there! (Gestures with his hand.)
LYLE: Dammit! What now?
COREY: Uhhh... (Looks around. The camera switches to COREY's point of view as he looks around, spotting a doorway leading into a hallway not too far behind them. The camera then switches back to LYLE and COREY.) This way!
(He and LYLE crouch-walk their way toward the doorway, just as BENNTING rounds the corner where they had been standing, barely missing them. The scene then shifts to show LYLE and COREY enter the doorway. After they do so, the camera pans up to a sign above the doorway. It reads: "Ladies dressing rooms."
CUT TO: INT. MALL, INSIDE THE HALLWAY
(LYLE and COREY are shown, standing in a narrow, darkened hallway. On either side of the hallway are 4 unmarked doors. At the end of the hallway, is a heavy gray door, marked "Employees Only". LYLE leans against the nearest door, still breathing heavily. COREY stands near the entrance to the hallway, keeping a lookout for BENNTING.)
LYLE: Okay... seriously... I can't take much more of this! I think I'm having a stroke...
(COREY suddenly wheels around quickly, a panicked expression on his face.)
COREY: He's coming! Quick, hide!
LYLE: Where?!
COREY: Look around you! Anywhere! (Looks at one of the unmarked doors on the opposite side of the hall as LYLE.) In here! (He quickly opens it, and shoves LYLE in, slamming the door behind him... the instant BENNTING enters the hall.)
BENNTING: Aha! I've found... (pauses, seeing that LYLE isn't present. He glares at COREY.) Mr. Ryker... where is he?
COREY: (Leaning against the door he just shoved LYLE through.) Uhhh... where is who?
BENNTING: (His glare intensifies.) You're in enough trouble as it is for helping him get this far, you'd best not make matters worse! Now, where is he?!
CUT TO: INT. MALL, INSIDE THE UNMARKED ROOM...A.K.A., A LADIES' DRESSING ROOM
(A close up is shown of LYLE's face. He is staring wide-eyed at something. The camera pulls back to reveal what it is he's looking at: A young woman, about his age, wearing nothing but lingerie, staring wide-eye back at him, halfway into a pair of jeans. The two of them just stare at eachother a moment, in the very limited dressing room.)
LYLE: (Slowly, a sly smile forms on his face. He leans agains the door.) Well, hello, there!
(An intensly dark glare slowly forms on the LINGERIE GIRL's face.)
CUT TO: INT. MALL., BACK OUT IN THE HALLWAY OUTSIDE OF THE DRESSING ROOM
BENNTING: I'm warning you, Mr. Ryker... if you don't tell me where Lyle Grant is-
(Suddenly the door COREY is leaning against flies open, and COREY is forced forward as LYLE comes stumbling out. The LINGERIE GIRL reaches out and quickly shuts the door behind her again, with a slam.)
LYLE: (Glaring at COREY, rubbing his face.) Oh, yeah, real good hiding place, jackass! I...(Notices BENNTING.) Wuh oh...
BENNTING: There you are!
(Once again, LYLE turns tail and runs, heading toward the back of the hallway. Without hesitation, he pulls open the "Employee's Only" door, and dashes through, exitting the scene. BENNTING follows close behind, dashing through the door, exitting the scene as well. As soon as the door closes behind them, the camera turns back to COREY, who is standing alone in the hallway, shaking his head.)
COREY: I sure hope this works... (And with that, he turns, and quickly dashes out of the hallway, exitting the scene as well.)
END OF SCENE.
NEXT SCENE OPENS: INT. MALL, THE BACK HALLWAY BEYOND THE "EMPLOYEES ONLY" DOOR
(The scene opens, showing BENNTING, just as he steps into the gray "Employees Only" hallway, just behind LYLE. The hallway is pretty bare, except for a janitor's closet, a soda machine, and a black, brass handled door at the end of the hallway. LYLE dashes to the brass handled door, and tears it open, looking over his shoulder once at BENNTING, before he enters. BENNTING, who is right behind him, allows the door to close before he gets to it. He smiles as he notices the plate on the door. It reads: "Sears Head Office." BENNTING grins to himself.)
BENNTING: (Softly, to himself.) I have you now, you worthless slacker. Now I'm going to savor this moment! (He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.)
CUT TO: INT. MALL, INSIDE THE SEARS HEAD OFFICE
(LYLE is shown, looking around the office. It isn't a very big room, big enough only for the three cluttered, desks inside, and a table in the far right hand corner, upon which sits a large radio of some sort, and a microphone. There are windows on the wall opposite the black brass-handled door, but shades are drawn over them. The whole office seems cluttered with papers, and other odds and ends that one would find in an office. There are also no other doors. If BENNTING enters, LYLE will be trapped. LYLE spots the radio and microphone on the table in the corner of the room and slowly moves toward it. He is almost upon it, when BENNTING suddenly bursts in, slamming the door behind him. LYLE wheels around to face him, his back now to the radio, obscuring BENNTING's view of it. LYLE looks worried, but at the same time defiant. BENNTING merely grins at him.)
BENNTING: Finally... after all these years. After all the torment, and all the suffering, and all the trauma, I've endured from you! Its come down to me, and its come down to you. And I have you cornered. Like a helpless little mouse!
LYLE: (Rolls his eyes.) God, Bennting, you talk like such a moe!
BENNTING: (Shouts.) Silence! You are in no position to make petty insults! I've been dreaming of this day for years, Grant! Dreaming of the day where the whole world finally figured out what I've known since the first time I laid eyes on you! That you're worthless. A troublemaker. And most importantly.... (he grins evilly.) a criminal!
LYLE: I'm only a "criminal" because you set me up! (The camera shifts to a quick view of LYLE's back and the radio. Unbeknownst to BENNTING, he reaches over to the radio and switches it on, turning its volume all the way up, and turning the microphone toward he and the sinister art teacher.)
BENNTING: (Still grinning.) Yes... and what a beautiful set up it was!
LYLE: So, you admit it! You are the one that stole those comics!
BENNTING: (Seems surprised at this.) Of course I am!
CUT TO: INT. MALL, FIRST LEVEL
(The hustle and bustle of the shoppers seems to have stopped, as all eyes are now turned skyward toward the strange conversation coming from the P.A. System.
BENNTING: (over the P.A. System, continuing his previous sentence.) I'm disappointed, my adversary! I would have though you'd figured this whole thing out long ago!
CUT TO: INT. MALL, INSIDE THE SEARS HEAD OFFICE
LYLE: The only thing that didn't make sense, is why the witnesses said the thief was a teenager!
BENNTING: (Laughs sharply.) That, my dear Lyle, was perhaps one of the more brilliant parts of my whole endeavor. In order to fool the witnesses, I had that brainless flunky of mine, Hicks, take the comics! That way, even if they were found, I could simply have blamed it all on him! After all, his finger prints are all over them!
CUT TO: INT. MALL, FOODCOURT
BENNTING: (Over the P.A. System.) Mine, needless to say, are not!
(HICKS is shown groggily pushing himself up on his hands and knees, having just regained conciousness, when he hears what BENNTING has just said. He pauses, and shrinks back a little when he notices most of the people in the food court are now looking at him. Suddenly, a boot steps in front of him.)
HICKS: (In a small voice.) Uh oh... (He slowly looks up to the boots owner: A mall SECURITY GUARD. One of the GUARD's he and BENNTING had following them around earlier.) Uhh... I'm in trouble, aren't I?
(The security guard nods slowly. The camera then shifts to show KATJA, PAUL, and SILENT ZACH still standing in the food court, all looking up at the P.A. Speakers.)
LYLE: (Over the P.A. System.) You're a sick, sick man, Bennting!
KATJA: (Claps her hands together, smiling.) Ha! Yes!
(PAUL and SILENT ZACH look at eachother and nod.)
CUT TO: INT. MALL, INSIDE THE SEARS HEAD OFFICE
BENNTING: (Smiling twistedly at LYLE.) Sick? Maybe... maybe I am a little bit. But only because you've made me this way, you horrible deviant! But not anymore. I've finally won! I've finally bested you! After today, I'll never, ever have to hear from you again! (He can barely contain himself. He pauses, savoring what he feels is a sure victory. After a moment, he looks at LYLE again, and grins once more.) Do you have any final thoughts to express, before I drag you away to the bleak fate that awaits you?
LYLE: (Smiles back at him.) Just one. (He suddenly pulls the microphone from behind his back and raises it to his lips.) This broadcast has been brought to you straight from the head office in the storage area of Sears Department Store. I'd like to thank our guest, Mr. Quentin T. Bennting, for idiotically blabbing his whole elaborate plan to the entire mall. Anything else you'd like to say, Mr. Bennting? (He raises the mic to BENNTING's lips. BENNTING simply stares at him shocked and wide-eyed, his mouth hanging open. He says nothing. LYLE brings the microphone back to his lips.) No? Well, that's quite alright. We're outta time anyway. Thank you for listening shoppers, as well as local law enforcement officials. Have a wonderful evening! (And with that, he puts down the mic, and switches the radio off.) You lose, Bennt-head!.
BENNTING: (Turning pale now, sputtering.) You... I... No... NO!! This was supposed to be my moment of triumph! My ulCOREYate victory! But you've screwed it up! You always screw it up!! You screw everything up!!
LYLE: (Shrugs.) I do what I can.
BENNTING: (On the verge of hysteria.) This... this isn't over!! (He moves to the black brass-handled door, and rips it open.) Not by a long shot! I'll have my revenge!! I'll have my vengeance!! I'll get what I truly deserve!! (He turns, to run out the door.... and stops, when he sees COREY and two POLICEMEN standing on the other side.)
COREY: You certainly will.
(BENNTING stares wide eyed at the POLICEMEN, then at COREY. He then looks back at LYLE... and fury overtakes him. He lets out a loud, cackling bellow, before violently shoving past the POLICE and taking off down the hall. The POLICEMEN take off hot on his heels, and LYLE and COREY follow close behind them.)
CUT TO: INT. MALL, NEAR THE HALLWAY TO THE LADIES' DRESSING ROOMS IN SEARS
(KATJA, PAUL, and SILENT ZACH are shown walking toward the hallway to the ladies dressing room, followed closely by the SECURITY GUARD who is dragging a now handcuffed HICKS. As they reach the entrance to the hallway, SILENT ZACH suddenly perks up as if he hears something. He stops the others.)
PAUL: Whassup, lunchbox?
(SILENT ZACH listens a moment longer, then motions for the others to step aside. They do so, as SILENT ZACH moves to the left of the entrance to the hallway, leaning his back against the wall. He stands tense.... and then suddenly jumps out in front of the entrance, so that he is facing the doorway, with his arm raised out straight to his side. The instant he does this, BENNTING comes blazing out of the hallway... and promptly clotheslines himself on SILENT ZACH's outstretched arm, backflipping in the air, and landing hard on his face. SILENT ZACH looks down at him, shaking his head, as PAUL, KATJA, the GUARD, and HICKS all walk up.)
PAUL: Dude, that was friggin' awesome! (He looks up at SILENT ZACH and grins.) Ears like friggin' Superman and shit. (He and SILENT ZACH tap fists.) Nootch!
(BENNTING groans, rolling over onto his back, and spitting out a tooth.)
END OF SCENE
TO BE CONTINUED....
(The scene opens showing BENNTING pacing back and forth. HICKS is standing off to the side watching him. Behind them, resteraunts and tables are visible, showing a relatively crowded food court. Despite the success of his scheme, BENNTING still has a scowl on his face.)
HICKS: Mr. Bennting?
BENNTING: (Still pacing, not even looking at HICKS.) What?
HICKS: Well, sir... your brilliant plan seems to have gone off without a hitch. Security guards are everywhere in the mall looking for Lyle... but you still seem angry about something. Why?
BENNTING: (Stops pacing, and wheels angrily on HICKS.) Why am I still angry? Why am I still angry?! I'll tell you why! Because he hasn't been caught yet! Despite all my best efforts, that worthless, disrespectful blemish on the face of humanity, slacker is still at large! He still isn't officially out of my life! He's made a fool out of me again and again, and I still haven't had my complete revenge! I'm beginning to grow a bit impatient!
HICKS: (Slightly taken aback.) Well... with all due respect, sir.... I'm sure the mall security is doing their best. They'll catch him eventually.
BENNTING: Eventually?! Eventually isn't good enough! I've put up with that slacker and his shenannigans for four years! I shouldn't have to wait! I deserve better than that! I deserve for him to be caught now! Not eventually! (He pauses, calming down, and looking around. Slowly, his eyes light up with an idea.) I've waited around long enough. Its time to take matters into my own hands!
HICKS: Uh... what do you mean, Mr. Bennting?
(BENNTING doesn't answer him, instead walking over into the food court, amongst the crowd of mostly seated people. He clears his throat loudly.)
BENNTING: Excuse me! May I have everyone's attention, please? (Most of the people continue what they are doing, ignoring him. BENNTING speaks a bit louder.) Excuse me! (Still nothing. Now speaking quite loudly.) How would one of you like to make five thousand dollars?
(Immediately, all the shoppers stop what they are doing, and turn their attention to BENNTING, who is now grinning evilly.)
BENNTING: That's better...
(The GUY FROM CROWD from before is shown, sitting at a nearby table, very attentative to what BENNTING is saying now that he knows money is involved. The GIRL FROM CROWD is also with him..)
GUY FROM CROWD: Well, I'm pretty sure everyone here'd be willing to take five thousand dollars.
GIRL FROM CROWD: Yeah... what do we gotta do?
BENNTING: Ah. It's a very simple task really. (As he speaks, a crowd begins gathering around him.) There is a young man somewhere in this mall. The very same young man that stole three extrememly valuable comic books from the convention that is taking place here today. And while the stolen goods have been recovered the authorities are doing a very asinine job of capturing the felon. So, therefore, I'm offering five thousand dollars to anyone, anyone at all, that can get the job done!
(A random voice from the crowd, possibly the man or girl from before speaks up.)
RANDOM VOICE: But why are you offering the five thousand dollars? What do you get out of it?
BENNTING: Personal satisfaction! I have my own reasons for wanting this perpetrator out of the way, and I am willing to part with large sums of money so long as it produces results!
(The crowd starts murmering suspiciously. The GUY FROM CROWD is shown, with a contemplative look on his face. After a moment, he speaks up again.)
GUY FROM CROWD: How do I know I'll actually get the money, assuming I get the job done? You don't exactly look like the type who can just throw five thousand dollars out the window whenever he wants.
GIRL FROM CROWD: (Nodding in agreement.) Yeah.
BENNTING: (Beginning to get irritated. He pulls out his checkbook.) Look, I'll write the check now, if that'll make any difference!
GUY FROM CROWD: (Nodding slowly.) Well... if you give it to me up front...
BENNTING: (Incredulously.) Up front?! I'll write it out, and even make it out to you if you want, but you will NOT lay hands on it until the job is done! What do you take me for?!
(Before the GUY FROM CROWD can respond, a new voice suddenly interjects.)
VOICE: A hate-filled, cranky, lonely, old man trapped in a 35 year old body.
(All eyes suddenly turn to this new voice... which belongs to none other than KATJA. She is now standing amongst the throng that has gathered around BENNTING, a few feet away from the art teacher. On either side of her stand PAUL and SILENT ZACH.)
BENNTING: (Slightly taken aback by KATJA's comments.) Uh... ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce Ms. Katja Farrell, one of the most promising students at the Lutheran High where I teach.
KATJA: (Waving her hand dismissively.) Don't even try it, Mr. Bennting. I know all about your scheme, and-
BENNTING: (Interrupting.) Scheme? What scheme? I'm simply trying doing my part to insure that a criminal is brought to justice! You, my dear Katja, know that slacker Grant better than almost anyone, save for that unpleasant Corey Ryker. Surely even you can't refute the fact that Grant is nothing but an irresponsible, troublesome, aggrivating, rule-breaking, lazy, uninspired, slacker, who has no regard for authority, and seems to enjoy causing trouble to good, decent people such as myself!
KATJA: Well... he may be all those things... but at his core, Lyle is a good person. He may not be the most respectful guy in the world, but he's not a criminal. Which is more than I can say for-
BENNTING: (Cutting her off.) Unfortunately, that little detail is for our law enforcement authorities to decide, not you. And right now, our authorities seem to see fit to have Mr. Grant taken into custody. (Addresses the crowd again.) And there's five thousand dollars in it for anyone who helps make this possible!
(At the mention of money, PAUL, who has been silent, and seemingly completely uninterested the whole time suddenly perks up. SILENT ZACH notices this, and looks a little worried. KATJA, meanwhile, crosses her arms, looking at BENNTING incredulously.)
KATJA: Mr. Bennting, seriously. There's no way you have five thousand dollars to just give out like that.
BENNTING: On the contrary, Ms. Farrell! According to my checkbook, which I've recently balanced, I have approximately five thousand and twenty three dollars and fifty eight cents in my account! Therefore, I can offer such a reward. Granted, I'll be left with only twenty three dollars and fifty eight cents to my name.... but, it'll be well worth it!
KATJA: (Shaking her head.) You know... at first I thought you were just a jerk. Then I began thinking you were genuinely a bad person. But now I realize that you are completely insane. I almost feel sorry for you.
(BENNTING glares at her as PAUL, who has been making a contemplative face ever since perking up at the mention of the five thousand, finally decides to speak.)
PAUL: Five thousand dollars, you said?
BENNTING: Yes, you worthless- (Suddenly realizes who he's dealing with, and smiles insidiously and begins speaking in an ominously friendly tone.) Uh... I mean. Yeees. Five thousand whole dollars! And it's all your's.... if you just tell me where Lyle Grant is hiding!
(PAUL pauses, then slowly looks over his shoulder, to a Dotz: Ice Cream of the Future stand just outside the foodcourt area. The camera suddenly shifts to reveal LYLE and COREY croutched on the opposite side of the stand from BENNTING, KATJA, and the rest. COREY looks up at LYLE.)
COREY: I'm not so sure about this plan of your's.
LYLE: Not sure about this, huh? This coming from the guy who was so certain that Britton was the "one for him!"?
(COREY shoots LYLE a dirty look. LYLE just grins at him. COREY sighs and shakes his head.)
COREY: Well, I'm glad you're so confident.
LYLE: Of course I'm confident! This plan is fool proof, so long as Katja doesn't screw it up!
COREY: Katja's not the one I'm worried about. It's-
(Suddenly, PAUL's voice is heard, cutting COREY off mid-sentence.)
PAUL: (Loudly.) He's hiding behind the ice cream stand! Now, gimme my money, bitch!
COREY: (Sighs, and finishes his previous thought in an exasperated tone.) -Paul and Silent Zach that I'm worried about...
(Without warning, BENNTING suddenly dashes around the side of the stand. His eyes light up as he sees LYLE.)
BENNTING: There you are!
(LYLE, seemingly caught off guard, looks back at BENNTING, wide-eyed. There is an abrupt pause as hero and villain stare eachother down, before LYLE finally breaks the silence.)
LYLE:.... eep.
(And with that, he and COREY quickly dash off, exitting the scene.)
BENNTING: You cannot escape me! I'll hunt you to the ends of the earth!
(And with that, he too dashes off after the duo, exitting the scene as well.)
(The scene then shifts to show KATJA, PAUL, SILENT ZACH, and HICKS who have all witnessed what just happened, and are still standing amongst the now confused crowd.)
KATJA: (Slowly a grin forms on her face.) Hook, line, and sinker...
(HICKS looks at her, confused at first. Slowly, as he realizes that his mentor may have just walked into a trap, his eyes widen. He turns in the direction BENNTING ran.)
HICKS: Mr. BENNTING! Come back! It's a trap! (As he is speaking, KATJA nods to SILENT ZACH, who taps HICKS on the shoulder.) Mr. Nu- (turns to SILENT ZACH.) What?!
(SILENT ZACH proceeds to punch him square in the face. HICKS collapses in a heap on the ground, unconcious.)
PAUL: (Jabbing his fist into the air triumphantly.) Yeah!!
END OF SCENE.
NEXT SCENE OPENS: INT. MALL, AMONG THE UPPER LEVEL STORES
(The scene opens showing LYLE and COREY running through the upper level. The camera shifts to show BENNTING in hot pursuit. It then shifts back to LYLE and COREY who continue to run for a few moments, before COREY finally stops LYLE in front of the Hot Topic store.)
COREY: (Panting.) Here... let's hide in here!
(He starts to run in, but stops when he notices LYLE isn't budging. Instead, he's staring up at the Hot Topic logo, with a look of disgust on his face.)
LYLE: Bah! This place makes me sick! A franchised retail store that specializes in selling "punk" merchandise?! (Shakes his fist at the logo, shouting.) You can't commercialize punk, you bastards!
(COREY rolls his eyes, grabbing LYLE by the elbow and pulling him into the store.)
CUT TO: INT. MALL, INSIDE HOT TOPIC
(As they enter, COREY pauses, looking around for a decent place to hide. Standing behind the counter, filing her nails, and looking very bored, is a Hot Topic clerk, a GOTH CHICK, dressed all in black, with long, dyed purple hair, and her lip, nose, eyebrows and ears considerably peirced. She looks up at the two as they enter.)
COREY: Uhhh... (Spots a circular clothes rack.) There! (He quickly dives into the center of the clothes rack, pulling LYLE with him, hiding behind the clothes.)
GOTH CHICK: (Pauses, then says.) Hey... hey! None of that in here!
(The scene suddenly shifts to show the inside of the clothes rack where COREY and LYLE suddenly realize they're not alone amidst the clothes. JENN POLTEK is with them.)
COREY: Jenn?
LYLE: Locker gnome!
JENN: (Smiling.) Hi, guys.
COREY: What're you doing in here?
LYLE: What else?! Nosing around in other peoples' business!
JENN: Keeping myself up to date on current events!
LYLE: Eavesdropper!
JENN: Slacker!
(The scene suddenly shifts to show outside the clothes rack, just as BENNTING enters the store. He looks around briefly, pausing when he hears voices coming from the circular clothes rack.)
LYLE: Get a life!
JENN: Take a shower!
LYLE: Dammit! Why does everyone think I don't shower?!
(BENNTING moves quickly over to the circular clothes rack, and deftly parts the clothes encircling it. LYLE, COREY, and JENN are all revealed. They all look at BENNTING like deer caught in the headlights.)
BENNTING: Ah-hah!
LYLE: Uhh... think fast! (He grabs JENN and shoves her into BENNTING. BENNTING staggers back and falls into a rack full of wallet chains. As this is happening, LYLE and COREY quickly climb out from the middle of the clothes rack, and dash out of the store.)
BENNTING: (Lets out a growl.) Cursed slacker! (Picks himself up out of the wallet chains and takes off after LYLE and COREY..)
(JENN and the GOTH CHICK both stand silently for a moment. Finally the GOTH CHICK breaks the silence.)
GOTH CHICK: I've decided I hate working here...
CUT TO: INT. MALL, NEAR THE ENTRANCE TO SEARS
(COREY and LYLE are once again shown running. They dash into the SEARS department store.)
CUT TO: INT. MALL, INSIDE SEARS
(COREY and LYLE are shown, still running, throughout the Sears store, dodging shoppers, and ducking into different aisles as they go. The camera shifts to show BENNTING enter the store. He pauses as he doesn't see COREY or LYLE, and begins scanning the store, looking for the duo. The camera then cuts back to LYLE and COREY, who by now are in the women's clothing department of the store, ducking down low amidst several clothes racks to avoid being scene.)
LYLE: (Panting.) This... is why... I quit... jogging... in the mornings!
COREY: (Pausing, also panting, though not as badly as LYLE.) You never jogged in the mornings.
LYLE: (Nods.) Damn straight! And I never will! Ever! (There is another brief pause as the two try to catch their breath as quietly as possible.) Did we lose him?
COREY: I dunno. Let me check. (He stands up straight, looking over the clothes racks around him. Directly to their left, two clothes racks away, looking the opposite direction from them, is BENNTING. COREY's eyes widen, alarmed at how close the art teacher is. He ducks back down.) Crap! He's like, right over there! (Gestures with his hand.)
LYLE: Dammit! What now?
COREY: Uhhh... (Looks around. The camera switches to COREY's point of view as he looks around, spotting a doorway leading into a hallway not too far behind them. The camera then switches back to LYLE and COREY.) This way!
(He and LYLE crouch-walk their way toward the doorway, just as BENNTING rounds the corner where they had been standing, barely missing them. The scene then shifts to show LYLE and COREY enter the doorway. After they do so, the camera pans up to a sign above the doorway. It reads: "Ladies dressing rooms."
CUT TO: INT. MALL, INSIDE THE HALLWAY
(LYLE and COREY are shown, standing in a narrow, darkened hallway. On either side of the hallway are 4 unmarked doors. At the end of the hallway, is a heavy gray door, marked "Employees Only". LYLE leans against the nearest door, still breathing heavily. COREY stands near the entrance to the hallway, keeping a lookout for BENNTING.)
LYLE: Okay... seriously... I can't take much more of this! I think I'm having a stroke...
(COREY suddenly wheels around quickly, a panicked expression on his face.)
COREY: He's coming! Quick, hide!
LYLE: Where?!
COREY: Look around you! Anywhere! (Looks at one of the unmarked doors on the opposite side of the hall as LYLE.) In here! (He quickly opens it, and shoves LYLE in, slamming the door behind him... the instant BENNTING enters the hall.)
BENNTING: Aha! I've found... (pauses, seeing that LYLE isn't present. He glares at COREY.) Mr. Ryker... where is he?
COREY: (Leaning against the door he just shoved LYLE through.) Uhhh... where is who?
BENNTING: (His glare intensifies.) You're in enough trouble as it is for helping him get this far, you'd best not make matters worse! Now, where is he?!
CUT TO: INT. MALL, INSIDE THE UNMARKED ROOM...A.K.A., A LADIES' DRESSING ROOM
(A close up is shown of LYLE's face. He is staring wide-eyed at something. The camera pulls back to reveal what it is he's looking at: A young woman, about his age, wearing nothing but lingerie, staring wide-eye back at him, halfway into a pair of jeans. The two of them just stare at eachother a moment, in the very limited dressing room.)
LYLE: (Slowly, a sly smile forms on his face. He leans agains the door.) Well, hello, there!
(An intensly dark glare slowly forms on the LINGERIE GIRL's face.)
CUT TO: INT. MALL., BACK OUT IN THE HALLWAY OUTSIDE OF THE DRESSING ROOM
BENNTING: I'm warning you, Mr. Ryker... if you don't tell me where Lyle Grant is-
(Suddenly the door COREY is leaning against flies open, and COREY is forced forward as LYLE comes stumbling out. The LINGERIE GIRL reaches out and quickly shuts the door behind her again, with a slam.)
LYLE: (Glaring at COREY, rubbing his face.) Oh, yeah, real good hiding place, jackass! I...(Notices BENNTING.) Wuh oh...
BENNTING: There you are!
(Once again, LYLE turns tail and runs, heading toward the back of the hallway. Without hesitation, he pulls open the "Employee's Only" door, and dashes through, exitting the scene. BENNTING follows close behind, dashing through the door, exitting the scene as well. As soon as the door closes behind them, the camera turns back to COREY, who is standing alone in the hallway, shaking his head.)
COREY: I sure hope this works... (And with that, he turns, and quickly dashes out of the hallway, exitting the scene as well.)
END OF SCENE.
NEXT SCENE OPENS: INT. MALL, THE BACK HALLWAY BEYOND THE "EMPLOYEES ONLY" DOOR
(The scene opens, showing BENNTING, just as he steps into the gray "Employees Only" hallway, just behind LYLE. The hallway is pretty bare, except for a janitor's closet, a soda machine, and a black, brass handled door at the end of the hallway. LYLE dashes to the brass handled door, and tears it open, looking over his shoulder once at BENNTING, before he enters. BENNTING, who is right behind him, allows the door to close before he gets to it. He smiles as he notices the plate on the door. It reads: "Sears Head Office." BENNTING grins to himself.)
BENNTING: (Softly, to himself.) I have you now, you worthless slacker. Now I'm going to savor this moment! (He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.)
CUT TO: INT. MALL, INSIDE THE SEARS HEAD OFFICE
(LYLE is shown, looking around the office. It isn't a very big room, big enough only for the three cluttered, desks inside, and a table in the far right hand corner, upon which sits a large radio of some sort, and a microphone. There are windows on the wall opposite the black brass-handled door, but shades are drawn over them. The whole office seems cluttered with papers, and other odds and ends that one would find in an office. There are also no other doors. If BENNTING enters, LYLE will be trapped. LYLE spots the radio and microphone on the table in the corner of the room and slowly moves toward it. He is almost upon it, when BENNTING suddenly bursts in, slamming the door behind him. LYLE wheels around to face him, his back now to the radio, obscuring BENNTING's view of it. LYLE looks worried, but at the same time defiant. BENNTING merely grins at him.)
BENNTING: Finally... after all these years. After all the torment, and all the suffering, and all the trauma, I've endured from you! Its come down to me, and its come down to you. And I have you cornered. Like a helpless little mouse!
LYLE: (Rolls his eyes.) God, Bennting, you talk like such a moe!
BENNTING: (Shouts.) Silence! You are in no position to make petty insults! I've been dreaming of this day for years, Grant! Dreaming of the day where the whole world finally figured out what I've known since the first time I laid eyes on you! That you're worthless. A troublemaker. And most importantly.... (he grins evilly.) a criminal!
LYLE: I'm only a "criminal" because you set me up! (The camera shifts to a quick view of LYLE's back and the radio. Unbeknownst to BENNTING, he reaches over to the radio and switches it on, turning its volume all the way up, and turning the microphone toward he and the sinister art teacher.)
BENNTING: (Still grinning.) Yes... and what a beautiful set up it was!
LYLE: So, you admit it! You are the one that stole those comics!
BENNTING: (Seems surprised at this.) Of course I am!
CUT TO: INT. MALL, FIRST LEVEL
(The hustle and bustle of the shoppers seems to have stopped, as all eyes are now turned skyward toward the strange conversation coming from the P.A. System.
BENNTING: (over the P.A. System, continuing his previous sentence.) I'm disappointed, my adversary! I would have though you'd figured this whole thing out long ago!
CUT TO: INT. MALL, INSIDE THE SEARS HEAD OFFICE
LYLE: The only thing that didn't make sense, is why the witnesses said the thief was a teenager!
BENNTING: (Laughs sharply.) That, my dear Lyle, was perhaps one of the more brilliant parts of my whole endeavor. In order to fool the witnesses, I had that brainless flunky of mine, Hicks, take the comics! That way, even if they were found, I could simply have blamed it all on him! After all, his finger prints are all over them!
CUT TO: INT. MALL, FOODCOURT
BENNTING: (Over the P.A. System.) Mine, needless to say, are not!
(HICKS is shown groggily pushing himself up on his hands and knees, having just regained conciousness, when he hears what BENNTING has just said. He pauses, and shrinks back a little when he notices most of the people in the food court are now looking at him. Suddenly, a boot steps in front of him.)
HICKS: (In a small voice.) Uh oh... (He slowly looks up to the boots owner: A mall SECURITY GUARD. One of the GUARD's he and BENNTING had following them around earlier.) Uhh... I'm in trouble, aren't I?
(The security guard nods slowly. The camera then shifts to show KATJA, PAUL, and SILENT ZACH still standing in the food court, all looking up at the P.A. Speakers.)
LYLE: (Over the P.A. System.) You're a sick, sick man, Bennting!
KATJA: (Claps her hands together, smiling.) Ha! Yes!
(PAUL and SILENT ZACH look at eachother and nod.)
CUT TO: INT. MALL, INSIDE THE SEARS HEAD OFFICE
BENNTING: (Smiling twistedly at LYLE.) Sick? Maybe... maybe I am a little bit. But only because you've made me this way, you horrible deviant! But not anymore. I've finally won! I've finally bested you! After today, I'll never, ever have to hear from you again! (He can barely contain himself. He pauses, savoring what he feels is a sure victory. After a moment, he looks at LYLE again, and grins once more.) Do you have any final thoughts to express, before I drag you away to the bleak fate that awaits you?
LYLE: (Smiles back at him.) Just one. (He suddenly pulls the microphone from behind his back and raises it to his lips.) This broadcast has been brought to you straight from the head office in the storage area of Sears Department Store. I'd like to thank our guest, Mr. Quentin T. Bennting, for idiotically blabbing his whole elaborate plan to the entire mall. Anything else you'd like to say, Mr. Bennting? (He raises the mic to BENNTING's lips. BENNTING simply stares at him shocked and wide-eyed, his mouth hanging open. He says nothing. LYLE brings the microphone back to his lips.) No? Well, that's quite alright. We're outta time anyway. Thank you for listening shoppers, as well as local law enforcement officials. Have a wonderful evening! (And with that, he puts down the mic, and switches the radio off.) You lose, Bennt-head!.
BENNTING: (Turning pale now, sputtering.) You... I... No... NO!! This was supposed to be my moment of triumph! My ulCOREYate victory! But you've screwed it up! You always screw it up!! You screw everything up!!
LYLE: (Shrugs.) I do what I can.
BENNTING: (On the verge of hysteria.) This... this isn't over!! (He moves to the black brass-handled door, and rips it open.) Not by a long shot! I'll have my revenge!! I'll have my vengeance!! I'll get what I truly deserve!! (He turns, to run out the door.... and stops, when he sees COREY and two POLICEMEN standing on the other side.)
COREY: You certainly will.
(BENNTING stares wide eyed at the POLICEMEN, then at COREY. He then looks back at LYLE... and fury overtakes him. He lets out a loud, cackling bellow, before violently shoving past the POLICE and taking off down the hall. The POLICEMEN take off hot on his heels, and LYLE and COREY follow close behind them.)
CUT TO: INT. MALL, NEAR THE HALLWAY TO THE LADIES' DRESSING ROOMS IN SEARS
(KATJA, PAUL, and SILENT ZACH are shown walking toward the hallway to the ladies dressing room, followed closely by the SECURITY GUARD who is dragging a now handcuffed HICKS. As they reach the entrance to the hallway, SILENT ZACH suddenly perks up as if he hears something. He stops the others.)
PAUL: Whassup, lunchbox?
(SILENT ZACH listens a moment longer, then motions for the others to step aside. They do so, as SILENT ZACH moves to the left of the entrance to the hallway, leaning his back against the wall. He stands tense.... and then suddenly jumps out in front of the entrance, so that he is facing the doorway, with his arm raised out straight to his side. The instant he does this, BENNTING comes blazing out of the hallway... and promptly clotheslines himself on SILENT ZACH's outstretched arm, backflipping in the air, and landing hard on his face. SILENT ZACH looks down at him, shaking his head, as PAUL, KATJA, the GUARD, and HICKS all walk up.)
PAUL: Dude, that was friggin' awesome! (He looks up at SILENT ZACH and grins.) Ears like friggin' Superman and shit. (He and SILENT ZACH tap fists.) Nootch!
(BENNTING groans, rolling over onto his back, and spitting out a tooth.)
END OF SCENE
TO BE CONTINUED....