ACT TWO

9.

EXT. Centre Ave. – Morning

MUSIC CUE: "On the 54" by The Dandelions.

We are viewing a wide shot, as we can only see the "almost" birds-eye-view of VERA'S car. VERA pulls off toward a gas station, and we cut to a closer shot of her getting out of the car. She opens the lid of her gas tank and begins filling up. JASON walks out of the small convenience store, putting his wallet into his back pocket. He sees VERA and smirks, ready to pull out his wit.

JASON:

Car trouble, miss?

VERA sees JASON and rolls her eyes.

VERA:

Just filling up.

JASON:

Uh-huh. Gosh, that must have been a huge cereal box.

(beat)

Had any eggs yet?

VERA:

What?

JASON:

It's Friday.

VERA:

Okay…

JASON:

Friday…

VERA:

Yeah, I got it. It just wasn't funny.

JASON:

Wow. You sure are fun, fun, fun.

JASON gets into his black mustang and drives off. VERA continues to fill up her gas tank.

MUSIC CUE: Stop playing "On the 54" by The Dandelions.

10.

INT. Newsroom – Day

VERA walks in. Everyone is crowded around the two TV's that are attached to the roof. The news is showing a video of the Ramada hotel.

VERA:

(to James)

What's going on?

JAMES is about to reply when…

JASON:

Some "peace" group is holding a bunch of people hostage over at the Ramada hotel. That's what their calling themselves.

NEWS REPORTER:

(on TV)

There is no word yet on the safety of the hostages, but channel seven news will continue to monitor the situation. This is Hannah Rovan reporting.

NEWS ANCHOR:

(on TV)

Thank you Hannah.

(to viewers)

We'll keep you updated on this breaking story as it unfolds.

VERA:

Wow. Is anyone over there right now covering this?

JAMES:

They're not going to let any of us do this. Val sent over Peter, one of the column guys. He's been here forever.

VERA:

Oh, this would be great experience.

VERA starts over to VAL, who is frantically searching on her computer for the latest updates.

JAMES:

(to Vera as she walks away)

Good luck.

JASON:

Why don't you go rub a lamp for her.

We cut to VERA, who is standing in front of VAL's desk.

VAL:

I don't have time to chat right now, Miss Fuller.

VERA:

I know, I was just wondering—

VAL:

Miss Fuller, I'm extremely busy. The coverage of this story could make or break my career. I don't have time to do you any favours. Good bye.

VERA walks away, a bit angry.

JASON:

(to Vera)

Like I said, you're going to have to rub a lamp.

11.

INT. Newsroom – Day

MUSIC CUE: "Lost Art" by Mere Mortals.

VERA is sitting in front of her laptop, glancing over at the TV every once in a while. She then glances over to VAL, who is busy on her cell phone talking with Peter.

VAL:

Peter, I'm not paying you to slack off!

(beat)

Don't make me come down there.

(beat)

Peter! Get the story, or the only two words you'll hear from me from now on will be "you're fired."

VAL slams her phone shut. VERA glances around her nervously, and quickly packs her laptop into her bag, along with a notepad and pen. She gets up, trying to go unnoticed, and slips out the door. JASON glances up from his notebook to see VERA walking out, the door closing behind her. He looks over at VAL, who hasn't noticed a thing, and follows in Vera's footsteps.

12.

EXT. Ramada Hotel – Day

Journalists are everywhere. There are camera crews set up by the police barricades, reporting their stories. We are panning through the crowd when we see VERA, poking her head around a large man. She squeezes her petite self through, getting out her camera.

POLICEMAN #1:

I'm sorry, miss, but we can't allow you to take any pictures.

VERA:

I'm a reporter.

POLICEMAN #1:

Where's your identification?

VERA looks through her bag, not finding anything.

POLICEMAN #1:

That's what I thought. Move along now.

VERA:

But—

POLICEMAN #1:

Go!

VERA gets back into her car and drives off. We see JASON drive slowly by, seeing the confrontation with VERA. He speeds up after he passes the police tape.

MUSIC CUE: Stop playing "Lost Art" by Mere Mortals.

13.

INT. Starbuck's – Evening

MUSIC CUE: Quietly in the background, begin playing "Utopia" by Alanis Morissette.

VERA is sitting in a comfy chair by the fireplace, sipping her coffee and doing still more research. She has her notebook by her side, ready to jot down any important points. JASON walks in and heads for the counter. As he looks for something to order, VERA notices his presence. She attempts to disappear, hiding her face behind one of her books. Moments later…

JASON:

Oh, come on. Nobody else is as obsessed with research as you are. You didn't think I wouldn't recognize you, did you?

VERA:

I can dream.

JASON:

About me? I know, I do it, too.

VERA rolls her eyes and JASON takes it upon himself to sit in the comfy chair opposite her.

JASON:

So, how's the research going?

VERA looks at him sceptically.

JASON:

(continued)

I'm serious. I really want to know.

VERA:

No, you don't.

JASON:

What makes you say that?

VERA:

Oh, I don't know. It could have something to do with the fact that you've been nothing but a jerk to me since we met, or perhaps that you ratted me out to Val. I was having a bad day, okay? I didn't need you to—

JASON:

I didn't do it, I swear.

VERA:

You know I'm never going to believe you.

JASON:

Fine. Believe whatever you want.

JASON grabs his coffee off the ledge and heads for the door. VERA looks a little bit guilty, regretting her bitter tone toward him.

JASON:

I know where you were today.

JASON leaves, and the look of apology washes off of VERA's face, a look of anxiousness replacing it.

MUSIC CUE: Stop playing "Utopia" by Alanis Morissette.

14.

EXT. Street – Night

MUSIC CUE: "Oh My" by Mellowdrone.

VERA is walking down the poorly lit, damp street, about three blocks from the Ramada hotel. She takes one last sip of her coffee, and tosses the cup into a trash can by the brick wall. She walks past Chintz & Company, a furnishing store. As she continues walking, muffled voices grab her attention. The voices are indistinct right now, but as she moves closer they become clearer. We are hearing what she hears. She peeks around the corner into an alleyway, and sees two heavily built men having a discussion. The camera pans to behind VERA as she watches the conversation.

MAN #1:

What else can we do? The police aren't giving in. They haven't even called the federal agents.

RAZZE:

Well, we can't give up either! I didn't come all the way up here for nothing.

Cut to shots of the two men closer up.

MAN #1:

I know. I'm not saying we should give up, it's just—

RAZZE:

It's just what? I left my family, I left my job, I left my life! All to go to this hotel, get the money, and find a better life. I'm not going to just escort myself right to my jail cell.

MAN #1:

That's not what I'm saying.

RAZZE:

Well, it sure as hell sounds like it.

Cut back to the wide shot of VERA'S back as she watches the interaction. RAZZE opens the door to the building outside of which they are talking, and heads inside. Moments later, MAN #1 follows. VERA turns back toward the camera, and we see the confused, frightened, and shocked look on her face. Thunder can be heard lightly in the background.

MUSIC CUE: Stop playing "Oh My" by Mellowdrone.

END OF ACT TWO

7