Black Betty Qpix

7/28/2019 Black Betty Qpix

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BLACK BETTY

Written by

Sharlene Lea'uanae

FIRST DRAFTCopyright March 2013

Sharlene Lea'uanae14C Tilse StreetMareeba, QLD 488007 40 92 5030

[email protected](c) Sharlene Lea'uanae


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BLACK BETTY

Voice over - STEVIE. Scenes 1-2

INT. HOUSE - DAY1 1

CU of an extension cord being plugged into an electricalsocket. The shot follows the extension cord through thelounge, passing band memorabilia, a guitar - Black Betty inprime position, a baby girl photo and progressive primaryschool photos. The cord leads out of the room, through thehouse, out of the back door and down the steps.

EXT. BACKYARD - DAY -- CONTINUOUS2 2

The extension cord runs across the backyard.

STEVIE V.O.) (V.O.)My dad said it only took one lookat my newborn squashed up noggin toknow. He said I gripped hisfingers, the same ones he played Cand A chords with, and he knew thathe would walk away from screamingfans, late night jams and beingalmost famous. That was 13 yearsago today; because today I am ateenager.

EXT. BACKYARD - DAY -- CONTINUOUS3 3

The end of the cord is being plugged into an amp by Bruce(37). Bruce is on his knees and his bum crack says hello overhis tight black jeans. He stands to face his pleading, 13-year-old daughter, Stevie.

STEVIEWhy cant I have a normal birthdayparty?

BRUCEYoure darn lucky. Not all kids getto have a live band.

SPEARS (38), balding, jeans too tight, turns up withdrumsticks in hands.

BRUCE (CONTD)Heres Spears. Itll rock out,honey. Look Ill let you put a fewon the play list

Stevie gives a cold look. Bruce hands her a piece of paper -the play list. Stevie looks at it briefly.


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STEVIEI dont even know what these are.

Bruce takes the list back. Despite the darts from hisdaughters eyes he keeps his cheerful tone.

BRUCEClassics, honey. Dont tell me Ididnt raise you right. Come on,sing the next line. (Singing)CauseIm bound for glory!...

STEVIE(Unimpressed)

We played that when I was 3. Im13. This is my 13th birthday andyoure ruining it! (Storming off,

screaming) Youre ruining my life!

Bruce watches her leave. Spears walks up to him.

BRUCEShes right.

SPEARSNah, performance nerves.

BRUCEShes becoming a woman and I dontknow the first thing about women.

Spears sees hes serious.

SPEARSHey, youve done a darn good jobraising her all by yourself.

From his back pocket, Bruce hands Spears a solicitorsletter. Spears is curious.

BRUCEShe wants back in.

The letter is a custody application from Stevies mother.

SPEARSBack in? She left before theumbilical cord was cut.

Bruce plucks the letter from Spears hands and stuffs it inhis back pocket.

BRUCENow shes back.

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5/13

STEVIEJust the best dad. Its official.The end-of-year graduation dance.

The girls excitement overflows. They take their drinks. Bruce

picks up the flyer.

BRUCELooks fancy.

STEVIEIt is. Theyve decided to make itformal.

The girls clink glasses.

BRUCE

Have they got a band? Sounds like apretty solid gig.

Stevie loses her smile.

BRUCE (CONTD)Who would I contact? Principal? Pand C?

Bruce sips his milk. Stevie slams down her drink and, takingRachels hand, storms off. Bruce is left with Stevies mess,his milk moustache and bewilderment as to what he did.

INT. PUB COUNTER - DAY6 6

Bruce and Spears sit side by side on bar stools. The danceflyer is placed on the pub counter.

BRUCEI thought it was a gig. Lord knows

we need the money. (Spears nods)We used to be so close, but lately,I can never say the right thing.

SPEARSWho knows what she wanted you tosay.

The Barmaid intercedes, taking the flyer.

BARMAIDIts not an invitation for a gig.Its an invitation to buy a dress.

The two men look at each other, enlightened.

4.


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INT. DRESS SHOP - DAY7 7

An uncomfortable Bruce and Stevie are formal dress shopping.The SHOP ASSISTANT eyes Bruce. Bruce selects a dress. Steviescrews up her face. She holds up an extremely short one.

Bruce looks at the price.

BRUCEFor that price youd think they

would have a bit more material.

Stevie shakes her head and chooses another. They both decideagainst that one. Finally Stevie finds a beautiful princessstyle gown.

STEVIEThis is it dad.

She holds the dress against herself, captivated. Bruce looksat the price tag in disbelief. He knows this is way beyondtheir budget. The Shop Assistant arrives.

SHOP ASSISTANTWould you like to try it on?

Bruce shakes his head no but Stevie jumps at the chance andis in the changing room before he can respond. Bruce forces afalse smile at the Shop Assistant.

CUT TO:

Stevie exits the dressing room looking like she has just beennamed Prom Queen. Bruce is impressed but lacks the skills toexpress it.

BRUCEYeah, looks alright hey?

Stevie looks at herself in the mirror. The Shop Assistantcorrects Bruces emotionless response.

SHOP ASSISTANT

You look like a princess. Are wedecided?

Stevie looks to her dad, her eyes pleading for three littleletters - yes. He knows they cant afford it.

BRUCEAhh, its nice sweetie, but youdont want to pick straight away,Lets look around a bit more, hey?

Bruce nervously rubs his chest. Stevies disappointed but

gives a little nod and walks back to the changing room. Onthe way she spies two other girls accessorising with theirmum. Bruce follows his daughters eyes to the mother-daughterexchange and then looks back to Stevie.

5.


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INT. HOUSE - DAY8 8

CU Sandras business card beside the phone. Pan out to showBruce and Stevie talking.

BRUCEYou nervous?

Stevie shakes her head no but Bruce feels the hesitancy.

STEVIEWhat do you reckon shell think of

me?

BRUCEThats easy. That youre awesome,great,(points to her chest, she

looks down) gullible.

Bruce smiles. She pushes his hand away. They catch eachothers eyes in a quick but heartfelt father-daughter moment.They are interrupted by a KNOCK on the door. They look to itand then back to each other.

CUT TO:

INT/EXT HOUSE - DAY9 9

Bruce, Stevie and Sandra are talking at the front door.

SANDRA.You really are grown up. Quite theyoung lady.

Stevie smiles.

SANDRAYou ready to go?

Bruce is uncomfortable. Stevie looks to her dad.

STEVIEIf its alright with you, dad?

Sandra eyes Bruce who attempts to appear confident.

BRUCEYeah, sure, go. Ill be here, for

when you get back. Right here.

Sandra looks to Stevie and shows the way.

SANDRA

Shall we?

They leave. Bruce watches them go. Stevie is impressed bySandras flash car.

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SANDRAJust think about it, okay?

Stevie nods and exits the car. Sandra watches her run intothe house.

INT. HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY -- CONTINUOUS14 14

Stevie runs through the house and into the lounge room.

STEVIEDad!

She pulls up short. There hanging on Black Bettys guitarstand, is her dress. Bruce walks in behind her.

BRUCEThought youd get more use out ofit then I get from Black Betty.

STEVIEDad. No..

BRUCEI know youve got decisions to makeand maybe youre old enough to makeem. But dont make them thinking Igave up my life cause everythingthat matters to me fits into thatdress.

Stevies heart melts. They look at each other.

STEVIEShes asked me to live with her.

Bruce nods to himself a few times, accepting the words.

INT. BEDROOM - EARLY EVENING15 15

Stevie sits before a mirror with her hair and make-up done.She is wearing the dress. The shot moves out to revealSandra standing beside her, placing a clip in Stevies hair.

SANDRAI never thought Id be helping mydaughter get ready for her firstformal dance. Thank you for letting

me be a part of this.

Stevie smiles. Sandra quickly directs the conversation fromtear jerking territory.

SANDRA (CONTD)Well, lets not keep the fans

waiting.

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INT. LOUNGE ROOM - EARLY EVENING -- CONTINUOUS16 16

Stevie enters the lounge room where Spears is fixing Brucestie. He may wear a tie but below his dress shirt is histrademark skinny jeans. Sandra gets their attention by

clearing her throat. Bruce is taken aback by his daughtersbeautiful appearance and attempts to speak but cant. Spearslooks at his mute mate and sings under his breath.

SPEARSThen when she asks me do I lookalright..

Bruce clues in and steps forward.

BRUCEYou look wonderful tonight.

Stevies smile lights up the room.

INT/EXT. BRUCES CAR - EARLY EVENING17 17

Bruces car arrives at the school hall for the dance. Musicspills from the building and kids gather out the front. Bruceopens Stevies door and assists her out.

BRUCELooks happening. You sure they gota band? I can call the boys..

STEVIEDad!

Bruce smile lets her know he is joking.

BRUCEShow em how a rock queen does it.

Stevie kisses her dad and hurries to her waiting friends.Bruce closes her door and walks around to his door.

STEVIE (V.O.)My dad says tight jeans shouldnever have gone out of fashioncause fellas in those baggy, jockshowin pants dont have the samepassion. He said his greatest songis still being written and theinspiration comes from a heart thathas him smitten.

Stevie pauses at the hall entrance and looks back at her dad.He pauses at the open car door and looks at her.

STEVIE (V.O.)He said it started with one lookbecause one look was all it took.

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13/13

She waves and he raises his fingers in a rock pose. Theysmile and she walks in.

Bruces mobile rings. As he listens to the caller he pops the

boot and walks around to it. There, in all its glory, isBlack Betty. A note attached reads - No-one should losewhat they love, treasure & create music with. Under thestrings are the court papers with a big black line throughthem. Bruce takes them and breathes a thank you into thephone. He puts the phone down, throws the papers in the bootand takes out his girl, Black Betty. He closes the boot.

Music starts- Black Betty. Bruce straps Black Betty inthe front seat. He gets in and drives off, singing loud andproud.

12.

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