READY JELLY. Written by. Fquira Johannes

Transcription

1 READY JELLY Written by Fquira Johannes "A full-figured, artistic, young woman refuses to conform to her peer's image of beauty, as she campaigns to be student president." 101 Atchisons Street, Garner, NC

2 FADE IN: EXT. WOODROW WILSON HIGH SCHOOL FRONT YARD - DAY, 17, full-figured, young blond girl, leans on the brick column. She adjusts her backpack with help from, 16, slim, tall, brown-skinned. Don t be nervous, you got this. I m not nervous. Winning means becoming the first female president at Woodrow. (Surface: BOAST, Subtext: NERVOUS) My bet is on you to win. Your campaign slogan is great. Pat got your back! Tonya spreads out both her arms with a wide smile. Patricia looks down and shakes her head. The slogan is my biggest problem. It has literally made me the butt of the joke. Girl, what are you talking about? (Surface: QUESTION, Subtext: DOUBT) Patricia pulls out a campaign poster. The picture of Patricia, has a black marker outline of her large buttocks made bigger. An arrow points to that area. This morning, a group of boys were yelling that Pat got back. Tonya giggles. Patricia looks at her and rolls her eyes. Come on, boys are silly. You have the best campaign platform. (Surface: COMFORT, Subtext: MINIMIZE)

3 2. Thanks, I m thinking outside of the box of cafeteria desserts and school trips. Suggestion boxes, student reps at teacher meetings, and the dopest school fight song, all great ideas! Tonya sighs, pulls a head band out and pushes her hair back with it. Yeah, the football team loves the new Wilson Fight Song, but I m always subconscious about my shape. Don t be. That s their stupidity, focus on winning, not the haters. (Surface: FLIPPANT Subtext: COMFORT) Tonya nods and both girls walk into the school. INT. CAFETERIA - DAY Tonya and Patricia sit at the table with three other girls. They laugh at something that Tonya says. JOCK #1,17, and JOCK #2,16, stocky build, walk over to the table. Hey there, what s up? JOCK #1 Well, we wanted to find out if what they re saying is true. (Surface: RESPECT Subtext: SNEAK) What are they saying? (Surface: INQUIRESubtext: SARCASM) JOCK #1 Well, I was told that as school president, you would be sensitive to our needs. (Surface: GENUINE, Subtext: TEASE) Pat looks at them sideways.

4 3. Within reason. What is it that you think you would need? JOCK #1 We need some of that back! (Surface: BOLD Subtext: HARASS) Both jocks begin to simulate a dance with one bent over and the other gyrating his hips. Idiots! Get out of here! Did somebody tackle the brains out of your head? (Surface: THREATEN Subtext: PROTECT) The jocks laugh as they walk away and pat one another on the back. Oh my goodness, this is ridiculous. (Surface: COMPOSED, Subtext: DISMAY) Girl, don t worry about them. They re stupid jocks! (Surface: IMPASSIVE, Subtext: MENACE) Tonya yells over to the jocks who have joined a group of other students. (CONT D) Come on, let s get out of here and take a walk. The other girls hug Patricia as she and Tonya leave. INT. STAIRWELL - DAY Tonya sits on the steps. She puffs a cigarette and waves the smoke away. Patricia leans against the stairwell, and picks at her fingernails. Let me know if someone comes, I don t want to get in any more trouble. I m trying to quit but this election is stressing me. (Surface: MOCK, Subtext: COMICAL) Patricia drops both hands to her side and stares at Tonya. Tonya laughs and coughs.

5 4. (CONT D) I m just kidding, lighten up. You know you can turn this whole big butt thing to your advantage. Really, how is that? (Surface: INTEREST, Subtext: DOUBT) We live in the day of booty injections and butt pads. Almost everyone wants to have or see girls with big booties. (Surface: INFORM, Subtext: HELP) Patricia begins to walk away, down the steps. Sometimes your humor makes me feel better and other times, it just annoys me. Tonya takes a final drag of her cigarette, drops it to the floor and puts it out with her foot. Girl, I m serious. Come back and listen to me. Try to remember that I am a young, thin, black girl with no lady lumps. (Surface: ENCOURAGE, Subtext: DOUBT) Patricia turns around and walks back towards Tonya, she touches Tonya s arm. You have the perfect shape for a track runner. You will most likely be flooded with scholarships and go to the Olympics. (Surface: CONSOLE, Subtext: ADVOCATE) (laughs) Yes, I am pretty speedy, but you people expect black girls to have a big booty. (Surface: ASSURE, Subtext: FEAR) Stupid stereotypes. My family tried calling me fat, but my mother shut them down. (MORE)

6 5. (CONT'D) Of course, she didn t have to deal with big booty issues. Though she did make me listen to Queen s song... Fat Bottomed Girls. (Surface: RELATE, Subtext: CONFUSED) They both laugh and sit down again. Steatopygia, that s what they actually called it. (Surface: KNOWLEDGEABLE, Subtext: CONCERNED) What are you talking about? (Surface: INTERESTED, Subtext: IMPATIENT) Greeks made up a name for a person that has lots tissue around the buttocks and thighs. Tonya reaches around to slap Patricia on the buttocks. (CONT D) That s what you got girl! (Surface: CHEER, Subtext: WORRY) Well, whatever it is, I won t let anyone make me feel bad for anything that I was born with. (Surface: ASSURED, Subtext: RETALIATE) Do what Destiny s Child did. They flipped it and said I don t think you re ready for this jelly, my body s too Bootylicious. (Surface: DRAMATIZE, Subtext: PERFORM) Tonya does a quick booty shake dance. Patricia laughs and reaches for Tonya s hands and holds them both. You re a great friend. Thank you for giving me just what I need to flip this. (Surface: HONOUR, Subtext: SATIRICAL)

7 6. They both laugh and leave. Okay girl, don t hurt nobody! INT. LIBRARY - NIGHT Patricia sleeps at a table, piles of books around her head. She drools onto the table and her snore causes her to jump awake. The LIBRARIAN, 40s, dark haired, dressed in a bright tutu, hands Patricia a thick book. LIBRARIAN This copy was so hard to find. Clifton Crais from Princeton University wrote it. (Surface: PROUD, Subtext: IRRITATED) Thanks so much! LIBRARIAN You would think that a book from Princeton would be easier to find. Who is Sara Baartman? (Surface: CURIOUS, Subtext: DISTRUST) Patricia runs her fingertips across the book. I m about to find out. (Surface: EXCITED, Subtext: IMPATIENT) Patricia looks down at the librarian s tutu. (CONT D) Nice outfit. (Surface: IMPRESSED, Subtext: TEASING) LIBRARIAN Some librarians read the stories, some of us live them. (Surface: PLEASED, Subtext: SALTY) The Librarian winks at Patricia. Patricia laughs, picks up her books, and gives the Librarian a thumbs up as she leaves. INT. WOODROW WILSON HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM - DAY

8 7. The audience claps as a young male exits the podium. The PRINCIPAL, 40s, balding, overweight in a suit, steps to the podium and takes the microphone. PRINCIPAL That was a great speech, this is becoming one of our most competitive elections. (Surface: MOTIVATIONAL, The Principal turns to the others on stage. He motions towards Patricia. She nods in response. PRINCIPAL (CONT D) And now our final Presidential candidate, Ms. Patricia Holmes. The audience applauds. ANONYMOUS (Yells) Pat got back! Laughter fills the room. Patricia motions to someone on the right side of the stage. The room darkens, a screen appears with images of a full figured woman with a large behind. Thank you for this opportunity to stand before you. Today I am not Patricia but I am Sarah Baartman. Whispers fill the room. Tonya cheers. Go ahead and school them Patricia! My campaign was about student reps, fight songs and other issues, but I now stand for self-acceptance. Patricia clears her throat and points to the slides. (CONT D) We are unique and our uniqueness should be celebrated. I am a blond haired, blue eyed young lady, and yes, I have a big booty. The audience rumbles with murmurs and some laughs.

9 8. (CONT D) But I will not allow anyone to make me feel bad about me. I will not be intimidated because they are not ready for this jelly. The audience laughs. (CONT D) As your president, I will stand up for everyone. Whether you are like a lot of people or like no one at all. I will celebrate each of our differences and together we will make a difference. The room is silent and then someone begins to clap. The room fills with applause. The students stand to their feet, begin to yell and chant. STUDENTS Pat got back and we like it like that! Pat for president! FADE OUT.