SHILOH

A Short Script On The Beginning

00: A SHORT SCRIPT ON THE BEGINNING

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[SCENE: A college science classroom. Six students sit in the front row, all spaced out, of course. You can't expect a group of nineteen-year olds to sit tight and cozy next to people they don't know. In front of them was Professor Beckman and a short beagle. Shockingly, his intimidating façade is gone with the dog in his hands. ]

MR. BECKMAN: (lets out a grin that makes half of the students subtly cringe) So! I'm glad that you all read your emails that I sent this morning. You really are freshmen!

THE STUDENTS: (awkward and quiet)

REED: (looking at Beckman with determination that resembles eleven-year old Hermione Granger)

LYDIA: (sitting next to Reed; very confused and staring at the dog that's sitting on the professor's lap)

BECKMAN: (still has a cheeky smile on his face as he pulls out a notepad from his desk) Just a quick attendance. (Clears throat) Reed Clark-

REED: Here.

BECKMAN: (continues without looking at any of the teenagers) Lydia Hansen-

LYDIA: Yep.

BECKMAN: (still looking at notepad) A little more enthusiasm next time, please.

LYDIA: (smiles at Reed)

BECKMAN: Jacob Khan-

JACOB: Here.

BECKMAN: Johana Khatri-

JOHANA: Here!

BECKMAN: (nods) Jimmy Oakley-

JIMMY: (sarcastically) Present.

BECKMAN: (doesn't bother looking up from his notepad) Lose the attitude, Oakley.

JIMMY: (shrugs)

BECKMAN: And finally, Thomas Wright-

THOMAS: Here.

BECKMAN: (claps loudly and abruptly, making everyone jump in their seats) Good! Everyone's here! And (chuckles) you're all probably wondering why I emailed you all to come see me at the end of the day, yes?

THE STUDENTS: (nods obediently)

BECKMAN: Well, here's why. (Begins rubbing his hands together, then stops and lets his hands space out from each other; and in the most blunt voice, he says) You're all failing my class!

THE STUDENTS: (jaw drops)

BECKMAN: I'm hoping that you all know that failing this class means that you'd have to take it again next year. Not so bad for me since I'll have a few familiar faces around, but it will be pretty bad for you all.

REED: (eyes wide)

BECKMAN: But that's not the only reason to why I emailed you all to come see me. Yes, your grades suck, but I'm going to be generous and make you all a deal.

JIMMY: (furrows brows and frowns) (basically despises everyone who's in the room with him, but actually makes eye contact with the tan, wavy haired girl, Johana. They both stare at each other as if saying, "Uh, what the fuck?")

JOHANA: (shrugs)

BECKMAN: (smiles and pats his dog on the back) So, ladies and gentlemen. This is Shiloh.