Try Again (A Scripted Series)-Part One

4

INT. MUSIC ROOM– DAY

Torie walks in as her group rehearses their full performance routine (reminiscent of the early 2000s) with Brandy front and center. Seeing Torie, Brandy stops the music.

MO

That was fast.

TORIE

Technically, I'm not supposed to be here. Just checking in.

BRANDY

As you can see, we're good.

TORIE

Yeah, except, that's not my routine.

BRANDY

We were just trying out something new. The old routine felt a little...uninspired.

SHAE

Here we go.

TORIE

I would just appreciate it if you didn't switch things up without me knowing about it.

BRANDY

I'm sorry. I thought this was a collaboration, not a dictatorship.

TORIE

Excuse me?

BRANDY

You know what? You're right. Why don't we call it a day? Because obviously nothing will ever be good enough unless Torie's in charge, right?

She grabs her things and leaves.

INT. HISTORY CLASS – DAY

Flynn is nursing a headache when the doorknob jiggles. He looks up at the piece of paper he taped to the window and can see Mr. Edwards' figure.

MR. EDWARDS

Why is the door locked?

Flynn rushes to the door. Jiggles the knob.

MR. EDWARDS

Open the door.

Flynn pretends to try again.

FLYNN

It won't open.

Mr. Edwards knows something's going on. He walks away. Flynn holds his chest.

EXT. PARKING LOT – DAY

Abram's sitting in his car listening to the radio.

DEEJAY (ON THE RADIO)

It is now time to announce the winners of the Local Legends Battle of the Bands. The listeners have spoken and your number one pick is...In The Flux. Congratulations--

Abram turns off the radio and slams back in his seat. The back doors of the building burst open and Brandy storms out followed by Torie, Shae, and Mo. He watches curiously as they move toward Brandy's car.

TORIE

If you have something to say, just say it.

BRANDY

Fine. Let's be honest. The only reason you were checking up on us is because you wanted to make sure you were still in control.

TORIE

It's not about being in control. It's about taking leadership.

BRANDY

And why exactly are you the leader? We never made that decision.

TORIE

I started the group.

BRANDY

So that means you get to stay in the spotlight, and we're just your backup singers? We have voices too, but no one ever gets to hear us because you make it all about you. You're not even the best singer in the group.

SHAE

Why don't we just cool off and we'll deal with this tomorrow?

TORIE

No. You think I'm holding you back? Then you do what you have to do.

MO

Wait...

BRANDY

You're kicking me out of the group?

SHAE

No one's leaving the group.

TORIE

That's what you wanted, right?

BRANDY

No, this is what you wanted! This is exactly what I'm talking about. You're so selfish, that you're willing to jeopardize the group just so you won't' feel threatened.

TORIE

I'm selfish?

They're yelling back and forth, Mo and Shae trying to intervene.

In his car, Abram looks at the window to detention. The argument has caught its occupants attention and they're gathering around the window. Mr. Edwards walks into the room.

Abram sighs. He turns up the radio and gets out of the car. The girls look over at him. Abram grabs his sticks from his backseat. Hops on the hood and twirls them, giving their audience a show. Torie notices them. Gives Brandy one last look then hustles toward a side entrance.