Try Again (A Scripted Series)-Part One

5

INT. LOGAN HOME/LIVING ROOM – DAY

Tristen's eating snacks while sitting in his living room watching a documentary about lions. Beside him, Flynn taps his pencil against his notebook waiting for his lesson to begin. He glances at Tristen.

FLYNN

So we're just going to watch TV?

TRISTEN

You don't like Animal Planet?

FLYNN

Sure. I was just expecting something more hands on.

TRISTEN

When I was a kid, I used to want to be a superhero. I would tie a towel around my neck and pretend I could fly. Torie used to get mad at me for stealing her dolls so I could throw them in the bathtub just to save them. As I got older, I stopped putting on the towel. I stopped pretending to fight crime. I stopped wanting to be a superhero. I always wonder what happens in that span of time between being that kid who was bold enough to believe he could be anything he wanted to be, to being the kid who was too afraid to try. That thing that makes us question ourselves...(re: lions) They don't have that. They have no awareness of anyone else's opinion of them. They just become who they were born to be. You want to find your swagger? Find your inner lion.

Flynn starts to get it. He watches more closely. Takes notes.

EXT. SENIOR FESTIVAL – DAY

Amusement park rides light up the sky. The festival comes to life with crowds of people, flashing lights, music, games, and food trucks.

At the entrance, Flynn's wearing a pair of black shades. He can't keep still. Tristen waits beside him as Clarke pays for her ticket.

FLYNN

There she is. Do I look okay? The shades are probably a bad idea. I'm taking them off.

TRISTEN

Why'd you put them on in the first place?

FLYNN

They make me feel cool.

TRISTEN

Then wear them. Or don't. It's up to you.

FLYNN

Okay. I'm just going to go over there and be myself. Hey, Clarke. How's it going?

TRISTEN

She can't hear you.

FLYNN

I know. I'm practicing my lines. Here goes nothing.

He takes a deep breath.

TRISTEN

Go get her, lion cub. Time's wasting.

Flynn walks over. Clarke smiles.

CLARKE

Nice shades.

FLYNN

Thanks. They're my dad's. Were my dad's. He let me keep them after I cried when he took them away. I was five.

CLARKE

They look good on you.

FLYNN

Thanks. What do you want to do?

Clarke looks around. Sees Mr. Edwards overseeing the Strongman hammer game. He's wearing a carny hat.

CLARKE

Mr. Edwards looks like he could use a friend.

Flynn's eyes climb the height of the tower. He gulps.

FLYNN

Yeah. Sure.

They walk over.

MR. EDWARDS

Hey, Flynn. Ready to test your strength?

FLYNN

This thing's probably rigged, right?

MR. EDWARDS

Oh no. All good clean fun here.

FLYNN

Good to know.

He hands over his money and Mr. Edwards gives him the mallet.

MR. EDWARDS

Go for it.

Flynn sits the mallet down and rubs his hands together, pumping himself up. Gets into position. He slams the mallet onto the lever. The puck barely bounces.

FLYNN

I'm just warming up.