PAGES

Written by

Brad CookMichael Kaitis

COLD OPEN

Black.

A soft voice strings words together.

MACEYY’know I think the overcast sky might give the wrong impression.

CAM (O.S.)So will sun, if you’re trying to appeal to teenagers. You can’t just put this off. Mostly ‘cause my project is due in a month.

FADE IN:

EXT. PARKING LOT - MORNING

The lens cap comes off. CAM WOMACK’s (26) bangs hang down as she stares into the hand-held camera, then trains the lens on MACEY WOMACK (32), a bookish brunette.

MACEYI know, it’s just... I have to get this perfect. I owe everything to this place. Everything I have.

CAM (O.S.)I think the scales tipped back in your favor when you picked it over Geoff.

MACEYRight. Stings a bit. Not a great time to reminisce. But I can do this.

Macey straightens her hair, then exhales. Cam motions to her.

MACEY (CONT’D)Hello, I’m Macey Womack, and I’d like to introduce to you a place I hold dear. A place so wondrous and exciting, you’ll never wanna leave.

Macey smiles, waiting, then gestures to her left. The camera pans, landing on an under-maintained shack of a building.

MACEY (O.S.) (CONT’D)The public library!

INT. NAPERVILLE REGIONAL LIBRARY - MORNING

Filled bookcases, drab as the walls they span. The tables and chairs are considerably less populated. A homemade cardboard display bears a variety of Fly Fishing magazines.

Standing before it all, Macey wears a genuine smile.

MACEYWelcome to the Naperville Regional Library. As the head librarian, please allow me to show you around.

In a vibrant corner, CHILDREN occupy a tiny table. One of them reads a book titled ‘Power Tools: A Children’s Guide.’ A puffy bean bag is stretched to an adult’s form.

MACEY (CONT’D)Our kid’s section is full enough to keep your child reading for hours, yet so small you couldn’t lose a cat. It’s like free day-care!...

(muttering)Aside from the taxes.

She saunters over to the next few rows of books.

MACEY (CONT’D)And our Teen Central has enough vampires, wizards, and faeries to satisfy you no matter what house the Sorting Hat puts you in.

From a dispenser on a bookcase, Macey pulls a foil tab, then unwraps it and pops it into her mouth.

MACEY (CONT’D)We even supply chewing gum. Which we have often regretted. Keeps the place pretty quiet, though.

CLIFF COUTURE (52), a scruffy janitor, wipes down a table. Macey puts her hand on his shoulder and chuckles.

MACEY (CONT’D)I know someone who hates that gum. Sorry, Cliff!

Cliff shrugs, chewing on something.

CLIFFOne learns to recycle.

Macey bugs her eyes, then strolls along the back wall.

2.

MACEYOn the back wall, we have every genre you could imagine. Except those Japanese comics you read backwards. We need those. Don’t forget to edit that out.

She comes to a sparse section in the far corner.

MACEY (CONT’D)This is our non-fiction section, comprised mostly of... conspiracy theory and occult material.

Further down, an ancient device sits atop a large desk.

MACEY (CONT’D)Naperville Regional is home to one of the state’s last microfiche machines! We have town records dating back to Joseph Naper’s drunken attempts at journalism.

Macey makes an awkward attempt to strike a pose next to it, then abandons it and steps over to the front counter, where plump GLADYS HALWAY (60) sits at a computer, eyes glazed.

MACEY (CONT’D)Hey, the library can be hip, too. This is Gladys Hallway, our social media expert. Say hi!

GLADYSIt’s HALway! H-A-L! You’ve known me for thirteen years!

MACEYRight, right. I’m so sorry, Gladys. It won’t happen again.

Macey walks across the room, holding in a snicker.

MACEY (CONT’D)You gotta get your laughs anywhere you can around here.

She opens a door, then flicks on the light in a cramped room with a copy machine, vending machine, and two folding tables.

MACEY (CONT’D)Finally, our combination meeting slash copy slash snack room will satisfy all of your clients needs.

3.

(MORE)

Or it would’ve, but we were forced to remove the conjoined bathroom.

She kneels at the foot of the vending machine.

MACEY (CONT’D)I even stocked the bottom row with healthy-- is that... what is that? And who jacked up the price?

She fishes quarters out of her pocket, inserts them, then chooses the last item on the bottom row - a foil cylinder.

Macey peels back the foil to find a thick cigar.

MACEY (CONT’D)That’s just empty calories.

Still holding the cigar, she exits the meeting room.

MACEY (CONT’D)We may not have touch screens, but our Catcher in the Rye won’t crack when you drop it in the bathroom. On second thought, please don’t take it in the bathroom.

A door behind her CREAKS as BOYD PROSPAL (42), a Southern gentleman overdressed for a library, swaggers inside.

BOYDOh good, my celebratory stogie. Just what I came for.

MACEY(to Cam)

Shut it down. We’ll finish later.

CAM (O.S.)Okay.

Cam pretends to press a button.

CAM (O.S.) (CONT’D)Boop.

Macey turns to Boyd, clutching the foil-wrapped cigar.

MACEYThis is anything but healthy. And it’s probably stale by now.

He approaches her and grabs the cigar.

4.

MACEY (CONT’D)

BOYDGot my own special humidor in the truck. It’s called a moist towelette.

MACEYPut that thing away. I’m glad you’re here. I have a couple suggestions for this month’s order.

He taps the tip of her nose with a finger.

BOYDThat’s me pressing your stop button. My responsibilities lie elsewhere, now.

MACEYYour... what?

BOYDWell didn’t ya hear? I’m no longer a part of this taxpayer shakedown.

Macey wilts.

MACEYYou finally did it.

BOYDConfirmed it with the board this morning. Which reminds me, they named you interim library director.

MACEYNo. No, no, no. Nope. All those dollars and cents... the only decimals I do are Dewey’s.

BOYDI’ve weened myself from the haggard teat of Uncle Sam. You’re on your own. It’s been a pleasure.

Boyd winks at Gladys, rewraps the cigar, then walks out. Macey sits with the children at the tiny table, shaken.

MACEYI failed remedial math in college. I know everything about books but how to balance them.

CAM (O.S.)Hold tight. I’ll be back.

5.

INT. CAM’S VAN - LATER

Inside a messy van, the camera films from a bad angle. Cam emerges from the back seat wearing a wrinkly black shirt and a beige baseball cap. She slips the camera into her purse.

EXT. WORDS WAREHOUSE BOOKSTORE - PARKING LOT - MOMENTS LATER

Through an open zipper, the lens finds a pair of WORKERS wearing black shirts and beige caps, each carrying a stack of cardboard boxes. Cam slips inside with them.

INT. WORDS WAREHOUSE BOOKSTORE - MOMENTS LATER

A mostly empty, yet busy room. WORKERS place furniture, assemble bookcases, paint the walls a bland yellow.

Cam scurries to a table covered with magazines. She sets the purse down, then shuffles them as an employee approaches.

BOYD (O.S.)What in John Deere’s name do you mean there’s no assistant manager?

Cam adjusts the purse so it faces Boyd, hands on his hips, speaking with two EMPLOYEES at the front of the room.

MILO SETOGUCHI (26) responds.

MILOIt’s kind of a funny story.

ADELAIDE FAIRCHILD (30) speaks in an uppity tone.

ADELAIDENo, it is not. It is egregious.

BOYDAnd you two are?

ADELAIDEI am Adelaide, and he is Milo. We are your head associates.

MILOThe owner of the store made himself assistant manager so he’d never have to work, but he gets two paychecks.

ADELAIDEAnd thus, cannot be fired.

6.

CAM (O.S.)(whispering)

Genius.

Boyd runs his hand over his thinning, slicked-back hair. He looks out at the construction happening before him.

BOYDHe’s outsmarted me already. So, what’s on the checklist today?

ADELAIDEFirstly, we need to do inventory.

MILOThen we have to use that info to plan the floor layout.

ADELAIDELastly, we must confer over the illumination situation. This fluorescent lighting puts my pale just a dash over the corpse line.

BOYDI’m tickled you mentioned it. I almost bit my tongue off. You look like an Anne Rice character.

Adelaide rolls her eyes.

ADELAIDEFirstly, Anne Rice’s notion of vampires is wholly antiquated.

BOYDSecondly, let’s get to work.

(to Milo)You - print a list of all existing book genres. Then establish a few new ones, too.

(to Adelaide)You - do some research into your ‘illumination situation.’

(to the room)And somebody be a dear and bring me an Arnold Palmer. None of that powder, either. The real thing.

Boyd pulls out a cell phone, dials a number.

BOYD (CONT’D)Hello, Gladys?

7.

INT. NAPERVILLE REGIONAL LIBRARY - LATER

At the kids’ table, Macey and a LITTLE GIRL clink wine glasses of red liquid, then drink as Cam enters, filming.

CAM (O.S.)Okay, I’m all for sneaking a drink here and there, but isn’t wine bad for kids’ teeth or something?

MACEYIt’s Juicy Juice. These are the only glasses the library has for some reason. Where were you?

CAM (O.S.)I... followed Boyd.

MACEYCamilla!

CAM (O.S.)I’m sorry! I had to.

MACEYYou are the best sister a girl could ask for. Still, I’m not sure I wanna know where he went.

CAM (O.S.)Oh, you wanna know.

MACEYI so do. Hit me.

CAM (O.S.)That giant building that popped up about a mile down the road? It’s a bookstore. If you can call it that.

Macey winces.

CAM (O.S.) (CONT’D)Words Warehouse. He’s the manager.

Macey lays her head on the table. Dark hair shrouds her face.

MACEYFrom a thorn in my side to a knife in my back. Well played, Boyd.

8.

CAM (O.S.)Mace, this is your chance. You always complained about Boyd controlling this place. Now you’re in charge. Do it your way.

MACEYIt sounds great when you put it like that, but... budgets, board meetings, negotiating contracts? I don’t have a mind for business.

CAM (O.S.)Give yourself some credit. You’re the best banker I’ve ever had the pleasure of playing Monopoly with.

Macey sighs.

MACEYMaybe it’s time I leave this place, too. Maybe I should apply at Words Warehouse.

CAM (O.S.)Even if they paid you in platinum penguins, that place wouldn’t make you happy. You belong here.

MACEYAw, penguins. But is there a place for the library today? Is there any way to make one work?

LITTLE GIRLNot in this economy.

MACEYExactly. Thank you, you precocious little scamp.

LITTLE GIRLCheers.

The girl holds her glass up. Macey lifts hers. They drink.

MACEYWe’ll probably get shut down anyway, just like Justine’s--

Macey’s eyes shoot open. She sets her glass down.

MACEY (CONT’D)Justine!

9.

She leaps up, runs to the front of the room.

MACEY (CONT’D)Gladys, I hate to disrespect the elderly, but I have to fire you.

Gladys crosses her arms over her chest.

GLADYSI was going to quit when Boyd’s bookstore opened, anyway.

MACEYI’m so sorry, Cliff, but I have to fire you, too. I’m cleaning house!

Cliff continues wiping down tables.

MACEY (CONT’D)Cliff? Did you hear? Cleaning house?

He gives her a thumbs up with one hand, still wiping.

MACEY (CONT’D)Graceful. Cam, follow me!

CAM (O.S.)Coming!

Cam grabs Macey’s wine glass and finishes the juice.

INT. MANURE 2 MARKET ORGANIC FOODS - LATER

Cash registers conduct a one-note symphony of BEEPs. Cam films Macey ambling past the bustle of CUSTOMERS in line.

CAM (O.S.)Sounds like a robot beach party in here. So what kinda woman is she? Bakery, Deli, Butcher? She the type who likes to handle meat?

MACEYI’m not sure they sell meat here.

CAM (O.S.)What’s she look like?

MACEYKinda like that.

10.

Macey points to a WOMAN in an apron struggling to keep a mountain of Honeydew Melons from going landslide.

Macey approaches her with caution.

MACEY (CONT’D)Excuse me... Justine?

Flustered, JUSTINE SERRANO (32) twirls and leans back on the melons. One rolls down her shoulder. She catches it.

JUSTINEMacey! Uh, hey! What are you doing all the way out here?

MACEYWe... just came for a Honeydew!

Macey takes the melon from Justine.

CAM (O.S.)Anywhere we can sit down?

INT. MANURE 2 MARKET ORGANIC FOODS - BREAK ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

Macey and Justine sit around a table.

JUSTINEHow’d you find me?

CAM (O.S.)Psychic magnetism.

MACEYIt’s says Manager at Manure 2 Market on your Facebook.

JUSTINEYou can see that even if we’re not friends?

CAM (O.S.)We can see everything.

MACEYWait, I added you years ago.

JUSTINEI kinda unfriended you. Only so you wouldn’t see that. I’m sorry.

Macey puts a hand on Justine’s.

11.

MACEYI understand. A nine year old just told me how bad the economy is over drinks.

JUSTINEDoes this have to be on camera?

CAM (O.S.)Yep.

JUSTINEMacey, you remember what happened last time I was library director.

MACEYYes. And it was awful. But you can’t blame yourself for budget cuts.

JUSTINEMy fault or not, it really took a toll on me. I bought five cats. Then I gave them all away because honestly, I don’t like cats.

MACEYWe have a blank canvas! Let’s make the library people want to visit, to study at, to rent from. Let’s make Naperville Regional what it was when it inspired two young girls with nothing going for them.

Justine bites her lip. Then, a DESPERATE EMPLOYEE enters.

DESPERATE EMPLOYEEThere you are! I checked everywhere, even the stalls in the women’s bathroom.

JUSTINEWhy on Earth did you do that?

DESPERATE EMPLOYEEIt’s Craig! He’s back, and he’s punching Honeydews! People are sprinting out of the store!

JUSTINENot my melons!

Fear in his beady eyes, he nods, then dashes out of the room.

12.

Justine rubs her eyes.

JUSTINE (CONT’D)It’s a very generous offer, Macey, but I need the stability Manure 2 Market provides. And they need me.

CAM (O.S.)Think about what you just said.

Justine stands.

JUSTINEI better deal with Craig. I’m guessing he finally got his divorce papers. Great timing.

MACEYYou skipped prom to take a field trip to the Congressional Library. Is stability worth that?

She can’t meet Macey’s gaze.

JUSTINEI hope it works out for you, Macey. I truly do.

She exits.

JUSTINE (O.S.) (CONT’D)Craigwell!

EXT. MANURE 2 MARKET ORGANIC FOODS - LATER

Macey holds the camera down, filming herself.

MACEYSo that was short lived. I guess this is the end of... whatever this was supposed to be. A reinvention. I’ll probably end up with an accountant for library director, if they don’t shut us down first.

CAM (O.S.)Yep. Sounds good. See ya.

Macey hands back the camera.

MACEYWho was that?

13.

CAM (O.S.)Are you hungry?

MACEYStarved. Let’s eat.

CAM (O.S.)Cool. You go do that, and I’ll meet you at this address in one hour.

The phone in Macey’s purse goes off.

MACEYIs it that weird dessert place? I dunno if I can stomach another scoop of arugula ice cream.

CAM (O.S.)This week they have squid ink fro-yo. But no. It’s a surprise.

MACEYI hope it’s a new college degree. Where are you going?

CAM (O.S.)I’m gonna do some recon on Boyd.

MACEYGood idea. If I know him, he’s probably kicking back with an Arnold Palmer already.

INT. WORDS WAREHOUSE BOOKSTORE - LATER

Through the zipper of Cam’s purse, the camera rolls. Boyd sits in front of the room. He gestures to a corner.

BOYDPut ‘er over there.

Two WORKMEN haul a sofa away. Another EMPLOYEE pops over.

EMPLOYEEWhich bathroom goes on which side?

BOYDMen’s on the right. Get it?

He winks at Adelaide. Amidst the commotion and construction, Boyd scans a sheet of story genres using the butt of a pen.

14.

BOYD (CONT’D)We can cross off Adult right away.

ADELAIDEHow come?

BOYDWell, because it’s inappropriate.

ADELAIDEThe consumer can decide for herself what is and is not appropriate.

BOYDNaturally, I agree. I’m a free-market man, myself. But morality must come into play somewhere.

ADELAIDEEverybody has their own concept of morality. No one is correct.

BOYDIf you say so, Socra-she. Any update on the lighting?

ADELAIDEI found a solution I think will satisfy everyone. It does cost--

BOYDAs much as the current lights are worth if we sell them?

MILOWhat if we just took out a few bulbs?

BOYDNow we’re talking.

Adelaide nods begrudgingly, purses her lips. She leaves.

MILOSo, you worked for a library?

BOYDAnd what is wrong with libraries?

MILONothing, sir.

15.

BOYDWrong. I don’t utilize them, and I don’t approve of subsidizing weirdos looking at nudies. Bigger waste of space than state parks.

MILORight. Got it.

BOYDNow help me boil down and divvy up these genres into sections, son. There’s near a hundred of ‘em.

MILOTwenty-three. They’re numbered.

BOYDIf we are pointing out the obvious, my boy, that was hyperbole.

Boyd addresses the room at large.

BOYD (CONT’D)And what of that Arnold Palmer? Must I brew the tea and juice the lemons myself?

At the back of the room, a WOMAN stirs two pitchers, one brown, one yellow, vigorously.

WOMANWorking on it!

Boyd kicks his feet up onto the table.

BOYDI do love the private sector.

INT. SPARKY’S TAVERN - LATER

An old firehouse, revamped into an alehouse. Axe-handle beer taps, coasters cut from old turnout jackets. A gold pole juts from the ceiling in a corner of the room.

The camera films Macey at the bar, drumming her fingers. She pulls over a small bowl full of pistachios.

MACEYClassy nuts for a bar.

The BARTENDER returns wearing a firefighter hat. He slams a shot glass to the counter, fills it, then lights it on fire.

16.

MACEY (CONT’D)Lucky for me you’re a trained firefighter. You are, right?

Grinning, the Bartender grabs a tiny fire extinguisher and sprays whipped cream onto the drink to douse the flame.

BARTENDERSparky’s special. On the house.

She downs the shot, licks the cream off her lips.

MACEYThanks. I needed that. Could I have some water, though?

He fills a glass with water from a small firehose.

BARTENDERHere. Hope your library works out.

MACEYWe’ll probably just get shut down.

Cam returns.

CAM (O.S.)He should be here any minute.

MACEYWho should?

A fancy black HIPSTER descends the pole in the corner. He straightens his bow-tie and horn-rimmed glasses, then approaches.

CAM (O.S.)Macey, meet Philip K. Glick. He’s in my filmmaking class.

Macey shakes his hand.

MACEYWow! So have you read much of his work, Phil? You must be a big fan.

PHILIP K.Please, Philip K. Whose work?

MACEYPhilip K. Dick.

Phillip K. scoffs.

17.

PHILIP K.Oh. Him. I saw Minority Report. The CG was rad, but I didn’t care for the acting.

Macey is bemused.

CAM (O.S.)Philip K. worked for Justine.

Macey lights up for a moment, then comes down.

MACEYJustine already said no.

PHILIP K.Wait, what’s going on?

CAM (O.S.)We’re getting the band back together.

PHILIP K.Blues Brothers. Rest in peace Jake.

CAM (O.S.)No, really. We’re gonna get Justine’s old crew together to convince her to run my sister’s library. What do you say? In?

PHILIP K.Out. Just like libraries. Besides, sleep schedules are so corporate.

Macey raises her hand.

MACEYAnother Sparky’s special, Mark.

CAM (O.S.)Mace, you can’t give up so easily.

MACEYI’m not. They’re just delicious.

CAM (O.S.)(to Philip K.)

I think you’re just jealous I got this great project for class. And if libraries are as out as you say--

MACEYAnd I don’t believe they are--

18.

CAM (O.S.)Then wouldn’t embracing them be the coolest thing to do?

Philip K. fidgets with his bow-tie.

PHILIP K.Go on.

CAM (O.S.)Be a trend setter, not a trend follower. That’s what being a hipster is all about - finding something that isn’t cool, making it cool, then abandoning it.

PHILIP K.I could use the money to save up for Large-Scale Indie Fest this year. Bro Woods has a pretty sweet lineup, too. And Fest Fest.

Macey shines with passion.

MACEYSo you’ll help us?

PHILIP K.Only until people start visiting ironically.

Macey squeezes him into a hug.

Philip K. smiles, fixes his bow-tie.

CAM (O.S.)I owe ya one, P.K.

PHILIP K.I’m gonna let that one slide ‘cause it sounded cool.

CAM (O.S.)So, where to next?

EXT. TIFFANY NEWBY’S HOUSE - LATER

Beside Macey on the porch, Philip K. rings the doorbell.

PHILIP K.Tiffany Newby was our receptionist and customer service specialist. She’s kinda soft, so be nice.

19.

MACEYDon’t we want someone strong and confident for customer service?

PHILIP K.One would think, but even the angriest person can’t stay mad at her. She’s like a puppy. Ironically, she’s real big on cats.

The front door opens. A frail yet friendly WOMAN answers.

PHILIP K. (CONT’D)Hello, Mrs. Newby. Is Tiffany home?

MRS. NEWBYOh, we both know she is. Come in, please. Who are your friends? Can I get them some cake?

INT. TIFFANY NEWBY’S ROOM - LATER

Mrs. Newby opens the door. Countless cats slink along the carpet and on the furniture. Cat hair hangs in the air.

In a computer chair, TIFFANY NEWBY (29), frail as her mom and wearing oversized goggles, wields a hot glue gun and a pet collar at a desk.

MRS. NEWBYTiffany, your friends are here!

TIFFANYMy... what?

Macey and Philip K. walk inside holding plates of cake.

TIFFANY (CONT’D)Oh, uh, hi.

(to Mrs. Newby)Thanks, mom.

MRS. NEWBYLove you, honey!

Mrs. Newby exits the room. Cam sets the camera atop a dresser, then sits beside Macey and Philip K. on the bed.

CAMYour mom is the best, Tiffany. No one’s ever given me cake just for meeting them.

20.

TIFFANYShe’s just excited I have visitors.

PHILIP K.This is Cam Womack and her sister Macey. She works at Naperville Regional. She wants to hire us.

MACEYNice to meet you, Tiffany. My library director bailed on me, so I asked Justine to step in, but she declined. Will you help me change her mind? It’d mean so much to me.

TIFFANYThat would be great.

MACEYFantastic! Let’s go, then!

TIFFANYBut I kinda can’t.

Macey deflates.

TIFFANY (CONT’D)I’ve been swamped since I took in Justine’s cats. That’s why I invented this laser pointer collar.

She delicately grabs a cat off the ground and slips the collar around its neck, then pushes a button. A bright red dot hits the wall. The cat attacks it, but can’t catch it.

CAMGenius.

TIFFANYI thought so, but it’s a short term solution. If you leave it on for too long, it fries their marbles. Exhibit A: Mr. Snicklefritz.

She points to a cat with crossed eyes. It tries to jump onto the bed, but completely misses.

MACEYAw, poor Mr. Snicklefritz.

Macey scoops up the cat, but drops it when it claws her arm.

TIFFANYSorry. He’s a meanie now.

21.

MACEYYour mom can’t watch them?

TIFFANYShe’s a dog person.

CAMCan’t just leave them alone?

TIFFANYI tried once. Let’s just say this isn’t the original ceiling fan. It was like the LA riots in here.

PHILIP K.Ever thought about giving them up?

Tiffany gives Philip K. the stink eye.

A RIPPING sound emanates from the closet. Inside, a cat tears at a yellow sun dress. Another one joins in, then another.

With a blank expression, Tiffany steps over to the window and opens it. Immediately, the cats take off through it.

Mr. Snicklefritz tries to follow, but crashes into the wall. Tiffany picks him up and tosses him through.

TIFFANYOkay. Let’s go.

MACEYYou’re just gonna leave them?

TIFFANYEverybody has a breaking point.

MACEYStrange, you seem exceedingly calm to me.

Tiffany fills a bowl with cat food, puts it on the windowsill, then opens the door.

TIFFANYI’m awash in rage.

EXT. DARLTON ARMS APARTMENTS - LATER

Macey, Philip K., Tiffany approach room 108, filmed by Cam.

22.

MACEYWait, he’s a janitor and he does tech support? Is he a hipster, too?

PHILIP K.Dude’s old as the hills, but he can work hardware like Woz. That cool?

MACEYAs long as he washes his hands between jobs.

Philip K. knocks. They wait.

No answer.

He rings the doorbell.

Nothing.

He reaches up to ring it again, but Macey stops him.

MACEY (CONT’D)If he’s not here, he’s not here.

He rings it again anyway.

Finally, a TEEN GIRL answers without looking up from an iPad.

Everyone stands, silent a moment.

TEEN GIRLWell?

MACEYI’m sorry, we’re looking for...

PHILIP K.Cliff. Couture.

MACEYHold on! Cliff? He works for me already. Or he did until today.

PHILIP K.He worked for us, too.

CAM (O.S.)Macey fired him.

The girl swipes at the tablet with her fingers.

TEEN GIRLThat’s cool. Just fire my dad.

23.

MACEYIt was in the heat of the moment. I was cleaning house. I was... yeah, I’m sorry.

TEEN GIRLOh well. He has others.

MACEYHow many jobs does he have?

TEEN GIRLLike four. Three now, I guess.

MACEYI hate to say this, but... Cliff is old. Can he handle tech support?

A phone RINGS. The girl pulls it out of her pocket then answers without skipping a beat on the tablet.

TEEN GIRLYeah. Cool.

She hangs up.

Philip K. gestures to the girl’s abundant TECHNOLOGY.

Macey nods, satisfied.

MACEYDo you have any idea where your dad might be?

TEEN GIRLYou fired him. You tell me.

MACEYWhere else does he work?

TEEN GIRLI dunno. Where do old people work? Like, a retirement home? A sub shop?

MACEYYou don’t know where your dad works?

TEEN GIRLWhat am I, his foursquare account?

24.

EXT. QUIZYES SUBS - LATER

Cam films Macey, Philip K., and Tiffany sitting on the curb.

MACEYWhile that was delicious, we still don’t have Cliff.

She checks her watch.

MACEY (CONT’D)It’s four o’clock already, and there’s nobody running the library. Good thing I’m in charge, unfortunately.

CAM (O.S.)Manure 2 Market closes at five.

MACEYI guess we’ll have to make our pitch without Cliff.

PHILIP K.Justine Serrano works at a second rate faux organic grocer?

TIFFANYShe buys beef by the cow.

MACEYI wouldn’t have believed it either.

PHILIP K.Did you remind her that she still has some human dignity?

MACEYShe seemed frazzled, but she obviously plays a big role there.

Macey gathers everyone’s trash and throws it out.

MACEY (CONT’D)Let’s go. I have to stop by home.

CAM (O.S.)Wait! We can’t leave yet.

MACEYWhy not?

CAM (O.S.)I want a pickle.

25.

INT. MACEY’S CAR - AFTERNOON

The car idles in the driveway of Macey’s Queen Anne-style house. Cam films Philip K. and Tiffany from the front seat.

CAM (O.S.)How does it feel to be on the other side of the camera, Philip K.?

Philip K. portrays the emotional spectrum on his face.

PHILIP K.I’m a virtuoso on either side.

The camera focuses on Tiffany, who shies away.

CAM (O.S.)Not a fan of the limelight, huh?

TIFFANYCameras make me queasy.

CAM (O.S.)She’s been in there a while. Wonder what she’s doing. Be right back.

INT. MACEY’S ROOM - SAME

The otherwise modest room is a stye. Clothes are strewn about the bed and furniture, bins and boxes lay upturned, and books sail out of the closet as Cam enters.

CAM (O.S.)Mace? Everything okay?

MACEY (O.S.)Just looking for something. Gimme a minute, I’ll be right down.

Cam walks to the closet, avoiding the items flying toward her. Inside, Macey rummages through the mess.

CAM (O.S.)What’d you lose, your nerve?

MACEYHilarious.

She digs through a cardboard box, then grasps a book.

MACEY (CONT’D)Got it!

26.

INT. MANURE 2 MARKET ORGANIC FOODS - LATER

The group strides toward the produce section led by Macey, with Cam filming from behind. Justine again stacks melons. She places the last one on top, and turns, smiling.

JUSTINEOh, perfect. Everyone’s here.

MACEYBefore you say no, just let me say a few things.

JUSTINEYou really don’t need to--

MACEYYes, I do. We all do.

CAM (O.S.)A-one, two, three, four!

Cam snaps her fingers a few times. The group is silent.

CAM (O.S.) (CONT’D)No? Not gonna barbershop quartet it?

TIFFANYDid we discuss that?

CAM (O.S.)I dunno. Just seemed appropriate.

PHILIP K.We should’ve rehearsed something.

MACEYJustine, I know you’ve been burned by the public system once. And I can’t guarantee it won’t happen again. But even if we do get shut down, I want to go out knowing I did everything in my power to give my community the library it deserves. And I think all of us can agree that without your leadership, it’s not going to happen.

PHILIP K.Macey has all the heart in the world, but in the few hours I’ve known her, it’s been made clear she’s not a leader.

27.

CAM (O.S.)With your powers combined...

MACEYThen there’s this.

From behind her, Macey pulls out a textbook. The cover reads ‘Library Science: Practices, Perspectives, and Preservation.’

Justine takes it from her.

JUSTINEI haven’t seen this thing in years. That was my favorite semester. Two bright-eyed, naive bookworms living out their dreams.

MACEYOr so they thought.

CAM (O.S.)You guys have really boring dreams.

MACEYLook inside.

Justine opens the book. Cam steers the camera over behind Justine. Under the cover lies an unused dog-eared ticket to Naperville High School’s Corn Field prom.

JUSTINEI completely forgot I did that until you mentioned it earlier. Why do you still have this?

MACEYI kept it for motivation. As an example of the utmost commitment. College was a weird time for me.

JUSTINEThis has been beautiful, but you didn’t need to go to this trouble.

Macey hangs her head.

JUSTINE (CONT’D)I was going to call you when I got off work. Count me in.

MACEYYou... what? No. Really?

Justine smiles broadly.

28.

JUSTINEReally. I’m tendering my resignation at the end of my shift. I haven’t been happy since I left the library. Plus, I can’t take these hippies anymore.

Macey squeezes Justine in a hug.

PHILIP K.Hippies are so seventies. Which means they’re in. Temporarily.

TIFFANYEverything is temporary.

PHILIP K.Way to kill the vibe.

INT. NAPERVILLE REGIONAL LIBRARY - LATER

The group enters. Cam focuses the lens on Macey who beams as she looks around, as if seeing the place through new eyes.

MACEYHere she is. Ours to mold.

Justine is the only one who looks impressed.

JUSTINEI call inventory!

MACEYThank you all so much. You have no idea how much this means to me. Especially you, Cam. I couldn’t have done this without you.

PHILIP K.For our viewers at home, although since this is Camilla’s project I doubt there are any, she is currently blushing.

CAM (O.S.)So much for artistic anonymity.

MACEYWe’re gonna do great things here. A library is more than just a collection of books.

29.

(MORE)

It’s a receptacle for thousands of years of knowledge and experience and wisdom. It’s a place to learn, to grow, to connect. It’s an incredible resource, and I won’t stop until it’s viewed as just that. I hope you won’t, either. We’re gonna do great things.

CAM (O.S.)Jackpot.

Suddenly, Cliff emerges from the meeting room with a spray bottle and rag in one hand, and a candy bar in the other.

MACEYCliff! I’m sorry for firing you. Consider yourself un-fired. And then hired as tech support, too.

He nods, gives her a thumbs-up, then continues on.

MACEY (CONT’D)Okay guys. I’ve got an idea in the works that should bring people in.

INT. WORDS WAREHOUSE BOOKSTORE - LATER

Cam enters with the camera filming from her purse. Assembled bookshelves line the walls as the store takes shape.

CAM (O.S.)(whispering)

Can’t believe how easy this is.

She gets in and sets the purse down at the same table, then turns the purse so the camera faces Boyd, Adelaide, and Milo.

BOYDAdventure in the back corner.

ADELAIDEBut adventure is one of the hottest genres. We should put it up front.

BOYDWell sure, but when it’s at the back, it’s like an adventure to find it. Catch my drift?

He chuckles to himself. Adelaide shakes her head.

30.

MACEY (CONT'D)

MILOYou decide what you wanna eat?

BOYDSurprise me.

MILOGotcha.

BOYDAnd Milo?

MILOYes, sir?

BOYDI don’t like surprises.

Boyd saunters across the room raising an empty glass.

BOYD (CONT’D)Someone top off my Palmer. I’m dry.

ADELAIDEWell, this ought to be fun.

Milo sighs. Cam picks up her purse and approaches him.

MILOI like your purse. Is that an LED?

Cam is silent.

MILO (CONT’D)The red light inside.

CAM (O.S.)Oh, that’s my... electronic--s. Take ‘em everywhere with me.

MILOSo what can I do for you?

CAM (O.S.)I need a job application.

END OF SHOW

31.