the hearst club act 1 draft 3

8/12/2019 The Hearst Club Act 1 Draft 3

1/21

The Hearst Club

By

Amy Rutherford

19328 118th St SESnohomish, WA 98290

[email protected]


2/21

INT. - HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY

KRISTIE (18), a well-dressed girl with a pretty, howeverplain, face holds her GRANDMAs (70s) hand. Kristie wearsGLASSES and although that makes her look smarter, everythingseems very average about her.

Grandma looks weak and fragile, obviously very sick.

ANGLE ON Kristies upset face.

GRANDMAKristie, dear. Why dont you go andsee the world?

KRISTIEI couldnt leave you, Grandma.

GRANDMA

Just dont wind up like yourmother. Do something with yourlife.... Dont just dream big, bebig.

The heart monitor falls to a constant beep. Kristie isdistressed and confused.

The DOCTOR (30s) rushes into the room and realizes nothingcan be done. He tries to console Kristie.

DOCTORIm sorry, Kristie. It seems your

grandmother -

KRISTIEI dont need to know. I just hopeshes happy now.

Kristie walks out.

FLASH FORWARD TO:

INT. - LIVING ROOM - EVENING

Kristie was just telling this story of her Grandmother toher GRANDPA (70s) about a year after it occurred.

GRANDPASo what the hell are you stilldoing here?

(CONTINUED)


3/21

CONTINUED: 2.

KRISTIEWhere am I supposed to go?

GRANDPAAnywhere! Its your job to fulfillthe last wish of a dying woman and

have adventure!

KRISTIEWhat do I do on this "adventure?"

GRANDPAAnything you want, dear.

Grandpa takes a big swig of WHISKEY, finishing the GLASS.Just as the glass is set purposefully on the table,

CUT TO:

INT. - KRISTIES CHILDHOOD BEDROOM - EVENING

All SOUNDS are muted replaced by an upbeat, alternative rockSONG.

Kristie is seen packing. She has multiple TOYS and DRAWINGSthat she obviously did when she was very young. Her beddinglooks like it hasnt been updated in ten years on her lonetwin bed.

She throws open a dusty suitcase and is constantly puttingdifferent kinds of CLOTHES and comfort ITEMS in the

suitcase, and then taking them out again.

A DOG comes in and sits in the suitcase. Sadly, Kristiepicks him up and shoos him out of the room.

The last thing she adds is an OLD STUFFED BUNNY from her bedand places him safely on top.

Finally, Kristie zips the suitcase up, but she still looksunsure.

FADE TO:

EXT. - OPEN ROAD - DAY

MULTIPLE ANGLES, car driving along through flat farmland,beautiful mountain scenery, and finally finds its waythrough the lit up city of Las Vegas.

CUT TO:


4/21

3.

INT. - PLAZA HOTEL LOBBY - MORNING

The song continues.

Kristie sits at the front DESK of the PLAZA HOTEL,diligently working on the COMPUTER. Someone comes to check

in and she asks the MANAGER about it while pointing to thecomputer screen.

The Manager helps Kristie, talking her through it.

All we see are mouths moving out of time with the words ofthe song.

CUT TO:

INT. - HOTEL HALL - AFTERNOON

The song continues.

Kristie knocks on a door to a room and the OCCUPANT answers.They seem to have a nice conversation and are both smiling.Kristie hands her a pamphlet for the hotels spa and thewoman is happy accepting it.

CUT TO:

INT. - HOTEL ROOM - DAY

The song continues.

Kristie cleans up an unoccupied room. Shes serious aboutthe work and is a bit disgusted by what she finds, but doesthe work anyway.

CUT TO:

INT. - HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT

The song continues.

Kristie rips off her heels and flops onto her bed, blissfulin her new life.

She is seen sleeping, snuggling the old stuffed bunny andlooking quite peaceful.

The song fades out. Everything seems fluffy and perfect.

CUT TO:


5/21

4.

EXT. - LAS VEGAS - NIGHT

A storm has started up. Its raging and powerful.

MULTIPLE ANGLES of famous sites in Vegas being rained on.

A shot through the window shows Kristie walking down ahallway in the hotel after a long day of work.

CUT TO:

INT. - HOTEL HALL - LATE AT NIGHT

Kristie is checking her phone long enough to see the time.Its very late, but her phone battery dies. A few secondslater the lights flicker.

Suddenly, everything is out.

Everything is black.

She gets to what seems to be her room, but the key carddoesnt work. The power outage has blocked her out of herown room.

Theres a SOUND of a loud THUMP on the floor above - Kristieruns (badly in her heels) to help.

INT. - HOTEL HALL - LATE AT NIGHT

ADAM (20) has just fallen out of his wheelchair. Kristierushes to help him back in. Although he waves her off, shefinishes the job anyway.

KRISTIEOh my gosh! Are you alright?

ADAMYeah, yeah Im fine. I justcouldnt get into my room. I kindof needed to find a room so I couldgo....

Kristie is confused.

ADAM (CONTD)You know, like...go, go.

Realization hits Kristie.

(CONTINUED)


6/21

CONTINUED: 5.

KRISTIEOhh. Right, yeah. Thats important.But howd you fall out of yourchair?

ADAM

I was just trying to knock on thedoor to this room.

Adam gestures to the room hes in front of. Theres dim andflickering LIGHT coming from under the door. Loud CHATTERand LAUGHTER can be heard - theres more than two or threepeople in there, and theyre obviously having a good time.

ADAM (CONTD)I knocked once and they didnt hearme so when I tried knocking again,and louder -

KRISTIEYou fell out of your chair.

ADAMSure did.

KRISTIEWell, I wouldnt mind helping out.Im Kristie, by the way.

She offers her hand and he shakes it.

KRISTIE (CONTD)

Im an intern for hotel managementhere. Just got off a few minutesago, my phone died, my boss alreadyleft for the night, Im tired ashell, locked out of my room, and Iwouldnt mind a place to staytonight, even if it is just in aslightly uncomfortable armchair.

ADAMWell its very nice to meet youKristie. Im Adam. My auntswedding was tonight, otherwise,travel, a career, or a life ingeneral, is a very...bizarreconcept to me.

KRISTIEAs much as Id love to hear aboutit, I believe you had to...go?

(CONTINUED)


7/21

CONTINUED: 6.

Kristie smiles knowingly and Adam nods with an upside downsmile. Kristie knocks on the door. A young womans VOICE isheard within as everyone else in the room falls silent asfast as a bullet shoots out of a gun.

KAT

(Rudely)What?

KRISTIEWere locked out of our rooms and -

ADAMAnd I really need to go to thebathroom.

KAT (20) groans from behind the door. Another girls, peppyVOICE is heard.

BUBBLESOh, come on, Kat! Let them in!

We hear the rustle of movement from behind the door and itis finally unlocked and opened.

INT. - HOTEL ROOM - LATE AT NIGHT

The room reveals seven young adults. Three girls: Kat (20),BUBBLES (20), and GINA (19); and four guys: BOOTS (20),TRIPP(21), SPARKIE (19), and CHEETAH (20). None of them seemto match, like they shouldnt be friends. Kristie stands

there awkwardly as Kat "Vera Wangs" towards the restroom andAdam rolls away.

We see everyone sitting around looking uncomfortable andquiet. Kat is fixed on the flickering of a flame on aCANDLE.

KRISTIE(tentatively)

You know, youre not supposed tohave candles in the rooms.

KATWho are you going to tell?

KRISTIEIts just that Im interning formanagement here and -

(CONTINUED)


8/21

CONTINUED: 7.

KATWe can kick you and youre littleparaplegic friend out at any time.

Kristie leans passively up against the counter, armscrossed, eyes avoiding contact.

CUT TO:

INT. - HOTEL ROOM - A FEW MINUTES LATER

Adam rolls out of the bathroom and back into the livingroom.

ADAMUh, thanks for letting me use thebathroom. My name is -

GINA

Dont tell us your name. Give us analias.

ADAMUhh...

BOOTSShe means a nickname.

ADAMOh, Ive never really -

CHEETAHSpinner. Cuz you got wheels.

TRIPPI like it. Spinning Spinner.

GINA(to Kristie)

What about you?

Kristie shakes her head.

SPARKIE

Well where are you from?

KRISTIENebraska...?

BUBBLESNebraska, Nebraska... Nebra...Neb... Neb... Nebbie, Nebu...Nebula. Thats it. Nebula!

(CONTINUED)


9/21

CONTINUED: 8.

KATNebula?

BUBBLESNo! Star!

KRISTIEUhhh....

BUBBLESIts perfect!

Now, suddenly, Kristie has her first nickname.

CUT TO:

INT. - HOTEL HALL - LATER AT NIGHT

Everyone is seen relaxing, talking, and having a good time(except for Kat). Sparkie is seen staring at Tripp a lot,however, Tripp doesnt seem to notice. Everyones faces arewarm from the candle light and even Kat seems to be warmingup a bit and smiling at jokes that everyone else is laughingat hysterically.

CUT TO:

INT. - HOTEL HALL - LATER AT NIGHT

The mood has gotten more serious. Adam is contemplating

something and finally speaks up.

ADAMSooo... how come we cant tell youguys our real names?

Theres a pause. No one seems to want to answer her - orthey dont know whether they should.

GINAWell... We -

SPARKIEWere in this club called TheHearst Club at Harvard. All youneed to know is that were notallowed to know each others realidentities.

(CONTINUED)


10/21

CONTINUED: 9.

KRISTIEThats an odd type of club...

BOOTSYoure right, it is stupid.Basically we spend all this time

with people we dont want to hangout with just to try to figure outsome secret about them.

TRIPPAh, come on, Boots! Its fun andyou know it. So lemme guessyours... You have a kid with yoursister whos also your mom, right?

Boots rolls his eyes with a good-humored smirk, hesobviously used to this kind of mockery from Tripp andprobably some of the others. He is very much a country boy,

making Tripps comment ironic.

CUT TO:

INT. - HOTEL ROOM - A FEW MINUTES LATER

Everyone is yawning and getting ready for bed. Adam,Kristie, and Bubbles squeeze on the pull-out couch.

Kat blows out the last candle.

Everything is black.

DISS TO:

INT. - HOTEL ROOM - EARLY MORNING

Kristie and Adam wake up. They see Bubbles is gone. Whenthey check the rest of the room, they see that everyone isgone. The only trace that anyone else had been in that roombefore Adam and Kristie woke up is the fresh pot of COFFEEand the two MUFFINS on the counter. Otherwise, the place isclean and empty.

CUT TO:


11/21

10.

INT. - HOTEL LOBBY - MORNING

Kristie and Adam have showered and gotten dressed in cleanclothes and are now meeting in the lobby. The manager isdirecting some GUESTS to their room and brightens up when hesees Kristie.

MANAGERMs. Matthews, there you are!

KRISTIEGood morning!

ADAMDo you think we could see the logfor who was checked in to room 311last night?

MANAGER

Sure...

Kristie runs around the desk and Adam wheels himself around.She sits at the computer and types and clicks for a momentuntil she finds what she wants.

ADAMIt looks like a Susanne Hearst isthe one who paid for the room...

KRISTIEAnd they checked out at 5:38 thismorning. Can you even check out

that early in the morning?

ADAMThey must have started packing assoon as we fell asleep.

KRISTIEThis is too weird...

ADAMLets see what we kind find onlineabout this "Hearst Club."

Adam takes over the computer and surfs the internet andGoogle searches multiple phrases: "Hearst Club," "HarvardHearst," "Susanne Hearst," "Susanne Hearst Club."

All they seem to find is that Susanne Hearst is a renownedpsychology professor - theres nothing to be found out aboutany sort of "Hearst Club."

(CONTINUED)


12/21

CONTINUED: 11.

ADAMWeird, I cant find anything.Everythings on the internetnow....

KRISTIE

Yeah....

ADAMYa know, they actually kind ofseemed like... well, friends. Inever had many friends...

KRISTIEYeah, they kind of did.

ADAMIts just so frustrating! I mean,really. Did we do something wrong?

I cant just not know. There has tobe a reason they left without anywarning or anything.

KRISTIEI dont know, if they left likethat then they probably dont wantanyone nosing about theirbusiness....

ADAMBut wheres the fun in that?

KRISTIEIm sure wed only be a nuisance.We should just forget about themand leave the whole situationalone.

ADAMKristie, its a secret club. Arentyou even curious in the slightest?

KRISTIEWell yeah, but like I said, itsnone of our business. I should getback to the hotel.

ADAMKristie. These people accepted usand they liked us. What if this isa test? To see if wed follow them?

(CONTINUED)


13/21

CONTINUED: 12.

KRISTIEBut what if its not?

ADAMBut what if it is?

KRISTIEMakes you wonder...

ADAM...what they could be doing...

KRISTIE...at Harvard....

ADAM(nervously)

Its kind of a long drive.

KRISTIEMy internship will still be here ina few weeks, it wasnt a hugecommitment.

ADAMMy aunts wedding was last night...Im supposed to be heading back toRhino today anyway...

KRISTIEI suppose Ive got nothing keepingme here...

Adam flicks his head toward Kristie in a very matter-of-factway. He looks at her seriously and speaks melodramatically.

ADAMKristie Matthews, will you do thehonor of being my Nancy Drews?

KRISTIEOkay, but I prefer Watson,Sherlock.

Kristie nudges Adam at the last word and they smile at eachother knowingly.

FADE TO:


14/21

13.

EXT. - HOTEL - MORNING

An upbeat pop-rock SONG starts playing.

Kristie and Adam are loading up Kristies SUV with theirLUGGAGE. Kristie helps Adam into the passenger seat and puts

his chair in the back.

FADE TO:


The song continues.

We see the SUV driving down the road, MULTIPLE SHOTS.

CUT TO:

INT. - SUV - DAY

The song continues.

Kristie and Adam are singing to the same song but the soundof the scene is cut out.

CUT TO:


The song continues.

MULTIPLE SHOTS of the SUV driving, different scenery.

CUT TO:

EXT. - OPEN ROAD - EVENING

The song continues.

The SUV pulls into the gas station. Kristie pumps the gasand runs into the convenience store and comes back out witha BAG of JUNK FOOD and gets back into the car. It pulls outand continues on its journey.

CUT TO:


15/21

14.

EXT. - BOSTON - DAY

The song continues.

The SUV drives through the city. We see Kristies and Adamsfaces through the windows. They are completely mesmerized by

this new city.

CUT TO:

EXT. - HARVARD CAMPUS - DAY

The song continues.

Kristie and Adam tag along to a tour group.

MULTIPLE SHOTS of the campus. Kristie and Adam areawestruck.

The song fades as we start to hear the TOUR GUIDE talk. Hegives all the necessary information with a fun fact and ajoke here and there.

TOUR GUIDEAnd over here, we have the buildingof psychology. The renownedpsychology professor, one of themany reasons our psychologydepartment is so successful,Professor Susanne Hearst should befinishing up her 111 class. Shes

been in the same lecture hall,number 139, for fifteen years hereat Harvard - thats longer than anyone professor in the country hashad a single room.

At the sound of PROFESSOR HEARSTs (70s) name, Adam startsrolling away, but Kristie just stands there looking at thetour guide.

Adam gestures to Kristie to follow, and, reluctantly, shedoes.

CUT TO:


16/21

15.

INT. - BUILDING HALLWAY - DAY

Adam and Kristie are seen waiting for the class to end. Asstudents file out of the room, theres a break long enoughfor Kristie and Adam to slip in.

CUT TO:

INT. - LECTURE HALL - DAY

Adam wheels himself toward the front where the Professor isclosing her PRESENTATION and gathering her NOTES. Kristiefollows slowly behind.

ADAMHi, Professor Hearst?

HEARST

Yes, do you need clarification onthe lesson?

Hearst eyes Adam in his chair warily.

ADAMOh, no, Im not a student here.

Hearst looks suspicious and continues putting her notesaway.

ADAM (CONTD)Uh, not yet! I mean. I might be

transferring. From... ArizonaState. Yeah. Uhm, but I waswondering about the psychologydepartment. Ive heard a lot aboutyou and the name Hearst.

HEARSTUh-huh.

ADAMWe heard that there was a sortof... psychology experiment. Aclub, actually.

HEARST(convincingly)

I dont know what youre talkingabout.

(CONTINUED)


17/21

CONTINUED: 16.

ADAMIm pretty sure you do....

HEARSTNothing like that here. Not thatIm aware of at least.

ADAM(getting frustrated)

You paid for them to stay at thePlaza Hotel in Las Vegas just lastweekend. We met them. Theydisappeared. They called themselvesthe Hearst Club.

Hearst purses her lips, her eyes light up, and she summons astudent with her hand behind them to join the conversation -or rather, to take her place.

HEARSTBubbles, come here a moment. Youvemet this lovely young couple, yes?

ADAMOh, were not -

KRISTIEtogether -

ADAMa couple -

KRISTIEwere just friends -

ADAMWatson -

KRISTIESherlock -

BUBBLESOh my gosh! Yes, of course! Howwonderful to see you guys again!

Bubbles hugs both of them, the two are shocked andtentatively hug back.

HEARSTWhy dont you show these twoaround, I assume they would like tosee their accommodations.

(CONTINUED)


18/21

CONTINUED: 17.

BUBBLESTheyre in? Yay! I mean, rightaway, maam!

Bubbles salutes to Hearst and takes Adams chair and startswheeling him out of the classroom.

KRISTIEAccommodations? Wait, what?

CUT TO:

INT. - BUILDING HALLWAY - DAY

BUBBLESSorry we ran out like that on youen la ciudad de los ngeles but Ipromise it was protocol! You know,

rehearsed precautions to protectthe name and secrets of the club! Imean, we did tell you too much fora first meeting, but you guys justseem so... perfect! We couldnthelp ourselves.

The three reach an emergency staircase behind a door.

ADAMUhhh... how -

BUBBLES

No worries! The emergency elevatoris over here too! And you thoughtId be that silly! Shame on you!

CUT TO:

INT. - ELEVATOR - DAY

The lights are flickering and the elevator is creaking.Bubbles pushes the button for the second floor underground.

BUBBLESI dont know if anyones used thiselevator in years! Not manyspinners in this neck of the woods.

Adam and Kristie exchange nervous looks.

Theres an awkward silence, but Bubbles looks happy as canbe.

(CONTINUED)


19/21

CONTINUED: 18.

Finally, the elevator SCREECHES to a halt and Bubbles wheelsAdam out with Kristie following.

CUT TO:

INT. - LOWER LEVEL BUILDING HALL - DAY

There are more flickering lights. The hallway is about 50-75feet long. At the very end is a plain, brown wood door.

Bubbles is practically skipping down the hallway, Adam looksunsure and nervous, and Kristie is trying to keep up and isobviously confused.

Bubbles takes a KEY from her NECKLACE to unlock the door.

CUT TO:

INT. - HEARST LOUNGE - DAY

The other six members of the Hearst Club sit on COUCHES,CHAIRS, at a DESK in a lounge. Theres a TV that Cheetah iswatching cartoons on, uninterested. Sparkie is at the deskworking diligently on some sort of ART ASSIGNMENT. Tripp isreading a NEWSPAPER. Gina is getting a BEER from the FRIDGEin the kitchen.

Everyone turns around and looks at Bubbles, Kristie, andAdam upon their entrance.

Kat rolls her eyes.

BOOTS(inwardly)

You guys shouldve stayed home.

BUBBLESHearsts! You remember Star andSpinner!

KRISTIEHey...

ADAMSup....

GINAAlright. Guess we have to startinitiation.

(CONTINUED)


20/21

CONTINUED: 19.

TRIPP(sarcastically)

Must we? Im reading about othercountries politics and theimpoverished. Its thrilling.

Bubbles runs over to a closet with grey CLOAKS hanging up,an old copy of "The Completed Sherlock Holmes" on a littleSHELF and a few tall dark red CANDLES.

CUT TO:

INT. - HEARST LOUNGE - DAY

All the lights are off, everyone is in grey cloaks, thecandles are lit and set up around the room. Everyone isgathered in a half-circle with Cheetah holding the book onhis palm. He has ropes around his neck - he is the official

coronator. Kristie stands on one stand of him, Adam sittingon the other.

CHEETAHMay we, on behalf of all themembers of The Generation threehundred and seventy-six HearstClub, extend congratulations to TheForeign Nebraskian and RollingRhinausoraus of Rhino on thecoronation of Star and Spinner.

BUBBLES

(whispers)Put your hands on the book!

KRISTIEUhm, why are we swearing on anancient copy of Sherlock Homes?

ADAMYeah, arent you supposed to swearon a bible?

TRIPPWell obviously that doesnt fit thecircumstance of the club. Its nota religious council, its a mysterysolving group. Like Scooby Doo.

Cheetah clears his throat and nods toward the book. Kristieand Adam place their hands on the book.

(CONTINUED)


21/21

CONTINUED: 20.

CHEETAHWill you solemnly promise and swearto solve the mysteries of yourfellow Heart Club members - Boots,Bubbles, Gina, Kat, Sparkie, Tripp,and I, Cheetah - by thoroughly

invading their personal lives todiscover the truth of saidhooligans?

KRISTIE & ADAMI swear.

CHEETAHDo you sincerely promise to betruly and faithfully, and to thebest of your skill and knowledge,execute the powers and distrustreposed in you as members of The

Hearst Club to discover the truth,the whole truth, and nothing butthe truth, so help you, Holmes?

KRISTIE & ADAMI swear.

CHEETAHUhh... Aight. Cool. I dont knowhow to end these things.

Sparkie gives each of them keys. They accept themtentatively.

And as easily as they had stumbled across the club, theybecame part of the club.

the hearst club act 1 draft 3

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