Dreams

CU on a clock as the second had reaches midnight the clock stops.  The screen goes completely
white.  A young girl with dark hair walks into the white wearing dark red pajamas.

NICOLE
(spinning around) I have to think of a more
interesting dream than this!

The echo of her voice dies away and a strange voice with a British accent answers back.

VOICE
Why?

NICOLE
Because...(putting her hands on her hips) I have an
assignment to write a screenplay based on a dream.

VOICE
Don’t you have any previous dreams you could use
for inspiration?

NICOLE
No!  I don’t have them on file somewhere!  I need
one really kickin’ dream right now...complete with
camera angles.  

VOICE
Who do you think I am?

NICOLE
(Looking all around her)  I don’t know.  I just
thought you were my subconscious...something like
that.  I don’t know.

VOICE
Look, lady I’m just a voice in your head.  Write
your own screenplays.

Before NICOLE can answer the white background changes rapidly.  NICOLE is placed in a
classroom, her pajamas now a deep blue.  CU on NICOLE as she throws her hands up in disgust. 
The camera slowly pans the classroom.  It’s empty and all the chairs and tables are strewn all
around.  On the chalk board is written “Lesson One:  Extreme Close Up.”  NICOLE now paces
in front of the chalk board trying to wipe the words away to no avail.  

VOICE
You’re not very good at this are you?

NICOLE
(looks up) I am just getting warmed up!

VOICE
I mean what could you write about this classroom? 
You’re supposed to be creative.  This was the best
you could think of?

NICOLE
(sarcastically)  Well, thank you!  I should listen to
strange voices more often.  

VOICE
You’d better think of something quick because your
alarm--

NICOLE
(holding up her hand)  Yes thank you Mr. Voice. 
Jesus!  What are you my secretary?!?!

VOICE
You needn’t be so dismissive!  Do you treat all
voices in your head this way?

GIRL
No.  Just the ones that piss me off. (CU on her face)
I know!

The classroom immediately changes to a drawbridge of a castle.  Above the entrance is a sign
that read “Ye Olde Extreme Close Up.”  The camera pans to follow NICOLE, now wearing
green pajamas, as she crosses the drawbridge.  

NICOLE
(loudly) See, this is better!

VOICE
(Slightly annoyed)  You call this better?  There
aren’t even any horses or knights about!! You’re
terrible at this.



NICOLE
(CU on her face) It’s a castle!  I mean at least it is
something...creative.  (She expects the voice to
answer but it doesn’t.)  All right what about this?

The castle disappears and NICOLE find herself in a music hall.  A banner above the stage says
“The Extreme Close Up Suite.”  She now wears yellow pajamas.  CU on NICOLE.

VOICE
So, you’re going to draw from your life experiences
I assume.  Pathetic.

NICOLE
I don’t know why I listen to you.  You never have
anything happy to say.  The glass is always
half-empty, huh?

VOICE
I’m a voice in your head.  You have no choice.

NICOLE
Ahhhhhh!!!!

The stage disappears and now we’re in a bedroom.  NICOLE’S pajamas are black and the walls
are covered with posters of various movies.  They aren’t real movies, one says “Extreme Close
Up Wars,” and another says “Extreme Close Up Strikes Back.”

VOICE
I have nothing to say about this.

NICOLE
(she claps her hands together in triumph)  I’m going
to write a screenplay about me trying to think of a
dream for my screenplay.  (she looks up
expectantly)  What do you think?

VOICE
You’re going to fail this class aren’t you?

The screen fades to white.  CU on the clock as the second hand starts moving again.