"The Dropouts" Screenplay
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The Dropouts by Michael Fandozzi Current Revisions by (Michael Fandozzi , 05.09.19) Michael Fandozzi 1106 W Woodlawn Ave. Tampa Fl. 33603 631-560-7152 FADE IN INT. COLLEGE DORMS - 1993 - DAY It’s move in day at the New York State University (NYSU) for best friends JOHN FLAMESE (18) and CHADD ROODE (18). John and Chadd begin to settle into their 2 bedroom room, as MRS. ROODE (40) unpacks Chadd’s belongings. They are sitting on the couches in the room. John has long jet black hair and is wearing black skinny jeans and a ripped up white t-shirt. He has multiple tattoos on his body. Chadd is wearing a black Nirvana t-shirt with a black and white image of Kurt Cobain on the front. He has medium length brown hair and is a lot tanner then John. He is a large kid with a stocky build, but is more muscular than fat. He twirls the drum stick in his hand around his fingers. CHADD Yo Johnny, you know where Axel’s room is at? JOHN Yea, he’s right above us in 219. You wanna see if he’s around to get a bite? CHADD You know I’m always hungry. Yo Ma! Did you pack my leather jacket? It’s chilly up here away from the city. Chadd’s Mom begins digging through a handful of boxes lined up on Chadd’s side of the dorm room. MRS. ROODE No honey, it’s not here. You must’ve forgot. CHADD Ahh fuck. Good start. Let’s go grab Alex and get something to eat. The two friends stand up from the couches that are still covered in boxes and other items from moving in. Chadd stumbles over and steps on some of his stuff as he makes his way out. CHADD (CONT’D) Thanks Ma. I’ll see you back home in a few months. Love you. Chadd quickly gives his Mother a kiss on the check as he hurries his way out the door. 2. MRS. ROODE Goodbye have fun... Chadd closes the door behind him before his mother could finish her sentence. DISSOLVE TO: INT. DORM HALLWAYS - DAY John and Chadd make there way down the hallway, around the corner, and up the stairs toward Alex’s room. They cause chaos throughout the building by hitting on girls and knocking into people moving in. CHADD What we getting to eat? JOHN Idk, but do you think you’re gonna start getting your shit together now that you’re in college? The boys start shoving and horse playing again, this time down the second floor hall until finally arriving at room #217. The front door is decorated with flowers and unicorns leaving both John and Chadd very confused. John looks around before knocking; however, before his fist can hit the door it opens. DISSOLVE TO: INT. DORM ROOM #217 - DAY A small scrawny figure wearing large glasses, khaki pants, and a collard polo shirt opens the door. His hair is combed over to one side and has a lot of product in it. BILLY What’s up friends, I’m Billy Greensworth. It’s so glad to meet you, we’ve been expecting you! John and Chadd peer into the room and see ALEX RICHARDS (17) laying in his bed, writing, and listening to music. None of the stuff on his side is unpacked. Billy’s side is decorated in fantasy images and plush stuffed animals. Chadd picks up a plush unicorn off the desk and throws it across the room at Alex, gaining his attention. 3. BILLY (CONT’D) Mr. Fluffs! Billy runs over to retrieve the stuffed animal off the dorm room floor. Alex takes off his over-the-ear headphones. ALEX Geez, what are you guys doing up here? JOHN We came to see if you wanted to go grab some grub with us? ALEX Please, yes. Alex hops off his elevated bed and heads straight out the door, grabbing his black leather jacket off the coat hanger on the way. BILLY Wait, what are we doing!? The door quickly slams behind Alex before Billy can follow along. BILLY (CONT’D) Alright, see you guys later! DISSOLVE TO: INT. UNIVERSITY DINING HALL - DAY The three boys; Johnny, Chadd, and Alex are in the cafeteria, sitting at a table by themselves. It’s a large scale room with a lot of tables, but limited food options. CHADD Yo Alex, what’s going on with that roommate of yours? Alex uses his plastic fork to play with his spaghetti and meatballs before finally looking up and answering Chadd. ALEX I have no idea, but I’m not staying in that room. Kids a freak. 4. CHADD Oh c’mon give him a chance, I bet his beanie babies collection is huge! John and Chadd begin cracking while Alex looks on not entertained by their joke. JOHN Alright, Alright. In all seriousness what are you gonna do about it then Richards. Alex puts one hand over his face and shakes his head. He’s still playing with the food on his plate. John and Chadd are finished. ALEX I’m gonna go to the admissions office and request a room change. You guys have space? CHADD You wish lover boy. Alex flings a meatball across the table at Chadd which hits him right in the chest. Johnny tries to hold in from laughing. CHADD (CONT’D) C’mon, what the fuck dude. This is my new Crows shirt. I should beat your ass right now for doing that. Alex shrugs it off while Chadd attempts to wipe the marinara sauce off the front of his Counting Crows T- Shirt with a napkin. Chadd mummers to himself under his breath. CHADD (CONT’D) Piece of shit these meatballs aren’t even any good. JOHN We ain’t got much space for your shit, but if you wanna crash on the couch before you hit the office tomorrow it’s all yours. Johnny and Axel fist pound before standing up from the cafeteria table and gathering their belongings. 5. ALEX Thanks Flames, appreciate it. DISSOLVE TO: INT. COLLEGE DORMS ROOM #113 - DAY It’s 11am, the day after move in. Chadd is still passed out, half dressed with half his body hanging off the bed. Johnny Flames is sitting amongst the unpacked boxes in a chair with his guitar across his lap. He’s writing lyrics down in a notebook when theres a knock on the door. CHADD Whoa, whoa what’s going on! Chadd flails his arms up in bed, waking up in a panic. JOHN Relax, it’s just Alex coming back from the admissions office. Chadd pulls at his sheets before rolling over in bed. He once again mummers under his breath to himself. CHADD Ah, that damn kid. Johnny opens the door for Alex. Alex is wearing ripped up sweatpants, a large champion t-shirt and a New York Mets hat. The two make their way to the couch. JOHN How’d it go? You get a new room? ALEX They said you can’t request a room change until the end of the first week, so looks like I’m stuck with Pee Wee Herman upstairs or the couch till then. Johnny begins running cords throughout the room in order to set up his amp. He puts his acoustic guitar away and takes his electric guitar out of the case before attaching the strap. After throwing the instrument over his shoulder he plugs it in and plays a cord, once again startling Chadd. CHADD Dude, what the fuck! 6. JOHN Oh c’mon you lazy ass, get up and play with me we don’t have much time before class. Chadd tosses and turns in bed while Johnny continues to warm up. Alex sits on the couch looking on. JOHN (CONT’D) Yo Alex, go grab your strings upstairs. ALEX Ah I don’t know if I should go up there and... Johnny cuts him off before he can give any other excuses. JOHN You cant go without playing for the entire day dude. Go get it. ALEX You’re right. Alex hops over the couch and heads upstairs to his dorm room to retrieve his guitar. The closing of the door behind him once again disrupts Chadd and his efforts to sleep. Johnny continues warming up on his guitar. CHADD It’s to early for this shit. Johnny picks up Chadd’s drum stick and throws it at him, hitting him in the back. Chadd begins to move as we see another drum stick come flying in, once again hitting him in the back. CHADD (CONT’D) Alright, Alright! I’m up I’m up. Chadd sits up, rubs his eyes, and quickly stretches. He then hops off his bed, grabs his drum sticks, and plays with his straggly hair. He sits down in front of his drum set. Alex re enters the room this time with his guitar. ALEX Thank god he wasn’t there. Alex makes his way towards the group and Johnny begins to pick up the pace on his guitar. He motions Alex to plug his into the amp as well. 7. Chadd bangs his sticks together four times, and the band begins rocking out playing a cover of “Under The Bridge” (1991) by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.. DISSOLVE TO: INT./EXT. COLLEGE CAMPUS - DAY Series of shots showcasing John, Chadd, and Alex having a tough time adjusting to their new school throughout the first week.