PRESS PLAY_

By Titan Frey

Phone Number- 717-668-3836 Email- [email protected] EXT. COURT - DAY A camcorder picture blurs and jumps a few times before showing a . Blades of grass stick up at the bottom of the picture. Across the video picture is a date: Sept 26, 1995. A pair of legs run into the picture reveling 16-year- old ADAM MORRIS. A skinny, pale, blond-bowl haircut teen. He carries a basketball. Adam turns to face the camcorder. He bounces the basketball with two hands. He turns to face the hoop. He shoots while kicking his right leg back. The shot misses everything. ADAM Darn it! Adam runs off-. He reappears a second later holding the basketball. He bounces the ball once; it hits off his leg and rolls across the court. TEEN MALE VOICE (O.S.) Yo, Adam. Don't watch the ball when you dribble, man. Adam turns back, looks, half waves and runs off-screen to retrieve the basketball. Into the picture walks 17-year-old COLBY FRANK. An athletic built teen wearing a basketball uniform. He rocks a perfectly lined up fade haircut. COLBY How many times do I gotta tell you that? ADAM (O.S.) I'm sorry, Colby. Adam runs back into the picture. COLBY Man, don't say sorry like that. That's some faggot shit. Just try and listen to me. Adam frowns and nods his head slowly. 2. COLBY (CONT'D) You said you wanted to learn how to hoop, right? Adam smiles and nods. COLBY (CONT'D) Then listen to me. I'm the star guard on the school team for a reason. ADAM (Giggles) Yeah, you're right. Colby turns away and shakes his head. He shoots a in perfect form. The ball swishes through the net. COLBY There, like that. Shoot like that. Colby runs after the ball. Adam looks at the camcorder. A huge smile grows on his face. COLBY (CONT'D) Go ahead, shoot! Adam nervously turns toward the hoop. He shoots the same way as before. The ball misses the hoop and falls into Colby's hand. COLBY (CONT'D) Come on, man. Not like that. ADAM I'm sorry. Colby walks up to Adam. COLBY (Throws arms out) Come on, man. Stop that pussy shit. Adam nods. Colby stuffs the basketball into Adam's arms. 3. COLBY (CONT'D) Watch my form. Colby takes another shot using perfect shooting form. The ball swishes into the net again. ADAM Wow, great shot, Colby. You're really good. COLBY Of course, I'm fucking good. I'm the best. Colby looks around; he sees the camcorder. COLBY (CONT'D) Oh, shit. You did bring your recorder. Adam looks over and points toward the camcorder. ADAM Yup, it's right there. Colby runs over and grabs the ball. He points at the camcorder. COLBY Go get the camcorder. Record all my moves like we agreed upon. You did enough training today. ADAM Okay, Colby. No problem. Adam runs toward the camcorder with a huge smile on his face. He disappears off-screen and the picture jumps and lifts up in the air. Now we have a higher view of the basketball court. COLBY Aite, man. Record my moves. ADAM (O.S.) Okay, will do. 4. Colby starts to perform a bunch of different from fancy dribbles to fade away jump shots. ADAM (O.S.) (Whispers) Wow, he's amazing… The picture jumps a bunch of times.

INT. ADAM'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT The picture jumps on as Adam pulls his hand away. He lies in his bed. It's dark with just the flickering light of a TV. ADAM Wow, okay, Cammie. Let me tell you about my day. Adam LAUGHS. ADAM (CONT'D) Shoot, Cammie. I don't need to tell you; you were there, recording it all! Adam rubs his hands through his hair. ADAM (CONT'D) Today was honestly the best I felt since Mom passed. Adam looks away. He rubs his hands through his hair. ADAM (CONT'D) I needed this. Colby is perfect- The DOOR OPENS and the light from the hallway shines into the room. ADULT MALE VOICE (O.S.) Boy, who in the hell are you talking to? Adam jumps up on the bed. ADAM Oh, ah, hi, dad. 5. In the room walks 40-year-old KEITH MORRIS. Your typical sleeveless shirt wearing, mullet hairstyle redneck. KEITH Boy, you talking to yourself? Adam sits up. He quickly looks at the camcorder, then to Keith and back to the camcorder. ADAM Ah, I was talking to my camcorder. Keith looks over at the camcorder. KEITH Why in the hell are you talking to your camera? ADAM Camcorder, Dad. And I, um, am making a video diary. KEITH Are you fucking kidding me, boy? Only girls write diaries and they sure don't talk into a damn camera. That's some real queer shit. ADAM Dad- KEITH Don't 'Dad' me, boy. No son of mine is going to be a fairy. You stop this shit, now! Keith rushes to the camcorder. He grabs it; the picture jumps. ADAM (O.S.) Dad, stop! The picture cuts off. 6.

EXT. BASKETBALL COURT - DAY The picture jumps on. Adam walks backward, looking at the camcorder. He back peddles to the center of the basketball court to stand next to Colby. The date on the picture says Sept 27, 1995. COLBY Now stand back. I don't feel like going over any drills today. I just want to see how my moves look on camera. Colby practices his spin moves and his jump shots. ADAM You really play so great, Colby. COLBY Yo, grab the camera and move it to get a better angle. ADAM Okay. COLBY Maybe I will show you some more moves after I'm done. Adam smiles and runs over to the camera. He picks it up and the picture jumps.

INT. ADAM'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT The picture jumps on. Adam lies on his bed. He holds the camcorder above him. It points down at his face. ADAM Today was the best day of my life! Colby showed me a lot of moves. He even grabbed me around my waist to help show me where to turn my body on a fadeaway jump shot. The camcorder lowers. It quickly goes back up to Adam's face. He smiles. 7. ADAM (CONT'D) I love Colby. There, I said it. I'm in love with that boy. Yes, Cammie, I am gay and I don't feel ashamed about it any longer! The camcorder picture jumps.

INT. ADAM'S HOUSE - HALLWAY - DAY The picture comes back on with a new date on the screen: Sept. 28, 1995. The camcorder points down at Adam's feet. He walks and the picture shakes. He reaches the steps and runs down. ADAM (O.S.) Dad, did you touch my tape for my camcorder? I'm missing it and had to put a new one in.

INT. ADAM'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY The camcorder pans over to the couch and TV. Keith watches the TV. He turns back and sneers at Adam. The TV plays the video of Adam telling the camcorder he loves Colby. Keith jumps up and points toward the camcorder. KEITH What the fuck is this? He points at the TV. KEITH (CONT'D) You're a faggot? My boy is a fucking ass fairy? ADAM (O.S.) Dad- 8. KEITH Save your shit, pansy boy. I should take you out back right now and shoot your ass. ADAM (O.S.) Stop, Dad. KEITH You listen to me. I didn't raise no queer. Keith SIGHS. KEITH (CONT'D) Your mother would be so disappointed in you. ADAM (O.S.) Dad, please give me my tape back. KEITH (Laughs) You think I'm giving it back to you? Hell no. I'm going to break that shit. Oh, and I found that Colby boy's number and called his folks. His dad doesn't want your faggity ass around his son ever again. ADAM (O.S.) Dad, no! Keith lunges at Adam. His hand grabs the camcorder, it pans down before cutting off.

EXT. BASKETBALL COURT - NIGHT The picture clicks on. It's dark as Adam shoots the basketball. The ball hits off the rim and rolls over to the camcorder. Adam runs after the ball. His foot stops the ball. He sits on the ball and stares at the camcorder. He lowers his head and CRIES. 9. The picture jumps.

INT. ADAM'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - DAY The picture jumps back on. The date on the bottom of the screen says Oct. 1, 1995. Adam lies in his bed. He stares at the camcorder. ADAM Okay, Cammie. It's been a while since I have really talked to you... He looks up to the ceiling and lets out a big SIGH. ADAM (CONT'D) Colby just called me. He said he wants to play ball tonight and to bring my camcorder. This is the first time he talked to me since my dad called his dad. Adam wipes his eyes. ADAM (CONT'D) It's dark at the court, not much light, but the fact he wants to see and play basketball with me means he doesn't hate me. Adam smiles and clicks off the camcorder.

EXT. BASKETBALL COURT - DUSK The camcorder clicks on. The basketball court is empty. The camcorder sits down. Adam walks onto the court, bouncing the basketball. The ball hits off his foot and rolls off-screen. Adam chases after it. THREE sets of legs walk onto the basketball court. Adam walks back on the court. ADAM Oh, hi Colby. Colby stops at the top of the three- line. 10. COLBY What's up? ADAM Ah, not much. I didn't know you were going to bring other people. COLBY It's cool. It's just my boys, Roger and Tyler. We are going to play a little game. 17-year-old ROGER WALKER, muscle jock, and 17-year-old TYLER KENNY, tall, lengthy jock walk up next to Colby. ADAM Oh. Hey, guys. What game are you playing? COLBY (Laughs) A little three on one. Roger and Tyler LAUGH. Adam takes a step back. ADAM Ah, oh okay. You mean like you against us? Colby steps forward. COLBY No. Us three against your queer ass. Adam backs up. He hits the pole of the basketball hoop. ADAM Colby, w-what's going on? COLBY What's going on is the fact you're a faggot. I don't like faggots. Colby points at Roger and Tyler. 11. COLBY (CONT'D) They don't like faggots either. ROGER I smash fags faces all day long, baby. Tyler LAUGHS. ADAM Guys, please- COLBY Shut the fuck up! Adam moves behind the poll. Colby, Tyler, and Roger move closer. COLBY (CONT'D) I don't like having a queer make a video diary about me. TYLER Fucking sick. ROGER Yeah, this fairy probably beats off to you on video, man. COLBY You have done that, huh, you sick fuck? ADAM Colby, please- COLBY (Screams) Answer me, queer! Colby reaches into his pocket. He pulls out a switchblade. COLBY (CONT'D) You better answer me now or I'll spill your guts out all over this court. ADAM I-I, ah- 12. TYLER Do you want to suck his dick? Answer that question, fag boy. ADAM Ah, no. Please, guys- COLBY You lying piece of shit. ADAM I'm not lying, honestly. I never did anything like that or thought about doing anything like that. COLBY Then what is it? ROGER He loves you. He wants to be your boyfriend. Roger and Tyler LAUGH. COLBY So that's it? You love me? ADAM Ah, I, ah- COLBY Answer me! ADAM Yes! Okay? Colby nods at Roger and Tyler. COLBY No faggot is going to be in love with me. Let's teach him a lesson. Colby, Roger, and Tyler charge after Adam. Adam runs off-screen. ADAM (O.S.) No, please stop. 13. Adam MOANS AND SCREAMS off camera. The camcorder picture jumps.

INT. ADAM'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT The camcorder picture jumps back on. The date on the screen says Oct. 10, 1995. The camcorder points at Adam's bed. It lifts up to Keith's face. Tears roll down his cheeks. KEITH (Takes a deep breath) Okay, Cammie, is it? I finally figured out how to work you. Keith lowers his head. KEITH (CONT'D) Boy, this is tough. Keith brings his head up. KEITH (CONT'D) I need to be honest. Not just to a fucking video camera, but for myself and to Adam. Keith CRIES harder. He holds his fist up to his mouth. Battery low FLASHES on the screen. KEITH (CONT'D) I'm the reason why my son got murdered. Keith looks away as he takes a deep breath. KEITH (CONT'D) My ignorance made me call the parents of Adam's crush. No, scratch that. My hate made me call. It led to those boys going after Adam. Keith uses his shirt to wipe his eyes. 14. KEITH (CONT'D) My hate led to those boys stabbing my son over seventy times… that includes slitting his throat from ear to ear. Shit, the cops said his head was literally hanging on by a thread. Keith CRIES. He lowers his head for a second. He lifts it back up. KEITH (CONT'D) My intolerance of my own son's lifestyle led to those monsters burning my son's privates off… yes, they fucking burnt off his dick. Keith slams his fist on the bed. Battery low FLASHES on the screen. KEITH (CONT'D) Yet, who am I to call them monsters when I'm the one who called their parents? I'm the monster and those kids' parents are monsters for raising their kids to believe someone's sexual orientation matters. Keith lowers his head. KEITH (CONT'D) It doesn't matter. Keith lifts his head. KEITH (CONT'D) I know this now, but it's too late. I'll have to live with this for the rest of my life. So, I beg you, any parent out there who might see this one day, because it will end up on the news in some form. Don't ever let hate ruin your relationship with your child. 15. A gun barrel CLICKS. Battery low FLASHES on the screen. KEITH (CONT'D) Because if you do, it will haunt you for the rest of your life. This is something you don't want, trust me, I can't handle it and I won't. The camcorder falls to the ground. It points under the bed. A GUNSHOT BANGS. Everything remains quiet for a few seconds. Battery low FLASHES on the screen. The camcorder clicks off. The end.