Scene 1: Court Room
JUDGE:
What do you plead Mr. Jenkins?
DAN:
(stands)
Not Guilty.
(sits down)
JUDGE:
Have that noted.
(shuffles papers)
Now opening arguments for the prosecution.
LAWYER 1:
(stands and speaks to the Audience; as if they were the jury)
Now Mr. Jenkins had all the motive to kill Mr. Dates, he was
having an affair with Mr. Jenkins girlfriend, who just so
happened to be with Mr. Dates on the ill fated day.
(Scene fades)
Scene 2: A Memory
(We now see Dan and his girlfriend, Keri, eating lunch in Dan's room)
KERI:
I know we made plans for Friday, but I promised Jeff that I
would do something with him.
DAN:
Why do you have to do something with that idiot? I mean
you're my girl, Keri.
KERI:
But I been spending lots of time with you and Jeff is my
best friend. I don't want him to feel like I'm shutting him out
because of you.
DAN:
But I'm your boyfriend you're suppose to spend time with me.
Why do you care so much about that dork? Yeah, he's your friend
and stuff but I'm your guy. Doesn't he have a girl of his own?
KERI:
Dan, Jeff is not trying to take me away from you, we're just
friends. Plus, he just broke up with his girl so he needs me now.
DAN:
So, you're breaking our plans because he needs you. Keri,
you have to just let him deal with his own problems.
KERI:
You know, I don't want to have this fight again.
(leaves)
DAN:
But Keri-
(Scene fades)
Scene 3: Back in Court
LAWYER 1:
As you can see by the evidence Mr. Jenkins was well educated
with cars, and their different brake systems. He knew exactly
what he was doing when-
LAWYER 2:
(stands)
Your honor, my client is a mechanic. He's suppose to know
everything about cars, not just their brake systems.
JUDGE:
Well, I like the way the prosecution is setting its case. I
will allow them to go on.
(Lawyer 2 sits)
LAWYER 1:
Thank you, now as I was saying, Mr. Jenkins knows a lot
about the brake systems of cars. Especially Mr. Dates '99 Bug
(Scene fades)
Scene 4: Another Memory
(We see Dan looking at an automotives manual. Keri Enters)
KERI:
Hey, would be okay if you fixed Jeff's car?
DAN:
Well, I don't mind. I'll do anything for my girl.
(Kisses Keri)
KERI:
Thanks babe, I'm gonna go tell Jeff, K?
DAN:
Okay.
(Keri leaves and Dan goes back to his manual. Scene Ends)
Scene 5: On The Stand
JUDGE:
Thank you, this hearing will be continued tomorrow. Then we
will hear the opening arguments of the defense.
(Everyone begins to leave; Dan is left in the court room with his Lawyer)
LAWYER 2:
Dan, I want you to tell me what happened the day of the
accident.
DAN:
Nothing really happened. I fixed Jeff's car and went home to
take a shower. After that Keri came over, we were supposed to go
to a movie, but Jeff wanted to take her for a drive. So, I said I
didn't mind and she left.
LAWYER 2:
Are you sure that's all that happened?
DAN:
Yes, that's all that happened. I swear. Did Keri wake up yet?
LAWYER 2:
You know I can't tell you that Dan.
DAN:
I just want to know if she's okay.
LAWYER 2:
She's okay, but that's all I can tell you. Now you think
about what you're going to tell that jury.
DAN:
Thank you.
LAWYER 2:
Save it for when I win your case.
(Lawyer leaves, Dan sits back in his chair to think)
Scene 6: The Memory
(We see Dan in his boxers his hair is wet; he's in his room dressing; Keri Enters)
KERI:
Hey my fine guy!
(hugs Dan)
Jeff wanted me to tell you that he's very thankful that you
fixed his car. He's taking me for a ride this afternoon.
(sits on Dan's bed)
DAN:
Tell him I said it was no problem. Why is he being so nice
to me? And spending more time with you?
(sits next to Keri)
KERI:
I don't know. I think he just thinks he's loosing me to you.
Jeff can be jealous sometimes, but he knows that him and I are
just friends.
DAN:
Okay, but from now on you have to spend more time with me. I
hate sharing you with him.
(hugs Keri; kisses her cheek)
KERI:
(Laughs and stands up)
Well you're just going to have to deal with it won't you?
(smiles)
DAN:
(Smiles back)
Okay I'll deal with it, but only if I get one last kiss
before you go off with that boy?
KERI:
Okay.
(Kisses Dan and leaves; Scene fades out)
*****
(Fade in on Dan lying on his bed reading his automotives manual; the phone rings)
DAN:
(turns on speaker phone; keeps reading manual)
Hello?
KERI'S MOM:
Dan, this is Keri's mom.
DAN:
Hey mom, what's up?
KERI'S MOM:
Dan, something happened to Keri today.
DAN:
(throws manual and picks up phone receiver)
Is she okay, what happened?
(Scene fades)
Scene 7: The Second Day
(Court; Lawyer 2 gets ready to present his case)
JUDGE:
Today we will hear the defense's case, and we can finally
get started with this trial. You may begin.
LAWYER 2:
Thank you.
(turns to audience and clears throat)
My client, Mr. Jenkins is not capable of premeditated
murder. He's only seventeen years old, trying to balance his job
with school and his girlfriend, whom he loves dearly. He's a very
busy boy. So, when his girlfriend asked him to fix her best
friend's car he happily obliged. He had no motive to hurt Mr.
Dates. And I am going to prove this to you.
(returns to his seat)
JUDGE:
(Shuffles some papers; writes something down)
The defense may call it's first witness.
LAWYER 2:
(stands)
The defense calls Ms. Keri Turner to the stand.
(A collective gasp is heard through out the court room as
everyone turns to see Keri, in a wheelchair being pushed by her
mother)
DAN:
(As Keri enters; he reaches for her, but his Lawyer holds
him back)
Keri!
JUDGE:
(Pounds gavel)
Son, I don't want anymore outbursts like that in my
courtroom or I will hold you in contempt.
DAN:
Sorry Sir.
(Sits down and watches Keri's mother push Keri to the front
of the court; Keri's mom sits behind Dan.)
BAILIFF:
(Stands in front of Keri)
Raise your right hand;
(Keri raises her hand)
Do you swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth?
KERI:
I do.
(puts hand down; Bailiff returns to his seat)