Synopsis
Set in Port Penner, New Jersey, the story takes place in the year 2013 and depicts the family and social life of grandparents, Adam and Sally Casden, raising their young granddaughter, Chloe, as well as her close friend, Donny Mendez, the four main protagonists.
Both at age 20, the couple started out as parents to their only daughter, Jeanie. Years later, she became pregnant at the age of 22. She died from giving birth to her child. Her parents decided to raise her daughter, Chloe.
Fast forward to 2013, Adam and Sally, now both 55 years old, are getting their 13 year old granddaughter through high school.
The plot focuses on Adam Casden’s life, his personal battle with alcoholism in the beginning, his on-again, off-again addiction relapses, his relationships with his family and friends. His wife, Sally, is a private tutor to her current student, Liam. She is overly concerned with Adam’s drinking addiction and pushes him to go to AA. Meanwhile their granddaughter, Chloe, is starting high school for the first time, along with her neighbor and childhood friend, Donny.
The storyline is narrated by an older version of Adam, an elderly man in his 70s.
In the beginning of the first book, Adam relapses into his alcohol addiction and is in denial in the beginning. His wife, Sally and his co-worker and close friend, Charlie, urge him to go to AA and get counseling. He lies to his wife and says that he’s going just so she can get off of his back.
Chapter Scripts
Chapter 1: The Beginning - 55 year old Adam is relapsing into his alcohol addiction and dealing with denial. He lies to his wife, Sally, also 55, about going to his AA group meeting. Their 13 year old granddaughter, Chloe, and neighbor, Donny, also the same age, start their first day of 8th grade.
Set in Port Penner, New Jersey, the story takes place in the year 2013 and depicts the family and social life of grandparents, Adam and Sally Casden, raising their young granddaughter, Chloe, as well as her close friend, Donny Mendez, the four main protagonists.
Both at age 20, the couple started out as parents to their only daughter, Jeanie. Years later, she became pregnant at the age of 22. She died from giving birth to her child. Her parents decided to raise her daughter, Chloe.
Fast forward to 2013, Adam and Sally, now both 55 years old, are getting their 13 year old granddaughter through high school.
The plot focuses on Adam Casden’s life, his personal battle with alcoholism in the beginning, his on-again, off-again addiction relapses, his relationships with his family and friends. His wife, Sally, is a private tutor to her current student, Liam. She is overly concerned with Adam’s drinking addiction and pushes him to go to AA. Meanwhile their granddaughter, Chloe, is starting high school for the first time, along with her neighbor and childhood friend, Donny.
The storyline is narrated by an older version of Adam, an elderly man in his 70s.
In the beginning of the first book, Adam relapses into his alcohol addiction and is in denial in the beginning. His wife, Sally and his co-worker and close friend, Charlie, urge him to go to AA and get counseling. He lies to his wife and says that he’s going just so she can get off of his back.
Chapter Scripts
Chapter 1: The Beginning - 55 year old Adam is relapsing into his alcohol addiction and dealing with denial. He lies to his wife, Sally, also 55, about going to his AA group meeting. Their 13 year old granddaughter, Chloe, and neighbor, Donny, also the same age, start their first day of 8th grade.
PAGE 1
The main protagonist, Adam, tries to go to his AA support group meeting. He is wearing a hat and coat so no one can recognize him.
PANEL 01) Adam is standing outside right in front of an alcoholics anonymous building. This panel shows the entire building itself, surrounded by a couple of sidewalk trees, with Adam’s back facing the audience. The huge sign in front of the building above the double doors says in big giant letters “”
PANEL 02) A shot of Adam’s shocked facial expression, looking up at a sign.
Adam: I can do this.
PANEL 03) A panel showing the sides of their faces looking at each other. A woman opens one of the double doors. Adam is standing in front of her.
PANEL 04) A close up of the woman’s face. She asks him a question.
Woman: Are you coming in?
PANEL 05) Adam then replies to the woman, walking away from her.
Adam: Um… no.
PANEL 05) Adam walks away from the building, down the sidewalk, showing his back. On the left side are sidewalk trees. Next to that are the streets with some cars driving down the road.
ADAM (NARRATION): The summer of 2013. That was the year I tried to put an end to my drinking.
PAGE 2
Adam heads to his car and goes to work.
PANEL 01) Adam is walking down the street, taking off his hat and coat.
ADAM (NARRATION): And that wasn’t the first time I tried to stop. That was about the eighth time.
PANEL 02) Adam opens the door to his car. It’s modeled after a Mercury Mariner.
Adam: Shit, shit, shit.
PANEL 03) Adam drives down the street. It centers around his car along with a car behind him and another car in front of him.
ADAM (NARRATION): I’m supposed to be in my seventies now but back then, not even two decades ago, it felt like this problem was something I couldn't run from.
ADAM (NARRATION): I was 55 years old in 2013 and I just couldn’t get my crap together.
PANEL 04) Adam is trying to get the radio to work.
Adam: Come on, work dammit!
PAGE 3
Adam introduces the audience to his hometown, Port Penner.
PANEL 01) This big panel shows the whole town as he drives down the road.
ADAM (NARRATION): My name is Adam Casden. On-again off-again alcoholic. At that time, I was 7 years sober. That was until I relapsed that summer.
ADAM (NARRATION): I grew up in a small town called Port Penner, New Jersey. I lived here my whole life. Now I am raising my family here.
PANEL 02) Adam drives down another street by a park.
ADAM (NARRATION): A lot of families, like mine, resided here.
PANEL 03) This panel shows Adam’s face. A close up of him focusing on the road.
ADAM (NARRATION): This once peaceful and quiet town eventually got overcrowded.
ADAM (NARRATION): But back in the 2000s, it was a great place to live in if you love silence.
PANEL 04) Adam drives into a store parking lot called Shelwin’s (think of Wal-Mart).
ADAM (NARRATION): I was the supervisor of our local independent retail store, Shelwin’s, for nearly 13 years.
PAGE 4
Adam introduces the audience to Charlie, his co-worker and friend.
PANEL 01) Adam sits in his car in the parking lot of Shelwins.
ADAM (NARRATION): I got my start here when I was 42.
PANEL 02) Adam’s co-worker, Charlie, scares him. He leans on the glass window of Adam’s car.
Adam: Aah! My God!
Charlie: Hi, Adam!
PANEL 03) Adam gets out of the car and talks to Charlie.
Adam: I told you to stop doing that.
Charlie: Hey, what’s the problem?
PANEL 04) They are headed towards the entrance.
Charlie: H-Hey Adam, wait! How was the meeting? You know, with the drunkies?
PANEL 05) This panel shows Adam looking at Charlie, pointing up his index finger as a way to lecture him.
ADAM (NARRATION): ”Drunkies.” You know, that’s something I’d say if I wasn’t one.
Adam: Okay, first thing’s first. They’re not “drunkies'', Charlie. They’re decent people trying to get their lives back together.
PANEL 06) Adam is still talking to Charlie. You see the sides of their faces, looking at each other.
Adam: Second of all, how should I know? I didn’t go to the -
Charlie: You didn’t go?
PAGE 5
Adam and Charlie go to work.
PANEL 01) The two are walking down the store aisles.
Charlie: Didn’t Sally make you go in the first place? No offense but I can’t picture you having the willpower to go yourself.
PANEL 02) The two are walking down to Adam’s office. They’re in the backroom of the store, passing the restroom.
Adam: It’s just strangers talking about their problems, no one listens to anyone and they’ll just tell you to put the cork on the wine.
PANEL 03) This panel shows Adam opening the door to his office with his keys in the knob. Charlie is behind him.
ADAM (NARRATION): Let’s get one thing clear: I wasn’t exactly in denial with my problem.
Adam: I know Sally thinks this meeting will help me but trust me, it won’t.
PANEL 04) Adam and Charlie walk into his office.
ADAM (NARRATION): I just… I wanted to find the solution on my own. And save the embarrassment of showing my face at an AA.
P ANEL 05) Adam walks to his desk. Charlie stands in front of his desk. There are things on Adam’s desk like two photo frames, a coffee cup and a stapler.
Adam: Look, I am taking care of it myself, alright? I am measuring my drinks now. I’m weaning it down to two cups.
Charlie: Uh huh. Yesterday, it was five.
ADAM (NARRATION): Actually it was seven but I wasn’t tellin’.
PANEL 06) Adam picks up his stapler and points it toward the door, gesturing for Charlie to leave his office.
Adam: Don’t you have a job to get back to?
PAGE 6
Adam’s granddaughter, Chloe, visits.
PANEL 01) This panel shows the door with the *knock, knock* sound effect appearing next to the door. You can see Adam looking toward the door.
*knock, knock*
Adam: Oh, thank God. Come on in.
PANEL 02) Chloe comes through the door about to enter the room.
Adam: Chloe!
Chloe: Hi!
PANEL 03) Chloe and Adam embrace.
Adam: Hi, sweetheart.
PANEL 04) The two speak. Adam is sitting back down in his chair.
Chloe: Here. Grandma made you lunch.
Adam: Oh, thank you.
PANEL 05) Chloe is still standing next to Adam. She is looking down at him as he sits in his chair.
Adam: Hey, do you need anything from here? Any school supplies you’d like to cross off your list? It’s all here, you know.
Chloe: School’s not for a while. We’ll deal with that much later.
PANEL 06) Chloe looks at Adam as he stands up from his chair. She points towards the door.
Chloe: Grandma’s waiting for me in the car so I better get going.
PANEL 07) Chloe is about to leave the room as she opens the door. Behind her, you can see Adam and Charlie stand in front of the desk.
Adam: Alright, dear. I’ll see you later.
PAGE 7
Adam’s granddaughter Chloe visits Adam.
PANEL 01) This panel shows Charlie standing next to Adam’s desk on the right side, who is now sitting down on his chair.
Charlie: Wow. Your granddaughter has grown since the last time I met her. What is she, like 15?
PANEL 02) Charlie stands next to Adam. He looks up at Charlie.
Adam: She’s 13. Can you please -
PANEL 03) Adam opens up the small milk carton that’s on his desk (brown color for chocolate milk). Charlie walks away from the desk towards the door.
Charlie: I know “Charlie, go away.”
PANEL 04) You can see Charlie’s face. Behind him, Adam is holding the milk carton with an annoyed look on his face.
Charlie: Take it easy on the chocolate margarita.
ADAM (NARRATION): Go slam the door on your fingers.
PANEL 05) Adam is left sitting on his desk. He looks as if he is contemplating.
ADAM (NARRATION): Okay, I was hooked. I spent those months trying to drop my nonsense and pathetic excuses. As you can see, it was very difficult.
PANEL 06) Close up. Next to his milk carton, there is a school photo of a little girl with short brown hair and bangs. On the frame, there is a decoration label with an apple that says “1st day of school”. It's not Chloe in the photo but Adam’s deceased daughter, Jeanie (Chloe’s mother). The audience doesn’t know this yet.
PAGE 8
Chloe talks to her neighbor from across the street, Donny. They sit on her porch.
PANEL 01) A front shot of Chloe and Donny, sitting on the stairs of the porch.
Donny: I can’t believe we’re finally going to 8th grade.
Chloe: I know. Two months will pass by before we know it.
ADAM (NARRATION): My neighbor, Donny Mendez. He and Chloe have been best friends ever since they were 3 years old.
PANEL 02) This panel shows a bit of a close up of the two talking.
Chloe: I hope we end up in the same class together.
Donny: Being the small town it is, we’re mostly going to be stuck with the same jerks again.
PANEL 03) A close up of Donny talking.
Donny: Honestly, I never saw the point of middle school. It’s dumb as shit and an absolute waste of time.
PANEL 04) The panel shows a slight downshot of the house. You can see some of the roof.
ADAM (NARRATION): Donny’s a nice kid but his homelife is far from peaceful. He usually spends time at our house with my granddaughter since he and his dad don’t get along.
Chloe: Weren’t you supposed to skip a grade this year?
PANEL 05) You see another front shot of Chloe and Donny sitting together. A lot like the first panel but closer.
Donny: Yeah, I was supposed to but my dad wouldn’t let me, which makes no sense at all since he doesn’t care what I do.
Chloe: I’m sure he does, Donny.
PANEL 06) Sally comes outside. Sally is Chloe’s grandmother, Adam’s wife.
Sally: Guys, dinner is almost ready. I’m making salmon burgers.
Chloe: Grandma, can Donny stay for dinner?
PAGE 9
Chloe and Donny get ready for dinner.
PANEL 01) A close up of Sally's face.
Sally: Of course he can. I made plenty. Donny, do you like salmon burgers?
PANEL 02) Donny and Chloe look up at the door at Sally. Behind them, you can see a bunch of bushes from across the street.
Donny: That sounds pretty good, Mrs. Casden. Thank you.
PANEL 03) Chloe stands up next to Donny. The door behind them is closed as Sally is back inside of the house.
Donny: Chloe, I have a weird question.
Chloe: Shoot.
PANEL 04) Donny stands up next to Chloe.
Donny: Do 8th graders wear lifts in their shoes? I wouldn’t want to be crushed by Pete and Joey Wells when they rampage through the halls.
PANEL 05) Chloe looks at Donny.
Chloe: Lifts? I don’t know but it sounds like it makes sense. Best bring them.
ADAM (NARRATION): I get the height disadvantage but that’s just kinda strange. Then again, that’s who he is.
PANEL 06) A wide panel showing the entire house. The sun is going down. Chloe and Donny enter through the front door.
PAGE 10
Sally, Adam, Charlie, Chloe and Donny have dinner.
PANEL 01) The wide panel shows the entire dining room. Chloe and Donny are sitting together on the left side of the table. Sally is at the end of the table in the middle seat. Adam and Charlie walk into the dining room.
Charlie: Adam, I’m honored that you invited me for dinner. It’s not everyday that I get to come to your lovely home.
Adam: The honor is mine.
PANEL 02) Adam and Charlie, next to each other, proceed to take their seats on the right side of the table. Adam is sitting next to Sally.
Sally: So, how was everyone’s day?
PANEL 03) Sally speaks to Adam.
Adam (NARRATION): Deceitful and just terrible.
Adam: Somewhat pleasant.
PANEL 04) Sally is putting a plate in front of Adam.
Adam: Everything's going according to plan.
Sally: Was that plan of yours by any chance checking out a certain type of place that I mentioned to you this morning?
Adam (NARRATION): Nope. Didn’t even try to go through the doors.
Adam: Yup, that’s the one.
PANEL 05) Adam looks at Sally as she sips her glass of water.
ADAM (NARRATION): My wife, Sally. That year, we were married for 35 years. We dated in high school in the late 70s.
PAGE 11
Donny and Chloe talk about jobs.
PANEL 01) Sally introduces Charlie to Donny, who is waving and saying hello. Chloe is
sitting next to him. You can see a bit of Sally’s hand from the right side of the panel, introducing Donny.
Sally (OFF PANEL): Charlie, this is Chloe’s friend and our kid neighbor, Donny.
Donny: Hello.
PANEL 02) Sally talks to Donny.
Sally: Oh Donny, do you want to take some leftovers home with you? Maybe you and your father might want some for later.
Donny: Oh, sure. Thank you, Mrs. Casden.
PANEL 03) Donny turns to Chloe.
Donny: So I’m thinking about getting a job this summer. That’s if my dad gets around to signing the papers.
Chloe: What papers?
PANEL 04) Adam speaks to the kids. You can see the front Adam and Charlie’s faces. In front of them are the tips of Chloe and Donny’s heads.
Adam: You have to be 16 to work. When you're underage, your parents have to sign a permit for you to work. That’s what we did for you.
PANEL 05) Chloe speaks to Donny.
Donny: You’re going to work?
Chloe: Yeah. I’m going to be a camp counselor. I’m leaving in about a week
to go to the camp. It’s out of town.
PANEL 06) This panel shows the whole table.
ADAM (NARRATION): That was pretty much their last summer as kids.
PAGE 12
Dinner is over. Chloe walks Donny out the door. Donny is holding a tupperware of leftovers.
PANEL 01) Chloe escorts Donny out the door. They’re walking from the dining room to the living room.
Chloe: I’m sorry for not telling you earlier. You know, about the camping job.
Donny: Don’t be sorry. That’s great news. Hope it all goes well.
PANEL 02) Donny is standing outside on the porch.
Donny: So when will you be back?
Chloe: By the end of the summer. Right before school starts.
PANEL 03) The panel shows Chloe standing by the door.
Chloe: It’s going to be a while.
Donny: Like you said. Two months will go by quickly. You’ll see.
PANEL 04) Chloe leaning on the side of the door. Donny proceeds to leave.
Donny: Well, I better get going. I’ll see you soon.
PANEL 05) Donny is down the stairs on the side. He looks up at the door.
Donny: Oh and whatever you do, don’t change.
PANEL 06) A close up on Chloe’s face. She smiles.
Chloe: Not in a million years.
PAGE 13
Charlie tries to get Adam to go to his AA meeting.
01 TITLE: Two months later. September.
PANEL 01) Adam and Charlie are standing outside of the same AA building from the beginning.
Charlie: Come on, Adam. Don’t be afraid.
Adam: You said we were going to get coffee.
PANEL 02) A close up of the two men talking.
Charlie: You know what’s scarier than AA? Making promises, not going through with them and letting the guilt cripple you more and more.
Adam: I appreciate what you’re doing but I don’t need this place.
PANEL 03) Adam proceeds to walk away. Adam gestures for Charlie to follow him.
Charlie: Look, how about I just go in for you and -
Adam: Seriously, let’s drop this. We’re not even here. Come on.
ADAM (NARRATION): So nothing improved.
PANEL 04) Adam and Charlie walk down the streets. Charlie looks upset.
Adam: Bringing me here isn’t going to help me, okay? You didn’t have to waste our time.
PANEL 05) A close up of Adam’s face. He looks concerned.
ADAM (NARRATION): Oops, too harsh.
PANEL 06) As the two are walking, Adam turns to look at Charlie. He puts his arm around his shoulder.
Adam: Sorry.
Charlie: It’s okay.
PAGE 14
Donny arrives at the school.
PANEL 01) An establishing shot of Port Penner Middle School. A blue car drives towards the school.
ADAM (NARRATION): After 13 years of anticipation, the day finally came: Chloe’s first day of 8th grade.
PANEL 02) Another view of the car. It is speeding closer to the school. Two kids are running across the streets. They scramble out of the way to avoid getting hit by the car that won’t stop for them.
KID #1: Aah!
KID #2: Look out!
PANEL 03) An inside view of the car. It’s Donny and his dad, Sonny.
ADAM (NARRATION): And Donny’s first day.
Donny: Nice driving, Dad. I can’t believe you still have your license.
Sonny: Impressive, isn’t it?
PANEL 04) Donny grabs his backpack and opens the passenger door, exiting the car.
Donny: I get out at 3.
Sonny: I get out at 2. I win.
PANEL 05) Donny steps out of the car. The door is still ajar.
Donny: Don’t kill anyone.
Sonny: Don’t tell me what to do.
PANEL 06) His dad speeds away before Donny could even close the door. He is coughing from the smoke.
PANEL 07) A panel of Donny’s dad driving away.
PAGE 15
Donny and Chloe meet up and go to class.
PANEL 01) We see Chloe here. She is a bit taller than Donny and she no longer wears glasses.
Chloe: Hey Donny! There you are.
PANEL 02) Donny looks surprised.
Donny: Chloe. You look… um… grown up.
Chloe: Uh, I guess. That’s what I did.
ADAM (NARRATION): Literally.
PANEL 03) Donny and Chloe are walking into the entrance.
Donny: So you don’t wear glasses anymore, huh.
Chloe: Contacts.
Donny: You’re brave. I’m too squeamish for contacts.
PANEL 04) Chloe and Donny are at the secretary desk. They are given a piece of paper with their locker combinations.
Woman: Here are your combinations.
Chloe: Thank you.
Donny: Thanks.
PANEL 05) Chloe and Donny walk down the hall.
Chloe: Okay, I got a top locker. What about you?
Donny: Uh...
PANEL 06) Donny looks at the top locker.
Donny: The top.
Chloe: Are you still wearing those lifts?
PAGE 16
Sally goes to tutor her student, Liam.
PANEL 01) This panel shows a big house. It’s almost like a mansion and it has gates.
PANEL 02) Sally holds down the button and talks to the intercom. She’s wearing a backpack.
Sally: Hello, I'm here for Liam.
Voice from the intercom: Good morning, Mrs. Casden. Come on in.
PANEL 03) The gates open and Sally walks inside.
PANEL 04) Sally is walking down the hallways.
ADAM (NARRATION): Sally is a homeschool private tutor to some pampered popstar.
PANEL 05) Sally walks into a big living room with 15 year old Liam, taking selfies.
Sally: Hello, Liam. Are you ready for today’s -
Liam: One second.
PANEL 06) Liam poses for another selfie.
*FLASH*
PANEL 07) Liam turns to Sally as she sits down on the sofa.
Liam: Okay, done.
PAGE 17
Liam wastes Sally’s time as she tries to teach him today’s lesson.
PANEL 01) Sally is opening her backpack and sets down the work books. Liam is dancing.
Sally: Uh, what was that?
Liam: I’m practicing my dance moves for my next music video. It’s supposed to come out on Christmas. I’ll be back in LA when that happens.
PANEL 02) A close up on Sally’s face.
Sally: That’s fantastic.
PANEL 03) Sally is holding up a workbook. Liam is still up and is stretching.
Sally: Now come, have a seat. We’re going to continue the next part of World War II.
Liam: World War II? When did we get there?
PANEL 04) Sally looks annoyed. Liam walks towards Sally, still sitting on the sofa.
Sally: Liam, we covered the first part last week. I gave you the study sheet for next week's history test, remember? You couldn’t memorize -
Liam: Oh yeah, that. It got really depressing. I mean, you can’t expect me to memorize all of the horrific details, right?
PANEL 05) Sally is holding up a piece of paper pointing at it.
Sally: Of course I expect you to remember everything, Liam. You need to pass -
PANEL 06) Liam interrupts Sally. He leans down towards her and hands her his phone.
Liam: Oh, real quick! Can you take a picture for my website?
PAGE 18
Donny and Chloe find their classes together.
PANEL 01) This wide panel shows the hallways. Kids are walking around. Chloe is walking towards the bulletin board with Donny following her.
Chloe: Alrighty. Let’s find our classes.
PANEL 02) Chloe is pointing at the homeroom list. This panel shows her finger pointing at their names.
Chloe: Look! There’s our names. See? We’re in the same class.
PANEL 03) Downshot panel. Chloe and Donny’s are up close, looking at each other.
Donny: Oh, good. What a relief.
PANEL 04) Another downshot panel showing the whole hallway. The two continue to walk down the hallway while the other kids roam around. One girl in particular is walking right behind them to the same homeroom. Her name is later revealed to be Rindy, a classmate from Chloe and Donny’s childhood.
Chloe: I hope they let us pick our seats.
Donny: Preferably two by the door.
PANEL 05) Chloe and Donny are close by the door to their homeroom.
Chloe: Why close to the door?
Donny: So we don’t get trampled by the rest of the class when it’s time to leave. I call them the “getaway desks.”
PANEL 06) Chloe opens the door with Rindy right behind her. Donny is standing by the door, letting Chloe go in first.
Donny: After you.
PAGE 19
Chloe enters the classroom and accidentally hits Rindy in the face, who is standing behind her. Donny is on the other side of Chloe, the door.
PANEL 01) Chloe accidently opens the door, hitting Rindy in the face really hard.
Rindy: AACK!
PANEL 02) Rindy is on the floor, holding onto her nose. Chloe apologizes.
Rindy: What the hell, Chloe!
Chloe: Oh, man! I’m so sorry, Rindy!
PANEL 03) Their classmates surround Rindy as she lies on the floor. Girl 1 holds a mirror towards Rindy’s face, pointing out that her nose is crooked.
Girl 1: What’s wrong with you?! Did you not see her?!
Girl 2: Oh, my God. Rindy, you’re nose!
PANEL 04) Rindy notices her nose is bloody.
Rindy: AACK! Look what you did!
Chloe: I’m so sorry! I didn’t see you there.
Donny: It was an accident!
PANEL 05) Teacher comes in and intervenes.
Teacher: What’s going on here? Well?!
Chloe: I accidentally opened the door on Rindy’s face. I didn’t see her.
Rindy: She broke my nose!
PANEL 06) Teacher picks up Rindy and tells the kids to go to class.
Chloe: Is there anything I can do?
Girl 2: You’ve done enough!
Girl 1: Come on, Rindy. Let’s get you to the school nurse.
ADAM (NARRATION): So much for a hopeful first day of school.
PAGE 20
Adam is tearing his office apart looking for his “milk.” Adam confronts Charlie for hiding his milk. Charlie admits that he hid it behind the plant.
PANEL 01) This panel shows an angle of the Shelwin’s store.
PANEL 02) Adam’s office. It looks disorganized since he’s tearing apart the office, looking for his “milk.”
Adam: Christ.
PANEL 03) Charlie comes in to check on Adam. He’s standing behind the half opened door, about to step into the room.
Charlie: Adam?
PANEL 04) The panel shows Adam’s back with one of his arms pointing up.
Adam: Where is it, Charlie?
PANEL 05) This panel shows Charlie’s face up close with a disappointed look.
Charlie: *sigh* It’s behind the plant. I would’ve thrown it away but I didn’t want you fishing it out of the bin.
PANEL 06) Adam is kneeling on the floor and picks up the milk from behind the plant.
Adam: That’s disgusting. I would never do that. And you’re not helping me by doing this. Okay?
PANEL 07) The panel shows Charlie, who's now in the room by the door, with his arms crossed and looks annoyed.
Adam (OFF PANEL): Look, I’m your boss, alright? I don’t appreciate you messing with my stuff.
Charlie: I didn’t do it to mess with you, Adam.
PAGE 21
Charlie confronts Adam about his alcohol addiction but their conversation is interrupted by a phone call.
PANEL 01) Adam sits on his chair. He places the drink on the desk.
Adam: I know.
Charlie: This sucks and you know it.
PANEL 02) This panel shows Charlie, now in front of Adam’s desk.
Adam: Look, Charlie -
Charlie: You have a problem, man. Come on.
PANEL 03) The panel shows Adam sitting on his chair.
Adam: I know this hard for you to understand but when -
PANEL 04) A close up on Adam’s face, who looks annoyed while his cell phone rings.
*RING RING*
Adam: Perfect.
PANEL 05) Adam picks up his cellphone.
Adam: Hello?
PANEL 06) A close up panel showing the side of Adam’s face.
Adam: Um. I’m sorry. Could you say that again please?
PAGE 22
Adam and Sally go to Port Penner Middle School. They attend a meeting at their granddaughter’s school with Mrs. Haywood, Rindy’s mother.
PANEL 01) The first panel shows an establishing shot of Port Penner Middle School.
Principal (OFF PANEL): Look, would it help if I slowed down the footage? We checked the security tape.
PANEL 02) A downshot of the principal’s office.
Sally: This was clearly an accident, Mrs. Haywood.
Mrs. Haywood: That’s just great! My daughter’s nose is broken thanks to your daughter.
Adam: Ma’am, we’re very sorry. We really are. Our granddaughter didn’t -
PANEL 03) Adam, Sally and Mrs. Haywood are sitting next to each other with the principal on the other side of the desk.
Mrs. Haywood: I’m sorry. Granddaughter? I asked for her parents!
Sally: Her grandfather and I are her guardians.
PANEL 04) This panel shows a close up on Mrs. Haywood’s face.
Mrs. Haywood: Well then your granddaughter clearly must’ve gone through some hardships if she’s under the care of her grandparents.
Principal: Mrs. Haywood, enough.
PANEL 05) This panel shows Adam and Sally’s angle.
Mrs. Haywood (OFF PANEL): Our insurance can’t cover the entire surgery. Since this is your granddaughter's fault, I expect you to pay for her indiscretion. Otherwise, I’ll take you and this school to court if I have to.
Adam: There’s no need to jump there. Here’s my card. We’ll discuss the details.
PAGE 23
Chloe talks to Rindy while they are sitting outside of the principal’s office.
PANEL 01) This panel shows the hallway, where the two girls, Rindy and Chloe, are sitting next to each other in their chairs. They’re sitting outside of the principal’s office next to the door. Rindy is holding a bag of ice on her nose.
Chloe: So… how’s your nose?
Rindy: Oh, my God. Please don’t talk to me.
PANEL 02) This panel show’s Rindy’s angle.
Chloe: Rindy, I didn’t see you behind me. I’m sorry.
Rindy: Whatever, Chloe. You can keep apologizing all you want. I will never forgive you. I just want this day to be over.
PANEL 03) Chloe is slouching, looking tired, holding her head up with her arms.
Chloe: You’re telling me. This is awful.
PANEL 04) Rindy is in pain. Chloe stops slouching and looks worried.
Rindy: Ouch!
Chloe: Oh, no! Is it hurting even more?
PANEL 05) Rindy turns her head towards Chloe and looks upset. Chloe slouches again, this time burying her head with her hands.
Rindy: My nose is throbbing, that’s what! All thanks to you!
Chloe: *sigh*
PAGE 24
Chloe, Adam and Sally walk down the hallways and into the parking lot.
PANEL 01) Chloe, Adam and Sally walk down the hallway.
Chloe: I’m sorry, guys.
Adam: It’s not your fault, kiddo.
Sally: Don’t be sorry.
PANEL 02) The three walk out of the school doors.
Sally: Hey, didn’t you used to go to elementary school with that girl? Mindy, right?
Chloe: Rindy. And yes, I did. She never liked me back then for some reason.
PANEL 03) The three walk down the sidewalk of the school.
Chloe: Well, she definitely has a good reason to hate me now.
Adam: Don’t worry too much about it, dear. We all have bad days. Things are going to be just fine.
PANEL 04) The three walk into the parking a lot. There’s like 4 cars parked, separate from each other, scattered in different parking sections.
Chloe: Will you be fine, Grandpa?
Adam: What do you mean, sweetheart?
PANEL 05) A close up on Chloe’s face.
Chloe: You know what I mean.
PANEL 06) Sally and Adam look at each other with concern.
THE END
The main protagonist, Adam, tries to go to his AA support group meeting. He is wearing a hat and coat so no one can recognize him.
PANEL 01) Adam is standing outside right in front of an alcoholics anonymous building. This panel shows the entire building itself, surrounded by a couple of sidewalk trees, with Adam’s back facing the audience. The huge sign in front of the building above the double doors says in big giant letters “”
PANEL 02) A shot of Adam’s shocked facial expression, looking up at a sign.
Adam: I can do this.
PANEL 03) A panel showing the sides of their faces looking at each other. A woman opens one of the double doors. Adam is standing in front of her.
PANEL 04) A close up of the woman’s face. She asks him a question.
Woman: Are you coming in?
PANEL 05) Adam then replies to the woman, walking away from her.
Adam: Um… no.
PANEL 05) Adam walks away from the building, down the sidewalk, showing his back. On the left side are sidewalk trees. Next to that are the streets with some cars driving down the road.
ADAM (NARRATION): The summer of 2013. That was the year I tried to put an end to my drinking.
PAGE 2
Adam heads to his car and goes to work.
PANEL 01) Adam is walking down the street, taking off his hat and coat.
ADAM (NARRATION): And that wasn’t the first time I tried to stop. That was about the eighth time.
PANEL 02) Adam opens the door to his car. It’s modeled after a Mercury Mariner.
Adam: Shit, shit, shit.
PANEL 03) Adam drives down the street. It centers around his car along with a car behind him and another car in front of him.
ADAM (NARRATION): I’m supposed to be in my seventies now but back then, not even two decades ago, it felt like this problem was something I couldn't run from.
ADAM (NARRATION): I was 55 years old in 2013 and I just couldn’t get my crap together.
PANEL 04) Adam is trying to get the radio to work.
Adam: Come on, work dammit!
PAGE 3
Adam introduces the audience to his hometown, Port Penner.
PANEL 01) This big panel shows the whole town as he drives down the road.
ADAM (NARRATION): My name is Adam Casden. On-again off-again alcoholic. At that time, I was 7 years sober. That was until I relapsed that summer.
ADAM (NARRATION): I grew up in a small town called Port Penner, New Jersey. I lived here my whole life. Now I am raising my family here.
PANEL 02) Adam drives down another street by a park.
ADAM (NARRATION): A lot of families, like mine, resided here.
PANEL 03) This panel shows Adam’s face. A close up of him focusing on the road.
ADAM (NARRATION): This once peaceful and quiet town eventually got overcrowded.
ADAM (NARRATION): But back in the 2000s, it was a great place to live in if you love silence.
PANEL 04) Adam drives into a store parking lot called Shelwin’s (think of Wal-Mart).
ADAM (NARRATION): I was the supervisor of our local independent retail store, Shelwin’s, for nearly 13 years.
PAGE 4
Adam introduces the audience to Charlie, his co-worker and friend.
PANEL 01) Adam sits in his car in the parking lot of Shelwins.
ADAM (NARRATION): I got my start here when I was 42.
PANEL 02) Adam’s co-worker, Charlie, scares him. He leans on the glass window of Adam’s car.
Adam: Aah! My God!
Charlie: Hi, Adam!
PANEL 03) Adam gets out of the car and talks to Charlie.
Adam: I told you to stop doing that.
Charlie: Hey, what’s the problem?
PANEL 04) They are headed towards the entrance.
Charlie: H-Hey Adam, wait! How was the meeting? You know, with the drunkies?
PANEL 05) This panel shows Adam looking at Charlie, pointing up his index finger as a way to lecture him.
ADAM (NARRATION): ”Drunkies.” You know, that’s something I’d say if I wasn’t one.
Adam: Okay, first thing’s first. They’re not “drunkies'', Charlie. They’re decent people trying to get their lives back together.
PANEL 06) Adam is still talking to Charlie. You see the sides of their faces, looking at each other.
Adam: Second of all, how should I know? I didn’t go to the -
Charlie: You didn’t go?
PAGE 5
Adam and Charlie go to work.
PANEL 01) The two are walking down the store aisles.
Charlie: Didn’t Sally make you go in the first place? No offense but I can’t picture you having the willpower to go yourself.
PANEL 02) The two are walking down to Adam’s office. They’re in the backroom of the store, passing the restroom.
Adam: It’s just strangers talking about their problems, no one listens to anyone and they’ll just tell you to put the cork on the wine.
PANEL 03) This panel shows Adam opening the door to his office with his keys in the knob. Charlie is behind him.
ADAM (NARRATION): Let’s get one thing clear: I wasn’t exactly in denial with my problem.
Adam: I know Sally thinks this meeting will help me but trust me, it won’t.
PANEL 04) Adam and Charlie walk into his office.
ADAM (NARRATION): I just… I wanted to find the solution on my own. And save the embarrassment of showing my face at an AA.
P ANEL 05) Adam walks to his desk. Charlie stands in front of his desk. There are things on Adam’s desk like two photo frames, a coffee cup and a stapler.
Adam: Look, I am taking care of it myself, alright? I am measuring my drinks now. I’m weaning it down to two cups.
Charlie: Uh huh. Yesterday, it was five.
ADAM (NARRATION): Actually it was seven but I wasn’t tellin’.
PANEL 06) Adam picks up his stapler and points it toward the door, gesturing for Charlie to leave his office.
Adam: Don’t you have a job to get back to?
PAGE 6
Adam’s granddaughter, Chloe, visits.
PANEL 01) This panel shows the door with the *knock, knock* sound effect appearing next to the door. You can see Adam looking toward the door.
*knock, knock*
Adam: Oh, thank God. Come on in.
PANEL 02) Chloe comes through the door about to enter the room.
Adam: Chloe!
Chloe: Hi!
PANEL 03) Chloe and Adam embrace.
Adam: Hi, sweetheart.
PANEL 04) The two speak. Adam is sitting back down in his chair.
Chloe: Here. Grandma made you lunch.
Adam: Oh, thank you.
PANEL 05) Chloe is still standing next to Adam. She is looking down at him as he sits in his chair.
Adam: Hey, do you need anything from here? Any school supplies you’d like to cross off your list? It’s all here, you know.
Chloe: School’s not for a while. We’ll deal with that much later.
PANEL 06) Chloe looks at Adam as he stands up from his chair. She points towards the door.
Chloe: Grandma’s waiting for me in the car so I better get going.
PANEL 07) Chloe is about to leave the room as she opens the door. Behind her, you can see Adam and Charlie stand in front of the desk.
Adam: Alright, dear. I’ll see you later.
PAGE 7
Adam’s granddaughter Chloe visits Adam.
PANEL 01) This panel shows Charlie standing next to Adam’s desk on the right side, who is now sitting down on his chair.
Charlie: Wow. Your granddaughter has grown since the last time I met her. What is she, like 15?
PANEL 02) Charlie stands next to Adam. He looks up at Charlie.
Adam: She’s 13. Can you please -
PANEL 03) Adam opens up the small milk carton that’s on his desk (brown color for chocolate milk). Charlie walks away from the desk towards the door.
Charlie: I know “Charlie, go away.”
PANEL 04) You can see Charlie’s face. Behind him, Adam is holding the milk carton with an annoyed look on his face.
Charlie: Take it easy on the chocolate margarita.
ADAM (NARRATION): Go slam the door on your fingers.
PANEL 05) Adam is left sitting on his desk. He looks as if he is contemplating.
ADAM (NARRATION): Okay, I was hooked. I spent those months trying to drop my nonsense and pathetic excuses. As you can see, it was very difficult.
PANEL 06) Close up. Next to his milk carton, there is a school photo of a little girl with short brown hair and bangs. On the frame, there is a decoration label with an apple that says “1st day of school”. It's not Chloe in the photo but Adam’s deceased daughter, Jeanie (Chloe’s mother). The audience doesn’t know this yet.
PAGE 8
Chloe talks to her neighbor from across the street, Donny. They sit on her porch.
PANEL 01) A front shot of Chloe and Donny, sitting on the stairs of the porch.
Donny: I can’t believe we’re finally going to 8th grade.
Chloe: I know. Two months will pass by before we know it.
ADAM (NARRATION): My neighbor, Donny Mendez. He and Chloe have been best friends ever since they were 3 years old.
PANEL 02) This panel shows a bit of a close up of the two talking.
Chloe: I hope we end up in the same class together.
Donny: Being the small town it is, we’re mostly going to be stuck with the same jerks again.
PANEL 03) A close up of Donny talking.
Donny: Honestly, I never saw the point of middle school. It’s dumb as shit and an absolute waste of time.
PANEL 04) The panel shows a slight downshot of the house. You can see some of the roof.
ADAM (NARRATION): Donny’s a nice kid but his homelife is far from peaceful. He usually spends time at our house with my granddaughter since he and his dad don’t get along.
Chloe: Weren’t you supposed to skip a grade this year?
PANEL 05) You see another front shot of Chloe and Donny sitting together. A lot like the first panel but closer.
Donny: Yeah, I was supposed to but my dad wouldn’t let me, which makes no sense at all since he doesn’t care what I do.
Chloe: I’m sure he does, Donny.
PANEL 06) Sally comes outside. Sally is Chloe’s grandmother, Adam’s wife.
Sally: Guys, dinner is almost ready. I’m making salmon burgers.
Chloe: Grandma, can Donny stay for dinner?
PAGE 9
Chloe and Donny get ready for dinner.
PANEL 01) A close up of Sally's face.
Sally: Of course he can. I made plenty. Donny, do you like salmon burgers?
PANEL 02) Donny and Chloe look up at the door at Sally. Behind them, you can see a bunch of bushes from across the street.
Donny: That sounds pretty good, Mrs. Casden. Thank you.
PANEL 03) Chloe stands up next to Donny. The door behind them is closed as Sally is back inside of the house.
Donny: Chloe, I have a weird question.
Chloe: Shoot.
PANEL 04) Donny stands up next to Chloe.
Donny: Do 8th graders wear lifts in their shoes? I wouldn’t want to be crushed by Pete and Joey Wells when they rampage through the halls.
PANEL 05) Chloe looks at Donny.
Chloe: Lifts? I don’t know but it sounds like it makes sense. Best bring them.
ADAM (NARRATION): I get the height disadvantage but that’s just kinda strange. Then again, that’s who he is.
PANEL 06) A wide panel showing the entire house. The sun is going down. Chloe and Donny enter through the front door.
PAGE 10
Sally, Adam, Charlie, Chloe and Donny have dinner.
PANEL 01) The wide panel shows the entire dining room. Chloe and Donny are sitting together on the left side of the table. Sally is at the end of the table in the middle seat. Adam and Charlie walk into the dining room.
Charlie: Adam, I’m honored that you invited me for dinner. It’s not everyday that I get to come to your lovely home.
Adam: The honor is mine.
PANEL 02) Adam and Charlie, next to each other, proceed to take their seats on the right side of the table. Adam is sitting next to Sally.
Sally: So, how was everyone’s day?
PANEL 03) Sally speaks to Adam.
Adam (NARRATION): Deceitful and just terrible.
Adam: Somewhat pleasant.
PANEL 04) Sally is putting a plate in front of Adam.
Adam: Everything's going according to plan.
Sally: Was that plan of yours by any chance checking out a certain type of place that I mentioned to you this morning?
Adam (NARRATION): Nope. Didn’t even try to go through the doors.
Adam: Yup, that’s the one.
PANEL 05) Adam looks at Sally as she sips her glass of water.
ADAM (NARRATION): My wife, Sally. That year, we were married for 35 years. We dated in high school in the late 70s.
PAGE 11
Donny and Chloe talk about jobs.
PANEL 01) Sally introduces Charlie to Donny, who is waving and saying hello. Chloe is
sitting next to him. You can see a bit of Sally’s hand from the right side of the panel, introducing Donny.
Sally (OFF PANEL): Charlie, this is Chloe’s friend and our kid neighbor, Donny.
Donny: Hello.
PANEL 02) Sally talks to Donny.
Sally: Oh Donny, do you want to take some leftovers home with you? Maybe you and your father might want some for later.
Donny: Oh, sure. Thank you, Mrs. Casden.
PANEL 03) Donny turns to Chloe.
Donny: So I’m thinking about getting a job this summer. That’s if my dad gets around to signing the papers.
Chloe: What papers?
PANEL 04) Adam speaks to the kids. You can see the front Adam and Charlie’s faces. In front of them are the tips of Chloe and Donny’s heads.
Adam: You have to be 16 to work. When you're underage, your parents have to sign a permit for you to work. That’s what we did for you.
PANEL 05) Chloe speaks to Donny.
Donny: You’re going to work?
Chloe: Yeah. I’m going to be a camp counselor. I’m leaving in about a week
to go to the camp. It’s out of town.
PANEL 06) This panel shows the whole table.
ADAM (NARRATION): That was pretty much their last summer as kids.
PAGE 12
Dinner is over. Chloe walks Donny out the door. Donny is holding a tupperware of leftovers.
PANEL 01) Chloe escorts Donny out the door. They’re walking from the dining room to the living room.
Chloe: I’m sorry for not telling you earlier. You know, about the camping job.
Donny: Don’t be sorry. That’s great news. Hope it all goes well.
PANEL 02) Donny is standing outside on the porch.
Donny: So when will you be back?
Chloe: By the end of the summer. Right before school starts.
PANEL 03) The panel shows Chloe standing by the door.
Chloe: It’s going to be a while.
Donny: Like you said. Two months will go by quickly. You’ll see.
PANEL 04) Chloe leaning on the side of the door. Donny proceeds to leave.
Donny: Well, I better get going. I’ll see you soon.
PANEL 05) Donny is down the stairs on the side. He looks up at the door.
Donny: Oh and whatever you do, don’t change.
PANEL 06) A close up on Chloe’s face. She smiles.
Chloe: Not in a million years.
PAGE 13
Charlie tries to get Adam to go to his AA meeting.
01 TITLE: Two months later. September.
PANEL 01) Adam and Charlie are standing outside of the same AA building from the beginning.
Charlie: Come on, Adam. Don’t be afraid.
Adam: You said we were going to get coffee.
PANEL 02) A close up of the two men talking.
Charlie: You know what’s scarier than AA? Making promises, not going through with them and letting the guilt cripple you more and more.
Adam: I appreciate what you’re doing but I don’t need this place.
PANEL 03) Adam proceeds to walk away. Adam gestures for Charlie to follow him.
Charlie: Look, how about I just go in for you and -
Adam: Seriously, let’s drop this. We’re not even here. Come on.
ADAM (NARRATION): So nothing improved.
PANEL 04) Adam and Charlie walk down the streets. Charlie looks upset.
Adam: Bringing me here isn’t going to help me, okay? You didn’t have to waste our time.
PANEL 05) A close up of Adam’s face. He looks concerned.
ADAM (NARRATION): Oops, too harsh.
PANEL 06) As the two are walking, Adam turns to look at Charlie. He puts his arm around his shoulder.
Adam: Sorry.
Charlie: It’s okay.
PAGE 14
Donny arrives at the school.
PANEL 01) An establishing shot of Port Penner Middle School. A blue car drives towards the school.
ADAM (NARRATION): After 13 years of anticipation, the day finally came: Chloe’s first day of 8th grade.
PANEL 02) Another view of the car. It is speeding closer to the school. Two kids are running across the streets. They scramble out of the way to avoid getting hit by the car that won’t stop for them.
KID #1: Aah!
KID #2: Look out!
PANEL 03) An inside view of the car. It’s Donny and his dad, Sonny.
ADAM (NARRATION): And Donny’s first day.
Donny: Nice driving, Dad. I can’t believe you still have your license.
Sonny: Impressive, isn’t it?
PANEL 04) Donny grabs his backpack and opens the passenger door, exiting the car.
Donny: I get out at 3.
Sonny: I get out at 2. I win.
PANEL 05) Donny steps out of the car. The door is still ajar.
Donny: Don’t kill anyone.
Sonny: Don’t tell me what to do.
PANEL 06) His dad speeds away before Donny could even close the door. He is coughing from the smoke.
PANEL 07) A panel of Donny’s dad driving away.
PAGE 15
Donny and Chloe meet up and go to class.
PANEL 01) We see Chloe here. She is a bit taller than Donny and she no longer wears glasses.
Chloe: Hey Donny! There you are.
PANEL 02) Donny looks surprised.
Donny: Chloe. You look… um… grown up.
Chloe: Uh, I guess. That’s what I did.
ADAM (NARRATION): Literally.
PANEL 03) Donny and Chloe are walking into the entrance.
Donny: So you don’t wear glasses anymore, huh.
Chloe: Contacts.
Donny: You’re brave. I’m too squeamish for contacts.
PANEL 04) Chloe and Donny are at the secretary desk. They are given a piece of paper with their locker combinations.
Woman: Here are your combinations.
Chloe: Thank you.
Donny: Thanks.
PANEL 05) Chloe and Donny walk down the hall.
Chloe: Okay, I got a top locker. What about you?
Donny: Uh...
PANEL 06) Donny looks at the top locker.
Donny: The top.
Chloe: Are you still wearing those lifts?
PAGE 16
Sally goes to tutor her student, Liam.
PANEL 01) This panel shows a big house. It’s almost like a mansion and it has gates.
PANEL 02) Sally holds down the button and talks to the intercom. She’s wearing a backpack.
Sally: Hello, I'm here for Liam.
Voice from the intercom: Good morning, Mrs. Casden. Come on in.
PANEL 03) The gates open and Sally walks inside.
PANEL 04) Sally is walking down the hallways.
ADAM (NARRATION): Sally is a homeschool private tutor to some pampered popstar.
PANEL 05) Sally walks into a big living room with 15 year old Liam, taking selfies.
Sally: Hello, Liam. Are you ready for today’s -
Liam: One second.
PANEL 06) Liam poses for another selfie.
*FLASH*
PANEL 07) Liam turns to Sally as she sits down on the sofa.
Liam: Okay, done.
PAGE 17
Liam wastes Sally’s time as she tries to teach him today’s lesson.
PANEL 01) Sally is opening her backpack and sets down the work books. Liam is dancing.
Sally: Uh, what was that?
Liam: I’m practicing my dance moves for my next music video. It’s supposed to come out on Christmas. I’ll be back in LA when that happens.
PANEL 02) A close up on Sally’s face.
Sally: That’s fantastic.
PANEL 03) Sally is holding up a workbook. Liam is still up and is stretching.
Sally: Now come, have a seat. We’re going to continue the next part of World War II.
Liam: World War II? When did we get there?
PANEL 04) Sally looks annoyed. Liam walks towards Sally, still sitting on the sofa.
Sally: Liam, we covered the first part last week. I gave you the study sheet for next week's history test, remember? You couldn’t memorize -
Liam: Oh yeah, that. It got really depressing. I mean, you can’t expect me to memorize all of the horrific details, right?
PANEL 05) Sally is holding up a piece of paper pointing at it.
Sally: Of course I expect you to remember everything, Liam. You need to pass -
PANEL 06) Liam interrupts Sally. He leans down towards her and hands her his phone.
Liam: Oh, real quick! Can you take a picture for my website?
PAGE 18
Donny and Chloe find their classes together.
PANEL 01) This wide panel shows the hallways. Kids are walking around. Chloe is walking towards the bulletin board with Donny following her.
Chloe: Alrighty. Let’s find our classes.
PANEL 02) Chloe is pointing at the homeroom list. This panel shows her finger pointing at their names.
Chloe: Look! There’s our names. See? We’re in the same class.
PANEL 03) Downshot panel. Chloe and Donny’s are up close, looking at each other.
Donny: Oh, good. What a relief.
PANEL 04) Another downshot panel showing the whole hallway. The two continue to walk down the hallway while the other kids roam around. One girl in particular is walking right behind them to the same homeroom. Her name is later revealed to be Rindy, a classmate from Chloe and Donny’s childhood.
Chloe: I hope they let us pick our seats.
Donny: Preferably two by the door.
PANEL 05) Chloe and Donny are close by the door to their homeroom.
Chloe: Why close to the door?
Donny: So we don’t get trampled by the rest of the class when it’s time to leave. I call them the “getaway desks.”
PANEL 06) Chloe opens the door with Rindy right behind her. Donny is standing by the door, letting Chloe go in first.
Donny: After you.
PAGE 19
Chloe enters the classroom and accidentally hits Rindy in the face, who is standing behind her. Donny is on the other side of Chloe, the door.
PANEL 01) Chloe accidently opens the door, hitting Rindy in the face really hard.
Rindy: AACK!
PANEL 02) Rindy is on the floor, holding onto her nose. Chloe apologizes.
Rindy: What the hell, Chloe!
Chloe: Oh, man! I’m so sorry, Rindy!
PANEL 03) Their classmates surround Rindy as she lies on the floor. Girl 1 holds a mirror towards Rindy’s face, pointing out that her nose is crooked.
Girl 1: What’s wrong with you?! Did you not see her?!
Girl 2: Oh, my God. Rindy, you’re nose!
PANEL 04) Rindy notices her nose is bloody.
Rindy: AACK! Look what you did!
Chloe: I’m so sorry! I didn’t see you there.
Donny: It was an accident!
PANEL 05) Teacher comes in and intervenes.
Teacher: What’s going on here? Well?!
Chloe: I accidentally opened the door on Rindy’s face. I didn’t see her.
Rindy: She broke my nose!
PANEL 06) Teacher picks up Rindy and tells the kids to go to class.
Chloe: Is there anything I can do?
Girl 2: You’ve done enough!
Girl 1: Come on, Rindy. Let’s get you to the school nurse.
ADAM (NARRATION): So much for a hopeful first day of school.
PAGE 20
Adam is tearing his office apart looking for his “milk.” Adam confronts Charlie for hiding his milk. Charlie admits that he hid it behind the plant.
PANEL 01) This panel shows an angle of the Shelwin’s store.
PANEL 02) Adam’s office. It looks disorganized since he’s tearing apart the office, looking for his “milk.”
Adam: Christ.
PANEL 03) Charlie comes in to check on Adam. He’s standing behind the half opened door, about to step into the room.
Charlie: Adam?
PANEL 04) The panel shows Adam’s back with one of his arms pointing up.
Adam: Where is it, Charlie?
PANEL 05) This panel shows Charlie’s face up close with a disappointed look.
Charlie: *sigh* It’s behind the plant. I would’ve thrown it away but I didn’t want you fishing it out of the bin.
PANEL 06) Adam is kneeling on the floor and picks up the milk from behind the plant.
Adam: That’s disgusting. I would never do that. And you’re not helping me by doing this. Okay?
PANEL 07) The panel shows Charlie, who's now in the room by the door, with his arms crossed and looks annoyed.
Adam (OFF PANEL): Look, I’m your boss, alright? I don’t appreciate you messing with my stuff.
Charlie: I didn’t do it to mess with you, Adam.
PAGE 21
Charlie confronts Adam about his alcohol addiction but their conversation is interrupted by a phone call.
PANEL 01) Adam sits on his chair. He places the drink on the desk.
Adam: I know.
Charlie: This sucks and you know it.
PANEL 02) This panel shows Charlie, now in front of Adam’s desk.
Adam: Look, Charlie -
Charlie: You have a problem, man. Come on.
PANEL 03) The panel shows Adam sitting on his chair.
Adam: I know this hard for you to understand but when -
PANEL 04) A close up on Adam’s face, who looks annoyed while his cell phone rings.
*RING RING*
Adam: Perfect.
PANEL 05) Adam picks up his cellphone.
Adam: Hello?
PANEL 06) A close up panel showing the side of Adam’s face.
Adam: Um. I’m sorry. Could you say that again please?
PAGE 22
Adam and Sally go to Port Penner Middle School. They attend a meeting at their granddaughter’s school with Mrs. Haywood, Rindy’s mother.
PANEL 01) The first panel shows an establishing shot of Port Penner Middle School.
Principal (OFF PANEL): Look, would it help if I slowed down the footage? We checked the security tape.
PANEL 02) A downshot of the principal’s office.
Sally: This was clearly an accident, Mrs. Haywood.
Mrs. Haywood: That’s just great! My daughter’s nose is broken thanks to your daughter.
Adam: Ma’am, we’re very sorry. We really are. Our granddaughter didn’t -
PANEL 03) Adam, Sally and Mrs. Haywood are sitting next to each other with the principal on the other side of the desk.
Mrs. Haywood: I’m sorry. Granddaughter? I asked for her parents!
Sally: Her grandfather and I are her guardians.
PANEL 04) This panel shows a close up on Mrs. Haywood’s face.
Mrs. Haywood: Well then your granddaughter clearly must’ve gone through some hardships if she’s under the care of her grandparents.
Principal: Mrs. Haywood, enough.
PANEL 05) This panel shows Adam and Sally’s angle.
Mrs. Haywood (OFF PANEL): Our insurance can’t cover the entire surgery. Since this is your granddaughter's fault, I expect you to pay for her indiscretion. Otherwise, I’ll take you and this school to court if I have to.
Adam: There’s no need to jump there. Here’s my card. We’ll discuss the details.
PAGE 23
Chloe talks to Rindy while they are sitting outside of the principal’s office.
PANEL 01) This panel shows the hallway, where the two girls, Rindy and Chloe, are sitting next to each other in their chairs. They’re sitting outside of the principal’s office next to the door. Rindy is holding a bag of ice on her nose.
Chloe: So… how’s your nose?
Rindy: Oh, my God. Please don’t talk to me.
PANEL 02) This panel show’s Rindy’s angle.
Chloe: Rindy, I didn’t see you behind me. I’m sorry.
Rindy: Whatever, Chloe. You can keep apologizing all you want. I will never forgive you. I just want this day to be over.
PANEL 03) Chloe is slouching, looking tired, holding her head up with her arms.
Chloe: You’re telling me. This is awful.
PANEL 04) Rindy is in pain. Chloe stops slouching and looks worried.
Rindy: Ouch!
Chloe: Oh, no! Is it hurting even more?
PANEL 05) Rindy turns her head towards Chloe and looks upset. Chloe slouches again, this time burying her head with her hands.
Rindy: My nose is throbbing, that’s what! All thanks to you!
Chloe: *sigh*
PAGE 24
Chloe, Adam and Sally walk down the hallways and into the parking lot.
PANEL 01) Chloe, Adam and Sally walk down the hallway.
Chloe: I’m sorry, guys.
Adam: It’s not your fault, kiddo.
Sally: Don’t be sorry.
PANEL 02) The three walk out of the school doors.
Sally: Hey, didn’t you used to go to elementary school with that girl? Mindy, right?
Chloe: Rindy. And yes, I did. She never liked me back then for some reason.
PANEL 03) The three walk down the sidewalk of the school.
Chloe: Well, she definitely has a good reason to hate me now.
Adam: Don’t worry too much about it, dear. We all have bad days. Things are going to be just fine.
PANEL 04) The three walk into the parking a lot. There’s like 4 cars parked, separate from each other, scattered in different parking sections.
Chloe: Will you be fine, Grandpa?
Adam: What do you mean, sweetheart?
PANEL 05) A close up on Chloe’s face.
Chloe: You know what I mean.
PANEL 06) Sally and Adam look at each other with concern.
THE END