EXCERPT from pages 42-46 INT. O’TEDDY’s OFFICE - DAY O’TEDDY lounges at his desk. KNOCK-knock. O’TEDDY Come in, Mr. Griffith. BERT - suspicious - enters. O’TEDDY Close the door. BERT So - what’s this about? O’TEDDY Sit. Reluctant. Chair squeaks with discomfort. Seated. Bert scans the disorganization. Mounds of yellowing papers. Faded film magazines. Desk clutter. Grins at Bert. O’TEDDY Let’s play a word association game. Bert nods. Not sure what to expect. O’TEDDY I’ll say a word. You respond with the first thing that comes to mind. Bert doesn’t respond. O’TEDDY Ok - Bert? BERT ...ernie. O’TEDDY Ernie? BERT ...banks. O’TEDDY Banks? BERT ...capitalism. Frustration mounts. Leans into Bert. O’TEDDY Stop! BERT Go! O’TEDDY BERT!! BERT ERNIE!! O’Teddy pulls back. Takes a breath. O’TEDDY I haven’t started yet. (beat) First word. (beat) Hidden - video - camera. BERT That's more than one word. No longer aggravated but smug. O'TEDDY Now we're communicating. Powers on his Beta video recorder. O’TEDDY Any idea what I have here? Examines the archaic video deck. BERT A dinosaur? O’TEDDY You’re close. Something that is extinct. In this case, you. Bert watches the pint-size video monitor. Fuzzy images. BERT (o.s.) You are aware they make these in color now. O’TEDDY (o.s.) Doesn’t really matter in this case. ON SCREEN Birds-eye view of the dimly lit Blue Room. Three indistinct FIGURES work the equipment. O’TEDDY (o.s.) When I dismissed you from my class, you were told department facilities were off limits. Off limits until you had a change in attitude. BERT (o.s.) Yeah I remember. We about done here? O’TEDDY (o.s.) Take a good look, Mr. Griffith. Done? Yes, you can say that. Points at screen. O’TEDDY (con’t) That’s trespassing young man. You’re no longer facing a suspension. You’re facing expulsion. Perhaps jail. BERT What?? You know I think your brain has a serious case of light leak. O’TEDDY You denying then this is not you? Bert squints at the image. BERT You’re deranged. Look at this worn out shit. Tape’s got more drop-outs than South Central. And that camera angle? Whoa! Sure you went to film school? All you got is the top of some heads. PLUS...it’s underexposed! O’TEDDY Don’t be absurd. You know this is you. BERT Get real jack! You take this to the Dean and your ass will be in the sling - not mine. Hell, from the looks of it - that could be three WOMEN on that tape. Confident. Springs from his seat. BERT I believe this meeting is adjourned. Flings the door open. Exits. O’Teddy stares at the screen. O’TEDDY ...next time, Mr. Griffith. Return to: Screenplays Return to: Sneak Previews