by Chris Ross
Fade in:
INT. GYMNASIUM HALLWAY- DAY
The room is pitch black with the faint sound of rapid speech and sneakers squeaking against the floor. The door opens and the light from outside illuminates the hall.
KEN “CASH” MCDONALD, 17, enters the room as the door closes slowly behind him. He’s wearing a black tank top, blue basketball shorts, and white shoes; each item representing his school’s colors.
Ken turns to open the door to the Varsity/JV locker room, but notices the coach’s office adjacent to the locker room is open and peaks in. He sees COACH HOUND, 55, his large 6’1 250-pound frame makes him look awkward sitting behind his small desk. He’s staring intensely at a piece of paper.
CASH
‘Sup coach?
COACH HOUND
(without looking up)
Come in, McDonald.
Cash pushes open the door and walks inside the office.
INT. COACH’S OFFICE – DAY
Coach Hound continues to stare intensely at the paper on his desk. Cash can feel the tension in the air.
COACH HOUND
Close the door.
Cash closes the door with his foot, not taking his eyes off Coach Hound. Coach Hound looks up at Cash, then looks back down at his paper. He grabs a nearby pen and makes a few marks on the paper before standing up, forcing the desk to slide forward.
COACH HOUND
Saying last season was a disappointment would be an understatement.
Cash takes a deep breath and nods.
COACH HOUND
(gesturing toward the far wall)
Two years after taking over this program we won our first title. Then we won another, and another, and another. Then no more trips to the championship, but we still won a hell of a lot of games.
CASH
Never missed a home game growing up, sir.
Coach Hound moves from behind his desk and walks over to the wall he was gesturing to earlier. Pictures from the championship teams are lined across it. Coach Hound stares at them with his hands folded behind his back.
COACH HOUND
Last season we scored 38 points in ten games. Before then we were averaging 36 points a game. Offense, defense, the kicking game; last year it was all shit.
Coach Hound turns around and looks at Cash. Cash’s slim build and average height dwarfs him in the presence of Coach Hound, even when they aren’t standing side by side.
COACH HOUND
We can’t…I won’t let another season like last season happen at Brevard High.
CASH
We won’t let it, Coach.
Coach Hound walks over to Cash and puts his hand on his shoulder. He squeezes it tight testing Cash’s toughness.
COACH HOUND
You’re a good kid and a hard worker, McDonald.
Cash looks up and gives his coach a faint smile, as he breathes a sigh of relief.
CASH
Thanks, Coach. That means a lot.
COACH HOUND
I know you always come in early, so I wanted to make sure I met you here to let you know we’ll be starting Gus Johnson at fullback this year.
CASH
The freshman? Are we using two fullbacks this year?
COACH HOUND
He’ll be a sophomore once the season starts and no, we aren’t.
Cash’s eyes dart back and forth as his body begins to sulk, causing Coach Hound’s hand to dig deeper into his shoulder.
COACH HOUND
He fits the scheme of what we’re trying to do with the new offense. Just because you won’t be starting doesn’t mean we don’t need you. You’ll get your carries, too.
CASH
(sheepishly)
Sounds good, Coach.
COACH HOUND
Good.
Coach Hound releases Cash’s shoulder and double taps the side of his arm pushing him to the side with his last tap. Coach Hound opens the door, the laughter of classmates outside echoes through the gym. Coach Hound holds the door open for Cash to exit.
Cash closes his eyes, takes a deep breath and turns around to leave the office. His eyes stare straight toward the locker room as he walks past Coach Hound.
INT. GYMNASIUM HALLWAY – DAY
Coach Hound stands in the doorway. His eyes follow Cash as he walks out.
COACH HOUND
See you at practice.
Once Cash leaves the office Coach Hound grabs the door knob and closes the door. Cash looks over his shoulder at the sign that hangs over the door. IT’S NOT THE SIZE OF THE DOG IN THE FIGHT, IT’S THE SIZE OF THE FIGHT IN THE DOG.
CASH
Bullshit.
INT. LOCKER ROOM – DAY
The locker room door flings open and Cash angrily stomps in and sits on the nearest bench. He rests his elbows on his knees and clasps his hands together, setting his chin between the space in his knuckles.
He stares at the lockers across the room. All the newcomers to the Varsity/JV locker room were assigned lockers, their names written on blue medical tape with a black marker. Cash fixed his gaze on the one that read G. JOHNSON.
DEAN(O.S.)
(singing faintly and slowly begins to increase)
Are you down, are you down? Yea you all the way down, every time am I down, am I down? Yea I’m all the way down, we’ll be fine…
DEAN HENRY, 17, walks in through the backdoor of the locker room. He dances and sings into the center of the room, where he notices Cash sitting on the bench.
DEAN
Man, you always in here early. What if I was tryin’ to bring a girl in here? You wanna make things awkward for her?
Cash continues to stare in front of him. Dean goes straight to the bathroom area to tie up his dreads. He continues to talk to Cash.
DEAN
Becky’s parent out of town this weekend and she already gave ya boy the green light to slide through. Want me to ask her to bring a friend? Two on two some shit? She told me you been tryna holla at Jackie.
Dean finishes wrapping up his hair in a bun and places a skull cap around it. He leaves that area of the locker room and makes his way over to Cash.
DEAN
Aye you heard me?
Cash remains motionless. Dean realizes something is wrong.
DEAN
You straight, bro?
CASH
Hound benched me.
DEAN
What?!
CASH
Yeah man. Said Gus gonna start this year.
DEAN
Gus? Johnson?! The freshman?
CASH
He’ll be a sophomore when the season starts.
DEAN
And you’ll be a senior. A four-year senior who’s been bustin’ his ass for this year. This was pose to be our prime-time year! Fuck wrong with Hound, man? I’ll go talk.
Dean turns to exit the locker room and go to the coach’s office, but Cash grabs his arm.
CASH
Don’t man. Just let it go. I already did.
DEAN
What you mean?
CASH
I’m turning in my pads, bro.
Dean leans back toward the lockers in front of Cash, propping his foot up behind him for balance. His foot inadvertently covers Gus’s name.
DEAN
So, that’s it? You just gonna quit like that? You gone quit on ya brothas?
CASH
I’m not quittin’ on y’all man.
DEAN
That’s what it sound like to me. This must be that early senioritis creepin in, cause I aint neva known Ken “Cash” Mick D to quit nothin’!
Cash turns his head away from Dean. The team’s schedule hangs from a bulletin board. Dean kneels down to Cash’s level.
DEAN
Hey! Look at me, man.
Cash turns his head to face Dean. The two are at eye level, their faces only inches apart.
DEAN
You aren’t quitting.
CASH
Why shouldn’t I? I already had to sit behind Blue for two years. This was supposed to be my year!
DEAN
It still can! You never know what can happen.
CASH
Whatever man. You know any backup on offense might as well join JV if they ever want to see the field. Probably for the best anyway. I got a good chance to make it to state this year in wrestling.
Dean rises and looks down at Cash. Dean pulls out his cell phone and starts to slide through his pictures. He shoves the phone in Cash’s face, almost making him flip over the bench. Cash regains his balance and snatches the phone out Dean’s hands.
Cash stares at the phone and sees a picture of him and Dean from when they won the Super Bowl during their little league days. Dean begins to talk to Cash as he looks at the phone.
DEAN
Remember that game? We promised each other we’d do this again in high school.
CASH
We did, didn’t we?
DEAN
Damn right we did!
Cash looks up at Dean and gives him a faint smile.
DEAN
And it’s senior year bro! Pep rallies, homecoming, fall dance; we the kings now!
Dean hypes himself up, jumping on his toes and beating his chest. He manages to get a laugh out of Cash.
DEAN
All the babies for us! All the babies for us!
CASH
(laughing)
You a fool man.
Dean smiles and reaches his hand out to Cash. Cash smiles and the two lock hands. Dean pulls Cash up to his feet and the two embrace with a hug.
DEAN
You’ll get your touches man. You’re the hardest runner we got. They won’t know whether they’re getting the sneak or the dive on the goal line.
CASH
Sneak and Dive? New nicknames?
DEAN
If that’s what you want big guy.
CASH
It’ll still keep me in shape for wrestling too. Gotta stay in shape.
DEAN
Whatever keeps you on the team man.
CASH
You really think Becky can get Jackie to come over this weekend though.
DEAN
Cash. It’s me. C’mon now.
CASH
My dawg!
The two slap hands and Dean steps over the bench Cash was sitting on and walks down to wall of lockers to his.
DEAN
Now that I’ve saved your football career and perfect attendance record, I guess it’s time for this guy to get ready for practice.
Cash walks around the bench and towards his locker, which is next to Dean’s. Dean has already begun to change and standing next to his locker pulling up his padded pants.
DEAN
I’m tellin’ ya man, Don’t even trip.
Cash gets to his locker and starts to turn the dial. Dean continues to talk.
DEAN
Honestly the games are fun, but you know you’d miss kickin it with ya boys too much.
Cash continues to turn the dial on his lock as Dean talks.
DEAN
And as long as you got that jersey on Friday the females don’t care. They just know you’re on the team.
Cash begins to tug at this lock trying to open it.
DEAN
After all, the only position anyone cares about anyway is the quarterback. Everyone loves the quarterback.
Cash frantically pulls out his lock shaking it. Dean closes his locker to see Dean struggling with his lock.
DEAN
Yo! What’s goin’ on over there?
CASH
Stupid lock won’t open!
Cash hits his locker and a small note falls from the top. Cash bends over and opens it up and Dean comes up next to him to read the note.
EQUIPMENT MOVED TO NEW LOCKER D35.
Dean shakes his head and puts his arm on Cash’s shoulder. Cash balls up the note in his hand.
DEAN
Aye Cash-
CASH
He couldn’t even let me keep my senior locker.
DEAN
Bruh.
CASH
He can tell me I’m not starting anymore, but not man enough to tell me to move my locker.
DEAN
Chill man. Coach-
CASH
Whatever man.
Cash punches the locker with the fist that holds the note from Coach Hound. His punch leaves a small dent in the locker. He turns around and steps over the bench and walks to his new locker on the far side of the room.
He sits back on the bench and uses his combination to open his locker; it pops open instantly. His helmet, pads, and jersey were piled on the bottom of the locker.
CASH
(talking to himself)
Couldn’t even hang my shit back up for me.
Dean, now fully padded walks over to Cash and stands next to him.
DEAN
Don’t let this get to you man. Last season was rough for all of us. I’ll find out what’s going on with Hound. It’s gonna work out man. Promise.
Cash leans forward and shuffles through his equipment. He finds his mouthpiece sitting in the back of the locker under a piece of notebook paper. He shakes his head and then grabs his mouthpiece and wipes it off on his tank top.
CASH
Shouldn’t you be getting your wrist taped?
DEAN
Oh shit! Good looks.
Dean quickly turns around almost slipping on the tile floor with his cleats. He looks back and yells over his shoulder to Cash.
DEAN
I’ll be back. You better be here or on the field.
Cash gives Dean a thumbs up without turning around. He hears the door close behind Dean and hangs his head
CASH
It ain’t even worth it.
Cash pulls out his phone to check the time. He sees that practice is only five minutes away.
CASH
I gotta get outta here.
Cash stands up, but hears the doors open up. His teammates begin to flood into the locker room from both doors. Once they’re in he sits back down.
He hears his teammates talk about the upcoming season and how much better they’ll be this year. Cash’s eyes begin to water up. Cash puts his hand in his face and wipes away his tears.
Dean comes back into the locker room and stands next to Cash.
DEAN
Time to suit up, bro.
CASH
Is it?
DEAN
Don’t be like that, man.
CASH
Would you stay if they tried you like this?
DEAN
No.
CASH
Exactly.
DEAN
But I’m not as strong as you.
The sound of laughter fills the locker room.
DEAN
Everyone showed up late since it’s the first day. Not you though. You show up on time. You always give 100% and you don’t quit. Don’t let this change you.
There were only a few other players left in the locker room. Dean steps over the bench and pats Cash on the back.
DEAN
It’s time to get back to work, bro.
CASH
Right.
Dean shakes his head and walks out of the locker room. Cash grabs his helmet from his locker with both hands and stares at it.
TEAMMATE #1
Aye Cash! It’s time for practice let’s go!
TEAMMATE #2
Let’s go bro!
Cash stares into the silver helmet as his teammates call out to him. He doesn’t respond. He continues to stare at his helmet with his reflection staring back at him as they call his name.
FADE OUT:
Category: Fiction, Screenplays, SNHU Creative Writing, SNHU online creative writing, SNHU Student