Impression

EXT. MAZUMA ACADEMY - DAY

It is a glorious morning.  The sun shines.  The American flag flaps in the breeze.  A sign in front of the school reads “Go Greenbacks!”

Students in private school uniforms walk toward the building.  Thad playfully slugs BROCK Saunders, also seventeen, on the arm.  Brock throws down his books and the two playfully spar.
BRITTANY Stevens and GLORIA Duchamp, Thad and Brock’s girlfriends respectively, look at each other and shake their heads.  The girls are attractive and their uniforms are immaculate.

A bell RINGS.  Thad and Brock break up their fight, pick up their books, and hurry toward class.

FOOTBALL FIELD

Lino, wearing a new gray jumpsuit, pushes a lawnmower across the field.  Without warning, the sprinklers come on, spraying Lino.

INT. RESTROOM

Lino stands at the sink in his underwear and work boots.  He wrings water from the soaked jumpsuit into the sink.

The door bursts open and Thad and Brock, in mid-conversation, enter.

THAD

(to Brock)

So she’s like, “slow down, you’re wasting gas.” I said it’s not like she’s the one paying--

They stop in their tracks as they see the nearly naked custodian.  He turns toward the young men.

BROCK

Whoa.

THAD

Oh.  Sorry man.  Didn’t mean to interrupt.

BROCK

Yeah.  Like, carry on.

Thad and Brock turn around and walk out of the bathroom.

OUTSIDE RESTROOM

THAD

Did you get a load of that guy?

BROCK

Like, what’s his deal?

PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE

Lino stands in the office wearing the wrinkled and damp jumpsuit.  PRINCIPAL HUGHES is at his desk.

PRINCIPAL HUGHES

Did everything go all right today?

LINO

Yes.

PRINCIPAL HUGHES

There’s a lot to pick up on.  But I’m sure you’ll get it in time.

LINO

Yes.

PRINCIPAL HUGHES

Well, I suppose you’re eager to get home.

LINO

Yes.

PRINCIPAL HUGHES

Oh, before I forget.  Coach Bluthgeld wanted me to ask you to be sure you do a really nice job on the field.

LINO

I know.

PRINCIPAL HUGHES

You’ve really got to pay attention.  He said that you missed a few places along the track.

LINO

I know.

PRINCIPAL HUGHES

The grass is a little ragged there and, well, it just doesn’t look very good.

LINO

I’m sorry.

PRINCIPAL HUGHES

No need to apologize.  I’m sure you’ll get it with a little practice.

LINO

Yes.

PRINCIPAL HUGES

You’ve just got to take that power edger to it.  Zip it right off and and make it neat as a pin.

LINO

I know.

PRINCIPAL HUGHES

Now that we got that out of the way, do you have any questions?

LINO

I’m sorry.

PRINCIPAL HUGES

Well feel free to ask me if you think of anything.  Don’t hesitate.

LINO

Yes.

PRINCIPAL HUGHES

You know where to find me.

LINO

I know.

PRINCIPAL HUGHES

Well, you go on and have yourself a good night, Lino.  Welcome aboard.

He offers his hand and Lino shakes it.

LINO

Yes.

EXT. MAZUMA ACADEMY

Lino walks away from the school.  A convertible sports car pulls up.  Thad drives, Brock rides shotgun, Brittany and Gloria are in the back.

THAD

Well, well, well.  Look who’s wearing pants.

BROCK

You got a nice body, man.  Why you want to go and cover yourself up like that?

THAD

Brock, please.  Leave a little something for the imagination.  I swear, you have no appreciation of the erotic.

Thad and Brock burst into mocking laughter.

BRITTANY

Hey, leave him alone guys.  You’re so immature.

GLORIA

Let’s go.  He gives me the creeps.

They speed off.  Lino continues on his humble way.

EXT. STREET

Lino continues to walk as the sun sets.

INTERSTATE

Lino runs across the interstate, dodging speeding cars.  A car swerves.  Another SCREECHES to a halt.  A HORN sounds.

BAD NEIGHBORHOOD

Lino continues to walk.

EXT. APARTMENT COMPLEX

Lino approaches a towering apartment complex.

INT. STAIRS

Lino walks up the stairs.

INT. DOOR

Lino opens his door with his key.

INT. APARTMENT

Lino is inside his small studio apartment.  Tired, he moves slowly about.  He has a hot plate, a small bed, a television with a coat hanger antenna.  A travel poster on the wall reads “Destitutia.” The photo depicts a dirt road, a shack made of straw, and a goat with its leg in a cast.

Lino picks up a small framed photograph from a shelf.

INSERT - PHOTO

Lino’s wife and nine small children are smiling.

BACK TO SCENE

Lino kisses the photo and places it back on the shelf.

Lino carefully places a small CD player on the table.  He delicately removes a CD from a case, puts in in the player, and pushes play.  The CD plays.  He becomes enthusiastic and sits up in his chair as woman’s voice comes from the speaker.

WOMAN’S VOICE (V.O.)

Welcome to Correlations English Instruction Budget Edition, Volume One, Lesson One.

(beat)

Begin Lesson One.

(beat)

Yes.

LINO

(following intently)

Yes.

WOMAN’S VOICE (V.O.)

I know.

LINO

(following intently)

I know.

WOMAN’S VOICE (V.O.)

I’m sorry.

LINO

(following intently)

I’m sorry.

WOMAN’S VOICE (V.O.)

(abruptly)

End Lesson One.  If you would like to continue your education in the English language, please insert Correlations English Instruction Budget Edition Volume Two into the CD player.

(beat)

End of first CD.

A shrill BEEP pierces the room.  Lino flinches.  With a glimmer of hope, Lino again checks the CD case, but, as always, there is no other CD to be found.

He sighs and presses play on the CD player.  He again becomes enthusiastic and sits up in his chair as the CD begins.

WOMAN’S VOICE (V.O.)

Welcome to Correlations English Instruction Budget Edition, Volume One, Lesson One.

(beat)

Begin Lesson One.

(beat)

Yes.

LINO

(following intently)

Yes.

WOMAN’S VOICE (V.O.)

I know.

LINO

(following intently)

I know.