I Made Another!

This time I used an actual screenplay!

From the novel Silken Thread.

In 1966 Manila, an American teenager courts a CIA recruit several years his senior. It’s a mismatch, a scandal. When she ships out, it’s over. Maybe.

Buy the book at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SQPYY1F

Using a screenplay made a difference.

Two reference images:

1. int. U.S. embassy office building, Manila

June, 1967. A classroom setting. A blackboard is filled with Chinese Hanzi characters and their phonetic interpretations. The board is marked ‘Do Not Erase’.

Six recently discharged military personnel are gathered in the classroom – a woman and five men. BARB SCHNEIDER, USAF. MITCH GANDER and four other U.S. Marines. We meet JEANNE, Eurasian, the instructor, and DAVID AARENS, Dutch-American, an expat resident of Manila. All are in their late twenties except DAVID, who is eighteen.

David Aarens

David acknowledges a young woman standing in the doorway — Barb Schneider — attractive, shapely, 5’ 6.

Hello.

Barb Schneider

The receptionist said there was a cute guy wandering around, but I didn’t think to look here.

David

Stammers.

You’re kind of cute yourself. Would you look away? My freckles come out when I blush.

Jeanne

Laughs.

David; this is Barbara Schneider.

Barb

Offers a handshake. Her manner is flirtatious.

Oh, my — you are blushing. How sweet.

David

Please; now I’m embarrassed.

He looks past Barb to lift his chin at a man entering the room — classic Marine; 5’ 10, muscular, close haircut. David appears relieved.

Reinforcements.

Mitch Gander

Boisterous.

Come on, buddy — one Viking ought to be enough to handle this detail.

He sticks out a hand.

You’re the tutor?

David

I guess so.

Mitch

Terrific.

Jeanne

 Settle in, soldiers. Today, you’re going to show Mr. Aarens what you’ve learned so far.

Thanks again to UtopAI for use of their tool.