Home Screenwriting Products Screenwriter Community Screenwriting Store
ScriptBuddy - Screenwriting Software for the Web

Screenwriter Community

Back to List of Published Screenplays
View/Leave Feedback

Conscience Lives (SHORT)
by Dan (homedpo424@aol.com)

Rated: PG-13   Genre: Miscellaneous   User Review: ***1/2
A short film about a normal high school kid, who's life gets turned upside down in a short period of time.


This screenplay is copyrighted to its author. All rights reserved. This screenplay may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of the author.



EXT. SCHOOL - DAY
                                                            
JOHN/JERSEY stands outside of school takes deep breath and
walks in.
                                                            
 
INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY
                                                            
Jersey enters and looks for his classroom, A group of kids
block his path.
                                                            
                       BULLY 1
Hey everybody, the new kid can’t
find his class, awww.
                                                            
Jersey ignores him and just keeps walking. He approaches a
kid in the hall way
                                                            
                       JERSEY
Do you know where to find room
106?
                                                            
                       BULLY 2
Sure, it’s just up the stairs on
the 3rd floor.
                                                            
                       JERSEY
Thanks man
                                                            
 
INT. SCHOOL THIRD FLOOR - DAY
                                                            
Jersey clmibs last step and finds himself in the janitor
storage room, no classrooms in sight.
                                                            
 
EXT. SCHOOL BENCH - DAY
                                                            
Jersey sits on a bench by himself. He stares at a group of
kids in the distance. MITCH notices Jersey by himself and
sits next to him on the bench.
                                                            
                       MITCH
You're the new kid right?
                                                            
                       JERSEY
Yea... the names John.
                                                            

2.

                       MITCH
I'm Mitch, where ya' from John?
                                                            
                       JERSEY
New Jersey, I just moved here
about a week ago.
                                                            
                       MITCH
Jersey huh, thats what I'll call
you, Jersey. It's always good to
have a sweet nick name
                                                            
                       JERSEY
Sure, why not. You're the first
person to actually be nice to me,
why?
                                                            
                       MITCH
I was new once too, and I ended up
with the wrong type of kid. So
stick with me, and you should
survive high school.
                                                            
                       JERSEY
Sounds like a plan.
                                                            
 
INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY
                                                            
Jersey and Mitch walk toward the cafeteria. Mitch points at
a group of kids.
                                                            
                       MITCH
Those are the pot heads, don't
hang out with them. And ya' see
those kids standing over there,
those are the punks, stay away
from them. Don't talk to those
kids either, I don't like them.
                                                            
                       JERSEY
Geez, is there anyone I can talk
to?
                                                            
                       MITCH
Yea, my friends. Ya' see in this
school, there are very strict
social rules. You pick a group,
and stick with that group all
through high school.
                                                            

3.

                       JERSEY
Well that's stupid...
                                                            
                       MITCH
You act like you’ve never been in
high school before… Now the place
where these rules apply the most
is the cafeteria. You sit at your
table with your group, no ifs,
ands, or buts about it.
                                                            
 
INT. SCHOOL CAFETERIA - CONTINUOUS - DAY
                                                            
Jersey and Mitch enter the cafeteria, and look around. A
girl in red catches Jersey's eye.
                                                            
                       JERSEY
Who's that?
                                                            
                       MITCH
Don't even think about Jersey,
that girl is off limits. Come on,
our group sits over here.
                                                            
The two walk to their table, but Jersey can’t keep his eyes
off her. She stares at him smiles, and waves.
                                                            
 
INT. MITCH'S HOUSE - BASEMENT - NIGHT
                                                            
Mitch and Jersey play video games. Jersey puts his feet on
the table.
                                                            
                       MITCH
Take your feet off the table, and
take your shoes off.
                                                            
                       JERSEY
My bad.
                                                            
                       MITCH
So, You meet any girls at school
yet?
                                                            
                       JERSEY
I just got here dude, give me some
time.
                                                            
                       MITCH
Well are there any that you're
intrested in, I could pull some
strings.
                                                            

4.

                       JERSEY
Well, there is this one girl.
                                                            
Mitch shoots him a curious look.
                                                            
                       JERSEY
The girl in the cafeteria, the one
in the red...
                                                            
                       MITCH
Jersey, what did I tell you, she's
off limits, stay away from her,
shes bad news.
                                                            
There is an awkward moment of silence between the two.
                                                            
                       MITCH
Any ways, How's your first week of
school treatin' you?
                                                            
                       JERSEY
Pretty well, people are still
giving me shit for being the new
kid.
                                                            
                       MITCH
That should stop soon, but if
people still bother you man, just
remember I have your back, no
matter what.
                                                            
 
INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
                                                            
Jersey sits at his desk. The girl from the cafeteria,
KATRINA enters the room very confidently and sits right on
Jersey's desk.
                                                            
                       KATRINA
Your name's Jersey right?
                                                            
Unable to speak, Jersey simply nods.
                                                            
                       KATRINA
So here's the deal, I know you're
new, and I'm a nice girl, so I
wanna take you out and show you
the town, the real town, not the
one Mitch shows you. What do ya'
think?
                                                            
Jersey nods again.
                                                            

5.

                       KATRINA
Plus, I think you're kinda cute,
especially when you don't know
what to say.
                                                            
Katrina grabs his cheek and smiles. She Gets up and walks
away.
                                                            
 
INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT
                                                            
Jersey and Katrina laugh and stare into each others eyes.
The restaurant is a normal local restaurant, it is also very
busy. Katrina reaches out for Jersey's hand.
                                                            
                       KATRINA
Oh my god, your hands are so soft.
                                                            
                       JERSEY
I'm sorry, are my hands not up yo
your standards?
                                                            
                       KATRINA
No, it's cute.
                                                            
They excnage smiles and stare at each other for a little
bit.
                                                            
                       KATRINA
I like you a lot...
                                                            
                       JERSEY
I like you a lot, too.
                                                            
                       KATRINA
Tell me, would you be interested
in being in a relationshp at this
point in your life?
                                                            
                       JERSEY
Are you trying to ask me
something?
                                                            
                       KATRINA
I think I'm asking you to be my
boyfriend.
                                                            
                       JERSEY
You think you're asking me?
                                                            
                       KATRINA
Actually, no, I'm telling you to
be my boyfriend
                                                            

6.

                       JERSEY
Then I guess I have no choice
                                                            
                       KATRINA
So, hunny, as my new boyfriend, I
need you to do some personal
favors for me.
                                                            
                       JERSEY
Sure, anything.
                                                            
A big smile runs across Katrina's face.
                                                            
MONTAGE
                                                            
 
INT. HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Jersey enters in a house, and gets a mystery package from a
man dressed in black. He looks down at the package and when
he looks up the man had dissapeared.
                                                            
 
INT. TRAIN STATION - DAY
                                                            
Jersey trades the mystery package to a very shady looking
man at the train station. The man hands him a paper bag
discreatly. Jersey opens it up to find a large sum of
money. He looks at the man with a shocked face.
                                                            
 
INT. ALLY - DAY
                                                            
Jersey hands the money to gansta type man. The man pulls a
small envolope out of his pocket. Jersey opens it up and
finds a key.
                                                            
END MONTAGE
                                                            
 
EXT. SHADY BUILDING - NIGHT
                                                            
Jersey puts the key in the door and opens it. Katrina
enters in front of Jersey.
                                                            
                       JERSEY
So why are we here?
                                                            
                       KATRINA
We're looking for something that
belongs to me.
                                                            

7.

                       JERSEY
What is it?
                                                            
Katrina shoots him a nasty glare.
                                                            
                       KATRINA
That's not important.
                                                            
A box sits on the couter. Jersey picks it up.
                                                            
                       JERSEY
Hey is thi--
                                                            
Katrina snags the box from Jersey.
                                                            
                       KATRINA
Gimme that! Good job babe.
                                                            
 
INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY
                                                            
Jersey is walking down the hall, people give him high fives
and pat his back as he walks down.
                                                            
                       STUDENT 1
Yo Jersey, you goin' to the party
this weekend!
                                                            
                       JERSEY
For sure dude!
                                                            
                       STUDENT 2
Hey Jersey if you ever need a new
girlfriend, I'm the girl!
                                                            
                       JERSEY
Tempting, but I'm taken by this
one over here.
                                                            
He approaches Katrina in the hall. They hug.
                                                            
                       KATRINA
      (Jokingly)
Hey Mr. Popular, I'm begining to
think you're getting to cool for
me.
                                                            
                       JERSEY
You're the one that made me this
way! What would I do without you?
                                                            
                       KATRINA
Let's hope we never find out!
                                                            

8.

they hug again.
                                                            
                       KATRINA
Wacha' doin' after school?
                                                            
                       JERSEY
Goin' to Mitch's for a bit.
                                                            
                       KATRINA
Cool, have fun.
                                                            
 
INT. MITCH'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Jersey and Mitch sit on the sofa
                                                            
                       JERSEY
I don't know what you were talking
about when you said don't go for
Katrina, she's great.
                                                            
Mitch stares at Jersey. Jersey puts his feet on the table.
                                                            
                       MITCH
What are you doing?
                                                            
                       JERSEY
Getting comfortable.
                                                            
Mitch staes at Jersey more.
                                                            
                       JERSEY
I don't understand how one girl
could ever have so many errands to
run...Whatever, we get to spend
more time together.
                                                            
                       MITCH
Sure, whatever. Wanna go bowling
with me n' the guys on friday?
                                                            
                       JERSEY
Can't, I'm going out with Katrina.
                                                            
                       MITCH
So, just tell her it's guys night
out, I'm sure she'll understand.
                                                            
                       JERSEY
I can't just blow her off like
that.
                                                            

9.

                       MITCH
Oh, but you can blow me off
everyday to hang out with her.
                                                            
                       JERSEY
It's different.
                                                            
He puts his feet back on the table.
                                                            
                       MITCH
I knew this would happen.
                                                            
                       JERSEY
And what's that?
                                                            
                       MITCH
She's controlling your every move!
                                                            
                       JERSEY
Oh, kinda like you!
                                                            
                       MITCH
I'm only looking out for you man.
But if you don't want my help then
that's fine
                                                            
                       JERSEY
I don't need your help Mitch!
                                                            
                       MITCH
Then leave!
                                                            
Jersey storms out.
                                                            
                       MITCH
Jersey! come back, I didn't mean
it like that!
                                                            
 
INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY
                                                            
Jersey stands at his locker. His notebook won't fit in,
Jersey throws it on the ground. Katrina walks up behind
him.
                                                            
                       KATRINA
What's wrong baby?
                                                            
                       JERSEY
I got into a little fight with
Mitch, he's not to happy with me
right now.
                                                            

10.

                       KATRINA
Well, let him worry about, it's
not your problem.
                                                            
Jersey blankly stares at Katrina.
                                                            
                       KATRINA
So where are we going tonight?
                                                            
                       JERSEY
Yea, about that, I was wondering
if I could go bowling with Mitch
and the guys instead.
                                                            
                       KATRINA
You can't just blow me off like
that!
                                                            
                       JERSEY
But I really wanna make it up to
him, he's done so much for me.
                                                            
                       KATRINA
And I havn't?
                                                            
Jersey looks at Katrina and turns back to his locker.
Katrina grabs his face and turns it towards her.
                                                            
                       KATRINA
Listen Jersey, obviously, this
whole Mitch thing is not gunna
work out. You just don't have
enough time for the both of us. So
here's the deal. It's me or him,
not both.
                                                            
Katrina walks away. Jersey turns to his locker and tries
pulling out a notebook, he can't do it. He slams the locker
door.
                                                            
 
INT. SCHOOL CAFETERIA - DAY
                                                            
Jersey stands at the front of the cafeteria looking for his
friends. Mitch waves him over. On the opposing side of the
room is Katrina, she waves him over. He takes a moment to
think and eventually walks to Katrina. When he is walking
he looks over a Mitch.
                                                            
                       JERSEY
      (Mouthing)
I'm sorry.
                                                            

11.

Jersey sits at Katrina's table.
                                                            
 
INT. KATRINA'S LIVING ROOM - DAY
                                                            
Jersey and Katrina sit in the living room.
                                                            
                       JERSEY
Katrina, all these favors you've
been asking of me, what are they
for?
                                                            
She leans up and smirks at him.
                                                            
                       KATRINA
What do you mean what are they
for? They are just random things I
need done.
                                                            
                       JERSEY
The all just seem connected to me,
that's all.
                                                            
                       KATRINA
Hey listen, I have a journalism
project that I need done. Do you
think you could find some info on
this guy?
                                                            
She hands him a piece of paper.
                                                            
                       KATRINA
His name is Jose Rivera, I'm doing
a story on him.
                                                            
                       JERSEY
Sure, no problem.
                                                            
 
INT. LIBRARY - DAY
                                                            
Jersey is typing on the computer, looking for information on
Jose. All the sites on the screen say "no information
listed". Eventually he finds an address and writes it down.
                                                            
 
INT. KATRINA'S HOUSE - NIGHT
                                                            
Jersey hands Katrina the address.
                                                            
                       JERSEY
Sorry it's only the address,
that's all I could find.
                                                            

12.

She looks at the paper and smiles.
                                                            
                       KATRINA
That's fine, we can just go to his
house and interview him...
                                                            
                       JERSEY
We?
                                                            
                       KATRINA
Yes, we. Ok, well I'm going to go
shower. When I'm ready we'll head
over to his house, just sit tight.
                                                            
Katrina exits the room. Jersy starts innocently looking
around the room. He finds some old photo albums. He opens
one to find an article about Katrina's father. The headline
says that he killed a man. Jersey turns the page to find an
article about the young man, Louis Mendez, who turned her
father in. The picture of Louis was Jose Rivera.
                                                            
                       JERSEY
Jose is Louis. Oh my god!
                                                            
Jersey frantically gets up and looks around. He sees the
mystery box from earlier. He opens it and finds a gun. He
pulls out his cell phone and dials Mitch.
                                                            
 
INT. MITCH'S HOUSE - NIGHT
                                                            
Mitch's phone rings. He looks at who's calling him and
chooses to ignore it.
                                                            
 
INT. KATRINA'S HOUSE - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT
                                                            
                       JERSEY
Mitch! You were right, Katrina is
gonna make me do something bad. I
think she's going to make me kill
someone, please Mitch, I need your
help!
                                                            
A door slams, Jersey places the box back wher it was,
Katrina enters the room.
                                                            
                       KATRINA
Jersey, grab that box and the rest
of your stuff. We're gonna pay
Jose a visit.
                                                            

13.

                       JERSEY
What's in the box?
                                                            
She stares at him and smiles.
                                                            
                       KATRINA
A tape recorder.
                                                            
She exits the room, Jerset remains in the room.
                                                            
                       KATRINA
Come on Jersey! We don't have that
much time!
                                                            
Jersey takes a deep breath, and exits the room.
                                                            
 
EXT. JOSE'S HOUSE - NIGHT
                                                            
Jersey and Katrina walk up to the front door. She takes the
gun out of the box and hands it to him. He does not take.
                                                            
                       JERSEY
I don't know if you know this or
not, but this is not a tape
recorder.
                                                            
                       KATRINA
Really? didn't notice.
                                                            
                       JERSEY
What's this for?
                                                            
                       KATRINA
I'm not a fan of Mr. Rivera. And
today we're gonna let him know
that.
                                                            
                       JERSEY
I was hoping you wouldn't say
that. Katrina, I can't do this!
                                                            
                       KATRINA
Listen Jersey, I made you! You owe
me big time, and now it's time for
you to repay me! Now go!
                                                            
Jersey takes a deep breath, hesitates, then take the gun
from Katrina. He jiggles the door know, it's locked.
                                                            
                       JERSEY
Oh, it's locked, too bad, lets go
back.
                                                            

14.

He turns around, Katrina kicks the door oepn. They enter
the house.
                                                            
 
INT. JOSE'S HOUSE - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT
                                                            
They walk to the foot of the stairs. Katrina signals Jersey
to walk up the staurs. The climb the stairs and enter
Jose's room.
                                                            
 
INT. JOSE'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT
                                                            
They enter the room quietly to find Jose sleeping in his
bed.
                                                            
                       KATRINA
      (Whispering)
Go ahead, shoot him.
                                                            
Jersey holds the gun up to Jose, then puts it back down.
                                                            
                       JERSEY
      (Whispering)
I can't, I just can't!
                                                            
                       JERSEY
      (Whispering)
Jersey, if you love me you will do
this for me. Now shoot him!
                                                            
He holds the gun back up to Jose, he starts shaking and
breathing heavily.
                                                            
 
INT. MITCH'S HOUSE - NIGHT
                                                            
The new voicemail message is flashing on Mitch's phone. He
stares at it and puts his head back down. It flashes again,
he picks the phone up, but puts it right down again. He
walks away but comes back and listen to his messages.
                                                            
                       MITCH
Jesey, no!
                                                            
 
INT. JOSE'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT
                                                            
Jersey cires and shakes out of control.
                                                            

15.

                       KATRINA
      (Whispering)
What are you waiting for! Shoot
him!
                                                            
                       JERSEY
      (Whispering)
I can't!
                                                            
                       KATRINA
      (Whispering)
You're acting like Mitch last time
I tried this.
                                                            
                       JERSEY
      (Whispering)
Mitch was going to do this?!
                                                            
She laughs for a bit.
                                                            
                       KATRINA
      (Whispering)
We used to date, when he first
moved here. He was too much of a
wussy to go through with it, So I
ended the relationship.
                                                            
                       JERSEY
      (Whispering)
No!
                                                            
He cries hysterically.
                                                            
                       KATRINA
      (Whispering)
You don't want to be a wussy like
Mitch. do you?
                                                            
 
EXT. STREET - NIGHT
                                                            
Mitch runs with his cell phone to his ear, but no one
answers.
                                                            
 
INT. JOSE'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT
                                                            
Jersey screams. Jose is dead on the floor.
                                                            
                       KATRINA
Stop being such a baby, Jersey! He
had it coming...
                                                            

16.

He stares at her with an angry face.
                                                            
                       KATRINA
Just think if you stuck with
Mitch, you would be no one, but
now you're a legend! The kid who
killed a man, thats what they'll
call you. I hear prison food
isn't that bad.
                                                            
She starts to laugh. Jersey picks the gun up from the floor
and stares at Katrina. He lifts the gun up and shoots her.
Katrina falls to the ground. Mitch enters the room.
                                                            
                       MITCH
Jersey no!
                                                            
He looks at what happened. Jersey falls to the ground
crying. Mitch sits down to Jersey and embraces him.
                                                            
                       MITCH
What did you do Jersey?
                                                            
                       JERSEY
You knew Mitch, you knew the whole
time! Why didn't you say anything?
                                                            
                       MITCH
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry!
                                                            
Sirens begin to echo in the background. Mitch pushes Jersey
to the side and grabs the gun. He points the gun to
Katrina's body.
                                                            
                       JERSEY
Mitch! What are you doing! they're
gonna think you did this.
                                                            
                       MITCH
Let me do this, Jersey!
                                                            
                       JERSEY
No! I can't let you go through
with this! We can still run!
                                                            
The sirens get louder.
                                                            
                       MITCH
Jersey, I hold myself resposible
for all this. I could of told
you, but you seemed so happy. I
told you earlier, I would always
have your back, no matter what.
                                                            

17.

A loud noise comes from downstairs.
                                                            
                       COP (OS)
Freeze, Police!
                                                            
                       MITCH
I'm sorry Jersey, I hope things
are better for you after this.
                                                            
                       COP (OS)
Drop the gun and get on the floor,
now!
                                                            
 
INT. SCHOOL CAFETERIA - DAY
                                                            
Jersey stands at the front of the cafeteria looking for
someone to sit with. No one is waving him over. He finds
an empty table and sits there. He stares off into the
distance with a sad look on his face.
                                                            


FADE OUT.


Back to Top of Page
Leave Feedback
Feedback
From Stuart Date 8/16/2007 **
I understand it's a short, but the characters weren't fleshed out much. Jersey seems like a really dumb kid, so does mitch who forgot to tell him about katrina, what kid doesnt say things like that? This girl tried to make me shoot someone? Oh, i forgot to tell you.

From amanda Date 4/10/2007 ****
mean girls, part II

From Dave Kitteridge Date 3/25/2007 **1/2
The characters move way too fast - Jersey probably wouldn't be willing to do so much for this girl he's only known for like 2 seconds. The script has some good ideas, but I just think that you focused too much on the length (short) and not enough on the characters - their motives seemed a little blurred (except for Katrina) and it just got a little too confusing character-wise. Especially Mitch - he seems like such a buddy to Jersey, not to mention he does warn him ABOUT Katrina, yet he can't bring himself to tell Jersey what she had tried to make him do? That part is a little too unbelieveable, you probably need to make Mitch more embarrassed about Katrina, unwilling to talk about her. Also, Jersey's naivete is so bad it's almost comical - I don't know if that's what you were going for, but if it was, you should try to keep the comical vibe throughout instead of ending so bleakly. Maybe they talk their way out of it somehow or something. The dialogue is a little flat, but it usually is that way when you're first starting out. It describes too much of EXACTLY what the character is thinking - being more subtle would be the way to go from here. Formatting-wise: In the beginning, Jersey should be labeled "JOHN" until he gets the nickname, then you can switch over to "JERSEY." Also, although there were tons of typos (probably just need to go through the script again) it was readable. Overall, it is a good effort and with some more thought about the characters and less overt dialogue, this could be a really good script. Dave out.

From Boris Novak Date 1/31/2007 ****
Characters are fleshed out nicely, structure is very good, pace/transitions keep things pulsing and the story is very compelling. Other than a few grammatical errors (which we're ALL guilty of), this script is on it's way to top-notch product. Kudos!

From Robert Leonard Wood Jr. Date 1/29/2007 ****
That was awesome. I loved it. I actually read it all the way through which means it is amazing. Great job!!!!!

From Mike Date 1/25/2007 ****
I'm putting it down #4 some pretty nice stuff. Although this is basically the first screenplay I read, I definitely love the story. Although it does get cliche in some parts, it is still intriguing. Also, it wouldn't cost much to make a film like that.

From Chris Date 1/25/2007 ****
This was an excellent screenplay, I cried, I honestly did, it's a tragic story.... But it was excellently written, the only problem is a few minor spelling errors that are barely noticible, fix those and you have a script that could work as a short film! Either way this is one of the best scripts on here!


Back to Top of Page
Leave Feedback
You must be logged in to leave feedback.
Home    My Account    Products    Screenwriter Community    Screenwriter's Corner    Help
Forgot Your Password?    Privacy Policy    Copyright 2024, ScriptBuddy LLC.    Email help@scriptbuddy.com