Snapshot

Snapshot

by Michelle Stiles

In the summer my Grandma plants flowers.

She's wearing her pink gardener shoes and hat.

Grandma uses her shovel to dig a hole.

In the hole she plants a seed.

What kind of seed?

A pansy seed.

Grandma has been waiting all year long.

She love the summer because she gardens.

Reds, pinks, whites, and greens.

As she tends to her plants she sees a doe.

What kind of doe? 

A hungry doe.

The doe is ready to devour her flower.

My Grandma yells to shoo it away.

This is how she spends her day.

Mermaid Date

Mermaid Date 

by Michelle Stiles

(Photo credit: Jennifer Stiles Photography)

INT. DIEGO'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

DIEGO (20s), adventurous, attractive, and fit Filipino man with curly hair sets the table for dinner. His cousin MARISOL (late 20s), petite Filipino woman with a bit of edge helps out.

MARISOL

You need more napkins?

DIEGO

No I'm good. Thanks again for helping out and making your famous paella. I can't cook to save my life.

Diego CHUCKLES. Marisol shakes her head.

MARISOL

You got that right!

Marisol LAUGHS.

MARISOL

She must be really something special huh?

DIEGO

Yes. She's the most beautiful woman I've ever met in my life! Long wavy hair, loves the ocean, has a great laugh. (BEAT) I feel really connected with her y'know?

MARISOL

If I wasn't mistaken I'd say you've got a mermaid for a girlfriend!

Marisol CHUCKLES.

DIEGO

Yeah pretty much! If there were such a thing.

The doorbell RINGS! Marisol begins to rush off.

MARISOL

Guess that's my cue! Good luck Diego. Call me later to let me know how it goes.

DIEGO

Will do. Love you cuz.

Marisol gives Diego a PECK on the cheek before she exits out the back door. Diego shapes up his hair then answers the front door.

In walks Diego's girlfriend CELIA (20s), gorgeous blonde undercover mermaid on her land legs with a sexy mysterious air about her. Her windswept hair cascades over her shoulders. Diego has stars in his eyes when he sees her.

DIEGO

Hey baby. You look beautiful.

Celia blushes at the compliment and hugs Diego tight. Diego guides Celia to the TABLE and pulls out a chair for her. Celia takes her seat.

Diego withdraws a small MATCHBOX from his pocket and lights the center candle for romantic effect. Celia observes the table in awe.

CELIA

Such a wonderful display.

DIEGO

It's not much but thanks.

Diego blushes as he POPS a bottle of CHAMPAGNE. Celia jumps up out of her seat at the sound. Diego CHUCKLES.

CELIA

That scared me!

Celia joins in Diego's laughter.

DIEGO

(laughs)

Don't worry it's just champagne (BEAT) not a gunshot.

Diego pours CHAMPAGNE into CHAMPAGNE FLUTES and proposes a toast.

DIEGO

To you.

They CLINK glasses and take a sip. Celia opens her eyes wide.

CELIA

Oh wow! Bubbly! I like it.

Celia downs the glass.

CELIA

Yum!

Diego GIGGLES.

DIEGO

You're so cute.

He pours Celia more CHAMPAGNE. Diego serves up a dish of PAELLA for Celia and then one for himself.

CELIA

OOH! I love mussels!

DIEGO

Yes me too. Paella is the best.

Celia shoves the full MUSSEL SHELL into her mouth. Diego's jaw drops. She moves it from cheek to cheek and spits out the empty MUSSEL SHELL back onto her plate.

Celia looks up at Diego confused.

CELIA

What?

DIEGO

(laughs)

I've never seen anyone eat a mussel like that.

Celia appears embarrassed.

DIEGO

No it's OK. I just don't want you to choke.

Diego gives a smile of reassurance. Celia relaxes and sips more CHAMPAGNE. They continue with their meal.

                                                                                                                            END SCENE.

Girl

Girl

by Michelle Stiles

·   

·         Change

·         Don’t change

·         Don’t drink but if you do “liquor before beer and then you’re clear”

·         Abstinence is key but if you have sex use protection

·         This is how to shave your legs

·         This is what you wear when you have your period

·         This is how to drive

·         This is how to put on makeup

·         Don’t sleep around but play the field

·         It is ok to cry

·         Don’t show your emotions in public

·         Don’t judge a book by its cover

·         Be good

·         Be bad

·         Have faith in people

·         Don’t trust that person

·         This is how to wear your hair so you look pretty

·         This is how not to wear your hair because it makes you look butch

·         Accept your body for the way it is

·         This is how to get plastic surgery

·         Don’t dress like you’re going to  the beach unless you are going to the beach

·         Eat your vegetables

·         Be quiet

·         Speak up

·         Brush your teeth but here is gum to freshen your breath

·         Work hard; play hard

·         Share but know that you don’t have to

·         Don’t dwell on the past; don’t fear the future; live in the moment

·         Never let go

·         Let go

·         Take your time

·         Hurry up

·         The choice is yours

·         Do what you want to do

·         Don’t do that!

·         Get your work done but take time out for yourself

Try

Try

by Michelle Stiles

"Be this. Do that."

"You're too skinny. You're too fat."

"When I was your age I was married with a baby."

"Get your act together. You're just being lazy."

"You're smart but settle for a menial job."

"Ugh your clothes are disgusting! You look like a slob."

But what ever happened to, "Follow your dreams?"

All this internalized pressure comes out in whimpers and screams.

You're going through depression like it's no big thing.

Sometimes you scream. Sometimes you sing.

On the surface you cover up with a smile,

Impeccable hair and a flashy style. 

But on the inside you feel empty like nothing's good enough.

They tell you, "Suck it up lady, life is tough." 

Although you try to get help as your dreams go up in smoke

You shouldn't  cry because then you'll just be a joke.

But I say, "Let it all out and cry."

Because in the end, at least you try.

Frogger Prince

Frogger Prince

by Michelle Stiles

Frogger Prince died reciting poetry. 

I wonder who the lucky lady could be?

Did she have green warts and eat flies? 

Have a certain twinkle in her eyes? 

Whatever she looked like she must 

Have something special to deserve his lust. 

For Frogger Prince must've known 

To win her heart before the lawn got mown. 

Across the cool blue water he swum. 

His chance at true love had finally come. 

So against the current he paddled and pushed

 Hoping his heart would remain unsmushed. 

When he finally arrived at the edge of the pool 

Frogged Prince looked refreshed and cool.   

On his hind legs with his hand on his heart 

He said, "My love you are a work of art!"

On and on he confessed his love 

As the sun shone from up above. 

Then suddenly a loud noise was heard. 

The lawnmower roared on his last word. 

From the lawn mower a large rock ricocheted 

Hit him in the head so dead he now laid. 

Pity the poor dear for he wasn't a bloke. 

Just a lovestruck frog too young to croak. 

Many ladies would've kissed Frogger Prince. 

Now the idea of that makes them wince.

Paul's Text/Mad Road Clip (SCREENPLAY)

Paul's Text

by Michelle Stiles

EXT. PAUL'S HOUSE - BACK PORCH - TWLIGHT

PAUL (70s), full white hair yet still has his vigor, sits on the rocking chair with a hand-knit blanket over his lap and COFFEE MUG in his hand. He wears bifocal GLASSES.

The sound of CRICKET CHIRPS and BULLFROG RIBBITS are heard in the distance. Trees silhouette the gorgeous sunset of purple, orange, and light gray hues.

Paul sips from his COFFEE MUG. His CELL PHONE vibrates. BUZZ! Paul opens a text message.

RAYMOND (TEXT)

INTERVIEW WENT WELL. THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT GRANDPA. LOVE YOU. GOOD NIGHT.

Paul smiles to himself. He takes a final sip and puts the COFFEE MUG down beside the rocking chair.

PAUL

Such a good boy.

Paul removes his GLASSES and closes his eyes. He dozes off.

                                                      FADE TO BLACK.

Only A Storm

Only A Storm

by Michelle Stiles

 

On a dark and stormy night

I sit in my room full of fright.

The thunder grumbles all around.

It makes me fumble at the sound.

How lucky I am to be in my warm bed

I could be frozen and drenched outside instead.

Drip. Drip. Drop. KABOOM!

That sudden drop came too soon.

I hide under my the covers to keep warm

And remind myself that it’s only a storm.