I Smile Back Page #5

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15 EXT. SCHOOL - DAY - SAME 15

Laney, Eli and Janey run toward the school building. They

don’t want to be late. Eli’s backpack is twice his size.

Janey’s is pink with a princess on it.

16 INT. SCHOOL OFFICE -DAY - CONTINUOUS 16

Laney, Eli and Janey are waiting in a shallow line in the

office. Laney spots Susan and her son HENRY. Susan is proudly

wearing an official looking laminate around her neck.

LANEY:

Hey Susan. What’s this?

SUSAN:

It’s the parent ID.

Pink (03/02/2014) 1212.

Laney doesn’t register what Susan is talking about, Susan

sees this.

SUSAN (CONT’D)

They sent them in the mail? Part of

this whole new security thing.

LANEY:

I, uh...

SUSAN:

Don’t worry, I’ll vouch for you.

Laney fidgets, looks around, everyone is wearing a badge

around their neck. Everyone but Laney. This appears to

bother her much more than it should. She steps to the front

of the line where she is met by MRS. KOSINSKI (late 50’s) the

school principal.

MRS. KOSINSKI

ID?

LANEY:

I forgot it today, busy morning.

I’ll bring it tomorrow.

MRS. KOSINSKI

Parent IDs are mandatory now. We

mailed them out last week. And

sent an email.

SUSAN:

I’ll vouch for her.

ELI:

Ma?

LANEY:

It’s okay E, just a sec.

(to Mrs. Kosinski)

I’ve been walking them to class

every morning for two years. Can’t

you make an exception?

MRS. KOSINSKI

If I make an exception for you Mrs.

Brooks, then I have to make one for

everyone. Is that how you want to

teach our children?

Laney looks at her, stunned.

Pink (03/02/2014) 1313.

MRS. KOSINSKI (CONT’D)

I wouldn’t think so. At this point

in the year Eli’s quite familiar

with how to get to his class.

He’ll be fine. And I’ll personally

escort Miss Janey to her classroom.

ELI:

I’m okay Mom.

Laney feels nothing but shame. She is inferior.

JANEY:

Me too, Mommy.

LANEY:

You sure?

Janey nods her head yes - she is eager to get going.

JANEY:

I’m sure.

Mrs. Kosinski reaches out her hand, Janey takes it.

LANEY:

Wait, honey.

Laney kneels down.

LANEY (CONT’D)

Give me a kiss.

Janey gives Laney a kiss and goes.

It’s not as easy for Eli. He takes a deep breath, hoists his

backpack a little higher and begins the harrowing journey

down the crowded hall. Just outside the classroom he stops,

turns to look at Laney. Laney is fighting back tears. She

blows Eli a kiss. He catches it, puts it into his pocket and

disappears into the classroom.

17 OMITTED 17

18 EXT. SCHOOL PARKING LOT - DAY - SAME 18

An angry Laney heads to her car parked on the outskirts of

the school lot. Laney walks quickly while rifling through her

purse. She pulls out a cigarette just as she reaches her car.

She gets in and slams the door.

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