Script Scene

Enter the scene just after mudsliding on the quad.  It is late, about 2:30 in the morning.  The sky is overcast, and the thin sliver of the moon barely shows its light through the clouds.  Our character, James Ladd spryly walks from the middle of the quad, accompanied by his female friend (for now, we'll call her Leah).  They are both covered from head to toe in mud, not too thick to obscure their features, but sufficiently dirty to let us know that they have had a rollicking good time.  They walk side by side, but not too closely.  They are joking and laughing loudly with each other.

JAMES:  How do people even come up with this stuff?! ... Your face [laughing] when you hit that dry spot...was priceless!  [He makes a face of confused terror, mocking her]  How did I not do this before?!  [laughing loudly again]

The pair continues to talk as the camera moves to a wide shot, silhouetting them against the illuminated Illini Union.  They reach the west edge of the quad and reach the eternal flame, where they sit.  The camera once again closes in.  The two are leaning back, looking up. 

LEAH:  Chalk another one off the list... Pokey Stix, frat parties, the bell tower, interrupting a Foellinger lecture! [chuckling] getting hammered at every bar on campus and belting it out from on top of the Alma Mater! [laughing louder this time]  What a week!  So, did ya get everything done for graduation tomorrow?  [turning her head to look at him]

JAMES:  [turning his head to look back at her, a look of realization coming into his eyes... hesitantly...]  Not... everything.

She looks at him curiously, but before she can ask, he begins to lean in for a kiss.  She is startled for a moment, but kisses him back.  They look at each other, realization creeping into their minds.  Suddenly their faces are briefly illuminated by the spillover beam of a flashlight.  The camera swivels quickly to reveal four or five flashlights searching over the area and examining the damaged turf.  A look of terror sweeps across James's face.  The cops have not yet noticed them, but it is only a matter of time.

JAMES:  [in an excitedly sharp whisper] Cops!  Run!

He takes Leah by the hand and hurriedly rushes from the quad with her.  As they run, his foot catches the edge of the sidewalk and twists violently; he falls and immediately tries to get back up, however he cannot support himself.

JAMES:  GO!  I'll be fine!  I'll stall them!

Leah begins to protest, but James insists.  She runs into the darkness.  As the camera swivels around, James stands in the foreground, silhouetted by the dancing lights of the police officers as they head towards him, alerted by the noise of the attempted escape.