Page 9-14

INT. MED SHOT – HALLWAY – CARLOS

Carlos is putting his books in his locker, which is meticulously organized.

DOLORES CAMPBELL, an attractive teen-age girl, stops at her locker.

Carlos slows down.

Dolores opens her locker and grabs a book. As she does so, her cell goes off. She answers it.

DOLORES
Hey, Cynthia! What's up? (beat) Seriously? (beat) We can discuss that in the
student council meeting. (beat) Yeah, I know the dance is tomorrow night. (beat)
No, I don't know where we are going to get a band on this short notice. (beat)
Okay. I'll see what I can do. (puts the phone up) Fun.

She puts the book in her bag and closes the locker.

As she turns, Carlos is right there.

DOLORES
Can I help you, Carlos?

Carlos grins as he attempts to give her his MP3 player.

CARLOS
No, but I think I can help you.

DOLORES
You know mine is better than that old piece of junk?

CARLOS
Sorry to have overheard, but the band you guys had hired for the homecoming
dance just called off, right?

DOLORES
Yeah. Something about a broken hand.

CARLOS
Meaning that you need to audition a band and hire it by tomorrow, right?

DOLORES
And you have the perfect band, right?

CARLOS
Yep.

Dolores sighs.

DOLORES
And you just happen to have a sample of that band on the MP3 player in your hand, right?

CARLOS
Yep. It's a group of local guys, they play some basic pop and alternative, and are ready to go. If they meet your requirements, that is.

She takes the MP3 player.

DOLORES
If they meet our requirements, I will let you know in Bio, okay?

CARLOS
Sounds great to me.

She walks off.

DOLORES
Seriously. If I didn't have homework tonight...

Carlos smiles as she disappears.

INT. LONG SHOT – CAFETERIA – GUYS

Carlos, Raphael, and Hector are in line for food.

They quickly buy their food.

They find a place and sit down.

CARLOS
So, Raf, who you bringing to the dance?

RAFAEL
Well, Car, I have the options down to the lovely Cynthia and the tempting Theresa.

HECTOR
Didn't Theresa's brother just get back from juvie?

CARLOS
Well, that is the current rumor.

RAFAEL
So, Theresa isn't so tempting now. (beat) And you, Car?

CARLOS
The ravishing Rebecca. (beat) Whose brother is still in juvie.

They all smile.

Hector digs in as Carlos and Rafael look at each other.

They then look at Hector.

RAFAEL
This leaves one of our member's intentions left unmentioned.

Hector gives his food more attention.

CARLOS
Why, Raf, I believe that you are correct.

Rafael punches Hector on the shoulder.

RAFAEL
So who are you bringing?

HECTOR
My options have yet to solidify.

Carlos' and Rafael's eyes roll.

RAFAEL/CARLOS
He's solo.

Hector blushes.

HECTOR
I've asked a few girls.

RAFAEL
And been shot down a few times.

CARLOS
Poor Hector. Cupid is not his friend.

Hector is flustered.

HECTOR
I'll find someone!

Carlos and Rafael look at each other.

CARLOS
Yeah. Just not like last year, okay?

RAFAEL
Yeah. I think you set more records last year for lame dates than any other kid in this dump.

CARLOS
Like your cousin.

HECTOR
I didn't know she was at the time.

RAFAEL
And your cousin's friend. The one with the mole. On her nose.

HECTOR
She was having it removed. I hope. I really, really hope.

CARLOS
And the other cousin's friend. Who was delightful. As an ice cube.

HECTOR
Okay, so that was a mistake.

RAFAEL
So many girls called it off that we sure that you hadn't really asked any.

HECTOR
I just had some really bad luck last year.

CARLOS
I think at one point you called an escort service.

RAFAEL
And then she didn't show.

HECTOR
Hey! You know she was real! You placed the call yourself.

CARLOS/RAFAEL
True.

They look at each other.

CARLOS
Wait, I made the call.

RAFAEL
No, I did.

HECTOR
No, you both did. Both girls didn't show.

Hector hangs his head. They both pat his back.

HECTOR
But this year is going to be different.

CARLOS
It had better be, bro.

RAFAEL
Yeah, or I see a very disappointing year ahead of you. And I'm not sure if either of us can handle that.

HECTOR
So...I obviously need to get a girl. And fast.

CARLOS
Yes, yes you do.

Awkward silence.

RAFAEL
So what about the Stingrays? Think we can smash them this year?

They start eating and talking.