Pages 15-19

INT. MED SHOT - CLASSROOM – DOLORES

Dolores is sitting at a desk.

She sees Carlos come in and gets up.

She sits down behind Carlos and leans over to him, speaking in a whisper.

DOLORES
The soundcheck is at seven. Make sure that you show up no later than that with
your equipment. You'll be paid from the proceeds. I hope that $400 is fine.

Carlos is surprised and then recovers.

CARLOS
Sounds fine. We'll be there.

DOLORES
Good. Because if you aren't, I will track you down. And the results will not be
pretty.

Dolores walks off as Carlos gulps.

CARLOS
She can be mean for someone that fine.

Carlos leans forward to get his homework out.

He reconsiders, and pulls out his cell.

CARLOS
Guess I should let the guys know.

He starts texting a message.

INT. CLOSE SHOT – CLASSROOM – RAFAEL

Rafael is sweating over a quiz.

He nervously glances at another student's quiz.

He begins marking answers almost randomly.

SFX: BELL RINGS

TEACHER
Time's up! Please pass in your papers.

Rafael just lets it go.

RAFAEL
ARGH!

He gets up and turns in his paper.

He leaves the class in a hurry.

INT. CLOSE SHOT – LOCKERS – RAFAEL

Rafael hits his locker and walks off.

RAFAEL
I hate quizzes!

He pulls off his backpack and looks around.

He sees a garbage can.

He lifts up his backpack.

RAFAEL
Nah. My dad would kill me if I let a quiz get to me.

He puts the backpack back on and runs to his next class.

EXT. LONG SHOT -TRACK – CARLOS

Carlos is running around a track. He is in the back of the pack.

Other runner pass the finish line.

A clock is counting down. Less than ten seconds remain.

Carlos sees the clock. He puts out an extra effort.

He passes the finish line just before the clock runs out.

He falls to his knees.

The coach comes over.

COACH
Walk it off, Rodriguez.

CARLOS
Yeah, Coach.

He stands up.

Hector catches up to him.

HECTOR
Just barely. Any closer and you would failed the PT test.

CARLOS
Yeah. You would think I would have no problems in PE.

HECTOR
Yeah. I bet Raph would have passed this easy.

CARLOS
He did. Got one of the highest scores, actually. (beat) Hey, how did you do?

HECTOR
Better than you. By about forty points.

Carlos stops. Hectors goes on for a few steps.

CARLOS
Wait....HUH? How did you manage THAT?

Hector stops. He grins as he turns around.

HECTOR
All that running from bullies had to be good for something.

Carlos' eyes roll.

He walks up to Hector and hits him.

CARLOS
You are despicable.

HECTOR
At least I got a better score than you.

Hector runs off, smiling.

Carlos limps quickly after him.

CARLOS
It won't matter when I get you.

They disappear into the locker room.

EXT. LONG SHOT – CARLOS' HOME – RAPHAEL

Raphael walks up to the garage.

Inside Carlos and Hector are tuning up.

Raphael puts his backpack down and picks up his guitar.

HECTOR
Did my notes help any?

Raphael glares at him.

HECTOR
Hokay.

RAPHAEL
Let's just practice. (beat) Apparently we have a gig. Finally.

Carlos looks up.

CARLOS
I hope it's not a problem. I can always tell Dolores “no”.

HECTOR
Yeah. If you have a way out of town.

RAPHAEL
Yeah, that would be dangerous. (beat) How much are we being paid?

CARLOS
Four hundred. Dollars.

RAPHAEL
Sounds good. We put $10 towards gas, and that gives us $130 each.

CARLOS
Works for me.

HECTOR
That's still four hours of music. Allowing for two fifteen-minute breaks, and ten
minutes of miscellaneous business, that's still almost forty songs.

CARLOS
We just do covers, and throw in our personal songs. Some of the songs allow for
longer solos, so that should eat up some time.

RAPHAEL
OK. And we just have to remember to allow for a good mix of slow songs and fast. It will help us recharge as well as go over well with the girls.

HECTOR
The breaks should give you guys some time with your dates.

CARLOS
Excellent point. I know you were good for something, Eagle.

RAPHAEL
So, are we going to practice or what?

HECTOR
I'm all for that!

The boys assume their positions and start with practice.