Pages 41-45

INT. LONG SHOT – THE GALLEON – GUYS

The guys are looking out on The Galleon. It's deserted, but it's almost as big as the school auditorium.

CARLOS
This is huge.

RAPHAEL
Yeah. I would like to see what the sound system on this place looks like.

Hector is setting up.

HECTOR
Yeah. But,and I hate to be the wet blanket, we had better set up. (beat) Or we'll
have to deal with her ladyship.

Carlos shudders.

CARLOS
It's fine to be a wet blanket if we don't need to deal with her.

Hector and Raphael smile.

SAME SCENE, A FEW HOURS LATER

The Galleon is full. People are getting served, and the crowd is just getting ready for the evening.

The stage has two kits on it, both hidden by curtains.

The guys are just backstage.

CARLOS
I wonder how many of these things we will do until the jitters are not a problem.

RAPHAEL
Well, it does explain why so many rockers do drugs.

Carlos and Raphael look at Hector.

HECTOR
I only did that once, guys. Sheesh.

Abigail, Heliodora, and HELENA PEREZ MONTEGO, a girl in a tank top to show off her developed biceps, walk up to the guys.

Helena sees Hector and looks him up and down.

HELENA
So, that;s my competition. Nice.

Hector stands a little more erect.

HECTOR
You're not so bad yourself.

Raphael and Carlos do a synchronized face palm.

Abigail steps up.

ABIGAIL
Okay. So luckily the opening act doesn't need to be that spectacular. You guys
will do great in that regard. Just don't trip over the wire and you'll do okay.

The guys look at each other.

CARLOS
Great motivational speech, Abby.

Abigail bristles.

RAPHAEL
Guess that's our cue.

The guys head out on stage as the curtain opens.

The crowd applauds, especially as the band starts up.

SAME SCENE, ANOTHER HOUR LATER

The girls are backstage watching the crowd.

HELIODORA
They're doing pretty good.

ABIGAIL
Too good. That's supposed to be our crowd. Not theirs. They are just supposed to
be warming up the crowd, not making fans.

Helen is watching Hector, who is sweating up a storm.

HELEN
I'm all for testing out that drummer's skill. (beat) I have an idea if you're
interested.

ABIGAIL
Maybe.

HELEN
Think that we could take them in a battle of the bands?

Heliodora sidles up to Abigail.

HELIDORA
I think we could take them. And it would put us up on the stage.

Abigail thinks about it for a moment.

ABIGAIL
Fine. Let's take those losers.

Abigail walks off to find the stage manager.

The other two walk over to their instruments.

Abigail walks over to the other band.

ABIGAIL
Okay, Carlos. Let's see how good you guys are.

The guys hold off for a moment.

Abigail picks up her axe and let's off with a riff.

Helen picks up the beat, combining with Abigail's machine gun playing.

Heliodora smiles and her fingers start flying across her keyboard.

Hector times it for a beats, and then joins in.

Helen smiles.

Carlos and Raphael look at each other and shrug. They begin to match Abigail.

Abigail notices this and picks up the pace.

Heliodora picks it up, and adds an additional flurry of notes.

The guys pace Abigail, and then add an additional flourish themselves.

Hector keeps the beat and smiles at Helen.

Helen is starting to like this.

Abigail crosses over to Carlos.

Carlos moves to intercept her.

Raphael is grooving to his own beat, while matching Carlos.

Heliodora is just having fun on the keyboards while trying to keep up with Abigail.

Hector and Helen are smiling like wolves.

Carlos and Abigail are on top of another, dueling like fencers with their electric guitars.

Raphael comes out of his trance and motions for Heliodora to stop.

She does, and spreads the word to Helen, who does the same for Hector.

The only sound is the duel between Carlos and Abigail. The audience is absolutely still.

Raphael takes the microphone.

RAPHAEL
Introducing The Golden Foxes. Helen Montego on drums, Heliodora Gomez on
keyboards, and Abigail Chavez on guitar.

The audience applauds, standing.

Abigail and Carlos stop.

ABIGAIL
I will kick you butt, Carlos.

CARLOS
Just keep in mind that I give as good as I get.

ABIGAIL
I wouldn't have it any other way.

They both smile and turn towards their respective bands.

Hector gives Helen a drummer's salute. Helen returns it.

RAPHAEL
We live in their capable hands. GOOD NIGHT!

Helen jumps off her seat and crosses to grab Hector.

HELEN
I'd better see you after the show.

Helen kisses Hector deep and long.

She returns to her drums and the girls start their set.

Hector has to be pushed off-stage by the guys.