Hi Friends!
In a season that was supposed to be an absolute disaster (no high priced free agents; inexperienced youngsters; suspect pitching staff, etc) the Mets continue to confound and amaze. Well...perhaps not "amaze" on the level of the original "Amazing Mets" circa 1969...but...so far they have been amazing enough. I started out the season with few expectations and perfectly willing to be a good fan, root for my team - and experience the ups and downs of the baseball season with the best possible attitude. ("Every day...is a new day and another opportunity to succeed.")
That attitude is still valid. Except that the team has been playing so well, "raising the bar" so-to-speak. And I am beginning to....believe (to borrow a phrase from another Mets season). As of this writing the team is now 27-21, in second place in the National League East. Owners of a three-game winning streak. (Which followed on the heels of a shellacking they received just a few days ago...not the first time this season they have rebounded from a truly horrible defeat.) The fact that the Mets are playing so well with David Wright, Johann Santana and a bunch of guys I'd never heard of (Baxter, Nickeas, Rob Johnson...Nieuwenhuis) makes the teams' accomplishments all the more...amazing (there's that word again).
With all the other important issues out there to worry about, the Mets have developed into an even more important distraction. If it turns out the team is playing over it's head - and begin free-falling during the coming summer months - well, I won't abandon my philosophy. "Let's Go Mets!" Still...dreams do come true, right? (More to follow on this in the weeks ahead!)
In the meantime...today is a beautiful late spring day (feels more like July actually) and it's time to get outside and enjoy the rest of the day.
The fact that there are numerous Mets "subbing" for the more established players reminds me of my own experiences as a substitute teacher back in the day.) Well...OK...so it's a stretch. An awkward segue...What can I say - I am in a hurray to get outside!
Over the years I have done a lot of writing....songs, poems, stories and screenplays...all of which wound up in a box which was transported from residence to residence each time I moved. The songs of course, have now been recorded and released on ITunes. (Also on Amzon.com, GooglePlay and Rhapsody). And - my music has been played over 20,000 times on Jango.com alone. All of this is tremendously gratifying. The other material however...remain in that box. Not seeing the light of day. Unread....
In an effort to unburden myself...I present one scene from one of the screenplays I have worked on over the years. The scene deals with an experience I had as a young substitute teacher in the public school. It is nice to be able to place it in a public forum...as I head out to enjoy the good weather I hope everyone enjoys this little scene....
Have a terrific day! See you soon...until then,
Stevenn
FALLING FOR YOU (TOO)
(c) by
Stevenn Beck
SCENE: THE SUBSTITUTE TEACHER
1. EXT. OF SCHOOL- September1979 - The school is located in surburbia, surrounded by many trees, with a well- cared-for green lawn. The school is obviously a high school; we see many groups of students congregating in front of the school, socializing, or walking inside. Carloads of students and adults- presumably teachers - are pulling into the parking lot on the side of the school.
2. EXT. OF SCHOOL- A 1970s Pinto, beat-up, pulls into the parking lot as well. A young man, dressed in a suit that looks at least 2 sizes too large, parks and exits the car. He is David Brown, about 23, glasses, longish dark hair, slightly below average height. He looks like a real nerd. David is nervous, looks at the students milling around, then back at the car as though he wants to jump back in and leave. He looks at the school too, takes a deep breath, and starts walking towards the front door.
3. INT. OF SCHOOL- David sees sign indicating the location of the administrative office.
4. INT. OF SCHOOL- ADMIN OFFICE- Teachers are milling around, making small-talk, drinking coffee as they punch in their time. There is a middle aged woman, Mrs. McCaffrey, overworked, standing behind the partition. She spots David. She recognizes that he is a one-day substitute teacher. Another victim, she thinks.
MRS. McCAFFREY
Yes, can I help you?
DAVID
I received a call. They wanted a substitute today…(almost asking) for a Mr….Needle?
MRS. McCAFFREY:
(not amused; what kind of schmuck did the school board hire this time?)
Nadel. Mr. Nadel. Room 415. Ever sub here before Mr. Mr???....
DAVID
Brown. David Brown. Nice to meet you, Mrs??
MRS. McCAFFREY
(ignoring his friendly greeting)
Mr. Brown. (pushing a paper and pen underneath David’s nose.) Here- sign in please. You can find Mr. Nadel’s schedule in his mailbox along with some instructions. Oh…Mr. Nadel evidently hurt his back while lifting a bag of groceries for his wife....so he called to say…we haven’t received the medical documentation yet but I’d say he’ll be out for at least two months - that is, if the past is any indication. So you’re it- if you can handle it that is.
DAVID
(signing the attendance sheet)
Two months? (looking like a trapped animal) That’s a long time.
MRS. McCAFFREY
Yes it is….last time the sub lasted just a few hours.
DAVID
What happened?
MRS. McCAFFREY
Last I saw, he was running down the hall, screaming at the top of his lungs. Never to be seen or heard from again. (looks more closely at David.) And he was a big guy. A very big guy-
5. INT. OF CLASSROOM - The classroom is actually a big lecture hall- the instructor’s podium is in the center and at the bottom of a big, curcular room filled with ascending rows of students. The students - about 35 of them - are all laughing, joking, chattering as David enters. Thne talking stops, the room is silent.
STUDENTS’ POV- Looking down at David, he looks even smaller than he is, and he also appears to be very nerdy.
DAVID’S POV - Looking up and around at the rows and rows of students.
SOUND OF - some of the students begin snickering.
DAVID
(appearing very nervous and hesitant)
Good morning everyone. (continuing in a montone, staring straight ahead) My name is Mr. Brown. Mr.
Nadel will be out for awhile and I’ll be taking his place. (hesitantly) He says that you are to begin the study
of the Roman Empire- history, culture, religion. A truly fascinating subject. (walks to the desk in the back
filled with textbooks.) Let’s start by reading the section in your textbook which discusses the origins of the
Egyptian Empire-.pages 225 through 237 in the textbook. (begins handing the books out to the students who
silently pass them to the students behind them.)
DAVID
(when everyone has a book)
While you are reading the section-
There is a female student sitting in the first row; very pretty in a trampy sought of way, short skirt, tight blouse and some tatoos on both of her arms. She interrupts David.
FEMALE STUDENT (JULIE)
I ain't reading this crap!
She throws her book in the center of the room, right at David's feet. Students begin laughing. A male student chucks his book down as well. David stares in disbelief. The laughter is now uncontrollable - and the student's insubordination contagious. One by one they throw their books into the center, the air is literally raining books. There is now a rather large pile at David's feet.
STUDENT'S POV: on David; the room is suddenly quiet - they want to see what he will do. David continues to stare for a moment then turns his back to them, thinking. Should he get angry? What authority did he really have? Anger would only fuel the fire.
David turns slowly back to the students. Looks at the pile of books at his feet. Suddenly he does what they least expect- breaks into uproarious laughter, after all it is a rather laughable scene. He cannot contain himself. The students look at one another and then begin laughing as well - but with David, not at him.
DAVID
(trying to stifle his laughter, without much success)
Gee- what do you guys have against the Roman Empire????
A male student raises his hand, respectfully. His name is Tom.
TOM
Nothing against the Romans - we just hate subs!
DAVID
Well, subs are people too you know! Just like you, problems and everything!
ANOTHER STUDENT
(curious) What kind of problems?
David walks to the blackboard in the back of the room, then faces the class.
DAVID
Well, Money problems for example...lots of expenses.
JULIE
What kind of expenses?
DAVID
You tell me. I’m 23, live in a studio apartment. What do I need money for?
The students begin shouting answer while David writes them on the blackboard.
STUDENTS
Rent! Food! Gas! Car insurance! Beer!
Everyone laughs at that last one. Then:
Chicks! (another laugh)
DAVID (smiling)
Dating. Yes, that’s a big one. Now next to each I’ll write how much I have to spend per week.
(writes various money amounts down)
The students are all very attentive now.
DAVID (changes money amount for dating)
Too low- ok, that’s more like it!
DAVID (writing another amount)
This is what I get paid For subbing each week. If I work everyday.
ANOTHER MALE STUDENT
That’s not enough. How do you make it?
DAVID
Cut corners. Eat a lot of macaroni and cheese – you know, 3 boxes for a dollar. Beg my parents for
money. Walk a lot!
JULIE
(thinking out loud) Can’t be done-
DAVID
(nodding in agreement) I know- not for long. And what happens if I walk out one day and my car
doesn’t start? It’s a 65 Buick- there’s a few leaks so when it rains my feet get soaked and I’m in danger
of drowning! (laughter) That’s why I want them to hire me as a regular teacher. But I don’t know
anyone in high places- you know, at the school board. So- I have to work hard and do a good job.
JULIE
(looking again at the blackboard) Still not enough for dating. Women can be very expensive!
TOM
Yeah- you should know!
Everyone laughs – including David- as the Julie gives the Tom the finger.
ANOTHER FEMALE STUDENT
(concerned) Mr. Brown- you’ll never get married!
DAVID
(smiling) You sound like my mother!
The students all groan- everyone has a meddling mother.
ANOTHER FEMALE STUDENT
(also concerned) How will they know you’re doing a good job?
DAVID
If the students behave- and if they learn enough to pass the final exam.
DAVID’S POV: The students all look at one another.
JULIE
You mean we all have to pass too?
TOM
Tell you what, Mr. Brown. We’ll pick up the books for you!
DAVID
Well- it’s a start!
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