Bottled Up School Scene Script 1

INT. SCHOOL - CLASSROOM - DAY 

Class is over. Lively chatter fills up the space within the confines of the CLASSROOM. GROUPS OF STUDENTS trickle out of the room in gradual waves. 

RAN MUNEHARA (17), a sporty girl of average height, her brows are slightly furrowed in concentration. She packs up her BACKPACK with practiced motions. The PASTEL PINK YOYO hanging off the side as a decorative keychain gleams when it catches the light. 

SAKURA (18), tall and thin, with long, straight black hair, shuffles into the CLASSROOM. She fidgets as she walks, glancing over her shoulder at the DOOR. 

The door leads into the empty HALL. All is quiet. 

The tenseness of Sakura’s posture subsides once she reaches Ran’s DESK. Stray PAPERS are messily strewn across the surface. 

SAKURA

...Ran? Are you almost done? 

Ran startles, dropping her NOTEBOOK in surprise. It clatters against the hardwood floors, flipping open onto a random page filled with doodles of unused clothing ideas. She lunges over and slams it closed with one hand. 

RAN

(thinking)

!! Who--

Ran’s annoyed expression melts into one of relief and recognition. 

Sakura offers her friend a sheepish smile in return. 

RAN (CONT’D)

Oh, it’s just you, Sakura. What’s up? 

SAKURA

Nothing much, but are you free today? We can try the new karaoke

place that opened. 

Sakura looks hopeful, and her expression morphs into a shaky, lopsided smile. 

SAKURA (CONT’D) 

I call dibs on the first song. 

Ran winces, looking characteristically apologetic, and Sakura’s smile drops at the realization. 

There’s an unspoken tension in the air that neither one addresses. 

RAN

Ah, sorry... I promised my mom that

I’d pick up the groceries for her today. 

Sakura shuffles in place, choosing to look down at the floor rather than meet Ran’s gaze. Her shoulders slump forward. 

Ran remains occupied with shoving the rest of the papers in her bag. 

SAKURA

(resigned) 

Yeah, yeah, I get it. Don’t worry, Ran. 

Sakura straightens herself up just in time for Ran to glance up at her friend gratefully. 

RAN

Thanks, Sakura. Maybe next time? 

SAKURA

(thinking)

That’s what you always say, though...

Sakura’s lips thin slightly, but the brief moment of vulnerability is gone the next time she speaks. 

SAKURA (CONT’D) 

Okay. 

(beat)

See you around then. 

Ran triumphantly stuffs the last of her things into her backpack, slinging it over her shoulder. She flashes Sakura a peace sign as she does so. 

RAN

Yeah! I’ll catch you later, Sakura. 

Ran bolts out of the room until she fades from view. 

CUT TO:

EXT. SCHOOL - COURTYARD - CONTINUOUS 

Ran’s heavy footsteps THUD and CRUNCH against the coarse dirt. Her worn and beaten sneakers kick stray pebbles every which way, and they CLATTER against the concrete walkways. She doesn’t pay much attention to her surroundings, too preoccupied with trying to remember exactly what her mom wanted her to buy. 

RAN

(muttering) 

She said milk, eggs, carrots, potatoes,

and... what else was it again? Oh,

right, and celery--

CLASSMATE A (17), a petite girl from Ran’s class. There is a heavy, nervous energy surrounding her. She keeps mumbling to herself as she shuffles along. 

Ran doesn’t notice her, and neither does she. Both of them crash into each other, sending them to the floor in a tangle of limbs and fluttering skirts. 

RAN

Crap, that hurts--

Ran hastily brushes herself off and stands up. She immediately adopts a concerned expression as she holds her hand out for Classmate A to take. 

RAN (CONT’D)

Aoi!? I’m so, so sorry. Gosh, are you

alright? Can you stand? 

Classmate A takes Ran’s hand and stands up with wobbling knees. Her expression is equally shaky and tense. 

CLASSMATE A

Thanks, and I’m fine. 

RAN

Are you sure? You don’t need to see

the nurse? 

CLASSMATE A

(tensely)

Yes. I’m fine. 

(beat) 

Look, okay? I’ll just go on my way.

Sorry for bumping into you. You look

busy. 

Classmate A drops Ran’s hand and takes a few steps back, clutching her wrist to her chest. 

CLASSMATE A (CONT’D)

Thanks again, Ran. I’ll see you in class

tomorrow. 

Classmate A crouches down and picks up her backpack from the floor with her other hand. It’s covered in dust. Slinging her bag over a shoulder, she slowly begins to hobble away. 

Ran frowns. 

RAN

(thinking)

Something’s not right. 

Ran reaches out to grab Classmate A’s bag strap dangling off her shoulder. 

RAN (CONT’D)

Hey, Aoi--

CLASSMATE A

(snappy)

I already said I’m fine, Ran. Would

you just leave it? 

Ran watches as a heavy, black, tar-like substance grows and settles on her classmate’s shoulders like a cloak. Her hand slips as her eyes widen at the sight. 

RAN

I’m sorry, I just wanted to--

(thinking) 

This is bad. Really bad. I gotta do

something. 

CLASSMATE A

I know it’s an accident. Can’t everyone

just leave me alone today? You know--

RAN

(thinking) 

Okay, here goes nothing...

Without wasting anymore time, Ran transforms into a MAGICAL GIRL. 

END SCENE.