INT. OFFICE - DAY
MRS. EVELYN CANTU (40s) her beauty is overworked by life,
she's emptying an office trash in a large can.
SMASH CUT:
Mrs. Cantu swishes a heavy mop back and forth in the hallway.
INT. OFFICE MAINTENANCE CLOSET - DAY
Storing the mop and bucket away Mrs. Cantu stares at her late
husband's uniform jacket hanging on a hook.
A small beautiful yellow and brown suburban home.
INT. CANTU HOME KITCHEN - DAY
Exhausted Mrs. Cantu sits at the kitchen table looking over
her mail.
Her son BRANDON (17) is in the living room playing video
games with his online friends.
BRANDON (O.S.)
Where did that guy come from? Is
that Lewis Reynolds? He's on you
Dorian. I got him, bye, bye Lewis.
What a lame.
The other boys online laugh and snicker at the killing Lewis.
DORIAN MILLER (17) laugh is loud and high pitched.
DORIAN (V.O)
(Giggling)
That guy is going to hate you
forever.
BRANDON (V.O.)
Good, maybe he will learn
something.
Mrs. Cantu is separating bills; her eyes fix on a letter
reading eviction notice in red. She places the letter to side
and continues moving through the stack.
The next letter is labeled SAT Test Administration. She opens
the letter.
FEMALE (O.S.)
Dear. Parents or Guardian of
Brandon Cantu, we are administering
the SAT test to all 11 grade
students. There is no cost for this
test and it's a great opportunity
for students.
Mrs. Cantu looks back and forth between the eviction letter
and SAT letter.
BRANDON (V.O,)
Let's go!
Brandon walks into the kitchen, her eyes fix on him as he
walks by.
Brandon opens the refrigerator, takes out a can of Coke and
closes the door tight.
Brandon smiles and kisses his mother on the forehead, then
returns to the living room, announcing his return to the
game.
BRANDON
Death-Star is back. Who's ready to
win this thing?
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
2 -
Displacement and Dreams
INT. CANTU LIVING ROOM - DAY
Mrs. Cantu enters the living room, the SAT letter in her
hand.
MRS.CANTU
Brandon.
Brandon instinctively answers her without concern.
BRANDON
Yes.
MRS.CANTU
Brandon... look at me.
Mrs. Cantu moves in front of the television.
MRS.CANTU
(In Spanish)
Do you hear me calling you?
BRANDON
Yes, mom... I know, take out the
trash and dinner is in the
microwave.
MRS.CANTU
(Emotional)
No. Brandon, I need to speak with
you.
BRANDON
Mom, can it wait. My team is
counting on me.
MRS.CANTU
Get off now...
Brandon takes a deep breath, Mrs. Cantu steps closer.
BRANDON
Hey guys, I have to leave, I'll
check back later, sorry.
Brandon pauses the game and takes off his headset, She sits
down close to him.
MRS.CANTU
What are you going to do after
school? College? Have you read
those pamphlets that I placed on
top of your video game?
BRANDON
(confused)
I don't think I'm that smart for
college. Plus, Mom, I was giving
myself sometime to think about it.
MRS.CANTU
Brandon, you don't have until next
year, life won't wait.
Beat.
Mrs. Cantu composes herself.
MRS.CANTU
I want you to take the SAT test for
me.
BRANDON
(Irritated)
Take what?
MRS.CANTU
SAT test. It helps to know where
you stand.
BRANDON
Why do I need to do that? I don't
even know if I even want to go to
college.
MRS.CANTU
Your father worked hard to give you
a better life --
BRANDON
Lots of people made it without
college.
MRS.CANTU
(Direct)
Your father and I don't want you to
work as hard as we did.
BRANDON
(Sincere)
I understand how hard you and dad
worked, but that doesn't mean
college is for me.
MRS.CANTU
What are your plans then?
BRANDON
I'm not sure, maybe take a year
off?
MRS.CANTU
(Angered)
A year off for what?
BRANDON
I don't know collect my thoughts,
get my plan together.
MRS.CANTU
(stern)
Brandon, take the test.
BRANDON
Mom, do you know how much debt,
college cost?
MRS.CANTU
(Pleading)
That's for me to worry.
Brandon full of emotion, he stares at his father's urn.
BRANDON
Why?
MRS.CANTU
I need you to be ready if I leave
this world --
BRANDON
Mom. Really --
The doorbell rings.
At the door, two large MOVERS in their (30s) and a SHERIFF
(40s) stand outside the screen door.
Brandon is confused, why the men are there.
BRANDON
Mom!
MRS.CANTU
It's okay Brandon.
SHERIFF
Ma'am we have a court order.
The Sheriff and three men enter the home abruptly.
In shock Brandon is helpless as the Sheriff goes over the
eviction notice with his mother.
SHERIFF
Ma'am this is an order to vacate
the premises.
MRS.CANTU
I tried to keep up, but it's
difficult. My husband worked so
hard for this home.
SHERIFF
Ma'am, do you have adequate living
space to move to? If not, the
shelter for women closes at 8:35pm.
MRS.CANTU
I don't know...
Mrs. Cantu clutches a family photo; the movers roughly take
furniture out the front door.
BRANDON
Why didn't you tell me?
BRANDON MRS.CANTU
Where will we live. It will be okay.
LATER:
On the back of his uncle's pickup truck, Brandon sits on top
of the household furniture and boxes, his eyes fill with
tears and pain as the truck rolls out.
TITLE: 3 MONTHS LATER
INT. CANTU HOME - DAY
Mrs. Cantu opens Brandon's bedroom door; she notices his
trash full of college pamphlets, leaves the can full and
closes the door.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
3 -
Test Tensions
INT. ROCK-AWAY HIGH SCHOOL MR. JOHNSON'S CLASSROOM - DAY
Brandon's 12th grade teacher MR. JOHNSON (40s) is passing out
test booklets.
MR.JOHNSON
Well, it's good to see Mr. Cantu
here. You've grown since I saw you
last.
The class erupts in laughter, LEWIS REYNOLDS,(16) thin, and
very nerdy leads the laughter.
LEWIS
(Laughing)
Good one Mr. Johnson.
BRANDON
Hello, Mr. Johnson.
MR.JOHNSON
Glad, to have you back.
Mr. Johnson moves to the front of the class.
MR.JOHNSON
You have prepared for this test.
So, put on your thinking caps.
Mr. Johnson taps his watch.
MR. JOHNSON
Begin!
Nervous, Brandon begins to look around the room nervously,
the palms of his hands are sweaty. Lewis holding a evil grin,
stares directly at him.
LEWIS
(Sarcastically)
Good luck.
BRANDON
Shit...
MR.JOHNSON
Brandon, is everything okay?
BRANDON
I'm good, sorry.
TITLE: 2 HOURS LATER
MR.JOHNSON
Okay, pencils down! Leave all
paperwork on the desk. Have a great
day and good luck.
Genres:
["Drama","Coming-of-age"]
Ratings
Scene
4 -
Unspoken Worries
INT. CANTU HOME - DAY
Mrs. Cantu is asleep on the sofa, when Brandon enters the
home. Brandon pulls the cover up over her and tiptoes away.
MRS.CANTU
How did it go?
BRANDON
(Startled)
Hey! Sorry I woke you. It went
well. I feel really good about it.
INT. CANTU HOME KITCHEN - DAY
A lawn mower is running outside, Mrs. Cantu combs through the
stack of mail. She pulls out Brandon's SAT test results,
opens with care.
EIGHT HUNDRED AND SEVENTY stares back at her from the
unfolded paper.
Mrs. Cantu nervously taps a pencil on the table.
The noise from the lawn mower roars louder in her head. Her
eyes shifting from the letter to the stack of bills as she
continues to tap the pencil on the table.
She focuses in on the coke cans on the counter, back to the
eviction letter.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
5 -
A Journey of Pride and Achievement
INT. CANTU APARTMENT LIVING ROOM CONTINUOUS
Mrs. Cantu walks into the living room and drops the letter on
Brandon's lap.
BRANDON
Hey guys, I have to go.
Brandon's eyes shift up to his mother.
MRS.CANTU
Read it, Brandon.
BRANDON
Can you read it?
MRS.CANTU
(In Spanish)
Open the letter and read it, no
matter what it says, I'm proud of
you.
Brandon rips opens the letter.
BRANDON
(Nervous)
Dear Parents or Guardians. This
letter is to inform you of the test
results for Brandon Cantu. Scoring
a 1405 on his SAT test. Best of
luck with your future education.
MRS.CANTU
What kind of score is that? Did you
pass or not.
Excitement and surprise rise in his voice, Brandon scans
through the letter.
Beat. Brandon takes a deep breath.
BRANDON
I did good.
MRS.CANTU
Brandon did you cheat?
BRANDON
No, Mom. I did the best I could.
MRS.CANTU
(In Spanish)
Don't lie to me, okay.
BRANDON
Mom, I just answered what I knew. I
did really good.
Brandon and his mother embrace.
MRS.CANTU
I'm so proud of you, son.
Brandon astonished looks over the letter.
MRS.CANTU
Your father would be proud also.
Now, what are you going to do now?
You can't just sit here and waste
that big brain.
BRANDON
I'm not sure...
MRS.CANTU
What about college?
BRANDON
I guess we need to pick one.
MRS.CANTU
Where are the pamphlets that came
in the mail?
Brandon walks into his bedroom snatching the stack of college
pamphlets out of the trash.
INT. ROCK-AWAY HIGH SCHOOL CLASS ROOM - DAY
Brandon takes his seat in Mr. Johnson's class, he's focused
and ready for class.
MR. JOHNSON
Okay, who can tell me about the
motif inside the Forbidden Temple.
Brandon's hand flies up, to the surprise of Mr. Johnson.
INT. CANTU APARTMENT - NIGHT
Mrs. Cantu grabs her lunch, she notices the video game is
neatly put away, she leaves out for work.
INT. ROCK-AWAY HIGH SCHOOL CLASS ROOM - DAY
Brandon smiles at his test, with eighty at the top of the
paper.
Mr. Johnson, cheerfully pats Brandon the shoulder.
INT. ROCK-AWAY HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM - DAY
Brandon walks across the stage with his diploma, all smiles
from his mother and uncle, Lewis is behind him trying to hold
in his snare.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
6 -
Moments of Achievement and Care
INT. OFFICE - DAY
Mrs. Cantu is interviewing for a second job at the community
college. The interview ends with smiles and handshakes
welcoming Mrs. Cantu.
EXT. FLOYD UNIVERSITY DORMITORY - DAY
Brandon and Mrs. Cantu snap pictures on the college admission
steps.
INT. CANTU APARTMENT KITCHEN - DAY
Mrs. Cantu eases the door open.
The apartment is quiet, only the soft hum of the fridge.
She finds Brandon on the couch, books scattered across his
chest, asleep.
Her face softens. She softly removes the book, pulls the
blanket higher over his shoulder, pride and worry sharing the
same breath.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
7 -
A Graduation to Remember
INT. CANTU APARTMENT - DAY
Mrs. Cantu opens the door for a tutor MS. Rogers (40s).
MRS.CANTU
Hello, Ms. Rogers.
MS. ROGERS
Good evening, Mrs. Cantu. How are
you?
MRS.CANTU
I'm fine.
MS. ROGERS
When are you going to take a
vacation?
MRS.CANTU
(Laughing)
Vacation, that's for the rich.
BRANDON
Don't worry, once I open my firm,
you will be on a permanent vacation
Mom.
Mrs. Cantu kisses Brandon the forehead.
MRS.CANTU
Thank you son.
MS. ROGERS
How nice of you Brandon, Maybe I
can get one of those trips myself.
BRANDON
Nope, you're too stuff.
INT. CANTU APARTMENT KITCHEN - DAY
Brandon prepares lunch for his mother, placing a small note
inside the bag.
INT. OFFICE CLEANING ROOM - DAY
Mrs. Cantu slings the mop through the school hallway, punches
out for break, pulls out the hidden note inside her lunch
bag.
BRANDON (V.O.)
Mom, I know it's hard and you're
doing an awesome job, I love you.
Brandon.
TITLE: GRADUATION - DAY
EXT. FLOYD UNIVERSITY GARDEN - DAY
In the crowd, Mrs. Cantu fights tears. On stage, Brandon,
silver satin draped over his gown, grips the microphone
steady, proud.
BRANDON
No one is coming to save you. The
bill comes, the eviction notice,
then the knock at the door. Life.
Life is the only consistent thing
in life. It’s your steps, your
faith the defines where you go.
stay locked in... believe... and
keep moving.
Genres:
["Drama","Family"]
Ratings
Scene
8 -
Tension at the Hernandez Law Office
EXT. HERNANDEZ LAW OFFICE - DAY
The front office is lightly packed with families, new lawyers
exchange hand shakes and light conversation.
In the crowd of talking heads, Brandon approaches Lewis who's
talking to MIA ALLEN (20s), dark haired, with bright eyes.
BRANDON
Lewis Reynolds... Congratulations.
Lewis is vexed by the sound of Brandon's voice, he turns with
a fake smile, shakes his hand with a head nod and turns back.
LEWIS
Thanks, same to you.
Brandon eyes are locked in place, his full attention toward
Mia, who's flush red in the face, he extends his hand in her
direction.
BRANDON
Hello, I'm Brandon.
MIA
I heard. Top of your class.
BRANDON
It's good to be known.
Owner of the law office HECTOR HERNANDEZ (60s) handsome, with
a great smile, stands at the front of the room, his voice
consumes the room.
MR. HERNANDEZ
Congratulations to you all and
welcome to the firm.
MR. HERNANDEZ (CONT'D)
Next week I will announce the
leader for the year. This person
will lead the team of lawyers. So,
enjoy and have a good night
The crowd erupts in applauds and cheers.
LEWIS
Mia and I were about to get a drink
from the bar.
BRANDON
(focused on Mia)
That's funny, we were about to have
tacos and get married.
Brandon holds on to Mia's hand.
BRANDON
(Whispers)
You ready.
MIA
Yes.
Lewis watches in anger as Brandon and Mia walk away together.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
9 -
Unraveling Jealousy
INT. LEWIS APPARTMENT - NIGHT
Lewis paces back and forth, his eyes stuck on a high school
photo on his wall.
In the picture along with Mr. Johnson, holding their SAT
letters, Brandon, Lewis and two other classmates.
Lewis tightly grips a soccer ball in his hand.
LEWIS
He was a loser, a nobody!
Lewis enraged, stares at Brandon's face on the picture.
LEWIS
(ANGRY)
How did he go from nothing to head
of the class. I was in study hall
alone, hours with my head in the
book, all he did was play that
fucking game!
Lewis' anger rises to a awkward stew, Losing control of the
ball, it fumbles from his hands, slamming against the wall
knocking the picture to the floor.
He grabs a trash bag and begins to pickup the broken pieces
of glass, he can't help but to focus in on the picture even
more, something about Brandon's letter stands out.
Lewis searches his apartment for a magnifying glass, after a
frantic forage, he pulls the glass over the picture, a
sinister smile falls over his face.
BEGIN MONTANGE:
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
10 -
Secrets and Suspicion
EXT. MIA'S APPARTMENT - NIGHT
Brandon and Mia stand chest to chest, their eyes locked on
each other, Brandon leans in for the first kiss.
QUICK CUTS:
INT. HERNANDEZ LAW OFFICE - DAY
The office staff of lawyers meet, discussing cases, and
exchanging paperwork.
SMASH CUT:
Brandon and Mia share stares and sneak in and out of the
office storage closet.
SMASH CUT:
Brandon leads the staff meetings, to joy of the office staff
except Lewis.
END MONTAGE:
INT. PUBLIC SCHOOL RECORDS OFFICE - DAY
Lewis stands at the counter, he shows the clerk a hundred
dollar bill.
The clerk hands him a file reading BRANDON CANTU. Lewis eyes
widen with a sneakiest grin.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
11 -
Threatening Revelations
INT. BRANDON'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Brandon's phone rings, he runs in from the kitchen, picks up
the phone.
BRANDON
Hello?
LEWIS (V.O.)
Brandon. This is Lewis.
BRANDON
What's up Lewis?
LEWIS
Just know I know the truth. On
Monday you will resign from firm or
I will expose you.
BRANDON
What are you talking about?
LEWIS
(laughing)
I got you. Resign Brandon, Resign!
Lewis ends the call.
Mia enters the living room.
MIA
Who was that?
BRANDON
Lewis...
MIA
What's wrong?
BRANDON
I don't know.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
12 -
Truth Revealed
INT. LAW OFFICE - DAY
Brandon, Mia and the team of lawyers stand with anticipation
for Mr. Hernandez's big announcement of the Lead attorney.
MR. HERNANDEZ
Let's get to it shall we. Over the
pass 6 months you all have shown
great promise as lawyers,
unfortunately the contest call for
one. This person has placed his
team before himself and has won the
backing of the senior staff as well
and mine. I would like to --
Lewis dramatically bursts into the room, his hand held high,
waving a piece of paper back and forth --
LEWIS
Stop, Stop!
MR. HERNANDEZ
Mr. Reynolds, what is the meaning
of this?
LEWIS
I'll tell you Hector. Brandon has
been living a lie. He's not who we
think he is.
(at Mia)
Mia, you will be relived to hear
this.
MR. HERNANDEZ
Mr. Lewis what is it?
LEWIS
(grinning)
Brandon did not receive a thirteen-
seventy on the SAT's, he did not
have the highest score. He scored
eight-seventy.
BRANDON
Lewis what are you talking about?
LEWIS
Don't deny it Brandon. I have
proof. He's been walking around
telling everyone how he changed in
direction after scoring thirteen-
hundred. Lying!
Brandon takes hold of the letter.
BRANDON
There must be a mistake, I scored
over thirteen hundred on my SAT.
Mr. Hernandez I will give them a
call and have them send over an
original copy of my test.
MR. HERNANDEZ
Even if you didn’t mean to, passing
along false information puts the
firm's reputation at risk. I'll
need to take you off staff until
the facts are cleared up.
Mrs. Cantu strong voice startles the room from the door way.
MRS.CANTU
(Stern)
That won't be necessary!
BRANDON
Mom what are you doing here?
MRS.CANTU
I wanted to see you, so I stopped
by. You don't have to wait Mr.
Hernandez. It was me, I changed
Brandon's score.
Mrs. Cantu walks over to Mr. Hernandez, her eyes focused on
him, his face turns blushes red.
MRS.CANTU
You see, my son wasn't always so
brave and sure of himself, but I
knew what he was capable of, so I
doctored his letter. Told him his
scored higher than he did.
Lewis smiles even bigger with excitement.
BRANDON
Mom, how could you?
LEWIS
He even had his mom in on it.
MRS.CANTU
(in Spanish)
Brandon, I changed the score. I
gave you what you truly deserved.
LEWIS
Told you, he's stupid.
MRS.CANTU
(In Spanish)
Quite, young man before I give you
something your mother should have.
Lewis sinks into the chair.
MRS.CANTU
Brandon, You're a very smart man,
You don't need a score or letter
to prove it. I knew what you could
be if you believed in yourself.
Brandon turns away from his mother.
BRANDON
I've been living a lie this entire
time?
MRS.CANTU
No, that was the score of someone
who did not believe in themselves.
BRANDON
You cheated. I cheated...
MRS.CANTU
(Stern)
Cheated! Look at me, no one
cheated... I simply gave you the
push you needed and you believed.
Mr. Hernandez and others wipe tears from their eyes. Mrs.
Cantu stands next Brandon, staring directly at him, places
her hand over his.
MRS.CANTU
Who did the work? Who passed the
bar? Death-star believed but not my
son. Why didn't Brandon believe?
BRANDON
I don't know. Things were hard, it
was hard to figure it out.
(beat)
Dad didn't.
MRS.CANTU
He did son, it was you. He walked
as far as he could so you could run
far --
LEWIS
Further...
Ms. Cantu smacks Lewis across the knuckles with the book.
Lewis jerks his hand back, stunned.
He looks at her, insulted and afraid.
Ms. Cantu doesn’t blink.
Brandon turns toward his Mother, wraps his arms around her in
a tight hug.
Beat.
MR. HERNANDEZ
Mrs. Cantu, I can't thank you
enough, for clearing things up.
Brandon I think you owe your mother
more than you know.
BRANDON
I spent so long thinking those
numbers made me who I was. But it
wasn’t the score. It was the
belief.
(beat)
Some did come to save me.
MRS.CANTU
We... save our selves.
Brandon embraces his mother.
MR. HERNANDEZ
That is wonderful, now may I
continue Mrs. Cantu?
MRS.CANTU
Yes, you may and it's Ms...
MR. HERNANDEZ
(at Mrs. Cantu)
Always something beautiful going on
here at the law office. Without
further ado, I would like to
congratulate Brandon Cantu as team
lead.
The room erupts in cheers and hugs.
MR. HERNANDEZ
Ms. Cantu I have a celebratory
private dinner, and forgive for
being forward but would you mind?
I mean if you're free.
MRS.CANTU
Yes, I am.
Mr. Hernandez drops an empty box on Lewis' lap. Brandon and
Mia embrace to a kiss.
The End.
FADE TO BLACK.