AMERICAN GYRATION

Characters

Bianca Riley a student who switches majors from acting to dance. She is sent to
Leslies Dance Studio as part of a student worker program to be trained by Mrs. Haley.
Mrs. Haley a dance instructor with a crippled foot who uses a walking cane; she tells
Bianca the tragic story of a student she once knew named Pattie Everclear.
Patricia Pattie Everclear a dance major who wins a video chick contest and flies out
to L.A. to meet Capital G. They begin a relationship and she becomes lead dancer.
Gary Capital G Munson an up and coming West Coast rapper who loves the
business side of the music industry. He gives Pattie the stage name Pleasure.
Paul Pop-up Phifer Patties ex-boyfriend and dope dealer. He was named after a
childrens toy because he tends to show up at the darnedest times and places.
Lowe Low-Down Everclear Patties younger, thug wanna-be brother who used to
work for Pop-up. Low-Down is in and out of jail on various drug-related charges.
Janell Junk Harris known at the Diamond Cuttz bikini bar as Junk-in-the-trunk for
her steatopygic derriere; she is a dance major who is secretly an exotic dancer.
William Praise Hayes an aspiring gospel singer who was always interested in Janell,
but Pattie manages to keep his attention off of Janell and on her.
Mrs. Thomlin-King Patties strict but supportive dancer instructor. She would rather
have Pattie pursue a college degree in Fine Arts than to be a video chick.
Wendy Welch leader of the Hoodrat street gang and a wanna-be loan shark who gets
off on hurting the people who owe her money.
Neckbone a bouncer at Dymond Cuttz and Wendys boyfriend. Although he never
utters a single word, he lets his strength do the talking.
Mercer Haley a RN that helps Pattie get on her feet.

AMERICAN GYRATION
by
Michael Worthy

micworthy25@gmail.com
michaelworthy25.site88.net

VOICE 1
I have a dream. . .
VOICE 2
Ask not what your country can do
for you. . .
VOICE 3
Therefore, I will resign as
president.
VOICE 1
. . .can sit down at the table of
brotherhood.
VOICE 2
. . .ask what you can do for your
country.
VOICE 4
Read my lips. . .
VOICE 5
We will hunt down these faceless
cowards. . .
VOICE 4
. . .no new taxes.
VOICE 6
I did not have sexual relations
with that woman.
VOICE 7
People don't start wars,
governments do.
VOICE 3
I will resign as president
VOICE 4
Read my lips. . .
VOICE 5
. . .Faceless cowards
Voices overlap.
AMERICAN GYRATION
mystifies and fades slowly toward a flapping American flag
high on a pole over a...

2.
EXT. ARTS SCHOOL - DAY
...busy campus.
INT. ARTS SCHOOL - THEATER DIVISION - DAY
A young African American woman waits near the secretary's
desk. She is Bianca Riley, a theater dance major. The
secretary approaches.
SECRETARY
Miss Riley, Professor Hays will
see you now.
INT. ARTS SCHOOL - THEATER DIVISION - HAY'S OFFICE - DAY
Bianca enters.
BIANCA
Professor Hays?
Yes, Bianca.

PROFESSOR HAYS
Come in.

Bianca sits beside the desk and puts her book bag on the
floor. She looks at a Masters degree on the wall in the
name of JANELL EURYALE HAYS.
Bianca watches Professor Hays type on her computer. She
looks at a picture on her desk of Professor Hays with a
handsome man in a suit.
BIANCA
Is that Praise Hays?
singer?
Yes.

The gospel

PROFESSOR HAYS

BIANCA
How'd you get a picture with
Praise Hays?
PROFESSOR HAYS
We went to a banquet together.
BIANCA
Is he your brother?
No.

PROFESSOR HAYS

BIANCA
Are you two related?

3.
PROFESSOR HAYS
We're not related.
BIANCA
You and him have the same last name.
PROFESSOR HAYS
He's my husband.
Bianca's eyes and mouth open wide.
BIANCA
You're married to William "Praise"
Hays? Why didn't you say so?
Don't the people here know that?
PROFESSOR HAYS
They don't really care. Nobody's
on fire about the Gospel around
here.
BIANCA
My mom loves his CDs. Can you
get his autograph for my mom?
PROFESSOR HAYS
We'll see about that. Let's get
you straightened out first.
(types)
Okay, Miss Riley, you want to
drop Acting I and take my dance
class.
BIANCA
I was told you're the best dance
instructor in the state.
Professor Hays sits back in her chair.
PROFESSOR HAYS
Oh, I'm not the best. I only got
this gig because my husband knows
the Dean of students.
BIANCA
I was told you're the best.
You've got a Masters degree.
PROFESSOR HAYS
That's a Masters in the Arts, not
dance. And all of my classes are
full. I can put you on the
waiting list if you'd like.

4.
Bianca exhales.
BIANCA
I really don't wanna take acting.
PROFESSOR HAYS
What do you want, then?
BIANCA
I wanna work. I mean, I want
real work. In New York and L.A.
Professor Hays nods her head.
PROFESSOR HAYS
Then maybe you should do a partial
internship. You get paid as a
student worker and it counts as
course credit, plus you get to
work in the field you like.
BIANCA
Student worker? What department?
PROFESSOR HAYS
This is off campus, but it's
affiliated with the school.
BIANCA
Where do I go?
PROFESSOR HAYS
There's a dance studio called
Leslie's down at Simpson Plaza.
Professor Hays scribbles on a yellow sticky pad.
PROFESSOR HAYS
Every Spring session they pick
six of the best dancers--three
guys, three girls--and they take
them to the city to talent agencies.
Wow!

BIANCA
I'd love that.

PROFESSOR HAYS
Leslie's Dance Studio. Tomorrow
evening at 7pm. Ask for Mrs.
Haley. Address her as "Ma'am"
and do not be late.
Bianca gets up.

5.
I won't.

BIANCA
Thank you, professor.

INT. LESLIE'S DANCE STUDIO - EVENING

Bianca enters. She sees students in body suits with tights
and a lone instructor standing with her back to the door.
Bianca approaches the instructor.
Mrs. Haley?
You're late.

BIANCA
MRS. HALEY

Bianca stares at Mrs. Haley's roomy hips, wide rear end and
little waist. Mrs. Haley hobbles a bit as she turns and
faces Bianca with a walking cane.
MRS. HALEY
You Bianca Riley?
BIANCA
Professor Ha--

Yeah.

MRS. HALEY
"Yeah"?
(taps cane)
What I look like to you, girl?
One of your weave-wearin' friends?
BIANCA
I didn't me--

No.

MRS. HALEY
You will address me as "Yes, ma'am
Mrs. Haley". Is that clear?
Yeah.
"Yeah?!"
Yes, ma'am.

BIANCA
MRS. HALEY
BIANCA

MRS. HALEY
Yes, ma'am what?
BIANCA
Yes, ma'am Mrs Haley.
Mrs. Haley looks Bianca up and down.

6.
MRS. HALEY
Who sent you?
BIANCA
Professor Hayes.
MRS. HALEY
Janell.
(scoffs, nods)
Junk.
Mrs. Haley moves to Bianca's left side with a slight limp.
She jabs Bianca's thigh.
MRS. HALEY
Feet together.
Mrs. Haley moves around behind her.
MRS. HALEY
Shoulders back.
Bianca straightens her posture.
Head up.

MRS. HALEY

Mrs. Haley makes her way back to face Bianca.

MRS. HALEY
Your form is terrible.
(taps cane)
You slouch too much.
Bianca looks down and notices a THICK MEDICAL SOCK on Mrs.
Haley's right foot while her other foot is bare in her black
ballet slides.
MRS. HALEY
You need to work on your posture.
Mrs. Haley turns her back to Bianca and watches the dancers.
Wait.

BIANCA

(sides with her)

That's it?
MRS. HALEY
You can go now.
BIANCA
Professor Hays sent me here.

7.
MRS. HALEY
You're not working here.
Come on.

BIANCA
I need the credit.

Mrs. Haley turns to Bianca.

MRS. HALEY
If you came down here just to
pick up some easy course credit,
then you just march your fruity
body spray smellin' ass out of
this studio. And don't come back.
BIANCA
I'm not leaving until you agree
to train me.
MRS. HALEY
Get out of here. You're wasting
my time.
Mrs Haley turns her back to Bianca. Bianca turns around and
looks at the door. Then she drops her gym bag and goes over
to a chair with Mrs. Haley's things on it. She dumps Mrs.
Haley's things off of the seat and sits backwards on the chair.
MRS. HALEY
What the hell are you doing?
Bianca starts dancing like a Broadway professional. The
other students stop and watch. She slips and stumbles a
little bit, but she manages to finish her performance. Mrs.
Haley walks away. Bianca follows her.
BIANCA
Will you train me?
Mrs. Haley stops.

Bianca confronts her.

BIANCA
Will you teach me?
(lowers eyes)
Ma'am?

Mrs Haley?

Mrs. Haley scoffs.

MRS. HALEY
Tomorrow, 6am sharp. Do not be
late.
BIANCA
Yes, ma'am, Mrs Haley.

8.
Mrs. Haley points to the chair with her cane.
MRS. HALEY
Get my things off the floor.
(jabs Bianca with cane)
Move!
Bianca hurries over to the chair hardly able to contain her
excitement.
INT. LESLIE'S DANCE STUDIO - EARLY MORNING
Mrs. Haley watches Bianca stretch.
MRS. HALEY
You have to lose 10 pounds.
Mrs Haley limps over to Bianca.
her cane.

She taps Bianca's hip with

MRS. HALEY
Them legs are too soft.
them firm and strong.

I want

Mrs Haley jabs Bianca in the back.

MRS. HALEY
Straighten up.
Bianca stretches her arms over her head.
MRS. HALEY
If you wanna go to New York, you
have to have a strong body and a
strong mind.
MONTAGE BEGINS
EXT. PARK - DAY
Bianca runs in her jogging suit.

Mrs. Haley rides a bike.

MRS. HALEY (V.O.)

I don't want you getting lazy on me.
INT. GYM - DAY
Bianca runs on a treadmill.
stopwatch.

Mrs Haley stands nearby with a

MRS. HALEY (V.O.)

I want you to stay focused.

9.
Bianca does CRUNCHES on a medicine ball.
Bianca workout.

Mrs Haley watches

Bianca does her stretches on a mat. A guy walks by; she

looks at him and smiles. Mrs Haley jabs Bianca in the back
with her cane.
MRS. HALEY (V.O.)
Keep your mind on your dance moves.
Bianca lifts dumbbells.
weight bench.

Mrs Haley is seated on a nearby

Bianca does leg curls on a weight machine.

her with her cane in hand.

Mrs Haley watches

INT. LESLIE'S DANCE STUDIO - NIGHT

Bianca dances around barefoot in tights and holds a pose.
Mrs Haley taps her cane on the floor.
Again.

MRS. HALEY

Bianca dances some more.

Again.

MRS. HALEY

Bianca dances even more.

Again.

MRS. HALEY

Bianca continues to dance.

MONTAGE ENDS
INT. LESLIE'S DANCE STUDIO - LATER
Bianca stretches on the floor. Mrs Haley quickly walks over
to Bianca. She taps her cane on the floor. Bianca quickly
gets to her feet.
"Sable"?
Ma'am?

MRS. HALEY
BIANCA

MRS. HALEY
That's you stage name, right?

10.
Bianca lowers her eyes.
then turns around.

Mrs Haley moves away from her and

MRS. HALEY
I ain't trainin' no damn stripper.
BIANCA
It's just Friday and Saturday.
(remembers to say)
Ma'am.
Mrs. Haley quickly moves toward Bianca, walking almost
normally, without the cane.
MRS. HALEY
I see the way those guys look at
you. You want the wrong kind of
attention and it's gonna cost you
later on. The problem with you
young girls is that you think its
okay because that's what you see
on TV and in the movies.
Bianca keeps her eyes low.
MRS. HALEY
I'm telling you to have more
respect for yourself. You are
more than your sexuality. You
are not some object of lust. You
don't have a brain in your head
if you think that it's okay that
guys wanna fuck you and not be
with you.
BIANCA
I'm not a prostitute. It's just
entertainment. I have to play
the hand I am dealt, so one day
I'll be the one dealing the cards.
MRS. HALEY
Dealin' cards doesn't make you a
professional poker player.
Dealers work for the house, and
the house has the advantage.
Thunder RUMBLES outside.
It's POURING RAIN.

Bianca looks toward the glass door.

INT. LESLIE'S DANCE STUDIO - BACK ROOM - NIGHT

Bianca enters. Mrs Haley is in a lounge chair with her cane
between her legs.

11.
Ma'am?

BIANCA

MRS. HALEY
I'm okay, Bianca.
(rubs leg)
I only get aches when it rains.
Mrs
toe
Mrs
leg

Haley kicks off her left ballet flat and uses her big
to carefully nudge the heel end of the right shoe off.
Haley shuts her eyes as she attempts to stretch her right
out.

Bianca gawks at the thick medical sock on Mrs Haley's right

foot. Mrs Haley slowly bends her right leg inward until she
can reach out and grab her foot just above the ankle.
MRS. HALEY
Go and get my pills.
Bianca gets up and runs to the back. Mrs Haley waits a
second before she starts rolling the thick medical sock
downward. There is some WRINKLED, WARBLED SCAR TISSUE around
her ankle.
Bianca slowly enters with bottled water and Mrs Haley's
medication. She watches Mrs Haley roll down the sock and
pull it away from her CRIPPLED RIGHT FOOT. Bianca gasps
sharply.
Mrs Haley quickly puts her foot back into the medical sock
and pulls it back on. Bianca keeps her eyes low while she
gives the bottled water and medication to Mrs Haley.
Thank you.

MRS. HALEY

Bianca sits on the sofa across from Mrs Haley and watches
her take the pills and drink the water.
MRS. HALEY
Sorry you had to see that.
Mrs Haley puts the bottle down on the floor. Bianca turns
on the radio. "The Big Payback" by James Brown is playing.
Mrs. Haley shifts her attention to the radio. The radio
becomes...
INT. FACTORY WAREHOUSE - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
...a BOOM BOX.
food.

Next to the boom box is an opened can of dog

12.
INT. LESLIE'S DANCE STUDIO - BACK ROOM - NIGHT
Mrs. Haley begins to tremble.
her eyes widen.

Her breathing quickens and

INT. FACTORY WAREHOUSE - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)

A woman is heard shouting.
closer and closer.

A open-hooded mulcher comes

WOMAN (O.S.)
I'll pay you back, I swear to God!
INT. LESLIE'S DANCE STUDIO - BACK ROOM - NIGHT
Turn it off.

MRS. HALEY

BIANCA
It's Soul Music.
MRS. HALEY
(sharply)
I said turn it off!
Bianca turns the radio off and curls up with her knees to
her chin.
MRS. HALEY (O.S.)
Did you buy your outfit?
BIANCA
I had to borrow the money, since
I can't be an exotic dancer anymore.
MRS. HALEY
Where'd you get the money?
BIANCA
Some hood chick I know.
MRS. HALEY
You gonna pay her back?
BIANCA
Why? I didn't ask for it.
Besides, I'll be working in New
York. She'll never see me again.
Mrs. Haley thumps her cane on the floor.

13.
MRS. HALEY
You listen to me, and you listen
good. Don't you ever mess with
people's money. You pay what you
owe, you understand me?
Yeah.
"Yeah"?!

BIANCA
MRS. HALEY

BIANCA
Yes, ma'am, Mrs. Haley.
Mrs. Haley cools down.
Ma'am?
What?

BIANCA
MRS. HALEY

BIANCA
What happened to your foot?
Mrs Haley's eyes shift upward and shut.
MRS. HALEY
(opens eyes)
You wanna be a stripper or a
professional dancer?
BIANCA
Can't I be both?
(remembers to say)
Ma'am?
MRS. HALEY
I'ma tell you a story about a
girl I once knew. She wanted to
be a dancer, just like you.
BIANCA
Was she your student?
MRS.
Oh, no way. But
people your age,
learn things the

HALEY
like many young
she chose to
hard way...