~ AUGUST 21ST, 2018 ~
•12:30PM•
NARRATOR: "As the sun shines down on the small, poor city named [name], two weeks before the new school year, a barrage of teens and young adults can be seen living their daily lives - unaware of what the future holds - or the darkness that is about to enter their lives...."
***
8The scene cuts to someone doing dangerous stunts on their bike, sourrounded by a crowd of gawking spectators. As the boy flips the motorcycle, screams of excitement and joy can be heard as he makes a perfect landing.*
*As the man gets off the bike, his adoring fans crowd around him, but a small boy holding something in his hands pushes himself to the front of the crowd.*
BOY: "A man in a suit left this for you, Mr. Collins."
*Elias Collins takes off his helmet and takes the letter from the boy. Tearing it open, he reads it out loud, forgetting all about his fans.*
ELI: "Dearest Recipient - Congratulations!"
***
*A couple of blocks further, a young girl with braids walks quickly down the street, standing out in her expensive clothes. She is holding two bags marked "Versace" and keeps looking over her shoulder.*
*As Camille Collins finally arrives at her front door, she breathes a sigh of relief after having not being caught shoplifting again. Before she goes in, she picks up the daily mail left at the front door, showing particular interest in an envelope addressed directly to her. *
*Throwing her bags on the couch and lying on her bed, she takes the letter out and reads it aloud to herself.*
CAMILLE: "...Due to the recent collapse of [name] Public School, a select group of gifted youths, including yourself, have been awarded the opportunity of a lifetime!..."
***
Across town, in a small wooden house, Mateo Daddario is sitting on his bed, busy typing up a storm on his laptop. His sister, Martina Daddario, is smoking a cigarette by the window.
MATEO: "Holy shit..." *he mumbles.*
*Martina turns to him, concerned.*
MARTINA: "What? Do you need me to beat another bitch up for you?"
*Mateo blinks.*
MATEO: "What? No! I just got a scholarship to go to Pentágono International!"
*Martina gasps, before squealing and hugging him.*
MARTINA: "I'm so proud of you, hijo!"
*Mateo skims through the email.*
MATEO: "I don't see your name though.... but don't worry hija I'm sure we can convince these rich people to give you a scholarship too!"
*Martina nods happily, taking the laptop and reading the email.*
MARTINA: "...You have been awarded a one year renewable scholarship to the most prestigious academy in the country - Pentágono International Academy!..."
***
*Genevieve “Genny” Chevrolet is sitting in her apartment located in a nicer part of town. Her parents are busy preparing dinner while Genny tries to follow along to an English tutorial video on YouTube.*
*She sighs, finally giving up and shutting the laptop, rubbing her temples.*
*Mumbling to herself, Genny decides to go get a drink of water before her phone gets a notification. As she walks to the kitchen, she takes her phone out to read the email.*
*Genny's eyes widen as she rushes back into her room, pulling out a French-to-English dictionary and translating the email.*
GENNY: "...At the end of the school year, you will be given the choice to either return to your rebuilt school or renew your scholarship at Pentágono International..."
***
*A couple of blocks up the street, at the Diamond Mall, Sage Ing can be seen sitting by the counter as her mother sells expensive jewellery to expensive customers.*
*Sage's mother casts a glance at her.* SAGE’S MOM: “My goodness, Sage. Your eyes are always on that phone!"
*Sage rolls her eyes.*
SAGE: "I'm just texting Darius. He says he thinks they're gonna be handing out some new scholarships this year."
*Sage's mother raises an eyebrow.*
SAGE’S MOM: “Did you get your renewal letter yet?"
*Sage nods.*
SAGE: "Got it last week."
SAGE’S MOM: “What did it say?"
*Sage shrugs.*
SAGE: "Same thing they say every year. Lemme read it to you."
*Sage takes the letter out of her bag and reads it aloud.*
SAGE: "...However, be warned, your scholarship will not be renewed for free. The cost of a new scholarship at the end of the year is for you to be a perfectly rounded student at our Academy - both academically and physically..."
***
*Right outside of Ing Jewellery Store, Abaddon Azriel Ableson is sitting bored at the Food Court waiting for his friends Mateo and Martina Daddario to show up.*
*Suddenly, he recieves a message on his phone.*
MATEO: -sry bud can't make it. celebrating with the fam-
*Abaddon groans, replying.*
-Sure np. What's the occasion?-
MATEO: -just got a scholarship to pentágono int!-
ABADDON: -Holy shit bro congrats!-
*Just as Abaddon is about to get up and leave, he hears his name being called on the intercom.*
"CAN ABADDON ABLESON PLEASE REPORT TO THE MAIN RECEPTION"
*Furrowing his brow, Abaddon collects his things and goes to the main receptionist, introducing himself. She shrugs and hands him a letter.*
RECEPTIONIST: "Someone left this for you."
*Looking around, he can see three other people reading through their letters too. Even more confused now, Abaddon tears the letter open and reads it.*
ABADDON: "...Additionally, every student who wishes to attend our prestigious academy must show the qualities of a future leader. This includes socialization, kindness and most importantly a good reputation..."
***
*Paisley Birkhart was having a regular day at the Mall before she suddenly heard her name being called on the intercom. Shrugging, she walks over to the main receptionist, bumping into Silas Li and Henry De La Terra.*
PAISLEY: "Uh, hi. I heard my name being called?"
SILAS: "Yeah, me too."
HENRY: "I wonder what's going on. Did you guys shoplift or something?"
*Pailsey furrowes her brow.*
PAISLEY: “I most certainly did not!"
*Rolling his eyes, Silas walks over to the receptionist.*
SILAS: “Excuse me, Miss. We heard our names being called?"
*The receptionist pops her gum before pointing to a stack of four letters.*
RECEPTIONIST: A guy left these for you."
*The three teens collect their respective letters and exchange glances, before Henry shrugs and opens his. Paisley and Silas follow suit.*
HENRY: "...And so, within two weeks time, you will officially begin to attend Pentágono International Academy..."
PAISLEY: "....Where no dream is too small, and every opportunity is accessible..."
SILAS: "...We do look forward to seeing you. Yours faithfully, Mrs. K. Weaver - Headmistress."
*The three teens exchange more looks.*
