Transcripts:Episode 5

THE ADAM HENDRICKSON SHOW

TAHS 105 FOSTER AND THE JOURNAL

Written by

Adam Hendrickson

m1

THE STORYTELLER appears upon a familiar white backdrop.

THE STORYTELLER:

What’s different now is there is a certain magic in the air. Hopefully you remember our original formula.

The words “LOVE + HATE + PAIN + JOY + MINOR TWISTS” appear.

THE STORYTELLER:

Now that Victoria is well established, our first piece of the puzzle, LOVE is as bright as ever. But with some additional notation, we see that the entire equation is more than what it seemed.

The equation now says “(LOVE + HATE) + (PAIN + JOY) + MINOR TWISTS”

THE STORYTELLER:

Of course once I add those parentheses you think “There it is! The curtain has been pulled back! What a trick”! But that’s nothing revealed. The answer was right in front of you the whole time. You just had to decide to think about it! I wouldn’t spoil my own show. All I’m here to do is give you little nudges in the right direction, things you already know.

Behind THE STORYTELLER is now a portrait of FOSTER

THE STORYTELLER:

And you know this is the episode where we meet Foster. Oh, Foster. Foster and Adam start off as you’ll see almost as bitter, snarky enemies. However, their common traits and interests would spark some sort of friendship that transcends any grudge or debt… But that’s the story, don’t you see? Remember. This is a show about music, but also mystery. And also love and hate and all those other things and… (out of breath). Let’s just watch the episode.

m2

''We are in English class. ADAM and VICTORIA are sitting next to each other.''

MRS. SWANSON:

Alright you ready, respectful students! I can see you all followed my instructions on the board. What does it say again?

ALL STUDENTS:

Sit next to your grading partner.

MRS. SWANSON:

That’s right! Sit next to your grading partner! I can see the communication skills you all have are well above average! Remember class. This is the big essay. Don’t be afraid to critique, or be critiqued! That’s what this is all about. If you have any questions, you all know about Swanson’s Thesaurus Shelf. But for the really bright and breaking questions, you can come and talk to me at my desk. Now, when I say a G word… start grading! Aaannnddd… Gopher!

VICTORIA:

Thanks for being my grading partner, Adam.

ADAM:

Ah, it’s no problem Victoria. The small, microscopic part of me that cares about how this essay turns out is glad James isn’t the one looking at it.

Cut to JAMES who is working with FOSTER

JAMES:

Ummm.. This is 11pt Calibri (eleven point calibri)

Cut back

ADAM:

You seem nervous, are you worried I’m not gonna like your essay?

VICTORIA:

No, I could really care less about that. I’m more worried about the cast list for the musical going up today.

ADAM:

Ah, that’s right!

VICTORIA:

I’m worried my audition went terribly.

ADAM:

Oh, something tells me it’s all in your head.

VICTORIA:

(friendly)

Well, how would you know? You’ve never even heard me sing

ADAM:

That.. is true. Speaking of the musical.. Do you guys even know what it is yet?

VICTORIA:

Well, we’ll find out today when the cast list goes up. From what I’ve heard it’s like a big reveal that Mr. Kristoff does.

ADAM:

Oh, I’m definitely gonna have to check it out!

VICTORIA:

Well, of course you are! I’m gonna be there!

ADAM and VICTORIA smile at each other.

m3

''Fade to the music hallway. There is a large crowd of people with some familiar faces. Mr. Kristoff stands outside the choir room dors with a curtain hanging over the wall.''

MR. KRISTOFF:

Thank you, musical participants! I’ve gathered you all here today to unveil the identity of the musical which you have all been preparing for.

VICTORIA:

This is so weird.

MR. KRISTOFF:

And the name of that musical is… drumroll please!!!

There is no real attempt at a drumroll.

MR. KRISTOFF:

“Within Thy Hallowed Chamber, I Am”

ADAM:

I don’t even know what that is!

MR. KRISTOFF:

I know I heard some speculation and rumours, and yes it’s true! The world famous Victorian era Musical Theater Experience “Within Thy Hallowed Chamber, I Am” is now our main objective. And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for!

MR. KRISTOFF turns to the curtain and draws it back, revealing a normal 8.5x11 sheet of paper taped to the wall with the cast list written in tiny font.

VOICES HEARD:

I can’t even see it!

Down in front!

Where’s my name?

Hey, I wanna see it first!

That’s not the role I didn’t know I wanted!

ADAM and VICTORIA get split apart.

ADAM:

Oh my god it’s a warzone, I gotta get the heck outta here!

''ADAM turns the opposite way and leaves the crowd. FOSTER approaches him.''

FOSTER:

Adam! Adam Hendrickson.

ADAM:

Hey, I know you.

FOSTER:

Listen, I have something very important to tell you, but it can’t be done in just a few words.

ADAM:

Okay, now this is interesting. I bet this is gonna be about Victoria, isn’t it?

FOSTER:

Well…

ADAM:

Look, I think I know what I’m doing.

FOSTER:

I don’t have advice or anything like that. I have a story.

ADAM:

A story?

FOSTER:

Well, almost. Not exactly. Listen carefully. The soundbooth. There’s a r-

''VICTORIA emerges a few seconds later and she looks very upset, distracting both ADAM and FOSTER. ADAM approaches her, looking back curiously at FOSTER. FOSTER shakes his head and walks over to see the cast list.''

ADAM:

What did it say?

VICTORIA:

Nothing, again. Just a boring old chorus position.

ADAM:

Well, you’re not entirely chorus, right? You- you have your two solos!

VICTORIA:

Yeah, but it’s not a real role. It’s just a singing part. I wanted a character. I wanted to be somebody.

ADAM:

But, Victoria, you ARE somebody.. And..

''VICTORIA looks at ADAM. ADAM looks at FOSTER who is smiling, looking up at the cast list.''

ADAM:

And I think we forget about all this, call your mom and ask if she’ll pick you up from the Nice Cream House in an hour, what do you say?

Dramatic pause.

VICTORIA:

I say let’s do it!

m4

''Fade to the Nice Cream House EXT. We pull into the window and see ADAM and VICTORIA sitting at a table.''

ADAM (eating ice cream):

Pretty much, I just sat at the keyboard and played with it until it sounded like what I heard. And then I did it again the next day and realized I was completely wrong.

VICTORIA:

So, is your goal for the composer to send you the sheet music so you can play it all?

ADAM:

Well, that would be cool too. But I’m really just after the real music files. I know how it’s all played now. It’s all in my head, I know how it all sounds. I just wish I could hear it.

VICTORIA:

Well, I think it’s kind of cool. Almost like a mystery.

ADAM:

Hey, speaking of mysteries. This guy came up to me when the cast list went up, and he like knew my name and told me he had something important to tell me.

VICTORIA:

Oh, no. Was he holding a black journal?

ADAM:

He was!

VICTORIA:

Oh, no, oh no. That’s Foster.

ADAM:

Who is he?

VICTORIA:

Well, he’s not really my ex. But he’s the closest you’ll get to it. We grew up together, and we were good friends. But something changed with him.

ADAM:

Does it have to do with the journal?

VICTORIA:

What gave it away?

ADAM:

Lucky guess. Well, spill the beans, what’s IN the journal?

VICTORIA:

I don’t know. He never showed me. All he ever did was parade it around, telling me all about how genius it was.

ADAM:

Do you think he’s writing a novel or something? It’s weird that he calls it a journal.

VICTORIA:

Maybe, but he’s more of an artist. I’ve only seen quick glances. It looked like weird graphs and like geometrical sketches? I don’t even know!

ADAM:

Well, this is fascinating. Ah, I’d do anything just to get one peek at the mysteries that must lie in the pages of that haunted book.

VICTORIA:

(laughing)

Haunted? Oh, that’s too funny. Which would you rather have, Foster’s Journal, or The Victorians Soundtrack?

ADAM:

The Victorians Soundtrack of course. I don’t think there’s anything I could possibly want more.

VICTORIA:

Are you sure about that?

ADAM:

Yep. The Victorians Soundtrack is the one thing I want more than anything.

VICTORIA:

You wouldn’t want me to be your girlfriend?

ADAM:

(ice cream falls out of his mouth)

Wha- what? I didn’t think you’d ask!

VICTORIA:

Well one of us had to say it. You’re cute. Do you want to be my boyfriend?

ADAM:

Yes! Yes of course! That would be great!

VICTORIA:

Well then it’s official

ADAM:

I’ve gotta say, that was flawless execution!... Now what?

VICTORIA:

(optional)

* laughs/giggles*

m5

''Fade to Soundbooth. Amber and Adam are sitting in the chairs.''

ADAM:

Y’know Amber it’s just so weird. It’s like the moment I set my intention on getting to know Victoria, it all played out right before my eyes.

AMBER:

So you two are official it sounds like?

ADAM:

Yeah, I don’t really know how else to spin it! Victoria is my girlfriend now!

AMBER:

Well that is very exciting! Though, I don’t think I’m as surprised as you are. To me it seems like Victoria had eyes for you all along.

ADAM:

But there is one thing that I still don’t get. This guy who Victoria sits next to in English class, I got the vibe that they were together. But Victoria said he’s “not really” her ex. This guy, Foster, he was trying to tell me something, but then it’s like he gave up? It was very strange.

AMBER:

Well, I do know Foster. He’s in the Chamber Choir too, as a FRESHMAN which is unprecedented. He begged his middle school choir director to pull some strings and make it happen. A lot of people were really upset about it.

ADAM:

Well, maybe they should just let all incoming freshmen audition.

AMBER:

I heard that’s what they’re gonna start doing.

KRISTOFF:

(yelling from the stage)

AMBER! SPOTLIGHT B9 NEEDS A REPLACEMENT BULB!

AMBER:

Alright, I’ll go take care of that. You stay here and make sure nothing catches on fire or anything.

ADAM:

Alright! Will do.

''Amber leaves. The Soundbooth is now empty. Adam sits alone at the soundbooth and he goes on his phone. FOSTER enters the booth.''

FOSTER:

Adam?

ADAM:

Hey, Foster! Are you here to tell me Chapter 2 of your great story? Or have I only gotten the prologue?

FOSTER:

Well… Unfortunately it’s too late now. Listen, this.. What you’re going through right now, it’s not what you think it is.

ADAM gives FOSTER a blank look.

ADAM:

I don’t follow.

FOSTER:

Let me ask you this. Did you think there was anything strange about the way you two met?

ADAM:

Who, Victoria and I?

FOSTER:

Yes, of course!

ADAM:

Well… yeah. But it’s complicated and I’d probably just sound crazy talking about it. Hey, how come you’re always carrying that journal around? And to think I was just worried about coming off as crazy. I mean it would be one thing if it was like a composition notebook or something, but that’s like leatherbound and it looks like something out of an RPG.

FOSTER:

Hmm.. you’re funny! There’s a lot about me you don’t know. Just as much there is I don’t know about you. But I feel that’ll be a changing equation. Tell me, do you ever remember your dreams?

ADAM:

Do I remember my dreams? No, not usually.

FOSTER:

Well, that’s a shame. Listen, Adam. What I was going to tell you earlier.. Has been compromised.

ADAM:

What are you talking about? Why are you acting like you’re some secret agent?

FOSTER:

This whole world is a really tricky place, and you’re on quite an elaborate path right now. I’m sure of it.

m6

“I Have The Answers” Sequence (refer to the mp3)