Transcripts:Episode 4

THE ADAM HENDRICKSON SHOW

TAHS 104 INTO THE MUSICAL

Written by

Adam Hendrickson

Scene1

THE STORYTELLER:

Hello hello, again my friends! The Storyteller is back on your screen, which means we’re gonna get to see what happens next with our old pal Adam Hendrickson. Remember that email he sent to Keith Alexander, the composer for the elusive Victorians Soundtrack, the unreleased soundtrack which Adam has been obsessed with getting ever since the summer? Well, unfortunately, Adam still hasn’t gotten a response yet.

''We are now in Scott’s Basement, The Storyteller is standing on a mezzanine above, and The Gang is arranged around the chairs and couches. Scott and Tyler have video game controllers, and Arjun is mainly watching them. James and Adam are sitting close to each other.''

THE STORYTELLER:

Naturally, Adam has been very anxiously awaiting a potential response. But as the days pass, and it’s been a few now… Adam can’t help but think that maybe Mr. Alexander won’t respond! Maybe he just needs a distraction… Because THIS method will never work.

Adam is constantly refreshing his inbox on his phone.

Scene2

TYLER:

You know guys, Even though we’re like, way older being in high school and everything, I don’t like.. Feel older.

SCOTT:

That’s either because you’re in my basement, sleeping over with your friends, or because I’m about to annihilate you, digitally!

JAMES:

Oh, guys! I’ve gotta tell you this hilarious thing that Adam did in English class on the first day of school.

ADAM:

Oh man, James. You just can not get enough of this story can you?

JAMES:

Ok, basically, we were in English and we were all standing in a circle and we were going around the room introducing ourselves. Suddenly, it became Adam’s turn. And when the teacher called his name... What did you say then?

ADAM:

* sigh*. I said “here”, like I thought she was taking attendance.

TYLER:

And what was actually going on?

ADAM:

We were going around the room saying 3 fun facts about ourselves, or what we did over the summer, right?

JAMES:

Yeah, but like.. what happened? You looked like a deer in headlights, I half expected you to turn around and start sprinting out the door!

ADAM:

I mean, do you really want to know the truth?

Silence.

ADAM:

Remember at lunch, when that girl came and handed out that flyer for the musical?

TYLER:

No.

JAMES:

No.

ARJUN:

No.

SCOTT:

Yes.

ADAM:

Ah, well thanks, Scott.

SCOTT:

Ah, wait, sorry.. eh.. False memory.. I believe you though!

ADAM:

Well, anyway. This girl who came by our table, she handed out a flyer for the musical, she’s also in our English Class. And for that brief moment in English, we made eye contact and she gave me this look, and like she didn’t immediately turn away, she kept looking back at me. It was almost like something out of a movie.

ARJUN:

Something like out of a movie, he says.

TYLER:

I mean, If he’s telling the truth, that’s a pretty good reason!

JAMES:

So what conclusions are you jumping to based on this?

ADAM:

I’m not sure. I saw her being real sweet with the guy sitting next to her in class too, so I’m just gonna keep it in my head for now. Though if she’s in the musical, it might be a chance to get to know her.

ARJUN:

You’re gonna join the musical?

TYLER:

We’ll only make fun of you if your character doesn’t have a name.

ADAM:

No, I’m not going to join the musical. Could you imagine ME on stage??

SCOTT:

If a classroom roll call is enough to give you stage fright, I wouldn’t go anywhere near a curtain call.

Tyler dies again in the video game.

ADAM:

Exactly. We’ll see. In class next week, I’m gonna assess the situation once more.

TYLER, JAMES, SCOTT, and ARJUN:

I’m gonna assess the situation once more.

Scene3

''Fade to Whitelake High School, sun comes up. Cut to English Class with Foster and Victoria.''

VICTORIA:

Hey Foster, Maggie and I are going to a movie after school. Do you want to bring a friend?

FOSTER:

I Can’t. I have chamber rehearsal after school.

VICTORIA:

Well, you don’t have to bring it up like that.

FOSTER:

What are you talking about? You’re just mad they let me audition as an 8th grader, aren’t you?

VICTORIA:

* sigh* Never mind. Forget I said anything.

FOSTER:

Done and done.

FOSTER begins writing in his journal.

VICTORIA:

You better not be writing about me!

FOSTER:

I haven’t written about you since middle school, Victoria! I care much more about my role in the musical than anything to do with you anymore. I just can’t stop thinking about that cast list. All I want to see my name on the very tippy top. Where it belongs!

Cut to ADAM, who is watching FOSTER and VICTORIA.

ADAM:

Oh man, James, look! That girl and that dude sitting next to her are fighting. I thought they might’ve been together but, maybe I was wrong. Maybe I have a chance with her after all.

JAMES:

Well, then I guess it’s destiny that I’m in this class with you and her buddy. I’ll be your wingman!

ADAM:

I don’t need a wingman, you wingnut! Don’t you remember what I said in Scott’s Basement the other night? She’s in the musical!

JAMES:

What?! So you’re gonna join the musical, and get all dressed up in a costume on stage and dance around and impress her?

ADAM:

Well, I don’t want to do THAT! Obviously.

DR. HOFFMAN comes on the morning announcements.

DR. HOFFMAN:

Good morning students. This is Dr. Hoffman with the morning announcements. So all of you out there sitting in class, listen up because there might be something in these announcements that peaks your interest, right?

JAMES:

This is unbelievable.

DR. HOFFMAN:

I have here an urgent note from Mr. Kristoff, the musical director. He says he is looking for a freshman who is interested in helping out in the soundbooth running the sound controls. So if that interests you, go talk to Mr. Kristoff in the choir room after school!

ADAM:

No! That is unbelievable! That is destiny! Did that just happen? That’s exactly what I need! I can totally do that!

JAMES:

And then, you’ll finally have an excuse to talk to that girl!

ADAM:

Yeah!

JAMES:

Well, if you get her number before I’m making out with her in the hallways, I’ll be shocked!

ADAM:

Ew!

Scene4

''Fade to later in the day, after school. Adam is in the commons and he begins walking down a hallway towards the choir room. The doors to the choir room are closed, but Adam is peeking through. He can hear muffled chatter. We can see the chamber choir sitting. MR. KRISTOFF gets up from his desk and starts speaking.''

MR. KRISTOFF:

Thank you! Happy monday… Here we are, finally.. In the beginning of the school year.. and the beginning of the school year means the beginning of the musical! And as you wonderful whitelake chamber choir people, you are all lovingly required to participate and audition! As you have done already. If you’ll pick up your musical binder please.

CHAMBER CHOIR BOY:

Mr. Kristoff?

MR. KRISTOFF:

Yes?

CHAMBER CHOIR BOY:

How are we supposed to practice if we don’t have any music?

MR. KRISTOFF:

What exactly do you mean?

CHAMBER CHOIR BOY:

I mean.. we’ve auditioned for the show and everything. But, we haven’t gotten any music! Our musical binders are empty!

MR. KRISTOFF:

And that is exactly why you have all gotten them out! Oh? Not you? Where’s yours?

CHAMBER CHOIR BOY:

I-

MR. KRISTOFF:

OUT!!

CHAMBER CHOIR BOY:

What?

MR. KRISTOFF:

You didn’t come to class prepared! Go home! Come back with your musical binder to hold all this unbound music! This is Chamber Choir, man!

CHAMBER CHOIR BOY leaves.

MR. KRISTOFF:

Now then, I want you all to take this music that I’ve already passed out and you’ve even already put into your musical binders… and break off into sectionals! Basses in the band practice room, tenors in the office, altos in the choir room and sopranos on stage!

''The choir breaks off into sectionals. ADAM approaches MR. KRISTOFF.''

ADAM:

Hi, Mr. Kristoff, I’m Adam, I heard you were looking for somebody to run the soundbooth!

MR. KRISTOFF:

Are you a freshman?

ADAM:

Indeed I am!

MR. KRISTOFF:

Are you prepared to commit to this for four years? Learning the ins and outs of how all that ancient sound hardware still, maybe, hopefully will work?

ADAM:

I’ve got nothing better to do!

MR. KRISTOFF:

Well then! Welcome aboard! I would take you into the booth now to show you around, but unfortunately, I don’t have the key. Only the principal does, and she’s already gone off to her afternoon nap. However, what I can do is give you the manual that came with the soundboard.

MR. KRISTOFF opens his desk drawer, and pulls out the manual.

MR. KRISTOFF:

It’s somewhere in here.

The manual crumples to dust in his hands.

MR. KRISTOFF:

Well, like I said. Ancient! So, we’ll need you after school tomorrow as well. You’ll meet our current soundboard operator. Hopefully she’ll be able to teach you all she knows, but.. Quick! Go! Catch your bus!

ADAM:

Oh! Right! Thanks! See you saturday!

MR. KRISTOFF:

See ya, Alex!

Scene5

''Fade in. This part is kinda like a “music video” to The Victorians Theme as Adam plays it on piano the following night. This is gonna just have to come from the music/animation. Fade out.''

Scene6

''Adam is standing outside of Whitelake High School. He walks inside, and The Storyteller can be seen behind him. He approaches the auditorium, and when he opens the doors, he sees everybody working to build the stage and there’s lots of people and everybody looks very busy, Adam sorta stands towards the back and watches.''

AMBER:

Adam!

Adam looks up at Amber, who is on the catwalks

AMBER:

I’ll be right down, hold on!

Amber runs down the spiral stairs and meets Adam in front of the soundbooth

AMBER:

Ah! It’s so hot up there. You might wanna take off that hoodie.

ADAM:

You’re Amber! You were my tour guide!

AMBER:

* gasp* You asked about the musical!

ADAM:

And here I am!

AMBER:

Well, we’ve got no time to lose. Kristoff said he didn’t get a chance to show you the booth. Want to take a look.

ADAM:

I really would.

''ADAM and AMBER enter the soundbooth. Amber sits in the chair in front of the soundboard.''

AMBER:

And here we are! Best seats in the house.

ADAM sits in another chair.

ADAM:

This stuff is all really neat.

AMBER:

So tell me about what made you want to do this!

ADAM:

Oh, well.. Um.. Oh man.

AMBER:

Just wanted to try something new?

ADAM:

Well, don’t get me wrong I do think this is all very interesting and I’m excited to learn it, it’s right up my alley. But to be honest with you, I do have one little side mission currently going.

AMBER:

Well, I haven’t heard that one before!

ADAM:

See, there’s this girl.

AMBER: (quickly)

Eh, maybe I have. Well, now you must spill it all! Which one is she?

''AMBER gestures out the soundbooth windows where we can see the cast of the musical all on stage. ADAM silently points her out.''

ADAM:

Right there, brown hair, red hoodie.

AMBER:

Oh that’s Victoria!

ADAM:

Victoria?

AMBER:

Yeah, she and I live in the same neighborhood. Y’know, you’re in luck, Adam! I’m pretty sure Victoria has a solo or two, you’re gonna have to mic her up!

ADAM:

Oh man.

MR. KRISTOFF enters the booth.

MR. KRISTOFF:

Amber, have those cels been placed up in the halogens yet?

AMBER:

No, Mr. Kristoff, I was showing Adam around the soundbooth.

MR. KRISTOFF:

Ah, yes! Adam! Almost didn’t see you there. Glad you’re on board.

ADAM:

Here I am!

''MR. KRISTOFF gives ADAM a look, and ADAM gives a wide-eyed look. MR. KRISTOFF turns to AMBER and looks at his watch.''

MR. KRISTOFF:

Look, I’m late for my other stuff, I’ve more things to do. Get those color cells placed! We need to start blocking! Go, go go!

MR. KRISTOFF leaves.

AMBER:

I get dizzy just watching that guy. Alright, we better get up there. You’re not afraid of heights are you?

ADAM:

No, why?

Scene7

Long upwards pullback shot of how high up you are on the catwalks.

ADAM:

That’s why.

While having this conversation, ADAM and AMBER are placing colored cels into halogen lamps hanging from the side railing.

AMBER:

So, tell me what you think of Mr. Kristoff. You’re gonna be working with him a lot!

ADAM:

Mr. Kristoff? Oh, I don’t know he’s definitely a little goofy. He’s very… quick. When I went to the choir room to see him yesterday I saw him open up Chamber choir rehearsal.

AMBER:

You were there? Oh, that’s right I think I remember seeing you right as we split off.

ADAM:

You’re in the chamber choir?

AMBER:

Yep, have been for 3 years now. Well, this is my third.

ADAM:

That’s impressive! Is it hard to get in?

AMBER:

That depends on how good of a singer you are I suppose. But the drama that surrounds it is crazy! Auditions for the choir happen in the spring. Then we spend the summer rehearsing as well, so we can go into the school year fully prepared!

ADAM:

Wait! I have one more question! What was going on with the whole “musical binder”. Why was it empty and why was Mr. Kristoff so mad about it?

AMBER:

Oh, that! That’s kinda weird, right? Mr. Kristoff loves to keep the musical itself a secret up until the day we start rehearsing the music. Then we find out what roles we got and everything. In fact, that’s coming up in a day or two I think!

ADAM:

You’re telling me all these people are rehearsing and they don’t even know what role they play?

AMBER:

Oh, they’re just working out the big picture stuff.

Adam looks down to the students rehearsing below.

ADAM:

What an interesting little world.

AMBER:

Well put! It’s a little more quiet back here.

ADAM:

Y’know, I didn’t think that I’d have as much fun working in the musical as I am.

Scene8

''Cut to black. Fade in on The Storyteller on a white background.''

THE STORYTELLER:

And here at last, we reach the point in the story where things truly get going. We’re only a week and a half into high school, and something incredibly scary is about to happen. Not the kind of scary thing that pops out and makes you jump. The kind of thing that’s scary because it’s never happened before. This means you’ll get to see a lot more of me! You see, as the fabric of this show unwinds, and all of individual plots and characters come into play, Your faithful Storyteller will have, say, better access. But for one reason, and one reason only.

On that last line, zoom in (basically just like the final shot of episode 3) of Adam finishing the music, which must be the Victorians theme.

Scene9

''ADAM is walking down the empty music hallway, and he looks at his phone. He has a text from MOM, “On my way”. He wanders until he finds an empty practice room (Though, there are some backpacks and things in it). Adam begins playing the same song we hear him play earlier, The Victorians Theme, when suddenly VICTORIA enters the soundbooth and ADAM jumps.''

VICTORIA:

Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.

ADAM:

Oh, it’s okay! I thought everybody else had left.

VICTORIA picks up her bag, which has her name printed on it, it was sitting on the floor.

VICTORIA:

What, no we’re all still here. Rehearsal only ended like ten minutes ago.

ADAM:

Oh yeah.

VICTORIA:

What was that song you played? It sounded familiar.

ADAM:

Well, I would be surprised if it did. It’s just this theme song to an old cartoon. It never even really was a cartoon, it was just a concept pilot. I’ve actually reached out to the guy who wrote the music, I sent him an email, but I haven’t heard anything back from him.

VICTORIA:

What’s the name of the show?

ADAM:

The Victorians.

VICTORIA:

Huh. Interesting.

ADAM:

I know!

ADAM gestures to VICTORIA’S bag

ADAM:

It’s pretty much your name with extra letters! You’re in my English class, right?

VICTORIA:

It does and I know!

ADAM’s phone goes off.

ADAM:

Oh! My ride is here, I’ve gotta go. I’m Adam by the way, Victoria, it was great to meet you, and thank you for being so nice about the music!

Adam and Victoria awkwardly shake hands.

VICTORIA:

Well I think it’s wonderful. I’ve gotta be honest though Adam. I’ll always listen for The Victorians Theme when I’m walking down this hall. See you around!

Scene10

''ADAM walks outside where it’s pitch black night. Extended music sequence with ADAM standing outside the school, The Storyteller is there. Eventual fade to black.''