"Writing A Scene (In Which I Actually Write The Scene)"

Backstory:  Seven year-old Casey has lost a medal the Major had instructed her not to touch, and in this climactic scene, following a contentious inter-familial discussion, the Major is about to punish Casey’s transgression with a spanking.

And off we go.

INT. LIVING ROOM – EVENING

CASEY SITS FIDGETTING ON THE COUCH, AWAITING THE MAJOR’S RETURN HOME FROM WORK, SIGNALING HER IMPENDING PUNISHMENT. 

SHE NOTICES A SOMEWHAT THICKISH MAGAZINE ON THE COFFEE TABLE IN FRONT OF HER.  SHE PICKS IT UP, CONSIDERS STUFFING THE MAGAZINE DOWN THE BACK OF HER PANTS, HOPING TO SOFTEN THE IMPACT OF THE SPANKING.  AS SHE IS ABOUT TO SLIDE IT DOWN, THE DOOR OPENS AND THE MAJOR ENTERS.  CASEY ABRUPTLY CHANGES COURSE, PRETENDING TO BE LEAFING THROUGH THE MAGAZINE.

                    MAJOR

Takin' up archery?

CASEY, REACTS CONFUSED.  THE MAJOR GESTURES TO THE MAGAZINE.  CASEY TURNS IT AROUND.  IT IS “BOWMASTER MAGAZINE”, ITS COVER DEPICTING A PICTURE OF A BOWHUNTER TAKING CAREFUL AIM AT AN UNSUSPECTING DEER. 

                    CASEY

Yikes!  That’s disgusting!

                    MAJOR

That’s a matter of opinion.  To some, it’s a legitimate pastime.

                     CASEY

Are any of them deer?

                     MAJOR

Nope.  (THEN) Where’s the family?

                     CASEY

Out.  They didn’t want to hear the screaming.  They also warned the neighbors.

                     MAJOR

I hope they know this is only about you.  I don’t want 'em thinkin’ I’ll be goin’ on some rampage.

                    CASEY

Major… do we have to do this?  You are aware that you have a choice in this matter, don’t  you?

                    MAJOR

Have you had some coaching?

                    CASEY

A little.  But I understand the idea.

                    MAJOR

Look, Casey.  You had a choice too.  And you chose to mess with my medal when you were specifically told not to.

                    CASEY

And that was wrong, wasn’t it.

                    MAJOR

You know it was wrong.

                    CASEY

Yes, sir.  (THEN)  Maybe this is wrong too.

                   MAJOR

I don’t think so.

                    CASEY

My Mom does.  So does Elizabeth.  And Robin.

                    MAJOR

Spare me the list.

                    CASEY
And every kid I told about this in school.  Even the ones who don’t like me.  My really smart friend Jeffrey – his Mom’s a psychologist – he said you were a real “sad…something.” Which I didn't really get.  I’m the one whose going to be sad.

                    MAJOR

(HEADING TOWARDS THE COUCH) 

                    CASEY

Is it starting?

THE MAJOR STOPS, STANDING OVER HER.

                    CASEY (CONT’D)

Did you notice that you’re bigger than me?

THE MAJOR SITS DOWN BESIDE HER.                  

                    MAJOR

Casey, I take no pleasure in doin’ this.  The thing is,in the Marine Corps – where I work - discipline is essential.  Without it, the entire operation falls apart.

                    CASEY

I’m not in the Marine Corps.

                    MAJOR

Point taken.  But discipline is essential for everyone.  When I was a kid, I got caught trying to lift a Red Ryder comic book from Mo Peterman’s convenience store.  Well, my Daddy got wind of it, he cut a switch from the front yard, and he whupped me pretty good.

THE MAJOR MOMENTARILY BASKS IN THE NOSTALGIA.                                 

                    CASEY

Why are you smiling?

                    MAJOR

I don’t know, Daddy and I didn’t do a lot of stuff together... (RECOVERING)  The point is, I never tried stealing a comic book again.  So, as tough a deal as it is, I know this spanking thing works.  I remember him sayin’, “Son, some day you’re gonna thank me for this.”

                    CASEY

And did you?

                    MAJOR

Not yet.  But I appreciated the lesson.  Casey, you have to live up to  your agreements.  You didn’t.  And now it’s time to face the consequences.

CASEY SIGHS.

                    CASEY

Okay.

SHE GETS UP FROM THE COUCH, TURNS AROUND, BENDS OVER, HER HANDS SUPPORTED ON THE COUCH AND “ASSUMES THE POSITION” FOR THE PUNISHMENT SHE IS ABOUT TO RECEIVE.

THE MAJOR GETS OUT, POSITIONING HIMSELF TO DELIVER THE SPANKING.  AS HE RAISES HIS HAND TO ADMINISTER THE FIRST SWAT, CASEY REFLEXIVELY SWIVELS HER HEAD AROUND AND LOOKS HIM STRAGHT IN THE EYE, PLEADING FOR A LAST-MINUTE REPRIEVE.

                    MAJOR

(MILITARILY)  Eyes Front!"                                                                                                                                                            

CASEY TURNS HER HEAD BACK TOWARDS THE COUCH.  BUT, INSTINCTIVELY, JUST AS THE MAJOR IS ABOUT TO COME DOWN WITH HIS HAND, SHE SWIVELS HER HEAD AROUND AGAIN, AGAIN LOOKING HIM, PLEADINGLY, STRAIGHT IN THE EYE.  THE MAJOR IS DISORIENTED.

                    CASEY

I bet this doesn’t happen in the Marine Corps.

                    MAJOR

No.  (THEN)  Come on, Casey.  Stand up and take it like a…

THE ADORABLE LITTLE GIRL CONTINUES LOOKING AT HIM.

                    MAJOR (CONT’D)

Look, Casey.  There is no way around this.  You are only prolonging the agony.

                   CASEY 

(FINALLY SURRENDERING)  Yes, sir.

CASEY TURNS BACK TO THE COUCH.  THE “MOMENT OF TRUTH” HAS ARRIVED.  THE MAJOR RAISES HIS HAND TO ADMINISTER THE PUNISHMENT. THEN, SUDDENLY…

                    MAJOR

I just thought of something.

                    CASEY

(SWIVELING HER HEAD)  Is it good for me?

                    MAJOR

Sit down, Casey.

THEY RESUME THEIR PLACES ON THE COUCH.

                    MAJOR (CONT’D)

It occurred to me that there is something even more importantthan discipline.  It’s trust.  Discipline may be “the Steel.”  But trust is the “Cohesive Glue.”  In the Corps, every Marine’s life is entrusted to his – (ROTEY) or her – comrade.  Without that trust, you could never storm the beach.  You could never capture  the hill.  Do you know what I’m talking about?

                    CASEY

I’m just happy you’re not spanking me right now.

                    MAJOR

Casey, your behavior, though egregious (OFF HER CONFUSED LOOK)… very wrong…. is not habitual.  I’ve been around you a while.  You’re a good kid.  (DECISIVELY)  Here’s what I need to know, and I want you to take your time before you answer.  Can I trust that next time I give you a direct order not to do something....

                    CASEY

Absolutely.  (OFF HIS NO-NONSENSE LOOK, SINCERELY)  I promise.

                    MAJOR

Then "Punishment Postponed."  

CASEY HEAVES AN ENORMOUS SIGH OF RELIEF.

                    MAJOR (CONT'D)

Now don’t get me wrong  If this ever happens again....  

                    CASEY

(EXTENDING HER HAND, TO SHAKE)  It won't.  I've had a terrible day!

                    MAJOR

(SHAKING CASEY'S HAND)  Good deal.  (GETTING UP)  Now come on.  Let’s find your family and tell ‘em that “Attila the Hun” has called off the attack.  (TO HIMSELF, RUEFULLY)  This is what comes from pitchin' your tent in a houseful of women.

CASEY AND THE MAJOR HEAD OUT THE DOOR.

                    CASEY

It’s a good thing you are not like your Daddy.

                    MAJOR

Roger that, Marine.  Daddy’d have given you a spanking you would never forget.  (WINCINGLY) Then he’d have gone after me for letting you off the hook.

AND AS THEY EXIT, WE

FADE OUT

END OF ACT TWO.

(TAG TO COME)

                  

                                                            THE END