SCENE C

EXT. CAFETERIA PAVILION – LATER

Ariella and Mae stand around looking for seats. Mae studies her chicken nuggets.

MAE

I've always wondered how they made chicken nuggets into such weird shapes.

Ariella is mesmerized by Danny Lockhart,14, sitting at a table.

ARIELLA

Shut. Up.

MAE

It's a very reasonable question.

ARIELLA

No, look.

She points out Danny.

MAE

It's the guy from the deodorant commercial.

ARIELLA

Danny Lockhart. I bet he smells super fresh in person. Let's go say hi.

MAE

Wait.

She sniffs her armpit.

MAE (CONT'D)

We're good.

They join Danny at his table.

ARIELLA

Hi! We're big fans.

MAE

We love your Teen Dream Deodorant commercial. Can you sign my armpit?

She lifts her arm. Ariella cranks it back down.

ARIELLA

The commercial with the runaway dog is my favorite.

DANNY

Snap-A-Leash. It's one of my favorites too. Shame about the dog.

ARIELLA

Oh no. What happened?

DANNY

He ran away. Those leashes are not as reliable as my character claims.

Caleb joins their table.

CALEB

What's up, girls? Danny, my man. How's it going?

DANNY

Do I know you?

Caleb opens a pack of mayo.

CALEB

We've been going to the same school since elementary.

DANNY

Not ringing any bells.

Torin moves toward their table.

MAE

Spotlight hog alert.

CALEB

Sup, sis.

Torin hides her face and hurries past them.

ARIELLA

She's your sister?

CALEB

She doesn't like to be seen with me. Just between us, I think she's intimidated by my fashion sense.

He pops his collar then realizes he's smeared mayo all over it. He shrugs and keeps eating.

DANNY

Oh! You're Torin's weird younger brother.

Caleb nods happily. Then he frowns.

CALEB

Wait. Weird?

MAE

What's the deal with her taking over the talent show?

CALEB

She's obsessed with being the center of attention and she hates competition. The last time someone tried to enter the talent show, she stuffed his head in his tuba.

Ariella reaches for her head.

DANNY

It would be nice to see something new for a change.

MAE

(pointing at Ariella) She has something new.

DANNY

Are you thinking about being in the talent show?

He smiles at Ariella. Ariella is mesmerized.

ARIELLA

Uh, huh.

DANNY

Cool. I'll see you there. 

He checks his phone.

DANNY (CONT'D)

I have to go. I have an audition for a go-kart commercial.

He pulls out a helmet, puts it on and stands, revealing a matching jumpsuit.  He gives a thumbs up and exits. Ariella awakens from her trance.

ARIELLA

What just happened?

CALEB

I hope you're not a tuba player.