ACT ONE

SCENE A

FADE IN:

INT. BOOKMARKS – DAY

Behind the counter of the secondhand bookstore, Sophie Becker, 15, is immersed in Purrsuit of Happiness. She reads the last page.

SOPHIE

And that is why someone gave you away.

She puts it down. Her co-worker, Jackie Giovanni carries over a box of books.

JACKIE

Are you talking to yourself?

SOPHIE

No. I was...thinking out loud.

JACKIE

That's much different.

She sits the box on the counter.

JACKIE (CONT'D)

These are all the duds we can't sell. Some of them are way too messed up.

SOPHIE

Why are you giving them to me?

JACKIE

The boss knows how much you like to read. He'd rather they go to a home than in the garbage. Heads up. Some of them are pretty gross.

Sophie digs through the box and pulls out a book with a banana peel between the pages.

JACKIE (CONT'D)

That one might actually be garbage.

A customer walks over and picks up Purrsuit of Happiness.

CUSTOMER

Is this any good?

Sophie opens her mouth but struggles to communicate her thoughts.

JACKIE

It's one of my favorites. Did you hear that they're making a movie?

She and the customer jump into a conversation like best friends. Sophie watches on, left out.