Angus Stone

Tragedy strikes for High School senior Angus when he discovers that he has cancer.

Act 1, Scene 1: In a Doctor’s Office

Doctor: (In monotone voice)  Blah blah blah blah blah tumors blah blah blah blah blah blah cancerous blah blah blah blah blah blah treatment options blah blah blah radiation blah blah blah blah 30% survival rate blah blah blah.

Angus: (Blank staring)

Mom: (Glassy eyes) Thank you doctor.

Doctor: Thank you.  See you on Tuesday for treatment Angus.

Act 1, Scene 2: Phone Conversation

Angus: (Speaking into phone) Hey babe.

Julia: (Speaking into phone) Hey baby, what’s up?

Angus: I have to tell you something.

Julia: I’m listening.

Angus: Julia, I’m in love with you.

Julia: Awh, I love you too.

Angus: No Julia, I don’t just love you. I am IN love with you.

Julia: Okay well same thing really.

Angus: Can I ask you a question?

Julia: Yeah go ahead.

Angus: If I were to die tomorrow, would you love me enough to find someone else?

Julia: Is that what you would want?

Angus: Yeah, that’s what I would want. If there is ever a time where I’m not around to love you, will you promise me that you won’t live the remainder of your life depressed? Will you promise me that you will find someone else to love you?

Julia: Yeah Angus, I promise, but let’s not think not think about the world without your beautiful face existing on it for the time being.

Angus: Okay, fair enough. I’ll see you tomorrow.

Julia: Okay bye, I love you.

Angus: I love you too. (Both hanging up phone) … More than you could even comprehend.

Act 1, Scene 3: At School

Principal on overhead: Goodmorning students. Today is Tuesday, October 22nd. I would like to congratulate our football team on behalf of their game on Friday.  Even though the fellas didn’t come out victorious, I don’t think I’m alone when I say that we really showed those Barracudas what a real marine predator’s teeth look like!  That’s all for your morning announcements kids, have a good day.

Teacher: Okay! Let’s get started shall we! Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah (Scribbles digits on white board) blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah

Angus rests his head on his notebook and closes his eyes

Teacher: Mr. Stone! Care to explain to the class what you just learned about using the quadratic formula to solve for x?

Angus: No actually I wouldn't care to.

Teacher: Well then I suggest you sit up and pay attention. As I was saying! Blah blah blah blah blah blah

Act 1, Scene 3: In the hallway

Josh: Hey Angus what's up?

Angus: (looking defeated) Nothing.

Josh: Do you want to hang out after school today? Modern Warfare Marathon?

Angus: Sorry, can’t.

Josh: Por que?

Angus: uhh, I have to go shopping with my mom.

Josh: Shopping for what?

Angus: Clothes, Josh.

Josh: What kind of clothes?

Angus: Just… clothes! Okay!?

Josh: Geez! No need to be hostile!

Angus: Sorry. (bell rings) I have to go, bye Josh.

Josh: Later.

Act 1. Scene 4: In doctor’s Office

Angus is in the radiation table sweating, radiation beaming down on him. It is clear by the look in his face that he is in pain.

Angus’ mother is sitting in a little chair in the corner of the office with a worried look on her face.

Doctor: Okay Angus, that’ll do it for today. I’m impressed with how well you did for your first session. Helps Angus off radiation table

Angus has two large bright red patches on either side of his neck.

Mom: Thank you doctor, see you tomorrow for testing.

Doctor: Okay. See you.

End of Act 1.

Act 2, Scene 1: In Doctor's Office

Doctor: (Monotone voice) blah blah (Mom begins to cry). The tests have come back worse than we originally thought Angus. Blah blah blah blah. The cancer has spread blah blah blah. I'm afraid that we've caught it too late. Blah blah blah chances of survival are slim. Blah I'm optimistic blah blah blah one month blah blah quality of life blah blah blah saying your goodbyes.

Angus is staring blankly into space.

Mom is bawling hysterically.

Doctor: I'm sorry Angus.

Angus: Your condolences won't change anything.

Doctor: I know Angus. Unfortunately, that's all I can offer, and I'm afraid you'll find that's all anyone can offer.

Angus: You're wrong sir.

Doctor: Best of luck to you Angus, make the best out of the time you have left.

Angus: Oh trust me, I will.

Act 2, Scene 2: In Josh’s Basement

Both boys playing Modern Warfare

Josh: Jumping up in the air, controller in hand. Yes! I beat you! I finally beat you!

Angus: Congratulations buddy! I’ve taught you well. Can we take a break though, I need to rest my poor, poor thumbs after almost 4 straight hours of Modern Warfare.

Josh: Yeah sure. I should probably quit while I’m ahead anyways. Turns off gaming console.  What’s been up man, I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever.

Angus: Josh, I need to tell you something.

Josh: Good or Bad?

Angus: Bad, really bad. I can't even begin to apologize for how bad this is going to hurt you Josh.

Josh: Well? What is it?

Angus: Before I tell you, I want you to know that I love you.

Josh: Woah! Angus Stone expressing emotion! What has the world come to?!

Angus: No seriously Josh I love you man, you're my best friend.

Josh: I love you too dude, now will you please tell me?

Angus: Okay. Closes his eyes and opens them again, they are glassy. I have cancer.

Josh: No, no you don't have cancer, no, you're just messing with me. No, you don't have cancer. Right?

Angus: (on the verge of tears) I wish I could tell you that.

Josh: Damnit Angus! You can't have cancer! You're my best friend! My best friend can't have cancer!

Angus: I’m so sorry Josh. I never meant for this to this to happen.

Josh: Well it did. It happened Angus and now my best friend in the whole world has cancer. How am I supposed to deal with that? What are your chances of survival?

Angus: (glassy eyed again) The doctor says I have one month.

Josh: What?

Angus: Josh, the doctor says--

Josh: I know what you said! I think it’s bullshit! You’re going to get over this! I know you Angus and you don’t just give up! You’re gonna get through this! I’ll help you! We’ll get through this together Angus! I know we will!

Angus: Josh, it isn’t that easy!

Josh: I didn’t say it was going to be easy.

Angus: Maybe not for you, but you’re not the one with cancer.

Josh: I know that, but I also know that you will find a way Angus.  You will find a way to stay with us, maybe not all of you, but I know you’ll find a way to at least leave us a piece of you.  I know you will.

Act 2, Scene 3: In Angus’ Bedroom

Angus and Julia making out on Angus’ bed.

Julia: I’m ready Angus.

Angus: And you’re sure?

Julia: Yes, I’m sure.

Angus: Absolutely positive?

Julia: Yes! I’m absolutely positive!

Angus: (in a whisper) okay. Smiles and begins to kiss Julia again.

End of Act 2

Act 3, Scene 1: At Angus’ Kitchen Table

Mom: Sipping coffee. Angus, why do you have and F in English?

Angus: I’m going to die mom.  Grades aren’t exactly my number one priority.

Mom’s eye’s begin to glass over

Angus: Wow, it all feels so real now. Mom looks at Angus with confusion.  That was the first time that I actually admitted it outloud.  Admitted that I’m going to die.  I say I’ve got one month left, and I think about it non-stop, but that was the first time that I actually said it.  The words felt like they didn’t belong on my tongue.   

Mom: Crying.You just broke my heart Angus.

Act 3, Scene 2: In Emergency Room

Mom crying hysterically in a chair beside the bed that Angus is sleeping in holding his hands.

Angus’s eyes begin to flutter open, it is obvious by his appearance that he is very weak.

Angus: (In a weak, raspy voice) Mom?

Mom: Angus! You’re awake! How are you feeling sweetie?!

Angus: I… I don’t know. What happened? Why am I here?

Mom: You wouldn't stop vomiting, I didn't know what else to do, so I took you here.

Josh and Julia walk in escorted by a doctor with worried looks on their faces.

Josh hands Angus a bouquet of tulips and both the kids give Angus a hug.

Josh: How are you doing buddy?

Angus: I can’t say all that well Josh.

Josh: Well you just about scared us all to death.

Angus: Sorry.

Julia begins crying.

Julia: Why didn’t you tell me Angus?

Angus: Julia I’m sorry, I didn’t want to hurt you.

Julia: Well the ship has certainly sailed for that now hasn’t it?

Angus: I’m sorry! It all happened so fast! First I have a tumor, then I find out it’s cancerous, I’m told I have a 30% survival rate, then I’m told that I have a mere month left on this earth, please Julia, try to understand.

Julia: Well, considering the circumstances, it would be absurd not to forgive you for not telling me.

Angus: Yeah, kinda.

Everyone in room begins laughing, Angus in a weak voice.

Angus: I love you guys so much.

Josh: We love you too Angus.  And no matter what happens in the future, you will always be my best friend in the world man.  And I think that I’m speaking for all of us when I say that I’m so grateful to have had the privilege to have you in my life, however brief.

Act 3, Scene 3: In Emergency Room

Angus soundly sleeping in Emergency room bed while Mom holds his hands in a chair beside the bed.

Angus’ heart meter flatlines.

Mom squeezes Angus’ hands tighter and kisses his forehead.

Mom: I love you.

Mom says a brief prayer and a single tear runs down her face.

Mom: Doctor! Help!

Two doctors come rushing in to the room. Doctor 1 checks Angus’ pulse.

Doctor 1: Charge!

Doctor 2 rubs defibrillator paddles together.

Doctor 1: (under his breath) 1, 2, 3. (yelling) Clear!

Doctor 2 puts defibrillator paddles on Angus’ chest and Angus’ body jerks upward.

Doctor 1: Charge!

Doctor 2 rubs defibrillator paddles together.

Doctor 1: (under his breath) 1, 2, 3. (yelling) Clear!

Doctor 2 puts defibrillator paddles on Angus’ chest and Angus’ body jerks upward.

Doctor 1: One more time! Charge!

Doctor 2 rubs defibrillator paddles together.

Doctor 1: (under his breath) 1, 2, 3. (yelling) Clear!

Doctor 2 puts defibrillator paddles on Angus’ chest and Angus’ body jerks upward still lifeless.

Doctor 2: (To mom) He’s gone.

Mom: I know he is.

End of scene 3.

Act 4, Scene 1: In Julia’s Bathroom

Julia is sitting on the toilet looking concerned while Josh is is sitting on the edge of her bath tub.

Josh: Is it saying anything yet?

Julia: Looks over at pregnancy test sitting on the counter. Nope but it feels like the damn thing is taking five thousand years.

Josh: Dude, it hasn't even been a full minute yet.

Julia: Yeah well you’re not the one who may or may not be pregnant.

Josh: Fair enough. Looks over at pregnancy test. I’m seeing lines!

Julia: (yelling) I can’t look! You read it!

Josh grabs pregnancy test from off of the counter, careful not to touch the stick part.

Josh: What the hell does the two little lines mean?

Julia reaches over to the little trash can beside the toilet and pulls out the pregnancy test box. She stares at it for a while.

Julia: Oh my god. Oh my god, Josh…

Josh: What!

Julia: I’m pregnant

Josh: And you’re sure it’s Angus’.

Julia: 100 percent.

Josh stands up and gives Julia a hug.

Josh: I’m going to help you, I’ll get a job. Angus was my best friend and I owe him to help care for this baby.

Julia is blankly staring off into space.

Julia: I’m going to keep it Josh, for everyone. This baby is the closest thing to Angus that any of us will ever get.  

Josh smiles and hugs Julia again.

Josh: He left a piece of him for us Julia.

Author's Note

Not too experienced with script. Please give me your opinion. Does it seem realistic?

Reviews

[Lekha Murthy]

It seems realistic, but it's also a subject matter than has been done to death (so to speak). It's well written and formatted, but the actual content is really cliché. This is a great effort for your first(?) time. I'd focus more on developing an original plot line than worrying about the actual technicalities of a script.
Good job!