Have you ever been to a juice or smoothie bar—a restaurant where people order freshly squeezed fruit juice or smoothies made from mixture of juice and fresh fruit? Usually, there are a few tables for people to sit and talk while they eat. This background knowledge can help you understand the opening of the pilot for The Juice.
A good sitcom doesn't always stick with what's expected. Some level of surprise is usually required to create humor. Did you expect what happened in Act 1 of The Juice? Answer each of the questions below about the information in the screenplay's exposition.
ACT ONE
COLD OPEN:
INT. THE JUICEBAR - DAY
FRANK (34) and GARY (33) stand behind the counter, leaning on it. TODD
SCHUMAKER (mid 20s) sits at the counter on a stool. His hair is as wiry
as his glasses. A juice smoothie sits in front of Todd. Frank, tall and
lanky, and Gary, short and stocky, look Todd over intensely, silently.
FRANK
So...
GARY
So...
Todd looks nervous, shifts positions.
FRANK
How did you hear about us? Was it from Ron Gregors?
TODD
Uh, no?
GARY
Wrong answer. There is no Ron Gregors. Try again.
Todd looks toward the door, confused and nervous.
TODD
A few guys at the gym were talking about you. Said you could help.
Gary gives Frank a knowing look.
FRANK
He's a gym guy.
GARY
A gym guy.
They both take notes.
FRANK
Okay let's get started. Are you aware of our new policy?
TODD
Policy?
GARY
Yea. It's called the Payment Policy.
FRANK
50 dollars for a good match. Only satisfied customers pay.
Gary scribbles something down on a NAPKIN, pushes it toward Todd.
GARY
If you could just sign here please.
ZOOM IN on the NAPKIN. It reads: I will pay F and G 50 dollars if I am still satisfied with my match after 4 dates or one month, whichever comes first.
FRANK
Daytime dates don't count.
GARY
Dates spent at houses are also null.
Frank looks at Gary.
FRANK
Yea, of course. Makes sense.
GARY
Two thousand pounds of it.
FRANK
That's a ton.
GARY
Y,ea, but I prefer the metric system.
FRANK
Agreed, it's more scientific.
Todd is done signing, and is watching their conversation in awe and confusion. Frank grabs the NAPKIN, looks at it, and shows it to Gary.
FRANK
Look at the handwriting he uses for his signature.
Gary looks at it and immediately begins taking notes.
GARY
Very interesting.
They both take notes, presumably about Todd's handwriting.
FRANK
Please state your full name—
Todd opens his mouth to speak. Frank puts his hand up to stop him. Todd looks defeated and confused.
FRANK
Start first with your middle name, then your last name, then lastly, your
first name.
TODD
Uh... Hamilton Todd Schumaker.
FRANK
Schumaker is an interesting first name. Are you German?
TODD
Oh, umm yea, but I meant.. Hamilton Schumaker Todd. My name is Todd
Hamilton Schumaker.
They ignore him and start writing.
FRANK
So Schumaker, can I call you Schumaker? Parents?
GARY
Dead.?.?
TODD
They died I was three. How'd you know?
Frank and Gary exchange knowing looks.
FRANK
Orphan. I knew it.
GARY
Orphan.
They both make check marks as if there is a box for orphan.
FRANK
Okay. Please describe your childhood in three words.
GARY
One noun. One adjective. One hyphenated.
Todd is now enjoying the interview a little, but is still nervous. He laughs nervously.
TODD
Um. Okay... Farm... Lonely...
Todd trails off, thinking. Gary quickly begins tapping his finger on the counter.
TODD
Hippie-grandparents.?.?
GARY
That's just two words put together as if they are hyphenated when in
reality they're not. Try again.
FRANK
But... Since that is very interesting, we'll let you slide.
GARY
Frank, I asked for a hyphenated word.
FRANK
Gary, can I talk to you for a second, over here?
They move two feet away.
FRANK
So he took some artistic license, who cares? Nothing to get upset about.
Plus, I want to
hear some lame farm stories.
GARY
Okay, fine. I'm just saying, it's not hyphenated.
FRANK
Right. And you're totally correct. But let's try to move past it.
They look over at Todd, who listens and pretends to look at the decorations around The Juicebar. Frank and Gary move back to Todd.
GARY
Okay, so these g-parents, what made them hippies?
TODD
Uh, they planted a lot of plants and protested a lot of things.
FRANK
I'm disappointed. That's lamer than I imagined. It's boring lame.
Not interesting lame.
GARY
Shoulda asked for a real hyphenated word.
FRANK
Get over the hyphen.
GARY
Just saying.
FRANK
Alright Mr. Todd, that's all we need. Thanks so much for stopping in.
GARY
We'll have your match chosen by next weekend. Please stop back then. And of
course, as per our policy, please update us after date number four. If there is one.
Frank nods.
FRANK (to Gary)
Did you write that on the contract?
Gary only shakes his head no, still looking at Todd.
TODD
Uh, well thanks guys. I'll see you later?
He sits for a while and they are all silent. Todd stands up to leave. Gary looks at the unfinished juice on the counter.
GARY
Please finish your juice first.
TODD
Uh. Okay.
Todd looks at the matchmakers, then at the glass of juice. He takes it and drinks it. Frank and Gary watch intensely as he does so. Frank reaches out to help him, lifting the glass for him. It is obvious Todd does not like the juice.
FRANK
That's right. People love our Grapefruit Blackberry Pickled Mango flavor
don't they?
Todd finishes the drink and puts it on the counter. Some is left on his face. They are all silent for a while.
TODD
Should I go now?
GARY
Yes. Yes you should.
Todd gets up. Frank and Gary watch him leave. They look at each other afterward and smile.
FRANK
Not bad for our first interview.
GARY
Most-certainly not bad. See, that's a good hyphenated word:
Most-certainly.
FRANK
I'm positive that's not hyphenated.
GARY
You've got to be kidding. It's definitely hyphenated.
Most-certainly. They go together.
Frank and Gary walk upstairs to the apartment they share above the Juicebar, still arguing.
1 EXT. CANDI'S PROJECT AREA - DAY 2
CANDI (58), a middle aged woman with long flowing gray hair, and BEN
FORST (30), an architect who looks like an architect, stand with their
backs to the camera in front of a barren property which still has its
sold sign up. The property sits adjacent to a strip mall and a gas
station.
Ben is taking notes while Candi describes her vision.
CANDI
So I'm thinking it shouldn't be big. I mean they're kids, for Pete's sakes.
BEN
Yes, kids are small.
Candi runs out to the middle of the property and starts twirling, dancing.
CANDI
(yelling)
The stage should be right here. A skylight above it!
She puts her arms up toward the imagined skylight, twirls again, and then bows. Ben continues taking notes. He looks a little uncomfortable.
CANDI
It's going to be wonderful.
BEN
I hope so. Will you need an orchestra pit?
CANDI
Of course, silly.
She sits down in the grass and pats the ground for him to sit too. Ben sits.
BEN
Would you like a balcony? How many seats are you imagining?
CANDI
Oh, I don't know, what do you think? I mean, they'll have their parents,
and siblings, and
grandparents to come watch. That could wind up being a lot, right?
BEN
Um, yeah. I think so.
CANDI
Just whatever you think, I guess.
Candice lies down on the grass and closes her eyes. Ben nods, confused.
CANDI
Oh and I definitely want big spiral staircases to the balcony.
BEN
So you do want a balcony?
CANDI
Of course I do, silly. Every good theater has one.
BEN
Okay. Do you have anything else in mind?
Candice doesn't answer. She looks up at the clouds and starts humming the tune "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." Ben waits awkwardly. Suddenly, Candice jumps up, using his shoulders for support.
CANDI
Oh double dang. I really have to get going. I forgot my dog at the park.
Poor Herman.
Poor, poor Herman. Blind as a bat. You understand.
BEN
(still sitting on the grass)
Um, okay. You think he'll still be there?
CANDI
Who?
BEN
Herman
CANDI
Oh, right. Definitely. He just walks around the same two trees sniffing
them. Pathetic,
really.
Ben laughs.
BEN
Yea, kind of funny actually.
Candi's face tightens.
CANDI
No. Not at all... Not too sensitive are you, Benjamin?
Candi turns suddenly and starts walking away. Ben remains sitting, clueless. Candi turns back around when she's about fifteen feet away.
Oh, and Ben, I think the building should be kind of square... Yes, square.
But with angled
corners in the back.
Ben thinks.
BEN
So, you want it in the shape of a hexagon?
CANDI
I guess so. If you're going to get technical with me. But not stop- sign
hexagon. That's
just too much.
BEN
(confused)
Yea, that's a couple angles too many.
CANDI
Oh and don't forget the room behind the stage, the one with no windows.
BEN
Huh?
CANDI
Yes, disciplinary reasons. Sometimes my tiny dancers need a time out, you
know.
Solitude is good for expression. Makes the movements pop a little more.
Ben stares at her in awe. Says nothing.
CANDI
Great. Okay kiddo, use that imagination of yours! And remember...
Candi begins dancing away.
CANDI
(yelling across the property)
It's more important than knowledge!
Ben waits a while in the grass after she leaves, thinking. He draws something on his CLIPBOARD. After some silence, he shakes his head, laughs a little, throws down the CLIPBOARD, sighs, and lies on his back in the grass.
ZOOM IN on CLIPBOARD. The drawing is: octagon shaped theater.
END OF ACT ONE
What is the setting in this scene?
What do you learn about Frank, Gary, and Todd?
Act 1, Scene 2 takes place in a different location. What is the setting in this scene?
What does the audience learn about Candi from this scene? How would you describe her?
Act 1 has two inciting incidents that could develop into the main problem. What are the two incidents? How do you think the action will develop?
| Your Responses | Sample Answers |
|---|---|
The first scene takes place in the present day at the juice bar owned by Gary and Frank. |
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Gary and Frank are intimidating, and they seem to enjoy making Todd uncomfortable. Todd is nervous and seems unsure of himself. |
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It takes place in a lush green field with the sun shining bright. |
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Candi is talkative and a free-spirit who dances around. Ben is annoyed by her. |
|
In the first scene Gary and Frank agree to set Todd up, leaving the audience to wonder what will happen with that. In the second scene, Ben draws the theater differently than Candi wanted. A conflict will likely happen when Candi discovers Ben has not listened to her plan. |
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