Title: Standing in the Middle
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FADE IN:
EXT. THE STEEPLE – MORNING
JONATHAN slowly walks across the grass toward the front entranceway of The Steeple as a late fall mist floats softly to the ground.
JONATHAN (V.O.)
(inner thoughts)
Almost late again...
INT. THE STEEPLE – MORNING
Jonathan steps inside the front doors of The Steeple and is unexpectedly greeted by a smiling KOBE amongst a crowd of youth.
KOBE
(shakes hands with Jonathan)
Hey--
JONATHAN (V.O.)
(inner thoughts)
Are we friends now? Or...
Jonathan slips past the crowd and grabs a drink of water from a nearby drinking fountain. Jonathan soon finds himself included in another group when NIKO turns to Jonathan.
NIKO
(ever smiling)
How’s it going, Jonathan?
JONATHAN
Oh, same as usual; how are you?
NIKO
(still smiling)
I’m doing alright;
The conversation continues for a while until Niko begins to motion toward MR ANGEL.
NIKO
Hey, this is Mr Angel’s last week before he moves... so you should probably talk or something before he leaves. Maybe we can have dinner this week or something?
JONATHAN
It’s already that time? Yeah, that’d be cool;
Jonathan eventually walks over to catch up with Mr Angel... and soon the SAILOR joins the conversation. Jonathan ends up facing toward the dining room where a studious Willow and others can be seen hanging out at the dining room tables.
MR ANGEL
So, yeah, I’m just trying to get everything sold before I leave, you know?
SAILOR
Hey guys. Yeah, I know what you mean...
The four continue to chat for a while and the conversation eventually ends up on the topic of technology.
MR ANGEL
It’s like those new 4Ks, right? 4,000 dollars, ha ha ha!
SAILOR
Oh yeah;
Mr Angel looks over at the Sailor with a smile.
MR ANGEL
You like those 4Ks, too?
The Sailor pauses for a moment...
SAILOR
Nah, you know, I’m just not a tech guy...
MR ANGEL
You were doing pretty well there for a while, though, ha ha!
SAILOR
I know, I just had to keep hangin’...
The conversation eventually begins to die down as Mr Angel and Niko take off. Jonathan walks over to the entrance of The Assembly, where the meeting in The Steeple is taking place.
JONATHAN (V.O.)
(inner thoughts)
I’m so late now, though... I wonder if I should even go inside...
Jonathan stands outside the doors of The Assembly, glances at his phone, and begins to listen to the Father’s voice drifting from The Assembly to his right while conversations from the dining room echo to his left. The sound of affected accents fill the dining room as XI SHI and FOLLOWER happily play along.
JONATHAN (V.O.)
(inner thoughts)
Wait, how did I get trapped in this hallway corner? If I leave now, the Father will see me leave... and if I walk past the dining room, I’ll be seen by Xi Shi and the others. So awkward; standing in the middle.