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Writing WK

Initially, White Knuckles was to be written more like a play or a poem to ensure that the actors (and the director) didn’t get married to the words on the page. N. Itrik called the (very early) version of the story a “scroutline” – (script + outline), but I know he was just trying to insult me. I was just trying to remind myself we wouldn’t need the words at all—that with the right guidance and the right intentions - truthful dialogue would come naturally. For practical purposes however (like financing, scheduling, budgeting, creating sides, getting actors and agents and my editor on board). N. Itrik was right – I needed to write a normal script. This excerpt is from an early chapter of the emerging “old people story” (ugly typos and all). 

He eats. They are silent. 

He: What’s wrong? 

She: I was thinking of Cheryl. 

He: What about. 

She: I think she doesn’t want to see me. 

Silence between them. He looks at her for a long time. Sits back. Changes the subject. 

He: How would you like to rent an RV. 

She (blankly): For what? 

He: I don’t know, to hit the road. We could drive someplace. Maybe we could drive to st. louis. 

She: What’s in st. louis? 

He: I don’t know. There’s that arch. 

(she stares at him –) 

He: Well then maybe lets go to the great smokey mountains, what do you think of that? 

(she thinks) 

He: You’ve always wanted to do that. Saw you got that book on Tennessee. 

She: Okay 

He: Want to? Really? 

She (after a long pause): I don’t know. 

He: It’ll be good for us. 

She: Why don’t you go? 

He (suddenly frustrated): Don’t change your mind - what’s not to know? Come on, for Christ sake, why would you change yo——(He suddenly has a fit coughing, choking). 

She watches him. He gulps down his water – trying to get control – he’s hacking so hard he can’t complete his thought. He looks at her for help – but She just watches, offering only a blink.