Workshop Wednesday

And this is it, the last section of the last written episode of The Follower. After a bit of a pause (if you've been keeping up with the site and have been eagerly anticipating this last section after a couple of weeks off), we're finally back to bring the series to a conclusion, for now.

Remember to catch up on the previous adventures of The Follower in the Works of Mike FinkelsteinWhat's that, you want to read various creative works from Asteroid G Lead Editor Mike Finkelstein? Well, if that's what you want... archive before reading this section.

The Follower: Episode 5, Part 3

"Beauty and the All-Seeing Eye" Concluded

FADE IN.

INT: LIMELIGHT THEATER, BACKSTAGE, NIGHT.

FOLLOWER watched EYE and ERIN share a hug. She then goes back into the dressing room while EYE starts walking towards FOLLOWER.

FOLLOWER:

You're a judge, right?

ALL-SEEING EYE seems flustered.

EYE:

I... yes? Why do you ask?

FOLLOWER:

It's not appropriate for you to have a relationship with one of the contestants, is it?

EYE:

I don't know what you're talking about.

FOLLOWER:

I just saw you, hugging a contestant. That's totally inappropriate!

EYE:

You didn't just see that.

FOLLOWER:

Yes I did! I'm going to go talk to the show organizers about this!

EYE grabs FOLLOWER's shoulder, then his eyes go all glowy.

EYE:

No. You didn't see that.

FOLLOWER looks dazed.

FOLLOWER:

I... did not...

EYE:

Now, go enjoy the show.

FOLLOWER nods and then slowly turns and walks away. EYE nods to himself then quickly hurries off in a different direction.

INT: LIMELIGHT THEATER, BACKSTAGE, STAGE LEFT, NIGHT.

OBVIOUS is standing off in the wings, watching the start of the show. We can see TEMP in among the ladies, going through the opening dance. APATHY comes up behind him.

APATHY:

There is something really odd going on here.

OBVIOUS:

I know. This song is all wrong for this number. They need something more up-tempo.

APATHY:

No, with KATIE and the incident.

OBVIOUS:

You mean that someone injured her and she, along with everyone else here, was clearly brainwashed to forget it completely.

APATHY:

I... yes. Damn it, how do you do that?

OBVIOUS:

Simple deduction.

APATHY:

Sure. Simple.

They both watch the number for a moment. Then APATHY sees something and points to the crowd.

APATHY:

Isn't that FOLLOWER out in the crowd?

OBVIOUS:

Why yes. Yes it is. I wonder what he's doing out there. It was his plan to be back here, monitoring everything. Go get him and drag him back here.

APATHY:

Ugh, fine.

INT: LIMELIGHT THEATER, AUDITORIUM, NIGHT.

APATHY comes into the main hall and slowly makes his way over the FOLLOWER, the latter of whom is just sitting in a chair, enjoying the show. Eventually, APATHY sits down next to FOLLOWER.

APATHY:

(whispering) What are you doing out here?

FOLLOWER:

(whispering) Watching the show, like I'm supposed to.

APATHY:

(whispering) No, we're all supposed to be back stage.

FOLLOWER:

(whispering) We are? Who said?

APATHY:

(whispering) You did! It was your plan!

FOLLOWER:

(whispering) Oh...

APATHY stands and drags FOLLOWER along behind him back to the side door. As they move off, ALL-SEEING EYE turns in his chair further up to watch, an angry look on his face.

INT: LIMELIGHT THEATER, BACKSTAGE, STAGE LEFT, NIGHT.

OBVIOUS is still backstage as the ladies file past after their number. He's handing them water bottles as they go past.

OBVIOUS:

You're doing great ladies. Good hustle. Make sure to hydrate.

TEMP comes up, takes the water and drinks a long pull from the bottle.

TEMP:

We see anything yet?

OBVIOUS:

Well, I have a theory.

TEMP:

Which is?

OBVIOUS:

I think a super villain has somehow infiltrated the show. They are currently brainwashing the contestants and the crew, somehow, so they can steal the prize money. Any contestant likely to win is eliminated, somehow or another. It's all likely to come to a head in the last section of the show.

TEMP:

...And this is just a theory?

OBVIOUS:

It's all circumstantial evidence right now.

TEMP:

What kind of proof do you really need?

INT: LIMELIGHT THEATER, STAGE, NIGHT.

At this moment announcer JOHNNY D heads out on stage.

JOHNNY D:

Weren't those ladies great?

SFX: Crowd cheering.

JOHNNY D:

Now, with the introductions out of the way, let's get to the talent portion of the event. I'd like to introduce LYDIA and her magical flute!

LYDIA comes out, dressed in formal attire, a flute in her hands. The lights go down low, a single spotlight illuminates her. She pauses, takes a deep breath, and then raises her flute.

SFX: Awful, screeching, flute noises.

LYDIA suddenly looks at the flute in her hands.

LYDIA:

I can't remember how to play!

LYDIA runs off stage to the shocked silence of the crows.

INT: LIMELIGHT THEATER, BACKSTAGE, STAGE LEFT, NIGHT.

OBVIOUS:

Well, something like that, actually.

TEMP:

Right. It all seems so clear now.

OBVIOUS:

Out of curiosity, what are you planning for your talent?

TEMP:

I was going to go over basic accounting.

OBVIOUS just gives her a look.

TEMP:

What?! It's what I know and you guys only gave me an hour before I had to go on stage.

OBVIOUS:

And do you remember how to do accounting?

TEMP:

Well, if you want to give me your income receipts I could probably put together a 1099 for you.

OBVIOUS:

Cool, so they haven't gotten to you yet.

INT: LIMELIGHT THEATER, BACKSTAGE, NIGHT.

APATHY and FOLLOWER move through the ladies back stage. Two of them are consoling LYDIA who is on the floor, sobbing.

LYDIA:

Five years of music lessons wasted!

As they approach the doors to the stage area, OBVIOUS comes out.

APATHY:

What is going on?

OBVIOUS:

Nothing good, and it's only getting worse. We need to find the culprit soon!

FOLLOWER:

(still dazed) We should be watching the show.

APATHY:

I don't think FOLLOWER is going to be much good to us tonight.

OBVIOUS:

That's because they've gotten to him to!

APATHY looks at FOLLOWER, who is visibly drooling.

APATHY:

How can you tell?

OBVIOUS:

FOLLOWER, I'm sorry.

FOLLOWER:

For what?

SFX: Smack!

OBVIOUS brings his hand across FOLLOWER's face. The hero tumbles to the ground. He looks up and his eyes are finally clear.

FOLLOWER:

Gah, what happened?

OBVIOUS:

Whoever is behind this whole plot somehow got to you, too? Do you remember what happened?

FOLLOWER:

Not really... I was backstage and I saw... a woman... and a man... they hugged and then... nothing.

OBVIOUS:

What man?

FOLLOWER:

I don't know. I think the woman was a contestant but I can't clearly remember her face.

OBVIOUS:

One of the contestants... APATHY, go guard the door to the dressing room. Make sure only the ladies go in there.

APATHY:

Roger.

APATHY marches off.

OBVIOUS:

FOLLOWER, you're going to stand back stage, visible to the judges and the audience. If anyone is in there, I want them to see you and wonder what you're up to.

FOLLOWER:

You want me to play bait.

OBVIOUS:

Yes.

FOLLOWER:

Can do!

As FOLLOWER walks off, TEMP comes up, an old-timey account visor on her head and an old-school accountant's register under one arm.

OBVIOUS:

How'd it go?

TEMP:

I killed it. Math rules.

OBVIOUS:

Good, because we're going to need you on stage for the end of this. I have my suspicions about what's going on, but we won't know until the finale. And for that, we need to set a trap...

INT: LIMELIGHT THEATER, STAGE, NIGHT.

We see the final five contestants, TEMP included, on stage. JOHNNY D is in front, mic in hand. In the background we see a stage hand walk out, get pulled back by OBVIOUS, and then a heated discussion takes place that we aren't privy to.

JOHNNY D:

This is it, ladies and gentlemen. The final five. We've heard from them, seen their talents, and now it's time for the final decision. If I can get the envelope, please?

The stage hand walks out with just one more look at OBVIOUS. He walks up and hands the envelope to JOHNNY D.

SFX: Drum roll.

JOHNNY D opens the envelope, looks up at the crowd.

JOHNNY D:

And the winner, is... PAULA!

PAULA yells, throwing her hands in the air. One stagehand comes up and hands her flowers, another a big trophy, and then a crow is put upon her head. But then, as we pan out to show the cheers from the girls and the audience, we see EYE stand up from his chair.

EYE:

NO! That's not right! ERIN won!

JOHNNY D:

Hahaha, everyone has their favorites, but the envelope doesn't lie.

EYE:

I know she won! I made it... happen...

A spotlight is cast down on ALL-SEEING EYE, and the audience all stares at him. Then we see ERIN step forward. Meanwhile, OBVIOUS, APATHY, and FOLLOWER come out on stage as well.

ERIN:

Dad? What did you do?

OBVIOUS:

That judge is your father?

ERIN:

Judge?

EYE:

Never fear, soon, all will be right. Everyone, just look into my eyes.

FOLLOWER snaps his fingers.

FOLLOWER:

That's how I remember you. That's the ALL-SEEING EYE!

ERIN:

Dad! You said you wouldn't interfere!

OBVIOUS:

ALL-SEEING EYE?

EYE:

I couldn't let you lose. And after it seemed like the other girls were going to beat you...

ERIN:

And you used your powers on me! I met the judges! You weren't one of them!

FOLLOWER:

A villain I fought, alongside Etiquette Man, back in the day.

EYE:

No, I-

ERIN:

You promised to never use your powers on me!

OBVIOUS:

And he has mind control powers.

FOLLOWER:

Does he? I didn't remember that.

EYE has come up on stage by this point, and he tries to get close to ERIN.

EYE:

I didn't mean anything by it. I just wanted you to be able to get into the college of your choice.

ERIN:

No! This is now how you repair our relationship!

EYE looks chastened, and then angry.

EYE:

It doesn't matter. Soon, daughter, you and everyone else will forget this happened. Now, let us begin with-

At this point we zoom out just enough to show PAULA right behind him as she swings back and then clocks him across the head with her trophy. ALL-SEEING EYE goes down, and the crowd cheers.

INT: LIMELIGHT THEATER, FRONT HALL.

EYE is dragged out by the police in hand cuffs. The team watches, before nodding and heading out of the building.

EXT: LIMELIGHT THEATER, NIGHT.

As the guys walk to their van, TEMP comes out, dressed more casually again.

TEMP:

Hey, guys! Wait up!

The team turns and lets her join.

TEMP:

You have room for one more?

FOLLOWER:

Of course. You'll make a great addition to our team.

TEMP:

I meant for dinner or drinks or whatever you were up to, now. I'm not superhero material.

OBVIOUS:

Neither is APATHY, but we let him stay anyway.

APATHY:

Sadly, it's true.

TEMP:

No, I mean-

FOLLOWER:

Food does sound good, though. Who's up for-

APATHY:

Pizza?

FOLLOWER:

I was going to suggest hot wings.

APATHY:

Sure you were.

TEMP:

I guess I could be down for some wings.

FOLLOWER:

Newest member of the team gets to make the call. Wings it is.

TEMP:

I'm not-

FADE OUT.

CREDIT ROLL.

End Episode 5, Part 3:

This is a funny episode, one I really enjoy, but I will admit it's not very action packed. As a superhero parody show the episodes don't always have to have action, and I think it works here that we don't really have much at all. That said, I do think this episode is a tad rushed to get to the end -- It's already a long episode (26 pages in script form), and I had to bring it to a close before it went even longer. I could easily see this episode being a two-parter, and in that case I'd probably add a bigger, more action-packed finale.

Still, as a way to close out this series, I think this episode works. It shows the various directions The Follower could go, and it allows us to have a full team of heroes pulled together now that the Temp is in the mix. I guess we just have to see if I ever manage to actually produce this show, in some form or another, down the road.