Ellen's Big Stimulus Package

I have a friend in need. She has been a great friend to me for a very long time so I made an effort to return her kindness. 2 years ago she decided to "go for broke," leaving behind an unhealthy work situation in pursuit of a lifelong dream. Unfortunately, she actually did go completely broke despite a tremendous effort.

Ellen Degeneres ran a contest that ended today to grant a "Big Stimulus Package" to a few needy people. The rules of the contest was to write a story about a friend in need in 1500 characters or less.

The criteria for judging were 1. Originality, 2. Uniqueness, and 3. Demonstration of how any stimulus might be used.

It was quite a challenge. I ended up writing 2 different stories, both of which were almost double the maximum length. How could I distinguish my story in 1500 letters!

I figured they would receive 100's of the saddest sob stories imaginable. Since the severity of my friend's situation is somewhat questionable, I needed a different angle to capture the originality and uniqueness categories. So I wrote a mini-script.

The names have changed, but this is a true story. Here it is in exactly 1500 characters.....
(excuse my formatting...blogger doesn't support script format!)


EXT. A FARM IN RURAL VIRGINIA - NIGHT

An old garage is set apart from a grand Colonial farmhouse. The night appears tranquil, but things are not as they seem.

JEN (V.O.)
I always thought it admirable when a person has the courage to stand up and take charge of their life. So how did I end up like this?

JEN, 31, exits the farmhouse. She is wearing her pajamas and carries a toiletry bag.

JEN (V.O.)
I live here.

She creeps through the grass towards the garage.

JEN (V.O.)
No. I don't mean the farmhouse. I live in the garage.

INT. GARAGE - CONTINUOUS
The garage is a 200 sq ft box without a bathroom or kitchen. But the interior has been transformed into an oasis of calm. The room carries an Asian motif summarized by a Tibetan meditation bowl upon an old dresser. Her space is a perfect reflection of her demeanor.

JEN (V.O.)
No one should have to spend a lifetime in the same mundane, sterile, sometimes hostile and often belittling job and work environment. You're supposed to do something about it. So I did.

She opens her laptop and brings up her page: Jen's Healthy Living.

JEN (V.O.)
I did all the right things. I saved. I went back to school. I became a certified Health Counselor. I gave up everything to start my business, even my apartment. But it still wasn't enough.

She takes a final look at her livelihood on-screen.

JEN (V.O.)
The economy and other circumstances just were not in my favor.

She closes the laptop and dials a number on her phone.

JEN
Mom? I have something to tell you. I'm moving home.