Own It

INT. THEATRE – NIGHT

People mill about as stagehands begin cleaning up the theatre.

A FELLOW CREATIVE chats with a couple of straggling AUDIENCE MEMBERS – we overhear “It was... interesting” – before Fellow Creative joins our WRITER.

WRITER

(shakes hands with Fellow Creative)

Well done on your opening night.

FELLOW CREATIVE

Thank you.

WRITER

It was a good turn out.

FELLOW CREATIVE

Yes it was.

Beat. The Writer scans the posters on the stage. Fellow Creative looks at Writer.

FELLOW CREATIVE

... What did you think of the play?

WRITER

What did YOU think?

FELLOW CREATIVE

This –

(indicates the stage)

– this was just a trifle ’cause what I REALLY care about is –

Writer holds up his hand:

WRITER

Whoa there. Sorry to cut you off but --

(counts off a finger)

-- did you write it?

FELLOW CREATIVE

Yes.

WRITER

(counts off another finger)

Did you direct it?

FELLOW CREATIVE

... Yes.

ON FELLOW CREATIVE as their expression shows a swathe of emotions.

WRITER

(gentle)

Not everyone could’ve done what you’ve achieved tonight.

FELLOW CREATIVE

Nah, anyone could’ve –

WRITER

I don’t see anyone here but you, bucko.

(again with the finger-counting)

You had a dream – a vision. You wrote it up. You got some people involved because they were fired up by your vision and your passion. You directed it. You produced it. You put it out there. It may not have turned out the way you first dreamed it but you made it REAL.

(puts a hand on Fellow Creative’s shoulder)

This is your night. Enjoy it.