NIGHTMARE AT GOGOL SCHOOL
NIGHTMARE AT GOGOL SCHOOL
Selected Scene
EXT. GOGOL SCHOOL – NIGHT
A LIMOUSINE slowly turns into the school courtyard.
INT. LIMOUSINE – CONTINUOUS
The SECRETARY briefs the MINISTER and the MINISTER’S WIFE.
MINISTER
Well, let’s see how people’s lives are improving thanks to us.
SECRETARY
Don’t worry. Everything has been done according to your Instructions.
The Secretary presents a small two-seat convertible to the Minister and his wife.
SECRETARY (CONT'D)
May I invite you and your wife to take your seats in this comfortable motorcar?
He offers one hand to the Minister and the other to his Wife, escorting them toward a small TWO-SEAT CONVERTIBLE.
The Minister admires it.
MINISTER
Looks luxurious! Isn’t it a little too expensive?
(beat)
Will the people understand?
MINISTER’S WIFE
Don’t worry! Look — it only has two seats and no roof. So it must cost half as much.
She turns to the Secretary.
MINISTER’S WIFE (CONT'D)
Right, Mr. Secretary?
SECRETARY
Absolutely! Mr. Minister, this is not a luxury, you know. It is merely, you know, a means of transportation.
MINISTER
I know.
He considers it.
MINISTER (CONT'D)
All right. You certainly know how to persuade me.
The Minister and his Wife climb into the convertible.
MINISTER (CONT'D)
Shall we go, then? It’s time for something sweet!
The convertible quietly rolls forward.
The Secretary RUNS alongside it.
SECRETARY
Right here, please.
MINISTER
So you’re saying everything is in order?
SECRETARY
No doubt about it! The ball will be an outstanding success! Two hundred percent guaranteed!
Still running, the Secretary sorts through a stack of papers.
SECRETARY (CONT'D)
Our dedicated specialists, you know, have done everything possible. Here is the detailed report, you know.
He waves the papers right under the Minister’s nose.
SECRETARY (CONT'D)
Attendance — one hundred percent. Academic performance — one hundred percent. Average grade — twelve. Average student age — twelve. Average student weight—
MINISTER
Why do I need to know that?
SECRETARY
That concerns the performance of the school cafeteria.
The Minister suddenly becomes interested.
MINISTER
Do they serve desserts in this school cafeteria?
SECRETARY
Of course! Jelly, cocoa, donuts—
MINISTER’S WIFE
My husband loves donuts.
SECRETARY
Left here, please...
The convertible turns.
SECRETARY (CONT'D)
The printing facility is fully automated and operates twenty-four hours a day.
The Minister barely listens.
MINISTER
...Jelly and donuts, you say...
The little convertible drives past large windows overlooking a SWIMMING POOL, then past a RECEPTION DESK.
It turns through the grand foyer and stops beside a FOUNTAIN.
MINISTER’S WIFE
Are we here?
She looks toward a DOORMAN in a gold-trimmed cap standing beside a pair of towering doors.
SECRETARY
Exactly, exactly. We have arrived.
The Minister and his Wife step out of the convertible and approach the tall doors.
The Doorman swings them open.
EXT. GOGOL SCHOOL – COURTYARD – CONTINUOUS
The Minister and his Wife emerge into the school courtyard.
The SCHOOL PRINCIPAL greets them enthusiastically.
SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
I’m so happy you could visit our ordinary Gogol Secondary School, Mr. Minister!
MINISTER
I remember. Gogol-mogol.
(beat)
And the donuts and all that.
SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Dessert and a cultural program — everything is ready and waiting for you!
She gestures toward a RED CARPET leading to the school entrance.
The Minister and his Wife step onto it.