The Pride

By
Spencer Brown

69 Mack St.
Kingston, Ontario
K7L 1N8
[email protected]
INT. OUTSIDE PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE - DAY
ALISHA CALLAWAY sits in a plastic chair beside a door
labeled “Principal”.

Alisha is 7 years old with black skin, almond shaped eyes

and a small button nose. She wears pink Velcro shoes, brown
tights with a denim skirt and a puffy navy blue jacket. Her
pink backpack rests beside the chair and her feet hover
inches off the ground as she swings them back and forth. In
her lap sits a binder which she sketches in.

Through the door, the muffled sound of VOICES in serious

discussion can be heard, then SILENCE.

INT. PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE - DAY

A concerned STEVE and MONICA CALLAWAY sit across from

PRINCIPAL CHO, separated by a large unattractive desk. Steve
is a handsome 42 year old and wears expensive business
attire. Monica, an attractive 38 year old, wears equally
attractive clothing but is much less formal. The
significantly older Principal Cho has a relaxed demeanor and
speaks with his hands.
STEVE
She isn’t mute. I speak with her
nearly every morning before Monica
drops her off here. The thing is,
she’s a shy kid. Maybe you need to
work on making her less shy.
PRINCIPAL CHO
Mr. Callaway, it’s not our
responsibility to make your
daughter less introverted. We’re
not a disability center. However,
we have dealt with similar
circumstances before. I understand
that you haven’t had Alisha for
long, but her behavior is a growing
concern. Her “shyness,” as you put
it, may not be a need for alarm but
her violent outbursts should be.
Today is the 3rd time your daughter
has visited my office in the past 2
months.
MONICA
This is news to me!

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 2.

STEVE
I had no idea.
PRINCIPAL CHO
(Confused)
You should have gotten a call or a
voice mail. That’s school policy...
(continued)
The Callaways stare at the Principal in surprise. Principal
Cho takes a file folder from his desk. He CLEARS HIS THROAT
and reads aloud.
PRINCIPAL CHO
Alisha’s first incident was Sept.
8th. She was caught putting glue in
Margaret Fields hair. On the 27th,
she threw sand in Billy Fisher’s
eyes, and when the receptionist
called today, did he tell you what
had happened?
MONICA
Something about closing a door on
someones nose? Are they alr...
STEVE
But that could have been an
accident.

PRINCIPAL CHO
Yes, he’s alright. And regardless,
there are actions that need to be
taken to ensure the safety of our
students and your daughter. When
dealing with those who have
experienced loss like Alisha has,
solving these sorts of issues isn’t
always black & white, which is why
we would like to refer Alisha to a
child-psychologist. This would just
be an evaluation to help us
determine Alisha’s needs.
STEVE
You think my daughter is a
headcase?
MONICA
Steve!

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 3.

PRINCIPAL CHO
This would be for her own benefit.
Either she goes, or she will be
expelled.

MONICA
Well...If that’s the case...How can
we contact them?
Principal Cho rummages through his Rolodex and withdraws a
business card.

PRINCIPAL CHO
His name is Dr. Schroeder.
(continued)
Monica stands to take the card from the principal. She
shakes his hand. Steve also stands to shake Principal Cho’s
hand.
PRINCIPAL CHO
Thank you for your time.

MONICA
Thank you Mister Cho, and if you
don’t mind, could you make a note
to contact us in person if
something like this happens again?

The Callaways exit the office.

INT. FAMILY S.U.V. - AFTERNOON

Monica drives Steve and Alisha through a suburban

neighborhood. Alisha stares out the window to watch as
children walk home from school. Steve looks over his
shoulder.
STEVE
Sweetie, did you delete any
messages from the
school?(continued)
Alisha looks down at her feet but offers no response.

STEVE
Alisha?
MONICA
Your father and I aren’t mad at
you, just a little disappointed.
We’re your family now and we wanna
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 4.

MONICA (cont’d)
be there for you when we can, but
you have to let us, OK? Is there
anything you want to tell us?

Alisha nods. Brief pause.

ALISHA
I have to do a Lion presentation on
Friday.

STEVE
That’s great kiddo! How about you
get started on that when we get
home.

INT. ALISHA’S BEDROOM - EVENING

Alisha enters her bedroom carrying her pink backpack. She
removes the binder of sketches from the contents of the bag
and takes the laptop off her desk before crawling under the
covers of her bed. She begins to simultaneously watch
youtube videos about lions while sketching pictures of them
on the lined sheets of paper in her binder. The VOICE
narrating the videos is soothing and deep, causing Alisha’s
eyelids to grow heavy. She falls asleep.

Monica enters the room and tucks Alisha in. As Monica

removes the clutter from the bed, a drawing falls out of the
binder. The drawing is of 3 lions, labeled ’Mom’, ’Dad’ and’
Alisha’. Monica takes the paper and kisses Alisha on the
forehead before exiting the room.

Fade to black.

INT. ALISHA’S BEDROOM - MORNING

Fade in as Alisha wakes to find a large, furry object at the
foot of her bed. She pulls the cover up over her head but
slowly lowers it back down to observe. The creature makes a
low rumble as it breaths and re-adjusts its body slightly.
Alisha gathers up her courage and crawls toward the beast,
rolling it over to get a better look. The beast is actually
Alisha’s biological father, PHIL, dressed in an oversized
lion costume.
Phil, in his early forties, is Black with dark eyes and a
scruffy beard. Alisha begins to shake her father.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 5.

ALISHA
Dad!?
Phil takes a moment to come about.
PHIL
Well aren’t you a sight for sore
eyes.
Alisha gives Phil a hug and he returns the embrace. Phil
begins to tickle Alisha.

ALISHA
(Overjoyed)
How did you get here? Aren’t you...
PHIL
Dead? I’m pretty sure I am dead. I
honestly couldn’t tell ya what I’m
doing here. (continued)
Phil’s stomach GROWLS

PHIL
All I know is that I’m so hungry, I
could eat a horse. What do you say
we get some breakfast?
ALISHA
I can’t wait till you meet Monica!
Alisha grabs Phil’s hand and escorts him as they exit the
bedroom.

INT. KITCHEN - MORNING

Monica is preparing breakfast while speaking on the phone.
MONICA
Are there any appointments today?
No, that’s no good, she will still
be at school. Ya, my husband can
probably get her there by then.
Perfect. thanks, you too.

Monica hangs up and notices Alisha as she enters with Phil.

ALISHA
Monica!

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 6.

MONICA
Good morning sweetheart, did you
sleep OK? You fell asleep awfully
early, must have been working hard
on that presentation.

ALISHA
Ya, and when I woke up this
morning, look who I found!
MONICA
And whose that darling?
ALISHA
My Dad!
Monica looks puzzled but decides to smile and wave-it is in
the wrong direction. Confused by this reaction, Alisha and
Phil sit at the table and begin to eat cereal. Monica goes
about her routine before noticing the picture on the fridge.
The ’Dad’ lion has disappeared.
MONICA
Did you see that I put your drawing
on the fridge? What an amazing job
you little artist you. I hope you
don’t mind; I could have sworn
there was another lion though.

Alisha smiles.
PHIL
I don’t think she can see me. She
seems nice though.

Phil grabs the bowl of cereal and tilts his into his mouth,
spilling food all over the floor.
MONICA
Darling, could you please be a
little more careful when you eat?

EXT. SCHOOL YARD - DAY

Monica drops Alisha off at school in a rush. Phil
accompanies her to the front door where they are met by
BILLY FISHER and his gang of friends. They are all the same
age as Alisha and they also look very average except for
Billy who has a large bandage on his nose.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 7.

BILLY
Hey freak. Coulda sworn after
yesterday they would send you to
Juvie.

Billy’s friends CHUCKLE

PHIL
What’s up with this guys face?
Alisha doesn’t respond.

BILLY
Why don’t you ever talk. Are you
retarded?
Billy looks to his friends and laughs. They respond with
laughter.
PHIL
Honey, I don’t like this guy one
bit. I think you should show him
what a lion does in this kind of
situation.
BILLY
Well, are ya?
Alisha looks at Phil hesitantly before lunging at Billy,
biting his arm. Hysteria ensues.

INT. WAITING ROOM - DAY

Phil and Alisha sit in the waiting room as Steve paces
around, talking with a client on his phone.
PHIL
Ya know, that wasn’t exactly what I
had in mind. Sure, you gotta stick
up for yourself but you’re never
gonna get anywhere if you’re always
trying to fight your way out of the
corner. (continued)
Phil pauses.

PHIL
Do you know what the pride is?
ALISHA
A family of lions?

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 8.

PHIL
Ah, that’s what scientists think it
means, but really, the pride is the
lion’s way of life. Sure, it’s
about family but its also about
respect; respect for others but
especially respect for yourself. Do
you know why Lions don’t go around
killing everything they see?
ALISHA
Because of the pride?
PHIL
Exactly, we only kill out of
necessity. We prefer to live in
harmony with all the other animals
and that’s how we get respect.
We’re just like humans, we have
morals too. (continued)
Alisha looks confused.

PHIL
Don’t worry, we can work on it.
A VOICE comes from off screen and summons Alisha. Phil
follows while Steve continues to wander around the office
with his cell phone.

INT. PSYCHOLOGIST’S OFFICE - DAY

DR. SCHROEDER, a senile yet intellectual looking man in worn
out clothing and thick bi-focal glasses sits across from
Alisha in a cramped office. Phil sits in a chair at the far
end of the room. Dr. Schroeder scribbles notes into a file
and mumbles to himself.
DR. SCHROEDER
So you are an orphan...Very
interesting. Do you remember what
your relationship with your parents
was like? (continued)
Alisha sits quietly

DR. SCHROEDER
Did they ever fight? Or get angry
at you? (continued)
Alisha remains silent

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 9.

DR. SCHROEDER
Would they hit you?
PHIL
Oh Come on!

ALISHA
No.
PHIL
She’s upset that we died you old
goat! How the heck can you rule
that out?
Alisha looks over at Phil and giggles.
DR. SCHROEDER
What are you looking at?
ALISHA
(hesitantly)
My dad...He’s a lion.

DR. SCHROEDER
(mumbling)
Absolutely delusional
PHIL
Alright, this conversation is over.
No one talks to my daughter like
that.
Phil stands and marches toward the desk and ROARS with all
his might, sending Dr. Schroeder into a state of shock.
Taken aback, Dr. Schroeder glances around the room and
adjusts his spectacles nervously. Phil ROARS once more.
DR. SCHROEDER
Oh, not again.

Schroeder begins to HOWL back pounding his fists on the

desks as if to assert his authority. Phil, still ROARING,
picks up Alisha’s file and tears it to pieces and escorts
Alisha towards the door.
PHIL
Thanks for nothing doc. (continued)
Phil turns to Alisha
PHIL
Now where were we? Oh right, the
pride...
 10.

Phil and Alisha exit the office. After a brief silence,

Schroeder regains his composure only to realize he is alone.

EXT. PARK - DAY (M.O.S. MONTAGE)

Phil and Alisha play in the park. Phil provides

encouragement as Alisha tries to make friends on the jungle
gym. She plays tag with several kids and also swings on a
swing set with other kids while Phil pushes her. Phil and
Alisha also work on her presentation, practicing gestures,
gathering research and preparing the Bristol board.

INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT

Monica assembles a small lion costume for Alisha who helps
her mother while Phil watches TV from the couch with Steve.

EXT. SCHOOL YARD - DAY

Monica drops the costume-clad Alisha and Phil off at school
and Alisha is once again greeted by Billy who stands with
his arm in front of the doorway.
BILLY
(Sarcastically)
Nice outfit, did you make it
yourself?
ALISHA
Ya! Well, I helped my mom. Billy, I
wanted to say sorry for breaking
your nose. It was wrong and I hope
you can forgive me.
Billy looks confused.
ALISHA
I also wanted to tell you that I
really liked your presentation on
alligators. I didn’t know they
could go days without eating,
that’s really cool.

Billy’s confusion mounts and Alisha steps forward and kisses

him on the cheek. Phil struts past and opens the door. Billy
is stunned and stammers as Alisha walks past confidently,
closely followed by Phil. Billy watches as they leave and
holds his hand to where he was kissed.
 11.

INT. CLASSROOM - DAY

Alisha and Phil arrive outside her classroom and Phil opens
the door.
PHIL
Good luck kiddo, it’s all up to you
now. (continued)
Alisha looks lovingly toward Phil and hugs him around the
waist.

PHIL
Remember, your mom and I love you.
Now go get ’em!
Alisha enters the classroom. and sets up for her
presentation. She starts off hesitant but begins to get into
it, acting larger than life in a MONTAGE of the
presentation.
After she finishes, the class gives her a big round of
applause. Alisha walks back to the door to see Phil but when
she opens the door, he is no where to be found. In his place
is the newly restored drawing of Alisha and her family with
words ’Never forget the pride". Alisha smiles and hurries
back into the classroom.
ROLL CREDITS