THE LOSS AT BURNING MAN

A Screenplay by Veronica Koo

Based on a novel by Cory Doctorow

 

Fade In:

1. Burning Man Festival grounds –

A college student, Marcus, lies alone in a deserted patch of the Nevada desert. He slowly looks up and around him, noticing that no one is near. He starts to panic, and look around vigorously.

Male College Student’s Voice (MARCUS)
ANGE? ANGE!

No sign of female college student, Ange. Marcus stands up, runs around in a circle to get a better visual, but no sign of Ange. He sees the Burning Man Festival grounds from afar, and starts running towards the grounds. He reaches the edge of the Festival grounds, stops running and walks around. He looks into several tents to see if there is any sign of Ange.

MARCUS
Hi Ma’am, have you seen a young female college student, short with black Buddy Holly glasses? Her name is Ange.

ELDERLY WOMAN
Why yes dear, I just gave her some water, she looked parched.

MARCUS
Do you know where she went? I need to find her, it is important.

ELDERLY WOMAN
Of course sweety, she went towards the dance circle. She said she needed to take a loud off and immerse herself in the crowd.

MARCUS
Thank you for letting me know. I’ll go on finding her now.

ELDERLY WOMAN
Would you like any water or snacks dear? You also look parched and exhausted. Here, take these.

Elderly woman hands Marcus a water bottle and fruit snacks packets. Marcus takes them and smiles.

MARCUS
I haven’t eaten for a day. You have no idea how much this means to me.

ELDERLY WOMAN
Anytime dear. Let me know if you need more food and drinks, or anything else.

The elderly woman winked. Marcus smiled, and walked away. Marcus walks towards the dance circle from a far distance, and sees a large crowd of people. He enters the dance circle and looks around at the people. No sign of Ange so far. He looks closer at the faces and sees Ange. He couldn’t recognize her because of the face paint on her face. He runs towards her with relief.

MARCUS
ANGE! Finally I found you! What are you doing here?

ANGE
Shhhhh. Don’t say my name too loud. When Masha gave you the “THING”, I think we were being followed or someone overheard. I think someone wants what you have.

Marcus froze. He didn’t know what to say or do. He had a blank look on his face.

MARCUS
Have you seen Masha, Zeb, or Carrie?

ANGE
No sign so far, but you never know where they’ll turn up.

MARCUS
Well, I still have a mystery. How did I end up in the middle of the desert? I woke up and no one was around me.

ANGE
What do you mean? I lost you last night, we were separated in a big rush to go to the burning of an elephant statue. I tried to look for you but you were nowhere to be found.

Background dance music starts playing louder, and they get distracted and start dancing a little.

MARCUS
Wait wait. We should step out and talk. This is important.

Marcus leads Ange outside of the dance circle, and they sit down on a bench.

MARCUS
If we really do have a problem and people are trying to find us, we need to keep cover. We should get along with our neighbors and stay with people at all times.

ANGE
Right. That sounds great to me. Now first thing is first, where is the “THING”?

MARCUS
It’s in my left chest pocket. That’s where I left it.

ANGE
Well, make sure you still have it there.

MARCUS
Right.

Marcus checks his left chest pocket. He turns it inside out. Nothing. He checks his other jacket pockets. Nothing. He checks his pants pockets and all pockets possible. Still nothing. Marcus looks at Ange with a pale, sweaty face.

MARCUS
Ange. I think we have a problem….

-Scene Ends.