<script>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - MINNESOTA - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Vintage black and white stock footage of some farms and farmhouses .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Color footage of cotton fields passing by . We FREEZE and FADE TO BLACK . 1995 MARKED THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATION 'S OLDEST BEAUTY CONTEST . THE SARAH ROSE COSMETICS AMERICAN TEEN PRINCESS PAGEANT A DOCUMENTARY FILM CREW WAS SENT TO A SMALL TOWN IN MINNESOTA TO COMMEMORATE THIS OCCASSION .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. PAGEANT AUDITORIUM - MOUNT ROSE - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Vintage blue - toned stock footage of a teenage beauty pageant contestant . LEGS WIPE IN .</scene_description>
    <character>MALE PAGEANT ANNOUNCER</character>
    <parenthetical>( O.S . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Sarah Rose knows you're a beautiful person.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Blue - toned stock footage of a long row of beauty pageant contestants on stage .</scene_description>
    <character>MALE PAGEANT ANNOUNCER</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Sarah Rose knows you have an unusual talent. Sarah Rose knows you're a teenage girl.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Blue - toned stock footage of the row of contestants parading down some steps from the stage as CAMERA TILTS DOWN .</scene_description>
    <character>MALE PAGEANT ANNOUNCER</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Mmm, and she definitely knows that you are ready for the ultimate teen glamour.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>ROUSING PATRIOTIC MUSIC . FAST PACED CUTS feature SMILING TEENAGE CONTESTANTS dancing and waving American flags . APPLAUSE !</scene_description>
    <character>MALE PAGEANT ANNOUNCER</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont'd. ) The American Teen Princess Pageant .</parenthetical>
    <dialogue />
    <scene_description>Each contestant wears a BANNER ACROSS her dress reading : AMERICAN TEEN PRINCESS .</scene_description>
    <character>MALE PAGEANT ANNOUNCER</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>And now, a few words.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>ANGLE ON Contestants DROP , ROLL and form a STAR . CHEERS !</scene_description>
    <character>MALE PAGEANT ANNOUNCER</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>from last year's host, Mr. Adam West.</dialogue>
    <character>ADAM WEST</character>
    <dialogue>The American Teen Princess Pageant has been enriching the lives of American - made girls since 1945.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>TITLES FADE ON SCREEN : Adam West , TV 's Batman , then FADE OUT .</scene_description>
    <character>ADAM WEST</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>The American Teen Princess Pageant provides personal growth, scholarship, travel, and you.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Numerous contestants stand up in SHOT and SURROUND ADAM .</scene_description>
    <character>ADAM WEST</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>might even meet a few celebrities. At the national level, thousands of seventeen year - old girls like yourselves. and compete around the country in places like :</dialogue>
    <character>MALE PAGEANT ANNOUNCER</character>
    <parenthetical>( O.S . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Beautiful Mount Rose, Minnesota.</dialogue>
    <character>ADAM WEST</character>
    <dialogue>And make it all the way here to Lincoln, Alabama, to compete for the title of American Teen Princess.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>LIGHTS come UP on the teenaged girls in the pageant as they pause . As they WAVE AMERICAN FLAGS . Adam West turns back to the camera .</scene_description>
    <character>ADAM WEST</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>And now, a few words from last year's host, Mr. Adam West.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Contestants strike a pose around him . THUNDEROUS CANNED APPLAUSE !</scene_description>
    <character>ADAM WEST</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <parenthetical>( pointing to camera . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>So, which one of you will it b -</dialogue>
    <scene_description>SCREEN SUDDENLY STATIC .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HIGH SCHOOL - GYM - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>SCENE from `` DAYS OF OUR LIVES '' PULL BACK to reveal the VIDEO is on a TV in front of a GROUP OF SEVENTEEN YEAR - OLD GIRLS , sitting in gym bleachers . -LSB- NOTE : The film is shot documentary style . PEOPLE ARE REAL . Their lives revolve around this pageant . All speak with a THICK MINNESOTA ACCENT . -RSB- THREE `` CIVIL SERVETTES , '' the local women 's group . -LSB- Picture unattractive Stepford Wives in matching windbreakers -RSB- stand beside GLADYS LEEMAN , 34 , president . She STOPS THE VIDEO .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS LEEMAN</character>
    <dialogue>Good God, Iris, you taped your shows over it.</dialogue>
    <character>IRIS</character>
    <dialogue>Sorry.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Gladys turns to the GIRLS in the bleachers . SUPER : MOUNT ROSE , MINNESOTA POPULATION : 5,076</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS LEEMAN</character>
    <dialogue>Now ladies, the rest of the tape - which is now gone forever - goes on about startin' this great American journey we call American Teen Princess. Yah - so, any of you young ladies who'd like to start on that journey, you just come right down here and sign up. And please. help yourselves to some coffee and bars.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Gladys seated with middle - aged women .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>Showtime.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>SUPER : GLADYS LEEMAN , LOCAL CHAIRMAN , PAGEANT ORGANIZING COMMITTEE .</scene_description>
    <character>DOCUMENTARIAN</character>
    <parenthetical>( O.S . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Do you think that most people would say that teenage beauty pageants are a good idea?</dialogue>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>Oh yah - sure, I know what some of your big city, no bra wearin', hairy - legged women's libbers say, `` Pageants are old - fashioned'' and, uh, and `` demeaning'' to the girls -</dialogue>
    <character>IRIS</character>
    <parenthetical>( jumping in . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>What's sick is women dressin' like men!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Civil Servettes stare at her a beat .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>Uh. You betcha, Iris.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( quickly , back to camera . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Yah - I think yous boys'll find that things are different here in Mount Rose.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Civil Servettes AD - LIB AGREEMENT .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>For one thing, y' know, we're God fearin' folk - every last one of us.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Civil Servettes AD - LIB AGREEMENT .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>You wo n't find a back room in our video store.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Servettes AD - LIB `` AMEN . YAH - YOU BETCHA . '' etc. .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd ; V.O . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>that filth is better left in the `` Sin Cities.''</dialogue>
    <character>IRIS</character>
    <dialogue>A.k.a. Minneapolis - St. Paul.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>PULL AWAY from MINNEAPOLIS SKYLINE to COUNTRYSIDE .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. QUAINT MAIN STREET</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>The camera drives down the street .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. PICTURESQUE MIDDLE-CLASS NEIGHBORHOODS</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>The camera drives down the street .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. SUBURBAN HOUSE</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>A HAPPY FAMILY raises the AMERICAN FLAG .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. SUBURBAN DRIVEWAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>BURLY GUYS look up from washing a FORD TRUCK .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. TRAILER PARK</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Sign next to it reads : `` Welcome to Mount Rose , Home of Freda Klinghagen , Minnesota 's Oldest Living Lutheran '' complete with a photo of the extremely old woman smiling and waving .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. CREW VAN</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>An ELDERLY COUPLE looks in the passenger window of the van .</scene_description>
    <character>ELDERLY MAN</character>
    <parenthetical>( MAYOR . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Oh, yah - sure, Freda, yah. She was the oldest livin' Lutheran. Now she's dead as a doornail. It's them damn Shriners who ai n't taken that Goddamn sign down yet - those lazy sons - a - bitches. I tells kem, I tells kem every goddamn year, `` Take the Goddamn Freda sign down, you lazy sons - a - bitches!''</dialogue>
    <scene_description>SUPER : MAYOR OF MOUNT ROSE</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. GLADYS' VAN - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Through the window a family waves to Gladys .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Two BOYS play basketball in the driveway of their home .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. FRONT LAWN - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>SMALL CHILDREN in bathing suits play on a lawn . A boy shoots his water pistol .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. LEEMAN STATION WAGON - AFTERNOON</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Civil Servettes and crew are piled in . Gladys drives .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>Today's `` To Do'' list includes a trip to the Mall of America. We need outfits for the `` Physical Fitness'' number -</dialogue>
    <character>IRIS</character>
    <dialogue>Nothin' too showy!</dialogue>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>Y' betcha, Iris. We still need a third judge and we need to think of a theme.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Servettes react with pleasure .</scene_description>
    <character>IRIS</character>
    <dialogue>Gladys - Gladys! Look out!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>A CAR SWERVES .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>Oh, my!</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( waving out window . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Hello, Father Donigan! Sidewalks, sidewalks?</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Iris mimes drinking , `` glug , glug . ''</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Iris, stop!</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( to camera . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>It's not his fault. The communal wine just proves too temptin' for some of them.</dialogue>
    <character>IRIS</character>
    <dialogue>That's why we Lutherans use grape Koolaid for the blood of Christ.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. MALL OF AMERICA</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>In the vast , already full parking lot , we see Gladys Leeman 's station wagon searching for a parking spot .</scene_description>
    <character>IRIS</character>
    <dialogue>Oh, there's a parking space over there. Oh, no, that's just a compact. Sorry.</dialogue>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>You'd think they'd build the parking lot of America to go with the Mall of America!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Gladys pulls into a HANDICAPPED SPOT . Servettes and CAMERA stand outside the car . Iris points at the sign .</scene_description>
    <character>IRIS</character>
    <dialogue>It's a two - hundred dollar fine!</dialogue>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>I said I'd move if a cripple came. Let's just run in the store and pick out some outfits.</dialogue>
    <character>IRIS</character>
    <dialogue>All right, let's go.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. MALL OF AMERICA PARKING LOT</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Iris and another Servette start to get out of the car .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>Wait! Wait! Wait! Wait! Wait! Wait! Wait! I just thought of the theme.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Iris and the Servette stop .</scene_description>
    <character>IRIS</character>
    <dialogue>Oh! What is it?</dialogue>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>`` Proud. to be. an. American.''</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Servettes react with pleasure .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. MOA PARKING LOT - MOMENTS LATER</stage_direction>
    <character>DOCUMENTARIAN</character>
    <parenthetical>( O.S . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>So what was the theme of the pageant last year?</dialogue>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>Last year? It was, `` Buy American.''</dialogue>
    <character>DOCUMENTARIAN</character>
    <parenthetical>( O.S . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>And the year before that?</dialogue>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>`` U.S.A. is A - okay.''</dialogue>
    <character>DOCUMENTARIAN</character>
    <parenthetical>( O.S . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Can you remember the theme of your favorite pageant?</dialogue>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>`` Can I? I'm Amer - I - Can!'' People ask me where I get this. I do n't know, it's. maybe a gift from God or somethin'.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. MOUNT ROSE HIGH - GYM - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>PAN DOWN row of EIGHT GIRLS signing up and eating bars . SUPER : LOCAL PAGEANT REGISTRATION , MOUNT ROSE HIGH SCHOOL ANGLE ON LESLIE MILLER - sexy/peppy girl in CHEERLEADING UNIFORM .</scene_description>
    <character>LESLIE MILLER</character>
    <dialogue>Hi.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( giggles . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>I'm Leslie Miller. I'm signin' up kcause - ah, y' know, I always watch pageants on the TV and my boyfriend thinks I'll win.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>SUPER : CONTESTANT # 3 , LESLIE MILLER She makes `` gills '' on the sides of her head with her hands .</scene_description>
    <character>LESLIE MILLER</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>For my talent, I'm gon na be doing the.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Two FOOTBALL PLAYERS interrupt : PAT , her boyfriend , and BRETT , who smiles and gives a nod to Amber . Pat grabs Leslie and kisses her hard .</scene_description>
    <character>LESLIE</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Uh, Pat, I'm trying to tell themabout my. Oh.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Hormones take over and they lock lips again . She wraps her legs around him . He feels up her ass . They continue groping as her Washington Monument slips off . Leslie waves and blows kisses while performing a cheerleader chant .</scene_description>
    <character>LESLIE MILLER</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Hi, Pat! Go, Muskies! Whoo!</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HIGH SCHOOL - GYM</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>AMBER ATKINS - naturally pretty blonde , sweet as sugar pie , stares into camera like a deer caught in headlights .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER ATKINS</character>
    <parenthetical>( suddenly looking O.C . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Hi, I - I'm Amber Atkins and, um, I'm signin' up k'cause, ah, my two favorite people in the world competed. My mom and Diane Sawyer. Course I hope I end up a little more like Diane Sawyer than my mom.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>She flashes a GRIN , we melt .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. FUNERAL HOME/EMBALMING ROOM - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Amber tap - dances as she applies make - up to a MALE CORPSE . SUPER : CONTESTANT # 1 , AMBER ATKINS</scene_description>
    <character>DOCUMENTARIAN</character>
    <parenthetical>( O.S . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Do you do any of the, uh, embalming?</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <parenthetical>( laughing . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Oh, my God, no. Oh, God. I just do the hair and makeup on the deceased.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. ROAD - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Amber tap dances at the side of the road as traffic passes .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <parenthetical>( V.O . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>I'm lucky I have an after - school job where I can practice my talent.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. MOA PARKING LOT - DAY</stage_direction>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>Oh, yeah, sure. You know, every pageant is special, but this one is extra - special to me. When I was seventeen, I do n't know if you know this, but I was crowned Mount Rose's American Teen Princess. And this year. drum roll please, my lovely daughter, Rebecca Ann Leeman is competin'.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HIGH SCHOOL</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>REBECCA LEEMAN stands in front of Amber and addresses the camerman -LRB- O.S. -RRB- .</scene_description>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <dialogue>Is this my mark?</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( it is . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Hi, I'm Rebecca Leeman. And I believe this pageant is an important experience for every young woman. It, well, it teaches you what's really important in life, and it has the power to change you in ways you've never dreamed of.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. GUN RANGE</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Becky , in shooting goggles and ear muffs , FIRES a Glock - 17 9mm pistol with both hands . Sign on wall reads : `` Lutheran Sisterhood Gun Club . '' -LRB- See Iona in b.g. with an arsenal of sniper weaponry . -RRB-</scene_description>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <parenthetical>( yelling over noise . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>. What?! Klinghagen thinks it'll all come down to me and Amber?</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Becky stops firing and takes off her hear muffs .</scene_description>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Well, you have to take everything Mrs. Klinghagen says with a grain of salt. Not all your Catholics go to communion for the wafers, if you know what I mean.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. LUTHERAN SISTERHOOD GUN RANGE - LATER</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Becky thumbs bullets into her magazine as she talks .</scene_description>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <dialogue>Yah - my mom gave me this nine - mil for my thirteenth birthday.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>SUPER : CONTESTANT # 6 , BECKY LEEMAN I 'll always remember what she wrote in the card . `` Jesus loves winners . '' That 's why , no matter what I do . She shoves the magazine back in her pistol .</scene_description>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>I aim to win.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>She smiles to camera , then violently fires off a few rounds . Zoom in on the MALE TARGET : several bullet holes in the head .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. "NEW YORK, NEW YORK" BEDROOM - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>It 's all NEW YORK MEMORABILIA . Lisa Swenson - big bubbly girl - sits on her bed .</scene_description>
    <character>LISA</character>
    <dialogue>Why? Well, uh, it's kind of like askin', `` Why do all the guys chew Copenhagen?'' You know? I mean, if you're seventeen and you're not a total fry, it's just what you do.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>ETHEL MERMAN 's `` Everything 's Coming Up Roses '' PLAYS over speakers . SUPER : CONTESTANT # 7 , LISA SWENSON</scene_description>
    <character>DOCUMENTARIAN</character>
    <parenthetical>( O.S . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Have you decided what your talent is going to be yet?</dialogue>
    <character>LISA</character>
    <dialogue>I'm gon na sing and dance to, `` New York, New York.'' See, I fell in love with The Big Apple last summer when I was visitin' my brother. He followed his dream to New York.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>PICKS UP 8x10 's , shows to camera .</scene_description>
    <character>LISA</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>This is Peter as Liza. This is him as Madonna. Oh, here's me with him as Barbara.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. "GERMAN SHEPHERD" BEDROOM - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>TESS WEINHAUS , wearing an `` I love German Shepherds '' t - shirt . The room is filled with German Shepherd paraphernalia .</scene_description>
    <character>TESS</character>
    <dialogue>Uh. I do n't know what my talent's gon na be yet.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>SUPER : CONTESTANT # 3 , TESS WEINHAUS</scene_description>
    <character>TESS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Kenny. Kenny, come. Come, Kenny.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>A DACHSHUND enters and jumps on her lap .</scene_description>
    <character>TESS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>This is Kenny. Spike, my German Shepherd, went to live with a nice family on a farm after he attacked me. It was n't his fault. I had beef jerky in my front pocket.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( pulling up shirt . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>They re - made my belly with skin from my butt.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. SCHOOL LIBRARY - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>IONA HILDERBRANDT - librarian , 65 + - stamps books . SUPER : IONA HILDERBRANDT , MOUNT ROSE AMERICAN TEEN PRINCESS - 1945</scene_description>
    <character>IONA HILDERBRANTDT</character>
    <parenthetical>( smoked for sixty years . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>I was Mount Rose American Teen Princess in 1945. We were at war with the Japs.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>ANGLE ON A vintage B&W photograph of 18 - year - old IONA HILDERBRANDT , looking surprised with hands on cheeks , is being crowned MOUNT ROSE AMERICAN TEEN PRINCESS by TWO SOLDIERS on a GYM STAGE . YOUNG IONA , wearing TIARA , stands with SOLDIERS and WAR OFFICIALS beside a boiling pot of metal .</scene_description>
    <character>IONA HILDERBRANTDT</character>
    <parenthetical>( V.O . )</parenthetical>
    <parenthetical>( cont'd. ) I did n't even get to keep my damn tiara .</parenthetical>
    <dialogue />
    <scene_description>Iona 's about to drop her tiara into a recycling bin .</scene_description>
    <character>IONA HILDERBRANTDT</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Had to turn it in for scrap.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. MOLLY HOWARD'S LIVING ROOM</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>MOLLY HOWARD , a large white girl , sits between a JAPANESE COUPLE , Mr. and Mrs. HOWARD . SUPER : CONTESTANT # 5 , MOLLY HOWARD</scene_description>
    <character>MR. HOWARD</character>
    <parenthetical>( heavy accent . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>. So we adopt Molly three year ago when we come to America, to help acclimate us to American.</dialogue>
    <character>MOLLY</character>
    <parenthetical>( smiling . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>To America, Dad.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Mr. Howard laughs .</scene_description>
    <character>MRS. HOWARD</character>
    <dialogue>She all - American girl. She our American Teen Princess girl.</dialogue>
    <character>MOLLY</character>
    <dialogue>Oh, Mom.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>The Howard 's biological daughter -LRB- they renamed her `` TINA '' -RRB- ENTERS FRAME . Although she 's the picture of beauty , grace , talent and charm , she represents their old life .</scene_description>
    <character>TINA</character>
    <parenthetical>( in Japanese . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Excuse me, Father, Mother, when are we moving back to Tokyo? I ca n't stand this place anymore. They put butter on everything.</dialogue>
    <character>MR. HOWARD</character>
    <parenthetical>( turning , suddenly angry . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>English! English, you stupid little retard! We America now, Tina!</dialogue>
    <character>TINA</character>
    <parenthetical>( perfect English . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>I'm sorry, Dad, but with all due respect, my name is n't `` Tina,'' it's Seiko.</dialogue>
    <character>MR. HOWARD</character>
    <dialogue>Tina! Tina! TINA!</dialogue>
    <character>MRS. HOWARD</character>
    <dialogue>`` Robert,'' settle down.</dialogue>
    <character>MR. HOWARD</character>
    <parenthetical>( screaming . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>AHHHHHH!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Mr. Howard suddenly grabs his chest .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. MOLLY HOWARD'S LIVING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Same scene . Mr. Howard is gone .</scene_description>
    <character>TINA</character>
    <dialogue>Mom, I just finished the third movement of that concerto I was working on. I put, like, this techno beat on this Japanese folk tune - wan na hear it?</dialogue>
    <character>MR. HOWARD</character>
    <parenthetical>( running down the hall . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>No! We not like to hear it! Go to your room and shut up!</dialogue>
    <character>TINA</character>
    <dialogue>Oh, I almost forgot.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( removing envelope from pocket . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>I got my acceptance to Tokyo University.</dialogue>
    <character>MR. HOWARD</character>
    <dialogue>What, you deaf? I say shut up - shut up - SHUT UP!</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( coming at camera . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Cut her outta this!</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. MOLLY HOWARD'S LIVING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Same scene on couch .</scene_description>
    <character>MR. HOWARD</character>
    <dialogue>Now Molly, tell movie man what you talent do.</dialogue>
    <character>MOLLY</character>
    <dialogue>I'll be line dancin'.</dialogue>
    <character>MR. HOWARD</character>
    <parenthetical>( giving thumbs up . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Country western!</dialogue>
    <character>MRS. HOWARD</character>
    <dialogue>Clint Black! Ruff!</dialogue>
    <character>MR. HOWARD</character>
    <dialogue>Hey, what he got I not got?</dialogue>
    <scene_description>They all laugh .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HIGH SCHOOL - GYM - STAGE</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>CLOSE ON Michelle Johanson 's face .</scene_description>
    <character>MICHELLE</character>
    <dialogue>Yah - I'll be performing a dramatic monologue.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>SUPER : CONTESTANT # 2 , MICHELLE JOHANSON</scene_description>
    <character>MICHELLE</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Right now, I'm thinkin' `` Othello'' or. `` Soylent Green.'' Lots of girls make a smooth transition from pageants into actin', y' know.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>LOCAL TV COMMERCIAL -LRB- VIDEO -RRB- CONNIE , mid - 30 's , Midwestern attractive , wearing a sash and tiara , stands in front of a BLUE SCREEN of a FOREST .</scene_description>
    <character>CONNIE</character>
    <dialogue>Competin' for the title of Minnesota's American Teen Princess sure was excitin'. But, I never coulda won without my.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>PULL BACK to reveal a table full of PORK PRODUCTS .</scene_description>
    <character>CONNIE</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>St. Paul Pork Products!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>LOCAL TV COMMERCIAL -LRB- VIDEO -RRB- SCREEN CHANGES to OUTSIDE FACTORY/STOCK YARDS . Connie now wears a coat and hat and acts as if it 's chilly .</scene_description>
    <character>CONNIE</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>I've been enjoyin' St. Paul Pork Products for years. I grew up right next to these stock yards.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>SCREEN CHANGES to VIDEO of a SLAUGHTER LINE . PIG CARCASSES move on hooks . Connie wears a hard hat and blood stained butcher 's apron .</scene_description>
    <character>CONNIE</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>It's still the same family - run business that Walter and Vera Polarski started in 1920 when they raised and slaughtered their first pig.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Connie grabs a HOT DOG from O.C. and takes a bite .</scene_description>
    <character>CONNIE</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Mmm - mmmm. I just love St. Paul Pork Products. In fact, I love kem so much</dialogue>
    <scene_description>LOCAL TV COMMERCIAL -LRB- VIDEO -RRB- SLIDE CHANGES to VIDEO of the SAUSAGE LINE . Workers stuff sausages . Connie wears a white jumpsuit and hairnet .</scene_description>
    <character>CONNIE</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>I work here now!</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. BETZ LIVING ROOM - NIGHT</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>MRS. BETZ , a large woman , holds a tray of bars . CREW MEMBERS REACH IN THE SHOT and help themselves . JANELLE BETZ sits on the couch , SIGNING EVERYTHING she says .</scene_description>
    <character>JANELLE</character>
    <parenthetical>( slow , due to signing . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>. My talent will be an interpretive dance while I sing, `` Through the Eyes of Love.'' I have a dream of spreadin' sign language around the world. Mom? Would you be so kind?</dialogue>
    <scene_description>SUPER : CONTESTANT # 8 , JANELLE BETZ</scene_description>
    <character>JANELLE</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Yeah. Well, see, uh, I have a dream of spreading sign language around the world.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( to Mrs. Betz . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Mom, would you be so kind.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Mrs. Betz quickly puts down the bars and goes to the piano where she starts `` Through the Eyes of Love . '' Janelle begins to gesticulate and sign words in an overly dramatic performance that looks like a bizarre seizure . SOUND occasionally DIPS OUT as the BOOM OPERATOR reaches for bars .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HIGH SCHOOL - GYM - LATER</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>TAMMY CURRY - a cute , jock - type . She wears a LETTER JACKET , covered with VARSITY SPORTS PATCHES .</scene_description>
    <character>TAMMY CURRY</character>
    <dialogue>Tammy Curry. I'm signin' up for the scholarship'n' all.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HIGH SCHOOL - GYM</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>She POINTS to VARIOUS PATCHES on her LETTER JACKET .</scene_description>
    <character>TAMMY CURRY</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>This one's for Varsity Soccer, uh, I'm captain.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( pointing . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>I run track, and, uh.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( points to small gun patch . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Right here, I'm the new President of the Lutheran Sisterhood Gun Club.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>ANGLE ON LSGC PRESIDENT logo patch .</scene_description>
    <character>TAMMY CURRY</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd ;O .</parenthetical>
    <parenthetical>S . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>I love that one.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. FARM FIELD</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Shot from crew van . Sun is setting behind a lovely field of green . A John Deere Thresher travels across the burning red horizon .</scene_description>
    <character>DOCUMENTARIAN</character>
    <parenthetical>( V.O . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Would you say you have a good chance to win this pageant?</dialogue>
    <scene_description>SUPER : CONTESTANT # 9 , TAMMY CURRY</scene_description>
    <character>TAMMY</character>
    <parenthetical>( V.O . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Yeah, you bet I do. I mean, maybe other people think I ca n't win a beauty pageant. But other people did n't think I could beat out Becky Leeman for President of the gun club, either. And I did. I - I - It's just like Anthony Robbins says, `` I'm a winner. Nobody can stop me but me!''</dialogue>
    <scene_description>KABLOOM ! Tammy 's John Deere thresher BLOWS UP !</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. LUTHERAN CHURCH BASEMENT - KITCHEN AREA - NIGHT</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>CLOSE ON framed school photo of Tammy Curry . PULL BACK to see her letter jacket - scorched and torn -LRB- Lutheran Gun Club patch is MISSING -RRB- - and flowers . CONTINUE PULLING BACK to reveal both are surrounded by buns , bars and coffee on a long buffet table . A line of somber and repressed Lutherans help themselves to the food . Servettes stand at the ready . Gladys and Iris face the camera .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>Well, you know, I think everyone's doing really well considering the fact that she was so young.</dialogue>
    <character>IRIS</character>
    <dialogue>It's always hard to see the young ones called home, especially on an exploding thresher. It's just so odd and gross.</dialogue>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>You know that sometimes it's hard to understand God's great plan.</dialogue>
    <character>IRIS</character>
    <dialogue>Yeah.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Iris pats Gladys on the shoulder .</scene_description>
    <character>FEMALE MOURNER #1</character>
    <dialogue>May I have a tissue?</dialogue>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>But the show must go on.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( she faces Iris . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>I got ta get a hold of Ted and ask him if we can use that barn light as a spot again. So you watch the Jell - o salad, okay?</dialogue>
    <character>IRIS</character>
    <dialogue>All right. Okay.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HIGH SCHOOL - GYM - LATER</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>It 's smokey as hell . THREE `` FRY '' GIRLS and a PREGNANT `` FRY '' GIRL - all with `` shelf bangs '' - smoke and drink .</scene_description>
    <character>FRY GIRL #1</character>
    <dialogue>Oh, yeah - right. I ai n't gon na be in no goddamn pageant! Look what happened to that dork - ass farm girl.</dialogue>
    <character>PREGNANT FRY GIRL</character>
    <parenthetical>( O.C . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Tammy Curry?</dialogue>
    <character>FRY GIRL #1</character>
    <dialogue>Yah - yah. Everyone says this is a big accident? She got iced because she wins everything, and this time someone did n't want her to win.</dialogue>
    <character>PREGNANT FRY GIRL</character>
    <dialogue>This pageant's like a roach motel.</dialogue>
    <character>FRY GIRL #1</character>
    <dialogue>Girls check in, but they do n't check out.</dialogue>
    <character>PREGNANT FRY GIRL</character>
    <dialogue>Yeah. And they say smokin' is bad for your health.</dialogue>
    <character>FRY GIRL #1</character>
    <parenthetical>( raising cigarette into frame . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Yeah.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. OLD TWO STORY HOUSE - ESTABLISHING - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>SIGN painted on GARAGE DOOR : `` Dance Studio , Downstairs past the Laundry Room . '' CAMERA moves DOWNSTAIRS to converted basement . LISA SWENSON and two other large `` ballerinas '' practice at a 2x4/ballet barre . MOZART plays in the b.g. CHLORIS KLINGHAGEN watches and smokes . -LRB- Picture Betty Davis in her final days . -RRB-</scene_description>
    <character>CHLORIS</character>
    <dialogue>And tendu. Close. Tendu. Close. Tendu. Close. Plie. And repeat. Suck in the belly, girls, and tuck in the tushes!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>SUPER : CHLORIS KLINGHAGEN , CHOREOGRAPHER</scene_description>
    <character>CHLORIS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Close those legs! You look like a bunch of bowlegged cows! Other side. And. tendu. Close. Tendu. Close. Tendu. Close. Plie.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Chloris smokes and talks to camera . `` Ballerinas '' practice .</scene_description>
    <character>CHLORIS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Yeah, you boys sure picked a good year. If I was a betting woman, and there was a line on this in Vegas, I'd lay down ten - to - one that it all comes down to Amber Atkins and Becky Leeman. Oh, sweet Jesus, what a showdown this could be if Cain and Abel.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>The SOUND RECORDIST enters and Lisa spins out of control , taking him out . She leans over and comforts him .</scene_description>
    <character>LISA</character>
    <dialogue>Ow! Oh, God. It's so em - so embarrassing.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>EST. . SHOT - `` DAKOTA COUNTY EATING DISORDERS CLINIC '' - DAY</scene_description>
    <character>MARY</character>
    <parenthetical>( V.O . )</parenthetical>
    <parenthetical>( labored breaths . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>My winning. the Mount Rose.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. PATIENT'S ROOM - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>SMILING ANOREXIC GIRL sits in bed - a TIARA in what 's left of her hair and a SASH over her hospital gown .</scene_description>
    <character>MARY</character>
    <dialogue>American Teen Princess Pageant.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>SUPER : MARY JOHANSON , REIGNING MOUNT ROSE AMERICAN TEEN PRINCESS</scene_description>
    <character>MARY</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>really changed my life.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>The TIARA SLIPS OFF her BALDING HEAD and rolls to the floor .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. DAKOTA COUNTY EATING DISORDERS CLINIC - MARY'S ROOM</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Amber fixes Mary 's hair , carefully brushing her balding head . Mary smiles , oblivious .</scene_description>
    <character>MARY</character>
    <parenthetical>( labored breaths . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>. Amber does my hair. once a week.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <parenthetical>( flattered and embarrassed . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Well. it's the least I can do for the reigning Mount Rose Junior Miss Amer -</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Amber pulls the brush away with a clump of Mary 's hair dangling from it .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Oh God.</dialogue>
    <character>MARY</character>
    <dialogue>What?</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Huh? Oh. Uh, just a little snarl.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Amber mouths , `` Shhh ! Do n't tell ! '' to camera as she tries to pull the clump of hair from the brush .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. DAKOTA COUNTY EATING DISORDERS CLINIC - MARY'S ROOM</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Amber ties the tiara and missing clump of hair to Mary 's head with a ribbon .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>There we go.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>She holds the mirror for Mary .</scene_description>
    <character>MARY</character>
    <parenthetical>( delusional . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Beautiful. Maybe next week. a perm.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Yah. sure.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Amber gives a kind but worried smile to camera . Suddenly , Becky Leeman enters with a large box of chocolates . She 's fully aware of the cameras from the moment she enters .</scene_description>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <dialogue>Hellooo, Little Mary Sunshine!</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( pretending to notice camera . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>What?! Oh - oh my God! Lights! Camera! And me without a stitch of make - up on. What are you guys doin' here?</dialogue>
    <scene_description>She 's in full make - up .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>What're you doin' here?</dialogue>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <dialogue>Oh, Amber, like you're the only one who visits Mary.</dialogue>
    <character>MARY</character>
    <parenthetical>( to Becky . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Who are you?</dialogue>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <parenthetical>( covering . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>`` Who are you?!'' Oh Mary, you kill me.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( to camera . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>She always says that. It's a little game we play. Every week - same dippy little look on her face. `` Who are you - who are you?'' Just like that.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( in Mary 's face . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>It's me - Becky - and I brought your favorites.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Becky puts the chocolates on Mary 's lap , a few spill . Throughout the following , Mary slowly reaches for them as if they 're forbidden fruit and she 's a very hungry Eve .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>How nice, Becky, she's anorexic.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Becky roughly puts her hands over Mary 's ears , who 's now gently petting the spilled chocolates in her lap .</scene_description>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <parenthetical>( sotto , reprimanding tone . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>She's skinny, not deaf, Amber.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. TRAILER - LATE AFTERNOON</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>MONTAGE - Amber taps around the mobile home community , HOME FROM SCHOOL - backpack , Walkman , cool music blaring .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. TRAILER - AMBER'S BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Amber stands in a room the SIZE OF A CLOSET . Posters , articles and pictures of great tap dancers and Diane Sawyer cover the walls .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Dreams? Yah - sure I got kem. Sometimes I dream of winnin'. I dream of gettin' outta Mount Rose and bein' a big time reporter like Diane Sawyer. I mean, guys get outta Mount Rose all the time for hockey scholarships or prison. But the pageant's kinda my only chance.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. TRAILER - AMBER'S BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Amber points to LARGE PAGEANT PHOTO OF DIANE SAWYER - 1963</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Yah - 1963. Her beauty worked against her when she started as a reporter in Louisville, her hometown. Those were different times.</dialogue>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <parenthetical>( O.S . )</parenthetical>
    <parenthetical>( yelling , coughing . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Hey, Amber, y' get my smokes?</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <parenthetical>( smiling . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>That's my mom.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( yelling . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>I'll get kem in a sec.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>ANNETTE ATKINS , Amber 's mom - sexy , but tired - OPENS THE DOOR .</scene_description>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <parenthetical>( surprised by cameras . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Oh shit!</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>They're from L.A.. They wanted to see my room and film me for their movie.</dialogue>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <parenthetical>( mock - touched , to crew . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Oh. How quickly they grow up.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( exiting , smiling . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Hey, if they ask you to take off your shirt, get the money first.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Annette is gone .</scene_description>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd ;O .</parenthetical>
    <parenthetical>S . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>And go get my smokes!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>EST. . SHOT - LEEMAN FAMILY HOME - DAY Landscaped grounds surround this lovely two - story .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. LEEMAN HOME - VARIOUS ROOMS</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Brief `` LIFESTYLES OF THE RICH & FAMOUS '' montage of Gladys showing off interiors to the theme from `` GONE WITH THE WIND . ''</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. LEEMAN HOME - LIVING ROOM - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>It looks like a Levitz showroom . Gladys sits stiffly between Becky and her husband , LESTER - mid - 60 's , gruff , `` old school '' salesman , drink in hand .</scene_description>
    <character>LESTER</character>
    <dialogue>You betcha. S'posed to be colder - n - a witches tit tonight.</dialogue>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <parenthetical>( nervous laugh . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Oh, Lester. He loves his weather, y' know.</dialogue>
    <character>LESTER</character>
    <parenthetical>( looking to crew , O.S . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Hey, ya like it? Open it. Yah - the globe. Pull at the equator there.</dialogue>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>We're not in the showroom, Dear.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Banging and fumbling . A CORKSCREW flies into shot - CREW GUY quickly ENTERS SHOT and grabs it .</scene_description>
    <character>LESTER</character>
    <dialogue>Fits three full - size booze bottles. The cassette deck pulls outta Afghanistan, there.</dialogue>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <parenthetical>( embarrassed . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Mommm.</dialogue>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>Lester?</dialogue>
    <character>LESTER</character>
    <dialogue>Oh, all right.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( to camera . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>How soon they forget where all this comes from.</dialogue>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <dialogue>Japan.</dialogue>
    <character>LESTER</character>
    <dialogue>That's enough, young lady.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. LEEMAN HOME - LIVING ROOM - LATER</stage_direction>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>`` Impartial?'' Outside this house I'm Gladys Leeman, President, Civil Servettes - impartial as the day is long. But we're inside my home now and I've got ta warn you, I'm wearin' my `` wife apron'' and `` mom hat.'' So, I can safely say that I'm the mother of the most talented contestant Mount Rose has ever seen.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. LEEMAN HOME - LIVING ROOM - LATER</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Lester 's gone from the couch .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>I'll field that one - Rebecca's saving her voice.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Becky smiles admiringly at Gladys .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>You - betcha, Rebecca's ready. She's been singin' and dancin' since she was knee high to a pig's eye.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Lester returns to the couch , large drink in hand .</scene_description>
    <character>LESTER</character>
    <dialogue>Yah - she's damn near as good as that little black fella - with the glass eye.</dialogue>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>Sammy Davis, Jr., honey.</dialogue>
    <character>LESTER</character>
    <dialogue>Yeah, yeah, the Jew.</dialogue>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <dialogue>Nice one, Dad. He's dead.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HIGH SCHOOL - GYM</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Same scene . BOYS ' WRESTLING TEAM - tight singlets - runs laps around gym - between Servettes and camera .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>Yah - then, for the `` Judges Interview,'' each girl has a ten minute get - together with the judges before the pageant.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Gladys is distracted by the HARD , YOUNG bodies . All are .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>Yes, the Judges Interview. Each girl has a ten minute get - together with the judges prior to the pageant. Then we have the.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>A HUNKY WRESTLER , TONY , waves .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Hello, Tony.</dialogue>
    <character>TONY</character>
    <dialogue>Hey.</dialogue>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>`` Hey'' to the folks.</dialogue>
    <character>TONY</character>
    <dialogue>Yeah, all right.</dialogue>
    <character>IRIS</character>
    <dialogue>The Judges Interview.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. DRUGSTORE - MAIN STREET - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>JOHN DOUGH - pharmacist , 30 - ish , thin , nervous - chain smokes outside the drugstore . SUPER : JUDGE # 1 , JOHN DOUGH</scene_description>
    <character>DOCUMENTARIAN</character>
    <parenthetical>( O.S . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>So you've, uh, you've judged a lot of pageants over the years?</dialogue>
    <character>JOHN</character>
    <dialogue>Nope. No. Uh - uh. Never judged a pageant before in my life. Nope. No way. Never around young girls. Even if I was, why would I wan na be, y' know? I - I - I do n't get off on that kinda thing and that's really why you're askin', right? S - someone say somethin'?</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. HAROLD'S HARDWARE HANK - MAIN STREET - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>HAROLD - owner , late 40 's - stands in front of this grubby little store front with his MILDLY RETARDED BROTHER , HANK , who SNIFFS and MUMBLES CONSTANTLY . SUPER : JUDGE # 2 , HAROLD VILMES</scene_description>
    <character>DOCUMENTARIAN</character>
    <parenthetical>( O.S . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Do you judge the pageant every year?</dialogue>
    <character>HAROLD</character>
    <dialogue>Nope. Never judged nothin' afore -</dialogue>
    <character>HANK</character>
    <parenthetical>( pointing at camera . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Are we on `` Cops?'' Are we on `` Cops?'' Are we on `` Cops?''</dialogue>
    <character>HAROLD</character>
    <dialogue>Shut up, Hank. This here's business.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Harold CUFFS Hank .</scene_description>
    <character>HANK</character>
    <dialogue>Ow, Harold - Mom said not the head.</dialogue>
    <character>HAROLD</character>
    <dialogue>Well, Mom's dead, so shut your fly trap.</dialogue>
    <character>HANK</character>
    <dialogue>I will if you shut your piehole.</dialogue>
    <character>HAROLD</character>
    <dialogue>Do n't make me kick - ya where the good Lord split - ya.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Harold raises his hand , Hank FLINCHES and</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. HAROLD'S HARDWARE HANK - LATER</stage_direction>
    <character>DOCUMENTARIAN</character>
    <parenthetical>( O.S . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>So are you excited?</dialogue>
    <character>HAROLD</character>
    <dialogue>Oh you betcha! We're happier than the day Hanky got acquitted. I get made a judge, then the furniture store hires us to paint the whole damn thing.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( removing cap . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>We're gon na use the money to get our mamma a proper headstone. Oh, and move her out to the cemetery.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Suddenly , Hank runs full speed into the window . BAM ! He falls to the ground inside .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. LEEMAN FURNITURE SHOWROOM - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Follow Lester around cheesy room displays . JEAN KANGAS , his meek , middle - aged secretary follows him everywhere . Lester CALLS OUT to a YOUNG COUPLE sitting in a dining room .</scene_description>
    <character>LESTER</character>
    <dialogue>Hey Tim, Carla - if yous kids do n't try to Jew me down none, I'll throw in a matchin' hutch.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>The COUPLE smiles excitedly .</scene_description>
    <character>LESTER</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <parenthetical>( to camera . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>See, that there's my specialty. Do n't pay me less and I'll give ya more.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( sotto . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Secret is, the hutch is included in the price. Ai n't that right, Jean?</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Lester smacks Jean on the ass . SUPER : JUDGE # 3 , JEAN KANGAS .</scene_description>
    <character>LESTER</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Take a memo, sweetheart.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. CHLORIS KLINHAGEN HOUSE - GARAGE DOOR</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>REHEARSAL MONTAGE BEGINS OVER MUSIC . Contestants run out the side door as if running on stage . Tess Weinhaus trips and falls , causing a chain reaction .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. CHLORIS KLINHAGEN HOUSE - GARAGE DOOR - LATER</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Now contestants run out carrying small wooden step ladders . As they reach the CHORUS LINE , they set the ladder down and LEAP FROG over . SUPER : FIRST DANCE REHEARSAL - 1 WEEK BEFORE PAGEANT</scene_description>
    <character>CHLORIS</character>
    <dialogue>Four, five, six, seven. And one.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Tess runs out , sets her ladder down , jumps and hits mid - crotch . She then slides painfully down to the ground .</scene_description>
    <character>CHLORIS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Put that chair away! Get it! Come on! Get it!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Amber TWIRLS perfectly .</scene_description>
    <character>CHLORIS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>All right. Let's got. Let's go.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. CHLORIS KLINHAGEN HOUSE - SIDEWALK - CONTINUOUS</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>PAN ACROSS NEIGHBORS ' sitting in lawn chairs , enjoying the music and the show . END ON JOHN DOUGH , leaning against his car , smoking and holding a video camera at his side .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. CHLORIS KLINHAGEN'S HOUSE - FRONT LAWN</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>PAN DOWN row doing a seated chorus line on ladders . Most suck . Amber and Becky look great . Tess sits on the grass with a bag of ice on her crotch .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. CHLORIS KLINGHAGEN HOUSE - SIDEWALK</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>On John Dough , beside his car .</scene_description>
    <character>JOHN</character>
    <dialogue>I'm just out here watching the young girls - contestants - like the rest of my friends and neighbors.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>John quickly turns and starts to pry the hood open . ANGLE ON Pat and Brett watch the girls . Pat admires Amber 's moves .</scene_description>
    <character>PAT</character>
    <parenthetical>( re : Amber . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Are you gettin' her? Uh, the third one, the blonde one.</dialogue>
    <character>BRETT</character>
    <dialogue>Hey.</dialogue>
    <character>PAT</character>
    <dialogue>See? Right over there. Right over there.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Brett slaps Pat on the back .</scene_description>
    <character>BRETT</character>
    <dialogue>Leave him alone, leave him alone. It's okay.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. CHLORIS KLINHAGEN'S HOUSE - FRONT LAWN</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>John , his car hood open , is caught aiming his video camera at the girls performing a dance . They wear partially constructed U.S. Monument Headdresses .</scene_description>
    <character>JOHN</character>
    <dialogue>Oh, this is just a. camera. I keep it in the glove compartment for car accidents. Insurance. You guys got a camera and no one's accusin' you of anything, right?</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HIGH SCHOOL - KITCHEN</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Move through kitchen . LUNCH LADIES haul , serve and prepare food . Pan over to Amber , who 's unhappily scraping and spraying lunch trays as they 're dropped off at her window . Becky , flirting her ass off , comes to the window with Brett , handsome football player we saw before . Both carry trays .</scene_description>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <dialogue>So, Brett, do you wan na go to the lake with me on Thursday?</dialogue>
    <character>BRETT</character>
    <dialogue>Um, actually, I got practice on Thursday.</dialogue>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <dialogue>Yah - well, maybe Friday, then. A bunch of us were gon na go cow - tippin'.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>SUPER : BRETT CLEMMENS , CAPTAIN , MOUNT ROSE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM</scene_description>
    <character>BRETT</character>
    <parenthetical>( seeing Amber . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Uh, I - uh - I'm kinda busy Friday.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Amber looks up to see Brett looking at her . He smiles . She smiles . You can feel the attraction . Amber becomes girlishly self - conscious - adjusting her rubber apron and brushing hair out of her eyes with her big rubber gloves .</scene_description>
    <character>BRETT</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <parenthetical>( to Amber . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Hi.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Hi.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Becky notices their attraction and goes from flirt to uber - bitch in a heartbeat .</scene_description>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <dialogue>Giver her your tray, Brett. You're holdin' up the line.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Brett looks at Beck , then at Amber , not wanting to make her clean his tray .</scene_description>
    <character>BRETT</character>
    <dialogue>Uh.</dialogue>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <dialogue>Give it to her!</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Here, I'll take it. It's my job.</dialogue>
    <character>BRETT</character>
    <dialogue>NO.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( looking at Becky . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>It's all right. I got it. Do n't worry about it.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>He takes the sprayer from a surprised Amber and starts to clean off his own tray . Becky ca n't believe his defiance .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Well, you're supposed to put it in the.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Becky THROWS her tray on the counter spraying Amber with food as she storms off .</scene_description>
    <character>BRETT</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Oh man, you got leutefisk in your hair.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Then it must be Wednesday.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Same scene as `` funeral bun '' explanation .</scene_description>
    <character>IONA</character>
    <dialogue>Leutefisk is Cod Fish that's been salted and soaked in lye for a week or so. It's best with lots - a butter.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HIGH SCHOOL - KITCHEN</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Same scene . Brett removes the offending leutefisk .</scene_description>
    <character>BRETT</character>
    <dialogue>So, uh, I - I'm not really busy Friday. I just said that - y' know.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>I know.</dialogue>
    <character>BRETT</character>
    <dialogue>So if, uh, you wanted to do somethin'.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue />
    <character>AMBER/BRETT</character>
    <dialogue>Huntin' season.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Shocked at the coincidence , they share a laugh .</scene_description>
    <character>BRETT</character>
    <dialogue>Well, uh, I'm cuttin' out early today to do a little duck huntin'. but, uh, maybe I could call you tonight.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Yah - sure, fine. fine.</dialogue>
    <character>BRETT</character>
    <dialogue>Okay. well, bye.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Bye.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Amber smiles , gives a shy little wave - then , to camera .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Oh, God - you do n't think Becky saw you guys, do you?</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( nervously looking around . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Look, you just should n't be in here.</dialogue>
    <character>DOCUMENTARIAN</character>
    <parenthetical>( O.S . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>It's okay. Doreen gave us hair nets.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>No, listen.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( whispering as she exits . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>We should n't talk here. Stop by my house tonight, okay?</dialogue>
    <scene_description>She looks around and motions them to rush off .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. HIGHWAY NEAR TRAILER PARK - EVENING</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>From the CREW VAN we pass the crappy trailer homes that are off the Highway . -LRB- Patsy Cline 's `` King Of The Road '' PLAYS on the radio -RRB- .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT./INT. ATKINS TRAILER - EVENING</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Camera approaches the trailer . SIGN on the door reads `` Annette 's Family Hair Care . '' Inside , the kitchen has been turned into a mini hair salon . Annette gives Loretta , neighbor , mid - 50 's - a bouffant .</scene_description>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>What do you mean, they take out her butt?</dialogue>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <parenthetical>( seeing camera in window . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Oh, Jesus H. Christ!</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>Are we on `` Cops'' again?</dialogue>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <dialogue>You could be quiet.</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>Hi.</dialogue>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <dialogue>Hi.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. ATKINS TRAILER - MOMENTS LATER</stage_direction>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <dialogue>It's just the guys that are. you know, makin' the movie about the pageant. I told you about kem.</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>Oh, naw. Hi.</dialogue>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <dialogue>This here's Loretta.</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>I tell Annette, I says, `` You talk to me durin' my stories, you might as well be talkin' to the wall.''</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( then . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>You guys want a beer?</dialogue>
    <character>DOCUMENTARIAN</character>
    <parenthetical>( O.S . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>No, thank you. Is Amber here?</dialogue>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <dialogue>No. You just missed her. Amber got called in to the bone gardens tonight. You just missed her. She's in a helluva mood today, anyways.</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>Say, yous boys been to the Leeman's?</dialogue>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <dialogue>Loretta, shut it.</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>Y' know, if you have, you got all the pictures of the winner you need.</dialogue>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <dialogue>Shut it up, Loretta.</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>Oh, Christ, it's true.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Annette begins to comb out Loretta 's hair .</scene_description>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <parenthetical>( drinking beer . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Let's just say who should win, who deserves to win is Amber.</dialogue>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <parenthetical>( mumbled to self . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Why do n't you paint a big red target on your ass, Loretta.</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>She's the prettiest, y' know. The best damn tapper. The most smartest.</dialogue>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <dialogue>`` Most smartest?'' Oh, that's good, Loretta. Make sure you get a picture of that. `` Most smartest.'' We're cuttin you off and sendin' you home.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Annette takes Loretta 's beer , starts to push her out .</scene_description>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>Well, excuse me, Annette, but I'm braggin' up your kid, here.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( to crew . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Amber's gon na be the next Diane Sawyer, y' know.</dialogue>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <dialogue>I'll be right back. See ya later.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>CAMERA follows Annette and Loretta .</scene_description>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>They're makin' a movie, here, goddamn it.</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>All right, they're makin' a movie.</dialogue>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <dialogue>You do n't know where this is gon na.</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>I got a hairdo.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT./INT. ATKINS TRAILER - EVENING</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Loretta holds onto the door frame so Annette ca n't push her out .</scene_description>
    <character>DOCUMENTARIAN</character>
    <parenthetical>( O.S . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>What makes you think that Becky's going to win?</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>Why do I think Becky'll win? You're talkin'.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( to Annette . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Do n't pinch!</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( back into camera . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>You're talkin' kbout the richest family in a small town. It's front page news when one of kem takes a shit.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( she laughs hard . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Can one of yous boys give me a ride home?</dialogue>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <dialogue>Do n't fall for it. She lives two trailers down.</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>So? Be real easy.</dialogue>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <dialogue>Go on home, Loretta. Come on. Go on, the party's over.</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>Anyone?</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. LARSON FUNERAL HOME - HALLWAY - NIGHT</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>A small sign on the door reads : `` EMBALMING - Please Knock ! '' PUSH INTO ROOM . Amber , back to us , frantically applies blusher to an OLD WOMAN . Another BODY , covered with a white sheet , is on the embalming slab . The top and brim of a HUNTING CAP can be seen . She TURNS AROUND to see the crew .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <parenthetical>( surprised . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Ahhh! Je - sus - Christ - on - a - cross!</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( catching breath . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Look, number one rule in a funeral home - never sneak up on the livin'. You never know who could have an embalming needle or skull saw in their hand. Mr. Larson's son learned that the hard way - he's buried next to my Grandpa!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Amber turns to the slab to continue working . She pulls off the SHEET to reveal BRETT , handsome football player , still wearing his hunting plaid .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. EMBALMING ROOM - LATER</stage_direction>
    <character>DOCUMENTARIAN</character>
    <parenthetical>( O.S . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue />
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <parenthetical>( covering real emotions . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Upset about Brett? Nah. Hazard of the trade. I do n't really have time for guys anyways. It's weird, though. He took it right between the eyes. Do n't often see that.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. GUN RANGE - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Becky thumbs bullets into a 12 - gauge pump shotgun .</scene_description>
    <character>DOCUMENTARIAN</character>
    <parenthetical>( O.S . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>So you know, Brett just got shot in the head.</dialogue>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <parenthetical>( cool as a cucumber . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>He did? Well, huntin's dangerous. So, anyways, my mom gave me this 30 - aught for my sixteenth birthday.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. EMBALMING ROOM - LATER</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Amber wipes her eyes when Mr. Larson bursts in .</scene_description>
    <character>MR. LARSON</character>
    <dialogue>Amber, I need Stella now!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>SUPER : MR. LARSON , OWNER , LARSON FUNERAL PARLOR</scene_description>
    <character>MR. LARSON</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>The family's steamin' like a cow pie in July. Said she did n't look nothin' like the picture they gave you.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Amber turns from Brett and closes the coffin .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Sorry. I just thought she might not wan na meet her Maker lookin' like a cheap whore.</dialogue>
    <character>MR. LARSON</character>
    <dialogue>Well, your `` cheap whore'' is this family's `` lovin' mother.''</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( pointing at Brett . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>The Clemens said to make him look like he just came from snowmobilin'. Pink cheeks, and.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <parenthetical>( starting to mist up . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>- red nose and ears. I know, I know.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Mr. Larson PULLS Stella 's coffin out .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. EMBALMING ROOM - LATER</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>An obviously upset Amber puts make - up on Brett .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Sorry I could n't talk today kcause. I'm scared, okay?</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( deep breath . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>I open my locker right after first period and there's a picture of Tammy Curry taped inside.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. EMBALMING ROOM - LATER</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Amber holds up a snapshot of a SMILING GIRL on a THRESHER .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>This was written on back.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>She turns the picture over to reveal , `` YOU 'RE NEXT ! ''</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. MOUNT ROSE - STREET</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>TWIN OFFICERS lean against their car . One prepares to pack some snuff .</scene_description>
    <character>TWIN OFFICER #1</character>
    <dialogue>Oh - yah, helluva way to go, there. After some extensive investigation, we figure the Curry girl musta been drivin' and smokin' and KABLEWEY!</dialogue>
    <character>TWIN OFFICER #2</character>
    <parenthetical>( holding a Skoal tin . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Not enough left of her to fill a tin.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>He puts a pinch between his cheek and gum .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. EMBALMING ROOM - LATER</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>A visibly upset Amber still applies make - up to Brett .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Yah - sure, Tammy liked to driver her dad's thresher - she said the heavy vibration helped her think, y' know? But I know for a fact she only smoked after a good drive. You ask me or anyone else who is n't scared to talk about it - Tammy was murdered.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( holding back tears . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>God, I bet Diane Sawyer never had to deal with crap like this.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( to crew guy . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Toss me `` Caucasian # 5,'' would ya?</dialogue>
    <scene_description>A crew guy walks IN FRAME and hands her a make - up jar .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Man, I ca n't wait for fishin' season.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Mr. Larson bursts in , white as a corpse .</scene_description>
    <character>MR. LARSON</character>
    <dialogue>Amber.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>No, do n't say it. Another stray bullet to the head.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>She adjusts Brett 's red plaid hunting cap .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>I'm gon na need more caps.</dialogue>
    <character>MR. LARSON</character>
    <dialogue>You hafta go home. There's some kinda emergency at the trailer park.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Relax, that's my ma's code for, `` Bring home milk and a carton - a Luckys.''</dialogue>
    <character>MR. LARSON</character>
    <dialogue>No. Loretta called. There's been a. a fire.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>She grabs the keys and RUNS OUT .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. TRAILER PARK STREET/INT. HEARSE - NIGHT</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Amber drives fast and furious as we come to what 's left of her trailer . All the NEIGHBORS are out drinkin ' beers , eatin ' food and watchin ' the excitement .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Oh my God - no! Is my mom okay? Was she home?</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Hearse SCREECHES to a halt . We hear a THUD , then MOANS from in back . Amber jumps out . Camera follows , a la `` COPS . '' It 's pandemonium with fire trucks , neighbors , an ambulance , etc. .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Mom! Mom!? MOMMMM!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Loretta runs up to Amber as TWO FIREMEN approach .</scene_description>
    <character>FIREMAN #1</character>
    <dialogue>You family?</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>No, she's just screamin' `` Mom, Mom!'' kcause she's got Tourettes. She's Annette's kid, dipshit.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <parenthetical>( to Loretta . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Is Mom okay?</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>She's alive, sweetie.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Where is she?!</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>She's right over there.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Camera pans over to see a semi - conscious Annette as they load her stretcher into the ambulance , shut the doors and start to pull away . Amber runs after them .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Mommmm! I'll be right behind you in the hearse!</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>Do n't let that worry you, Annette!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>EST. . SHOT - FARMINGTON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL - NIGHT</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HOSPITAL - ANNETTE'S ROOM</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>A DOCTOR , Amber and Loretta stand beside Annette , who 's got an I.V. , bandages and her LEFT HAND wrapped and ELEVATED .</scene_description>
    <character>DOCUMENTARIAN</character>
    <parenthetical>( O.S . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>So, doctor, is this sort of an unusual injury here?</dialogue>
    <character>DOCTOR</character>
    <dialogue>Oh you betcha, this was a doozy. Right now, our chief concern is to stabilize Annette, then, in surgery, remove this here.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Removing BANDAGE to reveal BEER CAN , still held in her hand .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Oh, Mom, it's so ugly.</dialogue>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <dialogue>Ruined a brand - new pair of Lee Press - ons.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( weak . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Well, I sat down for a beer and KA - BLEWEY! Next thing I know, somethin' blows through my kitchen window. Next thing I know, I'm ass up in Loretta's flower bed.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. TRAILER PARK - DUSK</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>SHAKY VIDEO of a 15 year - old rocker KID from the NECK</scene_description>
    <character>ROCKER KID #1</character>
    <parenthetical>( Beavis with a MN accent . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Yah - dude, put another fuckin' book under it.</dialogue>
    <character>ROCKER KID #2</character>
    <parenthetical>( O.S . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Do n't say `` fuckin'.'' My ma's got the windows open.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>CAMERA MOVES , then steadies . We see all of Rocker Kid # 1 . Rocker Kid # 2 runs into the shot with his guitar .</scene_description>
    <character>ROCKER KID #2</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>kKay - dude, hurry. We gots like two fuckin' minutes left on the battery.</dialogue>
    <character>ROCKER KID #1</character>
    <dialogue>A one. two. one - two - three.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>SUDDENLY Annette 's ' trailer EXPLODES behind them ! Rocker Kids turn to see a BODY -LRB- Annette 's -RRB- FLY through the air .</scene_description>
    <character>ROCKER KIDS</character>
    <dialogue>SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIT!</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HOSPITAL - ANNETTE'S ROOM</stage_direction>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <parenthetical>( to Amber . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>I shoved your tap shoes in my jeans before I was blown outta the house, Honey. Check with the guy who cut my pants off. He should have kem.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Mom, uh, about that. I - I'm - oh God.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Amber starts to cry and runs out .</scene_description>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <dialogue>Oh - Jesus - Mary - n - Joseph, she's pregnant!</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( calling after her . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>If you are - come back, sweetie. Mommy wants to talk, then KILL YOU!</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <parenthetical>( running after Amber . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Annette, why do n't you just see if there's any beer left in that can and relax a bit.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HOSPITAL - HALLWAY - NIGHT</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Loretta and Amber face off .</scene_description>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>You're what?!</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>I - I'm quittin' the pageant.</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>I heard you, I was just tryin' to scare you into changin' your mind. Oh for Chrissakes, Amber, the woman clung to your tap shoes while flyin' through the air like a Goddamn lawn dart!</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Oh God, I'm dead.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>A candy striper approaches them .</scene_description>
    <character>CANDY STRIPER</character>
    <dialogue>Hey, lil' Miss Sad - pants and her friend Serious Sally, how kbout some nice cool mints to turn those frowns upside - down. `` S.''</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <parenthetical>( to candy striper . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>D'ya think a nice cool mint'd help if I shoved your head up your ass?</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Fear sweeps over the Candy Striper - she bolts down the hall ! Loretta puts an arm around Amber and starts to walk down the opposite direction .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>So, what do I say?</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>Simple. Just say, `` Mom, I know you sacrificed everything - relationships, dreams - your tummy, ass and thighs - all to bring me into this world. All so I could have tap lessons and be in the pageant - the same one you were in. But, y' know what? I'm quittin'.'' There. Easy as pie.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Oh my God. I'm so dead.</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>Yeah, you betcha.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HOSPITAL - ANNETTE'S ROOM - NIGHT</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Follow Amber in past the now crying candy striper .</scene_description>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <parenthetical>( throwing mints . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Go on! Get out!</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Mom, look, do n't say anything. First of all, I'm not pregnant.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Amber sits on the bed . Annette grabs her shirt .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Mom!</dialogue>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <dialogue>I ai n't lettin' go ktil you tell me what's up. I'm reaching' a point where I'd kill someone for the nicotine on their fingernails.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <parenthetical>( deep breath . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Okay. Yesterday I. I got this picture. So I kinda, y' know, I'm thinkin' no. I'm gon na, I - I - I'm gon na quit the pageant.</dialogue>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <dialogue>What?!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>She hits Amber with her beer - canned hand .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Ow!</dialogue>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <parenthetical>( to camera . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Would yous boys excuse us a second? Loretta, you too.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HOSPITAL - ANNETTE'S ROOM</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>SHOT THROUGH the window . Amber paces around Annette 's bed .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Nice mouth you got there, Mom, but I - I'm not goin' through this again.</dialogue>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <dialogue>You're not goin' through this again? You? You're not the one who knows how Jiffy Pop feels.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Oh, c'mon. First the picture of Tammy, then Brett Clemens, now this? It's scary.</dialogue>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <dialogue>Let me tell you `` scary,'' Amber. Look at me. Do you wan na look like you been rode hard and put away wet at my age? I'm a `` lifer'' here. Best I can hope for is to end up in a descent `` raisin ranch'' where they'll change me twice a day.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>That's it, I'm goin'.</dialogue>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <dialogue>Honest to God, if I got to do it over? I'd start walkin' outta this town the minute I took my first step. Practically the only thing I would n't do different is have you.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Amber sits on the bed .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>God I hope that's you and not your concussion talkin'.</dialogue>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <parenthetical>( smiling . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>It's me. I just do n't want this to be the thing you'd do over. This pageant's your ticket outta here. I know you can win, Amber.</dialogue>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>C'mere. I love you so much.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>I love you much.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Annette hugs Amber .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HOSPITAL - HALLWAY - NIGHT</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Follow a jubilant Amber and Loretta .</scene_description>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>Hell - no, she ai n't quittin'.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>No. Mom said if I did, she'd look up my dad and marry him.</dialogue>
    <character>DOCUMENTARIAN</character>
    <parenthetical>( O.S . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>So has your mom kept your dad's life a secret?</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>No. She never hid the fact that my dad picked his career over us. What'd she used to say?</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>`` Once a carnie, always a carnie.''</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Oh - yah.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. MOUNT ROSE STREET - MORNING</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>The twin officers lean against their car .</scene_description>
    <character>TWIN OFFICER #1</character>
    <dialogue>The Atkins fire? Foul play? Shit - no. After some thorough investigatin', we determined it musta been a bad wirin'. Mosta them trailer - folk plug a TV, VCR, crock pot and Fry - daddy into one outlet and do n't think nothin' of it ktil KABLEWEY!</dialogue>
    <character>TWIN OFFICER #2</character>
    <parenthetical>( taking a pinch of Skoal . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Not enough left to fill a tin.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HOSPITAL - ANNETTE'S ROOM - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Annette is in bad shape . The candy striper nervously stands beside her , holding a syringe .</scene_description>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <dialogue>`` Bad wirin'?!'' Well, if that ai n't the biggest crock - a - shit ever.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( turning on the candy striper . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Ooowwww - Jesus! Did K - Mart have a sale on dull needles?</dialogue>
    <character>CANDY STRIPER</character>
    <dialogue>I - I just need one more `` do - over.''</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. MOUNT ROSE V.F.W.</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Follow the contestants up to the door .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. MOUNT ROSE V.F.W. - MAIN HALL</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>A smokey room with DRUNKEN VETS at the bar and CONTESTANTS , in Sunday best , crowded around some tables . They could n't seem more out of place .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. MOUNT ROSE V.F.W. - MAIN HALL</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>SUPER : JUDGES INTERVIEWS - 3 DAYS BEFORE THE PAGEANT</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>So, remember the three most important parts of a good interview.</dialogue>
    <character>IRIS</character>
    <dialogue>Okay, everybody, listen up!</dialogue>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>Number one, American Teen Princess' do n't cross their legs like streetwalkers.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>The girls put their knees together .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Excuse me, Miss Penthouse Ninety - eight, put your knees together.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( contestants laugh . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>I could drive a boat show in there.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Gladys paces .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Ankles together. Hands resting lightly on your laps. Good. Sit up straight. Smile!</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. MOUNT ROSE V.F.W. - MAIN HALL</stage_direction>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>All right. Number two : the judges are as nervous as you are.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>V.F.W. - BACK ROOM JUDGES - HAROLD , JOHN and JEAN KANGAS -LRB- Lester 's secretary -RRB- sit at a table , clipboards in front of them , STARING at the camera . HANKS sits behind them , fidgeting .</scene_description>
    <character>DOCUMENTARIAN</character>
    <parenthetical>( O.S . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>So are you about ready to start the judging - start the interview, there?</dialogue>
    <character>JOHN</character>
    <parenthetical>( after long beat . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Uh, I - I guess I could answer that. Yep. We're ready. So, we should probably get the young girls in here, then. Y' know, to start the interviews.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>V.F.W. - BACK ROOM Tess enters , sits , then quickly remembers how to sit . Judges nervously look at their clipboards - pencils ready .</scene_description>
    <character>HAROLD</character>
    <parenthetical>( trouble reading . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Uh, `` if you could be any tree in the woods, what kinda tree would you be?''</dialogue>
    <character>TESS</character>
    <parenthetical>( long pause . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Dogwood.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>V.F.W. - BACK ROOM - MONTAGE ON MOLLY HOWARD , seated .</scene_description>
    <character>MOLLY</character>
    <dialogue>Bonsai.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>V.F.W. - BACK ROOM - MONTAGE ON LESLIE , seated .</scene_description>
    <character>LESLIE</character>
    <dialogue>Green?</dialogue>
    <scene_description>V.F.W. - BACK ROOM - MONTAGE ON MICHELLE JOHANSON , seated .</scene_description>
    <character>MICHELLE</character>
    <dialogue>A tree? I can be any tree you want. Gim me a minute.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>She begins vocal and facial warm - up exercises . V.F.W. - BACK ROOM - MONTAGE ON BECKY , seated .</scene_description>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <dialogue>One with strong roots in a community like Mount Rose, a solid Christian trunk and long leafy branches to provide shade for handicapped kids on a hot summer day.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>V.F.W. - BACK ROOM - MONTAGE ON LISA SWENSON , seated , staring for a long beat , then :</scene_description>
    <character>LISA</character>
    <dialogue>You guys know the retard's pants are open?</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( laughing . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>I do n't want to see that.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>V.F.W. - BACK ROOM - MONTAGE ON THE JUDGES - Harold reads , John stares longingly .</scene_description>
    <character>HAROLD</character>
    <dialogue>`` Who would you pick to be president, dead or alive?''</dialogue>
    <scene_description>PAN OVER to Molly Howard .</scene_description>
    <character>MOLLY</character>
    <dialogue>Uh, Emperor Hirohito.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>V.F.W. - BACK ROOM - MONTAGE ON LESLIE , seated .</scene_description>
    <character>LESLIE</character>
    <dialogue>Brett Favre!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>V.F.W. - BACK ROOM - MONTAGE ON BECKY , seated .</scene_description>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <dialogue>My mother, kcause she could solve world hunger with one of her blue - ribbon rhubarb pies, create world peace with one of her prayers and still find time to look beautiful. for my dad, Lester Leeman.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>V.F.W. - BACK ROOM - MONTAGE John Dough drinks nervously from his water glass .</scene_description>
    <character>JOHN</character>
    <dialogue>D - do you like to swim?</dialogue>
    <scene_description>The other judges look at him , then at their clipboards trying to find this question . V.F.W. - BACK ROOM - MONTAGE ON LISA SWENSON</scene_description>
    <character>LISA</character>
    <dialogue>Oh - yah, I love to swim. When I was in New York, I met Greg Louganis at one - a my brothers' shows.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>V.F.W. - BACK ROOM - MONTAGE Janelle , sings a long answer . The Judges look at each other confused and frustrated .</scene_description>
    <character>JOHN</character>
    <dialogue>What the hell is she trying to say?</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( yelling . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Say it!</dialogue>
    <character>JANELLE</character>
    <dialogue>The ktards pants are completely off!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>The Judges turn and look at Hank .</scene_description>
    <character>HAROLD</character>
    <dialogue>Close up shop. Close up shop, Hank.</dialogue>
    <character>HANK</character>
    <dialogue>Harold!</dialogue>
    <character>HAROLD</character>
    <dialogue>Close up shop!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>V.F.W. - BACK ROOM - MONTAGE ON HAROLD</scene_description>
    <character>HAROLD</character>
    <dialogue>You Amber Atkins?</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <parenthetical>( O.S . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Yes. Yes I am. Thank you, hello.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>All judges turn a page on their clipboards .</scene_description>
    <character>HAROLD</character>
    <dialogue>`` Name and spell all the United States in alphabetical order.''</dialogue>
    <scene_description>PAN OVER to a stunned Amber .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Seriously?</dialogue>
    <character>HAROLD</character>
    <parenthetical>( O.S . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Ah - yep.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Amber ca n't believe what she 's hearing .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Well, ah. Alabama. A - L - A - B - A - M - A. Alaska. A - L - A - S - K - A. Arizona. A - R - I - Z - O - N - A.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>V.F.W. - BACK ROOM - MONTAGE</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>West Virginia. W - E - S - T - V - I - R - G - N - I - A. Wisconsin. W - I - S - C - O - N - S - O - N. Wyoming. W - Y - O - M - I - N - G.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Pan over to Judges . They ca n't believe it . Hank CLAPS retardedly . He loves her .</scene_description>
    <character>HAROLD</character>
    <parenthetical>( looking at others . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Uh - okay, then.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. DAKOTA COUNTY EATING DISORDERS CLINIC - MARY'S ROOM</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>A NURSE now stands beside Mary .</scene_description>
    <character>MARY</character>
    <dialogue>With two weeks until the pageant.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( continued labored breaths . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>I was practicing my talent. Finishing my costume, brushing up on current events, and running eighteen miles a day on about four hundred calories. I was ready.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>The nurse gives her a hit of oxygen . Mary smiles and gives a THUMBS UP from behind the oxygen mask . DRESSING ROOM - HALLWAY PAN DOWN long , narrow room . A counter , with mirrors and bare bulbs , cover one wall . Girls set up their areas and change into their talent costumes . SUPER : DRESS REHEARSAL - DAY BEFORE THE PAGEANT</scene_description>
    <character>IRIS</character>
    <dialogue>Coupla things. Gladys wants to be sure we go in show order today. All right? So very important. Do n't forget that.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>DRESSING ROOM - HALLWAY CLOSE ON LESLIE MILLER , in cheerleading uniform , standing beside small framed photos of her boyfriend on the counter .</scene_description>
    <character>LESLIE</character>
    <parenthetical>( unusually serious . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Oh - yah, really nervous. It's been about two months. I have n't told my boyfriend yet. How did you know?</dialogue>
    <character>DOCUMENTARIAN</character>
    <parenthetical>( O.S . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>I meant, nervous about the pageant?</dialogue>
    <character>LESLIE</character>
    <parenthetical>( suddenly perky . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Oh! Nervous about the pageant! Yah sure!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>She kisses a photo and GIGGLES . DRESSING ROOM - HALLWAY CLOSE ON BECKY holding a sequin - covered poodle skirt and sweater .</scene_description>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <dialogue>There are eight thousand sequins and fifteen hundred beads on the skirt, alone. My mom and Mrs. Lopez make it. She's one of my father's many Mexican.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( Me ` hee ` kan. ) workers he lifts from the poverty they know in Mexico .</parenthetical>
    <parenthetical>( Me ` heek ` koe . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>DRESSING ROOM - HALLWAY CLOSE ON AMBER ATKINS at the far end of the counter .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Yah - my ma's clothes all melted onto mine forming like this big polyester meteor in our closet, y' know? But, in some kinda weird miracle, our neighbor boy, Kenny Johanson, found my tap costume on the roof - a their trailer while he was settin' coon traps for his dad. Here's the weird part. It was still on the hanger.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>DRESSING ROOM - HALLWAY CLOSE ON TESS WEINHAUS wearing `` I love German Shepherds '' sweatshirt , standing beside various trinkets .</scene_description>
    <character>TESS</character>
    <dialogue>And, uh, this is my lucky bolt. They think it fell from a DC - 10. The doctor said I was lucky the flat side hit me, um, otherwise it coulda gone right through my head.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( holds up red tap dress . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>I know, I know, gives me the willies, too. I guess the explosion.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Janelle Betz , wearing a flowing , nymph - like dress with ballet slippers , glides up to Amber .</scene_description>
    <character>JANELLE</character>
    <parenthetical>( slow , due to signing . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Amber? Can we switch numbers? I need to go first.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( smiling to camera . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>My cousin just had a deaf baby and I get to go see it!</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Yah - sure, eight's my luck number anyway. Diane Sawyer was number eight at her local.</dialogue>
    <character>JANELLE</character>
    <dialogue>Thank you.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HIGH SCHOOL - GYM - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>ON STAGE `` Through the Eyes of Love '' plays as Janelle performs her INTERPRETATIVE DANCE while signing the words . In the f.g. , Gladys appears very serious .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <parenthetical>( loud whisper . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>I'll be honest. This is a hard time for me. This is the part of the pageant when you realize that tomorrow night, all but one of these girls will walk out of here a loser. It's hard for me to know how that must feel, but I'm sure it does n't feel good.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>In b.g. , a BIG STAGE LIGHT FALLS on Janelle 's head . CRASH ! Gladys and CAMERA rush the stage . `` Through the Eyes of Love '' continues throughout .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. LORETTA'S TRAILER - PORCH - THAT NIGHT</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>A very shaken Amber paces .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Do n't you get it? I was supposed to go first. I was contestant number one. That light was meant for my head. If Janelle had n't wanted to change numbers. God, I owe my life to that deaf baby.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Loretta enters , portable phone and drink in hand .</scene_description>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>That was your mom. She wanted you to have this.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <parenthetical>( taking drink . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Really, Loretta?</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <parenthetical>( avoiding eye contact . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>You - betcha.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>My mom wanted me to have this?</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>Oh, shut up. I thought it might help you get some sleep.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Loretta, never have kids.</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>Well God - love - ya for thinkin' I still could.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Loretta pulls a bag out of a closet and hands it to Amber .</scene_description>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Here, your ma did want you to have this since your other one got toasted and all.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Amber pulls out an ELEGANT GREEN GOWN .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Oh. my. God! It's just like Diane Sawyer's! kCourse it's not a size ten, Diane was a little hippy back then. Oh, thank you! Thank you! Thank you!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>She hugs Loretta .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT./INT. HIGH SCHOOL - MAIN ENTRANCE - NIGHT</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>SUPER : NIGHT OF THE PAGEANT BANNER : `` Welcome to the Mount Rose American Teen Princess Pageant , sponsored by Sarah Rose COSMETICS . '' The ENTIRE TOWN is excitedly entering . CLOSE ON Mr. and Mrs. Howard and their daughter Tina , who 's embarrassed and continues to rant as they pass . All three wear T - shirts with MOLLY 'S FACE on them .</scene_description>
    <character>MR. HOWARD</character>
    <dialogue />
    <character>MRS. HOWARD</character>
    <dialogue>Go Molly! Go! Number one daughter!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Behind them Leslie Miller 's boyfriend , PAT , and a group of ROWDY GUYS approach .</scene_description>
    <character>PAT</character>
    <dialogue>Whooo! Leslie kicks Teen Princess ass! Go Muskies!</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HIGH SCHOOL - GYM - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>STAGE IS DARK . Crowd takes their seats . You can feel the electricity . We hear the TAPE of a DRUM ROLL . SPOTLIGHT hits center stage . Gladys enters wearing a gaudy gown , takes mic . Applause !</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>Welcome, welcome. Okay, alright, now. Is this for me or the gown?</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Laughter and applause trail off .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Welcome to the Mount Rose American Teen Princess Pageant. While every contestant you'll meet tonight is special and unique, they all have one thing in common. They're all `` Proud - to - be - an - American!''</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Wild applause ! Jazzy patriotic medley tape . Gym doors fly open and like a Felliniesque Vegas review , CONTESTANTS enter wearing gowns and U.S. Monument Headdresses . They struggle to maintain balance as they dance , moving only their arms , on stage . Becky , whose head is built like another president into Mount Rushmore , is first at the mic . -LRB- The `` dance '' continues behind each contestant as she steps up to the mic . -RRB-</scene_description>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <dialogue>I chose Mount Rushmore, because to live in a country where you can take an ugly old mountain and put faces on it, faces of great Americans, who did so much to make our country super great, well that makes me - Rebecca Leeman - PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HIGH SCHOOL - GYM - MONTAGE</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>A MONTAGE of OPENING NUMBER INTRODUCTIONS ON LISA SWENSON wearing a Statue of Liberty Headdress . -LRB- It 's a Barbie Doll that holds an unlit birthday candle . -RRB-</scene_description>
    <character>LISA</character>
    <dialogue>Living in a country where Lady Liberty keeps her flame burning bright.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>She reaches up with a lighter to light the candle . It 's hard to reach and wo n't light .</scene_description>
    <character>LISA</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Keeps her flame burning bright.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HIGH SCHOOL - GYM - MONTAGE</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>ON LESLIE MILLER as she seductively strokes the sides of her Washington Monument Headdress .</scene_description>
    <character>LESLIE</character>
    <dialogue>The Washington Monument.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Guys WHOOP and CHEER O.S.</scene_description>
    <character>LESLIE</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <parenthetical>( enjoying this . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>. makes me, Leslie Miller, proud to be an American.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HIGH SCHOOL - GYM - MONTAGE</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>ON AMBER ATKINS with a MAP OF THE U.S. HEADDRESS , dances up to the mic .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Living in a country where no matter who you are or where you come from, you can grow up and become what you've always dreamed of, makes me, Amber Atkins, proud to be an American!</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HIGH SCHOOL - GYM - MONTAGE</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>ON MOLLY HOWARD wearing an Atomic Blast at Hiroshima Headdress .</scene_description>
    <character>MOLLY</character>
    <dialogue>Atomic power makes me, Molly Howard, proud to be an Asian - American.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>As she steps away from the mic , Tess Weinhaus , wearing a huge ball of twine headdress , dances up to the mic .</scene_description>
    <character>TESS</character>
    <dialogue>Uh, this, uh, my Uncle Phil's World's Largest Ball of Twine, in Bundy Minnesota, makes me, um, it makes me proud I'm American - I kinda misunderstood the assignment.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>The ball of twine falls to the floor and rolls off the stage , still attached at one end to her head . BACKSTAGE - DRESSING ROOM Pandemonium ! Contestants change into their `` Physical Fitness '' outfits . -LRB- T - shirts with red flags , shorts -RRB- Civil Servettes try to help . A LARGE PICTURE of Janelle Betz sits at her counter space .</scene_description>
    <character>IRIS</character>
    <dialogue>Okay, okay! Listen - up. Coupla notes from last night's dress rehearsal.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( off clipboard . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Number one, Gladys says a coupla yous are gettin' sexy with your hips durin' the `` Physical Fitness'' routine.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Oh my God! My - my tap costume's gone.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Commotion stops . Becky continues to get ready .</scene_description>
    <character>IRIS</character>
    <dialogue>Uh, Amber? We're not puttin' on our Talent costumes. You need to put on your `` Physical Fitness'' outfit. And let's shake a leg, ladies.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>No, wait. It - it was here before the openin' number. wait. What am I sayin'? I should just ask you, Becky. Where is it?</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Becky freezes , staring daggers at Amber .</scene_description>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <dialogue>What?</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>You heard me. Where is it?</dialogue>
    <scene_description>The other contestants slowly clear a path between them .</scene_description>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <dialogue>If you're gettin' at somethin', you better just say it.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>I just did.</dialogue>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <dialogue>Well then, you better be willin' to back it up, kcause you're talkin' like crazy.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>They start to slowly circle each other - a cat fight 's brewin ' .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Oh - oh, you bring me some of that snotty attitude, Becky - bring it on.</dialogue>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <dialogue>Well, as my mother says at Sunday dinner, `` Come and get it,'' bitch!</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Oh, I'll `` get it.'' I'll `` get it'' all right. I might even take seconds.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>They 're moving ever closer .</scene_description>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <dialogue>If you want seconds, then I'll make sure it's hot enough for ya.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Bitch!</dialogue>
    <character>IRIS</character>
    <parenthetical>( stepping between them . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Girls! Girls!</dialogue>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <dialogue>Give me your stringy - ass hair!</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>I'll get you!</dialogue>
    <character>CREW GUY</character>
    <parenthetical>( O.S . )</parenthetical>
    <parenthetical>( barely audible . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Oh God, do n't stop kem now.</dialogue>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <dialogue>You're choking my, you fucking bitch!</dialogue>
    <character>IRIS</character>
    <parenthetical>( putting hand over camera . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Y' know, I - I do n't think yous boys should, uh, should be in here while the girls are changin'.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>I hate her!</dialogue>
    <character>IRIS</character>
    <dialogue>We all do. Now let's go.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HIGH SCHOOL - GYM</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Gladys is center stage .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>Yah - so how kbout a big round of applause for last year's Mount Rose American Teen Princess, in a farewell performance. Who could forget her lip - synching to `` Do n't Cry Out Loud,'' by Melissa Manchester. And here she is, Mary Johanson!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Applause ! Gladys exits . TAPED MUSIC `` It 's My Turn . '' A NURSE pushes MARY JOHANSON out in her wheelchair , complete with portable oxygen . Mary wears a gigantic black wig and silver gown which hangs off her boney body . She moves her lips to the words as the nurse pushes her emotionally around the stage .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. GYMNASIUM - HALLWAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Contestants , in `` physical fitness '' outfits , wait outside the double doors , holding freshly painted red , white and blue step ladders . Becky and Amber stare at each other from opposite ends of the line .</scene_description>
    <character>IRIS</character>
    <dialogue>All right, why do n't we take up the stepladders, all right? For the Physical Fitness number?</dialogue>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <parenthetical>( picking up her stool . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>They're wet.</dialogue>
    <character>LISA</character>
    <dialogue>Hey, my hands are stuck.</dialogue>
    <character>MOLLY</character>
    <parenthetical>( sniffing . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Uh, I'm kinda dizzy from the fumes.</dialogue>
    <character>IRIS</character>
    <dialogue>Well, hold kem away from you so it does n't get on the outfits.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( turning to Servettes . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>What kinda mental retard paints step ladders the morning of a pageant.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>ON STAGE Hank is being pulled off stage by Harold . Gladys adjusts her dress , frazzled .</scene_description>
    <character>HANK</character>
    <parenthetical>( under throughout . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Here come the judge - pinch, pinch - here come the judge - pinch, pinch - here come the judge.</dialogue>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>Get back! Get back, you total retard!</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>Go Hank!</dialogue>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>I'm okay, I'm okay - dress is fine. I'm okay. well, our other judges are Jean Kangas and John Dough.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. GYMNASIUM - HALLWAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Iris and Servettes go in the gym as Chloris Klinghagen comes out .</scene_description>
    <character>CHLORIS</character>
    <parenthetical>( loud whisper . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Opening number looked, uh, good. Solid. But now you're gon na have to actually dance, so.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( holds up jar of Vaseline . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Here. Put a dab of this on the old choppers, ladies. It'll help you smile. And when they're lookin' at your teeth - God willin' - they wo n't be lookin at your feet.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Chloris gives Amber the jar and exits . From the gym , we hear TAPED PATRIOTIC MUSIC . Contestants CHEER and run in . `` PHYSICAL FITNESS '' ROUTINE - PATRIOTIC MUSIC As cuts of patriotic dance moves progress , the girls have more and more red , white and blue paint smeared on their clothes , arms and legs . Amber 's clearly the best . Taped music ENDS . Contestants , covered with paint , strike a final pose - sitting on ladders , standing , kneeling . Applause . BACKSTAGE - WALKWAY Contestants wait anxiously as they pass a can of TURPENTINE and a RAG to remove paint from their arms and legs .</scene_description>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <dialogue>Hurry up.</dialogue>
    <character>LESLIE</character>
    <dialogue>Okay, guys, I think we all got some. You just take it off.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Here, I did n't get any.</dialogue>
    <character>LESLIE</character>
    <dialogue>Here, have some.</dialogue>
    <character>MICHELLE</character>
    <dialogue>Hand me another white one.</dialogue>
    <character>LISA</character>
    <dialogue>Listen, you guys, do n't go int the bathroom. Tess blew chunks all over. Man, she ate a big dinner.</dialogue>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <dialogue>Maybe she shoulda shoved that lucky bolt down her throat for desert.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Becky storms off .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <parenthetical>( sotto , to other girls . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>And the winner of the `` Spirit'' award goes to.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Girls laugh quietly . Iris pulls a dazed and confused Tess - beg wet spot on her shirt - through the shot .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HIGH SCHOOL - GYM</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Iris stands center stage , awkwardly holding the mic .</scene_description>
    <character>IRIS</character>
    <parenthetical>( reading from notecard . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>`` I'd like to take you back seventeen years, when a peanut farmer was in the White House, a group - a boys callin' themselves kQueen' topped the record charts and Gladys Leeman was Gladys Wood and she was Mount Rose American Teen Princess!''</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Gladys enters wearing sash , tiara and plaid culottes . Applause . A SLIDE is shown of her at 17 .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <parenthetical>( taking mic . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Thank you, thank you. You know, I won the talent contest by sewing these culottes, Butterick pattern 7 - 4 - 3 - 2. Can you believe it? They still fit!</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>She had a big ass then, she's got a big ass now.</dialogue>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <parenthetical>( pausing for applause . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Thank you, thank you. Our next eontestant is ready, so let's welcome her : Tess Weinhaus!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>APPLAUSE . Tess is pushed on stage . BACKSTAGE - LEFT Amber paces . ON STAGE Tess drones on at the mic .</scene_description>
    <character>TESS</character>
    <parenthetical>( in the b.g. throughout . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>The beagle is known for it's howl. `` Aaauuuuuhhhh.'' The Pekinese has it's own distinctive bark. `` Yip, yip, yip.'' Not to be confused with the Chihuahua's, `` Yap, yap, yap.'' But none can compare to the greatest bark of all - the German Shepherd.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <parenthetical>( to camera , loud whisper . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>. Yah - it's just gone.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( eyes welling up . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>I mean, I - I just wan na tap, y' know? I'm not sayin' I'm the best, or that I'd even win, but should n't I at least get a chance to compete?</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( starting to sob . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>I just wanted my Mom to see me dance.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>CHLORIS KLINGHAGEN enters , small bag in hand .</scene_description>
    <character>CHLORIS</character>
    <parenthetical>( loud whisper . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Amber - Amber, c ` mere.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Please, Mrs. K, I got so much Vaseline on my teeth, I'm gon na be smilin' for a year.</dialogue>
    <character>CHLORIS</character>
    <dialogue>No. Here.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Chloris pulls a simple BLACK LEOTARD from the bag .</scene_description>
    <character>CHLORIS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>It's nothin' special, but talent like yours does n't need to hide behind sequins.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Mrs. K -</dialogue>
    <character>CHLORIS</character>
    <dialogue>You're. you're special and. Ah hell, go out there and kick some Leeman ass.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Amber , overcome with joy , gives her a big hug .</scene_description>
    <character>CHLORIS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Not so hard, sweetie. I heard somethin' snap.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HIGH SCHOOL - GYM</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>ON STAGE : Leslie Miller , in uniform , performs an amazingly sexy cheer as TWO SINGLET - CLAD WRESTLERS wrestle -LRB- One is boyfriend , Pat . -RRB- .</scene_description>
    <character>LESLIE</character>
    <dialogue>Roll him over -.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( clap , clap , clap . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Lay him flat.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( clap , clap , clap . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Pin his shoulders.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( clap , clap , clap . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>To the mat.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( clap , clap , clap . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Roll him over, lay him flat, pin his shoulders, to the mat! Yeahhhh!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>She JUMPS , KICKS and ends with SPLITS . APPLAUSE !</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HIGH SCHOOL - GYM - LATER</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Michelle Johanson is on stage , sitting on a stool , wearing all black . She smiles warmly . Then , with one sweep of her hand across her face , her smile drops . She 's dead serious .</scene_description>
    <character>MICHELLE</character>
    <parenthetical>( without emotion . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Fade in. Earth. The year is two - thousand twenty - four. The question on everyone's mind : What is. Soylent Green?</dialogue>
    <scene_description>She sweeps her hand back across her face and she 's `` in character , '' pained , near death , and overly dramatic . BACKSTAGE - LEFT - CONTINUOUS Amber , now in the leotard , talks to Iris . Michelle performs from `` Soylent Green '' in the b.g.</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <parenthetical>( loud whisper . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Mrs. Clark, why are you doing this to me? Why're you pretendin' you do n't know what's goin' on?</dialogue>
    <character>IRIS</character>
    <dialogue>Amber, I'm sorry. I really am. But you know the rules. All talent costumes hafta be okay'd by Gladys before the pageant.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>But, does n't someone taking your costume so you ca n't compete, overrule that rule?</dialogue>
    <character>IRIS</character>
    <dialogue>Sorry. I - I do n't make the rules.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>This, this. This is bullshit!</dialogue>
    <character>IRIS</character>
    <dialogue>Amber Atkins! That is not American Teen Princess language!</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Good, kcause this is n't an American Teen Princess Pageant - it's, it's Nazi Germany!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Amber storms off .</scene_description>
    <character>IRIS</character>
    <parenthetical>( shaking head . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Where do they get this stuff.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. BACKSTAGE</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>CAMERA FOLLOWS AMBER as she storms over to BACKSTAGE - RIGHT where Gladys watches Michelle ON STAGE .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Mrs. Leeman?</dialogue>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <parenthetical>( turning . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Huh?</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>I - I'm wearin' this costume. I'm, uh, I'm gon na do my talent tonight.</dialogue>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>Oh really - I do n't think so.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( suddenly aware of camera . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Uh, Amber, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but rules state that a costume must be okay'd at least a week in advance. And this.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( pointing to costume . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>This is why we have the rule. My goodness gracious, I could n't allow a neckline this low on stage. We have kids in the audience.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>But, you - I mean. It's not my fault. I - I. Please? I did n't do anything wrong.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Amber starts to cry .</scene_description>
    <character>MICHELLE</character>
    <parenthetical>( climaxing . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>That's why. I must say.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( raising arm upward . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Soylent Green. is. people.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>She doubles over . She 's given it all . APPLAUSE .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>Oops, that's my cue.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Gladys starts out on stage as Molly Howard , dressed like a red , white and blue cowboy , runs up next to Amber . She 's twirling toy guns on her fingers .</scene_description>
    <character>MOLLY</character>
    <dialogue>Wish me luck.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <parenthetical>( drying her eyes . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Good luck, Molly.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>One of Molly 's guns flies off her finger . She goes to retrieve it .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HIGH SCHOOL - GYM</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Molly is line dancing , occasionally taking `` pretend '' shots into the air . It 's incredibly repetitive and dull . BACKSTAGE - CARL 'S `` LIGHT AND SOUND '' BOOTH - CONTINUOUS As Billy Ray Cyrus ' `` Achy Breaky Heart '' PLAYS in b.g. , Carl , the janitor , sets plastic army figures on fire with a cigarette lighter .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HIGH SCHOOL - GYM</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Gladys is center stage . Molly Howard walks off crying , having just finished her routine . POLITE APPLAUSE . She 's still spinning her guns , again one goes flying .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>Thank you, Molly.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HIGH SCHOOL/STAIRWELL - DRESSING AREA</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Lisa , top hat , tails , giant `` I LOVE NY '' button - and others try to console a CRYING Amber . Becky continues singing O.S.</scene_description>
    <character>LISA</character>
    <parenthetical>( arm around Amber . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Oh, Amber.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <parenthetical>( ca n't catch breath . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>I - I - I - I - I -, j - uh - j - uh - just wanted to compe - e - e - e - ete.</dialogue>
    <character>LISA</character>
    <dialogue>I ca n't believe this is happenin'. I ca n't believe she said you could n't.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Getting an idea , Lisa starts to take off her jacket .</scene_description>
    <character>LISA</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Amber? Here.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <parenthetical>( still sobbing . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>`` Here,'' wh - wh - what?</dialogue>
    <character>LISA</character>
    <dialogue>My jacket. Take it kcause, y' know, I got my costume okay'd before the pageant. You can wear it.</dialogue>
    <character>MICHELLE</character>
    <dialogue>Oh man, Lisa, I would n't do this.</dialogue>
    <character>LESLIE</character>
    <parenthetical>( to Lisa . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>They're never gon na let you perform naked. I asked.</dialogue>
    <character>LISA</character>
    <dialogue>Shut up, yous guys. Look, Amber, I'm not gon na win. And let's be honest, a family only needs one `` Liza'' and you know Peter's got much better legs than me.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Your parents'd kill you.</dialogue>
    <character>LISA</character>
    <dialogue>Oh c'mon, I love kem, but you know they only had me kcause Peter needed a kidney.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Lis, I want to, I really do, but. Oh, I ca n't.</dialogue>
    <character>LISA</character>
    <dialogue>Then do it for Peter. Mrs. Leeman used to call him a `` skinny little fag'' when he'd bag her groceries. He'd pop his Nancy - belt if his old jacket somehow, I do n't know, got her back.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Yah?</dialogue>
    <character>LISA</character>
    <dialogue>Oh - you - beccha.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Amber hugs her and takes the jacket .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HIGH SCHOOL - GYM - STAGE</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Gladys guides Molly off the stage .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>Now, it's with overwhelming pride that I introduce contestant number six, who also happens to be president of her class - two years running - a member of the honor roll and the new President of the Lutheran Sisterhood Gun Club - Rebecca Ann Leeman!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>STAGE GOES BLACK . SPOT HITS BECKY , who sits at the edge of the stage , holding a mic . She 's head to toe sequins in her poodle skirt , sweater , saddle shoes , etc. .</scene_description>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <parenthetical>( talking over music . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>I do n't know how many of you know this, but I've got a very special fella in my life - that's right, I do. And if nobody minds, I'd like to sing a little song, just for him.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>SPOT FOLLOWS as Becky stands and walks center stage to what appears to be a COVERED MANNEQUIN . TAPED INTRO TO `` I Ca n't Take My Eyes Off You . ''</scene_description>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>You're just too good to be true. Ca n't take my eyes off of you. You'd be like Heaven to touch. I wan na hold you so much. At long last love has arrived and I thank God I'm alive.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Becky removes the sheet , revealing a MANNEQUIN dressed like JESUS as he appeared on the cross : long hair , beard , crown of thorns , loincloth . The ARMS ARE STUFFED so they move freely . -LRB- Hands of stigmata . -RRB-</scene_description>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>You're just to good to be true. Ca n't take my eyes off of you.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Becky TALK - SINGS - a la William Shatner 's `` Rocket Man '' - and DANCES around the Jesus mannequin doing the jitter - bug , the twist and a slow dance -LRB- his arms on her shoulders -RRB- . DURING THE SLOW DANCE , THE LOIN CLOTH SLIPS AND BECKY MUST HOLD IT UP - GIVING THE APPEARANCE OF GRABBING HIS CROTCH .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HIGH SCHOOL - GYM - BACKSTAGE</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Iris approaches Lisa who 's given her outfit to Amber .</scene_description>
    <character>IRIS</character>
    <dialogue>C'mon, Lisa. You're up next.</dialogue>
    <character>LISA</character>
    <dialogue>I quit. And, uh, since my costume, y' know, was okay'd a month ago? I'm givin' it to Amber.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Amber breaks a smile . Taped music ENDS . APPLAUSE . Gladys , mic in hand , joins Becky for a big hug .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>Boy, I'd hate to follow that. Wow!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Becky exits , pulling the wheeled Jesus behind her .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Voice of an angel, that one.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Iris runs self - consciously out on stage , whispers in Gladys ' ear , then runs back off stage .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Uh, I was just told that contestant number seven, Lisa Swenson, has quite the pageant.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>CROWD REACTS .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Well, these things happen. At any rate, we still have one more contestant - number eight, Amber Atkins.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Gladys exits . A taped hip , hot DRUM BEAT starts . Suddenly , Amber glides into CENTER SPOT . -LRB- Now wearing Lisa 's costume , sleeves rolled up . -RRB- Her feet burst into an amazing routine . The loud drum beats seem to fly from her hands and feet as they punctuate the rhythm . There 's no glitz , just unbelievable skill . It appears effortless as she floats around stage . Like watching Michael Jackson moon walk for the first time , you ca n't take your eyes off her . She concludes , center stage , with the GREATEST THIRTY SECONDS OF HER LIFE . The audience goes WILD ! Amber takes bow after bow - they love her . Gladys enters quickly , mic in hand .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Okay, okay, okay! Well, now, it's finally time to say good - bye to our judges, so they can go make the toughest decision of their lives.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>PAN TO JUDGES . They look nervous as hell . A relaxed Hank sniffs from a paint soaked bag .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HIGH SCHOOL - CLASS ROOM - NIGHT</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Judges stare nervously at the camera - clip boards in front of them . Hank 's LOUD BREATHING from the paint soaked bag is obviously getting on John 's nerves .</scene_description>
    <character>DOCUMENTARIAN</character>
    <parenthetical>( O.S . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>So who get's the crown? How are you going to figure this all out?</dialogue>
    <character>JOHN</character>
    <dialogue>Uh, we're gon na, y' know, compare scores and uh, figure out a - a winner. kCause we do n't know the winner yet. I mean, I - I do n't know who Jean and Harold picked. No idea. Did Gladys send you in here?</dialogue>
    <character>HANK</character>
    <dialogue>I know the winner! I know the winner! I know the winner!</dialogue>
    <character>JOHN</character>
    <dialogue>No you do n't! Shut your goddamn mouth, you son - of - a - bitch!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Nerves shot , John suddenly LAUNCHES himself across the table at Hank .</scene_description>
    <character>HAROLD</character>
    <dialogue>Wait a second.</dialogue>
    <character>JOHN</character>
    <dialogue>You shut it! You goddamn retard!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Hank freezes , then starts to wail !</scene_description>
    <character>HANK</character>
    <dialogue>EE - AAAYEEEE - AAAAYOUIAAAEEEEEEEE!</dialogue>
    <character>HAROLD</character>
    <dialogue>Come on! Hankey here ca n't help it if he was born crazier than a shithouse rat!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Hank stops crying and goes back to the bag .</scene_description>
    <character>JOHN</character>
    <dialogue>For fuck's sake, why did n't ya leave him with a sitter?</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Hank begins crying again .</scene_description>
    <character>HAROLD</character>
    <dialogue>Real nice. You know the sitter's dead.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>BACKSTAGE - DRESSING ROOM Girls , in gowns , sit in silence . Becky and Amber sit at opposite ends of the room . There 's obvious tension .</scene_description>
    <character>LESLIE</character>
    <dialogue>So, anyone talk to Janelle?</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Yah - I brought her some flowers this morning. She's in the room next to my mom. She's super happy.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Girls ad - lib SHOCK .</scene_description>
    <character>TESS</character>
    <dialogue>She's happy?</dialogue>
    <character>LESLIE</character>
    <dialogue>Why happy?</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Oh - the blow to her head made her deaf.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Girls ad - lib `` Oh , I see . Okay - then . '' etc. . Another LONG BEAT of SILENCE follows . Becky gets up to re - touch her make - up .</scene_description>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <parenthetical>( losing it . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Oh, good Lord! What're they doin'? Lettin' the retard count votes?!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Contestants stare at her in shock . Iris enters .</scene_description>
    <character>IRIS</character>
    <dialogue>It's time, ladies.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HIGH SCHOOL - GYM</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Judges are back . Gladys is center stage . Girls enter and form a line behind her . TAPED AMERICAN MEDLEY STARTS .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>Welcome back, everyone. Judges. Our Second Runner - up and winner of a fifty -</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Taped fanfare . Leslie bounds forward , grabs her trophy , stands to one side .</scene_description>
    <character>PAT</character>
    <parenthetical>( O.S . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>You rule, Leslie!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Audience laughs . Leslie waves .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>Our next prize, a seventy - five dollar scholarship -</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Audience ad - libs amazement .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>will be awarded to the First Runner - up.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Taped DRUM ROLL . Contestants -LRB- except Becky -RRB- take hands . Iris gives Gladys an envelope and trophy .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>And the First Runner - up is -.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( opening envelope , face drops . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Contestant number eight, Amber Atkins.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Ad - lib audience shock and disbelief . Contestants are stunned . Amber steps forward , humbly takes the trophy and stands beside Leslie . Audience finally quiets .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>And finally, the moment I know I've been waiting for.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Iris hands Gladys a LARGE TROPHY and envelope . Mary Johanson is wheeled out wearing sash and tiara .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>With a scholarship of five - hundred dollars, courtesy Leeman Furniture, and all expenses paid for next weekend when she'll be competin' for the title of Minnesota American Teen Princess.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Taped drum roll . Gladys opens the envelope .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Our new Mount Rose American Teen Princess is contestant number - ah heck, she's my daughter - number seven, Rebecca Ann Leeman!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Polite audience applause . Becky rushes forward . Gladys RIPS the tiara and sash off Mary , places them on Becky .</scene_description>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <dialogue>Oh, thank you so much!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>AUDIENCE Loretta and Annette watch on .</scene_description>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <dialogue>Shit.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HIGH SCHOOL - GYM - STAGE</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>The ELDERLY MAN/MAYOR , from earlier scene , enters and sings to a tape as Becky takes her victory walk .</scene_description>
    <character>ELDERLY MAN/MAYOR</character>
    <parenthetical>( tune of `` Miss America '' . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>`` Here she is, Our Mount Rose American Teen Princess. Look at her, does n't she look fine. Our hearts swell big, as we look at her. Our Mount Rose American Teen Princess.''</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT./INT. HIGH SCHOOL - LATER</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>AMBULANCE pulls up . Mary Johanson , unconscious , slumped in wheelchair , is brought out and put in . Amber and Loretta wheel Annette out . Paramedics put her in , too .</scene_description>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <dialogue>We was robbed.</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>Okay. Take her purse.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Bye mom.</dialogue>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <dialogue>We was robbed.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>It's okay.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. HIGH SCHOOL - MOMENTS LATER</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Amber faces camera as ambulance pulls away .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Oh, Mom's okay. They're just givin' her a ride back. She almost blew outta the back of Loretta's pick - up on the way over.</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>Thank God for bunge cords.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. HIGH SCHOOL - MOMENTS LATER</stage_direction>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <parenthetical>( tearing up . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>. Yah - well, at least, y' know, I got to perform. And Mom got to see me.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( crying . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>I guess number eight only worked for Diane Sawyer.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Loretta puts her arm around Amber . They walk off as Leslie and Pat approach .</scene_description>
    <character>LESLIE</character>
    <dialogue>Hey - hey, I'm Second Runner - up! Whooo! I got second place!</dialogue>
    <character>PAT</character>
    <dialogue>Third.</dialogue>
    <character>LESLIE</character>
    <dialogue>Huh?</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Lisa passes by with her parents . They look pissed .</scene_description>
    <character>LISA</character>
    <dialogue>No, it was worth it. Amber shoulda won.</dialogue>
    <character>LISA'S FATHER</character>
    <dialogue>I'll tell ya one thing. Peter never woulda pulled a shenanigan like that.</dialogue>
    <character>LISA</character>
    <dialogue>Well, y' know what, dad? Y' know what? Peter's gay!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>She runs off . Her parents stop DEAD IN THEIR TRACKS .</scene_description>
    <character>LISA'S FATHER</character>
    <dialogue>What?!</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HIGH SCHOOL - CLASS ROOM - NIGHT</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>CLOSE ON BECKY 'S FACE . Flashes illuminate it . With each photo she changes her smile and expression . She loves this . PULL BACK to reveal two older men , with old - style news cameras , flash pictures .</scene_description>
    <character>DOCUMENTARIAN</character>
    <parenthetical>( O.S . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>So, how does it feel to be the new Mount Rose American Teen Princess, Becky?</dialogue>
    <scene_description>OLDER MEN turn and look at camera , then take out a pen and note pad .</scene_description>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <dialogue>Well, it's all happenin' so fast. Goodness - gracious, it hardly seems real, y' know? I mean, I won! I'm the winner! I'm going to State!</dialogue>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>She's the winner and we're going to state.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. MOUNT ROSE HIGH - GIRL'S BATHROOM - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Fry Girl # 1 and Pregnant Fry Girl smoke .</scene_description>
    <character>FRY GIRL #1</character>
    <dialogue>What a surprise. Gladys Leeman's finally gon na go to State. And she'll probably ride on Becky's ass all the way to Nationals, too.</dialogue>
    <character>PREGNANT FRY GIRL</character>
    <dialogue>I wonder how she's gon na fix that one.</dialogue>
    <character>DOCUMENTARIAN</character>
    <parenthetical>( O.S . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Are you ladies going to the parade tomorrow?</dialogue>
    <character>PREGNANT FRY GIRL</character>
    <dialogue>Nah. I think I'm like, due or somethin'.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>MOUNT ROSE MAIN STREET - NEXT DAY Beautiful sunny day . Lester talks to camera .</scene_description>
    <character>LESTER</character>
    <dialogue>Ahhh. Beautiful as a whore's ass today. Eh, boys?</dialogue>
    <scene_description>In the b.g. , Gladys holds a bullhorn , clipboard and points to a LARGE SWAN FLOAT .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <parenthetical>( into bullhorn . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Hey! Turn that float around. You think a swan's gon na swim ass first up Main Street?</dialogue>
    <character>LESTER</character>
    <dialogue>Yah - Gladys had me order that swan special made from Mexico.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( Me ` hee ` koe . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>in case Becky won. I do a lotta business with those people. I always offer to pay kem in tacos.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( laughing . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Whoo, they love that.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. MOUNT ROSE MAIN STREET - LATER</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Entire town lines the road . The Mayor and the Leman family stand behind the red ribbon . Parade PARTICIPANTS are lined up behind them .</scene_description>
    <character>MAYOR</character>
    <parenthetical>( into bullhorn . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Yah - hello - hello. shit! How the fuck do ya work this damn thing, huh? Oh. Welcome to our first ever American Teen Princess Parade - which also happens to be the unveiling of our new sewer system!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>CHEERS ! Becky cuts the ribbon . More CHEERS !</scene_description>
    <character>MAYOR</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Yah - so, while Becky gets on her float, then, any questions kbout the new sewer? Yah, Clem?</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. MOUNT ROSE MAIN STREET - LATER</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>- THREE FAT VETS , dressed as the Revolutionary War trio , hold American , Minnesota and POW/MIA flags . - TWO BATON TWIRLERS stand in front of the Mount Rose High School Band . They play - way off key . - JUDGES wave from a convertible . Hank , in passenger 's seat , struggles to get out . His seatbelt prevents it . - TWO GRUNGY OLD CLOWNS smoke impatiently . - TWO FAT WHITE MEN , dressed as Indians , sit on scooters . - FAT MAN drives a riding lawnmower , pulling a flatbed with A SPEEDBOAT and a FISHING CAMP GROUP . - FARMER pulls a goat with a sign : `` Milk Me for $ 1.00 '' - A BRIGADE of tap dancing BASSOONISTS .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. MOUNT ROSE - STREET</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Harold and Hank pull over and park their truck . Harold quickly gets out , obviously in a hurry , slamming on a pouting Hank .</scene_description>
    <character>HAROLD</character>
    <dialogue>Let's get this straight right now. We would n't have been late at all if it was n't for you.</dialogue>
    <character>HANK</character>
    <dialogue>I want to have the big bag of little donuts.</dialogue>
    <character>HAROLD</character>
    <dialogue>You get nothing, Hank, okay?</dialogue>
    <character>HANK</character>
    <dialogue>I want to get the big bag of little donuts.</dialogue>
    <character>HAROLD</character>
    <dialogue>There's your paint can. The next time you drink window cleaner, I'm just gon na leave it in ya.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Harold rushes off for the parade , joining other folks carrying baskets , lawn chairs and flags on the sidewalk .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. MOUNT ROSE STREET - BACK TO DOCUMENTARY CAMERA</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>PAN OVER to see Gladys helping Becky climb on the swan , unaware of camera . In b.g. , DOCUMENTARY CREW interviews Amber and Leslie on their convertible behind the swan float .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>C'mon, Rebecca, you wanted it. Now get up there. Ride it side - saddle if you have to - like a horse. C'mon, now.</dialogue>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <dialogue>It smells funny. Like gasoline.</dialogue>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>Oh for chrissakes, everything smells like that in Mexico.</dialogue>
    <character>BECKY</character>
    <dialogue>My dress'll reek.</dialogue>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>Listen, little missy, this cost your dad a pretty penny. Now get your ass up there and show me some teeth.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. MOUNT ROSE MAIN STREET - LATER</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Amber and Leslie , in gowns , look unhappy as they stare straight ahead , exhaust fumes - that appear to come from the swan 's ass - cover them and their old convertible .</scene_description>
    <character>LESLIE</character>
    <dialogue>Amber, if I die from these fumes, will you be sure to cover the hickies on my neck?</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Yeah.</dialogue>
    <character>LESLIE</character>
    <dialogue>And the bite marks on my ears?</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <parenthetical>( slowly turning . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Yes.</dialogue>
    <character>LESLIE</character>
    <dialogue>I know it does n't matter, but on my inner thighs.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Yes, Leslie!</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. MOUNT ROSE MAIN STREET - LATER</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Hank rubs his head , then angrily gets out of the truck , SLAMMING THE DOOR ON ONE OF THE SUSPENDERS ON HIS OVERALLS . He starts to walk , but ca n't , eventually leaning out from the truck - only moving his arms as if walking .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. MOUNT ROSE SIDE STREET - LATER</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Hank , still stuck in the door , is being teased by a GROUP OF KIDS who poke at him with flags and sticks . ANOTHER LITTLE KID taunts him with his cotton candy - keeping it just out of his reach . Hank bats at them like Frankenstein and the torch wielding townsfolk .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. MOUNT ROSE SIDE STREET - LATER</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Hank , still stuck in the door , holds the little kid by the back of the shirt in one hand and eats the kid 's cotton candy with the other . The kid struggles to get away . A few BROKEN FLAGS are scattered on the ground .</scene_description>
    <character>HANK</character>
    <dialogue>Help. Hank! Help. Hank! Help. Hank! Help. Hank!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>ON SWAN FLOAT . Gladys approaches .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>Okay, I designed the float, you know. And, what's gon na happen here is that this is going to look like a glistening lake beneath the swan.</dialogue>
    <character>IRIS</character>
    <dialogue>Uh, Gladys?</dialogue>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>What!</dialogue>
    <character>IRIS</character>
    <dialogue>We need more bars!</dialogue>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>This is - what?</dialogue>
    <character>IRIS</character>
    <dialogue>Enid ate a whole pan!</dialogue>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>I swear to God she ca n't do anything by herself.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. MOUNT ROSE MAIN STREET - LATER</stage_direction>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <parenthetical>( to camera . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Oh - yah, this is exactly how I pictured it. Chokin' on swan gas.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Suddenly , like a gasoline soaked pinata , it EXPLODES ! Gladys is thrown back . Flames . Screaming . PANDEMONIUM ! Becky does n't have a chance . She 's a pink taffeta BALL OF FIRE . The swan 's back eventually collapses taking Becky into it 's burning belly . INTERCUT WITH MR. HOWARD 'S VIDEO . Gladys watches in stunned silence as her daughter and only chance at State go up in flames . Suddenly , she CRACKS !</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>Oh my God! My Baby! The swan ate my baby!</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( grabbing at burning float . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Ow - ow - ow! Get up, Rebecca! Get outta there! We've got ta go to State! Oh hot!</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( she scorches her blouse . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Oh, damn. I like this blouse. Rebecca! Get up, angel face. Time to go to State! Ow - ow - ow!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Eventually , Gladys tries to climb up on the float . Iris pulls her off .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Get offa me, you cow!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Gladys spins and notices the silent CROWD .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>What're you lookin' at? Huh? A whole God Damn town of losers! That's what I'm lookin' at!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Crowd reacts . Gladys notices Amber and runs up to her car .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>You! You piece - a - shit trailer trash! This shoulda been you! Damn, I shoulda killed you when I had the</dialogue>
    <scene_description>The crows reacts again . Gladys spins , noticing someone . Lester approaches .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Hey, Ted, sorry. I did n't know your family was in the garage when I set it on fire!</dialogue>
    <character>LESTER</character>
    <dialogue>Gladys! Stop it!</dialogue>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>Guess it was n't a garage sale as much as it was a bake sale. Ah - hahahahahahahaha!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Lester tries to pull her away from the crowd .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Let go - a - me, you old bastard!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>She grabs a BURNING 2X4 off a float and starts swinging it .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>At least you've got another daughter.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>CROWD GASPS . Then stunned SILENCE . CAMERA CIRCLES Gladys and Lester getting reaction shots of the crowd .</scene_description>
    <character>LESTER</character>
    <dialogue>So help me, Gladys.</dialogue>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>Becky was my only shot at state!</dialogue>
    <character>LESTER</character>
    <dialogue>That's enough!</dialogue>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>Let go! Let go of me. Oh my God, it's COPS!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>TWIN OFFICERS , followed by `` COPS '' TV CREW , run up and aggressively tackle Gladys . As the struggle on the ground continues , crew guys go over and shake hands with the `` COPS '' crew - obviously knowing them .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <parenthetical>( pointing to Lester . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>He sells reproductions! His furniture's as fake as my orgasms!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>The COPS crew begins to mingle with the DOCUMENTARY crew .</scene_description>
    <character>SCOTT</character>
    <dialogue>Hey, man, how're you doin'?</dialogue>
    <character>DOCUMENTARIAN</character>
    <parenthetical>( O.S . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Hi! What's up, Scott? You remember Bruce, right?</dialogue>
    <character>SCOTT</character>
    <dialogue>Long time, no see.</dialogue>
    <character>DOCUMENTARIAN</character>
    <parenthetical>( O.S . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Bruce, that's Roy.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( they shake hands . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Roy, Bruce.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. GRAVEYARD - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Lovely hillside . A PASTOR and TOWN FOLK - heads bowed - stand beside a FRESH GRAVE .</scene_description>
    <character>PASTOR</character>
    <dialogue>That's why, dear Lord, it's with such great sorrow that we turn over to you a young woman whose dream of ridin' on a giant swan brought about her untimely death. Maybe it's your way of telling us to buy American.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. GRAVEYARD - LATER</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>The funeral is over . Amber , Loretta , Iris and Servettes awkwardly face each other beside the grave . Iris takes the PARTIALLY MELTED TIARA from the headstone .</scene_description>
    <character>IRIS</character>
    <dialogue>As, uh, actin' President of the Mount Rose Civil Servettes, it's my duty since Becky ca n't fulfill her duties - kcause she's dead - n - all - to make you Mount Rose American Teen Princess.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>She puts the TIARA on AMBER . Loretta FLASHES pictures .</scene_description>
    <character>MALE REPORTER #1</character>
    <dialogue>Turn around and let me see.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. GRAVEYARD - LATER</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Annette , Amber -LRB- wearing her tiara -RRB- and Loretta are leaving the crowning ceremony . All are happy as they push an extremely drugged Annette out of the cemetery .</scene_description>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>What is wrong with you?</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>I do n't know. I just did n't wan na win like this.</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>You stop right there. You are a good person. Good things happen to good people.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Really?</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>No. It's pure bullshit, sweetie. You're lucky as hell, so you might as well enjoy it. Let's get you a root beer float.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Okay.</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>Do you guys want some shots? I'm buyin'.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. LORETTA'S TRAILER - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Amber sits on the picnic table . In the b.g. , Loretta exits her trailer with a FED - EX GUY . She pats his buns as he exits . She approaches Amber with a packet .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <parenthetical>( V.O . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>I never liked her, but she did n't deserve to die in the belly of a swan like that. The whole thing's just kinda sad and lame at the same time.</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <parenthetical>( handing over packet . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>This came for you, sweetie.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Ah! It's from State! Oh my God!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Amber rips it open and holds up a color brochure with COLLEEN and TERRY in a glamour shot on the cover .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <parenthetical>( paging through packet . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>It's all the stuff I get to do. Oh my God, oh my God. Okay, okay. We get a `` personal consultation'' with a make - up artist - Eeeh! Okay, um, there'll be a choreographer to the stars and, oh no - No way. Oh. My. God!</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>What? For chrissakes, spit it out.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>I'll be stayin' overnight at. The Airport Howard Johnsons!</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>Right by the airport - Oh, Amber.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>There's an indoor swimming pool! Ahhhh!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Loretta joins in the screaming .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Oh crap - I only got four days. I got ta practice!</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. LORETTA'S TRAILER - MORNING</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>MONTAGE BEGINS over MUSIC . Amber emerges from Loretta 's trailer , Pop Tart in mouth , book bag in hand . SMILES . WAVES .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. TRAILER PARK</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Taps her way down the road , out of the trailer park .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. CAFETERIA - MONTAGE</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Amber scrapes trays . PAN DOWN . She wears tap shoes , practices her routine .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HOSPITAL - MONTAGE - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Amber walks around the room in high heels , balancing a bedpan on her head .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. MORTUARY - MONTAGE</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Amber dances around the room , using a suit on a hanger as a partner . A naked old man is on the embalming slab , a sheet covering his nasties .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. LORETTA'S TRAILER - NIGHT</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>In silhouette , Amber taps on the picnic table by the light of the FULL HARVEST MOON .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. AIRPORT HOWARD JOHNSONS - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>WHITE LETTERS ON BLACK : `` STATE FINALS '' We look up at the towering Howard Johnsons and see a huge banner which reads : `` WELCOME AMERICAN TEEN PRINCESS , FRIED CLAM PLATTER $ 9.99 . '' Suddenly , a 747 , not more than thirty feet above the hotel , flies over - the sound is deafening .</scene_description>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>All right, say `` Airport Ho - Jo.''</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Airport Ho - Jo!</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>I got it! Yeah, why do n't ya take a</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Mr. Larson unloads Amber 's luggage from the hearse . Loretta leans against it , arm around Amber , smoking and occasionally flipping off people who stop to stare at this unusual sight .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Loretta, do n't do that.</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>I'm sorry. They're just starin'.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>I got ta work with these women.</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>Okay, sweetie, that's all right. Let's go. Let's go.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HOWARD JOHNSONS - BAR AREA</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>There 's a fake tropical look , with loads of plastic palms , etc. . CAMERA FOLLOWS Amber into area . BANNER : `` STATE FINALS - SPONSORED BY THE MINNESOTA MODELING ACADEMY '' Contestants -LRB- 25 -RRB- sit at tables , they seem more mature , more professional . Amber smiles and gives a little wave . Terry approaches Amber .</scene_description>
    <character>TERRY</character>
    <dialogue>And you are.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Mount Rose American Teen Princess.</dialogue>
    <character>TERRY</character>
    <dialogue>Funny, you do n't look dead.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HOWARD JOHNSONS - BAR AREA - MOMENTS LATER</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Colleen and Terry address the assembled contestants . SUPER : COLLEEN DOUGLAS AND TERRY MACEY - MINNESOTA AMERICAN TEEN PRINCESS STATE BOARD AND OWNERS OF THE MINNESOTA MODELING ACADEMY</scene_description>
    <character>COLLEEN</character>
    <dialogue>Okay ladies, listen up. I'm Colleen Douglas and this raving beauty on my right -</dialogue>
    <character>TERRY</character>
    <dialogue>I'm a mirror.</dialogue>
    <character>COLLEEN</character>
    <dialogue>Correction. This spunky monkey on my right is Terry Macey. And we are your Minnesota American Teen Princess State Board.</dialogue>
    <character>TERRY</character>
    <dialogue>We're also the co - founders of the Minnesota Modeling Academy. Applications are at the tiki bar. We'll wave the fifty dollar application fee if you list a friend and put her address.</dialogue>
    <character>COLLEEN</character>
    <dialogue>That's right.</dialogue>
    <character>TERRY</character>
    <dialogue>Okay?</dialogue>
    <character>COLLEEN</character>
    <dialogue>Mm - hm.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HOWARD JOHNSONS - BAR AREA</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Loretta , seated at the bar , puts her arm around a man next to her .</scene_description>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>So. you're cute. Oh, I see you're married.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( to bartender . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>You catch this in your mouth, I'll give you a present. All right? Open wide.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( she throws the olive . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Oh, God, you got that on the first try. Come here.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Loretta kisses the bartender .</scene_description>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>You are cute.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HOWARD JOHNSONS - COURTYARD STAGE AREA - DAY</stage_direction>
    <character>TERRY</character>
    <dialogue>Due to budgetary cutbacks - and the fact that Nationals did n't cough up a damn nickel this year - you wo n't be stayin' overnight. So pay attention, you've got about eight hours until showtime.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HOWARD JOHNSONS - STAGE AREA - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>A DISCO BEAT POUNDS from a boom box . Mr. Melchoir , the choreographer , watches contestants move in fast - paced crisscrossing formations . Amber is among them . Miss St. Paul screws up .</scene_description>
    <character>MR. MELCHOIR</character>
    <dialogue>Remember to count, ladies. Cross on the left and arms up on eight! On the beat! On the beat! Keep on it! Keep movin' it! C'mon, Miss Forest Lake, take that stick out of your ass or I will. All right. Very nice. Now come on, arms out. We're in the front row. Come on, sell it! That's very nice. Remember, figure eights, ladies.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HOWARD JOHNSONS - BAR AREA - MOMENTS LATER</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Colleen and Terry smoke and drink at a tall tiki table that 's covered with empties . In the b.g. , a pageant worker passes out PINK BAGS to the contestants . All the while , TWO FAT KIDS play `` Marco Polo '' in the pool .</scene_description>
    <character>COLLEEN</character>
    <parenthetical>( tipsy , holding up glass . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>I can sum up our entire philosophy with this glass. I look at it and say, `` it's half full.'' Which, in the beauty pageant biz means, `` Where the hell's my waiter!''</dialogue>
    <scene_description>She laughs hard , then spins around in her chair .</scene_description>
    <character>COLLEEN</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <parenthetical>( screaming . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Stop with the fuckin' Marco - Polo before I rip your fat little heads off!</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HOWARD JOHNSONS - STAGE AREA - AUDIENCE CHAIRS</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>A very mature Miss Burnsville talks to Amber who is staring at Miss Burnsville 's supernaturally well - supported chest .</scene_description>
    <character>MR. MELCHOIR</character>
    <dialogue>Miss Burnsville, you're up next.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. STAGE AREA - AUDIENCE CHAIRS - MOMENTS LATER</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Amber sits addressing the camera . Miss Burnsville is gone .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Do n't tell anyone, but, I have a little secret weapon of my own.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Amber pulls out a jar of Vaseline from her purse and smiles innocently .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HOWARD JOHNSONS - BAR AREA - SHELLFISH BUFFET - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Contestants hungrily fill their plates with seafood .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HOWARD JOHNSONS - BAR AREA - SHELLFISH BUFFET</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Amber stands beside the buffet , holding only a salad .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>I do n't eat shellfish. Mom always says, `` Do n't ever eat nothin' that can carry its house around with it - who knows the last time it's been cleaned.'' She should know.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HOWARD JOHNSONS - BAR AREA</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Amber eats at a tall tiki table with Miss Minneapolis .</scene_description>
    <character>MISS MINNEAPOLIS</character>
    <dialogue>I've done about thirty - five pageants. I guess my most memorable one'd have to be Miss Teen America, 1995. It was in Vegas. My roommate did Adam West.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>SUPER : MR. WEST WAS UNAVAILABLE FOR COMMENT</scene_description>
    <character>MISS MINNEAPOLIS</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>She said he was sooo horny.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Amber stares at her with wide - eyed disbelief .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HOWARD JOHNSONS - STAGE AREA - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Amber watches four contestants in a row practice their talents . All are equally amazing . `` THEME from 2001 : A SPACE ODYSSEY '' starts . Miss Minneapolis steps ON STAGE - silver unitard , silver streamers , silver tap shoes . She starts a TAP ROUTINE that RIVALS AMBER 'S .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <parenthetical>( whispering to camera . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Oh my God. Look at her, she's awesome. I should just go home now.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Terry and Colleen stand in front of the stage .</scene_description>
    <character>TERRY</character>
    <dialogue>Okay, okay, that's enough - I get it.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>SUDDENLY Miss Minneapolis FREEZES .</scene_description>
    <character>MISS MINNEAPOLIS</character>
    <dialogue>Oh - oh my God.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( doubling over in pain . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>I got ta go!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>She runs off toward the RESTROOM .</scene_description>
    <character>COLLEEN</character>
    <parenthetical>( calling after her . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Well, you're gon na have to do somethin' with those nerves before Nationals. Thirty - million people are n't gon na wait while you run to the john.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Other waiting contestants suddenly double over , ad - libbing `` oh no ! oh my God ! '' `` I 'm gon na puke ! '' etc. . More contestants grab their bellies . NEWS FOOTAGE : INT . HOWARD JOHNSONS - MORE FOOTAGE</scene_description>
    <character>FEMALE REPORTER</character>
    <parenthetical>( hand on earpiece . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Today, a beauty pageant turned ugly. A salmonella dysentery outbreak, now traced to improperly refrigerated shellfish, was believed to be the cause. Joining us now is David Richardson, a member of the documentary crew filming the pageant. He was there when tragedy struck.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>TELEVISION SET</scene_description>
    <character>CREW GUY</character>
    <dialogue>Fuckin' beauty queens blowin' chunks everywhere. I've never seen anything like it before, and I live in L.A.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( laughs . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Hey, Ed.</dialogue>
    <character>FEMALE REPORTER #2</character>
    <dialogue>Can you tell us any thing about the controversy? Is there a controversy here? Has there been sabotage?</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Follow REPORTER as she runs over to Amber , Colleen and Terry . All three look dazed . Reporters SHOUT questions .</scene_description>
    <character>COLLEEN</character>
    <parenthetical>( with forced sobriety . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>People, people - wait, wait a minute, here. Uh, while we have n't ruled out sabotage from neighboring state pageants - Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota.</dialogue>
    <character>TERRY</character>
    <dialogue>Yeah.</dialogue>
    <character>COLLEEN</character>
    <dialogue>Dakota.</dialogue>
    <character>TERRY</character>
    <dialogue>Ohio.</dialogue>
    <character>COLLEEN</character>
    <dialogue>That bitch from.</dialogue>
    <character>TERRY</character>
    <dialogue>What?</dialogue>
    <character>COLLEEN</character>
    <dialogue>Wisconsin.</dialogue>
    <character>TERRY</character>
    <dialogue>All right, then.</dialogue>
    <character>COLLEEN</character>
    <dialogue>The bitch.</dialogue>
    <character>TERRY</character>
    <dialogue>The important thing is that we have a winner.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>PULL BACK to reveal we 're :</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. MOUNT ROSE V.F.W. - BAR - NIGHT</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>The mayor and other vets , watch Amber on the TV .</scene_description>
    <character>COLLEEN</character>
    <parenthetical>( ON T.V . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>And, on behalf of the Minnesota Modeling Academy, we proudly present Amber Atkins. Your new Minnesota American Teen Princess.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>The place ERUPTS in CHEER ! ON TV : Terry sets a tiara on Amber 's head . FLASHES .</scene_description>
    <character>MAYOR</character>
    <dialogue>Yah, ai n't it just a kick in the fuckin' ass!?!? I'll be a snake's prick if tragedy and pageants ai n't got a way of bringin' folks together.</dialogue>
    <parenthetical>( directly at camera . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Yous boys tell me when want me to start, okay?</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. HIGH SCHOOL - LIBRARY</stage_direction>
    <character>IONA</character>
    <dialogue>Amber?! What - the - hell's goin' on around here? I'm Mount Rose American Teen Princess. Where the hell's my tiara? I bet those sneaky little Japs took it.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. CAFE - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Cathy and other townsfolk are glued to a small TV set on the counter .</scene_description>
    <character>FEMALE REPORTER</character>
    <parenthetical>( ON T.V . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Amber, how do you feel?</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>I, uh. I feel like. I, uh, I need a shower.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Townsfolk laugh and cheer .</scene_description>
    <character>CATHY</character>
    <dialogue>Jesus - Mary - n - Joseph I hope Gladys Leeman hangs herself in her cell when she hears this.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. WOMEN'S PRISON - REC ROOM</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>ROUGH HAND HELD FOOTAGE . We see Gladys walking around , holding onto the back of a large black woman 's belt .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>Uh - huh. No, no. Gosh, no. You know I still do n't want to be on camera.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>SUPER : PHONE INTERVIEW WITH GLADYS LEEMAN FROM MINNETONKA WOMEN 'S FACILITY</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <parenthetical>( V.O. ON THE PHONE . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Yah - I just wan na say - that little bitch better watch her back at Nationals kcause I'm makin' friends on the inside. Yah - friends who have friends on the outside.</dialogue>
    <character>FEMALE PRISONER</character>
    <dialogue>Get your sweet ass off the bunk, Cinnamon.</dialogue>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <parenthetical>( V.O. ON PHONE . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Got ta go.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Click . DIAL TONE .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. LORETTA'S TRAILER - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Annette -LRB- left arm 's been amputated and replaced with metal pincers which she has n't mastered yet -RRB- sits at the picnic table with Amber and Loretta . Throughout the following , Annette struggles to open a beer can which keeps flying out of her pincers . -LRB- Handmade `` congratulations '' posters cover the lawn and trailer . -RRB-</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>I just, I just ca n't believe it. I'm Minnesota's American Teen Princess!</dialogue>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>Our baby's going to Nationals! Lincoln, Alabama - look out!</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>I'm gon na be on TV! Just like Diane Sawyer.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Annette opens a beer with a new HOOK replacing her hand .</scene_description>
    <character>LORETTA</character>
    <dialogue>Annette, just use your hand.</dialogue>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <dialogue>They told me to practice.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>Okay, ready? Here's the signal I'm gon na give Ma when I'm on TV.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>Amber MIMES inhaling a cigarette and Annette embraces her .</scene_description>
    <character>ANNETTE</character>
    <dialogue>My little Carol Burnett.</dialogue>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. AIR FIELD</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>In the middle of a corn field . The `` runaway '' is a gravel path cut between rows of corn . A FOUR - SEATER plane is on the runway , in front of a group of town folk with hand - made `` good luck '' signs . Amber -LRB- in Minnesota sash and tiara -RRB- and the Mayor stand beside the plane . -LRB- NOTE : The plane never moves . -RRB-</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. AIR FIELD - LATER</stage_direction>
    <character>MAYOR</character>
    <parenthetical>( into bullhorn . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Here she is, Minnesota's American Teen Princess - soon to be the next America's American Teen Princess - our little Amber!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>ZOOM IN ON AMBER as PEOPLE cheer Amber on .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. SARAH ROSE COSMETICS, NAT'L HEADQUARTERS - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>A giant Sarah Rose Cosmetics logo on the wall greets Amber . SUPER : SARAH ROSE COSMETICS NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS , LINCOLN , ALABAMA . The CONTESTANTS , including Amber , look around for the directory . It reads : FOR LEASE . A sign at the front of the building reads : SEIZED . SUPER : IN ITS FIFTIETH YEAR , SARAH ROSE COSMETICS WAS SEIZED BY THE IRS FOR TAX EVASION . As the CAMERA catches the reactions of our contestants - SUPER : THE SARAH ROSE COSMETICS AMERICAN TEEN PRINCESS PAGEANT WAS CANCELED . We STOP on MISS OKLAHOMA . She SCREAMS SUPER : . PERMANENTLY</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. SARAH ROSE COSMETICS, NAT'L HEADQUARTERS - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>As the contestants run out the building . SUPER : BUT IN ITS PASSING WE ARE INSPIRED BY THE SPIRIT OF THE MANY YOUNG WOMEN WHO WERE ITS HEART AND SOUL . Contestants THROW and HURL suitcases and items through the glass of the building . SUPER : . AND BY THE MANY WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN PURSUIT OF THE TITLE . The contestants TEAR DOWN the Sarah Rose Logo .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. CHASKA SCHOOL OF BEAUTY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>A very perky Leslie Miller , with very big hair , stands out front in a white lab coat . She smiles and waves to camera . SUPER : LESLIE MILLER ENTERED `` THE CHASKA SCHOOL OF BEAUTY '' .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. STRIP BAR - NIGHT</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>A COLOR PHOTO of slightly less perky Leslie , wearing go - go boots and a smile , dances in a cage . SUPER : SHE WAS LAST HEARD FROM SOMEWHERE IN THE PHILIPPINES . IF YOU SEE HER , PLEASE CALL 1 - 800 - X - QUEEN .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT./EXT. HARDWARE HANK</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>It 's a lovely shot of the front window SUPER : HAROLD VILMES DIED UNEXPECTEDLY OF LYMES DISEASE FROM A DEER TICK BITE Suddenly , HANK , buck naked , runs back and forth past the window , spanking himself and waving `` hi . '' SUPER CONT : LEAVING HANK THE STORE</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. MOUNT ROSE - STREET</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>MOLLY HOWARD is being helped into a van with `` Lutheran Children 's Orphanage '' painted on the side . She looks sad . SUPER : MOLLY HOWARD RETURNED TO THE `` LUTHERAN CHILDREN 'S ORPHANAGE '' AFTER HER PARENTS WERE GUNNED DOWN BY A SNIPER OUTSIDE THE FOOD SHACK .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. ROOM - DAY</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>CLOSE UP of a newspaper photo of Gladys . SUPER : GLADYS LEEMAN ENTERED A STATE - WIDE PRISON BEAUTY PAGEANT . The banner and hat she wears read : MINNESOTA 2ND PLACE , CELL BLOCK SUPER : . SHE CAME IN SECOND . INSERT : NEWSPAPER HEADLINES `` EX - BEAUTY QUEEN ESCAPES PRISON , VOWS `` REVENGE ON MOUNT ROSE ''</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>EXT. MAIN STREET - FOOD SHACK</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Gladys , wearing Army Fatigues and brandishing a semi - automatic rifle aimed at the FOOD SHACK , holds off a S.W.A.T. team .</scene_description>
    <character>GLADYS</character>
    <dialogue>Come on out, you little blonde piece of trailer park trash!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>LOCAL NEWSCAST Female reporter is on the scene of the Gladys Leeman stand - off outside the food shack . We see Amber , Annette -LRB- with hook hand -RRB- and other town folk behind her , watching the action . `` LIVE '' flashes on screen . SUPER : DURING THE SIX - HOUR GLADYS LEEMAN STAND - OFF</scene_description>
    <character>FEMALE REPORTER</character>
    <dialogue>We are here in the sixth hour of a shoot - out between Gladys Leeman -</dialogue>
    <character>MAN AT FOOD SHACK</character>
    <dialogue>Get down!</dialogue>
    <scene_description>The female reporter suddenly stiffens and falls over . SUPER : LOCAL REPORTER PAT MILES WAS STRUCK BY A STRAY POLICE BULLET . Amber steps under the police barricade , over Pat 's body , takes the mic and continues the newscast . She 's a natural .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>This is Amber Atkins reporting live from the Food Shack for. KRLH News. One of our reporters has just been shot.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>SUPER : AMBER , SHOWING AMAZING POISE UNDER PRESSURE , WAS GIVEN HER JOB .</scene_description>
  </scene>
  <scene>
    <stage_direction>INT. MINNEAPOLIS NEWS STATION</stage_direction>
    <scene_description>Amber , now looking like a Midwestern news anchor , sits with a BLOND MALE ANCHOR . A LOGO in B.G. reads : TV WAZB TWIN CITIES .</scene_description>
    <character>BLONDE NEWS ANCHOR</character>
    <dialogue>I'm Peter Aitchison.</dialogue>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <dialogue>And I'm Amber Atkins for WAZB News.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>SUPER : . was given her job .</scene_description>
    <character>AMBER</character>
    <parenthetical>( cont 'd . )</parenthetical>
    <dialogue>Good night.</dialogue>
    <scene_description>As they smile and laugh , we : FADE OUT .</scene_description>
  </scene>
</script>

Summary: In 1995, Mount Rose is preparing for its annual beauty pageant, the Sarah Rose Cosmetics Mount Rose American Teen Princess Pageant. Amber Atkins (Kirsten Dunst) is an optimistic teenager who signs up to compete in the pageant so she can follow in the footsteps of her idols, television news reporter Diane Sawyer, and Amber's mother, Annette, a former contestant. Amber works after school applying makeup to corpses at the mortuary, and lives with her mother, Annette Atkins (Ellen Barkin), in a small trailer near their friend Loretta (Allison Janney). This is in stark contrast to fellow contestant Rebecca ("Becky") Leeman (Denise Richards), the daughter of the richest man in town and his wife, Gladys Leeman (Kirstie Alley), who is the head of the pageant organizing committee and a former winner. Various business connections between the Leeman Furniture Store and the judges of the pageant cause many to speculate that the contest will be rigged or fixed. Many odd events occur around town during the run-up to the pageant, including the death of a contestant, the athletic and competitive Tammy Curry (Brooke Elise Bushman), president of the Lutheran Sisterhood Gun Club, who is killed when her tractor explodes, and the death (ruled a hunting accident) of a boy who Becky liked, but who showed himself partial to Amber. Amber decides to pull out of the pageant after receiving a threatening note and her mother is injured in an explosion at their mobile home, but reconsiders and decides to compete to follow her dreams and make her mother proud. At the dress rehearsal, fellow contestant Jenelle Betz (Sarah Stewart) swaps numbers with Amber. Midway through Janelle's rehearsal performance, a stage light falls and hits her in the head, knocking her unconscious and rendering her deaf. Luckily, Jenelle is a master of American sign language so she claims that despite dropping out of the pageant, she has never been happier. At the pageant, Amber's dance costume mysteriously goes missing. Amber blames Becky and the two get into a catfight. Gladys Leeman's right-hand woman Iris Clark (Mindy Sterling) and Amber's best friend and fellow contestant Lisa Swenson (Brittany Murphy) pull them apart. Pageant choreographer Chloris Klinghagen (Mary Gillis) then gives Amber a new costume to perform in, however Amber is told by both Iris and Gladys that she can't perform due to her new costume not being approved weeks in advance. Later, Lisa finds Amber crying as the fellow contestants try to console her. After learning about the costume situation, Lisa then drops out of the pageant in order to give her own approved costume to Amber. Amber then performs her tap dance number to a standing ovation. Rebecca sings a cringe-worthy rendition of "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You" as she dances with a life-size Jesus doll on a crucifix, both amusing and horrifying the audience. During judging, the previous year's winner Mary Johanson (Alexandra Holden) (now hospitalized with anorexia) reprises her talent act (lip-synching "Don't Cry Out Loud") while being pushed around the stage in her hospital wheelchair in a re-enactment of her dance movements. When the winners are announced, Leslie Miller, cheerleader portrayed by Amy Adams is named second runner up, Amber is named first runner-up, with Becky Leeman taking first place. During the victory parade the next day, Becky is killed in a freak accident when the elaborate swan float (made in Mexico, to save her father money) on which she is riding bursts into flames and explodes. The grief-stricken Gladys flies into a blind rage and admits to having killed Tammy and to being responsible for all the attempts against Amber in the run-up to the pageant, and is immediately arrested. Rebecca's tragic death and Gladys's antics leave Amber as the new pageant winner. At the State Competition, Amber wins the Minnesota American Teen Princess title by default after all the other contestants fall ill with seafood-related food poisoning, and Amber gets an all-expenses-paid trip to the national Sarah Rose American Teen Princess Pageant. Upon arrival there, Amber and the other state winners are devastated to find that the cosmetics company has been shut down by the IRS for tax evasion. This sends all the contestants except Amber on a rampage, vandalizing and destroying the property. A few years later, Gladys escapes from prison and is sniping from the top of the Mount Rose supermarket, declaring her intent to take revenge on Amber. During the six-hour police standoff, a television reporter doing a live report at the scene is hit by a stray bullet. Amber quickly picks up the reporter's microphone and takes over reporting the story, impressing the news station with her poise and confidence. The film closes with a scene showing Amber as co-anchor of the evening news for Minneapolis–St. Paul television station WAZB-TV, thus living her dream of possibly becoming the next Diane Sawyer.