Blank paper. A pen slowly traces out the words "CHASING AUTUMN SUN" across the top. The handwriting is somewhat ambiguous, not distinctly male or female, sharp or soft, as though its owner is unsure of her own identity. The handwriting and pen both belong to MARIA AGUINALDO.
MARIA
Any person who looked at them saw nothing more than an average group of teenagers, despite how different they were. Nobody could possibly suspect that they were really part of something much bigger.
MARIA (CONT'D)
No, no. That's not right. No one would suspect that they were part of something much bigger. Yes, I think that's it.
As she continues to write and read aloud, MARIA is slowly revealed by the camera. She is fifteen years old, five feet two inches tall and around ninety-five pounds, petite and attractive in a subtle way, not glaring-obvious or the typical female beauty. She is mixed, half-white and half-Filipino, with olive skin, brown eyes, and long black hair. The way she is dressed suggests a discomfort with herself: loose and baggy to hide her body. She is very shy.
MARIA (CONT'D)
The other students knew that the six friends were different, though they couldn't know exactly how different they were. They could sense, as all teenagers could, that these six were not normal.
This time, MARIA jumps, slapping her hand down to cover her notebook. She is in a classroom at Carter Academy, the private school for gifted students that she attends. The walls are covered with posters for Shakespearean plays and movies where film paraphernalia is not displayed. TEACHER 1 is worldly and sophisticated regarding great films and obviously enjoys independent productions.
MARIA
After reading A Midsummer Night's Dream, it's obvious that Shakespeare was incredibly sexist. Helena's entire existence is dependent on Demetrius, and even though Hermia defies her father, she turns helpless when Lysander abandons her. Even his most willful female character, Titania, is turned into a total laughingstock in the play, despite being equal to her husband. It's almost like Shakespeare is saying that women are stupid and dependent on the intelligence and strong will of men.
TEACHER 1 does not know how to respond at first, obviously convinced that MARIA had not been paying attention. He recovers.
MARIA is incredibly embarrassed as the rest of the STUDENTS laugh. TEACHER 1 is smugly satisfied at her humiliation, sinking back into condescending complacency.
