They wrapped a shot in just an hour, covering all its different angles—a solid way to stay on top of each frame. Billy's pacing remains steady, not the best you'll ever see, but always reliable: precise, methodical, hitting his marks on time, synced up, no wasted movement. But now he's added a new ingredient to his method: a habanero pepper, a raw intensity that could burn through the role itself. It's not healthy if unchecked, but for Billy? No problem.
-So you're exactly as I always imagined, - Charlize remarked. "A true bore who lives only to work."
The jab might've landed another time, but today, Billy met it with a flat stare and cracked a faint smile, almost shy, tinged with something like an apology.
-Fun's overrated by people who think momentary thrills matter more than the purpose right in front of them," Billy replied.-We should grab drinks once we wrap. We've got time. Theysaidd, "At your pace, we'll be done here in California in four days." Charliz—now sporting a perm, her curls framing lively blue eyes—was Ann, an enigma to him. Today, they still have the three extras to shoot in this building.
-I'll consider it—just a drink or two. Got ideas in my head that need scripting," Billy said.
His mind drifted to the Bleach draft waiting for him, alongside sketches for the new American football series, plotting a tighter, grittier overhaul to ground the story in realism. Eyeshield 21 was the blueprint, the launchpad for redefining spectacle across every franchise he touched. Now, he just needed to pave the way for hockey, tennis, volleyball...
-Scene 2, Take 1.-
2 INT. FLORIDA COURTROOM – DAY
Kevin strides briskly out of the courtroom. Gettys trails at his heels.
KEVIN: Lloyd, as your lawyer, L asking you to stay away from me.
GETTYS: Why? What're you talking about?
KEVIN: The wife. The kid. The outrage. You played me.
GETTYS: You're my attorney! You're here to defend me!
KEVIN: Know what I'm thinking? Why don't we put you on the stand and let you jerk off for the judge?
GETTYS: You know you're lying.
KEVIN: Get out of my way.
Gettys steps aside, stunned.
-CUT.-
-We need at least two more takes to capture Billy's angle here," Director Taylor insisted, hungry for coverage. The actor playing Gettys had stolen the scene's thunder.
-Understood…" replied Andrzej Bartkowiak. He and Mark Warner manned the cameras—visible and hidden—as Billy repeated the take with unflinching intensity, then moved to the next scene.
Five minutes later, Billy stood before a bathroom mirror.
-Scene 3 take 3.-
INT. FLORIDA COURTHOUSE MEN'S RESTROOM – DAY
An aging upper-floor building. Kevin stares into the mirror, frozen. Identity crisis. Moral crisis. He slips off his wedding ring and runs cold water. His eyes never leave his reflection. Behind him, the door opens. A LOCAL REPORTER enters and approaches a urinal.
REPORTER: Well, hell. There you are. Rumor was you'd vanished into traffic.
KEVIN: Not now, Larry.
REPORTER: What's the play, Kevin? The deadline is 4:30. Give me a quote.
KEVIN: Go to hell.
REPORTER: "Mr. Lomax declined to comment on today's proceedings. However, speculation mounts that the young attorney's untarnished win streak may meet its end in this very courtroom."
Kevin splashes cold water on his face. Jolted as a THUNDERCLAP EXPLODES overhead—then fades into the flush of a urinal...
REPORTER: Hell of a run, Kev. Had to end sometime. No one wins 'em all.
The reporter exits. Kevin is alone with the mirror. Decision made. He replaces the ring, grabs his jacket, and breathes deep—disgust etched into his mind, brows furrowed, thoughts sharpening into resolve.
-CUT.
…
-SCENE 4. Take 2.
INT. FLORIDA COURTROOM – DAY
Barbara is on the stand. Everyone is in a position. Billy paces, shoes tapping a firm, unfamiliar rhythm.
KEVIN: Math hasn't exactly been your strong suit this year, has it?
BARBARA: No.
KEVIN: Any theories why?
BARBARA: Not my fault.
KEVIN: Would you say Mr. Gettys is the problem?
(She shrugs.)
Not sure? Any discipline issues in his class?
BARBARA: No.
KEVIN: Really? He never kept you after class, over behavior?
BARBARA: No.
KEVI: N Have other teachers ever held you back?
BARBARA: Once or twice.
KEVIN: To discuss your behavior?—Billy whispered, crisp, riveting the room.
The words land cold, laser-focused on Barbara—Heather, the young actress playing her, tears breaking free under the lawyer's formal, relentless pressure. His voice drops to a near-retracted whisper, striking true: Barbara freezes in shock.
PROSECUTOR: Objection. Relevance?
KEVIN: Goes to the motive.
JUDGE: Overruled. Answer.
BARBARA: I don't know what they wanted.
KEVIN: Ever pass notes in class, Barbara? Maybe one mocking Mr. Gettys?
BARBARA: No.
KEVIN: Never called him a 'disgusting pig monster'?
BARBARA: No.
Kevin distributes papers, casually, seeding discomfort. The actors squirm; Barbara's tears fall.
KEVIN: Your Honor, Defense Exhibit A...
PROSECUTOR: Objection! We've had ample discovery time.
The Judge skims the note.
JUDGE: I'll allow it. But present any further evidence promptly, Mr. Lomax—or not at all.
KEVIN (holding the note): My mistake, Barbara. It says 'enorme bestia porcina.' Your handwriting, yes?
BARBARA: Yes, but—
KEVIN: You wrote this in his class.
BARBARA: It was a joke!
KEVIN: "A massive pig beast. Probably eats a thousand pancakes for breakfast." About Mr. Gettys, no?
BARBARA: It was just a joke!
KEVIN: Ever throw a party when your parents were out?
(beat)
Yes or no?
PROSECUTOR: Objection! This is irrelevant—
KEVIN: Credibility and bias.
JUDGE: Overruled. Answer.
BARBARA: Yes.
KEVIN: That 'special' word in your testimony—you said Gettys asked if you felt 'special.'
(pause)
Ever heard of a game called 'Special Places'?
(waits)
You're under oath. A man's life hangs on this. Ever played it?
BARBARA: Yes.
KEVIN: Sexual?
BARBARA: We only played once.
KEVIN: That 'special' party—where you first accused Gettys.
BARBARA: Yes.
KEVIN: I spoke to others there. Anything they'd share about that party?
PROSECUTOR: Objection! Call these 'others' or drop them.
KEVIN (to Barbara): I will call them if needed.
JUDGE: Sustained. Rephrase.
KEVIN: You threatened those kids. Told them to lie—or you'd expose their 'special' party.
BARBARA: It wasn't like that!
KEVIN: So you invented a story. A 'special' lie about a math teacher you hated. That's the truth, isn't it?
BARBARA: I didn't want to be the only one!
BARBARA'S FATHER lunges up, raging—
BARBARA'S FATHER: You son of a bitch!
A bailiff tackles him. Kevin locks eyes with the man, a silent command to sit. Chaos erupts: officials grappling, Gettys clutching his family, the judge's gavel pounding—Kevin slumps drained. At the room's rear, LEAMON HEATH watches, amused.
MARY ANN LOMAX leans behind her husband, radiant.
MARY ANN: Pack it up, babe. You need a drink.
-CUT.
Charlize, blue eyes gleaming, lingered as they prepped to reshoot. This time, Billy's Kevin Lomax would recuse himself—casually, decisively.
-Well, color me impressed. That performance shook the room," Charlize said.
Billy felt the quiet admiration—his live-wire acting, subtle yet seismic, a career highlight. Now, he'd have to replicate it.
-Just gotta do it again," he replied, grinning.
...