SPARCS:Kibbitzing002

Joe, Shareeta, intrigue, danger!

So all this bantering is fun, but help me develop some teeth for this scene! -- James Holloway 04:59, 1 December 2005 (PST)

Trying again. Stupid server.

Idea that may be good or not, you tell me: what if either the SHARDettes or villain-guy from the last scene turned up and nabbed Shareeta? Presumably this would be outside the "test" script and would suggest that there's true villainy afoot, and it might be some pressure on Joe: act, even out of costume? Change and then act? Call in the rest of the team (who didn't do the same for him)? --Azrianni 05:46, 1 December 2005 (PST)

It seems to me that the two things in conflict here are (a) Joe's desire to make a personal connection with Shareeta and (b) his desire to help out the team. I think it's cool that we've discovered a flip side of the "Fitting in" equation, where the team is an obstacle to Joe's attempts to fit in elsewhere in his life.

I still totally think that Joe should happen upon an opportunity to do something important and prove himself ... but if that important thing is aligned with his desire to make a connection with Shareeta, doesn't that make his life too simple? What if the question is whether he has to make a choice between fitting in at school and fitting in on the team? -- TonyLB 07:00, 1 December 2005 (PST)

Having to choose between making a good impression on Shareeta (who, let's face it, has been nicer to him than any of the SPARCs so far) and helping out the team would make sense. The conflict could be whether the one he neglects comes back to bite him; if he chases off after the bad guy, does Shareeta feel snubbed and talk him down to the other girls at school? If he stays with Shareeta, does a further plot kick in, or do the SPA chew him out for abandoning his duty?BlackSheep 07:32, 1 December 2005 (PST)

So combining this with Danny's suggestion on OOC thread, maybe Joe notices the SPA guys hanging around and has to decide whether to ditch Shareeta to go investigate and help the team, or screw the team, I'm hanging with the cute girl.

Azrianni 10:02, 1 December 2005 (PST)

I like the idea, proposed in the thread, that Shareeta thinks she's learned some kind of clever secret about Joe. I would be OK with it being his secret identity, but I also like the suggestion that she thinks he has some kind of crush on Amy -- or even that she thinks Amy and Joe are actually dating, in secret for some reason. It's also possible that if Shareeta sees Joe apprehending the SPA agent, she may think he's a villain.

Further, I'm taking it as a given that Joe nabs the baddie, finds the clue, advances the plot, whatever. The question is whether or not he can fit in, somehow. Does he have to sacrifice this kind of friendly, flirty conversation in order to take his man down, or can he keep the plates spinning for now? -- James Holloway 16:27, 1 December 2005 (PST)

See, I (at least) would also be okay with Joe, faced with a choice, not choosing to nab the baddy and snub Shareeta. Day he's had? I could totally see it going the other way.

Hey, it worked for Peter Parker. From, y'know, a dramatic point of view. -- TonyLB 16:39, 1 December 2005 (PST)

Yeah, at this point I'm kind of seeing Joe "not fitting in" by trying to prove that he can do something on his own, he doesn't need these jerks, etc., etc. I'm not sure about having him slack off, if only because I think we've already had all the bungling we need in this episode. -- James Holloway 17:55, 1 December 2005 (PST)

OK, well let's let azrianni set up the encounter with the plot-dingus, and then we'll see how it structures a conflict. Sound good to you guys? -- James Holloway 14:53, 2 December 2005 (PST)

Here's a draft of the scene resolution: The suit enters, and Joe grabs him and flings him against a wall. Suit tries to raise his cuff near his mouth, but Joe grabs it first.

Joe: None of that.

Joe pulls out the mic and the earpiece and pockets them.

Joe: Okay, slick, cough it up. What’s going down?

Suit looks defiant. Joe reaches over and rips the hand dryer out of the wall. Suit blanches.

Suit: We’re just on observational support and back-up. That’s all I know. Only the team leader is cleared for more.

Joe: Well, don’t need you anymore.

Joe reaches up and flicks the guy right between the eyes with one finger. Suit slumps, unconscious.

Cut to Joe, returning to Shareeta. He pauses for a moment, gets a look of determination, and steps up to her.

Joe: Wanna help me with something?

Shareeta: Sure. What is it?

Joe: It’s kinda secret. Even from Amy. You with me?

Shareeta considers a moment, then grins.

Cut to Joe, lurking in an alcove. Shareeta is seen beyond, out in the crowd.

Joe, into mic: Team Leader, possible situation by “Foot Locker.” You’d better—

He stops and crushes the mic between his fingers, then gives a hand signal to Shareeta. She looks around and sees a suit running through the crowd. She starts digging in her purse, acting “casual,” and manages to put herself right in his path, forcing a collision. Joe is visible to the camera, but not to the suit, watching the whole exchange.

Shareeta: Hey! What are you doing? Security!

Team Leader: No need for a fuss, miss. (He flashes his ID.) SPA, on assignment.

Shareeta: SPA. Is this about that robot?

Team Leader: That’s right.

Shareeta: Are we in danger? Why aren’t you protecting us instead of running me over?

Team Leader: The situation is all under control—

Shareeta: I could’ve been killed!

Team Leader: You were never in any danger. It’s just a training exercise.

Shareeta: A training exercise?

Team Leader: I have to go. (He runs off.)

Joe emerges, sharing a smile and a wink with Shareeta.

Shareeta returns, breathless, to the maintenance hallway where Joe is standing.

SHAREETA: Oh my God. I just ... I just totally lied to a cop! Not even a cop, a super-cop!

JOE: (worried) Oh... Uh... It was for a good cause. And, well, you didn't exactly...

SHAREETA: That was AWESOME!

Shareeta flings her arms around Joe, dangling off of him for a moment, then spins away, looking back out at the retreating Suit. Her eyes sparkle.

SHAREETA: What's our next move?

-- TonyLB 07:46, 6 December 2005 (PST)