The Able Crew – A New Year

(Introducing two new characters)

Jason-10-Albinism

Tara-11-Downs Syndrome

(Scene 1 Full Page)

The story opens with a classroom full of excited children. They are just starting to settle down. Some children are walking; some sitting patiently, and some are talking with each other. Alexa and Gabby are in the front row. Alexa is leading towards Gabby speaking in her ear. Sam is lying at Gabby's feet, but looking up at the girls with curiosity. Sam is wearing his harness.

Alexa: “I have a feeling about our new teacher, Gabby. I think that maybe he will be

bringing a friend with him or we will have two teachers. I can just feel it. My

mother said that his name is Dr. Moats, but he isn't a medical doctor. She said

that he is a Pee H Dee, whatever that is!”

Gabby: “Wow, a P-H-D! That means he went to school for a real long time. He's a

Doctor of something really important.”

(Alexa 's attention is grabbed by two new faces in the classroom)

Alexa : “Hey Gabby, I see two new faces in here today. A boy with long white hair and

– pink eyes. His skin's real light. He-he must be an albino.”

Gabby: “Where's he sitting?”

Alexa: “First row, on the end.”

Gabby: “We should say HI. Then lower , “What about the other person. You said there

are two new people.

Alexa: “Oh, she's sitting on the floor in the back corner of the room. She has dark hair

and big sad eyes.

Gabby: “Come on, Alexa, let's go over and-“

Alexa: “Wait, Gabby. We can't go. The teacher's here…”

(Scene 2 ½ page – first section)

The door opens and a very tall, dark-haired man with perfect upright posture enters the room. (He's carrying an attaché case under his right arm. His left hand is securely holding a harness. ) His eyes are straight ahead and you can just see the tip of a dog's muzzle and a front paw. The dog is a tan Labrador retriever. The children stop what they're doing and swing around to look at who it is. Sam looks on with interest, but remains laying at Gabby's feet. Alexa points at the dog.

Alexa: “Gabby, I was right! Dr. Moats has a guide dog, just like Sam!”

Gabby: “Oh, great! I hope that the dogs get along.”

(½ page – second section)

The teacher is now in the front of the room. He is looking at the class and they are looking at him in anticipation. A beautiful dog, (Socrates) is sitting upright at his side, wearing a harness. The man is holding the harness and addressing the class and smiling. Sam is looking with attention at the other dog, but he hasn't moved from his position. Socrates is looking straight at Sam. The view is from the back of the class forward.

Dr Moats: “Welcome to our new Saturday social class everyone. My name is Dr. Moats.

I'm very happy to be here. He turned and his gaze falls on the dog. “You probably noticed the other member of my team, my dog “Socrates”.

Dr. Moats reaches out, pats Socrates on the head, then turns his attention

back to the class. “Socrates and I are a team because I am blind. I know that

Miss Gabby and her dog, Sam are in this class also, so I know that you are

familiar with guide dogs, right ?”

The class murmurs “right” then gets quiet again, staring at the beautiful dog.

Dr. Moats smiles then reaches into the pocket of his attaché case and pulls out a paper. “Please sign this attendance sheet and return it to me as soon as possible, then I'll

choose someone in the class to read the names out loud. Please stand or raise

your hand when you hear your name called. That way we all know each other's

names.” He sits down, holds the attendance sheet out and Alexa gets up, takes

it, signs it and puts it on the next child's desk. “Your name is?” Dr. Moats says.

Alexa: “Alexa.”

Dr. Moats: “Very good, Alexa. You took it upon yourself to handle the attendance sheet,

so I think you should be the one to read it when it comes back.”

Alexa: “No problem.”

(Scene 3 full page)

The attendance sheet is passed throughout the class. Meanwhile, Dr. Moats talks to the children about his trusted partner, Socrates. They're listening intently. NOW, the focus is on the two dogs as they look at each other. They are communicating through their thoughts. Both are maintaining their positions, but their heads are cocked to the side (VISUAL) and each have a cloud above them to show what they are communicating through their thoughts.

Sam looks very proud and distinguished.

Sam: “Well, I guess I'm not the only guide dog on the block now! Glad to meet you,

Socrates. Sam here. I'll have you know that I'm a very disciplined and talented

guide dog. I was bought up in a guide dog school, in Canada no less. They petted

and brushed me every day. Then, I lived with a family in Mississippi for 13

months. They had a lot of children and they showed me a lot of attention. I was

placed in a guide dog school for 6 months in Louisiana. I'm a special dog with a

very special owner. Usually dogs are not placed with children younger than 16.”

Socrates: “Oh, my… You had to deal with - little- children. I'm so glad I never had-.”

Sam: “It was wonderful! I love children. I live to protect them. I even saved my Miss

Gabby several times by showing her the stairs, not letting her cross the street

when a car was coming and guiding her safely to school and back home. I take

my job very seriously and protecting her is my profession.

(Scene 4 Full page)

Now the focus is on Socrates, who is looking like it is his turn to brag and practice one- updogship. (This should show just Socrates and a big bubble of his communication, with Dr. Moats's legs in the background to show that he is still holding his place. Socrates has a visual of himself wearing a crown on a red carpet, or a big red “S” on his chest.)

Socrates: “Pleased to make your acquaintance, Sam. I too have a distinguished

background. Basically, I'm a city dog. I was born, raised and trained in New

York City. I've had very complex training. I can take my master safely on and

off the busy subway. I've guided him through busy streets, at times having my

feet stepped on and my head hit by briefcases or umbrellas by careless

humans. I suffer this pain quietly and maintain my concentration, keeping my

master free from harm. I've also been in the finest restaurants and showed

great self control, I remain quiet without so much as a sniff towards anyone's

plate. (Then quite proudly, sticking his chest out, Socrates says:) I am truly

a model guide dog!

(Scene 5 Full page)

Now both dogs lean forward and face almost nose to nose. Clearly they're getting angry at each other. Gabby reaches down to grab Sam's harness, who is starting to get up from his laying position. Dr. Moats does the same, grabbing Socrates' harness tightly so the dog doesn't pull it out of his hand.

Sam: “So, you think that you're pretty hot stuff, don't you Fido!

Socrates: “Silly country dog! Your idea of a good time is probably chasing butterflies

all day and digging holes in the dirt!

Gabby: “Sam, NO!”

Dr. Moats: “Socrates, please stop!”

Scene 6 Full page

Both Gabby and Dr. Moats now have control over their dogs, pulling back on the harness. The dogs step back, their heads hang low. They look very guilty. The class looks on, surprised.

(Scene 7 1/2 page)

Dr. Moats is speaking to the class with one hand raised as he is an animated speaker. His dog is now back at his side, looking like a CIA agent protecting the president. The class is staring intently, but only a small corner of the class is showing. The focus is on Dr. Moats.

Dr. Moats: “It's a difficult job for a dog to be a guide dog. They're very courageous.

Still, sometimes a dog will make a mistake and that mistake must be

corrected. Guide dogs must learn to concentrate and not do the things that

most dogs love to do, such as running, playing, eating, and being petted.

They also have to deal with noise; misinformed people that run into them,

and other dogs that may try to fight with them. There's lots of distractions

for these wonderful animals when they're working, right Socrates?”

Dr. Moats says and turns to Socrates. He reaches down and pats him on

the head, then reaches into his pocket and gives Socrates a doggy treat.

Socrates seems to smile.

(Scene 7 second ½ page)

Now only Socrates' head is showing, but Dr. Moats is still talking. Socrates is listening to Dr. Moats with a look of appreciation on his face.

Dr. Moats: “When the dog has his harness off, he is free to play and eat, and he's

treated like most pets. They must follow a special schedule of eating, and

only eat certain foods. They also have special toys. That's why you should

never interact with a guide dog unless you ask first.”

(Scene 8 Full page)

The scene is a guide dog school. Dr. Moats is holding a harness. An instructor is holding a small rolled up rug.

Dr. Moats: “The dogs aren't the only ones that have training. I had to train at guide

dog school, too. My instructor had me practice putting a dog harness on

a rolled up rug. Then we walked around with the instructor holding the

carpet as if it was a dog. I had to learn to follow and give queues using

this method before I was allowed to try it with a dog. You see we have to

work together, man and dog. We are a team and we both have jobs to do.

I had to learn my part of the job so Socrates could do his part of the

job.”

Ben “Sir, the dogs look thirsty.”

Dr. Moats reaches down, pats Socrates. “Are you thirsty boy?”

Then to the class, “Okay, it's time for a break. Gabby, lets take our dogs off the

harnesses, let them meet and take a quick water break. After that,

we can do the attendance.”

(Scene 9 Full page 9)

The class is taking a break and several are out of their chairs. Alexa gets water for the dogs and Ben helps. The two dogs are sniffing noses and looking happy. Jason and Tara make their way to the front to pet the dogs.

Alexa: “They're both great dogs,” she says to the albino boy. She reaches out, pats Sam on the head while Jason rubs Sam's back. “I'm Alexa. What's your name?”

“Jason,” he says quietly, noting that Alexa is staring at his eyes.

Alexa: “I like your eyes. They're cool.”

“I ordered them that way,” Jason says. He frowns, then adds, “I'm just kidding.”

“No really. I've never seen eyes like yours. I-I think they're nice,” Alexa smiles.

Jason smiles back. He can tell Alexa is being sincere, so it's instant friendship. “Do you come here every Saturday?” He asks.

Alexa: “Yes.”

Jason: “Good. Now that I know someone here, I'll be here every Saturday also.”

Alexa nods, turns to Tara: “What's your name?”

“I'm Tara and I love dogs,” Tara says and hugs Sam's neck.

Alexa smiles. “I love dogs too.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Moats sits at a student's desk and talks, waving one arm in the air.

Dr. Moats: “You know, every guide dog is a hero, but there are two very famous dogs.

The very first guide dog was named Buddy. He worked in 1920 and his

human partner was Morris Frank.

More recently, when a plane crashed into the World Trade Center, a

guide dog named “Roselle” lead her human partner, Mr. Hingson,

from the 78th floor of the building to safety. Mr. Hingson and Roselle

worked as a team. Roselle skillfully guided her human partner forward, all the way down the crowded smoky stairs until they were both safely outside. It took them one full hour.

David: “Gee, what a great dog.”

Jason: “Wow, I bet she was scared!”

Alexa: “I know I would have been scared.”

Gabby: “Did you hear that, Sam? Guide dogs are the best! Sam?”

Ben: “Don't worry, Gabby, Sam heard you.” Small bubble with Sam's thoughts

being transmitted to Ben.

(Scene 10 Full page)

Dr. Moats: “All right, it's time for attendance. Alexa, please read the names.”

A callout bubble with Alexa reading several names out loud.

Then show Alexa at the end of the list and she says, “I think we need to add two more names to the list.”

Dr. Moats: “Who did we miss?”

“Sam and Socrates,” Alexa says. She turns, gives the attendance sheet to Dr. Moats

And the children in the class agree with laughter. Dr. Moats puts the attendance sheet away and directs the class into a quick rap session where they talk and have fun.

The two dogs are still side by side. They are the main focus.

Socrates: “ My human partner understands how important both of our jobs are. We're

both a vital part of the team and all guide dogs have important jobs.”

Sam: “Yes, I agree. And, I have to admit, it will be great to have another canine

professional around. Socrates, welcome to “The Able Crew!”