The Fake ID

written by

Solomon Goluboff-Schragger

INT. A TEENAGER’S ROOM – NIGHT

A teenage girl, about 17, sits at her desk with only a dim  lamp and a laptop for light. The laptop is open to a wikihow  article entitled “How to make a fake ID”. There are scissors  and paper scattered everywhere. As RACHEL is cutting and  gluing, she is texting with a friend. She texts the friend “I  tried to get it, but they carded me.” The friend texts, “That  sucks”. “it’s OK, I got a plan.” she texts back.

She looks over to her clock which reads 2:07 am. She looks  back at her finished fake ID, nods approvingly, and goes to  sleep.

INT. A TEENAGER’S ROOM – THE NEXT MORNING

While Rachel is still sleeping, Rachel’s mother walks into  her room. NANCY is holding a yoga mat and a water bottle.

NANCY

Honey, I’m going to pilates. I’ll

be back around three

Nancy notices the fake ID on Rachel’s messy desk. She thinks  for a moment as Rachel is just starting to stir.

NANCY (CONT’D)

(Her anger growing) What is this?

Young lady?!

Rachel is now fully awake.

NANCY (CONT’D)

Rachel Merideth Brown!? This is a

fake ID!

RACHEL

Mom! It not for what you think

NANCY

(Cutting her off)

I can’t do this right now, we’ll

talk about it when I get back.

Don’t you dare leave this house!

RACHEL

Mom but I made it to-–

NANCY

No, I have to go. We’ll talk

about this when I get back from

pilates.

Nancy storms downstairs.

CLIFF

What’s going on up there honey?

NANCY

Don’t worry, I grounded her.

CLIFF

(Trying to avoid conflict)

Okey dokey!

Nancy drives away in her Subaru.

Rachel sits on her bed and angrily sighs. Cutaways of Rachel  collecting her car keys, phone, and fake ID off of her desk  and bedside table. She walks downstairs with purpose.

CLIFF (CONT’D)

Where ya going honey?

RACHEL

(Exasperatedly)

Is there no privacy in this house

anymore?

CLIFF

(Trying to avoid

conflict)

Okey dokey, you do what you need

to do.

Rachel walks out the door.

CLIFF (CONT’D)

Make good choices!

INT. PETSMART – DAY

Rachel pulls up to petsmart in her Prius. She walks in and  makes a B line to the goldfish. An employee approaches her.

EMPLOYEE

Can I help you with anything?

RACHEL

Yeah hi… could I get this

goldfish.

She points at a little goldfish in the middle of the tank.  The employee looks Rachel up and down.

EMPLOYEE

Are you 18 years old? I know it’s

weird but store policy is you

can’t buy a fish unless you’re 18

or older.

RACHEL

Oh yes I’m 18.

Rachel rummages around in her handbag Rachel for the fake ID.  Rachel finds the ID and begins pulling it out of her purse.

EMPLOYEE

It’s fine, I believe you.

RACHEL

Ok!

Rachel puts the ID back into her purse.

Rachel walks over to the register with a goldfish in a  plastic bag.

EMPLOYEE #2

Have I seen you here before?

RACHEL

(struggling to lie)

Nope! This is my first time

coming here actually.

EMPLOYEE #2

Hmm, I though I recognized you

from somewhere.

Rachel chuckles uneasily.

She pays and drives home. She places the goldfish in the  middle of her dresser as the center piece to her room.

THE END