Counselors
A lawless shitshow of a summer camp hires a new college student who attempts to do her job well. However, her co-counselor sways her into the ways of the camp.
Cast:
LACY GREENE
SAM CLEMENS
TIFFANY
BOSS AMY
DEVA
CAMPER 1
CAMPER 2
BRYCE
JORDAN
MOM
GUY COUNSELOR
INT. OPEN FIELD - EARLY MORNING
LACY (a goody-two-shoes college student, wearing makeup and a full backpack) walks down the grassy path of a summer camp. The sign in front of her says “CAMP FITCHBURN”, but some letters have faded significantly, leaving it to say only “AM ITCHBURN”.
Screaming children are heard from afar, and regardless, Lacy is grinning ear to ear. She sees a bigger woman in a bright purple “BOSS” shirt and walks up to her eagerly.
LACY
(quickly)
Hi there! I’m Lacy, I think you hired me the other day. I’m the one on the phone, you said your name was Amy?
BOSS AMY (brutish, early thirties, and absolutely miserable) shoves a clipboard into Lacy’s arms.
BOSS AMY
Welcome to the shit show.
She points to a group of crying children and turns and walks away from Lacy, leaving her alone in the field.
Looking at the clipboard, Lacy sees a roster of campers, along with her name next to a SAM CLEMENS (an apathetic veteran counselor with no plans for his future) – her co-counselor. She begins to walk up to the group. Sam is on his phone, the kids circled around him.
LACY
I think I’m your co-counselor? I’m
Lacy, Lacy Greene. I just started today, I was hired a few days ago.
SAM
(without looking up)
Okay.
DEVA
(tugging on her shirt) You’re really pretty.
CAMPER 1
(running circles around her)
Are you old? You look like my mom.
(to Sam)
Do you, um, need help with anything?
JORDAN
Tell Sam that Bryce stole my water bottle!
BRYCE
I didn’t steal it! I borrowed it, it was right here and I waterfalled! Don’t tell Mr. Sam!
JORDAN
You did not! I saw you, you didn’t waterfall!
DEVA
I’m Deva, can I try on your necklace? Please please, I won’t break it and I’ll give it right back.
LACY
I- uh, Bryce, can you give the water bottle back?
BRYCE
He said I could have a sip! He said I could, and I did it really fast!
LACY
Jordan, is that true?
DEVA
My mommy has a backpack like that. Except she doesn’t use it for school like me, she didn’t finish. I have a pretty backpack with flowers.
LACY
That’s really cool Deva, can I talk to Bryce and Jordan?
DEVA
Okay! My mommy said that I shouldn’t share my water bottle. I wouldn’t let anyone use it anyways.
Hey, Sam, could you help me out here?
SAM
(on his phone, still not looking up)
I’m taking attendance.
LACY
You’re on your ph- okay, Bryce, what if you use my water bottle instead? You don’t need to waterfall, you can keep it.
Lacy began to dig in her backpack, a swarm of kids peeking inside.
CAMPER 2
Whoa, is that slime?
CAMPER 1
Do you have games on your phone?
Lacy gives her plastic water bottle to Bryce.
LACY
(under her breath)
Great, first five minutes and I already have no water.
(loudly)
Hey Sam? A little help?
SAM
You’re doing great, Lucy.
LACY
It’s Lacy, and- oh, my God.
Lacy looks over to see Bryce on top of the roof of a cabin. He is dancing and jumping on the shingles, making some dust rain onto the campers below.
LACY
OH GOD! Bryce, get down!
TIFFANY (referred to by other counselors as “TITS-FANNY”, a college student that has no filter to both staff and campers) turns to Lacy. She’s taking the attendance for her group.
TIFFANY
Don’t worry, he does this all the time.
He - he WHAT? That’s - that’s not okay.
SAM
He’s fine, just let him tire himself out.
LACY
How is he gonna get down? How did he even get UP?
Tiffany ignores Lacy’s question and turns to her co-counselor.
TIFFANY
I didn’t even realize it was his brother, but he was such a fucking good lay. I’m serious, so much better than Matt. Around the same level as Dylan, but definitely a bigger penis than Jake.
LACY
Oh my God, where am I?
Bryce jumps off of the roof, and Lacy screams. She notices after the initial shock that he jumped onto a mattress placed next to the cabin.
SAM
We put that there after the first time he jumped.
LACY
You couldn’t have told me that? So
I didn’t just have a heart attack watching a kid jump off a roof?
SAM
(grinning)
I wanted to see your reaction.
LACY
You are just an absolute as- Deva, what’s going on now?
DEVA
(tugging on her sleeve) Bryce and Jordan are fighting again.
TIFFANY
(flashing her co-counselor her boobs)
I just got them done a few days ago, they’re still a little sore.
Left one hurt like a bitch.
SAM
Yo, Tits-Fanny, put those away, before you scar your campers.
TIFFANY
Oh, why don’t you jump off that cabin next, Sam. Preferably without the mattress.
SAM
Nice one. Your boobs would just deflate if you jumped. Like two fucking plastic balloons.
LACY
The kids can hear you! Stop swearing, and quit fighting!
JORDAN
They say “fuck” all the time, Ms.
Lucy!
LACY
It’s Lacy, and please, Jordan, don’t repeat anything they’re saying.
BRYCE
What, fucking? Fucking, fucking, fucking, fucking, fucking -
CAMPER 1
(joining in)
Fucking, fucking, fucking, fucking
-
LACY
STOP IT!
DEVA
Come on, Ms. Lacy, it’s time for opening ceremony!
Lacy turns to see Sam already leaving with a group of their campers, heading toward the pavilion. Lacy takes the rear of the group and hurriedly follows Sam to a deeply wooded area.
CUT TO:
INT. WOODED CLEARING - EARLY MORNING
Lacy follows Sam into the wooded clearing where the camp held opening ceremony. The entire camp was packed onto logs surrounding a rickety stage. Her and Sam’s campers all fit onto one log, Sam standing beside them.
Lacy stands next to Sam and drops her backpack onto the ground.
LACY
Look, I’m sorry for being so...
Harsh, earlier. I think I’m just stressed out, you know? I just moved here. Well, kind of.
Boss Amy takes the stage and begins to lead singing with a few counselors by her side. The kids are screaming the words with accompanied dance moves.
CAMPERS
CAMP FITCHBURN, MIGHTY AND SMALL,
CAMP FITCHBURN, SHORT AND TALL,
CAMP FITCHBURN, CAMP FITCHBURN, WE
ALWAYS LOVE ALL.
LACY
My aunt made me this deal that if I got a summer job, I could live at her place while she’s away.
CAMPERS
CAMP FITCHBURN, GIRLS AND BOYS,
CAMP FITCHBURN, WE DON’T NEED TOYS,
CAMP FITCHBURN, CAMP
FITCHBURN, LET’S MAKE SOME NOISE!
All of the campers begin to scream and run around the pavilion. Lacy squints her eyes and starts to yell over them to Sam.
LACY
For free, too. I just have to take care of her plants. That’s why I got this position... Not the only reason, I mean - I love kids. Thank God I got the job, because I can’t spend another summer in Wyoming with my parents.
Lacy looks up at his side profile and notices earbuds in his ears, his eyes locked on the main stage. She takes a deep breath and taps his shoulder.
​
He turns and looks at her as she gestures to his earbuds. He nods, doesn’t take out his earbuds, and looks away again. Lacy clenches her jaw.
CUT TO:
INT. THE GARDEN - EARLY MORNING
Sam, Lacy, and their campers head to the garden for the start of their day. Sam is leading the group and Lacy is at the end. The kids scatter once they reach the garden.
SAM
Remember what I’ve told you, don’t go into the woods or -
ALL CAMPERS
(every camper simultaneously) The mountain lion will eat us!
LACY
Whoa, whoa, wait a minute, that’s not-
SAM
It’s fine, keeps them in the garden.
Sam sits on a bench under a tent by the garden and goes on his phone. Lacy follows Deva to a patch of bright, blooming flowers.
LACY
Watcha doing there, Deva?
DEVA
I’m looking for the flower fairies.
LACY
The flower fairies?
DEVA
Yeah! Mr. Sam says that if I’m quiet enough, the flower fairies will visit. He told me he saw them before!
Lacy took a deep breath while watching Sam. He takes a sip from his water bottle, head still buried in his phone.
​
LACY
What else has Mr. Sam told you?
​
DEVA
I don’t know. Mr. Sam loves lunchtime. I always give him one of my cookies, because he says he needs the sugar for his diabeetus. He also says that we can’t tell anyone about the fire that he breaths sometimes.
LACY
The what? He what?
DEVA
He says lunchtime is his favorite. I think he really likes food, and I do too. Mr. Sam is my favorite counselor.
LACY
No, no, I meant... Never mind.
DEVA
I love counselor Sam. He’s old. He lets us do whatever we want. We sometimes get double swim time.
LACY
Oh, he’s old? You know, I think we’re the same age.
DEVA
No, no. He’s been at camp for years. Before I was even alive, Mr. Sam worked here. He went here too when he was like me.
LACY
Alright Deva, you keep looking for the fairies, okay? I’m going to go talk to counselor Sam.
Lacy walks over to Sam and sits next to him on the bench.
LACY
Any chance I can have a sip of your water? I gave mine to Bryce after the whole thing this morning, so I’m just so thirsty.
SAM
Yeah, whatever.
​
LACY
Thank you.
​
Lacy grabs his water bottle and squirts some liquid into her mouth. She immediately spits it out onto him, her mouth contorted into a disgusted pout.
LACY (CONT’D)
OH! Ew, ew, ew, what the hell is that? God is that like, straight up hand sanitizer?
Sam doesn’t look up from his phone.
SAM
Svedka.
LACY
VODKA? You’re drinking vodka while working at a summer camp? You’re unbelievable.
SAM
Hey, you asked for some.
LACY
Noooo, I asked for water. I didn’t realize that was such a big ask.
SAM
Jesus Christ Lucy, chill out.
LACY
IT’S LACY.
SAM
Look, we’re all working this fuckass, barely minimum wage job. You do whatever you want to do and I’ll do whatever I want to do, okay?
LACY
Do you actually have diabetes?
SAM
Do I what?
LACY
Have diabetes.
SAM
No, I don’t have diabetes, what are you talking about?
​
LACY
So you just steal crap from kids? Drink vodka during work? That’s fun for you?
Sam looks up at her, shutting off his phone. He squints up at her, as if he’s thinking.
SAM
Oh shit, she told you about the cookies! Goddamn, that’s too funny.
LACY
Yeah, it’s all just freaking hilarious. Along with the fairy stuff and the- the fire breathing?
Jordan and Bryce run up to her, covered in mud from head to toe.
JORDAN
Ms. Lacy, Bryce and I had a mud fight.
LACY
Oh, oh Christ. Okay, let me get the hose, you two just stand over by the grass, okay?
The boys nodded, just their eyes and mouths visible, and Lacy runs over to the hose.
She begins to spray the boys down, having them spin around. They have fun with it, trying to catch the water in their mouths and jumping over the hose.
DEVA
Look Ms. Lacy, Mr. Sam’s breathing fire!
Lacy looks over to see Sam lighting a blunt.
LACY
No, no, no, no, no, no, you’ve got to be kidding me.
SAM
Calm down Lacy, it’s not like I’m giving it to the kids.
LACY
You could start a fire! You have an open flame, and you’re doing - (she cups her hands and mouths “DRUGS”) - in front of the campers!
The kids all begin to cheer for Sam.
BRYCE
DO IT AGAIN!
The campers surround Sam and he takes another puff, breathing even more “fire”. All the kids marvel at his special power.
Lacy glares Sam down and aims the hose at Sam, completely dousing him and his joint in water. The campers all begin to laugh as Sam jumps up.
SAM
What the FUCK, Lacy?
LACY
Language, Sam.
She begins to grin, watching Sam squeeze water out of his shirt.
Tiffany enters the garden with her group of campers, joined by her co-counselor. She sees Sam doused in water and begins to laugh.
TIFFANY
Sam, what happened? Have an accident?
SAM
New girl.
TIFFANY
I can run and grab you a new diaper if you want.
SAM
Shut up, Tits.
TIFFANY
Oh, get over yourself, Sam. Lacy, you should come to the bonfire tonight.
LACY
Bonfire? I can’t, it’s Thursday.
We have work tomorrow, and I’m already so exhausted from today.
TIFFANY
Come on, everyone goes. Even Amy. We can supply the alc and everything, it’s a good time.
LACY
I don’t drink that often. Especially not on a work night. I don’t know, I’m not sure if that’s my type of thing.
SAM
(sarcastically) That shocks me.
Lacy sprays Sam with the hose again.
SAM
God, Lacy, the hell is wrong with you?
LACY
I’ll try to make it. Thanks for inviting me, Tiffany.
TIFFANY
Anytime, new girl. Seems like you keep Sam in check, so I wanna keep you around.
CUT TO:
INT. BOSS AMY’S OFFICE - AFTERNOON
Lacy storms into Boss Amy’s office after her first day on the job is done. There are loose papers and random epipens littering the ground.
BOSS AMY
(on the phone)
Yeah, the kid just keeps shitting. It’s such a pain in the ass to deal with. Get this, he takes meds for it. They’re like the size of a fuckin’ horse pill. The poor counselor has to make sure the mom packs like six extra pairs of underwear, it’s ridiculous.
Boss Amy notices Lacy and holds up a finger.
BOSS AMY
Yeah, I gotta head out, there’s this new bitch by my desk. I’ll call you later. Bye babe. Yep. Love you too. Yeah. I’ll wear that tonight. I know you love it. Alright, see you.
Amy hangs up the phone and stares at Lacy. Silence. She finally gestures for Lacy to speak.
LACY
Oh, um. Well I just had a complaint.
Amy points to a bin on her right.
BOSS AMY
Just put it there.
Lacy peers into the bin to see crumpled up, stained papers. It is nearly full.
LACY
I’m sorry, when do these get read?
BOSS AMY (while texting)
When I get the time.
LACY
Well, I was going to ask if I could switch co-counselors? I’m just having a hard time getting to know Sam, and some of his behavior is-
BOSS AMY
Can’t.
LACY
I just don’t really agree with his... Habits, and how he is with the kids.
Boss Amy grabs a bong from under her desk. She starts to take a hit.
LACY (CONT’D)
Oh- oh. Okay. I’m sorry, I think I’m just going to go, uh, go home.
Lacy turns to leave and a cloud of smoke appears behind her. She pinches her nose and coughs as she begins to walk home.
CUT TO:
INT. DORM ROOM - DUSK
Lacy is laying on her bed. The room is barren expect for her multiple boxes of unpacked things. She’s on her phone with her MOM (a supportive hard-ass, who wants her daughter to loosen up) on speaker, talking about camp.
LACY
And then he just continued it right in front of the kids! They were even cheering him on, like he was Jesus walking on water.
MOM (O.S.)
Maybe he just has some personal things to figure out, honey.
LACY
That isn’t an excuse to smoke a joint in front of six year olds, Mom. Later in the day, he even had the kids chant “chug” whenever someone drank water. I don’t know if I can take much more.
MOM (O.S.)
Lacy, you can’t back out now. Your aunt has been so kind to let you stay there, you can’t quit now. Working with kids might be miserable sometimes, but you have to just get used to it if you want to do that the rest of your life.
LACY
It’s not really the kids so much as it is the counselors. And even the boss.
MOM (O.S.)
Well, you just have to get in with them. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Make friends, be a little adventurous. Maybe you’ll like it there eventually.
Lacy’s phone lights up with an Instagram request from Tiffany.
She hesitantly accepts her follow request and follows her back.
LACY
Thanks, Mom. I’ll keep that in mind. Love you.
MOM (O.S.)
Love you too, hun. Just have fun.
Lacy hangs up the call. A notification that Tiffany sent a DM appears on Lacy’s phone.
The text states: If you haven’t quit yet, bonfire starts at 10.
Lacy closes her eyes and groans.
CUT TO:
INT. WOODED CLEARING - NIGHT
Lacy wanders deeper into the woods, her phone flashlight on.
Shouting is coming from the main pavilion area, so she follows the noise. Finally, Lacy sees a large bonfire surrounded by people.
TIFFANY
She came!
The whole staff cheers. Lacy takes a seat on a log and Tiffany joins her.
LACY
I don’t know how long I’m staying, I just-
TIFFANY
Do you do seltzers? You’re definitely a seltzer girl.
Tiffany shoves a hard seltzer in her hand. She sips from a red solo cup.
LACY
Oh, no, I wasn’t going to drink, we have work in the morning.
TIFFANY
One seltzer won’t kill you.
LACY
Wow, everyone is here.
TIFFANY
Yeah, Amy’s gonna get super smashed. She usually ends up sleeping in her office.
GUY COUNSELOR
(shouting from a roof) Tits-fanny, lemme see those piercings one more time.
TIFFANY
Oh, suck a fat one, Matt.
Tiffany gets up to get more alcohol, leaving Lacy alone. She watches Boss Amy funneling beer and a group playing pong on the pavilion. A group of high counselors are trying on items from the lost and found - incredibly small shirts and tiny glasses.
Lacy places the unopened seltzer on the log and begins to stand, when Sam comes up behind her.
SAM
Already leaving?
LACY
I don’t kno- yeah, yes. I was about to leave.
SAM
This not your typical crowd?
LACY
(rolling her eyes) What do you think?
Sam sits on the log, his legs man-spread and hands clasped.
SAM
I think you’re scared you might like us if you stay.
Lacy sits back down on the same log.
LACY
Yeah, okay. You’re drunk.
SAM
No, I’m not. Not yet.
LACY
I’m not scared.
SAM
You’re here, trying to have a miserable time. Sitting alone with an unopened drink. It’s like you want to hate us.
LACY
I don’t want to hate you. I just feel like we have very different... Morals.
SAM
You can still like us, even if we have different methods. You just have to loosen up and let things happen as they happen.
LACY
There are always consequences. I can’t just let things... happen.
Sam swings his leg over the log to face her, one leg on either side.
SAM
Let’s see if we can change that.
LACY
We?
(laughing)
How do you suggest I do that?
Sam grabs the seltzer by her foot and opens it for her. He hands it to her.
SAM
Drink.
Lacy starts to drink the seltzer.
LACY
Only this one. If I have to get up at 7 tomorrow, I can’t-
SAM
Ah, ah, ah, see, that’s where you think too much. If you want to quit being miserable, you gotta at least try. Just let it happen.
LACY
(mumbling)
Right. Happen, happen.
CUT TO:
INT. OPEN FIELD - LATER
A solo cup is beside Lacy’s outstretched hand. She is laying in the field. Sam beside her, also laying down. They are drunk.
She reaches for the cup and strains her neck to take a sip without sitting up.
LACY
You know, this place r-really sucks. How does this camp even stay, like, opened?
SAM
We’re in bumfuck nowhere! It’s the only place the fuck’n miserable, busy parents can drop their lousy kids for the summer that isn’t fifty miles away.
LACY
(slightly slurring) But it’s - it’s so shit! Shit, shit, shitty! Like, bad bad. I mean, I think Tiffany is literliterally having...
She pretends to mouth “sex” but says it out loud on accident. She giggles and hiccups, looking up at the stars.
LACY (CONT’D) -with some guy in one of the cabins. I also just saw our boss playing str-strip pong.
SAM
Oh yeah, it’s fucking terrible. You know, one time, some kid spread lice throughout the entire camp. Like half of the boys ended up bald for the first half of summer.
Lacy giggles, taking another sip of alcohol.
SAM (CONT’D)
Oh, and even better. One time, a kid almost drowned because the counselor hadn’t changed into her swimsuit and she didn’t want to get her clothes wet.
LACY
(quietly)
Why d’you work here, Sam?
SAM
(hesitantly)
I don’t know. It’s what I’ve always known. I mean, I grew up at this camp. It used to be great, you know? And it’s the only job I’ve ever really loved.
Lacy snorts and punches him in the shoulder, splashing a little of her drink on him.
LACY
Yeah, because you just get da-runk and high all day.
SAM
No, that’s not the only reason.
(grinning)
But it definitely is one of the main reasons.
They laugh together. Lacy rolls onto her side to face him. He does the same.
SAM (CONT’D)
I’m gonna show you something.
LACY
(whispering)
Please don’t say it’s your penis.
SAM
The fuck is wrong with you? Your first instinct was that I would show you my penis?
LACY
You’re not going to show me your- your downstairs?
SAM
The more you talk, the more you sound like you want to see it.
LACY
NO! No, I don’t, I-
SAM
Disgusting. You’re just using me for sex, I get it. Get me all drunk and isolate me in an open field. Very clever.
LACY
No. God. Oh, no.
Lacy buries her head in her hands.
SAM
I’m not going to flash you, you perv. Don’t worry. Come on, get up, get up.
Sam gets on his feet and grabs Lacy’s hand, helping her to her feet. He leads her to the ROPES COURSE. It’s a leveled platform with ropes and ladders connected, reaching nearly 30 feet tall. They stare at it in silence.
LACY
No chance.
SAM
C’mon. I wouldn’t let you fall. I’m a seasoned vet, remember?
LACY
I need the safety gear if I’m going anywhere near that thing.
SAM
Of course. Here, let me-
He begins to grab a helmet and the harness.
SAM (CONT’D)
Okay, arms up.
He stands in front of Lacy and buckles her into the harness. His arms wrap around her body to do so. He secures the helmet and his fingers linger on her chin.
LACY
Thanks.
SAM
Alright, go ahead.
Lacy takes a deep breath and climbs the ropes course. She slips a bit, still stumbling from the alcohol, but he reaches out and stops her fall. She reaches the top platform and sits, watching the bonfire from above.
Sam climbs the course without safety gear and sits next her. Their knees touch. She closes her eyes and sways back and forth.
LACY
Not bad, Sam.
SAM
I told you. I love coming up here during the bonfire things, it’s just so...
LACY
Peaceful.
SAM
Yeah.
They quietly look onto the bonfire together. The staff has begun singing a raunchy version of one of the camp songs in the background.
STAFF
(in background)
CAMP ITCHBURN, GROSS AS FUCK, CAMP
ITCHBURN, THE KIDS SUCK, CAMP
ITCHBURN, CAMP ITCHBURN, BEST OF
GODDAMN LUCK.
SAM
I can’t believe you thought I was going to show you my penis.
LACY
I just met you, and you’re a dude. It’s not the most outrageous assumption that you’d try to sleep with me.
SAM
(sighs)
Well, if you insist.
He pretends to fiddle with his belt.
LACY
WHAT! No, that was just a statement, I don’t-
Lacy backs away from Sam. She reaches the edge, slips, and falls backwards. She crumples onto the ground, clutching her leg.
LACY (CONT’D) FUCK! Oh, fuck.
SAM
Whoa, Lacy.
He peers over the edge at her. He put his hands in the air, surrendering.
SAM (CONT’D)
It was just a joke.
LACY
Oh, oh God, that hurts.
Sam begins to climb down the rope ladder.
SAM
Come on, I would never actually sleep with you.
LACY
How considerate.
He reaches the ground safely. He kneels over her, both hands on either side of her head, belt in one hand. They stare at each other for an extended moment.
LACY (CONT’D)
I think I twisted my ankle.
SAM
(hand outstretched)
Shit, let’s get you up.
Lacy pushes away his hand.
LACY
No thank you, I can do it myself.
She hobbles over to a nearby log and tries to rotate her ankle.
LACY (CONT’D)
And I have to walk home, too. Just my freaking luck.
SAM
Come on, I’ll walk with you.
LACY
I can do it on my own.
SAM
Now I feel bad.
LACY
Now? Took you long enough. You know what, fuck you, Sam.
SAM
Fuck you too, then, co-co. Just trying to help, no need to be a bitch about it.
LACY (seething)
Goodnight, Mr. Sam.
SAM
Goodnight, Ms. Lacy. Can’t wait to see you tomorrow.
He gives her a sarcastic two finger salute, leaving her alone in the woods with a twisted ankle. Lacy turns away and begins to walk home. She is taking sips of her alcohol as she limps.
END SCENE