Adapting my own prose to screen form

[breakinglight11]

Struggling to write lately. Not really sure why. I have things I’d like to work on, but my focus has been shot, probably a combination of exhaustion and how lousy I’ve been feeling. To get myself doing something, I adapted the conversation I wrote between Steve and Bucky in my As Long as He Needs Avengers: Endgame fan fic into screenplay form.

I often write my fan fic in script form— that’s my medium, after all —though I elected to do that one in prose because of the very internal style of narrative I wanted to do. But I thought a fair bit about how it would have to change if It were to be done onscreen. The biggest change it would need would probably be more eventful, action-oriented interlude for each chapter, rather than the externally low-key story focused mostly on Steve’s internal struggling. But it would also require trimming and streamlining, even in the bits that would basically work on film.

So I took the conversation between Steve and Bucky that acts as a framing device for the story— and which I took care to give a complete, smooth arc —and rewrote it in screenplay form. A fair bit is cut out to keep it snappy, and I tried to simplify for flow. But I think it works, even though in a proper version of the narrative, I’d still want to keep it a framing device.

It’s a fairly pointless exercise. But I’m having trouble working on anything lately. So I guess making something is better than nothing.



INT. STARK COMPOUND - DAY

Steve gears up for his mission, already dressed in the quantum suit. Bucky appears in the doorway as he works, watching him as he drops his head exhaustedly.

BUCKY
You all right?

Steve glances up and sighs.

STEVE
Yeah, it’s just… I’m tapped out.

BUCKY
I don’t blame you. After everything you’ve been through.

Steve looks back down at his gear.

STEVE
We’ve all been through it.

Beat as Bucky comes into the room.

BUCKY
You don’t have to do this.

STEVE
Of course I do. It needs to be finished. That’s what Captain America is for.

BUCKY
You could wait a while.

Steve’s head snaps up to him.

STEVE
No. I need this.

BUCKY
Why?

STEVE
Because… I don’t know what else to do.

Bucky paces around him.

BUCKY
Can I ask you something? What would you want to do, if you weren’t Captain America?

Steve stares.

BUCKY
If you didn’t have to do this. If you could do anything at all. What would you want to do?

Steve struggles, then looks to his friend helplessly.

STEVE
Come on, Bucky.

BUCKY
No! Steve, it’s— it’s okay if the answer’s her.

Steve spreads his hands.

STEVE
What do you want me to say? White picket fence, couple of kids? Getting old and gray together? She already had all that, and it wasn’t with me. I missed my chance.

Bucky moves in close.

BUCKY
Steve. What if you didn’t?

He grasps Steve’s wrist and turns it over to reveal the time GPS. Steve pulls away and turns, breath catching.

STEVE
That’s not how it’s supposed to work. I have responsibilities. I don’t know if I get to just… put it all down.

BUCKY
Is that really all you’re good for? Throwing yourself on grenades?

That pulls Steve up short.

BUCKY
You gave your life once already, and you still didn’t quit. When is it going to be enough?

STEVE
I don’t know. I don’t know if it will ever be enough.

Bucky’s hackles raise.

BUCKY
So… what? You’ve got to— just burn yourself out, or else you’re letting everybody down?

STEVE
Somebody’s got to do it.

BUCKY
Why’s it always gotta be you? Who died and made you Jesus?

Steve laughs despite himself. Bucky smiles.

BUCKY
Don’t get me wrong. There’s only one you, Steve. But you’re not the only superhero in the world anymore. Let somebody else carry the shield for a while.

STEVE
Oh, yeah? You want to do this?

BUCKY
Be Captain America? Not a chance in hell— I’ve seen what it’s done to you. But… you’ve got good people now. Don’t you have faith in them?

Steve considers this.

BUCKY
And we want you to be happy.

Steve looks at him very sadly.

STEVE
What about you, Buck?

Bucky shakes his head.

BUCKY
There’s no undoing what’s been done to me. I’ve got a chance now, and it’s all thanks to you. But there’s nothing more you can do for me. For you, though… maybe there is.

STEVE
Do you really think... do you really think I could go back?

BUCKY
As long as I’ve known you, you’ve only ever wanted three things. You’ve taken care of me. And you’ve been doing right by the world for as long as I can remember. All that leaves… is her.

~~~