A Mean Girls Short Film (Prequel-Midquel)
Genre: Psychological Drama
Runtime: ~20 minutes
FADE IN: INT. GEORGE RESIDENCE – FOYER – DAY A bright, well-decorated suburban home. Framed family photos (perfectly staged) line the walls. The front door swings open as JUNE GEORGE (40s), all pink lipstick and sunshine, greets TWO OTHER MOMS and their DAUGHTERS—popular, wealthy types. JUNE(cheerful, overly loud): Heyyy ladies!! Come in, come in! Regina's upstairs, probably finishing her hair—took after me, obviously!(Laughs like she's known as "the fun mom.")The moms giggle and step inside, looking around at the designer interiors .MOM #1: June, your house is gorgeous. And Regina is just so… put together. JUNE(flashing her teeth): Oh, Regina's everything. I tell her—"Sweetie, you're gonna rule the world one lip gloss at a time." Right?(She tosses her hair, winks.)From the staircase, REGINA (14), perfectly dressed, walks down slowly, eyes glazed but smiling like she's been trained. Her voice is calm but distant. REGINA: Hi, Mrs. Jacobs. Hi, Mrs. Lang. The girls run up to Regina excitedly. She hugs them lightly. JUNE (to the moms): I never say no to these girls. If they want fashion, makeup, selfies—Regina has full freedom. We don't do "strict" in this house. She leans in and lowers her voice to the moms, conspiratorially: JUNE (CONT'D): Besides, I'd rather be her best friend than her warden. We're a team, not some boring old mother-daughter dynamic. The other moms chuckle approvingly. Regina fidgets with her bracelet behind her back—her only tell. MOM #2: You're such a cool mom, June. JUNE(confidently): I try. Now go have fun, girls! Just don't do anything I wouldn't do—(She winks.)—which isn't much! Everyone laughs. June smiles wide, glowing with external praise. As the guests walk toward the kitchen, June turns briefly to Regina. Her smile remains, but her eyes suddenly turn cold. A whisper only Regina can hear: JUNE (whispering, razor sharp): Don't embarrass me. You know what happens when you do. Regina nods slightly, smile frozen. Her friends don't notice. Her mask stays on. As the girls disappear into another room, June turns back to the other mothers—her fake glow returning full force.
INT. GEORGE RESIDENCE – REGINA'S BEDROOM – NIGHT
Soft, dim lighting. REGINA (14), flawless in appearance, sits at her vanity mirror, carefully applying makeup. She looks distant.
JUNE GEORGE (40s), stylish but severe, enters carrying a designer handbag. She watches Regina without warmth.
JUNE
(sweet tone, forced)
You look perfect. Just like I planned.
She places the handbag down and crosses her arms.
REGINA
Mom, can I borrow your necklace for the party?
JUNE
(sharply)
That's mine, Regina. You don't touch what's mine.
June's eyes narrow, her smile fades.
JUNE (CONT'D)
You're lucky I even let you live here.
Regina flinches but keeps silent.
INT. GEORGE RESIDENCE – KITCHEN – MORNING
Regina pours cereal at the kitchen counter. June stands behind her, tense.
REGINA
Mom, I finished my homework last night.
JUNE
(mocking)
Oh, you "finished" it? You think that's enough?
June grabs the cereal box and shakes it aggressively.
JUNE (CONT'D)
You're not special, Regina. You were a mistake. An accident.
Regina's hand trembles. She looks down, swallowing hard.
JUNE (CONT'D)
Don't think you're important. You're just a… possession.
INT. GEORGE RESIDENCE – LIVING ROOM – AFTERNOON
June sits on an ornate couch, reading a fashion magazine. Regina enters quietly.
REGINA
Can I have a friend over?
JUNE
(scoffs)
Friends? No. You don't need distractions. I need peace.
June abruptly slams the magazine shut.
JUNE (CONT'D)
You're more trouble than you're worth.
Regina's eyes fill with tears.
INT. GEORGE RESIDENCE – REGINA'S BEDROOM – NIGHT
Regina sits on the floor, clutching a small stuffed animal. June stands in the doorway.
JUNE
(cold)
You think you're clever? Acting like you own this place?
June steps in, grabs Regina's stuffed animal, and tosses it aside.
JUNE (CONT'D)
You don't own anything. Not this house. Not me. Not even yourself.
Regina looks away, voice barely a whisper.
REGINA
Why don't you want me?
JUNE
Because I never wanted you. You're just a reminder of a mistake.
June exits, slamming the door behind her.
INT. GEORGE RESIDENCE – JUNE'S PRIVATE OFFICE – NIGHT
June stands in front of a mirror, practicing a charming smile. On the desk are trophies, fashion magazines, and a photo of young Regina.
JUNE (V.O.)
(sinister, almost a whisper)
I built this image for us… but the girl behind the glass? She's just a tool. To win. To survive. To conquer.
INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY – DAY
Regina walks the halls with practiced confidence. Students part to let her pass. JANIS and DAMIAN watch from the side.
JANIS
(whispering)
She's beautiful, but it's like there's a storm inside her.
DAMIAN
Yeah. Like she's pretending so hard, she's afraid to break.
INT. GEORGE RESIDENCE – REGINA'S BEDROOM – NIGHT
Regina stares into the mirror, expression cold and calculating.
REGINA (V.O.)
If love was never given… then control is the only power left.
She picks up a notebook, flips to a page with notes about classmates and their secrets.
INT. GEORGE RESIDENCE – DINING ROOM – NIGHT
June glares at Regina from across the table.
JUNE
(quiet but deadly)
Remember, Regina… you are what you show the world. Never let them see the cracks.
Regina nods, emotionless.
EXT. SCHOOL FOOTBALL FIELD – DUSK
Regina sits alone in the bleachers, phone in hand. She scrolls but does not answer a call.
REGINA (whispers)
I was a little girl once.
She looks out at the empty field, breathing steady but her eyes haunted.
INT. GEORGE RESIDENCE – LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
June sits alone, staring at a family portrait where Regina is blurred out.
JUNE (softly, to herself)
You don't exist. You never did.
The room falls silent.
FADE OUT
TEXT ON SCREEN:
"Before the queen ruled, there was a war no one saw."
END