Miraculous Rewrite

Mr. Pigeon

Scene: Miss Bustier's classroom. Mr. Damocles is addressing the class.

Mr. Damocles: You only have one day to work on your fashion piece, and it must be your own design. In ten hours your fittest presentation will be judged by none other than the great fashion designer Gabriel Agreste, the father of our very own student Adrien Agreste. In fact, Adrien will model the winning design in his next photoshoot. And now, to announce this year's theme: derby hats.
Marinette: Derby hats? (Chloé looks at them and makes a thumbs-down gesture.)

Scene: Collège Françoise Dupont. Marinette paces in a hall, looking at her sketchbook and talking to Alya.

Marinette: Derby hat, derby hat, derby hat, derby hat...! I don't have any derby hat designs. I've got top hats, caps, even two-horned hats! Need a beret? I'm your girl. A sombrero? No problem-o. But a derby?! You know what? It won't even matter, 'cause I'll probably make a total fool of myself at the event, most likely trip over my stupid derby and collapse on Mr. Agreste; give him a full-blown concussion and Adrien will hate me! I'll never be a world-renowned fashion designer. MY LIFE IS OVER!
Alya: All this over a derby hat? Let me see your sketchpad, girl. There must be something in here.
Marinette: Forget it, I'm a disaster zone. I'll probably mess everything up in the end. (Adrien walks over.)
Adrien: Wow, Alya, (Marinette panics and hides behind the bench) those are some awesome designs. I didn't know you had such mad skills.
Alya: Uh, thanks Adrien, but I can't take the credit. These sick designs belong to Marinette. (Marinette gives a weak, embarrassed wave.) Off the chain, right?
Adrien: You're super talented, Marinette. You seriously have a good chance of winning.
Marinette: Well, um, yeah! I... like-- um, designs that-- um, (Alya makes motions to Marinette, who tries to interpret them.) go... upwards? Um, while stopping... I mean, uh-- uh, um, thanks?
Adrien: Sure, and uh-- good luck. Maybe I'll be wearing your derby at father's next photoshoot. (Adrien leaves.)
Alya: Girl, you gotta get a grip next time. But did you hear? Adrien thinks you're good enough to win! (They cheer.)
Sabrina: Did you hear how impressed Adrien was with Marinette's desi--
Chloé: Of course I heard! Her? Win the contest? As if. When Adrien sees my design he'll convince his father to award me the winner. Hm!
Sabrina: I'm sure he will, Chloé. You're a born champion. Your design will blow everyone else's out of the water!
Chloé: Yeah, it will. As soon as I can get my hands on the sketchpad!
Alya: (back at the bench; checking her phone) Only have nine hours until show time.
Marinette: Yikes! I'm off to my secret garden of inspiration. I'll see you later. (She runs into a wall.) AH! I'm okay. I'm okay, I'm okay. (Marinette almost runs into another wall, then screams. Alya chuckles.)

Scene: Hawk Moth's lair. Hawk Moth talks to himself as his window opens.

Hawk Moth: The time has come for us to find our next victim, my wicked little akumas. And to prey upon Coccinelle and Chat Noir. Their Miraculouses must be mine!

Scene: Trocadéro. Marinette is trying to get inspired to draw some designs. She draws something and then rips the paper out.

Marinette: Geez, it's hard to be creative under pressure.
(Marinette keeps drawing new designs and ripping them out. After a while, she gets tired and looks up.)
Marinette: Ah! Luka! What are you doing here?
Luka: Alya told me you were coming up with some new designs for the contest. I thought I'd come see how you were doing. (He sits down beside her.)
Marinette: Ugh, not too well. I just can't think of anything, no matter how hard I try.
Luka: Don't worry, I'm sure it'll come to you eventually.

(Across from them, a man walking like a bird sits down on a bench ahead of him. He takes out a brown paper bag and blows a bird call. A cluster of pigeons approaches. Marinette dodges one.)
Xavier: (throwing food for the pigeons) Well, happy day, happy day! Splendid is the afternoon day. Ah, Edgar, you fancy one. Fantastic, dazzling performance. (A police officer approaches him.)
Roger: Scram, you winged rats! How many times do you need to be told, Mr. Ramier? No! FEEDING! The pigeons! It's strictly forbidden. If everyone feeds them, they'll leave their waste everywhere!
Xavier: But, who's going to feed my poor pigeons?
Roger: All the park keepers know about you, Mr. Ramier. You're banned from every park in Paris. Leave now or I'll call the authorities. Oh, wait. I'm the authorities. GET OUT! (Mr. Ramier walks away sadly.)
Marinette: Sheesh, I almost feel sorry for that man.
Luka: He definitely seemed unique. He was like a human bird. All he needed was a feather jacket to complete the look.
Marinette: A feather jacket, hmm. Nice thinking, Luka. (She starts drawing again.)