On a Tree Top

Logline: The story of a man and woman who will try anything to have a baby even if it doesn’t completely make sense.

INT.  TREEHOUSE.-DAY

The treehouse is a marvelous display of craftsmanship. A few years old but holding up extremely well.

ADAM,33, and his daughter BETH,5, are inside painting flowers on the wall. Adam watches as his girl makes colorful smears.

                             BETH

              Daddy. Can we paint my room next?

                             ADAM

I thought you were going to Kim’s house.

                             BETH

No. Kim’s mommy just had a baby so her house smells.

Adam smiles.

                                BETH

              Daddy where do babies come from?

Adam stops smiling. He pauses than calmly answers.

                               ADAM

Empty bottles.

BETH

              Really?

                             ADAM

Yep. And you need a treehouse.

BETH

              You’re lying.

ADAM

Nope. Mommy and I couldn’t get it right at first…

INT. ADAM AND ZOOEY’S HOUSE.-6 YEARS EARLIER- DAY

Adam,28, is sitting on the couch plucking away at a guitar. ZOOEY, 25, a beautiful woman with very soft features enters carrying a brown paper bag.

When she enters Adam jumps up to greet her at the door.

                             ADAM

              So?

Zooey looks at him sadly but with a small smile on her face and shakes her head “no”.

                             ADAM

I never trusted Dr. Allpow he has the mustache of a vaudeville villain and you know it.

Zooey laughs a little and then grabs him by the hand.

                             ZOOEY

Actually he did say there was something we could do.

Zooey pulls a bottle of pills out of the brown bag. She hands him the bottle and he reads it.

                             ADAM

              Fertility pills…for me.

Adam gets a very sad look on his face. His body slumps as he reads. Zooey wraps her arms around him.

                             ZOOEY

I love you. This doesn’t mean anything.

                             ADAM

Of course not. It just means medical science and I will split up the cards on father’s day.

          ZOOEY

It doesn’t make you any less of man.

Adam turns away from her and looks out the window. He spots a big tree in the backyard.

                             ADAM

I’m going to build a treehouse.

                                                ZOOEY

What?

              ADAM

If we’re going to have babies than we’ll need a place to put them.

               ZOOEY

In a tree?

               ADAM

Let me do this. I’ll take the pills. I’ll give you a baby and a treehouse for that is what men do.

               ZOOEY

I know something else men do.

Zooey gives him a seductive smile and walks into the bedroom. He runs after her. There is the sound of a bottle of pills shaking.

EXT. BACKYARD- 1 MONTH LATER-DAY

ADAM is up in the tree building. The house is more than halfway done but is missing a wall. Zooey walks under the tree.

                             ZOOEY

Wow, you’re doing really good. Have you been up there all day?

          ADAM

Yep. I’m really determined and my ladder fell down four hours ago.

Zooey looks down and sees the ladder on the ground.

                             ADAM

It’s okay. I need to build a rope ladder anyway. What did Dr. Moustache say?

Zooey takes the bottle of pills out of her pocket and shakes it.

                             ZOOEY

              He says keep trying.

Adam hangs his head down.

                             ZOOEY

And that we should try multiple positions.

Adam raises his head. Zooey struts a little as she walks inside.

                             ADAM

              Man. I wish I had a ladder.

EXT. BACKYARD- 1 MONTH LATER-DAY

Adam is testing the rope ladder by climbing it a few times. Zooey comes out. He looks at her. She shakes her head “no”.

                             ADAM

It’s okay I still need to build the secret entrance. If you’re nice I’ll tell you where it is.

Zooey shakes the bottle of pills.

                             ADAM

I’m starting to get a pavlovian response to that sound.

He chases her inside.

EXT. BACKYARD-1 MONTH LATER-DAY

Zooey walks under the tree and looks up. Adam drops right next to her trough the secret entrance. Before he can say anything…

                             ZOOEY

              Still nothing.

                   (on the verge of tears)

Maybe we should stop. We could adopt or…

Adam holds her firmly. He looks her in the face and brushes the hair out of her eyes.

                             ADAM

It’s my fault. This still needs a message basket.

          ZOOEY

(Smiling)

Okay well that explains it.

EXT. BACKYARD-1 MONTH LATER-DAY

Adam is up the treehouse he looks out the window. Zooey is standing in the yard. She holds up the bottle of pills.

                                ZOOEY

               At least we can use the basket.

Adam forces a smile. Zooey places the pills in the basket and he pulls it up. He takes the bottle out and shakes it. He realizes that it’s empty. He opens it. Inside is a positive pregnancy test. He looks down at Zooey tears are streaming down her face.

                             ADAM

              Told you we needed the treehouse.

                             ZOOEY

              I love you, Dad.

                             ADAM

              I love you too, Mom.

INT.  TREEHOUSE.-PRESENT –DAY

                                ADAM

…and then nine months later you were born.

Beth is sitting cross legged listening to the story. She suddenly gets a big smile on her face.

                             ZOOEY

If I build a fort in my room can I have a baby?

                             ADAM

              Not until you’re forty.

He goes back to painting and smiles.

                             THE END

First Time Check In

A young couple tries to pull a fast one on an old hotel desk clerk but he might be quicker than they imagined.

FADE IN:

INT. HOTEL LOBBY. LATE NIGHT

A small town hotel. The lobby has homey furniture and paintings of lakes and mountains that one only finds in hotels. BARNEY AN ELDERY MAN WITH A POT BELLY, WHITE HAIR, AND A KIND FACE sits behind the front desk, bouncing a tennis ball off the back wall. It is a quiet night.

The Silence is broken by RON A PIMPLY FACED TEENAGER WEARING A SUIT THAT DOESN’T MATCH AND A FAKE MUSTACHE. He enters through the front door, strolls around the lobby looking for security cameras, and then casually as possible walks up to the front desk. Barney stops bouncing his tennis ball.

              BARNEY

Hello there sir. What can I do for you this evening?

              RON

     (Quickly)

I would like one of your hotel rooms for one night. Here is my official ID

Ron quickly hands over his driver’s license. The ID says his name is JOSE O’BRIAN and that he is from Nevada. The photo on the license has a mustache drawn on it.

                        BARNEY
          Right away. Mr. O’Brian.

Barney starts doing the paperwork.

                        BARNEY

          What brings you to Illinois?

RON
I’m on my way to Texas for a business conference.

                        BARNEY

          Oh…taking the scenic route?

          RON

Yes it’s a beautiful country. Lovely…fields.

Barney finishes paperwork

BARNEY

          That’ll be Forty dollars.

Ron pulls out a crumpled wad of cash.

                        RON
          Here you go my good man.

Ron gives a nervous smile and half of his mustache starts to fall off.

                        BARNEY

          Are you all right sir?

Barney points at Ron’s mustache.

                        RON

Yes…Oh. I have…cancer. Chemotherapy.

                        BARNEY

I’ve heard it can do that. I’m sorry to hear. What kind of cancer is it?

                        RON
          Ummm….The….

(With a deep voice)
Now listen here. In my day, clerks didn’t pester the customers. I need my sleep you old fool.

                        BARNEY

I’m very sorry sir. Here’s your key, Room 317.

     RON

That’s more like it. Good night.

Ron practically runs out of the lobby. Barney is left standing there chuckling to himself.

INT. HOTEL LOBBY. TEN MINUTES LATER

The lobby is quiet again and Barney is back to bouncing his tennis ball. MARY A CUTE TEENAGE GIRL WEARING A PANTS SUIT THAT IS TOO BIG FOR HER AND THICK GLASSES enters the lobby.

She keeps her head down and walks a straight line to the front desk. Barney stops bouncing his tennis ball.

                        BARNEY

          Hello there Ma’am

              MARY

(Quickly)
I would like one of your hotel rooms for one night. Here is my official ID.

Barney takes her ID. Her license says that she is from Nevada and that her name is SAMANTHA WOMAN.

                        BARNEY

Oh you’re the second person tonight from Nevada.

              MARY
Oh really….that’s very…wow…really…Oh?

              BARNEY

Are you also going to the convention?

              MARY

Yes.

              BARNEY

You also like a third floor room?

              MARY

Yes.

BARNEY

You also need help with your luggage?

              MARY

Ye….What? He…The other person had luggage?

BARNEY

Oh yes Ma’am and he needed a good deal of help getting the swing onto the elevator

MARY

Swing?! What do you mean Swing?

              BARNEY

I don’t really know. It wasn’t like any other swing I’d seen before but they say leather is easier to clean.

              MARY

Did he have anything else?

              BARNEY

Just a big black bag and pool cue.

              MARY

Pool cue?

              BARNEY

I would assume by the way the satchel was shaped.

              MARY
That jerk…what was he thinking?

              BARNEY
He was a bit odd…he actually thought that our little kitchen had lobster.

She gives a slight sigh of relief and smiles.

                        MARY

          He tried to order lobster?

                        BARNEY

          Yep two live ones.

                        MARY

          Live?

BARNEY

I told him the closest we got was the fish in the aquarium we keep in the staff lounge. The most peculiar part was he said that would be fine as long as I could find a couple of rubber bands.

All the color drains out of Mary’s face.

MARY

I think I’m going to be sick.

Barney grabs a key card and a tennis ball.

                        BARNEY

Anyway. I’ll put you in 319 right next to his and if you see him can you give him his tennis ball back. I hope it’s all right that I washed the honey off.

Mary’s Mouth is a gap. She shakes her head and takes off her glasses.

                        MARY

          I won’t be needing that room after all.

She starts to walk away. She suddenly turns on her heel and returns to the desk.

                        MARY

          And when you see this man please tell him that if he’s into that stuff he can have…conventions with Susan Jenkins for all I care.

                        BARNEY

          I’ll be sure to tell him Ma’am.

She breathes out harshly and then turns to walk away again.

Mary leaves. Barney goes to the telephone and dials. He speaks with a very pleasant tone.

                        BARNEY

Hello sir. I was just calling to let you know that I’ve arranged a wake up call for you.

     (Pause)

No trouble sir. Have a pleasant night. 

Barney hangs up the phone and goes back to bouncing his tennis ball.

THE END

LET IT RUN

LOGLINE: A reporter arrives at a closed bank to do an interview with a custodian. The custodian believes that he is a werewolf and he needs the reporter to prove his story to the world or find another means to stop him.

FADE IN:

INT. BANK– EARLY EVENING

The bank seems empty. The only light is coming from the open vault door. Inside the vault is an empty chair. LARRY enters carrying another empty chair. He places it across from the first one. He looks at his watch. He is a young man. He is dressed in a custodial uniform and he is sweating.

JOHN appears in front of the camera in silhouette.

                             JOHN

          Hello.

Larry turns to face him.

                             LARRY

          Hello. You’re the…guy from the paper.

Camera reveals John. He is an older man. He carries a leather satchel.

                             JOHN

          John Talbot.

                             LARRY

          Right, you’re the one.

                   JOHN
I just let myself in… Is the manager still around?

                             LARRY

She’s gone. I’m Larry…I’m the one who called. Please sit.

John looks around and sees that the only chairs are sitting dead center in the middle of the vault.

                             LARRY

          In there?

                             JOHN

          If you don’t mind.

John shrugs and sits down. As soon as he sits Larry locks the door behind him.

                             LARRY

          Is that…

                             JOHN

          Don’t worry, it’s on a time lock.

                             LARRY

          Is that necessary?

                             JOHN

          I don’t want to be overheard.

                             LARRY

          By who?

                             JOHN

          You got your tape recorder?

John grabs his leather satchel and puts it on his lap. He opens it and pulls out recorder and microphone.

                             JOHN

You don’t want to be overheard but you want to be recorded?

                   LARRY

When I called you on the phone, did you believe me?

                   JOHN
No.

                   LARRY

Why are you here?

                   JOHN

Slow news day. You’ll be on top of the jumbles.

                   LARRY

Nobody ever believes me.

John turns on the tape recorder. He places the microphone in his left hand. Larry eyes the head of the microphone curiously.

                             LARRY

          What’s that made out of?

                             JOHN

          I don’t know...

                   (Pause)

Oh…don’t worry. It’s not silver. Alright, full name?

                   LARRY

Larry Raines.

          (Leaning into mic)

I work custodial here at Hometown bank.

                   JOHN
You don’t need to lean in. It will hear everything.

                   LARRY

Good.

                   JOHN
So, Larry, you believe that you are a werewolf?

                   LARRY

Lycanthrope.

                   JOHN

That’s the technical name.

                   LARRY

For the disease, yes.

                   JOHN

Have you been diagnosed by a doctor?

                   LARRY

I kinda figured it out myself.

                   JOHN

How long have you been…a Lycanthrope?

                   LARRY

Too long. I’m looking to die.

John is surprised by the sudden seriousness. He wasn’t expecting this.

                             JOHN
          Have you tried to kill yourself?

                             LARRY

I’m too afraid. Would you die to save other people. Random people, strangers?

                   JOHN
Not my interview.

          (Pause)

I would like to think I would.

                   LARRY

I can’t do it myself…I do what I can. I lock myself in here one night every month.

                   JOHN
Does it work?

                   LARRY

As long as I stay calm. This seems to hold me but it’s a stopgap. I need someone to kill me, but nobody believes me. That’s why I called the reporters.

                   JOHN

Reporters?

                   LARRY

Sorry, yeah. I tried a guy, but he used crib notes…they were unreadable.

Larry stands up he goes over to a locked drawer. He takes out his keys.

                   JOHN
So what? You want to use my credibility to spread your story.

Larry opens the drawer and takes out the box.

                   LARRY

That’s plan B. I would prefer if you killed me.

He pours the contents of the box onto the floor. It is a variety of jewelry, all made of silver.

                             LARRY

          I recommend the broach.

                             JOHN

          I’m not doing this.

John starts to wind up his mike cord.

                             LARRY

          Don’t! Leave it running. 

                   JOHN

This is ridiculous.

                   LARRRY

I really hope you kill me.

                   JOHN
Or what? You’re going to run out in the streets as a big wolf.

                   LARRY

Anybody who has seen me is dead. I have to stay in here. I have to stay calm.

                   JOHN

How do you keep a werewolf calm!?

                   LARRY

You have to feed it.

Larry’s watch alarm starts to beep. There is a loud sound as the safe door locks. John looks back at the door. He knows what the sound means. He looks back at Larry. He notices the cleaning products in the corner of the room. The last shot is of the tape in the recorder running.

                                                FADE OUT:

                                                THE END

INT. BANK– EARLY EVENING

The bank seems empty. The only light is coming from the open vault door. Inside the vault is an empty chair. LARRY enters carrying another empty chair. He places it across from the first one. He looks at his watch. He is a young man. He is dressed in a custodial uniform and he is sweating.

JOHN appears in front of the camera in silhouette.

                             JOHN

          Hello.

Larry turns to face him.

                             LARRY

          Hello. You’re the…guy from the paper.

Camera reveals John. He is an older man. He carries a leather satchel.

                             JOHN

          John Talbot.

                             LARRY

          Right, you’re the one.

                   JOHN
I just let myself in… Is the manager still around?

                             LARRY

She’s gone. I’m Larry…I’m the one who called. Please sit.

John looks around and sees that the only chairs are sitting dead center in the middle of the vault.

                             LARRY

          In there?

                             JOHN

          If you don’t mind.

John shrugs and sits down. As soon as he sits Larry locks the door behind him.

                             LARRY

          Is that…

                             JOHN

          Don’t worry, it’s on a time lock.

                             LARRY

          Is that necessary?

                             JOHN

          I don’t want to be overheard.

                             LARRY

          By who?

                             JOHN

          You got your tape recorder?

John grabs his leather satchel and puts it on his lap. He opens it and pulls out recorder and microphone.

                             JOHN

You don’t want to be overheard but you want to be recorded?

                   LARRY

When I called you on the phone, did you believe me?

                   JOHN
No.

                   LARRY

Why are you here?

                   JOHN

Slow news day. You’ll be on top of the jumbles.

                   LARRY

Nobody ever believes me.

John turns on the tape recorder. He places the microphone in his left hand. Larry eyes the head of the microphone curiously.

                             LARRY

          What’s that made out of?

                             JOHN

          I don’t know...

                   (Pause)

Oh…don’t worry. It’s not silver. Alright, full name?

                   LARRY

Larry Raines.

          (Leaning into mic)

I work custodial here at Hometown bank.

                   JOHN
You don’t need to lean in. It will hear everything.

                   LARRY

Good.

                   JOHN
So, Larry, you believe that you are a werewolf?

                   LARRY

Lycanthrope.

                   JOHN

That’s the technical name.

                   LARRY

For the disease, yes.

                   JOHN

Have you been diagnosed by a doctor?

                   LARRY

I kinda figured it out myself.

                   JOHN

How long have you been…a Lycanthrope?

                   LARRY

Too long. I’m looking to die.

John is surprised by the sudden seriousness. He wasn’t expecting this.

                             JOHN
          Have you tried to kill yourself?

                             LARRY

I’m too afraid. Would you die to save other people. Random people, strangers?

                   JOHN
Not my interview.

          (Pause)

I would like to think I would.

                   LARRY

I can’t do it myself…I do what I can. I lock myself in here one night every month.

                   JOHN
Does it work?

                   LARRY

As long as I stay calm. This seems to hold me but it’s a stopgap. I need someone to kill me, but nobody believes me. That’s why I called the reporters.

                   JOHN

Reporters?

                   LARRY

Sorry, yeah. I tried a guy, but he used crib notes…they were unreadable.

Larry stands up he goes over to a locked drawer. He takes out his keys.

                   JOHN
So what? You want to use my credibility to spread your story.

Larry opens the drawer and takes out the box.

                   LARRY

That’s plan B. I would prefer if you killed me.

He pours the contents of the box onto the floor. It is a variety of jewelry, all made of silver.

                             LARRY

          I recommend the broach.

                             JOHN

          I’m not doing this.

John starts to wind up his mike cord.

                             LARRY

          Don’t! Leave it running. 

                   JOHN

This is ridiculous.

                   LARRRY

I really hope you kill me.

                   JOHN
Or what? You’re going to run out in the streets as a big wolf.

                   LARRY

Anybody who has seen me is dead. I have to stay in here. I have to stay calm.

                   JOHN

How do you keep a werewolf calm!?

                   LARRY

You have to feed it.

Larry’s watch alarm starts to beep. There is a loud sound as the safe door locks. John looks back at the door. He knows what the sound means. He looks back at Larry. He notices the cleaning products in the corner of the room. The last shot is of the tape in the recorder running.

                                                FADE OUT:

                                                THE END