x 5/20/09 After listening to Goldstein about story arcs, I knew I had to reconnect with my script coach and tighten up my story arcs. :-)
x 5/19/09 Got immersed in Gary Goldstein's work as a producer and author, speaker (He produced Pretty Woman)
x 5/18/09 Sent a working draft to Tutu (grand mom) who did a awesome job fixing the costly mistakes my paid editor made on You Can't Get It 'Cause You've Already Got It!
x 5/12/09 Heard more music that fits in the soundtrack (Hunter's Song)
x 4/29/09 Took the which superhero are you online test - Wonder Woman at http://www.thesuperheroquiz.com/
x 4/7/09-4/14/09 Scouted out locations for Five Rites Movie! It was a great working vacation!
x 3/17/09 Recommitted to sending script to Hollywood/agent/producer after further developing Billionaire CLYDE BENSON'S character (timely for today's market) 3/31/09
x 2/13/09 Recommitted to sending script to Hollywood/agent/producer 2/16/09
X 2/16/09 Read an article that influenced story setting
x 2/2/09 Committed to sending working script to agent by 2/7/09
X 1/31/09 Created fiveritesmovie.com and 5ritesmovie.com
X 1/31/09 Completed a very rough draft by 1/31/09
X 1/1/09 Commit to finishing a rough draft (8 year goal) by 1/31/09
X 1/1/09 Watched The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons 1/1/09
Monday, February 16, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Doing Things In This Certain Way
INT. BEDROOM – BED TIME 1924
Down a dimly lit hallway we see a framed membership of the National Negro Business League and a family photo of Sally and Taylor James wedding and another black and white of them with their new born son Clyde Benson. A tiny light illuminates a boy’s cozy cottage bedroom. There is a small shelf of books and one or two treasured toys near by. Felix is sitting up in his sleep wear, leaning against T.J. who is reading.
FELIX
Dad, that was short. Can we read another?
T.J.
Pick out a book.
Felix points at the book James gave him sitting on the night table.
T.J. (CONT’D)
(Surprised)
This one?
Felix nods his head.
T.J. (CONT’D)
It will take a couple nights to read this one. I’ll read a paragraph or two. Then it’s lights out. Get comfortable.
T.J. helps Felix get comfortable. Felix is a ham and sits up and fluffs the pillow. T.J. gives a stern warning.
T.J. (CONT’D)
Do you want me to read or not?
Felix flops down and T.J. pulls the covers over Felix’s head. Felix has an impish grin when T.J. folds the covers right below Felix’s chin proudly sticking up.
T.J. (CONT’D)
“THERE IS A SCIENCE OF GETTING RICH, and it is an exact science, like algebra or arithmetic. There are certain laws which govern the process of acquiring riches, and once these laws are learned and obeyed by anyone, that person will get rich with mathematical certainty.”
CUT TO:
INT. CLYDE’S OFFICE – LATE AFTERNOON
We see Clyde’s silver truck bounding down the interstate 10 towards Canale Street first from an aerial shot and then directly behind the truck that has four passengers Clyde, Ryan, Sophie and Phillip.
Clyde’s voice overlaps with T.J.
CLYDE (V.O.)
“The ownership of money and property comes as a result of doing things in a certain way,”
We see the passion and intensity of Clyde as he drives and shares his core philosophy quoted directly from The Science of Getting Rich.
CLYDE
“and those who do things in this certain way — whether on purpose or accidentally — get rich, while those who do not do things in this certain way — no matter how hard they work or how able they are — remain poor.”
Phillip is on Sophie’s lap panting with his eyes on RYAN “Doug the Thug”, who Clyde subdued and took under his wing for his own form of justice.
CUT TO:
INT. CLYDE’S OFFICE – LATE AFTERNOON
Ruth Anne Wood ©2001-2009 Registered with the WGAE
Down a dimly lit hallway we see a framed membership of the National Negro Business League and a family photo of Sally and Taylor James wedding and another black and white of them with their new born son Clyde Benson. A tiny light illuminates a boy’s cozy cottage bedroom. There is a small shelf of books and one or two treasured toys near by. Felix is sitting up in his sleep wear, leaning against T.J. who is reading.
FELIX
Dad, that was short. Can we read another?
T.J.
Pick out a book.
Felix points at the book James gave him sitting on the night table.
T.J. (CONT’D)
(Surprised)
This one?
Felix nods his head.
T.J. (CONT’D)
It will take a couple nights to read this one. I’ll read a paragraph or two. Then it’s lights out. Get comfortable.
T.J. helps Felix get comfortable. Felix is a ham and sits up and fluffs the pillow. T.J. gives a stern warning.
T.J. (CONT’D)
Do you want me to read or not?
Felix flops down and T.J. pulls the covers over Felix’s head. Felix has an impish grin when T.J. folds the covers right below Felix’s chin proudly sticking up.
T.J. (CONT’D)
“THERE IS A SCIENCE OF GETTING RICH, and it is an exact science, like algebra or arithmetic. There are certain laws which govern the process of acquiring riches, and once these laws are learned and obeyed by anyone, that person will get rich with mathematical certainty.”
CUT TO:
INT. CLYDE’S OFFICE – LATE AFTERNOON
We see Clyde’s silver truck bounding down the interstate 10 towards Canale Street first from an aerial shot and then directly behind the truck that has four passengers Clyde, Ryan, Sophie and Phillip.
Clyde’s voice overlaps with T.J.
CLYDE (V.O.)
“The ownership of money and property comes as a result of doing things in a certain way,”
We see the passion and intensity of Clyde as he drives and shares his core philosophy quoted directly from The Science of Getting Rich.
CLYDE
“and those who do things in this certain way — whether on purpose or accidentally — get rich, while those who do not do things in this certain way — no matter how hard they work or how able they are — remain poor.”
Phillip is on Sophie’s lap panting with his eyes on RYAN “Doug the Thug”, who Clyde subdued and took under his wing for his own form of justice.
CUT TO:
INT. CLYDE’S OFFICE – LATE AFTERNOON
Ruth Anne Wood ©2001-2009 Registered with the WGAE
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
The Science of Getting Rich
We hear a loud explosive sound go off in the parking lot.
CUT TO:
75 years earlier
EXT. NEW ORLEANS – SUNNY AFTERNOON, 1923
CLYDE(5) or “FELIX” as they call him (after the animated impish cat) is the high energy, curious CLYDE BENSON 75 years before the parking lot holdup. FELIX is walking with his father T.J. BENSON(26)in a quiet dirt road neighborhood when we hear another explosive sound. T.J. is really great at fixing anything including cars and is soon standing near a new Chrysler motor when the engine let’s out a thunderous sound under the raised hood.
T.J.
Sir, is your beauty giving you trouble?
JAMES COOPER(60’s) with short white hair smartly trimmed under a gentleman’s hat and suit is mumbling under his breath about his bran spanking new 1923 Chrysler that won’t start.
JAMES
(Good ‘ole boy)
You got that right.
T.J.
Sir, what have you tried?
JAMES
I don’t know, I’m running late for a talk. It’s my son’s graduation.
T.J.
Sir, my friends call me T.J. If it’s not too much trouble I could give a quick check under the hood.
JAMES
Please, Son. Anything. Call me James.
T.J.
Alright, James.
T.J. does a few things and then the car is running good as new.
James gratefully reaches for his money stashed above his head and holds out his hand to T.J.
JAMES
Thank you. You’re the best I’ve seen. Here son.
T.J.
No thank you, Sir. It’s just a neighborly thing to do. That’s all.
JAMES
Son, I’ve never seen a man turn down money. Do you have something against being rich?
T.J.
What? Rich? No, Sir. The good Lord always provides exactly what we need.
Felix’s eyes widen as T.J. strokes his son’s head.
JAMES
(Preachy)
Now, that’s your problem, T.J. And I quote, “No man ought to be satisfied with a little if he is capable of using and enjoying more. The purpose of Nature is the advancement and enfoldment of life; and every man should have all that can contribute to the power, elegance, beauty, and richness of life; to be content with
less is sinful." *
JAMES
(Giving)
Don’t worry, Son. I was the same way until some one gave me this. James hands T.J. a wrapped present on the passenger seat.
T.J. has a big nervous smile.
T.J.
Don’t you need this for your graduate?
JAMES
It’s not him I’m worried about, T.J. By the sound of it, you and your boy need it more than he does. Besides, I have more where that came from.
CUT TO:
James opens the back of his trunk full of wrapped books with red ribbons and hands T.J. the two on top.
JAMES
Here’s one for you and one for your boy. This is a tool like any other. I know you are quick to figure out tools. In this case it’s the tool called mindset. Follow the recipe and learn to do things in a certain way and in no tome you will be helping more people than you every dreamed possible and get rich doing it.
JAMES
(Excited)
Why, thank you Mr. Cooper, I mean James! Thanks for putting your faith in me!
James kneels in his dress pants on one knee so he’s eye to eye with FELIX.
JAMES (CONT’D)
I wish I had gotten this when I was your age, son. Take good care of it. Think of it as a seed that you feed everyday with love, and it will grow to be what ever you want it to be.
T.J. stands there with the brilliant sun peeking behind the clouds and the CAR, Felix and James are in the fore ground.
T.J.
Felix, what do we say?
Felix looks at his feet.
FELIX
Thank you, Sir.
T.J. gives Felix a look.
FELIX (CONT’D)
(Intense)
Thank you for the… plant, Sir.
James and T.J. look at each other and chuckle.
James reaches out and shakes “Felix’s” hand.
JAMES
Give me your best hand shake, son. It’s never too early to start practicing.
FELIX gives T.J. a look and reaches out his hand. James instigates and Felix playfully and progressively squeeze each hands harder until James yelps.
JAMES (CONT’D)
Whew, Son! You’re all right.
James stands up and brushes off his pant leg.
CLYDE (V.O.)
I knew at that moment I was witnessing the everyday behavior of an extraordinary human being.
JAMES
The hour waits for no man. Gentlemen, I have a speech to give. Wish me well.
T.J. is filled with a father’s pride shaking James’s hand.
T.J.
Thank you, James. Have a great event!
JAMES
Will do.
James tips his hat and drives out of sight as FELIX and T.J. stand there with unwrapped presents in hand.
T.J. and Felix get busy. Both older and younger hands tear open the red ribbon packages. There is a quick close up of book title.
T.J.
(Laughter)
Well, if I was ever a Rich Man’s Nephew. Help me read this when we get home, Felix.
FELIX
(Slowly with energy)
The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D. Wattles
T.J. grabs “Felix’s” hand as they walks home.
EXT. WRECKED BOAT HOUSE ALONG THE SHORE – SAME DAY
SOPHIE (4) a carefree “Goldie Locks” runs along the shore barefoot collecting rocks, running in and out up to her knees in Lake Pontchartrain and laughing while the adults attend to serious matters of how to salvage the family home, a former boat house that ONCE FACED THE PASSING PLEASURE BOATS ARE NOW WRECKED by the recent storm. Sophie’s Father, PATRICK (mid 20’S), With DIRTY CLOTHES and a five o’ clock shadow is being consoled by Sophie’s Uncle CARL (late 20’s.
The brothers consider how to use the remaining scraps of Patrick’s home/lives to rebuild Patrick a new family home inland.
CARL
Patrick, you can come and stay with us as long as you need. It isn’t much, but we have a sliver of land out back you can build. Thelma can watch Sophie during the day while you and Karma get things in order.
Patrick stares wistfully at the calm lake and turns to Carl and tearfully gives Carl a long exhausted, appreciative embrace.
Ruth Anne Wood ©2001-2009 Registered with the WGAE
CUT TO:
75 years earlier
EXT. NEW ORLEANS – SUNNY AFTERNOON, 1923
CLYDE(5) or “FELIX” as they call him (after the animated impish cat) is the high energy, curious CLYDE BENSON 75 years before the parking lot holdup. FELIX is walking with his father T.J. BENSON(26)in a quiet dirt road neighborhood when we hear another explosive sound. T.J. is really great at fixing anything including cars and is soon standing near a new Chrysler motor when the engine let’s out a thunderous sound under the raised hood.
T.J.
Sir, is your beauty giving you trouble?
JAMES COOPER(60’s) with short white hair smartly trimmed under a gentleman’s hat and suit is mumbling under his breath about his bran spanking new 1923 Chrysler that won’t start.
JAMES
(Good ‘ole boy)
You got that right.
T.J.
Sir, what have you tried?
JAMES
I don’t know, I’m running late for a talk. It’s my son’s graduation.
T.J.
Sir, my friends call me T.J. If it’s not too much trouble I could give a quick check under the hood.
JAMES
Please, Son. Anything. Call me James.
T.J.
Alright, James.
T.J. does a few things and then the car is running good as new.
James gratefully reaches for his money stashed above his head and holds out his hand to T.J.
JAMES
Thank you. You’re the best I’ve seen. Here son.
T.J.
No thank you, Sir. It’s just a neighborly thing to do. That’s all.
JAMES
Son, I’ve never seen a man turn down money. Do you have something against being rich?
T.J.
What? Rich? No, Sir. The good Lord always provides exactly what we need.
Felix’s eyes widen as T.J. strokes his son’s head.
JAMES
(Preachy)
Now, that’s your problem, T.J. And I quote, “No man ought to be satisfied with a little if he is capable of using and enjoying more. The purpose of Nature is the advancement and enfoldment of life; and every man should have all that can contribute to the power, elegance, beauty, and richness of life; to be content with
less is sinful." *
JAMES
(Giving)
Don’t worry, Son. I was the same way until some one gave me this. James hands T.J. a wrapped present on the passenger seat.
T.J. has a big nervous smile.
T.J.
Don’t you need this for your graduate?
JAMES
It’s not him I’m worried about, T.J. By the sound of it, you and your boy need it more than he does. Besides, I have more where that came from.
CUT TO:
James opens the back of his trunk full of wrapped books with red ribbons and hands T.J. the two on top.
JAMES
Here’s one for you and one for your boy. This is a tool like any other. I know you are quick to figure out tools. In this case it’s the tool called mindset. Follow the recipe and learn to do things in a certain way and in no tome you will be helping more people than you every dreamed possible and get rich doing it.
JAMES
(Excited)
Why, thank you Mr. Cooper, I mean James! Thanks for putting your faith in me!
James kneels in his dress pants on one knee so he’s eye to eye with FELIX.
JAMES (CONT’D)
I wish I had gotten this when I was your age, son. Take good care of it. Think of it as a seed that you feed everyday with love, and it will grow to be what ever you want it to be.
T.J. stands there with the brilliant sun peeking behind the clouds and the CAR, Felix and James are in the fore ground.
T.J.
Felix, what do we say?
Felix looks at his feet.
FELIX
Thank you, Sir.
T.J. gives Felix a look.
FELIX (CONT’D)
(Intense)
Thank you for the… plant, Sir.
James and T.J. look at each other and chuckle.
James reaches out and shakes “Felix’s” hand.
JAMES
Give me your best hand shake, son. It’s never too early to start practicing.
FELIX gives T.J. a look and reaches out his hand. James instigates and Felix playfully and progressively squeeze each hands harder until James yelps.
JAMES (CONT’D)
Whew, Son! You’re all right.
James stands up and brushes off his pant leg.
CLYDE (V.O.)
I knew at that moment I was witnessing the everyday behavior of an extraordinary human being.
JAMES
The hour waits for no man. Gentlemen, I have a speech to give. Wish me well.
T.J. is filled with a father’s pride shaking James’s hand.
T.J.
Thank you, James. Have a great event!
JAMES
Will do.
James tips his hat and drives out of sight as FELIX and T.J. stand there with unwrapped presents in hand.
T.J. and Felix get busy. Both older and younger hands tear open the red ribbon packages. There is a quick close up of book title.
T.J.
(Laughter)
Well, if I was ever a Rich Man’s Nephew. Help me read this when we get home, Felix.
FELIX
(Slowly with energy)
The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D. Wattles
T.J. grabs “Felix’s” hand as they walks home.
EXT. WRECKED BOAT HOUSE ALONG THE SHORE – SAME DAY
SOPHIE (4) a carefree “Goldie Locks” runs along the shore barefoot collecting rocks, running in and out up to her knees in Lake Pontchartrain and laughing while the adults attend to serious matters of how to salvage the family home, a former boat house that ONCE FACED THE PASSING PLEASURE BOATS ARE NOW WRECKED by the recent storm. Sophie’s Father, PATRICK (mid 20’S), With DIRTY CLOTHES and a five o’ clock shadow is being consoled by Sophie’s Uncle CARL (late 20’s.
The brothers consider how to use the remaining scraps of Patrick’s home/lives to rebuild Patrick a new family home inland.
CARL
Patrick, you can come and stay with us as long as you need. It isn’t much, but we have a sliver of land out back you can build. Thelma can watch Sophie during the day while you and Karma get things in order.
Patrick stares wistfully at the calm lake and turns to Carl and tearfully gives Carl a long exhausted, appreciative embrace.
Ruth Anne Wood ©2001-2009 Registered with the WGAE
Monday, February 2, 2009
Parking Lot Lesson
CUT TO:
INT. GROCERY STORE – PRESENT
Sophie walks through the produce section. The baby sitting in an enfant chair looks up at Sophie with wide eyes and smiles tremendously. For a second we see the baby's point of view as Sophie is surrounded by subtle, radiant PURPLE AND golden light as it starts pointing. The four year old brother riding in shopping cart sees Sophie’s radiant glow too, but is perceived NOT as brilliant. At the same time Sophie notices what Heather was talking about when she looks at the family shopping.
CART BOY
Mommy, look!
BOY'S MOTHER
(Oblivious)
Honey, it's not polite to stare at the pretty lady.
INT. GROCERY CHECK OUT, NEW ORLEANS – DAY, PRESENT
SOPHIE
One apple, five for a dollar
With dog food can in one hand, Sophie points to the eaten core in her other hand. She gives it to the cashier to throw out.
SOPHIE (CONT'D)
and may I have $40 cash back in an envelope, please. I don’t need a bag.
One cans of dog food is having trouble scanning properly and the cashier asks a nearby co worker for a price check.
SOPHIE
(Chatty “old” lady)
Thank you, dear. Philip and I are up visiting friends, so it’s great you sell individual cans. You have such great deals on produce here!
TEEN CASHIER
(She smiles politely)
We see from the elbows down, a tall distinguished, fit, and surprisingly handsome for his age, unmarried, black gentleman in his early 80’s in a long dress coat and expensive, sharp suit and wrist watch named CLYDE BENSON who stands a couple people behind Sophie in the check-out line.
We also hear an irate caller at a payphone in the store lobby slamming down the phone after yelling, “That’s bullshit!” We see the arm of a teenager in a grey sweat shirt and nervous shuffling of feet from the people standing behind Sophie. We hear a cello roughly played and then crechendos into a screeching high note.
SOPHIE (V.O)
What does mine sound like?
CUT TO:
EXT. BENCH NEAR OPERA HOUSE STEPS – 2:30PM
Heather listens with bow in hand as she starts tapping louder and louder on her cello.
HEATHER (V.O.)
Now, that’s interesting… yours is Very complex and then goes into a very simple pure melody like you Become a baby again. Something like this…
We hear the melody blend back to present moment as Sophie walks into the dreary, overcast parking lot.
CUT TO:
EXT. GROCERY PARKING LOT – GREY, OVERCAST
Sophie walks out with envelope of money and keys in one hand and a can of dog food in the other.
Sophie is walking to her car. PHILIP, a tan dachshund dog, with dark eyes is barking in crazy circles and rolling around on his back in the driver’s seat as if someone near by is about to have a seizure. Putting her key in the lock, A MAN with a GUN is suddenly standing at Sophie’s back. It’s the angry payphone guy.
SOPHIE (V.O.)
(With compassion)
Doug, “The Thug”!
(Snickers)
Mary, you’re too much. Just when I thought I was done with this lesson.
It’s hard to tell that “Doug, the thug” is a white male in his late teens, wearing dirty old jeans and a deep grey hooded sweat jacket raised so we can’t see his eyes or head. You get that same creepy feeling as if a Harry Potter soul sucking Dementor walked past you on the street.
Sophie slowly raises her can of dog food in self defense.
“Doug The Thug” knocks the dog food can out of Sophie’s hand. It rolls down the parking lot towards the store.
SOPHIE (V.O.)
(Calmly)
Guess my great grand kids were right about me needing to take that self defense class at the Y.
Sophie laughs nervously.
“DOUG THE THUG”
(Muffled)
Lady, give me the cash.
Beat.
CLYDE BENSEN, a strong, sharp, rich, vibrant, black business man in his late seventies dressed to the nines stands by his silver four door truck with a trailer hitch in front of the A & P.
CLYDE
(Purposefully)
Ma'am? Ma'am, I believe you left one of your items at the entrance of the store.
Clyde is standing a ways off, solid as a rock with Sophie’s can of dog food prominently displayed in one hand.
“Doug” turns, slightly, still in control.
CLYDE
(Curious)
And, what's your name, son?
“Doug” in a focused trance ignores Clyde.
CLYDE (CONT’D)
Son, I see you like envelopes.
(Pausing)
Son, I have a business proposition for you. It's not for me to choose, but if it's alright with Ms. ______?
Sophie swallows hard before speaking.
SOPHIE
Peterson.
CLYDE
You are welcome to accept responsibility for the pocket change in Ms. Peterson's envelope. BUT you have to spend a about a life time of accosting unsuspecting ladies in the parking lot to equal 10% of the cashier's check in my
Clyde emphasizes his left breast pocket.
CLYDE (CONT’D)
Left breast, pocket. It’s up to you, son. We All Have To Make a Choice of How We Want to Spend Our Time.
Clyde speaks in a cadence of media headlines as he reaches inside his coat.
“Doug” shifts position to defend himself.
“DOUG”
(Cocky,cracked voice)
How, much money, you got?
CLYDE
(Smooth)
I have a cashiers note for the sale of a boat I had docked at Lake Pontchartrain.
“Doug” turns towards Clyde
“DOUG”
What kind of boat was it?
“Doug’s” hood has dropped around his neck revealing a scraggly hurt male, with deep circles around his eyes in his late teens early 20’s
“DOUG”
(Almost friendly)
I mean, what was the make and model of the boat?
CLYDE
Son, that’s a great question. I have a picture of it here on the dash board of my truck.
Philip is no longer rolling on his back and making high pitch winning sounds. He begins licking through the tiny crack in the car window.
We hear a loud explosive sound go off in the parking lot...
Ruth Anne Wood ©2001-2009 Registered with the WGAE
INT. GROCERY STORE – PRESENT
Sophie walks through the produce section. The baby sitting in an enfant chair looks up at Sophie with wide eyes and smiles tremendously. For a second we see the baby's point of view as Sophie is surrounded by subtle, radiant PURPLE AND golden light as it starts pointing. The four year old brother riding in shopping cart sees Sophie’s radiant glow too, but is perceived NOT as brilliant. At the same time Sophie notices what Heather was talking about when she looks at the family shopping.
CART BOY
Mommy, look!
BOY'S MOTHER
(Oblivious)
Honey, it's not polite to stare at the pretty lady.
INT. GROCERY CHECK OUT, NEW ORLEANS – DAY, PRESENT
SOPHIE
One apple, five for a dollar
With dog food can in one hand, Sophie points to the eaten core in her other hand. She gives it to the cashier to throw out.
SOPHIE (CONT'D)
and may I have $40 cash back in an envelope, please. I don’t need a bag.
One cans of dog food is having trouble scanning properly and the cashier asks a nearby co worker for a price check.
SOPHIE
(Chatty “old” lady)
Thank you, dear. Philip and I are up visiting friends, so it’s great you sell individual cans. You have such great deals on produce here!
TEEN CASHIER
(She smiles politely)
We see from the elbows down, a tall distinguished, fit, and surprisingly handsome for his age, unmarried, black gentleman in his early 80’s in a long dress coat and expensive, sharp suit and wrist watch named CLYDE BENSON who stands a couple people behind Sophie in the check-out line.
We also hear an irate caller at a payphone in the store lobby slamming down the phone after yelling, “That’s bullshit!” We see the arm of a teenager in a grey sweat shirt and nervous shuffling of feet from the people standing behind Sophie. We hear a cello roughly played and then crechendos into a screeching high note.
SOPHIE (V.O)
What does mine sound like?
CUT TO:
EXT. BENCH NEAR OPERA HOUSE STEPS – 2:30PM
Heather listens with bow in hand as she starts tapping louder and louder on her cello.
HEATHER (V.O.)
Now, that’s interesting… yours is Very complex and then goes into a very simple pure melody like you Become a baby again. Something like this…
We hear the melody blend back to present moment as Sophie walks into the dreary, overcast parking lot.
CUT TO:
EXT. GROCERY PARKING LOT – GREY, OVERCAST
Sophie walks out with envelope of money and keys in one hand and a can of dog food in the other.
Sophie is walking to her car. PHILIP, a tan dachshund dog, with dark eyes is barking in crazy circles and rolling around on his back in the driver’s seat as if someone near by is about to have a seizure. Putting her key in the lock, A MAN with a GUN is suddenly standing at Sophie’s back. It’s the angry payphone guy.
SOPHIE (V.O.)
(With compassion)
Doug, “The Thug”!
(Snickers)
Mary, you’re too much. Just when I thought I was done with this lesson.
It’s hard to tell that “Doug, the thug” is a white male in his late teens, wearing dirty old jeans and a deep grey hooded sweat jacket raised so we can’t see his eyes or head. You get that same creepy feeling as if a Harry Potter soul sucking Dementor walked past you on the street.
Sophie slowly raises her can of dog food in self defense.
“Doug The Thug” knocks the dog food can out of Sophie’s hand. It rolls down the parking lot towards the store.
SOPHIE (V.O.)
(Calmly)
Guess my great grand kids were right about me needing to take that self defense class at the Y.
Sophie laughs nervously.
“DOUG THE THUG”
(Muffled)
Lady, give me the cash.
Beat.
CLYDE BENSEN, a strong, sharp, rich, vibrant, black business man in his late seventies dressed to the nines stands by his silver four door truck with a trailer hitch in front of the A & P.
CLYDE
(Purposefully)
Ma'am? Ma'am, I believe you left one of your items at the entrance of the store.
Clyde is standing a ways off, solid as a rock with Sophie’s can of dog food prominently displayed in one hand.
“Doug” turns, slightly, still in control.
CLYDE
(Curious)
And, what's your name, son?
“Doug” in a focused trance ignores Clyde.
CLYDE (CONT’D)
Son, I see you like envelopes.
(Pausing)
Son, I have a business proposition for you. It's not for me to choose, but if it's alright with Ms. ______?
Sophie swallows hard before speaking.
SOPHIE
Peterson.
CLYDE
You are welcome to accept responsibility for the pocket change in Ms. Peterson's envelope. BUT you have to spend a about a life time of accosting unsuspecting ladies in the parking lot to equal 10% of the cashier's check in my
Clyde emphasizes his left breast pocket.
CLYDE (CONT’D)
Left breast, pocket. It’s up to you, son. We All Have To Make a Choice of How We Want to Spend Our Time.
Clyde speaks in a cadence of media headlines as he reaches inside his coat.
“Doug” shifts position to defend himself.
“DOUG”
(Cocky,cracked voice)
How, much money, you got?
CLYDE
(Smooth)
I have a cashiers note for the sale of a boat I had docked at Lake Pontchartrain.
“Doug” turns towards Clyde
“DOUG”
What kind of boat was it?
“Doug’s” hood has dropped around his neck revealing a scraggly hurt male, with deep circles around his eyes in his late teens early 20’s
“DOUG”
(Almost friendly)
I mean, what was the make and model of the boat?
CLYDE
Son, that’s a great question. I have a picture of it here on the dash board of my truck.
Philip is no longer rolling on his back and making high pitch winning sounds. He begins licking through the tiny crack in the car window.
We hear a loud explosive sound go off in the parking lot...
Ruth Anne Wood ©2001-2009 Registered with the WGAE
Sunday, February 1, 2009
A Light In The Grocery Store
INT. GROCERY STORE – PRESENT
SOHPIE (V.O.)
Just when I feel Life can’t get any better the world goes and dazzles me with its genius composition and brilliant orchestration. Now we're sitting in a run down grocery store food court filled with lots of hungry people quickly eating fast food. A YOUNG looking WOMAN “in her 30’s” a couple tables over is an oddity in her flowing golden hair. She is vibrant and youthful in her SEXY 1930’s leading lady style dress and hat...
Like the vintage dress, Sophie has made the ceramic salad bowl herself and filled it with a voluptuous fruit; ripe melon, mango, kiwi, star fruit, straw berries, raspberries and bananas she purchase and prepared at the food court. Her name, is SOPHIE PETERSON (80). She is a classic Southern Belle except in one way. She refuse to get old. Sophie rolls her eyes back with HOLY pleasure as she takes in the flavors blending in her mouth during this religious experience…
We see an OLD MAN struggle to get up from his finished lunch as his tray shakes in his frail hands… Sophie watches with a poised fork full of fruit.
OLD MAN
Just you wait young lady. This will be your plight sooner than you can imagine.
Man grabs prostatic hip.
SOPHIE
No, thank you. Been there, done that. Sophie smiles politely, eyes sparkle, returning to feast.
SOPHIE (V.O)
Mmmm, that what Heather was talking about.
CUT TO:
CSN song "Southern Cross" plays
SOPHIE (V.O)
I’m reminded what my Heather was talking about.
HEATHER (V.O.)
I can hear people’s song.
SOPHIE (V.O)
You can hear people singing?
HEATHER (V.O)
No.
CUT TO:
EXT. BENCH NEAR OPERA HOUSE STEPS – 2:30PM
Sophie meets street musician, HEATHER named after Hathor, Goddess of music whose dream it is to play her upright bass and clarinet in the New Orleans opera house. She is wearing lots of layers even though it’s relatively warm out.
People walk by as she talks and plays a melody on her clarinet.
SOPHIE
What do you mean? Melodies people sing?
HEATHER
Not exactly. I can hear a distinct melody that comes from each person that passes.
SOPHIE
What do you hear?
HEATHER
I hear melodies. The older the person or the busier the person’s life is the more complicated they become. I don’t know if it’s because I’m getting older, but over the past few decades the songs have become faster, more discordant and muddied.
SOPHIE
Where does a person’s melody come from?
Heather looks to the right as she tries to hear the answer.
HEATHER
Sometimes when new parents are transporting their baby down the street in a stroller, I catch a very simple melody distinctly derived from the mother and father’s more complex tune. I‘ve seen singles one day get struck by cupid’s arrow and their melody goes from complex to lighter and easier to hear.
I’ve seen a lot of miracles and acts of courage from this street corner. And for a brief moment the muddy, convoluted sounds change to very raw, simple and pure expressions of love and humanity that fill the sound waves. Touched, Sophie breaths deeply and nods knowingly.
HEATHER
I spend hours catching people’s melodies and playing them so more ears can hear them.
SOPHIE
Heather, I can only imagine what it’s like carrying one large instrument and a smaller instrument from one venue to the next.
HEATHER
They’re my babies, my blessing, my burden.
Ruth Anne Wood ©2001-2009 Registered with the WGAE
SOHPIE (V.O.)
Just when I feel Life can’t get any better the world goes and dazzles me with its genius composition and brilliant orchestration. Now we're sitting in a run down grocery store food court filled with lots of hungry people quickly eating fast food. A YOUNG looking WOMAN “in her 30’s” a couple tables over is an oddity in her flowing golden hair. She is vibrant and youthful in her SEXY 1930’s leading lady style dress and hat...
Like the vintage dress, Sophie has made the ceramic salad bowl herself and filled it with a voluptuous fruit; ripe melon, mango, kiwi, star fruit, straw berries, raspberries and bananas she purchase and prepared at the food court. Her name, is SOPHIE PETERSON (80). She is a classic Southern Belle except in one way. She refuse to get old. Sophie rolls her eyes back with HOLY pleasure as she takes in the flavors blending in her mouth during this religious experience…
We see an OLD MAN struggle to get up from his finished lunch as his tray shakes in his frail hands… Sophie watches with a poised fork full of fruit.
OLD MAN
Just you wait young lady. This will be your plight sooner than you can imagine.
Man grabs prostatic hip.
SOPHIE
No, thank you. Been there, done that. Sophie smiles politely, eyes sparkle, returning to feast.
SOPHIE (V.O)
Mmmm, that what Heather was talking about.
CUT TO:
CSN song "Southern Cross" plays
SOPHIE (V.O)
I’m reminded what my Heather was talking about.
HEATHER (V.O.)
I can hear people’s song.
SOPHIE (V.O)
You can hear people singing?
HEATHER (V.O)
No.
CUT TO:
EXT. BENCH NEAR OPERA HOUSE STEPS – 2:30PM
Sophie meets street musician, HEATHER named after Hathor, Goddess of music whose dream it is to play her upright bass and clarinet in the New Orleans opera house. She is wearing lots of layers even though it’s relatively warm out.
People walk by as she talks and plays a melody on her clarinet.
SOPHIE
What do you mean? Melodies people sing?
HEATHER
Not exactly. I can hear a distinct melody that comes from each person that passes.
SOPHIE
What do you hear?
HEATHER
I hear melodies. The older the person or the busier the person’s life is the more complicated they become. I don’t know if it’s because I’m getting older, but over the past few decades the songs have become faster, more discordant and muddied.
SOPHIE
Where does a person’s melody come from?
Heather looks to the right as she tries to hear the answer.
HEATHER
Sometimes when new parents are transporting their baby down the street in a stroller, I catch a very simple melody distinctly derived from the mother and father’s more complex tune. I‘ve seen singles one day get struck by cupid’s arrow and their melody goes from complex to lighter and easier to hear.
I’ve seen a lot of miracles and acts of courage from this street corner. And for a brief moment the muddy, convoluted sounds change to very raw, simple and pure expressions of love and humanity that fill the sound waves. Touched, Sophie breaths deeply and nods knowingly.
HEATHER
I spend hours catching people’s melodies and playing them so more ears can hear them.
SOPHIE
Heather, I can only imagine what it’s like carrying one large instrument and a smaller instrument from one venue to the next.
HEATHER
They’re my babies, my blessing, my burden.
Ruth Anne Wood ©2001-2009 Registered with the WGAE
OPENING CREDITS
The credits that travel across the screen simulate the movement of the “Five Rites” yoga postures. The words play off the “Five Rites” animated cartoons drawings of Sophie doing the “five rites”. The title sequence is broken up into five animated style sections. Also the cartoon drawing of the female and letters start out old and decrepit in appearance and evolve into a sexy female figure with chic, elegant and then hip looking letters for the whole Opening Credit sequence.
The words start off with the first rite by spinning clockwise 21 times. We see the animated old lady putting her walker aside and slowly spinning like ballerina or a child playing in the grass clockwise 21 times.
For the second rite the titles start out flat and the last half of the title folds perpendicular to the stationary letters. The animated figure looks less decrepit and is on her back and simultaneously lifts her head and looks at her chest as she lifts her legs perpendicular to her torso and that back down 21 times.
For the third rite, the second half of the word is perpendicular and bends back towards the first half of the title at a forty-five degree angle, back and forth, multiple times. The animated blond hair Sophie with streaks of gray who looks middle age now is on her knees holding her hips and arching back and forth multiple times.
For the forth rite, the title starts in seated position with the first word perpendicular to the second word which then starts moving back and forth as it moves from an ”L” shape to a table or inverted “U”. The animated lady has healthy features of a toned forty year old as she starts sitting up with her arm by her side and legs out stretched and then lifts her whole body into a perpendicular table to the ground and slides back down again.
Finally the titles with the fifth rite start out flat on the screen and move back and forth between a straight line and an inverted “V”. The vibrant female cartoon with Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” features starts on her belly in yoga cobra pose and lifts her butt in the air in downward dog pose, back and forth multiple times. Each animated pose become more elegant and technically correct.
Ruth Anne Wood ©2001-2009 Registered with the WGAE
The words start off with the first rite by spinning clockwise 21 times. We see the animated old lady putting her walker aside and slowly spinning like ballerina or a child playing in the grass clockwise 21 times.
For the second rite the titles start out flat and the last half of the title folds perpendicular to the stationary letters. The animated figure looks less decrepit and is on her back and simultaneously lifts her head and looks at her chest as she lifts her legs perpendicular to her torso and that back down 21 times.
For the third rite, the second half of the word is perpendicular and bends back towards the first half of the title at a forty-five degree angle, back and forth, multiple times. The animated blond hair Sophie with streaks of gray who looks middle age now is on her knees holding her hips and arching back and forth multiple times.
For the forth rite, the title starts in seated position with the first word perpendicular to the second word which then starts moving back and forth as it moves from an ”L” shape to a table or inverted “U”. The animated lady has healthy features of a toned forty year old as she starts sitting up with her arm by her side and legs out stretched and then lifts her whole body into a perpendicular table to the ground and slides back down again.
Finally the titles with the fifth rite start out flat on the screen and move back and forth between a straight line and an inverted “V”. The vibrant female cartoon with Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” features starts on her belly in yoga cobra pose and lifts her butt in the air in downward dog pose, back and forth multiple times. Each animated pose become more elegant and technically correct.
Ruth Anne Wood ©2001-2009 Registered with the WGAE
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