I wrote a 5-min short exploring the theme of 'Belonging', inspired by my recent initiation into the dog-walking world (with a friend's wonderful dachshund), where I encountered so many fascinating characters on my morning walks. Now I'm tempted by a furry friend of my own!
FADE IN
INT BEDSIT – DAY
Light barely filters through the tobacco-stained curtains of a litter-strewn bedsit. Slumped in a broken-in settee SNORING is RICH, 35, a socially awkward gamer, a PS2 controller rests on his protruding belly.
EXT BEDSIT – FRONT DOORSTEP – CONTINUOUS
A persistent KNOCKING starts to stir Rich from his junk food induced coma. LUCY, a multi-tasking yummy mummy, SHOUTS through the letterbox; piles of junk mail thud to the floor as she releases the flap.
EXT BEDSIT – FRONT DOORSTEP – CONTINUOUS
Staggering to the door in a daze, Rich opens it just enough to meet his sister’s concerned gaze.
INT BEDSIT – FIRST LIGHT
Lead in hand, Rich gives himself a once over in the hall mirror, brushes off errant crumbs from last night’s munchie attack and addresses the new companion at his feet–
EXT BEDSIT – FRONT DOORSTEP – CONTINUOUS
Rich winces at the bright light, and steps out into the street. Birds are chirping, it’s a glorious morning for a walk.
EXT RESIDENTIAL SIDE STREET – CONTINUOUS
The POSTMAN greets Rich and takes in the ‘hood’s most recent pet.
POSTMAN
Morning, nice day for it.
He’s seen it all before. And then some.
EXT RESIDENTIAL SIDE STREET – CONTINUOUS
A white van cruises past, a slobbery BLOODHOUND hangs out the passenger’s window, his giant ears flapping in the breeze, not a care in the world.
EXT RESIDENTIAL SIDE STREET – CONTINUOUS
A coiffured elderly MATRIARCH passes on the other side of the road with her pampered POODLE; glances down at Rich’s four-legged friend, GRIMACES and picks up the pace.
EXT RESIDENTIAL SIDE STREET – CONTINUOUS
Up ahead a pumped-up PERSONAL TRAINER jogs towards Rich with his muscular DOBERMAN. Seeing Rich’s sidekick, the personal trainer TUTS defiantly and crosses to the other pavement, calling the keen doberman to heel.
EXT RESIDENTIAL SIDE STREET – CONTINUOUS
A pencil-thin MODEL, dressed to the nines, totters past; from her oversized handbag peers her accessory CHIHUAHUA. Seeing Rich’s companion starts to manically YAP. The model throws Rich her dirtiest look, draws her bag close to her, and whispers calming words to her excitable pooch.
EXT CORNER SHOP – CONTINUOUS
A bearded HIPSTER exits the corner shop with a pile of Sunday papers under one arm and an aloof SCHNAUZER on a lead in the other. The smiling Hipster bends down to stroke Rich’s pet.
A HISSING sound.
Withdrawing, surprised though quickly recovers –
Rich continues down the road with a smile on his face and a slight swagger to his step.
PAN OUT to reveal Rich’s companion is not even a dog, but a black and white tuxedo FELINE MOLLY on a harness and leash.
CUT TO:
CREDITS
FOLLOW MY LEAD
FADE IN
INT BEDSIT – DAY
Light barely filters through the tobacco-stained curtains of a litter-strewn bedsit. Slumped in a broken-in settee SNORING is RICH, 35, a socially awkward gamer, a PS2 controller rests on his protruding belly.
EXT BEDSIT – FRONT DOORSTEP – CONTINUOUS
A persistent KNOCKING starts to stir Rich from his junk food induced coma. LUCY, a multi-tasking yummy mummy, SHOUTS through the letterbox; piles of junk mail thud to the floor as she releases the flap.
EXT BEDSIT – FRONT DOORSTEP – CONTINUOUS
Staggering to the door in a daze, Rich opens it just enough to meet his sister’s concerned gaze.
RICH
(rubbing drool from his mouth) Hey.
LUCY
Hey back. Were you asleep?
LUCY (CONT’D)
(glancing at her Fitbit)It’s nearly teatime.
LUCY (CONT’D)
You need to get out more.
RICH
Right.
LUCY
I’ve got something for you in the car. She’s just what you need, you’ll love her.
INT BEDSIT – FIRST LIGHT
Lead in hand, Rich gives himself a once over in the hall mirror, brushes off errant crumbs from last night’s munchie attack and addresses the new companion at his feet–
RICH
(to his reflection) Right Betty, let’s do this.
EXT BEDSIT – FRONT DOORSTEP – CONTINUOUS
Rich winces at the bright light, and steps out into the street. Birds are chirping, it’s a glorious morning for a walk.
EXT RESIDENTIAL SIDE STREET – CONTINUOUS
The POSTMAN greets Rich and takes in the ‘hood’s most recent pet.
POSTMAN
Morning, nice day for it.
He’s seen it all before. And then some.
EXT RESIDENTIAL SIDE STREET – CONTINUOUS
A white van cruises past, a slobbery BLOODHOUND hangs out the passenger’s window, his giant ears flapping in the breeze, not a care in the world.
EXT RESIDENTIAL SIDE STREET – CONTINUOUS
A coiffured elderly MATRIARCH passes on the other side of the road with her pampered POODLE; glances down at Rich’s four-legged friend, GRIMACES and picks up the pace.
EXT RESIDENTIAL SIDE STREET – CONTINUOUS
Up ahead a pumped-up PERSONAL TRAINER jogs towards Rich with his muscular DOBERMAN. Seeing Rich’s sidekick, the personal trainer TUTS defiantly and crosses to the other pavement, calling the keen doberman to heel.
EXT RESIDENTIAL SIDE STREET – CONTINUOUS
A pencil-thin MODEL, dressed to the nines, totters past; from her oversized handbag peers her accessory CHIHUAHUA. Seeing Rich’s companion starts to manically YAP. The model throws Rich her dirtiest look, draws her bag close to her, and whispers calming words to her excitable pooch.
EXT CORNER SHOP – CONTINUOUS
A bearded HIPSTER exits the corner shop with a pile of Sunday papers under one arm and an aloof SCHNAUZER on a lead in the other. The smiling Hipster bends down to stroke Rich’s pet.
HIPSTER
Isn’t she rad!
A HISSING sound.
RICH
Sorry, we’re both new to this.
Withdrawing, surprised though quickly recovers –
HIPSTER
You’ll soon get the hang of it. Just watch out for the feisty ones, they can be a little unpredictable.
RICH
OK, thanks, I will.
RICH (CONT’D)
I’m glad that woman’s chihuahua was self contained.
HIPSTER
(winking) I meant their owners.
RICH
(laughing) Right.
Rich continues down the road with a smile on his face and a slight swagger to his step.
PAN OUT to reveal Rich’s companion is not even a dog, but a black and white tuxedo FELINE MOLLY on a harness and leash.
CUT TO:
CREDITS
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