THE PAPERBOY

by Melpo Christofi


Email: [email protected]

THE PAPERBOY


by
MELPO CHRISTOFI

 

THIRD DRAFT
SEPTEMBER 2007
© MELPO CHRISTOFI, SEPTEMBER 2007
Email: [email protected]
FADE IN:

1. EXT.     THE CORNER NEWSAGENCY/BACK ENTRANCE
   EARLY MORNING

PAPERBOY 1 shakes THE MANAGER’s hand.  The Manager points to a bicycle leaning against the wall.  Paperboy 1 pulls the bike towards him and gets on.  The bike has a basket attached to the back filled with rolled up newspapers.  The Manager hands Paperboy 1 a list and Paperboy 1 glances over it.  The Manager points to the list and at the basket.  Paperboy 1 nods and waves back to the Manager as he rides away.

2. EXT.    THE OLD LADY’S HOUSE    MORNING 
Paperboy 1 rides to THE OLD LADY’s house, stops, pulls a newspaper out of the basket and throws it at the front door.  The paper makes a loud bang as it hits the door. 

3. INT.  THE OLD LADY’S HOUSE   MORNING

The Old Lady is woken by the bang.  She looks at her digital clock beside her bed: 6:00am.  She goes back to sleep.

4. EXT.  THE OLD LADY’S HOUSE       MORNING

The next morning, Paperboy 1 rides to the Old Lady’s house and throws the paper at the door. 

5. INT.  THE OLD LADY’S HOUSE   MORNING

The Old Lady is woken by the bang.  She looks at her digital clock beside her bed: 6:00am.  She gets out of bed, puts on her slippers and robe and walks out of her bedroom.  She quickly shuffles to the front door and swings it open.  She spots Paperboy 1 riding his bicycle down the court and rushes to her gate to call him over (there is no audible dialogue).  Paperboy 1 does not stop but turns on his bike and gives her the finger.  The Old Lady is outraged.  She goes back inside and slams the front door. 

6. INT.  THE OLD LADY’S HOUSE   MORNING

The Old Lady goes into her living room and sits on the armchair next to the telephone.  She picks up the Yellow Pages and flips to a page.  She points her finger at a telephone number for a Corner Newsagency, whose slogan appears below, “Service with a smile.” She dials the number and begins to shout heatedly down the receiver (there is no audible dialogue).  She stops speaking, nods then hangs up.
 
7. INT.  THE OLD LADY’S HOUSE   MORNING

The Old Lady wakes and looks at her alarm clock.  She smiles as she reads 9:00am.

8. EXT.  THE OLD LADY’S HOUSE   MORNING
 
The Old Lady opens her front door and looks at her mat, expecting to see the newspaper.  It isn’t there.  She glances across the street at the house opposite and sees their paper lying on the lawn.  She turns her head to look at her next-door neighbour’s veranda and spies their paper sitting on the steps.  She stamps her foot and returns inside.

9. EXT.  THE OLD LADY’S HOUSE  LATE MORNING

The Old Lady walks out her front door fully dressed. 

10. EXT.  FOOTPATH/SUBURBAN STREET  LATE MORNING

The Old Lady walks around the corner to the newsagency, her eyes fiery with determination. 

11. INT.  THE CORNER NEWSAGENCY  LATE MORNING

The Old Lady arrives at the store and approaches the counter.  The Manager greets her and she relays her story to him with animated hand gestures (no audible dialogue) – imitating the finger sign that the paperboy gave her.  The Manager calms her, flashes a reassuring smile then gives her the day’s newspaper.  The Old Lady seems satisfied and leaves the newsagency.

12. EXT.  THE CORNER NEWSAGENCY/BACK ENTRANCE
            EARLY MORNING

PAPERBOY 2 shakes the Manager’s hand.  The Manager points to the bicycle with the basket leaning against the wall.  Paperboy 2 pulls the bike towards him and gets on.  The Manager hands Paperboy 2 a list and Paperboy 2 glances over it.  The Manager points to the list and then wags his finger in Paperboy 2’s face.  Paperboy 2 nods innocently and rides away. 

 

13. EXT.  THE OLD LADY’S HOUSE   MORNING

The sun rises over the Old Lady’s house.  Paperboy 2 rides to her gate, stops and looks up at the front door with fear.  He throws the newspaper on the porch and it lands softly on the mat.  The Old Lady looks through her curtains as Paperboy 2 rides away.  She flashes a satisfied grin and lets the curtain fall closed. 

14. INT.  THE OLD LADY’S HOUSE   MORNING

The Old Lady walks to her closet and opens the door.  On the back of the closet door is a large whiteboard.  The whiteboard is filled with a tally of dashes and strikes and at the very top in big letters is the word: “Paperboys.”  She picks up her texta and adds another dash to the tally with a crazy smile.  As the old lady steps aside, visible inside her closet are tall stacks of old newspapers.

FADE OUT      

 

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