———–<.thom.>———–

THE GREAT WORKS PROJECT

a puppet play in many parts

Season 01, Episode 10

By Thomas Typewriter

(c) 2020

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FADE IN TO BLACK

Across a dark field the following text scrolls up: 01-10. It scrolls up from the center of the bottom of the frame, ascending vertically until finally exiting the center of the top of the frame.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

INT. UNROOM NOT.SEVEN

MS OF THE TYPEWRITER ABSTRACT PUPPET STAGE ON THE WOODEN DISC FROM THE POV OF THE OUTER ONE

THE TYPEWRITER ABSTRACT PUPPET STAGE sits in the dark on a wooden disc in the center of the unroom. Squares of carpet in various shades of grey fan out from the wooden disc. They fan out like seats arranged around a stage. The OUTER ONE is sitting on one of the squares as we join the scene. The CLICK CLACK OF TYPEWRITER KEYS TYPING precede unseen lamps over the Typewriter Abstract Puppet Stage turning on. The show begins.

TRANSITION FROM THE UNROOM TO THE TYPEWRITER ABSTRACT PUPPET STAGE.

PAN AND ZOOM IN TOWARDS MID-STAGE TILL MID-STAGE FILLS THE FRAME.

MID-STAGE: CURTAINS CLOSED

The curtains part and the stage lights turn on with the sound of a LIGHT SWITCH CLICKING ON revealing…

MID-STAGE: INT. THOMAS TYPEWRITER’S APARTMENT STUDIO, DAYTIME

The stage stands empty except for the writing desk, lamp, and waste basket in the center. On the desk sits Thomas Typewriter’s phone. The phone vibrates a few times then sits still. The stage returns to quiet. From stage-right enters THOMAS TYPEWRITER. Yawning as he shuffles across to the desk, he notices his phone. He picks it up and starts to read the messages as he meanders off stage left. He returns chewing on a bagel and carrying a glass of water. He sets the glass and bagel off to the side of the typewriter before sitting down. He takes a drink of water. Rubbing his eyes, he finally feels as if he is waking up. Reaching into a drawer in his desk, he pulls out a pair of headphones and a CD player. He slips on the headphones and starts the music. Thomas starts to bop his head as he loads paper into the typewriter. Swiveling his seat left, right, left, right he stares nowhere in particular, thinking and pondering…

.

..

…

…waiting…

…where is the…

…always waiting…

…I have flesh, I have ideas…

…all distinctions end…

…

..

.

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
(narration while he types) “Biff reaches for a new crayon from the nearby oversized box of crayons. Rockey looks on studing the crystalline palace. Narration: “Biff was taken aback when his crayons turned black.” Rockey: “Why’d you stop?” Biff: (looking at crayon) “My crayon has turned black. It was orange when I took it out, but now it is black.” Rockey: “Maybe you grabbed the wrong crayon.”

TRANSITION FROM MID-STAGE TO HIGH-STAGE

THE CAMERA PANS UPWARD FROM THE MID-STAGE, UP OVER THE TOP OF THE SETS, TO THE CLOUD OF CURTAINS VISIBLE BEHIND. IT CONTINUES PANNING UPWARD ALONG THE CURTAIN OF CLOUDS TO THE HIGH-STAGE. IT STOPS WHEN PROPERLY FRAMING HIGH-STAGE.

HIGH-STAGE: CLOSED CURTAINS

The curtains open and stage lights turn on with the sound of A COMPUTER BOOTING ON revealing…

HIGH-STAGE: EXT. OUTER SPACE. EVENING

The dark void of space, sprinkled with the twinkle of stars, spreads out across the stage. The stage-right side of the stage has a slightly softer glow. The shadow or glimmer of a shape of the bird-like CORVUS PROMETHIAN flits across the stage, stage-left to stage-right. A moment later a model of THE CARRO, smaller than any previous model, enters stage-left. It flies across the stage exiting stage-right. Shortly after the Carro flies off-screen, seven of the star lights in the distance double blink, disconnect from their orbit, and follow the shadow stage-right. The High-stage curtains close and then reopen revealing…

HIGH-STAGE: INT. THE CARRO’S OBSERVATION DECK. EVENING

Carro’s terminal sits in the center of the stage, same as in the previous episodes. His display screen has a pair of eyes rendered in an 8-bit style. He is looking out the stage-length observation window behind him. From stage-right enter LUCIDO OBSIDIAN and CEDAR WAXWINGS. They walk over to Carro’s terminal.

LUCIDO OBSIDIAN
“Everything okay?”

CEDAR WAXWINGS
“Yeah, what’s the emergency?”

CARRO
“I saw something out in the spark cloud.”

LUCIDO OBSIDIAN
“Another ship?”

CARRO
“No. I’ve already checked with the Orchestra Pit and we are the only ones out here.”

CEDAR WAXWINGS
“Is it flux from the Ir-Ra. That could be affecting your instruments.”

CARRO
“No. The Ir-Ra is stable. And before you ask I’ve already run two complete self-diagnostics.”

Lucido looks at Cedar. He shrugs. Cedar shrugs in return, then gestures to the windows. They walk over to a window and look out.

LUCIDO OBSIDIAN
“Carro, is it still out there.”

CARRO
“Yes. Near the far edge. Dark shape.”

LUCIDO OBSIDIAN
“I see it.”

CEDAR WAXWINGS
“What is that? Are we in danger?”

CARRO
“I don’t know. Wait, something else is moving towards it. Multiple things.”

CUT TO CS OF LUCIDO AND CEDAR LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW. IN THE GLASS’ REFLECTION WE CAN SEE THEIR CONCERN.

The sound of a COMPUTER BOOTING OFF fills the air.

FREEZE FRAME

The High-stage curtains close on the frozen image of Lucido and Cedar.

TRANSITION FROM HIGH-STAGE TO MID-STAGE

THE CAMERA PANS DOWNWARD ALONG THE CURTAIN OF CLOUDS. IT CONTINUES DOWN AND DOWN, SLIDING OVER THE TOPS OF THE MID-STAGE SETS TO SETTLE FRAMING MID-STAGE.

MID-STAGE: INT. THOMAS TYPEWRITER’S APARTMENT STUDIO, DAYTIME

Thomas sits at his desk typing.

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
(narration while he types)”They sit in silence for a moment or three. Biff: “I’m bored.” Rockey: “Me too. I wish we could keep drawing.” Biff: “Me too.” They both sigh.”

Thomas removes the current page from the typewriter. He sets it down on a stack of completed pages off to the side. As he grabs a new page, from above, THUNDER BOOMS and lightning flashes. He is surprised and drops the new page. Thomas quickly scans overhead looking for the source of the disturbance. Unable to see find anything specific, he returns to writing. He leans over to retrieve the dropped paper. He reloads the typewriter and almost starts to type but pulls back. He rubs his face, thinking. Thomas realizes something, then starts to type again.

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
(narration while he types)”Biff: “Wait. Why don’t we.” Rockey:”What do you mean.” Biff: “Why don’t we choose what we do next. Let’s just do something.” Rockey: “Yeah, it’s not like the crayons are broken.”

Thomas reaches the end of the page, places the finished page on the stack with others and grabs a new page. He is about to load it in the typewriter when he hesitates. He sets the blank page back down.

He pulls his headphones off setting them off to the side. He pulls out his phone and dials a number.

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“Hi. Ophidia? Hi, it’s Thomas. Good. You. Oh great. I know you were worried about getting done in time for the shorts festival. I’m doing good. Yeah the writer’s block is gone today. Thank you for last night, it really helped. The reason I called is I was wondering if you would like to see Tron tonight. I remember you had mentioned you had never seen it, and I have those free passes from when the toilet exploded on me. (short pause as he listens) You’ll go. Great! I’ll meet you at the Retro. 5:30. Perfect. Okay see you then. Love ya. Bye.”

Thomas puts his headphones back on. Restarting the music, he reaches for a new sheet of paper. He loads it into the typewriter. Thomas resumes typing. THE CLICK CLACK OF TYPEWRITER KEYS fills the air. The Mid-stage curtains close.

FADE OUT