———–<.thom.>———–

THE GREAT WORKS PROJECT

a puppet play in many parts

Season 05, Episode 03

By Thomas Typewriter

(c) 2023 thomas typewriter

———–<:type:>———–

FADE IN TO BLACK

From the bottom of the screen scrolls up the following text: “05-03”. It moves upwards, pausing a moment in the center of the frame, then continues upward, exiting the frame at the top edge.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

TYPEWRITER ABSTRACT PUPPET STAGE
The sound of TYPEWRITER KEYS CLICK CLACKING rings out in the dark. The TYPEWRITER ABSTRACT PUPPET STAGE materializes in the distance when unseen lamps turn on over it.

PAN IN ON THE TYPEWRITER ABSTACT PUPPET STAGE

TRANSITION FORM THE TYPEWRITER ABSTRACT PUPPET STAGE TO THE MID-STAGE

PAN IN ON THE MID-STAGE AREA UNTIL IT IS PROPERLY FRAMED

MID-STAGE: CURTAINS CLOSED
The Mid-Stage curtains open. The stage-lights turn on to the sound of A LIGHTSWITCH CLICKING ON revealing…

MID-STAGE: MARY MARCHHARE’S LIVING ROOM
Two sofa chairs sit at a perpendicular angle to each other and each at an angle to the front of the stage. A wide side table with a brass bulbous lamp sits between the chairs. A large window, the window seen from the outside on the front of the house, sits behind the chair on the stage-right side. On the wall behind the stage-left chair a giant clock, shaped to look like a pocket watch on a chain, hangs on the wall. A small painting of an early 20th century race car hangs below the clock. Mary Marchhare sits in the chair on stage-left, fanning herself with a small paper fan she keeps in a drawer in the side table when not in use. Thomas Typewriter sits in the chair on stage-right holding a can of Sparkle Soda, deep in conversation.

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“So that’s all of it Grandma. The proposal, the unemployment, everything.”

MARY MARCHHARE
“Well of course you can stay here while you figure things out.”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“I still do not know what to do about Ophelia. About working with her. For her on her film. Animated short.”

MARY MARCHHARE
“You’ll figure it out.”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“Did you ever regret working with Grandpa.”

MARY MARCHHARE
“Sure. All the time. He drove me crazy, but I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Silly as it sounds, I sometimes miss his complaining.”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“Really. Like what?”

MARY MARCHHARE
“Oh Thomas, I can still hear him. He’d start yelling “Jinny” Jinny, How I hated that nickname and he knew it. Jinny was another term for a stubborn mule where we grew up. I wasn’t a mule. He was the stubborn one.”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“When did you first meet Grandpa.”

MARY MARCHHARE
“Well. He used to run with the kids in the neighborhood. This was back in Rockford. He was living with his Grandparents and I was shipped off to my two aunts before going out south with my Grandparents. So I knew of him then, but we weren’t friends.”

The stage lights dim while Mary Marchhare speaks.

THE CAMERA DETACHES FROM THE MID-STAGE AND PANS UPWARD. IT MOVES OVER THE MID-STAGE SETS AND UP TO THE CURTAIN OF CLOUDS BEHIND. IT CONTINUES PANNING UPWARD. AT THE TOP OF THE CLOUD OF CURTAINS IT REACHES THE HIGH-STAGE. THE CAMERA PANS UP INTO PROPERLY FRAMING THE HIGH-STAGE

HIGH-STAGE: CURTAINS CLOSED

The High-Stage curtains part and the stage lights turn on with the sound of A COMPUTER BOOTING ON revealing…

HIGH-STAGE: EXT. THE FORE-GROUND THEATRE, DAYTIME
A boarded up theatrical venue lines the back of the stage. Their are four sets of doors, all with boards over them. To each side of the doors are two sets of poster cases. Each is currently empty. Above the doors is a simple marque for hanging style letters but the only thing on there is “CLOSED”. at the top of the marquee is a neon sign reading the following in a slightly stylized cursive script: “the Four-Grounds”. Sitting on the sidewalk in front of the theatre sits ORTHO MERCUTIAN, a cat-lady wearing a disguise of an old-man. Ortho has an open guitar case in front of them and is playing on a guitar for money from passing pedestrians. At this time there are none. Ortho sets down their guitar and stretches. The strings begin to vibrate on their own. Ortho reaches for the strings putting their fingers over the vibrating strings. A spotlight turns on focused on Ortho Mercutian while the stage-lights dim.

ORTHO MERCUTIAN
“No, I am glad you called. How is he? (pause) That is serious. And his friends? (pause) Same boat huh. What’s Solar/Lunar saying? (pause) Does not sound like them. Must be someone else getting involved. If they really go through with that I’ll cover the shortfall. Just heal them up. (pauses) In the meantime, keep me updated. (pause) Thanks, you too.”

Ortho removes their fingers from the guitar. The spot-light turns off and the stage-lights brighten. Ortho picks up the guitar and starts to play. The stage-lights turn off to the sound of A COMPUTER BOOTING OFF. The High-Stage curtains close.

THE CAMERA UNCOUPLES FROM THE HIGH-STAGE AND PANS DOWNWARD. IT MOVES ALONG THE CURTAIN OF CLOUDS. AS IT DESCENDS THE TOPS OF THE MID-STAGE SETS SLIDE UP FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE FRAME. THE CAMERA CONTINUES PANNING DOWN UNTIL PROPERLY FRAMING THE MID-STAGE

MID-STAGE: INT. MARY MARCHHARE’S FRONT PORCH, DAYTIME
A large window sits center-stage. A front door with small landing and steps sits to the stage-right of the window. The window itself occupies most of the stage, being made of three windows. Two smaller windows with screens sandwich buttress a large picture window. The porch lite turns right before the front door opens. THOMAS TYPEWRITER steps out onto the landing. MARY MARCHHARE follows him into the doorway. He turns and gives her a hug.

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“Thanks again Grandma. Love you.”

Thomas steps away from Mary.

MARY MARCHHARE
“No problem. It’d be nice having another person in the house again.”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“So, I’ll be back tomorrow with the first of my stuff.”

MARY MARCHHARE
“Great. I’ll make dinner to celebrate.”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“Awesome. What are you thinking about making?”

MARY MARCHHARE
“Cacciatore. Maybe some bread.”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“Sounds great. Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Thomas walks stage-left down off the front porch and out of stage/frame. Mary Marchhare watches from the doorway. Once Thomas is out of frame, she waves goodbye and then closes the door. The stage-lights turn off to the sound of A LIGHTSWITCH CLICKING OFF while the Mid-Stage curtains close.

FADE OUT