puppetry

“The Great Works Project: Season Six, Episode Ten” by Thomas Typewriter

scripts, The Great Works Project scripts

———–<.thom.>———–

THE GREAT WORKS PROJECT

a puppet play in many parts

Season 6, Episode 10

by Thomas Typewriter

(c) 2025 jason arcand

———–<:type:>———–

FADE IN


From the center of a blank screen scrolls upward rapidly the following text: “06-10”. It enters from the bottom of the frame and moves up, pausing in the center before continuing upward. It exits through the top of the frame.


FADE OUT
FADE IN


MID-STAGE: CURTAINS CLOSED

DISSOLVE TO A PROPERLY FRAMED SHOT OF MID-STAGE OF THE TYPEWRITER ABSTRACT PUPPET STAGE.

The curtains of the Mid-stage area of the TYPEWRITER ABSTRACT PUPPET STAGE fill the screen. They are currently closed but soon they part. The stage lights turn on with the sound of A LIGHTSWITCH CLICKING ON revealing…

MID-STAGE: INT. PENCIL CHICKS STUDIOS, DAYTIME
A long desk spreads across the stage. It has a monitor, keyboard, mouse and scanner on the desk. A stack of papers sits next to the scanner. Behind the long desk is a drawing table with an animator’s light-box at an angle to the desk. The long desk has a simple office chair while the drawing desk has a padded high stool. A doorway sits to the stage-left side of the desk. THOMAS TYPEWRITER sits at the desk scanning pages. OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE sits at the desk behind him, drawing animation cells.

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“Ophidia?”

OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE
“Yes.”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“Would you mind if I laid my head down a moment? I’m a little tired and my eyes are starting to hurt.”

OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE
“No problem. Go ahead and rest.”

Thomas lays his head down on the desk.

TRANSITION FROM MID-STAGE TO HIGH-STAGE

THE CAMERA DETACHES FROM THE MID-STAGE AND PANS UPWARD. IT GLIDES OVER THE MID-STAGE SETS TO THE CURTAIN OF CLOUDS HANGING BEHIND. IT CONTINUES UPWARD FOLLOWING THE CURTAIN OF CLOUDS. AT THE TOP, THE HIGH-STAGE EMERGES. LOCK INTO PLACE PROPERLY FRAMING THE HIGH-STAGE.

HIGH-STAGE: CURTAINS CLOSED
The High-stage curtains open and the stage lights turn on with the sound of A COMPUTER BOOTING ON.

HIGH-STAGE: INT. LANDING BAY 0610 OF THE FLUTE MEDICALSHIP, EVENING
A metallic wall runs along the back of the stage. It has two metal support beams bolted to the wall. A brown stripe runs along the wall from the center of the stage to the stage-left. The numbers “0610” are stenciled above. The stripe ends at two large elevator doors. A freestanding mirror is off to the side. On the opposite side of the stage is a large inner bay door and control panel. HYGIEIA FLAUTO stands at the controls. Dressed in a blue workers scrub, sanitary face mask, gloves, a tool bag with a wrench patch and a sanitation patch slung over one shoulder and a belt of a living bronze snake stands at a platform near the large bay doors. Meanwhile, both the elevator signal lights light up. The elevator doors open. PANACEA FLAUTO emerges. The mirror shimmers and a bright light shines out of it. IASO THERAPUTICIA steps through the mirror. The shine fades away and the mirror returns to normal.

IASO FLAUTO
“Sister.”

PANACEA FLAUTO
“Sister.”

HYGIEIA FLAUTO
“Yes, yes, Sisters.”

A control box lowers down on a double cord, one coiled the other straight, to HYGIEIA. She grabs hold of it and presses a button causing the large bay doors to start to open. The doors slowly open with a mechanical rattle. The front portion of THE COUNT sparkship enters. Hygieia presses a second button on the control panel and the Count stops. There is a discharge of smoke and fog as the ship equalizes pressure. Panacea and Iaso walk over and stand by Hygieia.

HYGIEIA FLAUTO
“Alright, the ship is docked. So what are we expecting here.”

Panacea pulls out her Med-corder and reads a file on the screen.

PANACEA FLAUTO
“Dad said they were bringing in two youths, injuries unknown.”

HYGIEIA FLAUTO
“Where does a sparkship find kids in space.”

IASO FLAUTO
“I don’t know but we better be on our best behavior because that ship is Musica’s boyfriend.”

PANACEA FLAUTO
“Musica, as in head of the Solar/Lunar fleet.”

HYGIEIA FLAUTO
“They’ve openly admitteing this? Finally time they did.”

IASO FLAUTO
(to Panacea) “Co-chair, remember she has a twin, but yes.” (to Hygieia) And no, not officially yet, but everyone knows.”

PANACEA FLAUTO
“Oh yeah, the bat girl.”

HYGIEIA FLAUTO
“Be careful what you say, she might here you.”

PANACEA FLAUTO
“Wait, seriously.”

IASO FLAUTO
“She was the one who found your boyfriend with those bat ears.”

Panacea looks between the two of them. Hygieia nods yes. Iaso nods yes. Panacea starts to blush.

PANACEA FLAUTO
“He’s just a…I mean…He’s not my boyfriend. We just like hanging out together.”

Iaso and Hygieia exchange a look.

HYGIEIA FLAUTO
“Guess Musica’s not the only one in denial.”

There is a BEEPING NOISE as a platform lowers from the front of The Carro.

HYGIEIA FLAUTO
“Time to shine ladies.”

The platform continues to lower. BARBARO BUFFO stands on the platform. Next to him is a rolling cart holding a burned Sat-Bot. The top portion of it’s double pyramid octahedron is open. Inside sit FINNOCCIO FORESIGHT and BALLERIA FORESIGHT. They are a pair of newborns cradled in a bed of fennel leaves. The stage-lights turn off with the sound of A COMPUTER BOOTING OFF. The High-stage curtains close.

TRANSITION FROM HIGH-STAGE TO MID-STAGE

THE CAMERA UNCOUPLES FROM THE HIGH-STAGE. A BIT OF THE NARRATOR’S STAGE ENTERS THE FRAME AS THE CAMERA PANS DOWNWARD. IT GLIDES ACROSS THE CURTAIN OF CLOUDS. DOWN AND DOWN IT PANS. THE TOPS OF THE MID-STAGE SETS SLIDE INTO THE FRAME AS THE CAMERA FINISHES PANNING DOWNWARD. IT STOPS WHEN PROPERLY FRAMING THE MID-STAGE.

MID-STAGE: INT. PENCIL CHICK STUDIOS, DAYTIME
A long desk spreads across the stage. It has a monitor, keyboard, mouse and scanner on the desk. A stack of papers sits next to the scanner. Behind the long desk is a drawing table with an animator’s lightbox at an angle to the desk. The long desk has a simple office chair while the drawing desk has a padded high stool. A doorway sits to the stage-left side of the desk. THOMAS TYPEWRITER sits at the desk, head resting on hands and eyes closed. OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE sits at the animation desk behind him drawing.

CUT TO CS OF THOMAS’ FACE AND HOLD THE SHOT FOR A MOMENT

FADE OUT

TRANSITION FROM MID-STAGE TO THE MANY SANDS

FADE IN

EXT. THE MANY SANDS, DAYTIME.
A fire sits in the center of the stage. Z-MOUSE and THE GHOSTLY sit around the fire conversing. Behind them sand dunes spread stage-left while grassy scrubland spreads to the stage-right. Just to the side of the fire stands a fancy stained lamp on a post made of old and worn boards. The lamp stick has a look to it denoting old and tall. As if it walked to this spot, set down roots like a tree, and branched out.

Z-MOUSE
(writing in notepad) “That is very interesting. And have travelers always reacted that way?”

THE GHOSTLY
“No. Sometimes, and mind you this is a very rare thing, they choose the other path.”

Z-MOUSE
“Do you think it is because they listen to what you have to say?”

THE GHOSTLY
“I’d like to think so, but most likely it is a mixture of dumb luck and listening. What about you? Do all your siblings listen to you.”

Z-MOUSE
“I don’t know. I’ve never really had any ideas to suggest. More of the deep thinker type.”

From stage-left THOMAS TYPEWRITER enters. He is dressed in a pizza delivery uniform and carrying a pizza box and six-pack of Satellite Soda.

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“Did somebody order a pizza?”

Z-MOUSE
“Thomas!”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“Z-Mouse!”

Thomas walks over to the fire and sits down.

THE GHOSTLY
(to Z-Mouse) “Who’s this guy”

Z-MOUSE
“He’s kinda like my boss.”

THE GHOSTLY
“He doesn’t seem much.”

Z-MOUSE
“Don’t be fooled. There’s more parts to him than visible at first. That may not even be his true face.”

THE GHOSTLY
“I see.”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“Pizza anyone?”

Z-MOUSE
“I’ll take some.”

THE GHOSTLY
“Me too.”

Thomas opens the pizza box and offers it to Z-Mouse and the Ghostly. They each take a slice. He then offers each a soda. Z-Mouse nods yes but the Ghostly nods no. He breaks off one can and hands it to Z-Mouse. He then breaks off a second can. He opens the can and takes a sip. They sit around the fire eating pizza and drinking soda.

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
(extends hand to the Ghostly) “I’m Thomas by the way.”

THE GHOSTLY
(shakes his hand) “You can call me the Ghostly.”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“Good to meet you.”

THE GHOSTLY
“Likewise.”

Thomas sits down. Z-Mouse continues to eat his pizza while The Ghostly sips from her soda.

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“So what was I interrupting?”

PAN UPWARD TO THE SKY ABOVE THE FIRE. SPARKS DRIFT UP ACROSS A STARRY SKY.

Z-MOUSE
(off-stage) “Not much.”

FADE TO BLACK

“The Great Works Project: Season 6, Episode 8” by Thomas Typewriter – a new script

scripts, The Great Works Project scripts

———–<.thom.>———–

THE GREAT WORKS PROJECT

a puppet play in many parts

Season 6, Episode 8

By Thomas Typewriter

(c) 2025 jason arcand

———–<:type:>———–

FADE IN

From the center of a blank screen scrolls upward rapidly the following text: “06-08”. It enters from the bottom of the frame and moves up, pausing in the center before continuing upward. It exits through the top of the frame.

FADE OUT
FADE IN

EXT. Y-APARTMENT, SUNSET
The darkness of the empty screen slowly starts to develop twinkles of starlight.

PAN DOWN FROM STARRY SKY ACROSS THE WARM COLORS OF A SUNSET

Y-MOUSE
(off-camera) “Beautiful.”

CUT TO

EXT. DECK OF APARTMENT Y, EARLY EVENING.
A wrought iron deck on the edge of the apartment with an art deco inspired metal railing. A deck chair and small table sit off to the side of the sliding door. The view from the deck looks out at sloping hills of late season autumnal trees. Fiery colors burst across the skeletal branches as the fall of leaves and march into winter continues. Y-Mouse sits on his deck watching the sunset, sipping from a tall glass of Seltzer Beer.

MS OF Y-MOUSE

He stares out in deep thought. After a moment, a GROUP OF CHIMES starts to chime. There sounds like six different chimes, each at a different pitch and interval. Through the window and glass doorway, six different colors blink: red, blue, orange, green, yellow, and purple. Each color blinks in intervals with one of the six different chimes. Y-Mouse turns his head to look toward the apartment.

CUT TO CS OF GLASS DOOR SHOWING BLINKING LIGHTS.

CUT BACK

Y-Mouse stretches and stands. He casually strolls into the apartment.

CUT TO LS OF Y-MOUSE FROM ACROSS THE GLASS DOOR

The deck’s sliding glass doors open onto a studio apartment kitchen/living room combo. The kitchen stands off to stage-left and the living room to stage-right. An L-shaped counter divides one area from the other. A wicker couch sits off the stage-right. Just out of frame is a small entryway with a thin table. Above the table hangs three coat hooks. On one side of the table stands the Narrator’s Door. To the other side of the table, down the short hall of the entryway is the door to the Y-Stairwell. Holding his drink, Y-Mouse walks in. He looks at the couch and sees the blinking colored lights coming from under the couch. He nods his head in understanding and walks into the kitchen. He opens a drawer and pulls out a notepad and pencil. He then walks to the Narrator’s door and steps through.

TRACK Y-MOUSE

PAN THROUGH THE NARRATOR’S DOOR

TRANSITION FROM THE Y-APARTMENT TO THE TYPEWRITER ABSTRACT PUPPET STAGE.

TYPEWRITER ABSTRACT PUPPET STAGE: NARRATOR’S BALCONY

LS OF THE NARRATOR’S BALCONY

CUT TO MS OF THE Y-MOUSE

Y-Mouse closes the door behind him as he walks onto the deck and sits on the edge. He looks over at the closed curtains of the High-Stage.

PAN OVER TO PROPERLY FRAMING THE HIGH-STAGE

HIGH-STAGE: CURTAINS CLOSED
The curtains for the High-Stage part. The stage-lights turn on to the sound of A COMPUTER BOOTING ON revealing…

HIGH-STAGE: EXT. THE FAR EDGE OF THE FOREVERCAGE
The vast immaterial unfilled echo is broken by two figures, one small and the other large. THE WARDROBE OF A THOUSAND AND ONE COSTUMES floats off to the stage-right of the center. A small model of THE SPACE EGG floats to the stage-left of the center. It slowly glides towards the Wardrobe.

CUT TO

INT. THE SPACE EGG
THE INNER-SPACE MAN sits in a sleek astronaut’s chair, working buttons on the console. In front of him sits a curved console and curved view screen. The console has a center monitor in the shape of a circle bisected by a long rectangle. This is the Space Egg’s text display. All of the Space Egg’s dialogue will scroll across the text display as it comes out of the speakers. Around the text display sit various-sized hexagonal buttons. The view screen sits on a curved wall coming off the console. It bears the same circle bisected by a rectangle design, only much larger. It is currently displaying the approaching Wardrobe of a Thousand and One Costumes. Uncomfortably Crammed into the small space behind the pilot’s chair sit BIFF THE RABBIT and ROCKEY THE PET ROCK. A stack of paper and crayons sits between the pair. Drawings of an egg in a detective’s coat and fedora and a giant radioactive monster can be seen in the stack of papers.

THE SPACE EGG
(voice-over?) “There it is.”

THE INNER-SPACE MAN
“Roger. See if you can use that gap in the doors we used last time.”

THE SPACE EGG
“Already on it.”

BIFF THE RABBIT
“What is that!”

THE INNER-SPACE MAN
“It’s a giant wardrobe.”

BIFF THE RABBIT
“I can see that, but why is it so large. When we pretend the Wardrobe of a Thousand And One Costumes is like maybe twice our size. Not the size of a mountain.”

THE INNER-MAN
“Wait, you’ve seen this thing before.”

BIFF THE RABBIT
“Yeah.”

THE INNER-SPACE MAN
“Interesting”

CUT BACK TO


EXT. THE FAR EDGE OF THE FOREVERCAGE
The model of the Space Egg is now very close to the Wardrobe of a Thousand and One Costumes. The wardrobe rotates so that we can see the front doors and the small gap at the bottom. The Space Egg flies into the gap.

TRANSITION FROM THE HIGH-STAGE TO THE MID-STAGE


THE CAMERA DETACHES FROM HIGH-STAGE AND PANS DOWNWARD. IT SCROLLS OVER THE BOTTOM OF THE HIGH-STAGE TO THE CURTAIN OF CLOUDS BELOW. IT FOLLOWS THE CURTAIN OF CLOUDS DOWN AND DOWN. SOON THE TOPS OF THE MID-STAGE SETS PEEK UP FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE FRAME. THE CAMERA CONTINUES PANNING DOWN, SLIDING OVER THE SETS UNTIL PROPERLY FRAMING MID-STAGE.

MID-STAGE: INT. PENCIL CHICKS STUDIOS, DAYTIME
The stage-lights are off but turn on to the sound of A LIGHT SWITCH CLICKING ON. A long work desk stretches across the stage. A computer, monitor keyboard, and mouse sit near the center of the long desk. Nearby sits a scanner. Behind the desk and off to the stage-right side sits a taller drawing table with an animation light table. Various bins filled with paper and drawing tools sit on a shelf near the drawing table. A taller chair is pushed into the drawing table. OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE stands just inside the doorway, having flipped on the room’s lights. THOMAS TYPEWRITER stands partially in the doorway.

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“I am glad to be helping but I am not sure how much help I will be. I really can’t draw anymore, not without my hand acting up.”

OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE
“That’s okay. I can handle the drawing for both of us. What I need is help on the computer.”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“I can handle computers.”

OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE
“I know you goofball. Now, why don’t you come in here and I’ll show you what I need you to do.”

Thomas and Ophidia enter the room and sit down at the computer desk. Ophidia standing behind him and Thomas in the chair.

OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE
“Okay, the first thing you do is open this program here.”

She places her hand on top of Thomas’s over the mouse. A strobe light pules across the back of the stage and the sound of FABRIC ROUGHLY SCRAPING OVER FABRIC. Thomas quietly takes in a deep breath and then slowly exhales. The strobe light and fabric scraping sound stop. Ophidia gently guides his hand.

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“Like this?”

OPHDIA OPERAHOUSE
“Yes, exactly. Just like that.”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“I am glad I agreed to this.It feels good to working on art again, even if it is not my own.”

Ophidia gives him a quick kiss

OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE
“I am glad you said yes too. Okay, once that is open you are going to start scanning from the pile over to the side of you.”

Thomas and Ophidia freeze as the stage-lights turn off to the sound of A LIGHTSWITCH CLICKING OFF.

TRANSITION FROM MID-STAGE TO HIGH-STAGE

THE CAMERA PANS UPWARD. IT MOVES OVER THE MID-STAGE SETS TO THE CLOUD OF CURTAINS BEHIND. IT ASCENDS TO THE TOP OF THE CURTAIN OF CLOUDS AND THE HIGH-STAGE LOCATED THERE. IT STOPS WHEN PROPERLY FRAMING HIGH-STAGE.

HIGH-STAGE: THE GANTRY OF THE WARDROBE OF A THOUSAND AND ONE COSTUMES
Made of silvery metal, with tall handrails and pole lighting, the Entry Point gives a feeling of a cross between a dock or boardwalk and a spaceship. The long metallic dock joins to a pier-like space opposite the door. A series of round concentric rings, the walkway juts out from the center.

LS FROM GANTRY OUT TOWARDS THE DOORS OF THE WARDROBE OF A THOUSAND AND ONE COSTUMES

The bottom section of the door can be seen extending down from the upper corner of the frame. From the gap between the two doors, a small model of the SPACE EGG flies in. When it enters, two rows of lights slowly blink to life. They light starting at the end nearest the doors moving inward. The Space Egg follows the lights as they turn on.


CUT TO…

HIGH-STAGE: THAT PLATFORM BASE AREA IN THE WARDROBE
Weak lights click on and up brightening the walkway. It is a metal boardwalk with thin pipe rails. The entire space is of such a scope and size that the lights are not bright enough to illuminate the far walls of the space they have flown into. Two corridors branch out from the landing area, going left and right. Just beyond the boardwalk and corridors is an amphitheater-like space with descending rings of seats. In the center is THE LARGE MEMOCRYSTAL, an irregularly shaped crystal. It is the size of a boulder and appears to be made up of various-sized crystals. On the large crystal sits THE INFORMATIVE SCUTTLER powered down and sleeping.


LS OF THE SPACE EGG

THE SPACE EGG enters from stage-left and lands. It’s ring of light dims as it powers down.

CUT TO MS OF THE SPACE EGG

The top of the Space Egg opens up with A PRESSURIZED HISS. THE INNER-SPACE MAN sits in the pilot’s chair with BIFF THE RABBIT and ROCKEY THE PET ROCK crammed behind the chair. They all stand and stretch. The Inner Space Man exits the Space Egg first. He nearly tumbles down while exiting awkwardly, making a loud racket. Biff reaches for him but the Inner-Space Man waves him off while making a few hops to recover his balance.


CUT TO MS OF THE LARGE MEMOCRYSTAL PEDESTAL


The Informative Scuttler languidly perks one of its eye stalks up. The eye stalk focuses and the refocuses as it realizes the others have returned. It starts to power up.

CUT TO MS OF THE INNER-SPACE MAN AND THE SPACE EGG

The Inner-Space Man stands up, righting himself. Rockey moves to the edge of the Space Egg and Biff the Rabbit moves behind him.

THE INNER-SPACE MAN
(to Rockey and Biff) “Careful on that first step. Here, I’ll help”
The Inner-Space Man reaches up and Rockey jumps into his hands. He sets Rockey on the ground. He then reaches up to help Biff.

IRIS EFFECT FOCUSING ON BIFF

CUT BACK TO MS OF THE MEMOCRYSTAL PEDESTAL

It stands up in surprise. It quickly crawls down.

FOLLOW THE SCUTTLER

CUT TO MS OF THE BACK WALL OF THE WARDROBE.

The back wall of the Wardrobe looks like a long wall of dark green stained wood. The wood grain is still visible in large swirls. The floor has changed from the metallic flooring of the gantry to a dark polished stone. A triangular doorway is built into the wall. This doorway is one of many similar doorways stretching the length of the back wall. The doorway is edged by a nice scalloped edge that runs along the floor like a connecting ray between the triangular openings. Each doorway is a little larger than a scuttler. The Scuttler enters from stage-left and hurriedly moves into the nearest doorway. From behind the door CONVERSATIONS OF EXCITED CLICKS AND GEARS WHIRRING sound. The Informative Scuttler reemerges from the doorway dragging THE EMPAATHA KEY. It is a dual-sided key made from a crystal similar to the memocrystals, in colors of gold, silver, and bronze. The top of the key looks like an abstracted doorway. A pair of Scuttlers emerge holding the end of the Empaatha Key. A large group of Scuttlers follows the trio, flowing out of the doorway. In the group are four Scuttlers carrying THE CHOICE CRACTION. It is a squarish stone block composed of grey basalt-like stone. The entire surface is streaked with black obsidian-like crystals and white quartz-like crystals. In the center of the Knowtwhole is an opening made from two overlapping circles. The streaks of obsidian and quartz are visibly increased inside the openings. The parade of scuttlers exits stage-left.

CUT TO THE LANDING GANTRY

MS OF THE INNER-SPACE MAN, BIFF THE RABBIT, AND ROCKEY THE PET ROCK STANDING NEXT TO THE SPACE EGG.

BIFF THE RABBIT
“So, you’re saying all of this, this place, is in my imagination. Like we are physically in that abstract space.”

THE INNER-SPACE MAN
“That is our going theory.”

BIFF THE RABBIT
“That’s a lot to process.”

The group of scuttlers enters from stage-right.

THE INNER-SPACE MAN
“Yes, but there is more…” (pauses as he notices the scuttlers) ”Oh hey, Eggsey it’s our old buddy. What’s up….” (trails off)

They walk past the Inner-Space Man and approach Biff. The Informative Scuttler holds up the Empaatha Key while the others bow.

BIFF THE RABBIT
“Why are they bowing to me?”

ROCKEY THE PET ROCK
“Maybe it’s the noble way you carry yourself.”

THE INNER-SPACE MAN
“I don’t know. Normally they’re constructing things.”

The Informative Scuttler gestures for Biff to take the key.

ROCKEY THE PET ROCK
(whisper to Biff) “Don’t be rude. Take the thing.”

BIFF THE RABBIT
(whisper to Rockey) “How do I know they’re offering it to me. Maybe it is someone else’s”

Rockey steps forward towards the Empaatha Key. The scuttlers shift it back out of reach. He tries a few more times to touch the stone, but the scuttler crowd moves it out of reach each time.

ROCKEY THE PET ROCK
(whispers to Biff) “There. Does that convince you? Now, take it and say thank you. You’re starting to look silly.”

Biff reaches forward and takes the Empaatha Key.

BIFF THE RABBIT
“Thank you?”

The crowd of scuttlers now turns to the Inner-Space Man. They present to him the Choice Craction. He leans over and picks it up.

THE INNER-SPACE MAN
“Thank you?”

The scuttlers turn and all exit except the Informative Scuttler. It crawls back behind the Large Memocrystal.

THE SPACE EGG
“What was that about?”

THE INNER-SPACE MAN
“I don’t know.”

The Inner-Space Man moves closer to the Space egg on one side of the stage while Biff moves closer to Rockey on the other. Each examines the interesting gift they were given.

A LINE GOES UP IN THE CENTER OF THE SCREEN SETTING UP A SPLIT SCREEN

EACH SIDE OF THE SPLIT SCREEN PANS IN ON THE DUO IN THAT SIDE.

EACH SIDE OF THE SPLIT SCREEN PANS INTO A CS OF THE GIFT OBJECTS, THE EMPAATHA KEY OR CHOICE CRACTION, ON THAT SIDE OF THE SPLIT SCREEN


Hold for a few moments before the High-Stage lights turn off to the sound of A COMPUTER BOOTING OFF. The High-Stage curtains then close.

FADE OUT

“The Great Works Project: Season Six, Episode Four” – a new script by Thomas Typewriter

The Great Works Project scripts

———–<.thom.>———–

THE GREAT WORKS PROJECT

a puppet play in many parts

Season 6, Episode 4

By Thomas Typewriter

(c) 2024 jason g. arcand

———–<:type:>———–

FADE IN


From the center of a blank screen scrolls upward the following text: “06-04”. It enters from the bottom of the frame and slowly moves up eventually exiting through the top of the frame.

FADE OUT
FADE IN
TRANSITION TO THE TYPEWRITER ABSTRACT PUPPET STAGE.

In the darkness, the sound of TYPEWRITER KEYS CLICK CLACKING sings out from somewhere nearby yet out of sight. Shortly thereafter the TYPEWRITER ABSTRACT PUPPET STAGE materializes.

LS OF THE TYPEWRITER PUPPET STAGE MOVING TO A MS THROUGH A SERIES OF CUTS UTILIZING A CRYSTALLINE EFFECT.

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

PAN IN ON MID-STAGE AREA OF THE TYPEWRITER ABSTRACT PUPPET STAGE UNTIL MID-STAGE IS PROPERLY FRAMED.

MID-STAGE: CURTAINS CLOSED
The Mid-stage curtains open. The stage lights turn on with the sound of A LIGHT SWITCH CLICKING ON revealing…

MID-STAGE: EXT. MARY MARCHHARE’S FRONT PORCH AND FRONT WINDOW, DAYTIME
The front wall of Mary Marchhare’s house, with its blue vinyl siding spreads across the stage. A large bay window takes up a large portion of the wall. It is higher than the ground, making the bottom of the window visible in the frame but not the top. On each side of the bay window are smaller windows with movable shutters. At the stage-left side are four steps leading up to a landing and the front door. Mary Marchhare’s Living Room can be seen through the large bay window. White stucco walls are decorated with framed paintings of earlier twentieth-century race cars alongside photographs of various Boston Terrier dogs. There is also a selection of antique clocks on the walls. Near the window sits MARY MARCHHARE in a recliner. Next to the recliner is a shorter chair and an end table with a bulbous lamp. Mary is watching television. THOMAS TYPEWRITER enters from stage-left, carrying two moving boxes. He walks past the front window. BEANIE, Mary Marchhare’s pet Boston Terrier, leaps onto the second chair and barks out the window. BARKS MUFFLED BY GLASS sing out. Mary notices Beanie barking, leans forward, and sees Thomas. She sets down the tissue she had gripped and moves out of sight. Thomas climbs the four steps to the landing in front of the house’s front door. The porchlight next to the front door flips on. The front door opens. Mary Marchhare steps out and gives Thomas a hug.

MARY MARCHHARE
“Thomas!”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“Hi Grandma. I am dropping off the last of my stuff.”

MARY MARCHHARE
“Two boxes, that’s not much.”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“There’s more. It’s just in the car. Would it be okay if I brought it in through the garage?”

MARY MARCHHARE
“Sure. Since you’ll be living here, I have a garage door opener for you. You can have the spare one.”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“Wow. Thanks.”

Mary looks Thomas in the eyes, squaring her shoulders.

MARY MARCHHARE
“And remember, this is only a loan. I get it back when you move out. I do not want any strangers wandering into my house because you lost it. Got it. I am serious.”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“Sure, sure. I’ll keep it safe and give it back.”

MARY MARCHHARE
“Good. Now let’s get inside.”

Mary locks the screen door open, sliding the locking tab forward. She then steps inside and holds the inside, bit oak front door, open for Thomas. Thomas walks in. Mary closes the screen door, moving back the locking feature/slider, and then shuts the front door

TRANSITION FROM MID-STAGE TO HIGH-STAGE

THE CAMERA UNLOCKS FROM THE MID-STAGE. IT PANS UPWARD GLIDING OVER THE MID-STAGE SETS. IT CONTINUES PAST THE TOPS OF THE SETS AND ONTO THE CURTAIN OF CLOUDS VISIBLE BEHIND. UP AND UP THE CURTAIN OF CLOUDS TILL REACHING THE HIG-STAGE AT THE TOP. THE CAMERA SETTLES INTO PROPERLY FRAMING THE HIGH-STAGE.

HIGH-STAGE: CURTAINS CLOSED
The High-stage curtains part. The stage lights turn on with the sound of A COMPUTER BOOTING UP revealing…

HIGH-STAGE: INT. PHYSICAL THERAPY ROOM 604 IN THE FLUTE MEDICALSHIP
The room is similar to a ballerina dance studio. The back wall of the stage is covered in pads and some floor-length standing mirrors. Two rails, one at hip height and the other at knee height run across the mirrors. A weight-lifting machine sits on stage-left and another on stage-right. CARRO in their Medi-Pod is using the medi-pods extended arms to lift weights with a rope through a series of pulleys on the stage-left weight machine. IASO FLAUTO stands to the side guiding Carro. In the center of the stage stands CEDAR WAXWINGS in his Medi-pod using the Medi-pods retractable arms to lift dumbells from his side to over his head and back down. At the weight machine on stage-right stands LUCIDO OBSIDIAN in his Medi-pod using the Medi-pod’s retractable arms to crank a resistive lever. PANACEA FLAUTO stands between Cedar and Lucido watching over their motions.


PANACEA FLAUTO
(voice-over or narration) “Maestro, open medical log, please. Today marks an improvement in the attitude of Cedar Waxwing. He is making a full effort in therapy. His previous disposition of sullenness and defeatism have disappeared. Iasa and I had a second meeting and she revised her prediction of his possible recovery to full. If he can keep this up. We have also noticed a change in his friends’ attitudes as well. Lucido Obsidian and Carro were already on track for a near full recovery, but they now look posed for a full recovery. It is nice to see this change. When Cedar and I were in school together I never really cared for him. Maybe it was because I was too busy being interested in Lucido. Maybe it was because he was Lucido’s friend, not my friend. Maybe it was his sarcasm. Such a long time ago, who knows. Anyway, watching TV with him the other day, was nice. He is fun to be around. Haven’t laughed that much in a while. Sure he was still sarcastic but now it makes more sense. Doesn’t seem so abrasive, almost as if instead of attacking it is defensive. Wonder if he would want to watch the next episode. (pause) What am I saying? Maestro, please amend the medical log. Remove everything after recovery to full.”


As the narration finishes, Iasa stands and looks around.

IASA FLAUTO
“That is enough for today. Good job everyone. Keep this up and you will make a full recovery. Cedar, glad to see you trying.”

CEDAR WAXWINGS
“Feels good to try.”

Everyone starts to exit stage-right. Cedar and Panacea are towards the back or the last to leave.

CEDAR WAXWINGS
“Hey, Panacea.”

PANACEA FLAUTO
“Hey to you too. Good job today.”

CEDAR WAXWINGS
“Thanks. Hey, I was wondering if that show we watched…”

PANACEA FLAUTO
“Soapbubble Medical Theatre?”

CEDAR WAXWINGS
“Yeah, that’s the one. Is it every day, every week?

PANACEA FLAUTO
“Once a week. Why?”

CEDAR WAXWINGS
“Could I watch the next one? It was pretty neat.”

PANACEA FLAUTO
(pause) “I don’t see why not. My sisters are always bugging me to socialize more.”

CEDAR WAXWINGS
“Cool. Let me know when and I’ll be there.”

Iasa wiggles her eyebrows at Panacea. She sticks out her tongue. Iasa giggles and makes a face back. They exit. The stage-lights turn off with the sound of A COMPUTER BOOTING OFF. The High-stage curtains close.

TRANSITION FROM HIGH-STAGE TO MID-STAGE

THE CAMERA DETACHES FROM THE HIGH-STAGE AND PANS DOWNWARD. IT GLIDES OVER THE CURTAIN OF CLOUDS DESCENDING LOWER AND LOWER. THE TOPS OF THE MID-STAGE CURTAINS EMERGE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE FRAME. THE CAMERA CONTINUES PANNING DOWNWARD, SLIDING OVER THE MID-STAGE SETS UNTIL PROPERLY FRAMING MID-STAGE.

MID-STAGE: INT. MARY MARCHHARE’S LIVING ROOM, DAYTIME.
A large bay window fills the middle of the frame. It looks out onto Mary Marchhare’s front yard. A smaller window of double framing flanks each side of the bay window. To the stage-left side of the bay window sits a recliner chair next to a smaller chair and an end table with a bulbous lamp, a glass of water with a straw, a boxy remote control, and a paper fan. To the stage-right side of the window sits a wooden wardrobe with a larger cathode-ray TV on top. MARY MARCHHARE sits in the recliner watching daytime television. The ambient sound of TELEVISION fills the stage. BEANIE sits in the other chair sleeping. Mary reaches over and picks up the glass of water taking a sip. She sets it down and picks up the fan. She starts to fan herself while dabbing at her face with a tissue in her other hand. THOMAS TYPEWRITER enters from stage-left. He walks to the side of Mary’s chair.

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
(gently touches Mary’s shoulder) “Grandma.”

Mary notices him and reaches for her remote control. She points it at the camera and click it off. The sound of TELEVISION STOPS.

MARY MARCHHARE
(turns to look at Thomas) “Yes.”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“Do you have another spot where I could store some boxes? I can’t fit everything in the bedroom. It is cool if you don’t. I’ll go through and donate some of it. I just don’t want to impose or crowd out your stuff.”

MARY MARCHHARE
“There’s room in the back barn, as long as you don’t block my lawnmower. I haven’t used the cabinets since Lawrie died.”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“And that won’t put you out?”

MARY MARCHHARE
“No, go ahead. Use it.”

Thomas leans down and kisses his grandma on the cheek while hugging her. She twists enough to hug him back.

MARY MARCHHARE
“The key is on the keyrack. Just make sure you return it when done.”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“Thanks Grandma.”

Thomas exits stage-left. Mary reaches for her remote and points it back at the camera. She presses a button and the ambient sound of TELEVISION fills the stage. Mary continues to watch her show. Beanie continues to sleep, rolling over to a more comfortable position. The stage lights turn off to the sound of A LIGHT SWITCH CLICKING OFF. The stage is illuminated by the soft glow of the television as the Mid-Stage curtains close.

FADE OUT

The Not So Puppet Show – Season One, Episode One by Thomas Typewriter

The Not So Puppet Show

———–<.thom.>———–

THE NOT SO PUPPET SHOW

Season One, Episode One

“The Skipping Stone”

By Thomas Typewriter

(c) 2024 thomas typewriter

===========<:type:>============

FADE INTO THE TITLE SEQUENCE

The title sequence plays.


FADE OUT
FADE IN

INT. BORDERTOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL LIBRARY, AFTERNOON
The curtains open and the stage-lights turn on. A floor-to-ceiling bookcase spreads across the back of the stage. Off to the stage-right side extends a short wall with a double set of doors for entrance and a single door for the librarian’s office. The door to the librarian’s office is open. The door has a plaque over it with the following text: “Ms. Weaver”. On stage-left side of the stage sits a short wall containing a spinner rack filled with various young adult novels next to a metallic magazine rack. In front of the floor-to-ceiling bookcase sits two round tables with chairs.


PAN TOWARDS THE LIBRARIAN’S OFFICE

CUT TO

INT. BORDERTOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL LIBRARY LIBRARIAN’S OFFICE, AFTERNOON
A smaller room with walls made of large blocks, the Librarian’s Office has a few framed paintings of flowers on the wall and a filing cabinet in one corner. A small potted plant sits on the filing cabinet along with a stack of books and a pitcher for watering the plant. In the center of the room is a wooden desk with a small lamp on it. A name placard sits on the desk with the following text written on it: “Ms. Weaver – Librarian”. An extra wooden chair sits in front of the desk while behind the desk sits MS. WEAVER in a matching chair. She is older with a thin frame, reading glasses on a chain, a dark bob hairdo, and a preference for sweaters. She is in the midst of reading a book. From off-stage comes the sound of A DOOR OPENING AND CLOSING followed by FOOTSTEPS.

THOMAS TOPHAT
(off-stage) “Well, they did it to me again.”

Ms. Weaver picks up a bookmark from the desk and places it in her book. THOMAS TOPHAT walks into the office and puts a note on Ms. Weaver’s desk. She picks up the note and starts to read it. Pulling forth a pen, she makes a note on the page.

MS. WEAVER
“And what crime did you supposedly commit this time.”

THOMAS TOPHAT
“I was taking part in the Inter-Scholars competition and I saw it was multiple-choice tests. Choose A, B, C, or D. So I went through the past ten years of tests to see how often each letter was used and then would use the most common one on the test.”

MS. WEAVER
“Couldn’t you have just studied?”

THOMAS TOPHAT
“That seemed like a lot of work and besides Channel 50 was doing a Mister Ed marathon.”

Ms. Weaver waves him to continue on with his story. Thomas sits down in the chair in the front of the desk.

THOMAS TOPHAT
“Long story short, I answered D to every question and got 1st place. The teachers and other students got very upset when they found out I just put D, hence this detention.”

MS. WEAVER
“Okay. You know the drill. Find a magazine and write a report on one of the articles.”
Thomas stands and exits the room. Ms. Weaver chuckles and then reopens her book. She resumes reading.

CUT BACK TO


INT. BORDERTOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL LIBRARY, AFTERNOON
Thomas Topchat walks out of the Librarian’s office and walks over to the magazine rack. He looks over the magazines on the rack.


THOMAS TOPHAT
(to self) “I’ve already read all these. Okay, guess I’ll use this one.”


Thomas reaches for a magazine in the bottom row. As he pulls it out a small zine falls out. It appears to be printed on a photocopier and hand-assembled. Thomas picks up the zine looking at the cover. The title of the zine is “The Not So Puppet Show” written in large letters across the cover. Under the title is written “The Skipping Stone” in a cursive font.

THOMAS TOPHAT
“What is this?”

Thomas walks over to one of the tables and sits down. He opens the Not So zine and starts to read.

THOMAS TOPHAT
(to self) “On the shoreline of a lake…”

FADE OUT

TRANSITION FROM THE LIBRARY TO THE LAKE

FADE IN


EXT. LAKESIDE, DAYTIME
The front of the stage is the shoreline of a lake. The back of the stage is high grass transitioning into a thick forest. There is a pebble-laden path off to stage left. A fallen log sits on the shoreline.

LS OF THE BEACH
From the path enters THOMAS TYPEWRITER. He walks over to the shoreline and looks out at the water.

CUT TO MS OF THOMAS TYPEWRITER

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
(narration) “As a child, I grew up close to a river, a short bike from the water’s edge. Something I liked doing was skipping stones. My mind was always too loud and my inner self too large. It all went away as I watched the rocks fly, the waves ripple out.”

As Thomas narrates a piece of background music which is noisy and unpleasant starts to increase in volume. He looks out to the water. When the volume of the cacophony becomes louder than the background sounds of animals and birds, Thomas turns his attention to the shoreline. He scans the beach and finds some rocks. With a flick of his arm, the rock sails out. The background noise stops.

CUT TO LS OF THOMAS ON THE SHORE.

The rock flies out and bounces across the water. It flies towards the camera before sinking under the water. He tosses a second.

CUT TO MS OF THOMAS TYPEWRITER

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
(narration) “Now that I am back here, something occurs to me. Something always occurs to me in those moments when my thoughts slip away, when I no longer feel too big on the inside, too small on the outside.”

CUT TO LS OF THOMAS TYPEWRITER

Thomas tosses another stone.

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
(narration) “ It occurs to me, that I am like this stone. I am propelled by some force traveling across a surface making waves until my arc ends and I disappear.”

CUT TO A SHOT OF STONE ENDING ITS FLIGHT AND SLIPPING UNDER THE WATER

CUT TO CS OF THE WAVES FROM THE ROCK SLIPPING UNDER THE WATER SPREADING OUT

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
(narration) “And in my flight across this world, I have an effect. The waves of my effect will continue long after my flight has ended. Yet, they are not infinite. They too will eventually run out and disappear. And as all this unfolds I find myself a bystander watching the waves of my actions rippling out, captivated by the patterns of my life but at the same time unable to find any grand purpose to the whole affair.”

CUT BACK TO CS OF THOMAS’S FACE

CUT TO MS OF THOMAS THROWING A TONE

TRANSITION TO THE WAVE SCREEN SEQUENCE.

FADE TO THE WAVE SCREEN BOARD

The Water Shadow Board is a screen, a transparent water tank, and a set of bright lights. The three elements are arranged in a way that the bright lights project through the water tank onto the screen. The screen is filmed so that the shadow of any object moving across or through the water is cast onto the screen. Additionally, the inference patterns caused by the water in motion or waves across the surface of the water are also cast onto the screen. The camera will be positioned to film the screen and the shadows cast, not the tank of water or bright lights. Those will always remain out of frame.

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
(narration) “What is the measure of my life, of my stone’s throw?”

As Thomas narrates, stones are thrown across the surface of the water in the clear tank creating a shadow pattern on the screen.”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
(narration) “Is it the number of years I live? The number of seconds I remain in flight? The distance traveled? The size or number of waves?”

The shadow patterns flow out to stop.

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
(narration) “Maybe it is something else.”

INSERT TO CS OF A THROWN ROCK BOUNCING OFF THE WATER’S SURFACE, IN SLOW-MOTION.
SLOW THE SLOW MOTION OF THE ROCK BOUNCING OFF THE WATER UNTIL FREEZING AT THE MOMENT OF IMPACT. THEN PLAY IN REVERSE UNTIL THE ROCK IS BACK IN THOMAS’ HAND

CS OF THE ROCK IN THOMAS’ HAND

THE SKIPPING STONE
“The answer is simpler than you would believe. I have no control over the duration of my flight or the waves I make. I have no awareness of my path. All I have is the brief moments of contact with the surface. To me, there is only a lifespan of kisses with the water. I only have control over how I kiss, as in the sweet or bitter things I say at that moment and in turn how I take the sweet or bitter things the water says to me. That is my life and that by extension is your life.”

CUT TO CS OF THOMAS CONTEMPLATING WHAT THE SKIPPING STONE SAID.

THE SKIPPING STONE
(off-camera) “Ahem.”

Thomas looks down.

CUT TO A CLOSE SHOT OF THE ROCK IN THOMAS’ HAND

THE SKIPPING STONE
“Don’t you think it is time we both lived?”

CUT TO THOMAS NODDING HIS HEAD YES.

Thomas throws the rock. It skips out across the water. Thomas stands and watches the waves spread out and eventually disappear. He then pulls out his phone and dials a number. After a few RINGS, it picks up.

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“Hey, honey. Yeah, I’m feeling better. How about you. How are you doing? I’d like to listen to whatever you have to say.”

Thomas Typewriter exits.

FADE OUT

TRANSITION FROM NOT SO TO THE LIBRARY

FADE IN

INT. BORDERTOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL LIBRARY, AFTERNOON
A floor-to-ceiling bookcase spreads across the back of the stage. Off to the stage-right side extends a short wall with a double set of doors for entrance and a single door for the librarian’s office. The door to the librarian’s office is open. The door has a plaque over it with the following text: “Ms. Weaver”. On stage-left side of the stage sits a short wall containing a spinner rack filled with various young adult novels next to a metallic magazine rack. In front of the floor-to-ceiling bookcase sits two round tables with chairs. At one of the tables sits THOMAS TOPCOAT reading an issue of the Not So zine. His backpack is lying down on the tabletop near him.

MS OF THOMAS READING NOT SO

Thomas Topcoat closes the Not So zine.

CS OF THOMAS TOPCOAT

He has a distant look in his eye as he mulls over what he just read. He nods his head as an idea forms.

CUT BACK TO MS OF THOMAS

Thomas reaches for his backpack and pulls out a pencil and a spiral notebook. Opening the notebook to a blank page, He starts to write.

PAN OUT

FADE OUT

a new script: The Great Works Project: Season Four, Episode One by Thomas Typewriter

scripts, The Great Works Project scripts, Uncategorized

———–<.thom.>———–

THE GREAT WORKS PROJECT

a puppet play in many parts

Season 04, Episode 01

a prologue

By Thomas Typewriter

(c) 2022 thomas typewriter

———–<:type:>———–

FADE IN TO BLACK

From the bottom of the screen scrolls up the following text: “04-01”. It moves upwards, pausing a moment in the center of the frame, then continues upward, exiting the frame at the top edge. Shortly thereafter, from the bottom center of the screen scrolls up the following text: “a prologue”. 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

THE VELVET CURTAINS

The darkness slowly transitions to a backdrop of dark black and deep purple velvet curtains. THE VELVET TOUCH, a Helping Hand wearing black fingerless gloves and black fingernail polish, comes into frame. It grips the side of the frame.

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
(Voice-over) “Have you ever looked inside something while it was too close?”

The Velvet Touch pulls image in the frame loose as if printed on a large card. The card rotates around. On the back of the card is the image of The TYPEWRITER ABSTRACT PUPPET STAGE.

LS OF THE TYPEWRITER ABSTRACT PUPPET STAGE.

The main curtains of the The Typewriter Abstract Puppet Stage part.

TRANSITION FROM THE TYPEWRITER ABSTRACT PUPPET STAGE TO THE HIGH-STAGE.

PAN FROM LS TO MS TO CS OF THE TYPEWRITER ABSTRACT PUPPET STAGE. AS THE CAMERA NEARS THE STAGE IT ALSO PANS UPWARD TO EVENTUALLY FACE THE HIGH-STAGE AREA.

HIGH-STAGE: CURTAINS CLOSED

The Narrator’s Door opens. A light from beyond the doorway spills out as a faint breeze blows past rippling the High-stage curtains.

THE CAMERA SOFTLY PANS UP AND LEFT SO AS TO ALLOW A MORE DIRECT VIEW INTO THE AREA BEHIND THE NARRATOR’S DOOR

A small apartment spreads out behind the Narrator’s Door. We can not see all of it but we can see the room immediately behind the door. It is the kitchen/living room combo of a studio apartment. The kitchen stands off to stage-left and the living room to stage-right. An L-shaped counter divides one area from the other. A wicker couch sits off the stage-right. Across from the Narrator’s Door we can see a sliding door and part of a deck beyond that.

TRANSITION FROM HIGH-STAGE TO APARTMENT Y

THE CAMERA PANS IN TOWARDS AND THROUGH THE NARRATOR’S DOOR. IT CONTINUES THROUGH THE KITCHEN/LIVING ROOM, MOVING THROUGH THE SLIDING DOORS TO THE DECK OUTSIDE.

EXT. APARTMENT Y’S DECK, EVENING.

A wrought iron deck of the edge of the apartment, the deck contains an art deco inspired metal railing. A deck chair and small table sit off to the side from the sliding door. The view from the deck looks out at sloping hills of autumnal trees. Their fiery colors flow across the treetops like living oceans.

THE CAMERA ROTATES TO THE RIGHT

Y-MOUSE sits in the deck chair, holding a yellow Memory-stone in one hand and a small drink in the other, looking out at the sunset on the hills. Lost in thought, he rubs his thumb across the thin stone in his hand.

Y-MOUSE
“Why did you come to talk to us? What is going on in that head of yours?”

The stone starts to glow. It takes a moment for the light to catch Y-Mouse’s attention. He sets down his drink and looks into the glow.

CS OF Y-MOUSE LOOKING DOWN INTO THE STONE. YELLOW HIGHLIGHTS SPREAD ACROSS HIS FACE AS THE STONE’S GLOW INCREASES.

CUT TO CS OF STONE.

Shapes and figures start to appear in the inner glow of the stone. Images of Thomas Teenager’s bedroom begin to form.

TRANSITION FROM APARTMENT Y TO THOMAS TEENAGER’S BEDROOM

ZOOM IN ON THE IMAGES IN THE MEMORY STONE

INT. THOMAS TEENAGER’S BEDROOM, EVENING

An unmade bed covered with folded blankets runs long ways across the stage. To the stage-left side of the bed sits an old-style bankers desk and a pair of windows. To the stage-right side of the bed sits a vintage lamp lamp, an old chair, and the bedroom door. On the wall over the bed various shelves of stuffed animals and action figures attempt to share space with posters of teddy bears. From off-stage we can hear MUFFLED YELLING mixed with CHRISTMAS SONGS. The door opens and THOMAS TEENAGER enters the room. He slams the door behind him.

THOMAS TEENAGER
“I hate him. Hate him. Hate him.”

Thomas falls onto his bed.

THOMAS TEENAGER
(softly)“…hate myself…”

Thomas draws a deep breath.

THOMAS TEENAGER
“Why does he always say that I am greedy and selfish. Why can he see it but I can’t. I thought I was doing good, that I was finally being a good boy at Christmas. I stopped asking for presents, pretended I was happy at all the events, laughed when everyone else laughed, did my chores…but still…(chokes up)”

Thomas starts to cry, but just as quickly it passes. He looks even more upset.

THOMAS TEENAGER
(narration) “Why can’t I cry. I was about to but then something shifted and I stopped. No tears. No release. Still feel sad. Feel even worse. (takes a deep breath) Three years. Three years of no escape. Swallowing everything, stuffing it down. Feeling worse every day.”

Thomas lays down on the bed clutching his stomach and rubbing his throat.

THOMAS TEENAGER
(narration) “Maybe I can’t cry because I haven’t gotten sad enough. Maybe I need to overload my emotional dam and break it. Shock my system.”

Thomas sits up and wipes his eyes. He walks over to the desk. He opens the lid and moves some comics and RPG notes out of the way. He pulls out a piece of paper and a pen then sits down and starts to write.

THOMAS TEENAGER
(narration) “List of bad things I have done. 1. I ask for too many toys at Christmas, 2. I do not finish my school assignments 3. I said mean words to my brother 4. I did not compliment my mother on her new haircut soon enough. 5. I forgot to wash the dishes yesterday 7. I shoved a broom at Sadie when a toddler. 8. I burned that pizza that one summer because I was distracted playing Mario Brothers. 9. I feel awkward around my classmates. 10. If I wasn’t born my Dad wouldn’t have to work a job he hates. That should be number one.”

Thomas grabs a new sheet of paper and starts to recopy the list.

THE SCREEN CHANGES TO A BRIGHT YELLOW GLOW

TRANSITION FROM THOMAS TEENAGER’S BEDROOM TO APARTMENT Y

EXT. DECK OF APARTMENT Y, EVENING

THE BRIGHT GLOW FADES OUT RETURNING US TO A CS OF THE YELLOW STONE IN Y-MOUSE’S HAND.

The stone stops glowing.

CUT TO CS OF Y-MOUSE’S FACE

Y-MOUSE
“Oh Thomas…”

CUT TO MS OF Y-MOUSE

Y-Mouse stands and walks over to the sliding door. He goes inside.

CUT TO LS OF…

INT. APARTMENT Y KITCHEN/LIVING ROOM, EVENING

Y-Mouse enters through the sliding door, closing the door behind him. He holds the Memory-stone in his hand. He walks over to the couch and pulls a case out from under the sofa. Inside is a large amount of foam padding with slots. In each slot sits a stone similar to the yellow stone but in different colors: red, blue, green, orange, purple, white, black, brown and one empty spot. Y-Mouse places the yellow stone into the empty slot. He closes the case and slides it back under the sofa. Walking over to the phone, he picks it up. DIALTONE. BUTTON BEEPS FOR DIALING 3 3 *. RINGING. RINGING. CLICK OF PICKUP ON OTHER END.

Y-MOUSE
“Hi. Busy. No, good. You better go and get food for everyone. Going to be all-nighter. Yeah, it’s that serious. Have A-Mouse help you. Thanks.”

Y-Mouse hangs up the phone and walks off camera

FADE OUT

From the desk of Thomas Typewriter: a new TGWP script

From the desk of Thomas Typewriter

———–<.thom.>———–

THE GREAT WORKS PROJECT

a puppet play in many parts

Season 03, Episode 12

By Thomas Typewriter

(c) 2021

===========<:type:>===========

FADE IN TO BLACK

From the bottom of the screen scrolls up the following text: “03-12”. 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

INT. NARRATOR’S DOOR INSIDE APARTMENT Y, DAYTIME

MS OF NARRATOR’S DOOR

The Narrator’s Door lie in the center of the stage. It is in a small hallway at the end of Apartment Y’s combination Living Room and Kitchen. It has a small coatrack and umbrella stand off to one side. On the other side is a light switch and a red signal light. The Narrator’s Door, on the Apartment side, has a very thick wooden frame with additional rings of thick wooden molding. Y-Mouse paces the small hallway reading from a script page, rehearsing his lines one last time. The red signal light turns on. Y-Mouse notices the light and stops pacing. He sets the page down on the coatrack. He takes a deep breath and then opens the door. There is a bright light from the other side of the door so the short time it is open we are unable to clearly make out what is there. The Narrator’s Door closes.

Y-MOUSE
(heard from the other side of the door) “What vindications asks the interrupted idea, lost to its own agency, as it wanders across a nowhere.”

The Narrator Door reopens and Y-Mouse steps through. The door closes and he slumps against the door relieved. After a moment he stands and walks towards the camera.

CUT TO

INT. APARTMENT Y MAIN ROOM, DAYTIME

LS OF LIVING ROOM AREA

A large room divide in two by a counter, the main room holds both the living room and kitchen. The living room side has a medium size wicker couch and various house plants. Small nautical themed prints and paintings hang on the walls. To the side of the couch, furthest from view, is an end table and table lamp. On the wall nearest the end table is a window and also a sliding patio door. Y-MOUSE enters and walks over to the couch.

CUT TO MS OF Y-MOUSE

He leans his head back and closes his eye.

Y-MOUSE
“Just need to rest my eyes a little before the meeting.”

CUT BACK TO LS OF COUCH

A multi-color glow emanates from under the couch. It grows in intensity.

DISSOLVE OUT

TRANSITION FROM APARTMENT Y TO Y-MOUSE DREAMING

DISSOLVE IN

THE TYPEWRITER ABSTRACT PUPPET STAGE

Y-Mouse floats before the Typewriter Abstract Puppet Stage. The main curtains of the Typewriter Abstract Puppet Stage are closed. They part revealing an empty stage. The Curtain of Clouds, which lines the back of the stage, is fully visible. Y-Mouse flies inward towards the Curtain of Clouds.

THE CAMERA PANS INWARD FOLLOWING Y-MOUSE TOWARDS THE MID-STAGE AREA OF THE TYPEWRITER ABSTRACT PUPPET STAGE.

TRANSITION FROM THE TYPEWRITER ABSTRACT PUPPET STAGE TO THE BACK-STAGE

THE CAMERA CONTINUES TO FOLLOW Y-MOUSE

The Curtain of Clouds part. Y-Mouse floats through the Mid-Stage, past the Curtain of Clouds, and on into the area beyond. He stops in the Back-Stage and floats watching the events unfold.

BACK-STAGE: THE CONCURRENT DISTANCES

THE CAMERA GLIDES PAST Y-MOUSE TO PROPERLY FRAME BACK-STAGE

We find an empty field of darkness, devoid of any sets or decoration, except for center-stage sit THE TRIPLETS. AVEN, LONDE, and NETTE are crowded around something, laughing and excited at what we can not see. A STEAM like noise can be heard intermittently. From stage-left enters THE MOTHER.

THE MOTHER
“I’m back girls.”

THE TRIPLETS
“Hi.”

THE MOTHER
“Sorry I was gone so long. That calcific went really deep downdream. Hope you were not too lonely.”

The Triplets do not respond. A curious look slides across The Mother’s face. She walks over to the Triplets and leans down. She caresses Nette’s hair.

THE MOTHER
“What are you girl’s up to?”

The Triplets part allowing us to see what they were looking at. A small steam powered automoton, HERON THE AEOLIPILE, walks back and forth, hissing steam.

AVEN
“We made something new.”

Heron waves at The Mother. She’s surprised and waves back.

THE MOTHER
“Is it a wind-up?”

NETTE
“No, it’s something else.”

LONDE
“Here, check it out. It’s friendly.”

Londe holds out her hand for Heron. It climbs in, and she then hands him over to The Mother. She leans in closer. Heron the Aeolipile dances in her hand.

AVEN
“Awww…he likes you.”

THE MOTHER
“Does it have a name?”

LONDE
“Heron the Aeolipile.”

The Mother nods her head

THE MOTHER
“Well hello Heron. I am glad to meet you.”

The Mother sets him back down. Heron starts to dance. The Triplets and The Mother watch. The Mother coughs twice.

THE CAMERA UNLOCKS FROM FRAMING THE BACK-STAGE AND PANS OUTWARD. IT SLIDES PAST Y-MOUSE.

Y-Mouse floats backwards out of the Back-stage.

THE CAMERA KEEPS PACE WITH Y-MOUSE AS HE FLOATS OUT OF THE TYPEWRITER ABSTRACT PUPPET STAGE.

Y-Mouse floats past the Curtain of Clouds. They close behind him. He continues moving through and out of the Mid-stage area. The curtains close on the Mid-stage. Y-Mouse hovers before the Typewriter Abstract Puppet Stage.

TRANSITION FORM THE TYPEWRITER ABSTRACT PUPPET STAGE TO APARTMENT Y.

From off camera an ALARM RINGS.

DISSOLVE TO

INT. APARTMENT Y MAIN ROOM, DAYTIME

MS OF Y-MOUSE

Y-Mouse is asleep on his couch. The multi-colored light has stopped emanating from under the couch. The alarm on his watch is RINGING RINGING RINGING. Y-Mouse wakes up. He forces himself awake and then turns off the alarm on his watch. He stretches.

Y-MOUSE
“Time to get ready for the meeting.”

Y-Mouse reaches under his couch and pulls out a briefcase. He sets it on the couch then stands to get a glass of water from the kitchen.

PAN OUTWARD

FADE OUT

The Great Works Project: Season Three, Episode Three script

scripts, The Great Works Project scripts

———–<.thom.>———–

THE GREAT WORKS PROJECT

a puppet play in many parts

Season 03, Episode 03

By Thomas Typewriter

(c) 2020

===========<:type:>===========

FADE IN TO BLACK

From the bottom of the screen scrolls up the following text: “03-03”. 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

INT. THE UNROOM NOT.SEVEN

The unroom Not.Seven fades into view. A large room of an indefinable undiscernible size. A large wooden disc sits on the floor near what could be the center. Radiating out in waves from the wooden disc are rows of grey carpet squares. Spindly tall metallic lamps, with cords snaking off into the distance, stand at the ends of the rows. The lamps cast a soft light across the wooden disc and carpet squares, but not much else of the unroom. THE OUTER ONE sits on one of the carpet squares looking at a paper cut on one of their hands.

POV OF THE OUTER ONE

CUT TO CS OF THE PAPER CUT

The tip of the finger with paper cut is a translucent blue. Abstract text in a different shade of blue can be seen gliding over the changed area. A change, a glitching, appears to be spreading out from the paper cut. The Outer One stares at the paper cut for a few moments before the sound of TYPEWRITER KEYS CLICK CLACKING drift in from outside their focus.

TRANSITION FROM THE UNROOM TO THE TYPEWRITER ABSTRACT PUPPET STAGE

THE CAMERA TILTS BACK, RETURNING THE OUTER ONE’S POV GAZE TO THE WOODEN DISC.

The wooden disc sits empty. Unseen lamps over the disc turn on and the TYPEWRITER ABSTRACT PUPPET STAGE appears in the center of the wooden disc.

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

THE CAMERA PANS INWARDS TOWARDS THE TYPEWRITER ABSTRACT PUPPET STAGE’S MID-STAGE AREA. IT MOVES IN TILL THE MID-STAGE’S CURTAINS FILL THE FRAME.

The Mid-Stage curtains open. Surprisingly the stage lights are already on.

MID-STAGE: DISHEVELED AND DAMAGED

THOMAS TYPEWRITER and a HELPING HAND stand center stage, surrounded by broken sets and scattered props. Thomas is trying to sweep up the mess into a dustpan held by the Helping Hand. He turns and looks at the camera.

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
(sweeping the floor) “Give us a moment to tidy this up will you.”

The curtains close and the sound of the stage being CLEANED AND RESTAGED can be heard. The curtains reopen, with the stage lights off. Once the curtains have fully opened, the stage-lights turn on with THE CLICK OF A LIGHT SWITCH TURNING ON revealing…..

MID-STAGE: EXT. OPERAHOUSE’S FRONT PORCH, DAYTIME

A wooden front porch runs across the width of the stage. A storm door sits off to the stage-right. A canoe sits in the rafters of the porch near the stage-left side. Various planters, all empty, sit on the hand rails. An outdoor thermometer can be seen next to the storm door. It currently reads 36 degrees Fahrenheit. THOMAS TYPEWRITER enters from stage-left. He walks along the length of the porch to the storm door. He RINGS the doorbell. No answer. He RINGS the doorbell a second time and waits. Still no response. Thomas looks around in confusion. He RINGS the doorbell a third time and waits.

TRANSITION FROM MID-STAGE TO HIGH-STAGE

THE CAMERA PANS STRAIGHT UP. IT MOVES UPWARD PAST THE TOP OF THE MID-STAGE SETS REVEALING THE CURTAIN OF CLOUDS BEHIND. THE CAMERA FOLLOWS THE CURTAIN OF CLOUDS UP TO THE HIGH-STAGE AT THE TOP. THE CAMERA STOPS ONCE THE HIGH-STAGE IS PROPERLY FRAMED.

HIGH-STAGE: CURTAINS CLOSED

The High-stage curtains part. Once fully opened, the stage lights turn on, with the sound of A COMPUTER BOOTING ON, revealing…

HIGH-STAGE: INT. FOYER OF GRIM MANOR, DAYTIME

Welcome to the domicile of the current Grim Reaper of this reality, Grimson Grimaldi, and his family. An imposingly large front door sits in the center of the stage, flanked by cascading stained glass windows on either side. An elaborate staircase, with handrails made of various bones, runs along the stage-right side of the front door. On the stage-left side sits a large wall covered in various pictures of the Grimaldi Family. The staircase and the picture wall each have openings leading to other rooms in the house. A chandelier made of a large dinosaur skull covered in candles hangs above it all.
A silhouette of a figure can be seen through the stained-glass windows walking up to the door. The DOORBELL RINGS. A brief pause then it RINGS a second time. ELDRED GRIMALDI, eldest of Grimson’s seven sons, pokes his head out from the entryway under the stairs.

ELDRED GRIMALDI
(yelling upstairs) “Dad, Door!”

The DOORBELL RINGS again

ELDRED GRIMALDI
“Dad! Someone’s at the door!”

The DOORBELL RINGS a fourth time.

ELDRED GRIMALDI
(to self) “Just great, he’s still sleeping.” (Shouts) “Don’t anybody else bother themselves, I’ll get it.”

Eldred walks out and opens the front door. Outside he finds POSTMAN #33 FROM THE DEAD LETTER OFFICE waiting. Suppliers of the notices of who will die, the Dead Letters Office dispatches its fleet of postmen to the Grim Reapers of all the realities. Postman #33 hands him a package.

POSTMAN #33
“Thank you.”

Postman #33 turns and leaves. Eldred Grimaldi shuts the door. He opens the package and pulls out a scroll with “Updated Book of the Dead” printed on the outside. Unfurling the scroll, he takes a moment to read it.


ELDRED GRIMALDI
(to self) “Hmmm no Obsidian or Waxwings. Really thought they’d be on here after their ship blew up last season. Oh well.” (Shouts) “Anyone wanting to help collect the dead meet me out front in two minutes or else I am leaving without you.”

Eldred leaves through the front door. His silhouette can be seen through the stain-glass windows walking off stage-right.

Eldred Grimaldi’s six brothers race out from the other rooms and upstairs. EMHREN GRIMALDI, ENNER GRIMALDI, and EOVEN GRIMALDI run out from the entryway under the stairs. EPPLIS GRIMALDI, EQUES GRIMALDI, and ELDRITCH GRIMALDI emerge from the entryway by the family photos. If it helps, the birth order of the seven brothers from oldest to youngest is Eldred, Emhren, Enner, Eoven, Epplis, Eques and Eldritch. Eldred appears to be in his mid-twenties while Eldritch appears seven years old.

The silhouette of a carriage pulls up in front. The siblings run to the front door and open it. Eldred Gimaldi sits outside on THE CART OF SOULS pulled by a ghostly steer named SQUANDERED CHOICE CUTS. The brothers hop into the pile of hay in the back of the cart. Elder shakes the reins and Squandered Choice Cuts starts to walk pulling the cart off-stage. The front door swings closed with a loud SLAM.

THE GRIM REAPER GRIMSON GARIBALDI
(from off-stage, upstairs) “Boys, is there someone at the door?”

GRIMSON GARIBALDI, an unlit joint dangling from his skeletal mouth, enters at the top of the stairs. Dressed in a red bathrobe, he looks around.

THE GRIM REAPER GRIMSON GARIBALDI
“Must be hearing things.”

He walks down the stairs and over to the phone. He pulls out a coupon, uncrumples it, then dials the phone. RINGING RINGING…then CLICK as SHELDON SMALLBREADS, employee of the month at Pizza Squad take-out pizza, answers the phone.

SHELDON SMALLBREADS
(voice over)“Hello and thank you for calling Pizza Squad, the only pizza place that offers pizza as a topping choice. How can I help you today.”

THE GRIM REAPER GRIMSON GARIBALDI
“Do you honor coupons that are found under my fridge?”

SHELDON SMALLBREADS
(voice over)”What?”

THE GRIM REAPER GRIMSON GARIBALDI
“Like, I dropped a grape and it rolled under the fridge. I would of let it go, but it was the last grape and I was really into grapes that day, so I rolled the fridge out, got a broom and dustpan because it was all dust and stuff and found a coupon stuck to the floor in something sticky. Never did find that grape though. Man, I could really go for some grapes now. Anyway, I can’t read the expiration date and it is really crinkly. Like is there a maximum amount of crinkleness before it is unacceptable? Is it okay if part of it is still sticky?”

SHELDON SMALLBREADS
(voice over)”Uhhhhh…”

THE GRIM REAPER GRIMSON GARIBALDI
“And lastly does it have to be a Pizza-Pizza coupon? This one I found is for a free burger at Star Sprinkles. Burgers, Pizzas, they’re both round, so that works right?

SHELDON SMALLBREADS
(off-stage) “Uhhhhh…what.”

The stage-lights turn off with the sound of A COMPUTER BOOTING OFF while the High-stage curtains close.

TRANSITION FROM HIGH-STAGE TO MID-STAGE

THE CAMERA PANS DOWNWARD, TRANSITIONING FROM HIGH-STAGE TO MID-STAGE. IT MOVES DOWNWARD ALONG THE CURTAIN OF CLOUDS, OVER THE TOP OF THE MID-STAGE SETS, AND FINALLY STOPPING FRAMING MID-STAGE.

MID-STAGE: EXT. OPERAHOUSE FRONT PORCH, DAYTIME

THOMAS TYPEWRITER stands in front of the front door waiting for someone to answer. Having already tried the doorbell three times, he knocks on the door. No answer. He knocks again. Still, no answer. He leans in attempting to peer through the window in the door, hoping to spy someone in the house, when….

OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE
(off-stage) “Thomas is that you?”

Thomas looks around.

OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE
(off-stage) “Over here.”

Thomas turns and looks over the rail. He spots Ophidia off-stage and waves.

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“Yeah, it’s me.”

OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE
“What are you doing here?”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“I came here to see you. (looks around) Should I go down there or are you coming up here.”

OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE
“Stay there, I’ll be right up.”

Thomas waits. The front door opens and Ophidia steps out. They hug.

OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE
“Sorry about that. I was downstairs animating and I couldn’t hear the doorbell. Were you waiting long.”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“No, not long”

OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE
“Good. So what did you want to talk about.”

Thomas kneels down onto one knee. He reaches up, taking one of Ophidia’s hands in his.

OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE
“Are you about to do what I think you are?”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“Well, this is very stereotypical, so yes. Ophidia,…”

ZOOM IN ON THE COUPLE

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“Ophidia…no one wants my scripts, I am broke, I am not getting any younger, You can definitely do better, but…”

Thomas pulls out the jewelry box.

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“So, what do you say?”

OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE
“I say that’s a horrible proposal.”

The stage-light turn off with the sound of a LIGHT SWITCH CLICKING OFF. The Mid-stage curtains close.

FADE OUT