Short-Screenplay Excerpt
NINE TO FIVE
EXT. FIELD - EARLY MORNING
THE SINGER wakes up in a cage in the middle of the field, next to identical cages, housing numerous individuals. No one speaks as they all wake. A group of trainers walk in. Several trainers quickly unlock each cage. The individuals line up in several lines of equal length. Everyone is dressed the same in plain attire.
Trainers scan each individual's wrist, and their personal information is displayed on a portable screen. As they are scanned, their names are marked off a list. Once their wrist is scanned, people trail off and enter numerous white tents that sit behind a large, looming, red and white striped circus tent.
The Singer's wrist is scanned and he walks away to find his tent. He passes by several tents and glimpses inside.
One tent is full of women getting dressed in skimpy, glittery outfits. Another houses acrobats who are stretching. A bearded woman grooms her mustache, while a giant man recites poetry in another tent.
Trainers scan each individual's wrist, and their personal information is displayed on a portable screen. As they are scanned, their names are marked off a list. Once their wrist is scanned, people trail off and enter numerous white tents that sit behind a large, looming, red and white striped circus tent.
The Singer's wrist is scanned and he walks away to find his tent. He passes by several tents and glimpses inside.
One tent is full of women getting dressed in skimpy, glittery outfits. Another houses acrobats who are stretching. A bearded woman grooms her mustache, while a giant man recites poetry in another tent.
INT. TENT - CONTINUOUS
The Singer enters his tent, and finds a group of people applying stage makeup, practicing various instruments, singing scales, one man is practicing with a ventriloquist dummy.
The Singer waves to the ventriloquist and to a woman playing a violin. They smile politely and continue to practice. The Singer makes his way to a quiet corner.
He retrieves his suit jacket and pants and begins to get dressed in front of a broken mirror. He removes his basic clothing with care, and delicately puts on his suit.
The Singer fusses with his tie clip.
Once he is dressed he stares at his face in the broken mirror. A crack distorts his face. The Singer practices smiling to his reflection. He eventually just frowns.
A trainer enters the tent.
The Singer waves to the ventriloquist and to a woman playing a violin. They smile politely and continue to practice. The Singer makes his way to a quiet corner.
He retrieves his suit jacket and pants and begins to get dressed in front of a broken mirror. He removes his basic clothing with care, and delicately puts on his suit.
The Singer fusses with his tie clip.
Once he is dressed he stares at his face in the broken mirror. A crack distorts his face. The Singer practices smiling to his reflection. He eventually just frowns.
A trainer enters the tent.
TRAINER
Your part of the show is about to begin. Everyone knows the order. Stage left in three minutes!
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The trainer exits. Everyone stands calmly, like they have done this many times before, and make their way out of the tent. The Singer is the last to exit.
He holds his hand to his chest as he exits the tent.
He holds his hand to his chest as he exits the tent.
EXT. FIELD - DAY - CONTINUOUS
The Singer pauses briefly, to stare into the bright blue sky. There are no clouds.
He quickly walks to get in the correct spot in line. He is in front of the violinist. Everyone walks silently towards the red and white circus tent.
He quickly walks to get in the correct spot in line. He is in front of the violinist. Everyone walks silently towards the red and white circus tent.
THE VIOLINIST
I think today will be different. I've been practicing a lot more than usual. I think He will be pleased with me.
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THE SINGER
That's great. I'm sure He will.
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THE VIOLINIST
Hopefully the audience will notice the improvements, also.
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THE SINGER
Let's hope.
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The Violinist smiles nervously and turns to enter the big tent. The Singer sighs, pats his tie, and enters.
INT. BIG TENT - BACKSTAGE - LATER THAT DAY
It is clear that some time has passed. The large group that entered the tent has thinned out. The Singer and The Ventriloquist remain.
No one speaks. Everyone seems tense.
The sound of booing and laughter can be heard. Suddenly The Violinist emerges from the curtain. She is covered in garbage, bloody, and her violin is broken. She is crying.
A trainer promptly wisks her away, out the back of the tent. The Singer and The Ventriloquist seem unfazed by this. Another trainer emerges and nods for The Singer.
The Singer sighs and walks onto the main stage. . .
No one speaks. Everyone seems tense.
The sound of booing and laughter can be heard. Suddenly The Violinist emerges from the curtain. She is covered in garbage, bloody, and her violin is broken. She is crying.
A trainer promptly wisks her away, out the back of the tent. The Singer and The Ventriloquist seem unfazed by this. Another trainer emerges and nods for The Singer.
The Singer sighs and walks onto the main stage. . .