Tree House

Year: The present. 

Time: July 3

JOHNNY is a young kid, about ten years old, and he is alone on stage staring up at a magnificent tree house that his father has just built. He is shaking with excitement and nearly jumps out if his skin when his older sister MAGGIE comes into the backyard. She is a teenager. 

MAGGIE

WOW!

JOHNNY

Can you believe it? It’s done! It’s done!

MAGGIE

Just in time, too!

JOHNNY

For what?

MAGGIE

Why do you think Dad’s been buying all those fireworks?

JOHNNY

Ohhh, of course! I’m gonna have the best view in the neighborhood from there! (He realizes all the kids are gonna want to come to his tree house) oh no, that means everyone’s gonna want to come up… and there sisters!

Maggie starts to chase Johnny around the base of the tree. 

MAGGIE

Hey, you brat!

They’re still running. 

JOHNNY

Dad forgot to build a ladder!

Still running until Johnny trips and falls over a root- it has visibly hurt him. 

JOHNNY

Gahh!

MAGGIE

Johnny, are you okay?

JOHNNY

Go away!

MAGGIE

Let me look. Oh, it’s just a bruise, thank God.

JOHNNY

It still hurts like a bitch.

Johnny realizes that he has just said a very bad word and that Maggie is going to go tell on him. Maggie realizes the same thing and can’t wait to tell on him. 

MAGGIE

Johnny!

She exits. 

Dad!!

Johnny turns to the tree and starts to climb it. 

JOHNNY

I can’t believe he forgot the ladder!

END SCENE ONE.

Sam

We  meet our protagonist, DAN, as he sits shifty and nervously across the desk from several powerful movie studio executives. They are reading through a script he has given them. Finally after much silence, the head boss sitting down, announces.

HEAD BOSS

It’s a piece of shit.

DAN

But-

HEAD BOSS

I SAID… it’s garbage. Rewrite it or take it to Universal, they’ll produce anything these days.

Dan is speechless and powerless. He slowly gets out of his chair and retreats out of the room. When he gets to the door, however, he turns and with an unusual gust of bravery, speakes his mind.

DAN

Mr. Boss, to be frank, this is a straight up detective movie. Film Noir at its most refined. Now I’m not proclaiming it’s a masterpiece or even an Oscar winner, which would be a one reason for your rejection, but sir, how does the man who attaches his name to “The Bumblee Stampede” even remotely thinks this script is anything but worthy. For… for… years I have labored at the keyboard to bring this to you at your very own…. commision! The plot is simple yet compelling, I’ve infused action and wit on an “Iron Man” level, for Christ sake the part was written for Matt Damon and…. and.. the girls ride motorcycles! So may I ask what is wrong with this movie!??

The room is deathly silent. The standing producers are at a loss for words. The Big Boss stands now, seemingly dwarfing Dan with his presence, and throws the script on the floor. It lands on the first page of dialogue and we see that the hero’s name is “SAM EAGLE.” Dan doesn’t get it and the Big Boss explodes.

BIG BOSS

Is this a fucking joke! Some screenwriter’s idea of a making a fool of me?? SAM FUCKING EAGLE??? Get your sorry, no good, ego-ridden, Yale-wasted, puny shit-for-brains asshole out of my office before I make you choke on this.

Dan is gone in a hurry, leaving the script on the floor. The Big Boss picks it up and hands it to another producer.

BIG BOSS

Call Disney and sell it to them. I’d like to see Sam Eagle in this actually.

THE END

 

 

Kafka Dreamin’

Tom is a college age bachelor sitting in his apartment by himself. He is cramming for an exam and it is not going well. Tom grows agitated and tosses his textbook to the floor. An exclamation is heard coming from the book.

VOICE

Hey, watch it!

TOM

Huh?

Tom gets up and picks up the book, examining it.

VOICE

Down here, stupid!

Tom looks down and sees the source of the voice. It is a cockroach. He can scarcely believe it.

TOM

What the hell??

ROACH

Yeah, that’s what I said when I saw your face!

TOM

But you’re a talking cockroach!

ROACH

And you’re ugly.

TOM

I’m ugly?

ROACH

There has to be some reason I don’t see any babes around.

TOM

I happen to be studying for an exam I have… in five hours… crap.

ROACH

You don’t say! What subject?

TOM

Women in the Middle Ages.

ROACH

Oh buddy, you must be desperate! Well, I don’t know nothing about Medieval chicks, but as for the 21st century I got ya covered.

TOM

But… you’re a cockroach!

ROACH

Yeah… about that-

At that moment a flash of light emanates off screen and a full grown man appears. His name is Charlie.

TOM

What the hell is going on!!

CHARLIE

It’s called transfiguration and you can call me Charlie. Now first things first, let’s check out the wardrobe. Come on, stinky!

Charlie exits into the bedroom. Tom remains seated and is in complete shock.

CHARLIE

Hey stinky! Do you mind if I have some friends over? They should be here any minute.

At that moment a doorbell is heard and Tom goes to answer the door. He opens it to only be engulfed by a swarm of roaches and other insects. Tom wakes up on the couch in a panick- he has been dreaming. Just as he recovers he thinks he sees a cockroach on the floor but he’s mistaken. As he begins to start reading again, however, the figure of Charlie slowly rises behind him.

THE END

Flynn Lockwood: Prologue

TITLE: FLYNN LOCKWOOD AND THE TEMPLE OF EDEN

FADES INTO:

SOUTHERN MEXICO- PRESENT DAY

over a skyline of jungle. The next shots are those of two pairs of boots stomping through the leaves and brush of the jungle floor. These shots are then interrupted by shots of bare feet running through the forest- clearly belonging to the Native inhabitants. An alligator is seen.

The boots then come to a stop; one pair behind the other. Focusing on the ones in front, the camera slowly pans up to reveal the face of FLYNN LOCKWOOD. It is a moment of triumph until the camera shifts slightly to the right and we see the face of SEAN LOCKWOOD, his father, behind him. 

FLYNN

Dad, don’t move. Don’t say a word.

The camera then revolves around to reveal what the men are looking at. It is the fabled Statue of Altair- the most significant find of Flynn’s young archeological career. The air is thick and hot with moisture and the situation is tense. Suddenly a snapped twig is heard and before Flynn can react he is bull-rushed by a Native and the two go sprawling into the bushes. Sean isn’t dumb and snatches the Statue before running for his life. While running we hear a gunshot in the distance and Sean turns back for Flynn.

FLYNN

No, you should’ve kept running! Let’s go!

As they begin to run now they are chased by several more Natives wishing to protect the Statue. We follow the Native Warriors as they come to a body of water and do not know where the Lockwoods have gone. Suddenly, one is hit very hard on the head by a rock from above and falls unconscious. We then see Flynn and Sean hiding in the tree above and Flynn swings down on a vine into the other Natives, knocking them down. A fist fight then ensues with Flynn defeating them easily. Flynn then helps Sean down and the two recover.

SEAN

Wow! Is this what you do?

FLYNN

Dad, please.

SEAN

I’ll say, archeology sure has changed since my time. Talk about getting out in the field! This was exhilarating!

FLYNN

I said please! We’re not out of the woods yet in case you hadn’t noticed.

SEAN

You, know I did help back there. That rock, was me.

FLYNN

Yeah, you’re right Dad. I don’t know why I never brought you along on these expeditions before.

SEAN

You better thank Benjamin for making you do this. One day you’ll realize what it means to you. To himself… and me…

FLYNN

What?

SEAN

Did you forget, my boy, about why we even came out here?

FLYNN

Oh, not at all. Let me see it!

As Sean pulls the Statue out from his coat pocket and handles it off to Flynn, he trips over a root, drops the Statue, and steps on it- crushing it into a million little pieces. We see Flynn’s face.

CUT TO BLACK.

Mafioso- Giovanni’s Revenge

Giovanni Vindetti miraculously survived the attempt on his life all those years ago… Five years later he is now a college student trying his best to shake off his Mafia-reputation and assimilate into normal life.

DENNIS is sitting on the couch in his apartment watching TV. Suddenly, the front door opens and GIOVANNI enters with a baseball bat and other gear.  

DENNIS
Ah! For Pete’s sake, Gio.

GIOVANNI
What??

DENNIS
I thought I owed you money or something.

GIOVANNI
Oh, come on! Really? I just wanna play ball!

DENNIS
I know, I know… I’m just not used to living with a mobster.

GIOVANNI
That’s my family, man. You know I’m making a new life for myself.

DENNIS
Yeah, that’s what Michael Corleone said.

Giovanni goes to the fridge and gets a Coke.

GIOVANNI
(From the kitchen)
You know that movie isn’t totally true!

DENNIS
(to himself)
You would be the one to know…

Giovanni’s cell phone rings.

GIOVANNI
Poppa? How are things? No, I told you I’m not going to push narcotics here. Because it’s a school Poppa! Uh huh. Uh huh. Where are you? A tennis court??

Giovanni crosses to the balcony and looks down at the tennis court. Standing there is his father, Don Vindetti, bumbling about and looking lost and confused. Dennis comes out.

GIOVANNI
My father is standing in our tennis court.

DENNIS
A Mob Boss is standing in our tennis court.

GIOVANNI AND DENNIS
This can’t be good.

THE END.

Flynn Lockwood: Scene 1

Flynn Lockwood and the Temple of Eden- Scenes One and Two

02/01/2010

by Vincent S. Hannam

EXT. LAKEFRONT. AFTERNOON.
It is a pleasant day on the lake and two days before the 4th of July. The Lakefront reflects the festivities with banners and flags everywhere. Professor Flynn Lockwood is walking by the lake when a girl catches his eye.

FLYNN
Excuse me, Miss, care for some cotton candy?

GIRL
Afternoon, Professor.

FLYNN
Where do you get the idea-

GIRL
(bashful)
I really am flattered, Professor Lockwood, but my mother really wouldn’t be able to stand the notion of me going with my Human Studies instructor.

FLYNN
Neither would the University brass…

GIRL
But if you want we could ignore my mother-

FLYNN
-No, you just stay the innocent sweet thing that you are. To himself: I don’t want to ruin another work of art.

GIRL
Oh… all right, Professor. I’ll see you in the Fall then!

The GIRL run offs and we see her run into the arms of an apparent boyfriend.

FLYNN
Another work of art.

WALTER (O.C.)
Flynn? Is that really you?

He sees a friend, Walter Prescott.

WALTER
I didn’t expect to see you back so soon! Eh, I see you still don’t differentiate between your…eh… types of women.

FLYNN
Don’t worry, Walter, I‘m in no mood for any type.

WALTER
I take it then your not back for positive reasons.

FLYNN
Let’s go somewhere less crowded.

EXT. PIER. AFTERNOON.

WALTER
Good Lord, I’m so sorry Flynn.

FLYNN
I’m telling you, it’s the last time I bring my intrepid old man on another expedition, I don’t care what Benjamin or anyone else on that damn board says.

WALTER
Keep in mind I happen to be on that damn board? Look, these trips mean the world to him. And the University, mind you. You can’t dismiss his intellect no matter how… cumbersome or naïve he may be.

FLYNN
I know, I know. You’re not telling me anything your associates haven’t said before. He’s just better suited for classrooms and chalkboards, that’s all.

WALTER
And you’re better suited for jungles and snakes. You’re a perfect duo, Flynn, his brains to your brawn.

Flynn gives him a look.

WALTER (CONT’D)
Please be more understanding.

FLYNN
You know a pay raise would help me be more understanding.

WALTER
There are more important things in life, my friend.

FLYNN
It was the Statue of Altaire, Walt. Legend says it was the last gift Moctezuma gave to his wife-

WALTER
-And the first Cortez gave to his. I know, Flynn. I know what it meant to you and believe me, I know what it meant to the University. But let it go, your dad didn’t do it on purpose. Something else will come up before you know it.

FLYNN
I guess you’re right. I just need a vacation.

WALTER
That’s the spirit.

FLYNN
With pay.

WALTER
You’re pushing it, Flynn.

They both grin.

FLYNN
Walter, I’ve been pushing it all my life.

Flynn gets up and leaves. Walter calls out to him.

WALTER
Wait, don’t forget the board meeting tomorrow! Oh, what does it matter, he’ll still be late.

INT. HIDEOUT. NIGHT.
Sitting around a large table are six cloaked figures. The scene is very dim, with two or three candles burning. They are a group of high-ranking Neo-Nazi’s, heavily involved with the Occult and it’s power from which they benefit. Five of the men are also Chairmen of the University; including Benjamin, Richard, and John. The only one not apart of the University is the tallest one, Frueler. His face is also the only one revealed throughout the scene, the rest being hidden in the shadows of their cloaks.

Flynn Lockwood: Scene 4

Flynn Lockwood and the Temple of Eden- Scene 4

by Vincent S. Hannam

EXT. UNIVERSITY CAMPUS. AFTERNOON.

Our hero, FLYNN LOCKWOOD, is sitting beside himself on the grass amidst a sea of college students. He is memorizing the name and number of SCHROEDER. It is the day after he witnessed his father, SEAN, be kidnapped by agents of a group known as the Fourth Arm- an international terrorist organization pledged to seeking out the paranormal in order to further Nazi ideals. Flynn knows this but is powerless to do anything at the moment: he must first find a clue as to where they might be headed. While reflecting by a pond, WALTER approaches him and he pockets the paper for the time being.

WALTER

Flynn! Flynn!

FLYNN

Hello, Walt.

WALTER

Have you seen your father around? I’ve been needing to ask his opinion on some research I’m doing.

FLYNN

Walter… Can I confide in you?

WALTER

Of course, Flynn. What’s on your mind?

FLYNN

Yesterday I went looking for my dad… I figure he’d be Downtown like every Sunday and I was right… Well, I know you missed the board meeting but I’m sure you heard what happened.

WALTER

You know Benjamin is the first one to spread gossip like that.

FLYNN

Yeah, well… I finally caught up to him but before I could reach him, three men in black took him away…

WALTER

What do you mean?

FLYNN

I mean I couldn’t stop the Fourth Arm from taking my dad from right under my nose!

Pause. Walter is very serious now.

WALTER

Flynn, I’m going to be very serious with you right now. I believe that Sean was kidnapped and we need to notify the police right away-

FLYNN

But-

WALTER

Listen to me now! To make an assumption as irrational as the Fourth Arm, well, that’s just… dangerous. As far as we know they’re permanently based in the back alleys of Europe. You’re young yet, don’t go ruining all you’ve worked for with such claims. You’ll be turned away from every legitimate university campus in the country.

FLYNN

My father has been kidnapped and I can’t go to the police, because you’re right. They’ll laugh me out of the station if I told them a group of Neo-Nazi occultists abducted one of the world’s leading researchers on Middle Eastern religion and science. But you know what, that’s exactly why is would be the type of bastards like the Fourth Arm.

Walter sees that Flynn is completely convinced and a part of him agrees.

WALTER

What did you say they had on?

FLYNN

All three had trench coats but the leader was a tall guy with an eyepatch and bowler hat.

Walter suddenly comes to life.

WALTER

Flynn, come with me.

 

INT. LIBRARY. AFTERNOON.

Walter pulls up a webpage showing the man whom Flynn had encountered before, FUEHLER.

WALTER

This mug ring a bell?

FLYNN

Yeah, that’s the sonofabitch. Looks like this was before the pirate-wear huh?

WALTER

Oh, yeah. It was put out by his cellmate while serving a life sentence in England for the first-degree murder of a museum curator. Says he confessed gladly and predicted he would escape by his third year.

FLYNN

Obviously he did. That was six years ago. How’d he fly the coop?

WALTER

Unexplainable. The warden couldn’t come up with anything better than “vanishing through the walls.” The inmate you took his eye out was even found hanged in his solitary confinement. Look, Flynn, I’m a scientist but even I have to admit there are things in this world that can’t be explained. And if you’re thinking of tackling characters like this and an organization like the Fourth Arm then… well, you’ll need help.

FLYNN

Thanks Walt.

WALTER

Earlier you said you had a lead.

Flynn pulls out the paper from his pocket and gives it to Walter. 

FLYNN

I think we have to go to Rome.

WALTER

It’s a good time of year to go too.

Flynn cracks a smile.

The camera slowly zooms in to the face of Fuehler on the computer screen.

 

TO BE CONTINUED…

 

 

A Time of Chaos… A Land of Destruction

A YOUNG MAN sits idly on a pier, overlooking a far reaching lake on a quiet summer day. There is a slight breeze coming off the water. First he glances at his watch nervously- something is clearly troubling his mind. He then turns behind him to see a car parking in the distance. For a moment the scene is motionless until a BEAUTIFUL WOMAN steps out of the passenger side. She too is apprehensive as she begins the long walk towards the Young Man. 

The Young Man watches her approach until she finally reaches him. They stand in front of each other now, as old friends now seperated by time and space. Clearly they were once passionate lovers but now they neither know what to say or where to begin. Ultimately the tension is too much to bear and the Young Man can no longer quell the emotion inside and begins to weep unabashedly. The Beautiful Woman, however, does not stir. Although equally affected, she remains stoic and resolute. Opening her mouth she now speaks with a quick tongue, afraid the words will release her own torrent. 

BEAUTIFUL WOMAN:

You had said we don’t have anything in common. I took you for someone greater than fool-hearted excuses.

The Young Man looks up. 

How dare you go back on that now?

The Young Man, with anguish in his eyes and pain in his voice, knows that his next words are crucial. 

YOUNG MAN:

I was lost… the call of battle… my farewell was meant to spare you my almost certain death… If I’da known the miracle God had planned for me.. If I’da known I would emerge from four years in Hell unscathed… Mary, please!

He cannot continue and despite himself, buries his face in the warm refuge of her bosom. The Beautilful Woman does not resist and quietly begins to shed tears of her own. 

BEAUTIFUL WOMAN:

You did what you thought best in a time of chaos and land of destruction, still so recent that it hardly seems real at all… You made a choice, Jefferson, and you must now accept those terms and conditions. Come now, wipe those eyes clean, stand proud, and live with no regret- For it will bury you quicker than any cannon…

The Young Man dutifully abides and in a heated display of passion he kisses her for a final time. However much she may wish to recipricate, the Beautilful Woman knows the respect she owes herself and quickly disengages the Young Man’s embrace and strides away back to the car. 

The Young Man now watches as another Gentleman gets out of the driver side and opens the door for the Beautilful Woman. After the vehicle disappears from view, he turns his sight back towards the horizon of the lake and all the mysteries therein.

Dreamlands2- Screenplay

“DREAMLANDS2”

INT. HOUSE. DAY.

A YOUNG MAN is inside a house. He is nervous. He is scanning everyday objects and going in-and-out of drawers, closets, etc. We quickly realize that he does not belong in the house and is looking for something to steal. He is not a professional thief, however, but rather a teenager reluctantly carrying out a dare to prove he is not “chicken.“ Real expensive things such as televisions and laptops are too big to run back with. No, it has to be something he can conceal in his jean pockets. Suddenly, while looking through a chest of drawers, the young man stops cold. A presence is felt and a loud crash is heard off camera. Of course, the young man is panicked and runs out of the house.

Chasing him, however, is the PRESENCE. The Presence is never seen chasing him. From time to time though, we see the young man frantically running for his life from the Presence’s P.O.V.

EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD. DAY.

The Young Man runs out the front door.

[POV- Presence] Following Young Man down the road. The Presence suddenly stops when the Young Man runs on to a baseball diamond and trips. The Presence prowls and slowly approaches the man, who is slow to get up.

While getting up the young man notices that he has fallen onto a quote written into the dirt. It says, “Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself Are much condemned to have an itchy palm…” After reading this the young man looks up to see the presence fall upon him. We see a monstrous shadow rise and before he can scream, he is destroyed.

THE END.

 

My influences for this one are predominately Evil Dead, An American Werewolf in London, and the TV series Night Visions.

The Old Town Gunslingers

“THE OLD TOWN GUNSLINGERS”

by
VINCENT S. HANNAM

General Mischief Productions, 2010

An outlaw named COLT MITCHUM is yelling in the street and causing a ruckus. He’s been in jail the past three years but is now back.

COLT
(laughing)
What, no welcome wagon? No parade down Main Street? I don’t think you remember just who I am, people of Old Town! And that’s a real shame! I’m Colt Mitchum and now I’m back! For good!

Another man appears. He’s the sheriff, DUKE MCCOY- an old nemesis of Colt’s.

DUKE
Hold it right there, Colt! Don’t make another move.

COLT
Well, well, well, look who’s finally decided to show up. ‘Bout time, Deputy. Three years behind bars was lonely without you. But where is the old sheriff?

DUKE
Looking at you square in the face.

COLT
Wow! Deputy Duke McCoy is finally moving up in the world. What favor did you have to do for the sheriff to land his sweet job?

DUKE
Got killed by a war tribe last Spring. Sorry to disappoint, I know how badly you wish it was your bullet.

COLT
Nah, I’m good.

DUKE
Tell me, Colt. What brings you back here to Old Town?

COLT
To tell you the truth, I was hoping to recruit you for a job I’m planning.

The crowd breaks out into a frenzied clamor.

COLT
Don’t worry! It ain’t gonna be here! I’m moving on to Wichita.

DUKE
Wow! Finally moving up in the world! Thanks but no thanks, I already got a job here.

COLT
Why you good for nothing lawman! Colt McCoy doesn’t take no for an answer!

DUKE
I suggest you mosey on your way to Wichita now or anywhere else far away from Old Town.

COLT
The only place I’m moseying on to right now is the saloon to give you a half hour to change your mind! You’re the best hand in the West after me and I’d love to have ya. I expect a better attitude when I get back.

Colt leaves and the town is in a fervor. Duke stands up on a pedestal and addresses the crowd.

DUKE