Old sketch - Comments on where/how to improve, or whether to scrap.
INT: LIVING ROOM - AM
CHRIS, late twenties, sits in an armchair, quietly WHISTLING "We wish you a Merry Christmas." Dressed in a warm coat and shoes, he contentedly admires the large Christmas tree, with its lights blazing brightly, and the free-flowing decorations that fill the room.
The door handle turns. CHRIS stops whistling, and feigns illness. JENNY, a tall, gorgeous brunette in her late twenties, walks into the room.
JENNY
(anxious voice)
Oh my poor baby!
CHRIS
(strained)
I don't feel too good.
(JENNY crouches beside CHRIS)
JENNY
Does it hurt?
CHRIS
Yes...It does.
(rubbing stomach)
Bit like cramps....I think it must have been that takeaway last night.
JENNY
Oh, darling.....
(sternly)
Your still going!
(JENNY stands up, bemused at the excuse)
CHRIS
(looking for pity)
They don't even like me. Your Dad's always moaning about me. And your Mum...well...she always looks at me funny. Keeps on about how perfect your ex-boyfriend was.
JENNY
(walking to the door)
It's for two days...two days to visit my parents, so your going....whether you like it or not! I'm going to get our bag...and then we're leaving. Now hurry up!
(CHRIS acts defeated and moans to himself)
INT. BEDROOM - AM
Two piles of clothes are laid out neatly on the bed. ERIN opens the wardrobe, pulls out a large bag, and throws it on the bed.
CHRIS (OS - off-screen voice)
It's a bit icy outside....and it's starting to snow again. I'm not sure it's safe to drive.
JENNY
(packing clothes into bag)
It was perfectly fine when you went out to the shop earlier. So stop moaning and go and get in the car.
INT. LIVING ROOM
CHRIS stands by the window, watching the snow falling steadily outside.
CHRIS
(mimics Jenny's father)
Not been promoted yet then...when I was working I rose through
the ranks very quickly...manager inside three years I was...
you really must try harder, you know....
(JENNY stands by the living room door, in a thick coat and scarf, clutching the heavy bag of clothes)
JENNY
I heard that!
(CHRIS is startled)
JENNY(cont)
Now take this bag and get in the car.
(CHRIS mumbles to himself, and takes the bag, passing a stern-looking JENNY, as he heads out of shot, to the front door)
(JENNY enters the living room, and walks over to the tree, switching off the tree lights)
(LOUD BANG from outside. CHRIS cries out in pain)
CHRIS(OS)
Ow...my leg!
JENNY
(looking up)
Don't bother! No excuses, we're going to see my parents.
CHRIS(OS)
(pained voice)
I'm..not... I've slipped...on the path.
EXT. FRONT PATH OUTSIDE THE HOUSE - AM
CHRIS is lying flat out on the path, next to the car.
JENNY
If this is another excuse...
CHRIS
(sitting up)
No...excuse. My leg really hurts!
(JENNY walks over to CHRIS and crouches over him)
CHRIS(CONT)
My right leg...it feels funny.
(JENNY carefully pulls up his jeans on his right leg. The shin bone pokes through)
JENNY
(shocked)
Oh God! That is gross.
(CHRIS goes pale as he looks at his leg)
INT: LIVING ROOM - DAY
CHRIS sits in the armchair, his right leg raised on a stool, plastered from below the knee.
JENNY enters, holding a tray of food and a mug of coffee
JENNY
Here's some lunch for my wounded man.
(CHRIS sits up straight, looking pleased with himself)
(JENNY rests the tray on his lap)
CHRIS
Oh, thanks.
(pause)
Um..could I have some sauce.
JENNY
Course...I'll go get you some. Anything else?
CHRIS
(picking up his knife and fork)
No, this is just fine.
(JENNY leaves the room, then pops her head back around the door)
JENNY
Oh! I phoned Mum and Dad to say we can't make it...on account of your leg.
CHRIS
(pleased)
What a shame! Maybe next year then.
(CHRIS takes a mouthful of food)
JENNY (OS)
They said they were sorry to hear you broke your leg....
so they said they'll come to us, to help us in our hour of
need.
(CHRIS chokes on his food)
JENNY (OS - cont)
...for two whole weeks over Christmas.
(Chris droops in the chair)
CHRIS
(dejected)
Merry...blooming...Christmas.