British Comedy Guide

Estate Agent.

A new one from myself and Bigfella. If you can be as half as helpful as you were last time that would still be very helpful indeed. :)

EDIT: Scroll down for second version

EXT. A FIELD. DAY. CAR PARK AREA- WE PAN ALONG THE LINE SEEING CARS PARKED UP AND THEN WE PASS A HORSE IN BATTLE AMOUR, WE SIMPLY CARRY ON ALONG THE LINE OF PARKED CARS. PAN OUT AND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE ARE MILLING ABOUT, MAINLY FAMILIES HAVING A NICE DAY OUT.

A MAN IN A SUIT OF ARMOUR ( KNIGHT ) APPROACHES A MAN IN A BUSINESS SUIT HOLDING A CLIP BOARD ( AGENT ). HE STOPS AND LIFTS UP THE VISOR. THEY SHAKE HANDS.

AGENT:
Hello, hello. Have any trouble finding it?

KNIGHT:
No no. No it was fine...just..Is it always this busy?

AGENT:
God no. It's pretty quiet during the week? Now then. Shall we go in?

KNIGHT:
Yep. After you.

THEY BEGIN TO WALK TOGETHER.

CUT TO.

EXT. A FIELD. CASTLE RUINS.

AGENT:
As I said. It is a bit of a fixer upper.

KNIGHT:
I can see that, yes. I know I said I wanted a project but...

AGENT:
Yes it's a lovely project to get your teeth into. All the wooden fixtures, including the roofs, need replacing. And some of the walls are...

KNIGHT:
Absent.

AGENT:
It certainly does have a lovely openness to it.

KNIGHT:
Hmm thing is I will be bringing my ghost with me and he'll need some actual walls. You know? To..er..go through, so to speak.

AGENT:
Well the Eastern walls still have a couple of foot left in them. Can't he crouch?

KINGHT:
Humph. No Drawbridge I see. Or portcullis? It did say furnished on the website.

AGENT:
Well it was when the last tenant left. But it has been unoccupied for quite some time now.

KNIGHT:
Hmm. Well I'd be looking for a drop in the asking price. At least thirty five percent.

AGENT:
I can't go that low without going further up for approval. But I'm prepared to give you fifteen. Right here right now.

KNIGHT:
Look. The Bailey's ok but the rest is a big job. The Great hall went years ago and that Keep's gonna have to come down. And then I'm looking at...what?...At least thirty thousand to put it all back in, Plus new the walls. I'd say thirty percent is more than a fair call, Come on.

AGENT:
I can't go that low without Head Office's say so. So...How about, I show you this other one in the next kingdom? A nice cosy little Motte and Bailey. Few features need looking at, but solid foundations.

KNIGHT:
So it's a hill. Come on, don't mess me about. Thirty percent at least.

AGENT:
Look trust me. This new place in the north is really worth seeing before you make a decision.

A MEDIEVAL MESSENGER RUNS UP TO THEM AND KNEELS ON ONE LEG BEFORE THE KNIGHT:

MESSENGER:
My Lord. I bring grave news from the North.

KNIGHT:
Speak.

MESSENGER:
It seems that the moat is dry, the windows have Twix wrappers stuck in them. And judging by some of the graffitti on what's left of the outer wall. There's dogging every Wednesday night in the old throne room.

THE KNIGHT WHIPS OUT HIS SWORD AND HOLDS IT TO THE ESTATE AGENT'S THROAT.

KNIGHT:
What are you trying to pull? Thirty percent off this one and I sir, shall consider this a mere disagreement.

AGENT:
( Choking with fear) Twenty percent?

THE KNIGHT GRABS HIM ROUND THE BACK OF THE NECK.

AGENT:
Twenty five, final offer. Look at the size of the garden sir.

THE KNIGHT RELAXES AND RE SHEATHES HIS SWORD.

KNIGHT:
Very well then. Twenty five percent. But only because of the garden.

AGENT :
Excellent. You'll be very happy here. Shall we get the paperwork drawn up?

KNIGHT:
Not before I have my survey done.

TWO BEARDED MEN (MAN 1 & MAN 2) ARRIVE WEARING SRUFFY BUT BRIGHTLY COLOURED KNITTED JUMPERS, SLACKS AND DIRTY BOOTS.

MAN 2:
I have brought the results from Geo-Phis and this charming broche we found near the old stone keep.

MAN 1 KNEELS DOWN AND STARTS BRUSHING AWAY THE EARTH AROUND SOME STONE VERY GENTLY.

MAN 1:
I think this used to be a castle you know.

END.

Hmmm, I thought this was a little weak I'm afraid. I was expecting it to be a bouncy castle at first. I read it twice to see if I'd not understood it properly but it just felt a bit flat and long-winded. The start on the cars doesn't seem necessary and you could probably start outside with the castle not in shot to conceal the joke that the knight is looking at castles. You also say the property comes unfurnished, is he meant to be renting? otherwise if he is meant to be buying the house would be unfurnished anyway wouldn't it? I'm only one opinion so don't throw away the idea. Maybe if it was cut down to a little sketch without so many references to it being a castle it might work better. Keep at it though.

Agree with the Gigglemeister, it's a bit confusing.

The messenger could've been used more, the dogging line was good, but didn't go anywhere. And the 2 guys in jumpers just seemed to appear out of nowhere. I had to Google Geo-Phis, and I'm still not sure what it is :)

I'd cut the haggling down to a couple of lines too, it dominated the conversation.

I liked the idea of him bringing his ghost with him. Maybe develop his 'medieval' requirements more?

This is all invaluable stuff, thanks :) I have just returned from the board meeting and can say that there will be a new version very soon.

Geo-Phis is when archeologists scan the subterrain to see what buried underground.

Scratchyr

Re write below: :)

EXT. A FIELD. DAY. A FIELD

A MAN IN A SUIT OF ARMOUR ( KNIGHT ) APPROACHES A MAN IN A BUSINESS SUIT HOLDING A CLIP BOARD ( AGENT ). HE STOPS AND LIFTS UP THE VISOR. THEY SHAKE HANDS. FAMILIES ARE MILLING AROUND HAVING A DAY OUT.

AGENT:
Hello, hello.

KNIGHT:
Hi

AGENT:
Shall we go in?

KNIGHT:
Yep. After you.

THEY BEGIN TO WALK TOGETHER.

CUT TO.

EXT. A FIELD. CASTLE RUINS.

AGENT:
As I said. It is a bit of a fixer upper. A lovely project to get your teeth into.

KINGHT:
What's left in terms of defences?

AGENT:
There's the admission charge of eight pounds for an adult, three for a child. Plus, one hell of a turnstile.

KNIGHT:
Hmm thing is, I'll be bringing my ghost with me and he'll need some actual walls. You know? To..er..walk through.

AGENT:
Well the Eastern walls still have a couple of foot left in them. Can't he crouch?

KNIGHT:
No Drawbridge or Portcullis and the Keep's gonna have to come down. And then I'm looking at...what?...At least thirty thousand to put it all back in, Plus new walls. I'd be looking for a drop in the asking price. At least thirty five percent.

AGENT:
I can't go that low without Head Office's say so. So...How about, I show you this other one in the Eastern kingdom? Completed in eleven hundred. The foundations are still solid.

KNIGHT:
Oh, I don't really like new builds. No character.

AGENT:
Look, trust me. This place is really worth seeing before you make a decision.

A MEDIEVAL MESSENGER RUNS UP TO THEM AND KNEELS ON ONE LEG BEFORE THE KNIGHT:

MESSENGER:
My Lord. I bring grave news from the east.

KNIGHT:
Speak.

MESSENGER:
I have viewed the new build property in question. It seems that the moat is dry, the windows have Twix wrappers stuck in them. And judging by some of the graffiti on what's left of the outer wall. There's dogging every Wednesday night in the old throne room.

THE KNIGHT WHIPS OUT HIS SWORD AND HOLDS IT TO THE ESTATE AGENT'S THROAT.

KNIGHT:
What are you trying to pull? Thirty percent off this one and I sir, shall consider this a mere disagreement.

AGENT:
( Choking with fear) Twenty percent?

THE KNIGHT GRABS HIM ROUND THE BACK OF THE NECK.

AGENT:
Twenty five, final offer. Look at the size of the garden sir.

THE KNIGHT RELAXES AND RE SHEATHES HIS SWORD.

KNIGHT:
Very well then. Twenty five percent. But only because of the garden.

AGENT :
Excellent. You'll be very happy here. Shall we get the paperwork drawn up?

MOBILE PHONE RINGS. THE MESSENGER PULLS IT OUT AND ANSWERS. YES, NOS HEARD FROM OUR END OF THE CONVERSATION.

MESSENGER:
One moment my Lord, before you sign. It seems that another property has come available. This one has complete walls and four large turrets. And the price is right.

KNIGHT:
Fantastic. Who's the seller?

MESSENGER: Mr Chuckles Bouncy Fun Land.

END.

Rewrite is alot better guys but I reckon the concept still has plenty more to be thrown at it.

I would suggest bringing humour straight into the first four lines - as right now there is nothing. I think it would be alot funnier if the knight himself answers the mobile too (and he has a funny ringtone?) - as he re-sheathes his sword his mobile rings.

I thought the defences part was really good. Although the "one hell of a turnstile" seemed a bit out of place "and a working turnstile" would have worked better?

I think you work the bouncy castle gag in alot better and make it alot funnier than it stands just now.

I'm not sure I understand why the knight suddenly threatens the agent at this point?:

MESSENGER:
I have viewed the new build property in question. It seems that the moat is dry, the windows have Twix wrappers stuck in them. And judging by some of the graffiti on what's left of the outer wall. There's dogging every Wednesday night in the old throne room.

THE KNIGHT WHIPS OUT HIS SWORD AND HOLDS IT TO THE ESTATE AGENT'S THROAT.

KNIGHT:
What are you trying to pull? Thirty percent off this one and I sir, shall consider this a mere disagreement.

Not sure if it's the direction you want to go or the humour but how about a reply like to the Messengers take on the new build - "Apart from the dogging, there isn't much appeal"

__________________________________

KNIGHT:
Oh, I don't really like new builds. No character.

How about playing on the concept of a new build?:

KNIGHT:
New build you say? is it furnished?

AGENT
Fully, untouched 17th century, in wonderful condition.

KNIGHT
Damn. I was hoping you'd say Ikea.

__________________________________

As always. I'm no expert but hopefully I've given you some food for thought?

Cheers
Craig

Quote: scratchyr @ February 23 2010, 9:22 PM GMT

EXT. A FIELD. DAY.

A MAN IN A SUIT OF ARMOUR ( KNIGHT ) APPROACHES A MAN IN A BUSINESS SUIT HOLDING A CLIP BOARD ( AGENT ). HE STOPS AND LIFTS UP THE VISOR. THEY SHAKE HANDS. FAMILIES ARE MILLING AROUND HAVING A DAY OUT.

AGENT:
Hi, are you INSERT AMUSING KNIGHT-LIKE NAME HERE

KNIGHT:
Yes, (SHAKES AGENTS HAND WITH GAUNTLET) shall we go forth?

CUT TO.

Just a coupla ideas.

Quote: scratchyr @ February 23 2010, 9:22 PM GMT

EXT. A FIELD. CASTLE RUINS.

AGENT:
As I said, it's a lovely project to get your teeth into. You could maybe even extend to the side, with planning permission.

KINGHT:
Tell me, what defences remain?

AGENT:
There's the admission charge of eight pounds for an adult, three for a child. And two turnstiles keep out the riff raff. (HE LAUGHS)

Very nice idea the defences = turnstiles.

Quote: scratchyr @ February 23 2010, 9:22 PM GMT

KNIGHT:
Hmm thing is, I'll be bringing my ghost with me and he'll need some actual walls. You know? To..er..walk through.

I personally don't actually like this line. I don't think it really follows on from the line before and it doesn't really make sense, ghosts haunt one house and can't leave, I thought and ghosts ghost they don't walk.

Quote: scratchyr @ February 23 2010, 9:22 PM GMT

KNIGHT:
No Drawbridge or Portcullis and the Keep's gonna have to come down. And then I'm looking at...what?...At least thirty thousand to put it all back in, Plus new walls. I'd be looking for a drop in the asking price. At least thirty five percent.

AGENT:
I can't go that low without Head Office's say so. So...How about, I show you this other one in the Eastern kingdom? Completed in eleven hundred. The foundations are still solid.


These lines aren't particularly funny and there is no real sense of the knights 'voice' i.e. there isn't much 'knight' about your knight (a criticism I have about the character throughout the piece, really). Is he meant to be an actual knight or some little guy who likes battle reenactments at the weekend? Should he be speaking like a knight?

Quote: scratchyr @ February 23 2010, 9:22 PM GMT

KNIGHT:
Oh, I don't really like new builds. No character.

Quite a nice line. :)

Quote: scratchyr @ February 23 2010, 9:22 PM GMT

A MEDIEVAL MESSENGER RUNS UP TO THEM AND KNEELS ON ONE LEG BEFORE THE KNIGHT:

MESSENGER:
My Lord. I bring grave news from the east.

KNIGHT:
Speak.

MESSENGER:
I have viewed the new build property in question. It seems that the moat is dry, the windows have Twix wrappers stuck in them. And judging by some of the graffiti on what's left of the outer wall. There's dogging every Wednesday night in the old throne room.

Dogging seems a bit of a modern reference, could there be an olde equivalent? I think the messenger's bit could be a bit more amusing, too. Using olde interpretations of modern problems.

Quote: scratchyr @ February 23 2010, 9:22 PM GMT

THE KNIGHT WHIPS OUT HIS SWORD AND HOLDS IT TO THE ESTATE AGENT'S THROAT.

KNIGHT:
What are you trying to pull? Thirty percent off this one and I sir, shall consider this a mere disagreement.

This sentence doesn't really seem to progress naturally. He attacks him for trying to pull the wool over his eyes then he is making him an offer on the place they're in.

Just another couple of points. I think he would say grounds rather than garden, maybe and the bouncy castle bit feels tagged on maybe it could be the property the messenger quickly comes over to report on, replacing the twix and dried up moat lines?

All just the ideas I had whilst reading, but the general feeling was that your knight wasn't 'knighty' enough. Nicer version though.

:)

Thanks to everyone for their feedback and thoughts.

Some good points to consider and work on.

And giggle has got me really thinking - do ghosts ghost?

I think that Ghosts can walk, who's gonna prove that they can't?
It's not his Ghost though is it as he's alive.

It's a worlds colliding type sketch but the Knight is familiar with modern terminologies as Adam pointed out.
Should he be a bit more Knightlike?
Rather than seeing on it a website, could he say that it looked much bigger in the Painting.
Could he Barter in Bags of gold rather than percentages?

There could also be a few more Estate Agenty things to say that could be misunderstood.
"At least your not in a chain..."

Could the Knight say things a bit more familiar but with a medieval spin.
If the castle wasn't a ruin I'd have hims saying things like
Well we were looking for somewhere with 3 to 4 hundred rooms.
What with our large Army & a Ghost on the way.

Is it a ruin that the Estate Agent is trying to pass off as a fully functioning Castle? If so try make that the spine of the sketch as the agent has an answer to everything.
No front wall - becomes fully air conditioned

"Excuse me but when exactly was this painting taken?"

What happened to the previous owners?
There may be a joke in that exchange.

Maybe cut it down to a simpler premise, perhaps Imagine that the Knight doesn't even understand why he has to pay for the Castle when it's empty, the last time he just killed the prince & moved in.

Sometimes you may have to drop funny lines if they aren't quite adding to the dynamics & objective of the sketch.

IMO.

Nice ideas Steve, like the painting reference, and Both you and Adam are on the money with the knight's need to be more medieval. I did have a previous owner/ killed and move in line in my initial notey things as it goes. Anyways thanks for the feedback

Well it's only opinions, everyone will see a sketch in a different way.
I forgot to say that I liked it in it's current form anyway.

What method are you two using in your collaboration? Do you start with a very rough idea like 'Estate Agent and Castle' then go off and write your own versions or has one of you written something with the other chipping in with lines?

:)

EDIT: Answer me now, SWINES!! I want to know all the details of your working relationship! (and your non-working relationship)

;)

Quote: The Giggle-o @ February 25 2010, 11:26 PM BST

EDIT: Answer me now, SWINES!! I want to know all the details of your working relationship! (and your non-working relationship)

;)

I've just come back here as I'm doing another write on this and wanted to go back over the comments, so, as you asked; We haven't got a definite method yet. Some are written once then given to the other and then back again and so on. Sometimes it will begin with just an idea, which we we both write on and then the swapping commences.

Can we do a sketch next about a man trapped in his garage for two hours behind a big pile of rubbish.

Oh no that was real life!!! ;-[

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