British Comedy Guide

Animal Welfare

EXT. QUIET VILLAGE HIGH STREET - DAY

TARQUIN (30's, DISHEVELLED, 'HIPPYISH') STANDS BEHIND A TABLE WITH PICTURES OF INJURED AND MAIMED ANIMALS DRAPED DOWN. HE LOOKS AROUND AND, NOTICING THERE IS NO ONE ABOUT, FLOPS BACK DEJECTEDLY IN TO HIS CHAIR AND PACKS AWAY LEAFLETS. RONALD (30's, GILET AND FLATCAP-WEARING TOFF) APPEARS FROM NOWHERE

RONALD

Wonderful job you're doing here.

TARQUIN

What, really?

RONALD

Yes, of course. You can't bally well go around shooting everything in sight, can you?

TARQUIN

Exactly! If only everyone else thought the same around here. Would you like to take a pamphlet? We're looking for more people to join the cause.

TARQUIN GOES TO HAND RONALD A PAMPHLET. RONALD SUDDENLY POINTS A SHOTGUN TO THE SKY ABOVE TARQUIN AND SHOOTS. A BIRD LANDS ON THE TABLE.

RONALD

Er, yes, I will take one. Thanks.

RONALD TAKES THE PAMPHLET, FLICKS THROUGH IT WHILST TARQUIN STARES AT HIM AGHAST.

TARQUIN

What the f**k are you doing?!

RONALD

Just trying to see if it mentions how to donate money.

TARQUIN

No; I mean this! (HOLDS UP DEAD BIRD)

RONALD

Oh, they're just sky rats.

TARQUIN

It's a collared dove!

RONALD

Same difference, laddy. (CLAPS HIS HANDS TOGETHER) So is there any way I can help?

TARQUIN SNATCHES THE PAMPHLET AWAY.

TARQUIN

You could start by not shooting birds out of the sky!

RONALD

I've got money; I could help you build a rehabilitation centre!

TARQUIN

Well, it's too late for this poor thing.

TARQUIN CRADLES THE BIRD. RONALD QUICKLY TURNS AROUND AND BLASTS HIS GUN.

RONALD

Go on, boy!

CUT TO:

A JACK RUSSELL SHAKING A RABBIT IN HIS MOUTH.

CUT TO:

RONALD

Come on boy; that's it bring it to Ronald. (BENDS DOWN; HIS ARM SHAKES MADLY) That's going to be my dinner, let go of it you little sod! (HE RISES WITH RABBIT IN HAND) Good boy.

TARQUIN

You sicken me. Get out of my sight.

RONALD

That's no way to talk to me; I'm trying to help.

TARQUIN

Help?! (HOLDS UP DOVE AND RABBIT)

RONALD

I'm looking to donate a very large sum of money; you can't look a gift horse in the mouth.

TARQUIN

You'd probably shoot that as well! Why do you want to help us anyway?

RONALD

Well, If it weren't for good people like yourself there'd be nothing left to shoot. (BEAT) And the injured ones are always an easier shot.

TARQUIN

Look just go! We don't want your blood money.

RONALD

Fine, have it your way!

RONALD SNATCHES THE RABBIT AND DOVE THEN EXITS. TARQUIN SHAKES HIS HEAD AND CLEARS THINGS AWAY. A SHOTGUN BLAST IS HEARD, TARQUIN LOOKS UP.

CUT TO:

RONALD DRAGGING AN OLD LADY COVERED IN BLOOD DOWN THE ROAD WITH THE RABBIT AND DOVE UNDER HIS ARMS.

END OF SKETCH

Thanks. :)

Just a minor quibble, reading it, I kept getting Tarquin and Ronald mixed up. Seeing as they don't mention their names, how about renaming Tarquin, Hippy? Just so it's clearer to read. Or even Moonbeam or something? As Tarquin and Ronald both sound like posh chaps.

The sketch itself is OK, although it could do with more laughs. Give Ronald more quirks, to add depth and create a character we love to hate or something like that.

And instead of, "RONALD (30's, GILET AND FLATCAP-WEARING TOFF) APPEARS FROM NOWHERE" keep the same idea, but add more detail for better comical effect. For example, "TARQUIN LIFTS A LEAFLET IN FRONT OF HIS FACE FOR CLOSER INSPECTION. WHEN SUDDENLY FROM BEHIND IT THE BEAMING FACE OF RONALD APPEARS" or something more snappier, of course.

Thanks, Lee; good advice.

:)

I like this alot.

A simple story made very funny and entertaining by absolutely solid characters. From the first description of the stand I was in the zone.

Cheers, Sooty; much appreciated.

:)

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