1980's LIVING ROOM - CHRISTMAS MORNING
JOHN (10, SKINNY, WITH A PUDDING BOWL HAIR CUT) AND HIS LITTLE BROTHER EXCITEDLY UNWRAP RUBIK'S CUBES'; THEIR DAD EAGERLY WATCHES. JOHN LOOKS AT HIS DISAPPOINTEDLY.
JOHN
(SNEERING) What is it?
DAD
It's a Rubik's cube.
JOHN
And...?
DAD
Well, you've got to make sure each face is all one colour. Go on, give it a go.
JOHN UNENTHUSIASTICALLY FUMBLES WITH IT.
FADE TO:
INT. LIVING ROOM - EVENING
THE FAMILY EAT IN FRONT OF THE TELLY. JOHN BEAVERS AWAY WITH THE RUBIK'S CUBE, IGNORING HIS FOOD. MUM NODS TO DAD, WHO LOOKS PLEASED JOHN IS USING IT.
FADE TO:
INT. 1990's LIVING ROOM - DAY
A VERY ANGRY LOOKING JOHN (NOW 18 YEARS OLD) MADLY TURNING THE RUBIK'S CUBE. DAD IS WRITHING ON THE FLOOR CLUTCHING HIS CHEST; JOHN IS TOO ENGROSSED TO NOTICE. DAD LETS OUT A SQUEAK AND STIFFENS.
FADE TO:
INT. LIVING ROOM - PRESENT DAY
JOHN (NOW MID 20's) PERFORMS A FEW TURNS ON THE CUBE THEN REALISES HE HAS DONE IT. HE EXHALES IN RELIEF, THEN LOOKS AROUND.
JOHN
Mum! (BEAT) Where's my space hopper?
MUM, NOW IN HER 50's, ENTERS WITH FRANK (50's, BALD, SLIIGHTLY SLEAZY-LOOKING)
MUM
The dog burst that years ago, John.
JOHN STARES, CONFUSED, AT HIS MUM AND THEN TO FRANK.
JOHN
Where's dad?
MUM
You are joking?
JOHN
No; where is he?
MUM
He's dead, John.
JOHN LOOKS AT FRANK, THEN DOWN AT THE RUBIK'S CUBE.
JOHN
How long have I been working on this?
MUM
Ooo, must be some time. What are you now? 25?
JOHN
25?!
JOHN LOOKS AT HIS RUBIK'S CUBE ANGRILY.
MUM
You're brother did his after a few minutes.
JOHN
A few minutes?!
ENTER JOHN'S LITTLE BROTHER CHARLIE (HE IS NOW HUGE 6' 5"+).
CHARLIE
Finally finished it, have ya
JOHN
(STARING UP AT CHARLIE) Yeah.
CHARLIE
I just swapped all the stickers over on mine; Finished it in minutes.
JOHN STARES AT THE RUBIK'S CUBE. CAMERA PANS IN ON HIS FACE AS HIS EYES FILL WITH TEARS.
END OF SKETCH
