British Comedy Guide

To be Frank...

RADIO SKETCH TYPE THING:

Geoff is laughing at full pace, which naturally starts to fade. But before every last chuckle has escaped, Frank interrupts and bares a scornful tone to his voice throughout.

Frank:[scornful]
I've never liked you.

The laughter stops dead.

Geoff:
What? Why?

Frank:
You know why.

Geoff:[confused]
Frank, I honestly don't?

Frank:
Nobody likes you Geoff.

Geoff:
Look. Is this about...

Frank:
No, it's not about the bloody promotion.

Geoff:
Then what?

Frank:
You... stink!

Geoff:
Professionally?

Frank:
No, no... You literally smell of poo and wee.

Geoff:
I'm not sure where this hostility is comi...

Frank:
And you're fat!

Geoff:
That's just childish.

Frank:[mocking]
That's just childish.

Geoff:
Oh, come on!

Frank:[increasing anger]
You're ugly. Your face repulses me. I get physically sick when looking at you. God, I hate you!

Geoff:
Now listen here.

Frank:
No, you listen here GEOFF.

Geoff:
Are you lifting your fists to me?

Frank:
Yeah, maybe I can finally make you look REAL pretty!

Geoff:
I ain't afraid of you!

Frank:
Come'on then!

They both let out their war cries.

*SFX SMASHING/BREAKING OBJECTS*

They suddenly stop. Gasping for breath.

Then silence.

Frank:[confused anger]
I love you Geoff!

Geoff:
You've got a bloody funny way of showing it.

Frank laughs.

*SFX DOOR OPENS*

Helen:
Are you alright, dear?

Geoff:
Yeah, I'm just brushing my teeth. You get in bed, I'm nearly done.

*SFX WATER RUNNING FOLLOWED BY TEETH BRUSHING*

*SFX DOOR CLOSING AND THEN REOPENING*

Helen:
Um, who were you talking to?

Geoff:[mouth full of toothpaste]
Mmm Mmmm mmmmm mm.

Helen:
Never mind.

*SFX Door closing*

Geoff:[muffled from other side of door]
Frank, I can't, I'm married.

END

No bullshit this is one of the greatest things I have ever read in my life.

It's succint, it's hilarious, pays off, top drawer! I'm almost jealous of it.

This is either conjoined twins or schizophrenic, right?

It's pretty neat and like a souffle it's perfection could be knocked over in a second

:D

Funny...I'd like to see this acted out.

Cheers faithful BCG members. :)

Very good indeed.

Quote: RedZed333 @ July 20 2011, 11:27 AM BST

This is either conjoined twins or schizophrenic, right?

More so the latter. But I'd really like everyone to take it for what it is. Just a slightly odd man, messing about in the mirror with voices. Maybe even with an undertone of repressed sexuality? Well, it's not really an undertone.

Quote: David Bussell @ July 20 2011, 1:30 PM BST

Very good indeed.

Thanks.

Ha! Yeh it starts slow but good ending mate :)

Quote: Leevil @ July 20 2011, 2:11 PM BST

More so the latter. But I'd really like everyone to take it for what it is. Just a slightly odd man, messing about in the mirror with voices. Maybe even with an undertone of repressed sexuality? Well, it's not really an undertone.

I should have guessed so from the title...

I didn't feel the 'repressed sexuality' coming through, more a case of self hatred...

I felt the last line detracted from the overall piece, perhaps Frank laughing out loud..?

Oh yeah, lots of self-hatred. Maybe the gay twist at the end has a more deeper meaning than I am imagining?

Frank laughing was an option I considered. But I needed it to be clear what was happening. Hopefully the one I have gone with "cleverly" incorporates the fact that Geoff is still talking to himself and mentioning Frank's name keeps up the small world he created.

But yes, the laughing bit is definitely the alternative ending if needed.

Quote: Leevil @ July 20 2011, 2:49 PM BST

Oh yeah, lots of self-hatred. Maybe the gay twist at the end has a more deeper meaning than I am imagining?

Frank laughing was an option I considered. But I needed it to be clear what was happening. Hopefully the one I have gone with "cleverly" incorporates the fact that Geoff is still talking to himself and mentioning Frank's name keeps up the small world he created.

But yes, the laughing bit is definitely the alternative ending if needed.

It was the 'gay twist' that threw me, Frank is obviously f**king with Geoff's emotions by first tormenting him then in an hairs breadth telling him he loves him...

Relationships such as this though, real or imaginary, would rarely throw up actual opportunities to engage in physical contact, real or implied...

Also we don't actually know which one is actually married to Helen so there is some great scope to keep your listeners engrossed. Is she married to the pathetic, underachieving Geoff, or the wildly manic/depressive Frank..?

Like it...

Zipped along but it seemed a bit lacking to me, there's not much new to someone appearing to talk to another person and it turns out they're just mad.

Quote: RedZed333 @ July 20 2011, 3:02 PM BST

Also we don't actually know which one is actually married to Helen so there is some great scope to keep your listeners engrossed. Is she married to the pathetic, underachieving Geoff, or the wildly manic/depressive Frank..?

Like it...

Thanks for your thoughts, it's certainly become more interesting than it was when I scribbled this out a 3am last night.

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