Int. Living Room
Thom (25) is sat in an armchair. Frankie (55) walks in with 2 cups of coffee.
Frankie: Here you go, son.
Frankie hands a cup of coffee to Thom.
Thom: Thanks, Dad.
Frankie sits down in an armchair opposite Thom.
Frankie: So, how’s the old novel writing going? Got anything to follow up your last bestseller?
Thom: Well, I’ve actually got a few ideas knocking about at the minute.
Frankie: Oh how very interesting. Care to divulge?
Thom: Yeah sure. The first idea regards a man called Nathaniel.
Frankie: And what exactly does he get up to?
Thom: Well, Nathaniel is a man lost. He doesn’t know where to go; then, one day, he decides to become a fully paid up member of the Conservative party. A party that he feels stands for everything that’s right and true.
Frankie: Right. I don’t want to be harsh, but do you think that’s a good idea?
Thom: Why ever not? What’s wrong with the Conservative party?
Frankie: You KNOW what the problem is!
Thom: I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Frankie: Your mother and I are both Labour MP’s!
Thom: Oh I see! You’re letting your politics stand in the way of my literary career.
Frankie: It would make your Mother and I the laughing stock of Westminster! (SHAKES HEAD) No, it can't go ahead. I forbid you from writing such tripe.
Thom: Hmmmph! Perhaps you’ll be more interested in the ‘other’ idea I’ve had. One that I’ve ‘just’ come up with in fact.
Frankie: It doesn’t feature this awful ‘Nathaniel’ character does it?
Thom: No. It features a man called ‘Billy’.
Frankie: Good, I like the sound of him already. What’s the plot?
Thom: He starts off as a successful writer. Then, one day, he comes up with a genius idea, but due to political pressure from his father he has to cancel the idea…..
Frankie: Now hang on….
Thom: (CONT…) The lack of a new novel means that Billy loses everything. After spending years in the gutter he decides to take revenge. He purchases a knife and then cuts his father from ear to ear.
Thom gives a sinister smile.
Thom: So, Father, what do you think of that one?
Frankie: I’ve got just one question. About this ‘Billy’ fellow.
Thom: Oh yes?
Frankie: It’s you isn’t it?
Thom: No, of course not. (SINISTERLY) I’m Nathaniel!
Frankie: NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thom nods along sagely.
Thom: See you at the polls, Father.
© Ben Ricketts 2007
Yep, another good one. Liked it a lot. For me it should have ended with Thom saying that he was Nathaniel and, maybe, a look of horror from dad. 
