The Compromise
BY
Sean L. Harris
Sean L. Harris
Harrissnavy.org FADE IN:
EXT. MEADOW – DAY
The MEADOW is beautiful with tall green grass, soft yellow flowers, and bordered with lush trees. Patches of white clouds overlay a brilliant blue sky. A narrow stream of water peacefully runs through the meadow, leaving the grass a darker shade of green nearest to the stream.
A BUSINESSMAN dressed in a crisp suite and carrying a briefcase, walks out of the trees and into the meadow. He steps high to avoid scuffing his glossy black shoes.
As he arrives at the center of the meadow, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out his cell phone. He then proceeds to dial a long number.
BUSINESSMAN
I'm here. You know, Roy... I'm not sure this is such a
good idea. I'm feeling a little weird out here, like I am
going to be attacked by a deer or something.
A brief pause...
BUSINESSMAN
Okay, whatever you say Roy. I'll talk to you later.
He closes his phone and puts it back in his pocket.
Suddenly, we hear a faint crunching noise coming from the trees. Startled, the man turns his head sharply in the direction of the noise.
The noise gets louder.
Slowly and cautiously, he begins to step backwards toward the other side of the meadow.
The noise gets louder.
The man freezes as a gorgeous DEER slowly appears out of the trees. The DEER turns her head both ways to ensure the meadow is safe to approach.
She takes a step toward the meadow, and sees the man. They both freeze as they make eye contact.
There is a brief pause in action.
Abruptly, the man turns to run for the trees as the deer charges at him. The deer quickly advances as the man SLIPS IN SOME MUD and FALLS. He screams as the deer attacks him with her hooves, kicking and stomping.
After the fight is over, the deer gently bends her head down and picks up the briefcase with her mouth. She then trots off into the trees, leaving the poor man to die in the meadow.
CUT TO:
INT. ROY'S OFFICE – LATER
A large map lies on top of ROY's desk. Circled in RED on that map is a meadow surrounded by forest.
A coffee mug is slammed down on the map. ROY, a director of a large corporation, sits down in his oversized leather chair.
On the other side of his desk, seated in a small wooden chair is MIKE, an employee of the corporation.
ROY
Shit!
MIKE
I know sir. What a disaster.
ROY
I knew I should have sent more than one man. Now our top-
secret plans are compromised. SHIT!
MIKE
What are we going to do, sir?
ROY
The only thing we can do, Mike. We're going to send YOU
out there.
MIKE
(Startled)
M-m-me, sir?
ROY
Yes Mike, you. You, and one other man. I'm not going to
make the same mistake twice.
MIKE
Who will I be going with, sir?
ROY
Why, you'll go with Jack from accounting.
MIKE
But Jack... he's from accounting.
ROY
I know it doesn't make any sense. But Jack has wanted to
do something like this for a long time.
CUT TO:
EXT. MEADOW – NEXT DAY
The meadow isn't as beautiful as the first time. It's overcast and the grass is tinted grey from the clouds.
Mike and Jack, both dressed in their nicest suites, are wondering through the meadow, searching for the briefcase.
Suddenly, Jack finds something lying on the ground.
JACK
Mike, come take a look at this!
MIKE
Why Jack, that looks just like a cell phone! We must be in
the right place.
JACK
Keep your head on the swivel, Mike. He could be anywhere.
They continue to walk through the meadow, only more cautious than before.
Suddenly, they both hear a twig snap in the trees. They stand still, listening carefully for further noise.
Another twig snaps, this time closer.
Mike and Jack watch the trees for anything that might appear. Sure enough, a deer comes out of the brush, this time a young male with antlers.
The deer calmly walks out into the meadow and stops a short distance from the two men, who are frozen with shock. Trailing behind the deer is a BUNNY, a SKUNK, a QUAIL, and an OWL.
MIKE
I think they've read the script, Jack.
JACK
Looks that way to me. Roy Disney isn't going to be happy
about this.
FADE OUT.
BY
Sean L. Harris
Sean L. Harris
Harrissnavy.org FADE IN:
EXT. MEADOW – DAY
The MEADOW is beautiful with tall green grass, soft yellow flowers, and bordered with lush trees. Patches of white clouds overlay a brilliant blue sky. A narrow stream of water peacefully runs through the meadow, leaving the grass a darker shade of green nearest to the stream.
A BUSINESSMAN dressed in a crisp suite and carrying a briefcase, walks out of the trees and into the meadow. He steps high to avoid scuffing his glossy black shoes.
As he arrives at the center of the meadow, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out his cell phone. He then proceeds to dial a long number.
BUSINESSMAN
I'm here. You know, Roy... I'm not sure this is such a
good idea. I'm feeling a little weird out here, like I am
going to be attacked by a deer or something.
A brief pause...
BUSINESSMAN
Okay, whatever you say Roy. I'll talk to you later.
He closes his phone and puts it back in his pocket.
Suddenly, we hear a faint crunching noise coming from the trees. Startled, the man turns his head sharply in the direction of the noise.
The noise gets louder.
Slowly and cautiously, he begins to step backwards toward the other side of the meadow.
The noise gets louder.
The man freezes as a gorgeous DEER slowly appears out of the trees. The DEER turns her head both ways to ensure the meadow is safe to approach.
She takes a step toward the meadow, and sees the man. They both freeze as they make eye contact.
There is a brief pause in action.
Abruptly, the man turns to run for the trees as the deer charges at him. The deer quickly advances as the man SLIPS IN SOME MUD and FALLS. He screams as the deer attacks him with her hooves, kicking and stomping.
After the fight is over, the deer gently bends her head down and picks up the briefcase with her mouth. She then trots off into the trees, leaving the poor man to die in the meadow.
CUT TO:
INT. ROY'S OFFICE – LATER
A large map lies on top of ROY's desk. Circled in RED on that map is a meadow surrounded by forest.
A coffee mug is slammed down on the map. ROY, a director of a large corporation, sits down in his oversized leather chair.
On the other side of his desk, seated in a small wooden chair is MIKE, an employee of the corporation.
ROY
Shit!
MIKE
I know sir. What a disaster.
ROY
I knew I should have sent more than one man. Now our top-
secret plans are compromised. SHIT!
MIKE
What are we going to do, sir?
ROY
The only thing we can do, Mike. We're going to send YOU
out there.
MIKE
(Startled)
M-m-me, sir?
ROY
Yes Mike, you. You, and one other man. I'm not going to
make the same mistake twice.
MIKE
Who will I be going with, sir?
ROY
Why, you'll go with Jack from accounting.
MIKE
But Jack... he's from accounting.
ROY
I know it doesn't make any sense. But Jack has wanted to
do something like this for a long time.
CUT TO:
EXT. MEADOW – NEXT DAY
The meadow isn't as beautiful as the first time. It's overcast and the grass is tinted grey from the clouds.
Mike and Jack, both dressed in their nicest suites, are wondering through the meadow, searching for the briefcase.
Suddenly, Jack finds something lying on the ground.
JACK
Mike, come take a look at this!
MIKE
Why Jack, that looks just like a cell phone! We must be in
the right place.
JACK
Keep your head on the swivel, Mike. He could be anywhere.
They continue to walk through the meadow, only more cautious than before.
Suddenly, they both hear a twig snap in the trees. They stand still, listening carefully for further noise.
Another twig snaps, this time closer.
Mike and Jack watch the trees for anything that might appear. Sure enough, a deer comes out of the brush, this time a young male with antlers.
The deer calmly walks out into the meadow and stops a short distance from the two men, who are frozen with shock. Trailing behind the deer is a BUNNY, a SKUNK, a QUAIL, and an OWL.
MIKE
I think they've read the script, Jack.
JACK
Looks that way to me. Roy Disney isn't going to be happy
about this.
FADE OUT.