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Rated: E · Script/Play · Children's · #1557915
A boy gives away his dog... and tries to get him back.
(This was a school assignment to write a 10 minute short animation film script.)

* * * * * * * * * *


INT. TYLER'S HOUSE, KITCHEN -- DAY

          TYLER, a 7 year old freckled boy with shoelaces untied, sits impatiently
          at the kitchen table, a colorful birthday cake with seven
          candles placed in front of him. He blows them out while half
          a dozen excited children in party hats dance and circle the
          room, SINGING "Happy Birthday" and SHOUTING loudly. Colorful
          balloons and banners surround them.

          MARY, a shy little girl around Tyler's age, in over-sized glasses
          and pigtails, takes a seat beside him. She holds an old rag
          doll tightly against her chest.

                              MARY
                    What did you wish for?

                              TYLER
                    I can't tell you!

                              MARY
                    Why not?

                              TYLER
                    Because if I tell it won't come
                    true. Everyone knows that.

          TYLER'S MOTHER, smiling, enters the room carrying a small green
          box tied with a ribbon.

                              MOTHER
                    Are you ready for your present,
                    birthday boy?

                              TYLER
                        (frowning)
                    That's it?

                              MOTHER
                    You haven't even opened it yet!

                              TYLER
                    But it's not what I asked for!

                              MOTHER
                    Well, you might be surprised.

          Tyler unwraps the little green box and pulls out a green
          collar.

                              TYLER
                    But mom, this is for a dog...

                              FATHER (O.S.)
                    Exactly

          TYLER'S FATHER, a mustached man in a suit, arrives carrying
          a puppy. The tiny white dog has long ears and a spot on his left
          eye. Tyler jumps out of his seat, excited.

                              TYLER
                    You got me a dog?!

          Tyler grabs the puppy from his father and lifts it high over his
          head.

                              TYLER (CONT'D)
                    This is the best present ever!

                              MARY
                        (shyly)
                    Wh-What are you going to call it?

                              TYLER
                    Cruncher! His name is Cruncher.
                    Look at those teeth!

          Tyler pulls Cruncher's mouth open, showing off the puppy's tiny
          teeth.

          Tyler's parents smile. Tyler runs off with the dog, leaving behind
          his cake and his guests, who barely notice his departure in
          the excitement of the party.

          INSERT: Title card: 3 YEARS LATER

          INT. TYLER'S HOUSE, HALL -- DAY

          Tyler, now 10 years old, darts into the house and SLAMS the
          door shut behind him. He kicks off his sneakers and throws
          his backpack down on the floor. He continues running towards
          the stairs.

          Tyler's mother passes by, her nose buried in a novel. She pushes
          the sneakers aside with her foot and reopens the front door.
          Cruncher runs in, hits a wall and follows up the stairs in
          Tyler's footsteps.Tyler's mother shuts the door again.

          INT. TYLER'S HOUSE, TYLER'S BEDROOM -- NIGHT

          The room is a jungle of useless junk: dirty clothes in every corner,
          broken toys and garbage littering the floor, papers, books
          and crayons cluttering the desk. The only light comes from a
          small lamp on a nightstand.

          Tyler lies on his bed playing a video game, Cruncher
          sleeping quietly at his feet.

          Tyler's mother stands in the doorway, her arms crossed over her
          chest.

                              MOTHER
                    Tyler, do you remember what I told
                    you when we gave you Cruncher three
                    years ago?

          Tyler is focused on his game.

                              TYLER
                    No.

                              MOTHER
                    A dog is a big responsibility and -

                              TYLER
                        (rolling his eyes)
                    I know.

                              MOTHER
                    You need to take care of him, like
                    we take care of you.

                              TYLER
                    I do.

          Tyler rolls over, pulling the covers over his head and knocking
          the sleeping dog off the bed. Cruncher YELPS. Confused, he
          shakes his head and jumps back up.

          Tyler's mother sighs.

          INT. TYLER'S HOUSE, TYLER'S BEDROOM -- DAY

          Tyler searches franticly through his messy bedroom, throwing more
          clothes, books and old toys all over the floor.

          Cruncher watches Tyler from the bed.

                              MOTHER (O.S.)
                    Tyler, hurry up!

                              TYLER
                    Just a minute!

                              MOTHER (O.S.)
                    You're going to be late!

                              TYLER
                        (to himself)
                    Come on, there's gotta be
                    something...
                        (to Cruncher)
                    Do you have any ideas?

                              MOTHER (O.S.)
                    TYLER!

          Tyler grabs a large box and shoves Cruncher inside.

          Cruncher BARKS.

                              TYLER
                    Shh... Be quiet!
                        (to his mother)
                    I'm coming!

          Tyler bolts out the door with Cruncher in the box.

          EXT. MATT'S HOUSE -- DAY

          A red car is parked in front of a big and elegant house.
          It's a bright sunny day, the green grass shines and children
          are LAUGHING nearby. Tyler hops out of the car carrying the
          box.

          Cruncher makes a small sound, but Tyler cuts him off.

                              TYLER
                    Bye mom!

          MATT, a young boy also 10 years old, runs out from the house
          towards Tyler. He is wearing a pirate outfit and carries a
          big plastic sword in one hand.

                              MATT
                    Arrgh!

                              TYLER
                    Here.

          Tyler pushes the box into Matt's arms and runs into the
          house. Matt stunned, looks down at the box and slowly opens
          it. He pulls out Cruncher and drops the box on the ground.

                              MATT
                    Wow! A dog! That's way better than
                    a parrot.

          Through the living room window, Matt sees other pirate
          children climbing over furniture and knocking things down.

          He looks back to Cruncher and smiles. He runs back to join
          them, the dog under one arm and the plastic sword in the
          other.

          INT. TYLER'S HOUSE, TYLER'S BEDROOM -- DAY

          Tyler slowly wakes up in his messy room.

                              TYLER
                    Cruncher?

          Tyler gets out of bed, rubs his eyes and looks around. He
          checks under the bed and in the closet.

                              TYLER (CONT'D)
                    Cruncher? Where - Oh, right...

          Tyler steps on a SQUEAKY dog toy, but ignores it. He dresses
          and heads out the door.

          INT. TYLER'S HOUSE, KITCHEN -- DAY

          Tyler's mother is cooking breakfast. Bacon SIZZLES in a
          frying pan and clean plates are set all around the table.
          Tyler sits at the table and waits.

                              MOTHER
                    Good morning, sweetie.

          She kisses Tyler on the forehead, but he ducks to avoid it.

          Tyler's mother fills his plate with eggs and bacon and
          places two pieces of toast beside it.

                              MOTHER
                    I'm going to be home late tonight.
                    Don't forget to walk Cruncher after
                    school.

          Tyler stares at his food and sighs.

                              TYLER
                    I know.

          He pushes the untouched plate away.

                              MOTHER
                    What's wrong? Aren't you hungry?

                              TYLER
                    No.

          Tyler gets up and walks away.

          INT. TYLER'S HOUSE, LIVING ROOM -- DAY

          Tyler stands beside the window, watching the rain pouring
          down outside.

                              TYLER
                        (quietly to himself)
                    I'm sorry Cruncher. I hope you're
                    OK...

          A single tear rolls down his cheek. He stares at the
          raindrops in the window.

                              TYLER (CONT'D)
                    I'm going to get you back! I
                    promise!

          EXT. TYLER'S HOUSE -- DAY

          Tyler runs out the front door. He opens the garage door,
          grabs his shiny bike and races down the street in the storm,
          leaving both doors opened behind him.

          THUNDER roars and flashes of lightning illuminate the
          street.

          EXT. MATT'S HOUSE -- DAY

          Tyler violently throws his bike on the ground. He bangs
          loudly on the front door. No answer. He tries again.

                              TYLER
                    Matt! Matt! Where are you? Matt!

          Finally, Matt, looking sleepy, opens the door.

                              MATT
                    What's wrong?

                              TYLER
                        (crying)
                    My dog! I never should have given
                    him to you! I'm sorry!

                              MATT
                        (yawning)
                    You mean Harry?

                              TYLER
                    Harry?! His name is Cruncher! Can I
                    please have him back? I'll get you
                    another present, I promise!

          Matt looks at Tyler uncomfortably.

                              MATT
                    Well... I would give him back, but,
                    see, I kinda lost him the other
                    day...

          He forces a smile.

                              TYLER
                    You lost him? You lost my dog?!

                              MATT
                    I didn't mean to! He just ran off!

          Tyler pauses. Defeated, he turns around, picks up his bike
          and walks away.

          EXT. STREET -- DAY

          Tyler stares at his feet as he walks back home, pulling his
          bike along beside him. Suddenly he hears a BARK and looks
          up.

          A few houses away, Cruncher hides, shivering in a corner
          with his front paws covering his eyes. A large dog
          menacingly towers over him, GROWLING.

          Tyler lets go of his bike.

                              TYLER
                    Hey! Don't hurt my dog!

          Tyler runs a little closer and picks up a small stone. He
          throws the stone with all his strength, landing it in the
          back of the large dog's head.

          The dog lets out a small CRY and runs away, frightened.

                              TYLER
                    Cruncher!

          The little dog peeks through his paw, looking up at Tyler.
          The dog grins and jumps on Tyler. Tyler falls over, laughing
          and hugging Cruncher tightly.

                              TYLER (CONT'D)
                    I missed you boy! I'm never going
                    to let you down again, I promise!

          Cruncher BARKS in reply and licks Tyler's face.

          Tyler gets back on his feet, holding Cruncher against his
          chest.

          INT. TYLER'S HOUSE, HALL -- DAY

          Tyler and Cruncher enter the house completely soaked from
          the rain. Tyler's clothes drip on the floor as he removes
          his muddy boots. He places Cruncher on the floor who shakes
          himself clean, spraying water and mud over the walls.

                              MOTHER (O.S.)
                    Tyler?

                              TYLER
                    Uh-oh.

          She meets him in the wet and muddy hallway. Tyler tries to
          smile.

                              MOTHER
                    Oh, dear. Let me get you some
                    towels. Where have you been?

          INT. TYLER'S HOUSE, BATHROOM -- DAY

          Tyler is sitting in a hot bubble bath, shampoo covering his
          head. A few bubbles randomly float through the air.

          Cruncher is wrapped in big warm towels and he hops around
          trying to catch the bubbles, which POP in his face. He
          frowns.

                              TYLER
                    I'm so happy you're back home,
                    Cruncher. It hasn't been the same
                    without you.

          The dog lifts his chin proudly.

                              TYLER (CONT'D)
                    I'll never give you away again!

          Cruncher's expression suddenly becomes resentful.

                              TYLER (CONT'D)
                    Are you mad at me?

          Cruncher shakes his head, BARKS and leaps into the bathtub
          with Tyler, making a big SPLASH. Water and soap hit the
          walls.

          Tyler laughs and wipes soap bubbles from his face.

          Tyler's mother enter the room carrying more dry towels. She
          shakes her head at the sight.

                              MOTHER
                    How can you two make such a mess in
                    every room you enter?

          She places the towels beside the sink.

          Tyler smiles.

          Cruncher unsuccessfully tries to climb out of the slippery
          bathtub. Tyler gives him a little push and helps him
          carefully to the floor. Within seconds, Cruncher falls
          asleep.

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