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. |