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A little Dr. Seussian wisdom for the pandemic. Assignment for sketch writing class |
INT. FOREST - DAY The LORAX steps up to a podium with the World Health Organization logo behind him (& on podium?). LORAX I'm the Lorax With a story for you. To help understand just what you should do. Across this great land, COVID numbers are rising, Because some just refuse The guidelines we're advising. Lorax brings out a giant, oversized and asymmetrical BOOK. LORAX (CONT'D) So for those stubborn people Who don't have a clue, I'm reading the book "Horton Hears The W.H.O." I'll read you this story. That's what I shall do. Lorax opens the book and begins reading. EXT. HORTON'S HOUSE - DAY HORTON is hiding in a dark corner of his house. LORAX (V.O.) In the Jungle of Nool Is where our story begins. Horton sits in a dark corner And shakes in his skin. HORTON I've learned of a virus That's floating about. To protect me and my friends I just won't go out. I hope my friends are alright And haven't met any doom. I wish I could see them And get out of this room. Plus my WIFI's so bad I can't even Zoom. Horton looks across the room and out his window at a STAR that twinkles. HORTON (CONT'D) I wish I knew how, twinkling star. With THREE CHIMES the star floats down into the opposite side of the room and transforms into DR. TEDROS Adhanom, the Director-General of the World Health Organization. LORAX (V.O.) As Horton lamented Just what he should do, The magic star floated in With a word from The WHO. Dr. Tedros removes his mask from one ear and lets it hang. DR. TEDROS Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening, Horton! I'm Dr. Tedros Adhanom To help your frustration. I'm head of the World Health Organization. HORTON The Who? DR. TEDROS Correct! Novel Coronavirus 19 is bad And I've heard your concern. But you can see your friends! With a few rules you must learn. We have global data Showing the virus' gravity. And a test where we swab Up your long nasal cavity. (beat) I mean we get waaay up there. Horton grabs his trunk in response. LORAX (V.O.) Horton hoped for Something else as protection. Like, maybe a vaccine He could take by injection? Dr. Tedros straightens his tie. Horton drops his trunk. DR. TEDROS Ahem... not yet. HORTON (disappointed) Really? DR. TEDROS A vaccine that works, We should have somewhat quick. Because a person's a person, No matter how sick. Horton moves toward Dr. Tedros, but he stops him. DR. TEDROS (CONT'D) Don't come any closer, Horton! Here's the first rule That you must embrace, Between others and you keep six feet of space. Oh! And wearing a mask I also advise, To cut down on germs That are mobilized. It's helpful to those Auto immune compromised. Dr. Tedros pulls out a giant mask out of his breast pocket and gives it to Horton. Horton struggles, but gets it on. DR. TEDROS (CONT'D) Avoid large groups, don't touch your face, wash your hands. Not doing these things Will put a kink in your plans. Some believe this pandemic On it's own will abate, But a person's a person, No matter their state. With THREE CHIMES, Dr. Tedros puts his mask back on fully as he turns back into a star and flies out the window. DR. TEDROS (CONT'D) And with that, Horton, I'm afraid I must leave. There's other lands I must visit Who are being deceived. Completely undermining What the WHO has achieved. SOUR KANGAROO and her YOUNG KANGAROO appear in the window - both NOT wearing a mask. LORAX (V.O.) Sour Kangaroo and Young Kanagaroo In the window appeared, And gave Horton a look That was decidedly weird. SOUR KANGAROO What's that ridiculous thing You have on your face? Are you stirring up fear? Oh! What a disgrace! Sour Kangaroo sneezes. SOUR KANGAROO (CONT'D) AAAAHHH-CHOOO! YOUNG KANGAROO And ah-choo from me too! That's a double ah-choo That we've given to you! HORTON Please cover your mouths, That's the least you could do. This is more dangerous Than some seasonal flu! LORAX (V.O.) Just then, out of nowhere, To make things less keen, Pete of the Wickersham Brothers Monkeyed onto the scene. PETE WICKERSHAM crowds into the window. PETE How's it going, sheeple? Just got back from a rally From Vlad Vlad-i-koff Who assured us that soon This threat would drop off. HORTON Your refusal to think of others Is making things worse! I have some WHO guidelines That will help cases reverse. PETE We've got this virus under control... SOUR KANGAROO Which came from a bat in Solla Sollew! PETE We have our rights, Horton! Don't tell us what to do. Horton gets more and more upset and frantic as he speaks. HORTON Wear a mask, wash your hands, Stay six feet apart, And avoiding large groups Will do for a start. Now, following the rules Will get the virus to quit. Because a person's a person... You huge pieces of... Sour Kangaroo gasps loudly and "clutches her pearls" while Young Kangaroo shirks back into the pouch. Pete Wickersham just shakes his head. SOUR KANGAROO So much for civility! I'm having a hot flash! YOUNG KANGAROO Do you hop in your mom's pouch with that mouth? PETE (coughing) Dude, we were just having a conversation. HORTON Sorry for getting A little carried away, But I worry for friends And I hope they're OK. SOUR KANGAROO HA-RUMPF! YOUNG KANGAROO And ha-rumpf from me too! PETE You make me feel sad, Horton Since you don't have a clue! Pete Wickersham and the Kangaroos leave, coughing. LORAX (V.O.) The Kangaroos and Pete departed Before causing a scene, But exhibiting symptoms That impose quarantine. But that's what they get, If you know what I mean. Horton washes his hands, secures his mask and heads out. HORTON With the WHO rules in place, I feel very safe. I'll keep six feet of space, And a mask on my face. (beat) I think it's rather stylish! (beat) I'll enjoy the time with my friends They're important to me. Yes, a person's a person, That's so hard to see? INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY The LORAX is still behind the podium. LORAX Thanks to the WHO's guidance Horton was no longer at wits ends. He could venture outside And visit his friends. The end. The Lorax closes the book. LORAX (CONT'D) (CONT'D) In conclusion,.. it's not that hard or inconvenient, people! BLACKOUT Exported from WriterDuet as Text and pasted inside "pre" tags. |