Okay, here’s another ‘shut up and play your guitar’ posting.
I originally submitted two scripts to the 2016 One Page Screenplay competition in LA. The first one — “Bargain” won the contest! The other one placed.
Definitely sci fi… and it explains two mysteries from the 1980s… the weird US decision to invest in absurd Space Shuttles… and the fall of the USSR… a coincidence that’s finally explained! And sure, this’d make a great short-flick.
And yeah, blogger won’t take Final Cut proper script formatting. So sue me. Or else… enjoy!
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BARGAIN
by
David Brin
EXT. THE WHITE HOUSE – NIGHT
We zoom closer during credits, glimpsing hints that this is the 1980s.
INT. THE WHITE HOUSE – NIGHT
A BUTLER puts a silver tray and mug on a coffee table before RONALD REAGAN.
RONALD REAGAN. Ah, two marshmallows. Thank you Benson. Do close the door as you leave.
BUTLER. Yes Mr. President.
A big, old, mahogany-boxed TV announces “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson!” Reagan leans in, switching to a channel that seems all static. Highlights flicker across his face.
RONALD REAGAN It’s me. I’m getting your signal much better now that Carter’s damn solar panels are off the White House roof. We’ll nip that fad in the bud.
The TV flickers. Out of the static, a WARBLING SOUND seems almost like an eerie VOICE.
REAGAN Yeah. The deal you offer. . . might some call it. . .well. . .kinda treason?
The flickers accompany uncanny, static TV VOICE tones that seem to dismiss that likelihood.
REAGAN Easy for you to say! You won’t be down here, taking heat if the press finds out. Like the Marine barracks bombing. . . or Iran-Contra.
The staticky TV VOICE offers reassuring tones.
REAGAN. Only my friends call me ‘Gipper!’ You guys backed the commies! Without your economic and technical support, the Soviets would have collapsed long ago!
The TV VOICE warbling from the TV sounds ominous.
REAGAN Don’t you dare try threats on me! Sure, you could trigger a war down here. That’d keep us out of space. But other aliens would notice! Genocide is against —
Now the TV VOICE comes across as soothing.
REAGAN Well. Okay. It’s a deal. You’ll pull the rug out from under the Commies. . . and I’ll take down the American space program. Fritter it away on ‘shuttles.’
The TV VOICE sounds agreeable. Maybe smug.
REAGAN But won’t someone add two plus two? Connect the dots?
The TV VOICE is cajoling now.
REAGAN Yeah, they’d just call this a figment of senility. You’re right about us humans. Gullible to the end. (a beat). … Now tell me more about this thing called “Reality TV”.
…Who are these Cardassian aliens, again?
THE END
©2016 David Brin