OLD MAN TIME

by Travis Sutherland

Short Film
Email: [email protected]

An analogue alarm clock, which rests on the bedside table, is going off. DAVID'S vacant eyes open and focus on the ceiling. He continues to get up, pausing at the edge of his bed. He looks blankly at the white wall opposite his bed.....

Old Man Time
By
Travis Sutherland
Final Draft
February 27th, 2005
‘Old Man Time’
1. INT. BEDROOM – MORNING
An analogue alarm clock, which rests on the bedside
table, is going off. DAVID’S vacant eyes open and focus
on the ceiling. He continues to get up, pausing at the
edge of his bed. He looks blankly at the white wall
opposite his bed. He leans over to the bedside table
and picks up a clipboard with a sheet of paper on it.
It is his daily roster. He turns and removes a digital,
rechargeable alarm clock from its cradle. The time
‘0715’ is shown on the roster, with the words “wake up”
written next to it. He looks up from the page and
towards the alarm clock, it now reads ‘0714’. He
continues to sit in the same position on the edge of
his bed. A few seconds later the clock turns “0715”. He
picks up a pen and draws a line through “wake up” on
his sheet. He then stands and exits the room.
2. INT. BATHROOM – MORNING
DAVID is in the shower vigorously cleaning himself.
A few minutes later:
DAVID stands in front of the mirror brushing his hair
in to an orderly parting, he then brushes his teeth.
A few moments later:
He crosses “Preening” off his list.
3. INT. BEDROOM – MORNING
DAVID opens his wardrobe and there are many pairs of
identical shirts and slacks. There are also many pairs
of socks and underpants hanging on coat hangers. The
shelves have stickers, with the days of the week
written on them. He carefully selects a shirt and a
pair of slacks from the wardrobe. He sits on the edge
of his bed and pulls up his socks, this particular pair
has Monday written on them. He crosses “Get Dressed”
off his list.
4. INT. KITCHEN– MORNING
DAVID is vacuuming his kitchen. He wears a facemask
over his mouth, overalls and rubber gloves. Around his
waist he wears a tool belt, filled with cleaning
utensils. He is furiously vacuuming everything in his
kitchen. Even the toaster and the inside of his mugs
which are on display.
5. INT. HALLWAY – MORNING
DAVID walks down the hall and to a dresser that is
right next to the front door. He picks up his bum-bag
of the dresser and puts it around his waist. He picks
up his list and tucks it under his arm. He opens the
door and exits, stopping first to check his clock.
6. EXT. STREET – MORNING
DAVID is walking down the road. He has a rather rigid
walk. He softly mutters to himself-
“March..two…three…four…”repeatedly.
7. EXT. BUS STOP – MORNING
DAVID walks up to the bus stop and stands directly next
to it. He looks up and down the road impatiently. He
checks his clock and then looks up and down the road
once again. Someone else comes to the bus stop. DAVID
takes notice of the person, and edges slightly away
from them. He checks his list. Next on his list is “Bus
ETA 1045”. He sighs angrily.
8. INT. BUS – MORNING
The BUS DRIVER is driving along and looks out of his
front window. He has food spilt down his shirt and is
slightly over weight. He has stubble on his face and
looks hot and flustered. He sees DAVID waiting at the
bus stop. He sighs heavily in anticipation and swears
to himself.
BUS DRIVER
aah, f’chrissake.
The bus pulls up and DAVID is seen standing outside the
bus’ door waiting for them to open.
DAVID storms up the bus stairs and straight to the
driver.
BUS DRIVER
Mornin’
DAVID
NO! No it’s not. Your company’s timetable
specifically says 1045, 1045! Why then have you
decided to arrive at 1049! You are deliberately
late. Now my whole day is ruined! What do you have
to say for yourself?
BUS DRIVER
2.50
DAVID
What? I don’t see why I should pay anything, this
is scandalous, you are 4 minutes late, and I
demand a discount!
The BUS DRIVER stares blankly back at DAVID
BUS DRIVER
2.50
DAVID stares angrily at the driver for a moment and
then goes for his wallet, which is in his left pocket.
DAVID
Here. But this isn’t the last you’ll hear about
this.
DAVID turns and storms down the aisle. The other
PASSENGERS watch him. They turn to each other and
gossip about the incident. He does not notice them. He
stops at a chair. He opens his bum bag and pulls out 2
disposable gloves and puts them on, he then pulls out a
rag and a small spray bottle and wipes down the seat
before sitting on it.
9. INT. SUPERMARKET – NOON
DAVID is walking around shopping aisles looking at
cleaning product muttering to himself about the
expensive prices.
10. INT. SHOPPING CENTRE – AFTERNOON
DAVID is walking through the shopping centre. He walks
past a food court and past a kebab store where a WORKER
is standing at the entrance with a silver tray and a
sign saying “Sample our Falafel”
KEBAB STORE WORKER
(Really emphasising the F)
Falafel sir?
DAVID stares at the tray full of Falafel and gags
slightly, he removes a medical face mask from his bum
bag and straps it to his face
DAVID
(shakes his head gently and whispers)
No.
11. EXT. SHOPPING CENTRE BUS STOP – AFTERNOON
DAVID walks out to the bus stop and waits for the `
bus.
12. INT. DAVIDS HOUSE – AFTERNOON
DAVID picks up his list and crosses off “GET HOME 1615”
and it is seen that there are several other tasks
crossed off. He looks at his portable clock and the
time is 1615.
13. INT. KITCHEN – AFTERNOON
DAVID picks up a bucket and fills it with boiling
water. He puts gloves on and opens a kitchen draw. The
draw is full of new sponges. He proceeds to clean the
kitchen floor.
14. INT. BATHROOM – NIGHT
DAVID is in front of a mirror brushing his hair. He
looks at his clock and it says 1859. He checks his list
and next to 1900 says “The Lives of Others”. He drops
his comb into a sterilised canister and walks out of
the room quickly.
15. INT. LOUNGE ROOM – NIGHT
DAVID sits on his couch and turns his Tv on. There is
an advert on about hair removal cream. DAVID sighs
impatiently and checks his watch. He looks irritably at
the Tv again and the advert is still on, it changes to
a promo ad for the station, “Channel 8”. He shakes his
head and as he does so a Tv show called “The Lives of
Others” comes on. He throws his hands up
DAVID
Finally.
DAVID picks up a pen and a notepad and writes something
down. He then settles in to watch his show.
16. INT. LOUNGE ROOM – NIGHT
The credits roll up the screen. DAVID checks his watch.
It says 1930. He picks up his list and crosses out
“Lives of Others”. The next item on his list is ‘Wash
face and brush teeth’.
DAVID walks over to his phone. He has the notepad with
him. He presses a speed dial button on his phone. The
speed dial says “Channel 8”.
DAVID
Yes, Hello. I am looking to complain.
Alright, but hurry up, or I will hang up!
DAVID waits for a few seconds and keeps checking his
clock
DAVID (CONT’D)
Yes, Hello, I have two complaints and both of
them relate to your station’s infatuation
with tardiness. First I would like to
complain about being put on hold for so long.
(LISTENS) Oh, about 25 minutes. Yes, Yes.
Secondly I would like to complain about the
lateness of your broadcast “The Lives of
Others”.(LISTENS) No, well, who ever said
that told a lie. The program was 1 minute
late… again. If you company intends to put
the program on at 8:01 pm, then I suggest you
change the Television Guide to read 8:01pm,
otherwise you are deliberately lying to
consumers.
17. INT. BATHROOM – NIGHT
DAVID is brushing his teeth.
18. INT. BEDROOM – NIGHT
DAVID is in his pyjamas next to his bed. He takes
the roster off the top of his clipboard and opens
a draw underneath his bedside table. The draw is a
filing cabinet. He places the sheet under the date
30th February and removes a sheet from the date
31st of February. He attaches the new sheet to his
clipboard. He then places his rechargeable clock
in its dock and gets under the covers of his bed.
He leaves his light on and closes his eyes. He
quickly drifts off.
19. INT. BEDROOM – NIGHT
DAVID is asleep, he is murmuring something and he
is moving fitfully. He shifts violently and knocks
his rechargeable clock out of its cradle.
A few minutes later:
There is a power surge and DAVID’S light goes off.
He is asleep and does not know.
A few minutes later:
Twenty minutes has passed, the power returns and
his light comes back on. His rechargeable digital
clock is still out of its dock and lying on its
side on the bedside table. His analogue alarm
clock turns back on, however is picks up from
where it left off- albeit 20 minutes late now.
DAVID does not know any different, he is still
asleep.
20. INT. BEDROOM –MORNING
DAVID rolls onto his back and opens his eyes. He
takes a second to wake up and then turns and looks
at his clock towards his bedside table. He notices
the rechargeable digital clock is not in its
cradle.
DAVID gasps in horror. He quickly sits up and
picks up the clock. He pulls out the battery. He
gets up out of bed and opens his cupboard. In the
cupboard there is a battery charger with a battery
sitting in it. There is a small sign next to it
saying, “Emergency backup – do not touch”. He
pulls out the battery and puts it in the back of
his clock. He closes the cupboard again.
He sits on the side of his bed and sets the time
on his clock. His breathing is very heavy and he
is noticeably uncomfortable and flustered. He sets
his digital clock by the time on his bedside
table. He sets it to 0645 (the wrong time). He
then puts the digital clock into its cradle very
gently, he picks up his roster. His first task is
“0715 – Wake up”. He lies back down in bed and
stairs at the ceiling waiting for 0715 to arrive.
21. INT. BEDROOM – MORNING
DAVID is still wide awake. He looks at the time.
It is now 0715. He sits up on the edge of his bed.
0715 arrives and he picks up a pen and crosses of
“Wake Up” from his list. He gets up and walks out
of the room.
22. INT. BATHROOM – MORNING
DAVID is in the shower cleaning himself furiously
and brushing his teeth at the same time. He
crosses off “Preening”
23. INT. BEDROOM – MORNING
DAVID is looking through his wardrobe. He chooses
a pair of slacks and a shirt exactly the same as
the ones he wore the day before. He crosses off
“Get Dressed”
24. INT. LOUNGE – MORNING
DAVID is on his hands and knees on the carpet with
a bucket full of soapy water on a table next to
him. He has rubber gloves and a facemask on and is
scrubbing furiously. He crosses off “Clean House”
25. INT. HALLWAY – MORNING
DAVID walks down to the end of the hall to the
dresser and puts his bum bag on again. He checks
his list to see what is next on his agenda. Its
reads “BUS ETA 1045”. He opens the door and walks
out.
26. INT. BUS STOP – MORNING
DAVID walks up to his bus stop and waits. He
checks his watch. It says 1045. He looks up and
down the street and starts to sigh impatiently. He
continues looking left and right.
DAVID is pacing up and down and turns to look up
the street. He sees no bus. He checks his watch
and sees it is 1056.
DAVID
Oh no, this is not good (LOOKS AGAIN)
this is not good at all.
DAVID is still standing next to the bus stop and
looking at the timetable, he starts scratching at
himself in different places. He checks his watch.
It is 1100. He turns as he hears a sound, he sees
his bus coming down the road.
27. INT. BUS - MORNING
BUS DRIVER
(At seeing DAVID)
Ah Jesus…..I was hoping he was dead.
DAVID is seen outside the doors and storms up the
stairs to the driver
BUS DRIVER
(Quickly before DAVID can get a word in)
2.50!
DAVID
(hysterical)
I thought that after our chat yesterday we
would not have this problem again! Instead
you decide to just meander up here, showing
that you have no respect for customers. I’ve
decided it’s not the company’s fault at all,
no,… It’s your fault. You are lazy! And you
are fat, and have no respect, which explains
why you resemble a Pig, a fat disgusting lazy
PIG.
(DAVID finishes but is breathing
heavily)
BUS DRIVER
(Completely stunned)
Uh….well…you..
DAVID ignores him and strolls off down the aisle.
He finds a seat and once again starts to clean it.
28. INT. SUPERMARKET – NOON
DAVID is at the same shopping centre. He is looking in
the same aisles as the previous day.
29. INT. SHOPPING CENTRE – NOON
DAVID walks past the food court and past the kebab
store. The sales girl is still there.
KEBAB STORE WORKER
Hi Sir… F..
DAVID
DAVID puts his hand up in a ‘stop’ motion very quickly
Ah!…..
(Shakes his head)
Don’t..
DAVID rushes off
30. INT. SHOPPING CENTRE BUS STOP – AFTERNOON
DAVID walks up to the bus stop and there is a bus
already waiting for him
31. INT. DAVIDS HOUSE – AFTERNOON
DAVID picks up his list and crosses off “GET HOME 1615”
He looks at his portable clock and the time is 1615.
32. INT. KITCHEN – AFTERNOON
DAVID picks up a bucket and fills it with boiling
water. He puts gloves on and again starts to clean the
kitchen floor.
33. INT. BATHROOM – NIGHT
DAVID is in front of a mirror combing his hair again.
He looks at his clock and it says 1850. He checks his
list and next to 1900 says “The Lives of Others”. He
smiles to himself and walks out of the room
34. INT. KITCHEN – NIGHT
DAVID makes himself a cup of tea, puts the used tea bag
into a resealable plastic bag and puts it in the
cleanest bin in the world. He exits the room
35. INT. LOUNGE ROOM – NIGHT
DAVID sits on his couch and waits.
DAVID
Let’s see if they are on time tonight.
DAVID waits until 1900 and then switches the Tv on. His
show has already started and DAVID sits up straight
with a jolt.
DAVID (CONT’D)
What the Dickens?
DAVID picks up a pen and a notepad and writes down
something furiously. He then tries to make out the
story line. Unbeknownst to him, he has missed 20
minutes and he cannot make sense of what’s happening.
The show ends ten minutes later.
DAVID (CONT’D)
Wha? What? What’s going on?
DAVID’S eyes almost fall out of his head and he can’t
understand what is happening, the credits start rolling
up the screen.
(Screaming)
It’s just started!
DAVID walks over to his phone. He has the notepad with
him. He presses a speed dial button again for “Channel
8”.
DAVID
Yes, Hello. I am looking to complain.
(LISTENS) No I won’t hold. Your show was
early and only 10 minutes long. Have the
broadcast times changed? (LISTENS) Yes they
have(LISTENS) Yes they have! (LISTENS) Then
why was it only 10 minutes long? (LISTENS) IT
WAS!!……Look, I am not standing here and
arguing on the phone with some fool, the
customer is always right, and as your
customer I AM RIGHT!. I want to speak to
your manager. (LISTENS), well…then, uh…I want
to speak to a better manager (LISTENS) Right,
well then I am going to go to see the
Ombudsman for television!
DAVID slams the phone down.
DAVID is in a very bad mood and mutters something to
himself. He checks his watch and it says “1930 - brush
teeth”, he rushes out of the room.
36. INT. BEDROOM – NIGHT
DAVID does the same as the previous night. He takes the
page of his clipboard and puts it in the filing
cabinet. He takes out a fresh one for the next day and
puts it on his clipboard. He makes certain that his
clock will not fall out. He does this by taking some
Gaffer tape out of the bedside table draw and taping it
to its recharging cradle. He lies back in his bed and
falls asleep.
37. INT. BEDROOM –MORNING
DAVID rolls onto his back and opens his eyes. He looks
ragged and worn out this morning. He sits up quickly
and checks his clock is still in its recharge dock and
breaths a sigh of relief when he sees that it is.
Again he sits on the side of his bed waiting for “0715”
to arrive. When it does, he crosses “GET UP” off his
list.
38. INT. BATHROOM – MORNING
DAVID is in the shower cleaning himself furiously and
brushing his teeth at the same time. He crosses off
“Preening”
39. INT. BEDROOM – MORNING
DAVID is looking through his wardrobe. He chooses a
pair of slacks and a shirt exactly the same as the ones
he always wears. He crosses off “Get Dressed”
40. INT. LOUNGE – MORNING
DAVID is on his hands and knees scrubbing the carpet
again
41. INT. HALLWAY – MORNING
DAVID walks down to the end of the hall to the dresser
and puts his bum bag on again. He checks his list to
see what is next on his agenda. Its reads “BUS ETA
1045”. He stares at this for a moment and mutters
something inaudible under his breath. He turns and
picks up a short handled umbrella and walks out the
door.
42. INT. BUS STOP – MORNING
DAVID walks up to his bus stop and waits. Today he does
not look up or down the street, he just stands and
stares emptily into space. He looks like he has given
up all hope.
He checks his watch, and notices the bus is very late
once again. For the first time he checks up and down
the road. He is seething mad, but he is not as visibly
angry as usual.
43. INT. BUS - MORNING
BUS DRIVER
(At seeing DAVID)
Ah for the love of Christ. Here we go.
DAVID is seen outside the doors and walks up the stairs
calmly.
DAVID stands in front of the bus driver motionless and
expressionless for a moment, both of them stare at each
other. There is an expectant silence.
BUS DRIVER
(Sighs)
2.50?
DAVID says nothing. Instead he pulls out his umbrella
and starts belting the BUS DRIVER with it unmercifully.
While he is doing this he lets out a maniacal scream.
44. INT COURT ROOM – DAY
DAVID is standing in front of a JUDGE in a magistrate’s
court.
JUDGE
DAVID BROWN for the sole count of grievous
bodily harm with an umbrella how do you
plead?
45. INT PRISON – DAY
DAVID is standing to attention dressed in orange
overalls. He has a pile of material in his arms along
with toilet paper and a toothbrush. There is a PRISON
WARDEN rattling off in the background.
PRISON WARDEN
(Sternly whilst pacing up and down)
While you are under my supervision you will live a
life of order and regulation. You will be
civilised human beings. Your stay here at Wakers
Prison will be one of discipline and regiment. It
will do you people good… to have a little
discipline for once, having do doubt led a life of
little self control. I can guarantee that none of
you have enough discipline to organise a piss up
in a brewery!
(continues pacing)
From now on this is how you will live. The rules
are as follows
The WARDEN picks up a clipboard identical to DAVID’S and
begins to read from it.
At 0715 you will wake up, at 0745 you will clean
yourself, at 0800 you will feed yourself, at 0830
you will clean your cell, at 0900…
While the WARDENS voice is heard faintly in the background
rattling off the roster, DAVID breaks out into a huge smile.
He is happy.
PRISON WARDEN
(yelling even louder)
..And at 2100 hours… LIGHTS OUT!!
(At the same time a cell door is heard
slamming in the background.)
The End
Old Man Time
© Travis Sutherland
February 27th 2005

Download Script

© Travis Sutherland February 27th 2005