A Dying Art Form

FADE IN:

EXT. COLVILLE SQUARE, LONDON - DAY

The backdrop of a colorful, tiny jungle stands in the center of a miniature park.

CAMERA PANS out as children lay their jackets on the damp cement in front of the stage, waiting patiently.

CUT TO:

MUSICIAN, mid-twenties. He looks as if he has just returned from Woodstock. Brushing a long strand of hair from his face, he reaches for his harmonica and accordion. He begins to play an old timey tune.

SHOTS ON PUPPET MASTER #1 AND PUPPET MASTER #2

Puppet Master #1 & #2 are dressed in all black as they untangle the puppet strings to prepare for the show. Puppet Master #1 looks like a shy and awkward young man while Puppet Master #2 looks like an alternative and edgy young woman. Puppet Master #1 suddenly swings his arms over the stage and walks a small puppet monkey in front of the jungle backdrop.

NEW ANGLE - FAVORING MONKEY

This small monkey has at least 10 strings connected to his many complicated joints. Astonishingly, he walks like a real monkey would. Puppet Master #2 comes over and assists in pulling strings as the tiny monkey starts to juggle two red balls.

After a few monkey tricks, Puppet Master #2 hands the strings back over and walks a 2nd monkey on to the stage. This monkey has two yellow balls. The two monkeys juggle their balls in competition and begin to do little tricks. 

SHOTS ON PUPPET MASTER #1 and #2's HANDS

They both tug lightly on a handful of different strings.

NEW ANGLE - FAVORING AUDIENCE

The children sit wide-eyed as they enjoy the little monkey's tricks.

EXT. WIDE ANFLE OF COLVILLE SQUARE, LONDON - DAY

The two juggling monkeys walk off stage and new and even tinnier, baby monkey starts to walk across a balance beam that has just been placed on stage. 

SHOTS ON CHILDREN

The boys and girls start to clap as the baby makes his way across the teetering board. The children are then greeted by a larger monkey holding what looks to be a very heavy pipe.

NEW ANGLE - FAVORING MONKEY WITH PIPE

The monkey lifts the pipe to show how strong he is before he begins his journey across the balance beam.

SHOTS ON CHILDREN

The children (and parents) gasp as the monkey sways back ad forth.

SHOTS ON PUPPET MASTER #1 & #2

No signs of emotion are on the Puppet Master’s faces as they pull on the complicated combination of strings together. The concentration gives them a silence and peaceful demeanor. 

CUT TO: 

Monkey finishing his trick.

SHOTS ON CHILDREN

The boys and girls clap and smile as the successful monkey walks off the stage.

SHOTS ON JUNGLE BACKDROP

The last monkey makes his way on stage. But this isn’t just any monkey, It’s a dancing skeleton monkey. As his masters pull on his strings, his arms and legs dance away from his wiggly little body. 

TODDLER

(turns to even younger 

sister and loudly whispers)

look at those monkey bones!

FADE TO BLACK.

POP IN: COLVILLE SQUARE

PUPPET MASTER's P.O.V - They bow before their small audience of happy little faces. All though their intricate puppets are not widely seen, they know their “lost” art has been appreciated. It is a talent very few people have.

CUT TO:

TAYLOR as she walks up to to Puppet Master #1.

Taylor

    Who made your 

puppets, they are amazing?

Puppet Master #1

(not making eye contact)

My Grandfather.

FADE OUT.