Violent Movies Ain’t So Bad
This short script was part of an anthology series of short films to be developed by Habit Forming Films. The theme was “Whiskey, Gun, Cigarette” and each script was required to contain those elements.
Sometimes a little violence is a good thing.
Script by David Accampo
FADE IN:
INT BATHROOM - MORNING
DAN, a single professional dad in his mid-30's frantically
brushes his teeth. As he leans down to spit, a LOUD EXPLOSION
sounds from the other room. Dan leans out of the bathroom
door.
INT HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Dan's head emerges as he shouts down the hall.
DAN
Eyes!
INT LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
CHARLIE, Dan's 6-year-old son, sits cross-legged two feet
from a big screen TV where a violent action movie plays. As
Dan shouts, Charlie's hands dart to his eyes and cover them.
After a few seconds, he drops them again.
INT BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS
Dan's head zips back into the bathroom. He spits again and
rinses. From the living room, a man screams.
DAN
(shouting)
Eyes!
CUT TO:
INT LIVING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Charlie sits, watching the violent movie as Dan rushes back
and forth, putting on a shirt, then tying his tie.
The action hero on the TV screen starts to speak. Dan
interrupts.
DAN
Ears!
Charlie obediently covers his ears.
After a few moments, the screen goes blank. Dan, behind
Charlie, holds the remote in one hand and a lunchbox in the
other.
DAN (CONT'D)
Alright, pal...let's go, go, go! I made
peanut butter!
CHARLIE
And jelly?
Dan points to the jelly stain on his tie.
DAN
And jelly. Let's go!
Charlie obediently takes the lunchbox and heads for the door.
CUT TO:
EXT CARPORT - MORNING
Dan finishes buckling Charlie into the carseat, then hops
into the driver's seat. The lunch box sits on the roof of the
car as Dan starts the engine. He backs out and drives down
the driveway, lunchbox still on the roof.
CUT TO:
INT CAR - MORNING
Dan and Charlie rock out to loud punk rock in the car. As Dan
sings loudly and out of tune, Charlie stops.
CHARLIE
Dad!
DAN
(looking in rearview mirror)
What is it, pal?
CHARLIE
(agitated)
I gotta go!
DAN
Now?
CHARLIE
Yeah!
DAN
Can't it wait until we get to school?
CHARLIE
No!
DAN
Are you sure?
CHARLIE
(yelping)
I'm sure!
DAN
OK, OK!
Dan turns looking down the street.
DAN (CONT'D)
(to himself)
Man, I don't know. Not much...I guess...
CUT TO:
EXT STREET - MOMENTS LATER
Dan pulls the car over in front of a dive bar with a shabby
wooden door.
There's fumbling as Dan opens his door, reaches around to
Charlie. After a moment they both emerge. Charlie skips
urgently around the car as Dan leads him to the door.
CUT TO:
INT BAR - MOMENTS LATER
Dan and Charlie enter the dim, decrepit bar. A scary looking
TOUGH GUY is leaning into the bar in front of the
BARTENDER, a big man wearing an eyepatch and an apron. He has
a whiskey bottle in hand.
BARTENDER
Hey, no kids in here!
DAN
Look, man, my kid's gotta go!
BARTENDER
Find somewheres else!
CHARLIE
Dad!
DAN
Come on, bro!
CHARLIE
Daaaaad!
DAN
Hang on, pal--
CHARLIE
But it's happen-ning!
DAN
Yeah, just -- what? No-- wait--
BARTENDER
You can't go in there!
Dan rushes Charlie past the Tough Guy.
DAN
Look, just...we're using the bathroom,
alright? He'll just go in. Right?
Charlie? Just go. Go!
Dan frantically waves Charlie away, who rushes off to the
men's room on the other side of the bar.
Dan stands straight and turns back to the bartender.
DAN (CONT'D)
I'm sorry, man. Emergency. You got any
kids? I mean, you know how it is.
The bartender and the Tough Guy just stare at Dan. The tough
guy wiggles an unlit cigarette between his teeth.
DAN (CONT'D)
Look, let me buy something, alright? I
mean, not alcohol, but--
TOUGH GUY
Ernie's pouring whiskey, amigo.
DAN
Oh yeah, thanks, no..I'm just on my way--
The bartender flips over a glass and pours the whiskey into a
glass. He slides it across the counter. Dan eyes the glass.
TOUGH GUY
Might as well drink up.
DAN
Excuse me?
Tough Guy wiggles his cigarette menacingly. He pulls a knife
from his back pocket and taps it against the counter.
TOUGH GUY
Let's just say your timing ain't so
great, "dad.'
DAN
Whoa...hey, listen guys, let me just get
my kid and get out of whatever...
Tough Guy is slowly, menacingly, approaching.
DAN (CONT'D)
...I mean, you guys did say "no kids,"
and here I am all wrapped up in my world,
and...hey...alright...come on...
A sudden GUNSHOT; the bartender's whiskey bottle shatters in
his hand, spraying glass and whiskey.
Behind Dan, Charlie is aiming a revolver. He squeezes his
eyes shut and fires again. The unlit cigarette disappears
from Tough Guy's mouth.
TOUGH GUY
Jesus...
CHARLIE
Freeze, asshole.
DAN
Charlie! You can't say THAT!
CHARLIE
Sor-RY!
DAN
I promised your mom!
CHARLIE
I know. Sorry, dad.
Charlie turns, waving the gun. Dan flinches and jumps back.
DAN
Charlie!
CHARLIE
Oh! Sorry!
Dan breathes deep.
DAN
And where did you...where...what...?
As Dan tries to summon the thoughts, he looks up and sees a
body slumped in the men's room.
DAN (CONT'D)
...holy shit...
CHARLIE
Dad!
DAN
yeah, yeah...sorry. We'll both wash our
mouths out with soap. Now...now, put that
thing down. Come on, let's go...
Dan grabs his son's hand and they walk out the door as Dan
lectures Charlie.
DAN (CONT'D)
...and what did I say about picking up
stuff up in restrooms? I mean, jesus --
er, sorry -- I mean, dude, come on...talk
about not knowing where something's been.
Listen, I don't want to hear your mom's
"bacteria" speech again, you catch me...
FADE TO BLACK.
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