Poetry

Haven't Got A Clue
Scene 1

FADE IN:
INGENUITY TO THE RESCUE

TJ’S MOTHER, UP TO HER LAST NERVE,
SEARCHES THROUGH THE KITCHEN FOR A
CLEAN BABY BOTTLE, BUT FINDS NONE.

                           MOM
God bless it, if I don’t get TJ to sleep soon, I’m
going to be one of those mom’s you see on the 6
o’clock news!

                       LITTLE T.J.
Mommy! Mommy!

                           MOM
I’m looking TJ, just another minute!

TJ’S MOTHER SPIES A COOKING FUNNEL IN A
DRAWER AND GRABS IT. LOOKING WILDLY
AROUND SHE SEES A PIECE OF PLASTIC
TUBING, WHICH SHE GRABS AND SNAPS ON TO
THE END OF THE FUNNEL.

                       LITTLE T.J.
Mommy! Mommy!

                           MOM
Just a second TJ, mommy’s almost got
it. Go lay down and mommy will be right
there.

TJ LOOKS DESPERATELY UP TO HIS MOM FOR
REASSURANCE AS SHE GRABS A MEASURING
CUP AND HEADS FOR THE REFRIGERATOR TO
GET SOME APPLE JUICE.

TJ’S MOTHER CARRIES HIM INTO THE LIVING
ROOM WITH HER HOMEMADE FEEDING
CONTRAPTION AND A CUP OF APPLE JUICE.
SHE SITS DOWN ON THE COUCH, FLIPS THE TV
TO MTV AND BEGINS POURING APPLE JUICE
INTO THE FUNNEL FOR TJ.
                                                          FADE OUT

Weeks before the start of the National Film
Challenge I asked actors who I had worked with
before if they were interested in this years NFC.
As well as, had tvjerry (a local entertainment
industry site) post a call for anyone interested in
helping with this project.

As usual a couple of new actors contacted me and
two (TJ's "Manager" and the "Teenage Fan"
ended up in the movie.

The NFC Team met at 7PM eating pizza and
drinking beer/soda while we waited for the email to
arrive. When it did, I printed out copies for
everyone and we started talking about different
ideas and three emerged. One involved a lot of
character development (which didn't fit the 8
minute requirement), the second involved a lot
of drugs and bongs (which didn't seem
inppropriate), and the third is the one we
produced.

The team broke-up around 10PM and I got up at
5AM and wrote the script using ideas from the
night before.

Now for scene 1: Originally, I was thinking that TJ's
mom's dialog would be import to establish her
frenzied state, but Wendy managed to pull that off
physically. Since the scene started in the kitchen
we decided to stay there instead of moving to the
living room.

Notes about TJ's connection with the bong:
1. That his mother loved him, but she didn't have
a clue that her behavior was inappropriate.
2. His connecting love and a feeling of wellbeing
with the bong.
3. Filled the prop requirement for the movie.
4. Established the mystery when it dissappered.