Scriptwriting sketch no. 1
Dramatis personea:
Mr. Knot (Knot)- a man of simple pleasures.
Sam I am (Sam)-a mysterious man
Scene: a park bench lit in early morning sun. Mr. Knot sits on the bench, checks
his watch. Folds one leg on top of the other. Takes his newspaper. Starts reading.
Straightens his leg, checks his watch. He seems uncomfortable. Nervous.
Sam rides his scooter past.
Knot (aside): Sam I am! Sam I am! I do not like this Sam I am. Been disturbing
my calm. Offering me dubious breakfasts. Last time it was a plate of green
eggs and ham. Drove me mad until I caved in and tried. Had the runs for a
week. Hope he stays away.
Sam(approaches, slides his scooter in a neat turn.) Stands over Knot and beams.
Knot pretends he isn’t there.
After a while, Sam clears his throat.
Sam: would you like some herbal tea?
Knot: no thank you, Sam I am.
Sam: I see. You’re angry at me..
Knot: you think? You pushed that awful mess in my mouth the other day. You don’t
take no for an answer. I’ll give you that. Now, go away. I’m having my morning
meditation.
(Sam sits down by him on the bench.)
Sam: would you like herbal tea? It really cleans you out. I can see you are a
person that values his health. Maybe I can even say ...
Knot: don’t say, Sam. Don’t say. I will not,would not , may not and muuust not
drink your tea. Not in a boat or with a goat, or with a fox, or on the rocks. If you
came here to give me a bad time, just lay off.
Sam:give you a bad time ? I wouldn’t. No. I want to make it up to you, Mr. Knot, by
offering you some herbal tea. All natural. Good stuff. I drink it myself.
Knot: oh. I’m sure you do. But I’ve been burned once...you really can get a job for the
CIA or something with your brainwashing stuff. Now, seriously Sam. This isn’t cool what
you’re doing... I’m actually waiting for someone. Business stuff..I think you better leave.
Sam: sure. Whatever you say, Mac.
(Sam gets up, body language shows a let down.)
Knot: eggh...fine. Don’t get all emotional on me. What kind of herbal tea is it
anyway?
(Sam sits down again. Pulls out a thermos, a box of cardboard. Appears to be food supplements.)
Sam: oh. This? Just try. It’s Sage, Rosemary and thyme. I think there’s also some
ginger. Here, let me check....(checks) ..yup. Ginger and Nettle. Good stuff.
(He pours hot water to the cap, hands it to Knot. Then with his hands free, he
pours a packet of the herbal extract into the cup) there you go. Bottoms up.
Seriously, you should drink it slowly it’s really hot.
Knot sips. Face lights up.
Knot : hey, that’s not bad at all, nettles you say?
Sam: huhh. Yeah..nettles. Thyme too..
(Knot drinking the tea for a while, Sam looking hopefully.)
Knot: not bad not bad...(drinks more)
Sam: would you like to buy a box?
Knot: oh. Here it comes. I knew it.
Sam: jusuuut joking...but if you wanted.. You know..
Knot: what..?
Sam: it’s this self promotional thing I got into. I sell tea to you..other health
products..all natural...and..
Knot: Pyramid scheme? Aren’t you a bit young?
Sam: no. It’s all good. They sell things in bulk, so very cheap. I set my own
commission. And if you buy from me and sell, I’ll get a cut from your sales
But you won’t feel that. The supplier.. company gives me that bonus...
Knot: kid, you’re in trouble. It’s a dead end. Google ’Pyramid scheme’ . Nothing
good will come of this. Trust me..
(Sam looks disappointed.)
Sam: but they have such good product.
Knot: so what!? Still not worth getting in bed with them.
Sam: but...don’t you like it?
Knot: the tea? It’s not bad actually, but I wouldn’t get in business with them..
Sam: no?
Knot:no.
Sam: no? Not in the train? Not in the...
Knot: don’t start that again.
Sam: fine. I was really hoping I could get you interested in this exciting business
venture. But I respect you, Mr. Knot. So I’ll leave you alone. It’s a shame
though. I was about to give you the antidote. You know, there’s more than just
nettles in this..But you want the mystery in your life, so best of luck. Be seeing
you.
(And he rides away)
End