(800) MINUTES OF CITY *working title
by Sarah Bookman
Note: The following is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.
FADE IN: Screen reveals Auckland city from above, slowly zooming in on Britomart area in Auckland. The scene is in a time lapse from evening to night to day. The composition halts into real time as the morning light reflects on the facades and streetscapes in the downtown scene.
A single number in parenthesis, exactly like so:
(500) EXT. DREAM LOCATION, DOWNTOWN AUCKLAND, NZ – NIGHT And we are looking at a man (20s) and a woman (20s) sitting under a canvas canopy draped to reveal a view of the city of Auckland. The background exposes a star-lit sky. The two are surrounded by greenery and incandescent light, sitting on an inviting rough yet refined timber platform. The viewer is unaware of how the pair has resided to such a location. Their names are TIM and SIENA and right now no one says a word.
CLOSE ON the two of them locking eyes. Siena reveals a smile. Tim looks at Siena the way (he thinks) every woman wants to be looked at. The gaze is simultaneously broken and the two look out onto the view Auckland city - idyllically glowing a dotted sea of warm light.
CRANE SHOT transition OVER SHOULDER transition ZOOM of Auckland city.
And then a DISTINGUESHED VOICE begins to speak to us.
NARRATOR This is a story of boy meets girl.
(1) INT.
FERRY COUNTER – DAY
TIM HANSEN stands behind a compact counter, lined with packets of chips, pre made glad wrapped sandwiches (revealing squashed fillings), unattractive pies and stale muffins. A large translucent doored fridge is behind him revealing shelves stacked with miniature bottles of wine and soft drink. TIM, dark hair, blue eyes, is wearing a pastel pink short sleeved polo. The ‘Fuller’s Ferry’ logo is stitched on the chest and matching visor. Tim restocks sandwich shelf in a repetitive, robotic like motion. He looks very bored. The walls and foreground are lines with promotional Auckland and Waiheki posters and pamphlets. NARRATOR The boy, Tim Hanson of Auckland New Zealand grew up believing he would never be truly happy until the day he could maintain a steady income, purchase a house, provided for and met… “the one.”
INT. LARGE COMMUNITY HALL –family reunion 2007
CLOSE UP- on pamphlet transition to ESTABLISHING SHOT PRE PUBESENT TIM holds up pamphlet folding down to reveal an extensive (and reproductive) family tree. Tim puts down pamphlet which establishes a large poster draped across his view labelled ‘HANSEN FAMILY REUNION’ in comic sans.
The room is filled with
generic looking couples and their offspring surrounding them in family groups.
NARRATOR This belief stemmed from early exposure to couple driven family functions and a total misunderstanding of the Exponents number one hit, “Why does love do this to me.”
INT.
FERRY – PRESENT DAY
SIENA FINN sits on viewing platform of the very same ferry tom is working on. Her short brown hair is neatly tied into a short pony tail. Her straight fringe is tossed around by the oncoming wind. Her face is very feminine. She wears an outfit is reflective of those from an art school, perhaps op-shop. But with style and class, as if she could enter a work place and not be judged. The type of figure to pull off any outfit. She looks out onto Auckland city, the Terracotta ferry building in foreground, Sky scrapers tucked behind.
NARRATOR The girl, Siena Finn of Wellington, New Zealand did not share this belief.
INT. CHILD’S BEDROOM- 1994 7 Year old Summer stares at last brick which she places on an intricate 3 story doll house, hand constructed. The model looks as though it would have taken weeks to construct.
NARRATOR Since the disintegration of her Parent’s marriage she only loved two things. The first was constructing large intricate objects
She picks up fairy-tale book with two hands and swipes the intricate model into pieces in one motion. The pieces fall the ground. Young Siena looks down at ground.
NARRATOR The second was how easily she could destroy them. And feel nothing.
INT. FERRY COUNTER – DAY NARRATOR Tim meets Summer on January 21st. He knows almost immediately she’s who he’s been searching for.
EXT. DREAM LOCATION, DOWNTOWN AUCKLAND, NZ – NIGHT
NARRATOR This is a story of boy meets girl. But you should know upfront- This is so much more than that. And debatable whether this is actually a love story.
INT- EXT Day OPENING CREDITS- SPLIT SCREEN Moving home like videos of the two growing up. Something like: SIENA bike riding along Wellington Waterfront, in front of Tepapa. TIM plays in back garden with other kids. Sitting at large Christmas dinners popping Christmas crackers.
(52) INT. FERRY COUNTER – DAY Tim as we saw him earlier. Bored. Monotonously stacking shelves. Coworker, Michael serves at the counter.
MICHAEL (talking to customer) The Goldie has a fruity aftertaste while the Stonyridge serves a earthier pallet. Don’t you agree Tim?
Tim breaks his stare, shakes his head and about to answer when… A tap on the side counter glass sounds. Only the hand in camera view is seen.
CLOSE UP transition UPWARD Tilt shot to SIENA’S face.
SIENA Excuse me. Your coffee table is out of milk.
We have met summer now but Tim hasn’t. This is the first time. His eyes go wide, face lights up and from that moment on he cannot take his eyes off her. TIM No Milk? Apologies. I’ll make sure the empty bottle is replaced straight away.
Siena Gestures a small generic wave of gratitude and walks out of shot.
NARRATOR There’s two types of people in this world. There are woman, and there are men. EXT. STREET- DAY Siena rides bicycle down Albert park. Camera comes to a halt, forming a still. The following, subtitles will reveal a specificities of the narrator’s points. Narrator
height: average.
Titles reveal specificities of 5’ 5”.
Narrator
weight: average.
Titles reveal specificities of 65kg.
Narrator
shoe size: slightly above average.
Titles reveal specificities of 8.5.
Narrator for all intents and purposes Siena Finn was just another girl.
Except she wasn’t.
Siena obtains an unexplainable charm about her, which drew people closer in. A curious magnetic pull.
Her round trip commute to work averages 17.4 double takes per day.
Sure enough, several male passengers and driver, look at her twice. Narrator This was a rare quality Summer withheld. Rare, yet something every post adolescent male had encountered at least once in their lives. For Tim Hansen, to find it in a city of 1.4 million people. 100s of tourists. Well, he was just damn lucky.
(70) INT-EXT. FERRY - DAY Tom concludes stacking shelves as the ferry commute concludes. Electric in motion, He scurries to find Michael, who at this point is assisting docking the boat. The populated boat spills out the people within onto the Auckland waterfront edge. Tom scales the post boarded crowd dispersing into the crowded streets.
CAMERA- hastily passes back and forth along crowd as if to follow Tim’s distressed head movements. In this motion the camera moves past a bench hosting two girls (20s).
Siena sits with female friend beside her. She holds onto a personalised keep cup.
TIM that’s her! Down there. She’s beautiful. Unreal.
MICHAEL to the left or right?
TIM Closest to the terminal.
MICHAEL I can’t see to clearly. But a girl that attractive- I bet she’s a bitch. Probably knows just how hot she is.
Tim and Michael stand looking a bit shlumpy, in a stance trying not to look to desperate. Hands to their sides, eyes fixated. Michael takes off glasses, tilts forwards and squints eyes.
MICHAEL Typical Auckland. Two degrees of separation? I’d debate 1. I know the girl she’s sitting next to.
TIM Seriously?
His face animated in disbelief.
MICHAEL Yeah. Went to Ponsonby Intermediate with her. Went out with my mate Dan for the whole of form 1 as well. She’s not too bad. She did some Art or some design thing at Uni. Her psychedelic stuff is always appearing on my Facebook news feed. Her names Sarah Smith.
TOM you know you owe me a huge favour right? After you wrecked the Huffer tee I lent you at Jonny’s 21st.
Michel looks down in shame, his hand pressed against his face slowly moving down in a tragic motion.
MICHAEL Alright. I’ll get her details. Then we are so even. I don’t want to relive that night again. Deal?
TIM Deal.
the two shake hands. Michael pulls out his phone and dials Sarah’s number. The two hold conversation whilst gesturing to each other from afar.
MICHAEL …Alright, so great to hear about your new years. Sounds unreal. But I need to cut to the chase. My co-worker, well mate really, came across your friend on board. He’s smitten after I swear after five seconds of seeing her.
Tom ducks down below the balustrade in panic, to get out of the girls view. Sarah looks over to Siena. Siena holds focus with her keep cup, attempting to stay independent of the situation.
SARAH Did he speak to her? He should have just talked to her himself. I would give him your number but Siena’s a gem - I don’t just hand out her number to any stranger, even if he is friends with you. Tell your friend we’ll be out tonight at Roxy on Fort lane if he wants to meet her in person. She is new to the city so she could do with meeting some new people. Anyways Michael, it’s been real. We are running late for an exhibition opening on High street. See you later.
Michael returns his phone to his pocket. Smug. His eyes follow Tim’s apprehensive motion to surface.
TIM Have they gone?
MICHAEL Indeed. The deed is done. You’re meeting them out in town tonight.
TIM Are you serious?! Couldn’t just get me her number? I can’t deal with Auckland city. You know my rule, I never go further than the
TIM & MICHAEL The Terracotta ferry building.
MICHAEL Blah Blah. This fear is somewhat irrational. The city isn’t too bad. But balls in your court.
TIM I’ll do it. I have a good feeling about this. Perhaps fate.
MICHAEL I didn’t realise you were such a big believer at love at first sight, fate and stuff.
TOM I’m a big believer in things falling into place. Considering I work here every day to save up for a house, the wife is what would complete the picture. That’s how life works.
MICHAEL Seriously?
TOM YES. Adamantly TOM My great grandparents, grandparents & parents met on a boat. I think some of them even on this very wharf in the early 1900s. If that is not fate then I don’t know what is.
MICHAEL Your call mate.
TOM Done.
(300) EXT- ROXY –FORT LANE, DOWNTOWN AUCKLAND.
ESTABLISHING SHOT ROXY lit in a red string on LED lights. TILT DOWN Two large bouncers dressed in black, stand either side of the entrance in a staunch motionless position. PAN ACROSS A static line of people wait outside of entrance. OVER SHOULDER SHOT Tom purchasing entrance to the club from well dressed, model like woman who is much taller than he is.
(INFORMATION FOR EXTRAS: spend time circulating space. Walk in groups or pairs. Sit in groups, some on others laps. Always have drink in hand. 12 people disperse amongst booth. One booth needs one man surrounded by girls. Girls- engage in girl on girl kissing every once in a while. Make sure the ‘photographer’ sees you. Act as if you are (or at least think) you are Auckland’s young social elite. )
INT. ROXY Loud music drowns out dialogue. A montage presents itself of Tim circulating space, fixated on people’s faces. Tim finds himself in the line purchase drinks. He looks around and sees everyone has one in their hand and stays in queue. Music adjusts to accommodate dialogue between Tim and Bartender.
TIM Hey, Hi, have you seen two girls in here? One short dark bob, insanely good looking. Their names are Siena and Summer.
BARTENDER I’m not Jeeves. Aggravated
BARTENDER I can’t keep track of all the people in here unless they have a tab or some status. Having a drink? You’re on a time limit. Tim turns around. Drink in hand.
NARRATOR Looking down at small insignificant change in exchange for an hours’ worth of pay and a watered down vodka.
Montage of Tim desperately wondering around club finishing in long held shot from above, making his way down the exit stairs.
EXT- FORT LANE.
Tim stands outside of the Red lit entrance, red light reflected onto his face. He stands alone. Shadow stretched across cobbles of the pedestrian street. An empty beer bottle and a worn down flyer are littered on his shadow.
NARRATOR Intoxicated by the promise of the evening, he was sure that his expectations would align with reality. Tom admits shameful defeat on his night’s quest. His last glimmer of hope swallowed simultaneously with the final gulp of his beverage.
Tom makes his way down Fort lane in the direction of the Ferry Building. Slow, unconfident pace.
NARRATOR Feeling a fool that he ever thought that tonight everything would align. Tom made his way back to the familiar, only to be drawn by the draped sepia constellation above in the distance. Fixated on the glow above- Tim breaks his stare.
Tim’s face lit by warm light. He suddenly looks down at his G-shock watch.
NARRATOR He knew he had missed his ferry home. A long night in the city awaited him. Feeling like a foreigner in his own city, he felt as though the high rise had melted away, making a clearing for his new found discovery.
Tim finds himself standing in the middle of an unfamiliar square, within a clearing from the high-rise structures around him.
NARRATOR Tim seeks comfort in the familiar arches of a building up ahead. Bearing resemblance to the ferry building.
As Tim makes his way towards the arches, a silhouetted figure emerges in the distance, standing within a pedestrian corridor in between two dark dwellings. Tim’s pace comes to a halt unsure of whether he should feel threatened by the ungendered silhouette.
To be continued