The Garden Fence by Ian C Black
FADE IN:
INT. Tom’s Kitchen Diner - DAY
View of Trophy Cabinet, at centre of the cabinet ‘Best Marrow in Show’ shield. Above a number of certificates for best marrow in show – First Prize to TOM PENN.
Next to certificates a poster for Village Vegetable Competition on Saturday 25 July and calendar with July showing days crossed up to 22 and 25 has big red circle around it.
TOM sits at the kitchen table finishing his breakfast.
INT. Peter’s Kitchen Diner Cabinet - DAY
View of Similar trophy cabinet with a space for the ‘Best Marrow in Show’ Shield. Above a number of certificates for best marrow in show – Second Prize to PETER PENN.
Next to this a similar calendar with 25 circled.
PETER in kitchen mixing a number of powders into a small watering can.
EXT. Tom and Peter’s Gardens - DAY
Overview of Tom and Peter’s gardens, separated by a 2 metre garden fence. Both gardens are immaculate, with flowers, vegetable patch, lawn and greenhouse.
The vegetable patches are adjacent to each other either side of the fence, both have a similarly sized large marrow.
On Peter’s side a 3.5 metre pole with bird scaring wind chime device on the top. Near to this on both sides of the fence are compost bins.
EXT. Tom’s Garden - DAY
Tom enters the garden from his house, checks that everything is tidy as he walks towards the veg patch. Looks at various things, then stops and rushes to his marrow.
A stick (large twig / small branch) lies next to marrow.
Tom removes the stick and throws it away over the fence. Inspects his marrow for damage, there is none.
He strokes his marrow lovingly and measures it – length and girth. He dusts outside of his marrow and returns to the house.
EXT. Peter’s Garden - DAY
Peter enters the garden from his house, carrying the small watering can, heads straight of the veg patch. As he approaches he drops the can and runs to his marrow.
A stick lies on top of his marrow. He moves it and examines his marrow; a small blemish can be seen.
He goes to the fence and stands on the compost bin.
Peter’s POV - Peter hurls stick at Tom’s marrow.
Normal POV - Loses footing and falls off bin. Peter returns to his marrow and builds stick barrier on fence side.
EXT. Tom’s garden – DAY (later)
Tom enters garden, checks all is well as he walks to the veg patch. He sees the stick and rushes to his marrow. Has a small indentation, but the skin is unbroken.
Tom picks up the stick, storms to fence. Climbs onto his compost bin and hurls the stick at Peter’s marrow.
Tom’s POV - It hits the stick barrier.
Normal POV - He loses balance and grabs fence. The fence wobbles, but holds him.
Tom collects sticks and builds bigger barrier around his marrow – fence side. He has a few sticks left over.
He climbs onto bin and throws then at Peter’s marrow.
Tom’s POV – They crash into the barrier
Normal POV - Tom goes into the greenhouse.
EXT. peter’s garden - DAY
Peter enters from his house with the small watering can. As he gets near his marrow he sees the sticks, runs to check his marrow. It is undamaged.
Picks up sticks and gets onto his bin.
Peter’s POV - He sees the barrier Tom has built and throws the sticks at it very hard.
Normal POV - As he throws one stick he loses balance and falls off the bin. The stick smashes on into Tom’s greenhouse.
EXT. Tom’s Garden - DAY
Tom bursts out of his greenhouse; picks up a stone and hurls it at Peter’s greenhouse, smashing the glass.
Tom sees the sticks around his marrow, checks for damage, there is none.
EXT. Peter’s garden - DAY
Peter gets up as the glass smashes. He runs to his greenhouse and then to fence / bin stopping to pick up some sticks and stones.
He leaps up on bin
Peter’s POV – Peter can see Tom by his marrow. Peter throws a stone at Tom’s greenhouse, smashing the glass.
Then he throws a stick at Tom’s marrow, which hits Tom.
EXT. Tom’s Garden - DAY
Tom, with blood coming from his arm. Picks up a stone and chucks it at Peter. It hits the top of the fence and bounces into Peter’s head.
Peter falls out of sight.
Tom picks up a large piece of wood and heads for the bin.
EXT. Peter’s garden - DAY
Peter gets up, blood coming from his head. Picks up a piece of pipe and heads for the bin.
EXT. Peter and Tom’s Gardens - DAY
Peter and Tom appear over the fence at the same time. The try and bash each other with their weapons. They miss and drop them. They continue to fight over the fence, with problem balancing on their bins.
The fence wobbles and finally begins to Topple.
Both fall off their bins and stand in time to see the fence crash into Tom’s garden, causing the bird scarring pole to topple and fall.
The top of which smashes through Tom’s marrow.
EXT. Peter’s garden - DAY
Peter rushes to his marrow and cuts it before Tom can get there. He runs into his house.
EXT. Tom’s Garden - DAY
Tom crying over his marrow.
INT. Village hall - DAY
Village hall set out with trestle tables. At one end a banner “Village Vegetable Competition” We see table of marrows. No entry from Tom.
Peter’s marrow is centre – we see certificate, Best Marrow in Show - First Prize awarded to Peter Penn.
A judge appears and stands in front of the table. The judge moves away, and we see the certificate over stamped.
“Disqualified after failing drug test”
Next to the certificate is the marrow. It now has a piece of old fence post stabbed into it.
FADE OUT.
© November 2007