Little Blue Man

Hey!

So this is a script I've been working on for a short story. It's for a class, but I'm actually incorporating it into my Big Epic Webcomic project which will happen someday. Feedback much appreciated!

Here is the protagonist:

And here is the script.

Little Blue Man

(First shot is of a child dropping a candy wrapper on a train. A hand reaches down, picks it up, and starts folding it into a flower.)

(The train comes to a stop.)

Conductor: ASRA STATION! ASRA STATION!

Birdy (sitting across from the main character, Blue): This is ours.

(Blue gets up, tucking the paper flower into his pocket.)

(They get off, following the crowd of party-goers. We get a shot of the lavishly decorated street ahead.)

Birdy: You know what he looks like?

(Blue takes out a picture of a mustachioed man, looking down at it.)

Blue: Yep.

Birdy: Good.

Don't waste time.

(They separate. Blue walks down the street, ignoring the celebrations. He spots Mustache walking through a crowd, speaking to someone. Blue makes a beeline for him, preparing to draw his gun.)

(We see him pass below a balcony. On the balcony, a slightly drunken young woman dressed as a robin redbreast is laughing, and suddenly trips, toppling over the balcony railing. Blue immediately sees her, but is too late to avoid her crashing into him.)

(Blue lays on the ground, stunned. The girl struggles onto her elbows, and notices Blue. She scrabbles off of him.)

Robin: I'm so sorry! I'm so so sorry! God, are you okay?

(Blue struggles to his feet, rubbing his shoulder.)

Robin: Are you okay? ARE YOU OKAY?

(Blue looks at her.)

Blue: I'm...I'm fine. I think.

Robin: Oh, gods, I am such a klutz. I seriously didn't mean-

Blue: (Waving her off) It's fine, ma'am. No harm done.

Robin: Well......hey, let me make it up to you! I'll buy you a drink!

Blue: Um, no, that's quite -

Robin: Come on, it's the least I could do after almost killing you!

Blue: Really, there's nothin' to make up for, I'm-

(Robin grabs his wrist)

Robin: Come on!

(She drags him to a drink stand, and plops him down on one of the stools. He's very uncertain as to what he should do. He starts to get up to leave, but Robin suddenly appears with two drinks in her hands, placing one down before Blue.)

(Blue looks at it, clearly feeling very awkward. Robin smiles, looking at the drink and then up at him expectantly.)

Robin: Aren't you gonna drink?

Blue: (clearing throat) Um....I...uh....can't.

Robin: Huh? Why? You just gotta take off -

OH.

Oh, right. I'm so sorry, I forgot. Can't take off your mask until after midnight on the Day of A Million Faces. Right.

Blue: Yeessss.

That's right.

Robin: Sorry, I haven't lived here long. Don't know much about the customs and keep forgetting what I do know.

Ya know?

(collapses into helpless giggles)

Blue: Uh...huh.

(He looks up, catches a glimpse of Mustache walking into a distant building.)

Blue: (Getting up) Well, thank you very much for the drink, ma'am. I have some...friends who are waitin' for me. Should probably get to them.

Robin: (Grinning) M'kay.

Sorry again. 'Bout earlier.

Blue: Not a problem.

(turns around, looking very awkward)

(He makes his way through the crowd towards the building. He sees Mustache emerge onto a balcony.)

(He's about to head over when a crowd of costumed paraders comes barreling down the street. He's caught up in the parade and spends some time fighting for survival as he struggles to get free.)

(He finally manages to break free and flattens himself against a wall. He looks up, sees a pile of crates, and proceeds to climb on top of the wall. A loud blast suddenly goes off, startling him, and Blue stumbles, falling back and managing to grab hold of the edge of the wall. He tries to swing to the pile of crates, but another crowd knocks them over. He hangs there limply, lamenting his situation.)

(Robin, following the parade, sees him dangling in the alley and immediately goes over to him.)

Robin: Hey!

You okay?

(Blue looks at her, then back at the wall.)

Blue: Yes. Yes, I'm fine.

Robin: All right.

(she stands there watching him struggles. He attempts to lift himself over the wall, only to slip back.)

Blue: All right, fine.

Would you....mind...helping me?

Robin: (beaming) Sure thing!

(She stands on top of a crate, placing his feet on her shoulders. He lets go, and she helps him down.)

(He leans against the wall, rubbing his hands.)

Robin: You're a lot shorter than I thought.

Blue: Huh?

Robin: I didn't notice back there. Guess that's why you had such trouble with the wall.

Blue: Excuse me?

(A band starts playing. A circle clears out in the crowd, and people start dancing.)

(Robin looks over and grins)

Robin: (looking back at Blue) Dance with me?

Blue: What?

Robin: (grabbing his wrist again) Come on!

(she drags him out into the dance area, and takes him by the hands, swinging him around. Blue clutches his hat, startled. She starts dancing, and he looks around, seeing how happy everyone is, and hearing the music playing and seeing the bright colors. He looks down, and then back up at Robin, who's smiling encouragingly.)

(He grabs her by the waist, and starts to dance. They dance through the crowd, nearly running into other dancers and messing up the dance and generally having a wonderful time. We zoom out and see them in the street scene, with the other dancers.)

(The music eventually stops, and everyone claps. Robin trips, falling into Blue's arms and laughing helplessly.)

Robin: You're an amazing dancer!

Blue: (chuckles)

I don't think so, but I thank you for the compliment, ma'am.

Robin: Aoka.

Blue: Beg your pardon?

Robin: My name. Just so you stop calling me “ma'am”. It's Aoka.

Blue: I see.

(He looks up, seeing Mustache on the balcony. He then looks over and catches sight of Birdy sitting at a cafe table, watching.)

(He steps back from Aoka, and bows.)

Blue: I'm sorry, but I have to get going. There's some business I still have to tend to tonight.

It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Aoka.

Aoka: Aw, what business? Can't it wait?

(smiling)

We're having so much fun.

(Blue sighs)

Blue: I really enjoyed myself.

But I have to get this done, otherwise I'll get into big trouble.

Aoka: Oh. I see.

I can understand that.

(Blue tips his hat to her, and rushes off through the crowd.)

(she watches him go, and then suddenly runs forward)

Aoka: WAIT! I didn't get your-

(Blue vanishes)

Aoka:....name.

(she looks for a moment, and then turns away, smiling sadly.)

Aoka: Oh well.

(We return to following Blue. He goes into the building, climbing up the stairs.)

(Scene: Blue spots the Mustache Man standing on the balcony, empty chairs and tables all around him, his dog lolling on the ground at his feet. Blue approaches, slowly taking his gun out of its holster. He extends it out, aiming at the man’s head, and cocks it.)

Mustache: Not gonna do much good there, Rygarvik.

(Blue freezes)

Mustache: It's a fine party down there. Shame you're missing it.

It'd be a better use of your time.

(Blue slowly lowers his gun, taking a step back. His eyes are wide.)

(Mustache turns to look at him. He smiles.)

Blue: That's....you....

Mustache: Know your real name?

Blue: No one knows my name.

Mustache: I know everyone's name.

Blue: (backing away) Who...who are you?

Mustache: I'm a mountain.

And you're a toothpick.

Blue:...what?

Mustache: I'm way out of your league, boy. Let's just leave it at that.

And I think, on some level, you already know that. Otherwise, you'd have shot me.

(Blue looks down at his gun)

Mustache: You like that name? Blue?

(Blue looks up again)

Mustache: (leaning back, crossing his arms) When's the last time you answered to Rygarvik?

(Blue stares at his feet.)

Blue:....how do you know my name?

Mustache: As I said. I know everyone's name.

(his face softens, showing sympathy)

It's a real shame no one else knows yours.

It's a fine one.

(Blue continues to stare. His shoulders relax, he loosens his hold on the gun.)

(Mustache straightens, rubbing his sore back, and walks forward. The dog follows. As he passes Blue, he clasps his shoulder)

Mustache: You don't have any blood on your hands yet.

(He gives Blue's shoulder one last pat and walks on. The dog nuzzles his hand as it passes.)

(Blue stands there, blankly staring ahead for a few moments, before turning to look in the direction where Mustache vanished.)

(He then looks towards the party, and then heads downstairs, joining the crowd below. He walks through, and spots Robin. He tries to make his way towards her, and then notices Birdy sitting at one of the cafes, watching him. Blue halts, thinking. And then he walks directly towards him.)

Birdy: Done?

(Blue sits, not answering)

Birdy: (sighs) Thank goodness. Not sure how much longer I can take this mess.

Blue: I didn't kill him.

(Birdy pauses, and looks at him, dead in the eye. We see his eye, gleaming in the light behind his mask.)

Birdy: Why not?

(Blue raises his eyes, looks Birdy directly in the eye)

Blue: Because I didn't want to.

Birdy: I see.

You know, that's....a real, real shame, Blue.

Blue: Sure is for you, isn't it?

Birdy: You are out of line, slave.

Blue: Finally.

Birdy: What?

Blue: You finally said it like it was.

(Birdy draws out a gun. Blue bolts out of his chair, running through the crowd. Birdy pursues him, gun held aloft, scattering the crowd before him. He takes aim, shoots and misses.)

(Blue climbs up a wall and onto the rooftop. Birdy holsters his gun and shouts some words. His coat turns into wings and he takes off, flying after Blue as he runs across the rooftops.)

(Blue, seeing that Birdy's gaining on him, takes out his revolver and abruptly turns, sliding across the rooftop as he takes aim at Birdy's wing. He shoots, and hits his mark. Birdy falls, his feathers falling off as he resumes his human shape. He crashes through the roof. Blue quickly holsters his gun and takes off again. The crowd is drawn to the kerfuffle.)

(Blue slips into an alley, hiding. He waits until the crowd pass him, and then sneaks through, and finds himself at the train station.)

(He looks around. The clock suddenly tolls. He looks at the train clock, and sees that it's midnight.)

(He sees other people taking off their masks, and then slowly reaches up and starts undoing his own mask. He takes it off, and throws back his head, breathing in the air. He steps out of the shadows, tucking the mask away. He spots Aoka in a nearby crowd, about to board with some friends. Her mask is off.)

(Blue watches for a second, and then turns away, hoping to avoid notice.)

(Aoka catches sight of him, and rushes towards him.)

Aoka: Hey! HEY!

(Blue freezes, and turns around.)

Aoka: You're....I danced with you, right?

You're the guy with the creepy fang mask?

(Blue looks at her for a second, and then smiles, holding his mask up.)

Blue: Guilty.

Aoka: I knew it!

(she grins at him)

Wow. You're a lot better looking than I was thinking.

Blue: Eh?

Aoka: I figured that you covered up your face because you were embarrassed or a creep or something.

But you've actually got a really nice face.

Blue: Um.

Thank you?

Aoka: Hey, you wanna know something?

I'm really sorry I fell on you and nearly killed you.

But I'm also kind of glad that I did.

(Blue is startled)

Aoka: I had the best time dancing with you.

It was the most I fun I had all night.

(Blue is still more startled. But his mouth slowly creeps up into a small smile.)

(He reaches into his pocket and takes out the paper flower. He offers to Aoka.)

Aoka: Oh!

(Taking it)

Oh, wow.

Did you make this?

(Blue nods happily)

Aoka: Wow.

It's beautiful.

(train horn blows. They look up, startled.)

Aoka: (looking at Blue) Hey, are you headed to Samare, too? Maybe we could ride together.

Blue: (hesitates, and then sighs) I'm...afraid not.

I'm headed much further out.

Aoka: Oh.

Well....hey, what's your name?

I'm sorry, I forgot to ask.

(Blue smiles)

Blue: Rygarvik.

Aoka: Rygarvik?

Wow. That's a mouthful.

Blue: Heh. It is.

Aoka: But it's still a really nice name.

Blue: Thank you.

(Train horn blows again.)

Conductors: LAST CALL! ALL ABOARD!

(Aoka quickly bends down and kisses Rygarvik on the cheek.)

Aoka: Hope to see you around, Rygarvik.

(Ry is stunned.)

(Aoka runs off, smiling and giving him a wave. She boards the train, which then promptly starts chugging off.)

(Ry watches it take off. As it vanishes into the darkness, he takes a step down onto the track, watching it go. Then, he turns around, and looks down at the mask in his hands.)

(He tosses it onto the tracks, and starts walking, in the opposite direction the train is going. He melts into the darkness as well.)

(Last shot is of the mask lying on the track, gleaming in the lamplight.)

The Deep, Chapter 1

Chapter 1 


(Naera is camping out after a long day. She takes out her journal, sighs, and starts writing.) 

Day 3. 

Today, I walked. And walked. And walked. Much walking was done. I should write a song about it. Because it's all I do these days.

My posterity is going to really bored when they read this, I can already tell. I'm not too concerned, since I'm fairly convinced at this point that I won't have any posterity anyway. So I can write whatever I want here. Pushkin. Bob. Flatulence. Goombkinarglrgrlap. There. Now I can't have posterity, because they can't be allowed to read this. 

(Naera chuckles, and then becomes despondent.) 

I have no idea what I'm looking for. I can't even be sure that I'm going south. I don't know if "south" is even the right direction. Where did I even get that impression, anyway? When I left, it seemed like the right way to go. Now I'm wondering if I'm just being an idiot, following feelings like they'll lead me somewhere. 

Corrin always said that Pavah speaks to us through our bodies, not through words. It speaks through feelings. Small thoughts. Things like that. Not through dreams. Not through people. That's what uneducated poets say. 

But I still can't turn back. That is very clear. So there is something pushing me forward. It's not just me being an idiot. 

I'm just praying that whoever - whatever - is doing the pushing will send me a signal sometime soon. Otherwise, I'm as good as doomed. 

(Scene change. Naera is wandering the snowy wilderness, finding a trail. She goes down it, and sees a plume of smoke off in the distance. She camps for the night.) 

Day 4. 

I found a road today, with a plume of smoke off in the distance. That has to mean a town, or a house, or some place with other people in it. I'm sincerely hoping so, anyway, because I'm almost out of food. And I am not terribly excited at the idea of hunting or trying to find edible plants in this snow. 

It's strange that I haven't seen anyone else on this road. I know it's winter, but don't people still hunt or go to other towns around here? For all I know, though, these people go into hibernation this time of year and don't wake until spring. 

Either way, I'm not losing anything by going to the smoke. Right? 

I really wish that I knew what I was doing. It would make my life so much easier. And considerably less terrifying. 

(Next day. Naera goes down the road, headed towards where she saw the smoke. She comes upon an old farmhouse, and goes to look at it. It's abandoned, and there are signs of fire damage inside.) 

(Now very suspicious, Naera continues down the road, and finally comes upon the source of the smoke: a ruined, burned-down town.) 

(She halts, staring around at the destruction. It looks recent.) 

Naera: What....happened here? 

Gods....

(she wanders forward, walking slowly, looking around her. Plainly astonished.) 

(she sees a figure in the distance - a young woman, on her knees in the snow. Naera awkwardly approaches her.) 

Naera: Um.....

Hello? 

(the girl initially doesn't respond. Naera leans over, and sees that the girl's eyes are closed.)

Naera: Uh....hello? Can I - are you alright? 

(she steps forward, crunching in the snow, hesitantly reaching out to touch the girl's shoulder. The girl finally seems to wake up, notices Naera, and immediately attacks her.) 

(there's a scuffle. The girl pins Naera to the ground, and is about to stab her with a sharpened piece of wood.)

Naera: WaitWAIT! 

DON'T! PLEASE! 

(The girl halts.)

Naera: I'm not...I'm not going to hurt you! It's....I didn't.....please don't kill me. 

(the girl lowers the stake. She stares at Naera, who tries a smile. Finally, she gets up off of Naera, who staggers to her feet, hands up. They look at each other for a few awkward moments.)

Naera: Uh....I'm...Naera. 

(The girl doesn't respond.)

Naera: Naera. My name. It's Naera. (pointing to herself). Naera. 

Completely harmless. Not interested in setting things on fire. Promise. 

(the girl looks at her for a minute longer, and then walks away. Naera slumps with relief. She looks up, and sees the sun setting. She sighs, looks at the girl, who is once again kneeling in the snow. Gingerly, she sets her stuff down.)

Naera: Um. Is it all right if I camp here? 

(the girl glances at her, then goes back to staring off into space.) 

Naera: I'll....take that as a yes. 

(she sets up camp, making a fire. She brushes off her hands, and then looks towards the girl. Evening has fallen. The girl hasn't moved.)

(Slowly, Naera takes out her flute, standing up. She prepares to blow into it, and then looks back at the girl.)

Naera: Hey. Hello? 

(the girl glances at her.) 

Naera: I'm drawing up wards for the night. If you want, you can come into my camp before I do. You'd be under protection. 

Probably better than sitting in the snow all night. I'd say. 

(the girl doesn't respond. Naera sighs, and begins to play.) 

(she makes a slow circle around her camp, playing as she goes. The girl watches. As Naera is about to finish, the girl approaches. Naera pauses, seeing her, and smiles at her while still playing. The girl smiles back uncertainly, and points at the campfire. Naera nods, and the girl comes in. Naera finishes the ward, and lays down her flute. The girl stares at it.) 

Naera: Heh. No one should be able to see us. And if anyone walks through, they'll just sort of....teleport to the other side. No worries. 

(the girl cocks her head.) 

Naera: I'm...guessing that you can't understand me. 

(the girl furrows her brow.)

Naera: Right. 

Well, let's try this again. (points to self) Naera. 

(she points to the girl, with an expectant expression. The girl stares at her for a second, and then points at herself.)

Girl: Kolyrah. 

Naera: Kol....Kol..deerah? 

Girl: (shakes head) Naht, naht. Kohl. Leeeerrrr. Ah. Kolyrah. 

Naera: Ko...lyrah. 

(The girl nods.) 

Naera: Kolyrah. All right. 

It's...um....very nice to meet you. Kolyrah. 

Kolyrah: Kat duya sevbak.....Neerrah? 

Naera: (smiling) Naht. NAI-ruh.
Kolyrah: N...Naarrrah. 

Naera: (laughs) Close enough. 

(Zoom out. We go a distance away, following the trail of ruined towns to an encampment. Soldiers are eating and talking, generally having a good time. We pass them, coming up to a figure standing on a hill. A shadowy mustachioed figure. He is looking out over the horizon, towards a settlement. One of the soldiers approaches him.)

Soldier: Looks to be easy enough, sir. 

Man: Indeed. 

(there is a pause)

Soldier: Something wrong, sire? 

(Mustache doesn't respond for a moment. Then, he turns to the soldier.)

Mustache: Bring out the Borman. 

Soldier: (tenses) Yes, sir. 

(The soldier heads back to camp, approaching a tent set off from the others. Inside is a cage, with a guard.) 

Soldier: The General wants him. 

(The guard rises silently, unlocks the cage. Inside, we see the bulky outline of a man, bound and gagged, hunched up against the wall of the cage. The guard goes in, and takes him by the arm, dragging him out of the tent. The soldier and guard go back to Mustache on the hill. The guard throws the bound man at the General's feet.) 

General: Remove the gag. 

(The guard hesitates, and then does as he is bid. The man rubs the corners of his mouth, marked with raw sores.)

General: This is the last town we will have to break through before heading to the heart of Gulaya. It's been far too simple so far. 

Man: (laughs hoarsely, and then starts coughing) And what...do you expect me to do about it? 

General: What should we expect? 

Man: And why should I tell you? 

(the general turns to him, and kneels down, looking him in the face. He removes the man's blindfold, revealing bright golden eyes glowing in the darkness, face heavily bruised.) 

General: Do I need to repeat myself? 

(the man gives him a hard look, which the General returns: grey against gold. Finally, the man looks down, face shadowed. He touches the ground with a finger, and hums a deep, quiet note, breath rising in fog before his face. His eyes glimmer. He sees large shapes, silhouettes of hulking beasts.) 

Man: They have makurak. Well-armed. Well-trained. This town is the gateway into Gulaya proper. Strong protection. Nothing....like the last settlements.

(the General gets to his feet, turning to the other soldier.)

General: Makurak. 

Soldier: We haven't met any of those yet. 

General: It seems that it's finally time to employ our next plan. 

Lieutenant, make the preparations.

Lieutenant: Yes, sir. 

General: Private. 

Guard: Yes, sir.

General: Back into holding. 

Guard: Of course, sir. 

(the guard reaches down, and replaces the gag on the golden-eyed man. Right before the blindfold is tied back into the place, the man gives the General a hard, hateful look. He is taken away, back towards his cage. The General returns to looking out over the horizon. We get a good look at his face.) 

General: Hard days ahead.