Ticking Time Bomb

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  • Ticking Time Bomb

    I am ripping my hair out trying to figure a reason for my protagonist to only have a few days to live.

    I've thought of pancreatic cancer, debt to the mob/whatever.

    Any ideas?


    Thanks!
    "Born Lucky"

  • #2
    Re: Ticking Time Bomb

    Originally posted by javan View Post
    I am ripping my hair out trying to figure a reason for my protagonist to only have a few days to live.

    I've thought of pancreatic cancer, debt to the mob/whatever.

    Any ideas?


    Thanks!
    Maybe it's December 18, 2012.

    So the reason has nothing to do with your story? If "no", I'd work on that.
    "I am the story itself; its source, its voice, its music."
    - Clive Barker, Galilee

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    • #3
      Re: Ticking Time Bomb

      Thank you, but I'd rather not incorporate anything "like 2012" in my script.

      Mine's more gritty like No Country For Old Men or Heat.
      "Born Lucky"

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Ticking Time Bomb

        Originally posted by TwoBrad Bradley View Post
        So the reason has nothing to do with your story?
        It should be something to do with the story.
        "Your intuition knows what to write, so get out of the way.-
        ― Ray Bradbury

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        • #5
          Re: Ticking Time Bomb

          Originally posted by javan View Post
          Thank you, but I'd rather not incorporate anything "like 2012" in my script.

          Mine's more gritty like No Country For Old Men or Heat.
          How about he's a nice guy, just doing what's natural for him, but he annoyed someone. He gets a death threat, "If you keep that up, in three days I'm going to hunt you down and rip your heart out."
          "I am the story itself; its source, its voice, its music."
          - Clive Barker, Galilee

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Ticking Time Bomb

            I agree with Ravenlocks. Without some background or at least the genre most things will be like the 2012 suggestion; They don't fit into your story

            EDIT:
            Just saw this:
            Mine's more gritty like No Country For Old Men or Heat.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Ticking Time Bomb

              If your story is more of a crime drama, the natural reason why your protag would have only a few days is if someone told him that's the amount of time he had left.

              Someone put a hit out on him... or threatened him... and for whatever reason, it can't be carried out immediatley.

              Maybe the hitman doesn't like to fly & is taking the bus.

              "Trust your stuff." -- Dave Righetti, Pitching Coach

              ( Formerly "stvnlra" )

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              • #8
                Re: Ticking Time Bomb

                Bingo!

                I have it!
                Thank you gentlemen.
                "Born Lucky"

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Ticking Time Bomb

                  Originally posted by stvnlra View Post
                  Maybe the hitman doesn't like to fly & is taking the bus.
                  That's good.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Ticking Time Bomb

                    The story is the story - so look to your character and the situiation they are in, and your theme, for the answers. I have a script with a man who knows he will die soon, and the reason why has everything to do with the story - because this is the event that kicks off the story.

                    You don't want to force something onto the story, you want it to grow naturally.

                    - Bill
                    Free Script Tips:
                    http://www.scriptsecrets.net

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                    • #11
                      Re: Ticking Time Bomb

                      Originally posted by wcmartell View Post
                      The story is the story - so look to your character and the situiation they are in, and your theme, for the answers. I have a script with a man who knows he will die soon, and the reason why has everything to do with the story - because this is the event that kicks off the story.

                      You don't want to force something onto the story, you want it to grow naturally.

                      - Bill
                      Very much appreciated.
                      Thank you
                      "Born Lucky"

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Ticking Time Bomb

                        Originally posted by javan View Post
                        Bingo!

                        I have it!
                        Thank you gentlemen.
                        Well, damn... I was gonna suggest Ebola.
                        "Forget it, Jake. It's Hollywood."

                        My YouTube channel.

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                        • #13
                          Re: Ticking Time Bomb

                          He could take one of those "When will you die" facebook thingies
                          One meets his destiny often in the road he takes to avoid it. - French Proverb

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                          • #14
                            Re: Ticking Time Bomb

                            The protagonist discovered an accounting irregularity and innocently sent an email about it to management but they are out of town on a communications-free seminar and retreat so none will get it for three days. Shortly after sending it, he/she realizes that the management are the ones doing the dirty stuff, work for some seriously bad people, and when they get that mail, they will have the accountant murdered.

                            Oh no! Now he/she has to either stop the mail from getting to anyone. Recall never works. Seduce or otherwise morally compromise the email admin into removing the message? Destroy the company mail servers and tape back-ups? Gather more evidence, go to the authorities and get the family to safety? What to do?

                            Originally posted by stvnlra View Post
                            Maybe the hitman doesn't like to fly & is taking the bus.
                            Actually, that sounds like a really good comedy. A really paranoid delusional guy wins a video game sweepstakes and the grand prize is to be delivered by John Madden himself. Only problem is, someone's idle semi-death threat online gets garbled with a mail message about the impending visit in a computer crash and the poor guy thinks Madden is coming to kill him. By bus.

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                            • #15
                              Re: Ticking Time Bomb

                              My question would be is he going to die or does he think he's going to die... that opens a whole new range of possibilities

                              edit.... okay if he is going to die... he has just stolen some money (accidentally?) from Mr X. he knows that in three days Mr X will discover this transgression and come after him
                              Last edited by Southern_land; 08-24-2009, 09:33 PM. Reason: I edit therefor I am.
                              I heard the starting gun


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