Code:
FADE IN
INT. ROSEDALE MALL - DAY
The mall's central rotunda is decorated in pastel ribbons and
cardboard colored eggs. A large cozy blue chair is in the
center, it's empty. A little sign stands next to it: TAKING A
CARROT BREAK, BACK IN 10 MINUTES. A line of impatient
children and adults wait.
Seven-year-old ANNIE and her mother HEATHER are at the front.
Heather turns to the WOMAN behind her whose dealing with a
small meltdown between her children.
HEATHER
I heard he was the best.
The woman takes time to nod while pulling a tissue from her
pocket to wipe a nose.
HEATHER
My friend Jenny was down here
yesterday. She had to drag her
little boy away from him, he was
hysterical.
The little girl pipes up, excitedly.
ANNIE
Meghan, this girl in my class, she
said that he smelled bad, like her
hamster.
The women laugh, Heather is embarrassed.
HEATHER
Now sweetie, that's not nice to say
about somebody, I'm sure the Easter
bunny smells just like anyone else -
She turns back toward the woman, whispering.
HEATHER
In a hot furry costume for hours.
Annie notices a yellow striped bucket under the blue chair.
She gets down on her hands and knees for a better view.
ANNIE
Hey, there's a pail under the seat.
What's that for, mommy?
Heather pulls her daughter off the floor, brushing the dirt
from the knees of her pink tights. She's tired of answering
endless questions.
HEATHER
Please don't get dirty before the
pictures are taken, Annie. After
that I don't care what you do. It's
probably just decoration. Look,
it's painted like an Easter egg.
A PHOTOGRAPHER and his ASSISTANT appear from nowhere,
preparing for the after-lunch rush. The assistant takes the
bucket out from under the seat and disappears behind a door.
She leans forward toward the photographer.
HEATHER
Excuse me, will the Easter Bunny be
done with his lunch soon?
He checks his watch, a look of worry is quickly wiped away by
a smile.
PHOTOGRAPHER
I suspect he'll be done any minute
now. Will you be having photos done
this afternoon then?
Heather opens her purse and produces a checkbook.
HEATHER
Every year since she could walk.
It's her favorite holiday.
ANNIE
My friend Meghan says --
HEATHER
Annie! manners...
The photographers assistant rushes back with the bucket. She
places it under the chair and hurries to the photographer.
She leans over and whispers, loud enough for Heather to hear.
ASSISTANT.
He ate all the carrots! The whole
God damn bucket! That was supposed
to last through dinner.
Heather glares at the assistant, throwing her hands over
Annie's ears.
PHOTOGRAPHER
Well, get him out here! Tell him he
doesn't get anymore until three-o
clock. I can't keep these kids
waiting any longer.
The photographer checks his watch again, pushes his hair back
and dabs a bead of sweat.
The assistant makes a beeline for the door. The photographer
turns back to Heather, chuckling.
PHOTOGRAPHER
New bunny, came in yesterday just
when our other guy called in sick.
Damn coincidence if you ask me. Had
his own suit and everything. Damn
strange character.
Heather tries to smile, she turns her attention back to the
checkbook.
HEATHER
How much then for the three by
fives and ten wallets?
PHOTOGRAPHER
That would be package C at twelve
ninety-five. I can throw in a key
chain for your patience. Ah, here
he comes.
The assistant leads a six foot white rabbit from the back
door. The rabbit still has a carrot top poking out of the
corner of his mouth. All the kids clap, as the parents let
out a collective sigh.
The assistant looks nervous.
HEATHER
Is something wrong with his legs?
He looks like he's limping?
ANNIE
He's hopping mommy. All bunnies
hop, duh!
HEATHER
He look so --
Annie squeals with delight. The assistant leads the rabbit to
the big blue chair, she pats the seat, he hops up. His giant
legs dangle over the side.
HEATHER
But he's so big, it can't be.
PHOTOGRAPHER
Okay young lady, why don't you go
up to the Easter Bunny and we'll
take your picture okay?
She bolts from her mother, arms spread wide, yelling.
ANNIE
I love you Easter Bunny!
The photographer tries to stop her.
PHOTOGRAPHER
Wait honey, you have to go slow and
quietly. He's really shy!
HEATHER
Annie, stop!
In an instant the startled rabbit sits up on his gigantic
hind legs, his ears reaching nearly fifteen feet in the air.
The parents gasp.
PHOTOGRAPHER
Oh sh!t, not again.
Dozens of plum-sized pellet shoot from the rabbit into the
bucket. Several parents scream, grab their children and run.
Heather is frozen by fear.
Annie reaches the rabbit, stops and looks straight up into
the air. The assistant is right behind her, slouched in
combat mode. Everything stops for one solid moment.
In an instant the rabbit is off the chair, standing over the
little girl, who is now screaming. Her mother tries to stop
her, the photographer holds her back.
PHOTOGRAPHER
Stop, you can't move her. Tell her
to just hold still. He usually only
takes a second or two.
Heather is hysterical, fighting the photographer's grasp.
HEATHER
What? What the hell are you talking
about? That's my little girl under
that monster. What's he doing to
her?
The assistant turns around to face the mother.
ASSISTANT.
Well, you know what rabbits do best
ma'am. It's best if we just leave
him alone to finish.
PHOTOGRAPHER
Hell, I'll throw in a snow globe
for your trouble, but maybe we
should wait to take the photo.
FADE OUT
03-09-2004, 08:33 AM
Easter short 04
Linear Mode
