What It Means to Be Green

A screenplay I wrote for my screenwriting class - Summer 2013, University of Nebraska - Lincoln.

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE GREEN

FADE IN:

TITLE "WHAT IT MEANS TO BE GREEN" appears on screen.

FADE OUT.

INT. MOVIE THEATRE - EVENING

Popcorn machine is full of popcorn. CAMERA PULLS BACK to reveal a movie theatre lobby and WOMAN at the concession stand.

WOMAN notices the new popcorn bags as the concession stand attendant begins to fill the bag. There's a recycled image printed on the side.

WOMAN enters movie hall with a bag full of popcorn happily munching on it. WE HEAR other voices in the movie hall on and off screen.

WOMAN is seated in movie hall and the lights dim as the movie begins. WE HEAR other voices quiet slowly.

MATCH CUT TO:

WOMAN sits in chair comfortably, eating popcorn as WE HEAR POPCORN BAGS RUFFLING over the SOUNDS OF THE MOVIE.

WOMAN gives dirty looks to those making noise.

OTHER PATRONS dig into their bag for popcorn. BAG RUFFLING SFX becomes LOUDER THAN FILM TRACK.

WOMAN'S brow sweats as she nervously looks around movie hall continuing to shove popcorn in her mouth.

OTHER PATRONS dig into their bag for popcorn. EACH SHOT has increasingly exaggerated digging and BAG RUFFLING becomes LOUDER and LOUDER.

WOMAN looks around at OTHER PATRONS, a air of paranoia over her.

WOMAN POV of her popcorn bag and realizes her bag is also RUFFLING OBNOXIOUSLY as she digs for popcorn.

WOMAN at peak of her paranoia.

WOMAN storms out of the movie hall and into the lobby.

FADE OUT.

INT. GROCERY STORE - MORNING

MAN pushes a cart down the produce isle of a grocery store. He is eyeing the produce on the shelf and has a list in his hand.

MAN'S POV of long grocery list that reads: "Weekly Shopping List: apples, carrots, broccoli, ..."

MAN looks up at vegetables on shelf.

MAN'S POV of broccoli sign that says: "Broccoli $1.99/head." CAMERA PANS to RIGHT to show sign that says: "ORGANIC Broccoli $4.99/head."

MAN stands in front of both signs, staring.

CUT TO:

MAN moves through checkout with obviously small amount of food, as compared to his lengthy grocery list.

FADE OUT.

IN BLACK FRAME, a subtitle reads "two days later" for SEVERAL BEATS.

EXT. GROCERY STORE - MORNING

MAN approaches grocery store entrance.

FADE OUT.

EXT. HOUSE - AFTERNOON

Snow is falling outside the house. A person walks down the sidewalk bundled heavily in winter clothes. It's obviously very cold, in the heart of winter.

CUT TO:

INT. HOUSE - AFTERNOON

MAN is huddled in blankets on couch, reading. He ends a chapter and is tired of reading and looks up, bored. WE HEAR the HUM of the heater kicking on.

MAN approaches thermostat and turns knob. HUM turns off.

THERMOSTAT reads 60 degrees.

MAN returns to couch and makes a phone call. SEVERAL BEATS.

SEVERAL BEATS of INDISTINGUISHABLE NOISE on phone.

SEVERAL BEATS of INDISTINGUISHABLE NOISE on phone.

MAN sits back in chair, relaxes for a bit. MAN makes another phone call.

SEVERAL BEATS of INDISTINGUISHABLE NOISE on phone.

CUT TO:

MAN opens front door and MAN #2 walks in.

CUT TO:

BOTH MEN are sitting on the couch watching a movie. MAN is comfortable but MAN #2 is still wearing his winter coat, hat, gloves, obviously freezing.

FADE OUT.

EXT. Bus stop - late afternoon

A plastic bottle, is brought up to a mouth. CAMERA PULLS BACK to reveal a MAN taking a drink. He's sitting at a bus stop with several other people sitting near and some walking by.

A WOMAN sitting near MAN notices the MAN drinking the bottled water and

MAN is taken off guard and pulls the bottle down from his mouth spilling a little.

BOTH sit on the bench looking forward, idly. MAN still has bottle in hand.

WOMAN pulls out of her bag a DIET COKE which she takes a sip of and

MAN notices as WE HEAR her SCREW THE CAP back on O.S.

FADE OUT.

INT. OFFICE - afternoon

MAN is sitting at his office desk slightly squirming. He quickly finishes what he is typing and hurries OFF SCREEN.

MAN approaches bathroom.

INT. BATHROOM - AFTERNOON

The bathroom is dark and WE HEAR the MAN fumbling for the light switch. WE SEE the bathroom light up and the MAN'S hand still near the switch. He's looking at the

LIGHT SWITCH with a label that says "Please turn off lights when not in use to save energy."

MAN'S FACE shows slight confusion.

MAN quickly moves to stall and closes the door.

MAN sits on toilet relieving himself.

O.S. SFX of someone entering bathroom. MAN QUIETS, embarrassed. WE HEAR O.S. the other person use the urinal, flush and wash hands. WE HEAR the door open and

LIGHTS TURN OFF.

FADE OUT.

EXT. CITY ROAD - morning

BEFORE WE SEE anything, WE HEAR the pedals of a bike and rolling tires.

Tires and pedals spin down the pavement.

A WOMAN wears a helmet and rides a commuter road bike with racks and panniers loaded for a days work. She's happily riding in pleasant weather down a bike lane in the middle of the road.

WOMAN'S FACE smiles and she waves as she passes by a pedestrian O.S.

WOMAN looks forward and notices a

SIGN that reads: "SHARE THE ROAD" with a picture of a bike.

WOMAN smiles.

WOMAN continues to ride smoothly down bike lane. WE HEAR an ENGINE quickly approaching O.S.

A LARGE SUV whizzes past WOMAN'S left, driving precariously close in the bike lane. WOMAN reacts by turning hard to the right and begins to fall to the

CUT TO BLACK SCREEN.

END.