THE END OF THE WORLD
By Melvin Cartagena
FADE IN
1 LIVING ROOM-INT-DAY
MID CU on CHUBB, a heavyset man. He’s sitting in a couch, with a box either of cookies, brownies, strudels, pastries, donuts, twinkies, cream puffs, you get the idea. He’s sitting there, watching television, cramming his face with some sweet fattening snacks. We HEAR the television OFFCAMERA.
NEWSCASTER (VO)
In local news a Newton man suspected
of the rape and murder of a nine-year
old girl has admitted to the crime while
undergoing police interrogation.
NEWCASTER (VO)
Joining the police spokesperson was the
district attorney, who said he will
seek the death penalty for this case.
NEWSCASTER (VO)
In other news a fourteen-year old
boy was crushed to death when a woman
driving an SUV at the dangerous
intersection of Mills Road and…
NEWSCASTER (VO)
…Pleasant Hill Road lost control of her
vehicle, slamming into a sound wall
and killing the boy as he left the bus stop.
As the newscaster reels the news Chubb sits there like a cow, looking in our direction but not at us as he chews greedily on his sweets. The PHONE RINGS and Chubb rolls his eyes in annoyance. He ignores it for a few rings, then finally grabs it in anger.
CHUBB (angry)
Yeah!?
CHUBB
No, I don’t want the newspaper delivered.
He slams the phone down and turns his attention back to the news.
NEWSCASTER (VO)
The weather for this week calls for
light showers in the afternoon of the
next three days, with temperature in
the low sixties at night and-
Almost immediately the phone rings again.
CHUBB
Goddamn it!
Picks up phone.
CHUBB (with his mouth full)
Hello!?
CHUBB
I don’t want to switch my phone service.
Note: the following shots are JUMP SHOTS in a SERIES OF ANGLES punctuated by the RINGING PHONE.
2 MID CU on Chubb
CHUBB
I already have cable.
2A NEW ANGLE
CHUBB
I don’t want a Playboy subscription.
2B NEW ANGLE
CHUBB
I don’t shop by catalog.
No I don’t want it anyway.
2C NEW ANGLE
CHUBB
I don’t want to switch my insurance.
2D NEW ANGLE
CHUBB
I don’t my mortgage refinanced.
2E NEW ANGLE
CHUBB
No!!
He slams the phone down.
CHUBB
God damn telemarketers! Won’t
give me a minute.
He starts eating again when suddenly the Newscaster starts talking in a panicked tone.
NEWSCASTER (VO)
One moment ladies and gentleman!
I’m receiving a newsflash, seems
there’s been a terrorist attack
at Seattle’s space needle.
NEWSCASTER (VO)
We’re going live to-Oh my God!
There’s another terrorist attack
at Chicago’s Sears Tower, and the Alamo.
Chubb watches the TV; he bites his fingernails, tugs at his hair, throws up his hands, does the usual gestures of helpless fear.
CHUBB
Jesus Christ! They’re invading
us. It’s the end!
He reaches for a handful of sweets and we CUT TO
3 CU on Chubb
He crams the sweets in his mouth, chewing and trying to swallow the sweets as the Newscaster continues his hysterical rant.
NEWSCASTER (VO)
Seems we’re the victim of multiple
synchronized attacks. Dear God!
explosions in Las Vegas!
NEWSCASTER (VO)
Could this get any worse? Wait
a minute! I’m getting a flash.
there’s an attack on Georgia’s
Disease Control Center.
NEWSCASTER (VO)
They’re going right for our
bio-warfare cultures.
Chubb continues trying to cram the sweets down his throat when suddenly he starts to choke. He clutches at his throat, tries to spit out pieces of the snack. CAMERA STAYS WITH Chubb as he gets up, walks around aimlessly with his hands at his throat, goes to his knees, then to the floor. He writhes on his back for a few more seconds and then chokes to death. After a couple of beats of silence the Newscaster speaks again.
NEWSCASTER (VO)
Well folks, that is the end
of our worst-case scenario enactment
sponsored by Homeland Security, reminding
you to support the Patriot Act.
NEWSCASTER (VO)
Because who knows what could
happen without a strong homeland
defensive.
As Newscaster speaks the preceding lines we FADE TO BLACK AND
FADE OUT.
THE END