Title: Playtime
Scene 1: The Park
We fade in to a bright, colorful park, complete with flowers, trees, and kids at play. There
are two boys, JAMES (10, with a smartphone in his hand) and LEO (9, foraging on the
ground), at play. James is staring closely at his phone, while Leo is rummaging through the
grass and grabbing miscellaneous sticks and rocks.
James (glancing at his phone, scrolling): (frowns) Hmm… perhaps I can break my high score
on this game.
Leo: (picks up a leaf and inspects it) Hey, James! Check this out! This leaf is so awesome! I
bet it's the largest one in the park!
James: (distracted, not looking up) Yeah, that's awesome, Leo. I'm trying to complete this
level.
Leo: (grins and begins spinning around in circles with the leaf) Whee! I'm flying like a bird!
(giggles)
James realizes the sun is shining too harshly on his screen. He shields it with his eyes,
obviously fighting.
James: (with his eyes shielded) Ugh, the sun's too bright! I can't see anything!
Scene 2: Finding Shade
James gets up and moves towards a nearby tree, where he finds shade to sit in.
Leo: (shouting, still spinning) I’m flying, James! Look at me!
James just nods absently, sitting under the tree and continuing to scroll through his phone.
Scene 3: The Crows
Suddenly, a loud cawing from the crows nearby disrupts the peace of the park. James
winces and pulls the phone away from his ears.
James: (groans) Ugh, crows! They're so noisy!
Leo stops spinning and looks around curiously at the birds.
Leo: (shouting) Caw! Caw! I’m a crow too, look!
James takes out his headphones from his pocket and puts them on, blocking out the noise.
Leo continues to make silly crow sounds, unaware of James’ need for quiet.
Scene 4: The Squirrel
James suddenly sees a squirrel dart across the ground, looking for food. He gasps, pulling his
phone up quickly.
James: (whispers) Oh, cool! A squirrel!
James quickly snaps a photo of the squirrel using his phone. Leo sees James and chooses to
join in.
Leo: (chasing after the squirrel) Wait! I want to see it close up!
Leo runs after the squirrel but quickly understands that he is not as quick as he presumed.
He falls down and trips, chuckling awkwardly.
Leo: (huffing) Wait, come back, squirrel!
Leo tries to keep up, but the squirrel is too quick. After a few moments, he stops running
and slumps over, exhausted.
Leo: (panting) Ugh, I’m too slow. Maybe next time.
He walks back toward the tree where James is sitting, clearly frustrated. James is still looking
at his phone.
Scene 5: The Phone Battery Dies
Leo drops down beside James in the shade. James glares at his phone as it goes dark out of
nowhere.
James: (exasperated, shaking the phone) What?! No! Come on, come on!
He pokes the screen over and over, but nothing happens.
James: (yelling at the phone) Turn on! TURN ON!
Leo looks on, perplexed and slightly worried. James begins pressing the buttons more firmly,
but the phone remains off.
Leo: (softly, uncertain) Uh… James? Is it broken?
James: (gnashing his teeth) It isn't broken! It just requires… more energy! He rings the
phone a third time, but nothing differs.
James hunches in defeat. He leans back under the shade and tosses the phone onto the
ground next to him. Leo looks at the phone, then at the still-munching squirrel. Inspiration
strikes him anew.
Scene 6: New Friend
Leo grins and rises to his feet with a playful spark in his eye.
Leo: (smiling) Hey, I have something to show you!
He runs over to the squirrel, which hasn't scurried away yet, and picks it up in his hands very
gently.
Leo: (whispering to the squirrel) You're so adorable.
He comes back over to James, cradling the squirrel in his hands. He kneels down beside
James.
Leo: (kindly holding the squirrel out for James) You wanna pet it?
James looks at the squirrel for a second, then breaks into a grin, finally ceasing to stare at his
dead phone.
James: (softly) Seriously? I can pet it?
Leo: (smiling, nodding) Yeah, here.
James holds out his hand slowly, gently stroking the soft fur of the squirrel. Both children
remain quiet for a second, taking in the small moment.
James and leo became good friend after this and they stated playing together
Fade out…
