"The Lesson"
by Duncan Putney
FADE IN:
INT. SAM’S BEDROOM -‐ MORNING
CLOSE UP of the details of an old man getting ready for a Sunday morning date. Old
hands pick up the hair brush that lays next to the photo of a young woman on the neatly arranged doily covered dresser top. They tie a tie, lace up shoes, straiten a cuff, put on a sport coat, straiten the handkerchief in his breast pocket, and then open a drawer to reach for a box and a folded game board.
CUT TO:
INT. TRAIN -‐ MORNING
SAM (70) sits looking out the window. A CHESS BOARD and a BOX of black& white CHESS PIECES sits on his lap.
The train is only half full. FAMILIES have replaced the BUSINESS MEN and WOMEN of the weekday commute. A MAN reads the Sunday paper while his WIFE does the crossword puzzle. Another MAN 930) holds his YOUNG DAUGHTER on his lap as they watch the world go by outside the window.
EXT. STREET -- DAY
Sam walks up and out of the subway station and walks down the street toward a busy cafe only blocks away. He waves at SOMEONE standing at the front of the cafe.
SAM'S POV
Sam catches glimpses of a YOUNG WOMAN (20) through city street traffic and PEDESTRIANS passing in front of her on the sidewalk.
EXT. CAFE -- DAY
The cafe is very busy on Sundays. CUSTOMERS, CHURCH-GOERS, college STUDENTS, and neighborhood FOLKS fill the tables as OTHERS come and go with take-out paper cups of coffee and bags of pastries.
The wait STAFF move about with trays of food and drinks. BUS BOYS are busy pouring water, clearing tables after Customers, and setting up for the next ones.
As Sam approaches the cafe, he begins to smile with anticipation, holding up his chess set in front of him as if to show the person he is meeting that he is looking forward to an enjoyable game as always.
SAM
I see our regular table is free. Are
you ready for your old man this week?
Sam enters the sidewalk seating area, sits at a table in the middle of the cafe and begins setting up a CHESS BOARD.
POV ACROSS THE TABLE ON SAM
SAM (CONT'D)
You are getting much better! You'll be
beating me on a regular basis soon, I
think.
Some Customers notice Sam at his table while others are just too busy with their own lives. Sam's opponent makes a first move. A young woman's HAND moves a WHITE KNIGHT forward, and Sam quickly counters with a BLACK PAWN.
SAM (CONT'D)
Maybe you are in love with your white
knight. Perhaps he will ride into our
cafe and carry you away from me.
A young woman's HAND slides a WHITE PAWN forward two spaces.
SAM'S POV
The waitress JENNIFER (30) arrives with a TRAY and puts two drinks on the table (a CAPPUCCINO & a GLASS OF WATER).
JENNIFER
Good morning. One cappuccino and one
water.
SAM (O.S.)
Thank you, Jen. You are our favorite
waitress.
JENNIFER
That's what they all say.
(beat)
Just flag me down when you need another.
We're a bit crazy today and I have to
train a new girl.
POV ACROSS THE TABLE ON SAM
Jennifer goes on about her work. Sam takes a sip of his cappuccino while he contemplates the game.
SAM
Remember when we first came to this
cafe? It was a much more relaxed place
back then.
Sam moves a BLACK PAWN forward.
SAM (CONT'D)
Yes, still busy, but relaxed.
A Bus Boy slides by the table and then the Hostess with menus followed by a Young Couple.
A young woman's HAND moves a WHITE BISHOP out from behind a white pawn.
SAM (CONT'D)
You seem to be playing a new strategy
today. But I will figure it out.
(beat)
I will, and before you beat me.
Sam makes his move with a BLACK KNIGHT.
SAM (CONT'D)
How was school this week? University can
be very stressful.
Customers nearby look on and smile at Sam when they occasionally make eye contact.
A young woman's HAND moves another WHITE PAWN.
SAM'S POV
Jennifer arrives to drop off a PLATE OF PASTRIES.
JENNIFER
Enjoy.
SAM (O.S.)
You're spoiling us.
JENNIFER
Only on Sundays.
Jennifer goes on about her work.
POV ACROSS THE TABLE ON SAM
Sam picks up a pastry and begins to nibble at it while he studies the board.
SAM
You know what helps relieve stress?
That's right, chess!
(laughing)
Well, chess and pastries.
Sam moves his BLACK BISHOP to take a WHITE KNIGHT and places the piece to the side of the board.
SAM (CONT'D)
My stress is just melting away.
INT. CAFE PICK-UP COUNTER -- CONTINUOUS
Jennifer is training a new girl, TRACY (20). On the wall are various customers from over the years. A slightly yellowed card stock "The Basics of the Game of Chess" playing board diagram is taped next to the pictures. The PHOTO next to the diagram is of a slightly younger Sam and a twenty-year-old woman sitting at a table playing chess. She is the same Young Woman that we saw Sam wave to earlier.
JENNIFER
It's pretty standard, same as your
last job, I'm sure. Ring your orders
in at the cash register and pick them
up here.
TRACY
Anything else I need to know?
JENNIFER
You play chess?
TRACY
No.
JENNIFER
Pretty simple really.
CUT TO:
TRACY'S POV
A Waitress passes Sam's table. We now see that Sam is alone at his table. As she passes, she deftly moves the WHITE QUEEN before continuing on with her tray to a table of Customers.
INT. CAFE PICK-UP COUNTER - CONTINUOUS
The BARISTA places several COFFEE DRINKS on Jennifer's TRAY as Jennifer picks some PLATED PASTRIES from the case and adds them on her tray. She picks up the tray as Tracy follows her outside.
JENNIFER
The diagram on the wall covers the basics.
Sam's been coming into the city every
Sunday morning to play his daughter for
over a decade.
TRACY
So where's his daughter?
EXT. CAFE - CONTINUOUS
Sam holds his hand on the BLACK CASTLE that he has just moved, studies it for a moment, and brings his his hand off the piece.
A Waitress slides past Sam's table and moves another WHITE KNIGHT before delivering coffees to a nearby table.
JENNIFER
She was killed by a drunk driver just
before graduation. That was like six years
ago.
Sam takes a bite of pastry and moves one of his BLACK BISHOPS.
TRACY
But he still comes into the city every
Sunday?
JENNIFER
Rain or shine.
TRACY
Why?
As they walk by Sam's table, Tracy moves the WHITE QUEEN and takes one of Sam's BLACK KNIGHTS. Putting the black knight to the side to join three BLACK PAWNS and a BISHOP. She moves on to another table some distance away to deliver her coffee and pastries.
JENNIFER
Because, you'll find that when it gets
crazy around here that chess is a very
relaxing game.
Sam clasps his hands and takes a sip of his coffee.
SAM
Very good! You're getting better. I'll
miss our games after you graduate and
become too busy for your father.
PULLING BACK
The cafe bustles with activity, new Customers take their seats, Customers that have finished pay their bills and leave, as the Wait Staff and Bus Boys hurry about their business. Sam plays on.
SFX: TRAIN
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. TRAIN -- LATE AFTERNOON
Sam rides back home with the CHESS SET in his lap. He sees his own reflection when he looks out the window; a single tear rolls down his cheek. He smiles.
FADE OUT.
INT. SAM’S BEDROOM -‐ MORNING
CLOSE UP of the details of an old man getting ready for a Sunday morning date. Old
hands pick up the hair brush that lays next to the photo of a young woman on the neatly arranged doily covered dresser top. They tie a tie, lace up shoes, straiten a cuff, put on a sport coat, straiten the handkerchief in his breast pocket, and then open a drawer to reach for a box and a folded game board.
CUT TO:
INT. TRAIN -‐ MORNING
SAM (70) sits looking out the window. A CHESS BOARD and a BOX of black& white CHESS PIECES sits on his lap.
The train is only half full. FAMILIES have replaced the BUSINESS MEN and WOMEN of the weekday commute. A MAN reads the Sunday paper while his WIFE does the crossword puzzle. Another MAN 930) holds his YOUNG DAUGHTER on his lap as they watch the world go by outside the window.
EXT. STREET -- DAY
Sam walks up and out of the subway station and walks down the street toward a busy cafe only blocks away. He waves at SOMEONE standing at the front of the cafe.
SAM'S POV
Sam catches glimpses of a YOUNG WOMAN (20) through city street traffic and PEDESTRIANS passing in front of her on the sidewalk.
EXT. CAFE -- DAY
The cafe is very busy on Sundays. CUSTOMERS, CHURCH-GOERS, college STUDENTS, and neighborhood FOLKS fill the tables as OTHERS come and go with take-out paper cups of coffee and bags of pastries.
The wait STAFF move about with trays of food and drinks. BUS BOYS are busy pouring water, clearing tables after Customers, and setting up for the next ones.
As Sam approaches the cafe, he begins to smile with anticipation, holding up his chess set in front of him as if to show the person he is meeting that he is looking forward to an enjoyable game as always.
SAM
I see our regular table is free. Are
you ready for your old man this week?
Sam enters the sidewalk seating area, sits at a table in the middle of the cafe and begins setting up a CHESS BOARD.
POV ACROSS THE TABLE ON SAM
SAM (CONT'D)
You are getting much better! You'll be
beating me on a regular basis soon, I
think.
Some Customers notice Sam at his table while others are just too busy with their own lives. Sam's opponent makes a first move. A young woman's HAND moves a WHITE KNIGHT forward, and Sam quickly counters with a BLACK PAWN.
SAM (CONT'D)
Maybe you are in love with your white
knight. Perhaps he will ride into our
cafe and carry you away from me.
A young woman's HAND slides a WHITE PAWN forward two spaces.
SAM'S POV
The waitress JENNIFER (30) arrives with a TRAY and puts two drinks on the table (a CAPPUCCINO & a GLASS OF WATER).
JENNIFER
Good morning. One cappuccino and one
water.
SAM (O.S.)
Thank you, Jen. You are our favorite
waitress.
JENNIFER
That's what they all say.
(beat)
Just flag me down when you need another.
We're a bit crazy today and I have to
train a new girl.
POV ACROSS THE TABLE ON SAM
Jennifer goes on about her work. Sam takes a sip of his cappuccino while he contemplates the game.
SAM
Remember when we first came to this
cafe? It was a much more relaxed place
back then.
Sam moves a BLACK PAWN forward.
SAM (CONT'D)
Yes, still busy, but relaxed.
A Bus Boy slides by the table and then the Hostess with menus followed by a Young Couple.
A young woman's HAND moves a WHITE BISHOP out from behind a white pawn.
SAM (CONT'D)
You seem to be playing a new strategy
today. But I will figure it out.
(beat)
I will, and before you beat me.
Sam makes his move with a BLACK KNIGHT.
SAM (CONT'D)
How was school this week? University can
be very stressful.
Customers nearby look on and smile at Sam when they occasionally make eye contact.
A young woman's HAND moves another WHITE PAWN.
SAM'S POV
Jennifer arrives to drop off a PLATE OF PASTRIES.
JENNIFER
Enjoy.
SAM (O.S.)
You're spoiling us.
JENNIFER
Only on Sundays.
Jennifer goes on about her work.
POV ACROSS THE TABLE ON SAM
Sam picks up a pastry and begins to nibble at it while he studies the board.
SAM
You know what helps relieve stress?
That's right, chess!
(laughing)
Well, chess and pastries.
Sam moves his BLACK BISHOP to take a WHITE KNIGHT and places the piece to the side of the board.
SAM (CONT'D)
My stress is just melting away.
INT. CAFE PICK-UP COUNTER -- CONTINUOUS
Jennifer is training a new girl, TRACY (20). On the wall are various customers from over the years. A slightly yellowed card stock "The Basics of the Game of Chess" playing board diagram is taped next to the pictures. The PHOTO next to the diagram is of a slightly younger Sam and a twenty-year-old woman sitting at a table playing chess. She is the same Young Woman that we saw Sam wave to earlier.
JENNIFER
It's pretty standard, same as your
last job, I'm sure. Ring your orders
in at the cash register and pick them
up here.
TRACY
Anything else I need to know?
JENNIFER
You play chess?
TRACY
No.
JENNIFER
Pretty simple really.
CUT TO:
TRACY'S POV
A Waitress passes Sam's table. We now see that Sam is alone at his table. As she passes, she deftly moves the WHITE QUEEN before continuing on with her tray to a table of Customers.
INT. CAFE PICK-UP COUNTER - CONTINUOUS
The BARISTA places several COFFEE DRINKS on Jennifer's TRAY as Jennifer picks some PLATED PASTRIES from the case and adds them on her tray. She picks up the tray as Tracy follows her outside.
JENNIFER
The diagram on the wall covers the basics.
Sam's been coming into the city every
Sunday morning to play his daughter for
over a decade.
TRACY
So where's his daughter?
EXT. CAFE - CONTINUOUS
Sam holds his hand on the BLACK CASTLE that he has just moved, studies it for a moment, and brings his his hand off the piece.
A Waitress slides past Sam's table and moves another WHITE KNIGHT before delivering coffees to a nearby table.
JENNIFER
She was killed by a drunk driver just
before graduation. That was like six years
ago.
Sam takes a bite of pastry and moves one of his BLACK BISHOPS.
TRACY
But he still comes into the city every
Sunday?
JENNIFER
Rain or shine.
TRACY
Why?
As they walk by Sam's table, Tracy moves the WHITE QUEEN and takes one of Sam's BLACK KNIGHTS. Putting the black knight to the side to join three BLACK PAWNS and a BISHOP. She moves on to another table some distance away to deliver her coffee and pastries.
JENNIFER
Because, you'll find that when it gets
crazy around here that chess is a very
relaxing game.
Sam clasps his hands and takes a sip of his coffee.
SAM
Very good! You're getting better. I'll
miss our games after you graduate and
become too busy for your father.
PULLING BACK
The cafe bustles with activity, new Customers take their seats, Customers that have finished pay their bills and leave, as the Wait Staff and Bus Boys hurry about their business. Sam plays on.
SFX: TRAIN
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. TRAIN -- LATE AFTERNOON
Sam rides back home with the CHESS SET in his lap. He sees his own reflection when he looks out the window; a single tear rolls down his cheek. He smiles.
FADE OUT.
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About the Scriptwriter:
Duncan Putney is an award-winning writer who makes his living as a professional actor in film and television; he is the creator of the multi-Emmy nominated 7DAYPSA competition. His feature screenplay, OLD HOSS, co-written with Kevin Faria, is currently one of four finalists in the "Spotlight on Rhode Island" screenwriting competition. He is developing several projects with Andre Stark at OCD Associates (Original Concept & Development Associates). About the script: "I enjoy the challenge of writing a short sreenplay as a way to take a break when working on a feature-length screenplay. The form requires that every visual detail does most of the heavy lifting in the telling of the story. I wanted the visuals in THE LESSON to both guide and surprise the audience." -Duncan Putney, author |
Please click on the photo of Duncan Putney to visit his website.
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