All in a Day's WorkThis one was a really fun one to write. It's something I had wanted to do for a long time, based on
this illustration. This one was probably the hardest screenplay to write of the ones I've done so far, but I also feel it's probably the best one I've done yet. It's 12 pages, so it's a bit of a commitment to read the whole thing, FYI.
INT. LAVISH MANSION, DINING ROOM – DAY
CADBURY, British valet, 53, sits at a massive table adorned with candelabras. His black hair is greying at the temples, and he is dressed in a black tuxedo and bow tie with white gloves. On the table in front of him is a large wooden case. Inside the velvet-lined case is an elaborately-wrought set of fine silver flatware. Lush, thick carpets adorn the floor, and classic painting masterpieces line the walls. Overhead, an elaborate crystal chandelier glistens, casting its light over the room.
CADBURY holds up a spoon, closely examining it mere inches from his face.
CADBURY
Hmmm....
CADBURY resumes polishing the spoon.
Again, CADBURY holds the spoon directly in front of him, scrutinizing it carefully.
CADBURY
Yes, I think that should suffice.
CADBURY replaces the spoon in the case and picks up another spoon, identical to the last.
CADBURY holds this new spoon up for inspection. The spoon already gleams.
CADBURY
Oh no, this simply won't do.
CADBURY busily begins polishing the spoon.
An intercom on the wall nearest CADBURY crackles to life. A button blinks red on the interface. The voice is that of MADAME, 72, wealthy and eccentric aristocrat.
MADAME
(over the intercom)
Cadbury. Cadbury, are you there?
CADBURY sets the spoon down and quickly walks to the intercom and presses the button.
CADBURY
Indeed, Madame. For you, I am always here. How might I be of service to you?
MADAME
I need your assistance in a small matter, Cadbury.
CADBURY
Certainly, Madame. I will serve in whatever capacity I may. Where might I find you, presently?
MADAME
I'm enjoying the asteroid garden, Cadbury, near the Bromine fountain. I'm afraid I've dallied a bit long, though. Be a dear, would you, and bring me another oxygen canister?
CADBURY
At once, Madame.
CADBURY releases the red button.
CADBURY walks over to the silverware, replaces the spoon he was polishing, and carefully closes the case.
CUT TO:
INT. AIRLOCK ROOM – DAY
At one end of the small round-walled room is a heavy hatch with a wheel in the center for opening it. A large elaborate tapestry of a strange solar system hangs on the wall on one side. On the other side of it hangs a row of bulky spacesuits. One of the hooks is empty. At the other end of the row is a differently colored spacesuit, mostly black, in the pattern of a tuxedo. The helmet has a bowie around the neck seal.
CADBURY enters the airlock room carrying two canisters, one much smaller than the other.
CADBURY removes the tuxedo spacesuit from its hook.
CADBURY unzips the suit and steps into it.
CADBURY zips up the suit and checks its seal.
CADBURY grabs the helmet from its hook and places it over his head.
CADBURY turns the wheel on the heavy hatch, and the door swings open.
CADBURY picks up the canisters and steps through the open door.
The door closes.
CUT TO:
INT. AIRLOCK
CLOSE-UP shot of CADBURY's helmet. In the reflection on his helmet, we see his hands grasp another wheel, just like the one on the other door.
CADBURY turns the wheel and tho door opens.
A field of stars appears, framed by the airlock doorjamb.
The door frame moves out of view as CADBURY steps out into space.
CUT TO:
EXT. SPACE STATION – DAY
A large spherical space station floats in outer space. Near the front of it, there is a small protrusion. A set of stairs and columns marches along the protrusion up to the surface of the station, where a small airlock is set into the side of the station. In the distance, behind the station, there is a large mottled-green planet. Far beyond that, quite small, burn two suns: a binary star.
The small figure of CADBURY emerges from the airlock, dwarfed by the size of the station.
CADBURY slowly floats away from the station over the course of a minute or two.
CUT TO:
EXT. ASTEROID GARDEN – DAY
Several asteroids float in outer space. In the distance, the green planet and space station can be seen. Each asteroid is covered with a different type of crystal growth, in a range of colors, sizes, and shapes. In the center of the cluster, on the largest asteroid, there are a number of glass domes. Inside of the largest dome, something coppery gleams.
CADBURY floats through the asteroids slowly. In each hand he carries one of the canisters he brought from the station.
CUT TO:
EXT. CENTRAL ASTEROID – DAY
In the center of the asteroid is a cluster of glass domes. Under the biggest dome is a large marble fountain that runs with a coppery, viscous liquid. A ring of smaller domes surround this central dome. Each smaller dome contains a different terrestrial environment, resplendent with different exotic flora. A figure in a space suit, MADAME, sits on a bench between two of the smaller domes, facing the large fountain dome. Her appearance is obscured by the bulky spacesuit and reflective helmet.
CADBURY floats down to the asteroid's surface.
CADBURY walks over to the bench where MADAME is seated.
CADBURY
I've brought the extra oxygen, Madame.
MADAME
Thank you, Cadbury. You are a dear.
CADBURY
I've also taken the liberty of preparing a tea capsule for your helmet's beverage dispensing unit.
MADAME cackles.
MADAME
Oh, lovely. You do treat this old bird right.
MADAME attaches the small canister to her helmet.
MADAME
Have a seat, Cadbury, don't be all stuffy.
CADBURY
Yes, Madame.
CADBURY sits on the bench next to Madame.
CADBURY
If I might be so bold–
MADAME
Oh, be bold, Cadbury. Be bold!
MADAME cackles.
CADBURY
Ah.. yes, Madame. I don't presume to dictate your actions, but it's dangerous to tarry out here so long.
MADAME
Yes, Cadbury, I suppose you're right. I lost track of my thoughts and the time slipped away from me. It's quite easy to do out here.
CADBURY
You ought to be more careful, Madame.
MADAME
Oh, I'm sure I ought to a lot of things, but I'm 72 years old and that's too old for ought to's. I'll do as I please while I still can. Besides, I have you to keep an eye on me, Cadbury.
CADBURY
Even so, Madame, you should be more careful with yourself.
MADAME cackles.
MADAME
Oh, relentless, Cadbury, relentless. Very well. You'll have to forgive me today, though, I had a lot to think about. I'm expecting a visit from General Yamakoto later today, and I was pondering on how it would go.
CADBURY
The General is coming? I shall have to prepare for his arrival. What is the purpose of his visit?
MADAME
That's precisely what I'd like to know. Wants something, of course, that's obvious. Money, I suppose... or something to do with Don, God rest him.
CADBURY
You think it might be something to do with Master Donald?
MADAME
Probably not directly, but where the military is involved, it's always a possibility.
CADBURY
When is the General to be expected?
MADAME
In just a few hours, now, Cadbury. That power-hungry savage said he would be here at 28:20, Inter-standard time. I expect he'll be early.
CUT TO:
INT. LAVISH MANSION, MEETING ROOM – DAY
MADAME sits in a chair at a small table in a different room in the mansion. The room and furniture are decorated in an elaborate rococo fashion.
CADBURY enters, leading GENERAL YAMAKOTO, 68, stocky, stubborn, and square-jawed, with a deep scar running from his temple to his cheek, and LIEUTENANT COLONEL RANDOLPH, 38, bookish man with dark hair and glasses.
CADBURY
General Yamakoto and his attendant, Lieutenant Colonel Randolph, Madame.
YAMAKOTO
It is a pleasure to see you again, Mrs. Cicero.
MADAME
Welcome to my home, General. Would you care for some refreshment, perhaps a libation?
YAMAKOTO
Scotch neat, if you have it.
MADAME
Fine choice, General. Lieutenant Colonel?
RANDOLPH
Zaigo tonic, with lemon.
CADBURY nods and leaves the room.
GEN YAMAKOTO and LT COL RANDOLPH sit down across from MADAME at the small round table.
YAMAKOTO
You actually still keep an old-fashioned manservant. How quaint!
RANDOLPH
The newest models of robot can run a household much more efficiently than any human. Especially such a large household such as yours, Mrs. Cicero.
MADAME
Robots are so cold and uncouth, Lieutenant Colonel. They could never replace dear old Cadbury. No one could, really. He's been with me forever.
YAMAKOTO
How are you doing these days, Mrs. Cicero? Do you manage well in this big empty house of yours?
MADAME
(coldly)
I manage just fine, General. That's twice now already you've mentioned my house and its size. Let's skip the little games and you can tell me why you've come.
YAMAKOTO
There have been a lot of dangerous outbreaks of anti-Federation violence in this sector. Terrorist cells are inciting an unfortunate and misguided rebellion against our intervention efforts here.
MADAME
Is that so?
YAMAKOTO
Quite so, Mrs. Cicero.
CADBURY comes in, bearing a silver tray. On it are a scotch and a blood red drink with a lemon slice on the glass.
CADBURY sets the drinks in front of the visiting officers and leaves again.
YAMAKOTO
Since this sector is so dangerous, I thought I might offer the services of some of my troops to help calm the tension here. You have so much room here, and for just yourself. I thought perhaps they could stay here, to make sure you are... safe.
MADAME
No.
RANDOLPH
Excuse me?
MADAME
I said no, young man. I will not let you men turn my home into a base.
YAMAKOTO
You misunderstand me, Mrs. Cicero. I'm just looking out for the wife of an old friend. It's what General Cicero would have wanted me to do.
MADAME
I wondered when you would bring Don into it. Shame on you, using him to further your agenda for conquest.
YAMAKOTO
We are just promoting civilization and order. There was so much turmoil in this region, we felt compelled to step in and lend aid. We're saving this region.
MADAME
And yet they're rebelling.
YAMAKOTO
These terrorists are anarchists. They love only death and turmoil. We're doing the galaxy a favor by doing this.
MADAME
I won't be a part of it.
YAMAKOTO
General Cicero would have understood the situation. He gave many good years to the Federation.
MADAME
The Federation stood for something once. Don would never have taken part in this warmongering.
YAMAKOTO
We are ensuring the people's rights in this sector. We are protecting them from dangerous anarchists.
MADAME
Don and I chose to live here in this Independent region to get away from the path the Federation was taking. I will not let you use my home as a military base, and that's final. Good day, General. Cadbury will see you out.
MADAME rises and touches the intercom on the wall behind her.
MADAME
Cadbury, the General and the Lieutenant Colonel are leaving now. Please come here and escort the officers out, would you?
MADAME turns back to the officers.
MADAME
Good day, gentlemen.
MADAME leaves the room.
RANDOLPH
Well that was too bad.
YAMAKOTO
Yes, too bad that she turned out to be a traitor and rebel sympathizer.
RANDOLPH
I see, sir.
CUT TO:
INT. LAVISH MANSION, HALLWAY – DAY
CADBURY stands behind the door, hand frozen halfway to the knob. The voices of GEN YAMAKOTO and LT COL RANDOLPH can be heard through the door.
YAMAKOTO (O.S.)
This station could easily become a foothold for the rebel terrorists. It is our duty to commandeer it and prevent that from happening.
RANDOLPH (O.S.)
And the old woman?
YAMAKOTO (O.S.)
Only one way to deal with traitors.
GEN YAMAKOTO and LT COL RANDOLPH laugh.
CADBURY walks away from the door hurriedly.
CUT TO:
INT. LAVISH MANSION, MEETING ROOM – DAY
CADBURY enters the room bearing a silver tray, each with another drink on them.
CADBURY
Freshen your drink before you depart, officers?
YAMAKOTO
Yes, why not. Don't get scotch like this in the officer's mess!
GEN YAMAKOTO and LT COL RANDOLPH take their drinks and begin to drink them.
YAMAKOTO
Perhaps the old woman had a point about having live help.
RANDOLPH
At least her hospitality is better than her attitude, General.
GEN YAMAKOTO and LT COL RANDOLPH begin laughing.
GEN YAMAKOTO's laughter turns to coughing.
LT COL RANDOLPH follows suit a moment later.
GEN YAMAKOTO and LT COL RANDOLPH cough up a mixture of blood and bile and fall to the floor, doubling over and convulsing.
CUT TO:
EXT. CENTRAL ASTEROID – NIGHT
CADBURY is in one of the terrestrial plant-domes. He is wearing his bulky spacesuit, but his helmet is off. Parts of the arms and legs of his suit are dirty.
CADBURY shovels the last of a dwindling pile of dirt into the back of a flowerbed.
CADBURY pats the bed down with his shovel, then plants it in the ground and leans on it.
CADBURY wipes the sweat from his forehead.
CUT TO:
INT. AIRLOCK ROOM — NIGHT
MADAME waits in the airlock room, where the only suit missing is CADBURY's suit.
CADBURY steps into the room, takes off his helmet, and leans his shovel against the wall.
MADAME
Where have you been, Cadbury? I was looking for you.
CADBURY
Sorry, Madame. I was out tending to the garden. There were some vile weeds to deal with.
FADE BLACK
