Street Entertainment script
By
Neil Hughes
sections in red were cut out before shooting
FADE IN:
1. EXT. CITY STREET – DAY
C.U shot of an open violin case on a pavement. A few coins and a grubby dollar bill lie in the bottom. Sounds of the street, cars honking, foot steps. A lone violin plays. The sound of some foot steps draws nearer and pauses momentarily, a couple of copper coins are dropped in the case. The footsteps move away.
CUT TO: Mid shot of violin player.
He is an old man with white untidy hair. He wears a tatty brown suit, creased and crumpled. His shoes are worn and the sole of his right shoe is half broken off. His violin is old but well cared for. His whole body shows his age, but his fingers and wrist movements display a nimble youthfulness while he plays.
While playing he turns & nods his head to acknowledge the contribution. He turns back to face the street, still playing a melodic happy tune.
He closes his eyes and sways gently as he plays. The sounds of the street blend with his music. The sound of more footsteps passes nearby. The sounds of the street become more prominent and we start to hear different parts of people’s conversations.
Lost Boy
Mummy! Mummy! I want my Mummy!
Gossip 1
...well it turns out that he’d been having an affair with his secretary
Gossip 2
I always said that marriage wouldn’t last, didn’t I say “I’ll give them 6 months”
Sound of a car screeching tires then a smash and breaking glass.
Driver 1
What the hell were you doing?
Driver 2
Me? What about you? Are you blind?
The violin player tries to concentrate on his playing but he opens his eyes to watch the dramas unfolding before him. He starts to play his music to suit the mood of the conversation he is listening to.
Lover 1
Have you got the tickets?
Lover 2
Right here.
Lover 1
Are you going to tell me now?
Lover 2
I don’t want to spoil the surprise.
Lover 1
Aw you’re wicked. Now stop teasing me.
Mother
Danny! Danny! Have you seen my boy?
Driver 1
You’re supposed to give way!
Driver 2
The hell I am!
Gossip 1
Of course it’s the children that suffer.
Gossip 2
Poor Mary.
Elderly lady
Andrew are you okay? Andrew?
Call an ambulance!
Lover 1
You’re enjoying this aren’t you?
Lover 2
Of course. You should see the look on your face
Lover 1
I could whack you. (giggles)
Lost Boy
Mommy! (sobbing)
Mother
Danny!
Elderly lady
Someone please help!
The sound of a siren draws closer. The murmurs of the crowd increase. The individual voices mix into the background sounds. The lone violin continues to play.
The violin player stops playing. He looks left and right and then carefully bends down to his violin case. He pockets the few coins and then carefully packs his violin away. He stands up with his violin case under his arm and walks off. He stops mid-step and looks back at the camera.
Violin Player
...and they call that entertainment!
He walks out of shot and the sounds of his footsteps blend with the sounds of the street.
FADE TO BLACK
THE END