When a Man Loves a Dog

I went to the Creative Screenwriting Expo a few months ago. They had this big spontaneous writing competition called the CS Open. They give you a scenario, then you have exactly 90 minutes to make up a scene that fits it. Below is the scene I wrote for the first round (you needed to score a 91 or higher to get to the second round. I got a 98).

The scenario: "Your protagonist, who has been a humble failure all of his or her life, meets up with an uber-successful high school sweetheart. Sparks fly; the attraction is still there. But both are involved and live in different worlds. Write the scene in which the sweetheart decides to try to help the protagonist -- who is not all that sure he wants to be helped. How you handle this scene, the era, setting and style -- dramatic or comedy -- is entirely up to you."

-- please forgive the shoddy script formatting --


INT. PETS N' STUFF -- DAY

JAKE, 35 and tired, looks at the dogs for sale in a row of open-air crates. Some dogs play, some sleep, some just look bored. Jake looks longingly at a small poodle.

FEMALE VOICE
Jake? Is that you?

Jake turns toward the voice but sees no one.

FEMALE VOICE
Down here.

Jake looks down and sees PRINCESS, a stunningly beautiful cocker spaniel with jewels around her neck and a golden ribbon tied around her tail. Jake is stunned.

JAKE
Oh my god -- Princess. What are you doing here?

PRINCESS
Good to see you too, Jake.

JAKE
I don't mean -- I, I'm just stunned is all. I never thought I'd see you again. At least not in person. I watch your TV show all the time.

PRINCESS
Ahh, yes. Dog in the Family. We still do pull in the ratings.

JAKE
I never miss an episode. Sometimes I even TIVO -- never mind.

PRINCESS
I need a new collar. Would you like to walk with me?

JAKE
Sure.

Jake and Princess walk down an aisle.

PRINCESS
How long has it been? Five years?

JAKE
Eight.

PRINCESS
My goodness. Time does fly. It seems like just yesterday when we met at -- what was the name of that place again?

JAKE
St. Fluffy's School for Wayward Dogs and Confused Humans.

PRINCESS
Of course. Forgive me for forgetting such details. They had me on a lot of drugs back then. I was such a wild pup.

They stop in front of some dog collars hanging on racks. Princess examines a leather collar with spiky metal studs.

PRINCESS (cont'd)
Ha! No chance I could pull off that look anymore.

Jake laughs.

JAKE
You're still beautiful. Your fur looks as thick and lustrous as it ever did.

PRINCESS
Thank you, dear. My groomers do excellent work.

Princess puts the leather collar back on the rack.

PRINCESS (cont'd)
So tell me, Jake. What have you been up to?

JAKE
Well, I got married.

PRINCESS
Really? To a woman?

JAKE
Yep. It hasn't always been easy suppressing my urges, so I just take it one day at a time.

PRINCESS
That's good, that's good.
(then)
Ahh, those were amazing times back at St. Fluffy's, weren't they? The romps in the park, drinking the water from the headmaster's toilet, those late night rendezvouses behind the kibble shack.

JAKE
The sweet taste of forbidden love.

PRINCESS
Indeed.

JAKE
But, umm, you know...I'm much happier now. It's like my doctor says -- dogs belong with dogs, humans belong with humans.

A male dog barks loudly from the back.

PRINCESS
Sounds like Rex is donw with his pedicure.

JAKE
(disappointed)
Oh, yeah. Rex, the golden retriever from Three Men and a Dog, right? I remember reading you were together.

PRINCESS
Yes, we're dating. But don't believe everything you read in the tabloids. They've had it out for Rex ever since he bit that paparazzi.

REX barks again from the back.

PRINCESS (cont'd)
I have to go. But it was wonderful seeing you again.

JAKE
You too.
Princess turns to leave, then stops herself. She extends her tail to Jake.

PRINCESS
Jake, I want you to have my ribbon.

JAKE
No, I -- I just can't. It would just be a reminder of what could never be.

PRINCESS
Don't think of it that way. Think of it as something pure and sweet. A perfect memory of our time together. No one can ever take that away.

JAKE
I shouldn't --

PRINCESS
Please, take it. I want you to. No matter what ever happens, we'll always have St. Fluffy's.

Jake slides the ribbon off Princess' tail. She starts to walk away, then turns back to Jake. They share a smile. Princess walks away.