Breach and Remedies - Script
FADE INANGLE ON A WOODEN DISPLAY-which is under construction. It is a set of shelves,
built in the form of rising tiers that recede as they get higher. They are the kind of
shelves might be used to hold cases of Coke during a sale of the product. The display
is in the front of the supermarket.
ANGLE ON A CARPENTER-who is putting the display together. His name is Spud
Yonnigon, a Swede. He wears the typical carpentry belt with tools, which is held up
with red suspenders, over a T-shirt and jeans.
ANOTHER ANGLE-on Vinny, who comes up with a portable telephone.
Vinny Yo, Spud, you got a telephone call.
Spud Toss it.
Vinny looks at the cellular phone in his hand, he looks at Spud at the top of the
display . . . . What happens if Spud doesn't catch the phone? Oh well, he's Vinny,
and he throws the phone. Spud catches it.
Spud (into phone) Whacha need?
No kidding. An emergency? When? Oh man. Superior. Yeah . . .
No. No problem. They'll understand 'cause it's an emergency.
Hey, Vinny, catch.
Spud throws the phone down to Vinny, who catches it.
Spud Sorry, an emergency. These things happen. I gotta run.
Vinny Run? We need the display for tomorrow morning!
Spud What can I say? Emergencies happen.
Vinny Oscar!
ANOTHER ANGLE-as Oscar, in his white short-sleeved shirt and tie (no coat), comes
into frame.
Oscar (to Spud) Nice work.
Vinny And that's all of it.
Oscar What?
Spud I got an emergency. I'm really sorry.
REACTION SHOTS-of Oscar and Spud. Oscar is very upset with this development,
and Spud sees the distress.
Spud I wouldn't leave unless it was a real emergency. You know, like your mother
dies . . .
Oscar (stunned) Your mother died?
Spud (nonchalant) No. She's fine.
Oscar (still stunned) Your Dad?
Spud Just great, thanks.
A BEAT.
Vinny You gotta better job?
CLOSE ON SPUD-He gives a sheepish smile.
Spud Yeah. I said it was an emergency.
Oscar Wait a minute! I got six advertisements coming out in the newspapers
announcing Pagoda Soda at fifty percent off tomorrow. Where am I gonna put the
stuff?
Spud (innocently) I'm sorry. I gotta help people out when they need me.
Oscar I know, I know. It's an emergency job. How much they pay you for this
emergency job?
CLOSE ON SPUD-He looks serious.
Spud How long does this job last? Two days? I got a chance to work straight for a
month. . . . if I go right now.
Vinny (to Oscar) You want I should make him work?
Spud (smiles) You're gonna make me work?
Oscar I can't find another carpenter this time of day. I've got five thousand dollars
worth of merchandise to move tomorrow. I've got . . .
Spud Trouble. I know. I'm sorry. You got an emergency, too.
CLOSE ON OSCAR-Yes, he thinks, and emergencies cost money. He's beginning to
get it.
Oscar (seriously) How about I pay you a little more?
Spud How about you pay me five thousand dollars more?
ANOTHER ANGLE-Oscar almost looses his temper. He starts forward, but Vinny pulls
him back. They both retreat.
Vinny I could make him work. You couldn't.
REACTION SHOTS-Oscar looks at Vinny, Vinny looks at Oscar. Oscar girds himself.
He is, after all, the manager, and he needs to tackle this problem reasonably. He
walks away from Vinny, back to Spud, who is putting his tools away. As Oscar
reaches Spud, Spud slams his tool box shut.
Oscar I would like my money back.
Spud What money?
Oscar I paid you two hundred dollars in advance.
Spud And I worked eight hours.
Oscar I paid you for the whole job.
Spud You paid me by the hour.
Oscar And I want three thousand dollars.
Spud Why?
Oscar It's the money I'm going to lose tomorrow.
Spud Not necessary. You can do the job yourself.
Oscar I'm not a carpenter.
Spud Never took wood shop?
Oscar You owe me the money I paid you. You owe me the money I'm going to lose .
..
Vinny You owe us to finish the job.
VINNY rushes forward and grabs Spud by the shirt.
Vinny Work!
Spud No.
Vinny Work or else, buddy.
ANOTHER ANGLE-as Oscar steps between them, but not before Vinny has ripped
Spuds' shirt.
Spud You owe me for this shirt!
ANOTHER ANGLE-as Vinny steps up and rips the shirt again. And again Oscar
intervenes.
Oscar You can't make him work, Vinny.
Vinny Why not? Oscar It's the law. And he's bigger than you, too.
Vinny So what can we do about this?
Oscar Hire someone else.
Vinny When? How? Who? We got no time.
Oscar You.
CLOSE ON VINNY-Suddenly he realizes only he can save the situation. He nods.
Vinny Okay. Not in my job description, but it's an emergency.
A BEAT.
I'll do it. I did take wood shop.
Oscar Thanks, Vinny.
ANOTHER ANGLE-as Vinny puts his arm around Oscar.
Vinny You know, Oscar, emergencies cost money . . . fifty dollars an hour?
CLOSE ON OSCAR-What's he going to do? He's going to have to pay Vinny twice as
much as he was paying Spud. He shrugs his shoulders.
FADE OUT-