Risking It All
by
Darrin Fletcher
and
Mike Chenoweth
ISM Films
465 Del Norte Road
Ojai, Ca 93023
Fletch@ISMfilms.com
WHITE Revision - 7-16-11
1
1.
EXT. BRUMWALD RESIDENCE - FRONT YARD -- DAY
1
A small compact car pulls up to the picturesque house on a
tree-covered street. The couple inside the car are very
much in love and we see just how much when JENNY, a young
woman with a girl next door
beauty, reaches out and takes MICHAEL'S hand and we see a
ring on her finger.
JENNY
Michael, are you sure about this?
Michael is a bit taken back.
MICHAEL
About marrying you? Of course...
Jenny... I love you.
Jenny smiles.
JENNY
I mean about meeting my family.
They're... different.
He takes her hand tighter in his.
MICHAEL
It'll be fine. I'm sure I'll love
them. Millions of couples have had
this moment.
JENNY
Not quite this one.
She takes in a deep breath... pauses.
JENNY (CONT'D)
Okay... Let's do this.
2
EXT. BRUMWALD RESIDENCE - POARCH -- DAY
2
They're stepping to the door.
JENNY
Don't say I didn't warn you.
Michael chuckles.
He raises his hand to the door...
MICHAEL
Honey, everybody's family is a
little...
The door is snapped open with the precision of a Swiss watch,
revealing HITLER.
(CONTINUED)
WHITE Revision - 7-16-11
2
2.
CONTINUED:
2
Or Jenny's father, TERRY dressed like Hitler right down to
the trimmed mustache.
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
...Crazy.
Michael isn't quite sure how to respond but puts out an unsure
hand.
Hitler doesn't even glance at it. Instead he raises his
hand to the uniquely Hitleresque heil.
Now Michael is quite uncomfortable. He looks to Jenny for
reassurance but just gets a quirky smile.
She takes Michael by the hand pulling him past Hitler into
the house, giving her father a quick, half heil wave.
JENNY
Hi, Dad...
3
INT. BRUMWALD RESIDENCE - LIVING ROOM -- DAY
The house inside is surprisingly normal, decorated in a very
Americana way and looks like a family has lived there for
decades. It's hard to see Hitler living in such a normal
house.
Jenny's nervous... breathing hard.
JENNY
Let's get this over with.
She parades him through the living room past her little 10
year-old brother, SPENCE, who is pulling a napoleon costume
out of a wooden chest and trying on the hat.
JENNY (CONT'D)
Hey, Spence.
Before Spence can even say hi in return, they're...
Past GRANDPA sitting in a plush La-Z-Boy watching tv, and
already dressed up as Caesar. From the looks of his oversized
gold goblet, Grandpa has been hitting his own cough syrup
hours before this party started.
JENNY (CONT'D)
Hi, Papa.
GRANDPA
Hi, sweetie!
Grandpa shakes his goblet in the air.
(CONTINUED)
3
WHITE Revision - 7-16-11
3
3.
CONTINUED:
3
GRANDPA (CONT'D)
Spencer, Grandpa needs some more
giggle sauce!
Jenny is intent on making her way to the kitchen with her
man in tow and doesn't stop till she gets there.
As they pass into the kitchen, ADAM, Jenny's brother-in-law
who looks more like a homeless lumberjack than a member of
the family, is headed the other direction. He waves to
Michael as he passes...
ADAM
Hey, dude.
MICHAEL
Hey.
We follow Michael as he travels into the living room where
Spence is getting Grandpa his giggle sauce. Adam snatches
the drink from Spence before he makes it to Grandpa and begins
to chug from the bottle.
4
INT. BRUMWALD HOUSE - KITCHEN -- CONTINUOUS
JAMIE, Jenny's older sister and dressed to the hilt as
CLEOPATRA who looks to be the beauty of the family, shuts
the refrigerator door, revealing Jenny and Michael.
JENNY
Michael, Jamie... Jaimie, Michael.
Jaimie extends her hand to Michael.
JAMIE
(with a little
sarcastic undertone)
Well hello, Michael. It really is a
pleasure to finally meet you.
Jenny stares Jamie down.
them.
There's an obvious tift between
JENNY
You wanted me to bring him tonight
so... here he is.
Jamie knows exactly why Jenny is a little hot under the collar
but she plays dumb.
JAMIE
What are you talking about?
are you being so hostile.
And why
Adam strolls into the kitchen wiping his mouth off from his
still alcohol dripping beard.
(CONTINUED)
4
WHITE Revision - 7-16-11
4
4.
CONTINUED:
4
ADAM
I'm Adam.
Adam extends his sauce-covered hand. Michael almost steps
back. Adam realizes. He air-bumps Michael.
MICHAEL
Michael.
The players in the room now are
behind his beautiful wife. The
instantly brings to mind images
Jamie must have lost a bet with
arranged with Adam directly
contrast between the two
of Beauty and the Beast.
God.
JENNY
You always do this.
JAMIE
(playful)
What am I doing?
While the conversation between the sisters continues it
becomes evident that Adam is truly proud of bagging himself
such a beauty. While standing behind her he begins to eyeball
Michael, winking and then shifting his eyes to Jamie as if
to say, "look at her... she's all mine, buddy."
JENNY
I've never brought anyone to this
thing before. Please, just don't be
you.
Then Adam begins acting like he's kissing her.
JAMIE
We're happy you could join us,
Michael.
Michael is a little shocked by Adam but can't believe he's
being so stupid.
Uh..
Yeah.
MICHAEL
Sure.
All of this doesn't go unnoticed by Jamie as she drives a
sharp elbow into Adam's ribs.
From the living room Hitler's voice echoes.
Schnell!
HITLER
Rouche!
Jenny's shoulders slump as the party gets underway.
JAMIE
Shall we?
(CONTINUED)
WHITE Revision - 7-16-11
4
CONTINUED:
5.
(2)
4
Jamie winks and Michael and taking Jenny's hand in on and
Michael's hand in the other, pulls them into the living room.
Adam runs his finger through his shaggy mane and rocks his
head back and forth, popping his neck in Bruce Lee style.
ADAM
Time to make the doughnuts.
5
INT. BRUMWALD HOUSE - LIVING ROOM -- CONTINUOUS
Everyone files into the room, Adam being the last of the
crowd, who is handed his costume by Hitler himself.
ADAM
Oh, c'mon... I don't understand
why... Again???
Jamie shoots him a glance, coaxing him to just put it on.
Adam puts on the the DRESS AND WIG. He looks like a really
bad impersonation of MARGARET THATCHER.
Everyone takes their seats and the only one left for Adam is
a small child's chair.
He looks at Spence who is now dressed to the hilt as Napoleon
and sitting atop an adult's chair. He moves toward Spence.
ADAM (CONT'D)
Switch me, bro.
HITLER
SIT!
Without hesitation, Adam sits like an obedient child... nearly
a foot lower than everyone else at the table.
Michael looks across the table to a vacant chair next to
HITLER.
MICHAEL
(motions to Adam)
There's another adult chair...
Awkward silence.
Michael.
Adam shakes his head.
Jenny leans into
JENNY
That was Mom's chair.
Michael sits back... humbled.
Adam throws down a ten dollar bill.
ADAM
Twelve minutes.
(CONTINUED)
5
WHITE Revision - 7-16-11
5
6.
CONTINUED:
5
Jamie throws down another ten.
Spence dumps some change.
Dad, tosses in a few bucks...
JAMIE
Fourteen minutes.
HITLER
Eighteen minutes.
SPENCER
Ten minutes.
Everyone looks at Spencer.
MICHAEL
(to Jenny)
What is this?
JENNY
Highlight of the game.
Trust me.
Jenny tosses in a twenty.
JENNY (CONT'D)
For the both of us. Fifteen minutes.
Grandpa giggles.
He hefts a bag of pennies onto the table.
GRANDPA
Twenty minutes!
Spencer nudges Adam.
They both laugh.
With the whole family now in the living room gathered around
the table, the sacred game of RISK is revealed and opened.
You can almost hear the angels sing.
The game board placed.
The cards dealt.
The armies are placed one-by-one.
HITLER
Vait a second... somesing es missing.
He scans the faces around the table, passing over Adam, who's
head barely makes it into the frame, then coming back to
him.
HITLER (CONT'D)
Yes...
He places a bright lipstick on the table and slides it down
to Adam who stops it.
(CONTINUED)
WHITE Revision - 7-16-11
5
CONTINUED:
7.
(2)
5
Adam turns... scans every face at the table, especially
Michael, who is almost watching in horror.
ADAM
No.
Hitler looks to Jamie, expecting her to assist him.
HITLER
Fraulein daughter?
She obliges him...
JAMIE
Sweetie...
No.
ADAM
I'm sick of this....
Jamie takes a hand from the table and conceals it under the
table.
JAMIE
Please... for me?
Whatever she does it does the trick and Adam quickly begins
putting on the lipstick with new vigor.
HITLER
Ze game es on!
The first battle ensues with Hitler of course making the
first assault. Spencer moves into take a turn.
Michael leans to Jenny.
MICHAEL
Where's the bathroom?
The table falls silent.
Adam gulps.
attention.
He shakes his head "NO"... tries to get Michael's
JENNY
It's down the hall on the left.
They all look at Jenny as if she's disgraced some family
shrine.
JENNY (CONT'D)
What?
Michael looks around at the silent crowd.
MICHAEL
I'll be right back.
(CONTINUED)
WHITE Revision - 7-16-11
5
CONTINUED:
8.
(3)
5
Michael gets up from the table heads to the hall.
Adam quickly gets up from his small chair...
ADAM
I'll show him.
The family pauses game play.
6
Hitler folds his arms and waits.
INT. BRUMWALD HOUSE - HALLWAY -- CONTINUOUS
Adam catches Michael just as he is about to enter the
bathroom. He grabs him by the arm and spins him around,
pinning him against the wall.
What the?
MICHAEL
What are you doing?
ADAM
I'm begging you... pleading with
you. Not now. You can hold it...
We need to just get through the game.
MICHAEL
I was just going to use the bathroom.
Adam turns to the group... they're waiting impatiently.
Back to Michael.
ADAM
Use a cup. Under the table... I do
it all the time.
MICHAEL
Are you crazy?
Adam shakes his head. He pulls his wallet and flips to a
picture. A picture of a much younger and more well kempt
Adam.
ADAM
I wasn't always like this. I was
slender... handsome... and then...
they broke me.
Adam's almost in tears.
Really.
ADAM (CONT'D)
I'm Margaret Thatcher, dude.
Michael looks on.
Stunned.
ADAM (CONT'D)
Every Friday night we play Risk...
It's their family tradition.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
6
WHITE Revision - 7-16-11
6
9.
CONTINUED:
6
ADAM (CONT'D)
Every Friday night, Terry... Hitler...
wins. I beg of you. One of us needs
to win this game tonight. Please...
MICHAEL
Uh... sure.
ADAM
You've played Risk, right?
MICHAEL
When I was a kid.
ADAM
Good enough.
He pulls Michael from the wall and puts his arm around
Michael.
MICHAEL
Well, I didn't say I could... It's
been twenty years.
ADAM
U.S.A., man... Let's do this.
He pulls Michael a bit further, and takes a squeeze of
Michael's arm.
ADAM (CONT'D)
You're in great shape, man.
7
INT. BRUMWALD HOUSE - LIVING ROOM -- CONTINUOUS
7
Jenny gets up from the table.
JENNY
This is ludicrous.
She moves to the hallway.
8
INT. BRUMWALD HOUSE - HALLWAY -- CONTINUOUS
Jenny rounds the corner and sees Adam and Michael.
JENNY
Just let him go to the bathroom,
Adam.
MICHAEL
Sweetie, it's okay. I can wait.
We've got a game to play.
He heads back to the table.
Jenny turns to Adam
(CONTINUED)
8
WHITE Revision - 7-16-11
8
10.
CONTINUED:
8
JENNY
What did you say to him?
She looks down at his wallet.
The photo dangling...
JENNY (CONT'D)
Oh, brother.
9
INT. BRUMWALD HOUSE - LIVING ROOM -- CONTINUOUS
Michael sits back down at the table.
timid.
Confident.
9
No longer
GRANDPA
Cup?
SPENCER
Why do you need a cup, Grandpa?
wear a diaper.
You
JAMIE
Spencer!
GRANDPA
(to Spencer)
No one is so brave that he is not
disturbed by something unexpected.
(back to Michael)
I meant a cup for you.
Grandpa shakes the cup at Michael, laughing.
MICHAEL
Actually, I think I'll be just fine.
I'm sorry for the inconvenience.
Adam sits, as does Jenny.
HITLER
It's time.
Play ensues... Each character choosing a card and taking
their turn on the board...
PLAY MONTAGE Grandpa is nearly wiped out and the game has just begun. He
begins to cough... harder... louder. Everyone recoils.
Grandpa's plan... he shakes his robe a bit and a few more
armies slip from the sleeve and onto the table in front of
him. He quickly places them.
Michael is watching the entire time. He makes eye contact
with Grandpa. Grandpa winks back at him and offers an index
finger to his lips.
Jamie looks over at Jenny, she nods... a signal, perhaps>
(CONTINUED)
WHITE Revision - 7-16-11
9
11.
CONTINUED:
9
Jenny's turn - She allows her army to be crushed by Grandpa...
plainly on purpose.
Grandpa laughs triumphantly... moving his armies into position
where Jenny's stood. He's giggling like a little kid.
MICHAEL
He's cheating. You let him do that?
Jenny whispers to him.
JENNY
Grandpa never goes first. We owe
him that much. He started this
tradition. He gets a free ride.
Michael smiles. Even amidst the "characters" at the table,
there is still character.
Grandpa tips his goblet.
GRANDPA
I came, I saw, I conquered.
He chugs the contents of the goblet... back further...
further...
Grandpa's eyes roll back in his head and his chair tips back,
landing Gramps with a thud on the floor. Stone cold drunk.
Silence.
Waiting... Michael moves to get up and check.
Spencer leans in and waves his hand over Grandpa's mouth.
SPENCER
He's alive.
Woot!!!!! Everyone cheers in celebration.
down slowly in his chair.
Michael sits
MICHAEL
(to Jenny)
What?
Adam clicks a stopwatch.
ADAM
Nine minutes, fifty-four seconds.
Spencer leaps from his chair.
SPENCER
Under ten minutes, baby.
you girls!
Pay up,
The pot of cash is pushed to Spencer.
store.
He's a kid in a candy
(CONTINUED)
WHITE Revision - 7-16-11
9
CONTINUED:
12.
(2)
9
Michael turns to Jenny with a smile.
Now you see?
JENNY
Highlight of the night.
Spencer tucks away the money and the game resumes.
PLAYING MONTAGE Adam reaches for multiple cups Dad's stern and commandeering moves.
Adam takes Spencer out of the game. Spencer throws his cards
at Adam. They both look like they're ready to throw down.
Jaimie laughing (something we really haven't seen yet)
Adam reaching for another cup.
Jamie seduces Adam into losing his armies.
More of Dad's intent play.
Michael takes Jamie out of the game.
10
INT. BRUMWALD HOUSE - LIVING ROOM -- DAY
10
The table is cleared of all participants except for Patton
and Hitler. Dad adjusts his hair and moustache.
Michael straightens his military shirt. They both stare
each other down. This is literally the play to win the game.
11
INT. BRUMWALD HOUSE - KITCHEN -- DAY
11
Jamie, Jenny and Adam are in the kitchen, nursing beverages...
watching.
ADAM
My money's on Michael.
Jamie turns to him with a sharp glare.
JAMIE
But Papa's never lost.
we've been playing.
12
INT. BRUMWALD HOUSE - LIVING ROOM -- DAY
Michael cracks his knuckles.
13
Not since
12
Dad sits up straighter.
INT. BRUMWALD HOUSE - KITCHEN -- DAY
13
JENNY
What if he loses to Michael?
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
WHITE Revision - 7-16-11
13
13.
CONTINUED:
13
JENNY (CONT'D)
This is Daddy's baby? Ever since
Mom died... It's been his way of
getting us together...
JAMIE
And if Michael wins? I'm not sure
that Dad can handle it.
ADAM
What did Papa do when he lost to
your dad?
JAMIE
Started drinking.
Adam looks worried.
ADAM
Oh, man.
He fidgets...
Jamie leans to Jenny... it's awkward but slowly becomes more
comfortable as Jenny leans her head on Jamie's shoulder.
14
INT. BRUMWALD HOUSE - LIVING ROOM -- DAY
14
Michael and Dad are playing. Deep in concentration.
one literally for all of the marbles.
Michael has a country crushed by Dad.
15
This
Victory for Germany.
INT. BRUMWALD HOUSE - KITCHEN -- DAY
15
Jamie, Jenny and Adam are on pins and needles... watching...
praying.
16
INT. BRUMWALD HOUSE - LIVING ROOM -- DAY
16
Michael moves in. His armies subtly move around Dad.
Surrounding him. Dad looks around. He's... trapped.
Michael sits back in his chair, waiting.
Dad turns back to the trio in the kitchen, who are looking
on in disbelief. Especially Adam who never really thought
this time could come.
Dad turns back to Michael. He's trying compose himself.
know's its over, but he can't bring himself to it.
17
He
INT. BRUMWALD HOUSE - KITCHEN -- DAY
17
Jenny is almost in tears. Her finance has just possibly
ruined her father's one and only family tradition. She loves
both men... how will this end?
(CONTINUED)
WHITE Revision - 7-16-11
17
14.
CONTINUED:
17
Adam pulls his wig off.
He stares on, somberly.
Jamie turns to look at her baby sister and back at her future
brother-in-law and smiles. She leans into Jenny.
JENNY
He really is great.
him.
Mom would love
Spencer comes into the room... takes one look at the table
and then a look to the kitchen. Adam shakes his head at
him... "don't move a muscle"
Spencer is a statue.
18
INT. BRUMWALD HOUSE - LIVING ROOM -- DAY
18
Dad takes a deep breath. He's shaking a bit, much like Hitler
in the infamous Downfall scene.
Michael's won, but not sure it was the right thing to do.
Has he alienated his future father-in-law?
Dad pushes back from the table and fights to stand.
motions Michael to do the same.
He
Michael stands... hesitantly.
Everyone in the kitchen watches on, unsure.
Dad motions Michael towards him.
another. He moves cautiously.
Michael takes one step...
Michael and Dad are standing face to face. Dad looks up
into Michael's eyes. His own eyes are moist.
With a big smile, Dad throws open his arms, pulling Michael
into a bear hug.
HITLER / DAD
Welcome to the family... son.
A HUGE sigh of relief is heard from the kitchen.
Dad pulls Michael back, hands on his shoulders.
the board game.
He turns to
HITLER / DAD (CONT'D)
Twenty two years of wins. Good game,
Michael.
Adam heads into the living room.
Jenny.
Jamie puts her arm around
The two share a hug and then move to the living room.
WHITE Revision - 7-16-11
19
15.
INT. BRUMWALD HOUSE - LIVING ROOM -- DAY
The family is in a now very welcomed congratulatory session.
Dad pulls Michael towards the couch.
DAD
Let's get to know you better.
The family moves past the table, where Grandpa is still out
cold on the floor. Jamie and Adam lean down to pick Grandpa
up.
The family disappears into the background and we MOVE DOWN
to the GAME BOARD... in it's healing glory, sitting on the
table.
19