Christine, Edward, and the Cube
Hippopotamus Migration in Africa
Tavia (evergreentavia@yahoo.com)
Aaron (braaar15@aol.com)
A LOVE PLAY
TREATMENT — A young transsexual named Chrissy goes to use the men’s bathroom. The bathroom is very small and dingy as well as heavily decorated in cheap Asian motif. She is desperately trying to unzip her mini-skirt when Michael a yuppie walks in on her accidentally. Before he can do anything Chrissy grabs his arm and insists he assists her. A relationship ensues, which is understood when shown in the next scene the two are on a bus conversing. Both are similarly dressed as in the scene before, each with distinctly opposing styles. They are also drinking on forties in brown paper bags. The final scene opens to Michael in what seems to be their apartment. It is modest and decorated with hints of Chrissy’s eccentric style. Michael is watching a Chinese program on the television and wearing his clothing loosened as though he has had a rough day. Chrissy returns from the store and Michael and her engage in a conversation about Schlitz beer, which she was unable to get due to the fact they are in China. The short seems to end here as the screen fades to black but it is at this point Michael asks Chrissy what her name stands for, her voice transforms and he finally realizes she is a he. The love is equal parts attraction and alcoholism or perhaps more on their shared interest for Schlitz beer.
Cast list-
Chrissy (Christopher) — 25 year old attractive blonde transsexual
Michael — 28 year old businessman, "tall, dark, and handsome."
Screenplay-
FADE UP
Scene 1
(Faint Chinese music can be heard in the background)
A tall attractive blonde transsexual named CHRISSY is clad in a red sparkling halter top, tight black pleather mini-skirt, red fishnet tights, and white knee-high boots. She frantically enters a very cramped men’s bathroom. The small quarters have Asian décor hanging from the ceiling and red and gold wallpaper that is peeling at the seams. Chrissy is struggling to lock the door bust is unsuccessful on account of her excessively long nails and Schlitz in hand. She gives up and sets her beer down on the dingy sink ledge as she works at the small zipper on the back of her skirt. It is at this time the door swings open and bumps Chrissy. A handsome man named MICHAEL is at the door dressed in a navy blue business suit and also has Schlitz beer in hand. He stands dumbfounded when Chrissy grabs his arm.
Chrissy
UNDRESS ME!
Scene 2
A bus approaches a stop where Michael and Chrissy wait sipping from brown paper bags. Michael is again in a dark business suit and Chrissy is wearing a tight leopard print number. They sit side by side on the bus chatting when we catch the tail end of their conversation.
Michael
(With determination)
No one in China can see us.
Chrissy
What?
Both pause a moment as if contemplating what was just said and then in unison take a swig from their brown paper sacks.
Scene 3
Inside a modest living room sits a couch, coffee table, two chairs, and a small television perched atop a cardboard box. Michael is sitting in one of the chairs with his bare feet on the coffee table staring uninterested at the foreign program on the small set. He is once again in suit and tie only this time with the tie loosened and his shirt untucked. His jacket is placed neatly on the adjacent couch. Chrissy enters wearing high heel tennis shoes, daisy dukes, and a small tiny tee that shows her midriff. The logo on her shirt reads, "Daddy’s Little Girl." Her arms are full of grocery bags.
Michael
Did you get the Schlitz?
Chrissy
I can’t, were in China.
Michael
Oh, I forgot.
Chrissy
However ----
Chrissy doesn’t continue her thought and a frown comes over her face in contemplation.
Michael
(Sarcastically)
Well that’s a thought
FADE TO BLACK
Michael
Babe?
Chrissy
Yes?
Michael
You’ve never told me what Chrissy stands for.
Chrissy
(In male voice)
Christopher
FADE OUT
Continuity Script
1.MS: A men’s bathroom door from the inside. The door opens and follows Chrissy as she walks in.
2.CU: Cuts to Chrissy struggling to unzip her tight skirt. Door opens in right background and Chrissy is bumped by the swinging door.
3.Tilt up to MS: of Michael’s face whose standing at open door. Michael looks at the Chrissy, then at the sign on the door that says men, and then stares back at Chrissy with confusion.
4.CU: Michael’s fingers aid in unzipping Chrissy’s skirt
5.LS: Bus driving towards stop.
6.Cut to MS: Michael and Chrissy are sitting side by side at bus stop. Once on bus with landscape passing by in the window behind them. The man is on the right and the Chrissy is on the left. Michael looks at Chrissy while she looks forward.
Michael: No one in China can see us.
Michael turns his head so that he’s looking in the opposite direction on the Chrissy.
She then turns her head so to be looking at the back the Michael’s head.
Chrissy: What? (With confusion)
7. LS: A door opens from the view of inside the house with the Michael sitting in the left foreground staring at a small television. Chrissy walks in with bags of groceries while the camera focuses on her instead of the Michael.
8. Cut to MS: The man is sitting on the couch.
Michael: Did you get the Shlitz?
Chrissy: I can’t, we’re in China. (As she walks by with the bags)
9.Cut to LS: Chrissy is in the kitchen taking items (beer) out of the bag with Michael out of focus in the right foreground.
Chrissy: However- (she blurts out and then followed by a long pause)
10.CU: Michael takes a gulp of beer
Michael: Well, that’s a thought. (Sarcastically)
11.Camera fades to black.
Michael: Babe?
Chrissy: Yes?
Michael: You’ve never told me what Chrissy stands for.
Chrissy: (in a male voice) Christopher
Side Note: Both the man and the "woman" are constantly drinking malt liquor in every shot and scene (brown bagging it on the bus).