Warmer
A curious toy designer picks a poor time to put his latest creation to the test

Dolls. Made as innocent friends to play with imaginary children, the typical fictional doll trope subverts this by adding a sinister, often fatal side to them. From Child’s Play to the evil Krusty in The Simpsons, dolls in fiction invariably are associated with horror.

However, there’s no “horror” in Steve Miles’ Warmer, at least from the audience’s perspective. There are no rogue dolls – just Heidi and Abby, twin blonde and brunette Barbiesque inventions by high-flying toy developer Chuck Dunker. Optimistic about his latest prototype(s), he’s ready to pitch them to the CEO of Morton’s Toys.

But just before the crucial dinner/demonstration, disaster strikes. An “accident” leads to Heidi’s head disappearing. Even worse, Heidi and Abby are an interactive hide and seek playing duo – without one, both are useless!

So the dinner/demonstration turns into dinner/description, without Heidi’s presence. Even so, when the daughter of Morton’s CEO brings out an Abby prototype and turns it on, Chuck starts acting awkwardly. Why?

Because Abby’s quest to find Heidi appears to be focused on Chuck – she won’t take her eyes off him!

Worse still, when Abby gets closer to Chuck, Heidi’s silence is broken, very much to Chuck’s discomfort…

HEIDI DOLL (O.S.)
(muffled)
You’re getting warmer!

Where’s Heidi hiding? And why is Chuck so anxious? Read the script and find out – the reveal of Heidi’s hiding place will warm up even the coldest of hearts in amusement!

Pages: 9

Budget: Moderate. Though you know – getting attractive dolls is key!

About the reviewer: Hamish Porter is a writer who, if he was granted one wish, would ask for the skill of being able to write dialogue like Tarantino. Or maybe the ability to teleport. Nah, that’s nothing compared to the former. A lover of philosophy, he’s working on several shorts and a sporting comedy that can only be described as “quintessentially British”. If you want to contact him, he can be emailed: hamishdonaldp “AT” gmail.com. If you’d like to contact him and be subjected to incoherent ramblings, follow him on Twitter @HamishP95.

About the writer: Steve Miles decided to get serious about writing around three years ago. Since then he’s concentrated on putting together a collection of shorts with a goal of finishing up a feature or two by year-end. Oh, and giving George RR Martin a run for his money! Email him at stevemiles80 “AT” yahoo.co.uk

READ THE SCRIPT HERE (AND DON’T FORGET TO COMMENT!)

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