Scooter (pdf format) by Libby Chambers

In the Suburbs of Sydney in the 70s, an adolescent girl longs for a scooter…or at least she thinks she does.

Remember when you were 12? We all do – no matter how long ago it was. No responsibilities and no worries. The realities of life left to the adults. Looking back, that childhood naïveté and innocence was pretty close to bliss. Even if we didn’t know it, at the time.

Indulging in a bit of nostalgia is comforting. And therein lies the appeal of Scooter. It’s the 1970s. The setting? Sydney, Australia – a sunny day. 12 year old Lizzie lounges outside with older sister, Nina. They’re watching a group of exuberant 14 year old boys race scooters down a hill. And Lizzie’s getting jealous.

“The boys fly down the hill at breakneck speed, whooping as they go.” Lizzie’s positively “transfixed.” Christmas is coming soon, and Lizzie wonders if Mum and Dad might buy her a scooter of her own. In bed that night, she shares those thoughts with Nina. But Nina discourages her, telling Liz she overheard their parents discussing Dad’s job. Asking for a scooter “isn’t a good idea.” Money’s kind of tight right now.

And with those simple words, Lizzie’s dreams are dashed to the floor.

Remember Christmas when you were a kid? Waiting with bated breath to see what morning would bring… and if it would be as magical as you hoped for? Lizzie’s about to go through that turmoil, too. But will she get what she really, truly wants?

A sweet sentimental script, Scooter is reminiscent of many classics. Stand By Me, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and Moonrise Kingdom. Like those eternal standards, Scooter brings to mind that long-lost time – when life was simple, and the biggest concern on every child’s mind was yearning for that special present.

Are you a director or producer looking for Christmas to come early? Scooter would make a terrific gift!

Pages: 11

Budget: Low. Two girls, a few rambunctious teenage boys, and a hill. Simple interior shots in a house. Add BYOS (Bring Your Own Scooters) and some Christmas decor for a fun trip down memory lane!

About the Writer: Libby Chambers has been writing all her life – especially in her head, and on scraps of paper. It’s only in the last few years she began to get serious about screen-writing. Prior to this she worked in the Features Department for ABC TV as a Program Assistant, and trained as a FAD. She has also worked professionally as a freelance web-content editor and proofreader. She is thrilled her first ever entry (Simpatico) into a Screenplay Comp – The LA Comedy Festival ‘Short’ screenplay division took out Top 3 Finalist and hopes the high placing will be a continuing trend. 🙂 Libby would love to see her words come to life on screen. She lives with her husband (also a screenwriter) in Sydney, Australia, and describes him as being both a good and a bad influence on her writing. You can contact Libby at libbych “AT” hotmail

About the Reviewer: California über reader/reviewer KP Mackie is still working hard on her animated feature.

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This screenplay may not be used or reproduced for any purpose including educational purposes without the expressed written permission of the author.