MONUMENTAL FAVOUR
With time running out, a frantic businessman relies on a cab driver to reach the airport before his flight takes off.

A trip to the airport is always good grist for the story mill. Everything must be organized to military precision, from waking up to your alarm on time to organizing forgotten – or God forbid, lost passports – to making sure your baggage won’t tip the scales, to ticket confirmation and check-in. The crucial and all-important thing above all else however, is – getting to the airport on time. One false move, one hiccup or delay in proceedings could leave you stranded on the tarmac with nowhere to go and a hole burning in your pocket.

Colin Sharp’s, Monumental Favour opens on veteran taxi driver, Samir, waiting patiently for his delayed fare, Jim Denton, a Boston businessman desperate to make his interstate flight on time.

We get the feeling things usually run smoothly for Jim, but this morning is a whole different story. What is it with printers jamming just when you need them to spit out that all important document? – In this case Jim’s itinerary and ticket details.

After bundling his bags into the boot Jim relays his sorry start to the day to Samir and they finally set off – the problem is that printer malfunction has added a crucial fifteen minutes to the journey and Jim’s justifiably freaking out.

JIM
I’ve got a very important meeting.
A very important opportunity…

Sounds like it could be the opportunity of a lifetime…

Samir, ever the consummate driver offers Jim just the right amount of soothing consolation and vows that he will do everything in his power to get Jim to the airport on time.

The taxi weaves through steady traffic, that is until they hit the inevitable roadblock of early-morning commuters and one very pesky revolving red light.

In an effort to calm his passenger Samir regales Jim with a story about how he and his wife visited a tarot card reader over the weekend –

Jim’s expression tightens, signaling he’s not in the mood for the story – his focus fixed on the traffic ahead.

Samir admits he finds it all a bit fake too, but he continues with the tale regardless.

SAMIR
… Interestingly, this Tarot reader declared I would
do somebody a monumental favour in the coming week.

Jim suddenly sits up and takes notice.

 JIM
Get me to the airport in fifteen minutes and my God,
you’ll be doing me a monumental favour.

Famous last words unfortunately because things are about to go from bad to worse. As they barrel through the next amber light the car’s mechanical warning indicator comes on – monumental failure seems to be the more operative phrase at this point. The car’s gearbox has given up the ghost leaving Samir and Jim stranded. With a backup ride twenty minutes away, it doesn’t look like Jim will be going anywhere other than back home again.

Seems like even with the best laid plans, fate has intervened.

And that’s that.

End of story.

Except this isn’t the end of the story.

And we’re about to find out this is no ordinary day.

Colin Sharp has created a very clever narrative with Monumental Favour. At first it might appear that there’s not a lot happening in this slice of life story, dare I say some readers might find it a little pedestrian, but buckle your seatbelts and settle in for the ride, cause you’re about to discover this story has a twist in its tale guaranteed to touch even the most hardened of hearts. It hit me hard. As I’m sure it will you.

Do you want to kick-start your filmmaking career? Monumental Favour could be the perfect vehicle to get you off the starting blocks.

Read: Monumental Favour.

About the Writer: Colin Sharp  is an aspiring screenwriter whose lifelong love of film led him on to the road to writing his own stories. Whilst a fan of all genres of film, Colin primarily enjoys writing comedic tales but is also a sucker for romance and anything that will scare the bejesus out of him.

About the Reviewer: L. 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 currently works as a freelance web-content editor and lives with her husband (also a screenwriter) in Sydney, Australia.

The theme of the 7 Day Challenge was “Seven Minutes in Heaven”. Two people enter, but after seven minutes, something happens. What happens? Find out on the Original Scripts page.

– Don

Congratulations to Paul Knauer – Writers’ Choice with Rocky Mountain High by Paul Knauer (pkcardinal) writing as M. Boulder
A man meets a boyhood idol after he leaves a family gathering to get high. (Short, Drama) pdf format

Talk about it on the Discussion Board

Read all of the scripts of the December One Week Challenge!

House Divided (Short, Drama) 5 pages by Paul Knauer

A couple reaps the consequences of a long held disagreement.

Most of us have held onto a grudge longer than we should, clutching it stubbornly when it might be easier to forgive and forget. But few have gone to the same lengths as the characters in Paul Knauer’s excellent script, HOUSE DIVIDED.

The story follows Richard and Lizzy, an elderly couple living with a quirky setup. Like bickering siblings forced to share a room, they’ve split their entire house down the middle—right down to the very last detail.

INT. SMALL HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – DAY
Two of everything. TVs. Recliners. Side tables.

As we follow Richard through his daily routine, we can’t help but chuckle at the absurdity and sheer dedication to this divided lifestyle. But make no mistake—this script isn’t all laughs.
When Richard finds Lizzy collapsed on the bedroom floor, he realizes she’s not on his side of the line.

            LIZZY
Maybe call for help?

You’ll find yourself rooting—no, practically yelling! —for him to break through the invisible walls that they’ve maintained for so long. At first, Richard seems heartless for not immediately rushing to her side, but as the scene unfolds, it becomes clear that his reluctance is rooted in deep love and an abiding commitment to his wife. His adherence to her wishes and the boundaries they set together adds layers of tenderness to this seemingly absurd situation.

The simplicity of the setup allows the deeper themes of love, regret, and connection to shine through with heartbreaking elegance. If you want to know what happens to Richard, Lizzy, and their divided house, I strongly urge you to read Paul’s masterful script. You won’t regret it.

And that final shot? Genius! It perfectly encapsulates the emptiness that remains when we cling too hard to our divisions—both hilarious and deeply moving. With only two actors, minimal dialogue, and a single location, this is a filmmaker’s dream. You’ll just need a bit of imagination for that unforgettable final shot.

About the writer: Paul Knauer’s main focus is thrillers and slightly absurdist comedy with heart, but he believes becoming a better writer requires pushing personal boundaries, so you’ll notice a thorough mix of genres in his portfolio. Much of his work has universal appeal, evidenced by successful productions in the UK, UAE, and US–and options in Australia, Russia, India, Canada, and Thailand. He recently optioned his first feature.

Read: House Divided (short drama) 5 pages in pdf format

Discuss on the Discussion Board

About the reviewer: Matthew Taylor just loves telling stories, usually in the thriller and sci-fi genres, most likely involving dark themes, unique characters and almost always ending in tragedy. Some of them are even produced!

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

Over on the Unproduced Scripts page are twenty-one original scripts for your reading pleasure. And scripts from the week before are here and the Writers’ names for OWC are revealed (and Writers’ Choice).

– Don

The One Week Challenge theme was The Chase. (You can also read the scripts on the Unproduced Scripts page. If you have interest in any of these scripts, please reach out to me or wait until the names are revealed next week).

Porch Pirate by Ezster Has – A cocky porch pirate steals a package and finds himself hunted by its relentless owner, unaware of the consequences awaiting him. (Short, Drama, Crime) pdf format – Discuss this script on the Discussion Board

Streets of Bourbon by Florist Grump – A waiter chases a patron through New Orleans to give him his wallet he left behind at the restaurant. 3 pages (Short, Comedy) pdf format – Discuss this script on the Discussion Board

Why are we Afraid of Bears? by Boo Boo – A hiker encounters a hungry bear in the wilderness. (Short, Action) pdf format – Discuss this script on the Discussion Board

Run by A Perpetual Loser – A routine run takes a dark turn for a carefree young jogger. (Short, Horror) pdf format – Discuss this script on the Discussion Board

Fractured by Alan Smithee – An afflicted woman confronts past trauma by revisiting the old family home. (Short, Drama, Thriller) pdf format – Discuss this script on the Discussion Board

Laws Of The Jungle by Chimp Chimcheree – A family of Gazelles. A pack of Lions. Nature can be cruel. (Short, Drama, Crime) pdf format – Discuss this script on the Discussion Board

Prey For the Hunter by Chasing Ally – A female motorist with a dark past is chased by a killer to a dead end in the road. (Short, Horror) pdf format – Discuss this script on the Discussion Board

The Chase by Kname of Rider – With nothing else left to lose, a dad and daughter bet their last dollar on a horse that will change their lives. (Short, Family) pdf format – Discuss this script on the Discussion Board

chase challenge by Clever Pseudonym – She may be sexy smart but Marita means trouble. A fun Friday night chaos ensues. (Short, Sci Fi) pdf format – Discuss this script on the Discussion Board

Border Patrol by Brother Warren – A pair of border patrol agents get more than they bargained for on a routine patrol. (Short, Drama) pdf format – Discuss this script on the Discussion Board

The theme: The Chase – Short script 2 to 6 pages. Read the short scripts of the One Week Challenge

No Life Without You, Rosanna Dreamer

(short horror) 11 pages by Gary Kohatsu

Mobsters visit a nightclub performer about a debt, unaware that he is a practitioner of the black arts.

Do you enjoy a classic revenge tale with a touch of enchantment and mystery? Or perhaps a whirlwind narrative of an undying love that transcends mortal bounds? If so, you’ll be captivated by Gary Kohatsu’s “No Life Without You, Rosanna Dreamer.” A haunting story of magic, romance and revenge that is anything but ordinary.

Now, imagine yourself in the shoes of our main character, Hector, who was once hailed as a master illusionist, puppeteer, and ventriloquist. Hector is now a solitary and ailing man, grieving the loss of his cherished wife, Rosanna, cruelly snatched away by a despicable mobster. Rosanna wasn’t just his spouse; she was his exquisite soulmate and lifelong companion on the dance floor.

What does Hector do?

He recreates Rosanna in the only way he knows and soon plots his revenge against the men who tore her away from him.

Our story begins in Hector’s dilapidated dressing room, where we first meet him as he carefully prepares Rosanna. She appears to be a child with long raven hair, sitting on the table with her back turned to us —

            ROSANNA
If I sing off-key, the audience goes
apeshit. But if you sing off-key,
this act goes straight down the shitter.

            ROSANNA
Nobody gives a dummy’s ass
about my mouth. It’s your
mouth they are watching.

Rosanna and Hector banter back and forth, her cheeky personality shining through – so it comes as quite a surprise when Hector spins Rosanna around, revealing that she is, in fact, a ventriloquist doll with a wan smile and eyes closed…

However, those eyes flutter open to the sound of a familiar, ominous whistling tune —

            ROSANNA
Uh-oh.

            HECTOR
June 20th. Please. As we
agreed.

The visit from the menacing Lon brims with subtle threats, expertly captured by Kohatsu’s sharp and on-point dialogue —

            ROSANNA

He’s not a ventriloquist.

Nevertheless, Lon proceeds to have his way with Rosanna, on the vile notion that she “gives dynamite head” —

He jams a 9mm. Glock and silencer into Rosanna’s mouth.

Lon blasts a hole through the dummy’s head.

The narrative then unveils a brief yet chilling flashback to the night of Rosanna’s tragic demise – a beautiful bride mercilessly gunned down by Lon and his goons during her and Hector’s wedding reception. Though fleeting, the scene’s impact is profound, resonating deeply with the tale’s core emotional essence.

Returning to present day, Lon leaves Hector heartbroken once more, leaving behind the ominous threat of his imminent return to collect what he believes he is owed. Hector, unable to bear any more, resolves that it’s time for payback, and perhaps a touch of magical reincarnation. Hector proceeds to resurrect the spirit of Rosanna, with writer Gary Kohatsu intricately depicting the details of this mystical procedure. It involves Rosanna’s remains, a magician’s hat, and a glass tube containing a sacred scroll.

In a transcendent moment, after orchestrating the darkly magic ritual, Hector settles back and observes his shadow transform into the former “Magnificent Hector,” complete with hat, wand, and cape. As Hector drifts into slumber, we are ushered into a beautifully crafted dream sequence. Here, Hector envisions himself as “The Magnificent Hector,” a mesmerising magician captivating the audience on stage. Tenderly, he conjures Rosanna, his departed love, from a small casket, and she materialises as a life-sized doll –

A sparkle of life in Rosanna’s eyes. Dark hair bounces off her shoulders. She glides with the control of a ballerina.

            HECTOR
Sounds of the rude world
heard in the day, lulled by
the moonlight have all passed away.

The couple dances in flits and flurries under the fiery spotlight. Holding each other like impassioned butterflies. Their eyes never leave each other. Like Astaire and Rogers.

Eventually, Rosanna guides Hector to a chair, where he slumps, and she bids farewell to the audience before unveiling a flame thrower and setting the room ablaze, ending the dream sequence.

The tale reaches its climax as Hector confronts Lon and his accomplices, orchestrating a dramatic showdown that leads to a fiery reckoning. The final image, both mystical and bittersweet, encapsulates the enchanting tone that pervades the narrative. I’ll leave all of that as a surprise, as it simply cannot be fully appreciated without delving into the script itself.

No Life Without You, Rosanna Dreamer seamlessly blends Neo-Noir thrills with a haunting touch of fantasy and romance. Additionally, one of my favourite characters makes an appearance – a ventriloquist dummy. Rosanna injects the story with humour, fascination, a touch of fear, but above all, a genuine sense of endearment.

I cannot tell you how much I would love to see this story play out on screen!

Production Notes: This short presents a brilliant opportunity for an up-and-coming filmmaker to showcase their ability to bring a magical story to life on screen. Talented actors would be needed to portray the roles of Hector, Lon, and Rosanna. With clever use of special effects, the budget could still be kept at a minimum for scenes like the explosion and the enchanting dream sequence. Alternatively, this story could be adapted into a delightful adult animation project.

Locations: Three: A dressing room, a restaurant and a stage.

No Life Without You, Rosanna Dreamer was runner-up in the Simply Scripts August 23 Fever Dream OWC.

About the writer: Gary Kohatsu is an aspiring, LA-based screenwriter with a love of horror, science fiction and thriller movies, and independent productions. He studied photography at Narbonne HS, which led to a career as a news writer and photographer. He taught photojournalism at the college level and has been a freelance writer/photographer for Track and Field News, and various martial arts magazines.

Read: No Life Without You, Rosanna Dreamer (short horror) 11 pages in pdf format

Discuss on the Discussion Board

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

Find more scripts available for production.

About the reviewer: Colin Sharp is an aspiring screenwriter whose lifelong love of film led him onto the road to writing his own stories. Whilst a fan of all genres of film, Colin primarily enjoys writing comedic tales but is also a sucker for romance and anything that will “scare the bejesus out of him”.

Sophie the Gelded Space Stallion (432 pages in pdf format) by Don Boose

Born in the high cliffs of the mountains of Kansas, Sophie, our equine hero, is kidnapped by an ancient race of aliens from Xadu. Sophie escapes in her quest to save the universe and if not the universe, perhaps his Mother.

Slowly, but slowly making progress on getting Sophie to theaters. We finally have the international release poster completed. It’s been a long four weeks, but we think that now that our graphic artist has completed all four MS-Paint classes, the wait was worth it.
Last year we released the placeholder, pre-pre-vis teaser trailer. There is still a lot of placeholder footage and placeholder dialogue and placeholder music, but this pre-vis teaser trailer occupies the same space as the official teaser trailer will occupy when it is done.
We’ve had a lot of re-shoots over the past year as the previous footage was lost to a dumpster fire when the director of photography and most of the actors rage quit due to the fact that their mouths were unable to correctly form the words in the order that were written. And, some of them wanted to be paid. In money.

Still, look for it in theaters near you, April 2025.

About the writer: Don Boose has been spinning tales of space opera gold since 1999. Everything he touches turns to crap. He doesn’t believe in second drafts. The words come from somewhere in space, fully formed and go into his head and through his fingers on to the written page. He is not available for re-writes.