While You Were Eating

One of the many things that I'm interested in is writing, directing, and acting for films. Periodically, I'm going to share some of the scripts I have written and hopefully people will like them. If not, oh well. The first one is called While You Were Eating. It's an unfinished parody short of "While You Were Sleeping" that starred Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman. I didn't think about it before but now I'm seeing Will Ferrell play Jack. See what you think.

While you were eating
By Jake Long

Background: Jack and Jenny are boyfriend and girlfriend. They are going to Jack’s parent’s house for Easter dinner, and Jack is really hungry. They have been dating for two months and this is the first time Jack has brought Jenny home because his parents live three hours away from New York city where they both work.

Brief Descriptions
Jack: He is a Marketing Manager for Prestige Hotels. He is Jenny’s boyfriend for two months now, and is ignorantly rude to her. He sees her as a pretty little trophy, but wouldn’t agree with that if you told him.

Jenny: She is a senior accountant for Landstead Computers. She really likes Jack but has noticed that he’s very belittling. She’s decided to give him another chance and go to his parent’s house for Easter to see if he is worth her time.

Morgan: Jack’s first younger brother. Owns a local Contracting company. He is genuinely nice.

Sam: Jack's youngest brother. He has problems with bullies at school.

Mrs. Laramie: Jack’s Mom, she is a very sweet lady that is excited to meet Jenny.

Mr. Laramie: Jack’s Dad, he is a very gentle man with a good sense of humor.

Ext. Streets. Int. Car.

Jack and Jenny are in a car talking to each other. Jack is driving.

Jack
Oh, man! I am so starving.

Jenny
I know! I’m ready to eat this casserole that I made.

Jack
Wow. You are starving.

Jenny
Oh, stop it, Jack. If I didn’t know any better
I would think you didn't like my cooking.

Jack fakes a laugh.

Jack
I know, right? Here we are!

The car pulls up next to the curb of a middle class home.

Jenny
I hope you’re family likes me.

Jack
Are you kidding? They’ll think you’re beautiful.

Jenny looks confused and almost asks a question. They exit the car and walk up to the front door. Jack opens the front door.

Jack
Guess whose here? (In a funny voice)

Mrs. Laramie
Is that my little Jackie boy? (from the other room)

She walks in and hugs Jack.

And who is this lovely little princess of a lady?

Jack
Mom, this is, Jenny. Jenny, this is, Mom.

Jenny
Hi, Mom. (playfully)

Jenny and Mrs. Laramie smile but Jack looks a little confused.

Jack
No, her name isn’t mom. It’s Mrs. Laramie.

Mrs. Laramie
(a beat) I think Jackie might be a bit hungry, why don’t
we go into the dining room and get started.

Mrs. Laramie guides them into the dining room.
There is one big table with lots of family. Mr. Laramie is at the head of the table, to his right is an empty chair for Mrs. Laramie, to her right is Grandpa Smitty, to his right is Scott, to his right is Sara, to her right is Jesse, to her right is Kevin, to his right is Morgan, to his right is Sam, and to his right are two empty chairs for Jack and Jenny.
Mrs. Laramie motions to the chairs.

Mrs. Laramie
Here are your seats.
Jack looks at Sam.

Jack
Hey Sam, you’re getting big. Man, I’m hungry. Aren’t you?

Sam
Hey. Yeah I am.

Sam gets up to hug Jack, and Jack hesitates for a moment, then decides to hug him. They both sit down as Jenny waits for a moment for Jack to pull her chair out but he has forgotten about her. She pulls out her own chair and sits down.

(a beat)

Mr. Laramie
Aren’t you going to introduce us to your friend?

Jack
I sure am. Everyone, this is Jenny. Jenny, this is everyone.

Everyone greets each other with pleasant conversation.

Mrs. Laramie
Everyone dig in, now. Let’s start eating.

Everyone begins to fill their plates with food and start eating. Jack quickly fills his plate and begins eating in between waiting for more food to be passed around.

Mr. Laramie
That’s quite the appetite you’ve got today, Jackie.

Jack
I'm starving! (a beat) Hey, so Sam, what’ve you been up to?

Sam
Mmm… lots of school… I started a karate class.

Jack
Oh, yeah. Are those guys at school still beating you up cause your gay?

Sam
I’m not gay.

Morgan
Why did you think Sam was gay?

Jack
Like you guys don’t know. The interior design class? And...


Mrs. Laramie
Honey, I didn’t know you were gay. When did this happen? Why didn’t you tell me?

Sam
I didn’t tell you, because it never happened?!

-

That's it so far. Let me know what you think of it. Thanks.