The Thief Gets Finessed
Characters:
Luke
Zach
The Thief
Opening shot: Luke is is his living room, frantically playing on the PS4. After much stressing and shouting, Luke’s character dies on the TV. He throws the controller down in frustration and picks up his phone. On it is a message from Zach. He clicks on the message and reads allowed:
Scene one:
Luke (reading from his phone): Yo, look at this, how much money do you think we would get if we found this? [Luke scrolls a bit] “Jewel thief escapes with priceless treasure from historical Jersey museum. Substantial reward for any information regarding the whereabouts of the thief.
[Luke rings Zach]
Luke: Man, we would be loaded if we found this! [pause] wait what? You saw what? Well lets go then! I’m bored here anyway.
Scene two:
Luke running across field with a bag and stopping in front of Zach, panting.
Zach: You took your time!
Luke: Yeh, well you try running fast when you are carrying around someone else’s stuff!
Zach: Excuses, excuses. Anyway, you said you were bringing gear?
Luke: What, you mean this gear?
Luke throws a bag down on the floor. Zach opens the bag and pulls out 2 torches, 2 headtorches, 2 sets of camo gear, 2 walkie talkies, a trowel, a map and 2 pens.
Zach: Perfect!
Luke: So come on, so what did you see then? What’s the genius plan then?
Zach: Well, here’s what I was thinking.
Zach takes the map and spreads it out on the grass between them. He then takes the pens.
Zach: So we are here, right. I was up here earlier and saw lights coming from over here [he circles a point on the map] I think the thief was trying to signal to someone to escape. So I say we head in this direction and see if we can find where he’s hiding. Then we tell the police and, boom, big fat cash prize.
Luke: I’m not sure Zach, what if one of us gets caught?
Zach: That won’t happen.
Luke: How can you be so sure? You have got no idea how this will play out.
Zach: Just trust me Luke, yeah? It’s nearly dark. This is the perfect time to strike.
Luke: Whatever you say mate, but I still don’t like it!
Scene three:
Cut to Zach and Luke in the forest where the path splits in two.
Luke: Which way now?
Zach. I don’t know man. I’ll go this way and you go that way. Remember we got our radios for communication. If you see anything then hide in the bushes and radio me. You got it?
Luke: And what if you don’t reply?
Zach: Stop worrying Luke – I’ll be there.
Luke: Err….OK got it. Well, I guess I’ll see you in a bit.
Luke and Zach salute and then split off.
Green camera shot. following Zach
Crackly radio is heard
Luke on radio: Zach? Zach? I don’t like this man, it’s getting really dark.
Zach: Stop worrying bro, we only need to find his location then get out of here!
Scene four:
Cut to Luke in the middle of the forest path, walking quietly.
Luke pings his walkie talkie.
Luke: Alpha Brava, are you OK?
Zach (on radio): Alpha Brava is doing fine. How is you?
Luke: Yeah all good my side. Just checking in.
Zach. Alright. See you soon.
Cut to Zach, looking at map. Not watching his footing
Zach: Should be around here.
Zach trips up and rolls over. when he looks up, a man in a mask (the thief) is standing over him
Cut to black.
Open in a forest clearing. Zach is tied to a tree with a man in a black mask pacing in front of him.
Thief: What are you doing here?
Zach: Huh what, nothing.
The thief slaps Zach.
Thief: I’ll ask again, what were you doing following me? Are you police?
Zach: What, no? Ill say again. I was doing nothing. Just walking.
Thief: No way, you’re here for me. And why’d you have a radio if your alone. Who’s your friend?
Zach: Friend, what friend.
Thief; Well i guess were about to find out aren’t we.
Zach: what do you mean.
Thief: So your telling me that if I leave you out in the middle of the forest with your radio then a friend will not come and help you?
Zach: Err no….
Thief: No way. I’m not letting you leave here. [holds up a black duffel bag] I’ve stolen the most expensive object in Jersey! I’m not going to be thwarted by some kids.
Thief hits Zach with a rock.
Cut to black.
Luke walking through the woods, looking around nervously. He finds a spot to hide and waits for Zach. He then hears a voice shouting in a clearing ahead.
Zach: GET OFF ME! LET ME GO! I WAS JUST WALKING, I SWEAR!
Luke runs forward and crouches behind a bush and see Zach tied to a tree. With Thief in front of him.
Thief: Well explain to me why you had all this ?
Thief empties Zach’s backpack on the floor in front of him.
Thief: I’ve come this far, there’s nothing left to do than get rid of you!
Zach: No! Please – I wont say anything I swear.
Thief: Do you think I’m a fool! [he raises a big rock] you should have stayed at home boy….
Cut to Luke
Luke jumps up from behind the bush. He picks up a rock and throws it at the thief. The thief falls over, unconscious.
Luke runs over to Zach. Picks up a knife from the guards pocket and starts to cut the rope holding Zach
Zach: Thank god you came Luke. I cannot thank you enough. I thought I was a gonner!
Luke: All I’m going to say is “I did warn you.”
Zach: Yeh you did. Now lets get out of here.
Luke: What? No way. You think I’ve done all this for nothing. We came for something and we are gonna leave with it.
Zach: I’m not staying here! I’ve almost died.
Luke: And I almost died saving your ass, now get up and grab the duffel bag!
[Zach smiles hesitantly, then grabs the bag from next to the thief and the boys run off into the trees. Just in time, as thy run a roar is heard behind them]
Thief: Oi, don’t you dare!
The thief chases after the boys but can’t catch them
Montage of boys running and thief chasing but getting more tired
The boys get to the opening of the forest, then scene changes to Luke’s living room. They fall and, panting, to their knees.
Zach: We’re safe here Luke
Luke: Well lets see what we got!
The boys empty out their bag. A large gold coin falls out
Luke: Holy shit, is that…
Zach looks up something on his phone. He shows it to Luke.
Zach: It is bro, and look how much its worth!
Luke: Oh my god, no way. We better get straight down to the station. [He goes to stand up]
Zach: Wait. No one knows we have this. This things’ got to be a hell of a lot more than what the police are offering.
Luke: Zach, what are you saying?
[Zoom into Zach]
Zach: I’m saying, Luke, what if we just didn’t hand it in…..
Zoom out of the boys then cut to black