Scriptwriting for Award-Winning Short Film

EXT. SAILBOAT- DAY

The rays of sunlight bounced off the champagne glass in John’s firm grip as he stared ahead of the travel path.

JOHN

Can’t believe I finally did this.

CAPTAIN

Did what boss?

JOHN

Going a trip half way across the world.

CAPTAIN

(chuckles)

Thailand isn’t half way across the world from California.

JOHN

(turns to face the young captain)

I can see you are a smart ass, yourself.

CAPTAIN

I spend a good amount of my time reading up about the places I drive people to.

JOHN

You must have been to many really beautiful places then.

CAPTAIN

The job description doesn’t come with enjoying the trips or seeing them as a vacation.

JOHN

Well, too bad. I finally got my break from work after more than twenty years of dreaming about it.

Beat.

And I plan on enjoying every bit of it.

CAPTAIN

Well, soon we’d be at the port of Bangkok in Thailand and you can have all the adventures you’ve dreamed of.

INT. SAILBOAT- DAY

Both men returned back to what they had been doing, with the captain taking charge of steering the boat in the right direction and John, sipping from his champagne glass.

EXT. SAILBOAT- DAY

The sun seemed to be moving ahead of the boat which sailed even faster, trying to catch up with it (the sun).

CUT TO- EXT. SAILBOAT- NIGHT

The sailboat was moving at average speed across the water, as though conversing with the bright moon in the sky.

INT. SAILBOAT-NIGHT

Both men were silently eating dinner, admiring the night sky as they chewed and gulped down their drinks.

JOHN

Back home, I’m not really the type to actually hold a conversation, not to talk of having friends.

CAPTAIN

But you don’t seem like one who has difficulty speaking.

JOHN

Exactly. It feels nice to actually talk to someone.

Beat.

Actually, it feels even more nice to be able to talk with you.

Beat.

I was able to survive twenty days on this boat because of you. You know that right?

CAPTAIN

(Chuckles)

I’m getting paid good money for it, so, I guess that’s my own reward.

JOHN

So you are choosing money over friendship?

CAPTAIN

I’m choosing my ticket to a type of vacation you are having.

JOHN

(Chuckles)

Smartly said.

EXT-SAILBOAT-NIGHT

The sailboat rocked gently against the waves, carrying the two sleeping men closer to their destination.

CUT TO- EXT. SAILBOAT- BANGKOK PORT- DAY

Different kind of boats and ferries were pulling up to the port and although the sun was just rising, the port was already getting busier and noisier with tourists.

INT. SAILBOAT-BANGKOK PORT

The Captain turns off the engine of the boat and heads to below the deck to wake up the sleeping master.

CAPTAIN

We are already here, sleeping beauty.

JOHN

Where?

Beat.

Bangkok?

CAPTAIN

(nods and walks away)

JOHN

(excitedly)

What!?

CAPTAIN

I’ll wait for you here and we’d leave by dusk.

JOHN

We can’t spend a full day here?

CAPTAIN

There are many more places you’d find interesting and worthwhile

Beat.

Like the Phuket island, for example.

JOHN

(saluting with a chuckle)

Aye, aye! Captain!

EXT. BANGKOK PORT- DAY

John stepped out of the boat and immediately blended in with the crowd. A tour guide took him and other tourists around Bangkok, though he soon snuck out and explored Bangkok on his own.

He tried out different kinds of street and restaurant food, visited the art shop and the museum.

He was then back in the street, relishing in the beauty of the town.

Before dusk, he was back at the boat and he continued his trip with the Captain to both the famous and secret spots known to be the beauty of Thailand.

INT. THAILAND- NIGHT

Both men were dancing and laughing with the town folks who seemed to be celebrating a feast John is unaware of; but enjoying himself. The dancing, the traditional attires and performances were thrilling to watch.