first night home
FADE TO:
INTERIOR - HOME IN TRAVIS HEIGHTS, AUSTIN, TX - NIGHT
Young couple settling back into their home after giving birth to their first child - a son. The wife puts the baby into the cradle and gets herself into bed. The husband is not yet in bed - he turns off a light in the other room. The wind picks up and it starts to rain, then hail, then really hail. Golf ball size chunks of ice hit the windows every few minutes. A river of water, ice and debris runs down the street. The oak trees sway violently through the storm. The baby sleeps.
THE WIFE:
I hate these storms. What about the car - should you try to move it? Oh - the poor cats - can you check on them upstairs please?
THE HUSBAND:
The cats are fine. We’re fine. The car’s fine. Don’t worry.
THE WIFE:
OK. But, could that hail break the windows down here? I’m scared.
PAN TO:
EXTERIOR - SHOT THROUGH THE WINDOW AS SEEN FROM WIFE’S POINT OF VIEW - NIGHT
Orange twinkling lights cut through the nights darkness. Bright yellow and red sparks fly to the ground. A transformer has exploded. A pecan tree that surrounds it catches fire. The twinkling lights turn to flames. The wife bolts out of bed, grabs the baby and runs to her husband who is already dialing 911. They look out the front door window. The neighbors - the owners of the tree - dressed only in robes stand on their porch and watch - stunned.
THE WIFE:
What the $@!& are we supposed to do? Should we leave? Why are the neighbors just standing there? Why aren’t they calling 911? Are you $@!&ing kidding me? This is our first night home from the hospital - we have a THREE DAY OLD BABY AND OUR STREET IS ON FIRE!
PAN TO:
INTERIOR - BABY IN THE WIFE’S ARMS - NIGHT
Baby sleeps.
CUT TO:
INTERIOR - BEDROOM IN HOME IN TRAVIS HEIGHTS, AUSTIN, TX - NIGHT
The street fills with flashing lights of police cars. A fire truck passes by - the fire has been put out, for now, by the rain - so, they don’t stop. Police officers walk the street with flashlights trying to look important. A flashlight shines through the window of the bedroom where the wife is laying down. Then there is a knock at the door.
THE POLICE OFFICER:
So, uh, the transformer across the street has…
THE HUSBAND:
I know - I called you guys.
THE POLICE OFFICER:
Oh, OK. Well, the fire keeps igniting and then being put out by the rain, so, we’re going to have to watch it until the fire truck can get back here - they were called away for a more emergent situation. You had better stay awake, we may have to evacuate you.
(YES! He said EVACUATE!)
FADE TO:
INTERIOR - LIVING ROOM IN HOME IN TRAVIS HEIGHTS, AUSTIN, TX - NIGHT
Three hours pass. The wife and baby sleep. The husband looks out through the window. The fire smolders. The officers talk.
FADE TO:
INTERIOR - BEDROOM IN HOME IN TRAVIS HEIGHTS, AUSTIN, TX - NIGHT
The fire truck comes. The fire is out. Husband goes to sleep.
Bring it on universe - we’re ready for anything now.
Listening: The Decemberists
It’s just as well you had this drama on your first night home. It distracted you all from “how in the xyuz# are we going to keep this little guy alive already???”
Glad to know the golf ball hail stayed outside!
love the narration! i can’t believe all that happened to you on your first night home. sounds like harrison is a mellow little guy.
aimee you look fantastic! can’t believe you just gave birth.
Little Harrison is going to live a life full of excitement and adventure!
Narration, booming male voice: “And then there was a child!” (begin violent rain storm) “Let him be known as…” (begin lightning and fire) “….HARRISON EZEKIEL BLASE!!!!” (continue rain, lightning, fire, fades to black)