Take Me Out To The BallGame by Petra Michelle
FADE IN:
INT. MODEST HOME. 1970's QUEENS, NEW YORK - DAY
A mature COUPLE are washing and putting the breakfast dishes away.
HUSBAND Baseball season's finally here.
As he walks into the living room to turn on the television,
WIFE (excitedly) Why don't we go?
HUSBAND Not today, Marge, this couch feels too good. (patting her hand) Another weekend.
Marge joins her husband on the couch.
MARGE It's such a beautiful day, Ralph.
Her face brightens up.
MARGE Is it easy to find the stadium by train?
RALPH The M trains stops right there. Why?
Marge leaps up and disappears into the bedroom.
MARGE (OFFSCREEN) I'm going.
RALPH By yourself?
Putting on a light jacket, as she reappears,
MARGE If I can survive the birth of three beautiful children, I can manage a train to the Bronx.
RALPH I don't know, Marge.
After pecking him on the cheek,
MARGE I'll call when I get there.
EXT. EL TRAIN STATION - DAY
Ecstatically inhaling the sunny April day, Marge climbs up the stairs to the platform of the station.
When the train arrives, she makes herself comfortable, knitting.
At the sight of throngs at the changeover, she reconsiders, then shoves her knitting into its bag, and joins the crowd as it shoves its way onto the M train.
INT. M TRAIN - DAY
Crowded as rush hour, Marge finds and grasps the pole in the center of the compartment, unsteady as the train. When YANKEE STADIUM comes into view, the compartment quickly empties, she following the enthusiastic FANS down the stairs and onto the sidewalk.
EXT. YANKEE STADIUM - DAY
Marge grins at the towering Stadium, then rushes to the box office and patiently waits her turn.
ATTENDANT Next.
MARGE One adult ticket please, young man. Oh, and are there senior disscounts?
ATTENDANT Sorry, the game's sold out.
MARGE But I've come all the way from Queens.
ATTENDANT Sorry Ma'am. Next, please.
Disheartened, Marge slowly heads back towards the station. She observes a COUPLE with two CHILDREN waiting on line to enter the stadium.
Excusing herself ever so endearingly and politely to those she cuts in front of, she discreetly joins the couple and their children as they pass through the turnstile. She feels a tap on her shoulder.
TICKET COLLECTOR Ticket, please.
MARGE (pointing to the family) Oh, I'm with them.
INT. STADIUM - DAY
As he turns to "them," Marge runs into the heart of the stadium, blending in with the crowds. She begins to panic, watching for SECURITY, or worse yet, the POLICE.
Rushing to the telephones, she fumbles for her change purse. She finds, then drops her change. Hands trembling, she picks up the coins and manages to dial. As the phone rings,
MARGE Hurry, Ralph!
RALPH (OFFSCREEN) Hello?
MARGE Ralph, I'm going to jail!
RALPH (OS) What?
MARGE (glancing around) They're looking for me now!
RALPH (OS) What are you talking about?
MARGE I snuck into Yankee Stadium!
RALPH (OS) Wait until the boys hear about this!
MARGE Oh, no!
RALPH (OS) Relax, Marge. Find a seat and enjoy the game.
MARGE Relax? Enjoy?
RALPH (OS) Trust me. You're in now. No one is going to bother you. I'll order some Chinese to celebrate.
Disbelievingly, she stares at the DIAL TONE. Cautiously, she follows the fans as they make their way to the stands.
EXT. STANDS - DAY
Marge stops abruptly and shakes her head at the half-full stadium.
MARGE (talking to herself) He said it was sold out.
Suddenly, she espies empty seats behind third base. Rushing to the unclaimed seats, she stands and CLAPS when the teams take to the field.
She buys/and nervously opens a box of Cracker Jack. As she places the snack on the adjacent empty seat, she feels a tap on her shoulder. She freezes. From the corner of her eye, she notices handcuffs in an outstretched hand.
FAN You dropped your Cracker Jack's prize, Ma'am.
LAUGHING with relief, she manages a...
MARGE Thank you, young man.
...and enjoys the ball game, with only an occasional glance over her shoulder.
FADE TO BLACK
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