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 is 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. 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 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 March 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. At the STADIUM, the train stops, and the compartment quickly empties; the enthusiastic FANS engulfing Marge down the stairs and onto the sidewalk.

EXT. STADIUM - DAY

Grinning at the towering Stadium, she 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 discounts?

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) Sold out?

She espies empty seats behind third base. Rushing to the unclaimed seats, she peers around for any sign of security. None. She buys a box of Cracker Jack from the nearby vendor. Nervously, she struggles to open it, then places it on the adjacent empty seat to CLAP when the teams take to the field. 

A tap on her shoulder causes her to freeze. From the corner of her eye, she notices handcuffs in an outstretched hand.

YOUNG SPECTATOR You dropped your Cracker Jack prize, Ma'am.

MARGE (sighs) Thank you, young man.

...and enjoys the ballgame, with only an occasional glance over her shoulder.

FADE TO BLACK