SEVEN_DWARFS 64pages
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THE SEVEN DWARFS
by
glenn
H. whittaker, jr.
glenn
H. whittaker, jr.
P.O.
Box 188
Glen Carbon, IL
62934
618-692-9347
1.
INT. WICKED
QUEEN'S CASTLE - BILLIARD ROOM
Stone castle setting in 1880's; plush
decorations.
Young Prince Charming is practicing on
billiard table.
Young beautiful Snow White,
chambermaid, enters billiard room and begins to dust furnishings. She watches
Prince Charming play until she sees him looking at her.
Prince Charming puts his pool cue on
the table. Looks about the room, seeing no one else he hurries over to Snow
White.
Prince Charming hugs Snow White from
behind, kisses her ear.
Snow White softly giggles, drops the
duster, turns around and kisses Prince Charming on the lips.
On the far side of the room, behind a
doorway drape, Finance Minister Reichman silently watches their passion.
The young couple remain embraced until
the sound of heavy footsteps approaching from the hallway alerts them.
Snow White pushes away quickly and
picks up the duster.
Prince Charming returns to the billiard
table.
Minister Reichman disappears behind the
drapery.
The Wicked Queen enters the billiard
room.
QUEEN
Good morning Prince Charming. Preparing
for the tournament?
PRINCE
CHARMING
Good morning to you mommy dearest.
Practice makes for perfection.
QUEEN
Do your best my boy. The country is
counting on you. That prize money will feed many of our poor peasants. And I've
made a few wagers on my own. You must win.
PRINCE
CHARMING
I have to donate my prize money to the
poor? Are we really that desperate? What about the new finance minister? Isn't
he suppose to balance the budget and improve our situation?
QUEEN
Yes. That is why I appointed him. But
it's getting worse, not better. I might have to let some of the servants go.
Prince Charming quickly looks at Snow
White.
PRINCE
CHARMING
Oh no mother. Not that.
QUEEN
I am meeting with Minister Reichman soon.
I hope he has a new plan to improve our countries' finances.
PRINCE
CHARMING
So do I, so do I. I'll win the
tournament for you mother, but the prize money is not that much.
QUEEN
Good for you my son. Every penny is
important.
The Wicked Queen turns and leaves.
Prince Charming knocks the billiard balls about the table.
2.
INT. WICKED QUEEN'S CASTLE - PARLOR ROOM
The Wicked Queen and Finance Minister
Reichman are sitting in large chairs near a roaring fire.
They are sipping wine and having a serious
discussion of the country's finances.
Reichman speaks with a heavy German
accent. He has a large ledger on his lap.
QUEEN
What do you mean, almost broke? Can't
you just raise the taxes again?
REICHMAN
I did that last month and the
collections were less. The people just don't have enough money. They pay their
rent and feed themselves. Then what's
left over they pay in taxes. You raised
the taxes so high, that they have nothing left to pay with.
QUEEN
Look here. They pay the taxes or they
go to jail.
REICHMAN
The jails are already full. Feeding the
prisoners is costing you a fortune.
QUEEN
If they are in jail, then they are
criminals. Don't feed them, let them die.
REICHMAN
Most of them are in jail because they
didn't, or couldn't, or wouldn't pay their taxes.
QUEEN
Oh yea I remember. You said if we
started putting them in jail, then the others would pay the taxes to keep out
of jail.
REICHMAN
Well I was right, for awhile anyway. But
now you've raised the taxes so high, no one has any leftover money to pay. If
you keep putting them in jail you'll have to feed them.
QUEEN
And I said don't feed them.
REICHMAN
Then everyone in jail will die. That
will save money, but won't solve anything.
QUEEN
Sure it will. We tax them, if they
don't pay they go to jail. We don't feed criminals in jail and they die.
Doesn't cost me anything that way. Then I can use the jail food money to take a
vacation.
REICHMAN
And by the time you get back from your
vacation there won't be any peasants left to tax. They'll all be starved to
death in jail. Or maybe they will
have revolted and chopped off our heads, like the peasants did in France.
QUEEN
Ummm. I don't like the sound of that.
REICHMAN
Nor do I. You need a new source of
income. And soon or you won't be able to pay the army or the castle guards.
QUEEN
How about raising the taxes on imports?
REICHMAN
That's a good idea; except very little
is imported into your country. Because the
peasants haven't got any money to buy any imports.
QUEEN
How about going to war and taking the
spoils of victory? It's been done
before.
REICHMAN
True. But your army is small. You could
lose everything. If you attack without a very good reason, the other countries
might align against you. Then you would lose for sure.
QUEEN
Ummm. I don't like the sound of that
either.
REICHMAN
You need to export. To get other
countries to buy from you.
QUEEN
I like the sound of that. What do we
have to sell them?
REICHMAN
Well that's a problem. You don't have
anything on hand.
QUEEN
But we do have mountains and there are
lots of trees.
REICHMAN
Trees make wood. Wood for fires. Wood
for houses. Good idea. Except everybody else has lots of trees. They don't want
yours; they have their own.
QUEEN
This is getting tiresome. What about
minerals? Those mountains are full of minerals.
REICHMAN
Another good idea. But minerals take
lots of time to dig up and refine before they can be sold. You have very few
miners in the mountains. It's hard dangerous work. And the only mineral that
really pays off is diamonds.
QUEEN
These shiny rocks about my neck? We
have diamond mines? I didn't know that.
REICHMAN
You don't have any diamond mines. There
is one diamond mine just over the southern border line.
QUEEN
The southern boarder? Didn't my father
fight a war over that boarder line?
REICHMAN
Yes he did. And he lost.
QUEEN
You mean if he had of won, that diamond
mine would have been mine, I mean ours?
REICHMAN
Yes. The exact location of the boarder
line was the main reason for the war.
QUEEN
So. They've got the diamond mine in
their country and I don't, so I'm poor. My peasants are poor.
REICHMAN
Yes my Queen. That is one of the main
reasons you are poor.
QUEEN
Well then. Let's just go to war with
them and get our diamond mine back.
REICHMAN
Remember, your father tried that and
lost. Now they have many more allies that would help them. I am afraid you
would also lose.
QUEEN
Ummm. I don't like the sound of that.
Oh my. This is very tiresome. They took the land from my father and they beat
him up in a war. If I try to get the land back, they will gang up on me and
I'll lose. Maybe my small army should just go take the diamonds in the dark of
night.
REICHMAN
If they were in disguise and no one was
captured or left behind, that might work. But they would have to be very
trustworthy and could not ever speak of it.
QUEEN
I am sure I can find enough loyal
soldiers to rely on. How many would I need?
REICHMAN
Well the diamond mine near the boarder
that I know of, only has seven workers. They live in a large house near the
mine. When they have found enough diamonds they cash them in.
QUEEN
Only seven workers? No security guards?
REICHMAN
There wasn't any that I could see last
month.
QUEEN
You've been there?
REICHMAN
Ever since your father lost that war,
I've had my eyes on that mine.
QUEEN
(resolved)
So if we sent twenty men, they could
grab the diamonds and be gone, no problems. They would appear to be just a band
of robbers.
REICHMAN
Well there is one problem. There is no
way to know where they keep the diamonds hidden. We need someone on the inside.
QUEEN
Just seven men there and no women?
REICHMAN
No women, right. But actually the men
are dwarfs.
QUEEN
Dwarfs? That's even better. A pretty
woman in there could have at least one of them, probably more, around her
little finger. One pretty woman could find out where those diamonds are hidden.
REICHMAN
You're probably right about that. But
she just couldn't walk in there. They'd suspect something foul.
QUEEN
You're right. She would have to be lost
or on the run. Or better yet, someone that had been banished from here. But she
has to be pretty.
REICHMAN
If she is pretty and works in the
castle you could banish her for personal reasons.
QUEEN
Yes. I could do that. That would be
something I would do if I felt threatened in someway.
REICHMAN
Do you know that your son is ah, ah
very attracted to one of the chambermaids. And she is very very pretty.
QUEEN
(aloof)
A chambermaid? My son and a
chambermaid. That will never do. My son, the prince, will not marry beneath his
station. I shall have to banish her from the kingdom.
REICHMAN
Yes. I know the perfect spot near the boarder
line. And while on the way, the escort guards could be loudly speaking about
the diamond mine nearby. How if they had just one or two diamonds, they could
own a house. Infuse the idea to her.
QUEEN
(wicked delight)
Perfect! I'll banish her today. Alone
in the woods, frightened, she stumbles upon the miner's house. Or maybe one of
them finds her, dirty and tattered and very pretty. They take her in and then
nature takes it's course. But she won't want to stay there; she'll want to get
back to the finer things of castle life. To get back to her prince. But she'll
need money so she'll find out about those diamonds. I know how women think.
REICHMAN
In a day or two we send your son out to
find her. You tell him you were wrong, that you shouldn't have banished her. He
will easily find her.
QUEEN
She tells him, he tells me and then in
the dark the army goes and gets the diamonds. I like the sound of this.
3.
INT.
WICKED QUEEN'S CASTLE - HALLWAY
The Wicked Queen and four soldiers
surround Snow White as she dusts furnishings in the hallway.
QUEEN
(friendly)
You are Snow White the chambermaid?
Yes? You are pretty. Very pretty. Almost as pretty as I was at your age. Almost
as pretty as I am now.
SNOW
WHITE
(blushes)
Yes your highness. Thank you your highness.
QUEEN
(accusing)
I have been told that you are being
romantic with my son. Is this true?
SNOW
WHITE
(blushes)
Well your highness. We, ah, are sort
of.
QUEEN
Sort of. What's that? Are you or aren't
you? Have you kissed him?
SNOW
WHITE
(blushes)
Well mame. Yes. Yes we have kissed. But
we have not done anything else. I swear it.
QUEEN
(angry)
Kissing. Just kissing. Indeed. Well
young lady don't you know who my son is? He is the prince, someday to be the
king. A king does not marry a chambermaid. My son will not marry a chambermaid.
I will not allow it. You will be banished from this kingdom this very moment.
Guards. Take this winch away!
Two of the soldiers grab Snow White by
her arms and take her down the hallway.
4.
EXT. FOREST - AFTERNOON
Two soldiers on horseback riding in
front of Snow White on horseback. Two soldiers on horseback are behind her.
The escort troupe is at a walk speed.
Snow White has no possessions with her.
When the soldiers begin to speak
loudly, Snow White listens with intense interest.
1ST
SOLDIER
Can you believe this. Everyone else
gets thrown in the dungeon. How's she rate to get banished?
2ND
SOLDIER
She worked in the castle, that's how.
Still, thrown out into the woods, no food, no shelter. At least
they feed
2nd SOLDIER
(cont)
'em in the dungeon. I think she must have made the Queen really
mad.
1ST
SOLDIER
Oh, she'll survive. She's pretty.
2ND
SOLDIER
How's that gonna help out here in the
forest?
1ST
SOLDIER
There's a diamond mine just south of
the boarder, near where we're dropping her off. About an hours walk through the
woods.
Snow White looks up at the sky, then at
the sun.
2ND
SOLDIER
Ahhh. Lonely miners, pretty girl.
You're right, she'll survive. Haw haw haw.
1ST
SOLDIER
Yea and if she's got any brains, she'll
get some of those diamonds for herself.
2nd SOLDIER
Some people got all the luck. If I had
just two of those shiny rocks, I'd buy my own house.
5.
EXT.
FOREST - LATE AFTERNOON
One of the soldiers helps Snow White
off her horse.
Snow White looks at the forest all
about her; she extends her hands to the soldier.
SNOW
WHITE
How about some food and water? You
can't just leave me out here to die.
1ST
SOLDIER
I'm sorry young maid, but I'm only
following orders. You're alive and free. The Queen said if you come back, you
die. Understand?
Three of the horse soldiers trot off
back toward the castle. The forth
soldier stays near Snow White.
4TH
SOLDIER
The Queen is mean and wicked. I've got
a child near your age. But there's not much I can do for you. The sun sets in
the west. The path back to the castle is to the north, but you can not go that
way.
The forth horse soldier trots off.
Snow White watches the horse soldiers
disappear.
She looks at the sun streaming through the
trees, then points south and begins walking briskly.
6.
EXT.
FOREST CLEARING - ALMOST DUSK
Snow White stumbles through thick
sticker bushes at the edge of the forest, tearing her long white dress.
The sticker pain causes her to scream
as she breaks free into the grassy field.
Her scream causes grazing mules to bolt
and whinney. They run toward a small barn.
Snow White follows the mules to the
barn.
7.
EXT.
SEVEN DWARF'S BARN
Two dwarf men are sitting on a fence
watching the mules run toward them.
DOPEY
What do you make of that comin' here? A
ghost?
HAPPY
(grinning)
That my fine foolish friend, is just
what the doctor ordered. A woman.
DOPEY
I don't recall Doc' saying 'bout some
woman.
Soon Snow White is beside the two
dwarfs.
SNOW
WHITE
I'm lost. I'm tired. I'm hungry. I got
stickers all over me. Can you fine gentlemen help me?
HAPPY
(eyes widening)
If it were up to me I'd do anything for
you mame. But Grumpy is the boss 'round here.
DOPPY
Not to worry pretty lady. He'll help
you.
HAPPY
That's right. He'll be real helpful.
I'm sure he'd be more'n glad to help the likes of you.
The two drawfs climb down and Snow
White climbs through the fence railings.
Then they walk toward a large log wood
house.
8.
INT.
SEVEN DWARF'S HOUSE - KITCHEN
Snow White is finishing a bowl of soup
and a hunk of home made bread.
Six dwarfs are sitting around the table
staring at her.
The seventh dwarf is washing dishes in
the sink.
SNOW
WHITE
Sir. Let me do up the dishes. It's the
least I can do to repay your hospitality.
The dwarf at the sink turns and faces
her.
GRUMPY
What you can or can't do isn't the
issue. I want to know why you are here.
SNOW
WHITE
I was lost. I was in the woods. Then I
stumbled into the clearing and saw this house.
GRUMPY
Yes, yes. I know that. But why were you
in the woods? There is no village for a day's ride from here in any
direction. Where's your horse? How did
you get here?
SNOW
WHITE
Let's go have a sit around and talk.
Snow White leads the men into the large
living room.
9.
INT.
SEVEN DWARF'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM
A small fire blazes in the stone
fireplace.
Snow White walks to the center of an
oval rug.
SNOW
WHITE
You all sit at the edge of the rug.
I'll sit in the middle. Then we have a long talk. Questions and answers. That's
how we get to know each other. Sound okay?
Snow White slow turns, looking at each
dwarf, pointing for each to sit down.
Each dwarf sits down as she points to
him. They sit jubilant, pinching and poking each other, pointing to Snow with a series of snorts, gnaws, giggles
and looks of awe.
SNOW
WHITE
(smiling at Doc)
What is your name?
DOC
(toothy grin)
Doc.
SNOW
WHITE
Nice to meet you.
(curtsies, faces Happy)
SNOW
WHITE
(continues)
What is your name?
HAPPY
Happy.
Happy sits silent, with a constant full
grin.
SNOW
WHITE
And what is your name?
(smiles at Sneezy)
SNEEZY
Sneezy. Aachoooosneezy.
SNOW
WHITE
What is your name?
(smiles at Sleepy)
Sleepy's head nods forward. Sneezy reaches
over and shakes his shoulder.
Sleepy half jumps-up, sits down.
SLEEPY
(softly)
Sleepy.
SNOW
WHITE
(giggles, faces Bashful)
Hello, and what's your name?
BASHFUL
(looks away, monotone)
Bashful.
Snow White stares at Bashful for a few seconds
with a leery eye then faces Dopey.
SNOW
WHITE
(smiles)
And what might your name be?
Dopey is leaning back and almost tips
over. He waves his arms and feet catching his balance. His eyes on the floor,
he says his name softly as the group giggles loudly.
SNOW
WHITE
Excuse me, what was name?
DOPEY
(smiles)
Dopey.
(sits upright)
SNOW
WHITE
(faces Grumpy)
Last not least, who are you?
Grumpy's arms are crossed; stern faced
and silent.
Snow slow looks at him, then looks away,
then looks back at him.
Grumpy stares back at her, takes a deep
breath, lets the air out and stays silent.
Snow White slowly looks about the
circle of men, saying each name.
SNOW
WHITE
Doc. Happy. Sneezy. Sleepy. Bashful. Dopey.
They each have such neat names, so too must you?
Grumpy's arms crossed, he jets his chin
at her and wiggles his beard a no.
Snow White looks to Doc.
SNOW
WHITE
(imploring)
He has a name?
DOC
(belly laughs)
Ho, ho, ho. Yes. We all call him Grumpy.
All the dwarfs are slapping their knees
and poking each others shoulders and giggling, pointing and mumbling.
ALL
DWARFS
Grump, grump, grump.
Snow White scoots close to Grumpy.
SNOW
WHITE
So you have a name.
Grumpy wiggles his beard a 'no' at her
again.
SNOW
WHITE
Grump. They called you Grump. Is that
your name?
Grumpy shakes his beard 'no' many times
at her.
Snow White quickly reaches forward,
taking his beard in her left hand.
SNOW
WHITE
Grump they said and Grump it is.
GRUMPY
(raises eye brows)
Grumpy. Grumpy. Grumpy is my name.
He wriggles his beard free from her grasp.
SNOW
WHITE
(looks at Doc)
By the way are you a doctor?
DOC
(slow grinning)
No mame. Just my handle.
SNOW
WHITE
(puzzeled)
Handle? What do you mean? Handle? Is
your name Doc Handle?
All the dwarfs snickering.
DOC
No no. Doc is my name. My only name, my
handle. It's what everyone calls me.
SNOW
WHITE
Oh. A nick name. I like it.
(looks at each)
Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy, Grumpy, Dopey,
Doc, Happy. All nicknames, handles?
All the dwarfs nod and murmur.
ALL
DWARFS
Yes. Ya. Yes. Huh uh. Yep. Yes yes.
Yah.
SNOW
WHITE
(smiling)
How interesting. How very intriguing.
What a fine collection of handles.
All the dwarfs' faces beaming with
pride.
SNOW
WHITE
(continues)
Say Doc. How is it you come by that
handle? The ah ah the men here give you that? Did you each name each other?
All the dwarfs sit in silence, shaking
heads negative.
SNOW
WHITE
(continues)
Then someone, somewhere else named you?
Or did you name your selves?
All the dwarfs answer at once.
ALL
DWARFS
Brother, neighbors, folks. No. Don't
know. Don't member.
SNOW
WHITE
Well sirs, this is very interesting.
Yes indeed. Clever nicknames and now mysterious origins. Okay this will be fun.
Sharing tales of your pasts. How you come by your names. How you come to this
place. Okay who will be first?
Snow White looks invitingly at each,
then holds a long smile at Bashful.
BASHFUL
(coughs)
Na, not me. You wouldn't. Na you, na.
na.
Grumpy quicks to his feet.
GRUMPY
Whoa there boy, wait there a sec'. I
don't see where we need be bringing up those old bad memories. Aign't no bodies
business 'cept ourn. I say we all call it a night and get some, some sleep.
SNOW
WHITE
(flirty)
Ah now Grumpy. I can about guess how
you come by your nickname.
Snow White grasps the long tail of his
chin hair. She twirls it around her fingers, winding and slow pulling against
his mild protest grumbles.
SNOW
WHITE
(continues)
Ah now Grumpy, what harm. To share part
of your past. You all share this house, the chores, the work in the mines.
(looks at dwarfs)
Haven't you wondered of your names?
Snow White mesmerizing stares at each
dwarf until each dwarf nods affirmative. She tugs Grumpy's beard toward her,
then slides her tongue over her lower lip.
SNOW
WHITE
And you, dear Grump, are you not
sometimes curious of how, say, Bashful come about his nickname?
All the dwarfs look at Bashful. Bashful blushes.
SNOW
WHITE
(continues)
And Doc. Is he a magician, a healer, a
sorcerer or a doctor for you all?
All the dwarfs heads shaking noes.
DOC
(coughs)
A doctor? Surely you jest.
SNOW
WHITE
Then if not a doctor, how come you to hold such a name?
DOC
Well miss White, I. . . .
SNOW
WHITE
Please dear sir, relax the formality.
Be pleased to call me Snow, as all my dears do.
DOC
Miss Snow as I was about to..
SNOW
WHITE
(softly)
Dear Doc, just Snow will please me.
DOC
Snow it is miss.
(looks at floor)
Spring, the first season I changed from
boy to adolescence. The wild roses were
plentiful. I'd leave early with the sun, finding the mountain footpaths dotted
with the colors mother liked for her table. My chore.
FLASH BACK
10.
EXT.
MOUNTAIN LEDGE - LATE AFTERNOON
(Doc's off screen narrative below, over
plays the couples' action on the Ledge.)
FADE
IN
Doc sees dwarf girl picking mountain flowers.
He sits quiet watching her coming closer and closer.
Dwarf girl finally sees Doc. She looks,
smiles then goes and sits beside him.
They look at each other's flowers. They look down upon the valley, pointing at
the small houses.
As the sun sets they kiss. Then part in
different directions.
The next day they are having lunch on
the mountain ledge. Their baskets full of wild flowers. More kissing. As the sun sets, they depart different directions.
DOC
(O.S.)
The first time I'd ever seen her. She
was kneelin' toward me, her head moved quick to my sound as I edged around the
ledge. Her presence there, the sheer beauty of it, the colors, the ledge, I was
smitten, love lust want, feeling hunger desires heard of only. Then suddenly a
half-mile above the valley I was taken, nearly swooned to my demise. The thorns
of the red plant I grabbed awoke me. That began our spring. Meetin' on the
ledge week upon week, earlier each day, fallin' deeper in love.
END FLASH BACK
11.
INT.
SEVEN DWARF'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM
All the dwarfs sit motionless looking
at Doc.
Snow White lets go of Grumpy's beard,
leans toward Doc.
SNOW
WHITE
Well why didn't you marry her?
Doc looks up, over at Snow White. He
shakes his head.
DOC
Her father.
A giant of a man, for a dwarf, put the fear in me. I was but a boy, it was easy
to do.
SNOW
WHITE
(wonder)
What pray tell did the brute do to you?
DOC
(sly)
Death, the fear of death, he put into
me. As the elm witch cast rickets into the school marm for flunking her
familiar cousin the year before, he cast fear into me.
SNOW
WHITE
(captivated)
How, pray do say? How one so young,
could be that done to?
DOC
Long these years have I remembered that.
Long the hours I've speculated, deep within the mine it finally come to me,
with awareness of love so to come my awareness of other emotions, feelin's.
Fear, I'd had before, but
DOC
(cont)
death was new to me. Somethin' that
happened to others.
SNOW
WHITE
(anxious)
What did he do to you?
Doc sits silent, staring at the floor
crack.
FLASH BACK
12.
EXT. MOUNTAIN LEDGE - LATE AFTERNOON
(Doc's off screen narrative below, over
plays the couples' action on the Ledge.)
FADE IN
Doc and the dwarf girl are naked, half
hidden behind a bush on a ledge. After their lovemaking they take the clothes
off the bush and dress.
As the sun sets they part in different
directions. They both stop. Doc throws a flower to her.
The dwarf girl reaches for it, slips
and falls down the mountain side. Rolling and bouncing over the rocks until she
lands in the roaring river.
Doc looks down at her, shaking his head
in disbelief and sorrow.
DOC
(O.S.)
He didn't really do anythin' to me, not
actually to me. It was what he did to a bale of hay. The way he did it. The
look on his face, those eyes, deep within his eyes I could see the bale of hay
was me. The pitchfork tore it into large
pieces, strewn about
DOC (O.S.)
(cont)
the barn in seconds. His voice warning,
'Be you near my girl one more moment this be your tomorrow.' I walked slowly
away, my eyes upon him every second, wouldn't turn my back. There weren't any
more flowers thereafter. I went to the river instead. Sittin', starin' into the
depths, rememberin', savorin' at first each morsel we shared. The moments
faded, lost to the bottom, imbedded in the depths, mud imprints our love time.
END FLASH BACK
13.
INT. SEVEN DWARF'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM
Doc sits silent awhile, finally he looks
up at Snow White.
DOC
(monotone)
At the supper table mom would ask what
I did, where I went. And I'd say, 'Been at the river mom, sittin' on the dock.'
Each day was the same, 'Where'd you go, what'd you do? The dock, mom. At the
dock.' After a few weeks, all I'd say was 'dock'. Or mom would look at me and
say, 'Doc?' I'd nod yes. My friends
would stop by the house asking for me to help pick
berries or apples or peaches as the seasons came. Mom would say, 'Doc'.
FLASH BACK
14.
EXT. RIVER BOAT DOCK - DUSK
(Doc's off screen narrative below, over
plays the action at the Dock.)
FADE IN
Doc is sitting at end of small wood
boat dock dangling his feet in the water.
A dozen dwarfs approach the dock. They
are angry and yelling and pointing at him. Many are carrying fire torches.
Three fire torches are thrown onto the
dock and it catches on fire. The dock
burns quickly. Doc jumps in the river and swims to the other side.
DOC
(O.S.)
They started calling me 'Doc'. They'd
find me danglin' my feet starin', watchin' the clouds or the birds. Pretty soon
they'd be sittin' doing what I was. After a couple of weeks the dock was full.
The chores left for other days. Then up and come the priest and most of the
village stormin' rage at us lazy no accounts. Ventin' anger at me. Puttin'
the blame on 'Doc'. They
torched the timbers with me at the end
still danglin' me feet. The flames put my hair to fire, fallin' in the water
put it out. When I walked onto shore they just stood there pointin' west. All
of them pointin' for me to go west. Weeks later I found this place.
END FLASH BACK
15.
INT. SEVEN DWARF' HOUSE - LIVING ROOM
The long silence is broken by Snow
White. She faces Grumpy and grabs his beard.
SNOW
WHITE
See Grumpy. How interesting Doc's tale
is.
Grumpy frowns, fast shakes a no,
tearing loose a few beard hairs.
GRUMPY
Hay! Miss Snow let go!
SNOW
WHITE
(mischievous smile)
No no no.
(faces Doc)
Thank you sire for such a fine tale.
DOC
Actually, I kinda rather liked
rememberin'. I really do miss her.
Snow White addresses Happy.
SNOW
WHITE
Well Happy, easy for me to see how you
got your nice name. That child's smile warms me at just the look. But what
could have taken you from your home. Was it your destiny to come to these deep
woods to cheer these miner men?
Happy's fool's grin holds steady at
Snow. Displaying tired worn eyes and with the
voice of a blind man amidst an antelope stampede he tells of his misfortune.
HAPPY
A carefree boy, running across the
fields, jumping creeks and hiding in the trees from the toil of digging his
father's well. That was me. Until one thunderous afternoon, when the lightning
tore the skies splitting crevices in the leaves about my perch. A glorious
sight. One of summer's best storms found me treetop high. The wind came upon
me. My foot slipped, my fingers slid off the wet branches as I fell to the
earth. I landed on my face. I didn't remember but the pain. My jaw was broken.
Mom wrapped it the best she could. It healed, the weeks passed and this is how
the jaw mended. A happy face. A permanent happy face.
SNOW
WHITE
Just seeing you makes me happy, yet you
seem so, so unhappy.
HAPPY
Miss Snow, lovely lady princess that
you are, no one is always happy. Or wants to be. Remember sorrow, lost loves,
illnesses, the blues, the doldrums. And me with the face that broke the stare
of St. Forrester's pallbearers, there always happy, happy happy, ever happy.
(rising anger)
No matter what the turn of fate, ever
happy.
Snow lets go of Grumpy's beard and
reaches forward to Happy, her mouth slowly parting to speak.
HAPPY
(continues)
Yes Miss Snow, Happy the name they gave
me. But happy was not I. Nor were they with me.
SNEEZY
Achooookickedyout?
HAPPY
Might as well have. Meeting silent
stares, bodies turned away at my approach. Sort of drove me away. One day I'd
had enough. Threw my clothes in a bag and walked.
FLASH BACK
16.
EXT. FOREST ROADWAY - AFTERNOON
FADE IN
A stagecoach is standing still. The driver is taking the two horses loose
from the stage. Dopey points a pistol at the driver.
Two well dressed gentlemen are putting
coins into a bag that Happy holds in his left hand. Happy has a pistol in his right hand pointed at them.
Happy gets on a horse and Dopey gets on
the second horse.
Happy and Dopey hurry away into the
forest.
END FLASH BACK
17.
INT. SEVEN DWARF'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM
HAPPY
Dopey was passing through the village then.
We met at the edge of town and wandered for months. Doing odd jobs at passing
farms and dishes in village inns till we lucked-out here.
Happy and Dopey grin sly at one
another.
SNOW
WHITE
A coincidence, a fateful hand both
leaving town the same day?
DOPEY
(coughs loudly)
Aahhhhhhhcccck. Yes.
Surprised Snow White jerks up, pulling
Grumpy's beard.
GRUMPY
Eeeyow!
SNOW
WHITE
(eyes twinkle)
Grumpy, dear so sorry. You hear, he
coughed my fright. Dopey where were you from?
DOPEY
(coughs)
Aahhhccck. Faraway from here.
GRUMPY
(growls)
Leave the boy alone. Can't you see how
you are upsetting him. Dragging-up the past is no good I tell you. Leave us be.
Go back to your castle or your moat, which you be.
Snow White with his beard still in her
right hand she gently puts her left hand on his knee and pats.
SNOW
WHITE
Now who's getting upset. Calm calm
yourself. Your turn to tell soon here will be.
(looks at Sneezy)
Do your turn now? Or would you rather
wait?
SNEEZY
(wide grin)
Yes. I'd wait.
SNOW
WHITE
Okay Sneezy we can do it your way.
Would you pick someone next to be?
SNEEZY
Achoooonotme, achooooneverme.
FADE OUT
18.
INT. WICKED QUEEN'S CASTLE - PARLOR
The Queen is sitting at her make-up
table, starring into the large oval mirror.
QUEEN
Mirror, mirror on the wall, aren't I
still the prettiest of them all?
Prince Charming comes into the mirror's
reflection; he smiles at his mother's reflection.
PRINCE
CHARMING
Mommy dearest. You'll always be the
prettiest to me.
QUEEN
I'm the prettiest of them all. You
really think that?
PRINCE
CHARMING
You're beyond pretty. You're radiant.
Vibrant.
QUEEN
You are so kind, so charming, my
son. But what of the chambermaid, Snow
White? Isn't she pretty? You like her don't you?
PRINCE
CHARMING
Well yes mommy dearest. Snow White is
pretty, but she is not radiant like you are.
QUEEN
You just like her, right? No special
feelings for her. I mean, you are a prince and she is but a chambermaid.
PRINCE
CHARMING
I know what I am, I know what she is, mommy
dearest. She is pretty and I do like her.
QUEEN
I'm just thinking of what's best for
you. What's best for the country. Some day you will be the king. You must marry someone equal to you. A
princess from a wealthy nation would be ideal.
PRINCE
CHARMING
But mommy dearest, I want to marry
someone I love.
QUEEN
You can fall in love with a rich
princess much easier than a poor chambermaid.
PRINCE
CHARMING
I'm not so sure of that.
QUEEN
I am. You are still very young and know
little of the ways of the world of love. But let us change the subject to
something very serious. Serious for us both and for the country. Finances. The
state of our economy. My son, we are about broke.
Prince Charming and the Queen stop
looking at each other in the mirror. They
speak face to face.
PRINCE
CHARMING
Broke? What do you mean broke, the
people pay heavy taxes. Your new Finance Minister just raised the taxes again.
QUEEN
Yes he did. But most of the peasants aren't
paying. He says they are broke too. He says that if we don't get money soon, we
won't be able to feed the prisoners or pay the guards.
PRINCE
CHARMING
You could let the prisoners go. Then we
won't need so many guards.
QUEEN
My son, you are so naïve. Then we would
have out of work guards and prisoners in the streets stealing for food. We
can't have that.
PRINCE
CHARMING
No mother we can't, guess I wasn't
thinking clearly. What does the new minister say?
QUEEN
Do you recall the war your father lost
with our southern neighbor?
PRINCE
CHARMING
No. But I learned about it at school.
Something to do with land. A boarder dispute.
QUEEN
Correct. Your father lost the war and a
lot of land. Very valuable land. Valuable minerals on it. We would be rich today
if he would have won.
PRINCE
CHARMING
The spoils of war go to the victor.
QUEEN
Exactly. But it was not a fair war.
They had many allies that helped them and we had none. It was not fair. They
owe us.
PRINCE
CHARMING
I didn't know any of that. What can we
do now? Another war?
QUEEN
War? No, afraid not. We'd probably lose
again. No money for the army. No we need something more subtle, secretive and
devious.
PRINCE
CHARMING
The new minister has a plan?
QUEEN
Yes. And I think it has a chance of
succeeding. But we need your help.
PRINCE
CHARMING
Why of course mommy dearest. Anything I
can do to help my country.
QUEEN
On the land that should have been ours,
is a diamond mine. A few dwarfs are there, finding diamonds in the old tunnels.
They don't have any guards. We send a few select soldiers disguised as robbers
and just take the diamonds.
PRINCE
CHARMING
That sure is simple and a lot cheaper
than a war. You want me to lead the soldiers?
QUEEN
Who better to trust than you to bring
back the diamonds to the treasury? Will you do it?
PRINCE
CHARMING
The land was in dispute. They could
have shared it with us. But they choose a war they knew they could win. I think
it is only fair that we get some of the diamonds.
QUEEN
Yes. You are your father's son. You
will make a good king when the time comes. We need those diamonds to keep the
country solvent.
PRINCE
CHARMING
How will we find the diamonds? Won't
they be well hidden? What if the dwarfs won't tell us where they are?
QUEEN
Not to worry. We sent in a spy. A very
pretty spy. She'll know where the diamonds are.
FADE OUT
19.
INT. SEVEN DWARF'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM
Sleepy stands up and bows to the group and
lastly to Snow White.
SLEEPY
I'll be next Snow. I'm ready to go. I
like this show.
SNOW
WHITE
Okay Sleepy. Tell us of your nickname.
It's origin, it's game. Well Sleepy. Go ahead it's your turn.
Sleepy stands, eyes glazed over,
immobile.
SNOW
WHITE
(stands up)
Sleepy. What's the matter?
GRUMPY
Eeeyow! Sit down, you clown. Can't you
see. He is asleep.
Snow White quick sits down, stares at
Sleepy.
SNOW
WHITE
Why dear Grumpy, I believe you. I think
you are right. Asleep he is.
(belly laughs)
Sleepy shakes his head, slap-pats his
cheeks.
SLEEPY
I'm awake. I'm awake, really.
All the dwarfs slap their knees and
laugh.
SNOW
WHITE
Can you tell us how you come to this
place. I think I see your name.
SLEEPY
I'm awake sort of, I am I am.
(pats face)
SNOW
WHITE
Yes Sleepy you are awake, keep talking.
Where were you before here?
SLEEPY
I am. I think I am. . .
FLASH BACK
20.
INT. SMALL DARKISH KITCHEN
(Sleepy's off screen narrative below,
over plays the action in the Kitchen.)
FADE IN
Sleepy sits at the kitchen table
counting and stacking hundreds of gold pieces.
At the kitchen sink a devilish dwarf
mixes a bubbly potion into a glass. A skull and cross bones is on the bottle that his slips into his pocket.
The devilish dwarf wretches his hands,
then takes the glass to Sleepy. Sleepy drinks the glass empty, then swoons and
falls over.
The devilish dwarf scoops the coins
back into the bag and blows out the candles.
SLEEPY
(O.S.)
I am awake, I am. I think I am awake,
but it could be a dream. I had a dream. A long dream. A dream of walking. A
long walk. A very long walk. I was so hungry too and thirsty and tired. So
tired from climbing over the boulders. Such big rocks and then a full day of
crawling under tree limbs. Pine needle tree limbs. Ohwee they hurt my hands.
Swimming across a lake. Such a wide lake, the shore trees were so far. Swimming
swimming swimming. Cold so cold. The
shore was so far, I was so tired, so tired.
END FLASH BACK
21.
INT. SEVEN DWARF'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM
Sleepy curls-up to sleep and lays
quiet.
Bashful gets up, gets a blanket and
covers Sleepy.
BASHFUL
I found him on the shore under the
willow tree I fish at. He falls asleep all the time, anywhere, anytime. Eating,
walking, working. Doesn't matter. You look at him, his eyes are glazed.
Standing or sitting, he's asleep.
DOC
That's the name we call him. He
couldn't remember his name, his past. All he remembers is that long dream.
SNOW
WHITE
The journey that brought him here.
Bashful kneels down and speaks to
sleeping Sleepy.
BASHFUL
Absent-mind, that's what Gramps called
it. I don't know, didn't then either. Never paid much mind to it. Nobody home
'round the supper table did either. Absent-mind, guess that's what I was. Been a
handful of years back. Summertime.
FLASH
BACK
22.
INT. BASHFUL'S HOUSE
(Bashful's off screen narrative below,
over plays the action in the House.)
FADE
IN
Bashful gets out of bathtub, runs naked
to the dining table and sits down and eats.
All the dwarfs at the table are dressed
but no one notices his nudity; they just eat and talk normally.
A knock on the door.
Bashful's father answers the door. He
lets in the minister and his wife. They
stand talking awhile.
Bashful leaves the table and stands by
his father.
The minister's wife points her crooked
finger down at Bashful's genitals. The adult dwarfs laugh.
Bashful runs to his bedroom.
BASHFUL
(O.S.)
A hot summer. The nights as hot as the
days. I'd take my bath late afternoon. Soak for an hour, fall asleep, sometimes
nearly drown, he he he. Mom would yell up, 'Don't you drown in my tub. You
hurry, come down, it's supper.' That'd brake my dream sleep. Jump right-out and
towel dry runnin' to the table. Sometimes I'd wrap the towel about me and eat
that way. Nobody at the family table carried. They's busy fillin' their empty
bellies. Sometimes I'd forget the towel. It was just so plain hot. Nobody ever
over to eat, just the kin. Till one Sunday
Ma and Pa got to jawin' to the preacher
and his wife after church. I got bored and went home, the long way through the
silver trees and sat by the brook most of the day. Went on home. Takin' my late bath like always. And like most
times, ran right from the tub to the table. Appears I forgot the towel too.
Nobody paid no mind, like always. They all busy fillin' their bellies. Ma and
Pa jawin' with the preacher and his wife. After coffee and cake they up to
leave and so's we walk 'em to the door.
FADE OUT
23.
INT. VILLAGE DWARF'S CHURCH
(Bashful's off screen narrative below,
over plays the action in the Church.)
FADE IN
The entire congregation is standing and
singing from hymn books.
Bashful is standing behind a young
dwarf girl. He is not singing; he is staring at her buttocks.
Bashful drops his hymn book, bends to
pick it up and looks under the dwarf girl's dress. He stands back up.
Bashful keeps staring at the girl's
buttocks. Finally he lifts up her dress above her waist. Her buttocks are
bare.
The dwarfs near Bashful stop singing
and look at him holding up the girl's dress.
Soon the entire congregation has
stopped singing and is looking at Bashful holding up the girl's dress.
Finally the young dwarf girl looks over
her shoulder to see Bashful holding up her dress, staring at her butt. She slaps his face.
The congregation begins laughing and
laughing.
Bashful runs out of the Church.
BASHFUL
(O.S.)
I don't knows why she had to say.
They's could a gone on home, and never said a word, nobody been the wiser. Least
ways I wouldn't have. But no. She's a woman. Pa says they born to say dumb
stuff least we'd all walk around in silence most the day. Yea she's a woman
alright. Worst. Married to the preacher. She points her crooked finger at my body parts and says to her
husband, 'He's certainly not bashful.' And the preacher answers her, 'Sure, he's got
BASHFUL (O.S.)
(cont)
no reason to be bashful.' I looked down
at my bare body, my privates all
shriveled-up. My ma looks at me, puts her hand to her forehead, 'Oh no not
again.' She turned apologetic to the preacher tapping a finger to her head,
'Please pay him no mind. He fell out of a tree when he was three.' The
preacher's woman put me to shame, 'And he looks and acts it still,' chuckling
and elbowing her husband. I ran mortified to the bathroom for my clothes. The
preacher's woman told the story at the Monday night quilting and by the week's
end the whole valley knew. Everywhere I went, it was Bashful this and Bashful
that with hands held in front of their crotches. By the turning of the leaf
colors I had had enough insulting jibs and jokes and finger pointing by
pubescent toe-knee girls. I packed a bag and found this haven months later. To them I'm gone forever or probably dead, for
me they are a hazy memory I have tried to forget. And now that I relieve it in
the telling. It reminds me of my good fortune, to have found my friends here.
END FLASH BACK
24. INT. SEVEN DWARF'S HOUSE - LIVING
ROOM
Snow White claps her entwined
beard-in-hand, slapping Grumpy in the face.
SNOW
WHITE
Ops, sorry dear. That was so heart
rendering. What a happy ending to the terrible ordeal he had been through. Like
me prosecuted by the ugly Queen and being rescued by you all.
Sleepy rolls over.
Bashful gets up off his knees and looks
at Snow White.
BASHFUL
The summer was warm. I spent my time in
the backyard. Got to where I never wore clothes. Never gave it no thought. One
Sunday I over slept. The bells woke me. I ran to the church. Got there at
communion so I hurried to get my wafer and wine. There was a long line. I waited behind her. She was so pretty so
pretty. I waited and waited and looked at her and smelt her and waited and
waited. The people behind me began giggling. Then laughter and louder laughter.
Even the preacher laughed. I looked all
around, couldn't see the joke. The preacher raised his hands for silence. When
all were quiet he pointed at me and said, 'This one's not bashful.' Everyone
laughed and laughed. I walked away and
never went back. I miss my folks some. Weren't their fault. I just don't know.
Snow White is perplexed, her own laugh
held by his innocent sincerity. Wondering, she looks to Grumpy.
GRUMPY
(nods yes)
We put work clothes on him. He never
takes them off.
Bashful returns to his place on the
rug.
BASHFUL
Bashful I am. That's my name now. I
wear cloths.
SNOW
WHITE
(coughs)
Ah well, ah, clothes are good. They
keep us warm and they're very pretty.
(looks at dwarfs)
Well mine are.
Snow White stands and holds her skirt
open, pulling Grumpy's beard.
GRUMPY
Eeeyow! Sit down.
Grump pulls her back to her seat with
his hands on her wrists.
SNOW
WHITE
Ohwee Grumpy. What are you doing?
GRUMPY
(grumbles)
My beard, remember. It's in your hands.
SNOW
WHITE
Sorry dear.
SNEEZY
(sneezes)
AchooooIwill. I'll tell next.
SNOW
WHITE
Alright that would be fine. You sneeze
so much is that how, why?
SNEEZY
Not exactly Miss Snow. I never did 'cept
when dad used too much pepper on the pancakes. Guess that's when I began
experimenting with sound sneezes. In
the middle of a sneeze I'd say a word. And that sounded neat. I sneezed a
second time with a different word and that sounded neat too. So I took the
pepper can, went out by the pond and sneezed words all day. All kinds of words,
a whole new sound. Got really into it,
I was just a kid. What else was there. It was new. After a few months I
could sneeze at will, sounding most words.
(sneezes)
Achoooosnowbitch.
SNOW
WHITE
What did you say? I mean sneeze?
All the dwarfs giggle, slap knees, put
hands over their mouths to cover soft laughs.
Snow White slams her left foot to the
floor and jumps-up tearing loose more of Grumpy's beard.
GRUMPY
Ohwweeeee!
SNOW
WHITE
(sits down)
Alright! Alright! Just what are you men
laughing at?
Snow White leans close to Grumpy's ear.
Her free hand resting again on his knee patting, petting higher and higher
along his leg.
SNOW
WHITE
(continues)
I'm so sorry dear Grumpy. They made me.
Grumpy's eyes widen and his scowl
changes to glee.
Snow White smiles at Sneezy.
SNOW
WHITE
(continues)
I think that is very interesting, very
inventive. Please to go on.
SNEEZY
(sneezes)
Achoooothanx. I got real good. Sneeze
when I wanted. Said what I wanted. Got to be a real habit. My way of talking.
Trouble was a traveling doctor heard me.
FLASH BACK
25.
EXT. MOUNTAIN ROADWAY
(Sneezy's off stage narrative over
plays the action of the Roadway.)
FADE IN
A covered wagon pulled by two horses
sits in front of a small dwarf house.
Sneezy hugs his parents goodbye then
climbs onto the wagon to sit beside the doctor.
The wagon winds up and around and down
mountain roads.
They stop for the night and make a
campfire.
The doctor grabs Sneezy and kisses him.
Sneezy tries to get away but the doctor tackles him. Sneezy takes a big stick and hits the doctor on the head. The
doctor falls to the ground.
SNEEZY
(O.S.)
The doctor talked to my folks, said I
had a most unusual illness, a rarity. He paid them two years wages to take me
around to the city doctors, as his discovery. A medical oddity. Said it would
make him famous. And promised to return me cured. They all agreed. The next day
I was off on my first
adventure. All those cities,
those tiny villages, so many places, so many faces I sneezed for. Lords
and their ladies, doctors, teachers, priests, inn keepers, tavern turners, we
paid for naught. Achoooodamnhim.
SNOW
WHITE (O.S.)
(enthusiastic)
Well what happened. Sounds great.
Castles, kings and queens, the life of royalty. All that traveling. How are you
here?
SNEEZY
(O.S.)
He died a few miles back. I got hungry.
Been here ever since. Achoooodamnhim.
END
FLASH BACK
26.
INT. SEVEN DWARF'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM
Snow White turns to Grumpy for
clarification, tugging his beard.
SNOW
WHITE
Well?
GRUMPY
We buried 'im. Sneezy folks are on the
other side of the mountains. He could
never find them, never could cross alone. So he stayed. A place here for him.
SNOW
WHITE
That was very kind very nice of you
Grump.
Snow White pulls his beard to her face,
bats her eyelashes and pursing her lips so very near his.
SNOW
WHITE
Now it's your turn dear Grump to tell.
GRUMPY
The past is past. Go on with ya. You
had your fun for the night. Tomorrow's a work day men.
Grumpy tries to get up but Snow White
yanks his beard hard and he sits back down.
GRUMPY
Eyowoooo!
SNOW
WHITE
It's alright Grumpy dear. I can guess how
you got your name. Least we not be rude. Dopey is yet to tell, to have his turn
to say.
Snow White puts her free hand high on
Grumpy's thigh and pats him gently.
SNOW
WHITE
Let's wait a while to, a, a, sleep. It
is Dopey's turn. We want to be totally fair. Now don't we?
Dopey's legs are crossed, so when he
stands he tumbles forward to the floor. Lying on his right side he looks deep
into Snow White's eyes.
DOPEY
This. This always happens to me. Not
that I wanted this. Not that I, I wouldn't do anything. Not that I, I didn't
want to. I did. I, I tried everything I saw to do. It was I, I couldn't.
FLASH
BACKS (4)
(Dopey's
off stage narrative below, over plays the action of the next (4) four FLASH
BACKS.)
27.
INT. DOPEY'S FRIEND'S LIVING ROOM
FADE
IN
Dopey loses a game of checkers to his
dwarf friend. Dopey gets angry and knocks the table over, glasses and cups
break on the floor. Dopey runs out the
door.
FADE
OUT
28.
EXT. SOFTBALL FIELD
FADE
IN
Dopey is playing softball with some
dwarf kids. Dopey hits the ball and runs around all the bases. But when he
slides into homebase the umpire calls him out. Dopey gets very angry. The
umpire gestures him to leave. Dopey picks up the ball and throws it through a
house window. Dopey runs away.
FADE
OUT
29.
EXT. SMALL WOODSHED - DUSK
FADE
IN
Dopey and another dwarf throw burning
paper onto the woodshed. The woodshed is soon in flames. Dopey runs away, but
the other dwarf is caught.
FADE
OUT
30.
EXT. DOPEY'S HOUSE - FRONT PORCH
FADE
IN
Dopey is reading a book on his porch
swing. When Dopey looks up a dozen angry dwarfs are standing on the street
looking and pointing at him.
Dopey gestures them to leave. Then the
group begins to throw tomatoes at him.
Dopey is hit by many tomatoes until he gets into his house.
DOPEY
(O.S.)
Couldn't do any of it. All failures.
Each attempt a disaster. A tapestry of mistakes, broken mirrors, windows, cups,
plates, broom handles. Hammer teeth chipped. Saws split in half, candles on
fire. Squirrels ate the chicken feed. The cows got stuck in the mud. Stuff
would fall off shelves. Cookies burnt in the oven. The wash fell off the line
or it would suddenly rain. After a while my folks said just sit on the porch
and watch. Watch and tell us at supper.
That was okay I could do that. Day after day, weeks went by me wavin', swingin'
to the neighborhood. Soon the other kids started to sit and swing too. Got to
be a game, everybody wavin' and singin',
DOPEY (O.S.)
(cont)
some whittlin'. Trouble was, when their
folks 'd come home, no chores be done. I caught the blame. Everyone knew I just
sat on the porch, had been for months. They had a neighborhood meeting. They
spoke with my folks to get me off the porch, to do chores. My folks said it
weren't nobody's business 'cept ourn if I did chores or sat on the porch. My folks didn't want to say I was just plain
clumsy. There was a big fight. Bad things happened at night. The cows got
loose, a small barn on fire, then the goat crap on the steps my dad slipped on.
Weren't my folks fault I was clumsy. Weren't mine either. But the bad things
happened and kept happening so I figured to leave before the town destroyed all
my folks stuff, or worse. I walked, walked and walked. Mountains, rivers,
towns. Then met Grumpy here. He needed help in the mines. I needed food. And surprise me, I could do the work. Didn't
matter if I knocked the rock clumps around. So here I stayed.
END FLASH BACK
31.
INT. SEVEN DWARF'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM
Dopey gets up, he turns and tumbles to
the floor.
All the dwarfs laugh and knee slap.
SNOW
WHITE
Thank you Dopey for your fine tale.
Obvious this is your destiny's work. Not back at that farm of your folks.
Though you should visit them.
Dopey nods okay, then carefully returns
to his place.
Snow White slowly looks at each dwarf.
SNOW
WHITE
(continues)
So you each come here because of your
name. You all found a place of haven and acceptance here. So too I.
(faces Grumpy)
Dear, dear Grumpy. It's your turn.
(pats his knee)
GRUMPY
(scowls)
The past is my business. I say no more.
SNOW
WHITE
(frowns)
Dear Grumpy, I do believe you won't
tell. Well that is your right, though not very fair. Everyone else has said.
GRUMPY
You have not said. Miss Snow!
Snow White runs her hand up his thigh.
SNOW
WHITE
It's your turn, you live here, not I.
Let's see what we do know of you. Shall we...men?
All the dwarfs nod in agreement.
SNOW
WHITE
Most obvious of the group, you sire are
a grumpy little person. Though not sure how or why, maybe because you are a
little person. Needless, you are actually a grump. So Grumpy come to be your
name.
Snow
White looks at the dwarfs seeing all in agreement.
SNOW
WHITE
(continues)
Now how, dear Grumpy, come you here to be.
Let's see what we have. You each traveled here, as I, and found whom? Who was
here before Grumpy? Anyone?
All the dwarfs look at each other,
shaking negatives and murmurs.
DWARFS
Not I, nor me. Don't know. Not sure.
Not me.
SNOW
WHITE
So dear Grumpy, you were here first.
Were you born here?
Snow White looks at the log walls, the
mortar about the stone fire place.
SNOW
WHITE
(continues)
Not, this is fairly new. And nice, my
guess is you made this cabin for your self?
Snow White leans close to Grumpy; his
scowl slowly changes to melancholy. She lightly touches his cheek.
SNOW
WHITE
(intuitive)
You made this cabin for, ah, ah, your
bride?
A tear wheals in Grumpy's eye; he
lowers his head.
SNOW
WHITE
(continues)
She died. Didn't she?
Grumpy jerks-up to his feet, growling.
GRUMPY
(defensive)
You got no right. The past is past. Go
on to bed men. Tomorrow is a work day.
SNOW
WHITE
Alright dear Grumpy, the past yours be.
You can keep your secrets. But do tell me one thing dear Grumpy.
GRUMPY
Not of the past.
SNOW
WHITE
Not of the past, yes. What is it you
dwarfs mine down in those tunnels of yours?
GRUMPY
No secret there. We mine diamonds. But
they are very hard to find.
SNOW
WHITE
(fake surprise)
Diamonds? Those shiny rocks? Aren't
they valuable. Aren't you worried about robbers?
GRUMPY
Robbers? Not really. The company sends
guards here every other day to pick them up. So we only have a few stones here
over night.
SNOW
WHITE
That's pretty smart. Do you have any
now? Could I see them?
All the dwarfs mumble to show her.
DWARFS
Show her the stones. Go on, show her.
No harm in it. Yea.
GRUMPY
Sure I will. No harm in it. The guards
will be here tomorrow afternoon.
Grumpy goes to the kitchen counter and
brings back a small dark metal box.
Grumpy puts the box on the floor in
front of Snow White and opens the lid, then dumps the rough diamonds out.
BASHFUL
I found those today. I had a good day
digging.
GRUMPY
Yes you did. Should be more there
tomorrow.
Snow White picks up one of the rocks
and looks at it close.
SNOW
WHITE
This is a diamond? I thought they were
shiny and pretty in the light. This is just a dirty rock.
GRUMPY
(laughs)
He he he haw. A dirty rock it be. But
cleaned and polished. Then it will be pretty and valuable.
Snow White puts the diamonds back in
the box and closes the lid.
SNOW
WHITE
(disappointed)
Dirty little rocks. Amazing. Well I'm
tired. It has been a very long day. Let me sleep here. I can cook for you. Your
house needs cleaning and I can do that too.
GRUMPY
A long day indeed. We'll put you up for
tonight and you cook for us tomorrow. And clean. If you do a good job you can
stay.
SNOW
WHITE
Thank you Grumpy dear. I'm a very good
cook and I'd be cold and lost without your generosity.
GRUMPY
Fine. It's settled. You can have the
spare bed tonight. Tomorrow we'll empty a room for you. That is, if you want to
stay.
SNOW
WHITE
Thank you very much Grumpy dear. For I
have no where else to go. Working for the Queen has been my whole life. She is
such a wicked woman.
All the dwarfs get up yawning and
stretching.
FADE OUT
32.
EXT. VILLAGE OUTSIDE OF WICKED QUEEN'S CASTLE
- MORNING
Prince Charming and a dozen soldiers
are riding horseback through the village.
The streets are lined with angry
peasants. The peasants are waving farm tools and making threatening gestures.
Some of the peasants begin throwing
vegetables at the soldiers. Some peasants are yelling at the Prince.
PEASANTS
No more taxes. We won't pay. Off with
your head. Down with the Queen. Off with her head. Axes for taxes.
The Prince and the soldiers are hit by
the vegetables and ride through the village quickly.
33.
EXT. SEVEN DWARF'S HOUSE - MORNING
Prince Charming and the soldiers ride
up and stop in front of the house. They
dismount.
Doc and Happy are on the porch pealing
apples. They wave a friendly hello to the Prince and offer the soldiers apples.
Snow White comes out of the house very
happy and runs up to the Prince. They
hug and kiss.
Doc and Happy look at each other with
surprise and wonder.