American Greetings
[Scene: A man in a business suit is eating his morning breakfast while he reads his newspaper, a briefcase next to him on table. His wife is going to and from the kitchen with toast, orange juice, etc. His teenage son comes into the kitchen, grabs a piece of toast and his books, and starts to head out the door. He stops as if remembering something, puts a greeting card on table in front of dad, and leaves. No words are spoken, and characters don’t even look at each other. Father picks up card and reads it.]
[VOICE-OVER of son]:
Happy Birthday, Dad, on this very special day,[Father reacts mildly to card, puts it down and resumes reading newspaper while eating. Mother comes in, is suddenly dressed as if for a trip. He pulls out a card and hands it to her. She takes it and reads it while he goes back to reading his paper.]
[VOICE-OVER of father]: I know I’ve always been away[The man reacts with mild surprise, puts card next to son’s card on table and resumes reading his newspaper. The doorbell rings, and he gets up to answer it. It’s the mailman, who gives him his morning mail. He goes back to table and sorts through letters, opens one up and reads it.]
[VOICE-OVER of a boss from his office at work. Each line has the voice of a different supervisor]:
All of us here at your old job[He looks at the card without response. Puts it on table with other cards. Looks at them blankly. He then pulls out another card from briefcase on table, and looks at it.]
[VOICE-OVER of man]:
I’ve lost my job, I’ve lost my wife[He signs the card on "Sincerely, John McCandall." He lays the card open on the table, pulls a gun from his briefcase and shoots himself in the head, falling face forward onto the open card on the table.]
[VOICE-OVER]:
American Greetings. We’ll say it for you.
END.