GRIZZLY FUTURE
A TELEPLAY
Robert Taylor
Copyright 2011 Robert Taylor
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FADE IN - EXT. - NORTHWESTERN FOREST OVERLOOK – DAY
It’s a beautiful, sunny day overlooking a mountainside in a northwest Canadian forest. Clouds drift in sparse runs across the blue sky. Standing at an overlook is host SIDNEY WELLSPUR. He is dressed in non-offensive beige sport coat and off-white pants. Sidney sports a clean cut look. The host speaks very courteously, with a mild British accent.
SIDNEY
(To the camera)
I’m Sidney Wellspur, and thank you for tuning in to Natural Nature.
Tonight’s feature is an expose on the ever changing life of the North American Grizzly bear. These large, scintillating creatures are slowly being removed from our world. Deforestation, pollution, and growth of metropolitan areas are all formidable enemies to this fine species. It is shameful that by the year 2020, many researchers believe only a handful, if any, of these creatures will be left. Legendary biologist and animal behavioral expert Dr. Bob Sterr recently noted there may be hope yet for the North American Grizzly. In his study, Sterr observed have found that the Grizzly bear is highly adaptable. Like their distant raccoon cousins, these animals are truly beginning to understand how to survive in a world overrun by humans.
Tonight we take a closer look at the findings of Bob Sterr, in his aptly named documentary on the evolution of the species: Grizzly Future.
FADE OUT
FADE IN - EXT. NORTHWESTERN RIVER STREAM – DAY
The sky is bright above the forest tree line. Playful bears romp and fish in the stream. A montage of similar scenes continues with the voice over.
BOB STERR V.O.
Welcome to the scenic forests of British Columbia. I’m Bob Sterr, and I plan to take you on a journey to understand what will come of the Grizzly.
In the wild, these creatures have been noted for their sense of family, their ambition to overcome obstacles, and most importantly their contribution to society as a majestic animal. That’s what you think of right? Majestic?
EXT. - GRASSY FOREST – MIDDAY
MARVIN the Grizzly bear is rolling around in the wildflowers. He is a full grown North American Grizzly bear, and in excellent health. Marvin is a shining example of what a bear should be. He’s smart, lovable, not to mention, majestic.
BOB STERR V.O.
Let me introduce Marvin. I named him Marvin after the late and great Marvin Ecclestein, father of modern Bearology. It was his theories about the Grizzly bear that lead me to my current research. Eccelstien hypothesized that given the superior intelligence of the North American Grizzly, under enough pressure, these creatures may learn to cohabitate with humans, and thus, insure their survival.
After only a short time of tracking Marvin, I was surprised to see that the animal would often visit heavily populated metropolitan areas. Venturing as far as the city of Vancouver, Marvin successfully blends into a habitat. A place formerly void of all Grizzly activity.
EXT. - SUBURBAN HOUSE – NIGHT
Marvin is rummaging through trash cans. He digs through a few and then rolls one across the driveway making a large mess in the process. He sniffs and snorts at the pile before consuming some discarded leftovers.
BOB STERR V.O.
At first I was surprised to learn that an animal this great was actually living on the waste of humans. Seen here, Marvin travels into this small neighborhood for a midnight snack.
PAUL, a Vancouver resident, emerges from his home, to investigate the raucous bear’s activity. He’s just rolled out of bed, wearing ratty flannel pajama pants and a plain white t-shirt. His short hair is a crisscrossed mess.
PAUL
Hey, you, bear, what the hell are you doing here? Get out of my trash!
Marvin stands and looks at him for a moment, sizing him up.
MARVIN
(Growls.)
PAUL
What are you deaf, I said get out.
Marvin charges the man. Realizing his foolishness, Paul runs back into his house. The door closes just as the bear lunges to attack rattling the door. The bear lets out a mighty growl before returning to the garbage. A moment later, the door bursts open. Paul returns with a menacing rifle. Although it looks threatening, it’s only a pump action BB gun.
PAUL
I said get out!
Paul repeatedly fires the BB gun, intentionally missing the bear with his shots. The sound of the pellets ricocheting from the trash can startles Marvin. The Grizzly yelps before turning tail and running away.
PAUL
(Very satisfied.)
That will teach him.
The bear runs down the street toward the wild forests.
BOB STERR V.O.
Looks like Marvin will have to look elsewhere tonight. These are inhospitable grounds.
EXT. - SUBURBAN HOUSE – NIGHT
It is the next night at the same house. The lights are on but there is no sign of activity in or out of the home. As the voice over begins Marvin is seen trotting up the roadside.
BOB STERR V.O.
Much to my surprise, the powerful Grizzly returned to this same home the following night. At first I suspected the audacity of his behavior might have been related to the wealth of refuse.
The man emerges from the door armed with his BB gun. He has tied a rather plain necktie around his head just like he’s Rambo.
PAUL
(Angry and boastful.)
You again!?!? I said you better GET! GET! GET!
He fires wildly, shots ricochet nearby the bear’s feet. The Grizzly continues to approach completely ignoring the man and starts ransacking his garbage. The man fires directly on the bear, but the BBs are repelled by Marvin’s thick coat. Marvin rummages the trash, unfazed by the assault.
PAUL
Fine, you won’t listen to me, I’ll call the police!
Paul goes into his house.
INT. - SUBURBAN HOUSE – NIGHT
The man picks up his cordless phone and dials the police. The bear’s muffled din is heard.
PAUL
Yeah, this is 122 Sycamore I have a situation with a Grizzly in my trash can I need a wildlife unit here. I think the creature is rabid.
(Pause)
Great just have him here quick.
(Pause)
Uh-huh.
Paul clicks the phone off. He turns his head toward the door. The outside is silent.
EXT. - SUBURBAN HOUSE - NIGHT
Paul emerges outside to see the trash as neatly as it ever was and the bear, gone. Paul wonders about confused looking over the scene.
BOB STERR V.O.
This outcome was completely unheard of. Our subject successfully played a trick on this human, a cunning survival tactic.
PAUL
Where the hell did he go?
The POLICE OFFICER pulls up to the house and exits the squad car. The officer appears confused and gives the guilty looking Paul a suspicious glare.
FADE IN – EXT. SUBURBAN STREET – LATE AFTERNOON
Paul is driving home from work whistling along with the radio. The weary man pulls up to the house and presse
s the remote for his garage. The automatic door opens. Marvin is standing in the middle of the garage, overcome with a look of terror.
The man panics in his car when he sees the large bear inside. Paul screams and slams on the breaks. He is terrified. The bear sits menacingly in his garage waiving his paws and growling at him. VIOLET, the man’s wife, emerges from the house door. Paul jumps from the car screaming.
PAUL
(Desperate)
Honey, run, that’s a bear!
VIOLET
What?
PAUL
Get out of there!
Paul averts his eyes as she nears the bear. Violet pats Marvin gently on the back.
VIOLET
What the hell are you talking about, Paul? Of course this is a bear.
Marvin looks at her endearingly.
PAUL
What? This thing has been in our trash!
VIOLET
I know. Poor thing, maybe we should give him a bath? I figured he should at least be in the garage. It’s so cold out there.
PAUL
Honey, are you nuts? This is a wild animal!
VIOLET
Sweetheart, you should relax. This bear is as harmless as can be.
Paul approaches with cautious steps. Marvin lashes his giant forepaw narrowly missing Paul. The man jumps back.
PAUL
He is trying to attack me!
VIOLET
Well baby, you did almost run him over.
PAUL
There is no way this bear is staying in our house!
INT. - BEDROOM – 6AM
The man wakes up in the morning fresh from his slumber. He stretches and scratches then places his feet in his bearskin slippers. He shuffles to the bathroom and opens the door wide. The bear is in the bathroom wrapped in a towel. Marvin gives a nasty but short growl and slams the bathroom door.
PAUL
Honey!
INT. - KITCHEN – 6:30AM
The man, his wife and the bear are all sitting at the table. A giant mound of meat and berries is eloquently plated before the grinning bear. The man and his wife have been served meager portions of pancakes by comparison.
PAUL
(Disgusted)
At the table, sweetheart?
VIOLET
Honey, it’s just temporary! You’re going to be out soon right?
Marvin nods.
VIOLET
Just a little time for him to get back on his feet.
Marvin turns his head to the man with a grin.
INT. – LIVING ROOM – 6:45AM
PAUL
He better be gone by the time I get home.
VIOLET
Don’t worry about it go to work! I Love you.