RUGRATS

‘Hollow Chuck’

By Stephen Radford

PAGE ONE

Panel 1

Open, wide Panel - STU and DIDI are hanging long curtains up along the back door that leads out to the garden. STU looks as though he would rather be anywhere but here. ANGELICA enters through the open door with something hidden behind her back. The babies are playing pass and catch with a football.

ANGELICA: GUESS WHAT I’VE BROUGH WITH ME TODAY?

PHIL: WHAT ANGELICA?

Panel 2

Half panel width - As before, but Angelica’s glee drops a few bars. STU and DIDI continue with hanging the curtain. LIL passes the ball to PHIL.

ANGELICA: GUESS!

LIL: A REALLY GOOEY BAD COLD?

Panel 3

Half panel width - As PHIL catches and prepares to throw the ball back to LIL, we can see that ANGELICA has grabbed her attention. LIL’S eyes focus on the box that Angelica is holding behind her back.

ANGELICA: FINE. I WON’T SHARE IT WITH YOU THEN.

Panel 4

Half panel width - The ball flies behind LIL and into SPIKES little house. TOMMY stands with a look of worry as he recognizes the familiar sound of the ball losing air “fast”.

SFX: (THE BALL) CLANK. PSSSSST

TOMMY: UH OH!

Panel 5

Half panel width - SPIKE then exits his house with the now flattened, airless ball in his mouth. TOMMY who is used to this starts to wander to the house.

TOMMY: THERE GOES ANOTHER ONE. I’LL GO IN AND FIND THE OTHER ONE.

Panel 6

One third in width - LIL and PHIL are now surrounding ANGELICA who doesn’t realize that the lid of the box is opening behind her back.

LIL: WHAT HAVE YOU GOT ANGELICA?

PHIL: TELL US?

Panel 7

Open, one third in width - CHUCKIE sneaks a look behind ANGELICA’S back, noticing the contents as being neatly packed chocolates.

ANGELICA: YOU PROMISE TO BE NICE?

CHUCKIE: THEY’RE ONLY CHOCCIES, ANGELICA?

Panel 8

One third in width - ANGELICA immediately detects CHUCKIE’S slyness and quickly snaps the box shut. CHUCKIE lurches back, his mouth open, slightly stunned.

SFX: (THE BOX) SNAP!

ANGELICA: HEY! YOU LOOKED!

CHUCKIE: WAS I NOT HIP-POSED TO?

* * *

PAGE TWO

Panel 1

One third in width – ANGELICA stands with her arms crossed, trying to figure out how to play a trick on CHUCKIE who is a little pensive.

ANGELICA: WELL THAT WOULD DEPEND.

CHUCKIE: ON WHAT?

Panel 2

As panel 1, ANGELICA brings around her BOX and prods the lid.

ANGELICA: DID YOU PEEK INSIDE THE BOX?

CHUCKIE: WELL, YEAH.

Panel 3

As panel 2, ANGELICA puts her hand to her mouth with terror. CHUCKIE is startled by her reaction.

ANGELICA: OH NO! OH CHUCKIE. IF ONLY YOU KNEW.

CHUCKIE: WHAT?

Panel 4

Open, two panels tall and half the page width – ANGELICA stands tall with a scary look of menace on her face. She speaks to CHUCKIE who stands rattled to the bottom left of the panel. PHIL and LIL are listening to her at the right of the panel. SPIKE can be seen in the background chewing on the flattened football.

ANGELICA: THE CHOCCIES IN THIS BOX CAN ONLY BE SHARED BY THE ONE WHO OWNS IT. IF ANYONE... AND I MEAN ANYONE... WHO SHOULD HAPPEN TO PEEK INSIDE...

Panel 5

As before, but bordered – ANGELICA thrusts out her hand into the air with enthused dramatic flare. LIL and PHIL chuckle at the story’s climax. CHUCKIE however is taking it very seriously. Even SPIKE lifts up his head , his ears prick up as if understanding the consequences for Chuckie.

ANGELICA: THEY WILL BECOME INVISIBLE TO ALL WHO ARE AROUND THEM.

CHUCKIE: NOOO! BUT I...

Panel 6

One third in width – LIL points at CHUCKIE accusingly. CHUCKIE responds, pouting his bottom lip with shame.

LIL: IT’S TOO LATE CHUCKIE. YOU SAWED THEM.

CHUCKIE: BUT I DON’T WANT TO BE INVIS-UN-ABLE.

Panel 7

One third in width – ANGELICA puts across that something might be happening. She gasps and looks at Chuckie with almost sincere fascination.

ANGELICA: I THINK YOU MIGHT HAVE TO GO INSIDE AND LOOK IN THE MIRROR CHUCKIE.

Panel 8

One third in width – CHUCKIE stands starring at the backs of his hands, waiting to see something happen. TOMMY appears from the left hand side of the panel. He holds a fresh new football to play with.

CHUCKIE: IS IT BEGINNING?

TOMMY: IS WHAT BEGINNING CHUCKIE?

* * *

PAGE THREE

Panel 1

Half page width, one panel height - CHUCKIE, who is still starring at his hands, runs past TOMMY into the house. TOMMY gives Chuckie the concerned glance. ANGELICA and the two twins giggle on the right hand side of the panel.

CHUCKIE: NOTHING I HOPE. I’M JUST GOING INSIDE.

TOMMY: WHAT ARE YOU ALL LAUGHING AT?

Panel 2

Half page width, one panel height - As TOMMY joins the other babies, he listens in as ANGELICA huddles in like a team player between LIL and PHIL, gesturing secrecy with her hand to the side of her mouth.

ANGELICA: SHH, IF YOU PLAY ALONG. YOU GUYS CAN SHARE MY CHOCOLATES AS A REWARD.

TOMMY: WHAT REWARD?

Panel 3

One third in width - The angle is from above the babies, TOMMY stands beside PHIL and LIL with his arms stretched with disbelief. ANGELICA is standing with her box of chocolates, but stands away from the other three, distancing herself from the situation.

PHIL: CHUCKIE THINKS HE’S GOING TO BE INVIS-UN-ABLE BECUASE HE SAW THE CHOCCIES.

LIL: THEY ARE MAGICAL CHOCCIES!

TOMMY: INVIS-UN-ABLE? ANGELICA, ARE YOU GOING TO GET US INTO TROUBLE IF YOU MAKE CHUCKIE CRY?

Panel 4

Two panel’s tall, one third in width - Close up of PHIL and LIL, with ANGELICA peeking from behind, feeling perhaps that little bit guilty.

LIL: OH BUT TOMMY, WE’RE BABIES.

PHIL: IT’S OUT JOB!

ANGELICA: BESIDES, CHUCKIE ALWAYS CRIES.

Panel 5

Two panel’s tall, one third in width - As panel 4, but we here CHUCKIE speak off panel left.

CHUCKIE: HEY GUYS, I THINK I’M GOING TO BE OKAY!

Panel 6

Two panel’s tall, one third in width, bottom left hand of the page - As panel 5, but ANGELICA has moved to the left of PHIL and LIL, TOMMY stands at the bottom right hand side of the panel.

ANGELICA: HUH? CHUCKS? IS THAT YOU?

TOMMY: ANGELICA?

Panel 7

One third in width, below panel 4 - CHUCKIE is jumping up and down; trying to make sure everybody can see him.

CHUCKIE: YOU CAN SEE ME, RIGHT?

Panel 8

One third in width, below panel 5 - ANGELICA is reluctant to agree with PHIL and LIL as they stand looking for CHUCKIE in all directions. Their little heads move with quick motion.

LIL: I CAN HEAR YOU?

PHIL: BUT YOU’RE NOT SEEN ANYMORE. JUST LIKE ANGELICA SAID.

ANGELICA: WELL... SURE!

* * *

PAGE FOUR

Panel 1

ANGELICA snatches a hold of TOMMY’S new football out of his hands.

ANGELICA: HOLD IT. THERE’S ONLY ONE WAY TO PROVE IF YOU ARE REALLY INVISABLE.

TOMMY: C’MON YOU GUYS.

Panel 2

LIL: SHHH

ANGELICA: IF I THROW THIS BALL. CAN YOU CATCH IT FOR US CHUCKIE?

Panel 3

ANGELICA is a bit wobbly on her feet as she holds the ball with two hands behind her head. CHUCKIE is waiting in the distance with his hands open expectantly.

CHUCKIE: SURE, I GUESS.

ANGELICA: WHOE! YOU BETTER THROW THE BALL PHIL.

Panel 4

Mid shot of Phil holding the BALL with both hands. We see the motion of the throw (and PHIL’S hands) as the BALL becomes propelled forward into the air.

PHIL: GET INTO POSITION, CHUCKS! HERE GOES.

Panel 5

CHUCKIE catches the pass, but stumbles backwards.

CHUCKIE: PHHHT! I GOT IT!

Panel 6

As before, but CHUCKIE is now on the grass, holding the ball high up in the air safely. We can see that his glasses are skewed on his face. ANGELICA speaks off panel right.

ANGELICA: IT’S TRUE. CHUCKIE IS INVISIBLE.

Panel 7

CHUCKIE now sits with the ball at his feet, he adjusts his eye wear. TOMMY stands next to ANGELICA who is hiding the box behind her back once more.

TOMMY: THIS ISN’T FAIR, ANGELICA. LET ME HAVE A LOOK AT THOSE CHOCCIES.

CHUCKIE: DON’T DO IT TOMMY. YOU DON’T WANT TO END UP LIKE ME.

Panel 8

CLOSE up as TOMMY and ANGELICA square off, face to face.

TOMMY: IT’S NOT THE TRUTH ANGELICA. TELL CHUCKIE IT’S JUST A GAME.

ANGELICA: HOW CAN I WHEN I CAN’T SEE HIM.

* * *

PAGE FIVE

Panel 1

Half width panel - As TOMMY turns, he sees that CHUCKIE isn’t standing where the ball was anymore. He’s gone.

TOMMY: CHUCKIE?

Panel 2

Half width panel - From the point of view inside the house, we see TOMMY as he runs in and past the new curtains that STU and DIDI had put in at the back door. We can just see CHUCKIE’S sneakers peaking out from the bottom of the long curtains.

TOMMY: HEY. CHUCKIE WAIT FOR ME.

Panel 3

Two panels tall, one third in width - From this angle we can see TOMMY standing at the left of the panel, and the back door with the curtain is at the right. We can see STU and DIDI in the kitchen having a cup of coffee. The hidden shape of CHUCKIE is visible through the curtains.

CHUCKIE: I’M NOT HERE ANYMORE TOMMY. YOU MIGHT AS WELL FIND ANOTHER BESTEST FRIEND. ONE YOU CAN SEE.

TOMMY: ARE YOU BEHIND THE CURTAIN CHUCKIE?

Panel 4

Two panels tall, one third in width - As panel 3 but now TOMMY has pulled the curtain slightly, showing CHUCKIE who is standing with his hands cupped against his chest. He looks a little brighter because Tommy can see him.

CHUCKIE: I THINK SO. CAN YOU SEE ME?

TOMMY: OF COURSE I CAN.

Panel 5

Two panels tall, one third in width – CHUCKIE’S face changes in motion from relief to annoyance at ANGELICA’S cruel game. TOMMY stands as before at his side.

CHUCKIE: THEN I’M NOT REALLY INVIS-UN-ABLE?

TOMMY: BEING INVIS-UN-ABLE CAN’T HAPPEN.

CHUCKIE: IT WAS A TRICK ALL ALONG! OH! ANGELICA!

Panel 6

Open panel one third in width – A close up of TOMMY as he speaks aside to the reader.

TOMMY: AND IF I KNOW ANGELICA: LIL AND PHIL WON’T GET ANY REWARD FOR PLAYING ALONG.

Panel 7

One third width panel - PHIL and LIL are standing in the garden. PHIL is looking searchingly for ANGELICA.

LIL: HEY PHILIP! DO YOU THINK IT’S TIME FOR OUR REWARD?

PHIL: SURE, LILLIAN - BUT WHERE DID ANGELICA GO?

Panel 8

One third width panel - LIL gestures the craziness of the situation while PHIL points his finger to the PLAY TUNNEL far right hand side of the panel.

LIL: HUH. FIRST CHUCKIE GOES, AND THEN TOMMY GOES. NOW WE CAN’T FIND ANGELICA.

PHIL: I THINK SHE’S IN THE ENDLESS TUNNEL.

* * *

PAGE SIX

PLEASE NOTE: Panel’s 1 and 2 are on the top line of panels and are divided by the open “T” shaped panel 3 (which sits up-side-down on the page, occupying the top two lines).

Panel 1

One third in width – Close up of LIL as she crawls inside the play tunnel from the left side. She points her finger in surprise!

LIL: HA! I KNEW IT PHILIP.

Panel 2

One third in width – Close up of PHIL as he crawls inside the play tunnel from the left side. She points his finger in surprise!

PHIL: NO YOU DIDN’T, LILLIAN. I TOLD YOU SHE WASN’T TRUTH-ED.

Panel 3

An up-side-down “T” shaped open panel. The central stem on the top line is two panel’s tall, down to the cross which is the entire width of the second line. From in side the play tunnel we see ANGELICA sitting central as she hides the box of chocolates behind her back. She gives both babies at both sides of the page a double take. Her toothy grin is stained with chocolate too. Both Phil (right) and Lil (left) are off panel, their speech bubbles hang in the tips of the up-side-down “T” shaped panel.

LIL: I SAWED HER FIRST.

ANGELICA: WHAT? YOU BABIES ARE SO DRAMATIC. AS IF COULD EAT ALL THE CHOCLATES BY MYSELF?

PHIL: IT WON’T MATTER WHO SAWED IT. WE DON’T GET OUR REWARD.

Panel 4

One third in width – Long shot as TOMMY steps up with CHUCKIE to where PHIL and LIL are sitting looking fed up.

TOMMY: HEY YOU GUYS. WE’RE NOT PLAYING ANGELICA’S GAME ANYMORE.

PHIL: I KNOW.

LIL: AND WE END UP WITH NOTHING?

Panel 5

One third in width – PHIL, LIL and CHUCKIE all huddle with TOMMY in the middle pulling them all in for a big hug.

TOMMY: SURE WE DO. WE’RE ALL FRIENDS. RIGHT CHUCKIE?

LIL: YUK!

PHIL: TOO MUSHY!

CHUCKIE: THANKS YOU GUYS! YOU’RE THE BESTEST!

Panel 6

One third in width – ANGELICA suddenly looks a little queasy. The other babies are all off panel.

ANGELICA: MY TUMMY HURTS.

PHIL: DID YOU HEAR THAT?

TOMMY: HEAR WHAT?

Panel 7

Half page in width panel – ANGELICA stands pointing at herself with one hand, holding her tummy with the other. She looks angry and nauseous at the same time. LIL cups her ear, trying to place the sound of Angelica’s voice.

ANGELICA: BABIES! DIDN’T YOU HEAR ME?

LIL: IT SOUNDS LIKE ANGELICA?

Panel 8

Half page in width panel – CHUCKIE and TOMMY pretend to look searchingly for ANGELICA who stands bent double in the background. She looks grumpier then ever. Tommy has one hand over his mouth as he chuckles.

CHUCKIE: HEY TOMMY. DID YOU HERE ANGELICA?

TOMMY: TEE HEE. I DID. BUT I CAN’T SEE HER, AT ALL!

THE END