So we did a little script writing for class this week. I wrote two opening scenes, this one and another one which I may post towards the end of the week. There’s a cameo for one of my characters from A Love Letter To Sweden for anyone who enjoyed that. I honestly don’t have a clue when it comes to writing scripts but I thought it was super fun! Hope you enjoy!
1. INT. CAFE. STOCKHOLM. 11:20am
A moderately busy cafe in Gamla Stan, Stockholm. Chatter is a quiet murmur. At a small table sit Berwald Magnusson (32), tall, broad shoulders, icy blue eyes, glasses – the perfect Swede and Erik Karlsson (28) Swede, shorter, honey blond, softer. Both are wearing knitted roll neck sweaters that look like they cost 2000 SEK each.
BERWALD:
He’s late.
Enter Jacob (Jake) Wood (26) English, looking flustered, carrying a baby in a papoose which is on his back instead of the backpack which is on his chest. Hanging out of one of the backpack pockets is a battered copy of The Girl With The Dragon Tatoo. Jake’s daughter Olivia (6 months) gurgles, not looking quite so grand as Sven (4 months – Berwald’s son) and Astrid (8 months – Erik’s daughter) in their Silver Cross prams.
ERIK:
Hej!
BERWALD:
Grunts in greeting.
JAKE:
Sorry I’m late! Washing wasn’t done. No clothes. Had to find something for Olivia. Nightmare.
Both Swedes share a look as Jake sits down with them.
JAKE (cont’d):
I’m not too late am I? Linnea said it would do me good to meet other Dads now we have Olivia. Is it normal for you to come here for coffee?
Pause. Confused.
Together I mean.
BERWALD:
Ja.
ERIK:
Ja, well, we meet at least once a week to talk.
There doesn’t appear to be much talking.
JAKE:
Every week? On a work day?
BERWALD:
Ja.
ERIK:
We have 240 days of parental leave.
BERWALD:
Maddison also has 240.
ERIK:
Ja. Ingrid took the first 4 months and now it’s my turn.
JAKE:
Bewildered.
So you’re not working at the moment? What do you do?
ERIK:
Look after Astrid?
JAKE:
Just you? On your own? All day?
ERIK:
Ja?
Both Swedes share a look, confused about what is confusing Jake.
JAKE:
But what does Ingrid do?
ERIK:
She works?
JAKE:
So let me get this straight, you’re at home looking after Astrid and Ingrid is at work? For 240 days? That’s… 8 months! I think Linnea’s worried if I’m out of her sight for 8 minutes nevermind 8 months! No wonder she wanted me to meet you. Just think what she could get up to in 8 months!
BERWALD:
Vad?
ERIK:
To Berwald.
I think he means work.
