The Thanksgiving Turkey
Here's a screenplay about a Thanksgiving Turkey I wrote a few years back. I never got around to filming it, but honestly, it's just too depressing for any sane person to make. But I decided to get this out there anyway, so I post this here so you too can be depressed this Thanksgiving.
VOICEOVER - THANKSGIVING DINNER
TURKEY (Voiceover): For me, my family means more to me than anything else, and sometimes, when you love something, you have to make a sacrifice. And sometimes, that sacrifice may be the ultimate price. But one thing is certain, when you make the ultimate sacrifice for the ones you love, it is worth it.
TITLE
*SCENE 1 - FARMER'S MARKET *
Shows MR. CANNON, MRS. CANNON, and their daughter PENNY go to a farm in the fall. They go up to the FARMER. The FARMER goes up to MR. CANNON and gives him a hug.
FARMER: Mr. Cannon! It's great to see you. Are you here to pick out a pumpkin?
MR. CANNON: Sort of, but that's not what brought us here. (Pause) We also came to pick out a turkey.
The FARMER gives a laugh.
FARMER: That is what I like about you. Carnivore to the end. (Heading away) Come this way, I'll set you up with what you need.
Shows them heading to the chicken coop. PENNY now has a pumpkin in her arms.
SCENE 2 - TURKEY CAGE
They look through the cage at the turkeys.
FARMER: Which one would you like?
MR. CANNON: They all look delicious. (To MRS. CANNON) What do you think dear?
MRS. CANNON: How about the first one you can catch.
FARMER: All righty then. I'll see what I can do.
The FARMER heads into the cage, and the turkeys suddenly scatter. The FARMER gives chase.
Suddenly, PENNY notices one with a limp falling behind the others. After a few seconds, the FARMER grabs the one with a limp, and picks it up by the neck.
FARMER: One turkey coming up.
PENNY looks at the turkey, which has a look of acceptance on its face, and suddenly, rushes to the cage.
PENNY (Handing the pumpkin to her mom): Not that one!
Everybody looks at her.
MRS. CANNON: Why PENNY, why ever not.
PENNY: That poor thing has a limp. It had no chance of getting away.
FARMER: Listen miss, I can get you another turkey, okay, but whether to you or someone else, I still have to sell this one.
PENNY (Digging in her pockets): Fine, I have some allowance saved up. (She holds out some money) I'll take it alive.
The FARMER takes the money, and looks at it.
FARMER: I still have to weigh the turkey to know how much it will cost you.
PENNY: I have a little more in my other pocket if it runs short.
The FARMER hands the turkey to PENNY, and looks back at her parents.
FARMER: Are you okay with this?
MR. CANNON: It's her money. (Pause) We still get a turkey for dinner, right?
FARMER: I have enough left over to spare one.
SCENE 3 - FARMER'S MARKET
Shows them walking away from the turkey farm, PENNY carrying the live TURKEY, MR. CANNON carrying the dead on, and MRS. CANNON carrying the pumpkin.
MRS. CANNON: You do realize the challenges of keeping a live turkey in the city, don't you?
PENNY: Yes mom.
MRS. CANNON: Me and your father are not going to help you care for it at all.
PENNY: I know.
MRS. CANNON: I was just making sure you knew.
TURKEY: I'm sure she does.
PENNY suddenly looks at her turkey. She glances at her parents, who didn't seem to notice, and then shrugs.
SCREEN READS: "One Year Later"
SCENE 4 - LIVING ROOM
Shows PENNY sitting of the couch, petting her TURKEY.
PENNY: Can you believe it's almost Thanksgiving?
TURKEY (Sighing): Listen PENNY, I'm not going to judge you if, you know, eat the meat this year. I mean, you're not, you know, like, eating me.
PENNY: You know I would never do such a thing. No, I was just thinking about how it's been about a year since I, uh...
TURKEY: Since we met?
PENNY: Uh, yes.
TURKEY: I guess you and your family are going to pick out, uh, dinner for Thanksgiving later.
PENNY: Well, I-
Suddenly, MRS. CANNON comes into the room.
MRS. CANNON: Come on Penny, it's almost time to pick up your father from work so we can head over to the farmer's market, and pick out a... (She looks at the TURKEY) Pumpkin.
PENNY: Uh, mom, you know, I'd much rather stay home today, and catch up on, uh, my favorite book series.
MRS. CANNON: Have it your way, but the TV is off right now, and I expect it to stay that way.
PENNY: Okay mom.
MRS. CANNON grabs her keys, and heads out the door.
TURKEY (Walking over to the remote): Well, there goes Pokémon.
PENNY nods and sighs.
SCENE 5 - CANNON CAR
MRS. CANNON: I can't understand her obsession with that turkey. I mean, she won't eat meat, or anything like it since that _beast_came into her life.
MR. CANNON: Let it go sweetie. It's not like she's starving over it or anything.
MRS. CANNON: You have to at least admit that it's just a little concerning that she claims to be hearing voices from it.
MR. CANNON: I'm sorry, I have other things on my mind right now.
MRS. CANNON: What happened at work?
MR. CANNON: Not much.
MRS. CANNON: As in...
MR. CANNON: Yes, I was fired.
MRS. CANNON: Yea, it doesn't sound like you did much. (Pause) Oh Greg, what are we going to do?
MR. CANNON: We still have enough savings to get us through the month, but...
MRS. CANNON: I guess you're looking for a new job tomorrow?
MR. CANNON: I guess.
SCENE 6 - FARMER'S MARKET
Shows MR. and MRS. CANNON walking through the farmer's market. They approach a chair that the FARMER is sitting on, and go up to him.
MR. CANNON: Hello Frank.
FARMER (Looking down): Hi.
MRS. CANNON looks at MR. CANNON.
MRS. CANNON: Is anything wrong?
FARMER: Sure.
MR. CANNON (Pulling up a seat next to him): What happened?
FARMER: They said that they needed my land so they could build their "Fat Night Club", and they said I had no choice in the matter whatsoever. They said the Homestead Act was no longer valid, so they refused to pay me a dime. I thought about taking them to court, but I don't make enough money for a lawyer, so... I don't know what I'm going to do.
MR. CANNON looks at MRS. CANNON. She nods.
MR. CANNON: Listen, you are more than welcome to use our spare bedroom until something else works out.
FARMER: Really? Thank you, I would really appreciate it.
MRS. CANNON: I don't suppose you still have a Turkey that we can buy?
FARMER: I'm sorry, I sold out about an hour ago. I had to get rid of them fast because I could only spare enough money on a booth for one day instead of two.
SCENE 7 - LIVING ROOM
Shows PENNY in her living room petting the TURKEY. Suddenly, the door opens, and they look up. MR. and MRS. CANNON come in, followed by the FARMER. TURKEY sees the FARMER, and dives behind PENNY to hide.
The FARMER looks at MR. and MRS. CANNON.
FARMER: So you still have the TURKEY?
MRS. CANNON: PENNY's been taking good care of it.
MR. CANNON (Looking at PENNY): About the Turkey, PENNY, I need to talk to you about something.
SCENE 8 - TALKING ROOM
Shows MR. CANNON and PENNY in the room, sitting down and talking.
MR. CANNON: Because of Frank's situation, we weren't able to get a turkey this year.
PENNY (Pulling away): So what.
MR. CANNON: I know what you're going to say, but listen to me-
PENNY (Standing up, and tossing the chair over): No, you are not eating my turkey! That turkey is my best friend, and I will not let you betray it like that! If you want a turkey so bad, why don't you just go to the grocery store like anybody else!
PENNY stomps out of the room.
Suddenly, the FARMER gives a grunt from off set, there is a crashing sound, and MRS. CANNON gives a cry of horror.
SCENE 9 - LIVING ROOM
Shows PENNY and MR. CANNON rush into the room to see MRS. CANNON standing over the FARMER's unconscious body. A spilt box is lying next to him.
PENNY: What happened!
MRS. CANNON: He was just carrying his supplies in, when suddenly he collapsed.
MR. CANNON rushes to the FARMER to feel his pulse. He starts the CPR process.
MR. CANNON: He must have had a heart attack from all the stress.
MRS. CANNON: I'm going to have a heart attack.
MR. CANNON: Hurry somebody, call nine-one-one!
PENNY: Got it.
PENNY pulls out her cell-phone, and dials.
PENNY: Yes, somebody here just had a heart attack, we need you here as soon as possible. (She closes the phone, and looks at her father) They'll be here soon.
LATER, it shows the medics come into the room, and take the FARMER away.
LATER, it shows them sitting in the living room, talking.
MR. CANNON: They should be able to let him out of the hospital tomorrow. The only problem is, he is already backed up on medical bills, so they are demanding he pay up right away.
MRS. CANNON: But he doesn't have that kind of money.
MR. CANNON: They don't care about that.
PENNY: What are you going to do?
MR. CANNON looks at MRS. CANNON.
Shows MR. and MRS. CANNON helping the FARMER into the house.
MRS. CANNON: Are you doing okay?
FARMER: I'm glad to be out of the hospital, even if I don't have a real home to go back to. I need to thank you again for all you've done for me.
MR. CANNON (Looking at MRS. CANNON): No problem.
SCENE 10 - HALLWAY
Shows the TURKEY walking down the hallway, when he suddenly hears MR. and MRS. CANNON talking in their bedrooms.
MRS. CANNON: I respect that you want to help your friend, but what does that mean for us?
MR. CANNON: I don't know.
MRS. CANNON: We don't even have a single dollar left, and Thanksgiving is only two days away. What are we supposed to do?
MR. CANNON: I, don't know.
TURKEY turns away from the talking, and looks up close to the camera.
MR. CANNON (Getting up, and heading for the door): I'll see what we can do about food.
MR. CANNON opens the door, and the TURKEY jumps out of the way. Suddenly, MR. CANNON looks down at the TURKEY, just as the FARMER comes limping down the hallway.
MR. CANNON swipes an ax out of the FARMER's jacket, and looks at the TURKEY again. The TURKEY looks at MR. CANNON with realization, and dashes down the hallway, just as MR. CANNON leaps at the TURKEY, swinging the ax. The FARMER jumps against the wall to avoid getting hit.
SCENE 11 - LIVING ROOM
MR. CANNON chases the TURKEY down the hallway, and into the living room, trying to kill the TURKEY with the ax. MR. CANNON chases the TURKEY into a corner, and the TURKEY looks up at MR. CANNON.
MR. CANNON: I'm sorry Turkey, but you are going to be the main course this Thanksgiving.
TURKEY: You can't eat me! How dare you take my life, just so you can eat!
PENNY (Off screen): Dad!
MR. CANNON looks up to see PENNY in the doorway, then to the TURKEY, then back at PENNY.
MR. CANNON: Look-
PENNY: I am looking! You are trying to murder my Turkey! My best friend! You are so selfish.
MR. CANNON: Just listen! We have no money left! It's all gone! This Turkey may be the only thing there is to eat! Can't you see we're going to starve?
PENNY: I would rather starve than eat my Turkey!
MR. CANNON: This Turkey is nothing! It is just an animal! Don't you know that the only reason animals exist is for food?
PENNY: You are not eating my Turkey.
PENNY picks up her TURKEY, and walks over to the cabinet.
PENNY: I'm going to eat something that isn't my Turkey.
PENNY opens the cabinet to find it empty.
MRS. CANNON (Coming out from the hallway): I'm sorry Penny, but we have nothing left to eat.
PENNY: (Looking at the TURKEY) Come on, we'll just stay in my room until Thanksgiving is over.
With that, the TURKEY runs up to PENNY, and curls up in her arms. PENNY hugs it back.
SCENE 12 - PENNY'S ROOM
Shows PENNY on her bed with the TURKEY on her lap, reading a book.
Fades to PENNY sitting in bed moving thinking about getting up, and staying. Finally, she looks at the TURKEY.
PENNY: Stay here and make sure dad doesn't come in, I'm going to get us something from the kitchen.
PENNY gets up, and heads out the door.
SCENE 13 - IS GONE
SCENE 14 - PENNY'S BEDROOM
Shows PENNY laying on her bed moaning. The TURKEY looks at his food dish, and grabs some food out of it, and lays it next to PENNY. PENNY looks at it.
TURKEY: Here, you can have some of this.
PENNY: I'm sorry, but I can't eat that. It's not made for human consumption.
Shows the hours fade, and the days change, and the TURKEY looks at PENNY.
PENNY: I'm so hungry.
Words run through TURKEY's head:
_ MRS. CANNON: We don't even have a single dollar left, and Thanksgiving is only two days away. What are we supposed to do?_
_ MR. CANNON: Just listen! We have no money left! It's all gone! This Turkey may be the only thing_ there is to eat! Can't you see we're going to starve?
_ PENNY: I'm so hungry._
_ MR. CANNON: Don't you know that the only reason animals exist is for food?_
TURKEY looks up at the moaning PENNY, and takes a second to turn its head and close its eyes.
TURKEY (Whispering): Goodbye Penny.
SCENE 15 - HALLWAY
Heart beating hard, the TURKEY walks down the hallway in the direction of the FARMER's room. The TURKEY stops in front of it, and looks at it for a few seconds, breathing hard. The TURKEY closes its eyes, and sees PENNY lying on her bed, starving. The TURKEY opens its eyes, letting a heavy breath out, and knocks on the door with its head.
There is a moment of rustling inside, and the door opens, and the FARMER looks down at the TURKEY.
FARMER: What do you want?
The TURKEY looks down at the floor, and looks up at the FARMER with tears in its eye.
FARMER: I didn't know a Turkey could cry like that. We'll what is it?
The TURKEY looks up at the FARMER's ax, and gestures to it. The FARMER looks at it.
FARMER (Slowly): My ax? What about it.
The TURKEY walks back down the hall to stand outside of PENNY's room, and gestures to that. The FARMER goes up to the door, and puts his ear to it. From the other side is the sound of PENNY's moan.
PENNY: I'm so hungry.
The FARMER looks down at the TURKEY.
FARMER: You can't be asking me to...
The TURKEY looks down shivering uncontrollably, and looks back at the FARMER.
FARMER: Oh no! I couldn't-
The TURKEY looks at the FARMER with everything it got.
FARMER: You don't have to do this.
The TURKEY breath's, but then hears PENNY's moan a second later. The TURKEY looks up at the FARMER with acceptance.
FARMER: I-I can't believe this.
SCENE 16 - THE KITCHEN
Shows the FARMER putting the TURKEY on the cutting board.
FARMER: If at any second you want to back out, fill free to.
The TURKEY shivers uncontrollable on the cutting board, but does nothing.
FARMER: You know that this is it don't you.
The TURKEY does nothing.
FARMER (Raising his ax): Okay.
SCENE 17 - PENNY'S BEDROOM
Shows PENNY role over on her bed, and suddenly look to see that the TURKEY isn't in her room.
PENNY: No!
PENNY struggles to get up, and hurries out the door.
SCENE 18 - THE KITCHEN
Shows the FARMER practice swinging the ax a few times before the final cut, when suddenly, PENNY rushes into the kitchen.
PENNY: No!
The TURKEY looks up at PENNY, but it is too late, the ax makes its final decent, and the camera shows the TURKEY's face, as there is a thump, and the TURKEY squeezes its eyes shut in pain.
The TURKEY opens its teary eyes one last time to look at PENNY as the world starts to fade, and his time with PENNY flashes before his eyes:
PENNY rushing to the cage at the Famer's Market to save him.
_ PENNY and him sitting at a park bench laughing. (No previous footage for this shot)._
_ PENNY coming in to save him from MR. CANNON with an ax._
_ _The TURKEY looks at PENNY one last time as her parents come up to comfort her.
TURKEY (Thoughts): I love you Penny.
And with that, the TURKEY's world fades to black, and the TURKEY's face relaxes as it lays its head on the cutting board one last time.
FARMER (Going up to PENNY): I'm sorry Penny, but your Turkey wanted it.
PENNY slowly walks up to her turkey, and pets its head.
PENNY: I know. (She starts crying). I know.
SCENE 19 - DINING ROOM
Shows them sitting at the table as MRS. CANNON brings a pan with a cooked turkey in it to the table, she lays it down, and sits down on her seat.
MR. CANNON: I'll pray.
They all close their eyes, and bow their heads.
MR. CANNON: Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for the food that you have provided for us on this Thanksgiving dinner, and help it be a blessing to us, so we can continue to bless you. Amen.
PENNY (Before anybody can do anything): And thank you Jesus for my Turkey, who was the best friend anybody could ask for, and that he gave so much, so that we didn't have to starve. Amen.
Shows everybody sitting at the table with turkey on their plates, but PENNY is not eating.
MRS. CANNON (Looking at PENNY): Are you okay?
PENNY (Shaking her head): I can't eat him, I just can't.
MRS. CANNON: But, if you don't eat...
PENNY: I know! I'm sorry, but I can't. He was my best friend, and just thinking about it...
MRS. CANNON lays a hand on her shoulder.
MRS. CANNON: I know.
Suddenly, there is a knock on the door, and they all look up. The THREE CANNONs go to the door, and open it.
SCENE 20 - OUTSIDE
Outside are a bunch of TURKEY's lined up.
MR. CANNON: Uh, what's happening?
HEAD TURKEY: We heard about the sacrifice of our fellow fallen Turkey brother. (It looks at PENNY) We know that you would never be able to eat your best friend, and so we want you to know, that you can choose one of us out of our ranks, and take that one instead. We will stand with our fellow Turkey.
The CANNON's look at each other.
VOICEOVER - BURIAL OF THE TURKEY'S BONES
PENNY: My heart was broken the day my turkey died, but his sacrifice was not for nothing; the next day, another job was found, and we were able to make it through after all. But it was me who found that job, and if there is one thing I know, I would have never had the energy to work that job if it wasn't for one Turkey. My best friend.
THE END