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Status:
Completed Episode
Episode Order:
1 It’s pretty, it’s pink and it looks harmless enough. But creeping across the clean white plastic pregnancy test is The Thin Pink Line. Like a bomb fuse, the sinister pink line threatens to blow up one couple’s independence. While Gloria braces herself for the possibility of motherhood, Jay grows increasingly distressed. The pressure mounts as the clock ticks down and Jay’s sweats out the last minutes of his sovereign life. Lucky for Jay, a professional bomb squad team appears. Seconds count as they work hard to free Jay before he’s fused to adulthood for life.
In The Thin Pink Line making babies is no longer the next natural step, instead it is a ticking bomb threatening to destroy the modern couple.
Episode Script:
THE THIN PINK LINE
by Dominique Keller & Smita Acharyya
© Electric Juice Productions 2009
INT. BATHROOM – DAY
A ticking sound can be heard. JAY (33, handsome, South Asian man) and GLORIA, his girlfriend (33, attractive, dark haired olive skinned woman) are sitting back to back. Gloria and Jay are distraught. Jay moans and fights back tears.
JAY
It’s going to be the end! I should’ve stayed with my band, we could have made it.
Gloria and Jay are revealed on the bathroom floor, tied together with an oversized pregnancy test strapped to them. A pink line is displayed in the indicator window, a second pink line slowly starts to creep up. A digital clock on a panel above the window counts down from 3 minutes.
JAY (CONT’D)
What about my trip to Africa? I would’ve got great shots for my portfolio. National Geographic’s not going to hire a wedding photographer. This can’t be happening to me.
GLORIA
To you?
A male bomb technician, Martin (27) dressed in black SWAT gear kicks his way through the shower curtain. Another technician, Russ (35) repels from the ceiling and accidently hits Gloria on his way down.
GLORIA (CONT’D)
Ouch!
Russ dismisses Gloria and attends to the pregnancy test/bomb. Martin opens a medical tool kit and checks Jay’s vitals.
RUSS
Don’t worry buddy. We’ll get you outta here!
Gloria is stunned.
JAY
I think I’m suffocating. Can’t breathe!
Martin quickly holds a paper bag to Jay’s mouth. The second pink line on the pregnancy test creeps up and Jay’s breathing becomes more erratic.
MARTIN
Little breaths, little breaths. You’ll make it through this.
GLORIA
What about me?
MARTIN
You! You’re the reason we’re in this mess!
GLORIA
He could’ve worn a condom!
RUSS
It doesn’t feel the same! You were on the pill he can’t be expected to handle every detail of your lives.
GLORIA
It’s not that simple--
RUSS
What’s so complicated? You gotta pill you take it.
Jay moans. Russ notices the second pink line creeping further up the indicator window.
RUSS (CONT’D)
We’ve gotta act fast. If we don’t get him out of here, he’ll be fused to her forever! Birthday’s weddings, it’s never-ending!
JAY
Nooooo! Why me!? Why anybody!?
MARTIN
It’s not your fault man. It wasn’t in the plan.
The technicians manage to free Jay from the pregnancy test, leaving Gloria still attached.
MARTIN (CONT’D)
Run!
Jay runs to the door. He opens the door and a bright light shines on his face. The door is a portal to all of Jay’s male friends at the pub. They turn and see him. Gloria gets to her feet but the test is to cumbersome for her to continue.
GLORIA
(desperately)
Jay, help me out!
PUB GUYS
(grunt in deep voices)
Jay, c'mon man!
Jay is confused about which way to turn. Russ looks at Martin and mimics a whipping sound. Martin looks disgusted with Jay.
GLORIA
Is this the story you want me to tell our child?
Jay looks out the door once more. This time he sees himself pushing a shopping cart. Perched on the cart is a cute little girl wearing a pink sundress. A cute little boy in a denim outfit with a cowboy hat stands beside the cart.
RUSS (O.S.)
It’s a trick!
CUT TO:
INT. GROCERY STORE – DAY
The little girl is now a teenager dressed in the same sundress which is now too small for her chest and too short for her long legs. She takes a puff of her cigarette and blows smoke in Jay’s face. The little boy is now a teenager also. He is dressed in the same outfit and cowboy hat and is shoplifting everything in site.
CUT TO:
INT. BATHROOM – DAY
Jay tries to compose himself by grabbing a shelf but ends up knocking it down along with the contents.
JAY
(out of breath)
I can’t... I can-- Can’t handle it!
Gloria isn’t impressed. A timer bings. Everyone looks towards the test.
MARTIN
Wait a minute, it’s negative.
JAY
Whooooo hooooo!
Jay grabs Gloria off the floor, this time the test slides off her easily. Jay hugs her tight but Gloria is unresponsive.
RUSS
Great, let’s go for a beer. No hard feelings hey Gloria?
Jay looks down at Gloria.
JAY
Gloria?
FADE OUT
The Baby Cliff producers would like to acknowledge the support of the CTV WIDC Director Development Award
