Cross Lines (Intro to Screenwriting coursework)
Logline
A suicidal man accidentally phones a double glazing salesman instead of the Samaritans.
Synopsis
The black comedy that arises, when Tom, a middle-aged teacher from Surbiton, comes home to discover that his wife and children have left him. In his suicidal state, Tom mistakes the Samaritan's number for Surbiton Windows Direct and is put through to Andy, an 18-year-old telesales man. Will Andy be able to persuade Tom not to jump? Will Tom realise that with their unbeatable value and 30-day money-back guarantee, he really cannot afford to miss this opportunity to have his house re-glazed?
Style
The theme of the film is about Tom facing his fears of being alone; Tom's story is a 'rites of passage' as he comes to terms with his new life without his wife, while Andy's story is his mistaken belief that he has a hitherto unrecognised virtue. Tom sees cheating death as a sign that there is more out there for him, that he can move on, while Andy thinks he has discovered something new about himself. While both stories are tragic, the narrative will be a comedy, helped by the black comedy inflicted by Andy as these two characters bond through a mutual uselessness.
Narrative summary
Tom enters his house, the first few seconds show his domestic bliss and a comfortable life with photos of his family on the walls. Tom calls his wife's name, flicks the kettle on and wanders to the cupboard. Tom opens the cupboard, it's empty, he shrugs and opens the next cupboard, which is also empty, a note falls down, it is from his wife, telling him that she has run away with the neighbour and taken the kids and the dog. Tom is horrified, his life has fallen apart; he looks around the flat and sees that she has taken pretty much everything. Tom tries to call the Samaritans but his wife has taken the phone. While he fetches his mobile, a gust of wind blows the pages of the telephone directory over and he accidentally dials Andy at Surbiton Windows Direct, who is as effective at handling suicide situations as a blamonge.
By the time Tom gets through to Andy, he is at breaking point and on the window ledge. There is confusion as Andy tries to sell Tom a new set of windows. Once Andy's sales banter has been diffused, Tom manages to explain the situation. Rather than let him call the Samaritans and ignoring his common sense, Andy insists on helping and tries to coach Tom off the ledge. Andy's arguments do just the opposite and make Tom realise that he is no longer the young trainee teacher she fell in love with. Tom plunges into deeper depression and jumps from the window ledge, into a billboard advertising Surbiton Windows Direct. Tom slides down the board and lands gently on the grass; he stands up, amazed at having cheated death.
Taking this literally as a 'sign' that 'someone' clearly meant him to live. Tom still has his mobile phone in his hand and congratulates Andy for somehow talking him through this. Tom stands triumphant, punching the air laughing. While Andy is skipping around the office believing that he has saved another man's life we cut back to Tom; all of the signs are looking good, apart from the one precariously balanced above his head...