Choose Your Own Adventure - Story App Script

A woman – Joanne, is on a park bench, head in hands. It is obvious she is crying. Her phone dings – though the player can’t see what the text is. Do you …

Text back saying:

- Just at the shops.

- I can’t talk right now.

A man – Jules, approaches and sits beside her.

Jules: Is everything okay, ma’am?

Joanne:

- I’m fine!

or

- *ignore him

- I’m fine!

Jules: I don’t mean to pry, ma’am, but you don’t look fine.

* - ignore him

Jules: Did you want to tell me why it is that you’re upset?

Joanne:

- It’s really nothing.

- Why are you helping me?

- It’s really nothing

Jules: I can’t take that as an answer, I’m afraid. What is your name?

- why are you helping me?

Jules: A pretty lady alone in the park in tears? I can’t let that go astray! Can I at least know your name?

Joanne:

- Joanne.

- It’s … Nicole.

Jules: It’s lovely to make your acquaintance, Joanne/Nicole. I’m Jules. Now that we know each other, maybe you could tell me why you’re crying?

Joanne

- You wouldn’t understand.

- Why are you talking to me?

- You wouldn’t understand.

Jules: No? Well, if you wouldn’t mind, I would like to! Did you want to grab a coffee?

Joanne thinking:

- I couldn’t dare!

- He’s kind … and has really gorgeous eyes.

Jules: Sound good?

Joanne:

- I have to go. I’m sorry.

- Okay then.

· I have to go = Joanne goes home

· Okay then = Jules and Joanne go to a coffee shop together

If Joanne said ‘why are you talking to me?’

Jules: You look upset and I can’t ignore that. Maybe we could go get a coffee somewhere at least, just to cheer you up?

Joanne thinking:

- I couldn’t dare!

- He’s kind … and has really gorgeous eyes.

Jules: Sound good?

Joanne:

- I have to go. I’m sorry.

- Okay then.

Joanne goes home scenario

Tony – red-faced and brutish looking, confronts Joanne at the front door

Tony: About time! What did you get at the shops OR why couldn’t you talk?

Shops/couldn’t talk

Joanne:

- I was getting a present for Ben.

- I got lost.

- I was getting a present for Ben

Tony: What? You don’t already have all of his presents? His birthday is in two days, Joanne! Should have got a proper dinner instead – that lasagne was garbage.

- I got lost

Tony: You’re a dill, Joanne. You can’t even make a proper dinner! That lasagne was garbage.

Joanne:

- I’m sorry honey.

- Why don’t you cook for a change?

I’m sorry honey

Tony: Damn right, you should be – wandering off all hours of the afternoon. I work non-stop for this family and I’ve had it with your disrespect. Go put the kids to bed, I need a drink.

Why don’t you cook for a change?

Tony: Excuse me? Did we not just have an argument about respect? I work non-stop for this family and I’ve had it with your silly tantrums. Go put the kids to bed, I need a drink.

Joanne is tucking her son, Ben into bed.

Ben: Mummy, why is daddy scary? I heard him yelling again today.

Joanne:

- He is just a bit stressed, honey.

- Enough chatting now, Ben. Time for sleep.

Ben: But did daddy hurt you?

Joanne:

- Of course not, Ben. Goodnight.

- Shhh…

*fade to black.

Joanne goes to get coffee with Jules. They are sitting at an outdoor café.

Jules: So, what do you do? Do you work?

Joanne:

- Yes! I’m a teacher.

- No, I’m a stay-at-home mum. [skip to Jules ‘oh that’s a shame’]

- I’m a teacher

Jules: Amazing! I love kids. I bet that’s a great job.

Joanne:

- It really is.

- But maybe I need a change.

Jules: Well, you do you! And do you have kids?

Joanne:

- Yes.

- No. I’m completely single. [skip to Jules saying ‘But you’re gorgeous!]

- Yes OR no I’m a stay-at-home mum.

Jules: Oh … that’s a shame.

Joanne:

- why would that be a shame?

- Excuse me?

Jules: Well, the crying wasn’t a great start, but I was hoping this could be our first date! But if you’re married …

Joanne:

- I’m not married!

- It’s complicated …

- I’m not married

Jules: But you’re gorgeous! How can that be?

Joanne:

- *giggles

- Stop it!

Jules: You really are. Say … and I hope I’m not being too forward but … my house isn’t far …

Joanne:

- Then let’s go.

- I have to go. [this goes to the scene of Joanne goes home]

- it’s complicated

Jules: Wow. Same here. Maybe we were destined to meet today?

Joanne:

- maybe …

- complicated too?

- maybe

Jules: I hope I’m not being too forward … but my house isn’t far … if you wanted to chat more.

Joanne

- Then let’s go.

- I have to go. [this goes to the scene of Joanne goes home]

- complicated too?

Jules: My wife. She’s … too much like me.

Joanne:

- In what way?

- Wife? That’s it, I’m leaving! [Joanne goes home]

- in what way?

Jules: Well … let’s just say she’s drilled into my brain!

Joanne:

- Huh?

- This is weird …

Jules: Sorry. It’s … I’ve been ill. Mentally ill. I don’t really have a wife – that’s what the doctors tell me.

Joanne:

- I’m so sorry to hear that. Are you okay?

- I have to go! [Joanne goes home]

Jules: I know how this sounds. I’m really sorry. I thought you looked really nice and pretty and I’m sorry if I’ve scared you off. I should go …

Joanne:

- go home.

- go with Jules back to his.