Shadowfighter (short film script)

8/11/2019 Shadowfighter (short film script)

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SHADOWFIGHTER

written by

Sean Wu

[email protected]


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FADE IN:

INT. BACKSTAGE/DRESSING ROOM - EVENING

A bulky man (mid-40's) wearing what appears to be only

underwear sits facing a mirror. He is applying some make-upto himself. He is CRASH MCGRATH. A voice on the other side ofhis closed door calls to him.

BACKSTAGE VOICE (O.S.)Hey Crash! You've got five minutes.You ready?

CRASH MCGRATHYea, yea. I'll be out soon.

BACKSTAGE VOICE (O.S.)Good. The crowd's ready and rowdy.

Crash looks at himself in the mirror. He then starts punchinghis face.

CRASH MCGRATH(whispering to himselfbetween hits)

Coulda been a contender, couldabeen a contender.

A mischievous voice eerily similar to his own yaps behindhim.

VOICE (O.S.)Whatcha think you're doing...

(beat)Champ?

Crash lands a punch on his cheek-

CRASH MCGRATHFuck off.

-and another on the other cheek.

VOICE (O.S.)Gladly.

Crash turns around. All he sees is a person-sized shadow(CRASH'S SHADOW).

CRASH MCGRATHWhere are you?


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2.

CRASH'S SHADOWI'm in your head.

CRASH MCGRATHHaul your ass out then! I've got abig fight soon and you being in my

head isn't gonna help!

CRASH'S SHADOWCan't you remember? Remember whenthe ref said that this match isstaged in your favor?

CRASH MCGRATHGo away.

CRASH'S SHADOWGee, telling yourself to go away.You know that's not a bad idea!


CRASH'S SHADOWDid you know repeating it toyourself is only gonna make youbelieve in it that much more.

Crash stands up and throws his chair to where the shadow is,but it creeps away just in time.

CRASH'S SHADOW (CONTD)I've been living with you for morethan forty years, but you've neverbeen such a buffoon!

CRASH MCGRATHYou've been with me my whole life?

CRASH'S SHADOW(sarcastically)

No, actually you were Peter Pan fora year before I came. Who the helldoesn't have a shadow?

CRASH MCGRATHLook, fucko, I'm this close tobeating your holographic assagainst the wall.

CRASH'S SHADOWI'd like to see you try.


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3.

Crash exerts all possible force from his fist against thehard wall of the dressing room. It goes through his shadow.

CRASH'S SHADOW (CONTD)Hey, you hurt me!

CRASH MCGRATHGood. Better that way.

CRASH'S SHADOWYou know what? You hurt me on theoutside, but I bet you're hurtingharder on the inside.

CRASH MCGRATHI feel good. Thanks for being mypunching bag. Now piss off.

CRASH'S SHADOW

I've been your closest amigo sincebirth! You can't just say that whenyou meet an old friend for thefirst time!

CRASH MCGRATHYou heard me.

Crash starts applying tape to his arm.

CRASH'S SHADOW(comedic spooky)

Crashy McGrath, I remembereverything. Everything...

Crash hums to himself.

CRASH'S SHADOW (CONTD)I remember when you fell asleep onthe school bus and no one woke youup so you were at the districtbuilding for half of the schoolday.

CRASH MCGRATH

I can't hear you!

CRASH'S SHADOW(louder)

I remember when you didn't know howto masturbate until you were 17-


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5.

CRASH'S SHADOWDo you think it was because youdidn't think you were good?

CRASH MCGRATHIf you're gonna tell me that I

fucked up my life, then you'rewrong.

CRASH'S SHADOWIs it because you didn't like it?(beat)

Or is it because you didn't thinkyou fit in?

CRASH MCGRATHI am successful and famous, thankyou very much.

CRASH'S SHADOWDo you like what you do?

CRASH MCGRATHDo I like being an icon? Yes, whowouldn't?

CRASH'S SHADOWAre you happy?

CRASH MCGRATHNot with you around.


CRASH MCGRATHAre you still hurting?


Crash snaps. In his anger, he picks up the chair and throwsit at the shadow. He misses. The shadow creeps in front ofthe dressing room mirror. Crash picks up the chair and throws

it at the mirror, SHATTERING it. The shadow tries to creepaway, but the glass shards have it pinned to the counter thatwas in front of the mirror.

CRASH MCGRATHIt doesn't take much to weigh downa shadow, huh?


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CRASH'S SHADOWI guess it doesn't take much topiss you off, huh?


CRASH'S SHADOWI'd do that if I were you. But hey,what do I know? I'm just an olddemon that's followed you close forfar too long.

CRASH MCGRATHAre you happy?

CRASH'S SHADOWMe? No. Not at all. Do you knowwhat it's like to see you hurt?

CRASH MCGRATHWhat do you mean? Like me in thering? That's my way of life, it'swhat makes me money, it's whatmakes me proud.

CRASH'S SHADOWYea, but I know you don't like it.

CRASH MCGRATHIt hurts on the outside, but inside

it's all endorphins.

CRASH'S SHADOWCouldn't you find a way to livehappily?

CRASH MCGRATHJesus. This is what they call amidlife crisis, isn't it?

CRASH'S SHADOWYou can take your fifteen minutesof pain, but go away with me now,

and I'm gonna help you turn yourlife around.

CRASH MCGRATHWhy should I go with you?


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CRASH'S SHADOWBecause you've ignored me and myvoice your whole life, and now lookwhere you are. In this dumpydressing room.

The backstage voice beckens.

BACKSTAGE VOICE (O.S.)Crash, is everything okay backthere?

CRASH MCGRATHYea.(beat)

Yea.

BACKSTAGE VOICE (O.S.)I heard some noise. You sure?

CRASH MCGRATHYea. It's good.

BACKSTAGE VOICE (O.S.)The last fight went a little long.I'll get you in a minute.

CRASH MCGRATHOkay.

BACKSTAGE VOICE (O.S.)

I've got my money on you. Kill it.

Crash starts unrolling the tape.

CRASH MCGRATHYou're right. I hate this. Seedy,sweaty wrestling.

CRASH'S SHADOWDon't you know you're past yourprime?

CRASH MCGRATH

Yea. C'mon, let's go.

CRASH'S SHADOWWell Crash?

CRASH MCGRATHYea?


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8.

CRASH'S SHADOWAll this glass is stabbing andweighing me down. Brush it off me,will ya?

Crash picks up his shadow.

CRASH'S SHADOW (CONTD)Thanks. I'm going back where Ibelong. Before I go, why're youbeing so nice to me now?

CRASH MCGRATHI can only hurt myself for so long.

CRASH'S SHADOWAlright. Don't let me down once I'mdone talking.

CRASH MCGRATHOf course. I can't do that tomyself anymore.

Crash's shadow disappears. As Crash puts on his shirt andpants he hears...

BACKSTAGE VOICE (O.S.)(enthusiastically)

C'mon out Crash! You're on!

CRASH MCGRATH

I'll be outta here soon!

BACKSTAGE VOICE (O.S.)Okay. The audience is jacked.

Crash, now fully dressed and out of wrestling clothes, standsup and opens the door.

CUT TO BLACK:

Shadowfighter (short film script)

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