A Short Story

Here’s a short screenplay I wrote inspired by this coloring page from Happy Color.

Melvin & Samantha

UNDER THE SEA – DAY

MELVIN, an adult fish with black, white and yellow strips, glowers at his three children as they swim towards a school of blue fish.

SAMANTHA, Melvin’s wife is also a fish with black, white and yellow stripes. She is knitting.

MELVIN
Samantha, I don’t like it.

Samantha doesn’t look up. Despite Melvin’s declaration, she remains serene.

SAMANTHA
Don’t like what, dear?

Melvin jerks his head towards Samantha and glares at her.

MELVIN
The kids.

SAMANTHA
What about the kids, dear?

MELVIN
Swimming towards those blue fish.

Melvin flaps his fins anxiously as looks back and forth between the kids and Samantha.

MELVIN
How can you be so calm?

SAMANTHA
What’s the problem, dear?

MELVIN
I think they’re going to…

Melvin freezes for a second.

MELVIN
…play with them.

Samantha giggles as she continues to knit.

SAMANTHA
And what’s the problem with that, dear?

MELVIN
First it’s just innocent fun. Next, they’ll be swimming like the blue fish, dressing like blue fish, eating what blue fish eat. No. I can’t take it! I’m going to put a stop to this!

Melvin starts to swim towards the kids.

Samantha abruptly puts her knitting down and chases after Melvin. Melvin has a good lead on her so she has to swim fast.

Melvin frantically swims towards the kids. Samantha hurriedly swims after him, slowly gaining on him.

Finally, Samantha catches up to Melvin and grabs his fin.

SAMANTHA
Melvin! You stop this nonsense right now!

Melvin struggles to break free of Samantha’s grip as Samantha hangs onto to him for dear life.

MELVIN
LET ME GO, WOMAN!

Samantha gasps and releases her hold on Melvin. Melvin recoils at the realization of what he’s just done.

Samantha’s face contorts into anger. She swims away. Melvin follows.

MELVIN
Honey, I’m sorry.

Samantha ignores him.

Melvin continues to swim after her.

MELVIN
Samantha!

Samantha abruptly turns to face Melvin, still angry.

She glares at him for a second.

SAMANTHA

Melvin, do you hear yourself talking? So what if the kids want to toodle around the blue fish and swim like them and dress like them and eat like them?

Melvin recoils in surprise.

SAMANTHA

The blue fish are different, and that’s okay. At the end of the day, we’re all fish just trying not to get eaten by the sharks, and we all have to share this ocean. I’m disappointed in you.

Melvin stares at Samantha in shock. Then he hangs his head.

MELVIN
You’re right. You’re right. Just because the blue fish are different doesn’t mean they’re… bad. I’m sorry I yelled at you.

SAMANTHA
Thank you. Let’s go back home.

The kids can be HEARD GIGGLING with their new friends. Samantha starts to swim away. Melvin follows.

MELVIN
Okay. What’s for dinner?

SAMANTHA
Algae.

MELVIN
Again?

Samantha turns and glares at Melvin.

MELVIN
Sounds great, honey!