Below you will find an example script, in response to a task set to prepare a script for a short film.

My inspiration came from the recognition that parents do things for their children based on love and, as I have always been taught, ‘actions speak louder than words’.

NOT JUST A DOLL

By

Isabella Brown

Date: Oct 25, 2025

The story is set in November 1999.

FADE IN:          

EXT. CAR PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY – NIGHT

SCENE 1

A 40-year-old man (ALAN). Beard and shorter physique. Sits in the driver’s seat of a parked car. Music from his car radio is playing while he stares at his watch and signs. Music stops. He gets out of the car and slams door. It cuts to the door opening.

CUT TO:

INT. INSIDE ALAN’S HOUSE AT THE FRONT DOOR – NIGHT

Small house with small spaces. Yellow coloured walls. Alan puts keys in a dish on a table. Closes the door and hangs the coat up. Coat falls on the floor. He watches. Walks over to living room. TV playing – on screen an episode from SpongeBob SquarePants where Mr Krabbs is throwing money.

EMILY,(6 years old), is asleep on sofa. Alan stares at her. Picks up Emily and carries her to bed. Goes back on sofa. Picks up remote to change channel. BEAT. puts remote down and stares at TV. Looks at clock on wall. 10 O’clock.

CAMERA FOCUSES ON CLOCK HANDS MOVING FAST FROM 10PM – 8AM End of scene.

CAMERA FOCUS STILL ON CLOCK – 8AM

SCENE 2

INT. ALANS KITCHEN – MORNING

ALAN making toast. Emily runs downstairs in school uniform.

Packs bags.

ALAN

I made toast (happy smile).

EMILY

I didn’t ask for toast I asked for bacon.

ALAN

We don’t have any (sad smile).

EMILY

That’s okay daddy, what are you having for breakfast.

ALAN

I’m having toast too. 

Focus shifts to a bag of bread – empty. EMILY walks over to the fridge – empty apart from 1 pizza. There is only food for one. Cuts back to EMILY.

EMILY

Daddy, can I have a couple of quid for lunch?

ALAN searches pockets. Walks over to the coat pocket and pulls out two coins. 

ALAN

Here you go. Try to eat something healthy.

EMILY

I will daddy. The bus is here now I have to go.

ALAN

Emily, I have to stay late at work again. I’ll call Mrs Beats and ask if she can look after you until I get back.

EMILY

It’s okay daddy, I can take care of myself.

EMILY leaves. Door closes. Focus shift back to wall clock.  

TIME: 9am. ALAN skips food and grabs keys and coat. 

End of scene.

INT. WORK FACTORY – LUNCHTIME

SCENE 3

ALAN – builder on site. Wearing a high-vis jacket. Alarm goes off.

BUILDER 1

That’s the lunch bell folks. Time for that tuna sandwich.

(rubbing hands together)

All builders buying their lunch at the canteen. CAMERA PANS

ACROSS line of builders all holding out coin or cash. ALAN empty handed steps back. 

BUILDER 2

Are you not eating today ALAN?

ALAN

Nah not today lads, had such a massive breakfast this morning – Full English!

BUILDER 3

That’s the spirit Alan! Like to see a man treat himself to a full English now and then. After all, with all the overtime you’ve been doing you deserve it.

ALAN nods head and holds his stomach which is making rumbling noises. BARRY (52), broad Yorkshire accent – walks over to ALAN.

BARRY and ALAN have been friends for years. 

BARRY

ALAN! I hear you’re not eating this morning?

What’s the matter lad, misplace your money?

ALAN

I gave it to EMILY – she needed lunch money for school.

BARRY

Ahh little EMILY. How’s she getting on? Coping with school?

ALAN

She’s amazing. Not sure how she’s getting on with school though, I’ve been so busy with work, trying to win this Xmas bonus so I can buy her a Mary-Doll. She’s been wanting one for years, ever since ALICE left. It’s been hard on her. It’s been hard on both of us.

BARRY

You’re not still hung up on her, are you? She left you for a suitcase.

ALAN

At least he makes money. (little chuckle)

BARRY

The guy’s a nob. Come on ALAN let me buy you lunch. 

ALAN

No, don’t. I wouldn’t be able to pay you back.

BARRY

Pay me back? Are you serious? ALAN it’s a couple o’quid, not a grand. Pay me back?

(Laughs out loud)

ALAN laughs then stops. BARRY goes off and buys him lunch.

ALAN looks up. CAMERA FOCUS’ on sign in factory reading

“FIRST TO WORK 1,000 HOURS – GETS A £1000 BONUS” FOCUS SHIFT to ALAN’S timecard reading “946 HOURS”.

End of scene.

INT. ALAN’S HOUSE. TIME: 10 O’CLOCK

SCENE 4

ALAN – coming home after a long day at work. Dark outside.

EMILY asleep on sofa again watching TV – on screen –

SpongeBob SquarePants and Mr Krabbs throwing money. ALAN walks in the door and throws keys in bowl. Hangs coat on door – coat falls on floor – ALAN watches. ALAN picks EMILY up and carries her to bed, then sits on sofa and watches

TV. He falls asleep. 

End of scene

INT. WORK FACTORY – LUNCHTIME.

SCENE 5

The alarm sounds for lunch, all builders head to the canteen. A crowd has formed near the Xmas Bonus sign. BARRY walks over to ALAN who looks confused.

BARRY

ALAN! Did you hear the news? Old BRUISER won the Xmas Bonus yet again.

ALAN

But he wins it every year.

BARRY

I’m sorry ALAN. BRUISER’s always been a competitive burk.

ALAN

I know. I just thought this year’d be different that’s all. 

ALAN claps along with the rest of the builders. BRUISER collects his cheque for £1000 and walks towards ALAN. BRUISER (72), tattoos, strong build, tall, deep voice with broad Yorkshire accent.

BRUISER

Now then ALAN! hear you’ve been working so hard for this bonus. Why’s that? Got something on your mind?

ALAN

Just getting in the Xmas spirit, thought I’d surprise EMILY with one of those Mary-Dolls she’s been wanting.  

BRUISER

In all my years of being a builder, I’ve never seen a man work so hard for so little.

ALAN

Just thought I’d give it a try.

BUILDER 4

I think congratulations are in order. I say we sack off work for the day and go celebrate with a pint at the pub. Come on lads lets head to THE CROWNED LAMB

All builders apart from ALAN head to the pub. ALAN stays and works overtime. 

End of scene.

INT. ALAN’S HOUSE. TIME: O’CLOCK

SCENE 6

ALAN comes home and throws his keys and coat on the sofa.

EMILY asleep on the sofa again watching SpongeBob

SquarePants and Mr Krabbs throwing money. ALAN watches, then turns off the TV and carries EMILY to bed. 

End of scene.

INT. WORK FACTORY – MORNING. CHRISTMAS EVE.

SCENE 7

ALAN walks into the factory and opens his locker. A

Mary-Doll is placed inside. ALAN in shock looks around to see BRUISER standing at the door. 

ALAN

Did you put this in my locker?

BRUISER

I’ve been working at this factory for over 50 years now and not once has anyone tried to challenge me for that bonus.

ALAN

No BRUISER I don’t deserve this…

BRUISER

You bloody well do! Don’t even think about working late today or I’ll have the boss fire you.

ALAN completes his day shift and leaves with the doll.

Smiles at BRUISER before heading home. At the house ALAN explains to EMILY he got let off work early for Christmas Eve. Hands EMILY the box and sits on the sofa. Watches EMILY unwrap her gift.

EMILY

A MARY-DOLL?! OMG THANK YOU SO MUCH DADDY! I can’t believe you’d spend so much on a Doll?

ALAN

I’m glad you like it. Anyway, she’s more than just a doll!

End of scene. FADE OUT: