Into the Woods

FADE UP:

Grey clouds of an early morning sky.

BAKER (V.O.)

Once upon a time, in a far off

kingdom, there lay a small village at

the edge of the woods...

Suddenly, the WELL-WORN BOOT of Cinderella steps into the

frame and lands on what we thought was the sky, but in fact

is simply its reflection in a puddle of water. A strong CHORD

accents the splash and we begin a musical vamp.

EXT. CINDERELLA’S HOUSE - DAYBREAK

CLOSE-UP on CINDERELLA’S dirty hand as it reaches down to

gather kindling.

CINDERELLA (O.S.)

I WISH...

BAKER (V.O.)

And in this village...

CLOSE-UP on a bead of sweat as it trickles from her brow, the

same hand entering the frame to wipe it.

CINDERELLA (O.S.)

MORE THAN ANYTHING...

BAKER (V.O.)

... lived a young maiden...

ANGLE on CINDERELLA

A pretty (and filthy) young woman, who finishes mopping her

brow and trudges towards the back of a large house, the

kindling under her arm.

CINDERELLA:

MORE THAN LIFE...

MORE THAN JEWELS...

EXT. JACK’S FARMHOUSE - DAY

CLOSE-UP on JACK’S calloused hands as he pulls on a rope.

BAKER (V.O.)

... a care-free young lad...

ANGLE ON JACK:

A spaced-out twelve year-old who is trying to pull his bony

cow MILKY-WHITE towards his dilapidated cottage.

JACK:

I WISH...

MORE THAN LIFE...

INT. BAKER’S COTTAGE - DAY

CLOSE-UP on a ball of dough. The BAKER’S thick hand pounds

it.

BAKER (V.O.)

... and a childless baker...

ANGLE ON THE BAKER AND HIS WIFE

Hard-working and honest, he is kneading the dough which she

then takes and puts in the oven.

BAKER/BAKER’S WIFE

I WISH...

BAKER (V.O.)

... with his Wife-- “

BAKER:

MORE THAN ANYTHING...

WIFE:

MORE THAN THE MOON...

BAKER/BAKER’S WIFE

I WISH...

INT. CINDERELLA’S HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY

CINDERELLA scrubs a huge pot.

CINDERELLA:

THE KING IS GIVING A FESTIVAL.

INT. BAKER’S COTTAGE - DAY

The WIFE rolls the dough as the BAKER stokes the hot oven.

BAKER/WIFE

MORE THAN LIFE...

INT. JACK’S FARMHOUSE - DAY

Inside the tiny cottage, the COW stands bewildered as JACK

tries to milk her without success.

JACK:

(to Milky-White)

I WISH...

INT. CINDERELLA’S HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY

CINDERELLA:

I WISH TO GO TO THE FESTIVAL-

INT. BAKER’S COTTAGE - DAY

BAKER/WIFE

MORE THAN RICHES...

INT. CINDERELLA’S HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY

CINDERELLA:

-- AND THE BALL...

INT. JACK’S FARMHOUSE - DAY

JACK:

I WISH MY COW WOULD GIVE US SOME MILK.

INT. BAKER’S COTTAGE - DAY

The WIFE lifts a heavy sack of flour.

WIFE/CINDERELLA

MORE THAN ANYTHING...

The BAKER takes bread from the oven.

BAKER:

I WISH WE HAD A CHILD.

INT. JACK’S FARMHOUSE - DAY

Now leaning his shoulder against the cow for more leverage as

he squeezes her udders.

JACK:

PLEASE, PAL.

INT. BAKER’S COTTAGE - DAY

WIFE:

I WANT A CHILD.

INT. JACK’S FARMHOUSE - DAY

JACK:

(frustrated)

SQUEEZE, PAL...

INT. CINDERELLA’S HOUSE/JACK’S HOUSE/BAKER’S COTTAGE - DAY

She is now scrubbing the floor in front of a large fireplace.

CINDERELLA:

I WISH TO GO TO THE FESTIVAL.

JACK BAKER/WIFE

I WISH YOU’D GIVE US SOME I WISH WE MIGHT HAVE A CHILD.

MILK/ OR EVEN CHEESE...

ALL:

I WISH...

CINDERELLA’S STEPMOTHER moves towards her threateningly.

INT. CINDERELLA’S HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY

CINDERELLA’S STEPMOTHER dressed in a robe, her blonde hair

rolled in rags, carries herself with an air of disgust; like

a medieval Orange County housewife.

STEPMOTHER:

YOU WISH TO GO TO THE FESTIVAL?

BAKER (V.O)

The poor girl’s parents had died-

Her two daughters, also blonde, FLORINDA and LUCINDA, appear

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