Keys to Paradise
Some programming notes along with the first screenplay
So much for uploading our screenplays in chronological order! I was all set to start at the beginning as promised, and with a comedy, but before I got very far into the archives, a screenplay that Roger and I wrote in 2007 - “Keys to Paradise” - popped up. It’s perhaps even more timely now than when written and it was timely as hell then. I’m not going to say anything more about it yet because this is a housekeeping post.
Here’s how we plan on rolling these things out. Every other Sunday, we’ll upload a PDF file of the screenplay to be discussed. The PDF file will be available in a post for all subscribers.
Over the following week, Roger and I will separately post our thoughts, recollections, etc. on the project. And then, the following week, we’ll collaborate on a third post.
Subscribers may want to read the screenplay ahead of time, afterwards, or not at all. And with one caveat, comments are welcome from all of you, regardless, all the way through. We hope these will become ongoing discussions.
The caveat is, please no grammatical, spelling or other typographical corrections. We see them too! Screenwriters don’t have editors so these are what most screenplays look like. Often, a lot sloppier! Much as it irritates my inner/latent OCD, we’re leaving them untouched so we aren’t tempted to make other, more substantive revisions.
Here we go…
Scary story. But realistic! I developed a great fear some years ago, after the bombing of the American embassies in Tanzania and Kenya (both of which I had worked in years prior) that some terrorist group would get the idea of releasing smallpox in the USA as an alternative to bombs and airplane hijackings. Smallpox carried by a dozen border jumpers, recently infected and riding subways in New York and Washington DC, would kill thousands of unvaccinated Americans, while many tourists in those cities would be infected and carry the disease home with them. Very scary, and quite possible. It still is. I hesitate even to write this. Pray no one acts on this.
I could not read this in one sitting. It is such a gripping and intense and very realistic script. I was so moved by the characters’ desire for and willingness to work for freedom for their country, despite their personal sacrifices against a relentless regime. This puts a spotlight, too, on the tearing apart of families over political and philosophical differences—much like we are seeing today in our own country—the USA. Were I still a teacher of high school students, this would be a script read in my English World Lit. class and also acted out in my drama classes. My opinion is that this is not only excellently written but an absolutely relevant literary piece.