At the Copa...

I found out principal photography on PETER ROTTENTAIL ended this weekend, for those who are following along. Yes, it's hard to believe, but I didn't even have the damn thing written a month or so ago.

I had a kind of long weekend working on the house, and started back up on GIZZARD GUTS. I'm eager to get back at that one after a hellish respite working on home repair.

A sleepless night, as a tickling clock and my daughter's humming SIMs game ran all night, I guess to get her creations up to some other level of SIM-ness. I ended up having a dream where I drove around in a nice black sportscar with Barry Manilow. Painfully true.

Speaking of weird dreams, here's more from PETER ROTTENTAIL:

DISSOLVE TO:
INT. GRANDMA'S HOUSE (LIVING ROOM) -- DAY
Peter is once again performing in front of indifferent kids at a crowded party. His ramshackle table is set up in front of a small group of kids.
PETER
And now...I will pull a rabbit from my hat!
Peter pulls off his top hat and roots around inside.
He comes up empty-handed.
KID #1
This blows!
Peter keeps rummaging around.
PETER
I know Retread is around here somewhere.
Another kid points.
KID #2
Mister, your rabbit is taking a dump under the table!
Peter looks under the table, spying RETREAD the rabbit. The ratty lupine is sniffing the air, with a trail of pellets behind him.
PETER
Bad Retread!
The rabbit hops off.
Peter pops back up, looking queasy. He tries to regain his composure.
PETER (CONT'D)
And now for my finale!
KID #2
Make yourself disappear!
KID #1
For good!
Peter looks down, trying to compose himself. He thinks for a moment. Then he pulls the vial from his coat pocket.
PETER
(struggling)
Behold! This potion will call forth...call forth...Peter Rottentail, the evil offspring of...man and rabbit!
A sour-looking MOM and DAD observe from the back of the room.
DAD
Is this guy saying he did a rabbit?
MOM
I thought he was going to have puppets!
We see Peter from their POV.
PETER
When I drink this, I will turn into the fearsome beast that I spoke of...and you shall all shudder in fear! Now...meet Peter Rottentail!
Peter cannonballs the drink and wipes his mouth.
There is an expectant pause.
And nothing happens.
The parents exchange glances and shake their heads.
Peter looks deflated.
PETER (CONT'D)
Shit.
The kids begin to HECKLE and JEER.
Peter begins to get angrier and angrier.
From Peter's POV, weird shots of kids LAUGHING.
PETER (CONT'D)
Shut up! Shut up, you little shits!
Suddenly the dad steps forward.
DAD
Jimmy, now daddy's going to show the magic man his own trick!
CUT TO:
EXT. GRANDMA'S HOUSE -- MOMENTS LATER
Peter goes face-first onto the pavement. He pops up quickly.
PETER
Not the table! Anything but the--
Peter's junk CRASHES onto the driveway next to him.
A wave of INSULTS from the kids wash over him from inside. Then the door SLAMS shut and abruptly cuts off the criticism.
Peter composes himself, then gets up and brushes himself up.
Suddenly, Tejeda's ear-shattering LAUGHTER drives Peter to his knees, his hands cupped over his ears.
Peter rolls on the driveway, trying to keep the weird, echoing laughter out of his skull.
TEJEDA (V.O.)
You will be mine! All mine!
Peter tries to crawl away.
PETER
GET OUT OF MY HEAD!
TEJEDA (V.O.)
Never! You are mine now! All mine!
Peter tries to cover his ears again.
He sees a tall, gleaming top hat sitting on the driveway in front of him.
Peter grabs the top hat and pulls it down over his head.
PETER
MAKE IT STOP! LEAVE ME ALONE!
Tejeda's booming LAUGHTER mocks him. Peter rolls on the ground, flailing.
Peter looks down and finds a knife in his hand. He stares at it.
PETER (CONT'D)
Where did...
TEJEDA (V.O.)
YOU WILL DO MY WILL!!
Peter sweats and shakes, looking at the knife. Then he looks up at the house, is eyes wide and red-rimmed.
The little boy from inside is watching him.
Peter stares at him with wild eyes.

Give me a yell at johnoakdalton@hotmail.com.