The Chocolate Queen of Zurich. Opening Scenes.
FADE IN:
INT. - JUMBO JET.
A flight attendant (MARIA) stops to ask THOMAS if he needs anything.
MARIA
Sir, we'll be landing soon, but you can still get a snack or drink.
You like chocolate? High quality Swiss, not the cheap fake stuff.
THOMAS
You just asked me that....um a few minutes ago.
MARIA
Oh, did you say no? So busy I'm in robot mode, sorry.
THOMAS
Actually, authentic Swiss chocolate sounds nice, sure I'll try some.
A COWORKER attendant pulls Maria aside, and whispers in her ear.
COWORKER
We don't carry Swiss chocolate on this flight.
MARIA
(Whispers back.)
I know, but I have some from my sisters shop in Zurich.
THOMAS
What's that about Zurich? That's where I'm staying.
Suddenly the plane hits heavy turbulence, and Maria sits down in the empty seat next to
Thomas. Maria's coworker moves quickly to the Flight Attendant chair, and buckles up, while
Maria buckles herself up. The seatbelt sign comes on just as the CAPTAIN makes an announcement.
Thomas buckles up.
CAPTAIN
Good evening, this is your Captain speaking, it's going to be a bit bumpy
for a few minutes, but the good news is we are thirty minutes out from
landing in Zurich. Thank you for flying Swiss Air.
Turbulence subsides.
CLOSE ON Maria, and Thomas.
MARIA
I have a confession to make. I was going to give you a sample of my
sister MARGARET'S chocolate from her own shop.
Maria gets up and returns to her work in preparation for landing. Her coworker gives her a sly grin,
and shakes her head no. Thomas has a dumbfounded look on his face.
CUT TO:
We see the Swiss Air Coworker standing at the dock terminal doing sendoff thank you salutations
to unloading passengers. Thomas pauses at the plane's door long enough to annoy the other passengers
wanting to exit, he asks the coworker a question.
THOMAS
Excuse me. Where is the other attendant, the chocolate promoting
one? I wanted to get the name of her sister's shop. I can't miss
the opportunity to visit it after that.
COWORKER
Are you single? Maria thinks your single.
THOMAS
What?
A RANDOM PASSENGER yells.
RANDOM PASSENGER
Hurry up!!
We hear all the other passengers join in, yelling hurry up, along with some expletives spoken in
Romansh, and German. The coworker gently nudges Thomas through onto the walkway, and
the rest of the passengers flow out like water flooding, and pushing Thomas forward.
CUT TO:
INT. - AIRPORT BREEZEWAY.
Maria, and her Coworker are walking briskly pulling their carry-on luggage behind them down the
crowded breezeway.
COWORKER
Maria, what are you thinking?
MARIA
He's gorgeous, and Margaret should meet him, so I gave him a
little incentive, besides they have a lot in common.
COWORKER
You have to stop googling guys for your sister, besides he's American.
The last foreigner you tried to set your sister up with was a disaster.
MARIA
It's different this time.
Thomas jogs up to Maria. She stops in the middle of the breezeway, and her Coworker walks on.
THOMAS
Hey, wait a minute! You didn't tell me your name.
MARIA
(Points to the corner of her jacket.)
Oh, I forgot to wear my tag again. I'm Maria. My sister's store is called
The Chocolate Queen, look it up. Stop by, you'll love it, it's the best in
Europe.
THOMAS
I'd love to. I work at Brown & Haley so I know my way around chocolate.
It's one of the main reasons I'm here on vacation, to sample the world best.
And go on some picturesque hikes.
MARIA
Alone?
THOMAS
(Suddenly glum)
I like being alone sometimes. Anyway Maria, nice to meet you, and thanks
for the invite to your sister's shop, see you around.
Thomas walks away. Maria calls out.
MARIA
Ok! I'm not a weirdo!
THOMAS
(Turns around waving, and smiling)
I know!
FADE OUT:
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NEXT DAY.
FADE IN:
EXT. - ZURICH MAINSTREET.
Thomas stands on the snowy sidewalk in front of a chocolate shop. The sign on the awning is covered
in a foot of snow. A patron exits the store unintentionally slamming the door. The snow on the
awning avalanches, and buries Thomas from head to toe, he disappears underneath. Margaret runs
out from her shop to his rescue, she digs frantically.
MARGARET
Not again!
Thomas pops out from the snow pile.
THOMAS
(Gasping)
Again?
MARGARET
I'm so sorry. This happens every winter. I really need to clean it off
sooner. Come inside, and warm up, I'll treat you to some chocolate, on me.
Hi, I'm Marge, I own this store.
THOMAS
(Nodding yes)
I heard. That was fun, glad I got the right place.
MARGARET
The sign was covered wasn't it.
Thomas nods yes with a wry smile on his face. Margaret helps him to his feet, she brushes the snow
from his shoulders, and they walk into the store.
CUT TO:
INT. - THE CHOCOLATE QUEEN SHOP.
We see Thomas in a blanket with a cup of coffee sitting at a table. A few costumers are mulling
around. Margaret sits down at Thomas's table with her own cup of coffee, and also a large
chocolate bar.
MARGARET
This isn't the first time my sister has tried to set me up. It's the second time
with someone who is a foreigner though. The last guy, he was from Italy, he
was a disaster. You're a hot guy, but I'm not the one who needs a date.
THOMAS
Wow, you and your sister aren't shy. I'm flattered, but I'm not...
Maria walks in, she sees Thomas, and Margaret sitting together, Maria smiles.
MARIA
Hey Thomas, I see you met. Margaret, you cleaned off the awning, that's a
first.
END OPENING SCENES.
(BONUS CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED:
BALSER walks in the store.
BALSER
Hey, the chocolate Queen of Zurich! How are you? Hope you had a safe trip.
Thomas points at Margaret.
MARGARET
Hi, Balser. Our best customer.
MARIA
Hey Balser.
BALSER
She's not the Queen, Maria is. Let me guess, this year's avalanche victim.
American?
Maria, Margaret, and Thomas nod yes in unison.
BALSER
That's a sign of good luck my friend, getting buried by the awning snow.
MARIA
Aww Thomas I'm sorry about the awning incident. And lying. I own the store,
Margaret was filling in for me while I do my part time job, it has been slow,
and I was too embarrassed to admit I had to supplement my income.
Thomas starts laughing. Balser follows suit. the laughter quickly tapers off.
MARIA
I thought you would be angry.
THOMAS
(Laughing again briefly)
I'm in a Hallmark movie.
MARGARET
(smiling)
She gets her best ideas from the Hallmark channel.
Balser laughs again, standing at the register and Maria hands him his chocolate he just bought.
MARIA
We don't even have cable, but my sister has a point. I have an Idea Thomas, let's
all go out on the town, all four of us. We'll give you the royal tour, what do you
think? You'll see we're not crazy people.
BALSER
These girls are good people Thomas, and it sounds like fun, I'll go.
MARGARET
Yeah, ok. Thomas?
THOMAS
That's a sweet gesture. (Pause) Alright, I'm down let's go.
(CONTINUED)
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END BONUS SCENE.
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