Teleplay Climb That Vine
Story by Dave Hall & Tim Sulka
Teleplay by Tim Sulka
Lyrics by Dave Hall & Tim Sulka
Music by Dave Hall
EPISODE ONE: JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
Our story so far... After being hoodwinked into selling his painting of “Esmerelda” the cow, Jack is chastised by his mother for his terrible business acumen; all he got was a bean burrito and three deadbeat musicians, The Beans (1 string bass, 1 guitar and 1 mandolin player). In disgust, Jack's mom threw the leftover beans from the burrito in the dirt and once again they are all hungry and broke.
EXT. JACK'S HOVEL - VACANT LOT - DAY
Jack and The Beans sit forlornly under a hot sun in the trash-strewn lot. Jack stares intently at the spot where his mother threw out the bean burrito. It looks like something green is ready to pop up from the dirt; a weed, flower...?
JACK
Whattaya know? A sprout! We may eat,
yet, my friends! Oooh. Maybe I could
become one of those farm to table
guys...
POV - CLUMP OF DIRT
The Beans and Jack stand and stare down at the tiny bud. When nothing happens, Jack's spirits quickly deflate.
JACK (CONT’D)
What's the use? Without Esmerelda for
inspiration, I'm good for nothing!
ANOTHER ANGLE
There is a tiny eruption from the clump, then suddenly the vine sprouts and blooms!
The Beans quickly grab their instruments and play; the guitarist sings lead, the others backup. As they sing the first verse, the sprout grows up and up and up.
Song: Climb That Vine!
THE BEANS
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU'RE
MISUNDERSTOOD?
WHEN THINGS AT HOME AREN'T GOING GOOD?
Jack falls backwards as the vine shoots up and (through the magic of computer animation) wends its way out of the lot.
THE BEANS (CONT’D)
WHEN YOU THINK DEEP DOWN YOU REALLY
SHOULD, WELL, SHINE?
YOU CLIMB THAT VINE!
Jack scrambles to his feet, following The Vine down the street.
EXT. GRAND ARMY PLAZA - LATER
The Beans play and sing under the Grand Army Plaza monument as Jack follows the vine through a Farmer's Market on the site. Jack passes a dog walker and gets tangled in the multiple leashes. He pushes away some vegan Brooklynites who are overly interested in the vine. Is it the next kale?
THE BEANS
WHERE DO YOU GO TO GET OUT OF YOUR
HEAD?
WHEN YOU'RE OVERWORKED AND UNDER FED?
WHEN YOU'RE UP AGAINST A
PRETTY STIFF DEADLINE?
YOU CLIMB THAT VINE!
EXT. CONEY ISLAND BOARDWALK - LATER
The Beans play on the boardwalk. Tourists throw coins into a hat as they pass. The vine, with Jack following, makes its way past the iconic WonderWheel ferris wheel, Cyclone roller coaster, Nathan's hot dogs as well as many of the odd sights of Coney Island including wrapping itself around a tattooed man. Jack quickly picks up its trail.
THE BEANS
WHEN THINGS CONSPIRE AND COMBINE
TO MAKE THINGS WHACK AND OUT OF LINE,
YOU CAN'T LAY BACK AND LAZILY RECLINE!
YOU CLIMB THAT VINE!
CLIMB THAT VINE!
CLIMB THAT VINE!
EXT. BROOKLYN BRIDGE - LATER
Jack has reached the East River as the vine continues up and over the Brooklyn Bridge with the majestic Manhattan skyline in the distance.
Jack eagerly follows as tourists glance curiously at Jack and the vine passing them into lower Manhattan. On the way, Jack photo bombs a tourist's selfie.
THE BEANS
CLIMB THAT VINE!
INT. SUBWAY PLATFORM - LATER
The Beans play on the platform. Jack follows the vine into a subway car.
THE BEANS
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN LIFE ISN'T FUN?
INT. SUBWAY CAR - MOMENTS LATER
Jack is stuck on a crowded car of New Yorkers, trying to follow the weaving vine as the Beans sing and play.
THE BEANS
WHEN YOU FEEL THAT YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE
WHO'S WAITING FOR A LITTLE RAY OF
SUNSHINE?
YOU CLIMB THAT VINE!
INT. GRAND CENTRAL STATION - LATER
Jack and the vine pass through the concourse. The Beans are perched on a staircase as Jack and the vine struggle through the crowd of oncoming commuters.
THE BEANS
CLIMB THAT VINE!
CLIMB THAT VINE!
EXT. STREETS OF MANHATTAN - THE SAME
Riding on a skateboard, Jack holds onto the vine as it pulls him past taxis, pedicabs, buses, etc.
THE BEANS
CLIMB THAT VINE!
EXT. MIDTOWN MANHATTAN - LATER
Out of breath, Jack ends up at the foot of a large skyscraper, it's golden sign gleaming “Giant Enterprises.”
Jack watches as the vine wends its way into the lobby and past a befuddled security guard.
THE BEANS
CLIMB THAT VINE, DON'T SIT AND SIGH!
CLIMB THAT VINE, YOU TRY, BOY, TRY!
INT. GIANT ENTERPRISES - MOMENTS LATER
Jack follows the vine which has worked its way up a large, opulent staircase. Jack follows.
THE BEANS
CLIMB THAT VINE UP TO THE SKY SO FINE!
CLIMB THAT VINE, NOW GRASP A LIMB!
At the top of the stairs, Jack and the Vine are dismayed to see a sign, “Elevators out of order.” The Beans are now set up before the open door to the stairwell. Jack follows the vine into it.
THE BEANS (CONT’D)
CLIMB THAT VINE, NOW START TO SHIM-
MY! CLIMB THAT VINE 'TIL YOU REACH
CLOUD NUMBER NINE
INT. GIANT ENTERPRISES - STAIRWELL - THE SAME
Jack races in, stares upward at the countless flights of stairs as the vine shoots upward. He sighs and heads to the top.
THE BEANS
YOU CLIMB THAT VINE!
CLIMB THAT VINE!
CLIMB THAT VINE!
CLIMB THAT VINE!
YOU CLIMB THAT VINE!
INT. GIANT ENTERPRISES - LOBBY - THE SAME
Jack tumbles in through a set of glass doors.
POV - JACK
Jack looks up from the floor to see the looming figure of MR. GIANT standing over him, the Vine casually wrapped around him.
(END SONG)
