The Taking Tree

ANNOUNCER: Coming this summer. The long-awaited sequel to Shel Silverstein's cherished children's classic, The Giving Tree.

EXT, YARD - DAY

Emily, a little girl, points to a stump. Her cranky Grandpa stands behind her.

EMILY: Tell us the story of the Giving Tree, Grandpa.

GRANDPA: I ain't telling that story!

EMILY: Shel Silverstein says you killed the Giving Tree.

GRANDPA: Shel Silverstein's a liar!

EMILY: You're the "Boy," right?

GRANDPA: Goldang it! I'm calling the stump grinders!

INT, HOUSE - DAY

STUMP GRINDER framed in doorway. Grandpa listens as he says --

STUMP GRINDER: Uh, we have a problem, sir. (beat) The stump's not there.

EXT, LAWN - DAY

Emily and Grandpa look down at ripped up circle of earth. And the rutted trail moving away ...

EMILY: Where'd the tree go, Grandpa?

EXT, SKY - NIGHT

Crash of thunder and lightning.

EXT, STREET - NIGHT 

Fireman stands in pouring rain, looking up at a tree. Firetruck parked in background.

FIREMAN: (on cell phone) Yeah, tell Emily I'll see her later. Cat stuck in a tree, you know? Yeah. I love you, too.

INT, CHILD'S BEDROOM – NIGHT 

Emily in bed, Mom reading "The Giving Tree."

EMILY: Can trees hurt you, mom? Mom?

Mom doesn't answer. Distant, worried look.

EXT, TREE - NIGHT 

Fireman climbs from ladder into tree in pouring rain. Firemen below shines a light on him.

FIREMAN: Here, kitty.

INT, CHILD'S BEDROOM – NIGHT 

Sound of storm outside. (OS)

EMILY: Mom! Can trees hurt you?

MOM: No. No, of course not. 

Thunder. (OS) Lights go off.

EXT, TREE - NIGHT

FIREMAN: (inching along branch) Here, kitty ... 

Two malevolent eyes open up in the Tree. And then a gaping mouth.

Go to black --

ANNOUNCER: The Boy had taken everything the Tree had. Now the Tree is back. It's not giving anymore.

Disorienting "Cloverfield"-style flash of violence --

FIREMAN: Eagghhhhh! (OS)

ANNOUNCER: This time, it's come to take revenge.