Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie Page #14

Season #2 Episode #1

---

jONAH

(suddenly despondent)

Just a weed?!? It - it was my shade! It was my friend!

(melodramatic)

Oh, dear Lord, how could you let this happen?!?

Jonah mourns for the weed like a fallen comrade. The worm can take it no more.

KHALIL:

Would you look at yourself?!?

Jonah looks up - startled by the worm's intensity.

KHALIL (cont'd)

You care more about that weed than about all the people in Nineveh!!

jONAH

Well... I...

KHALIL:

Why are you here now? Instead of back in the belly of that whale?

Jonah opens his mouth, but doesn't have an answer.

KHALIL (cONT'D)

Because God is compassionate! He wanted to help you! And because he is merciful! He gave you a second chance!

jONAH

(chipper)

Oh, yes - and I'm very grateful-

KHALIL:

Has it ever occurred to you that maybe God loves everybody! Not just you! That maybe he wants to give everyone a second chance!

jONAH

Uh - well...

KHALIL:

He saw that those people needed help - that they didn't know right from wrong - and he wanted to help them! And that is why he sent you!

jONAH

Ah-

KHALIL:

And when you told them what they were doing wrong they said they were sorry - they put down their mackerels and their halibuts - and they asked God for a second chance. And by golly, he gave them one!!

(Jonah ponders)

Don't you see? God wants to give everyone a second chance! And so should we!

Jonah is initially moved by this truth, but then becomes theatrically pouty - like the spoiled rich kid who isn't getting his way.

jONah

Well, if they get a second chance - those fish-slappers - well, then... it would be better if I were dead!

(flops onto the ground)

Oh, I wish I were back in that whale!

Jonah is a basket case. The worm looks at him in disbelief.

KHALIL:

You are pathetic.

(pause)

You know, patience runs very deep in my family... but not that deep. I'm out of here!

Khalil starts to walk off.

jONah

What? What are you doing?

KHALIL:

(turning back)

I wanted to be big and important... just like you! But the world doesn't need more people who are "big and important," the world needs more people who are nice. And compassionate. And merciful.

(pause)

That's what I want to be.

(pause)

You can find yourself a new traveling buddy. Goodbye.

jONah

You can't just leave!

KHALIL:

Can and am!

jONah

But... who will I talk to? You can't just leave me here all alone?

(pause)

Hello?

Carlisle? Reginald? Carlisle? Khalil? Khalil? KHALIL? no. (etc... ad lib)

Jonah tries to call the worm's name - but can't get the pronunciation right. He tries several times with comical results as the camera cranes higher above him, revealing the worm walking further and further away and Jonah looking smaller and more alone.

Epilouge

cut TO:

int. night - seafood restaurant

Abrupt cut to shot of Pirates peering over booth.

pa grape

(after a beat)

The end!

Immediately, the Pirates slide the Plexiglas divider shut between the two booths. It shuts with a loud whack, startling the listeners in the next booth who continue staring in disbelief.

bob

(confused)

Wait a minute... its's over?

pa grape (os)

Yup!

Bob

That's how it ends?!?

Pa GRAPE

Yup!

junior

But what did Jonah learn?

Lunt opens screen again.

lunT

(looking at Junior)

The question, my friends, is not "what did Jonah learn." The question is - what did you learn?

junior

(thinking)

Well, I learned that we need to help people who need help...

(pause)

And we need to give 2nd chances. Even if they don't deserve them.

(looks up)

But what's that got to do with us?

Pa turns and looks directly at Bob, who startles.

pa GRAPE

Hey... tomato...

bob

Eh?

pa GRAPE

Your friend there... the big asparagus. If I'm not mistaken, he didn't do such a good job helping you with the map.

bob

Oh, it was a disaster! He said he was sorry and that he'd do better next time, but no way! Uh uh!

(Bob realizes what he's said and looks down)

Mercy. I guess everyone deserves a second chance.

Dad Asparagus smiles.

pa GRAPE

Yup! Now get outa here before my crab legs get cold!

Pirates shut window once more. Veggies smile, then Dad snaps out of the "feel good" moment.

dad

You know, that still wasn't a very good way to end a story!

Others agree. From across the barrier, Pa yells out...

pa GRAPE (os)

Well, whadya want? A big musical number?!?

Everyone looks at each other and agrees that sound pretty good.

DAD:

Well... yeah!

Pa turns to Larry.

PA GRAPE:

Who do they think I am... Twippo?

A male voice from the lobby.

voice (o.S.)

Yes?

Several veggies look up, as they recognize the voice. They turn in their seats and peer over the booth to the entry-way, where they see none other than Twippo himself! (Archibald Asparagus, dressed in an Elvis-y sort of outfit.)

veggies

Twippo!!!

Twippo smiles - a little apprehensively. Veggies rush him - Bob in front.

VeGGIES (cont'd)

Yeah... (etc., ad lib)

bOB

What are you doing here?!?

Twippo

Well, I've got a concert tonight, but I'm running late! Can't find Route 59 to save my life! So I stopped here for directions.

jr.

We're going to your concert tonight!

(pause - looks down)

At least we were...

bob

(downcast)

And then... porcupines!!

dAD

... and underwear!!

Annie

... and pirates!!

bOB

... and now it looks like we aren't going to make it at all.

Twippo

Good heavens! Well, if it's a ride you need, I've got plenty of room in my bus... you can all come with me!

Veggies eyes widen - big smiles!

veGGIES

[That's be great! Wow! etc.]

Laura looks down - she can't come.

lAURA

...yeah. Everyone but me.

Junior notices... Thinks...camera pushes in slowly as Junior makes his big decision. Touching score. Junior smiles and offers Laura his ticket.

JR:

Laura... You can have my ticket.

Pause on Laura. She is surprised and touched.

LaURA

But Junior, it was my fault.

Junior simply smiles and lifts the ticket up to her once again. Laura looks tenderly at Junior and smiles.

Everyone smiles - amazed. Score swells.

Twippo is impressed.

Twippo

Why, that was a very merciful thing to do!

TwipPO

Tell you what... I'll give you all a ride to the concert, and I'll make sure you ALL get have backstage passes!

Veggies erupt in celebration. Happy, happy!

VeGGIES

(celebration!)

Hurray! (ad lib)

Twippo

Speaking of mercy, have any of you heard the story of a man named... Jonah?

Veggies freeze, not sure what to say, then all respond at once.

veGGIES

Yes.

Twippo is taken aback.

Twippo

Oh. Well... uh, would you like to hear a song about it?

pERCY

Is it like the bald bunny song?

Twippo

Not really... it's more of a 'big musical number.'

dAD

Perfect!

wipe to:

Twippo on stage at Seafood Restaurant. Theatrical lights on him. He's holding his guitar, ready to play.

Twippo

(singing - ballad-like)

When I was a boy I went to church back home in Arizona

And that was where I heard the tale of a man whose name was Jonah!

Now Jonah was a prophet, but that's not why he's remembered.

Rate this script:3.0 / 2 votes