The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Page #3

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FRODO:

You know Bilbo...he's got he whole place

in an uproar.

GANDALF:

Oh, well...that should please him.

(CONTINUED)

9.

CONTINUED:

FRODO:

Half the Shire's been invited...

GANDALF:

Good gracious, me.

FRODO:

He's up to something.

GANDALF:

Oh, really?

Frodo shoots a knowing look, as Gandalf averts his eyes.

FRODO:

Alright then..keep your secrets. Before

you came along we Bagginses were very

well thought of.

GANDALF:

Indeed?

FRODO:

Never had any adventures or did anything

unexpected.

GANDALF:

If you're referring to the incident with

the Dragon...I was barely involved...all

I did was give your Uncle a little nudge

out the door.

FRODO:

Whatever you did...you've been officially

labelled as a Disturber of the Peace.

GANDALF:

Oh, really?

ANGLE ON:

ODO PROUDFOOT looks up as the Cart passes by, deeply

suspicious.

CUT TO:

EXT. HOBBITON -- DAY

CRANE UP:

As the cart rattles into the small village of Hobbiton...a

quaint rustic settlement, nestled amongst rolling green hills

and large trees.

(CONTINUED)

10.

CONTINUED:

The Hobbits live in Hobbit Holes: neat burrows dug into the

grassy hillside, with round doors and cute front gardens.

ANGLE ON:

Excited children, chasing after the cart.

CLOSE ON:

Gandalf ignOrcs the children's cries. The children stand

deflated, watching Gandalf disappear up the lane. At that

moment:
spinning balls of bright color suddenly leap out of

the cart, fizzing over the heads of the delighted children.

ANGLE ON:

Gandalf smiling to himself, well pleased with his joke. ODO

PROUDFOOT is unable to suppress a chuckle. Frodo stands up in

the cart as Gandalf reigns in the horse.

FRODO:

Gandalf... I'm glad you're back. Frodo

leaps expertly from the cart. Gandalf

smiles.

GANDALF:

So am I, dear boy...so am I

CUT TO:

EXT. BAG END -- DAY

Wide on:
GANDALF'S CART pulls up outside the gate to BAG

END...a particularly fine example of a Hobbit hole, with a

large round front door set into a grassy hillside. There is

a sign on the gate which reads: "NO ADMITTANCE EXCEPT ON

PARTY BUSINESS." Gandalf strides up to the garden path of Bag

End. He raises his staff and raps on the front door...a

voice calls out:

BILBO (O.S.)

No, thank you! We don't want any more

visitors, well wishers, or distant

relations.

GANDALF:

And what about very old friends?

Suddenly the door opens and BILBO BAGGINS stands before him.

He is a HOBBIT OF INDERTIMINATE AGE, with a mischievous

Twinkle in his eye. Wearing a dashing brocade waist coat, he

looks every inch the eccentric gentleman.

(CONTINUED)

11.

CONTINUED:

BILBO:

Gandalf?

GANDALF:

Bilbo Baggins!

BILBO:

My dear Gandalf!

Gandalf drops to his knee to embrace his old friend.

GANDALF:

It's good to see you. One hundred and

eleven years old, who would believe it!

Gandalf looks at him more keenly.

GANDALF (CONT'D)

You haven't aged a day! Gandalf and Bilbo

laugh together and enter Bag End.

BILBO:

Come on, come in! Welcome, welcome!!

CUT TO:

INT. BAG END LIVING ROOM -- DAY

Bilbo leads Gandalf into Bag End...cozy and cluttered with

souvenirs of Bilbo's travels. Gandalf has to stoop to avoid

hitting his head on the low ceiling. Bilbo hangs up Gandalf's

hat on a peg and trots off down the hall.

BILBO:

(Calling)

Tea? Or maybe something stronger... I've

a few bottles of the Old Winyard left,

1296...a very good year, almost as old as

I am. It was laid down by my father. What

say we open one, eh?

Bilbo disappears into the kitchen as Gandalf looks

around..enjoying the familiarity of Bag End...he turns,

knocking his head on the light and then walking into the

wooden beam. He groans.

BILBO (O.S.) (CONT'D)

I was expecting you some time last week.

Not that it matters, you come and go as

you please, always have done, always

will.

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)

12.

CONTINUED:

BILBO (O.S.) (CONT'D)

You've caught me a bit unprepared, I'm

afraid...we've only got cold chicken, bit

of pickle, some cheese here...ooh, no,

that might be a little risky...

Gandalf stops in front of a framed map, charred in one

corner...it is Thorin's map of the Lonely Mountain, Gandalf

smiles to himself.

BILBO (CONT'D)

Er, we've got raspberry jam and apple

tart...got some custard somewhere. Not

much for Afters, I'm afraid. Oh

no...we're alright...I've just found some

sponge cake. Nice little snack. Hope

it's enough.

(comes into view)

I could do you some eggs if you like?

Bilbo jumps, a half eaten pork pie in his hand, as Gandalf

mysteriously appears behind him.

GANDALF:

Just tea, thank you.

BILBO:

Oh..right. You don't mind if...?

GANDALF:

No, not at all. Go ahead. A sudden loud

knock on the front door.

MRS. SACKVILLE BAGGINS (O.S.)

Bilbo Baggins, you open this door..I know you're in there.

BILBO:

I'm not home.

Gandalf watches, amused as Bilbo tries to hide.

BILBO (CONT'D)

I've got to get away from these

confounded relatives, hanging on the bell

all day, never giving me a moment's

peace. I want to see mountains

again...mountains, Gandalf... and then

find somewhere quiet where I can finish

my book...Oh, Tea!

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