TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME - An encore presentation

And the winners are:
Marge - Betty White (66%)
Ralph - Carroll O'Connor (66%)
Thank you for voting!

FADE IN:

INT. MODEST HOME.1970's QUEENS, NEW YORK - DAY

A mature COUPLE are washing and putting the breakfast dishes away.

HUSBAND
Baseball season's finally here.

As he walks into the living room to turn on the television,

WIFE
(excitedly)
Why don't we go?

HUSBAND
Not today, Marge. This couch feels too good.
(patting her hand)
Another weekend.

As she faces him on the couch,

MARGE
It's such a beautiful day, Ralph.

Her face brightens up.

MARGE
Is it easy to find the stadium by train?

RALPH
The M train stops right there. Why?

Marge leaps up and disappears into the bedroom.

MARGE (OS)
I'm going.

RALPH
By yourself?

Putting on a light jacket when she returns,

MARGE
If I can survive the birth of three beautiful
children, I can manage a train to the Bronx.

RALPH
I don't know, Marge.

After pecking him on the cheek,

MARGE
I'll call when I get there.

EXT./INT. EL TRAIN STATION - DAY

Ecstatically inhaling the sunny April day, Marge climbs up the stairs to the platform of the station.

When the train arrives, she makes herself comfortable, knitting. At the changeover, she reconsiders, then shoves her knitting into its bag, rises, and joins the THRONGS onto the M train.

INT./EXT. M TRAIN - DAY

Crowded as rush hour, Marge finds and grasps the pole in the center of the compartment, unsteady as the train. When the Stadium comes into view, the compartment quickly empties, she following the enthusiastic FANS down the stairs and onto the sidewalk.

EXT. STADIUM - DAY

Marge grins at the Stadium, then rushes to the box office and patiently waits her turn.

ATTENDANT
Next.

MARGE
One adult ticket please, young man.
Oh, and are there senior discounts?

ATTENDANT
Sorry, the game's sold out.

MARGE
But I've come all the way from Queens.

ATTENDANT
Next!

Disheartened, Marge slowly heads back towards the station. She observes a COUPLE with two CHILDREN waiting on line to enter the stadium.

Excusing herself ever so endearingly and politely to those she cuts in front of, she discreetly joins the family as they pass through the turnstile. She feels a tap on her shoulder.

TICKET COLLECTOR
Ticket, please.

MARGE
Oh, I'm with them.

INT. STADIUM - DAY

As he turns to "them," Marge runs into the heart of the stadium, blending in with the crowds. She begins to panic, watching for security, or worse yet, the police.
Rushing to the telephones, she fumbles for her change purse. She finds, then drops her change. Hands trembling, she picks up the coins and manages to dial.

MARGE
Hurry, Ralph!

RALPH (OS)
Hello?

MARGE
Ralph, I'm going to jail!

RALPH (OS)
What?

MARGE
(glancing around)
They're looking for me now!

RALPH (OS)
What are you talking about?

MARGE
I snuck into Yankee Stadium!

RALPH (OS)
Wail til the boys hear about this!

MARGE
Oh no!

RALPH (OS)
Relax, Marge. Find a seat and enjoy the game.

MARGE
Relax? Enjoy?

RALPH (OS)
Trust me. You're in now. No one is going to bother you.
I'll order some Chinese to celebrate.

Disbelievingly, she peers at the DIAL TONE. She cautiously follows the fans as they make their way to the stands.

EXT. STANDS - DAY

Marge stops abruptly and shakes her head at the half-full stadium. She zooms in on available seats behind third base, buys a box of Cracker Jacks and a diet coke, then rushes to the unclaimed seat placing her snacks on it. She stands and CLAPS when the teams take to the field.

At the tap on her shoulder, she freezes. From the corner of her eye, she notices handcuffs in an outstretched hand.

FAN
You dropped your Cracker Jack's prize, Ma'am.

LAUGHING with relief, she manages a...

MARGE
Thank you, dear.

...and enjoys the ball game, with only an occasional glance over her shoulder.

FADE TO BLACK

**written by petra michelle**

http://petramichelle.blogspot.com/