JUST THE UNUSUAL

Travis Wardrope
(Draft 1)
OPENING SCENE
INT. HUGH’S HOUSE - MIDDAY

We open on a shot of HUGH HUMPHREY dead on a couch, he has a

sword impaled through his chest. Blood is all of his body and
the room. It is apparent that the death was not quick. The room
is very neat and organised, the room feels homely despite the
horrific body sat dead centre. The shot then changes to the
horrified face of ARLO, who is looking at the body through the
french doors of the room. The shot begins to very slowly zoom in
as Arlo begins a voice-over.

ARLO [V.O]:
(In Shock)
What. The. Fuck.

The shot cuts to black.

EXT. STREET OUTSIDE BARBER SHOP - MORNING

FADE IN:

We then continue onto a shot of a newspaper, it is the title

card of the film with ‘Just the Usual’ printed in black ink and
the ‘Un’ written in blood. A large amount of newspapers are
stacked on top of the original newspaper, with a different title
all together. The camera moves back revealing a newspaper stand.
ARLO enters the frame, he buys a paper and begins to walk
towards his barbers.

ARLO [V.O]:
(Calm)
I best start from the beginning, my name is Arlo Miller. I’m the
town’s best barber.

Music begins to play as ARLO talks. He enters his barber shop.

1
INT. BARBER SHOP - MORNING
The barber shop is full of interesting artwork and furniture. It
has a vintage meets modern feel to it. As ARLO enters we see him
pass the newspaper to his colleague- MATTEO.

ARLO [V.O]:
That’s my colleague and best friend MATTEO, he owns the place.
He also runs all of the business side of things. He likes to
keep to himself most the time, quite a calm and collected dude.

We cut to a quick montage of ARLO cutting customer’s hair, they

are of all completely unique and interesting.

ARLO [V.O]:
My customers are pretty much everyone, I’ve cut everyone’s hair
in this town. Old, young, rich, poor- you name them and I’ve at
least given them one wiggy.

The camera then dollies over to a binder with ARLO’s schedule

in. And there, written in red ink at 11:15, was a booking under
the name ‘HUGH HUMPHREY’.

ARLO [V.O]:
However, nobody compared to 1 man. A Mr HUGH HUMPHREY. Perhaps
the most Unusual Usual I will ever have had.

HUGH HUMPHREY enters the Barber Shop. He is of completely unique

character, with outlandish yet smart attire. He walks with
confidence over to the chair and sits.

ARLO:
(Happy)
Hugh! How are we doing today mate?

HUGH:
Quite alright my friend

2
 ARLO:
(Putting apron around HUGH)
Awesome dude, just the Usual?

HUGH:
Yes please.

ARLO:
Great!

ARLO begins to cut HUGH’s hair.

ARLO [V.O]:
He’s been with me since I opened the shop 3 years ago. Every
second Tuesday at 11:15 he walks through that door, not a minute
late. Always asking for the exact same haircut. And strangely,
would never directly answer any question about himself.

ARLO:
How was your weekend mate?

HUGH:
Same old, same old. How about you?

ARLO:
Ah, not much really. Went down to the beach, went shopping for a
few things. Just the standard.

HUGH:
I hear ya

ARLO:
Up to much after this?

HUGH:
Nah, just home for me.

ARLO:
I get ya, did you say you lived around the Ansgate area?

3
 HUGH:
Sorta, not really though

ARLO:
Ah fair enough.

ARLO [V.O]:
I get some people can be quite untalkative at the barbers, but
this guy was chatty, yet purposely avoided anything about
himself. I’ve cut his hair for 3 whole god damn years and I
couldn’t even tell you one thing I knew about him. At the time
this seemed strange, but nothing worth hassling myself about.

ARLO finishes cutting his hair.

ARLO:
We’re all done here mate

HUGH:
Great, thanks a bunch

HUGH takes out £20 from his jacket and attempts to hand it to
ARLO.

ARLO:
Hugh mate, no no, the price is £10.

HUGH:
And a £10 tip, for you.

ARLO:
How many times mate, I can’t accept double the price off of you
dude.

HUGH:
Okay then, will you take a £5 tip?

ARLO:
If you insist Hugh mate, I feel like I’m robbing you!

4
 HUGH:
Nonsense!

HUGH begins to walk out of the Barbers, and stops at MATTEO.

HUGH:
Here take this Matteo, keep up the good work.

HUGH hands MATTEO the £5 note.

MATTEO:
Jeez, thanks.

HUGH smiles and leaves.

ARLO [V.O]:
He likes to do that too

The shop is now empty.

MATTEO:
Where do you suspect he gets the money from?

ARLO takes a seat next to MATTEO.

ARLO:
(joking)
No clue, do you reckon he leads the mafia?

MATTEO:
(joining in)
No, no, he’s a hitman.

ARLO:
(serious)
Whatever it is, he definitely doesn’t want anyone knowing. Did
you hear him when I asked if he lived near Ansgate?

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 MATTEO:
Not really, I wasn’t listening that much.

ARLO:
You know, I’ve spent 3 years asking him questions and I’ve
gotten nothing

MATTEO:
(laughing)
Maybe you should just give up eh? He’s probably just a cleaner
or something and he’s embarrassed to tell ya.

ARLO:
Not when he’s willing to splash out 20 quid on a wig bash.

MATTEO:
I guess, fuck knows fella, it isn’t that deep

ARLO:
Guess not

The two are interrupted by a customer entering.

ARLO:
Take a seat dude I’ll be with you in just a sec.

We then see a montage of 2 weeks worth of schedules flicker