The Lone Wizard

A short film
By

Cliff Foster

Copyright 2011 All Rights Reserved

EXT. DEEP IN THE FOREST Camera pans across a forest, following THE WIZARD as he walks through the woods and opening credits play. As he trails along, a pleasant Celtic tune is played. The Wizard traverses down a long path clad on a full length, earth tone, hooded cloak, a rope belt, simple shoes or sandals, a haversack and a sword. He bears a long staff in his right hand. The Wizard walks for the duration of the opening credits. The camera briefly shifts to what may feel like a P.O.V. view from a watcher, off in the distance, maybe from uphill. The Wizard finally comes to a flat area, sets down his staff and pushes back his hood. He gathers some sticks and arranges them in a pile and surrounds it with rocks. He moves his hand over the arrangement, and the kindling catches fire. He sets a few bigger pieces of wood on to the flames. The Wizard sits on a rock (or log or stump, etc.) near the fire and takes a long pipe from his haversack. He lights it, and gently puffs on it, staring into the fire. The camera is fairly close up on his face, and after a few moments, he draws a soft gasp, and his eyes shift back and forth. He sets his pipe aside and slowly stands up and draws his sword. THIEF 1 leaps out from the trees with a blunt weapon. He stands on the opposite side of the fire from the Wizard. The Thief charges, but the Wizard pulls dust from his haversack and throws it over the fire. The dust ignites, startling Thief 1, and the thief falls to the ground. THIEF 2, THIEF 3 and THIEF 4 come out of the woods. All thieves are dressed in homespun clothing and some have light leather armor. Those who are wearing shoes have simple leather shoes and sandals on. Thief 2 thrusts at the Wizard with a club, but the Wizard parries it, just in time to block an overhead attack from Thief 3. The Wizard pushes Thief 3 back, and slices Thief 2 across the belly. Thief 1 and Thief 4 attack simultaneously, and the wizard pushes Thief 4 back while blocking an attack from Thief 1.

The Wizard counterattacks Thief 1, and Thief 1 attempts a parry. But the Wizard brings his sword full circle and slices Thief 1 across the chest. Thief 4 charges, but the wizard dodges and slices Thief 4 along the side. Thief 3 is behind the Wizard, running towards him. A close up shows the Wizard smile, then vanish. The Wizard reappears behind Thief 3, and runs him through. The camera pans as the Wizard looks at all the bodies on the ground. He sheaths his sword and walks back to where he sat before. The camera cuts up close to the Wizard as he sits down, picks up his pipe and re-lights it. The camera slowly zooms out as the Wizard stares once again into the fire, and as the camera reveals the area around him, no bodies remain on the ground. FADE OUT.