The Traveler: A Screenplay

By Charles Platkin

CNN travel reporter Seth Thomas is renowned for his rich and detailed articles and guidebooks. But he has an embarrassing secret that could ruin his career. He's never traveled a day in his life. That is, until circumstances lead him to become entangled with the mysterious and sexy Jerico, and he is forced to finally board a plane that will take him to Eastern Europe where an art heist in Poland has just occurred.

THE TRAVELER is a four-act screenplay from author Charles Platkin.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Diversion Books
• Release date: Sep 27, 2012
• ISBN: 9781938120602

Book preview

Part I

EXT. POLISH NATIONAL MUSEUM—EVENING

Three ARMY GUARDS patrol the front gate of the museum with German shepherds.

INT. POLISH NATIONAL MUSEUM-SECURITY CAMERA ROOM - NIGHT

A uniformed GUARD aimlessly stares at security monitors.

EXT. POLISH NATIONAL MUSEUM—OUTSIDE WALL - NIGHT

Two people, dressed in black, masked, communication headsets, and night goggles move toward the museum wall — ninjas. The woman takes out a shovel, and digs until a box is revealed. She takes out a small computer. Her POV — a computer screen inside her glasses reveals all the security cameras. She types in RECORD. The image is recorded and then it begins to loop. They climb over the wall. Her POV — WE SEE infrared streams across the courtyard. She takes a small box from her backpack, attaches a small computer to the box, and the sensors are cut off. They reach the back door, pick the lock with the computer, and enter the museum.

INT. POLISH NATIONAL MUSEUM—MOMENTS LATER

The woman sets her watch — the countdown begins. They move slowly down the long corridor — cats on the prowl.

INT. POLISH NATIONAL MUSEUM—IMPRESSIONIST ROOM

Her POV, a beautiful painting is slowly revealed. She unrolls exact copy. She replaces the painting with the fake — she’s a pro. She carefully takes the original puts it in her back pack. The CAMERA slowly zooms in on her deep blue eyes — she’s as calm as a cucumber.

INT. POLISH NATIONAL MUSEUM—IMPRESSIONIST ROOM

EXT. DAY

A crowd gathers around the same painting.

JESSE, 26, beautiful — charisma and grace, is the museum guide.

JESSE

People, please gather around…This is the final painting you will see on this tour. It is on loan from the National Museum of Moscow. It was confiscated after the fall of Nazi Germany…This painting was painted by a French artist in 1878. He had a great teacher to help him get his start…Monet. Notice the detail in the foreground, it’s quite amazing. Does anyone have any questions? She looks around at the curious faces.

JESSE

(continuing)

Okay. Thank you all for coming. I hope you enjoy your stay here in Krakow.

EXT. UNION SQUARE COFFEE SHOP — EVENING

SETH THOMAS, 38, disheveled, handsome, sits at table working on a laptop computer.

JERICO, 19, model-type sits across from him. On Seth’s computer screen is a picture of the National Museum in Krakow.

JERICO

What are you working on?

SETH

A story on Krakow.

JERICO

Why?

SETH

It’s the next Prague…So they say.

JERICO

It sounds very Iron Curtain to me. I can just see the bread lines and the big ugly fur coats.

SETH

Its actually one of the more beautiful places I’ve never visited. You should check it out.

JERICO

(excited)

I know. I love to travel. I remember once me and my sister did a road trip to Florida. It was awesome. I mean we did coke the entire way down. It took us only 21 hours, seemed like five. We drove through three states completely naked. We got stopped by this state trooper in North Carolina. He just looked at us laughed and took off. Can you believe? We were scared because we skipped out on a few diners…

SETH

It sounds like that movie. Natural Born Killers.

JERICO

I loved that movie…the one with Woody. I think he’s really hot.

SETH

(sarcastic)

Yeah. He’s great.

JERICO

Did you see White Men Can’t Jump? That was great…I loved him in that.

SETH

I didn’t see it, but I’m sure that it was a great..

(looks at Jerico while smiling)

…so why do you want to become a writer?

JERICO

I just think that expressing myself… You know… Being able to share my thoughts with people. I think it would be awesome. I have a lot to say.

SETH

(flirting)

Yeah. Like what?

JERICO

I guess I’d like to be a travel writer…like you. Go to all those interesting and exotic places. Everyone catering to your every whim. It seems very romantic.

Jerico stares at him and smiles — she’s so sexy.

SETH

Sounds good.

JERICO

Tell me about you. (pause)

You worked at some pretty big places. That must have been really cool. I couldn’t see myself working at The Times, but as a reporter for CNN, that wouldn’t be bad…and writing those books…You’re like a rich and famous guy.

SETH

Well, not exactly famous. Not even rich to tell you the truth.

JERICO

What happened? Why are you working for this free weekly. It’s toilet tissue for the homeless…I mean you’re a big deal.

SETH

It just happened.

JERICO

You’re famous enough for me. I’d sleep with you. Seth reacts — oh my God.

INT. SETH THOMAS’S APARTMENT - NIGHT

The camera slowly pans revealing a messy apartment, with awards, photos, and travel books written by Seth. Seth enters the room, barely awake.

SETH

What are you doing?

Jerico studies the memorabilia, wearing a T-shirt that barely covers her body — very sexy.

JERICO

You really were the shit back in the day.

SETH

Let’s go back to bed. We hear a beeping noise from a computer.

JERICO

What’s that?

SETH

E-mail. This photographer in Krakow sent me a photo for the story I’m working on. There is a picture of a crowded cafe on the screen.

JERICO

Can I read it?

SETH

(slightly agitated)

I’d love you to, but I just started. When it’s done.

JERICO

(pouting)

Oh come on I thought I was special.

Seth reacts — whatever you want.

SETH

Fine.

A