OUR STORY BEGINS - ONCE UPON A TIME

SCENE 1 - DREAMING OF A ROBOT HEXAPOD FOR CHRISTMAS

FADE IN:

EXT. BACK GARDEN – DAY 

A young Jimmy Watson (12) crouches near a line of ants traveling from his mum’s larder to their nest. His eyes widen with wonder. MARION, his gentle but practical mother, appears with a kettle of boiling water and quickly dispels the ants. Jimmy watches, crestfallen, as they scatter.

JIMMY (V.O.) (whispering) 

They just wanted a little sugar...

INT. JIMMY’S BEDROOM – NIGHT 

Jimmy sits at his desk amid scattered robot parts. On his laptop, a HEXAPOD ROBOT KIT advert glows. He clicks repeatedly, his eyes fixed on the kit’s price: £499. His expression falls, but determination flickers in his gaze.

JIMMY (V.O.) 

One day... this will be mine.

MONTAGE – VARIOUS

Jimmy in the classroom, daydreaming through lessons.

Jimmy pedaling his bike along quiet, early-morning streets, enjoying the solitude as he delivers papers on his delivery route past The Cloisters – a shadowy, tree-lined area reminiscent of a graveyard.

Jimmy secretly counting coins from his money box, then carefully hiding it under a loose floorboard in his room.

INT. LIVING ROOM – CHRISTMAS MORNING 

Jimmy frantically tears through presents. Yet, nothing resembling a robot kit is found. His shoulders sag as his dream remains unfulfilled.

JIMMY (V.O.) 

They said Christmas miracles happen… but mine never came.

INT. CLASSROOM – DAY 

Jimmy, lost in thoughts of circuits and wires, gazes out the window. JULIA ROBERTS - a brilliant math whiz and friendly face - smiles at him from across the room. Jimmy’s cheeks flush and he quickly looks away.

INT. KITCHEN – EVENING (DINNER TIME) 

Jimmy sits with his parents, TIM (his father, a calm yet humorous MI6 General) and MARION, at the dinner table. This is the first time Jimmy hasn’t rushed to sell his ideas; instead, he’s kept his grand vision to himself. Conversation flows lightly until MARION clears her throat.

MARION

I think our son is working on his next project.

Tim and Marion exchange a knowing look before turning their attention back to Jimmy.

TIM (cheerfully)

So, Jimmy, what’s this project about?

Jimmy fidgets, almost reluctant to share. Marion leans forward, smiling warmly.

MARION

You know, dear, you’ve got a long list. One column totals £900. In your sleek, black A5 notebook, dear.

TIM (chuckling)

Nine hundred pounds? What is it, a spaceship?

Jimmy’s eyes dart nervously between them. He remains silent, swallowing his embarrassment.

MARION

Come on, Jimmy, we’re dying to know.

Marion rises and heads upstairs to fetch the notebook she’d previously seen on his bed. Moments later, she returns proudly, the sacred notebook clasped in her arms. Tim peers over, equally intrigued.

TIM

And what version is this? Version one is £900, then?

MARION (flipping through the pages) 

Yes — here’s version one: £900. And, ah, now... version three is listed at £1,200.

Tim exhales in amazement, looking at Jimmy for an explanation. Jimmy’s face flushes, his dreams laid bare before his parents.

TIM (softly) 

That’s a lot of money… what exactly are you planning, son?

Jimmy shifts uncomfortably as his mother returns the notebook to him with a gentle smile and a conspiratorial gesture.

MARION

Here, Jimmy, or shall I pop it back under the bed for you?

Jimmy accepts the book, relief evident on his face.

JIMMY

Thanks, Mum. I… I just have an idea. It’s nothing yet, but… it's my dream.

He stands abruptly and leaves the table. The room falls silent as his parents exchange concerned yet proud glances.

INT. JIMMY’S ROOM – NIGHT 

After dinner, the house is quiet. Marion and Tim search Jimmy’s room, trying to locate his hidden money box. They comb through the room, testing floorboards and our eyes linger on small clues: a slightly out-of-place carpet, a careful section of the floor highlighting Jimmy’s secret.

TIM (V.O.) 

(softly, to Marion) He’s saving every penny… he must be working on something truly remarkable.

MARION (V.O.) 

I hope so. But where on earth would he build such a big robot?

They share a smile - one part worry, one part unspoken hope - while the camera lingers on Jimmy’s cherished notebook resting under his pillow.

EXT. SUBURBAN STREET – DAY (MONTAGE CONTINUES) 

We see Jimmy riding his bike with renewed determination. His secret dreams fuel his journey through silent, early-morning streets. The camera captures both his quiet resolve and his boundless imagination.

JIMMY (V.O.) 

But one day, I’ll build it. I’ll build my robot…and maybe, just maybe, change the world.

FADE OUT.

>> SCENE 2

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