RODEO
A wealthy, widowed New York socialite, and a know-it-all preacher enters the unfamiliar world of rodeo, determined to “rescue” the widow’s wayward daughter who has fallen for a young bull rider. But plans go comically awry. Eventually the rodeo and unlikely romances win the day.
The prompt for RODEO came from my study of Ben Jonson’s BARTHOLOMEW FAYRE (1614), a play in which the PLACE, the Fayre, is a character, acting upon and being acted upon those who visit. RODEO, with its own culture, events, expressions, and language is a worthy equivalent.
BACKSTORY: HARPER, the daughter of MRS. OLIVIA WORTHMORE (MRS. W), a rich New York widow and an east-coast socialite, has fallen, while studying at the University of Wyoming, for CODY McGRAW, a young cowboy and bull rider. MRS. W is determined to rescue her wayward daughter, removing her from this “alien land” and returning her to New York. MRS. W enters the rodeo accompanied by her pastor, the REVEREND BUSY, who has an interest himself in the rich widow, MRS. W. BUSY’s nephew HARRISON.
SYNOPSIS
1. The ANNOUNCER welcomes all to the rodeo. A YOUNG NATIVE TEEN, WACHIWI, opens it officially by riding around the arena faster and faster. 2. Move to the surrounding fairground complete with stalls selling various items. 3. Disturbance at the entrance of MRS. OLIVIA WORTHMORE (MRS. W), 50s, rich widow, REVEREND JEREMIAH BUSY, 60s, and HARRISSON, late 20s. All three dressed in gaudy “Western” dress. Teenagers mock BUSY’s exaggerated “cowboy” walk. 4. BUSY reveals purpose of their visit: to rescue HARPER and return her to New York and civilization. 5. ARENA. BULLWHIP BETTY, 50s, demonstrates her tremendous talents with a bull whip. 6. FAIRGROUND. DOYLE MCGRAW, late 50s, widower, notes that his “daughter” CHARLENE, late 20s, wears men’s clothing. She pretends to be CHARLEY to protect her from “knuckle-dragging, macho jerks.” 7. DOYLE reminds her she has to revert to CHARLENE when it’s time for the barrel-racing. 8. DOYLE and CHARLENE smile at teenagers mocking BUSY’s talk. 9. COYOTE MCGRAW, 30s, Native-American adopted brother of DOYLE, rodeo clown (bull fighter), trickster figure homes in on the CITY TRIO. 10. COYOTE offers to “help” them find MRS. W’s daughter and her beau, CODY MCGRAW. 11. Braggart BUSY claims to know all things western. Meantime the young women wave at HARRISON who waves back. 12. Comic scene as BUSY uses “cowboy talk” to find out information from COYOTE. 13. WAKIYO, LITTLER THUNDER, COYOTE’s girlfriend joins COYOTE. On the side she mocks COYOTE for misleading THE CITY TRIO. 14. COYOTE points out CHARLENE/CHARLEY claiming “he” is CODY. Of course, BUSY claims he knows that. 15. When BUSY complains about the treatment of animals at the rodeo, COYOTE points out they are treated well, more so than many city folk. 16. ANNOUNCER continues pointing to the various rodeo events, which continue throughout. 17. MRS. W sees DOYLE, “the older, very handsome gentleman.” BUSY’s touch of jealousy. Interested in hooking up with the rich widow himself. 18. MRS. W, separated from the others, is saved from some drunks by COYOTE. He suggests she get out of her expensive suit. He’ll help her find more suitable clothing. Next time we see her, she’s dressed as a rodeo clown! 19. Meantime BUSY is on the trail of CHARLEY, who he thinks is CODY. He, BUSY, in turn is pursued by BULLWHIP BETTY who has her eyes fixed on this fresh bait. She offers to help BUSY. 20. CODY and HARPER meet up with DOYLE and talk about his new “brother,” CHARLEY. 21. CHARLENE wins the barrel-racing. HARRISON, fascinated, talks with her. Mutual fascination. HARRISON wants to introduce her to BUSY. She refuses. 22. Finally, MRS W spots her daughter, HARPER. But MRS W is dressed as a clown!! 23. Time for bull riding. MRS W, now a clown, enters the arena with COYOTE—and bulls. 24. CODY rides the bull. 25. MRS W is chased by a bull. She is finally rescued by DOYLE on horseback. 26. DOYLE realizes MRS W is a woman. Knows his brother COYOTE is behind this. 27. MRS W fascinated with DOYLE but worried he’ll on be after her for her money. LITTLE THUNDER assures her DOYLE is a rich rancher. 28. Finally, all’s well that ends well. Mutual attractions: a. HARRISON meets the woman, CHARLENE, behind the man, CHARLEY. b. DOYLE and MRS. W are together, c. BULLWHIP BETTY captures her man, BUSY. 29. All dance together at the end.
I love to explore and write, in serious and comic forms, stories of those who, through choice or happenstance, find themselves strangers in a strange land (or even in their own land).
Emerging Screenwriters Action & Adventure (Semifinalist) [2024]
Santa Barbara International (Semifinalist) [2024]
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