(my project in creative writing was to make a script of a sit com or tv show. we had to divide by story sections (teaser, etc). hope you enjoy, i thought it was kinda cute.)

THE NIGHTSHIFT

By ------

[TEASER]

[fade into an apartment bedroom, covered wall to wall with anime posters. A young man, Antonius Bernstein, is talking on his cellphone to his father, Edgar Allan Poe, face scrunched in frustration.]

POE

How can you call yourself a vampire? You don’t even live in a gothic mansion!

ANTONIUS

I’ve been trying to tell you this for three hundred years, Dad! I’m just not that kind of vampire!

POE

Are you going through that phase with the Japanese cartoons?

ANTONIUS

It’s not a phase! It’s art!

POE

Antonius, you must understand- I’m just trying to make sure you become the ideal vampire. It’s nothing personal.

ANTONIUS

It’s never personal, is it? [abruptly] I’ve got nightschool in a hour. Talk to you later.

[TROUBLES]

[fade into a calm, relaxed classroom. Antonius is standing in front of a desk, speaking to his teacher, a small, cheerful woman.]

ANTONIUS

An apprenticeship?

MRS. BUTTERFIELD

I believe an apprenticeship is a necessary to be able to truly learn the art of baking. There’s nothing to be worried about, Antonius.

ANTONIUS

Will I be able to do this? With my…er, [hesitates] circumstance?

MRS. BUTTERFIELD

Don’t worry, Antonius. I've taken that into consideration. You will be working the nightshift for a baker named Jeffrey Steffens. You shouldn't be in any danger.

ANTONIUS

[Unsure of himself] If you say so. Do I start tonight?

MRS. BUTTERFIELD

Yes. Here's the address. You'll do fine!

[Scene fades. Antonius is now standing in front of a cupcake shop named Steffen Cakes. He is visibly nervous and wringing his hands.]

ANTONIUS

[Knocking on the door] Chef Steffens? Are you there?

[The chef throws open the door, ushering Antonius in. He is a gruff, angry-looking man.]

JEFFREY

Hurry up, kid! Being out on the streets this late is dangerous!

ANTONIUS

[He pales] Dangerous?

JEFFREY

You don't know anything, do you? Nevermind all that. Grab an apron and follow me. I need you to start making batter. You can deal with that, right?

ANTONIUS

Y-Yessir!

[Cut to next scene. Antonius is covered in flour and is furiously stirring a bowl of cake batter. In front of him is a bulletin board with red X’s on it.]

ANTONIUS

Er… Mr.Steffens, what is this? Delivery locations?

JEFFREY

[He grins, much like a predatory animal] You could say that. You see, I didn't just need an assistant to help me cook- I needed a hand in my other business as well.

ANTONIUS

Other business?

JEFFREY

Remember what I warned you about earlier? I wasn't talking about some petty criminal. This city is crawling with...vampires.

ANTONIUS

[Nearly drops the bowl he is holding] Vampires?!

JEFFREY

I know it's hard to believe, but these bloodsucking creatures of the night plague the streets of this city. It's my job to hunt them down.

[MUDDLE]

[Fade into a small store called “Thomas’s Merch and More”. Antonius has his head slumped against the counter while talking to his friend, a young man named Thomas, who is in behind the counter.]

ANTONIUS

A vampire hunter! My apprenticeship is with a vampire hunter!

THOMAS

[Shaking his head as he scans several paperback books] This is seven volumes of Fullmetal Alchemist. You must be freaking out.

ANTONIUS

Of course I am! This psycho is going to kill me!

THOMAS

Now, Antonius, there's no need to jump to any conclusions. If he knew you were a vampire, he would have went on and killed you last night.

ANTONIUS

[Sarcastically] That's comforting.

THOMAS

I'm just trying to calm you down. I’m new to this whole ‘vampire world’, you’ve gotta understand.

ANTONIUS

So am I! I only got turned a couple hundred years old! [He toys with his hair, finicky] I’ve never encountered a hunter before. I want to call my dad, but...

THOMAS

Another argument?

ANTONIUS

[He pulls a colorful poster from a nearby box and chunks it on the counter, dodging the question] I’ll take this too.

THOMAS

[He scans Antonius’s next piece of merchandise and sighs]  Can't you just skip the apprenticeship?

ANTONIUS

This is my grade, I can't just quit it. If I don't complete an apprenticeship, I don't get my degree!

THOMAS

Well, if the guy fired you, Mrs. Butterfield would have to give you a new job, right?

ANTONIUS

[picking up his head] I suppose so. What are you suggesting?

THOMAS

Antonius, you have to get fired.

[Scene cuts back to the cupcake shop, Antonius is working, but appears very flighty and nervous.]

JEFFREY

Antonius, are you almost done with that batter? I'm not getting any younger!

ANTONIUS

Please hold on a second!

[Making sure no one is looking, Antonius dumps an entire cup of coffee into the batter.]

JEFFREY

[leans over Antonius] What's this? [He dips a finger into the mix and tastes it]

JEFFREY

Antonius, did you do this?

ANTONIUS

[Barely a whimper] Yessir.

JEFFREY

I think you should go on home, Antonius. I'll be reporting to your teacher in the morning.

[TRIUMPH/FAILURE]

[Fade back to the school. Antonius is sitting at his desk, looking terrified as Mrs. Butterfield and Chef Steffens whisper to each other.]

MRS. BUTTERFIELD

Antonius, Chef Steffens called me with comments on your apprenticeship. I was quite surprised to hear this about you.

ANTONIUS

...I understand. I'm very sorry.

MRS. BUTTERFIELD

Sorry? Chef Steffens went crazy over your cupcake recipe! He wants to add coffee cupcakes to his menu, and he wants you as a permanent on the nightshift!

ANTONIUS

P-Permanent?!

MRS. BUTTERFIELD

Congratulations, Antonius!

JEFFREY

[he slaps a hand on Antonius’s shoulder] It’ll be good to have you on my crew. I need the extra help...especially in the evening time.

ANTONIUS

I-I’m not sure if I will be of any use, sir.

JEFFREY

Don’t worry, kid! I’ll teach you the ropes of...my occupation. You’ll be an expert in no time.

[KICKER]

[Scene cuts to the cupcake shop, with Chef Steffens standing in front of his board. He is holding a red marker and rubbing his chin.]

JEFFREY

I think I'm getting closer. There's a vampire just under my nose, I just have to find it.