The Adventures of Paddington Spec Script - Tea Ceremony

INT. PADDINGTON’S BEDROOM - DAY

Paddington sits on his bed with pen and paper in hand, ready to write a letter.

PADDINGTON (V.O.)

Dear Aunt Lucy, I’ve come to find that London isn’t the only place that enjoys a good spot of tea.

CUT TO:

INT. BROWN’S FAMILY KITCHEN - ONE DAY EARLIER

Mrs. Bird stands at the counter fully engrossed with mixing. Mr. and Mrs. Brown sit at the table drinking tea when Paddington walks in.

PADDINGTON

Morning Mr. and Mrs. Brown.

MR. BROWN/MRS. BROWN

Morning Paddington.

PADDINGTON

Morning Mrs. Bird.

Mrs. Bird is too busy to answer. Judy and Jonathan run into the kitchen. Jonathan’s shirt is noticeably damp.

JUDY

Hurry up Jonathan, we’re gonna be late for school.

JONATHAN

I know, but it’s not entirely my fault my toothbrush fell in the loo.

They all hear gurgling from the upstairs bathroom. Mr. Brown perks up.

MR. BROWN

(to Jonathan)

What did you say?

JONATHAN

Nothing! I’ll get it out later. Promise. Come on Judy let’s go!

JUDY

(to herself)

Ugh, so disgusting.

Judy waves before the two of them dash out the door. Mr. Brown abruptly stands up.

MR. BROWN

I’ll go check on the toothbrush situation.

MRS. BROWN

Thank you dear.

(to Paddington)

So what do you have planned today?

Mrs. Brown glances at the frantic Mrs. Bird.

MR. BROWN

Perhaps Mrs. Bird might need your help.

Mrs. Bird shakes her head.

MRS. BIRD

There is no need, I’m fine.

And continues huffing over her mixing.

PADDINGTON

Are you sure? Cause you seem-

Paddington gets hit in the head with a spoon that accidentally slips from Mrs. Bird hand. Mrs. Brown finishes his sentence.

MRS. BROWN

-stressed.

MRS. BIRD

Sorry about that wee bear.

Paddington rubs his forehead.

PADDINGTON

That’s quite alright. I plan to pay a visit to Mr. Curry anyways.

Mrs. Bird sighs, glancing at the recipe.

MRS. BIRD

On second thought. I could use an extra pair of hands. Or paws in this case.

PADDINGTON (V.O.)

Mrs. Bird hardly asks for anything Aunt Lucy. So I knew this was important.

PADDINGTON

I’m at your service.

Mrs. Brown gets up to leave.

MRS. BROWN

Best of luck to you both.

(calling out to Mr. Brown)

Did you get it dear?

Mrs. Bird abruptly turns to paddington after she’s gone.

MRS. BIRD

Paddington, I have a dear friend, who’s originally from Japan, coming for tea tomorrow and I’m in charge of dessert.

PADDINGTON

From Japan?

MRS. BIRD

Yes, she’s only been in town a few month. We met at my Friday moped club.

PADDINGTON

I didn’t know you had a moped club.

PADDINGTON (V.O.)

Mrs. Bird is always full of surprises, Aunt Lucy.

PADDINGTON

Well, when does our guest arrive?

MRS. BIRD

Tomorrow morning.

PADDINGTON

Then I’ll get started on the marmalade straight away.

MRS. BIRD

Oh that won’t be necessary. I’m hoping to make this.

She presents a picture of a kasutera tea cake. It’s a rather simple treat, cut in thin rectangles.

MRS. BIRD

This here is a Japanese kasutera cake.

PADDINGTON

Ooooo, that looks delicious!

MRS. BIRD

Says here after baking it must chill in the fridge over night.

PADDINGTON

Splendid, we have plenty of time.

MRS. BIRD

True, but I’ve already messed up my first five batches! It’s deceptively difficult.

We see a few kasutera cake batters in different bowls.

PADDINGTON

Is it possible you are putting too much pressure on yourself?

Mrs. Bird laughs this off.

MRS. BIRD

Nonsense.

PADDINGTON

I see, I guess there’s nothing we can’t do together.

MRS. BIRD

But it’s important I make a good impression, it must be perfect.

Paddington smiles. Then we hear Mr. Brown from upstairs.

MR. BROWN (O.S.)

I got it!! That was really stuck down in there.

INT. BROWN’S FAMILY KITCHEN - DAY TO NIGHT

Quick montage. Mrs. Bird and Paddington get started on a new batch. We see cake after cake not coming out perfect. Paddington sits by the oven to take it out at precisely the right time. To get Mrs. Bird to lighten up Paddington tries to juggle some eggs before dropping them, creating a mess. Then finally, Mrs. Bird takes out a perfectly baked cake. She wraps it up and sets it in the fridge.

PADDINGTON

(to cake)

Sleep well.

MRS. BIRD

Thank you, Paddington.

Paddington’s eyes sparkle.

INT. PADDINGTON’S ROOM - NEXT DAY

Paddington sits up and exclaims to Mr. Pigeonton.

PADDINGTON

The kasutera cake!

He runs out, but quickly turns back to address Mr. Pigeonton.

PADDINGTON

And good morning, Mr. Pigeonton.

INT. BROWN’S FAMILY KITCHEN - DAY

Mrs. Bird is taking the cake out of the fridge. Before Paddington can see it the Brown family comes bustling through.

JONATHAN

Bye everyone!

JUDY

I can’t believe you used that toothbrush this morning.

They bump into Mrs. Bird almost causing the cake to fall.

JONATHAN

Hey! At least I washed it first.

Mr. Brown runs into Mrs. Bird. The cake goes flying in the air, Paddington barely catches it on time.

MR. BROWN

Sorry!

Mrs. Brown bumps into Paddington but he manages to hold onto the cake.

MRS. BROWN

Pardon me Paddington, I have to go downtown to get some oil paints. They’re on sale!

PADDINGTON

No worries Mr. and Mrs. Brown.

After everyone is out the door Paddington and Mrs. Brown let out a breath of air.

PADDINGTON

That was close.

However, when Paddington brings the cake to the table, in slow motion, he fumbles and part of the cake ends up on the floor. They both gasp. The cake is now slightly lopsided.

PADDINGTON

Oh no, I’m so sorry Mrs. Bird.

They both jump when they hear a knock at the door.

PADDINGTON

Why don't you get your friend and I’ll attempt to make this look the way it did before.

He grabs a fork.

MRS. BIRD

Bless you sweet bear.

Paddington looks at the cake determined.

INT. BROWN’S FAMILY LIVING ROOM - DAY

Mrs. Bird shows Mrs. Sakuma to the living room.

MRS. SAKUMA

Thank you for inviting me over! It’s hard making friends in a new place.

MRS. BIRD

Oh I understand. It’s a pleasure to have you. Please, sit sit.

MRS. SAKUMA

Do you happen to have a whisk? Any kind will do. I forgot my wooden one at home, but the tea will still taste the same… more or less.

Mrs. Sakuma giggles.

MRS. SAKUMA

Apologies for that.

Mrs. Sakuma then takes off her shoes and pulls out slippers from her purse, placing them on her feet.

MRS. BIRD

Yes absolutely! And Paddington will be joining us shortly.

MRS. SAKUMA

I can’t wait to meet him.

CUT TO:

INT. BROWN’S FAMILY KITCHEN - DAY

Paddington raises his fork.

PADDINGTON

Maybe if I take a little off the side here.

The fork cuts the cake like butter but Paddington cuts too big of a piece off.

PADDINGTON

Oops, and a little here I guess too.

He goes to town and more gets shaved off.

CUT TO:

INT. BROWN’S LIVING ROOM - DAY

Mrs. Sakuma and Mrs. Bird clear off the table.

MRS. BIRD

One moment, I’ll get that whisk for you.

Mrs. Sakuma smiles. Sitting on the carpet, she sets up her tea supplies for matcha. Cups, bowls, etc on the coffee table.

INT. BROWN FAMILY’S KITCHEN - DAY

The cake is now a small square. He takes the scraps to add some back as Mrs. Bird barges in and sees the mushy cake.

MRS. BIRD

What happened?!

PADDINGTON

I tired to fix it, but I-I... failed.

Mrs. Bird stands frozen.

PADDINGTON

I take full responsibility.

Walking over to a kitchen drawer to pull out a big whisk. She glances at the cake and gives a hearty laugh.

MRS. BIRD

You will do no such thing. We’re in this together. It never had to be perfect in the first place.

PADDINGTON

It will still taste great though.

MRS. BIRD

That it will.

With Paddington holding the tiny cake and Mrs. Bird with a whisk they exit the kitchen.

INT. BROWN’S LIVING ROOM - DAY

Mrs. Sakuma gets up and bows to Paddington before helping with the cake.

MRS. SAKUMA

Oh I can grab that. Nice to meet you Paddington.

PADDINGTON

And you as well.

She looks to see the cake. Her eyes brighten at the two of them.

MRS. SAKUMA

You made a kasutera cake?

(awkward long pause)

This is my favorite! How did you know!?

MRS. BIRD

Next time it’ll look even better I promise.

PADDINGTON

Absolutely, we want to only impress you Mrs. Sakuma. It’s especially important for Mrs. Bird.

MRS. SAKUMA

The fact that you made something that reminds me of my culture means everything to me. And maybe next time we could even have some of your marmalade sandwiches. I hear they’re quite good.

Paddington beams. Mrs. Bird hands her the big whisk.

MRS. SAKUMA

Ah, this is perfect.

Mrs. Sakuma motions them over.

MRS. SAKUMA

Come take a look.

The table is set up with a beautiful teapot full of hot water from a thermos Mrs. Sakuma brought.

PADDINGTON

Whoa.

MRS. BIRD

Simply beautiful.

They all sit on the carpet. Mrs. Sakuma begins making the tea. Using the large whisk that’s about as large as the bowl.

MRS. SAKUMA

You see in Japan we have tea ceremonies to show our appreciation and gratitude towards our family and friends.

PADDINGTON

Mrs. Bird makes sure tea is always ready for us. No matter how busy she is. And I assure you she’s quite busy.

MRS. BIRD

Well of course I do, I love each and everyone in this household. Even when it’s a zoo.

Mrs. Sakuma laughs at this.

MRS. SAKUMA

Matcha is just made a bit differently, but it still has all the love and adoration.

With a last flick of her whisk she pours the frothy tea out of the bowl into the tea cups. They each smell their tea and take a sip. Paddington’s eyes bug out and he coughs a bit.

MRS. SAKUMA

A little bitter, huh?

Mrs. Sakuma and Mrs. Bird both laugh.

MRS. BIRD

That means she made it well.

MRS. SAKUMA

You will get use to it.

Paddington takes another sip and after tasting the tea again he smiles. They all start chatting.

MRS. SAKUMA

So at our next moped club meeting I’m thinking-

The dialogue gets muffled out as we see them continuing to enjoy each other’s company.

INT. PADDINGTON’S ROOM - LATER

Paddington sits on his bed continuing to write the letter to Aunt Lucy.

PADDINGTON (V.O.)

So you see Aunt Lucy, we all gather for tea for similar reasons, even if we come from different parts of the world.

INT. BROWN’S LIVING ROOM - FLASHBACK EARLIER TODAY

Mrs. Sakuma makes more matcha tea. Paddington secretly tries to sneak in marmalade, to sweeten it up, but Mrs. Bird catches him. They all laugh and try the marmalade in their tea as well.

INT. PADDINGTON’S ROOM - LATER

Still writing the letter.

PADDINGTON (V.O.)

One day I’d like to make matcha tea for you, so you’ll know how much I appreciate you being in my life.

EXT. BROWN’S FAMILY FRONT DOOR - FLASHBACK EARLIER TODAY

Paddington and Mrs. Bird see their guest out.

INT. PADDINGTON’S ROOM - LATER

Sealing the letter.

PADDINGTON (V.O.)

Love, from Paddington.

Paddington hears a loud splash.

MR. BROWN (O.S.)

Oh no!!!

MRS. BROWN (O.S.)

Oh darling, did you just drop your toothbrush in the loo?

MR. BROWN (O.S.)

Maybe…

JONATHAN (O.S.)

See, it’s not just me!

Paddington laughs and takes his hat off to rest on his bed.

CUT TO BLACK.

END OF EPISODE