The Script

EXT. TIGER’S JUNGLE HOME - MORNING

MOTHER TIGRESS, loving yet tired, walks into a continuous circle with her tail fixed at the center of the ring. The carpet has a path worn from daily repetition.

TIGER CUB, a fuzzball with endless energy, almost knocks over the vase which Mother Tigress prevents.

Tiger Cub almost jumps on the chaise lounge, which mother tiger prevents.

Tiger cub almost tips over the washbasin but mother tiger both prevents this and puts tiger cub in a bubble bath.

EXT. TRAVEL FROM CITY TO JUNGLE - DAY

The city is cold and grey.

VAIN MAN, a European gentleman trapper, rides upon HOBBY HORSE from screen right to middle of the screen.

Pull out to reveal that the background is literally scrolling bye from civilization to untamed jungle.

Everything about Vain Man is controlled. His Tea bounces with each trot of Hobby Horse. The page of his book turns steadily. His cravat waves in the air. The cage swings in rhythm until . . . the door opens.

Vain Man spins his head around changing from quiet confidence to focused greed. He stares intensely at the cage, jams his teacup down on the tea caddy, and slams closed his book.

From above, in pixilation, we read the title:

"How to Catch a Tiger Cub"

This book cover serves as the title card of the film.

EXT. JUNGLE - DAY

Vain Man dismounts from Hobby Horse. He pulls something from a drawer on Hobby Horse and starts with quiet confidence and collected intent through the foliage.

EXT. TIGER’S JUNGLE COURT - DAY

Mother Tigress sits on her chaise lounge thrown.

Vain Man enters screen right as if approaching royalty. We behold what she cannot, that he is two-faced.

Mother Tigress pushes Tiger Cub back so she is between the baby and the intruder.

Vain Man presents her a mirror.

At first, Mother Tigress doesn't know what to think. Vain Man positions the mirror so she can see herself for a brief moment. She blushes and then reaches her paw turned a hand to receive the gift.

Mother Tigress is captivated in pink light during a "glamour shot" moment of beholding her own beauty for the first time.

Tiger Cub does not trust Vain Man. Vain Man shows his greedy face as Mother's attention is elsewhere.

As Mother Tigress returns her gaze to Vain Man, his face spins back to its quiet confident side.

Vain Man carefully approaches Mother Tigress and retrieves the mirror.

Mother Tigress looks at him with yearning. 

With a hop in his step, Vain Man mounts his Hobby Horse and leaves.

Focus on his greedy face as he and Hobby Horse ride away toward the camera.

EXT. TIGER’S JUNGLE HOME -

A repeat of scene 1, but Mother Tiger is distracted. She is at the washbasin trying to find her reflection and get some attention on herself.

Tiger Cub knocks over a vase. Mother Tigress comes but is too late.

Tiger Cub jumps on the chaise lounge and rips the upholstery. Mother looks on discouraged.

Tiger cub jumps into the washbasin, splashes and tips over the remains of the water.

The reflection is now gone. Mother Tigress snaps and punishes Tiger Cub. Both sulk.

EXT. TIGER’S JUNGLE COURT - DUSK

Vain Man returns.

The court looks less regal and shows signs of the difficult day.

Mother Tigress sulks on her chaise lounge thrown.

Vain Man, growing tired of his own charade, approaches in a less than courtly manner and bares the mirror.

Mother Tigress excitedly grabs the mirror with her hand and sits erect, in an almost human fashion.

With mom distracted, Vain Man shows his true greedy face and grabs Tiger Cub. He runs away in a villainous, dastardly way. He cages Tiger Cub, mounts Hobby Horse, and rides away quickly.

Moments pass before Mother Tigress looks up from the mirror to find that Tiger Cub has been taken.

Mother Tigress is all animal in her rage and determined to retrieve her baby.

EXT. CHASE - DUSK

Mother Tigress, full of fury, chases after Vain Man, Hobby Horse, and caged Tiger Cub. As if on a treadmill, she can't seem to get to them.

Vain Man looks back, showing his Greedy face to Mother Tigress for the first time.

Mother Tigress, enraged, leaps onto the scrolling background, digging her claws in and gaining ground.

The scroll rips.

Vain Man pulls a lever.

The ground opens.

Mother Tigress grasps at the air frantically and then plummets downward.

INT. MIRROR PIT - THAT MOMENT

Mother Tigress finds herself in a pit full of mirrors. She tries to fight it but succumbs to the pull.

"I am so beautiful, so graceful, so fierce" the mirrors seem to call as they sink their claws into her.

Mother Tigress is trapped.

EXT. CITY - SUNSET

Vain Man rides along. He is so pleased with his greedy self.

Hobby Horse saunters, head held high.

Tiger Cub is caged. He tries to break free. Unsuccessful.

TIGER CUB

as if calling for his lost mother

ROAR!!!!!

INT. MIRROR PIT - THAT MOMENT

Mother Tigress stares soullessly at the mirrors.

The sound of Tiger Cub's cry cracks the glass.

Mother Tigress snaps to with full life and glares into camera with determined ferocity.