{THOMAS}
Something is approaching, Alvin
This is where it starts
{ALVIN}
My God, you're dull
{THOMAS}
Tuesday's embryonic idea
Wednesday, could be climbing the charts
{ALVIN}
Ah, look at that snow!
{THOMAS}
Suddenly, imagination
Percolates and spins
{ALVIN}
Excellent packing qualities, a light dusting of powder...
{THOMAS}
That's the ancient art of creation
{ALVIN}
The perfect combination...
{THOMAS}
And here's where it begins
{ALVIN}
C'mon, let's go outside!!
{THOMAS}
Shh!
A spark can be extinguished, Alvin
With the slightest move
Let me flame this fan of a thought
At least until I'm into a groove
{ALVIN}
It's not gonna last forеver!
{THOMAS}
Ideas are just visitors
Ephеmeral and rare
I just need something down on this paper!
Still, nothing there
{ALVIN}
Look up from your page, Tom!
{THOMAS}
Where's the inspiration
A writer needs a muse
I need some inspiration
There's not much here to use
{ALVIN}
If you need me, I'll be outside maintaining a tradition, alone!
{THOMAS}
Aren't you a little old for that?
Ideas are important
But ideas aren't enough
Next, you need a viable outline
Then the work gets tough
And that's the part that separates
The children from the men
Then your only friend in the world
Becomes your favorite pen
{ALVIN}
I'm making a snow angel!
{THOMAS}
Structure
You struggle with structure and form
Working out one little spot
A twist of the plot
But still, you're just getting warm
Patience
With patience, you finish a draft
Assuming you get to this part
It's ten percent art
Really, it's more about craft
And rules
The rules are swimming through your mind
Because you memorized each textbook and lecture
Every detail is reworked and redefined
Building stories is just architecture
(ALVIN gets up to look at his creation.)
{ALVIN}
Look at me, Tom, look at me!
Oh, I got snow down my pants!
(THOMAS watches ALVIN.)
{THOMAS}
But it's elusive, Alvin
It's like
Angels in the snow
Turn your back, and there they go
It's life
(laughs)
STAND BACK, AL, HERE I COME!
(THOMAS runs outside.)
Everything is starting, Alvin
Everything is real!
{ALVIN}
Make your angel right over here
The snow is just ideal!
{BOTH}
If only for a moment, we'll have perfect angel twins!
(They stand and admire their work.)
{THOMAS}
Thank you for the fine demonstration
Now move out the way!
{ALVIN}
This might be the most inspiration
You have felt all day!
{BOTH}
That's the ancient art of creation
Proudly on display
And here's
Where it begins!