Some of the best film "set-up" dialogue I've heard in a long time:
"He's come to collect."
"I thought so. He's early.
"What can I do?"
"Nothing."
"Must be something. How many days left?"
"Three. You know, you're gonna have to tell her soon."
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The above occurs at 13:44 into "The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus" by Terry Gilliam.
A very short sequence, but perfect in it's purpose.
I think it's brilliant. This simple bit of dialogue introduces the "person with a problem" aspect with immediacy and nervousness. It then brings a sub-plot into the expectations of the viewer and begins to lead the viewer on into the journey that is storytelling through film. Questions flood the brain; "Who's coming? What does he intend to collect?, What's the deadline about?, Who is this "her" that the character needs to "tell soon"?
Brilliant.
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