GRIT

Written by

Lex Wilkinson

INT. LIVING ROOM, SEAN AND ZOE’S HOUSE - EVENING1 1

The house is BARE: virtually NO CHARACTER OR LIFE has been put into it. You could easily REMOVE any EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENT to the place if you needed to. Wooden floors contrast HORRIBLY with the FADED PATTERNS of the seating furniture and the BLAND white walls act as a RESTRICTION to imagination. Very reminiscent to a WHITE PADDED CELL.

Seated around the front of a SOFA are THREE YOUNG ADULTS playing 21’S on a SMALL TABLE in the middle of them. The goal is simple: get as close to 21 as possible without going over. If you do, you’re out. Saying ‘hit me’ will get you another card from the deck but only to a maximum hand of 5 CARDS. Jack, Queen and King are value of 10 whilst an Ace can be 1 or 11.

SEAN BREWER: TALL, INTELLIGENT and a great TASTE in FASHION. Seated on a foldable chair, his posture is IMPECCABLE. It’s as if his vertebrae were a single plank of wood fused to his pelvis and skull. In front of him on the table are TWO PLAYING CARDS: a KING OF CLUBS an ACE OF HEARTS to total a perfect 21. He’s won this round but the man opposite him is still HOLDING his cards.

Opposite him on the LEFT SIDE of the sofa is ZOE OLSEN: Sean’s GIRLFRIEND. It’s easy to see why Sean believes he’s punching ABOVE his weight: BEAUTY and BRAINS. Atop her salon-worthy BLACK HAIR rests a DARK BLUE BEANIE to match her temperature; she’s attempted to battle the cold with a grey SWEATSHIRT. The way she is sat indicates she is COMFORTABLE around her close friends. A nice change for her otherwise, INTROVERTED NATURE. Her FOUR PLAYING CARDS are face-up on the table. A 4 OF SPADES; a 5 OF HEARTS; an ACE of CLUBS; a 4 OF SPADES and a 9 OF DIAMONDS for a total of 23. She tried to be clever with her ace but blew it by being greedy.

Beside her is the comedian himself: PERRY HAGUE. The pure definition of CASUAL. T-shirt, shorts, none of this designer label bollocks or dress-to-impress attitude that he cares so little for. His back is arched forward like it’s being used as a makeshift ski-slope for mice whilst SCANNING his THREE PLAYING CARDS. His usually LIVELY, BROWN EYES seem FIXATED on them, as if he’s challenged the damn things to a staring contest; and the fucker’s WINNING.

The words ‘CHAPTER 1: A SOUND LIE’ APPEAR: as if they were printed on the INSIDE of the LENS. We MOVE ROUND to the RIGHT SIDE of the table and are DRAWN to Perry SLAMMING his cards down onto it. An ACE OF CLUBS; a 3 OF DIAMONDS; a 10 OF DIAMONDS and a JACK OF SPADES: 24.

PERRYFuck it!

ZOE(Winces)

Tough luck.

She suddenly makes a REALISATION.

ZOE (CONT’D)You were bust anyway!

She POINTS at the cards as she LISTS THEM.

ZOE (CONT’D)A one, three and two tens!

PERRYCan’t give Sean the satisfaction of winning all the time.

ZOEFuck sake.

Perry CHUCKLES as he picks up his cards and HANDS THEM OVER to Sean.

SEANCheers. Again?

PERRYGo for it: I ain’t leaving til I’ve won at least once!

Sean begins to COLLECT the other cards.

SEANAnd because we’ve ordered pizza.

Sean RESHUFFLES the deck.

ZOE(To Perry)

I’ve done a, er, new painting Pehz.

PERRYHave you?

ZOEI’ll get it.

SEANShall I keep dealing?

ZOEYeah.

The words KEEP DEALING are on the wall beside ZOE as she LEAVES the room: representing Sean’s SUBCONSCIOUS THOUGHTS. KEY WORDS that stand out to him. Sean DEALS out a card to each seat and to himself and then repeats a second time.

2.

PERRY(To Sean)

It’s not a still life of you naked I hope.

SEANWell now you’ve just ruined the surprise.

PERRY(Laughing)

Fuck that!

The two LAUGH as Zoe COMES BACK with a MEDIUM SIZED CANVAS with a painting on it. Perry looks up: the painting is of a dead man on a bed in an apparent suicide. Very similar to Edouard Manet’s ‘Le Suicide’. Behind her on the FRIDGE are some magnets that spell out SCHIZO.

PERRY (CONT’D)Wow, morbid.

‘MORBID’ APPEARS in the background.

ZOEIgnoring that: what d’you think?

PERRYPretty fucking good. You should think about bunging them in a gallery or something.

ZOEI’m thinking of doing that. Sean likes the idea too.

SEANYeah, gives your talent a spotlight.

PERRYAnd there’s me struggling to colour within the lines!

The trio LAUGH as ZOE EXITS to return the canvas back on the easel she took it from inside the conservatory. As she does there’s a KNOCK on the DOOR.

SEANI’ll get that.

PERRYPuh-puh-puh-pizza!

3.

INT. CORRIDOR - SEAN AND ZOE’S HOUSE - EVENING1A 1A

Sean proceeds down the empty corridor and OPENS the DOOR. Stood there is a PIZZA DELIVERY MAN with their food. His face is hidden under a BLACK CAP. It’s ARCHIE, who we will be seeing soon. Sean doesn’t TAKE ANY NOTICE of his face.

PIZZA DELIVERY MANDouble Cheese and Tomato and a Chicken Combo.

SEANThat’s us.

The Delivery Man hands Sean over the TWO pizza boxes. We catch a GLIMPSE of the company name and slogan: UNREAL PIZZA CO. “So Good It’s Unreal!”

PIZZA DELIVERY MANThere you go, so that’ll be eighten-ninety-eight.

SEANEighteen... ninety-eight...

Sean takes out his WALLET and hands the Delivery Man the exact change. The Delivery Man LINGERS for a second before LEAVING; saying NOTHING as he does. Sean SHRUGS this off and returns to the others with the food.

SEAN (CONT’D)I bear food.

ZOE(Prolonged)

Yeah.

PERRYSweet! You gonna eat the tomatoes this time?

SEANThat’s why I bought one.

PERRYOk, cause last time, you bitched about how funny they tasted.

SEANI reckon it was just a dodgy batch.

The trio TUCK IN to their food and the next round of 21s begins. Perry makes his choice through a mouthful of food.

PERRYHit me!

Sean deals him a card as we slowly BACK AWAY from them.

4.

EXT. FLARED OWLS PARK - DAY2 2

Sean and Zoe are SAT TOGETHER on a PARK BENCH. The words ‘CHAPTER 2: FLARED OWLS’ APPEARS. Zoe is LEANING against Sean: comforted by his arm AROUND her. A cute couple. They seem CONTENT with one another’s COMPANY. Sean is SCANNING the park. Analysing the green plain to make sure that it is just them two alone.

SEANI like it when the park’s quiet.

ZOEIt’s so peaceful. I just, love being outside.

A SILENT 5 as Sean INHALES DEEPLY through his nose and EXHALES via his mouth, still SURVEYING the open green world of the park: population TWO.

SEANSo nice...

ZOEI’d love to go camping, sometime.

SEAN...camping?

ZOEYeah: grab a couple tents and just spend a night out in the woods or something. There’s something about the fresh air that, makes you feel alive.

The word ‘ALIVE’ APPEARS as A RANDOM JOGGER passes by. It’s ARCHIE again but Sean still DOESN’T notice him.

SEANAlive huh? You could become a jungle girl and make shit out of twigs and leaves.

They both GIGGLE and TIGHTEN their grips around each other. A VIBRATION distracts Sean: he reaches down to his pocket and pulls out a MOBILE PHONE. He UNLOCKS it and a TEXT MESSAGE from Perry appears: FLOATING in the air beside him.

The message reads: ‘Hey man, wanna come over later?’ Sean replies, ‘Yeah sure, what time?’ ‘Later ;)’ Sean expels a HUFF of LAUGHTER, attracting Zoe’s attention.

ZOEThat Perry?

5.

SEANYeah, he’s inviting us over to his later.

ZOECould be good.

SEANI’ve said yeah, we can head straight there after we’re done.

ZOEThat’s cool.

Silence befalls the duo as they maintain their EMBRACE. We linger for a few SECONDS.

EXT. PERRY’S HOUSE - DAY3 3

Sean and Zoe ARRIVE at Perry’s house: very STANDARD and RESIDENTIAL, no defining features to note. Sean KNOCKS on the door THREE TIMES and waits. A few seconds pass and NO RESPONSE. Sean tries AGAIN to NO AVAIL.

SEANWeird, surely he’d be in if he’s expecting us.

ZOENot on the toilet, is he?

SEANI’ll give him a bell.

Sean takes his PHONE out and RINGS PERRY. MORE SILENCE passes as it eventually goes to the automated voice stating the person cannot be reached. He puts his phone AWAY.

ZOENow what?

SEANNo idea... I guess we could wait-

Sean’s vision is suddenly attracted to a WELL DRESSED male: Archie. The SWAGGER subliminally hidden inside his GAIT would make a God look PALTRY in comparison. Possibly the SUAVEST bastard you’ll ever meet. If he were to smile it wouldn’t be surprising if his teeth SPARKLED.

He looks CONFIDENT and FRIENDLY. That SHINY smile worn with PRIDE, BEAMING across his face. Despite this, he isn’t VAIN or COCKY; just a very NICE GUY with everything going good for him.

ARCHIEHey there.

6.

SEANHi, er-

ARCHIEYou here to see Perry too?

SEANYeah, he er, invited us over I’m sorry you are?

ARCHIEArchie, excuse my sudden arrival.

The words ‘ARCHIE’ and ‘ARRIVAL’ APPEAR. Archie OFFERS a HAND in greeting. Sean GLANCES at it and ignores it. UNSURE of who this man even is.

SEANSean.

Zoe ACCEPTS Archie’s handshake.

ZOEAnd I’m Zoe.

ARCHIESo: lazy cunt not up?

SEANHe’s not answered the door, tried calling him too.

ARCHIEHm, weird. Have you tried opening the door?

SEANWell, no I didn’t think-

Archie walks between Sean and Zoe and TURNS the door handle: it OPENS and the trio PAUSE.

ARCHIESurely he’d remember to lock his door...

INT. CORRIDOR - PERRY’S HOUSE - DAY3A 3A

Archie STEPS INSIDE the house. Sean and Zoe look at each other and FOLLOW him.

INT. LIVING ROOM - PERRY’S HOUSE - DAY3B 3B

Inside the house it seems normal: UNIMAGINATIVE DECOR lines every corner of the building.

7.

They enter the LIVING ROOM and find a MESS; items STREWN across the floor and the appearance of a RUCK having happened.

ZOEShit.

SEANWhat happened here?

ARCHIELooks like he was in a rush-

The word ‘RUSH’ APPEARS. Archie turns to Sean and speaks DIRECTLY to him.

ARCHIE (CONT’D)Trying to get away from something.

Sean is SUSPICIOUS of ARCHIE. The comment feeling a little too PERSONAL but he shrugs it off anyway.

Archie FLAPS his arms up and lets them DROP back to his sides: admitting he has no idea what’s happened.

ARCHIE (CONT’D)Well it doesn’t look assuring does it?

ZOEShould we call the police?

The word ‘POLICE’ APPEARS. Archie POINTS to her. There’s a BRIEF PAUSE as the other two stand in CONFUSION. Unsure as to why Archie is pointing at Zoe.

ARCHIEGood idea. My uncle’s a local constable, I can contact him and get him down here.

ZOEThat’s handy.

ARCHIEI can hang about until he gets here. You two should go home, don’t want anyone to think you’re a suspect.

ZOEThat’s true. Sean.

Zoe has given the GREEN LIGHT to the idea, hinting to Sean that they should leave and avoid becoming POSSIBLE SUSPECTS to Perry’s disappearance.

8.

SEANErm...

ZOEWe shouldn’t stay.

Sean gives an ANALYTICAL look towards Archie: one last ‘I’m watching you’ gaze to assert the fact he’s SUSPICIOUS. Ultimately though, Sean ABIDES and begins to AMBLE over to the corridor.

ARCHIEIf I give you my number, we can arrange a meet up tomorrow. Have a talk about it.

ZOEThat’d be good.

Zoe takes out her PHONE and readies herself to note down his number.

ARCHIEOh-nine, one-three... one, seven, nine... one-four... five, four.

ZOE...Got it.

ARCHIECool, right then: I’ll arrange something and see you two tomorrow.

ZOESee ya.

Sean IGNORES the FAREWELLS and LEAVES Perry’s house with Zoe. Sean CLOSES the door BEHIND them and stops.

ZOE (CONT’D)You alright?

SEANI don’t like this one bit.

ZOEWhy?

SEANThat Archie guy. Why are we trusting him?

ZOEI don’t know. Why shouldn’t we?

SEANWe’ve just met the guy and we’ve left him in Perry’s house.

9.

ZOEHmm. I think he’s alright.

Sean acknowledges this with a LIGHT NOD.

SEANWell I’m holding my opinions for now.

Sean WALKS UP to Zoe and they begin to WALK OFF TOGETHER.

EXT. FALLEN TREE - FLARED OWLS PARK - DAY4 4

Sean and Zoe are stood next a DEAD FALLEN TREE. As LIFELESS as the mood, seen by the deflated BODY LANGUAGE Sean is emitting. Despite his confidence, the shell is slowly CRACKING. Zoe is surprisingly calm, although OPTIMISM is in her nature. She remains HOPEFUL that Archie can provide the solution, or at least some part of one, to the problem.

Archie ARRIVES several seconds later and HEAVES himself up on top of the WOODEN CARCASS. He is seated like a king on a throne, looking down at the peasants and derelicts below. In truth he is simply a confident man, strangely chirpy despite the recent tragedy.

ARCHIEHey, you two OK? Managing alright?

ZOEYeah.

ARCHIEIt’s gotten cold very abruptly today.

ZOEI’m glad I put a coat on.

ARCHIEThey say it might snow, think it will?

SEANIs this appropriate right now?

ARCHIESuppose it isn’t. Thought I would try and spawn a conversation.

SEANWhat did your uncle say?

ARCHIEHm?

10.

SEANYour uncle, you rang him right?

ARCHIEOh yes, I did yeah. So: he came over and said that there wasn’t any sign of foul play or suspicious activities.

SEAN(Disbelief)

But the living room was a shithole.

ARCHIENot enough it seems, bit of a discouragement that.

Sean’s body language suggests he is ANNOYED by this disappointing outcome. He RAISES a hand slightly and lets GRAVITY bring it down onto the bark.

SEAN(Agitated)

Well now what?

ARCHIEWe just wait: see if anything happens. We didn’t find a phone or other personal belongings so maybe he went out. Just didn’t come back.

SILENCE. It seems an ETERNITY before it’s broken by Archie.

ARCHIE (CONT’D)So how do you two know Perry?

SEANLong time friend. I’ve known him since we were 11.

ZOEMet him at a party. When me and Sean got together.

ARCHIEHow long has that been?

ZOE6 years.

SEAN6, yeah.

ARCHIE (CONT’D)Wow, no ring?

ZOEWe’re only young!

Sean smiles at Zoe’s RESPONSE, Archie does too. Sean’s expression returns to a PARTIAL STERNNESS.

11.

SEANHow about you: how long have you known Perry?

Sean maintains a SOLID STARE at Archie. As if he were ANTICIPATING a mistake or trying to SPOT something amiss in his answer.

ARCHIEStrangely enough 6 years also.

ZOEOh wow really?

ARCHIEYeah.

Sean, in an UNBROKEN STARE, responds to the coincidence.

SEANSmall world.

ARCHIEExtremely.

The conversation DIES for a few seconds and Sean DIVERTS his STARE before Zoe REVIVES the chat.

ZOEWe know nothing about you Archie; tell us about yourself.

ARCHIEWhat information do you want to know?

ZOEAny interests or hobbies?

ARCHIEI love to eat.

ZOEFavourite food?

ARCHIEIt would be between pizza or chocolate.

SEANThe bad stuff then.

ARCHIE(Laughing)

Yeah!

12.

Sean only emits a FALSE SMILE. The time isn’t right to be cracking jokes after yesterdays events. Archie doesn’t seem cautious though to LIGHTEN the mood.

ZOEWhat topping?

ARCHIEAnything without tomatoes.

ZOEYou don’t like them?

ARCHIEI fucking, despise them.

ZOESean’s the same.

SEANI eat tomatoes.

ZOEBut you don’t seem to like them.

Sean manages a BRIEF chuckle: Zoe’s right, he doesn’t like tomatoes yet still orders them.

ZOE (CONT’D)(To Archie)

Do you have any pets?

ARCHIENo, that’s too high maintenance.

Sean NODS STRONGLY in AGREEMENT.

ZOECats or dogs?

ARCHIECats. I hate dogs.

‘I HATE DOGS’ APPEARS.

ZOEWhat’ve they done to you?

ARCHIEThey’re very friendly, I get that, but I’m not into the camaraderie.

Zoe nods ACCEPTING Archie’s reasoning.

ARCHIE (CONT’D)Sorry to bring this back onto the topic, but when was the last time you two saw Perry?

13.

ZOEHe messaged Sean yesterday about coming over.

ARCHIERight, same as me then. So none of us have seen him since he invited us round...

ZOENo...

Archie is quiet for a second: THINKING.

ARCHIEOK well, I guess all that can be done now is to wait.

‘WAIT’ APPEARS as Archie DROPS off of the dead tree. He pats Zoe on the SHOULDER and begins to WALK AWAY.

ARCHIE (CONT’D)I’ll start putting the word out.

SEANWhat should we do?

ARCHIEIf he contacts you, make sure you find out where he is.

‘WHERE HE IS’ APPEARS.

Archie is now TOO FAR AWAY to continue the conversation. Zoe looks back round to Sean; who is still watching Archie walk away. She STEPS CLOSER to him.

SEANI can’t work him out.

ZOEHe’s committed though.

SEANHe does, maybe too eager.

Zoe responds with a SLIGHT GLANCE in Sean’s direction to signal her ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of his statement. We LINGER with the duo for a couple more SECONDS. We can almost SEE their THOUGHTS displayed across their faces. Sean has DOUBT and CONCERN. Zoe projects FEAR and WORRY: will they ever find their friend?

INT. LIVING ROOM, SEAN AND ZOE’S HOUSE - DAY5 5

Sean is sat on the SOFA with Zoe WATCHING an unknown film. He is on the left, she on the right.

14.

The film appears to be interesting enough. The couple BARELY BLINKING, either through a vacant stare into the seemingly never-ending pixels or genuine concentration. The words ‘CHAPTER 3: AIDING ME’ APPEAR.

Sean receives a TEXT from Archie and READS it. The text thread APPEARS: FLOATING behind him. The text reads: ‘Someone’s handed in Perry’s wallet, I’ve arranged him to meet you two at Fit Fishes Lake’ Sean JOLTS forward.

ZOEWhat?

SEANPerry’s wallet’s been found.

Sean STANDS UP and enters the CORRIDOR and GRABS his COAT.

ZOEShit.

Sean REENTERS the living room whilst PUTTING ON the coat and SNATCHES his KEYS from the TABLE.

SEANArchie’s got the guy to meet us.

ZOEWhere?

Sean SPEEDS out of the living room again, the intention this time to EXIT the house. We catch a glimpse of the back of him DISAPPEARING round the corner.

SEAN (O.S.)Fit Fishes Lake

We HARD CUT on the beat of the FRONT DOOR SLAMMING SHUT.

EXT. FIT FISHES LAKE - DAY6 6

The gentle waves of the ENORMOUS body of water LAPPING the edges of the pavement that borders it. It’s quiet and TRANQUIL here clearly. For such an area of peace and beauty, there is strangely NO OTHER sign of LIFE.

Sean and Zoe are stood WAITING by the edge of the LAKE. A man in a COAT comes up to them: TRIGG.

TRIGGSean and Zoe?

ZOEYeah.

15.

TRIGGTrigg. Sorry about your friend.

The word ‘TRIGG’ APPEARS.

ZOEThank you.

Sean doesn’t respond, instead his attention is seemingly DRAWN to something Trigg said. Zoe SITS down with Trigg, Sean JOINS them a second after.

ZOE (CONT’D)So you handed in a wallet?

TRIGGYeah, Perry Hague right?

Sean is still bothered by something UNKNOWN to us. Zoe can’t prevent herself from SIGHING: her optimistic outlook on life slowly DETERIORATING the longer their friend is missing.

ZOEWhere did you find it?

TRIGGLieafstalk woods, just lying on the floor.

ZOELieafstalk...

Sean seems to RECOGNISE the name but doesn’t say ANYTHING.

ZOE (CONT’D)Why would he be there?

TRIGGNo idea, could go there and find out?

Sean almost LUNGES in with his question: SURPRISING Zoe.

SEANWhat was in the wallet?

TRIGGErm... there was a credit card, a library one too...

Sean is becoming IMPATIENT. He virtually SPELLS out his next QUESTION. His CLENCHED FIST POUNDING into his other hand’s OPEN PALM to the beat of each emphasised word.

SEANHow. Did. You. Know. It was Perry’s wallet?

16.

Zoe is SHOCKED at Sean’s unprovoked behaviour. Trigg keeps CALM throughout the INTERROGATION.

TRIGGThere was a drivers license.

‘LICENSE’ APPEARS. Sean REACTS as if he has CAUGHT Trigg out: SNAPPING his FINGERS upon hearing this.

SEANPerry doesn’t drive.

Zoe makes the realisation.

ZOEShit, he doesn’t.

SEANHow did you really find that wallet?

TRIGGI work for the council: we were cleaning up the bushes and litter.

SEANConvenient.

ZOESean!

Zoe is getting TIRED of Sean’s accusations and paranoia. Sean REALISES that he’s made a FOOL of himself and STEPS OUT of the conversation area. He LOOKS OUT to the lake to STEM his FRUSTRATION.

ZOE (CONT’D)I’m sorry, he’s finding it. Hard to cope.

TRIGGI get that. If it isn’t your friend’s wallet then I guess I’m no more use to you.

They STAND UP.

ZOEThanks for coming anyway.

Trigg offers a HAND and Zoe SHAKES IT.

TRIGGMy pleasure.

Trigg begins to WALK AWAY. There’s a SILENT 5 as the duo watch him leave.

17.

Zoe’s FRIENDLY face INSTANTLY EXTINGUISHES as an expression of ANGER takes over. She STORMS OVER to Sean with a bone to pick.

ZOEWhat’s your fucking problem!

SEANThat was a waste of our fucking time!

ZOEDon’t be like that. He was trying, to help.

SEANAnswer me this: do you trust him?

‘TRUST HIM?’ APPEARS.

ZOEWhy would I not? He handed in a wallet.

SEANThe wrong wallet! You’re too trusting of people! First Archie and now that guy!

ZOEI’m too trusting, yeah, and you’re too fucking paranoid of everyone!

‘PARANOID’ APPEARS.

SEANWe don’t know these people, for all we know they fucking took him!

ZOEAnd why would they do that? Why would they help us?

Sean pauses, he has NO ANSWER. Perry’s disappearance is taking its toll on him. He SURRENDERS the argument by SILENCING himself.

Zoe chooses to NOT RESPOND to Sean’s surrender, instead she EXHALES in anger and LAUNCHES herself in a direction away from Sean: leaving him there at the lake. Sean LINGERS by the lake for a couple more moments before FOLLOWING Zoe.

INT. SEAN AND ZOE’S HOUSE - DAY7 7

The silence in the house is as empty as the brick carcass containing it. It’s a strange sight to see it STRIPPED of the LAUGHTER and CASUAL CONVERSATION that occurs inside.

18.

We ARRIVE at the FRONT DOOR. A LETTER comes through the LETTERBOX and lands on the mat. Sean DESCENDS down the stairs and PICKS UP the letter. He opens it and reads the note: ‘If you want to know more, come to Lieafstalk Woods’.

The cogs WHIR in his head for a second before the realisation is made: it’s a RANSOM NOTE.

SEAN(Shouts)

Zoe!

We CUT to Sean and Zoe in the living room. Sean is PACING back and forth whilst ZOE reads out the ransom note.

ZOEIf you want to know more, come to Flared Owls Park.

‘FLARED OWLS PARK’ APPEARS. Sean PACES a little more before letting out an exaggerated EXHALE and STORMS out of the house, leaving Zoe in a state of SURPRISE and CONFUSION.

ZOE (CONT’D)Sean!

EXT. FLARED OWLS PARK - DAY8 8

Zoe HASTILY approaches Sean who is stood at a TREE looking IMPATIENT.

SEANNo-one’s here Zoe! No-one’s fucking showed up!

ZOEGive them time! We need, to take this slow.

SEANHow can we when our friend is missing! Do you not care!

ZOEOf course I fucking care! He’s our, friend!

‘OUR FRIEND’ APPEARS.

SEANThey’re toying with us! Archie, is toying with us!

ZOE(Under breath)

What? (Aloud)

19.

(MORE)

You need to calm down! He’s trying to help us!

SEANLike fuck he is!

ZOEYou’re being ridiculous!

‘RIDICULOUS’ APPEARS.

SEANFuck that! Fuck you!

‘FUCK YOU’ APPEARS.

ZOEFuck me? Right, bollocks to this.

SEANWhere are you going?

ZOEAway from you! I hate when you get like this.

‘HATE’ APPEARS.

SEANLike what?

ZOEYou’re acting like, like, a cunt!

Sean almost RECOILS in the unexpectedness of Zoe’s outburst as the ‘. This shock EMPTIES his head of all the RAGE and FRUSTRATION, he almost seems aware that he’s done WRONG.

ZOE (CONT’D)Until you grow up, I think... I need some time away.

‘GROW UP’ APPEARS.

Zoe WALKS AWAY leaving Sean to stand ALONE in the park. There’s a SILENT 5 as he WORKS HIMSELF back up again into a state of RAGE and SHOUTS IN ANGER. Like a SPARTAN screeching their WAR-CRY before going into battle. He FLINGS and arm into the air in the direction ZOE LEFT and walks the OPPOSITE WAY.

EXT. BLUEBELL HILL - AFTERNOON8A 8A

We cut to behind Sean as he’s SEATED on a bench on top of a HILL. THE view is simply STUNNING: it wouldn’t look out of place in a gallery.

20.

ZOE (CONT'D)

As Sean sits STARING out, a TIME-LAPSE OCCURS. An HOUR passes by in a MATTER OF SECONDS, yet Sean seems to not be affected by this.

The time-lapse STOPS and we JUMP to the other side of Sean to see his face BLANK AND VACANT. He takes a SIP of a CAN OF BEER that is firmly CLASPED in his COLD HAND. He ADMIRES the BEAUTY of the BUSTLING LIFE below him.

We come back BEHIND to see his view: the WHITE AND RED LIGHTS emit from the distant MOTORWAY like a steady RIVER of COLOUR. The industrial area portrays a STRONG YELLOW GLOW from its many light sources that add a sense of peace. The AMBIENCE is a beautiful CALM before the seemingly IMMINENT STORM.

He STANDS UP and walks AWAY from US, staggering a little...

EXT. PUBLIC FOOTPATHS - EVENING8B 8B

We HARD CUT to a SNORRICAM of Sean drinking MORE ALCOHOL and WANDERING AROUND the park SHOUTING and VENTING his anger. For a split second, about ONE FRAME, Sean is REPLACED with ARCHIE. The sequence CUTS RANDOMLY to Sean in different STATES: laughing, shouting, angry, confused, drunk.

EXT. STREET - DAY9 9

We cut to Sean in an UNKNOWN location underneath the SPOTLIGHT provided by the nearby lamppost. He takes a long, LINGERING SIP from a can and LOWERS it from his mouth. He stares at the can, ANGER FLOODING into him and reaching a fast approaching BOILING POINT. Sean SPINS and LAUNCHES the can at a wall. The contents EXPLODE and SOAK the impact area. Sean, carried by the momentum of the spin, STAGGERS away: plunging into the DARKNESS that surrounds the solitary glow from the lamppost.

INT. LIVING ROOM, SEAN AND ZOE’S HOUSE - DAY10 10

Sean WAKES UP on the SOFA. His head POUNDS from the hangover after yesterday’s booze-up. He SITS UP and ACCLIMATISES to his situation. The words ‘CHAPTER 4: EARLY EXIT’ APPEAR.

INT. BATHROOM, SEAN AND ZOE’S HOUSE - DAY11 11

We face the mirror HEAD ON as Sean stares at himself. There’s a SILENT 15 as he EXAMINES himself: analysing, detailing, trying to work out what is looking back at him. A husk? Is this him? What has he become?

Several words and phrases APPEAR on the walls: “Regret it?”; “What am I?” and other HEAVY thoughts. Sean gives one final SIGH before EXITING the bathroom.

21.

INT. KITCHEN - SEAN AND ZOE’S HOUSE - DAY11A 11A

Sean is LOST IN THOUGHT again: his OUTSTRETCHED arms pressed against the edge of the WORK-TOP. The TEXT AROUND HIM gives us clues as to what he’s thinking about. PERRY. WHAT IS HE UP TO? WHERE IS HE? ARE YOU SAFE? It’s like a SENTIENT JIGSAW PUZZLE trying to solve itself but to no success.

What started as barely audible background noise GROWS and EVOLVES into a SHARP RAISE IN PITCH AND VOLUME, like PRESSURE BUILDING UP until-

BING

BING

BING

Sean’s thoughts are brought to a sudden HALT: the MICROWAVE. It has finished heating up Sean’s LUNCH: a bowl of SPAGHETTI HOOPS and BEANS. Not exactly roast Grouse but for someone who’s dealing with a lot of stress, it should fill the hole in his belly.

He OPENS the MICROWAVE DOOR and STIRS his food in two QUICK CUTS.

INT. LIVING ROOM, SEAN AND ZOE’S HOUSE - DAY12 12

Another sudden CUT to Sean as he SLUMPS onto the sofa, food in hand. He PICKS UP the REMOTE CONTROL and CHANGES the CHANNEL. He begins to allow his mind to go NUMB and soak in whatever programme he is watching. Before he can though a TEXT MESSAGE from Archie distracts him.

‘You need to watch the news’

Sean grabs the REMOTE again and SWITCHES to the news channel: there’s a report detailing a HUGE STORY on the Perry Hague disappearance.

REPORTER-found in the early hours of the morning inside a tent and has since been identified as the 22 year-old.

Sean stares at the TV: EMOTIONLESS. It’s as if he isn’t able to PROCESS the words the reporter is saying. The camera SLOWLY TURNS 180 DEGREES to show us the report on the TV. There is a SCROLLING HEADLINE BAR at the bottom of the screen it details THE FOLLOWING:

‘...Taylor Durdhen on Thursday.’

22.

‘Sales of Respidoral have risen significantly in the last quarter...’

REPORTER (CONT’D)We have the discoverer of the body here with us-

The news camera pans slightly to reveal ARCHIE stood beside the reporter.

REPORTER (CONT’D)-how did you, come across the body?

ARCHIEWell I was out walking my dog when she start going crazy and, and I followed her, curious, and... there it was... he was just lying there in a tent.

REPORTERAnd it wasn’t just the one body was it?

ARCHIENo there were two oth-

The TV screen is suddenly SHATTERED by the REMOTE CONTROL SMASHING into it. Sean has THROWN it in a fit of RAGE. He walks past the camera, still facing the now destroyed TV, and CALLS ZOE. It’s UNCLEAR whether or not the call actually goes through.

SEAN (O.S.)I knew I was right about you! It’s you and Archie isn’t it? Probably fucking him too! No wonder you’re not helping me! Well fuck you!

We RAISE UP level with Sean’s head as he PRESSES some KEYS on his phone and places it to his ear. The anger is VISIBLE in his MANNERISMS but not in his voice.

SEAN (CONT’D)Can you come over? We need to talk.

‘TALK’ APPEARS but is replaced for ONE-FRAME of ‘LIAR’.

INT. LIVING ROOM, SEAN AND ZOE’S HOUSE - DAY13 13

Archie and Sean are SAT on SEPARATE SOFAS. Despite Sean’s invitation it’s clear that they haven’t spoken since Archie arrived. The SILENCE and TENSION is so thick you could climb it. Archie BRAVELY BREAKS this silence.

23.

ARCHIESorry about Perry, we can go to Lieafstalk if-

SEANShut the fuck up.

Archie is TAKEN BACK by this.

ARCHIEI can’t fathom what you’re-

SEANYou’re fucking her aren’t you?

ARCHIEExcuse me?

SEANYou and Zoe.

(Patronising)Are. Fuck-ing.

ARCHIENo we’re not.

SEANWhere is she then? Pulling her knickers up in your bedroom as we speak! How do you even know where to find the body? Because you put it there.

ARCHIEI was walking my dog.

SEANYou hate dogs!

‘HATE DOGS’ APPEARS.

SEAN (CONT’D)You said it yourself! You. Don’t make sense. I should have known from the start. You suddenly appear when Perry goes missing and offer to help, and you then find the fucking body?

Archie suddenly ARISES from the sofa, reclaiming the HIERARCHY. Sean almost RELINQUISHES it in surprise, but stands his ground.

ARCHIEBelieve whatever the fuck you want, it’s the truth!

24.

‘TRUTH’ APPEARS as Archie TURNS and LEAVES the house. The door SLAMS behind him. Sean, feeling the FRUSTRATION and SUSPICION RISE, paces around the room. He speaks to HIMSELF as the camera jumps about, creating a sense of DISORIENTATION.

SEANHe’s denying it but I know the truth. It’s him, has to be. A dog, a fucking dog!

(Laughs)Yeah right! Stupid PRICK! I know, ooh, do I fucking know. Tail between his legs. I should see where he runs to.

(Snaps fingers)Yes! Catch in the act, Zoe will be there too, show them both who they really are.

Sean SPINS around as if someone where there.

SEAN (CONT’D)(Shouts)

And I’m the cunt apparently.

Sean RUSHES out of the house.

SEAN (CONT’D)I’ll show you who’s the cunt!

EXT. PATHWAY, LIEAFSTALK WOODS - DAY14 14

The words ‘CHAPTER 5: LIEAFSTALK’ APPEARS. Archie walks PAST us, a few seconds later SEAN APPEARS. He MAINTAINS HIS DISTANCE trying not to get caught. He PASSES the camera shortly after. The trees teem over the two like FINGERS on an infinite hand trying to enclose them together in an eternal tomb.

We are now BEHIND Sean as he continues to FOLLOW Archie in a SNORRICAM shot. The words “I have you now” and other suspicion-induced phrases appear along the pathway and surrounding area.

EXT. CAMPSITE, LIEAFSTALK WOODS - DAY15 15

Sean FOLLOWS Archie to the CAMPSITE. There are TWO TENTS cordoned off with POLICE TAPE in a small opening in the foliage.

ARCHIE(Aloud)

Here we are Sean.

25.

Archie comes to a STOP in FRONT of the RIGHT TENT. Sean SLOWS DOWN too and keeps himself SEVERAL FEET BEHIND Archie.

SEANYou’re done, I know it’s you.

ARCHIEOpen the tent then...

Archie turns to face Sean: almost like he’s CHALLENGING him.

ARCHIE (CONT’D)...prove it.

The words ‘PROVE IT’ appear on the front of the TENT as Sean PAUSES, CONSIDERING Archie’s challenge. He CAUTIOUSLY walks around him and SLOWLY UNZIPS the tent. He PARTS the flaps and finds the DEAD BODIES of Zoe... and himself. Lying there with BLOOD all over the walls of the tent. Sean is CONFUSED, UNSURE with what he’s seeing.

SEANWhat is this?

ARCHIEWhere it all began...

SEANYou fucking killed her!

ARCHIEMore importantly: why are you there?

His breathing has become more ERRATIC. The anger TAKING OVER. Sean SPINS AROUND to face Archie: his arms FLAILING and POINTING in time with his words.

SEANThis is a sick joke! You’re fucked up in the head. You killed them both! Her and Perry!

ARCHIENot me: us.

SEANNo! No! Don’t put this on me, I had nothing, to do with it.

ARCHIEYou had everything to do with this Archie.

Sean is STUNNED for a couple of seconds. The connections being made in his head. Each time Archie makes a statement the world around them BREAKS and DISTORTS.

26.

The basic CONTINUITY of the world JARS as Sean tries to MAKE SENSE of it all.

The name ‘ARCHIE’ APPEARS on several TREES.

SEANWhat- What did you just call me?

ARCHIEArchie.

SEANNo... you’re Archie.

Archie GESTURES with a NOD down to Sean’s RIGHT HAND. He is holding a KNIFE. Sean FLINCHES in SHOCK. Where did this come from?

SEAN (CONT’D)You’re setting me up.

ARCHIE(Prolonged)

Come on (Agitated)You can work it out. Bodies, knife, me and you-

(louder)What does it all mean!

SEANYou’re the killer! Not me!

Sean THROWS the KNIFE AT ARCHIE: who JERKS out of the way in complete SURPRISE.

ARCHIEWhat the fuck is wrong with you! How are you not getting this. There is no set up, no conspiracy. This world. Is fake.

We see a SNORRICAM of Sean as he PROCESSES this massive piece of news.

SEANYou’re crazy-

Within this shot: a quick SECOND LONG insert of Sean LAUGHING MANICALLY.

SEAN (CONT’D) This is real.

There is now a SNORRICAM of ARCHIE responding to him.

27.

ARCHIEYou created this world.

We return to ‘normal’ shots. However the world CONTINUES to DISTORT and just completely FUCK UP the CONTINUITY. RANDOM WORDS regularly APPEAR. FAKE. ARCHIE. MURDERER. TRIGG. DEALER.

We REVERSE SHOT to Sean but instead PERRY is in his place.

PERRYWhy would I do that?

ARCHIETo avoid the truth. We’re a mess.

INT. LIVING ROOM - ARCHIE AND ZOE’S HOUSE - DAY15A 15A

Archie and Sean are suddenly inside the house. Where are we really?

ARCHIEIrresponsible, anger issues-

EXT. CAMPSITE - LIEAFSTALK WOODS - DAY15B 15B

We are BACK at the campsite. What is going on? The world seems to be FALLING APART.

ARCHIE-alcoholic, a fucking junkie!

‘JUNKIE’ APPEARS.

SEANI’ve never-

The CAMERA ANGLES are getting WEIRDER. The rule of thirds has been FORGOTTEN and the line is being CROSSED more times that a tic-tac-toe board.

ARCHIEWe became paranoid, thought Zoe was cheating! With. Sean. Then she organised the camping trip for the four of us...

Archie GESTURES towards the two tents.

ARCHIE (CONT’D)Us, her, Sean and Perry!... We fucking lost it!... Saw them both, in, the same, tent...

Sean surprisingly ALLOWS Archie to CONTINUE; KEEPING SILENT.

28.

ARCHIE (CONT’D)Perry... he was only-... it shouldn’t have happened...

SEANI’m. Sean.

A sudden CUT interjects Sean’s sentence: TRIGG enters the frame and appears to carry out a DRUG DEAL with Sean. They SHAKE HANDS and Trigg WALKS AWAY.

ARCHIE(Defeated)

You’re not Sean... he’s dead, Perry’s dead, Zoe’s... We need to accept what we have done.

Sean is SILENT. PROCESSING. CALCULATING. WORKING IT OUT. Words keep APPEARING but this time they’re JUMBLED. Some UNREADABLE. Every THOUGHT, every BELIEF Sean has had, that Archie has had, now EXPOSED to the outside-open. If it even is the open. Who knows where we actually are.

SEANI haven’t done anything.

Another SECOND LONG insert: Sean is letting out a WARCRY but it’s SILENT.

ARCHIEFor fuck sake! You have! You’re a murderer! I’m a murderer! Face the fucking facts!

SEANNo! You face it: you killed Perry and Zoe and now you’re trying to frame me!

‘FRAME ME’ APPEARS, followed by a FOUR-FRAME insert of the words ‘HELP ME’.

ARCHIEAre you dumb? Why would I do that! You’re not thinking clearly!

Sean’s anger and frustration has reached it’s FINAL LIMIT. He SPRINTS at Archie and TACKLES him down to the ground: sending himself ALMOST ROLLING with the carried momentum. Archie manages to get back UP and begins to STEP AWAY from SEAN.

ARCHIE (CONT’D)Listen to me! Please!

‘PLEASE’ APPEARS as Sean RISES like a robot; focussed on one single task: KILL ARCHIE. He APPROACHES Archie and LUNGES FORWARD in a BEAT: SWINGING a RIGHT FIST at him.

29.

It CONNECTS: Archie DROPS to the floor and before he knows it Sean is ON TOP of him. He CLASPS both HANDS around Archie’s THROAT and begins to STRANGLE HIM. Sean’s nose is BLEEDING somehow: the SAME NOSTRIL as Archie’s is.

SEANThe moment you turned up I knew you were a fucking weird one! I was right to never trust you!

‘TRUST YOU’ APPEARS. It’s briefly replaced with ‘I TRUSTED YOU’.

LIFE is SLOWLY LEAVING Archie. He tries to stop Sean but the grip is too TIGHT. Sean GLANCES to his LEFT: spotting something.

SEAN (CONT’D)But you fucked up... You’re finished.

Sean REACHES for what he saw: the THROWN POCKET KNIFE and PLUNGES it into Archie’s CHEST. Archie GASPS as shock and pain take over. The camera rises to show Sean CATCHING his BREATH as his arms FALL to his side.

The camera continues to RISE: above Sean and up to the SKY.

GRAPHIC MATCH TO:

INT. LIVING ROOM - ARCHIE AND ZOE’S HOUSE - DAY16 16

The camera FLOATS down and MOVES BACK to reveal ARCHIE’S DEAD BODY lying on the floor. A KNIFE, planted FIRMLY in his CHEST.

LITTERED around the floor are EMPTY CANS of alcohol and what also appears to be DRUGS. The TV is ON but MUTED. On the screen are THREE PHOTOS: SEAN BREWER, ZOE OLSEN and PERRY HAGUE. The photos are old, like they were SUPPLIED to the NEWS STATION by a NEXT OF KIN. The topic of the report can be identified by only one HEADLINE at the bottom: ‘CAMPING HOMICIDE VICTIMS IDENTIFIED’.

The house itself has changed: PHOTO FRAMES of the VICTIMS and ARCHIE are dotted around; taken by one another when they’ve hung out. DVD’s line the SHELF, detailing a VARIED amount of movie taste: including the film FIGHT CLUB. BOARD GAMES can be seen in their boxes stacked MESSILY. They were used RECENTLY. This house has LIFE, or DID HAVE. All that is left are remnants of that life and what it had accomplished: the years of love and friendships. The piss-inducing laughs and numerous card games that happened in this room.

We LINGER on Archie’s LIFELESS BODY for a few more seconds.

Fade to BLACK.

30.

31.