Written by
Alisha van Kimmenade
FIRST DRAFT Alisha van Kimmenade
352 Payne Road
19, September 2004 THE GAP 4061
Ph: (07) 3333 8605
© 2004 Alisha van Kimmenade Mob: 0400 000 852
e-mail: a.vankimmenade@student.qut.edu.au
STRICTLY PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL
ALL RIGHTS BY ALL MEDIA RESERVED
FADE IN:
1. INT. LOUNGEROOM – DAY 1
Sunlight spills in around the hastily drawn curtain. There is a coffee table in the middle of the room, it is overflowing with beer bottles, and some have fallen on the floor. On the edge of the table is an ashtray, a forgotten cigarette lies smoking within, filling the room with a blue-gray haze. A small circle has been cleared in the middle of the table; within lies a gun, it’s barrel pointing towards a large couch which dominates the room, obscured by a technicolor rainbow spread.
A twenty-year-old guy lies face down on the couch, DEREK. He is still fully clothed, in a black t-shirt, boxers hanging over his pants and a wallet chain his hand has become entangled in. DEREK shifts uncomfortably in his sleep, his face contorts into a grimace, he lies still again. A photo frame protrudes from beneath his shoulder, but the picture within is not visible. The television hums softly in the corner, everything is still in the house.
2. EXT. SKATE RAMP – DAY
The grind of wood against concrete rouses DEREK. He cracks one eye open, closing it quickly against the glare. He tries to move his hand, it is stuck in something. Slowly he opens his eye, allowing the iris to adjust to the light. He looks down, realizing his hand is caught in his wallet chain.
As he wrestles with the chain his hand comes free with his wallet, which dangles over the edge of the couch. He glances down. Where the floor boards should be is a two meter decline. A dark shape flashes past. He sits up, focusing two eyes on the scene.
His couch is perched on the top of a vert ramp. A skater alights from his board on the opposite side. CHRIS turns, a scruffier version of DEREK his white t-shirt reflects the glare of the sunlight as he squints to see the visitor.
DEREK stares for a moment before his wide eyed face melts into a smile, he nods an acknowledgement towards CHRIS.
CHRIS returns the smile across the gulf between them. He picks up his board and drops into the pipe, heading towards the astonished DEREK.
CHRIS turns at DEREK’S side as he builds speed to crest the vertical of the ramp. He just makes it, scrambling up to the left of the couch. A skateboard is propped against the end of the chair; he picks it up and hands it to DEREK, who relinquishes the support of the couch.
They begin to skate. DEREK and CHRIS grind and float defying gravity, each doing their favorite tricks. Eventually tiring DEREK slows down, coming to a halt on his side of the ramp. He turns smiling as he congratulates himself on pulling off the maneuver. Glancing around in search of CHRIS confusion replaces his joy as his gaze wanders away from the ramp.
CHRIS has left the ramp, his board slung under his arm as he walks towards the surrounding lantana bushes, he turns back to see if DEREK follows. He motions to his friend smiling encouragement, beckoning towards the bushes. He glances at DEREK once more before disappearing into the thick scrub.
DEREK follows, uncertain at first, then an amused look spreads across his face as he follows CHRIS into the unknown.
3. EXT. IN THE BUSH - DAY
DEREK is surrounded by dense shrubbery. He stops walking as he searches his surrounds for CHRIS. Something below him catches DEREK’S eye: CHRIS’ skateboard lies amongst the leaves and dirt. A nervous smile flickers across DEREK’S lips as he reaches down to pick it up.
Dead leaves crunch underfoot to DEREKS’ right, his head snaps up in time to see CHRIS’ legs sprint past. He straightens forgetting the abandoned board. He swivels towards the direction of CHRIS’ exit, resolutely begins a game of follow the leader.
The enveloping foliage resists DEREK’S passage as he grapples with branches, accomplishing little aside from skinning their leaves. He stops, straining his eyes and ears for any sign of CHRIS; he looks left at the sound of footsteps. His attention is diverted when the bushes ahead of him quiver slightly, in warning or welcome, DEREK is unsure. He takes a cautious step forwards almost colliding with the bush, as he trips over something on the ground.
CHRIS’ shoes were the culprits, DEREK bends down to inspect the phantom footwear.
A myriad of sound begins to build around DEREK, the noises of the bush; birds, crashing of bushes, wind in the trees. A voice cuts through the deafening racket.
CHRIS (V/O)
Derek! What are you doing man? Come on you have to keep up. Derek?!
A panic strikes DEREK’S face, he runs blindly into the bushes, unsure whether he is hurrying to catch up or running away, inertia propels him on.
CHRIS (V/O) (cont’d)
(increasingly insistent)
Derek. Faster. You’re falling behind.
DEREK hurries on, following the voice. His feet lose the battle to keep up with the speed of his legs, they tangle themselves amongst the low shrubs and tree roots. DEREK hits the dirt before realises what happened.
CHRIS (V/O) (cont’d)
(His voice fades out)
Derek, Derek. . .
DEREK reaches out a hand to push himself off the ground, but his hand touches clothing instead of dirt. He pulls the white cotton in, for closer inspection. He drags himself onto his knees and spreads the cloth out; DEREK recognizes it as CHRIS’ shirt. He looks up, worry lines creasing his forehead as he casts around for CHRIS.
CHRIS (V/O)
(desperately)
Derek? Please, where are you?
DEREK’S head swivels from left to right, looking for any movement or any colour breaking with the uniform green. As he does a second lap his eyes find the technicolour couch, a bright beacon through the bushes. His shock could not be more pronounced.
He squints at the couch, something is hanging over the end; a hand, a human hand. DEREK gasps, swallows and pushes himself to his feet, with the effort of an exhausted athlete.
He walks towards the couch, hesitating on every second step. He reaches out a shaking hand, which comes to rest on the couch; he leans on the supporting hand, craning his neck to see the couch’s occupant.
4. INT. LOUNGEROOM – DAY.
DEREK’S eyelid flies open as his iris contracts, adjusting to the light. He looks around stunned and scared, sitting up too quickly his head reels. He puts his hands up to steady his head and upon opening his eyes again he finds himself in his loungeroom once again.
He looks down at his lap, only to find the photo frame. The photograph of CHRIS and DEREK smiles back at DEREK’S confused face.
CHRIS (V/O)
Derek! Derek. . .Where did you go?
DEREK grabs a half empty beer from the coffee table in front of him, he takes a swig and slams the bottle down on the table. A drop of beer slops on the gun beside it.
CHRIS (V/O) (cont’d)
Derek? Please come back. Derek. . .
DEREK wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. His gaze is drawn towards the gun. DEREK’S hand slowly reaches for the gun.
FADE TO BLACK:
CHRIS (V/O) (cont’d)
(Rising in tone)
Derek! Please! Come back! Don’t leave me alone!
CHRIS’ voice is cut off at the sound of a gunshot.
Written by
Alisha van Kimmenade
SECOND DRAFT Alisha van Kimmenade
352 Payne Road
19, September 2004 THE GAP 4061
Ph: (07) 3333 8605
© 2004 Alisha van Kimmenade Mob: 0400 000 852
e-mail: a.vankimmenade@student.qut.edu.au
STRICTLY PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL
ALL RIGHTS BY ALL MEDIA RESERVED
FADE IN:
1. INT. LOUNGEROOM – DAY 1
Sunlight spills in around the hastily drawn curtain. There is a coffee table in the middle of the room, it is overflowing with beer bottles, and some have fallen on the floor. On the edge of the table is an ashtray, a forgotten cigarette lies smoking within, filling the room with a blue-gray haze. A large couch dominates the room, obscured by a technicolor rainbow spread.
A twenty-year-old guy lies face down on the couch, DEREK. He is still fully clothed, in a black t-shirt, boxers hanging over his pants and a wallet chain his hand has become entangled in. DEREK shifts uncomfortably in his sleep, his face contorts into a grimace, he lies still again. A photo frame protrudes from beneath his shoulder, but the picture within is not visible. The television hums softly in the corner, everything is still in the house.
3. EXT. SKATE RAMP – DAY
The grind of wood against the trucks of the deck rouses DEREK. He cracks one eye open, closing it quickly against the glare. He tries to move his hand, it is stuck in something. Slowly he opens his eye, allowing the iris to adjust to the light. He looks down, realizing his hand is caught in his wallet chain.
As he wrestles with the chain his hand comes free with his wallet, which dangles over the edge of the couch. He glances down. Where the floor boards should be is a two meter decline. A dark shape flashes past. He sits up, focusing two eyes on the scene.
His couch is perched on the top of a vert ramp. A skater alights from his board on the opposite side. CHRIS turns, a scruffier version of DEREK his white t-shirt reflects the glare of the sunlight as he squints to see the visitor.
DEREK stares for a moment before his wide eyed face melts into a smile, he nods an acknowledgement towards CHRIS.
CHRIS returns the smile across the gulf between them. He picks up his board and drops into the pipe, heading towards the astonished DEREK.
CHRIS turns at DEREK’S side as he builds speed to crest the vertical of the ramp. He just makes it, scrambling up to the left of the couch. A skateboard is propped against the end of the chair; he picks it up and hands it to DEREK, who relinquishes the support of the couch.
They begin to skate. DEREK and CHRIS grind and float defying gravity, each doing their favorite tricks. Eventually tiring DEREK slows down, coming to a halt on his side of the ramp. He turns smiling as he congratulates himself on pulling off the maneuver. Glancing around in search of CHRIS, confusion replaces his joy as his gaze wanders away from the ramp.
CHRIS has left the ramp, his board slung under his arm as he walks towards the surrounding lantana bushes, he turns back to see if DEREK follows. He motions to his friend smiling encouragement, beckoning towards the bushes. He glances at DEREK once more before disappearing into the thick scrub.
DEREK follows, uncertain at first, then an amused look spreads across his face as he follows CHRIS into the unknown.
3. EXT. IN THE BUSH - DAY
DEREK is surrounded by dense shrubbery; he takes a few hesitant steps forwards as he searches his surrounds for CHRIS. Dead leaves crunch underfoot to DEREKS’ right, his head snaps back in time to see CHRIS’ legs sprint past. Swiveling towards the direction of CHRIS’ exit, he grins squaring his shoulders to the ensuing game of follow the leader.
The enveloping foliage resists DEREK’S passage as he grapples with branches, accomplishing little aside from skinning their leaves. He stops, straining his eyes and ears for any sign of CHRIS; he looks left at the sound of footsteps. His attention is diverted when the bushes ahead of him quiver slightly, in warning or welcome, DEREK is unsure. He takes a cautious step forwards almost colliding with the bush, as he trips over something on the ground.
CHRIS bursts from the bushes laughing; he pushes DEREK to the ground as he tries to get up. He thrusts himself into the thick foliage, fading amongst the unruly branches.
DEREK struggles to his feet, launching himself at the bushes. He flails through, wishing to be clear of them, all of a sudden coming to an abrupt halt. He glances left and right, indecision shakes his body, he shifts slightly to the left. DEREK stops, a faint smile plays on his lips and he changes course.
DEREK stumbles onto a path, his curiosity entices him to follow it, though he remains alert. Rounding a bend in the path he gasps recognition crossing his face. BROWN-HAIRED GIRL is bound to a tree in front of him. Her chin rests on her chest, her brown hair obscures her face, she raises her head slightly. CHRIS steps in front of DEREK blocking his view, he has stopped smiling.
DEREK pivots, blindly running in the opposite direction to CHRIS. CHRIS sighs and sets off after DEREK, making almost as much noise as his friend. CHRIS follows DEREK’S back as he weaves in and out of the bushes, panting to keep up.
DEREK erupts from the lantana, the skate ramp looms a few meters away, he hurtles towards it, CHRIS is close behind. He breaks out of the bushes as DEREK reaches the ramp, grimacing he sprints after DEREK. DEREK attempts to scramble up to the couch, his hand slips but he regains his grip as he scuttles up the side of the ramp.
CHRIS pounces like a cat on a mouse, he grasps DEREK’S waistband, just within his reach and wrenches him off the ramp.
4. INT. LOUNGEROOM – DAY
DEREK’S eyelids flutter, but remain closed, his arms are outstretched in his sleep, mouth open in a silent scream.
5. EXT. SKATE RAMP – DAY
DEREK lies on the ground winded; he looks up at CHRIS with wide eyes, his shock as apparent as his lack of breath. CHRIS stands over DEREK gloating on his easy victory, he chuckles to himself. His mirth is cut short as he falls to the earth. DEREK lets go of CHRIS’S legs as he tries to twist around towards DEREK.
6. INT. LOUNGEROOM - DAY
DEREK struggles with an unseen victim, his hands miming a strangle hold, he pants out of breath in his sleep.
7. EXT. SKATE RAMP – DAY
CHRIS sits astride DEREK’S chest, his hands trying to get a grip on DEREK’S neck. DEREK holds him at bay, his hands circle CHRIS’S neck restraining him as far as his arms will reach.
CHRIS shifts his weight, the pair roll over causing DEREK to lose his grip. CHRIS rolls DEREK over, he lies face down in the dirt. CHRIS pulls his arms behind his back, binding them with a length of rope procured from his pocket.
8. INT. LOUNGEROOM - DAY
DEREK lies still on the couch, face down his arms forced at strange angles, his hands lie on his back. A photo frame falls to the floor as he shifts slightly, exhaling his last breath. It lands face up, DEREK and CHRIS smile at the camera on either side of a BROWN-HAIRED GIRL, about their age with brown eyes.
9. EXT. IN THE BUSH - DAY
DEREK is tied to the tree on the left of the BROWN-HAIRED GIRL. CHRIS snakes his arm around her shoulder, on the right in a freakish parody of the photograph, he winks at them, smirking.
FADE TO BLACK.