Wednesday, 23 May 2012

Where were you last night?

I was asked to write a new piece based on the title 'Where were you last night?' as a part of my application to do a BA in Drama & Screenwriting at Northumbria University. They must've liked it, because I got an unconditional offer! Here's what I came up with.


1. INT. SECURE HOLDING FACILITY - NIGHT


               The story begins within a dark room, a blue light barely
               allowing us to see anything. We can hear water dripping onto
               something from a pipe overhead. AN UNCONSCIOUS MAN in a dirty
               orange prison jumpsuit is in our view. He is dishevelled, sat
               in an uncomfortable chair and propped against the desk in
               front of him.


               We cut to another viewpoint as TWO MEN enter the room.
               There's a stark contrast. These men are clean, well groomed
               and obviously at the peak of physical fitness. They are
               adorned in what looks like heavily armoured charcoal grey
               military uniforms. The outfits have a distinct lack of any
               form of insignia or logo. They have gloves, to remove any
               chance of leaving behind fingerprints. They are very
               obviously men who do not want to be held accountable or be
               traced.


                                   SHADY MAN #1
                         Prisoner R-113. William Monroe.
                         Suspected. Wake him.


               The camera follows SHADY MAN #2 as he walks over to WILLIAM's
               right hand side and places a small, rectangular device on the
               prisoners neck. A small light on it blinks green before we
               hear a hiss from the device as something is injected. It
               takes a second or two before WILLIAM awakes. He is dazed and
               confused.


                                   WILLIAM
                         Where the hell am I? Who are you
                         people?!


               He attempts to stand up but SHADY MAN #2 places a firm hand
               on his shoulder and pushes him back down into the chair. The
               men are very clearly much bigger than him. No point in a
               struggle. SHADY MAN #1 remains on the other side of the
               table. We cut back to him in a two-shot. He's looking down on
               WILLIAM. He knows he's in control and the audience can see it
               too.


                                   SHADY MAN #1
                         William Monroe. 26 years old.
                         Occupation: Teacher. You live on
                         Parkview Terrace with one sibling -
                         your sister. Abigail Monroe.
                         Correct?


               Cut back to WILLIAM, who very clearly looks freaked out that
               these people know so much about him.


                                   WILLIAM
                         What? --I mean, Yes. But, what? How
                         do you know all of that?! Who ARE
                         you?!


               SHADY MAN #1 avoids the question again. He neatens his suit.
                                                                  2.




                                   SHADY MAN #1
                         Where were you last night, Mr.
                         Monroe?


                                   WILLIAM
                         Where d'you think? I'm a teacher. I
                         was at home, doing paperwork.


               SHADY MAN #1 smirks.


                                   SHADY MAN #1
                         Don't insult my intelligence Mr.
                         Monroe. We've had you under
                         surveillance for weeks. It's been
                         ..interesting, to say the least.


                                   WILLIAM
                         You people have been watching me?!
                         Motherfu-


               SHADY MAN #2 socks him in the jaw. There's an audible
               cracking sound. William lets out a short pained scream. SHADY
               MAN #2 backs off. WILLIAM is wincing in pain. A trickle of
               crimson blood now flowing from his lip.


                                   SHADY MAN #1
                         Where were you last night, Mr.
                         Monroe?


                                   WILLIAM
                         Go thuck yourselth!


               WILLIAM continues to look like he's in pain. It was painful
               for him to talk. SHADY MAN #1 is calm as ever. He turns to
               speak to the other operative.


                                   SHADY MAN #1
                         This is getting us nowhere. Bring
                         me the sister instead.


               WILLIAM looks angry. He stands up aggressively, but doesn't
               move.


                                   WILLIAM
                         You thuck! Leave my sifther out of
                         this!


                                   SHADY MAN #1
                         Goodnight, Mr. Monroe. You were
                         given a chance. You lost it. It's
                         been a pleasure.


                                   WILLIAM
                         What?


               There's a hiss as the black device from earlier is pressed
               again by SHADY MAN #2.
                                                                  3.


               WILLIAM immediately falls to the ground. Comatose. An
               interrogation control measure in the injection. SHADY MAN #1
               looks disappointed.


                                   SHADY MAN #1 (TO HIMSELF)
                         Where were you last night, Mr.
                         Monroe?

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