RoryTomlinsonPowerlessScriptSubmission

RoryTomlinsonPowerlessScriptSubmission

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  POWERLESS By Rory Tomlinson 14489383
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  1 FADE IN: MONTAGE -VARIOUS A) INT. CONCERT HALL – EVENING - PENELOPE plays a grand piano expertly. VERITY sings at the centre of the stage. B) EXT. STREET – EVENING - GRIM, a short, shabbily dressed man, makes his way down a quiet street, jostled slightly by passing strangers, who occasionally pass jeering comments at his appearance. C) INT. CONCERT HALL – Penelope scowls as the piece builds, concentration etched on her face. D) EXT. STREET – Grim casts a shady look both ways down the street, which now contains only himself and a young adult female. Grim begs for some change. The woman laughs at him. E) INT. CONCERT HALL – Penelope slams both hands on the grand piano, a LOUD, SUDDEN rise in volume and tempo. F) EXT. STREET – Grim pulls a hidden knife from his belt, and plunges into the woman’s chest. G) INT. CONCERT HALL - Penelope’s performance rises to a CLIMAX, and when the theatre falls silent the audience rise to a tremulous APPLAUSE. H) EXT. STREET - Grim steps away from the woman, who is crumpled at the mouth of an alleyway, a dread grin across his face, a bloodied knife and thin purse in his hands. I) INT. CONCERT HALL - Penelope looks at the audience, exhilarated by the piece, but every eye remains on Verity, who beams as roses fall at her feet. Penelope scowls. J) EXT. STREET - In the distance, police sirens. Grim scowls too. K) INT. CONCERT HALL - Penelope meekly rises to her feet, curtseys politely and exits the stage. L) EXT. STREET - The woman tries to stand, but collapses in a blood-stained heap. Grim is long gone. END OF MONTAGE
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  2 INT. DRESSING ROOM Penelopeis changing into her casual wear. There is a photograph of her mother, who is almost a copy of Penelope, on the dressing table. Verity sweeps in, overflowing with joy, completely caught in the moment. As she catches Penelope’s eye, her smile falters, and she slips into her chair silently. PHILLIP appears in the door, a bunch of roses in his hand. PHILLIP Verity, darling, you were sensational! The audience loved you, simply loved you. They could not get enough. I gathered these up for you. He gestures to the roses that were thrown on the stage, and gives them to Verity. Penelope’s mood darkens even further. Verity allows a small smile to appear on her face, before casting a sidelong glance at Penelope, who is avoiding looking her way. PHILLIP A talent scout from the Queen’s Theatre was in the audience; she wants to talk to you. Come now, we shouldn’t leave such an important woman waiting. Verity’s smile broadens, and she follows Phillip into the hall. She pauses to look at Penelope from the doorway, but Penelope is purposefully avoiding her eye, her gaze locked on the mirror before her. Verity’s eyes drop to the floor, and she continues following Phillip. PENELOPE Good riddance. Penelope stares at the roses on Verity’s dresser for a moment, glances at the door, then takes one, and sets it in front of the photograph. INT. CAFÉ - AFTERNOON The café is a medium-sized room, with a baby grand piano in the back corner, separated from the coffee bar by a handful of small tables accompanied by chairs. There are a few
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  3 patrons generating anamiable buzz of conversation. Penelope enters the café, greets the barista with a generous smile, and winds through the tables to seat herself at the piano. She begins playing GREENSLEEVES. Grim appears from the bathroom, his hands clad in red fingerless gloves. As he begins to shuffle towards the exit, he pauses to glance at Penelope, who is deep in her performance. As she finishes, she prepares herself for her next piece, but is interrupted by the sound of Grim clapping. GRIM Beau’iful. PENELOPE Th- Thank you. GRIM You mus’ ’ear that all the time, I suppose, and from finer folks ‘han me. PENELOPE Not really. People don’t tend to notice me. GRIM Their loss. A waitress appears at Penelope’s side. WAITRESS Is this man bothering you, Penelope? GRIM [bristling] I jus’ wan’ed t’ take a leak, is that alrigh’, swee’heart? WAITRESS If you’re not a paying customer, you should leave. Grim stares the waitress down, his jaw clenching and his
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  4 hand forming afist at his side. PENELOPE I’ll buy you a drink. Let her know what you want, and I’m sure she’d be happy to accommodate. GRIM Fil’er coffee would go down a treat, if you would be so kind. The waitress forces a polite smile and leaves. INT. CAFÉ – AFTERNOON Grim is sat opposite Penelope at a small round table. The waitress is carefully watching Grim. GRIM I’m sorry, I di’n’t catch your name. PENELOPE It’s Penelope. Penelope Everlance. GRIM Qui’e a mouthful, Penelope Eve’lance. Mine’s Ben Morris, but folks call me Grim. Those few what know me, that is. PENELOPE Why? GRIM S’pose I don’t smile much. Penelope laughs, and Grim smiles, unsure whether he’s the butt of the joke or not. GRIM What’s funny? PENELOPE You are, Grim.
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  5 The waitress appearsby Grim’s elbow, a jug of filter coffee in her hand. She places it next to Grim, along with a small mug. She leaves, leaving Grim to pour his own coffee. He does so. GRIM Firs’ time anyone tol’ me ’bou’ i’. Mos’ people don’ really see me as a person, y’know? PENELOPE I think so. I don’t think anyone notices me next to my sister. It’s why I come here on Saturdays. It’s nice to have the stage alone, even if it’s a bit smaller than usual. GRIM Socie’y don’ really no’ice us smaller folk, y’know? PENELOPE I think you might be right, Grim. GRIM If you wan’ respect ’roun’ ’ere, you go’ ta take it, y’know? PENELOPE What do you mean, take it? GRIM Remind people they ain’t so much bigger than you. Be’er than you. You gotta show ’em who’s really got power, y’know? PENELOPE I’m not entirely sure I follow you, Grim. GRIM Take your sis’er for example… what’s your sis’er’s name?
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  6 PENELOPE Verity. GRIM Take Veri’y forexample. She go’ everyone convince’ she’s be’er than you, righ’? PENELOPE I suppose… GRIM Righ’, so you need to show ’er she ain’t no be’er than you. Penelope pauses to consider the ramifications of what Grim is implying. PENELOPE I think I should be heading off now. GRIM If you say so. Than’ you fo’ the drin’. And for tal’ing to me. There’ no’ many who would. I owe you one, and I won’t forge’ it. Penelope manages a polite smile. PENELOPE Have a good day, Grim. Penelope leaves the café. The waitress approaches Grim again. WAITRESS You should leave, now. Grim’s hands grip the coffee mug tightly for a moment. He looks around the coffee shop. A few patrons are looking at the small disturbance, but they refuse to meet his eyes when he glances at them. With a grimace, Grim rises to his feet, locking eyes with the waitress. The waitress does not flinch. He smirks, and leaves.
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  7 EXT. CAFÉ -AFTERNOON Grim exits the café. MATCH CUT TO: EXT. CAFÉ - EVENING The waitress exits the café, locking the door behind her. Grim appears from her right and tackles her, dragging her into a nearby alleyway. The keys are still in the café door. She kicks and screams for a few seconds, before falling silent. INT. PENELOPE’S BEDROOM - EVENING Penelope lies awake in bed, thinking hard. MATCH CUT TO: INT. PENELOPE’s BEDROOM – MORNING Penelope lies asleep. There’s a knock at the door. Penelope opens one bleary eye. PENELOPE Yes? The door creaks open. Verity edges in. VERITY Sorry, did I wake you? PENELOPE Only a little bit. What time is it? VERITY Ten o’clock. Penelope grumbles. PENELOPE That’s too early for a Sunday. VERITY I know. It’s just… Father’s still away, and I was wondering if we could spend the
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  8 day together. Youknow, like we used to, Pen. Penelope blinks, sits up. PENELOPE It’s been a while since you called me that. VERITY Please, Pen? PENELOPE What did you have in mind? EXT. PUBLIC GARDEN – AFTERNOON Penelope and Verity are dressed warmly, to combat the cold. The garden is deserted, and they begin to stroll through alone. PENELOPE It’s strange, being back. You know, without her. VERITY I’ve missed her too, Pen. Penelope glances at Verity, who drops her gaze almost instantly. VERITY I know we weren’t as close, but it hasn’t been easy. PENELOPE At least you’ve had father. Verity smiles sadly. VERITY He’s not been the same.
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  9 PENELOPE [bitterly] I’ve noticed. VERITY It’s hardfor him. You remind him of her so much, every time- PENELOPE [quiet] I know, Vee. I know. Penelope and Verity walk in silence for a short time. PENELOPE It’s too cold to be out here. I need a hot drink. VERITY What did you have in mind? INT. CAFÉ – AFTERNOON VERITY Cute. Have you been here before? PENELOPE I play here on Saturdays, sometimes. It’s nice to have some time alone. Penelope glances at Verity, measuring her next sentence. PENELOPE It’s nice to be the noticed, for a change. VERITY [taken aback] People notice us. They throw roses to us when we perform. They love us!
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  10 PENELOPE They throw rosesto you. They love you. Verity cannot find the words to reply. She distractedly orders drinks for the two of them. VERITY Two hot chocolates, with cream and marshmallows. PENELOPE No, thank you. Actually I think I’m just going to go home. VERITY Pen, wait- EXT. CAFÉ – LATE AFTERNOON Penelope exits the café and starts to walk away. Verity follows her. VERITY Why are you always like this? You’re so self-absorbed! At the sound of her voice, Grim appears from the alleyway. VERITY Penelope, come back! How dare you walk away from me! GRIM You Veri’y? VERITY How do you know my name? Penelope turns to reply to Verity, her mouth opening, but her eyes widen when she sees Grim hit Verity, who collapses. PENELOPE Grim? What are you doing?
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  11 Grim carries anunconscious Verity into the alley. Penelope charges after him. PENELOPE Let her go! GRIM She don’ respect you. She woul’n’t thin’ of helpin’ you fo’ a moment. Only way you’ll ge’ ’er respect is takin’ i’. Grim hands Penelope a knife, the blade lined with dried blood. He bends over Verity, his back to Penelope, fumbling with her coat buttons. PENELOPE This isn’t right. Grim ignores her, wrenching open Verity’s coat, and lifts her jumper, taking her shirt with it, and exposing her skin. The sudden cold revives Verity, whose eyes flutter open. She screams, and flails her arms at Grim, who struggles to subdue her. VERITY Help! Somebody, help! Penelope looks at the knife in her hands. Looks at Verity, scared and helpless. Looks at Grim, fierce and righteous. She takes a single step forwards, and drives the knife into Grim’s back, near his spine. He convulses, throwing Penelope backwards. She hits her head, and blacks out. INT. AMBULANCE – EARLY EVENING Penelope wakes up, confused. She is in the back of an ambulance, the doors open to allow access for medical staff. Verity is sat next to her, tears in her eyes. Penelope opens her mouth to ask a question, but upon noticing her movement, she envelops Penelope in a hug, pulling her into a seated position. Over her shoulder, Penelope sees Grim protruding from the alley, lying face down, the knife still in his back. He isn’t moving. VERITY Thank God you’re okay.
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  12 Penelope stares atGrim, unable to take her eyes off his body. Penelope and Verity make eye contact. Neither one speaks. THE END.