by Pete D. Gaskell
by Pete D. Gaskell
TEASER
FADE IN:
EXT./ESTAB. FRANK'S DINER - NIGHT
A quick shot of the diner, lights on, it's open. Rain is teaming
down. A figure hurries across the road, coat pulled up over his
head. He opens the door, and we CUT TO:
INT. FRANK'S DINER - CONTINUOUS
ANGLE ON the door as it opens, and the man bundles through,
dripping wet.
He takes his coat off, balls it up and throws it into a corner.
It's SIMON.
SIMON
Bleedin' hell. It's like I'm back in
England again.
(beat)
Fancy a fish and chi--
He stops suddenly, transfixed by something.
SWING AROUND to see what's stunned him.
It's young Jamie, sitting at the counter by himself, choking.
SIMON (CONT'D)
Jesus.
He races through the diner, up to the counter, and WHACKS his
hand down hard on Jamie' back.
Jamie slumps down, then suddenly REELS back up, GASPING for air.
SIMON (CONT'D)
You all right?
Jamie regards his uncle for a moment.
JAMIE
I am well.
SIMON
What the hell happened?
He notices a plate of half-eaten sandwiches on the counter in
front of him.
SIMON (CONT'D)
Did you have one too many of Frank's
sarnies?
He pushes the plate away. Then, thinking better of it, he grabs
the top one and begins munching on it.
JAMIE
No. It was Mom. She told me to sit
here and:
(in a very accurate replica
of Tamsin's voice)
"Don't do anything."
SIMON
Yeah, well, I didn't think she meant
breathing. That's still allowed.
JAMIE
Oh.
(beat)
She should have mentioned.
Simon turns and looks around the diner.
SIMON
Where is your mum anyway?
JAMIE
In the kitchen.
SIMON
Oh. Right. Saving the world again.
(beat)
Or maybe just cooking dinner.
(beat)
Nah. Tams can't cook.
(beat)
Then again, neither can Frank, but he
keeps pluggin' away, don't he?
Throughout this, Jamie just stares impassively at Simon, not
involving himself at all in Simon's monologue. Not even smiling-
a fact that Simon notices.
SIMON (CONT'D)
God. All work and no play makes Jack a
dull boy.
JAMIE
My name is Jamie.
SIMON
What d'ya do for fun?
JAMIE
(blankly)
Fun?
SIMON
Yeah- play games, chat up girls, have
a laugh? What d'ya like to do?
JAMIE
I don't know what you mean.
Now it's Simon's turn to look blank. The meaning of Simon's
question becomes clear to the boy suddenly.
JAMIE (CONT'D)
Oh! I do enjoy reading. I especially
like the works of--
Simon cuts him off with a very impatient hand gesture.
SIMON
No, no, no! Reading ain't fun.
Jamie gives a confused frown as Simon looks into the middle
distance for a second, cogs grinding in his mind.
SIMON (CONT'D)
Tell you what, why don't you let me
take you out? Tonight. Show you what a
good time is. Come on!
JAMIE
Mother would not approve.
Simon pulls a sour face.
SIMON
You gotta learn to loosen up. Not
sound so... "Norman Bates"-ish. Gives
me the willies.
(shudders; beat)
And besides, you can't do everything
your mum tells you.
Jamie's face conveys that this thought never occurred to him.
SIMON (CONT'D)
Come on. You'll be fine. Scout's
honour.
He salutes.
Jamie reluctantly gets up from his stool.
Simon gives him a toothy smile.
Moving quickly, he ushers Jamie out of the door, grabbing
another of Frank's sandwiches, and hastily throwing on his coat.
No sooner does the door close, then FLETCHER, VI and TAMSIN
appear from in the kitchen, chatting. They're all quite sweaty-
obviously been an intensive training session.
FLETCHER
Gotta say, being roughed up by you two
ladies sure gets the blood pumping.
TAMSIN
Oh, so that's what it was?
VI
We should do it again sometime!
FLETCHER
Yeah. Next time I'd like to just have
a one-on-one session with Tamsin,
though.
TAMSIN
I could take you any time.
FLETCHER
That's what I'm counting on.
They share flirtatious looks.
VI
Erm - where's Jamie?
This snaps Tamsin back to reality.
TAMSIN
What?!
Fletcher and Tamsin spin round quickly, greeted by an empty
diner.
FLETCHER
Okay. Er- don't panic. He's probably
just gone to the little boys' room.
Vi points to the half-full plate of sandwiches.
VI
And left his food?
(beat)
I'll pretend I didn't say that.
Tamsin, meanwhile, has ignored the chatter. Something has caught
her eye. She storms straight to the back of the diner, and picks
something up off the floor.
She stands back up with a face like thunder. She shows the
others what she's found - a pack of cigarettes - a distinctive
brand.
TAMSIN
SIIIMMMOONNN!
CUT TO:
EXT. TOWN STREET - NIGHT
Simon's trudging down the street quickly, but he has to keep
stopping to allow Jamie to catch up. Jamie is looking around him
in wonder, amazed by everything he sees, to the annoyance and
boredom of his uncle.
Suddenly, Simon pats his coat-pockets, eventually pulling out
his phone.
He glances at it quickly, then closes it and puts it back.
SIMON
Ten minutes. Thought it'd be quicker.
He casts a despairing glance at Jamie, who is watching a couple
making out against a wall.
SIMON (CONT'D)
Your mum wraps you in cotton-wool,
y'know.
Jamie ignores this, fascinated by the couple.
JAMIE
She tells me not to walk the streets
at night. She says monsters lurk in
the shadows.
SIMON
Ah, that's rub--
(beat as he considers)
Probably for the best. But there's
nothing round here. Nothing to fear
when Uncle Simon's here.
With that, he pulls Jamie away and they continue on their way.
ANGLE ON the couple. As soon as Simon and Jamie leave, the man
backs away, causing the woman to drop down, dead. Drained.
The man turns around.
It's ZACHARIAH, licking the girl's blood off his knife.
Two other figures emerge from the shadows.
SILAS and HESTER.
All in VAMP-FACE.
FADE TO BLACK.
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
EXT. TOWN STREET - SAME TIME
Same setup as before.
Zach suddenly starts patting himself down frantically. Silas
raises a disinterested eyebrow.
SILAS
What's wrong?
ZACHARIAH
My mojo's glowing.
Hester cocks a sexy eyebrow in Zach's direction.
HESTER
(seductively)
Ooh...
SILAS
He said glowing, Hester. Not--
He's cut off by a childish sticking-out tongue courtesy of
Hester.
Zach pulls out his miniature Orb, which is indeed glowing.
ZACHARIAH
Know what this means?
HESTER
Champagne and roses?
ZACHARIAH
Nah. Another piece of the thingy-bob.
SILAS
Is that its official name?
ZACHARIAH
Should be.
Silas cringes, knowing he is about to open a can of worms.
SILAS
You know. You haven't told us anything
this thing. What's it called? Where'd
you hear about it? And how many pieces
does it have?
ZACHARIAH
All in due time, mate. Jeez! Forgotten
what a stick in the mud you can be.
Still, guess it's to be expected given
your background. Preacher or summat,
right?
SILAS
(annoyed)
So where is this piece?
Zach holds out the Orb, pointing it in the direction which Simon
and Jamie walked in. It GLOWS more brightly.
He then pulls it back, and it dullens.
ZACHARIAH
I think... it's got summat to do with
that kid.
He nods in Jamie's direction.
SILAS
The boy?
ZACHARIAH
Yep. He must have been in contact with
it. The residue's still there.
SILAS
Are you sure it's the child? It could
be the man who he's with.
ZACHARIAH
Could be. But my money's on the kid.
He looks kinda funny.
Silas bites his lip hard.
HESTER
Ooh- I'll put money on the man. Ten
bucks.
A deep, frustrated breath from Silas.
ZACHARIAH
Ten bucks? Done.
He shakes hands with Hester.
SILAS
Listen, this is serious. We're not
messing around with--
The couple shoot annoyed looks in Silas' direction. He huffs.
SILAS (CONT'D)
Fine. Give me ten on the man also.
Zach smirks and gives Silas a smack on the arm. Silas gives a
small smile. Hester gives Silas' other arm a squeeze.
HESTER
That's more like it, babe!
Almost-giddy with excitement, she pushes up to Zach, looking
into his eyes.
HESTER (CONT'D)
What now?
ZACHARIAH
We'd better catch up to them two.
They'll lead us to it, probably.
And with that, they hurry off down the street, Silas pausing
momentarily, narrowing his eyes, before following.
CUT TO:
INT. FRANK'S DINER - NIGHT
TYLER emerges from his room, dressed in sweats, with huge
oversized headphones draped around his neck, and carrying a
sleek LAPTOP.
TYLER
Guys? Anyone?
No response.
TYLER (CONT'D)
Great. No-one to stop me from jumping
on the coffee train.
He sidles behind the counter and approaches the coffee machine.
He quickly lines up four or five of the paper cups, and starts
filling them.
Suddenly, there's a commotion from behind him. Turning to look,
Tyler almost spills his first cup.
It's MIKE and a HANDSOME GUY, about 25. Mike's ushering him
towards the door, politely but firmly.
MIKE
Sorry to rush you, dude, but
something's come up.
(cheekily)
Again.
The guy laughs, but realizes he's being shoved out.
GUY
Is there a problem here?
MIKE
Nope. No problem. Just something I
gotta do.
He casts a slightly panicky look around the diner, settling on
Tyler.
MIKE (CONT'D)
Yeah, I've got something me and Tyler
were doing. An appointment.
GUY
Appointment?
MIKE
Yeah. Late-night... squash match.
The guy looks at Tyler, not entirely believing Mike's story.
GUY
Squash?
MIKE
Yeah. Big squash player, the Ty man.
He gestures quickly at Tyler to back him up, but Tyler just
looks back at him in confusion. After an awkward moment, he gets
the point.
TYLER
Oh. Yeah. Really love it. Got a signed
squash... bat... in my bedroom.
GUY
Squash is a racket sport.
TYLER
Yeah. Obviously.
MIKE
Anyway...
He succeeds in pushing the guy out of the door.
MIKE (CONT'D)
Call me.
GUY
I don't know your number!
MIKE
Sure you do. It's...er...
He once again casts a "rescue me" glance at Tyler.
TYLER
Er...forty-two.
GUY
What?
MIKE
Yeah. Just forty-two.
BANG. He closes the door, and spins immediately round to Tyler.
MIKE (CONT'D)
Forty-two? What the hell was that?
Tyler shrugs.
TYLER
It's the answer to Life, The Universe
and Everything. Figured it could be
your fake number as well.
Mike shakes his head, then notices Tyler's strange get-up.
MIKE
What were you doing, dude?
He spots the row of coffee cups.
MIKE (CONT'D)
Apart from having a major caffeine
fix?
TYLER
I was battling demons from the Nether
Dimensions.
Mike's jaw drops.
MIKE
Why didn't you say so?! I'll get on
the Orb, you call Frank!
He heads towards the kitchen, then stops when he sees that Tyler
isn't moving toward the phone, but instead the man looks back
toward his computer screen.
MIKE (CONT'D)
What's up?
TYLER
When I said battling demons, I didn't
mean IRL.
MIKE
(clueless)
Dork, say what?
TYLER
"In real life."
(indicating computer)
I meant here. In the game. Warcraft.
MIKE
(frowning)
Dude, remember where you're at! You go
throwing around phrases like "battling
demons" and "Nether Dimensions" all
willy nilly, you're bound to get
caught in the cross fire.
He pulls a disgusted face.
MIKE (CONT'D)
Remind me to set aside some time to
royally kick your ass at Call Of Duty.
TYLER
As it happens, the rest of the guild
have gone offline. I'm free now...
MIKE
No can do, compadre. Got another date
in five.
Tyler turns toward him, his face a mix of anger and compassion.
TYLER
Another? What is this, your own take
on speed-dating?
MIKE
Speed-sexing.
He winks and heads back upstairs.
Tyler ponders for a moment, then picks up his phone and starts
dialling.
CUT TO:
INT. TANYA'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
C/U on Frank's cell, positioned rather precariously on a bedside
table.
It starts BUZZING.
FRANK (O.S.)
Crap. Every time I can't get to the
phone.
PULL BACK and PAN ACROSS to find FRANK, handcuffed to the bed
seductively, naked apart from a pillow covering his manhood.
The door opens and TANYA slinks in, dressed, or rather,
undressed, in some fashionable lingerie.
FRANK (CONT'D)
Can you get that, honey?
He nods at the phone.
Tanya tuts, and picks it up.
FRANK (CONT'D)
If I've won a contest, tell them I'm
not interested.
Tanya holds the phone away from her ear.
TANYA
It's Tyler.
FRANK
Dammit. Put it on speaker.
Tanya does so, and places the phone back on the bedside table
and moves to straddle Frank.
C/U on Frank's face for the rest of the scene.
FRANK (CONT'D)
Kid?
TYLER (O.S.)
Frank? What are you doing?
Frank looks around, trying desperately to make something up as
Tanya kisses her way down his chest and out of frame.
FRANK
Er... grabbing a... coffee.
TANYA (O.S.)
(amused)
Yeah, we're having coffee.
Tanya gives a small chuckle.
FRANK
Grabbing a coffee together.
TYLER
(not realizing)
Oh. Okay.
A lengthy, slightly uncomfortable beat.
FRANK
Listen, kid, if this is just a social
call...
TYLER
No.
FRANK
Problems?
TYLER
Yeah.
FRANK
Great. I'll be there--
Frank attempts to sit.
TYLER
No! It's not like that.
FRANK
Then what are you talking abo-- ooh!
Fairly high-pitched. His eyebrows shoot up.
TYLER
Frank?
FRANK
Yeah, kiddo. I just almost spilt my...
um... cream.
Frank looks down, giving the unseen Tanya a sheepish smile.
TYLER
I thought you took your coffee black.
(beat)
Anyway, it's Mike.
This "Lon" thing has gone on way too
long. I'm really worried.
Frank rolls his eyes.
FRANK
Do I look like Dr. Phil?
TANYA (O.S.)
Maybe with a moustache...
FRANK
Shut u-- ooh...
High-pitched again as his eyes roll up with pleasure. He clears
his throat.
FRANK (CONT'D)
Anyway. Leave him alone, Tyler. He'll
work it out himself. And then leave me
alone.
(glancing down)
My cup's getting limp.
(quickly)
Um... cold!
Frank frowns, considering something for a minute.
FRANK (CONT'D)
Hang on- why are you calling me? Where
are the others?
Of Frank's curious expression we:
CUT TO:
EXT. HELL'S GATE STREET - SAME TIME
Fletcher's car is pulled in against the sidewalk. A cop car
alongside.
An OFFICER is leaning through the driver's side window,
questioning Fletcher.
FLETCHER
I swear, I wasn't kerb-crawling!
OFFICER
Then what were you doing?
FLETCHER
Looking for someone.
OFFICER
Really?
FLETCHER
A young lad. About fifteen.
The officer's eyebrows shoot up in alarm. Too late, Fletcher
realizes his mistake.
FLETCHER (CONT'D)
Not like that! A specific one!
The officer's eyebrows continue to rise.
FLETCHER (CONT'D)
A boy... and a man. Together.
Still not cutting much ice with the worried officer. Tamsin
leans forward.
TAMSIN
For heaven's sake. It's my son.
Noticing her for the first time, the officer leans in, and spots
Vi as well. He eyes the women skeptically.
OFFICER
(to Fletcher)
What's this, your harem?
FLETCHER
What? No!
OFFICER
Then if you'd explain...
FLETCHER
We have!
The officer looks at the trio and begins writing notes on his
small pad.
OFFICER
Okay, let's take this again from the
top.
Tamsin collapses back into her seat, sighing in annoyance as we:
CUT TO:
INT. FLETCHER'S CAR - MOMENTS LATER
As Fletcher drives steadily. Vi leans forward from the back
seat.
VI
That officer was really nice. Except
for the whole part where he mistook us
for pervy prostitutes with our
pedophile pimp.
(amused)
Whew. Try saying that ten times fast.
Tamsin also leans forward.
TAMSIN
The nice officer did have a point
though.
Vi shoots Tamsin an offended look.
VI
Hey!
TAMSIN
No. That driving around like this is
only going to get us arrested.
FLETCHER
What do you suggest?
TAMSIN
A change of tack.
(beat)
Let's think. You're an impressionable
young boy, being led around town by an
impudent adult who hasn't really grown
up himself. Where would you go?
As they ponder this, we:
CUT TO:
INT. HEAVEN'S GATE ARCADE - SAME TIME
A small, but well-stocked arcade, packed with tweenage and
teenage boys, bleeping and bashing away.
Jamie is watching all this with that familiar look of awe and
wonder while Simon looks into the middle-distance, familiarity
washing over him.
SIMON
God, I remember when I was a nipper.
Spent ages in these kinds of places.
Only ever played a couple of games,
but I was a master.
(beat)
And the best thing is, you can have
fun, and it's totally safe.
Just as he says that, a YOUNG BOY (14) bashes into him and
sprints off.
Simon quickly checks his pockets, and realizes something's
missing.
SIMON (CONT'D)
Oi!
He sets off in pursuit, easily catching the boy just short of
the exit. He blocks him off with an arm.
The kid tries to wriggle free, but Simon gets him in an arm
lock, and FLIPS him onto the floor.
He PLANTS his foot on the kid's stomach, and retrieves his
wallet.
SIMON (CONT'D)
Y'know, if you wanted some loose
change, you could have asked!
He releases his foot.
SIMON (CONT'D)
Now, get lost, before I kick your
arse.
The boy doesn't need to be told twice. He's up, on his feet, and
out of there.
Simon turns back to see Jamie watching him appreciatively.
SIMON (CONT'D)
'Course, it pays to keep an eye out.
He ushers Jamie towards a game.
It's similar to Space Invaders, involving a lot of shooting and
quick movements.
Simon moves away.
SIMON (CONT'D)
You have a go at that, I'll be...
keeping watch.
He hands Jamie a few coins.
Jamie looks at the game, confused for a moment. He then glances
across at the player next to him.
This is BEAU BUXTON. 15, smallish, scruffy-looking with a shock
of red hair, but dressed in a prim and proper posh school
uniform.
He plays the game quite skillfully. Jamie watches, his head on
one side, memorizing the moves.
He then turns to his own game, places in the coins and starts
playing.
He begins quite tentatively, but he starts moving faster and
faster, his hand-eye co-ordination quite staggering.
The speed becomes blinding.
Beau can't help but look across at the new kid, impressed.
The game finishes, and there's a fanfare for a new high score.
Jamie looks at it, puzzled again.
Beau sidles up to him.
BEAU
(with a slow Southern drawl)
You have some sweet moves, my friend.
JAMIE
Thank you. What does this mean?
BEAU
High score. You've beaten the game.
He claps Jamie on the back. Jamie flinches, surprised.
JAMIE
What do I do now?
Beau looks back at him, a little surprised.
BEAU
You've gotta enter your--
Jamie leans forward, brow furrowed.
BEAU (CONT'D)
BBU. That's what you have to put in.
That'll save your game.
Jamie nods and enters in the initials.
Beau sniggers. He extends his hand to Jamie.
BEAU (CONT'D)
Beau Buxton.
Jamie regards the boy's hand for a moment and then extends his
own.
JAMIE
Jamie Sinclair.
Beau takes his hand, but then slaps and hits it with his fist in
an elaborate shake. Jamie looks at his hand curiously.
BEAU
Good to meet you.
(beat)
Well, gotta book. I miss curfew again,
my mom will kill me.
JAMIE
(frowning)
That seems a bit harsh.
Beau squints his eyes for a beat, a smile comes to his face.
BEAU
Right. Kill me. You're funny.
Jamie looks uncertain as Beau gives him a wave and exits.
CUT TO:
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