Foreign Streets Script - Final Draft

Below is the latest copy of the script for "Foreign Streets". I made a few changes after considering some of the feedback I had received from Chris Cook and Makaya. Chris Cook is a director and Makaya is an actress who actively work in Nottingham. My initial script had some holes in it such as how Paul actually got the money and also how Paul ends up in the courtyard and can't make it into his house. I did have some explanations for these things but for the sake of time, I decided to change the story around a bit. Basically, Joseph now finds Paul next to a path after falling asleep on a bench while drinking vodka.

Also, the actual depth of the connection between the two characters needed to be developed. To do this, I have made more instances where Paul and Joseph see eachother before they actually meet. Also, I have tried to strengthen the narrative by really trying to get across that Paul is seriously considering his life. Also, to give more of a reason why Paul is pushed over the edge to leave his life in Nottingham, I've tried to show that Joseph reminds Paul of his brother.

"Foreign Streets"

Scene 1

EXT – GRAVEYARD 1 – MORNING

Joseph walks along a path through a graveyard. He reaches his parents’ tombstones, kneels, and begins speaking.

JOSEPH
Last year when they came and you told me to run, I ran.. I ran so far. I’m sorry I could not make it back until now but it’s been so hard.

Joseph reaches into his pocket and pulls out a gold necklace with a medallion. He holds it up and looks at it as it dangles from his fingers.

JOSEPH
All I found was Mother’s necklace. I will give it to my daughter after I make a life in England. Father you have taught me true strength and that is the only reason I am here today. I will not let you down…

Joseph kisses the necklace and places it back in his pocket.

JOSEPH
I love you.

Camera dips to black.

Scene 2

EXT – GRAVEYARD – NOTTINGHAM - MORNING

Paul walks along a path through a graveyard. He reaches his brother’s tombstone, kneels, and begins speaking.

PAUL
Johnny, bruv I feel so messed up about what happened. When you went to the hospital I just played it cool and kept telling you it would be ok…

Paul takes out a silver necklace with a cross medallion, holds it in his palm, and looks at it.

PAUL
I’m sorry I was wrong. Things have been so different since you’ve been gone. Nothing feels the same. I just don’t know what to do..

Paul clenches the cross in his fist, holds it to his chest, and bows his head.

PAUL
I love you.

Camera dips to black.

Scene 3

EXT. NOTTINGHAM – CITY CENTER – DAY

Joseph steps off of a train at Nottingham train station carrying a large duffel bag.

As he walks through the busy streets he is bumped by a passerby and drops his bag.

He walks past a shop with a “room for let” sign. He notices the sign and walks up to them to get a closer look.

After reading the sign he writes down the address of the location.

Joseph walks through the streets and arrives at a house. Next door to the house there are two people outside speaking and smoking cigarettes, Paul and a local hood.

Scene 4

INT – JOSEPH’S ROOM – EVENING

A door opens and Joseph is standing in the doorway with his bag. He turns on the light, steps into the room, and drops his bag.

Joseph walks over to the bed, sits down, and takes out a picture of his parents from his bag.

JOSEPH
Mother, Father… I made it. Almost everything I saved is gone but Nottingham is a big city. It is another way of life here but I have a good feeling.

Joseph smiles at the picture, places it on the night stand and turns off the light.

Scene 5

INT. NOTTINGHAM – PAUL’S BATHROOM – NIGHT

Paul is catching water in his hands. He leans over the sink, splashes the water on his face, and looks up at himself in the mirror.

He walks over to the towel rack, dries off his face and walks back to the mirror. He pulls his hood over his head and exits.

Paul walks to his front door. With his hand on the doorknob, he looks to the left at a photograph of his brother smiling on the wall. He turns the handle and walks out.

Camera dips to black.

Scene 6

EXT. NOTTINGHAM STREETS – NIGHT

Paul walks up to a group of hoods and they exchange greetings. The group is drinking, smoking, and selling drugs while Paul is on the side in thought.

After a few hours Paul gets up and leaves.

Back at his house, Paul is lying in bed with his hood still up. He has his hands on his chest and a the picture of his brother underneath them.. his eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling.

Camera dips to black.

Scene 7

INT – PAUL’S ROOM – MORNING

Paul is lying in bed and is woken up by yelling.

LANDLORD (voice)
HEY! HEY! Don’t you walk away!

Paul sits up and looks out of his window. He sees Joseph walking away from the house next door.

LANDLORD (voice)
If you don’t have my rent by next week I’m going to kick you out! You hear me!

Scene 8

EXT – NOTTINGHAM SHOPS AND STREETS - DAY

Joseph is walking in and out of shops and green grocers. He is asking people for work. Some shake their heads; some point him in another direction.

As he is walking home he takes out his mother’s necklace and looks down at it.

JOSEPH
Mother, I’m so lost. It’s just so difficult and I have no one to understand me…

Joseph walks by Paul and his crew who are standing and sitting at a bench, holding the necklace.

HOOD 1
Yo blad check out this fool.

Hood 1 taps Paul and nods towards Joseph. He rises off the bench and walks up behind Joseph.

HOOD 1
That’s a nice necklace kid. I think my girl would like that a lot.

The hood knocks Joseph to the ground and punches him several times in the face. After this he rips the necklace from Joseph’s hands and holds it up in the air smiling at Paul and the crew.

Camera cuts to flashback

INT – PAUL’S HOUSE – DAY

Paul walks into a room and sees Johnny studying wearing a silver chain.

JOHNNY
Yo, Paul did you know that this kind of jellyfish is one of the most deadly animals in the world?

Camera cuts to present day.

Paul gets up and walks away.

Camera dips to black

Scene 9

INT – PAUL’S ROOM – DAY

Paul is looking out the window. He sees Joseph returning. He walks over to the wall and places his ear against it. He hears Joseph crying and looks down at the floor.

Camera fades to black.

Scene 10

INT – PAUL’S ROOM – NIGHT

Paul is sitting on his bed smoking a cigarette and listening to music. His phone rings.

PAUL (On the phone)
Hello. What? They’re makin’ the move tonight? Yea, Yea. I’m on my way.

Paul puts out his cigarette, pulls up his hood, picks up a backpack, and exits.

Camera fades to black.

Scene 11

EXT – FORREST FIELDS – NIGHT

Joseph is sitting on a bench holding his mother’s necklace. He picks up a bottle of vodka and takes a drink then he looks up to the moon and begins speaking.

JOSEPH
Every day I imagine what it would be like if I stayed with you. Sometimes I wish I hadn’t left…

Joseph takes another sip of the vodka.

JOSEPH
It seems so hopeless. What do I have? Where is my destiny?

Joseph pours some vodka onto the ground.

JOSEPH
Here’s to you Mother… Father…

His head sways and falls onto his chest. He drops the bottle of vodka on the ground and falls asleep.

Camera cuts to dream.

EXT – NOTTINGHAM STREETS – NIGHT

Joseph sees people fighting. He sees the flash of a knife and hears yelling. He wakes up startled and looks down at the bottle of vodka. He gets up and starts walking down the path.

As Joseph is walking home he notices a figure lying on the ground. He stops. The figure shifts slightly.

JOSEPH
Are you ok?

He moves closer to the figure and recognizes Paul.

JOSEPH
Hey, do you need some help?

Paul groans.

JOSEPH
Your bleeding… Can you walk?

Paul tries to stand up and groans in pain.

JOSEPH
Easy now, be careful…

Joseph helps Paul stand up.

JOSEPH
I know you. I am your neighbor. I can help you home and we can get you seen to.

PAUL
Go away. I can’t go home and I don’t need no lookin’ at. I just need to get out of here.

Paul looks at his watch and begins to limp away.

JOSEPH
Look at you. You are in no state to be going anywhere.

PAUL
Leave me alone kid, there’s gonna be people looking for me. It’s not safe for you.

JOSEPH
Quick then, lets go back together.

Paul looks at Joseph with uncertainty.

JOSEPH
When you are being chased and you go where you are known it is always more dangerous. You will be safe hiding at mine.

Paul nods and moves towards Joseph. Joseph walks over to Paul and helps him walk.

JOSEPH
My name’s Joseph.

PAUL
I’m Paul… Come on, I know some back roads we can take

Camera dips to black.

Scene 12

INT – JOSEPH’S ROOM – NIGHT

Paul is tying a bandana around his arm. Blood drips down.

Joseph walks in holding a tray with tea and biscuits.

PAUL
So, what are you doing here Joseph?

JOSEPH
You see, my parents died about a year ago. My father owned a farm and his dream was always to come to America and open a market… I came here hoping to find work and eventually open my own market just like he dreamed. So far it doesn’t look good.

Joseph hands Paul a cup of tea.

PAUL
Thanks

JOSEPH
How about you Paul, what do you do here in Nottingham?

PAUL
Things that I’ve been doing for way too long. My parents were smack heads and left me and my little brother, Johnny, when we were young. We grew up with our grandmother down the road. So now I do what I can to pay rent and keep eatin’.

JOSEPH
Where is your brother now?

PAUL
He passed away last year… leukemia.

JOSEPH
What’s that?

PAUL
To tell you the truth, I don’t really know. All I know is that it took the last real thing I had in my life.

JOSEPH
I’m so sorry…

PAUL
I’ve always thought of leaving Nottingham though.

JOSEPH
Really? Leave and go where?

PAUL
The Bahamas… become a scuba diving instructor…

JOSEPH
Oh? why that?

PAUL
My little brother, it was kind of his dream…

JOSEPH
So what’s stopping you?

A car pulls up outside of Paul’s house. Two people in hoods get out and go over to the house.

PAUL
Shit! I knew they’d find me! Turn off the light!

Joseph runs over and turns off the bedroom light.

Paul and Joseph hear glass shatter followed by banging around in Paul’s house.

PAUL
You see Joseph, when you grow up in a rough place, there are always people trying to take advantage of you… Sometimes you get forced into things that you don’t really want to be in… things where there are no ways out…

Joseph lights a candle with a match.

JOSEPH
That is what I thought too Paul… however, I’ve realized that you must create life, do not let it create you, or else it will destroy you.

Camera dips to black.

Scene 13

INT. NOTTINGHAM – JOSEPH’S ROOM – MORNING

Joseph is laying on a cot on the floor and begins to wake up. He looks around for Paul. The sun gleams on a note left on the bed, as Joseph opens it, money begins to fall out. Joseph opens it fully and starts to read the note out loud.


“Joseph, This is the reason why those guys were after me last night. I could never thank you enough for your kind words and for saving me. I’m sorry that you got involved. No one else would have done that for me and I’m never going to let it happen again. I’m going straight to the Bahamas with the other half of the money. I hope this holds you over while you make a name for yourself. I’ll send you a postcard…

Paul”

(Roll Credits)