Script

Here is the first draft of my script:

Foreign Streets
Script: First Draft

Characters:

Young Immigrant: Joseph (18)
Gangster: Paul (25)
Landlord: Margaret (60)

Scene 1 - Joe

ZOOM IN:

EXT. (AS OF YET UNSPECEFIED COUNTRY) - GRAVESITE - MORNING

At his parents’ tombstones, Joe is kneeling and speaking.

The sun is shining down on Joe. (A violin plays in the background)

The camera slowly gets closer to Joe and the music fades out as the audience begins to hear what he is saying.

JOE
Last year when they came and you told me to run, I ran.. I ran so far.

Camera cuts to flashback of Joe running through the woods.

JOE
I’m sorry I could not make it back until now but it’s been so hard.

Camera cuts to a flashback of Joe in a blanket begging on the streets.

Joe takes out a necklace from his jacket pocket and hangs it by his fingers and looks at it up at it.

JOE
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..

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

Camera dips to black.

(Scene 1 Ends)

Scene 2 - Paul

ZOOM IN:

EXT. NOTTINGHAM – GRAVESITE – MORNING

At his little brother’s tombstone, Paul is kneeling and speaking.

The sun is also shining down on Paul. (A violin plays in the background)

The camera slowly gets closer to Paul and the music fades out as the audience begins to hear what he is saying.

PAUL
Johnnie, I hate myself for what happened.

Camera cuts to flash back: Paul walks out of his front door and sees a car with someone holding a gun out the window, the car takes off and the gun fires several times.

Paul jumps out of the way and reveals his little brother standing behind him in the doorway.

Paul
I’m going to leave this place one day.. follow our dream..

Camera cuts to flashback of his little brother asking if they could go scuba diving in the Bahamas.

Paul
You got it bro.

Camera dips to black.

(Scene 2 Ends)

Scene 3 – The Room

FADE IN:

EXT. NOTTINGHAM – CITY CENTER – DAY

Joe is walking with a large bag, looking for a room to rent.

The weather is overcast and the city is busy. (Fast-paced music in the background)

Joe dodges traffic and gets bumped into by people.

Camera cuts to various shots of him walking in and out of buildings, coming out without luck.

Camera dips to black

As Joe walks up to the next house. Paul looks out of his window and sees Joe walking up to his neighbor’s door holding a newspaper. Joe looks over and sees Paul looking at him through the window. Joe knocks…

MARGARET
Hello, who is it?

Joe
Hi, I’ve come to look at the room you posted for let in the newspaper.

MARGARET
Oh, come on in. Would you like a cup of tea?

Camera dips to black.

Margaret is showing Joe a room.

MARGARET
You know, to be honest, it is lucky for me that you are having such bad luck Joe. I Haven’t been able to get anyone to take this room.. I put the price so low because I know it’s not a nice neighborhood, and one must be ever so cautious. The last time someone even came to look at the room was about a year ago..

Joe
I’ll take it, thank you.

Camera dips to black.

Joe looks around the room and then out the window at the sunset. He then lies down and closes his eyes. (Somber music in the background)

Camera dips to black.

(Scene 3 Ends)

Scene 4 – The Streets

FADE IN:

INT. NOTTINGHAM – PAULS HOUSE – NIGHT

Paul is looking at himself in the mirror. (Somber music in the background)

He pulls his hood over his head and walks out of the bathroom.

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. Joe is taking out the trash when Paul walks out and they exchange a prolonged awkward glance at each other.

Camera cuts to various quick shots of Paul hanging out with a gang, drinking, smoking cigarettes and robbing people. (Aggressive music in the background)

Camera dips to black

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 fades to black

(Scene 4 Ends)

Scene 5 - The Loss

FADE IN:

EXT. NOTTINGHAM – VARIOUS SHOPS/JOB AGENCIES – DAY

Joe is asking various people for work and walking in and out of markets, stores, and job agencies.

As he comes out of the last place, he walks though an alleyway and is attacked by three people in hoods. As this is happening, Paul goes to walk into the alleyway and sees one of the attackers steal Joe’s mother’s necklace while the other two kick him on the floor.

The attacker looks up at Paul and nods. Paul nods back and walks the other way.

Paul turns and walks the other way.

Camera dips to black

(Scene 5 Ends)

Scene 6 – The Call

INT. NOTTINGHAM – PAUL’S ROOM – DAY

Paul is smoking a cigarette and listening to music. He looks out of his window, and sees Joe returning. He is limping and holding his face. Paul hears the door slam and Joe enter his room. He walks over to the other wall, puts his head against the wall and can hear Joe crying.

His phone rings…

PAUL
What do you want?… I told I would be there at 11 and it’s not even half nine yet… Whatever man I’ll be there…. Safe.

Camera dips to black

Paul is getting ready to go out.

He hurriedly puts on his hoody, grabs his backpack off a chair, and walks out the door. (Ominous music in the background)

(Scene 6 Ends)

Scene 7 – The Rescue

INT. – NOTTINGHAM - JOE’S ROOM - NIGHT

Joe climbs out of bed and walks out of the room.

He walks down the stairs and into the kitchen.

As he is filling a glass with water he looks out the window above the sink that looks over a courtyard behind his house. He sees a shape and when it moves slightly he goes to inspect. He slowly opens the door to the courtyard and walks cautiously over to the figure. As he gets nearer, he can see a Paul lying on the ground…

JOE
Hey are you ok?… What’s happened?… Sir your bleeding…

PAUL
Please…

JOE
Yes, let me help, do you have a phone to call an ambulance?

Paul groans in pain.

JOE
I’ll be right back.

PAUL
No… Please go away… they’re coming… stay inside!

JOE
What? Who? Who’s coming? Why would whoever did this come back?

PAUL
GO!

Joe hears shouting nearby.

JOE
Come on…

Joe helps Paul up assists him in waking to the door.

When they get inside Joe lays Paul on the floor and crouches down. He looks up over the widow and sees two large men and quickly ducks back down.

Camera dips to black


(Scene 7 Ends)

Scene 8 – The Talk

INT. NOTTINGHAM - JOSEPH’S ROOM - NIGHT

A couple candles light the room.

Joseph is sitting on the floor reading a book. Paul is on the bed and begins to wake up.

Joseph puts the book down, grabs a glass of water, and gets up. He walks over to the bed and leans over Paul.

JOSEPH
Are you alright? You’ve been unconscious for a few hours. Here is some water.

Paul looks at Joseph confused.

PAUL
Where am I?… Who are you?…

JOSEPH
Don’t worry, my name is Joseph and you are in my room I brought you in from out back. You’re safe…

Paul goes to sit up but groans in pain.

JOSEPH
No, no, please stay laying down. You need to get to a hospital… I didn’t have a phone to call an ambulance and I couldn’t take you because the people who were after you stayed and broke into next door… I thought they were just looking for you but they only left about an hour ago…

JOSEPH
I think you will be fine, I tied cloth around some of your cuts to stop the bleeding. If you don’t mind me asking, what happened to you?

PAUL
I don’t want to speak about it kid.

JOSEPH
Ok, that’s fine, let me make you some tea…

Camera dips to black

Joseph returns with a cup of tea and some biscuits.

JOSEPH
Here you are, please help yourself to as many as you like…

Paul looks up at Joseph, then takes a sip of tea.

PAUL
No thanks… umm…

JOSEPH
Joseph, my name’s Joseph… Pleased to meet you, however unfortunate under these circumstances…

PAUL
Yeah… Why are you here Joseph?

JOSEPH
Well, you see my parents died when I was 17. My father left me the land and a small inheritance. With that I bought a seat on a small ship.
I arrived two days ago and took a bus to Nottingham to find work…

PAUL
How are you finding it?

JOSEPH
Quite hard… it’s not what I expected… How bout you? What do you think of Nottingham?

PAUL
See me, I’ve only lived down the street and next door. I used to love it, there was a big energy to it… Now, I just want to leave.

JOSEPH
Leave and go where?

PAUL
The Bahamas… become a scuba diving instructor…

JOSEPH
Oh? why that?

PAUL
My little brother, it was his dream…

JOSEPH
Where is he now?

PAUL
Dead for the same reason you see me here tonight…

JOSEPH
What reason is that?

Paul sighs loudly.

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… things that end up hurting other people… innocent people.

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 8 Ends)

Scene 9 – The Note

INT. NOTTINGHAM – JOSEPH’S ROOM – MORNING

The window is open and the sun in shining brightly though. 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)