'EXPENSIVE GIFTS'

Written by:

Simon K. Parker

simonkyleparker@[Link]

copyright 2020
 2.

INT. VAN - DAY

Three men are on the floor of the van. Each one, all dressed
in black with a ski mask covering their faces.

In the centre of the floor several large duffel bags.

They sit around them.

OLIVER, 60, is the first to remove his ski mask. Smiling he

pumps a fist into the air celebrating.

OLIVER
You see. You listen to me, I make you
rich.

He reaches out to the bags. He unzips a couple for a look.

They're stuffed full of money.

He runs his hands over them. Just want to touch. JOHN, 30,
and CARL, 19, remove their ski masks next. Both hot and
sweaty.

JOHN
We should hit another. That was too
easy.

OLIVER
Only because you left all the planning
to me. And did what I said.

CARL
We need a place to hide.

JOHN
Well, I say we go to another one. Do
the same thing and get more.

OLIVER
This is enough for now. You two just
need to continue being smart. Like me.

Oliver zips the bags back closed. All three men continue to
look down at the bags. Can't help but smile.

CARL
The cops are the next question.

Oliver looks up at him.

Carl gives him a sideways glance. He shouldn't even have to

 3.

say.

CARL
What are you going to do about them?
They're going to come straight for
you. We might have done this job
clean. No evidence. But it's still
going to have your stink on it. I want
you to be as nervous as I am.

JOHN
Forget nervous. We're loaded.

CARL
I'm not going through all of this just
to lose it all. What are you going to
do now?

Oliver grins.

OLIVER
Of course, the cops are going to come
for me, and I'm going to hide the
money right in plain sight. They're
going to see it and not even know.

JOHN
Give me the money and I'll bury it.

CARL
We each take out share and never see
each other again.

OLIVER
Boy's relax. I'm in charge. The money
stays with me. Let the heat die down.
I've planned this all out. I'm the
smartest. So just leave the thinking
to me.

All three men return to staring at the bags. Stolen cash.

it's there's. All smiling happily.

EXT. ELLE'S HOUSE - DAY

Oliver has one of those duffel bags from the van. He drops it
down on the ground beside him. He knocks on and rings the
bell. With a knowing, confident smile. He waits.

ELLE, 35, answer the door. Instantly, there are tears.

 4.

ELLE
Dad. You're out.

She wraps her arms around him. And they hug.

INT. ELLE'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY

Oliver stands at the head of the long oak table. The kitchen
is cute. Country style.

Elle sits close to him. Now joined by FRANK, 40. JACK, 8 and
BETH, 6. They all look at him with either love, suspicion or
surprise.

Frank leans back in his chair. His eyes narrow. He's the one
with suspicion.

FRANK
We've not seen you for years. And now
you just turn up unannounced. What
gives? What do you want?

Elle reaches over. Slaps Frank across the arm.

ELLE
Don't talk to my dad like that.

OLIVER
Well, you see Frank. I've only just
got out of prison a couple of days
ago. I didn't know who to call. I just
knew that I wanted to see my family.

ELLE
Well, we're glad you're here.

Elle gestures to the children.

ELLE
They've both grown a lot since you
last saw them.

JACK
I don't wear nappies anymore. That was
mum's idea. Not mine.

Oliver smiles and nods.

BETH
And I don't remember you at all.
 5.

FRANK
Properly for the best. He never stays
around for long.

Elle shoots Frank a look. Staring daggers.

Oliver places the duffel bag down. Places it into the centre
of the table. He unzips it.

OLIVER
I brought gifts for everyone. No need
to get jealous. They're all the same
amount. I've got a friend in the
jewellery business. No more than a
couple hundred each.

A gold watch each for Frank and Jack. Two diamond necklaces
for Elle and Beth.

These items are clearly worth a hell of a lot more than he

says they are.

They shine and sparkle. They're the real things. Everyone is

blown away. Impressed. Put them on. Except for Frank. Who
can't shake the feeling of suspicion?

FRANK
Are you going now?

Oliver shakes his head.

OLIVER
I'd like to reconnect with my family.
If I can?

Elle, Jack and Beth all stand up. They come over to Oliver.
Wearing their gifts. They hug him.

ELLE
Don't listen to him. You can stay for
as long as you want to.

Oliver smiles. happy to hear it.

EXT. ELLE'S HOUSE - DAY

Frank and Elle stand in the open doorway. Wearing their

gifts. They watch as two uniformed police officers. Men.
Approch.
 6.

FRANK
Oh great. He's brought some friends
along.

ELLE
You don't know that my dad has done
anything. I trust him. That should be
enough.

FRANK
Well, it's not.

INT. ELLE'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY

Oliver sits at the table. The two police officers stand over
him. Their hands on their batons. Their handcuffs. Ready to
take him down. At any moment.

OLIVER
I hope I've answered all your
questions. I hate to sound like a know
it all. But I kind of am.

POLICE OFFICER
So you're telling us you don't know
anything?

OLIVER
You can search me. Monitor me.
Interrogate me. I have no money. I've
only just got out of prison. I'm many
things but I'm not stupid.

POLICE OFFICER
Well, you're a person of interest. So
you will be seeing us again.

INT. ELLE'S HOUSE - HALLWAY - DAY

Oliver steps out of the kitchen. Walks through the hallway

with a happy smile.

Frank suddenly appears. Grabs a hold of Oliver and slams him

up against the wall. Keeps a hold of him. Won't let go. Too
strong for Oliver to try and free himself either.

FRANK
You best tell me the truth about those
gifts right now. Because I know you're
lying. You keep telling me how smart
you are. Prove it. Tell me the truth.
 7.

Oliver swallows hard. He knows he's beat.

OLIVER
Altogether. The gifts I gave you add
up to about half a million.

Frank is stunned.

FRANK
Why?

OLIVER
I need to hide some money. Bank job. I
know the police would come for me.
Which they did. I couldn't put the
money anywhere. They'd find it. If I
hide it, they'd find it. Gave it to
someone to keep safe, they'd lose it.
So I gave it to my family.

FRANK
Jewellery?

OLIVER
Easy to sell. It's not stolen money
anymore. It's someone else's.

FRANK
And your plan?

OLIVER
When the heat was over. The coast
clear. I would wait for you all to
fall asleep. I was going to steal the
jewellery from you and sell it.
Disappearing into the night.

Frank lets go of him. Takes a step back. Shakes his head.

Sad.

FRANK
You'll break Elle's heart.

OLIVER
This is who I am.

FRANK
It doesn't have to be.

Oliver smiles.
 8.

OLIVER
Do you really believe that?

FRANK
Elle believes it. So I have to try and
believes it too. You can change and
live here with us. With your family.

OLIVER
I can't.

FRANK
Can't or won't?

OLIVER
I'm too old to become someone new.

FRANK
That's sad.

OLIVER
So what are you going to do? Call the
police?

FRANK
I'm not going to do anything. I won't
even stop you from stealing the gifts
back. If that's really what you want
to do. I just hope you won't.

Oliver's confused.

OLIVER
Why?

Frank walks away from him. Keeps his back to him.

FRANK
It's what Elle would want me to do.

EXT. ELLE'S HOUSE - NIGHT

A van pulls up quietly outside the front of the house.

INT. VAN - NIGHT

John and Carl sit in the front of the van. The engine
running. Flash its lights.

The curtains move. Oliver appears at the window. He holds up

a hand to them. A signal. They stop flashing their lights.
 9.

Turn the engine off.

INT. ELLE'S HOUSE - ELLE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Oliver slowly creeps inside the room. The floorboards creak.

He gets to the side of the bed. Silent. He clears his throat.
Elle and Frank both wake up.

Elle is shocked to see him. Frank isn't.

OLIVER
I'm sorry. I can't stay.

ELLE
Dad?

OLIVER
I like to think that I'm so smart. But
I'll never understand why you love me
as much s you do.

ELLE
Dad, stay.

OLIVER
I can't. Sell the gifts I gave you.
Live like royalty. At least for a few
years.

ELLE
You don't have to go.

Oliver nods. Turns his focus to Frank.

OLIVER
I've been bad again. But I'm going to
keep you safe. And to do that I've got
to go.

ELLE
Dad no.

Elle goes to get out of bed. Frank reaches over. Holds her.
Heeps her where she is.

Oliver kisses Elle's head.

OLIVER
I love you. And I'll see you as soon
as I can.
 10.

INT. ELLE'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT

Oliver takes out his phone. Makes a call. Slips out the back.

EXT. ELLE'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Those same two uniformed police officers appear on either

side of the van. Handcuffs at the ready. They rip open the
doors. Arresting both of them indie.

EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT

A quiet, empty street. Oliver walks alone. He's got away. He

smiles to himself. Then laughs.

He pulls back his sleeve to reveal the shiny, pure gold

watch. The one he had brought for Frank. He's got it for
himself.

FADE TO BLACK

THE END