THIRD STAR

by
Vaughan Sivell









September 1
st
2009

Draft 19.




















Western Edge Pictures.
7 Denmark St.
London.
WC2H 8LZ
FADE IN:
EXT. A CHURCH YARD [STACKPOLE] 1 1
OPENING TITLE SEQUENCE
MUSIC
An extraordinarily green and lush rural graveyard.
CLOSE UP: Slow motion: The whirling head of a strimmer
sweeps through the lush grass reaping it down to the roots.
It moves over the contours of the old unkept graves sunken
and rounded by time, knocking over small vases of flowers
and keepsakes, some new some long-forgotton.
ANGLE ON:
MILES (29, handsome, possessing a natural confident charm;
impeccably dressed in black.) stares at a gravestone. He
looks at the sky. Clear blue.
CUT TO:
EXT. OUTER-SPACE [GILTAR GROVE. JAMES BEDROOM.] 2 2
Close in on James face. (JAMES, 29, very thin.) He is very
still. Behind him is a twinkling firmament in which he
appears to be floating. He stares straight down the lens.
CUT TO:
INT. JAMES HOUSE. PANTRY - DAY [GILTAR GROVE] 3 3
DAVY (29, handsome, strong, earnest and trendy) stands
holding an armful of jam jars, each filled with home made
pickled produce. We see the legs of James Mother, (MRS
GRIFFITH) who is up a setpladder passing more jars down to
him. He is exasperated, but infinitely patient. The alarm
on Davys watch goes off. He manages to turn it off and
wonders how much longer this will take.
CUT TO:
EXT. JAMES HOUSE - GARDEN.[GILTAR GROVE] 4 4
BILL (29, Scottish, an urban surf bum) emerges from the
darkness of a barn. With what seems like Herculean strength
he is carrying something above his head. We dont see all
of it, just the general size of it and that its some kind
of mechanical contraption.
Bill is struggling to hold it aloft, with triumph, ceremony
and excitement... Then sudden PANIC, as his arms judder.
CUT TO:
EXT. A CHURCH YARD. [STACKPOLE] 5 5
Miles, at the gravestone, lost in thought. Suddenly he
starts getting hit by small flecks of greenery. In fact
hes being splattered all over by them.
SMASH CUT:
A scruffy GROUNDSMAN, 55, wearing ear protectors and a face-
shield, is strimming the grass of the churchyard with a
petrol strimmer, edging backwards towards Miles. The
strimmer is throwing up the mulched grass flecks.
Miles looks down at his smart clothes, now covered in grass
as if this was somehow inevitable. The groundsman edges
closer - still unaware of Miles. Miles pokes him lightly in
the back. The groundsman turns round. Miles gestures with a
slow sweep of his hand to show that he is covered in grass
mulch.
The groundsman looks at the mess. He nods slowly with
resignation. Using the same gesture he points out that his
tattered old overalls are also covered.
Miles nods slowly. This is obviously going to be one of
those days, weeks, months, years...
CUT TO:
EXT. OUTER-SPACE [GILTAR GROVE. JAMES BEDROOM.] 6 6
Close in on James face, floating in space.
He stares straight down the lens.
JAMES
James Kimberly Griffith.
He breaks into a laugh...
PULL OUT TO REVEAL:
James on his bed in front of a huge poster of the
firmament, holding a small camera in front of himself.
Davy enters carrying James shoes. James shows him the
images on the camera.
2.
DAVY
Your mum just made me do CPR on
on one of Chloes old dolls.
JAMES
At least one of us is getting
some.
Davy nods. Resigned.
JAMES (CONTD)
Do you know CPR?
James looks at the shoes. With one hand in each, he tap
dances them on the tray table beside him.
DAVY
No. But that doll did give me a
semi.
JAMES
If I didnt know better, Sherpa
Davy, Id say youve cleaned
these shoes.
Davy smiles and shrugs as he starts sorting out his
medication almost like a croupier with chips and cards.
Swift and professional.
James puts on one shoe himself. But he is struggling with
the other. Davy sees and comes over to help.
CUT TO:
INT. JAMES HOUSE BATHROOM. [TBC] 7 7
CHLOE (30, James sister, naturally beautiful) leans
against the wall, crying. She looks in the mirror. She
tries to take a deep breath. She cant. At the sink she
splashes her face and leaves the bathroom...
JAMES HOUSE. HALL (CONTINUED) [GILTAR GROVE] 8 8
Chloe checks her watch. Her little girl(5) runs to her. She
scoops her up, hugs her too hard. Mrs. Griffith marches
past.
MRS GRIFFITH
Lord knows where the drinks table-
Seeing Chloes face she does a double-take,
MRS GRIFFITH (CONTD)
Have you looked in a mirror?
3.
CHLOE
Yes. I-
MRS GRIFFITH
Oh. Well.
Then she walks on. Chloe is a bit smacked in the face for a
moment, then takes a breath.
CHLOE
Lets help Granny with the party.
CUT TO:
EXT. JAMES HOUSE. GARDEN. [GILTAR GROVE] 9 9
Still seeing only part of the contraption, including one of
its shiny wheels and a tyre, Bill and MR GRIFFITH (James
father, 65, vague engineering genius) stare at it.
BILL
Youve done it, Mr. Griff... now
ANYTHING is possible.
Long pause. Mr Griffith seems to seriously consider this
and conclude that the statement cant be accurate.
MR. GRIFFITH
Well...
They stare at the cart. Mr. Griffith kicks a tyre gently.
CUT TO:
EXT. JAMES GARDEN 10 10
James sits on a garden chair and looks back at the house
where a lunch party is in full swing. Family and friends
fill the house. James mother and Chloe pass around food at
his family and friends. Bill tucks into mountains of food
as he talks to Chloes husband MIKE (He is 40, gentle,
square). He looks bored.
Chloes children examine Mr. Griffiths face scientifically
as he explains wrinkles.
Mrs. Griffith and Davy check the taste of a salad dressing.
Davy suggesting a little more balsamic.
Chloe and Mrs. Griffiths put food out, side by side. Chloe
adjusts the plate layout and immediately Mrs. Griffith
swaps it back round and walks out. James chuckles and looks
at the sky...
CUT TO:
4.
EXT. JAMES HOUSE. DRIVEWAY. [GILTAR GROVE] 11 11
Miles gets out of his huge, black brand new Land Rover. He
seems a little uncomfortable about the number of other
cars. He walks to the house trying to brush from his
clothes the remaining grass mulch.
CUT TO:
EXT. JAMES GARDEN - DAY [GILTAR GROVE] 12 12
Miles comes to the conservatory unaware that James has seen
him. Davy and Bill go to greet him with cheers.
Chloes two little girls rush to him. He picks them up and
showers them with unashamed affection. He puts them down
and hugs Chloe and shakes her husbands hand.
Miles has a charming word for everyone. Hes greeted with
love and laughter by all, but then he sees James...
Miles face betrays a moment of shock at James appearance.
He approaches and sits in a chair opposite.
They look at each other in silence with malevolent
enigmatic power barely contained (before engaging in their
normal meaningless banter...)
JAMES
Miles.
MILES
You look like shit. I thought
theyd stuck you out here cos
youd snuffed it.
JAMES
Having a pretty good day
rhabdomyosarcoma-wise -
MILES
You, You, You. Jesus...
James laughs.
JAMES
How are you? You look amazing.
MILES
Thank you, James. I think youre
right.
They look at each other...
5.
JAMES
Wish me Happy Birthday.
MILES
Shit. Is it your Birthday?
James smiles. Davy and Bill appraoch. Bill has his stills
camera.
BILL
(To Miles)
You wearing that blouse on the
expedition?
MILES
Dont even start. (To James) And
why are you dressed as the bass
player in an 80s pop group?
Chloe appears with drinks...
BILL
Chloe, perfect creature!... Take
a photo of us... Together again.
Chloe puts down the drinks. Takes the camera from Bill.
They pose for the shot.
BILL (CONTD)
(Taking camera and a
drink)
Thanks, beautiful. Come on Miles
lets get wankered and embarrass
ourselves.
CHLOE
You look well, Miles! Whats the
secret?
MILES
None of your business, cock
breath! Pour me a drink.
BILL
Nobody move!
As Bill runs off to the barn...
CHLOE
Now, be nice you three, hes
really excited about this!
Chloe puts her arm round James.
6.
JAMES
After Auntie Janes leg warmers
Id be excited if Bill gave me a
yeast infection- (Seeing Bills
gift) Oh Christ.
Bill returns carrying a tree sapling with its roots
wrapped in hesian. Its about eight feet tall.
BILL
This is a tree.
Silence.
BILL (CONTD)
I grew this tree - FROM SEED!
JAMES
(Realising Bill awaits
reaction.)
Oh! Holy shit!
Davy and Miles snort their drinks in unexpected laughter.
BILL
WE are taking this tree to
Barafundle Bay.
Davy raises his eyebrows.
JAMES
A larch?
BILL
GOOD! Im going to make sure it
grows there forever.
JAMES
Bill... I love it. Thank you.
They admire the tree in silence for a while.
MILES
PLEASE say it, Davy.
DAVY
How are we going to carry it?
(Trying not to upset him.) It is
a brilliant, brilliant idea.
MILES
Brilliant.
DAVY
Brilliant. Lovely. But I think we
are going to struggle with all
the other stuff anyway.
7.
MILES
Lovely idea.
Chloe cuffs him.
BILL
I can carry it. Or it can go on
the cart. Itll be easy.
CHLOE
I think you underestimate the
difficulties of this adventure-
BILL
Were taking you to your
favourite place on earth! Youre
going to see it going into the
ground... and nothing and no one
is going to stop me.
BEAT. Miles raises his eyebrows - not sure what else to do.
Davy takes a small present from his pocket.
DAVY
OK... well at least mine is
small.
MILES
I heard some girls like that.
Ive never met one but-
JAMES
Needless confession, mate.
Laughter. James unwraps it and sees a battered penknife.
JAMES (CONTD)
I cant take this, Davy... I gave
him this when we were-
DAVY
Ten.
Chloe is moved and looks away. Miles looks at her.
BILL
Miles? (To James) I hope you like
sports cars, you lucky wee
bastard.
Miles scoffs at this. He hands an envelope to James...
MILES
Go mad.
8.
JAMES
A years subscription to
Playboy...and a cheque for ten
million pounds - posted dated to
2012.
They laugh.
MILES
Its the least I could do.
DAVY
It is.
They laugh but Miles and Davy dart a look to each other
noting the sting... Mr Griffith joins them.
MR GRIFFITH
Miles! So tell me about her?
Miles looks bewildered.
MR GRIFFITH (CONTD)
The new one?
MILES
Im single.
Chloe exits, to see her girls playing.
MR GRIFFITH
What? (There is a moment of
confusion.) No! The new Jag!
MILES
Oh - yeah. You should take it for
a spin while were gone.
MR GRIFFITH
I will! No. I wont. Mrs. Gs
gone green... Objects to the lawn
mower!
BILL
You should hybrid like me.
MILES
Half man - half compost heap?
BILL
HEY! Come and look at the go-
cart!
Miles Mobile rings. He looks at the display.
MILES
Sorry better take this.
9.
He walks away from them towards his car.
MR GRIFFITH
(MUMBLY, NON-
COMMUNICATIVE.)
Just got to fit the breaks...
couldnt get the bonding to...
And ... Im still not sure its
wise...
Davy helps James to his feet. As Miles walks away he sees
this and looks away. Bill goes towards the barn and they
follow.
CUT TO:
EXT. JAMES HOUSE. DRIVEWAY. MILES CAR. [GILTAR GROVE] 13 13
Miles walks to his car. He looks stressed as he listens. He
opens the boot while hes talking...
MILES
Mac. Whats the story?... Except
the money isnt there. So, we
cant just tell the board....
He takes his overnight bag. When he shuts the boot he sees
Chloe, with her husband, Mike, and their young girls
blowing bubbles. The sun is shining through Chloes summer
skirt. She looks at Miles and smiles.
MILES (CONTD)
(Still on the phone.)
What will we have by Tuesday?!...
It was mine to lose, Mac. We did
everything right... Well see.
Bye.
Miles ends the call and shakes his head. He looks at the
view. He struggles to take a deep breath. He is obviously
not coping too well behind his smile. He takes out his
mobile. He types out a text... I LOVE YOU Then he deletes
it without sending it. He shakes his head. He tries to
breathe deeply again but it seems he cant fill his lungs.
CUT TO:
INT. JAMES HOUSE. THE BARN - DAY [GILTAR GROVE] 14 14
James is sitting on the cart. Mr. Griffith, Bill and Davy
are admiring what we now see is a Go-cart, that Bill was
carrying earlier. It is built from what is obviously an old
go-cart, but with new shining wheels and handles attached
to push it from behind. It has APOLLO 18 painted on it.
10.
The boys examine it with quiet wonder. Miles comes in as
the others try out the pushing handles.
DAVY
(Seeing Miles approach)
Jims been really strong for the
last few weeks, even eating.
BILL
This trip is going to be- (sees
Miles) Have you ever seen
anything so awesome in your life?
MILES
Honestly?
Davys watch alarm beeps. Miles clocks this.
DAVY
Meds Jim.
MILES
Niagara Falls.
They head toward the house. James stops for a second.
JAMES
(To Miles)
Thanks for coming.
MILES
Twat.
James walks on smiling.
CUT TO:
INT. JAMES LIVING ROOM - DAY [GILTAR GROVE] 15 15
MUSIC. The party. The lights dim. Mrs Griffith enters with
the cake. They sing Happy Birthday, but we dont hear it.
Chloe is beside her husband.
James eyes the candles. He wafts his hand through the
orange flames. He bends down towards the flames, takes a
huge breath and...
CUT TO:
EXT. VIEW FROM THE GARDEN. [GILTAR GROVE] 16 16
A fiery sunset. Orange sky. Wales is green and pleasant.
In the garden is one of his fathers beautiful wind powered
sculptures, in a the shape of a ship and fish, shimmering,
tinkling as it slowly spins.
11.
A deflated Birthday balloon is caught in a tree where it
bobs in the wind.
CUT TO:
INT. JAMES BEDROOM -EVENING [GILTAR GROVE] 17 17
James is in bed. His father sticks his head round the door.
MR GRIFFITH
Night, Jim.
JAMES
Dad?
He enters and comes to James bed.
JAMES (CONTD)
My sixth Birthday, Im sorry I
used the lining of your suit to
make my actions mans parachute.
Mr. Griffith looks confused then remembers and nods.
JAMES (CONTD)
Mum went mad. You didnt.
MR. GRIFFITH
I was livid. I want to hit you
now.
James laughs, but hes tired. Mr Griffith looks at the
floor. But he puts his hand on James face and holds it
there for a moment. He just cant speak... He goes to
leave.
Then Mr. Griffith stops and turns around.
MR GRIFFITH
When we nearly lost you, even as
I dived into the sea, my mind was
racing ahead. Even in the panic,
my mind was... playing out how
Id try to live without you. And
I couldnt. And the water was
like treacle... And then you
werent moving and I passed you
up to the people in the boat, and
I didnt watch...
JAMES
Its funny. I think I remember.
It was peaceful.
12.
MR GRIFFITH
I doubt it. You were three.... If
you hadnt spluttered your way
back I dont think Id have come
back from the water either... I
mean, I would have... I would
have been walking, breathing...
but drowned, for the rest of my
life... Then you were OK. Crying.
Shocked. And OK. And...I thought-
I thought wed taken your
gamble... and wed won.
James nods.
MR GRIFFITH (CONTD)
We dont like morbidity in this
house.
Mrs. Griffith comes in and sets about the night-time
routine with her military style.
MR GRIFFITH (CONTD)
Good night.
(All totally straight
faced.)
Yes. I just... Well, OK. Chap
next doors let his trees grow
over my green house again. Im
going to surf the net. Find a
hitman. Have him killed.
Butchered.
JAMES
OK.
He exits.
MRS GRIFFITH
Right. Well, kitchen is closed.
So lets get you sorted.
She plumps his pillows too vigourously. He lies back
already drowsy.
JAMES
Thank you.
On the wall beside his head is a map of a coast line and
some pictures of cliff tops.
JAMES (CONTD)
I cant wait to get going.
MRS GRIFFITH
You know what I think of this
trip...
13.
(MORE)
Im going to unpack some of your
boxes while youre away. Get this
room sorted.
JAMES
Oh, dont touch my things!
MRS. GRIFFITH
Fine! You do it.
JAMES
You can unpack that box. Its all
pornography.
She just gets on with sorting out his meds, muttering to
herself. She picks up a book marked copy of James And The
Giant Peach as she tidies.
MRS. GRIFFITH
I wont read tonight....
He closes his eyes.
MRS. GRIFFITH (CONTD)
Night, angel boy.
She goes to the door. Only now does her sadness show, she
exits leaving James in the gloom of his room.
CUT TO:
EXT. UNDER THE OCEAN [TANK] 18 18
The gloom of the water with sun streaming through from
above...Suddenly the surface breaks... amidst the bubbling
turmoil a three year-old-boy, in shorts and T-shirt, sinks
under the water, kicking and reaching, through the bubbles.
CUT TO:
EXT. JAMES HOUSE - JUST AFTER DAWN [GILTAR GROVE] 19 19
A bottle of champagne is sprayed over the Go-kart to a
cheer from the boys.
The go-kart is strapped to the roof of Bills Land Rover.
It is old but full of character. Beside it is Miles
luxurious new one. James watches the exuberant chaos with
pleasure as Davy, Miles and Bill pass back and forth,
bickering with each other and with Chloe and Mrs. Griffith
about where to pack things! Heard amongst the chaos:
JAMES
The whole - Miles car vs Bills
debate is closed, is it?
14.
MRS GRIFFITH (CONT'D)
BILL (O.C.)
Yes!!!!
Miles rolls his eyes at James.
JAMES
Right... Im looking forward to
roughing it for few days. Just
wouldnt mind getting there with
a little comfort... and a
stereo... air bags... reliable
brakes...
BILL
Satnav is all well and good - but
when were struck by lightening
and the electrics blow, youll be
glad my old man has a compass
mounted on a steel gimbal.
MILES
What?
DAVY
Has your car-?
BILL
Shit. No. I took it off.
Mrs. Griffith tries to organise the food she has prepared,
which is packed in a miraculous amount of Tuppaware.
MRS GRIFFITH
The lettuce for todays
sandwiches is loose in this bag.
Are you listening?
ANGLE ON: Miles, really angry, pointing at something else.
MILES
NO! NO WAY! I only agreed to the
whole trip on this ONE condition!
JAMES
(Laughing.)
Miles-
MILES
NO! Bill is not taking that!
Only now do we see Bill is holding his guitar.
DAVY
(Laughing too.)
Bill, we did promise him and I -
just dont think I can stomach it
either.
15.
Bill relents much, to the stifled amusement of James
parents and Chloe, and takes it to the house sourly.
BILL
(Under his breath.)
Cant kill the music inside me.
DAVY
Hes repellent isnt he?
James mother gives them a large polka dot, deflated, lilo.
MRS GRIFFITH
Youll need this!
Miles is shadow boxing her annoyingly. Davy tries to
wrestle the tree up through the sunroof as Bill comes out
and shouts at him to treat it gently.
Finally they are ready. James shakes his brother-in-laws
hand warmly. Then hugs Chloe.
CHLOE
Have fun.
Mike puts a hand on her shoulder.
James looks at his father. His father opens his mouth as if
to speak, but changes his mind.
JAMES
(Looking at him
curiously.)
You have never bored me.
Mr. Griffiths face is transformed by the most charming
smile.
MR GRIFFITH
I never meant to.
They laugh and James hugs him.
NEAR BY
Bill is on his phone having a strained argument.
BILL
Abbie... Abbie! I did say I'd be
away three or four days... OR
FOUR! Darling-
Davy rolls his eyes at Miles as they pack.
NEAR BY
James turns to his mother.
16.
MRS GRIFFITH
(Loudly)
Dont be mouthy to people just
because Miles is there.
JAMES
You know I could never keep
still? I have to feel like Im on
my way somewhere...
MRS GRIFFITH
Ha! Dont I know it?!
JAMES
Do you?
Mrs. Griffith looks confused, starts to well up, but fights
the urge fiercely.
MRS. GRIFFITH
Im glad you explored.
(Whispering.)
I love you.
JAMES
Christ, you annoy me.
She laughs. They look at each other warmly. He lightly
kisses her.
He is about to get in the car when he looks to Chloe again.
She is just keeping it together. He darts back towards her.
She rushes at him and they hug... Then he gets into the
car.
MRS GRIFFITH
(to Bill and Davy)
Bill, Davy, take the utmost care!
MILES
What about me?!
Mrs Griffith gives Miles a weary look.
JAMES
Westward Ho, boys bach!
MILES
Your Mums the only ho...
The boys laugh raucously. The car speeds away with her
calling after.
MRS GRIFFITH
No risks! Not the slightest! Be-
17.
She stops. They are out of earshot. Mr. Griffith puts an
arm round her.
CUT TO:
EXT. COUNTRY ROAD. [TBC] 19 a 19 a
The red Land Rover drives away.
CUT TO:
EXT. MAIN ROAD - DAY [KILGETTY BY PASS] 20 20
The car heads west, music playing.
CUT TO:
EXT. PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTRYSIDE, NARROW LANES [TBC] 21 21
They drive along chatting and laughing, music playing.
The window is open and James shuts his eyes and lets the
wind and the sunlight play on his face.
CUT TO:
EXT/INT. THE CAR IN THE COUNTRSIDE. [DALE OR CAREW 22 22
AIRFIELD]
James looks at the boys in the car. Bill grooves to some
music, Davy reading the map. Miles sleeps.
As James watches Miles, Miles eyes slowly open. He looks
straight at James for a moment, then lets his eyes close.
CUT TO:
EXT/INT. PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTRYSIDE. BILLS CAR [TBC] 23 23
NEAR THE COAST. Miles drives. They see the sparkling sea.
James stares at it.
CUT TO:
EXT. NATIONAL PARKS CAR PARK. [STACKPOLE HOUSE OR TBC] 24 24
The boys have unloaded. Nearby a fat family are sunbathing
and having a picnic beside their car (string vests, and
scotch eggs.) They watch the boys with suspicion.
18.
James sits on the grass as Bill tries to rig up the tree on
the cart, while Davy weighs up each back pack. They have
way too much stuff.
BILL
Put it over the back wheels!
DAVY
But we need more weight at the
front!
Miles watches James test his bad leg. But Davy pushes the
go-cart towards James.
DAVY (CONTD)
I can get that other cushion-
JAMES
Not yet. I want to start under my
own steam!
James sets off. The others look at one another and follow.
CUT TO:
EXT. OLD LANE. [STACKPOLE CENTRE. RD DOWN TO BRIDGE] 24 a 24 a
They walk down the hill merrily. The cart empty along.
DAVY
Quite bumpy isnt it.
MILES
Like sex with an anorexic.
CUT TO:
EXT. THREE ARCH BRIDGE [STACKPOLE CENTRE] 24 b 24 b
They cross the bridge over a lake.
BILL
How bloody beautiful is this?!
MILES
Do we have to get to a certain
point tonight?
Bill shakes his head.
BILL
Well walk until... well until
James-
19.
Miles stops. He watches for a moment. He looks down the
path behind them and then out at the sea. He tries to take
a deep breath but his chest is tight.
DAVY
I dont want to be knackered and
hungry before we put up the
tents.
BILL
Dont stress! Look at the sky,
the water...
DAVY
While youre examining the
hedgerow I have to think about
how James... (He and James
exchange a glance.) is actually
going to get sorted out each
night.
Miles looks ahead at the three and the cart, he is uneasy,
but he follows.
CUT TO:
EXT. RED MUD ROAD [STACKPOLE CENTRE] 24 c 24 c
The boys head up the farm track.
CUT TO:
EXT. FARMLAND. [STACKPOLE. RED ROAD FARMLAND.]-MORNING. 25 25
In the back ground James sits on the grass watching
something off screen and he claps rhythmically.
In the foreground Miles and Davy lie inexplicably close
together on their backs in silence, beside the base of a
bush.
Suddenly Bill flies through the air above them brushing the
top of the bush. He grunts with pain as he lands and rolls.
James cheers and laughs hysterically.
Miles rummages in his pocket, takes out a ten pound note
and gives it to Davy. They get up.
In the background Bill gets to his feet in pain but
triumphant.
BILL
YEAH!!! Im super-fucking-human!
20.
Davy and Miles laughing join James.
JAMES
It wont get better than this!
Davy looks at him. James face betrays a double meaning.
Davys smiles fades and he looks at the ground. Bill and
Miles smiles fade too and they look at James and Davy...
JAMES (CONTD)
I know you all know...
He looks at Miles. Miles looks at the view.
JAMES (CONTD)
Six months.
BILL
My Bothers mates Mum had six
months and shes doing fine and
that was five years ago! You have
to stay positive. Yes? Yes!
James smiles at him.
JAMES
Im OK. Im really, really, OK.
Silence. James looks at Miles again. So does Davy - willing
him to say something... He doesnt.
JAMES (CONTD)
Wed better keep moving, eh?
Bill springs up.
BILL
Yes!
James, turns on the small radio on the cart. He takes a
deep breath and sets off as fast as he can. Quietly the
boys follow...
CUT TO:
EXT. CLIFF TOP PATHS [DALE AIRFIELD] - DAY 26 26
From a distance we see the boys coming over a hill. The
wide countryside on one side, the endless sea on the other.
Bill eats a sandwich.
JAMES
...I mean breast cancer isnt
funny but Mammogram is one of the
funniest words ever!
21.
They laugh.
DAVY
(to Miles)
Do you ever see Laura?
Miles looks sharply at him, and laughs shallowly.
James listens with acute interest, observing Miles.
MILES
She got the all clear apparently.
BILL
She wouldve been down the aisle
with you-
MILES
Shes with a banker of some kind.
Probably choosing dinner plates
already.
DAVY
She was amazing.
Miles bristles and Davy sees it. So does James.
MILES
I dont know anything about
anything. Thats why Im in
advertsing.
DAVY
Aaah! The disarming self-
deprication! Good spin.
BILL
(Loving his sandwich)
Anyone who doesnt love beetroot
is-
JAMES
-a deviant. (In pain but lying.)
May as well try this out.
James climbs into the go-cart. Miles doesnt help him. Davy
rushes forward. Davy and the others exchange a look of
concern about Jamess strength.
JAMES (CONT'D)
Excellent! This will be just
fine!
The boys look at him. He looks ridiculous. Miles and Davy
take the handles at the back and they move off.
22.
BILL
Loving this! LOVING THIS!
Bill, totally over excited, tears his shirt off and starts
skipping along ahead of them, at one with nature.
CUT TO:
EXT. CLIFF TOP PATHS [DALE AIRFIELD] - DAY 27 27
An elderly couple are having a picnic looking at the sea.
The boys come over the brow of a hill. Bill naked and
leading. Davy and Miles push James in the cart. The old
couple stare in amazement.
BILL
Hello. Beautiful isnt it?
JAMES
(Smiling radiantly.)
Hello!
DAVY
Hello.
MILES
Hello.
They walk on out of sight.
CUT TO:
EXT. PATHWAY THROUGH WOODLAND [BOSHERSTON. OLD LANE] 28 28
James leans on Davy for support while James tries to
urinate in the hedge.
JAMES
Did Miles already know how long?
DAVY
I dont know.
James nods thinking about this.
DAVY (CONTD)
Taking you to piss always makes
me want to piss, and you piss far
more than I used to, so wheres
all my new piss coming from? Im
not drinking more-
JAMES
Will you shut the fuck up!
23.
BEAT. Davy and James stare into space.
At last James urinates.
DAVY
I may as well piss now too.
Nearby... Bill and Miles have some tea, brewed on Bills
camp stove, and biscuits. They look over to James then to
each other and say nothing. Bill tops up his tea with hot
water. Its not as good now, so he dunks his biscuit.
BILL
Biscuits - theyre great on their
own... but once they get dipped
in tea they become a whole
different journey.
Miles laughs.
BILL (CONTD)
A make-up girl at work was
reading one of your dads books.
The Lebanon Tree.
Miles nods.
BILL (CONTD)
Hows your book coming?
Miles is uncomfortable.
MILES
Gave up on it. Couldnt be arsed.
BILL
You should just write a diary
about banging Chelsea-chicks.
MILES
Finally bored of meaningless sex.
BILL
Bollocks. Later. I want to be
lying back with a beer. Then I
want a tale of orifice that would
make most people go blind.
Miles smiles. Looks towards James.
BILL (CONTD)
This cart is the business. I want
one! I could fit a sail to it. I
want to go to try land yachting
in Baja, Mexico. Saw it on TV.
Looks amazing. Man!
24.
(MORE)
I know shes not pretty, but
shell go all the way, I know it.
MILES
Speaking of which, hows Abbie?
Why wasnt she at the party?
BILL
Well, she had a thing for work
that... she had to... uh... do.
It was tricky.
MILES
(Not convinced.)
Right.
BILL
(With some hesitance.)
No, its all good. Its all good.
Its all good.
MILES
Good. Now - again with feeling.
Davy and James are back.
JAMES
Remember that time we pretended
to Chlo that Davy was having an
epileptic fit-
CUT TO:
EXT. THE LILY POND BRIDGE. [BOSHERSTON] 29 29
Davy and Bill carry the cart over the narrow footbridge
bridge as James and Miles walk slowly along behind.
DAVY
Every so often I check the
credits and wait for the camera
man...
BILL
Its not Shakespeare, but it pays
the mortgage.
DAVY
Mate, ANtiques Roadshow has a big
audience!
BEAT. Bill grins and nods.
BILL
I work on Cash In The Attic.
25.
BILL (CONTD)
DAVY
Oh sorry.... (confused) Are you
sure? Well, thats better...isnt
it?
CUT TO:
EXT. WOODLAND PATH NEAR GROTTO [STACKPOLE WOODS]-4PM 30 30
Suddenly the cart lurches and the boys stop.
BILL
Woah!
JAMES
Cart malfunction everyone!
Bill and Davy examine the damaged axel.
DAVY
I knew it! Its the weight Im
telling you!
MILES
Is it fucked?
BILL
Not on my shift.
Bill starts unloading the kit...
CUT TO:
EXT. FIRST NIGHT CAMP. GROTTO. [STACKPOLE WOODS] 30 a 30 a
The Boys are making camp. Bill is in overdrive
BILL
This was a good choice Davy Gam.
James pokes at a fire sceptically wafting a pair of pants
at it. Bill sees Jamess scepticism and shows him again the
correct way to waft the pants at the fire.
BILL (CONTD)
Waft! Waft!
Miles and Davy put up the second tent. This involves team
work and though they are trying to do it amicably Davy
yanks the tent too hard out of Miles grip. Miles eyes him
with annoyance. Davy pretends he hasnt noticed.
CUT TO:
26.
EXT. FIRST NIGHT CAMP. GROTTO. [STACKPOLE WOODS] 31 31
Miles and James sit by the camp fire.
MILES
Youve honestly, honestly, never
watched that Green Peace footage
of baby seals getting clubbed and
thought... yeah. Cruel. Ban it -
but just after Ive had a go.
James roars with laughter.
Nearby Davy and Bill are fixing the cart.
DAVY
I decide, in the confusion of
whether hes joking or not, that
he probably is.
BILL
Mate! HE doesnt even know if
hes joking.
Back to Miles and James...
JAMES
Hows work actually going?
Miles looks at him with suspicion.
MILES
You hate what I do.
JAMES
Only because you do. Are you
writing?
MILES
Im so bored of the Laura and my
book questions. Im not a
writer, Jim. Im an adman. Im
good at it. Lets just talk about
nice stuff.
Bill and Davy join them.
DAVY
Im just saying we should stow
some of the stuff here and pick
it up on the way back.
BILL
Like what?! I precision packed.
27.
JAMES
The microwave?
CUT TO:
EXT. FIRST NIGHT CAMP. GROTTO. [STACKPOLE WOODS]-MORNING 31 a 31 a
They are packing up. Bill is stowing some stuff they have
decided to leave in the grotto. He looks back at the boys
and then goes into the backpacks and starts hurriedly,
secretly, taking out all the spare clothes.
BILL
(To himself.)
They wont let me have my guitar?
They cant have their fashion
show. Essentials only...
He rejoins the boys. And helps to put the tree on the cart.
CUT TO:
EXT. CLIFF TOP PATH. [STACKPOLE. BB SOUTH] 31 b 31 b
The boys push on enjoying the view.
CUT TO:
EXT. HEADLAND. [STACKPOLE. BB SOUTH SIDE.] 31 c 31 c
They push on. As Davy pushes the cart the tree keeps
blocking his view to his frustration.
DAVY
(To James.)
Dont get angry, but I promised
Id phone your Mum in a while.
JAMES
Jesus! We only just left!
DAVY
I know. I promised.
JAMES
Tell her we have hope in our
hearts and wings on our heels!
And after that - no more calling!
(To Miles) And if youve got your
mobile on you Ill bloody find
it.
MILES
I havent!
28.
Bill rejoins them and they set off.
JAMES
Bill. We could just plant that-
BILL
No!
CUT TO:
EXT. NEAR THE WHITE BULL [STACKPOLE QUAY. VIEW ABOVE] 32 32
The boys see The White Bull below. A fishermans tavern on
a small quayside nestled in a tiny cove. Theres a
celebration in progress, a small colourful, pagan festival.
A pig is roasting on an open spit. The locals stand around
near the quay in front of the pub.
BILL
Perfect!
JAMES
Push me on Davy! Push me on
Miles!
Davy and Miles smile at each other and do as theyre told.
DAVY
My Spidey Senses are tingling.
JAMES
Herpes, Davy. Youve been
Boybanding some Pill-ripened,
teen mum-to-be again, havent
you?
DAVY
When do I have time to do that?
JAMES
Admit it! You whoremaker!
CUT TO:
EXT. THE WHITE BULL [STACKPOLE QUAY] 33 33
The boys get some funny looks as they move through the mini-
festival. The locals are letting their hair down. A band
(young and very good) are playing on the back of a trailer.
Bill loves it. Davy is worried that people will bump James,
and acts as a human shield. James and Miles look around
bemused.
29.
A flat bed lorry is decorated with hay bales and streamers.
A large throne is empty in the middle and a crown lies
abandoned on the seat. Amongst the locals are some costumed
characters (a GOAT, a BEAR, a strange HUMAN TREE carrying a
horn that he blows drunkenly from time to time, and a small
boy dressed as an ANGEL.)
The boys find a few bales to sit on near the edge of it all
and bask in the atmosphere. Davy takes the silver meds kit
out. James shakes his head. Davy doesnt like it but puts
the meds away.
BILL
Fuck, its good to be back here!
Ill get the beers in.
Bill bounds off towards the bar.
JAMES
Ill have a Guinness!
Bill hesitates for a second then nods. James looks at Davy
for a moment who stops himself from objecting.
JAMES (CONTD)
Ive never taken LSD and lost my
shoes playing poker. Ive never
had a gun held to my head by
bandits. Ive never sailed the
globe single-handed.
DAVY
Ive never been to Birmingham.
JAMES
You know what I mea - Really?
Davy nods. James is sidetracked by this.
Miles walks away towards the toilets.
JAMES (CONTD)
Dont you ever want to do
something dangerous?
DAVY
Eat some under-cooked pig.
JAMES
Have a real MAN-THRILL!
DAVY
Steady.
30.
JAMES
None of us remember the day, the
moment, we realised we werent
actually going to play in the
world cup final, or be the first
man on Mars. Its too fucking
embarrassing... because it
happens so late.
Davy says nothing.
DAVY
I have no response to that.
JAMES
That gives me great comfort.
BEAT
DAVY
This is nice though isnt it?
JAMES
Yes. (He laughs a little
ruefully.) Yes it is.
James looks around at the young couples chatting each other
up, at the families laughing and drinking, and eating...
CUT TO:
INT. THE WHITE BULL. TOILET [STACKPOLE QUARRY TOILET] 34 34
Miles stares in the mirror. He takes off his Rolex. He puts
it down by the sink. He washes his face and hands. Hes
struggling again. He takes a deep breath but he cant seem
to fill his lungs. He exits, but leaves his Rolex watch by
the sink.
As he exits, the Angel-boy pushes past him into the
toilets.
The door closes behind Miles.
He walks on and goes to look at his watch... He rushes back
in to the toilet.
He goes to the sink. The watch is gone. He kicks open the
cubicle doors, but the cubicles are empty. As the last of
the doors flies open a white feather wafts into the air.
Miles looks at it then exists in a hurry.
CUT TO:
31.
EXT. THE WHITE BULL [STACKPOLE QUAY] 35 35
James see Miles emerge, searching for the Angel-Boy,
frantically weaving through the crowd.
Bill dances with some locals.
Miles catches a glimpse of the Angel-Boy, but cant catch
up.
James looks at him and sees a white feather drifting in the
wind. It wafts down towards him... as he reaches out for it
a hand grabs it. Its Miles. He looks at the feather, then
both he and James see a glimpse of the white wings heading
towards the quayside. Miles follows.
EXT. WHITE BULL QUAYSIDE. [STACKPOLE QUAY] 36 36
Eventually Miles follows him to the edge of the quayside
but the boy has vanished. It doesnt seem possible. Miles
turns through 360 degrees. Then he see the tops of the
wings emerging over the quayside as the boy climbs up a
mooring ladder, holding a basket with a bottle in it. He
looks at Miles and then sits down nonchalantly on a hay
bail and takes a swig of his sea chilled cider. On the boys
wrist is a gleaming Rolex.
BOY
What are you looking at?
MILES
Whered you get that watch?
BOY
My father. Birthday Present. Its
a Rolex Oyster, Professional Sea-
Dweller 4000.
MILES
Your Dads a liar. Its a fake.
BOY
Fuck you.
MILES
Nice. Give it to me.
BOY
Im going to tell him you asked
to see my cock.
MILES
Go on then.
32.
BOY
(wicked grin.)
Do you like my wings?
MILES
Give me that watch or Ill rip
your fucking wings off and use
the blood on the stumps.
BOY
(Enthralled.)
What for?
MILES
To write thief on the ground.
BOY
I dont want this watch
anymore... I dont like fakes.
MILES
Me neither.
The boy throws the watch in the water.
BOY
Then were both better off.
Miles registers this with contained exasperation. Miles
turns to leave.
BOY (CONTD)
Whats up with your bumchum in
the cart?
MILES
Sick.
BOY
Is he your best mate?
MILES
Yes.
The boy swigs some cider
MILES (CONTD)
How old are you?
BOY
Nearly eleven.
The boy seems bored of him all of a sudden.
MILES
You may be tough, but being a
grown up is shit-
33.
BOY
Piss off! If I wanted chick-flick
advice from some paedo- Id go to
church.
MILES
Youll be dead before youre
thirty.
Miles walks away.
BOY
Hey, poofter!
Miles turns.
BOY (CONT'D)
What time is it?
Miles instinctively looks at his watch. Its not there...
The boy chuckles devilishly. Miles is beaten. He smiles.
CUT TO:
EXT. BACK NEAR THE FESTIVAL. [STACKPOLE QUAY] 37 37
Bill is dancing enthusiastically. Miles returns and offers
the feather to James.
JAMES
You keep it.
Miles looks at it and tucks in his pocket. Miles takes a
beer from a tray.
Suddenly near to Bill, two young lads start fighting. A
girl screams and Bill decides to step in.
BILL
Brothers! This is not the way!
Bill tries to wrench one lad clear, but in doing so he
accidentally elbows a fat girl in the face. She screams and
falls. He looks at her in confusion. Another guy leaps at
Bill and punches him. Bill barely flinches (gentle Bill is
extremely hard). The boys know this. Theyve seen this
happen before.
DAVY
He's like an Alsatian pup. He's
one of those guys that EVERYONE
just seems to love.
While protesting his innocence Bill floors his assailant.
He is surrounded. Punches and furniture are flying from all
around. Bill wrestles under a pile of angry locals.
34.
MILES
Nuts?
He offers the nuts. The boys watch a while longer, then
Miles sighs. He downs most of his pint and calmly walks
toward the fight and wades in, elbowing punching, and
trying to pull people off Bill.
Davy tuts and shakes his head.
DAVY
Back in a minute.
JAMES
Davy, Im going in!
DAVY
Are you drunk?
JAMES
A little. This is IT!
DAVY
You should probably sit this out.
JAMES
NO! Bollocks![Desperate. He
realises he cant move. He looks
back at Davy) Davy, ramming
speed!
Davy knows this is a bad idea.
JAMES (CONTD)
Please. We can do this. We can
BLOODY DO THIS!
BEAT.
Davy rolls his eyes. This is a bad idea but he goes behind
the go-cart and starts pushing James towards the fight as
fast as he can. As they hurtle into the fray James grabs a
stool and brandishes it in front of him. He roars as he
ploughs into a group of men trying to get at Bill.
Miles and Bill are doing OK, until Miles accidentally
punches an old woman in the face.
ANGRY LOCAL BRAWLER
Whats wrong with you bastards?
Stop hittin the women!
Miles is hit on the nose. Hes blinded and flailing around
badly. Davy fights beside James trying to protect himself
and James. James, still in the cart, swings the stool,
trying to hurt people in any way he can, but he's soon
exhausted. Someone punches him. Davy is livid.
35.
DAVY
Hey! Not him! He's got cancer!
I'm not shitting with you! You
dont hit people with cancer!
A few people stop and stare. Miles takes the chance to hit
someone, but Davy grabs the cart and pulls James away. Bill
grabs Miles and pulls him away and they join Davy and push
the cart as fast they can away from the crowd who are still
fighting each other.
The boys grab their packs and the tree as they run.
DAVY (CONTD)
Leave it Bill, for Gods-
BILL
NO!
A couple of drunken locals and the one dressed as the Bear
stagger after them, but soon give up hurling abuse instead.
The boys make it to the lane and away over the hill, still
running.
JAMES
Yes! Yeees!!
BILL
I think we did well. Sensible
retreat but... the tide was
turning....
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. A STREAM. [TBC] - NIGHT 38 38
Lit by lanterns they wash their faces. Davy has a bloody
nose and lip. Miles tenderly nurse his jaw. Bill whips off
his shirt and splashes cool water over himself. Gradually
the other two strip off too. Davy gets some pills out of
the silver Meds kit for James.
BILL
Aaaah! Thats good...
DAVY
My teeth are actually fizzing.
One of my ears is ringing.
Davy, Miles and Bill examine their scrapes and scratches,
and apply antiseptic ointment to each other.
36.
BILL
Crystal water, man-flesh and
antiseptic. Every Welshmans
dream.
DAVY
This is the gayest thing weve
ever done.
MILES
No its not.
DAVY
I have an insight into what its
like to be one of your wank-
puppets.
MILES
Pretty great - I imagine.
Davy and Miles nurse themselves further. Miles is drying
off and goes into his backpack for fresh clothes, but they
are missing:
MILES (CONTD)
Where the fuck are my clothes?
DAVY
What?
Davy goes through his pack.
DAVY (CONTD)
Mine are missing too.
BILL
Yes. They are.
Davy and Miles stare at him.
BILL (CONTD)
All your SPARE clothes are
missing.
Davy is incredulous.
DAVY
Why? Why would you do this? Why?
BILL
We should be living as nature
intended us out here, with as few
of the wasteful comforts as-
MILES
Im going to fucking kill you.
37.
BILL
We are going to experience this
landscape...
Miles stalks towards Bill, whose laughing and backing away
tripping over their half made camp. Miles leaps at him.
CUT TO:
EXT. SECOND NIGHT CAMP. [STACKPOLE QUARRY]-NIGHT 38 a 38 a
(UNLESS WE FIND CAMPSITE BY A STREAM)
James winces with silent pain and takes a huge swig of
morphine syrup secretly.
Bill gets out his video camera. James takes the camera and
starts fooling around with it filming himself...
MILES
Hows the new camera!
BILL
No... I didnt get- We had a new
bathroom instead.
Miles and Davy exchange glances at this.
James stares down the lens, then turns the camera on the
boys and the view around them.
JAMES
It seems to me my lord that the
present life of men here on earth
is as though a sparrow in the
winter time should come to a
house and very swiftly fly
through it...
The camera films the nature existing around them... Then he
turns it back to the boys...
JAMES (CONTD)
...while you sit at dinner with
your captains and a hall made
warm with a great fire...
Bill, seeing that he is becoming a liTtle drowsy (but
fighting it), firmly rescues the camera from his grasp.
JAMES (CONTD)
So the life of man here appears
for a little season... but what
follows or what has gone before,
that surely we do not know
38.
James swigs more Morphine.
MILES
The Venerable Bead goes on to say
that seeing as its all unknown
we should all be Christian. Live
in fear of Hell.
James eyes Miles narrowly.
JAMES
I forget my audience. Youre
right. What a gamble it is - to
have faith or pleasure. Faith! Or-
James passes out.
BILL
Thank Christ! Saved from the
intellectual pissing contest.
CUT TO:
EXT. WOODLAND. [STACKPOLE CENTRE WOODS] - DAWN 38 b 38 b
James wakes next to Davy. He reaches for some morphine and
swigs as he clambers out of the tent.
He relishes strolling alone, across the countryside. Birds
flit around him. The dew bejewels the cobwebs that blankets
the plants. He drinks it in...
CUT TO:
EXT. SECOND NIGHT CAMP. [STACKPOLE QUARRY]-BREAKFAST 38 c 38 c
ANGLE ON: Davy, James and Miles, stare at Bill blankly as
he talks to them. (We only see Bills head.)
BILL
...and it turns out that Mengoll
has been carrying the sword of
truth, which is why it wouldnt
kill Treeathor in the caverns. So
they use it to destroy the orb
and run out before the citadel
explodes...
They stare at him blankly.
BILL (CONTD)
Its not all worked out, but...
MILES
Put some clothes on!
39.
Only now do we see that Bill is totally naked again. Davy
and James nod keenly.
DAVY
Do you even know how much you
touched yourself at the bit about
the witch? Whats the matter with
you!...
CUT TO:
EXT. A FARM GATE [STACKPOLE FARM OR ST BRIDES] 38 d 38 d
Bill, Miles and James have crossed through a field full of
cows. They are looking back at Davy who is on the other
side refusing to walk through them.
DAVY
Theyre ALL staring at me now!
BILL
Come on!
Davy summons all his courage. He runs like a demented child
through the cows. The boys laugh uncontrollably.
The boys cheer as Davy flies over the gate and lies panting
on the grass. He opens his eyes and looks at the clouds. A
smile spreads across his face and he starts to laugh.
CUT TO:
EXT. A FIELD. [STACKPOLE FARM OR ST BRIDES] 38 e 38 e
The boys rush across a field...
Chased by a herd of cows.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE FERRY [MARTINS HAVEN OR GILTAR BEACH] - DAY 39 39
The small ferry to the island, is moored with its engine
running. The boys approach the shed on the quayside that
serves as a ticket office. Above the booth a neon sign,
strangely out of place, reads FERRY. In the shed is a
TICKET MAN (gruff, scruffy 40), who looks at the boys with
suspicion. James gets out and stretches. His leg is painful
and he takes the weight off it. Only when the boys are
closer do they see that despite the mans rough appearance
he is wearing heavy eye make-up.
40.
BILL
Hi there! We four, need to take
the ferry... we and the cart.
TICKET MAN
When?
DAVY
Now, whenever you leave.
The man leans forward and silently counts them with minimal
lip movements and nods. The boys are amused.
MILES
Four. There are four of us.
TICKET MAN
And the... cart?
MILES
Yes.
TICKET MAN
Single or return is it?
BILL
Return. But not today were
camping.
TICKET MAN
Oh. (This appears to change
things.)
When will you be coming back?
BILL
Monday.
The Ticket Man looks down at his tickets.
JAMES
(Quietly to Davy.)
Is he wearing eye make up?
DAVY
He is.
TICKET MAN
All returns?
MILES
Yes! Does it run everyday?
The ticket man looks up at Miles wearily, as if this
questioning has interrupted his calculation.
41.
TICKET MAN
365 days a year, 24/7. First
ferry at about 6 am last ferry
back at about 8pm. No ferry
Christmas or New Years Day or
Easter.
MILES
So its neither 365-
JAMES
It seems to say that a single
ticket is 3 quid... but a return
is 6.50.
James is pointing to a very faded notice in the window.
TICKET MAN
Aye.
JAMES
Well why would anyone buy a
return?
TICKET MAN
For coming back.
JAMES
Do you sell many return tickets?
TICKET MAN
Whats your problem, mate?
JAMES
Uuuh..?
TICKET MAN
Ill have to charge you for the
cart.
BILL
What?!
TICKET MAN
Weight and volume. Ill charge
for an extra passenger? How does
that sound?
Bill steps forward angrily, but Davy pulls him back. The
ticket man is smirking.
BILL
Alright! Fine. Youre a criminal,
but... fine. Four singles and an
extra ticket for my terminally
ill friends cart.
42.
TICKET MAN
Single or return for the cart?
MILES
(Bill holds him back.)
Listen, Tootsie-
CUT TO:
EXT. THE CHANNEL [TBC] - DAY 40 40
The ferry pulls out for the short trip. Sun Sparkling on
the sea. Gulls flocking by.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE FERRY - [TBC] DAY 41 41
Davy and Miles crouches down beside Bill, who has fallen
asleep in seconds as usual, squeezing toothpaste on to his
eyebrows.
James makes his way to the bow rail and looks across the
water.
An old FERRYMAN leans on the rail nearby smoking a
cigarette. James studies his profile.
FERRYMAN
(Without looking at
James.)
How longve you got?
JAMES
Not long. You?
FERRYMAN
(Laughs gruffly.)
Same probably, boy... In pain?
JAMES
Yes.
FERRYMAN
Scared?
BEAT
JAMES
Yes. (BEAT) I dont know. You?
FERRYMAN
Not really. But then... Im old.
43.
JAMES
Does that make a difference?
FERRYMAN
(He laughs a little.)
Aye, I reckon it does.
James stares at him in silence for some time.
FERRYMAN (CONTD)
History does anyway. By the time
I got half way through my days I
knew I was more afraid of killing
than of being killed.
James thinks about this.
JAMES
Yes. I can see that would... Ive
had it very, very easy.
FERRYMAN
Not your fault.
JAMES
No. But I havent really got
started.
James looks over at Miles.
JAMES (CONTD)
My friends father died when we
were sixteen; cancer. He was a
writer. He was amazing. He was
too young... but his books are
still here... I havent achieved
anything.
The Ferryman does not respond.
JAMES (CONTD)
Im ready though, apart from
that. Very little left to sort
out.
FERRYMAN
Sort out? Sort out eh?
JAMES
Yes.
PAUSE.
FERRYMAN
If I said you had a beautiful
body would you hold it against
me?
44.
JAMES
Im sorry?
FERRYMAN
Song, by the Bellamy Brothers.
Know it?
JAMES
Oh - Yes.
FERRYMAN
Did they mean hold your body
close, or did they mean... take
umbridge?
JAMES
I - Ive never known-
The Ferryman shakes his head gravely.
FERRYMAN
But if the Bellamy Brothers got
on this ferry, and they said, It
means both. Thats why its
clever., so I finally knew,
straight from the creators
mouth... So bloody what? Do you
know what I mean?
James thinks hard.
JAMES
I dont think so.
The Ferryman grins devilishly.... James smiles.
FERRYMAN
Even when you have it all
explained by the man himself. If
you cant crack it... Cant see,
really see, why its so smart...
whats the point of being told?
James raises his eyebrows at the colloquial wisdom - looks
round - hoping the others can hear... they cant.
JAMES
Yes. Yes?...Ok.
The ferryman laughs until he chokes...
JAMES (CONTD)
Have you... Can you say youve
had a good life?
45.
The ferryman looks at him for the first time, for a moment.
Then he looks back at the water. He is silent for some
time.
FERRYMAN
Yes. But then Ive never asked
much of it.
James looks back at the water.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. THE FERRY [TBC] 42 42
As they cross the channel the boys are all lulled by the
water and the motion. We see Davy watching James and
looking pensive. Miles looking down, transfixed by the
froth of the bow wave, and Bill sleeping peacefully with
his toothpaste eyebrows.
CUT TO:
EXT. COAST PATH [MARTINS HAVEN OR GILTAR HEAD] 43 43
The boys head up the coast and see the ferry heading back.
James looks back at the small figure of the Ferryman who
waves a farewell. James smiles a little.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE COAST PATH [ST. GOVANS HEAD]- DAY 44 44
James dozes in the cart. The other three talk quietly as
they push it.
MILES
Thanks for the email updates on
the patient. My spambox is a
nightmare. I always assumed they
were pretty out of date.
Davy nods, annoyed.
BILL
Have you been looking for work?
DAVY
Not at the moment obviously.
Bill realises this was a stupid question.
MILES
Redundancy seems to suit you.
46.
DAVY
Meaning?
MILES
Sorry. About an 8 on the tension
scale there, Dave.
BILL
Ignore him. Jims mum said youve
been amazing these last few
months.
DAVY
I just did what anyone would do.
Well, I wanted to help and, I
didnt get much redundancy pay
but-
MILES
So, youre going to go back to
marketing when James dies?
Davy grits his teeth in anger.
DAVY
What?
MILES
What?
DAVY
Is that a Miles-ism?... You think
youre so clever and cute. Its
exhausting.
MILES
I am sort of cute-
DAVY
Piss off-
Davy steps in a wet cow pat.
DAVY (CONTD)
- Of course. Of fucking-course
this is what happens to me now!
James wakes.
JAMES
Must of drifted off... (Looking
about as if amazed.) What have
you bastards done to my room?
CUT TO:
47.
CUT 45 45
EXT. THE COAST PATH [ST. GOVANS COAST PATH] 46 46
A montage of shots as the boys make their way onwards. Its
exhausting, often having to lift the cart. Its starting to
get more difficult for James.
CUT TO:
EXT. A FORK IN THE PATH [ST. GOVANS COAST PATH] 47 47
They study the map at a fork in the path...
CUT TO:
EXT. A GREEN PATH. [ST. GOVANS COAST PATH] 48 48
The boys swap roles, pushing and pulling the cart. Through
it we see James is becoming ever more uncomfortable and
exhausted and the boys can see it.
They stop and James lies on the heather. The others rest
and drink beer.
JAMES
A guy came to the door not long
ago and asked if I was interested
in winning a Caribbean holiday
for those post Christmas blues.
I said I may well be dead by
then. He said Oh right - what
about a luxury hamper?
CUT TO:
EXT. THIRD NIGHT CAMP. TINY COVE [ST. GOVANS BEACH]. 49 49
The boys are drying off and dressing. Davy comes over to
where James is still lying. (We hear Miles and Bill in the
background talking very seriously.)
BILL
Honestly?
MILES
Yep.
Miles opens his back pack -looks for his clothes.
48.
BILL
(Pointing at two
invisible forms)
Jenna Jameson naked there.
Kristin Scott Thomas naked there.
MILES
(Nodding to the latter.)
Double barrel all the way...
Davy comes over to get a towel from beside James.
JAMES
Davy - I cant get up. Its OK.
Its just been a bit... more than
Im used to. Just need some Meds.
Ill be fine.
Davy helps him up and half carries him off the rocks.
JAMES (CONTD)
Dont tell the others.
Davy nods, but looks worried and lifts him up, not noticed
by Miles and Bill, and helps James to sit down by the
rocks.
CUT TO:
CUT. 50 50
EXT. THIRD NIGHT CAMP. TINY COVE [ST. GOVANS BEACH]. 51 51
The last of the seagulls skims the water on their way to
roost.
The boys lie back after supper. Looking at the stars. Bill
passes a joint to Miles, but James takes it instead.
BILL
Heaven.
Bill starts filming again.
JAMES
You know, if this were heaven,
Id be pretty chuffed.
MILES
I like the way you subtly brought
it back round to you dying. Id
forgotten.
49.
JAMES
Seriously. I dont believe in the
pearly gates... What do you
reckon?
James coughs. Davy isnt too happy about him smoking, but
is stoned. James looks at Davy.
JAMES (CONTD)
Come on!
DAVY
I dont know, I want to believe
in something like God. I do.
BILL
Reincarnation... born again... as
a...
JAMES
Mollusc.
BILL
(Smiling.)
Dont piss on my nirvana!
Bill takes the boiling water and makes the tea, handing it
out, relishing the ceremony of it. He LOVES tea.
JAMES
Seriously, our souls... I dont
bloody know of course... But Ive
read about it a lot and Im
pretty sure that its all about
the magical science that we
barely know anything about.
Theres an idea in Buddhist
faiths about a kind of constant
energy... and quantum physicists
have proven its existence... a
perfect timeless universal
space...
DAVY
What are you fucking talking
about?
JAMES
Sorry! I know. Its just...like
being, is-ness I cant help
but see myself...like the dust
dancing in the flickerlight of a
projector at the cinema. A
million atoms of constant... sort
of is-ness...
50.
He has lost them but Miles stares at him surprisingly
without cynicism.
JAMES (CONTD)
(A little embarrassed.)
Im not explaining it very
well... We dont think about our
souls much...actually Ive
thought about little else since I
first watched Anal Carnage 3...
This gets a hoots of laughter from Miles and Bill. Davy is
lost and confused.
DAVY
What?
Laughter.
JAMES
Picture me tap dancing across the
firmament and Ill be well
satisfied!
Bill has a beetle on his hand and is watching it roam
around his fingers, to distract himself. Davy looks
terribly sad.
JAMES (CONTD)
What about you Miles? What
happens to you when you snuff it?
MILES
No idea.
JAMES
You must have thought about it.
This is too pointed. Miles shakes his head.
JAMES (CONTD)
Whats your instinct? I want to
know!
MILES
After your dancing across the
stars, you want to hear that I
think theres nothing? That
youre going to rot and thats
it?
JAMES
Is that what you-
MILES
When my dad died, thats what I
deci-
51.
JAMES
Really?
MILES
Yes... How do you feel now -
better or worse?
James swigs his morphine... There is a nasty, nasty
silence. Bill is lost in thought.
BILL
I - Reincarnations one thing,
but one day well live on in our
kids I suppose...
He looks up at James... This is no comfort to him.
CUT TO:
EXT. THIRD NIGHT CAMP. TINY COVE [ST. GOVANS BEACH]. 52 52
James looks at the sea and sneaks a secret swig of
Morphine. Then Bill goes to pass a joint to Davy, but James
takes it.
BILL
(Laughs.)
Christ this is a great cup of
tea!
Bill takes more simmering water from the stove and adds it
to his tea. Then he adds some more milk. He takes it and
tastes it, and there is a trace of disappointment. James,
coughing a little, watches this routine, laughs and shakes
his head.
JAMES
You make a cup of tea and it
gives you real pleasure! Then you
ruin it. Why not finish it then
get off your arse and make a
whole new cup?
Bill laughs, but it seems James is angry.
JAMES (CONT'D)
Bill, you were going to film
endangered tree frogs in the
amazon, save the planet... but
you shoot the most heinous
reality TV, so you can pay the
mortgage for a home you share
with a girl who... I hardly
recognise you. Youre getting
more and more watered down every
day.
52.
Long silence. Bill stares at his tea. He nods slowly.
MILES
Nice. Was that rehearsed or-
JAMES
Shut up, Miles.
DAVY
Jim, loads of people would for
Bills job.
BILL
Hes right. I do do that. I
just... I never seem to get
things done the way I thought I
would... And when I am happy... I
just want... And now- Now-
They sit in silence watching Bills agony. He tosses the
ends of his tea away and shakes his head.
MILES
I love lessons learned through
anecdotal observation. Seriously,
did you prepare that??
... And like you ever finish
anything!
James is coughing badly and it hurts. Miles rolls his eyes.
Davy leaps up and frantically starts to get the meds out
and starts seeing to James.
JAMES
Its fine.
DAVY
Shit! Are you feeling nauseous?
MILES
I am, but its the tea-making-
life metaphor.
James suddenly chokes on the mixture of morphine and pot.
DAVY
(In complete control.)
Sit back. Take the phemoryl.
Youll be fine.
Miles and Bill look on helplessly. This is Davys domain.
Then Bill looks away. Miles looks at James and hes
uncomfortable seeing his pain, so he gets up and walks to
the edge of the cliff.
CUT TO:
53.
EXT. CLIFF EDGE. [ST. GOVANS BEACH 53 53
Miles tries to take a deep breath to control his rising
anxiety. He cant. He tries, but he cant breath... Slowly
he manages to control it. After a moment he notices that
Bill too has left James and Davy who are chatting (in the
background throughout), and he joins him.
BILL
(Snapping out of his
reverie and suddenly
cheerful.)
We can get to Goats Head
tomorrow easily. Its a great
spot. Soft grass, great view.
MILES
(With real tenderness.)
Sounds good.
BILL
Miles, you know a lot about
women.
MILES
No.
BILL
My life right now is... Ive been
with Abbie seven yea... And
sometimes it feels- Isnt this
what everyone feels after a
while?... I do love her... I do.
Miles looks at him.
MILES
Bill, we both know most people
settle for something that they
think is better than being alone.
BILL
Great! Is that me?
MILES
What? I dont know? How should I
know?
BILL
Why do I want the opinion of a
man who doesnt believe in love?
MILES
(Annoyed)
The love youre talking about is
like being an addict.
54.
(MORE)
You should think I cant live
without you today. You have to
NEED that womans love coursing
through your veins. Youd stand
in flames to make her want you
more! To make her want you!
Bill looks back at Miles.
BILL
Mmmm - Thats not me and Abbie.
MILES
Then do heroin. Its cheaper than
women anyway.
Miles smiles. Bill looks at him.
BILL
Someone chink the armour?
MILES
No.
BILL
Ok... Do you always tell me the
truth?
MILES
Yes.
BILL
Is there really such a thing as
multiple orgasms?
MILES
Yes.
BILL
Damn it.
Davy comes between them. He is wears a pair of surgical
gloves and a head-lamp. He holds up a very large white
object like a GIANT pill (about 8cm long.)
DAVY
(Gravely.)
I have to get this up inside
him...
He flicks on his head-lamp to illuminate the object in his
gloved hand.
DAVY (CONTD)
You guys will have to hold him
down.
55.
MILES (CONT'D)
Miles and Bill look at it, then at Davy, in abject horror.
Suddenly Davy collapses in hysterics. They hear James
dissolve too. Miles and Bill sink with relief...
BILL
Bastards... God, its soap...
Very funny. Im going to do it
anyway! Teach you gaylords a
lesson.
Miles and Bill leap on Davy.
FADE TO:
CUT 54 54
EXT. THE COAST PATH. [ST GOVANS BEACH] - EARLY MORNING 55 55
The sun gleams on the water. The boys have packed up. Miles
and Davy push the cart away from where they camped. They
all look a little more tired and dishevelled. Miles yawns.
James is putting on a good show of being fine.
JAMES
See! Just needed some sleep!
MILES
Couldnt breath in that tent.
Bills feet smell more like the
wild than the wild.
Bill examines the tree that is now looking a little
battered. He picks it up and runs to catch up.
MILES (CONTD)
And no clean underpants thanks to
the Wookie...
CUT TO:
EXT. CLIFF TOP. [ABOVE BB. NORTH END.] 55 a 55 a
Long shot. The boys appear over a hill together and
determined.
They leave the path with Bill pointing towards a cluster of
trees.
CUT 56 56
CUT 57 57
56.
EXT. COAST PATH [BROAD HAVEN OR [Link] HEAD] 58 a 58 a
At one point on the path they have to lift the cart over
rocks where the path has been washed away by the sea. James
is has to walk and relishes the challenge of it. Bill is
proud, and loving it, but Davy looks really anxious.
CUT TO:
EXT. FURTHER ALONG THE PATH [STACKPOLE QUARRY] 59 59
LATER IN THE DAY...
Amongst the trees at the top of a steep cliff. The boys are
tired and look at each other doubtfully as Bill starts to
climb down a rope.
BILL
We cant go round. This will save
us a day that we just dont have.
A MONTAGE OF SHOTS:
As the boys lower James and the cart down the cliff on the
rope.
Davy and Miles edge down beside James.
Suddenly the handle snaps on the cart. Davy and Miles cant
hold it. James shoots down the slope on the cart. Bill
braces himself as the cart hits him hard. He holds it.
DAVY
Jesus! You OK Jim?
JAMES
Fine...
MILES
Nice one Bill!
JAMES
Are we setting up camp soon?
BILL
Yes, mate.
DAVY
That could have been bad.
MILES
Oh Christ-
57.
DAVY
Someone has to say it. Perhaps we
cant-
JAMES
If its me youre worried about -
Im fine.
DAVY
Maybe we shouldnt be going on
too far-
MILES
Were not going back. Were going
to Barafundle Bay.
BILL
It was a minor slip. As long as
James wants to go on we go on...
We gave our word and thats all
there is.
James looks up at Davy.
JAMES
Every mans reach must exceed his
grasp...else whats a heaven for!
Miles and Davy start pushing the cart. Davy stands there,
thwarted but follows on. Bill turns to James and speaks
with poetic gravity...
BILL
There once was a man called Nick,
Who was born with a corkscrew
dick.
He spent his days in a life long
hunt, To find a girl with
corkscrew-
CUT TO:
EXT. TREES/CLIFF [MARTINS HAVEN OR BB NORTH SIDE.] 60 60
The boys emerge from the tree line and are relieved to see
the sea again. But the efforts of the cliff have taken
their toll on all of them.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE CLIFF TOP. [MARTINS HAVEN OR BB NORTH SIDE.] 61 61
The boys are sitting down. Bill has fallen asleep again.
58.
JAMES
And you read the short stories?
James and Miles look at each other trying to keep their
quizzical poker faces.
MILES
I e-mailed you, as you know.
James looks at Miles.
MILES (CONTD)
The one about the bike-man, was
great, really great... The one
about the nurses was bollocks.
DAVY
Im no writer, but I liked them.
Miles shoots a pointed look at Davy who returns it.
JAMES
Theres no point pretending that
I dont care what you think. I
do, more than anyone-
Davy winces at this, though its barely perceptible.
MILES
Im not going to tell you theyre
good because -
JAMES
Im a dying cripple.
DAVY
Its like you enjoy-
Suddenly Bill is up and on his feet.
BILL
(To MILES)
Miles - is that what you really
thought?
MILES
Yes.
BILL
Cool. James - try harder.
This comes as a surprise to them all. But Bill already has
his pack on and is moving on.
CUT TO:
59.
EXT. GRASSY HILL. [STACKPOLE NEAR BB] 62 62
The boys are all balanced at the top of hill and are all
balanced on the cart.
DAVY
If the cart breaks-
BILL
How fucking dare you... Ready for
take off...
JAMES
Take her steady Master Bates.
Bill gives a push with his foot and the cart starts down
the hill slowly at first but gathering pace as the boys
ride it. Bill whoops with the glory of it and even Davy
joins in the triumph... But for James this speed is the
most exhilarating and his face beams with joy.
CUT TO:
EXT. A RUBBISH FILLED COVE.[NEAR STACKPOLE QUARRY] 63 63
Davy, Miles and James sit where the path dips close to the
level of a very narrow inlet. The inlet is knee deep in
flotsam and jetsam. Its all industrial ocean rubbish.
Multi-coloured plastic, canisters, packaging, rope, nets
etc. As a whole this unnatural spectacle looks bizarre but
almost like an artwork. Bill is down on the beach and hes
talking to a strange figure in an old red cagoule with the
hood up, and yellow waders. As they watch the pair start
coming up towards them.
DAVY
(Sarcastically.)
Great.
MILES
What do you think it is?
Bill scrambles up the low cliff followed by the BEACHCOMER.
He is about 40 and ruggedly handsome.
BILL
Guys! This is Jonathan Beaton.
This is Miles, Davy, and thats
James, our leader.
JAMES
The pleasure is ours. Shall I
have Bill make some of his
excellent tea.
60.
BEACHCOMER
Thank you, no. I have a flask of
hot chocolate that I have to
finish. I wont have tea until
after my supper. Then I may have
two mugs.
There is a slight pause as the boys take in this report.
BILL
This dude is amazing! Show them.
The Beachcomer reaches into the inside pocket of his
cagoule and takes out a tiny orange bit of plastic the size
of a toothpick. There is silence. The boys look at it. Then
at the Beachchomer, then at it. Then at Bill who is
beaming, then at it.
BILL (CONTD)
Hes looking for - You tell them!
The Beachcomer is coy, as if this is going to be the Lost
Ark of the Covenant!
BEACHCOMER
Darth Vaders.
Silence
BILL
About a hundred thousand Darth
Vader action figures!
DAVY
Star Wars toys?
BILL
From 1980!
MILES
(Quietly)
Are you as scared as I am?
JAMES
I love where this is going.
The Beachcomer sits down.
BEACHCOMER
Fifteen years ago I was in a bar
in Marseilles. A Chinaman,
speaking french, mentioned South
Pembrokeshire. I was born here,
so obviously I was interested.
The Chinaman, a cargo boat
skipper, was saying hed lost a
fortune.
61.
(MORE)
A container of Star Wars figures.
But no ordinary Star Wars figures
-faulty Darth Vaders - made brown
like Ben Kenobi, instead of
black. He reckoned theyd be
collectors items one day, so he
decides hell (making bunny ears
in the air) mislay them... He
leaves the docks at Milford, runs
into a storm.
JAMES
An ungodly tempest.
BEACHCOMER
No. A storm. His vessel is
grounded, a man dies. The only
container to go over, and break
up on the rocks-
DAVY
Is-
BEACHCOMER
Yes. Years later. Im back here.
Walking. Trying to clear my head -
a lot - and I saw this cove. The
wave approach and prevailing
wind, make it the perfect filter.
It should all be just beautiful
drift wood, not this industrial
flotsam and jetsam, but, you
know, men should still wear hats
every day, the worlds changed!
The boys look at him blankly.
JAMES
Are you coming back to the
Chinaman?
BEACHCOMER
No. I realised this is where the
brown Vaders would be, slowly
washing up over the years. So I
started looking. Every day I came
down and looked. A month went by.
Then two. Then three... nothing.
I was starting to think I was
crazy-
Miles and James exchange glances.
BEACHCOMER (CONT'D)
Then one morning, spring of 2004 -
DAVY
NO!
62.
BEACHCOMER (CONT'D)
BEACHCOMER
No. I found a yogurt pot inside a
sack of rubbish.
The boys stare blankly again.
MILES
(Under his breath.)
Bagsy, I die first.
BEACHCOMER
It had a sell by date on it.
November 1980. Proof that there
was stuff washing up, from that
exact year. Obviously I kept
looking.
JAMES
Obviously.
BEACHCOMER
A year, two years, three, four
and still no Brown Vaders. But
Im happily looking, seeing this
beautiful view every morning,
changing all the time, and then
last month-
DAVY
NO!
BEACHCOMER
No. But, I found this.
He holds up the tiny orange tooth pick like a treasure.
BEACHCOMER (CONTD)
Its a light saber from a Darth
Vader made between 1980 and 1981.
DAVY
Wow!
BEACHCOMER
Yep. Theyre here... If I find
ten, theyll be worth thirty five
thousand pounds. The container
held more than hundred thousand.
You do the math.
MILES
No.
James snorts trying to contain his laughter as he gets up.
Davy jumps to help him.
63.
DAVY
I never heard anything like it in
my whole life!
JAMES
You speak for us all. I need a
piss.
MILES
No! Let me. Im dying to see his
cock, its been ages.
Miles follows James, but doesnt touch him. Davy looks
irked that his job has been taken.
BILL
Im going down there!
Bill leaps off the edge down to the cove.
NEARBY:
As Miles and Jim approach a suitable spot to pee at...
MILES
(Whispering.)
Captain, we may have to sacrifice
Nurse Davy to save ourselves.
BACK:
Davy is examining the light-saber. The Beachcomer is
oblivious to the mirth he has caused.
BEACHCOMER
Your friend is ill.
DAVY
Just excitable.
BEACHCOMER
No the other one... Ja-
DAVY
I know I was joking. Yes, James.
Hes got cancer. Terminal.
Davy looks over at James and Miles.
BEACHCOMER
Right. I lost a friend to cancer.
My best friend ever.
DAVY
Sorry.
64.
BEACHCOMER
Its not your fault. Its just
really really, really, really,
really, really, really unlucky.
DAVY
(Wondering at his
madness.)
Right.
BEACHCOMER
I have other friends. People find
me attractive. But I started
looking for a replacement for my
dead friend. Among my existing
friends, then acquaintances, and
then new people.
LONG PAUSE.
BEACHCOMER (CONTD)
Why didnt you want the laughing-
one to take your sick-friend to
urinate?
DAVY
I - I didnt mind.
BEACHCOMER
(Considering Davy.)
Right.
DAVY
How long will you keep looking?
BEACHCOMER
For a friend? I dont anymore.
Thats the point.
DAVY
No, for the... (He gestures to
the beach.)
BEACHCOMER
(Looking over to see
what Davys pointing
at.)
Oh that!... I took millions of
photos of it all. Thats what I
used to do, you see. Fashion
though. I put the photos in a
book with some thoughts about
stuff, rubbish mostly! Ha! And my
agent in New York sold it, and it
sold a lot, a lot, I mean A
LOT!... So Im OK. Im more OK
than ever... In fact I...
65.
Long silence.
The Beachcomer seems to have realised that this is true for
the first time in a long, long while. He and Davy look at
each other. Davy smiles at him.
BEACHCOMER (CONTD)
Four years. Havent had to give a
shit about anyone... Great to be
needed isnt it? Id forgotten.
Davy nods.
BEACHCOMER (CONTD)
Do you ever find yourself,
really, really, really, annoying?
DAVY
Yes.
BEACHCOMER
Me too.
They both laugh.
BEACHCOMER (CONTD)
Whose going to be your friend
when hes gone?
DAVY
I havent really thought about
it.
BEACHCOMER
You should. Wow! ....NO. You
shouldnt... Maybe youre one of
the lucky ones, David.
Satisfiable. How would that be?
Rare. A gift. There already. And
good... Well done.
Davy is totally bowled over considering this idea. James
and Miles are back.
There is a silence.
BEACHCOMER (CONTD)
Sometimes I suddenly see things.
Like when I take a picture. Its
perfect. Right there...Click.
The boys watch him.
In the background we notice Bill tearing around the cove
flinging rubbish about.
Suddenly the Beachcomer gets up, picks up his bag.
66.
BEACHCOMER (CONTD)
Well - this was a life changing
few minutes. James, we would have
been good friends. Not best
friends, but good friends. (He
looks at Miles briefly, but says
nothing. Then to Davy) You, Im
not sure. Good and possibly best.
Yes.
DAVY
(Surprised.)
Thank you. I - thank you.
BEACHCOMER
No. Thank you.
Bill clambers up from the beach. The boys watch him go in
bemused silence.
BILL
Good luck mate. Maybe I could
come back sometime and help-
BEACHCOMER
Nah. Im done with all that shit.
(He tosses the light sabre into
the cove.) Enjoy your walk.
He strides off on a new mission.
BILL
I LOVE that dude!
DAVY
He was quite... I dont know he
was actually-
MILES
I really thought he was going to
kill us.
Davy helps James onto the cart while watching the
Beachcomer.
JAMES
Possibly fuck us and eat us.
MILES
(Getting his pack on.)
He could turn round of course.
Stalk us until we settle down to
sleep.
He gives a final wave and disappears, but Davy keeps
watching. The others look at each other.
67.
JAMES
David. Did that man try to touch
your private place?
CUT TO:
EXT. FOURTH NIGHT CAMP [TBC] - EVENING 64 64
A delve on the cliffs beside a small rocky bay. The camp
looks very inviting. Two tents have lanterns and the boys
drink beers round the fire.
Miles and Bill setup fishing rods and lanterns on tripods
in slapstick fashion in the background.
James takes some more morphine secretly while Davys back
is turned. Davy is checking his mobile phone secretly. Davy
hurriedly re-packs it. Then Davy turns and sees James.
DAVY
You been hitting the morphine
kind of hard.
James looks at him. They both know he needed to. Davy
feigns a smile and takes out the silver medication bag to
do the other meds.
James takes this chance to reach into Davys pack and steal
his mobile and put it in his own on the cart.
Bill and Miles return to the fireside. Miles starts blowing
up the Pink Lilo mattress.
BILL
Weve done well. We could take it
easy and do another night.
Miles rolls over exhausted already.
MILES
No. I have to be in work on
Tuesday whatever.
James looks pissed off at this. Davy does too.
Bill lies down beside it and starts blowing.
DAVY
I still think were carrying too
much.
Bill reaches out to the tree and hugs it to him.
DAVY (CONTD)
The fireworks!
68.
JAMES
Fireworks?
BILL
Davy!
JAMES
What fireworks?
BILL
Youve ruined it!
DAVY
Sorry, sorry! But-
James is confused.
BILL
We had this idea, that because
you love the stars, and having
heard the whole dancing through
cosmos thing it seems doubly
apt, that we try and... give them
to you.
JAMES
Ha!
MILES
But they weigh a ton so lets
just light the fuckers.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. FOURTH NIGHT CAMP [TBC] - LATER 65 65
The sky is lit by an amazing shower of white cascading
fireworks.
Miles and Bill set them off some way from the camp on the
rocky cove. They are unsure of what they are doing.
At the camp we see James wrapped in blankets beside Davy.
They watch with wonder.
DAVY
Am I annoying you?
JAMES
Sometimes.
DAVY
(Sad and guilty.)
Sorry.
69.
A firework explodes at the wrong angle. Bill and Miles
shriek and dive out of its path.
James and Davy duck as it shoots over them and straight
into one of the tents. The nylon tent bursts into flame.
As Miles and Bill arrive the tent has already evaporated
the kit inside is well alight as the firework continues to
explode impressively. Davy grabs a small bottle of water
and jumps about in panic splashing it onto the flames.
DAVY (CONTD)
THATS FUCKING GREAT! WHAT DO WE
DO NOW! YOU FUCKING IDIOT! YOU
IDIOT!
MILES
It was him as well!
Bill soaks a towel and dampens the fire...and they manage
to stamp out the rest.
Most of the stuff inside has been burned, including their
rucksacks. James has all but passed out from laughing and
the pain it causes him. Davy, Bill and Miles stare the
wreckage exhausted and shocked. There is silence.
BILL
That was an accident.
CUT TO:
EXT. FOURTH NIGHT CAMP [TBC]- LATER. 65 a 65 a
Miles and Bill lie shivering by the dying fire.
BILL
I feel so honored to be here.
MILES
Id feel just as honoured to be
with you all in a five star suite
in the Caribbean.
BILL
Im freezing.
MILES
Put your spare jumper on. No wait
a minute...
BILL
So youre really not banging
anyone?
70.
MILES
Shut up please.
CUT TO:
EXT. FOURTH NIGHT CAMP. [TBC] - NIGHT 65 b 65 b
Bill shivers.
He gets up and creeps into the tent.
Miles suffers it a few moments longer then follows. We hear
the groans and shuffling as they get into the tent.
BILL (V.O.)
(Whispering hoarsely)
Alright. Ive got my knife. So
any of you start getting
Brokeback Ill be going Rambo!
Beat.
MILES (V.O.)
Mmmm... God you feel warm.
CUT TO:
INT/EXT. FOURTH NIGHT CAMP. TENT. [TBC] 65 c 65 c
The sounds of night by the sea. Inside the tent there are
arms and legs everywhere. They look uncomfortable but each
has an amusing slack-jawed expression. James is half awake,
half asleep and lost in thoughts, and memories.
CUT TO:
EXT. A WIDE BEACH. 65 d 65 d
The four boys are younger. They are playing frisbee on the
beach. They are laughing. In the dazzling sun we can make
out James... young and healthy... life ahead...
CUT TO:
INT. A BEDROOM 65 e 65 e
The sun streams through a curtain in a foreign hotel room.
On the bed lies a naked young woman. As the curtain floats
in the breeze the sunlight plays across her hips...
CUT TO:
71.
EXT. CLIFF TOP. [BROAD HAVEN ? TBC] 65 f 65 f
James is on the ground on his front, staring at ocean.
Tears well in his eyes. He grips clumps of the dew laden
grass. It is hard to tell if this is in pain or rage. But
the feeling passes... he stares fixedly at the sea. Then
slowly he rolls over and sits up.
A movement behind him. Miles is next to wake... He sees
James and there is a moment where says nothing. Evaluating,
awkward...
MILES
(Breezy, but cold.)
Alright?
JAMES
Yes.
On James... but we see Miles hesitate then walk off to do
something else...
CUT TO:
EXT. FOURTH NIGHT CAMP. [TBC]- MORNING. 66 66
Miles is picking cautiously at a semi burned, bag of
crisps. Then Bill takes a deep breath and starts to sing -
BILL
In this proud land I -
MILES
No thank you!
Bill stops. James and Bill laugh. By torch and fire light
Davy looks over the damaged kit. James watches them. Davy
finds some condoms.
DAVY
Who packed these!?!
JAMES
Four straight guys, in the middle
of nowhere, set fire to most of
their stuff - but the CONDOMS are
in tact! Love it.
BILL
You can use them to cover a
microphone actually. To record
dolphins underwater. Its what
they use.
72.
DAVY
Cool. Everyone get that? It may
not come up but - thanks Bill.
(Looking back at the kit) We
shouldnt have cooked all the
beans tonight.
BILL
Weve plenty of food.
DAVY
Im not worried about me!
MILES
Jesus, stop!
DAVY
Stop what! Stop making sure he
gets to do this bloody trip! You
two dont have any idea how much
responsibility I have to shoulder
so you can just piss around.
JAMES
You get thanks ALL the time.
DAVY
Well, thats nice-
JAMES
Davy, youre desperate to be
needed.
DAVY
(Quietly to James only.)
Im glad you see it that way. I
dont.
JAMES
Im grateful!... But what ARE you
going to do when Im gone. I
cant picture it.
DAVY
Who knows, Jim?
JAMES
But all you ever did was moan
about being taken advantage of at
work, until you lost your job,
and I think my cancer came along
at just at the right time.
Beat.
Davys rage is simmering. But as usual he contains it.
73.
MILES
Ill pay for all three of you to
see a shrink when we get home.
But for now-
JAMES
(Ignoring Miles)
Its not about failing its about
finding your...
MILES
Oh God. If you say Reason
detre Im killing myself.
JAMES
Shut up, Miles. This is-
MILES
Repugnant? Boring?
Bill clouts him on the head hard with a plastic bottle!
MILES (CONTD)
Ow!
JAMES
Davy. Who the hell are you? What
do YOU want? What perfect thing
are you looking for?
BILL
James. I think hes doing fine.
And you are being a bit-
MILES
There was no need to hit me.
JAMES
Its not what lifes dealt you
its the cards you feel safe
playing.
Davy is silent. His face is dead.
James looks at him, then at Davy, then at Miles. Drugs and
pain wrack his body and his face has darkened to a storm.
MILES
(Re: his head again.)
You got me with the hard end bit,
bro... Well, I thought the tea
making stuff was good - but
JAMES
Miles, its so fucking easy to
take the piss, but Im angry!
With all of you!
74.
MILES
(A sudden flash of
anger.)
Well you shouldnt be!
JAMES
WELL I AM!
Miles kicks himself for losing his temper even briefly as
this will egg James on...
JAMES (CONTD)
I dont want to die!
They are sobered.
JAMES (CONTD)
I want more time. I want more
time. Id take any one of your
pointless consumer-fucker lives!
James has tears in his eyes for the first time. Miles looks
down and shakes his head.
JAMES (CONTD)
I was going to do so much. I was
going to be special. I know it
sounds pompous. It is.
BILL
It is.
MILES
You are!
JAMES
I am! But... (to Miles) You make
me sick.
Miles looks up to meet his stare.
MILES
Dont. I love my life. Cancers
no excuse for being such an
egomaniac. Why are you special?
JAMES
You dont think I would have-
(become a writer?)
MILES
I dont know! Thats the point!
By our age my father had written
three novels already.
75.
(MORE)
(This wounds James.) Your
writings good, but you only sat
down to finally do it because it
got too difficult to stand up!
Miles looks to Bill and Davy. Davy is about to kill him.
MILES (CONT'D)
What? ...You want to hit me now,
you pissy little arse-licker?
Beat.
DAVY
Were not your secretaries. We
dont run away when you turn
nasty.
MILES
Im telling him the truth!
DAVY
I know, but why?!
MILES
You bore the fuck out of me.
DAVY
Why are you so cruel? Just cruel.
Theres other ways to get what
you want.
MILES
(Nodding.)
Its like youre actually looking
at my soul through a microscope.
(It becomes obvious he is taking
the piss.) I have to find a way
to redeem myself! Davy will you
give me Aids!!!!!!!
Davy just stares at him. No one laughs.
MILES (CONTD)
Bill? Rabies?
Bill wants to laugh but, James and Davy are still stony-
faced. Miles shakes his head and backs away exasperated.
MILES (CONTD)
God! GOD!
He gets up kicks a bottle of beer into the darkness...
MILES (CONTD)
We dont NEED to do this! We
dont!
76.
MILES (CONT'D)
(MORE)
We should be laughing and talking
bollocks about the old days...
Miles looks at James almost pleadingly...
JAMES
I read your novel.
Silence.
JAMES (CONT'D)
I read it. (Staring at Miles, but
for the others to hear.) He
finished it years ago.
Miles walks away towards the fishing rods on the shore.
James struggles to get up. Davy does not help. James takes
a lantern and hobbles after Miles.
CUT TO:
EXT. FOURTH NIGHT CAMP. SHORE LINE. [TBC] 67 67
Miles tries to calm himself, tries to breathe. He just
wants one really deep breath.
James approaches with a lantern. He is in pain. Miles
glances round. He really doesnt want to help, TO TOUCH HIM
EVEN, so James lowers himself onto the sand.
JAMES
So, I read your book. Your lie
cant exist.
MILES
When did you read it?
JAMES
Two years ago. I snooped on your
computer. It seemed a natural
part of the competition wed been
having all our lives. I found
three drafts of the finished
book... I copied the latest. I
felt guilty and jealous. So I put
it away. And I hated you for it.
Then I got ill. And I gave in to
my desire to... Even though I
knew youd never, ever forgive
me.
MILES
I wont.
77.
MILES (CONTD)
JAMES
It ruined me. Youre right. Out
of the two of us... you should-
(write.)
MILES
I dont give a shit what you
think of my book. I really dont.
That book... means a lot to me-
JAMES
Because-
MILES
Oh, Shut up! Come on! Youre
going to tell me why it means a
lot to me now?! Jesus this trip
has been like a walk with the
sick-white-Oprah! And you would
hate you right now!
JAMES
Miles-
MILES
Mate, if you really need to tell
me something you could have
phoned me and Id have come over.
We would have had a chat and then
we would have watched Jaws and
pretended you werent sick-
JAMES
I am.
MILES
Because you are! And when youre
gone, when youre gone, you wont
know how I... So all this is just
unnecessary fake soul searching,
that EVERYONE fucking does these
days.
James tries to speak but Miles is off...
MILES (CONT'D)
I cant even say this REAL stuff,
because I just may not get to see
you again so I can-
JAMES
You dont have to apologise-
MILES
I wasnt going to apologise you
arrogant little fucker! Im
right!
78.
(MORE)
And we never apologise!... I can
say this shit, and see you in
five minutes and say nothing!
Thats the point. There is one
human... one other human being in
this whole world, to who we can
say anything. Anything. Anything.
JAMES
Youre book is... You know it is.
MILES
Thank you.
JAMES
Youre welcome.
MILES
Im not afraid of failing now. I
dont need to be -
JAMES
I know.
MILES
You see my Dad was so-
JAMES
I know.
MILES
(Nodding.)
And now the only other person -
JAMES
Yes. I know.
MILES
Well, if you're not going to
fucking listen.
James laughs raucously.
BACK NEAR THE TENT
BILL
Dont worry. Its the morphine
talking. This morning he called
me Robert.
Bill walks off towards James and Miles.
CUT TO:
CUT 68 68
79.
MILES (CONT'D)
CUT 69 69
70, 71, 72, 73 CUT 70 70
EXT. FOURTH NIGHT CAMP. [TBC] 74 74
The radio is playing. They pack up their kit. Theres still
a lingering tension between Davy and Miles. They side step
each other as they pack away. No one has slept well. They
look like insects unfurling in the sun.
Miles is struggling to open a broken tin of tuna.
MILES
Shit it. Shitting thing!...I need-
Jim have you got that knife?
James tosses the old penknife from Davy at him.
He opens it and tries to pry open the can.
The blades snaps.
He freezes. He looks up. They have all seen. James looks
simply saddened by it - but Davy is livid. Silent but
livid....
MILES (CONTD)
Oh.
BILL
THAT was an accident as well.
CUT TO:
EXT. FOURTH NIGHT CAMP. [TBC] 74 a 74 a
Davy cleans the cooking pots they still have. James rest
near by. In the distance Miles chatting with Bill.
JAMES
Davy?
DAVY
What?
JAMES
What do you really think about
what I said to you?
Beat. James is sipping secretly at his morphine.
80.
DAVY
Youve no right to talk to me
like that. None.
JAMES
Why didnt you say that in front
of them?
DAVY
(Coldly)
Loyalty you prick. Go to sleep.
CUT TO:
EXT. SECOND NIGHT CAMP [BROAD HAVEN] 75 75
The cart is loaded. Miles holds it to stop it rolling down
the slope. Bill and Davy bring stuff to put on it. Suddenly
a phone rings. Its Miles mobile.
JAMES
(Annoyed)
You promised!
MILES
Its work. I need to take this
call. Its a very important
situation.
BILL
More important than this trip?
MILES
Davy has a phone too!
DAVY
For emergencies! Its not about
the phone. Its about you not
really wanting to be here.
Davy snatches Miles phone, which is still ringing, stops
the call and sticks it in his pocket defiantly.
MILES
Give me that phone.
The cart, that Miles was holding, is now trundling towards
the cliff edge behind them. James sees it and shouts at
them. They panic. Davy runs after it. Bill does too and
falls over in hilarious fashion. But Davy runs towards the
edge. Hes almost at the cart as the cart reaches the
brink. The cart sails over the edge. Miles is close behind
and dives to catch Davy who would have gone over the cliff
with the cart, and pulls him back!
81.
DAVY
What are you doing?!!!
MILES
You would have gone over with it!
DAVY
I would have got it, you twat!
JAMES
He just saved your life.
BEAT.
MILES
You think he likes me more than
you, you whiny poof!
Davy takes Miles mobile from his pocket and throws it over
the cliff in rage.
Miles watches in disbelief.
Davy tries to look as though he doesnt regret it.
MILES (CONTD)
Why do people keep throwing my
stuff in the sea?
Then he turns calmly to look at Davy. Bill steps in.
BILL
OK. That ALSO was and accident.
We cant afford many more. The
phone. That was bad. Bad, Davy.
But its not the end of the
world. Miles your work knows
youve gone into the wild-
MILES
Its not that fucking simple.
Its all fucked! Things are bad.
People rely on me! The bank have
called in our loan. Im going
under! (To Davy) Miles is
failing! You happy about that?
James looks down over the cliff again.
JAMES
Boys, we have a problem.
CUT TO:
82.
EXT. CLIFF TOP [BROAD HAVEN OR STACKPOLE CLIFFS] 76 76
All the boys lie on the edge peering down at the cart,
which rests broken on the rocks below. Miles rolls over
onto his back and stares at the sky. James looks seriously
ill.
DAVY
Well call Mr. G. Maybe theyll
send a helicopter.
JAMES
NO. No way... We havent finished
the walk.
DAVY
Mate, you werent doing that much
walking, and your transport is
gone!
DAVY (CONTD)
Well call your dad. Maybe stay
at a B & B on the mainland and he
could find -
BILL
Wheres your phone?
DAVY
In my bag.
JAMES
Uh. No. Im afraid its in my
bag... on the cart.
There is a pause where they all compute this new problem.
They look over the edge.
DAVY
This is un-fucking-believeable.
BILL
Theres a kind of amazing natural
symmetry-
DAVY
Shut up, Bill.
BILL
Weve still got the tent. Well
just have to camp here while one
of us goes back and gets help-
83.
JAMES
(Lost in thought.
Quietly)
No.
DAVY
Wheres the map?
MILES
In the cart.
JAMES
Were going on. Its not far.
Ill walk it. I can.
DAVY
James-
JAMES
No, Davy! I have to go on. I just
want one night there. If you
wont come Ill go without you. I
have to. I have to.... Im not
finished!
He clambers to his feet and feebly heads off with fierce
determination, despite being a shadow of the man that
started the trip.
There is a moment of silent debate. They watch his tragic
determined figure hobbling away. Davy looks at Bill.
BILL
We may be closer to the emergency
phone at Barafundle- So... I
could go back to the last phone.
Reckon I can jog it in five hours
maybe.
MILES
When did you last run for five
hours?!
DAVY
If we go on we should stick
together in case we have to carry
him.
Davy glances at Miles but wont ask him.
BILL
What do you think Miles?
Miles is concerned, but he looks at James.
84.
MILES
Thanks to you pricks, I doubt
Ill have a company to go back to
now.
They all look at James hobbling as fast as he can.
DAVY
Is it time to leave the tree-
BILL
(Abrupt.)
The tree is one of us!
Davy rolls his eyes.
BILL (CONTD)
So should I tell him or let him
keep going.
Davy shakes his head.
BILL (CONTD)
James! Stop.
JAMES
Are you coming to Barafundle?
BILL
We are. But its that way.
He points in the opposite direction.
FADE TO:
EXT. CLIFF TOP [BB NORTH] - MOMENTS LATER 77 77
Leaning on a stick and on Davy, James sets off gingerly.
Miles lingers behind and struggles to take a breath again.
He closes his eyes, calms down.
James looks ahead in agony.
CUT TO:
EXT. COAST PATH [BB NORTH] 78 78
James leans on Bill, but the pain is quite bad and fatigue
consumes him. Though it is awkward on Bills part, and James
knows it. They silently change from James leaning as he
walks, to leaning in more heavily... Bill takes more of his
weight, having to put his arm round his waist, to James
putting both arms round Bills neck and eventually they
come to a stop and Bill has to put down the tree.
85.
He offers his back. James clambers on without an ounce of
energy to spare. Bill looks at the tree sadly. Davy hurries
his step, and picks up the tree. Bill smiles at him. They
walk on.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE COAST PATH [BB NORTH] 79 79
Exhausted, they have stopped for a break. Bill has fallen
asleep with his back to the other three. Davy examines the
gas can of the stove.
DAVY
Is this the only gas we have?
Bill?
MILES
Asleep.
JAMES
(Pain and drug addled.)
Good to see him off the leash
isnt it? Sooner he ditches that
bitch the better.
MILES
How do you know thats what he
wants?
JAMES
Hes a big hearted, hilarious
force of nature! And she crushes
every natural urge he has. Its a
horrible relationship. He has to
face it!
MILES
Its none of our business. Hes
blissfully unhappy in his
relationship probably, going
through the ups and downs like
everyone else.
James takes another swig of his Syrup.
JAMES
People who are totally in love
have arguments that burst the
bubble only to facilitate the
bubbles exquisite re-inflation.
Miles rolls his eyes. Bill slowly rolls over and gets up
looking crestfallen.
86.
BILL
Facilitate the bubbles
exquisite re-inflation. Hmm. Not
me and Abbie.
Awkward silence. There is a silence that is finally broken
by James.
JAMES
Thank God! Bill, make a clean
break.
MILES
Be vile and distant til she
cheats on you. Then dump her.
JAMES
This is a new start-
BILL
Abbies pregnant.
There is a dreadful silence.
James is particularly filled with horror and confusion.
This was not in his plan.
Bill looks darkly at the ground.
JAMES
Why didnt you say?
BILL
I wanted to enjoy the walk.
JAMES
Congrat-
BILL
Dont.
Pause.
DAVY
Im not saying its good news, in
the circumstances, but youll be
a brill-
MILES
Definitely yours?
Bill is aghast at this but thinks about it...
BILL
Far as I know.
87.
MILES
And she wants to keep it?
Bill nods. Miles nods back.
DAVY
Baby or not... if she isnt the
one-
BILL
Of course she isnt the one!
JAMES
Well then, grasp- (the life YOU
want.)
BILL
(Angry.)
Its not that simple.
JAMES
But-
BILL
(ANGRY. ANGRY. ANGRY.)
Shut the fuck up, Jim! Yeah it
all gets watered down! It does.
With every year. But I know that
what I do with my life effects
other people. I stick to my
decisions - however shit - Im
trying... I may not set the world
on fire, but I see things
through! And when all my dreams
come to nothing, Ill be around
to bloody see it!
Beat.
BILL (CONTD)
(To James,then Miles and
Davy.)
You should have told me before!
You should have fucking told me!
Bill backs away from them shaking with rage.
He stumbles over the tree. He grabs it. He brandishes it
above his head like a mace and pounds it on the ground.
Then picks it up and does it again. Now he swings it round
twice and sends it flying over the cliff... He watches it
disappear...
The boys just stare at him.
Bills rage subsides. He slumps to his knees on the cliff
edge, totally spent, looking at the sea.
88.
The boys look at each other. Eventually... Miles walks over
to Bill and stands facing the sea, but very close to him.
MILES
Well... You really showed that
tree.
Bill laughs. The tension is released and he leans against
Miles leg. Miles roughs his hair, as though patting a much
loved old dog that has just failed to catch a rabbit. Bill
turns around and looks at James.
BILL
Im sorry.
James looks at him with sympathy and shakes his head...
hes speechless, he tries to reamin serious... but cracks
up.
CUT TO:
EXT. COAST PATH. [BB NORTH] 80 80
The boys are tired and struggling. Davy and Bill carries
heavy packs. Davy carries James on his back.
They have stopped to rest. James is suffering. Bill sits a
little apart and nurses serious blisters... but without
dressings for them he just pulls his boot on in agony. They
all look at each other. They all know going a step further
may be beyond them all.
James tries to walk on. He looks out at the sea. He watches
a cormorant that is hovering at his eye-line dive into the
sea. He looks at the birds and smiles.
BILL
Im sorry about your tree. Im
going to grow another. We can-
JAMES
Do you know what? I wouldnt have
it any other way... My tree will
drift... wash up on some strange
shore.... perfect.
Bill smiles.
CUT TO:
EXT. CLIFF TOP. [BB NORTH. SHOT FROM STACKPOLE QUAY] 80 a 80 a
No one is talking. Each in his own private miserable world
they concentrate on nothing but moving forward.
89.
Miles is ahead looking scared. Behind him Davy is carrying
an exhausted James.
Bill is at the rear, carrying Davys pack. Even he is just
trudging on step by step now, limping badly but trudging on
with gritted teeth. Unnoticed by Bill, Davys pack, which
has a hole burnt in it from the fire, starts to tear apart
as he walks and pieces of kit drop out.
Pull out to show the great distance of wilderness ahead...
CUT TO:
EXT. THE COAST PATH [MARTINS HAVEN OR BROAD HAVEN] 81 81
They get to a steep rise and stand at the bottom.
James is on Bills back.
He adjust his hold on James and starts to climb.
Bill stumbles. Davy and Miles leap forward to try and catch
James and Bill but too late and Bill falls. His efforts to
protect James cause him to fall badly and James cries out
in pain. Bill and Miles just look at him. Helpless, but
Davy grips James hand.
DAVY
Youre alright! Breath in.
James is pulling on Davys hair.
Miles is appalled.
MILES.
Right. Are we done? I mean I
think were done now. Fuck it.
Ill run back. Bill runs on, or
vice versa. One of us will get
there. We might see a boat or-
DAVY
Shut up Miles. Well be fine.
James focuses on Davys eyes. He smiles as much as he can
manage.
MILES
Bill? This is fucking mental!
Bill looks at Davy.
BILL
I dont know.
90.
MILES
Jesus!
DAVY
(to Miles.)
You carry Jim for a bit.
Miles looks scared. He looks at James who is paler than
ever. Miles looks up the steep incline ahead and back at
Davy.
MILES
Dont tell me what to do-
DAVY
Why?
MILES
You feeling all hard now?! Why?
Because I didnt kick your arse
for chucking my phone away... or
because Im -
DAVY
Oh- just shut it! This isnt
about you right now. Pick him up!
MILES
No.
DAVY
Pick him up.
MILES
Fuck you!
DAVY
Pick him up, you fucking coward!!
Miles swings at him and lands a punch on the top of Davys
head, which hurts his hand.
Davy swings back and soon they are rolling on the floor
trying to kill each other.
Bill watches shaking his head. James turns from the cliff
edge to look at them. Miles and Davy fight with neither
obviously winning.
JAMES
We should stop them.
BILL
Well... I know we should... but
its kind of fascinating...
91.
Davy and Miles both give up at the same time totally
exhausted. They fall back.
BILL (CONTD)
Lets call it a draw... (To
Miles) I liked the little EEEK!
noise you made when he got you in
a head lock.
Miles looks at him and then cant help laughing. Neither
can Davy.
There is a silence.
DAVY
Were men now! And it turns out
Im a pretty fucking average man!
And you know what - Heaven forbid
that I should learn anything on
this fucking trip... But I have!
Ive got people who love me.
People I love back. This is all
there is and it hurts and its
amazing. But its the truth. But
Im not afraid of it... and THAT
is what makes you despise me.
Miles is beaten. Davy stares at him waiting for the attack
but sensing victory.
MILES
It is easier winding you up than
being... You.
Miles and Davy grip hands in conciliation.
BILL
This trip is awesome.
MILES
(Weakened beyond
recognition. Looks to
James.)
Your illness disgusts me. If I
got sick like that, Id be so
totally humiliated. It shocks me.
Thats ALSO the truth. After my
Dad- I actually dont need to say
this. I dont have to.. But I am -
SO sorry.
He looks at Davy too. Then he gets up and goes over to
James and starts to heave him up and onto his back.
MILES (CONTD)
Come on, you bugger.
92.
He starts to climb the massive incline.
Its tough this is a huge challenge... its painful for
James and Miles is struggling to climb at all.
CLOSE in on: Miles and James. They are silent. Both in pain
of different kinds.
PAUSE. Gradually the action slows to slow motion. We hear
two different heart beats. One stronger than the other.
Finally, with Bill and Davy supporting Miles and James,
they reach the summit and collapse again.
CUT TO:
EXT. BARAFUNDLE BAY. CLIFF. [AS IS] 82 82
From the summit of the hill they see Barafundle Bay.
The sun kisses the water at a million glistening lips.
They stare at the cove for a moment taking it in.
BILL
Barafundle Bay. Jesus.
DAVY
Told you wed make it.
They laugh.
BILL
Id forgotten how incredible...
JAMES
Yeah... this isnt actually the
one I was thinking of.
They laugh.
JAMES (CONTD)
Thank you.
They are thrilled. They make their way down to the beach.
CUT TO:
EXT. BARAFUNDLE BAY. THE BEACH [AS IS] 83 83
The boys have dumped their bags and run into the water,
leaping about in the surf. Even James is in knee deep,
watching his friends with affection.
CUT TO:
93.
EXT. FIFTH NIGHT CAMP. BARAFUNDLE BAY. BEACH [AS IS] 84 84
EVEING - MAGIC HOUR.
Still a little wet from the swim they have started to set
up camp and Bill has a fire going. They are happy. But
across the laughter James and Miles make eye contact. There
is the hint of suspicion in both their eyes. James raises
his morphine syrup in a toast to him.
Miles nods.
The laughter continues and their eyes are diverted by the
chatter.
JAMES
Bill. Whatever the
circumstances... any child will
be so lucky-
Bill nods...
JAMES (CONTD)
Bill, any names picked out?
BILL
Couple. But not really.
JAMES
How about Larch?
Davy and Miles try to stay straight faced. Bill thinks
about this...
BILL
I quite like that.
James smiles. Davy and Miles at each other with silent
horror.
CUT TO:
EXT. FIFTH NIGHT CAMP [AS IS]- MOMENTS LATER 84 b 84 b
James is resting. The other three have gathered driftwood
to make shelters around the fire, tying them with bits of
rope from the flotsam and jetsam. As they work:
DAVY
...Waste of money. Hated going to
the gym anyway. Full of Russian
gangsters-
94.
MILES
You havent spent all your
redundancy already have you?
DAVY
No-
MILES
Only. Its tough out there at the
moment-
DAVY
No. I dont need-
MILES
I could have helped but, now-
DAVY
Its fine. But thank-
MILES
Do you have a little nest egg to-
MILES (CONTD)
Course you should put into
property. But-
DAVY
Maybe I can get my old job-
MILES
Well, like I say, if I can throw
something your-
BILL
Wait. Davy, get your old job
back? I thought you were made
redundant? You cant.
Miles realises what Davy has said and both he and Bill look
at him.
DAVY
Yeah. I, um...
BILL
You quit for this didnt you.
Davy doesnt answer. They are silenced.
Eventually Bill slaps him on the back and keeps working on
the driftwood shelter.
So does Miles. But as he works...
95.
MILES
Youre a class act Davy. A class
act.
With only a sideways glance to each other they on with
their jobs, but this has meant the world to Davy.
CUT TO:
EXT. FIFTH NIGHT CAMP. BARAFUNDLE BAY. BEACH. 84 c 84 c
The stars come out above the bay... The camp is quiet. They
boys rest. Bill has fashioned driftwood into sculptures
around the camp that act as a wind break and throw strange
shadows in the flickering firelight.
CUT TO:
EXT. FIFTH NIGHT CAMP. BARAFUNDLE BAY. BEACH - MORNING. 85 85
They are sorting out their breakfast things.
BILL
Is there anything so restful as
the sound of the ocean?
Only Miles looks away. He looks unhappy.
JAMES
Fuck. Sorry guys. I was so proud
of myself for my stoicism. I
thought I could wrap everything
up neatly... and then-
MILES
Im fucking your sister.
James just stares at him. Miles stares with a strange look
of calm danger in his eyes that antagonises and inspires.
James nods slowly and looks to the sea. This is not what
Miles expects. He looks to a stunned Bill and Davy.
Eventually James looks back at him impassively.
MILES (CONTD)
I am totally and utterly in love
with her and I have been for ten
years.
JAMES
(Genuinely surprised
now.)
Shit.
96.
MILES
I watched her marry Mike and did
nothing. Have children, settle
down in her big comfortable
life.... Only then did I really
know I had to find... I pursued
her. And I got her.
JAMES
My God.
MILES
We met up when you got sick and -
well... Ironic isnt. Terribly
ironic.
JAMES
Yes.
MILES
Im going to buy a big house and
one day, soon, shell leave Mike.
Then, sometime after, shell
bring the girls to my house...and
shell be mine.
Beat.
JAMES
I always knew she had a thing for
you but, most women seem to-
MILES
NO. No. I wanted her. She would
never have... I wanted her. So I
took her. And we are perfect for
each other. Perfect in every way.
Perfect. Perfect.
JAMES
Jesus! I mean itll...
James, Davy and Bill stare at Miles mentally envisaging all
the stress and turmoil this will cause to all involved,
after James is gone... Miles just stares back at James.
JAMES (CONT'D)
When were you going to tell me-
Oh. You werent
MILES
No.
JAMES
So, do you want my blessing?
97.
MILES
No. Ill do it anyway.
PAUSE
JAMES
Yep.
MILES
Yep.
They sit in silence.
MILES (CONTD)
My father always told me that one
thing is bigger and better and
stronger than everything and
everyone in this world put
together. Id ask him what it was
and he would never tell me. He
said Id find out if I were any
son of his. I...
JAMES
I do so hope it turns out well.
Silence.
BILL
So do I.
Miles looks at Davy who stares at the fire.
DAVY
It makes sense. Wierdly, it makes
sense.
Miles is surprised by Davys gravity. Humbled.
They sit in silence for a while again.
CUT TO:
EXT. FIFTH NIGHT CAMP. BARAFUNDLE BAY. BEACH [AS IS] 85 a 85 a
They have fashioned a driftwood shelter out of bills
sculptures.
MILES
I know what you wanted.
JAMES
There is no ribbon to tie around
it all is there?
He looks at Miles, who just stares at him.
98.
JAMES (CONTD)
I thought I was ready... Now I
look at Bill and wonder if I
could just get through another
nine months. And if I could hold
on until Chloe is sorted with or
without...
James stares at the sea. He nods slowly.
JAMES (CONTD)
Im leaving early. And it all
goes on without me.
MILES
Im so sorry.
James whips round to look at him.
JAMES
Strange thing is - this is what I
was most afraid of. But now its
a relief, Milo. Its such a
bloody relief.
Miles nods... James struggles to get up. Miles helps him.
CUT TO:
EXT. FIFTH/SIXTH NIGHT CAMP. BARAFUNDLE BAY. BEACH [AS IS] 85 b 85 b
EVEnING.
James is stoking the fire but staring at the sea. Davy has
a John Grisham paperback. Half of it is burnt.
DAVY
I think its more interesting
with half the page missing.
JAMES
Im going to go for a swim.
Davy and Bill look at him but Miles head drops.
DAVY
Your mum said you-
JAMES
I know. Tomorrow, Im going to
swim out into the bay, and Im
not coming back. I know the
enormity of this, but Im asking
you to let me swim.
99.
Bill and Davy stare at him in horrified silence. Miles
head sinks further and he stares at the sand.
DAVY
No.
BILL
Jim, we just cant do that. Why-
JAMES
You can. The question is will
you?
BILL
Has this been your plan all
along?
James nods.
BILL (CONTD)
I thought you wanted to live. Why-
JAMES
(Gesturing to himself
and the effect the walk
has had.)
Because this is what my life is
going be like! Because of the
pain, and the drugs I take for
the pain, and the drugs I take
for the side-effects of the other
drugs...Youve seen it. And its
only going to get worse. Life is
all up here really, but it takes
over. Gradually Ill slip further
into thinking solely about pain.
And thats not worth living for.
BILL
I dont know what the pains like
but surely we can...
JAMES
What?
BILL
I dont know. I just... We cant
let you swim, mate.
JAMES
Stop saying you CANT. You can.
But you wont.
James looks at Miles - silently, calmly watching.
100.
BILL
What would we say to your mum and
dad-
DAVY
This is crazy! I cant even
believe youre talking about it
normally!
JAMES
The same as youd say to the
police. That when you woke up Id
gone. You checked the dunes and
then you saw something floating
in the water. That you came to
get me but it was too late.
(Beat.) One of you had run up to
the headland to the emergency
phone. You wouldnt be alone for
long.
BILL
But every time I looked at your
family Id know they could have
had you for another day. Said
goodbye properly...
JAMES
Thats just it, there wont be a
better goodbye than the one we
had.
DAVY
There will! Its not time yet.
JAMES
Ive never been so alive. And now
I want to end it, to actually
finish something!
BILL
Why dont you just go home and
take an overdose like normal
people.
James laughs.
BILL (CONTD)
Itd be painless. Youd just fall
asleep.
JAMES
Id be quitting. If I swim out
and the sea takes me, its
different... Id be making the
choice!
101.
(MORE)
I want to be conscious until Im
gone, I want to feel something
even if its the pain of salt
water in my lungs... I want to
feel the fight. Something huge
and terrifying and brave.
DAVY
I promised your mum Id bring you
back.
BILL
Sorry James.
Heartbroken, James looks at Miles.
Miles shakes his head.
JAMES
OK. OK. It was too much to ask.
He lies back and closes his eyes.
The others sit in silence looking to one another.
CUT TO:
EXT. FIFTH NIGHT CAMP. BARAFUNDLE BAY. BEACH [AS IS OR 85 c 85 c
BROAD HAVEN BEACH]
NIGHT.
Miles and Bill sit staring into the flame huddled together
for warmth. James shivers and grimaces a bit, shifting in
discomfort. Davy comes out of the tent. Davy emerges from
the tent with his pack. Theres the big burn hole in it.
DAVY
Ive lost the silver bag - it
must have dropped out.
They rummage through their bags. Theres no silver bag.
DAVY (CONT'D)
He doesnt have any morphine.
JAMES
Im not deaf.
BILL
Well find it. Miles?
James looks really worried for the first time. Miles looks
terrified.
102.
JAMES (CONT'D)
James nods. Hes in pain. Davy tries to make James
comfortable as Bill and Miles jog back up the path scanning
the ground with their torches.
CUT TO:
EXT. COAST PATH. NIGHT. [TBC - BB NORTH?] 86 86
Inter-cut scenes of Miles and Bill running and searching in
the dark for the silver med-kit, with:
CUT TO:
EXT. FIFTH/SIXTH NIGHT CAMP - CAMP. NIGHT. 87 87
James gets progressively more and more sick and his pain
increases. Davy helps him into the tent. And wraps him in
the sleeping bags. Moving into the tent causes him to cry
out in pain and the sound carries across the headlands...
CUT TO:
EXT. COAST PATH. NIGHT. [TBC - BB NORTH?] 88 88
The beams of Miles and Bills torches scan the ground and
they can hear the distant sound of James crying out. They
go on looking frantically.
CUT TO:
EXT/INT. FIFTH/SIXTH NIGHT CAMP. - NIGHT. 89 89
James writhes in agony, delirious, crying out to try and
control it.
[Inter-cut with the coast path where the torch light beams
scan the ground. James voice echoing through the darkness.
Short of breath. Talking incredibly fast, almost
indecipherable. Miles is in blind panic.
JAMES (V.O.)
Oh God!... Enough! I cant...
God! If can hear me! Please! GOD!
Fuck you! Help me!
EXT. COAST PATH. NIGHT. 90 90
The torch beams scan the ground. Miles and Bill run on.
JAMES (V.O.)
If theres nothing... if theres
nothing...
103.
(MORE)
Its less than an instant... God!
God! If theres nothing...
Suddenly the beam of Bills torch falls on the silver bag
containing the meds. He weeps with relief.
BILL
Ive got it! Ive got it!
The boys run back and still they hear James calling out,
getting louder and louder as they approach.
CUT TO:
EXT. THIRD NIGHT CAMP - NIGHT. 91 91
Davy rips the Med bag open and takes out a bottle of syrup
and helps James to drink it.... It quickly starts to take
effect as Davy takes a morphine patch and sticks it on
James arm. James is still shivering and wracked but his
breathing slows a little... a quiet descends... Bill and
Miles collapse by the fire with relief but dont talk. By
firelight we see they have been traumatised.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. THE TENT. MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. 92 92
Davy is fast asleep. Alone in the tent. Miles leans over
him and wakes him gently. He wakes with a start sensing
immediately that James has gone.
DAVY
(Whispering.)
Where is he?
MILES
Hes fine.
CUT TO:
EXT. MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. [BB OR BROAD HAVEN] 93 93
Miles leads Davy silently to the headland nearby where Bill
stands, his arms supporting James, wrapped in a sleeping
bag, who looks terribly ill. They look out into the moonlit
bay... The air is filled with the sound of Whale song and
soft puffing as they break the surface of the still water
to breath. The boys look at each other and smile but say
nothing.
DISSOLVE TO:
104.
JAMES (V.O.) (CONT'D)
EXT. FIFTH/SIXTH NIGHT CAMP. [BB] - DAWN. 94 94
The grey light finds Miles and Davy and Bill still by the
fire, awake and looking ravaged by the nights experience.
Bill pokes at the embers and manages to get a flame again.
Miles, looks from the sea to Bill. They stare at each other
for a while. Davy notices their look. Miles nods at Bill
slowly then looks back at the sea. Bill looks at Davy, then
back at the fire.
James is now at the shoreline, sitting alone, wrapped in
his sleeping bag. The sparkling sea laps at the shore. The
boys watch him. James gets slowly up and turns to look at
them. He smiles.
CUT TO:
EXT. FIFTH/SIXTH NIGHT CAMP. [BB] 8 AM 94 a 94 a
Bill gets up, tears in his eyes and walks over to him.
JAMES
I get the feeling well meet
again?
BILL
Were all just dust dancing in
the flickerlight...
JAMES
Good luck, Bill.
Bill beams but a tear rolls down his cheek. James laughs
warmly.
BILL
Im shaking... I cant stop.
JAMES
Bill. Bill!... Youre a giant!
There are so few left.
James hugs him.
Davy comes to them. He is in shock.
DAVY
I cant do it... You cant do it.
How-
JAMES
Its just tough. But you said it.
Its amazing. Look around us.
Its so worth it.
105.
James hugs him. But Davy cant look at him.
JAMES (CONT'D)
I envy the people that you will
love.
James turns to Miles.
JAMES (CONT'D)
Mate.
MILES
(Nodding.)
Yep.
JAMES
Thank you.
They smile at each other. But their smiles fade slowly
together. They look young and scared.
MILES
Go on if youre going.
James fear is gone suddenly. He smiles and turns to the
sea. He walks in gingerly, its cold, he is breathing hard.
JAMES
You could catch your death in
here!
He goes in and swims a bit in the shallows. The cold takes
his breath. He laughs... On the beach the boys look on in
horror, Davy cries, shaking his head.
James looks at them then he turns around and starts to
slowly swim out. He looks back once more and then swims on.
Miles takes off his shoes, and checks his pockets. He takes
out some coins and with them the white feather. He looks at
and tosses it away. Then he strides in to the water.
Bill follows and lastly Davy, though hes not sure if this
is a rescue or not. Its not.
Miles catches up with James and swims near him. Bill is on
the other side. Davy, the weakest swimmer, is behind. James
looks at them, glad they are there. They swim in silence.
Davy is upset and accidentally swallows water and chokes.
Suddenly hes struggling. Bill, Miles and James look at
each other... there is something absurd about this. But
Davy is in real difficulty and panics as he starts to go
under, coughing and spluttering. Bill goes to his rescue.
Bill struggles to hold him and takes him back to the beach.
James and Miles watch the rescue with bewilderment.
106.
MILES
Fuck. You nearly out-lived Davy!
James laughs and then gets a spasm of pain and he cant
stay afloat. Miles drags James towards him.
James nerve recovers and he pushes himself free. James
treads water. They stare at each other for a few moments.
ON THE BEACH:
Davy tries to run into the water again, but Bill holds him
back. Davy struggles to get away but Bill holds him firmly.
Davy collapses on the sand. They watch helplessly.
IN THE WATER:
James is exhausted. He struggles then lets himself go
under. Miles is unsure what to do. He looks to the shore
and sees Bill and Davy. Then he looks at the bubbles
rising. Silence. Suddenly James bursts from the still
surface, gasping, reaching for Miles... Miles holds him.
They stare at each other for a moment... then they laugh.
But the laughter fades...
MILES (CONTD)
Youve ruined this camping trip.
Can we go home now?
James shakes his head sadly.
JAMES
Sorry. If you cant do it. Tell
me. Ill swim as far as I can...
Id rather not be alone, mate.
MILES
Jim. Jesus Christ, Jim. I act
like Im special, but its
fake... Jamie... Its fake. Im
scared. Of everything. Theres no
one to look after me.
JAMES
I think, Miles David Hector
Clavell, you are one of the...
great men. The stuff of heroes
runs through your veins... I
doubt you will escape it.
Miles can hardly breath. James stares at him and realises
that he cant do it. And the disappointment is crushing.
JAMES (CONTD)
Please Miles. Do this, this...
dreadful, wonderful thing for me.
107.
Tears run down James face. James takes a deep breath. Hes
shaking and he cant stay afloat.
JAMES (CONT'D)
Miles!
Miles holds him. They stare at each other. This is the end.
James is weak and beaten and tired. He looks around at Bill
and Davy. He looks at the sea, and the sky... and smiles...
he looks relieved.
JAMES (CONT'D)
Its all so....
He looks at Miles. Miles still stares at him, he is
petrified. James sees it. They keep fierce eye contact.
JAMES (CONT'D)
(Whispering.)
...We are the makers of dreams,
and this little life...
MILES
That was the last thing my father
said-
JAMES
I know. I read your book.
Miles nods almost imperceptibly. Miles holds him by the
shoulders and they stare at each other.
JAMES (CONTD)
God speed.
James allows himself to sink under the water.
Miles can hardly breath. He stares down.
James stares up at him. Now Miles sinks with him.
He holds James under.
James breath runs out, and he starts an involuntary
convulsion. His face shows the fear and panic and he grabs
at Miles face fighting to save himself - to swim to the
surface - but Miles holds him under. Miles fights himself
with all his will-power to hold him down. His own breath is
running out. The urge to lift James from the water is
unbearable. Their eyes never leave each other. Miles cant
hold on much longer... Then suddenly James goes limp. Hes
still alive - staring. Miles has no need to hold him down
now. The water has filled James lungs. The bubbles of air
have gone. He sinks. There is stillness. James sees the
blue sky behind Miles, the sun light flickering on the
surface of the sea behind Miles making him seem to glow.
108.
FINALLY - Miles kicks to the surface. Alone.
He takes great gasps of air. His lungs finally fill. He is
breathing. He is alive.
James is still under the surface. Miles stares into his
face. James is dead.
Miles drags James body towards the shore. Waist deep in
the water he stands there. He doesnt move for a few
moments, unable to believe that James is really gone. He
tries to carry the body but he falls.
Davy rushes into the water first to Miles and hugs him.
He looks him in the eyes and hugs him again.
Then he looks at James and reaches under the water to touch
him. Davy, Bill and Miles drag James from the water and on
to the beach.
Bill, shaking, looks between Davy and Miles. Miles is lost
in his own world. He slumps down staring at the sea too.
Davy stares down at James and reaches out to touch his hair
but suddenly he stops.
DAVY
Hes gone... This isnt him.
Davy arranges James body into a more comfortable
position.
He goes to the tent and gets a large towel and drapes it
around Miles shoulders. It is brilliantly white in the
morning sun.
Davy looks at Bill and Miles and then at James. Then he
runs away towards the steps up from the beach.
CUT TO:
EXT. JAMES HOUSE [GILTAR GROVE] 95 95
A police man and a policewoman walk towards the house.
Chloe crosses the garden from the orchard with a bucket of
apples. She sees them. She drops the apples. She stands
motionless for a few seconds then she starts to pick up the
apples quite calmly. She stops looks at the sky... then
carries on picking up the apples.
CUT TO:
109.
INT. JAMES HOUSE. [GILTAR GROVE] 96 96
The party scene as at the beginning. Slow motion. James is
bending down towards the candles. His happy face
illuminated by their flame of 29 candles.
JAMES (V.O.)
Ill raise a morphine syrup to
you later, while Im selling your
presents on e-bay. And if over
the years you should happen to
notice that its the anniversary
of my birth remember that you
were loved by me, and that you
made my life a happy one... and
there is no tragedy in that.
He takes a huge breath and... blows out the candles.
CUT TO:
EXT. BARAFUNDLE BAY 97 97
Davy comes running down the beach out of breath, but
focussed. The other two dont look at him. He looks at his
watch. He sits on the beach beside Miles.
They look at all the sky. At all the sparkling water.
FADE TO BLACK.
CAPTION: 98 98
James Kimberly Griffith
1979 - 2010
Accidental death by drowning.
FADE TO BLACK:
STARS: 99 99
Amidst the black, a firmament of twinkling stars appears.
JAMES (V.O.)
Listen, the thing about life
is... What? (HE GIGGLES AGAIN.)
Oh bollocks! Well start again
later... (HE LAUGHS LONG AND
HARD.)
110.
The laughter trails away... And for a moment there is
nothing but the universe then...
FADE OUT.
111.