Changes By Charlie Allen

Falt 31 Northern heights Crescent road London N88AS 07947970821 callen@[Link]

INT. EMERGANCY ROOM

DAY

EDWARD, a good looking man in his mid forties, smartly dressed and FAYE, a pretty woman in her early thirties, run into the hospital. EDWARD is in a panic. He spots VERONICA, an immaculately dressed woman in her forties, who is sitting down looking emotional. She looks up at them both. VERONICA looks at FAYE who is standing there uncomfortably. EDWARD rushes over to door where DOCTOR is standing. DOCTOR (concerned) Michaela had a severe allergic reaction to the drugs she took. I need to ask you both a few questions. One day earlier INT. FAIRWELL SECONDARY SCHOOL DAY

EDWARD is sitting down outside the headmasters office. He is hunched over, and looks anxious. MICHAELA, his fifteen year old daughter is standing against a wall opposite, is looking to the ground. She is beautiful with dark brown, shoulder length hair; she looks like her father. They do not speak. A choir is heard in the other room, the hallway filling with the song Getting to know you from the musical The King and I. VERONICA rushes through the doors. She seems flustered, but doesnt say anything as she looks at MICHAELA. EDWARD looks up at his wife. EDWARD Shes been skipping class he wants to speak with us. VERONICA looks at MICHAELA who is avoiding eye contact. VERONICA I cant believe this. This is all I need right now Michaela. MICHAELA doesnt say anything as MR. MATTHEWS, a balding head master in his fifties opens his office door, clearing his throat. MR. MATTHEWS You can come in now. Everyone gets up and enters office.

2. EXT. HARDING RESIDENCE DRIVEWAY. DAY EDWARD drives their expensive Mercedes into the driveway. Their house is big and modern and their front garden is beautifully kept. A old couple next door are gardening and wave at them. VERONICA puts on a happy smile and waves back. The ignition is turned off. MICHAELA opens the door, but EDWARD turns to her. EDWARD This is serious Michaela. We are just concerned about you MICHAELA (sarcastically) Sure. You both really care. Its a joke, dad. You both can do whatever, but me? VERONICA (confused) What are you talking about? Michaela you have missed too much of school. If you keep it up, you will be suspended. Is that what you really want? MICHAELA I dont give a shit. VERONICA Excuse me? How dare you MICHAELA rolls her eyes and exits the car, slamming the door firmly. VERONICA and EDWARD sit in silence. EDWARD Ill talk to her. Dont worry. VERONICA looks at EDWARD briefly, until EDWARDS phone starts to vibrate. He ignores it, but VERONICA exits the car. He opens the glove compartment and finds his packet a cigarettes. He reaches for one, but his phone vibrates again in his pocket. He answers the phone. EDWARD (sighs heavily) Hi Russell. Yes, everything is fine, I just had some personnel business to attend to. (pause) See you tomorrow then. Bye. (hangs up) EDWARD watches his wife inside the kitchen window. She is pouring herself a glass of red wine.

3.

INT. HARDING RESIDENCE. DAY EDWARD enters the house, which expensive, tasteful furniture. MICHAELA is lounged out on the channels. EDWARD quietly hangs on the edge of the sofa. EDWARD (quietly) Whats going on M? MICHAELA ignores him. VERONICA comes into the room. VERONICA You have really dissapointed me. When will you start realizing your actions reflect poorly on me? MICHAELA rolls her eyes, playing with her necklace. It tightens around her neck creating a red mark. MICHAELA Give me a break mum. Its not like a killed someone. VERONICA Youre grounded. You need to realize your actions have consequences. MICHAEL stays silent, her eyes briefly sad. VERONICA grabs the bottle of wine and her knitting basket from the kitchen and goes upstairs. EDWARD Your mothers right. You cant keep acting like this Michaela. MICHAELA Why does she have to act like that? All she cares about is her stupid reputation. EDWARD Shes your mother, she cares about you. MICHAELA laughs, looking at the TV. EDWARD grabs the remote control and switches it off. is immaculately clean with The TV is playing loudly, as sofa, flicking through up his jacket, and sits down

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

4.

EDWARD Whats really going on love? youve not been yourself lately - you never talk to me anymore. MICHAELA Nothings wrong. EDWARD Something is going on with you, and I want you tell me right now what it is. MICHAELA looks at the floor in silence. EDWARD sits next to her. MICHAELA tightens her necklace around her neck. EDWARD Dont do that, youre hurting yourself. Michaela - please, Im your dad but Im also your friend. MICHAELA Yeah right. EDWARD Whats that supposed to mean? Michaela, why are you acting like this? EDWARD gets up from the sofa and MICHAELA turns on the TV. EDWARD shakes his head, and turns to leave. EDWARD Well, I have to back your mother, you are grounded. For a month. MICHAELA Youre backing mum? When did that happen? EDWARD What are you trying to say? I always support your mother. She may have a funny way of showing it but she loves you. And so do I. They stare at each other. MICHAELA turns the TV off. MICHAELA I know about her dad. I know you are cheating on mum.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

5.

EDWARD (shocked) Why - why would you think something like that?(pause) Michaela, I asked you a question? MICHAELA Im not five anymore dad. Ive known for ages, Im not stupid. EDWARD I never said you were stupid. But, darling, you are talking about things you know nothing about. Your mother and I - (whispers as looks towards door) things are complicated right now. MICHAELA Right. whatever dad. MICHAELA gets up and rushes up the stairs. EDWARD is left standing in shock. EDWARD Where are you going? We need to talk about this. MICHAELA turns to him. MICHAELA Its ok dad. I wont tell mum. MICHAELA gets her phone from her pocket, starts texting and goes into her bedroom. EDWARD gets his jacket, and speechless exits the house. INT. MICHAELA BEDROOM. DAY MICHAELA is lying on her bed on her phone. She hears a car engine and goes to the window where EDWARD is sitting in the car, smoking a cigarette. EDWARD looks up and sees his daughter watching. He backs up the car, nearly crashing into a neighbours car. He hits the brakes, and MICHAELA goes back to her bed.

6.

INT. VERONICA AND EDWARD BEDROOM. DAY VERONICA is sitting upright on a king size bed. She is sipping her wine, her face emotionless. She hears loud music from MICHAELAS room, and pours more wine into her glass taking a large sip. Later that night EXT/ INT. HARDING RESIDENCE/MICHAELA BEDROOM. NIGHT MICHAELA is climbing into her window. Once inside, she quietly closes the window. and falls into bed removing her short skirt. She removes her thickly applied makeup and hears a car pull into the drive. She gets into bed, hearing the front door close and footsteps coming upstairs. EDWARD enters the room quietly. He comes over to her bed, and sits down. MICHAELA has her eyes closed. EDWARD sees a picture of them together when she was younger, and holds the photo, smiling. He kisses her on the cheek, then exits the room. MICHAELA opens her eyes, a small tear appearing. INT. KITCHEN. DAY VERONICA is washing up calmly as EDWARD enters the room and goes to the fridge. He is dressed in a grey suit, VERONICA is wearing beige trousers and white blouse. They do not speak, as EDWARD puts bread in the toaster and pours himself coffee and sits down at the table reading the paper. VERONICA Any plans today then? EDWARD Just work. (sips his coffee) VERONICA Come off it,we both know where youll be going later. EDWARD puts his coffee down,as VERONICA continues cleaning the dishes. EDWARD Veronica, what are you going on about? VERONICA Oh, I think we both know. For once, in our ten years together, be honest to yourself, and with me. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

7.

VERONICA stops, and slides his wedding ring across the table towards him. She crosses her arms, and remains calm. EDWARD I dont know what to say. VERONICA You never do. The toast pops up and VERONICA returns to the sink and turns on the tap loudly. EDWARD hold the ring in his hand. VERONICA begins scrubbing a dish. INT. HALLWAY. DAY MICHAELA comes down the stairs and looks in the mirror, applying lipstick. She hears her parents talking and sits on the stairs. EDWARD Things havent been right for a long time. I never wanted to hurt you - or Michaela. MICHAELA is playing with her necklace, tightening it around her neck. INT. KITCHEN. DAY VERONICA is standing next to EDWARD, who is also standing. VERONICA No, youre not. But you know what the funny thing is? I dont think I actually care anymore. EDWARD looks to the floor. EDWARD I am sorry. I never wanted any of this. I dont know what I want anymore. I know I want our family. But VERONICA (Sternly) Edward - its just an affair, a fling, it can never be anything else. If you ever even think of leaving us, this house, you will never see Michaela again.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

8.

EDWARD I know I have hurt you but VERONICA Dont flatter yourself darling. I dont care about your sexual conquests. I stopped caring a long time ago. EDWARD (raises his voice) Wow, Veronica. I knew you were a bitch but you have taken it to a whole new level. Were married, does it not hurt you a little bit? EDWARD goes to get his toast which is burnt. He throws in the bin and tops up his coffee. EDWARD Fine. Pretend everything is fine, like you always do. VERONICA is washing up, the plates smashing together. VERONICA Michaela - come for you breakfast! (pause) Do you even love me Edward? They both stare at each other. EDWARD struggles to find words and VERONICA shakes her head returning to the dishes. VERONICA Michaela! (pauses) EDWARD I cant get through to her at all. VERONICA Have you ever stopped to think maybe her behaviour is due to your sudden absence from this family? No, you wouldnt would you. Youre a selfish man, Edward. INT. HALLWAY. DAY MICHAELA is sitting on the stairs now with her hand over her ears. She gets up and storms into kitchen.

9.

INT. KITCHEN. DAY VERONICA remains silent, then puts the cereal box on the table. EDWARD and MICHAELA look at each other as she sits down. EDWARD Eat your breakfast sweetheart, mum isnt feel too well today. MICHAELA Whatever. You both act like everything is fine. Im not an idiot. VERONICA stops what she is doing and look at MICHAELA who is playing with her cereal. VERONICA Whats that supposed to mean young lady? When did you become such an arrogant girl, Michaela? I didnt raise you that way. MICHAELA Like you even notice anything these days. EDWARD Dont talk to your mother like that. You need to get to school, before you miss class and get into serious trouble this time. MICHAELA gets up, taking the still full bowl of cereal to the sink. She goes to the fridge and takes a bottle of diet coke from the fridge. MICHAELA What, so you can carry on arguing about the affair you think no one knows about? Gladly. VERONICA stops what she is doing turns around and stares at MICHAELA. The glass in her hand slips and smashes on the ground. MICHAELA realizes what she has said, looks at EDWARD and goes to the door. VERONICA What did you say?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

10.

EDWARD Michaela, you need to stop this. And take that makeup off, you cant go to school looking like that. MICHAELA I have to go. Youre right, I shouldnt be late. MICHAELA exits the kitchen. VERONICA stares at the ground. Her hand is bleeding, but she doesnt react, only looks at EDWARD who stands up. EDWARD Youre bleeding. Here, let me help you. VERONICA (shocked) She knows? Oh god, she knows. EDWARD reaches for a tissue, and tries to help stop the bleeding. VERONICA I dont need your help. Youve done enough. The phone rings and VERONICA turns to leave. She looks upset, but pulls herself together. VERONICA That will be Maria. EDWARD Youre right. This may be my fault. But we need to talk about this. VERONICA I dont want to talk about it anymore, Edward. Weve said enough. VERONICA goes into other room. EDWARD stand there, then begins picking up the glass. Outside the window he can see MICHAELA, who is texting on her phone. The sky gets darker, as rain threatens.

11.

INT. FAYES BEDROOM. EVENING EDWARD is lying in bed with a woman, FAYE. They are naked under the covers, cuddling. EDWARD looks as if his mind is elsewhere as he turns to look at the clock which reads 9:30pm. He kisses FAYE on the forehead, and gets up trying to find his trousers. FAYE begins to wake, and realizes he is leaving. FAYE Leaving already? EDWARD (Apologetically) I need to get back. FAYE (Pleadingly) Stay. For once. EDWARD continues to get dressed as he smiles at her. EDWARD I wish I could, Faye. FAYE Then why dont you? You said yourself Veronica knows. Why go back? EDWARD I wish it was that easy but, I need to go home. I need to talk to Michaela. Shes my daughter, shes all Ive got. FAYE looks like she may cry as she turns away from him. INT. ALEX GARAGE. EVENING MICHAELA and ALEX, her boyfriend who is good looking, eighteen years old with long dark hair and a defined jawline. His bed is ruffled as they lay there kissing. MICHAELA is drinking wine straight from the bottle whilst ALEX tries to undress her. At first, she hesitates pulling back. ALEX take the bottle, taking a swig from it then touches her face. He reaches into her pocket, bringing out white pills in a small packet. MICHAELA looks nervous but intrigued as she touches the bag.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: ALEX Want to try one?

12.

MICHAELA shakes her head but cant stop looking at it. ALEX takes one out and swallows it. MICHAELA What does it feel like? ALEX Ecstasy baby. ALEX kisses her, and MICHAELA stops him, reaches for his hand and takes a pill. She swallows it down with the wine and they continue to kiss. ALEX begins to remove her top. INT. FAYES BEDROOM. EVENING FAYE is dressed, sitting on the bed. EDWARD is standing across the room. EDWARD Dont be like that, I love you, I just, I cant leave them. Please EDWARD goes over to FAYE who is standing up. FAYE (raising her voice) I need more. I want us to be happy. Together. Thats never going to happen, is it? They stare at each other. EDWARDS eyes look tearful. INT. ALEX GARAGE. EVENING MICHAELA is lying on the bed, unresponsive. ALEX is shaking her desperately, in a panic. He grabs her mobile phone and dials 999. He finds the drugs and hides them under his bed. ALEX I need an ambulance. Come quick. INT. FAYES BEDROOM. EVENING EDWARD feels his phone vibrate and answers it. FAYE looks irritated and goes to blow out the candles. Edward answers the phone. Thunder is heard from outside, as the rain falls heavily.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

13.

EDWARD Hello? Flash forward INT. HOSPITAL ROOM DAY

EDWARD is sitting next to MICHAELA who is in her bed attached to a drip, asleep. The doctor opens the door, and EDWARD quietly goes to see him. FAYE and VERONICA are outside sitting down. EDWARD I cant believe this is happening. DOCTOR (quietly) Im going to arrange for a councilor to drop by and see her later. For now, she just needs to rest. EDWARD nods,as VERONICA gets up to speak with the doctor. She has been crying, her eyes red. FAYE is sitting down, looking uncomfortable. VERONICA Thank you doctor. DOCTOR walks away, and FAYE gets up to leave. FAYE I should go, Im sorry.I shouldnt have come. VERONICA (Angrily) No, you shouldnt have. EDWARD looks at VERONICA as FAYE begins to walk away. EDWARD (sadly) This is all my fault, I did this. She was only trying to help. (pause) VERONICA Oh, she really helped. FAYE turns around, tears in her eyes.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: FAYE Im sorry about everything. But I couldnt let him drive here, he was beside himself with worry. He loves his family, and I know you will probably will hate me, and blame Ed, but VERONICA (despairingly) Wait. FAYE stops in shock, tears streaming down her face. VERONICA I think we need to talk, dont we? They all stare at each other. Later that evening INT. HOSPITAL ROOM. EVENING

14.

MICHAELA is still sleeping. EDWARD has his head on the bed, his eyes swollen and his face pale. VERONICA is by the window, looking outside. The storm has settled, the sky starting to clear. She turns as MICHAELA awakes. EDWARD looks up, his face relieved. EDWARD Sweetheart? MICHAELA starts crying,as EDWARD squeezes her hand. MICHAELA Im so sorry, daddy. I never meantEDWARD (Tenderly) Shh. You dont have to be sorry. EDWARD touches her forehead affectionately. VERONICA comes over to the bed and takes her hand. VERONICA Were sorry. MICHAELA looks at them both shocked. EDWARD I havent been around lately - I things are going to change, I promise. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

15.

MICHAELA Are you getting a divorce? VERONICA and EDWARD look at each other. EDWARD You dont have to worry about anything right now. You need to rest, were here. VERONICA What your father is trying to say is, things always change in life. Nothing stays the same forever. But that doesnt mean we wont always be here for you. We will always be a family. EDWARD Youre the best thing that happened to us, Michaela. They all look at each other, and MICHAELA shuts her eyes. VERONICA and EDWARD look at each other. VERONICA She really is the best thing that happened to us isnt she? VERONICA smoothes back MICHAELA hair as EDWARD sits on the chair next to the bed. VERONICA Faye is a nice woman, Edward. You deserve to be happy. We both do. EDWARD reaches for VERONICAS hand, squeezing it affectionately. VERONICA looks sad, but smiles as her daughter sleeps peacefully. THE END