The second draft to my script

1. Created using Celtx
INT. HISTORY LESSON. DAY.
Half-way through a history session, the LECTURER is telling
the students of the Victorian era with a slideshow set up
behind her. Clicking onto the next slide, the students are
questioned...
LECTURER
Realizing how dangerous it is and was
to sell medication without the right
knowledge, an act was put in place
making it the law that only those
specialized in medical applicants are
to sell them.
Staying on the topic of arsenic
poisoning with a situation that wasn't
so much of an accident... does anybody
know who Mary Ann Cotton was?
Really? No one?
STUDENT
...A Victorian?
LECTURER
Well... yes. Mary Ann Cotton was
Britain's very first, , serial
woman
killer.
Click's to the next slide.
Known for murdering possibly over
twenty-one victims, Mary Ann would
target her supposed loved ones going
after their life insurance. Including
her own mother, partners and children,
arsenic powder would be mixed into
their meals causing them to soon pass
away. And with as mentioned arsenic
powder not being the easiest to
identify, the doctors would blame the
tragedies on gastric fever. In-fact-
RICHARD
-So she just popped out kids only to
murder them for like 2 quid? What's
the point in that?!
LECTURER
If you recall, money back then did

2. 2.
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have a different value compared to how
we use it today. Receiving up to
thirty-five pounds for every death, in
today's society that would be
equivalent to a payment of just over
three and a half grand-
Bell rings, interrupting the discussion with students
gathering their belongings.
LECTURER
Well I guess we will be leaving that
there... I hope you all have a lovely
weekend.
AS LECTURER SPEAKS, DIALOGUE FADES OUT AS THE CAMERA FALLS
BEHIND STANDING STUDENTS ENDING THE SCENE.
EXT. HOME TIME. DAY.
ESTABLISHING SHOT OF STUDENTS LEAVING THE COLLEGE.
Walking together, three teenagers are on heading home. Side
by side, two are sharing a disagreement as the third walks
with their eyes glued to their phone.
RICHARD
TEEN 2
RICHARD
TEEN 2
TEEN 1
Hey look at this.
TEEN 2
What is it?
TEEN 1
I was just looking into that Mary Ann
Cotton and-
RICHARD
Keep going with that serial killer
obsession and people are going to

3. 3.
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think you are one.
TEEN 2
Leave him alone man.
TEEN 1
It's quite interesting actually...
someone's even a made up a ritual-type
game so you can summon her
supposedly
spirit.
Josh shows his phone to Richard who takes the device and
starts to read.
RICHARD
That's bull.
TEEN 2
You don't actually believe that do
you.
RICHARD
What's the matter [teen 2]? Scared
you're going to get hunted down by a
ghost?
TEEN 2
Well obviously not, it's clearly fake
they always are.
RICHARD
Fine then, at seven tonight, we'll
meet back up at [location] and do the
ritual.
TEEN 2
You can't be serious.
TEEN 1
Are you sure that would be a good
idea? It'll be pitch black.
RICHARD
Exactly, that will make it more fun.
So what do we need... a candle per
person, match sticks, a pound coin
each and a needle.
TEEN 2
Urgh fine. Can't believe I'm agreeing
to this... I'll be able to bring the

4. 4.
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candles and match sticks'. Doubt I'll
have a needle though-
TEEN 1
Ah, I'll take one out of my sisters
sewing kit don't worry about that.
RICHARD
-Great! Well, here's my stop, see you
both tonight!
Teen one splits off from the group as the last two carry on
walking out of the frame.
CAMERA TILTS UP TO THE SUN AND SCENE ENDS.
EXT. THE RITUAL. NIGHT.
CAMERA TILTS DOWN FROM THE MOON.
Teen one is sat one their own at the set location with a
torch light in the distance coming closer.
RICHARD
Took your time! Busy getting all
prettied up for the ghosties?
TEEN 2
Shut up man. We're only half an hour
late.
RICHARD
Whatever. Okay, so did yous bring the
items?
Setting up, the three sit in a circle with a candle placed in
front of each of them. Holding a pound coin each, teen 1
looks back at the website and explains what they have to do.
TEEN 1
Right, so, pricking ourselves with the
needle, a smear of our own blood must
be wiped on the coin belonging to us
before lighting-
TEEN 2
Woah wait, you never said blood had to
be involved with this. Please at least
say you brought us a needle .
each
Richard

5. 5.
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It's only a drop that's not a big
deal, right? Carrying on [teen 1].
TEEN 1
Lighting our candles, we must hold the
coin over the flame whilst chanting
together, 'Mary Ann Cotton, you are
guilty' three times. As soon as we're
done we must blow the candle out and
wait ten to twenty seconds for the it
to re-light itself.
TEEN 2
So stupid.
Lighting each of their candles together, Richard pricks their
finger first and hands the needle to teen 2.
TEEN 2
'Cause yeah, this is sanitary.
Pricking their finger, the needle is then passed onto Josh.
Smearing the blood on the coin, they all look at each other
before holding the coin in the flame each.
ALL THREE
Mary Ann Cotton, you are guilty (x3)
The candles blow out and the three sit in silence.
TEEN 2
Told you guys this was a waste of-
Everyone's candles re-light apart from Richards' who's only
flickers. Spooking the group, Richard let's out a laugh
before a high pitched scream is let off with Richard covering
his ears.
RICHARD
Aargh! What the hell was that?!
TEEN 2
You're not funny Richard.
RICHARD
How did you not hear that?!
TEEN 1
Guys shush!
The group goes quiet as they look around.

6. 6.
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TEEN 2
What? Not you to!
TEEN 1
There's someone crying...
Spotting a figure, teen 1 points as teen two looks over in
disbelief.
TEEN 2
What are you-?
TEEN 1
...Over there.
Teen 1 stands up with their candle and heads over to the
figure with the other two telling him to stay put.
As teen on slowly walks over, the crying and whimpering grows
louder. The figure is hunched over, sat on a small stool,
facing away from the teen as it cries into its hands.
TEEN 1
Are you okay?
With no response, teen 1 walks closer until he is behind the
figure. Turning its head, the figure grabs for the teen as it
continues to cry and starts to plead "I AM NOT GUILTY!"
Panicking, the teen pushes the strange woman off. Falling
over backwards, the figure disappears.
Back at the ritual spot, Richard remains seated as one is
stood trying to see their third friend.
TEEN 2
Where's he gone I can't see him?!
RICHARD
Strange noises in the distance, why
wouldn't you wonder off on your own.
Teen two shivers finding themself to grow cold.
TEEN 2
I swear it wasn't this cold just
before.
RICHARD
I swear, all you do is complain!

7. 7.
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As teen one speaks, a hand creeps onto the shoulder of teen
two.
TEEN 2
[Teen 1], that better be you.
Teen two looks back and jumps as nothing is there, the hand
disappears and so does the coldness.
Looking back at Richard, a figure is found stood behind them.
Looking back at their friend confused, their head is then
pulled back as they begin to scream.
SPIRIT
Oh, my poor baby, this will make you
better...
The spirit pours powder into the mouth Richard, causing them
to choke and collapse.
[Teen 1] runs passed the body as they grab their friend who
was stood in shock watching this happen. Grabbing their arm,
they run out of shot.
The two friends are seen running as the third is dragged
along the ground, out of frame.