2. 2
TEXT ONSCREEN: WHAT FOLLOWS IS A TRUE STORY.
FADE IN:
EXT: THE EDGE OF A SMALL TOWN IN ENGLAND. NIGHT.
On a small field next to a group of houses is a phone box. Parked
next to the field is a small car with the dim light inside on.
Inside is a figure whose face we cannot see.
ARTHUR, works for an elite crew of criminal activists who work as
hitmen, transporters and bodyguards, amongst other things. Level-
headed because of the job.
‘Hurdy Gurdy Man’ by Donovan plays on the radio. We are shown his
hands shuffling a deck of cards slowly. Outside at the box, the
phone begins to ring. The hands stop shuffling and the person gets
out of the car. With the focus on the box, he walks up to it, opens
the door and picks up the phone, turning away from us. A voice is on
the other end.
MCCARTHY, Arthur’s boss, always runs a tight operation. Always keeps
his name off paperwork and rarely speaks to his crew in person,
hence the phone. Nobody knows what his name really is.
McCarthy:
(*sigh*)
You were supposed to let the phone ring twice then pick up.
Arthur turns.
Arthur:
And you were supposed to call 15 minutes ago, I’ve been waiting.
What’s happening?
McCarthy:
It’s Thorn. He’s popped up on the radar again.
Arthur:
Oh yeah? Where’s he at?
McCarthy:
Some town in Wales. He got relocated there after what happened.
There is a pause.
McCarthy:
Arthur?
Arthur:
Why does it matter anymore?
3. 3
McCarthy: What?
Arthur:
It’s been twenty years, why does it matter?
McCarthy:
Let me explain something to you:
The voice begins to distort and crackle on the line.
Arthur:
Carthy? Hey, Carthy, what’s going on?
The line suddenly snaps back into life. On the other end is a
distorted voice.
Voice:
You are in very, very serious danger.
Arthur is taken aback.
Arthur:
What? From who? Who is this?
Voice:
You are in very, very serious danger.
Arthur:
From who? What? Another team? Is there a hit after me?
Voice:
From me.
Arthur’s expression drops. He begins to look around outside the box.
Arthur:
What is this?
Voice:
You will all pay for what you did.
Arthur:
Who are you?
Voice:
You will all pay for what you did.
Arthur:
All? Who’s all? Who are you talking about?
Voice:
4. 4
Don’t ask questions. They won’t help. Leave the phone box, get back
in your car and drive away. Run. Eventually your legs will tire or
your car will run out of gas or your luck will run out on you. When
I catch up with you, I’m going to hurt you. Not because of what you
did, but because I’m teaching you a lesson. I’m teaching all of you
a lesson. I can tell you’re probably scared, confused, angry even
that life has dealt you this hand and that this is how it should
happen, because we all knew it would happen to each of us
eventually. But do you know what? Now you know how I felt when you
all did the same to me.
Arthur pauses for a second.
Arthur:
How do you know I’m in a phone box?
The phone disconnects. As we look at Arthur’s terrified face, he
turns to look behind him. A face is at the window.
CUT TO BLACK
DISSOLVE TO:
FADE IN:
EXT: THE SAME FIELD A FEW MOMENTS LATER
Arthur’s limp hand lies on the grass next to the phone box. The
phone hangs limply from its cord. A black figure walks slowly back
to the car, their face shrouded in darkness. They get in, turn on
the lights and drive away. ‘Hurdy Gurdy Man’ continues to play.
