2. 1
FADE IN:
MONTAGE - VARIOUS
A) INT. CONCERT HALL – EVENING - PENELOPE plays a grand
piano expertly. VERITY sings at the centre of the stage.
B) EXT. STREET – EVENING - GRIM, a short, shabbily dressed
man, makes his way down a quiet street, jostled slightly by
passing strangers, who occasionally pass jeering comments
at his appearance.
C) INT. CONCERT HALL – Penelope scowls as the piece builds,
concentration etched on her face.
D) EXT. STREET – Grim casts a shady look both ways down the
street, which now contains only himself and a young adult
female. Grim begs for some change. The woman laughs at him.
E) INT. CONCERT HALL – Penelope slams both hands on the
grand piano, a LOUD, SUDDEN rise in volume and tempo.
F) EXT. STREET – Grim pulls a hidden knife from his belt,
and plunges into the woman’s chest.
G) INT. CONCERT HALL - Penelope’s performance rises to a
CLIMAX, and when the theatre falls silent the audience rise
to a tremulous APPLAUSE.
H) EXT. STREET - Grim steps away from the woman, who is
crumpled at the mouth of an alleyway, a dread grin across
his face, a bloodied knife and thin purse in his hands.
I) INT. CONCERT HALL - Penelope looks at the audience,
exhilarated by the piece, but every eye remains on Verity,
who beams as roses fall at her feet. Penelope scowls.
J) EXT. STREET - In the distance, police sirens. Grim
scowls too.
K) INT. CONCERT HALL - Penelope meekly rises to her feet,
curtseys politely and exits the stage.
L) EXT. STREET - The woman tries to stand, but collapses in
a blood-stained heap. Grim is long gone.
END OF MONTAGE
3. 2
INT. DRESSING ROOM
Penelope is changing into her casual wear. There is a
photograph of her mother, who is almost a copy of Penelope,
on the dressing table. Verity sweeps in, overflowing with
joy, completely caught in the moment. As she catches
Penelope’s eye, her smile falters, and she slips into her
chair silently. PHILLIP appears in the door, a bunch of
roses in his hand.
PHILLIP
Verity, darling, you were sensational! The
audience loved you, simply loved you. They
could not get enough. I gathered these up
for you.
He gestures to the roses that were thrown on the stage, and
gives them to Verity. Penelope’s mood darkens even further.
Verity allows a small smile to appear on her face, before
casting a sidelong glance at Penelope, who is avoiding
looking her way.
PHILLIP
A talent scout from the Queen’s Theatre
was in the audience; she wants to talk to
you. Come now, we shouldn’t leave such an
important woman waiting.
Verity’s smile broadens, and she follows Phillip into the
hall. She pauses to look at Penelope from the doorway, but
Penelope is purposefully avoiding her eye, her gaze locked
on the mirror before her. Verity’s eyes drop to the floor,
and she continues following Phillip.
PENELOPE
Good riddance.
Penelope stares at the roses on Verity’s dresser for a
moment, glances at the door, then takes one, and sets it in
front of the photograph.
INT. CAFÉ - AFTERNOON
The café is a medium-sized room, with a baby grand piano in
the back corner, separated from the coffee bar by a handful
of small tables accompanied by chairs. There are a few
4. 3
patrons generating an amiable buzz of conversation.
Penelope enters the café, greets the barista with a
generous smile, and winds through the tables to seat
herself at the piano. She begins playing GREENSLEEVES. Grim
appears from the bathroom, his hands clad in red fingerless
gloves. As he begins to shuffle towards the exit, he pauses
to glance at Penelope, who is deep in her performance. As
she finishes, she prepares herself for her next piece, but
is interrupted by the sound of Grim clapping.
GRIM
Beau’iful.
PENELOPE
Th- Thank you.
GRIM
You mus’ ’ear that all the time, I
suppose, and from finer folks ‘han me.
PENELOPE
Not really. People don’t tend to notice
me.
GRIM
Their loss.
A waitress appears at Penelope’s side.
WAITRESS
Is this man bothering you, Penelope?
GRIM
[bristling]
I jus’ wan’ed t’ take a leak, is that
alrigh’, swee’heart?
WAITRESS
If you’re not a paying customer, you
should leave.
Grim stares the waitress down, his jaw clenching and his
5. 4
hand forming a fist at his side.
PENELOPE
I’ll buy you a drink. Let her know what
you want, and I’m sure she’d be happy to
accommodate.
GRIM
Fil’er coffee would go down a treat, if
you would be so kind.
The waitress forces a polite smile and leaves.
INT. CAFÉ – AFTERNOON
Grim is sat opposite Penelope at a small round table. The
waitress is carefully watching Grim.
GRIM
I’m sorry, I di’n’t catch your name.
PENELOPE
It’s Penelope. Penelope Everlance.
GRIM
Qui’e a mouthful, Penelope Eve’lance.
Mine’s Ben Morris, but folks call me Grim.
Those few what know me, that is.
PENELOPE
Why?
GRIM
S’pose I don’t smile much.
Penelope laughs, and Grim smiles, unsure whether he’s the
butt of the joke or not.
GRIM
What’s funny?
PENELOPE
You are, Grim.
6. 5
The waitress appears by Grim’s elbow, a jug of filter
coffee in her hand. She places it next to Grim, along with
a small mug. She leaves, leaving Grim to pour his own
coffee. He does so.
GRIM
Firs’ time anyone tol’ me ’bou’ i’. Mos’
people don’ really see me as a person,
y’know?
PENELOPE
I think so. I don’t think anyone notices
me next to my sister. It’s why I come here
on Saturdays. It’s nice to have the stage
alone, even if it’s a bit smaller than
usual.
GRIM
Socie’y don’ really no’ice us smaller
folk, y’know?
PENELOPE
I think you might be right, Grim.
GRIM
If you wan’ respect ’roun’ ’ere, you go’
ta take it, y’know?
PENELOPE
What do you mean, take it?
GRIM
Remind people they ain’t so much bigger
than you. Be’er than you. You gotta show
’em who’s really got power, y’know?
PENELOPE
I’m not entirely sure I follow you, Grim.
GRIM
Take your sis’er for example… what’s your
sis’er’s name?
7. 6
PENELOPE
Verity.
GRIM
Take Veri’y for example. She go’ everyone
convince’ she’s be’er than you, righ’?
PENELOPE
I suppose…
GRIM
Righ’, so you need to show ’er she ain’t
no be’er than you.
Penelope pauses to consider the ramifications of what Grim
is implying.
PENELOPE
I think I should be heading off now.
GRIM
If you say so. Than’ you fo’ the drin’.
And for tal’ing to me. There’ no’ many who
would. I owe you one, and I won’t forge’
it.
Penelope manages a polite smile.
PENELOPE
Have a good day, Grim.
Penelope leaves the café. The waitress approaches Grim
again.
WAITRESS
You should leave, now.
Grim’s hands grip the coffee mug tightly for a moment. He
looks around the coffee shop. A few patrons are looking at
the small disturbance, but they refuse to meet his eyes
when he glances at them. With a grimace, Grim rises to his
feet, locking eyes with the waitress. The waitress does not
flinch. He smirks, and leaves.
8. 7
EXT. CAFÉ - AFTERNOON
Grim exits the café.
MATCH CUT TO:
EXT. CAFÉ - EVENING
The waitress exits the café, locking the door behind her.
Grim appears from her right and tackles her, dragging her
into a nearby alleyway. The keys are still in the café
door. She kicks and screams for a few seconds, before
falling silent.
INT. PENELOPE’S BEDROOM - EVENING
Penelope lies awake in bed, thinking hard.
MATCH CUT TO:
INT. PENELOPE’s BEDROOM – MORNING
Penelope lies asleep. There’s a knock at the door. Penelope
opens one bleary eye.
PENELOPE
Yes?
The door creaks open. Verity edges in.
VERITY
Sorry, did I wake you?
PENELOPE
Only a little bit. What time is it?
VERITY
Ten o’clock.
Penelope grumbles.
PENELOPE
That’s too early for a Sunday.
VERITY
I know. It’s just… Father’s still away,
and I was wondering if we could spend the
9. 8
day together. You know, like we used to,
Pen.
Penelope blinks, sits up.
PENELOPE
It’s been a while since you called me
that.
VERITY
Please, Pen?
PENELOPE
What did you have in mind?
EXT. PUBLIC GARDEN – AFTERNOON
Penelope and Verity are dressed warmly, to combat the cold.
The garden is deserted, and they begin to stroll through
alone.
PENELOPE
It’s strange, being back. You know,
without her.
VERITY
I’ve missed her too, Pen.
Penelope glances at Verity, who drops her gaze almost
instantly.
VERITY
I know we weren’t as close, but it hasn’t
been easy.
PENELOPE
At least you’ve had father.
Verity smiles sadly.
VERITY
He’s not been the same.
10. 9
PENELOPE
[bitterly]
I’ve noticed.
VERITY
It’s hard for him. You remind him of her
so much, every time-
PENELOPE
[quiet]
I know, Vee. I know.
Penelope and Verity walk in silence for a short time.
PENELOPE
It’s too cold to be out here. I need a hot
drink.
VERITY
What did you have in mind?
INT. CAFÉ – AFTERNOON
VERITY
Cute. Have you been here before?
PENELOPE
I play here on Saturdays, sometimes. It’s
nice to have some time alone.
Penelope glances at Verity, measuring her next sentence.
PENELOPE
It’s nice to be the noticed, for a change.
VERITY
[taken aback]
People notice us. They throw roses to us
when we perform. They love us!
11. 10
PENELOPE
They throw roses to you. They love you.
Verity cannot find the words to reply. She distractedly
orders drinks for the two of them.
VERITY
Two hot chocolates, with cream and
marshmallows.
PENELOPE
No, thank you. Actually I think I’m just
going to go home.
VERITY
Pen, wait-
EXT. CAFÉ – LATE AFTERNOON
Penelope exits the café and starts to walk away. Verity
follows her.
VERITY
Why are you always like this? You’re so
self-absorbed!
At the sound of her voice, Grim appears from the alleyway.
VERITY
Penelope, come back! How dare you walk
away from me!
GRIM
You Veri’y?
VERITY
How do you know my name?
Penelope turns to reply to Verity, her mouth opening, but
her eyes widen when she sees Grim hit Verity, who
collapses.
PENELOPE
Grim? What are you doing?
12. 11
Grim carries an unconscious Verity into the alley. Penelope
charges after him.
PENELOPE
Let her go!
GRIM
She don’ respect you. She woul’n’t thin’
of helpin’ you fo’ a moment. Only way
you’ll ge’ ’er respect is takin’ i’.
Grim hands Penelope a knife, the blade lined with dried
blood. He bends over Verity, his back to Penelope, fumbling
with her coat buttons.
PENELOPE
This isn’t right.
Grim ignores her, wrenching open Verity’s coat, and lifts
her jumper, taking her shirt with it, and exposing her
skin. The sudden cold revives Verity, whose eyes flutter
open. She screams, and flails her arms at Grim, who
struggles to subdue her.
VERITY
Help! Somebody, help!
Penelope looks at the knife in her hands. Looks at Verity,
scared and helpless. Looks at Grim, fierce and righteous.
She takes a single step forwards, and drives the knife into
Grim’s back, near his spine. He convulses, throwing
Penelope backwards. She hits her head, and blacks out.
INT. AMBULANCE – EARLY EVENING
Penelope wakes up, confused. She is in the back of an
ambulance, the doors open to allow access for medical
staff. Verity is sat next to her, tears in her eyes.
Penelope opens her mouth to ask a question, but upon
noticing her movement, she envelops Penelope in a hug,
pulling her into a seated position. Over her shoulder,
Penelope sees Grim protruding from the alley, lying face
down, the knife still in his back. He isn’t moving.
VERITY
Thank God you’re okay.
13. 12
Penelope stares at Grim, unable to take her eyes off his
body. Penelope and Verity make eye contact. Neither one
speaks.
THE END.
