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1. “BY RABBITS AND WINE”
By
Alec C
cockburna@ringwood.hants.sch.uk
Parsonage Barn Lane
Ringwood, BH24 1SE
01425 475000

2. FADE IN:
SCENE ONE: EXT. COUNTRY PATH – DAY
Open on a close up of the closed eyes of Ben as he lays unconscious
on the ground. Suddenly Ben snaps his eyes open and lets out a gasp
as he begins to sit up and look around him at the shaded avenue he
finds himself in. Wondering where he is, he rises to his feet and
looks around him.
BEN
Where am I?
Ben is obviously anxious as he holds himself and begins to tremble
slightly as he begins to slowly walk backwards.
BEN
How on earth did I get here?
Ben continues to walk backwards until he bumps into something
fluffy. He turns around to see a tall blonde man dressed in white
holding a rabbit in his hands, he smiles at Ben – Ben freaks out.
NAMELESS MAN
Good-morning
BEN
*shrieks*
Ben leaps backwards away from the man, tripping over his own feet
and falling to the ground where he raises his arms to defend
himself as he shuffles along the ground.
BEN
Pl-plea-please don’t hurt me, please!
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3. The nameless man just stands motionless with a calm expression and
offers a hand to help ben up. Ben shudders backwards from his
outstretched arm.
NAMELESS MAN
Calm down Ben, we are not going to hurt you.
Please, let me help you up.
The NAMELESS MAN talks in a soft English west country
accent.
Ben takes his hands gingerly and begins to stand up, but keeps his
distance from the man.
BEN
Wait, how do you know my name and what do you mean
by we?
NAMELESS MAN
It is the duty of myself and my friend here to
know.
The NAMELESS MAN Gestures towards rabbit the
BEN
W-wait what? (Pause) What do you mean?
(Ben is clearly frustrated)
NAMELESS MAN
Come, your questions will be answered soon.
SCENE TWO: EXT – COUNTRY PATH
The two men emerge from the dense avenue into a path passing
through the center of a wide open hay meadow, the Nameless Man
leads with Ben following a few paces behind cautiously.
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4. BEN
Can you tell what the hell is going on now!
The nameless man remains silent, stops and gestures to a single
goblet filled with wine resting on a log surrounded by wildflowers
and grasses.
NAMELESS MAN
Drink
BEN
Piss off
NAMELESS MAN
Don’t worry its completely safe, now please drink
The nameless man lifts the goblet and passes it ben who reluctantly
takes it from him.
BEN
If you’re lying-
NAMELESS MAN
Please (pause) Drink
Ben closes his eyes and slowly takes a small sip of
the liquid.
A wave of relief and understanding washes over Ben as he opens his
eyes with, for the first time, a smile on his face.
BEN
Wow (pause) what was that?!
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5. The Nameless Man takes the goblet from ben and
places it back on the stump
NAMELESS MAN
Just a little drink to help us on your journey
(pause) now, onto the next challenge.
BEN
Another?
NAMELESS MAN
Come on.
The Nameless Man walks off with ben hesitating for a moment then
continuing to follow him
SCENE THREE: EXT – WOODLAND CLEARING
The duo walk into a woodland clearing in the middle of which lays a
single small cake on a silver platter with a single cherry resting
on top, the nameless man points at it.
BEN
Let me guess, you want me to eat it.
NAMELESS MAN
Correct
BEN
Can I refuse?
NAMELESS MAN
No, not really
Ben walks up to the cake, looks at it for a few seconds, picks it
up then eats it in one mouthful – stuffing it in his mouth.
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6. BEN chews and swallows the whole cake with effort.
As the cake slides down bens throat a smile spreads across his
face, growing into an ecstatic grin spreading from ear to ear.
BEN
(Turns to the nameless man)Ok that
wasn’t that bad – what’s next?
NAMELESS MAN does not reply and simply stands and walks away
beckoning ben to follow - he does.
SCENE FOUR: EXT – OAK TREE IN FIELD
The two arrive at a large oak tree, its branches spanning outwards
to create a large area of shade underneath, it has reached evening
and the sun is beginning to set casting the landscape in pink and
orange light. The nameless man stops and turns to ben with a gaunt
expression.
NAMELESS MAN
I am sorry – and I mean no offence (pause) but you
are not the sharpest scythe are you?
BEN
I’m sorry? (Nervous laughter)
NAMELESS MAN
You still do not understand that – that you are
dead
BEN
What?!
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7. Ben takes a step back in shock but remains calm.
NAMELESS MAN
You wake up randomly in a strange land completely
devoid of life apart from a man and a rabbit and
you just go along with it?
BEN
Well I was too scared to ask any questions.
(Pause) so this is the afterlife?
NAMELESS MAN
Yes
BEN
And those Challenges?
NAMELESS MAN
The wine gave you courage and allowed you to
accept your fate, the cake gave you everlasting
health.
BEN
So if I am dead, how come I don’t remember how I
died?
NAMELESS MAN
Because it doesn’t matter, you’re on the next
stage of life now – the next of many.
BEN
Well – what’s next?
NAMELESS MAN
That is for you to decide.
The nameless man hands ben the rabbit and the proceeds to walk
behind the tree out of sight
BEN
Wait! Hold up!
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8. Ben walks around to follow the nameless man only to find that he
has disappeared and is now alone, leaving Ben and the rabbit alone.
THE END
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