Script altered

1. ‘PROMISE’
By Emily Capon and RukayyahRobun
[Street Address]
[City, ST ZIP Code]
[phone]
[email]

2. INT. ELLIE´S BEDROOM - DAY
ELLIE (Age approx. 17) is applying make-up.
INT. KITCHEN – DAY
DAVE (Age approx. 46) is making some Tea.
INT. ELLIE´S BEDROOM - DAY
DAVE enters ELLIE’S room. ELLIE is sat on the bed with her
phone.
DAVE
I’m going to the shop; I’ll be back in half an hour for your
injection.
ELLIE
Ok.
DAVE leaves. ELLIE gets her laptop out and googles “HOW DO
DEAL WITH CANCER”. Her phone vibrates. She received a text
message from SAM (age, etc.) “I´m here”.
INT. FRONT DOOR - DAY
ELLIE opens the door for SAM. He enters the house.
INT. LOUNGE - DAY
ELLIE is sat down adding a detail to her prom dress; SAM
brings them both a drink and smiles watching her.
SAM
Fixing it up?
ELLIE
Improving it would be a better way to put it.
SAM raises his eyebrows and takes a deep breath.
SAM
I see, you know I’d like to take you to the prom Ellie.
ELLIE
I can’t even promise tomorrow Sam, it would be unfair of me to
trust my body two weeks.

3. SAM
Right, I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have…
SAM gets up from his seat.
SAM (cont´d)
I have to…goodbye then.
SAM leaves the cup on side table. He leaves.
EXT. BACK DOOR – DAY
SAM leaves the house.
EXT. FRONT DOOR – DAY
DAVE enters the house.
INT. LOUNGE - DAY
DAVE walks into lounge to check on ELLIE. He sees ELLIE
sitting down and he sees the cup on the side.
DAVE
I know exactly who’s been here. But the question is why he was
here? You know,if he has the smallest of colds it would make
you seriously ill.
ELLIE gets up from sofa.
DAVE (cont´d)
Don’t walk away from me Ellie; you know how serious this is.
ELLIE
But Dad I just…
DAVE
Never mind you just, you’re too weak.
ELLIE paces up the stairs, struggling at the top.
INT. ELLIE´S BEDROOM - DAY
ELLIE struggles to catch her breath, ELLIE collapses on her
bed.
INT. ELLIE`S BEDROOM - EVENING

4. ELLIE’S wearing a scarf covering her hairline when she hears a
knock on the door. SANDY (Age approx 40, carer.) enters. ELLIE
is under the covers.
SANDY
Hi you, it’s me again.
Ellie
Is it that time of the week already?
SANDY
I’m afraid so sweetheart.
SANDY sits down on the side of the bed. ELLIE rolls over and
holds SANDY’S hand. SANDY sorts out the injection.
SANDY (cont´d)
So, have you heard from your fancy man?
ELLIE
It’s been over a week since we last spoke. Dad went mad when
he came around before.
SANDY
He is only trying to protect you though, isn’t he?
ELLIE
I know, but with my time being so…precious.
SANDY
Yes, I see...You are very brave and I shouldn’t really say
this, but if it is weeks and not months you need to do what
you think is right…Don’t have regrets.
SANDY gets a phone call and has to leave.
INT. ELLIE´S BEDROOM - DAY
ELLIE’S phone starts to ring, its SAM calling – she answers.
She is moving around her medicine and doing her make-up.
ELLIE
Hi. Yeah it’s fine, I’ll see you soon? Okay, bye.

5. INT. FRONT DOOR - DAY
DAVE opens the door, SAM is carrying flowers.
DAVE
You again? Why don’t you just leave my daughter alone?
SAM
Sir, I didn’t mean any harm I’m just here as a friend.
DAVE
She’s got me. She doesn’t need you. You don’t understand how
ill she is! She needs rest and her medication nothing else,
okay?
SAM
I understand, I’m sorry. Can you at least let her know these
are from me?
SAM hands DAVE the flowers.
SAM (cont´d)
These are her favourite.
DAVE takes the flowers and shuts the door, and throws them in
the bin.
INT. KITCHEN - DAY
ELLIE comes into kitchen and stands facing DAVE.
ELLIE
You didn’t have to do that.
DAVE
I’m here to protect you; I’ll do anything I have to. I’m the
one organising your medication, hearing you cry at night, me
not him!
ELLIE
You don’t understand.
DAVE

6. What could I not possibly understand? You’re ill, you’re
seriously ill.
ELLIE
I’m ill Dad not dead; there are things I want to experience.
DAVE
What is it? We can sort it out, I’ll buy it.
ELLIE
That’s just it; it’s not something you can buy. Your money
can’t make me happy. You don’t understand the feeling of
knowing you could be days, weeks, and months away from death
without ever feeling someone’s love. I don’t just mean being
told it for someone’s reassurance, I could go through the
whole of my life without feeling the love you and mum shared.
DAVE
What me and your mother had is not what you need right now.
All this talk of love and the unseen bond between two people
it’s nonsense, you need pills 3 times a day and a daily iron
injection and rest nothing else.
ELLIE pushes past DAVE and picks up one flower out of the bin.
ELLIE
This is what I need right now, not you’re nonsense every day.
DAVE
Well, is that what you need? Him? That boy? But he…he
(stuttering)
ELLIE
His name is Sam! (Angry)
INT. ELLIE`S BEDROOM - DAY
ELLIE cries upstairs carrying one flower, slams the door.
INT. SCHOOL - DAY
School bell rings. SAM is standing by his locker trying to
find something. LUCY (Age approx 17, student) is standing with

7. KATIE (Age approx. 17, student) whispering about SAM. LUCY
approaches SAM.
LUCY
Sam, who are you going to prom with? I was wondering if you’d
want to come with me.
SAM
Sorry, I haven’t heard from Ellie yet.
LUCY
No one’s heard anything from her in 3 weeks, there isn’t much
chance she’ll be going to prom.
EXT. PARK - DAY
DAVE is struggling to walk up the hill, SAM walks down the
hill in the opposite direction.
SAM
MR McCarthy? Are you ok?
DAVE
I’m tired but I don’t need your help.
SAM
Ok, that’s fine
Both set off to walk. DAVE turns around.
DAVE
No wait.
SAM turns around.
DAVE (cont´d)
You really like my daughter don’t you?
SAM

8. Like you would not believe. I’ve known her since primary
school; we’ve always looked out for each other. All I wanted
to do was to be there for her… just help.’
Silence.
SAM (cont´d)
Look if there’s anything I could do…
DAVE
It’s too late for that...sorry...
Both are walking away from each other when-
DAVE
Sam!
SAM
Yes?
DAVE
There is something else you can do.
INT. ELLIE´S BEDROOM - DAY
DAVE and ELLIE are talking. (Enter location of characters.)
DAVE
I know you’d love to be at your prom tonight, and I would have
loved to have seen you in your dress.
ELLIE
It’s alright dad, I’m a bit too tired for all that dancing
anyway.
DAVE
Would you do me a favour though? And put the dress on for one
photo?
ELLIE
That’s a bit morbid isn’t it?
DAVE

9. Come on, just one. I’ll go set the camera up down stairs.
INT. HOUSE - DAY
DAVE is waiting at the bottom of the stairs when he sees ELLIE
in her prom dress walking down the steps. DAVE holds ELLIE’S
hand down the last 3 stairs.
DAVE
You look beautiful, just like your mother. So all you need now
is a dance partner.
ELLIE
No it’s fine, you don’t have to do that. I’m feeling a bit
under the weather anyway.
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
ELLIE walks into the living room with SAM stood in a suit, she
sees prom decorations. DAVE enters.
DAVE
I’m going to the pub for a couple of hours; you’ll be alright
won’t you?
ELLIE
Yes dad, Thank you.
DAVE leaves. (ELLIE and SAM should probably exchange some
dialog at this point so it doesn´t end awkwardly)
THE END