2. EXT. OLD PEOPLE'S HOME, HILLTOP - DAY
A tranquil building set among lush trees atop a blustery
hill with a long road that leads down to the sea.
INT.OLD PEOPLE'S HOME, DINING ROOM - DAY
A carer, SARAH, early 30s, stands by the radio. A tray of
tea still in her hands. She seems stunned, as you'd expect.
RADIO
So that's it folks. The last time
we repeat the President's message.
Goodbye to you all and God speed.
Two women, IDA and ETHEL, and a man, REGGIE, all in their
80s, having heard the news too, sit vacantly staring at
their cold tea. SARAH tries to lighten the mood.
SARAH
(turning off the radio)
Enough of that. How about a game of
cards? Gin Rummy perhaps?
IDA lifts her slumped head... Very slowly.
IDA
Lose the Rummy part and we'll talk.
REGGIE
Yeah, c'mon Sarah. We know you've
got the master keys. Break out the
booze. What's to lose?
ETHEL
(mumbling)
Keys... Booze... Lose... The hill.
SARAH
(fussing over ETHEL)
Great. I hope you lot are happy.
You've set her off again.
SARAH tucks a blanket round ETHEL's legs and she shrugs it
off, looking outside. She stirs. There's a glint in her eye.
ETHEL
(firmly to REGGIE)
Be a dear and take Ida to find my
glasses, would you? In reception?
Looking puzzled but seeing she's up to something, REGGIE
grabs IDA and pushes her wheelchair off down the corridor.
ETHEL, seeing SARAH is distracted, drops her teacup.
ETHEL
Oh! I'm so sorry my dear. Can you?
SARAH bends over to clear it up and, in an expertly
rehearsed manner, ETHEL swipes her keys.
3. 2.
ETHEL (CONT'D)
I've just remembered a crossword in
my room. You're busy. I'll get it.
She wheels off determinedly in the opposite direction to her
room. SARAH sees this, shrugs, then goes back to cleaning.
Beat. Her hand flies to her hip. DAMN! That wily old woman.
She shakes her head and strides out after her.
INT. OLD PEOPLE'S HOME, RECEPTION - MOMENTS LATER
REGGIE and IDA are loitering, waiting. An ORDERLY spots
them. REGGIE gives him a smile. Then... SLAM! A door at the
end of the hall BANGS open to a jet-propelled ETHEL waving
the keys above her head like advancing cavalry.
The ORDERLY cottons on, as does REGGIE. He goes to intercept
her but... WHOOSH! He's down, sliding into the wall.
CUT TO -
- REGGIE'S walking stick stuck out, his face pure pleasure.
CUT TO -
- The far end of the corridor where SARAH and a couple more
ORDERLIES emerge. Seeing ETHEL, they break into a run.
CUT TO -
- ETHEL screeching to a halt by the doors. Keys in, TWIST. A
RUSH of air and... She's out, flanked by REGGIE pushing IDA.
EXT. OUTSIDE THE HOME, TOP OF THE HILL - DAY
All seems quiet on the Western front as ETHEL slows to a
halt and weighs their options.
IDA
So, sister, you got a plan? We
won't get far. I'm in my nightgown.
CRIES FROM BEHIND! SARAH and her cronies are outside and in
seconds will be on them. ETHEL wheels herself next to IDA.
ETHEL
Reggie, sit on Ida's lap. Everyone
link arms. Reggie, stick please.
He hands it over. ETHEL pushes them off then deftly uses it
to hurl the keys at the ORDERLIES. They duck then give chase
but the old people have too much momentum.
They WHOOP and HOLLER as they roll down the hill towards the
sea. Ahead of them the ocean looms like a vast wall.
But they don't care, they're free. Forever.
