2. ! 1
EXT. EARLY EVENING. EPSOM - THE DOWNS
A lighter ignites and the end of a joint radiates heat. It
glows brighter and harder as a toke is taken. Whispers of
smoke rise from the end.
CHARLIE, aged 17, and five friends (his best friend JAY, Jay’s
sister YAS, and friends PERRY, MICHAEL and TOM) sit on the
field in a casual circle. The group chats and laughs as the
joint is passed round. Smoke slowly fills the air about them.
Charlie stares at Yas across the circle. She looks back at him
as she is passed the joint. He looks down at the ground and
begins to pick at a blade of grass; then glances up at her
again. She is still looking at him: she continues to stare
hard as she takes a long toke on the joint. Their eyes become
locked. Shyly, Charlie looks away and beings picking at the
grass again. Yas stands up, walks across the circle, keeping
her gaze on Charlie, and sits down next to him. She takes an-
other toke and holds it out for him to take.
CHARLIE
Naa I’m alright thanks, I’ve gotta
drive home later.
YAS
(softly)
Just have a bit. You’ll be ok.
CHARLIE
Don’t think it’s a good idea.
YAS
It’ll be fine.
CHARLIE
Hmmm ok well maybe just a bit.
The London Skyline is picked out by the setting sun.
TOM
Dude, have you seen that thing
they’re building over there by Lon-
don Bridge... it’s ridiculous, such
a waste of money!
Michael takes the joint.
MICHAEL
Naa man it’s so cool.
He takes a toke and breathes it out.
3. ! 2
MICHAEL (CONT’D)
It’s called “The Shard”.
The joint continues to be passed round the group, each person
taking a couple of tokes. Perry turns to his bag that is be-
hind him and takes out a beer. He uses a keyring to open the
bottle. He takes a couple of swigs and then hands it to Yas
who is sitting next to him. She drinks some and then passes it
to Charlie. He takes it, looks a it for a second and then
takes a swig. A hub cap is lying on the floor near the group.
Tom, looking around, spots it.
TOM
Hey guys, anyone wanna play some
frisbee?
JAY
Ahh awesome man, sure.
Jay leans back on his hand to get up. Landing on broken glass,
he quickly moves his hand and looks at it to find blood oozing
from the wound. Panic fills the faces of the others.
YAS
(worried)
Jay are you ok? That looks really
bad. I think we should get you home.
MICHAEL
Charlie, you can drive them home
can’t you?
TOM
Yeah man, go on. You should take
‘em.
CHARLIE
Naaaa...
JAY
Don’t worry about it, I’m fine.
Jay puts a tissue on the wound.
YAS
Jay, you need to get that checked
out. It might get infected. I’ll
walk with you to the hospital.
Jay reluctantly gets up.
PERRY
4. ! 3
You’re not gonna let her walk are
you Charlie?
Charlie stays seated, says nothing.
YAS
Come on Jay, lets go.
Yas starts to walk away with Jay.
CHARLIE
Hang on, I’ll come with you.
Yas walks on one side of Jay, linking arms with him, whilst
Charlie walks on the other. Jay’s head drops. Looking faint,
he begins to stare at the ground and walks with a slower pace.
Yas looks anxiously at him and then looks intently at Charlie.
Charlie looks back and then looks at Jay.
CHARLIE
(looking at Yas)
Come on, I’ll drive.
The three of them make their way to the car.
INT./EXT. EVENING. CHARLIE’S CAR - EPSOM HIGH STREET
Now on the road, Charlie drives slowly and carefully. Yas sits
in the front seat and Jay in the back with his head rested
against the window. Charlie’s eyes are fixed on the road ahead
of him. His eyes are wide and panicked. Sounds around him be-
come muffled and distant. He slowly looks to the left to see
POLICE OFFICERS in an unmarked vehicle. He watches them in his
rear view mirror.
YAS
Don’t worry, they haven’t seen us.
It’s fine.
Charlie turns his attention to the road. Yas turns round in
her seat. Jay’s head is still rested against the window, but
his eyes are now closed. Yas looks back to Charlie.
YAS
Can we go a bit faster?
CHARLIE
I’m doing forty.
Yas bites her lip. She taps at the inside door compartment.
Charlie glances over. He takes a nearby side road. Yas stares
5. ! 4
down and begins playing with her hands. She looks across at
the speedometer.
YAS
You don’t have to drive with the
needle on 40.
CHARLIE
Yes I do. The limit’s 30.
Yas looks out of the window, and then turns quickly back to
Charlie.
YAS
Did Daddy teach you to drive?
CHARLIE
What?
Yas turns around to the window.
CHARLIE
What did you say?
(PAUSE)
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
What is your problem?
YAS
You! You! You’re my fucking problem.
You’re pathetic.
She turns away.
YAS
(under her breath)
Little boy.
Yas looks out the window, then into the side view mirror at
Jay. Charlie stares at her. Noticing Yas watching Jay, he
looks in his rear view mirror to check on him. Seeing his eyes
closed, Charlie turns his head. Once again looking back at the
road, he slams on the brakes. Tires screech. A SMALL CHILD
picks up their ball from in front of the car and walks back to
the path. He looks at Charlie. The three are left staring at
the road.
THE END
