The One About Belief

EXT.  SUNNYSIDE SHOPPING CENTRE.  NIGHT.

Outside the Angel.  We're with LENA and BEN, 20s, as others around them stand about smoking: a prologue to their conversation in The One About The Voodoo Curse (Part 2).  They are smoking a joint, talking about darts.  As before, we catch a sign in the window which says 'Missing Suitcase - Reward.'

BEN

If we don't stop him, we'll never get back

in the game.  You do realise that, don't you?

LENA

Oh, don't worry.  You don't need to tell

me that.  What is it, three-one or three-

nil?  Have we won a game yet?

BEN

It's three-one,  that was the first game.

LENA

Well, it could be worse then.  (A moment)

What happened?  Did something happen?

BEN

We just lost our form, that's all.  What we

need is .. We have to be .. We have to 

believe.

LENA

Yes.  But the problem is .. I think it's one of

those nights.

BEN

But you're allowing yourself to .. you're

doubting yourself.  You always do that. 

LENA

What we really need is .. inspiration.  So

that, whatever they do, however good

they are, doesn't matter, any effort on

their part is futile.

BEN

We need to be focussed.  Not let anything

interfere with our concentration.

LENA

Yes.  Concentrate on the board.  (Passing

the joint to BEN) This might do it.

BEN

Inspiration, focus and ..

Silence, whilst BEN smokes.  LENA says nothing.  Her attention has been taken by an old lady standing some distance away watching the pub.  This is CRYSTAL, who stands waiting to see if there is anything happening, after casting a curse on the landlord. 

BEN

What was the other one?  Inspiration,

focus and ..?

LENA

(Coming back)  Inspiration, focus and ..

(Determined) Inspiration, focus and ..

I can't remember.

BEN

You just said it .. (He drops the joint on

the ground) .. Jesus, we can't even -

LENA

That's strange.

BEN

What is?

LENA

That old lady over there. 

The One About The Voodoo Curse (Part 2)

1.  EXT.  SUNNYSIDE SHOPPING CENTRE.  NIGHT.

We see CRYSTAL watching The Angel pub, in the Outer Piazza, from a distance - waiting to see if there will be any effect of the Voodoo curse she has placed on the pub's landlord. We see from her point of view two people outside having a smoke.  An ambulance, by the by, is parked nearby.

2.  EXT.  SUNNYSIDE SHOPPING CENTRE.  NIGHT.

We cut to the two people - LENA and BEN - outside The Angel.  Just catch a sign in the window behind them, which says 'Lost Suitcase - Last Wednesday - Call 07899 552133 - Reward.'

This scene, and those that follow - The One About Belief, Binge Drinkers, West is Best (Parts 1 & 2) and Roxanne - all happen pretty much simultaneously. The centre of focus is really CRYSTAL and the effect of her voodoo curse on the pub's landlord.

LENA, late 20s, was last seen talking with her mate MICHELLE in The One About Leap Year.  BEN, also in his 20s, is another friend.

LENA

Inspiration, focus and determination.

BEN

That's right.

LENA

That's what it was.  (A moment)  That's

strange.  (She has noticed an old woman

in a wedding dress, watching them)

BEN

What is?

LENA

That old lady standing over there.

LENA and BEN look at the old lady in the distance.  As they do so, a HOODIE rides past on a fluorescent green Kawasaki push-bike.

3.  EXT.  SUNNYSIDE SHOPPING CENTRE.  NIGHT.

It is some time later. We are back with CRYSTAL and her point of view of The Angel.  And then the door opens, and PARAMEDICS are seen bringing a person on a stretcher out of the pub, an oxygen mask strapped to his face. CRYSTAL freezes, complete shock on her face.  The PARAMEDICS rush out of shot to the waiting ambulance.