"Being Human" Episode 1 SHOOTING SCRIPT 17th September 2008 - being human script writers (short story to read txt) 📗

what to say. He
sits down on the floor next to her.
GEORGE
After I got... after I lost
everything, I ran away. I met
Mitchell and we came here and met
you and... I’d just about come to
terms with what’d happened to me.
And then I saw her. My ex. And
she’d found someone else. And it
was so... savage. So I know how
it feels. Like losing everything
all over again.
ANNIE
(beat)
How did it happen?
George is a little thrown. No one’s ever asked him before.
GEORGE
We were on holiday in Scotland.
The place we were staying in, was
on the edge of this huge ravine,
and one evening I decided to go
out for a walk.
(beat)
"Being Human" Episode 1 SHOOTING SCRIPT 17th September 2008 46.
64 CONTINUED: (2) 64
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
I’ve never been so scared. This
thing was... Even at the time I
remember looking at it and
being... offended. That thing in
this world, it was so... wrong.
And the smell of it. Like meat
and sweat.
ANNIE
And it attacked you?
GEORGE
This other guy, another guest,
he’d tagged along as well. He was
killed. It literally tore his
throat and chest out. I just got
bitten. I... ‘survived’.
ANNIE
Like me.
GEORGE
Like you. Hooray for us.
(beat)
Why couldn’t Owen see you?
ANNIE
Maybe it was the shock of it.
Like it... set me back.
GEORGE
Like a relapse?
ANNIE
There’s so much about this I
don’t understand.
(beat)
What did you think of her? Janey.
GEORGE
She’s... orange.
ANNIE
She works in the Tanning Salon.
She thinks she looks classy. I
think she looks like Kilroy.
GEORGE
You’re much prettier. And much
nicer.
ANNIE
And much deader.
George says nothing. On an impulse, he puts his arm round
Annie. She smiles sadly and settles in to his embrace.
"Being Human" Episode 1 SHOOTING SCRIPT 17th September 2008 47.
64 CONTINUED: (3) 64
GEORGE (CONT'D)
(CONTINUED)
Her head on his shoulder. And they sit like that. In their
living room. Looking at the blank screen of the TV.
65 EXT. HOSPITAL. EVENING 3. 19:45. 65
Establishing shot. Night is falling over the city. Lights
are flickering on inside the hospital.
66 INT. HOSPITAL. CORRIDOR. EVENING 3. 20:08. 66
George wanders onto a ward, in his hospital scrubs. At the
Nurse’s Station, an HCA has a phone clamped between her
neck and shoulder, she’s looking at a patient’s chart.
HCA
What does that look like to you?
A 3 or a 5?
GEORGE
A 3?
HCA
That’s what I thought. That’s
Becca’s handwriting. So if she
gave Mr Davies his meds at 3,
then he needs them again now. But
if it’s a 5, then he won’t need
them till 10 o’clock.
GEORGE
So ask her. *
HCA
(the phone)
Not answering her mobile. She’s
gone out for a drink with your *
mate. *
GEORGE *
(looks up) *
What mate? *
HCA *
You know. Him with the face. *
GEORGE *
Where? Where did they go? *
HCA *
Christ knows. I would have asked *
but that might look like I gave a *
shit. *
"Being Human" Episode 1 SHOOTING SCRIPT 17th September 2008 48.
64 CONTINUED: (4) 64
(CONTINUED)
The HCA hangs up. She wanders off. George hasn’t moved.
67 EXT. STREET. EVENING 3. 20:21. 67
George tearing through the streets. He stumbles to a halt,
turns one way, then another. Christ, where does he start?
68 INT. BAR. EVENING 3. 20:28. 68
Mitchell and Becca are in a bar. They are already several
drinks down. Becca looks beautiful. She’s clearly gone to a
lot of effort for this. They’re laughing.
MITCHELL
I’m serious. If there’s another
man there, I can’t pee.
BECCA
That’s ridiculous!
MITCHELL
And at my age. Now you: something
embarrassing.
BECCA
Uhhhh. Ok. It wasn’t until 6
months ago I stopped ringing my
ex every time I got drunk.
(cringes)
Oh God, I shouldn’t have told you
that.
MITCHELL
(laughs)
No it’s sweet. It’s tenacious.
BECCA
Yeah ‘sweet’. Me, usually with
sick in my hair, going
‘Gaviiiiiin’.
Mitchell laughs. Drinks. That tremor in his hand again.
BECCA (CONT’D)
Oh I meant to ask. How’s the notsmoking
going?
MITCHELL
Not great. But I’m thinking, once
a smoker always a smoker. What’s
the point of fighting it?
"Being Human" Episode 1 SHOOTING SCRIPT 17th September 2008 49.
66 CONTINUED: 66
69 EXT. STREET. NIGHT 3. 20:36. 69
The city is swamped with drinkers and revellers. George
pushes through crowds, diving into bars and pubs. There’s
still no sign of Mitchell and Becca.
70 INT. BAR. NIGHT 3. 20:37. 70
BECCA
So... so would you like to come
back to mine? My flat-mate’s out.
We’d have the place to ourselves.
Mitchell swallows the last of his drink. Everything has
been set in motion, and now it will just carry him along.
He takes the breath that will say ‘yes’. But Becca is
looking over his shoulder.
BECCA (CONT’D)
Is that a friend of yours?
Mitchell turns. His face falls. Pushing through the crowded
bar, making a b-line for them... is Lauren.
LAUREN
Well lookee here. Mind if I join
you?
She plonks herself down into another chair.
LAUREN (CONT’D)
Aren’t you going to introduce us?
MITCHELL
You can’t... you can’t be here...
LAUREN
Aw, look at his little face.
(to Becca)
I should explain. Me and Mitchell
dated. Just once really. Well it
was kind of a date. So where are
we up to? With me he did this
whole thing about the ancient
machinery of the world.
MITCHELL
Please don’t do this.
LAUREN
At least he’s brought you out. We
had to make do with supermarket
wine and a packet of Doritos at
my place.
"Being Human" Episode 1 SHOOTING SCRIPT 17th September 2008 50.
(CONTINUED)
BECCA
... I’ve seen you somewhere ...
LAUREN
Well I had my photo in the paper
recently.
BECCA
Yeah... I’ve seen a photo...
Mitchell is on his feet.
MITCHELL
Get up.
LAUREN
But I want to see her face when
she works it out.
MITCHELL
GET UP.
A few heads turn. Lauren shrugs, stands. Mitchell grabs her
arm and marches her towards the door. Lauren calls back
over her shoulder to Becca.
LAUREN
You seem nice. Maybe afterwards
we can be friends... hang out...
And they’re gone. Becca is left, completely bewildered.
71 EXT. OUTSIDE BAR. NIGHT 3. 20:38. 71
Mitchell drags Lauren outside. She snatches her arm away
from him. Takes out a pack of cigarettes, lights one.
LAUREN
So I saw your furry friend.
(pulls a face)
I was actually going to feed from
him, can you imagine? I’d
probably need jabs or something.
MITCHELL
What do you want? Did Herrick
send you? *
LAUREN
Yeah but this isn’t just about
him.
MITCHELL
Then what do you want?
"Being Human" Episode 1 SHOOTING SCRIPT 17th September 2008 51.
70 CONTINUED: 70
(CONTINUED)
LAUREN
YOU LEFT ME. You brought me into
this and then YOU LEFT ME. I woke
up and I was surrounded by these
strangers, and they... It should
have been you there! And ever
since, they’ve just passed me
round, I’m like this orphan!
That hit home. Mitchell nods, ashamed.
MITCHELL
I’m sorry...
Suddenly Mitchell grabs her arm.
MITCHELL (CONT’D)
Come away with me. There are
places we can go, where we can be
safe from them.
LAUREN
(laughs)
They’re not some dopey abusive
boyfriend. You think anywhere’s
safe from them?
MITCHELL
They stay away from the smaller
towns, anywhere that’s exposed -
LAUREN
Wait - oh my God - you think I
want saving?
MITCHELL
We can save each other, this is
what I’m - we save each other.
Lauren tips her head back and laughs.
LAUREN
Don’t you get it? I want to kill!
I want to feel their blood run
down my chin! I want to see their
faces when they realize! I want
to kill my lovers, my parents, I
want them to know! Herrick’s
talking about offering it first.
Christ, just take it! Take their
world! Tear their children to *
shreds!
Mitchell stares at Lauren, as if seeing her for the first
time.
"Being Human" Episode 1 SHOOTING SCRIPT 17th September 2008 52.
71 CONTINUED: 71
(CONTINUED)
MITCHELL
Thank you.
LAUREN
... What for?
He turns, walks away.
LAUREN (CONT’D)
You can’t do this, Mitchell, you
can’t choose them over us. You’ll
lose everything. Whatever it
takes, we will Drag You Back!
But he’s gone.
72 INT. THE BAR. NIGHT 3. 20:41. 72
Mitchell returns to the bar.
BECCA
You alright? What was that about?
MITCHELL
Listen. I’m... I’m gonna go home.
BECCA
(crestfallen)
Oh. Oh, Ok.
MITCHELL
I just think it’s best.
BECCA
Was it - Look, that thing I said
about my ex, that’s not me any
more -
MITCHELL
(smiles)
I promise. This is about me, not
you.
BECCA
(rueful)
It’s the first time I’ve heard
that before a shag. That must be
a record, even for me.
MITCHELL
I’m sorry. Let me walk you to the
taxi rank.
BECCA
There’s no need.
"Being Human" Episode 1 SHOOTING SCRIPT 17th September 2008 53.
71 CONTINUED: (2) 71
(CONTINUED)
MITCHELL
Please. I want to make sure
you’re safe.
BECCA
Whatever. I just need a pee.
She trails off dejectedly to the toilets.
Mitchell slumps back into his chair. He takes a breath. He
looked over the precipice... and stepped back.
73 EXT. ALLEYWAY. NIGHT 3. 20:51. 73
George is hurrying towards the bar where Mitchell and Becca
are. As he passes the mouth to the alley next to it, he
notices a figure in the shadows. The figure has her back to
George, barely discernible in the darkness. But something
about it, the way she’s standing, makes George skid to a
halt. He takes a few tentative steps into the alley. Slowly
the figure turns and looks at him. It’s Lauren.
74 INT. BAR. NIGHT 3. 20:53. 74
In the bar, Becca still hasn't come back. Mitchell is
uneasy. He gets up.
75 EXT. ALLEYWAY. NIGHT 3. 20:52. 75
GEORGE
Lauren? It’s me, it’s George.
She starts moving towards George, out of the darkness. Her
hand flashes out and she has George pinned by the throat
against the wall, his feet kicking in the air. She leans
in, almost nose to nose. All cruel smiles.
LAUREN
Bad dog.
She drops him to the ground and stalks off.
George is flat on his back, winded. He turns his head and
comes face to face with... Becca.
She looks at George, her eyes wide with shock and terror.
Her hands are clamped to her throat. And the blood floods
and pumps through her fingers.
"Being Human" Episode 1 SHOOTING SCRIPT 17th September 2008 54.
72 CONTINUED: 72
76 INT. BAR. CORRIDOR. NIGHT 3. 20:54. 76
Mitchell is standing by the door of the ladies toilets. A
woman steps out.
WOMAN
No, she’s not in there.
Suddenly a scream from outside. Mitchell is standing by the
fire exit. He swings the door open, out onto the alleyway.
77 EXT. ALLEYWAY. NIGHT 3. 20:54. 77
There's George. He's cradling Becca in his arms.
MITCHELL
Oh Jesus Christ...
A couple of people poke their heads out through the door.
One of them screams when they see Becca and the blood.
MITCHELL (CONT’D)
Call an ambulance!
The women stumble back inside. Mitchell scrambles down onto
the ground next to Becca and George. George has his hand
clamped over the cut in Becca’s throat, but the blood is
still coursing through his fingers. Becca blinks up at
Mitchell, bewildered and terrified.
BECCA
What’s... there’s water...
MITCHELL
Becca, it’s Ok, it’s Ok, it’s
Mitchell. Come on, baby, that’s
it, stay looking at me.
BECCA
I’m covered... with water...
And then Lauren emerges out of the darkness.
LAUREN
Now isn’t this a touching scene.
MITCHELL
What did you do to her?!
LAUREN
Easy, tiger. What’s the problem?
You just need