Grim Up North
By
Ben Robinson
Fade In:
Tracking shot of an old train going down a track late at night followed by a voiceover while the scene slowly goes onto the empty train carriages. Different shots of a town showing graffiti and vandalism.
NOEL (V.O)
Same old routine week after week, boring town with nothing to do apart from either going out causing trouble, getting pissed or sitting in your bedroom on your computer playing video games. I think it’s time for a change.
QUICK-CUT EXT. Train station – Night
Following a small rough looking character walking out of the station, dark cold night non-diegetic modern music playing
ALEX (V.O)
Working all the time, getting money blowing it on stupid things that’s the story of my life and many others
QUICK-CUT INT. Local Supermarket – Night
Point of view shot from the front of a trolley approaching a tall skinny character, facial expressions hint that he isn’t happy
BARRY (V.O)
College work, exams and all the rest of the stress is just a number of things that we have to put up with
QUICK-CUT INT. College
Character on sat behind a desk daydreaming while listening to a teacher the non-diegetic sound fades out….
MR GRIEVES
Barry? Are you listening?
BARRY
Yes! Sorry just had other things on my mind…
QUICK-CUT EXT. Takeaway – DAY
Earlier on in the day where all three characters are gathered together
NOEL
You’ll never believe it lads I’ve just got 60 quid! Now the question is what do I spend the money on
BARRY
What from? Who from?
NOEL
The dole 60 quid for sitting on my arse all day doing what I want I can’t complain at that one so what’s the plan for tonight so I can spend this wonga?
ALEX
Yea but sitting on the dole all day inside must be boring go get a proper job heard my place are taking people on, and think I might stay in tonight
NOEL
Fuck that, you’re 20 not 50 we need to be out there on the ‘sesh!’
BARRY
Sounds good but I only have a tenner, student life an all that
NOEL
You’ll be ‘reyt if times get tough I might lend you some, but we can’t have Alex selling us out all because he has work tomorrow
ALEX
Fine chill out lads I’ll be there but I’m not staying out long
BARRY
‘Yolo’
NOEL
What the fuck did you just say?
BARRY
Yolo? You Only Live Once it’s a saying…
NOEL
A saying for if you’re bent or have a screw loose, never say that again
BARRY
Right sorry ‘dad’ it’s not my fault I get educated unlike some, where we going tonight then?
Both Noel and Alex laugh at Barry
ALEX
Yea sounds good this time no more trouble I can’t be arsed with all the shit like last time especially with them lads from the other side of town
NOEL
The music is shit but there’s plenty of talent lets do it get ourselves in ‘liquid’ and no hopefully this time Jacob and his pathetic gang will stay out of our way
BARRY
Talent? If by talent you mean horrible looking girls that don’t know the difference between left and right.
QUICK-CUT EXT. Old Pub – Night
Later on in the evening where all three characters are, lots of diegetic chatter from other characters
NOEL
Right let the fun begin, who is getting the first round in?
SALLY (Barmaid)
You got any I.D?
NOEL
I’m 21! And you know me anyway
SALLY
Ohh yea you were in my year, Noel isn’t it?
NOEL
Yeaa the one that didn’t speak much or really do anything
SALLY
I remember you didn’t say a word to you when we was in school, weird
NOEL
I know now look at you, you’re alright now
SALLY
Oi cheeky! What you having?
NOEL
Sorry couldn’t resist and three pints of larger please
SALLY
Best watch out there’s something dodgy going on outside I think, where you off too tonight?
NOEL
Liquid sadly by the looks of it
SALLY
(laughs) why on earth are you going there? Saying that a few mates of mine have asked me to go after I finish here tonight so I might see you in there
As all the characters start drinking the sound of loud police sirens and a police helicopter can be heard outside
ALEX
What do you think that is? Sounds like something serious and close!
BARRY
Lets check it out it’s not exactly exciting in here
All the characters leave the pub quickly downing their drinks while quickly jogging out of the pub
QUICK-CUT EXT. Street – Night
Lots of Police in riot clothing
NOEL
Wow must be something big lets get closer
POLICE OFFICER
Sorry lads you can’t go any further
NOEL
Why? It’s a free country what’s happened?
POLICE OFFICER
It might be but at this time you aren’t going up this road!
ALEX
Come on Noel leave it
All of the characters walk away while the loud sounds of smashing glass and cheering can be heard in the distant
ALEX
Come on there’s another way round
BARRY
Are you two stupid, whatever he said don’t go in or any further
NOEL
I’m not missing this something finally going on and not seeing it!
QUICK-CUT EXT. STREET – Night
There is a small riot taking place between two sets of football fans
BARRY
I’m going home I don’t fancy me head getting kicked in or being burnt to death by a bunch of bald headed idiots
ALEX
Stay! Don’t be a big girl
NOEL
Here lets go down here…
QUICK-CUT EXT. Dark back alley - Night
A bright light in the distance
BARRY
What’s that light?
NOEL
It looks like a light but it’s all blurred and a weird colour
ALEX
Obviously!
NOEL
Shut up Alex let’s get down there and check it out!
As all the characters are slowly walking down the back alley a hooded character tall with just the bottom of his face showing looks strange, runs past
HOODED MAN
Run!
BARRY
Come on aren’t you guys listening to him?!
NOEL
No we have come this far now we have to check it out
As they approach the bright white light the characters are all blinded and dazed
QUICK-CUT INT. Noel’s House - Night
All the characters are sat on the chairs asleep and are woke by the TV showing a bright white light
NOEL
What the hell has just happened?!
ALEX
Was that a dream?
BARRY
It couldn’t be how did we get here and we are all having the same dream?
NOEL
You lads I remember what I did well I think, we were walking towards that bright light in that ginnel
ALEX
Yes!
BARRY
It’s impossible things like this just don’t happen
NOEL
Does anyone else feel weird? I feel pissed but haven’t even drunk anything
ALEX
No nothing?
BARRY
Right I think we need to find out what that was in the back alley
NOEL
Yea but how?
ALEX
Lets go back there now?
NOEL
Fine! Come on quick!
QUICK-CUT EXT. Back Alley - Night
All three characters slowly approaching it with caution
NOEL
There’s nothing here!
ALEX
Keep looking there must be something
BARRY
Even the football crowd have gone there’s just no explanation for this
Police Officer approaches the group of lads
POLICE OFFICER
So what are you boys doing down here?
NOEL
Aren’t you the one that told us to go away before? What happened to the football fans?
POLICE OFFICER
I can’t remember, now what are you doing down here?
POLICE OFFICER
Now there’s nothing happened now can you please go home or go somewhere else apart from hanging around the streets and in ally ways
NOEL
Fine lets go back to mine
QUICK-CUT. INT. Noel’s House – Night
BARRY
Well it can only be one thing then…
ALEX
Go on….
BARRY
We teleported or somehow used some sort of unrealistic power
NOEL
Impossible!
ALEX
It might sounds like a load of bollocks but he has got a point, how else could we have got from there to here without even walking?
NOEL
There will be something!
ALEX
I saw this show once where something like this happened and they all had different ‘powers’
NOEL
‘Powers’?! You’re making us sound like we’re Batman and Robin! Grow up
ALEX
Really? Well watch that
Alex picks up a lighter from the table and throws it straight at Noels’ head
NOEL
Oww! What do you think you’re doing you dickhead?!
Noel then gets up going to attack Alex just as he does…
QUICK-CUT INT. Alex’s House - Night
ALEX
Where am I? This is my room!
QUICK-CUT. INT Noel’s House - Night
BARRY
He has gone again?! It must be him
NOEL
Wow now I am starting to believe your rubbish, quick ring him!
Barry gets his mobile phone out to ring Alex
QUICK-CUT. INT. Alex’s House - Night
His phone is ringing in his pocket which he rushes to get
ALEX
Hello, you will never believe it!
QUICK-CUT. INT Noel’s House - Night
BARRY
Where are you?!
QUICK-CUT INT. Alex’s House - Night
ALEX
Back in my house I did it again! It’s me I must be able to do it!
QUICK-CUT. INT. Noel’s House - Night
BARRY
Get back round here then!
QUICK-CUT INT. Alex’s House - Night
ALEX
I can’t control it I don’t know how it happens?!
QUICK-CUT INT. Noel’s House - Night
BARRY
Well Walk
QUICK-CUT. INT Alex’s House - Night
ALEX
Right I’ll be back around in a bit
QUICK-CUT. INT Noel’s House - Night
NOEL
Well if he can do something I’m sure we can
BARRY
I think it has something to do with that light!
NOEL
Yea not a bad thought! What do we do? Go out still hi the town
BARRY
Yeah! Still would be good I’m up for it as it’s a Saturday
Alex comes into the room
ALEX
You see it lads?! I was here then I was gone
NOEL
Yea we saw! That doesn’t mean I still won’t smack you
ALEX
That’s what it must be at the minute when I’m in danger I move places somehow!
NOEL
Just shows how much of a wimp you are!
ALEX
Shut up I don’t see you doing anything special
NOEL
You never know in time anyway coming town? See what happens there you never know you might be disappearing all the time with the sight of girls
ALEX
Aha very funny! And Yeah I will do
NOEL
Lets see what magic we’re in for tonight…
QUICK-CUT. EXT. Town Centre – Night
Camera edits between different clips showing people walking around the streets dressed to go out and drunk, the camera the follows the three characters as they are walking towards an old, worn down building.
NOEL
Let’s hope that idiot Jacob isn’t out tonight or we’re all in for an eventful night!
ALEX
Yea I can’t be bothered with fighting especially after all that has happened to us today
As the characters are talking about this a loud crowd of men are shouting from the opposite side of the street
JACOB
Oi you lot!
BARRY
You were just saying….
JACOB
Don’t you dare ignore me you worthless dorks
NOEL
What do you want now?! (Shouting across the street)
BARRY
What have you done that for Noel?!
NOEL
I’ve had enough of him giving us crap and us not saying anything back, all because he hangs around with a bunch of meat heads he thinks he is one of them
Jacob a small man lots of spots currently wearing a full tracksuit walks across the road towards the three characters
JACOB
What were you saying?
NOEL
What do you want from us now?
JACOB
You were staring at me and I don’t like people that stare
NOEL
I didn’t look your way once why would I want to look at a ugly mug like you
JACOB
Oh you’re going to regret that one I’ll see you in liquid and it might be the last time you see me
Jacob strolls back across the road towards the large group of lads with a large smirk on his face
As he is walking away Noel holds his head in pain while hearing a quiet sound of Jacobs voice saying “they’re dead, going down as soon as they get in liquid”
NOEL
Ouch! My head
BARRY
What? You handled that one perfectly now we’re going to get killed!
NOEL
I just heard his voice like his thoughts in my head
BARRY
Not another one it all sounds pathetic!
NOEL
Really I heard what he was thinking saying we’re going to get hit as soon as we enter the club ‘liquid’
ALEX
Well I’m no longer the special one
BARRY
Clearly not now I feel the odd one out
As the characters all are talking Noel starts to sway and collapses to the floor
ALEX
Shit! Get him up see if he is ok
Both Alex and Barry run and pick him up, Noel eyes slowing open
NOEL
It just went black and all I could hear was people’s voice and thoughts
ALEX
Well you can’t go out if this is going to keep happening
NOEL
I’ll be fine I think I’ll keep soldiering on and trying to control this
BARRY
Well if it happens again we’re going home
NOEL
Lets get in there see what happens!
After doing the internet research i have amended the fourth draft of my script.
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