“See you at the show”
Pilot-
(Camera rolls down busy street following a little boy holding his mothers hand)
Voice over: Ever since I was a kid, I’ve wanted something special. An adrenaline rush very few would ever know. And it was sitting right on my door step…
(Camera glides over boys head to reveal bright lights, spelling out the words ‘The Show’. Jazzy music starts up.)
Voice over: With show comes everything you ever dreamed. And other things, you don’t usually share with the daily dreamer…sins that your local priest wouldn’t dare pronounce. Lust. (Show girl walks past reporter and strokes his shirt flirtatiously) Envy. (Teenage girls buzz around her asking for her autograph) Gluttony. (Show girl hiding behind curtains gets discovered eating her chocolates) Sloth. (She walks past a bunch of dancers rehearsing their latest dance and there exhausted asked to try it one more time) Greed. (Two women in florescent costume are arguing over a pair of sequin shoes) Anger. (They get into a full blown fight) And of course Pride… (Camera low sees a woman’s hand hit a table, and silence fills the room.)
Woman: You piece of filth Charlie! You bastard! (has a harsh tone to her voice yet it only makes her sound more classy and confident)
Charlie: Now that hurts Scarlet. Have some pride. (Has a sarcastic ‘I don’t give a damn’ look about him. Wearing a black suit, and a classy blue and white pinstripe tie.)
Scarlet: You slept with a cabaret girl, and you have the nerve to lecture me on pride! You’re a piece of work Charlie; I hope you rot in hell! (draws fist back and slams it into Charlie’s nose)
Charlie: Pull up a chair. (withdraws handkerchief and wipes blood from nose) I’m already in hell sweetie…
Scarlet: Don’t. Call me that. (adds sharply)
Charlie: As I was saying, I’m already in hell, and sins the way I like it, so please tell me what I’ve done to deserve your fist in my nose.
Scarlet: Don’t try and worm your way out of this one, ‘sweetie’.
*buzzer goes on the phone lying on the table, Charlie picks up the phone*
Charlie: Yes? Ok. (nods)
*puts the phone down*
Charlie: Though I love our little chats Scarlet, I’m afraid I have business to attend to. (walks out of room and slams the door on Scarlet)
Voice over: Isn’t show fun?
*title credits*
Voice over: Show, you can come from many reasons. You don’t fit in anywhere else, for the luxury and the atmosphere, or simply to be someone you’ve always wanted to be. Fulfil your wildest dreams, with the discretion of only acting it. I guess show is just a place to go when reality just doesn’t feel so good anymore.
*Scarlet in the dressing room applying her makeup when another girl walks in. Scarlet stares at her as if to warn her away. The girl joins her friends behind Scarlet, and begins to whisper intently. They giggle and Scarlet swivels her chair round.*
Scarlet: Do the kindergarten bitches want to share or do I need to mind read now?
*giggles, they must only be around 14 or 16, and don’t seem have very high manners, Scarlet friend enters, wearing blue top with chains on it and black combats. Her suede red jacket has a small pin with the name, ‘Katia Harron’ written on it*
Katia: What’s going on? *glances towards the hysterical girls*
Scarlet: Hey Katia. *eyes girls* I don’t know, *turns chair back round to face the mirror and continues to preen hair* what are you doing here, your the prop manager, you duty is to stock and stuff? Right?
Katia: Yes. And no need to put it so bluntly, I am of use around here. How are you? After…well you know?
Scarlet: I’m over it, that piece of scum, was worthless. Like a bug on the windscreen.
Katia: Ok whatever. I know you feel nothing like that, but if you feel you must put on this charade…on your own head be it. If you don’t tell him how you feel, you will regret it. *says with a kind of moral superiority, but rightly so*
Scarlet: I don’t need a lecture, but your usually right about these things, so I’ll talk to him, ok?
Katia: I’m not forcing you to, but it’s for your own good. Trust me.
Voice from behind the door: Curtain call in 15 minutes!
Scarlet: I’d better get going. See you later, two o’clock right?
Katia: That’s the plan. *smiles sweetly and starts packing up the make up strewn across the side board* Bye.
(Camera lies on door swinging shut)
*Scarlet bumps into a man just outside the door, he’s wearing plaid shirt and dark shaded demin jeans*
Man: I’m sorry.
Scarlet: It’s ok, just in a bit of a hurry I guess. Sorry, where are my manners, I’m, Scarlet and you are?
Man: Matthew. Matthew Robins. Hey you’re the lead role aren’t you? I’ve seen you perform, you’re amazing. *offers hand to shake. Scarlet accepts and grabs his hand* I’m a reporter for the local paper; I’m doing an article on the show. I’d love to have and inside view, you want to get some coffee?
Scarlet: I have a rehearsal in 10 minutes. Can you wait till after?
Matthew: I’d love to stay and watch.
(Camera follows as they link arms and head through the curtains)
***
(Camera changes direction from Scarlet and lands on a mature adolescent boy, carrying some coffees and a clipboard)
Jeremy: Boss says rehearsals in 10 minutes! Don’t be late…*whispers* he’s not in the best of moods.
Charlie/boss: Come on! What do I pay you people for? Get your lame asses on stage and perform. We have a show in 2 days time I don’t need bad acting and off pace dancers on my stage, now get to it. Oh and Jeremy tuck in your shirt! You look awful, and have one of those coffees on me, I can’t stand you looking so tired all the time...*rants on…*
Jeremy: *mutters something that sounds like-* oh, ok, ok…yeah coffee. Sure. Whatever you say M..mm…Mr. Pomona.
Charlie: And hold my jacket. *throws jacket onto Jeremy’s already busy arms* And can you change; my appointment for 5 o’clock, I really want to be somewhere else. And will you get me some juice, my throat is dry. *Jeremy runs round endlessly jacket and clipboard in hand*
Jeremy: Sure boss. Get right on it. *clipboard falls to the floor*
Charlie: Really Jeremy you’re a shambles. Really…*says in a disgraced and disappointed tone* Get your act together.
(Camera right in front of Jeremy crouched on the floor as Charlie exits through a door right behind him)
***
Matthew: So are you ready for that coffee? *takes arm and helps Scarlet jump off the stage*
Scarlet: Sure, I could do with a caffeine boost. My energy levels have been terrible since we started this show. Then again I guess my awful boss, overtime is all I can expect…*goes into a thoughtful gaze*
Matthew: I heard. It’s awful no woman should be treated like that…
(Camera goes into coffee cup, and then retreats back up only to land on an image of scarlet laughing. They continue there conversation about the show as the camera glides up slightly and zooms in on the clock just behind their table, it shows the time to be 2 o’clock. It zooms into the black of the clock and changes to the next scene. An image of Katia sitting alone in a bar, obviously waiting for Scarlet.)
Bar man: A beautiful girl shouldn’t be sitting alone this early in the day.
Katia: My ‘friend’ stood me up. She was surpossed to be here.
Bar man: Are you sure she got the right time? If you give me her name and your contact details I could give you a bell if she drops in.
Katia: Thanks, *writes down details on a napkin* ok well I think I’m off. Don’t have a long lunch break and my boss has it in for us all today.
Bar Man: Ok sweetie. *waves as Katia exits the bar*
***
(Camera following Charlie’s right hand side as he approaches a door.)
*He knocks twice, the door swings open. Scarlet stands there with a sheet wrapped around her, her obviously naked body lies beneath*
Scarlet: Charlie? *he tone meek and confused*
Charlie: I was just coming over to see…*his words fade off as he notices the man approach behind Scarlet only wearing blue and silver boxers*
Scarlet: Erm, Charlie, this is Matthew. Matthew this is Charlie.
*They exchange wary glances, and offer the hands out to each other, and eventually shake*
Charlie: *Moves glare to Scarlet* I was just coming over to apologise, and we had organised to go out together now. But I see that you have…*eyes Matthew up and down* other plans?
Scarlet: *Gives an apologetic glitter of her eye* Obviously. *Looks down at her sheet* I’m not in the entertaining mood.
Charlie: On the contrary, you seem perfectly capable to…‘entertain’.
(Charlie walks off dramatically and leaves Scarlet quite lost for words, until Matthew goes to bring her back into the room, flirtatiously, Scarlet shrugs him off)
Scarlet: I think you should leave.
Matthew: What because hoar boy caught you getting some of your own?
Scarlet: Leave. *she snaps*
Matthew: *in a low whisper* Women.
***
(Camera starts up on Charlie in a tense rages tearing through the curtains)
Charlie: Where is that annoying, useless assistant of mine?! *throws hands up*
Jeremy: Here, here, sir… just getting your nn…notes.
Charlie: Your so slow! Can’t you just try for once in your life!
Jeremy: I’m doing the best I can…sir. *starts to shake*
Passer-by: Maybe you should calm down Charlie, give the kid a chance.
Charlie: Do you want to keep your job!? *hisses almost snake like*
*passer-by runs off, Charlie diverts his attention back to his quivering assistant*
Charlie: You are useless! I don’t understand how you can take so long on a simple cup of coffee! I don’t know why I put up with you!
(Camera goes to Jeremy who collapse to the floor, crying and whimpering, papers strewn around him)
Jeremy: I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, I’ll try harder. I’ll get you your coffee. I’m sorry…*whimpers*
Charlie: You just can’t get the staff.
***