“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: Your a piece of work Charlie! (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! I hope you rot in hell! (draws fist back and slams it into Charlie’s nose)
Charlie: Don’t be like that, you know you love me.
Scarlet: Over my dead body.
Charlie: That can be arranged.
Drew: Get off the babysitter. Daddy’s home.
Scarlet: Not the best timing Drew.
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: Duty Calls. (Charlie exits and camera lies on a swinging door with a gold star on it)
Voice over: Isn’t show fun?
*title credits*
Voice over: Welcome to the show, where the lights always bright and the grass is never greener on the other side. You come for many reasons, because you need to escape, because you don’t fit in anywhere else or simply because there’s no other place in the world you can come to and fulfil your wildest fantasy’s. Be it only for a while. Enjoy your stay.
Set Scene: Café.
(Scarlet sitting at the table, Katia enters)
Scarlet: Hey Katia, how are you?
Katia: I’m fine. And 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*
(waitress appears with notepad)
Waitress: What do you girls want?
Katia: Three portions of fries, two cheese burgers, and one cherry pie. What do you want Scarlet?
*they laugh*
Scarlet: We’ll have just two sodas thanks.
(waitress walks off)
Katia: Big show tonight. Nervous?
Scarlet: No such animal.
Katia: I guess it’s exciting, and with the adrenaline rush…
Scarlet: So what if your only the props manager? I thought you loved it.
Katia: I do. I just wish I was on the stage part of the action.
* * *
Set Scene: Broom Closet.
(Drew and Katia making out in broom closet)
Katia: Not the action I was hoping for, but just as fun.
Drew: We still can’t tell Charlie though. You know what he’s like about mixing business with...*strokes Katia’s cheek* pleasure.
Katia: But I count my job as pleasure so...can’t we just stop hiding! *sounds all sweet and pathetic*
Drew: Soon but not now. Charlie’s just broken up with Scarlet, and we want him in a good mood.
Katia: OK. *continues kissing*
Drew: And by the way Katia...
(pulls hat off top shelf, and places it on Katia’s head)
Drew: Nice props.
***
Set Scene: Rehearsal/Stage
(Scarlet standing at the front stretching)
Matthew: Do you know where I can find, erm...*looks at notes* Charlie?
Scarlet: The scum tends to hang around in his office.
Matthew: Bad break up?
Scarlet: The worst. He cheated on me.
Matthew: Doesn’t seen possible with such a pretty girl.
(Scarlet blushes slightly)
Scarlet: So what brings you to the dazzling side of London’s west end?
Matthew: *raises clipboard* Journalist, I’m doing an article on your show.
Scarlet: Better get to it then.
Matthew: Yeah I guess I should.
***
(Camera moves round, noticing Charlie ‘strutting’ through to the stages)
Charlie: Where’s my assistant? I said noon, I defiantly said for him to be here at noon.
Julian: I told him to go and have a rest. I work my dancers to the bone But the poor boy was exhausted. Like someone had sucked out his soul.
Charlie:I pay you to dance and look after your dancers, nothing else. If you test me you’ll be out of here before you can say ‘gay tapdance’.
Julian: I don’t take threats lightly. I look after mine, you look after yours. By the way, a sexy, yummy, gorgeous reporter came through here moments ago looking for you.
Charlie: *glares* (makes an annoyed grunt)
Julian: Aren’t we a bit old for the silent treatment?
Charlie: If you can’t say anything nice don’t say anything at all. *walks off*
Julian: Straight guys.
Charlie: Gay guys.
***
Set Scene: Charlie’s office
(Matthew sitting at Charlie’s desk)
Matthew: So do you think the Daily Academy was right when it gave your latest show five stars?
Charlie: Of course. We work hard, we perform and we entertain in a way that makes the word luxury proud.
*Scarlet enters*
Scarlet: Charlie, Matthew. (To Matthew) You found the slim ball then?
Matthew: I did.
Charlie: I’ve never wanted you more Scarlet.
Scarlet: Always wanting what you can’t have.
Charlie: Well what do you want Scarlet?
Scarlet: Acne boy wants you. *roll eyes* Your assistant.
Charlie: Do you have everything you need? (To Matthew)
Matthew: (eyes notes) Seems that way. But I would love an interview with Scarlet here.
Charlie: That’s fine. But I must be off. *exits*
Scarlet: An Interview?
Matthew: By candle light. At a restaurant.
Scarlet: A date?
Matthew: A romantic business meeting.
Scarlet: *laughs* what time? *hands card* .Here’s my number.
Matthew: I’ll call you.
Scarlet: Of course you will.
***
Set Scene: Backstage.
(Camera is on an 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.
Julian: Do you need some help Jeremy?
Charlie: He’s fine.
Julian: If your sure... *lowers voice as he walks off* jerk.
*Katia enters*
Charlie: Props ready?
Katia: By the curtain as you asked.
Charlie: Is Scarlet ready?
Katia: I’m not your messenger service. Make it up with her already.
*Scarlet walks past*
Scarlet: Oh erm hey Charlie. Katia I was wondering if you could go through my props for tonight.
Katia: Sure. See ya Charlie.
Scarlet: Yeah bye.
(Camera follows Katia and Scarlet)
Katia: So what props?
Scarlet: All of them, I haven’t had any practice with them yet. The shows tonight. Please be my study buddy.
Katia: Since you put it that way...later. Four o’clock.
Scarlet: Well I’m off home. Bye.
***
Set Scene: Scarlet’s Apartment
(Camera shows a phone. It begins to ring and Scarlet picks it up)
Scarlet: Hello.
Matthew: Hi Scarlet.
Scarlet: Oh, hi Matthew.
Matthew: So how’s about that interview?
Scarlet: I have to stay at home but you could always come here.
Matthew: It’ll have to be now.
Scarlet: That’s fine.
Matthew: On my way.
***
Set Scene: Backstage.
Charlie: I said three coffees not one! What are the production managers going to drink?
Jeremy: I’ll just go make them...*rushes off*
Julian: You’re a jerk. *polytonal voice*
Charlie: I heard that.
Julian: I said it loud. Just be thankful I can’t mock your hearing. Your people skills on the other hand...*gets interrupted*
Charlie: I work in a world where luxury comes before necessity you can’t fault that.
Julian: You work In a world, where people perform arts of human nature. You should try showing some.
*Jeremy returns*
Charlie: I said black coffee, black! And what are these napkins, plastic? I pay your wages and the best you can do is plastic!
*Julian to Jeremy*
Julian: You’ve hit rock bottom Hun, now hit the road. You can do better than this trash.
*Jeremy falls to the floor and begins to cry*
Julian: Look what you’ve done.
Charlie: Erm...there, there.
***
Set Scene: Scarlet’s Apartment
(Camera on Matthew, sitting on her couch.)
Scarlet: Well, I work 6 hours on stage a day. *pours wine*
Matthew: I’ve seen you perform, your amazing. The efforts not in vain.
Scarlet: No, I guess not.
Matthew: Ow *rubs neck*
Scarlet: What’s wrong?
Matthew: Neck cramps. I get them a lot when I’m stressed.
Scarlet: I could give it a massage if you like. I trained to be a masseuse when I was 18. Just take off your top and I’ll be back in a minute with the stuff.
*Matthew removes his top*
Set Scene: Meanwhile outside Scarlet’s apartment
(Camera following Charlie’s right hand side as he approaches a door.)
*He knocks twice, the door swings open. In front of him stands Matthew in his boxers*
Charlie: I was just coming over to see... are you sleeping with her?
Matthew: A personal life is just that. *says in a suggestive tone*
*Scarlet walks over wearing sweats*
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.
Charlie: Didn’t take you long to get in some payback did it.
Scarlet: I don’t know what you mean, I’m sorry but I can’t entertain at the moment, I have an interview with Matthew.
Charlie: On the contrary you seem perfectly capable to entertain. You call me scum. You jumped into bed with the closest piece of meat.
(Charlie walks off dramatically and leaves Scarlet quite lost for words)
(Camera zooms up into a clock stating four o’clock.....
***
Camera, comes back out from the clock and lies on Katia sitting bored on the steps of the stage)
Stage man: Sorry Katia but we have to shut now, early closure to get ready for the show tonight, unless you working you have to leave.
Katia: It’s ok Steve I’m outta here.
Steve: She must have a good exuse for not showing up.
Katia: I can’t wait to here it.
***
Set Scene: Next morning after the show
(Scene begins by fast forwarding an image of a camera watching over London turning from night to day)
Scarlet: What?! (Camera focus’ on paper lying on the table, the headline clearly states: ‘Scarlet, the harlet. How show girl turn whores.’) He betrayed me! Matthew wasn’t a local newspaper writer! He was a con man trying to earn a big buck! Ugh, I hate men! You believe I didn’t really sleep with him right? Right?!
Fellow show girl: Erm, don’t worry? *says meekly*
Scarlet: I don’t believe this.
Katia: Neither can I. (Camera turns on a obviously annoyed Katia)
Scarlet: Isn’t it awful? I can’t believe I’ve been screwed over by another man.
Katia: And I can’t believe you stood me up, I was waiting for you on that stage for three hours!
Scarlet: Oh.
Katia: You’re unbelievable.
.
Scarlet: Katia, I can explain! *but it was too late…*
(Camera once again lies on a swinging door)
***
(Camera on Charlie sitting at his desk, reading something on the surface)
Voice over: Yes, I am a man of show and the like. Darkness fills my world of shiny bright lights. I am the man who runs the show. But finds himself run by the show instead. And I see my fair share of Satan’s sin.
Sloth. (Camera lies upon Jeremy crying on the floor) Anger. (Katia throwing a lamp at a wall in her apartment) Gluttony. (Scarlet sitting on her couch stuffing chocolates into her mouth) Greed. (Matthew counting his money from the newspaper article) Lust. (Picture from the article, shows Scarlet and Matthew, together in bed, obviously fake) Envy. (Camera moves outward from newspaper, to show Charlie holding it up reading it) And Pride…(Camera split between Scarlet lying on her bed and on the other side of the screen Charlie lying on his bed) But maybe we all just have too much of that sin…
***
End Credits.
By Vicky Anderson
Notes: Voice over played by the character of Scarlet.