Beside Herself

By
Rob West

Based on:
Leaving by Virginia Heath

Sheffield Hallam University

b1007328@my.shu.ac.uk

INT. DREAM SEQ 1 - NIGHT

An orange and blue haze is disturbed by a black figure as it
looms closer, an array of colours flash as the gloom begins
to recede.
VOICE OF BILLY
There is so much I wish I had said.
The darkness begins to grow.
VOICE OF BILLY
I should never have left it behind.
The colours begin to shake more violently as we appear to be
moving forward.
VOICE OF BILLY
Are you there? Are you beside me?
Sound of a gunshot as the scene goes black.
INT. CHEAP HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
Billy lies on his back next to Layla. His eyes open sharply
as he wakes from demented dreams. His face is a picture of
shock and pain as he pulls back the sheets to reveal a nasty
bloodstain emitting from his stomach through a white shirt.
He slowly rises, holding his stomach. Billy places his
bloodied hand on the side of a table and looks at himself in
the mirror. With a grimace, he looks at the reflection of
Layla, she is sleeping soundly on the bed. The colour of the
room changes to red.
BILLY
Layla...Im sorry.
The screen goes black and returns to the same reflection of
Layla but Billy is asleep next to her in the bed. Layla
rises from her slumber, smiling to herself as she moves out
of the bed.
The room is furnished in a cheap and trashy style, lit by a
lamp and street / neon light from outside the window.
She picks up Billys coat which rests on the back of a
chair. Feeling it, she notices something in the pocket,
pulling out a handgun.
Layla stares at it in her hand,
and grabs the gun.

Billy has risen behind her

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

2.

BILLY
What are you doing?
LAYLA
Billy...I
BILLY
You shouldnt go looking through my
things.
He grabs his coat and puts it on.
LAYLA
Billy...Im Sorry.
Billy zips up his coat, his back turned from Layla.
LAYLA (CONTD.)
Where are you going?
Billy turns to see Layla staring at him.
BILLY
Just going to get a cup of coffee.
You want one?
Layla nods. Holds his gaze.
LAYLA
I get the feeling youre not coming
back.
Billy shifts uneasily, cant hold her gaze.
BILLY
What do you mean? Im coming right
back, Ill be five minutes...
LAYLA
Look, if you want a coffee, go get
one... Just come back.
BILLY
I told you, Im coming right back.
Billy turns his back from her and begins to move toward the
door.
LAYLA
Leave the gun here then.
Billy hesitates.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

3.

BILLY
No! Dont start trouble. Its none
of your business, I said Id get
you a coffee. So goodbye.
Layla takes a step forward.
LAYLA
Wheres my kiss goodbye?
Billy turns and looks her despondently.
LAYLA
A hug then?
Billy sighs.
BILLY
Oohh, man!
She holds out her hand, with a smile on her face.
LAYLA
Well lets just shake hands.
He takes her hand and she pulls him into a hug. Billy
caresses her hair, then pulls her tighter, and buries his
head in her shoulder.
Sounds of a train passing.
LAYLA
Remember you promised to come back.
BILLY
Promise.
Layla breaks away from him, turning her back to him.
LAYLA
I just want you to know, I think
youre the sweetest, most handsome
guy in the world...
Billy comes up behind her, putting his arms around her
waist. She grabs his hand, noticing it to be covered in
blood. Layla turns in shock but Billy is gone.
She notices the gun on the table. She runs her hand along
it.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

4.

LAYLA
...And I love you.