A Boy's Best Friend

By

Jack Wimbush

jackwimbush@googlemail.com
INT. PRIMARY SCHOOL CLASSROOM - MORNING

The classroom is bright and colourful.

Two dozen CHILDREN sit at individual desks.

At the head of the room a TEACHER (female, 30s) stands and

points to a simple diagram on the interactive whiteboard.

TEACHER
...And every time you write "someone
says..." you have to use speech marks
before and after the words they say.
(indicates an example)
Like this, see? Now, if I were to
write...

Some of the pupils intently watch the teacher. Others gossip

and giggle among themselves.

At the very back of the class, tucked away, is MICHAEL (10).

His unkempt hair, baggy hand-me-downs make him a unique sight
among the sea of neatness and uniformity. He stares off into
space.

TEACHER (CONT'D)
...Now, who haven't we heard from
today?

She scans the room.

TEACHER (CONT'D)
Ah! Michael. Care to join us in the
land of the living?

Michael jumps in his seat. His classmates turn to face him,

eager to watch the oncoming spectacle. Michael is helpless.

TEACHER (CONT'D)
Michael, if I were to write "Michael
says "I can't stop daydreaming in
class"", where would I put the speech
marks?

Snorts of laughter.

Michael looks at the teacher, shakes his head. A few of the

louder boys groan, sigh and turn to face forward. Clearly
expecting this.

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 2.

TEACHER (CONT'D)
Maybe if you pinned down your
wandering mind once in a while you'd
actually be able to answer my
questions.

Michael, unreadable.

TEACHER (CONT'D)
I'll test you again later today.
Please keep up.

He drifts away again, drowning out her utterances. A girl's

hand shoots up, class goes on as normal- without him.

FADE TO:

INT. CLASSROOM - MID AFTERNOON

The teacher continues to speak to the class. Michael

continues to daydream.

A bell SOUNDS. One step ahead of teach, the children leap

from their seats, chattering.

TEACHER
(over the commotion)
All right, all right! Oh, and don't
forget first thing tomorrow! Remember,
I want smiles and warm welcomes all
round!

The class bolt out of the room and into the corridor.

Michael packs up, slowly.

One GIRL notices him, hangs back.

Michael meets her gaze.

She smiles warmly. His cold expression unchanged.

Her smile lingers, then disappears. She is pulled away off-

screen by friends.

Michael lets escape a look of relief.

When his classmates are gone he speeds his pace, slips out
into the corridor and vanishes from view.

The teacher calls after him.

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TEACHER (CONT'D)
Remember what I told you Michael!

EXT. NEIGHBOURHOOD - MID AFTERNOON

Michael, hands firmly inside his large winter coat, turns

towards a house.

Instinctively withdraws a tangle of KEYS. Unlocks the door.

Heads inside, swinging his backpack off his shoulders.

INT. HALLWAY - HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

SERIES OF SHOTS:

A) Michael dumps his backpack to one side and shuts the door.

B) Flicks on the hallway light.

C) Hangs up his coat in the under stairs cupboard, shakes off

his shoes, flings them inside.

Stomps down the hallway and into...

INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

...the kitchen, heading straight towards the FRIDGE. Michael

eyes a scrap of PAPER stuck to the fridge door:

"Busy at work. Back by 10- promise. Food in fridge. Love you.

Dad"

______________________________________________________
He screws up the note into a ball and shoves it in his
trouser pocket.
_______________

Pulls open the fridge door. On Michael, as the interior glow

illuminates his grim visage.

The door is shut, the glow dies.

Michael pivots, treads out of the kitchen and into...

INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

...the hallway, scooping up his backpack before turning

into...

INT. LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

...the living room. A small sofa, coffee table, modest TV.

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A window with blinds looks out into the darkening sky.

Michael slumps onto the sofa, drops his backpack besides the
coffee table. Withdraws a handful of sheets.

Carelessly skims the papers. We see brief excerpts of text-

Maths exercise, Literacy quiz, Spanish research task. It goes
on and on.

Then, to no one:

MICHAEL
I don't want to talk right now.

Michael grows increasingly distressed, until, exasperated, he

tosses the sheets; they scatter everywhere.

Unburdened, he grabs a remote from the table and leans back.

With a CLICK the TV buzzes to life.

Michael flicks through channels, draping himself in a large

blanket. He lies down on the sofa.

Gazes at the TV screen until his eyelids close.

On the clock: 4:15.

INT. LIVING ROOM - EVENING

The only light is the buzzing TV screen.

On the clock: 10:30.

Michael, asleep on the sofa, draped in the blanket.

We hear the RUMBLE of a car approaching from outside. Michael

wakes. He slowly sits up, stretches, processes the noise.

Then- he comes to a sudden realisation and bolts to the

window, wide awake.

Michael peers through the blinds-

Spots the car, as it drives past and parks outside the

neighbouring house.

Glances at the clock- SIGHS.

Steps away from the window, almost slipping on his homework,

scattered across the floor. He flicks on the lights, Glares
at the various sheets of paper, mocking him.

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He swiftly leaves the room, striding out into...

INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

...the hallway. Michael presses his eye against the peephole:

MICHAEL'S P.O.V: an empty driveway.

He turns away, takes out the scrunched up note from his

pocket:

"Back by 10".

Stuffs it back in his pocket. Stomps upstairs.

Off-screen, a door SLAMS shut.

FADE TO:

INT. HALLWAY - MORNING - THE NEXT DAY

Michael, wearing pyjamas, races downstairs straight into...

INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

...the kitchen. He stops. His face falls flat.

On the table, besides a half-eaten bowl of cereal, another

note:

"Sorry we didn't talk last night. Didn't want to wake you.

Packed lunch in fridge. Have a good day."

INT. CLASSROOM - MORNING

The room is quiet. Some faint murmurings can be heard off-

screen.

Michael steps in, hesitant, checks his surroundings.

No one there. He shuts the door behind him, paces to his

desk.

Sits, pulls out a few sheets of coloured paper and a handful

of felt tip pens, carefully placing them on his desk.

Outside: His classmates, among others, playing, running,

shouting.

Michael looks away and starts to draw.

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MICHAEL
(to himself)
Sorry about yesterday. School was
pretty bad.

Michael looks up, listens. Grins.

MICHAEL (CONT'D)
She's the worst. You're lucky, y'know.
Don't have to deal with homework or
anything.

On Michael's drawing-in-progress. Michael finishes a figure,

underneath labels it "ME". Moves onto another figure.

MICHAEL (CONT'D)
My Dad says hi. Said he'd like to meet
you in person one day.
(pause)
I think he was trying to be funny.

Michael finishes the second figure. Goes to label it.

MICHAEL (CONT'D)
It's alright. Still weird without her
around.
(beat)
Anyway, what do you think? Think I
drew you okay?

On the drawing, and the two figures, the one labelled "ME"
and the other, labelled:

"ALEX".

EXT. SCHOOL PLAYGROUND - SAME TIME

A bell sounds, and the mass of children begin to trudge,

sprint, skip and stroll towards the main school entrance. A
pack of teachers wave them in.

INT. CLASSROOM - CONTINUOUS

Michael, engaged in conversation with Alex, adds pleasant

scenery- sand, palm trees- to his drawing.

MICHAEL
...and it wasn't until that night when
she found out that-

He stops, mid-sentence.

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 7.

Looks out the window, sees the deserted playground.

The combined sound of dozens of thundering footsteps grows

ever louder.

MICHAEL (CONT'D)
Catch you later.

Michael springs into action. Sweeps the sheets into his bag.
Flings the coloured pens inside- just as schoolchildren flood
the room.

The teacher follows. Addresses the whole class.

TEACHER
Okay, hush now!

The pupils slowly settle down.

TEACHER (CONT'D)
As some of you may remember, I told
you that we would be having someone
new join our class. Starting today. I
want you all to be on your best
behaviour.

Michael, head in his hands, stares at the floor, barely

paying attention.

The teacher opens the door. Looks off-screen. Motions for

someone to enter.

The pupils sit upright, eyes glued on the doorway.

On Michael, ignoring the commotion. Not even a glance.

A hazy figure enters the room. Takes centre stage. The

teacher's utterances become cloudy and unintelligible.

And Michael just fixates on the floor, eyes half shut.

An eternity-

The teacher's drowned out dialogue stops.

Footsteps approach Michael.

Someone slides into the desk next to his.

Michael peeks over at-

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THE NEW BOY.

His eyes widen. His expression contorts into one of sheer

amazement.

The boy extends a friendly hand.

NEW BOY
Hi. My name's ALEX.

INT. CLASSROOM - EARLY AFTERNOON

Michael, skittish, repeatedly glances over at Alex. Still

reeling.

Alex notices Michael's gaze. Beams back at him.

Michael flinches, offers a weak smile in return. Alex faces

forward again.

Michael turns away. Thinks to himself. Then, with a deep

inhale of breath, leans over to Alex.

MICHAEL
(whispering)
Psst. Alex.

Alex flits back and forth between the teacher and Michael.

ALEX
(whispering)
Yeah?

MICHAEL
It's Michael.
(pause)
Shouldn't you know that? Never mind.

Michael shifts uneasily in his seat.

MICHAEL (CONT'D)
See... I know this is gonna sound
stupid, but...

Michael trails off. Clenches his fists, looks away.

Alex devotes his full attention to Michael.

ALEX
Go on.

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 9.

Michael smiles gratefully.

MICHAEL
Well, I've got this friend.

ALEX
What's his name?

MICHAEL
Alex.

ALEX
Funny.

MICHAEL
You look just like him. Or just like I
thought he would look.

Alex is puzzled. He sweeps the room.

ALEX
Huh. He around here, or what?

MICHAEL
No. He's... It's difficult to explain.

ALEX
What? Made up? Nothing wrong with
that.
(pause)
You never know. Maybe I am him. Your
Alex.
(pause)
Just kidding.

He motions towards the teacher.

ALEX (CONT'D)
Miss seems like fun.

MICHAEL
Are you serious? Can't stand her.
Y'know, this one time-

TEACHER
BOYS!

Michael and Alex turn to see the teacher, and most of the
class, staring at them. Their grins barely concealed.

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EXT. SCHOOL ENTRANCE - MID AFTERNOON

Children spill out of the school, meeting anxious parents

waiting outside by the main gate. Some of the last to exit
are Michael and Alex.

They stroll side by side towards the main gate. Alex looks
over at the remaining huddle of parents.

ALEX
Your Mum or Dad over there?

MICHAEL
Last time my Dad picked me up was
months ago.

ALEX
And your Mum?

Michael shrugs.

They reach a crossroads. Michael makes to turn right, Alex

left.

ALEX (CONT'D)
Guess I'll see you tomorrow.

MICHAEL
You don't want to come over to mine,
do you? Won't be anyone else there.

ALEX
Thanks, but there's plenty for me to
do back home. What with having
recently moved in and all.

MICHAEL
Oh. Right. Of course.
(pause)
Bye, then.

ALEX
Bye.

They traipse away in opposite directions.

On Michael, now some distance away from Alex.

ALEX (CONT'D) (O.S.)

MORE OF THE OLD BAT TOMORROW?

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Michael turns, spotting the speck that is Alex.

MICHAEL
I'D TAKE AN ANIMAL OVER HER ANY DAY!

Alex laughs.

INT. HALLWAY - HOUSE - MID AFTERNOON

A faint JANGLE of keys. The front door swings open, Michael

steps inside. Dumps his bag.

Kicks off his shoes.

Follows one shoe as it hits a LARGE CARDBOARD BOX by the

front door.

Crouches. Grabs the shoe. His face hardens.

After a moment he turns away, drops the shoe and hurries

upstairs.

INT. BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

Curtains drawn; pitch black. Michael bursts in, flicks on the

lights:

Shelves lined with action figures. Star ships suspended from

the ceiling.

Michael leaps to the chest of drawers. Pulls open a drawer

packed to the brim with various arts and crafts materials.

Grabs a stack of paper, some pens. Swivels, dashes out.

INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

Back downstairs. Runs down the hallway. Peeks into the

kitchen:

INT. KITCHEN - SAME TIME

A NOTE on the table. Illegible, but we've seen its kind

before.

INT. HALLWAY - SAME TIME

Michael turns into...

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INT. DINING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

...the dining room. A long wooden table. Bookshelves.

Michael arranges the paper and pens on the table. Sits.

Pulls his chair towards the table. Stops. Ducks under the
table.

Spots it: An upturned PHOTO FRAME, next to his foot. He

scoops it up.

Flips it over- revealing a photo of a middle-aged woman, arms

around a five year-old Michael. Both beaming.

On Michael, inexpressive.

Then:

He flings it at the bookshelf.

Books scatter

Glass cracks

Michael ROARS

And collapses. Bursts into tears.

INT. HALLWAY - EVENING

Michael stares down into the open cardboard box. Clutches the
cracked photo frame.

Holds out his hand. Allows the photo frame to slide from his
grasp and into the box below. Steps away.

We stay with the box. Move down to its front facing side.
Zoom in on the writing:

"Laura's things"

INT. CLASSROOM - EARLY AFTERNOON - THE NEXT DAY

Class in session. Michael and Alex murmur amongst themselves.

A bell RINGS.

TEACHER
Back here in 25 minutes!

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Class disperses. Michael and Alex stay put.

The same girl from earlier hangs back. She gazes over at the
duo; Michael waving his hands, Alex snorting with laughter.

She looks pleased, if disappointed.

Alex, mid-conversation, senses her presence. Glances over,

observes her watching Michael.

She notices him. Alex smiles politely.

She darts out the door. Michael tries to ignore her.

MICHAEL
So, as I was saying, this guy was-

ALEX
Do you know her?

MICHAEL
Who?

ALEX
You know who. She was watching you for
ages. You can't not have seen her.

MICHAEL
Okay, fine, I saw her. So what?
She's...weird.

ALEX
So you do know her.

MICHAEL
Only for being weird.

ALEX
Huh.

Alex leans in.

ALEX (CONT'D)
I bet she likes you. You should talk
to her.

MICHAEL
If she wanted to say something to me,
she would.

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ALEX
She might be shy-

MICHAEL
Can we talk about something else?

Alex raises his hands in submission.

ALEX
Sure. Sorry.

MICHAEL
Okay. So, the other day...

Alex, puzzled, studies the space the girl previously

inhabited.

INT. LIVING ROOM - HOUSE - EVENING

Michael, on the sofa. Half-watching TV.

The RUMBLE of a car.

Michael slowly rises, trudges to the window-

Two KNOCKS on the front door. Michael flies into...

INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

..the hallway. Flings open the door.

TWO POLICE OFFICERS. Michael's smile vanishes.

One officer (male, 50s) crouches down to meet Michael's eye-

level. Puts a hand on his shoulder.

INT. KITCHEN - SAME TIME

THE FRIDGE

A note:

"Back before you know it! Dad."

FADE TO:

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - MORNING - THE NEXT DAY

Michael's DAD (mid-40s) sits upright in bed. His head is

bandaged, his left arm in a cast. He looks off-screen.
Smirks.

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DAD
Hey buddy.

He points to his head bandage with his good arm.

DAD (CONT'D)
This is what happens when I try to get
home in time.

Michael hangs by the doorway. Eventually, he approaches,

stands over the bed.

MICHAEL
It's your fault.

DAD
At least no one was hurt.

MICHAEL
You were.

DAD
I don't count.

He ushers Michael to take a seat next to the bed.

DAD (CONT'D)
Now, you might have to spend a couple
of days with your-

MICHAEL
She won't want me. She never has.

DAD
Things are being arranged. Just a
couple of days. That's a promise.

MICHAEL
(under his breath)
She hates me.

DAD
Don't ever think that. Me, on the
other hand-

MICHAEL
You've done nothing wrong.

DAD
She deserves better.

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 16.

Michael doesn't know how to respond.

DAD (CONT'D)
Anyway. Shouldn't you be in school?

MICHAEL
They're fetching someone for me.

DAD
That's nice of them.
(pause)
Don't worry about me, okay?

MICHAEL
Okay.

INT. CLASSROOM - MORNING

Class in session.

Michael enters the room. All eyes on him.

He hands the teacher a slip of paper.

TEACHER
You feeling okay?

Michael mumbles something.

TEACHER (CONT'D)
Good. Pop over to your desk.

Michael treads to his desk, head bowed. Sits.

Alex leans over.

ALEX
(whispering)
What happened?

MICHAEL
(whispering)
Overslept.

INT. CLASSROOM - EARLY AFTERNOON

Michael and Alex are alone. Arranged across their twin desks
is a spread of Michael's DRAWINGS. He jabs at one.

MICHAEL
That one I drew ages ago. That's why

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 17.

they're all stick figures. I still

like it, though. What d'you think?

Alex seems somewhere else.

ALEX
It's good. Colourful.

Michael picks another drawing. Places the two side-by-side.

MICHAEL
This was a couple of months later. You
can tell, can't you? Looks way better.

ALEX
Cool stuff. Really cool.

Michael pulls another drawing towards himself.

MICHAEL ALEX
But this one, this is one of Michael, about yesterday-
my-

ALEX (CONT'D)
The girl.

MICHAEL
Yeah.

ALEX
I mean, you really couldn't just say
hello? Or smile?

MICHAEL
I don't know her.

ALEX
Exactly. And it's not like you're
going to know anyone if you're not
willing to take that first step.

MICHAEL
You sound like my dad.

ALEX
I sound normal. Am I your only friend?

MICHAEL
Shut up.

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ALEX
You sit at the back. You don't talk to
anyone else.

MICHAEL
Stop it.

ALEX
I'm not trying to be mean, I'm telling
you the truth.

Michael clasps his hands over his ears.

ALEX (CONT'D)
It's not like you make up for it by
working hard. You may as well not even
be here.

MICHAEL
Shut up, shut up, shut up...

ALEX
You're not listening. And nothing is
going to get better until you do.
Nothing is ever going to get better
until you want it to.

Something in Michael clicks. He scoops up all his drawings.

Wrenches his desk away.

Sits with his stack of drawings in front of him.

Alex, tentative.

ALEX (CONT'D)
Look, Michael-

MICHAEL
(staring ahead)
I don't want to talk to you.

He picks up a drawing. Tears it to pieces. Calmly, slowly.

ALEX
It's not-

MICHAEL
You're not my friend. You're not my
Alex.

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ALEX
I never said I was. I joked about it.

MICHAEL
I thought you were pretending. That it
was our little secret.

Tears a drawing in half.

MICHAEL (CONT'D)
I guess-

Tears another.

MICHAEL (CONT'D)
I was just-

Another.

MICHAEL (CONT'D)
Stupid.

A mess of torn paper.

MICHAEL (CONT'D)
But that's fine. Because I'm never
talking to you again.

Alex is horrified.

INT. CLASSROOM - MID AFTERNOON

Class in session. Michael stares at the floor. Unreadable. He

makes indentations into his wooden desk with a blunt pencil.

Alex can barely keep his eyes off him.

To Michael's side, a tiny bin is packed to the very brim with

assorted scraps of coloured paper.

TEACHER
...So that would be wrong, you see?
The apostrophe goes after the "d" but
before the "s".

She meets Alex's furrowed gaze.

TEACHER (CONT'D)
Alex, where would I put an apostrophe
in the words "James' bike"?

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ALEX
After the "s" but before the "b". I
think.

TEACHER
Very good, Alex. Now...

She fixates on Michael's lowered head.

TEACHER (CONT'D)
Michael. Head up please.

Michael gradually raises his head. Doesn't make eye contact.

TEACHER (CONT'D)
Where would I put an apostrophe in the
words "Edward's apple"?

Heads start to turn.

Alex panics. Shoots a hand upward.

ALEX
Um, That's-

TEACHER
I'm asking Michael now, Alex.

Michael isn't saying anything.

TEACHER (CONT'D)
Michael? Do you need me to repeat the
question?

Everyone faces him. Anticipating the worst.

MICHAEL
(mumbling)
Before the "b"?

TEACHER
Now, Michael. Can you find a "b" in
"Edward" or "Apple"?

Giggles among his classmates. Michael shrugs nonchalantly.

The teacher sighs, slowly. With a tone that suggests someone

whose patience has been brought to the brink:

TEACHER (CONT'D)
Couldn't you at least try?

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 21.

Fists clench under the desk.

MICHAEL
No.

TEACHER
Excuse me?

MICHAEL
Leave me alone.

TEACHER
Now, Michael, I hardly think-

MICHAEL
Shut up.

A flurry of excited whispers. The teacher's polite

disposition disappears in an instant.

TEACHER
Right. With me. NOW.

Alex watches on. Mortified.

Michael rises, trembling.

TEACHER (CONT'D)
Come on. Hurry up.

He's just standing there.

TEACHER (CONT'D)
Michael-

MICHAEL
WHAT! WHAT DO YOU WANT! CAN'T YOU JUST
LEAVE ME ALONE! I- I HATE ALL OF YOU!
JUST SHUT UP! SHUT UP!
(beat)
Shu... sh...

Michael breaks down. His words dissolve into long, painful

sobs.

Smug smiles vanish. The teacher's stern expression

disappears. For a moment, she is every bit as dumbfounded as
the children.

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TEACHER
I think it's best if you go to the
headmaster's.

Michael calms. Still snivelling, he trudges past the rows of

speechless classmates, past the teacher.

Alex comes to his senses. He leaps up.

ALEX
Miss, it's my fault. I was-

TEACHER
I don't want to hear it. Sit down.

Michael vanishes into the corridor.

Alex collapses onto his chair. Hopeless, he surveys the room-

Only to see the girl from earlier staring back at him.

Sharing an equally distressed look.

INT. SCHOOL CORRIDOR - MID AFTERNOON

Empty. Muffled CHATTER passes through the doors on both sides

of the hallway.

On a door to the right, a bold, oversized label reads

"Headmaster's Office".

Two chairs outside the office. One empty. The other

containing Michael. Leant over. Twiddling his fingers
anxiously. Still recovering from his outburst.

The noise from inside the office rises. Michael turns to face
the door-

As it creaks open. A STUBBY MAN emerges half-way. Head still

faced towards the inside of the office.

HEADMASTER
...She couldn't think straight, kept
calling it "the Shangri-La of
Norfolk".

Guffaws of laughter off-screen. He turns to face Michael.

Remembers himself. Adjusts his demeanour.

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HEADMASTER (CONT'D)
Young Michael, correct?

Michael nods.

HEADMASTER (CONT'D)
In you come.

Michael rises obediently. Steps inside.

The headmaster, with a bemused look, follows him in. Pulls

the door to a close.

FADE TO:

INT. CLASSROOM - MID AFTERNOON

Alex, slumped in his chair. Dejected. Half-watching the

teacher's demonstration.

His eyes wander aimlessly- The empty chair to his left, the
scraps of paper in the bin. He suddenly feels even worse.

Then he spots it.

A shrunken BALL OF PAPER on the floor.

Alex scoops it up. Holds it under his desk. Unwraps the ball
carefully. Scans the wrinkled message:

"Busy at work. Back by 10- promise. Food in fridge. Love you.

Dad"

Processes it. Shoves it in his pocket, just as the watchful

gaze of the teacher passes over him.

Then-

MICHAEL ENTERS.

Stands awkwardly. All eyes on him.

The Bell RINGS. The class lose interest, swarm out- flooding
past him.

TEACHER
Have a good weekend. Don't forget the
homework.

Michael, frozen in place. Mind adrift.

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Alex approaches. The girl passes him, their eye contact

suggesting an unspoken understanding.

With the utmost caution:

ALEX
How was it?

Michael, surprisingly brisk.

MICHAEL
Y'know, it wasn't-

He remembers his standing with Alex.

MICHAEL (CONT'D)
Never mind.

Spins, treads out.

ALEX
Michael!

Alex pursues him...

INT. SCHOOL CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS

...into the corridor. Crowds of children gush towards the

exit. Michael one of them.

Alex manoeuvres the mayhem.

ALEX
Wait, just a second!

Alex grabs him by the shoulder, holding him back.

ALEX (CONT'D)
Please.

Michael brushes him off. Hard. Makes eye contact.

MICHAEL
What.

ALEX
I just wanted to talk.

MICHAEL
There's nothing to talk about.

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ALEX
Can we sit down? Please.

A tense moment. The surrounding chatter seems to fade away.

Michael flings himself down onto a chair outside the

headmaster's office. Let's get this over with. Alex takes the
seat next to him.

Michael stares at the ground.

ALEX (CONT'D)
I'm sorry. I shouldn't have talked to
you like that before. It wasn't my
business.

MICHAEL
Yup.

ALEX
I was just trying to help.
(pause)
But it was a really stupid way to go
about it.

Michael glances over; doesn't speak. His hardened expression

softens slightly.

MICHAEL
You don't say.

They exchange faint smiles. Alex lights up- rummages inside

his pockets. Produces the crumpled note.

ALEX
I think this is yours. Must've dropped
it.

Michael retrieves it. Reads the message.

MICHAEL
Should've chucked it away with all the
others.

Alex visibly reacts. Picks up on the implication.

ALEX
He around much, your Dad?

MICHAEL
Feels like less every day.

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 26.

ALEX
Mum?

MICHAEL
(forced laughter)
You'd think. But there was always
something else. Someone else.
(pause)
Dad knew. Even I worked it out pretty
quickly.
(pause)
The worst part... he didn't even seem
to care. There weren't any big
arguments like you'd expect. It didn't
all come crashing down at once. It
just died. And everyone was fine with
that.
(pause)
Not me.

Alex is taken aback by the revelation.

ALEX
I'm sorry.

MICHAEL
Don't be. Happens to a bunch of
people.
(pause)
Maybe I should just not care about it
anymore. Like my Dad.

ALEX
I think your Dad cares a whole lot
more than you might think.

Pause.

MICHAEL
Maybe.

Silence. Alex watches the last clusters of schoolchildren

leave the building. Focuses on something off-screen, briefly.

ALEX
Y'know...

MICHAEL
Huh?

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 27.

ALEX
I really think you should talk to her.

He motions to THE GIRL. Hovering nearby. Doing her best to

appear inconspicuous, and failing miserably.

ALEX (CONT'D)
She's nice.

MICHAEL
But, I- it would just be- I don't...

ALEX
Trust me. Just this once.

Michael eyes her. Alex. The floor. He sighs.

MICHAEL
Fine. But if it's weird, I'm blaming
you.

Alex, positively bursting with delight.

ALEX
Gotcha.

Michael rises. Approaches her tentatively.

She turns, as if noticing him for the first time. Beams.

Michael offers an awkward smile.

MICHAEL
Hi.

GIRL
Hi.

They shuffle uncomfortably.

MICHAEL
Uh... how was class? I missed most of
it.

GIRL
It was okay. Kinda boring.

Silence.

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 28.

MICHAEL
(sheepishly)
I must've looked like a complete idiot
back there.

GIRL
No. Not really. Miss was unfair. I
don't know why she treats you like
that.

MICHAEL
I don't bother. I stare at the floor
and do nothing. That's why, I guess.

More silence. Then the girl blurts out:

GIRL
I like your drawings! They're
so...creative. The colour, especially.

Michael's interest piques. For the first time he seems fully

invested in the conversation.

MICHAEL
Really? I've got loads at home, I'll
bring them in sometime...

Gradually, the pair begin to step down the corridor, side-by-

side.

On Alex, stood. Watching them leave.

MICHAEL (CONT'D)
...ran out of space in my room, so you
can have a couple. If you want.

GIRL
That'd be so cool.
(pause)
I do some doodling, but it's pretty
bad.

MICHAEL
I bet you're great. What do you like
to draw?

GIRL
Oh, y'know. Spaceships, aliens. Stuff.

MICHAEL
Not little ponies or sparkly rainbows?

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 29.

She giggles.

GIRL
No, not little pink ponies.

MICHAEL
Hey, I never said pink!

She rolls her eyes. Michael laughs. They reach the double
doors- then he remembers.

Glances back at Alex- overjoyed. Michael's expression one of

deep gratitude. The moment lasts an eternity.

Slowly, Michael faces forwards. Pushes open the doors.

Strides out, the girl by his side.

Into the sun.

And Alex is all alone. He reflects. Swivels on the spot.

Calmly strolls in the opposite direction.

Reaches the end of the corridor. Turns left.

And disappears around the corner.

FADE OUT.

THE END

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