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FROM BULLIED TO BLACK BELT, A TRUE STORY

(WORKING TITLE)

Written by

Simon Morrell

Based on the book

From Bullied to Black Belt

Tel 44 (0) 7484 331572

E-mail info@simonmorrell.com

www.simonmorrell.com

ACT ONE

BLACK:

SIMON (V/O)

I can still remember the first time

I was bullied. I remember being

shocked at the hatred in the eyes

of my nemesis. "Spaz!" he shouted.

"Stupid Spaz!" And proceeded to

punch me in the face. I was knocked

to the ground. Through a bloodied

mouth and tears, I pleaded for

mercy. None was shown. Hoping

against hope this was a one off, I

kept my head down and mouth shut

for the next few weeks but it was

futile. The cast had been set.

Another young hoodlum took to

bending my arm so far up my fucking

back I thought it would break. His

idea of a birthday present. The

violence would follow me through my

life. It was a long road to follow

because all this mayhem and more

happened to me before I was even

ten years old. Heaven help me

through my teenage years.

FADE UP:

1.EXT. RECREATION GROUND - DAY

From up a tree, a shaven headed sixteen year old, JIMMY

(16), screams like an ape in order to intimidate a

goalkeeper of the same age, SIMON (16). Pan to reveal a

football match on a bleak winter's day. It's played by

twenty two unenthusiastic teenage boys and is watched by a

handful of equally unenthusiastic youths. Some of the

players and spectators have already broken their attention

from the game to witness the drama that is unfolding around

Jimmy. Simon cringes and rubs his hands together as the

screams of abuse rain down on him. He finds it hard to look

up from the muddy turf. He paces from one goal post to

another. Some of the players, including those on his team,

find this persecution funny. The ball and an opposition

player come into Simon's area. Too distracted to do anything

other than make a lame dive, Simon holds his head in his

hands as the opposition player, laughing at him, dribbles

the ball over the line to score a very easy goal. Every

player is now also either laughing at or cursing Simon.

JIMMY

((shouting))

Couldn't save at a supermarket!

Dickhead!

At the base of the tree his three TEENAGE ACOLYTES cheer.

Encouraged, Jimmy drops from the branches and reaches into

his bomber jacket. He pulls out a carving knife. At this,

even his acolytes cease their cheering and back off.

Jimmy, still addressing Simon, lowers his voice, which makes

him sound even more menacing.

JIMMY

You're dead. You get hurt messing

about with someone's girl.

CUT TO:

SIMON'S GOALMOUTH POV

Jimmy slowly advances in a calm and chilling way. His eyes

stare forwards and the knife is firmly clasped. None of the

players, acolytes and spectators intervene. Not even the

referee. They all just watch, horrified but fascinated.

SIMON

But Jimmy I haven't been. We are

just...

JIMMY

Taking what doesn't belong to you

SIMON(VOICE OVER)

When would it ever end for me? This

fucking monster had a "life ender"

on him and seemed intent on using

it . . . on me. For what? Something

so unimportant it was unreal.

JESS(16)(OFF, SHOUTING)

Simon, start running!

BEGIN CREDITS:

MUSIC; SPEAR OF DESTINY'S LIBERATOR.

Simon's POV quickly rotates 180 to reveal Jess, the only

female present, stood a couple of paces away.

SIMON

(off, dazed)

What?

JESS

((shouting hysterically))

Run Simon! He's got a knife!

Simon runs across the pitch towards the adjacent streets.

Jimmy discharges an inarticulate war cry and gives pursuit,

followed by his mob. One of whom pushes and trips Jess into

the goalmouth mud. Jimmy and the gang gain on Simon. The

knife is still clutched in Jimmy's hand.

JESS

(off)

Faster, Simon! Faster!

Jimmy turns to check Jess with a threat but in the muddy

conditions he slides and falls, the knife flying from his

hand and into the turf.

The three acolytes stop to help Jimmy up and give him back

the blade.

JIMMY

Fucking get him! Never mind me!

Simon enters the adjoining street and runs around a corner.

2. EXT.SMALL WELSH SEASIDE TOWN HOUSING ESTATE - DAY

The pursuit carries on through a maze of residential

streets.

3.EXT. COUNCIL RUBBISH DUMP -DAY

Simon walks hurriedly over and through mounds of refuse. His

muddy goalie kit becomes even dirtier. Every so often he

glances behind him to make sure he has shaken off his

pursuers.

Hidden from the town by hills of garbage, he slows his pace,

comes to a stop onto what was once a mattress. He curls

himself up into a ball. It starts to rain, a driving rain,

onto Simon's shaking body. From the shadows, a person

appears. It is Jess.

JESS

You okay Si?

Simon looks up embarrassed. He shrugs and comes to a sitting

position.

JESS

I'm sorry Si. He just can't get

used to the fact I don't want him

and you and I are such good

friends.

A silence develops for a few seconds as they eye each other.

JESS

Listen, maybe we shouldn't spend so

much time together. Maybe we

shouldn't be mates at all.

SIMON

(Looking alarmed)

No! Well...it isn't as if I have a

queue of people lining up to be my

friends is it?

JESS

(Mock cross)

Well thanks! I love being last

choice.

SIMON

No I just meant...

JESS

(Interrupting)

I know what you mean. Come here you

look freezing.

She pulls him in close and puts her arm around him. Then she

starts sniffing the air.

JESS

Jesus Christ Si, you smell like the

dump!

SIMON

What do you expect when I have to

take the long route home to avoid

that madman? Still, it keeps me

fit.

The pair start laughing and Jess stands and pulls Simon to

his feet.

JESS

Come on soft lad. Time to go

home. Your Mum will be wondering

where you are.

Simon turns serious.

SIMON

Jess?

Jess sense concern in Simon's voice.

JESS

What is it Si?

Simon has turned ashen.

SIMON

Do you think he would ever use the

knife? You know, on me?

Jess now looks sad and nods her head slowly.

JESS

You know he keeps all sorts of

blades in his coat pocket? He has

been before the Judge more than

once. A few weeks before we

finished he slashed a lad across

the face. That is when I knew I had

had enough and ended it.

Simon looks horrified.

FADE TO BLACK