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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