The Script

Depreciate

Written by

Alistair King

FADE IN:

INT. Bathroom. Evening

STEVEN CARMON (37 years old, dark haired, white, medium build) is sitting on the edge of his bath. He is wearing board shorts and in shirtless. He is crying into his hands, making loud sobbing noises. The camera pans from the wall outside of the bathroom door, across to show the inside of the room, revealing Steven. There is smashed glass on the floor, bath full of water. There is a card next to him on the edge of the bath.

Cut.

INT. BATHROOM. EVENING.

Shows close up of Steven, welled up eyes, staring into nothingness. Voices are heard expressing negative thoughts on Steven.

Mans Voice

(Angry but controlled. Voice Over)

“You suck”

Mans Voice

(Rudely, disrespectfully. Voice Over)

“You’re a loser Steven”

Women’s Voice

(Loud and emotional. Voice Over)

“I never want to see you again”

He is visibly distraught. His eyes snap shut.

Flashback TO.

EXT. STREET. MIDDAY

Steven is walking down a suburban street with houses on both sides. A car backs out of a driveway very quickly and almost hits Steven before breaking quickly. The driver holds the horn loudly and yells at Steven.

CAR DRIVER

(Angry and Loud)

Oi you!!! Watch where you’re going!

Cut.

INT. BATHROOM. EVENING

Film cuts back to Steven sitting on the bath ledge, tears, in his eyes. He is holding the card, and a pen. He opens the card and writes the following; “dear whoever cares, I’ve had enough, goodbye, I’m sorry for troubling you”. Steven closes the card. The camera switches to a close up of his face, he gulps and the camera blurs and fades out.

Flashback TO.

EXT. STREET. LATE MORNING

STEVEN is walking roughly down a suburban street, with houses on both sides, towards the camera. A person bumps into him and doesn’t acknowledge it. Steven turns round and watches the person walk away.

Cut.

INT. BATHROOM. EVENING

Steven is sitting on the bath ledge tears, his lifts his hand to cover his face.

Flashback TO.

EXT. OUTSIDE SHOP. MIDDAY

Steven begins to enter a small shop, a lady ahead of him enters first and swings the door closed, and Steven is caught off guard and is awkwardly caught by the door. He steady’s himself, looking angry but not wild, and enters the shop.

Cut.

INT. BATHROOM. EVENING

Steven climbs into the bath, water up to his neck. He hears the echo of abusive voices once again.

Mans Voice

(Angry but controlled. Voice Over)

“You suck”

Mans Voice

(Rudely, disrespectfully. Voice Over)

“You’re a loser Steven”

Women’s Voice

(Loud and emotional. Voice Over)

“I never want to see you again”

He closes his eyes, before slowly sinking below the water.

Flashback TO.

INT. SHOP. DAY

Steven walks up to the small counter of a shop to purchase a card. The chatty shop attendant starts a very one-sided conversation.

SHOP ATTENDENT

(Chirpy and bubbly)

Hello sir how are you today?

STEVEN CARMON

(Slow and drowsy)

Fine

SHOP ATTENDENT

(Chirpy and bubbly)

Who is the lucky person who’s getting the card?

STEVEN CARMON

(Slow and drowsy)

Um that’s for my err friend.

SHOP ATTENDENT

(Chirpy and bubbly)

You’re a great friend then, that’s so kind!

The shop attendant hands over the card and smiles.

SHOP ATTENDENT

(Chirpy and bubbly)

Have a great day!

Steven stares motionless into nothingness. After 3 seconds he snaps out of it, and forces a weary smile.

STEVEN CARMON

(Quick and surprised)

Thanks

Steven turns round and walks briskly out of the shop.

Cut.

INT. BATHROOM. EVENING

The screen is black, but the words of the conversation with the shop attendant begin to echo.

Shop Attendant

(Chirpy and Bubbly. Voice Over)

“You’re a great friend”

Shop Attendant

(Chirpy and Bubbly. Voice Over)

“That’s so kind”

Shop Attendant

(Chirpy and Bubbly. Voice Over)

“Have a great day”.

The blackness is replaced with an underwater shot from Steven’s perspective looking up. The camera shakes and Steven hauls himself out of the water, Gasping for air. The camera shifts to a medium shot of Steven sitting in the bath, shocked, tears in his eyes.

Fade Out.