INT.
ROYAL APARTMENTS- DAY.
Tom
opens the door. He's covered in dust, oil, blood and sweat.
Dave
leans on a kitchen cabinet at the other side of the flat, drying a
very dangerous- looking meat knife. A few other utensils are
drip-drying. Dave is staring at Tom. He's sporting the shiner that
Tom gave him.
DAVE
I read
in Arena that as soon as you finish washing a meat knife… You’ve
gotta dry it there and then. The moment you let it drip, it starts to
oxidise. That’s when you get rust. You dry it straight away, and
keep it sharp… It’ll cut through through meat like new.
Dave
puts the knife in the drawer.
Tom is
very still for a second then lunges at Dave. Dave steps out of the
way and Tom vomits into the sink.
DAVE
You’re
a bit of a celebrity, Tom… Making all the headlines… Almost a
shame you can’t go out and… you know, take the limelight.
(A
pause, then Dave explodes with anger)
DAVE
Fucking
Callum? That prick? I watched you get in his car.
Tom is
starting to stew. He’s very still.
TOM
It was
for Devant.
DAVE
Was
it? Devant told you to do it, did he?
Tom
crashes on the couch getting dust and oil all over it. He stares at
the TV, which is airing a Newsnight- style discussion programme
fronted by a very hard-nosed presenter.
HARD
NOSE
So
John, you’re suggesting that these attacks are not the work of
Islamic extremists, not the work of any Northern Ireland faction but
something internal, home grown and- what, particularly British?
JOHN
That’s
right, yes. Someone’s obviously very tired of living here and the
placement of these bombs gives good indication of where they would
like to see changes made. Now remember- the Prime Minister has
admitted he has no idea who is behind the bombings, but I think we
can put some puzzle pieces together.
DAVE
Mate,
there’s no way Devant would have sent Callum to get you, then do
something like that. Devant’s right wing, he needs the censors on
his side. He’s controlling what the public see!
TOM
I told
you what happened. Deal with it.
DAVE
Yanyan’s
vanished, Tom.
JOHN
I
don’t think this has anything to do with Islamic extremism,
Ireland, ETA: I think this is something we haven’t seen before and
they are attacking everything that the Prime Minister has- so far-
failed to deal with- STI rates, child obesity…
TOM
(in self pity)
You
know I’m twenty-two and I’ve never had a full-time job for more
than a month? Did you know that everyone at uni was scared of me?
None of this is helpful… Now I’m Britain’s most wanted and I’m
not flattered. All I wanted was to stand on my own two feet. Like a
normal adult. I don’t control anything.
FLASHBACK
Tom
pushing the paper over at the computer shop.
TOM
If I could just stop doing stupid shit- if I could
just have controlled myself, none of this shit would have happened…
Am I ever going to get out of this alive, Dave? Will Devant just kill
me? Or am I stuck in this forever?
DAVE
(Heartless)
We’ve
all got our problems, mate. Jesus. Reach for the Kleenex. My heart
bleeds.
JOHN
Now
remember that most of the people in that restaurant were very young-
excuse me…
John’s
voice breaks. He’s almost crying.
Hard
Nose glances off screen, awaiting advice. He’s uncomfortable. His
steely persona has slipped.
HARD
NOSE
So
it’s uh… It’s British values and, uh, attitudes that need to be
turned around?
No
answer. John is very still.
HARD
NOSE (to the camera)
Uh, a
somewhat poignant message to us all that the responsibility is ours
as individuals to look after ourselves, and-
Hard
Nose’s earpiece seems to be telling him something.
HARD
NOSE
I’m
getting reports now of what may be another terrorist attack this time
in the town of Wilmslow on the outskirts of Greater Manchester…
Tom
leaves the room and crashes on his bed. He lies there a second
before…
DAVE
(off)
Tom!
Tom!
Tom
reluctantly drags himself up, back into the room. As he pushes the
door open…
TV
PRESENTER
…The
work of one man alone. If anyone has any information available…
TOM
(deep shock)
Oh. Oh
no.
The news
displays a full screen photofit picture that looks remarkably like
Thomas Aaronson, BSc Hons. Tom collapses.
FADE TO
BLACK.
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