Scene 21

Full episode available as a free download on the Behind the Screen page.

Immediate cut to Daniel, sat with Louise as she has a laughing fit.
Louise:
You wait he is going to kill you.

Louise laughs again.

Louise:
I can’t wait to see it.

Daniel:
You need to have less drink

Louise:
And you need to work on another scene.

Daniel checks his phone and tries to ring Chloe.

Louise:
Who are you calling?

Daniel pauses and looks concerned.
Daniel:
 Chloe but she’s not answering.

Louise:
Don’t worry about that just get me another drink. Genius writer man.

Daniel hangs up and gently stands up.

Daniel:
I’m going to get another drink.

Camera follows him as he walks to the bar, he taps Mark on the shoulder and carries on walking, camera crawls away from Daniel as it turns towards Anni and Peter talking at the bar.

Anni:
I’m just saying you were amazing in Cooper street.

Andrew:
I was only on it for a year.

Anni:
Yeah but those were the best year.

Anni stands up straight. looking confused at herself.

Andrew:
You would have been what?

Anni giggles.

Anni:
 Thirteen.

Anni:
But you were really good.

Andrew looks really confused.

Andrew:
I’m sorry you are?

Anni:
 Oh I’m Anni, Mark’s assistant.

Andrew smiles.

Andrew:
You’re his sister.

Mark suddenly appears and grabs his drink.

Mark:
And the bane of my life. Anni.

Mark leans in close to Anni.

Mark:
Didn’t I tell you not to be weird around Andrew.

Anni:
I’m not being weird.Andrew:
No its nice to meet a fan.

Anni’s phone begins to ring she ignores it and stares at Andrew.

Anni:
I am a fan.

Andrew points towards Anni.

Andrew:
Your phones ringing.

Anni:
Yeah it is.

Mark looks confused and turns towards Andrew before coming back to Anni.

Mark:
Anni.

 Mark taps Anni on the shoulder.

Mark:Your phones ringing.

Anni looks embarrassed.

Anni:
Right. I should answer that.

Anni grabs her phone, gives a gentle wave and then walks off screen. Mark turns back towards Andrew.

Mark:
I’m sorry about her. I did say not to be weird but she’s not quite used to this sort of company.

Andrew:
trust me its fine. Nice to know someone remembers me.

Mark:
Its not that I’m worried about it but she’s going to be your point person when you need to get to me and I can’t have her you know. Making a fool of…

Anni:
Mark.

Anni comes back into shot, Mark ignores her with a wry smile.

Anni:
Mark.

Mark waves her away.

Mark:
Anni I’m sorry I won’t embarrass you.

Anni:
Mark it’s out there.

Mark’s face drops, he turns around and looks at Anni.

Mark:
The show?

Anni:
Yeah.

Mark:
Okay.

Mark walks away from the bar.

Anni:
What are we going to do?

Mark:
Okay.

Anni:
Mark what do you want me to do?

Mark turns back around.

Mark:
Andrew, I’m sorry but somethings come up.

Mark walks over to the table, Anni and Andrew follow.

Louise:
What’s up Daddio?

Mark:
It’s out.

Daniel looks shocked.

Daniel:
Oh god.

Andrew:
By out, you mean that line from the show?


Daniel:
Whose got it?

Mark turns towards Anni.

Mark:
Anni?

Anni:
I don’t know who first wrote it but it’s everywhere now.

Andrew:
Mark, you assured me it wasn’t going to be an issue.

Mark grabs his stubble.

Mark:
We will sort it. Daniel, go home start working on some statements for the press.

Daniel:
I’m a script writer.

Mark:
Until we have a press officer you are everything.

Daniel nods. Mark turns towards Anni.

Mark:
Anni, I need you to talk to whoever you can. Pull me every copy of every story on this. I need to know how much they know.

Anni smiles.
Anni:
 Sure thing.

Anni disappears.

Mark:
Andrew, I need you to get onto any contact you have. Find out who first published the story.

Andrew:
You can handle it.

Andrew nods and then laughs as he walks away.


Louise:
What do you want me to do?

Mark:
Go home and sober up.

Louise:
That it? I can help Daniel with comments.

Mark:
Not today.

Louise:
Why not?

Mark:
Because me and Daniel will be working on them in the morning.

Louise:
I can help.

Mark leans on the table.

Mark:
I need you to do our work tomorrow.

Louise looks shocked.

Mark:
Tomorrow is going to be the worse day of our careers. Mine and David’s names are going to be dragged through the mud and I’m going to be blamed for that kids death today. I need you to do the work that we can’t tomorrow Louise. I need you to step up.

Louise nods.

Louise:
Now I know I’m drunk.

Mark turns away with his head in his hands.

Daniel:
I will get her home.

Camera turns to just focus on Mark. Anni returns and gives him a quick hug before stepping away.

Anni:
I’ve made a start.

Mark:
Email me when you get the chance. Do you need me to get you a taxi home?

Anni smiles.

Anni:
I’ve got one coming and I got one for you as well. It will be here in about twenty minutes.

Mark:
You are too good to me.

Anni:
I know. mines here but I will email you when I get home.

Mark:
I will see you in the morning. be in early its going to be a bad day.

Anni walks away but quickly turns back.

Anni:
It’s not your fault Mark.

Mark smiles slightly.

Mark:
Yeah. I’m going to wake David.

Anni smiles solemnly and then walks away.

End scene