Knights of Earth Publications

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

David is asleep in his lounge chair. He is woken by his phone ringing. (This scene will cut constantly between David and Mark.)

David:
yeah?


Mark:
It’s happened.

David:
The news have the line?

Mark:
Yeah.

David puts his left hand to his face.

David:
How bad is it?

Mark:
I’m working on that but I wouldn’t put the news on if I was you. I’ve got Daniel working on some comments from us, I will work with him tomorrow.

David:
Do we know who first published it?

Mark:
Andrew is going to find out for me if he can. *pause* David.

David:
yeah

Mark:
We will get through it.

David smiles.

David:
You better hope so, if we don’t then you’re going to have to find a new job.

Mark:
We will talk in the morning.

Mark hangs up the phone, gently taps a table and then walks off screen.

End scene

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

The Camera pans around the bar, Daniel, Louise and Anni are talking on a table, it moves passed them towards the bar, where Andrew and mark are talking.

Mark:
Cheers.

Mark lifts his drink and nods in Andrew’s direction. He takes a quick drink. Andrew takes his slowly.

Andrew:
Your statement was good.

Mark:
It was hiding under the rug. What’s the point in writing about these groups and not speaking about them?

Andrew:
The kid was killed, its not worth putting your reputation on the line. There are enough people who hate you.

Mark laughs.

Mark:
Thank you very much.

Suddenly a woman comes up, holding a copy of Mark’s book.

Fan:
Mr Wilson.

He turns and smiles at her.

Mark:
Yeah?

Fan:
Can you sign this for me?

Mark grabs the book and pulls out a pen from his pocket and begins to sign his name.

Mark:
Enjoy the read, best wishes, Mark Wilson.

He hands the book back.

Fan:
Me and my friends.

The fan points to a table on the otherside of the bar.
Fan:
Are studying literature. It would be amazing if you could come over and have a chat.

The Fan plays with her hair. Mark nods uncomfortably.

Mark:
Maybe later.

The Fan smiles and walks away over to the table. As she disappears. Andrew stands up straighter.

Andrew:
You can have my autograph if you want?

His shoulders drop.

Andrew:
Since when did the world change and the writer become more popular than the actor

Mark laughs.

Mark:
People finally realise the genius.

Andrew:
They will remember me again. They won’t have a choice. I will be appearing on their Televisions every single day.

Mark places a hand on Andrew’s shoulder

Mark:
The joys of press tours.

Mark takes hold of his drink and takes a long gulp from it.

Mark:
 For my first book Kevin had me doing Tv and radio four times a day. The man’s crazy for it. Thank God for social media, do it all in one.

Andrew:
Just get me behind a camera, that’s the only place I feel comfortable.

Camera leaves them and pans back over to Daniel, Louise and Anni.
Louise:
I swear he was an absolute pig and he stank.

Louise and Anni laugh, Daniel looks really uncomfortable.

Anni:
I was with this guy called Adam once.

Anni scrunches up her nose.

Louise:
Looks like you liked him.

Anni:
Oh he was great, Mark on the other hand.

Louise:
Oh that must not have been easy.

Anni:
Was all fine until he walked in.

Louise:
You mean while you were?

Anni:
Yeah full swing. in fairness we were in his room.

Louise:
That’s terrible.

Anni:
he never forgave us and did what ever he could to split us up, Adam wasn’t bright.

Daniel:
Mark’s favourite person.

Anni:
Well Mark was too clever for him and when he found out that Adam was cheating, him and my other brother Tony went after him.

Daniel:
I didn’t know you have another brother.

Anni nods and takes a sip of his drink.

Anni:
He is four years older than me, two years older than Mark.

Daniel:
Mark never mentions that.

Anni:
Him and Mark don’t talk much anymore. You see Tony was our parents real child and they were like best friends as kids but when Mark began to make it, I think he felt isolated and some resentment about not being their real child or something. They just fell out.

Louise:
Weird.

Louise turns towards Daniel.

Louise:
What’s your worse sex story?

Daniel looks horrified.

Daniel:
I don’t have one.

Louise looks shocked at him.

Louise:
Nothing at all?

Daniel:
Nothing.

Anni:
What about any sex story? lurid love affairs as a teenager?

Louise and Anni laugh.

Daniel:
I’ve only ever been with Chloe.

Louise:
No way.

Anni:
That is so cute.

Daniel:
She is my world.

Daniel Smiles at them.

Daniel:
I would do anything for her.

End scene.

Pilot Scene 19.




Daniel is eating dinner with his girlfriend. The Tv is playing in the background but they seem to be un-aware of it. Daniel is enthusiastically telling a story.

Daniel:
And I have no idea what I’m meant to do because Mark is my mentor the guy whose teaching me everything and David is asking me to go behind his back with this scene.

Chloe:
What’s the issue anyway?

Daniel:
 Mark’s books about Incel’s and the spy trying to take them down?.

Chloe:
I’ve read it.

Chloe smiles cheekily at him.

Daniel:
Right yeah, sorry. Well that bit in the school. Right at the beginning. The main character makes this huge mistake at a school and the kid gets shot by police. Then he says something about it being just one more lonesome freak off the street.

Chloe nods.

Chloe:
I remember. He was criticised massively for not understanding or respecting the trauma some Incel’s went through.

Daniel:
 Exactly but it was what Mark was trying to show that the character didn’t understand the Incels. Some Incel gets killed just after the books released and everyone blames Mark for it. He weathers the storm and the next two books become a best seller. That scene is in the show with that line. That wouldn’t be an issue but.

Chloe:
A kid today took a shotgun into his school and held them hostage.

Daniel:
 And he just so happens to be an Incel. Then the police shoot him and.

Chloe:
One more lonesome freak off the street.

Daniel:
We have to be so careful and hope they don’t realise that the same scene is played out in the show.

Chloe:
That’s why you need the alternate scene.

Daniel:
I can’t do much about it, now I have to sit with Mark tonight and pretend that I’m not working on crushing his legacy while we talk.

Chloe has a sad smile on her face.

Chloe:
Oh. That’s why you wanted dinner early.

Daniel:
Yeah I thought we would have a bite to eat and then head down to the oyster and see everyone.

Chloe:
We did that last week.

Daniel:
Yeah well its been a stressful day I thought it might be nice to un-wind.

Chloe:
We can do that here though Daniel. Sit down, watch tv, just us, like we used to.

Daniel:
That was back then, I don’t unwind like that anymore that was before.

Chloe:
Before what? Before you got friends, I am the only person who has been with you through everything.

Daniel places his fork on the table

Daniel:
Please Chloe, don’t be like this?

Chloe:
You don’t get it do you Dan. You don’t see it.

Daniel:
It’s only for a couple.

Chloe smiles, concealing a tear.
Chloe:
It’s okay. You go with your temporary friends. I will stay here watch the soaps and unwind on my own. I will only bring your mood down.

Daniel smiles naively.

Daniel:
Are you sure?

Chloe:
Positive.

Daniel stands up and kisses her on the cheek.

Daniel:
 I love you.

Chloe:
yeah.

End scene

David walks in through his front door dropping his laptop case beside the sofa and going over to a downstairs bedroom. A nurse steps out.

Angela:
Hello Mr Andrews.

David:
Good evening Angela.

David walks over to her.

David:
How has she been today?

Angela:
She has slept most of it but the new drugs seem to be working well.

David:
Good. The pain?

Angela:
Seems minimal, why?

David:
She didn’t sleep much last night, I wondered whether I had done something wrong.

The nurse gives him a smile.

Angela:
It’s the drugs Mr Andrews, they meddle with her sleeping pattern. She’s been as bright as a peach since she woke up. I will put her some dinner on and then head off.

David:
Thank you Angela.

David walks into the room and goes to sit by his wife’s bed.

David:
Evening Beautiful.

Abi:
 You flatter me.

She winces in pain as she sits up.


Abi:How was work?

David:
Same as usual. Mark’s upsetting everyone.

Abi:
I do love that boy. He makes me laugh. I just wish I will be alive to read his next one.

David:
I will tell him to get a move on with it tomorrow. He won’t be able to say no to you.

The nurse returns with a plate of food. She places it down on the table beside Abi and David.

Angela:
Do you have everything you need Mrs Andrews?

Abi:
Yes, thank you.

Abi violently coughs, David reaches over and sticks a tissue in her face, wiping her off.

Angela:
Are you okay Mr Andrews?

David gives a subtle nod.

David:
Thank you Angela

Angela:
I will see you in the morning.

The nurse leaves, David picks up the food and places it down gently on Abi’s lap.

David:
Do you need me or?

Abi:
I can handle it.

As Abi starts eating, David grabs his phone and starts going over some notes.

Abi:
That thing on the news you saw this morning. Was it a problem?

David sighs. A look of frustration coming over his face.

David:
I don’t know yet. It depends how it all ends.

Abi smiles.

Abi:
Stick the news on I could use the noise.

David flicks on the Tv. He shares a smile with his wife before gently holding her hand and rubbing it. Camera fades.

End Scene

Pilot Scene 17

Daniel:
Are we done?

Louise shuts her laptop.

Louise:
I think so, we can start the confrontation first thing in the morning if you aren’t to hungover.

Daniel:
I don’t get hungover.

Louise:
Oh I forget, it’s the food you eat at the end of the night.

Daniel stands up and grabs some sheets.

Daniel:
See you tonight Louise

Daniel leaves the office but stops at Mark’s office.

Daniel:
hi Anni.

Anni turns around and smiles.

Daniel:
Mark gone?

Anni:
yeah he just left for home.

She points to the sheets in his hand.

Anni:
Is that some work for him?

Daniel tucks it away.

Daniel:
No, it’s just some stuff from David. I just wanted to talk to him but I can see him later.

Anni:
Okay.

Daniel nods and walks away, camera follows him as he walks upstairs and knocks on David’s office. Sophie comes out.

Sophie:
he’s waiting for you.

Daniel walks in, David is sat at his desk reading some notes.

David:
Do you have them?

Daniel hands David the sheets.

Daniel:
They aren’t finished but there’s three ideas for the scene.

David:
Mark seen them?

Daniel:
Not yet but I’m still hopeful he won’t have to hear about it at all.

David reads through them all.

David:
These are good. Yeah very good.

Daniel nods.

David:
End of the week I want these finished and don’t hold back

End scene.