Category: Episode 1

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.

Pilot Scene 16

Mark walks into his office where Anni is waiting.

Mark:
You can go home now Anni we are done for the day.

Anni:
What are you doing tonight?

Mark:
Nothing.

Anni:
I want to come with you.

Mark:
Who told you?

Anni:
Sophie

Mark:
I hate that girl. fine yeah I’m going out.

Anni:
Can I come?

Mark: You just want to ogle at Andrew.

Anni:
I will do no such thing. I didn’t even know he was going to be there.

Mark:
You are a terrible liar.

Anni:
So I can come?

Mark:
It’s a free country do what you like but please don’t be weird around Andrew. Is there anything else?

Anni:
I have some responses to your statement. Thought you might want to look them over.


Mark:
Cheers. I will see you tonight.

Anni:
Thank you Mark.

End scene

Pilot Scene 15

Daniel and Louise are acting out a scene. Louise in on the floor with Daniel stood over her. Mark walks in and stands in the doorway.

Daniel:
Get up now you lazy worm.

Louise looks up at him and begs.

Louise:
Please I can’t.

Mark:
Wow and I wondered why you two are writers.

Daniel and Louise look startled.

Mark:
No please continue. Looking good down there Louise.

Louise:
Come close and I will make the view even better.

Mark smiles and walks in.

Daniel:
Everything all good.

Mark:
Well they’ve found a link to this kid and myself so that’s a start. Is this the scene?

Mark walks over and grabs the sheets, his eyes flicker onto the school scene.

Mark:
You printed off the school scene.

Daniel throws something else over them.

Daniel:
Just reference.

Mark begins reading the script.

Mark:
This is good.


Louise:
Really?

Mark:
Yeah really good.

Mark suddenly begins writing notes on the sheet of paper. Daniel and Louise look at eachother as he keeps on writing notes.

Louise:
Mark, you said it was good.

Mark:
Oh it is… I just… yeah its nothing. By the way, me and Andrew are going out to the Oyster club tonight. If you fancy it?

Daniel:
More networking.

Mark:
We’ve had a stressful day. Your invited to Louise.

Louise:
Aren’t you kind.

Daniel:
I will see what Chloe has to say.

Mark:
Bring her.

Daniel:
She won’t like that.

Mark:
Seven thirty, He taps the sheet, We can go over these changes.

Mark leaves the room.

Daniel:
Now where were we?

Camera cuts immediately, without a fade as it follows Mark into the next scene

Pilot scene 14

Elizabeth walks out of the office and speak to someone outside the desk.

Elizabeth:
Harper, anymore news on the shooter.

Harper:
Yeah the officers had no choice but to kill him. They are going to make a statement in a few minutes.

Elizabeth looks stressed.

Harper:
What’s up Liz?

Elizabeth walks back into her office and then comes out with a sheet of paper.

Elizabeth:
It means I’m going to have to publish this.

Elizabeth hands over a sheet to harper who immediately begins to read it. A look of childish delight coming over her face.

Harper:
This is some juicy stuff.

Harper hands it back over to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth:
I have to publish it don’t I?

Harper:
Of course you do. That exclusive will have everyone reading your blogs.

Elizabeth:
but I used to work for them.

Harper:
And you left and you work here now. You don’t owe them anything.

Elizabeth:
Maybe.

Elizabeth walks back into her office and sits at her desk, she opens the document on her laptop.

Elizabeth:
Oh Mark, I did warn you

Elizabeth shrugs. Camera focuses on the laptop as she presses publish.

End scene

Pilot scene 13

Mark walks up the stairs and approaches David’s office. Sophie is in their working.

Mark:
Is he in there?

Sophie:
He is in with Beth and Hugo.

Mark:
Can I go in?

Sophie:
Sure.

Mark walk forward and knocks on the door before slowly opening it. David, Hugo and Beth are all sat talking. They stop and turn as Mark walks in.

Mark:
 Sorry.

David:
Its fine, we were just discussing who we should look at for the role of Rebecca.

Mark:
I thought Nikki Summers was going to do it?

Hugo:
Pulled out this morning.

Mark looks irate.

Mark:
What? why wasn’t I told about this?

Beth:
Because I handle the casting choices Mark.

Mark:
But I should be told when one of our actors drops out.

David:
She was never one of our actors she was a maybe.

Mark:
Why weren’t she tied down?

Beth:
She got offered another role. One that might actually film.

Mark:
Dammit. Does this stuff really never end?

David:
Mark.

Mark:
Sorry.

Hugo:
We are thinking of going for Lisa Nichols.

Mark:
We can’t afford Lisa Nichols.

Beth:
What do you think we should do then?

Mark:
We are a small firm, with young writers. We can’t buy a star we are going to have to build one. I will sit in with you during the casting. See if we can find someone special in the bunch.

David:
All right then guys. Beth look over the candidates for next weeks auditions, see if there is anyone worth signalling out.

Beth:
Got it.

Beth and Hugo stand up, they go to leave and Mark grabs Beth.

Mark:
Sorry for snapping. Weird day.

Beth nods and walks off. Mark closes the door.

David:
You know you really need to learn to hold your tongue, we delegate it out for a reason so that you don’t have to worry about everything.

Mark:
But I do worry about everything.

David:
Well what’s worrying you now?

Mark:
They’ve made the connection.

David:
To the show?

Mark:
No just to me. Apparently the suspect has tweeted about my work.

David:
You said it wasn’t going to be an issue.

Mark:
I know but if I get out on top of it. Go on Tv, do a couple of shows. Get my side out.

David:
No. We need to keep low on this. You appear on Tv and start acting knowledgeable about the Incels then one of them will post about your books and the whole thing will circle back to us.

There is a knock on the door. Anni steps in.

Anni:
Sorry. Mark I am getting calls left right and centre. Every news outlet wants you to appear as a guest speaker on their show.

Mark:
They must have something.

Anni:
They haven’t mentioned the show yet. They just want you.

David:
Of course they do. Mark you are the most knowledgeable person on their movement. No one knows it better than you.

Mark:
But I shouldn’t do the show?

David:
Absolutely not if we want to keep this product in the clear.

Mark:
We need to release a statement at least.

David:
Sure.

Mark turns towards Anni.

Mark:
Release this. I am deeply saddened and disturbed by the events occurring today but I wish not to speak or to speculate on the motives of the suspect in case I hinder the police operation or cause further damage in the event.

Anni:
Is that all?

Mark:
Yeah

David:
Thank you Anni.

Anni leaves.

David:
Smart choice.

Mark:
I always thought that you could just write what you want and people would see it as literature.

David:
You threw your hat into this ring. Everything you do will be scrutinised and sometimes it happens for the strangest reasons.

Mark:
I should have stuck to politics. Never should have even written those stupid books.

David:
But you did.

Mark:
I never thought they would get anywhere. Now look what damage its doing.

David:
You are a very talented man Mark and that shouldn’t be wasted. You do brilliant work outside. Young men are reading more than ever and you are still young, you still have many years left to do even more good but life has a way of throwing curveballs at you. Trust me, I know.

Mark:
Yeah of course.

Mark pauses and rubs at his stubble.


Mark:
Hey I’m going out for a drink with Andrew later if you want.

David:
I can’t I’ve got to take over from the nurses.

Mark:
Yeah I should have guessed. Anyway I better go see how Daniel is getting on.

David:
Keep your head up Mark.

Mark nods and leaves the room.

End scene

Pilot Scene 12

Mark is sat down at his desk, the camera pans around him, slight focus on the news playing in the background. Anni walks in as he is watching it.

Anni:
How was the studio?

Mark looks up.

Mark:
Yeah, it all looks good.

Anni:
Don’t you want to go and help Daniel?

Mark:
He has it covered.

Anni:
Well what are you doing?

Mark:
Watching the news.

Anni:
The volume isn’t on.Mark:
I’m reading the breaking news.

Anni:
Okay then. Kevin called, he had a good meeting with Andrew.

Mark nods so Anni leaves the room. He puts the volume up on the TV.

News Reporter:
Multiple shots were fired and the suspect we believe has injured a police officer. When other Officers stormed the school they had no choice but to shoot the suspect. We have just had it confirmed that he died at the scene.

Mark slams his fist into the table. Anni looks back in horrified.

Mark:
God dammit

Guest speaker:
It is unclear at this moment whether this is directly linked to the situation but social media is reporting that the suspect in question is a part of the involuntarily celibate movement. I’ve been checking the suspects twitter and as with many in their community a lot of hatred is directed at his classmates, movie stars and un-surprisingly Mark Wilson.

News reporter:
It should be noted that internationally acclaimed author Mark Wilson has been a constant commentator on the Involuntarily celibate movement and has come under scrutiny for the way he has dealt with them in the past.

Mark:
Shit.

News reporter:
The best-selling author is known for writing about the Incel movement and has received some abuse for his work. Whether this is directly linked to the suspect in question it is at the moment to early to tell.

Anni:
They are blaming you.

Mark:
Yeah I heard that.

Anni:
Have they mentioned the scene yet?

Mark stands up.

Anni:
Where are you going?

Mark:
To go and see David.

Camera follows Mark out of the office as he walks up the stairs Josh and Tom stop him.

Josh:
It’s going to be an issue.

Mark stops and looks at them

Mark:
What are you two even doing here? We don’t start filming for another three weeks.

Tom:
but you promised us work since November.

Josh:
So we are going to take that work.

Mark:
So we are just paying you to stand around.

Tom:
Pretty much.

Mark:
Well instead of commenting on stuff way above your paygrade that you know nothing about, phone Sarah and talk to her about film rigs for the bar scenes.

Mark continues to walk up the stairs transition to next scene.

Pilot Scene 11

Andrew walks in and shakes Kevin’s hand.

Kevin:
Take a seat.

Andrew sits down.

Kevin:
Glad to finally meet you.

Andrew:
Mark recommended you highly.

Kevin:
That’s because it’s not easy being his agent.

Andrew:
I know, I feel sorry for you.

Kevin:
I want to know what I did in a past life to deserve that. Now I don’t usually take on Actors but let’s be honest you aren’t going to be walking on many red carpets for a while.

Andrew:
I’m desperate to get my past behind me.

Kevin:
I have your press stops for during the shoot and post shoot.

Andrew takes a sheet and reads through it carefully, his eyes widening.

Andrew:
Am I sleeping at any point?

Kevin:
Mark’s a household name, I only need to stick him on a few news outlets and he can upset everybody. You though are now what we call a nobody, unless anyone remembers the beardless young kid on the soaps for a year. I need you on every television in the country. Mark isn’t acting, people will be seeing you and they need to see you. You think this press tour will be tough, you wait until near the release, then you will be wishing you played a sport instead of acting.

Andrew:
Guess I better stock up on coffee.

End Scene

Pilot scene 10

Daniel and Louise are working on the script.

Daniel:
You got that down.

Louise:
He got that scar from a Ukrainian woman when on detail.

Louise puts down her sheet of paper.

Louise:I mean come on, is that really necessary?

Daniel:
Mark wants it in the scene.

Louise:
Of course he does.

Pause in dialogue while Daniel writes something down.

Daniel:
The Choreographers are not going to like me doing their work for them.

David walks in.

David:
Just let them come up with their own thing, Mark won’t notice anyway.

Louise:
But he will notice the scar.

Daniel looks frustrated.

David:
A scar?

Daniel:
Its character development.

David:
For who?

Louise:
The Gym instructor.

David:
Really? He’s in what, like four scenes?

Daniel:
Six actually.

David:
Cut it.

Daniel:
But Mark says.

David:
Mark is a producer, I am the director. The line will only be cut by the editors, save them the job and cut it now.

Louise:
It would be my absolute pleasure.

Daniel:
How’s Peter?

David:
Anxious for us to get started, is Mark back yet?

Daniel:
No?

David:
Call me when he is. I want you both in my office to look at alternative scenes. I want you in as well Louise. If you can print off the pilot, we can make the changes.

Daniel shakes his head at her.

Daniel:
Actually, David can I have a word about that?

Daniel stands up and follows David out to the hall.

David:
You don’t want to write it?

Daniel:
I don’t

David:
We need an alternative scene. Peter has got studio heads after the rights to this pilot but they are worried that we keep making mistakes. I’m worried about that too and I won’t have this being another.

Daniel:
I get that but I can’t be the one to do it. I can’t mess with Mark’s legacy like that.David:
We need this scene. I might be all smiley Mr nice guy.

Daniel:
I swear none of us think that.

David:
Get it done

Daniel:
I will look at some ideas, see if we can draw something from one of his other books but we won’t use it unless it gets out to the public.

David:
Okay.

Daniel:
And we keep it away from Mark.

David:
I want to see a plan on my desk by the end of the day.

Suddenly the hallway door opens and Mark walks in.

Mark:
Hey guys.

David:
How was Sarah?

Mark:
Yeah brilliant, she’s got everything sorted and I ran into Andrew he’s looking in real great shape.

David:
That’s good.

There is an awkward silence as Mark looks around.

Mark:
 Everything all okay?


David:
Everything is fine.

David turns towards Daniel.

David:
I will see you at the end of the day.

David walks off. Mark walks up to Daniel.

Mark:
What does he want to see you about?

Daniel:
Nothing, just something that came up while you were away. Nothing you need to worry about.

Mark:
Good.

He pokes his head through the door.

Mark:
Hey Louise.

Louise:
Mark.

Mark:
Aren’t you a little Ray of sunshine.

Louise gives him an evil smile.

Louise:
It comes from reading this poor excuse for a book.

Mark:
That poor excuse for a book is keeping you employed.

Louise:
And that’s why I cry myself to sleep every night cradling a bottle of wine.

Mark laughs and steps back out towards Daniel.

Mark:
I like her, she will go far in this business. How is the scene coming along?

Daniel:
Yeah, we are getting there. You want to take a look?

Mark:
Later I just need to go over this bar scene quickly. I will pop in when I’m finished.

Mark goes into his office, Daniel walks into his grabs some sheets from his desk and hands them to Louise.

Daniel:
Can you finish these off for me?

Louise:
What are you doing?

Daniel looks down.

Daniel:
Alternative scenes.

end scene