Quicklinks:
|
Great Writing - Home > Scripts > Jack's Back!
| READING ROOM | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| COMMUNITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
| ABOUT GREAT WRITING | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| WORK AWAITING REVIEW |
|---|
|
| GW IS... |
|---|
|
Great Writing creative writing community is designed to prompt ideas
and provide inspiration and motivation within aspiring and amateur
authors. Whatever your topic; from love poetry to Doctor Who or Harry
Potter fan fiction, Great Writing's online writing group is where you
can make new friends and improve your creative writing. |
| WHO'S ONLINE |
|---|
| We have 1368 guests online and 5 members online |
Drama Scripts
| print friendly version | |
| Jack's Back! | |
| By Bagheera | ||||||||
| 19 May 2006 | ||||||||
|
Casualty scripts are supposed to be one way of knocking at the infamous "Green Door" of Auntie Beeb's extablishment. I never forgave the scriptwriters for killing off Jack! This probably isn't enough material for a full 45-minute episode yet, but as you'll see it's nowhere near a complete story. I know where I'm going with the plot, but I'd appreciate any comments on how it plays thus far ..... ! Jack’s Back! Int. night. Holby A&E is busy. NICKY is dead on her feet, knocks at CHARLIE’s door NICKY Charlie, can I have a word? CHARLIE Sure, Nicky: sit down before you fall down! Are you OK? Don’t think I haven’t noticed, Nicky: anybody else would’ve simply curled up and died after what you went through when Jack ..... Nicky starts sobbing into a handkerchief .......... Charlie continues.....sorry, Nicky, that was thoughtless of me! N I have to sort myself out, Charlie: losing Jack was bad, but not even having someone to wake or, you know, something of him to hold a memorial service: it’s as if he never even existed, no matter how much of a good person he really was! C It’s true, there wasn’t much left of anything after the explosion. Nicky, I’ve been expecting something like this - in fact I’m amazed you’ve lasted as long as you have! Take the time, Nicky, we’ll manage .......... Fade. Cut to Reception. BEX is instructing SAM on duty procedures BEX And don’t forget to keep every patient updated as they move through from triage to treatment and either admission or release. It’s simple really ... SAM Sure, Bex: I mean the computer’s straightforward, yeah? He reaches over and clicks a few times: he is obviously IT-literate BEX Who taught you to do that? SAM Kid’s stuff, Bex: we covered that in Year 8 work! BEX No need to get too cocky, Sam: I’ll have your Mum sort you out if you’re not careful! SAM (mock terror) Oh, no! Not that: anything but ...... ! SFX All the phones start ringing: Red Alert status light comes on Scene ii Ext. night. Canal bank, undergrowth, legs visible. Sirens approaching, o.o.s. flashing blue lights. Camera remains on victim, SFX arrival of JOSH and COMFORT JOSH Control, this is 1032 at the scene. I can see what look like an injured party lying close to the Melling bridge, just where you told us we’d find them CTRL Roger, 1032. Confirm the victim is male, late 20s or early 30s COMFORT 1032 here. Josh is on his way down the bank. I’m going to assist. Out. Camera follows Comfort to where Josh is treating victim JOSH Hello, can you hear me? (aside) No, he’s out for the count. Put a mask on him, let’s get him up to the couch where we can see what we’re doing! COMFORT Found any ID on him? JOSH Haven’t looked yet, but he looks like he’s been living rough so I’m not expecting to fins very much .... ready? Come on then, there’s no obvious fractures or internal injuries and he weighs bugger-all, we can carry him easier than going back to the car for a board.......... Camera pans back as J & C negotiate slope with victim. Suddenly we see mobile phone held in gloved hand, showing the name “Nicky” and a number. Camera is thrown (slo-mo fx) into canal. Abrupt cut: scene iii Ext. Holby city car park. Nicky reacts to sudden painful feedback from her mobile (loud enough to he audible on soundtrack), clutching forehead Cut to Int. Holby A&E reception. Several uniformed firefighters sitting awaiting treatment for minor injuries. Some police in evidence, uninjured but waiting to take statements BEX Charlie, the first walking wounded have arrived from the warehouse fire. Yes, apparently the building fell in but there were a group of youths pelting them with brick and bottles when they arrived, and the building collapsed before they went in, or it could have been a lot worse .... yes, I’ve got that ... thanks! (makes new call) .............. Abs, sorry to drag you out of bed, but we need cover .... I’m calling Harry Harper in, but it’s going to be at least half an hour before .... thanks, you’re a hero! (aside) ........ I know he’s hardly had a chance to collapse into bed yet, Sam, but we need someone to make decisions until Harry gets here SAM Don’t you ever feel helpless, frustrated that you can’t, like, lend a hand? BEX I was never tempted by the whole Florence Nightingale bit, Sam: and I can’t really see you in a pinny, carrying a lamp ......... ! SAM Be good to be able to get stuck in when they’re at full stretch, though! BEX (sings) “Billy, don’t be a hero .... etc” cut to Sc. iv Ext/Int reception area. Enter Josh & Comfort pushing trolley. COMFORT Unidentified male, late 20s. Apparent victim of mugging:, massive bruising, facial trauma, possible abdom internals, no broken bones. BP 120 over 80, stats 80%, breathing unaided. ABS (arriving same time, still in street clothes) Thanks, Comfort, good job. Get me a gown, someone, I’ll scrub in theatre .... he looks familiar, anyone know who he is? JOSH No valuables or ID, Abs: looks like a mugging. Fade. Cut to Sc.v Int. reception. GUPPI is assessing the ‘walking wounded’ firefighters. ELLEN is close by, assisting. SAM watches from one side, clearly anxious to help if possible. GUPPI Sam, find me a couple of wheelchairs, please: these patients need R&R more than anything else SAM How ‘bout I wheel anyone who’s been seen (or doesn’t need treatment) down to the Staff canteen and organise some teas? That’ll keep some clear space in A&E for other patients. GUPPI Spot on, Sam: I’m sure they earned it before they were attacked, and they’ll appreciate it (aside to nearest fireman) Right, Lads? (SFX murmurs of warm agreement) SAM and other (unnamed) auxiliary staff collect chairs from storage and begin wheeling patients away to exeunt L, Rear Cut to Sc. vi Int/Ext (Swing doors at ambulance arr/dep) JOSH & COMFORT, coffee JOSH Abs is right. When he cut that bloke’s shirt off, I’m certain I recognised that tattoo of a blue dragon across his shoulder ..... COMFORT You sure? Lots of people have tattoos, you know - and even a dragon isn’t that unusual: he’s a young bloke, it’s a macho thing innit? J Wouldn’t catch me at it! C Well, I did say “young bloke”, you know .... ! J Hey, watch it! You’re no Spring Chicken yourself these days, Comfort! (no malice, both chuckle) J (continuing, thoughtfully) No, it’s the way it ‘wraps itself’ round his shoulder that struck me ... it’s a bit of an unusual place to have a tattoo! C How old would you say he is - late twenties, maybe? J Yeah, that sounds about right. He might have been living rough, but he’s in pretty good shape - perhaps he hasn’t been on the streets very long? SAM enters, strolls over to join them C Just a minute, Josh .... Sam, I’ve seen some of your sketches, you’ve got a good eye ......... S (embarrassed) Not that good, Comfort ..... C Rubbish! Give us a quick impression of that bloke we just brought in - but forget the beard and designer stubble: can you do that? S (looks back towards OR. Trolley is now in corridor, patient ‘wired’ and waiting to be wheeled to a ward) Gimme a minute while nobody’s around (wanders to rear of scene, sketches patient, returns unchallenged) How’s that? C There, that wasn’t too hard was it? And it’s a good likeness, isn’t it Josh? J (shocked) I know who it is, now: Comfort, what d’you think? It is, isn’t it? C But we all saw the explosion, Josh! The boat finished up as firewood, there wasn’t even enough left of any of the passengers for a decent memorial service, let alone a burial! J Think, Comfort! They never even found a body ................ ! S (interrupting) I’ve seen that dragon tattoo as well! I used to go to the gym with him two or three times a week ......... ! C (exasperated) Come on, you two: spit it out! Is it somebody I know? J It’s Jack! (looks at SAM, who nods agreement) Jack’s back!! Sc. vii Int. Holby A&E. Reception desk. BEX, TESS, SAM at desk TESS Where’s Guppi? BEX I saw him a few minutes ago: he couldn’t have had more than half an hour’s “crash” before he was paged. T I know, I hate doing it but there isn’t another doctor available and there’s another ambulance on its way with a serious RTA aboard ..... Enter SR [doors] trolley, JOSH i/c, assisted by COMFORT Sc.II Int. Side bay, Holby A&E. JOSH, COMFORT, trolley (JACK) Enter GUPPI SL J Male IC One, late twenties, unconscious throughout. BP is 90 over 60 stats 85% steady. (beat) On my count, now: One ... Two ... Three. Thank you! (Patient is moved) GUPPI Start with a saline drip: crossmatch bloods, please. Any ID? He starts to cut/remove clothing J Nothing handed to me: I’ll check with the police when I get a chance. G We can try for a DNA match, on the off-chance ... can you ask at the lab while you’re there please, nurse? (Exit nurse, with samples, to blood lab) GUPPI continues to clean up patient, splint bones, stitch wounds etc Fade to Sc. viii Int.Holby A&E Reception. SAM, TESS, BEX, ABS at desk SAM Mum .............. TESS (crossly) Not while we’re on duty! You know better than that! S I need a private word: and no, I’m NOT asking for a favour, or a ‘Sub’! T Alright, then: but this had better be good! (T,S, move to ‘office’ LW) S Do you recognise this? (shows sketch of JACK) T (shocked: nods) Is that .... our new patient? (indicates trolley) S There’s no ID on him, but Josh and Comfort are sure, and so am I. Mom, I... we .... I mean, I’m sure Jack would prefer ...... ! T ... not to have his Lazarus act on the front page of the Gazette: that was what you were going to say, wasn’t it ... yes, I thought so! Lucky for you Guppi was closest at hand, Harry would have recognised him immediately! Well, it won’t do any harm to have him remain incognito for a day or two – or until he comes round and can be questioned! I’ll make sure he stays in a side ward, out of the way of people who might ask awkward questions, but that’s the best I can do! There are a few questions left unanswered when he conveniently ‘disappeared’, and they’ll need to be answered now he’s turned up again! S Thanks, Mom! Jack was never a troublemaker: he must have had good grounds to think it was best to disappear for a while! It looks as if someone’s been after him, though, doesn’t it? T And I suppose you’re going to say that he could do with a few friends to... S ....... take care of him? Too right! I mean, he can’t exactly look after himself at the moment, can he? camera pan, long shot of JACK being moved to Sc. ix Int. Hospital ward. JACK is ‘hooked’ to full range of IC eqpt, unconscious COMFORT sits holding his hand. COMFORT You silly, silly boy, Jack! What you done this time, hmm? Enter Guppi G He hasn’t regained consciousness, has he? C No, but you know what they say: there’s no harm in talking, you never know when a patient might hear your voice even if they can’t respond! Any results from the DNA base, or is it too early for that? G No, and I don’t really expect a result. It’s not a fully rolled out service as yet, and it’ll take years before it’s complete! Still, we’ve got a proper match on the blood type. It’s a common one, so no problems there! C Thank Heavens for that, at least! (rises to leave) I’ll leave you to it ... G Yes, I’ll try once more to get my head down for an hour once I finish here Fade to Sc. x Int. Reception desk. SAM, BEX alone at computer terminal SAM .......... now if you just ... can I show you? Like that ... ! BEX Quite the little Deep Throat aren’t you, Sam? S Sorry? B Maybe that one was a bit before your time. It was a political thriller: the central character was a computer hacker! S Well, I wouldn’t call this “hacking”, not really: all we’re doing is just .... B .... just falsifying records, Sam! And that, let me remind you, is a sackable offence if and when you get caught!! S Come off it, Bex: the only people who need to know are you and me, and I certainly won’t grass on either of us! All Jack needs is a few days’ grace! We can cut him a bit of slack, it’s all he needs just now! As long as we can keep Harry and one or two others who know him in the dark for a day or two we can find out why Jack’s decided to come back, and what help we can offer – ‘cos you can be sure, he’s going to need our help! B So it’s the old “macho” mates mentality, is it? S If that’s what you think, Bex, you’ve still got a lot to learn about Holby! Fade. End of scene. Sc. xi Ext. Hospital car park. HARRY HARPER arrives in taxi, Mobile in hand. HARRY Bex, I’m at the door. SitRep please! BEX Harry, we’ve two RTAs, a mugging and a dozen or so Fire Crew injured by a collapsing building. Guppi’s been on duty for almost two full shifts. HARRY Check the whole of the Fire Crew is accounted for! I don’t want to find out someone’s been forgotten, trapped under a masonry fall. BEX Sam’s on his way to check with the Fire Chief ........ Shot of SAM, hurrying OOS: cut to Sc. xii Int. Fire scene, collapsed masonry. Faint groans, slight shifts in rubble. Cries for help: no response. Camera shot shows (apparently undamaged) mobile at side of rubble. Hand emerges, gropes around, falters. Sc. xiii Int. Hospital reception. Enter SAM [SL] and HARRY [SR] same time. HARRY Tell me some good news, Sam! SAM There’s a Crew Member missing, Mr. Harper: Karen Blake, 23, trainee. Her ‘buddy’ has only just regained consciousness, that’s why she wasn’t missed until now. HARRY Right: (looks around). Josh! Take Comfort, go back to the warehouse. One of the Fire Crew can’t be accounted for. JOSH On our way, Harry! J, C exeunt SR .[beat] SFX “blues & twos” Fade Enter ABS [SL], in a rush ABS Has Josh left to go back to the warehouse? BEX Seconds ago: why? ABS Update from the Fire Crew Leader: the foundations of the building are unsafe. The whole area’s honeycombed with unmapped tunnels from a sort of Job Creation scheme, brainchild of a local businessman at the end of the last century. Williamson’s Tunnels, they’re called: they only came to light when the demolition work on the factory started, that’s why it’s not been knocked down years ago: it’s too dangerous to go in without a map – and a lot of them have probably collapsed since they were last inspected, anyway. HARRY Relay this to them, Bex: they’re probably halfway there by now! BEX I’m onto it (places call) ABS Sorry, Harry, but there’s more ........... ! HARRY It gets worse? ABS The ground itself is contaminated. Before the factory was built, it was a dumping ground. About a hundred years ago, it was used to bury over two hundred victims of the last recorded outbreak of bubonic plague. We have no idea where the bodies are buried, or how much risk there is that the disease might still be infectious! HARRY Dear God, that’s all we need! BEX And I can’t get a response, Sir: I’m not even getting a radio signal!
Only registered users can rate and write comments. Powered by AkoComment 2.0! |
||||||||
 Previous item
|
Next item
|
|---|