Epitaph 6.2
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
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FADE IN:
EXT. GARAGE - DAY
The garage is of the cheap pebbled, concrete slab
construction, with a stained fibreglass roof. Over grown
weeds and grass crowd the garage, adding to its haunting,
decaying look.
MONTAGE:
- A stark urban landscape.
- Trees in the last stages of shedding their leaves.
- Row upon row of identical houses in various states of
disrepair.
- Deserted wind torn streets, empty and lifeless.
- Abandoned rubbish, aggressively tossed by the wind.
- A wheel of a car temporarily trapping a piece of rubbish as
it runs over it.
CUT TO:
EXT. STREET - DAY
A funeral cortege makes its way slowly and deliberately down
the less than perfect street. The hearse in the lead
followed by three identical looking, black cars.
INT. FIRST CAR - SAME TIME
MAUREEN GILL (46), dressed neatly in black, is sitting
absently looking out of the window, the bags under her red
rimmed eyes betraying her lack of sleep. Her handbag rests
on her lap firmly in her white-knuckled grip.
DIANE (40's) looks silently across at Maureen, from her seat
opposite, with a look of concern. She reaches across and
places her hand on Maureen's.
Maureen turns towards Diane as she flashes an uncertain
smile. Maureen returns it with a tired one, before returning
to stare out of the window.
EXT. CEMETERY - DAY
Gravestones of varying shapes and sizes are scattered far and
wide around the church, almost out numbering the leaves that
carpet the cemetery.
Dead leaves fall from trees adding to the rotting carpet on
the ground.
The wind whips in and out of the gravestones tearing at the
mourners as they make their way to the awaiting cars.
Only three people remain by a freshly dug open grave, STUART,
23, MARK and DENISE, both 24.
Stuart, tall, thin and immaculately presented, is standing at
the foot of the grave with a comforting arm around Denise.
She has a sad far away look upon her features. Denise's pale
cheeks are stained by tears as she turns sinking into
Stuart's embrace.
Mark, an unsociable figure, loiters in silent contemplation
several feet from the others.
Stuart guides Denise away from the grave, looking, almost
glaring, at Mark. Mark doesn't return the look but continues
to stare at the grave.
Stuart and Denise walk off in the direction of the cars.
Once they are gone Mark moves his well built frame closer to
the forbidding hole.
He produces two cans of beer from his coat, opening them
both. He salutes the grave with one of the cans and proceeds
to down its contents without pausing for a breath. Once
drained he crushes the can in his steel grip.
Mark then pours the contents of the remaining can into the
grave.
With both cans now empty, Mark turns and leaves causally
tossing the empty cans into a hedge as he passes.
EXT. THE GILL HOUSE - DAY
A gloomy looking semi-detached house.
The paint is peeling from the window frames and a section of
the guttering is hanging loose. Dead leaves partially
obscure the overgrown lawn.
INT. LIVING ROOM/DINING ROOM - DAY
The living room and the dining room are connected by an
archway.
Photographs of a young male, ranging from birth to twenty
five years of age, occupy prominent positions around the room
on several pieces of furniture. The most recent of the
photographs takes pride of place residing atop the fireplace.
The picture is of the same young man dressed in the uniform
of a male nurse.
Next to the photograph is a graduation certificate, for
nursing, from the local college. We close in on the
certificate to reveal the name...
...SIMON GILL.
All the pictures and the certificate are in well made brass
frames, all lovingly polished.
Only a few of the mourners remain at the wake. Maureen is
just saying goodbye to Diane and her HUSBAND.
MAUREEN
Thank you both very much for coming.
Diane turns to Maureen and holds her gently by the shoulders,
looking into her eyes. Maureen's gaze barely lifts to meet
Diane's.
DIANE
If there's anything we can do, anything
at all...
Maureen nods and gives a rather tired looking smile.
MAUREEN
Thank you...
Maureen guides the couple out of the room.
Empty cups, glasses and plates litter the room. Denise, her
hair now tied back, is busily tidying up the mess in the
dining room.
Mark is slouched in an armchair in the living room, tie and
shirt collar undone, gulping from a can of beer. Several
empty beer cans surround his feet and it is obvious he is the
worse for drink. Stuart, still immaculate, is sitting cross
legged on the floor facing him.
MARK
I don't know why she bothered.
STUART
Who?
Mark jerks his thumb in the general direction of Denise.
MARK
The funeral...
Mark empties the can he's holding and opens another. Stuart
gives a hurried glance in Denise's direction. If she did
hear Mark's comment she is not showing any sign of it.
STUART
(pensively)
She had every right to be there.
Mark shrugs and grunts, returning to his drink.
Stuart watches him take another huge swig from the can. Mark
burps.
MARK
This is crap... We should be down the
Lion giving him a proper send off.
STUART
You think it's a good idea to say goodbye
to a friend by getting obliterated?
Mark stares at Denise.
MARK
Beats sitting here.
Stuart doesn't say anything but just turns and watches
Denise.
As Denise is clearing away plates from the dining table a
tired, almost exhausted looking Maureen re-enters the living
room and makes her way into the dining room.
MAUREEN
Thank you, Denise. I can finish up here
now.
Denise carries on.
DENISE
It's okay, I don't mind... Really!
After a moment Denise stops clearing and looks up at Maureen
apprehensively.
Maureen looks at her and smiles sadly.
MAUREEN
What is it?
DENISE
Do you think...
(pause)
I mean... would it be possible to have a
look around Simon's room?
Maureen looks away and she drops wearily onto a dining room
chair, as if things have suddenly got too much for her.
DENISE (cont'd)
I'm sorry! I didn't mean...
Maureen looks Denise directly in the eyes.
MAUREEN
I went into his room after they removed
him...
(pause)
...to try and make sense of it... of
things. To try and...
(pause)
I thought it would help...
Maureen's head drops a little. Denise walks around the
table, squatting down beside her. She takes hold of
Maureen's hand and squeezes it.
MAUREEN (cont'd)
I didn't find any answers... but you
might have better luck.
Denise hugs Maureen and she hugs her back.
Denise stands and walks into the living room to talk to the
others. Maureen watches them from where she is sitting, her
features sad and thoughtful.
Mark has finished off the last of his cans and is looking
disinterestedly at the wall, while Denise talks to Stuart.
STUART
I don't see why not...
(to Mark)
...are you coming?
Mark turns to Stuart, completely ignoring Denise.
MARK
No!
Stuart stares disapprovingly at Mark. Mark recognises the
look he is getting.
MARK (cont'd)
(defiantly)
I meant no.
STUART
(calmly)
I'm asking you.
Mark ponders on this before shrugging his shoulders.
MARK
Whatever...
Maureen watches as Denise and Stuart leave the room followed
by Mark, who lumbers along reluctantly.
When they are gone Maureen walks into the living room and
approaches the photo of the male nurse, we now know is Simon.
She lifts the photo from the shelf and clasps it to her
breast as if she is holding a small child.
Maureen walks back to the chair she was sitting at and
positions herself on it once more.
She takes one last look at the photo and places it on the
table in front of her. Maureen pauses before picking up her
handbag from the floor by the table and placing it on her
lap. She grips it as tightly as she can, knuckles white, as
if afraid something might escape from it.
INT. SIMON'S ROOM - DAY
The room is a simple one door, one window affair. Posters
adorn the walls and a computer rests on a desk by the bed.
One cupboard is set into the wall by the computer.
Mark stands by the window looking out. The dark, desolate
form of the garage we have seen before, with its stained
fibreglass roof, stares back at him.
Stuart is sitting in the chair by the computer looking up at
an REM: EVERYBODY HURTS poster on the wall.
Denise is stood looking at some photographs on the wall by
the bed. The photos are of Simon's friends, Denise, Mark and
Stuart, enjoying themselves at different events. Simon is in
every picture smiling and having fun with his friends.
Denise plays with a loose strand of her hair, as she lingers
over a photo of her and Simon hugging each other in a
restaurant on Valentines Day.
MARK
This is wrong.
DENISE
Sorry? Oh, Maureen said it was okay.
MARK
I don't care what Mrs. G said, it's still
wrong.
Denise stops looking at the photo and looks at Mark. He
doesn't move his gaze from the garage.
DENISE
Aren't you even curious?
Mark doesn't reply.
DENISE (cont'd)
But he...
(pause)
There must be some clue... a note,
something...
MARK
If there was anything to be found, the
police would've found it.
Mark waits for an answer but receives none. Denise looks
back at the photo of her and Simon.
Mark tears himself away from the window and sits down on the
bed.
DENISE
They don't know Simon like we do...
Denise remembers herself and bites her lip.
DENISE (cont'd)
Did... Don't you agree, Stuart?
Stuart looks at them both, as they both look back at him.
Stuart shrugs his shoulders and looks at the floor.
STUART
That might be the case but I can
understand what Mark is saying. I feel
uncomfortable being in here...
(pause)
...but it would also be good to know...
DENISE
(triumphant)
So that's settled then.
Mark glares at Stuart. Stuart walks over to Denise avoiding
making eye contact with Mark.
Stuart peers at the photo Denise is looking at.
STUART
Ah, the great Valentines meal.
Denise just nods and irritably brushes the loose strand of
hair away from her face and behind her ear.
STUART (cont'd)
He was very nervous that night. He
didn't know if it was too much for your
second date.
Denise moves uncomfortably away from the photo and over to a
book shelf.
Various books reside here, their titles covering such
subjects as nursing, psychology and stories about heroic
adventurers.
Denise picks out one on nursing and flicks through it.
DENISE
It was... special...
Denise stops flicking through the book and places it back on
the shelf, the hurt of the memory illustrated on her face.
She coughs to clear her throat.
DENISE (cont'd)
(to Stuart)
Where do you think we should start?
STUART
I...
Stuart shrugs.
Denise walks over to the cupboard and opens it. Mark watches
her with a grim expression.
The cupboard has one shelf at the top stacked with boxes,
folders and assorted junk. The rest has been used as a
wardrobe and contains Simon's clothes.
Denise looks up and down. She looks at the top shelf and
then tries to reach it. There is no way she will be able to.
She looks around and spies the chair Stuart was sitting on.
Denise is about to fetch it when Stuart steps forward.
STUART (cont'd)
Here, let me.
Stuart reaches up and pulls down a box, handing it to Denise.
She smiles at Stuart and opens the box on the floor.
The box is filled with old books.
INT. KITCHEN - DAY
Maureen is finishing the last of the washing up at the sink
in front of the kitchen window, placing a glass on the
draining board. She removes her yellow marigold rubber
gloves and places them neatly on the draining board next to
the plates, cups and dishes she has just washed.
Out of the window we see a crow as it lands on the roof of
the garage. The bird draws Maureen's gaze as she silently
watches it, before it flies off.
Maureen brings her attention back to the drying up that has
to be done, the routine bringing little comfort to her. She
grabs the tea cloth and starts on one of the cups.
Once dried Maureen opens one of the cupboards to place the
cup in. She hesitates, seeing something that brings back to
her the reality of the day. She places the cup gently on the
work top and reaches into the cupboard.
Maureen retracts her arm and for the first time we see the
item that has caught her attention. It is a battered old
mug, stained with countless drinks and time.
Maureen turns it slowly in her hand as if seeing it for the
first time. On the other side of the mug is a SMILEY FACE.
She stands absorbed in the mug and the memories it is
conjuring.
INT. SIMON'S ROOM - DAY
Mark is now lying on his back on the bed, his hands behind
his head, staring at the ceiling.
Denise and Stuart are carefully placing all the books in a
pile as they go through them. Nearly half have already been
inspected.
Stuart turns and looks at Mark.
STUART
(to Mark)
We could do with some help over here.
Mark doesn't reply. Stuart waits a moment for an answer, but
knowing he isn't going to get one he turns back to Denise.
Denise's attention is focused inside the front cover of an
old, battered and well read, copy of The Lion, The Witch and
The Wardrobe by Lewis Carol.
STUART (cont'd)
(to Denise)
Anything?
Denise doesn't answer straight away.
DENISE
An inscription...
(pause)
...from Maureen.
Denise hands the book to Stuart. We read with him.
INSERT
"To the best friend a mother could ever
have."
Denise smiles at Stuart.
Mark swings his legs off the bed and stands.
MARK
I'm going outside for a fag.
He exits the door with out waiting for an answer. The others
return to going through the books.
INT. KITCHEN - DAY
Maureen is standing where we left her, still holding the mug.
Mark bursts in through the door startling Maureen and causing
her to drop the mug. It hits the floor and shatters into
several pieces. Maureen stares at the remains on the floor.
MARK
(awkward)
Sorry...
Maureen reaches under the sink for a dustpan and brush.
MAUREEN
It was only an old mug...
MARK
Here let me do that.
Mark reaches out for the dustpan.
MAUREEN
It's okay, there's no need really.
Mark gently prises the dustpan away from Maureen and proceeds
to sweep up the mug.
MARK
You sit down for...
Mark stops as he recognises the SMILEY FACE mug.
INT. SIMON'S ROOM - DAY
Stuart places the box of books back onto it's shelf and
removes another, placing it on the floor between himself and
Denise. Denise opens the box and pulls out another book.
DENISE
The...
Denise pauses and Stuart looks up at her.
DENISE (cont'd)
...the service was lovely, wasn't it?
STUART
Yes.
Denise flicks through the book and places it on the floor,
picking up another.
DENISE
Why did he... not come to us?
Pause.
STUART
I don't know...
EXT. GARDEN - DAY
Mark flips ash of the end of his cigarette as he stands
outside the back door of the house. He takes a long heavy
drag drawing the smoke deep into his lungs.
The garage still haunts his view and he tries to ignore it,
but its power over him is too strong. Angry with himself he
throws the butt onto the floor and stamps it out.
INT. SIMON'S ROOM - DAY
Mark enters through the door just as Stuart is putting the
last box back onto the top shelf of the cupboard. Denise and
Stuart both look up, but Denise looks away almost
immediately.
MARK
Happy now you've had a good nose around?
Denise glares at Mark. Mark turns to face her. Denise looks
away.
Stuart has become engrossed in the items on the shelf.
DENISE
You've never liked me. Why?
Mark shrugs and deposits himself on the bed once again.
Denise loses interest. Stuart has found something that has
captured his interest and is busy trying to get it out of the
cupboard. At last it comes free.
It is a small hardback book with the word "DIARY" indented on
the spine. Denise looks at the diary and then to Stuart.
Stuart looks back at her. She walks over as he opens the
diary and flicks through it.
STUART
It's blank.
A disappointed Stuart puts the diary back in the cupboard as
Denise looks around for the next place to continue her
search.
INT. LIVING ROOM/DINING ROOM - DAY
Maureen once again is sitting at the dining room table. Her
handbag now rests on the table in front of her.
Maureen stares at the handbag with the same look someone
gives as they are about to do their first ever parachute
jump.
She reaches over to the bag and hesitantly opens it, as if
she is afraid something might jump out at her. Maureen peers
in.
She tentatively reaches in and removes a white envelope,
carefully placing it on the table. The envelope is a little
worn around the edges and a little creased. It has obviously
been handled quite a lot.
One word is written on the envelope in black ink. ECU of
envelope and the writing to reveal...
...'MUM'
Maureen traces the writing with her finger, lingering over
the last letter. She suddenly thrusts the envelope back into
her handbag, snapping it shut.
INT. SIMON'S ROOM - DAY
Denise and Stuart are rummaging through Simon's clothes.
Denise pulls away from the cupboard and gives a big sigh.
DENISE
Nothing!
Mark grunts from the bed.
MARK
Told you!
They both ignore the comment.
DENISE
(to Stuart)
Now what?
Denise gazes around the room finally resting on the computer.
Denise goes over and switches it on. Stuart joins her.
Mark shakes his head, gets up off the bed and stares out of
the window.
The garage draws his gaze. It looks even more derelict and
run down then it did before. Mark manages to tear himself
away from it.
The rears of other houses back onto the garden. Mark idly
scans the windows of the houses.
He focuses on one of the upstairs windows of a house opposite
The room of the door opens and a woman, good looking and in
her early thirties, walks into the room dressed only in her
underwear.
Mark flashes a short, barley noticeable smile and watches the
woman for a while before Stuart's voice snaps him back into
reality.
STUART
A letter to his bank.
Mark looks at the other two momentarily and then returns to
the woman.
She has gone. Mark turns his attention back to the room.
DENISE
He might have been in debt or something?
Stuart shakes his head and points to the screen.
STUART
He wanted his cheque card limit extended.
Denise goes back to looking through the files.
Simon again points to the screen. Denise brings up the
relevant file and they both begin to read again.
DENISE
It looks like an apology to someone.
Stuart reads the letter aloud.
STUART
"I need to speak with you, to explain. I
very much regret the way I reacted last
night, but your advances were...
unexpected..."
Stuart stops reading the letter and stares at the screen.
DENISE
It's not addressed to anyone.
Denise turns to Stuart.
DENISE (cont'd)
Have you any idea who it could be for?
STUART
(abruptly)
No!
DENISE
Are you sure? Simon didn't mention
anything to you?
Stuart shakes his head.
STUART
No... not that I can remember.
Mark sits back down on the bed.
MARK
Probably one of the many women Simon
slept with, after you dumped him.
Denise glares at Mark.
DENISE
(snapping)
If you can't say anything constructive
just shut up.
Stuart just looks at the computer screen, not listening to
the exchange that is going on.
MARK
Dumb bitch.
Denise looks back at the computer screen.
DENISE
You know nothing about me.
MARK
I don't need to know anything about
you... You're a woman aren't you!
DENISE
And what is that supposed to mean?
MARK
A leopard never changes his spots. I
only put up with you before because Simon
enjoyed dicking you.
Denise stares at Mark in disbelief.
MARK (cont'd)
There's no need to act quite so shocked.
You must have known that was all he was
after?
DENISE
Simon loved me.
MARK
Loved you? Bollocks! He loved what was
between your legs.
Denise is visibly shaking and is quite agitated.
DENISE
How dare you! You don't know how Simon
felt about me. You don't know anything!
Stuart's attention is torn away from the computer by the
increasing intensity of the argument.
MARK
I knew Simon better than you, better than
you'll ever know him. He only told you
he loved you, because that's what you
wanted to hear.
DENISE
(stunned)
You're... wrong...
MARK
Am I? That's all you women want to hear.
Those three little words... "I Love You".
As soon as you hear them you bugger off
and shag someone else. Simon understood
that you can only count on your mates.
Denise's shock has turned to anger, her face reddening.
DENISE
You... you... bastard!
Mark's anger starts to get the better of him and he increases
the assault.
MARK
That's the thing you women will never
understand. You can never take a bloke
away from his friends, because he knows
his friends are the only ones who are
going to stick by him. They don't betray
you like women do.
Stuart looks like he is going to say something, but doesn't.
MARK (cont'd)
Why don't you give up this futile little
quest, because we all know why he killed
himself and that's because you dumped
him.
Denise just stands there, the force of Mark's words leaving
her viciously stunned.
DENISE
I... I... I... don't care what you say...
Denise struggles for words to nullify Mark's stinging attack.
DENISE (cont'd)
...I loved him...
MARK
Loved him..? Then why did you dump him?
STUART
Mark, come on.
Mark and Denise ignore Stuart.
DENISE
I...
MARK
What..? No excuse to get yourself off
the hook?
DENISE
I don't care what you say. He loved me
and I know I loved him... If you are...
were so much more of a friend than I was,
then why didn't he come and talk to you
about how he was feeling?
This hits a raw nerve with Mark and he shoots to his feet,
and despite herself, Denise flinches.
MARK
You...
Mark storms from the room.
Denise turns to Stuart.
DENISE
You could have helped me out.
Stuart is a little flustered.
STUART
I'm sorry... I...
Denise plonks herself down on the bed, her head dropping, her
anger subsiding and her body still shaking.
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