THE STRANGER
FADE IN.
INT. AUSTRALIA – BAR – NIGHT
Large badly lit bar. KATE, a once pretty girl is standing behind the bar chatting to one of the two customers remaining. She seems drained.
CUSTOMER 1
Well Kate, you’re still young you can always just sell up and get away. I know your Daddy wouldn’t have wanted to see you end up here.
Kate lets out a long sigh and leans forward onto the counter. Looking up at her customer with a sense of pessimism far beyond her years.
KATE
Don’t you think I’ve tried Barry? The place is a dump.
She motions over to the other customer in the bar. He is an elderly man wearing an old fashioned grey suit. Sitting in front of him is a half glass of Guinness which is untouched. Kate lowers her voice as she continues.
KATE
It’s just weirdo’s like him that come in here Barry. He’s been in the last three nights and hasn’t said a word. All he does is order the same drink and doesn’t touch it until closing.
BARRY looks across at the old man suspiciously.
BARRY – TO OLD MAN
(LOUDLY BUT FRIENDLY)
Hey there buddy, how’s it going?
The old man looks across at Barry and smiles but remains silent.
BARRY – CONT.
I said how’s it going buddy?
Silence. The smile drops from the old man’s face and is replaced by a puzzled look. As if he can’t understand what’s being said.
Barry slaps the counter in front of him and sighs, looking up at Kate. He shrugs as if to say ‘I tried’.
BARRY – TO KATE
Well, at least you’ve still got me huh?
Kate looks across at the old man nervously and then back at Barry, eventually allowing a smile to come across her face.
BARRY – CONT.
You want me to stay till closing and walk you home?
KATE.
Don’t be silly. Mary’ll be waiting for you. You’re normally home by now as it is.
Barry looks at his watch and rolls his eyes.
Barry.
Didn’t realise it was getting so late. You sure you’ll be OK?
Barry stands up and putts on his jacket.
KATE.
Yeah, don’t worry. He’s just a little strange that’s all.
BARRY.
You never know he might wanna be your sugar daddy and whisk you away.
They both laugh as they say their farewells.
FADE TO. BLACK.
FADE IN.
INT. BAR – LATER
CLOSE ON. CLOCK SHOWING 23:40
The old man is still sitting in his chair, Guinness untouched. The only difference to the earlier scene is that the old man now has his eyes closed and is slumped in his chair. Kate is nowhere to be seen.
KATE. O.C
(SHOUTING)
I’m closing up Darl’, you’d better finish up.
She walks out from the back of the bar as she continues.
KATE.
I said you’d better finish up I’m clo…
She stops. Notices he’s asleep and shakes her head. Walking around the bar she taps the old man on the shoulder. He slumps further in his chair.
KATE. CONT.
(EXASPERATED)
Jesus Christ! Come on pops time to go.
As she shakes the old man’s shoulder he half falls from his chair. The top half of his body hanging down.
Kate looks around nervously, and pulls the old man back onto his chair.
KATE.
Oh God, don’t do this to me.
She puts her fingers to his neck, and her eyes widen, as she doesn’t feel a pulse.
Making a move for the phone she suddenly stops. Looking at the ground.
CLOSE ON. ENVELOPE – ADDRESSED TO KATE.
Kate looks at the man again. Studying his face for some recollection of if she knows him. Shakes her head as she bends down and picks up the envelope
She takes out the letter and begins to read. Her face turning paler the longer she reads. Eventually she lets the letter and the envelope drop to the ground through her fingers. Standing blankly for a moment, a look of fear in her eyes.
Suddenly she jumps into action. Sliding her hand into the old man’s jacket and pulling out a single key. She slides it into the back pocket of her jeans as she runs around behind the bar. Picking up a bottle of vodka from the shelf and uncapping it, she begins to pour it over the bar counter. Running back around the bar, she empties the bottle over the old man.
Tears now streaming down her face as looks in her pockets frantically. Finally pulling out a book of matches and lights one. She holds it to the old man’s jacket, igniting it instantly as she backs away. The sound of her running footsteps filling the bar as the fire spreads, then the slam of the door.
CLOSE ON. BURNING LETTER ON FLOOR.
The half lit letter burns away, just allowing us to make out the final line. – Love Daddy x
FADE OUT.