THE CURSE OF GAMBLOR
(Working Title)
Dipak Patel
1st Draft
22/03/2005
SUPERIMPOSE: Titles over Black
WOMAN’S VOICE
Wake up Steve.
1 EXT. HALLS OF RESIDENCE – LATE NIGHT1
Suddenly the window of one of the rooms lights up.
2 INT. HALLS OF RESIDENCE – STEVE’S ROOM (CONT.)2
Still asleep, STEVE (21) suddenly sits up in bed. He gets up and sleep walks out of the room.
3 INT. HALLS OF RESIDENCE – STAIRCASE (CONT.)3
It’s a dark stair well, the only light in the building is coming in through the windows. Slowly Steve sleep walks down each step. He then proceeds towards the front door.
4 EXT. UNIVERSITY CAMPUS – NIGHT4
Steve slowly walks down a long path shrouded by trees and dimly illuminated by lampposts. His eyes are closed and it’s as if he’s being guided by another sense.
5 EXT. BELFRY BAR – NIGHT 5
The student bar is closed. The car park is empty. Steve steps into frame and carries on walking towards the bar.
The front of the building has a pair of French doors. Steve walks up to the entrance of the bar and halts in front of them.
WOMAN’S VOICE
(Seductively)
Come in, Steve.
Steve opens his eyes. He looks through the French doors but it’s the light are off inside and he can’t see anything.
He puts his hands on the door and presses his face against the glass to get a better look.
Suddenly we hear a loud BUZZER
6 INT. STEVE’S ROOM – MORNING6
The BUZZER noise continues.
It’s coming from Steve’s alarm clock.
Steve’s sits up in his head and rubs his eyes. He reaches over to his desk to turn the alarm clock off and then sits up fully. He pauses for a second to try and figure out whether what just happened was a dream or whether he was sleep walking.
His thoughts are interrupted by a KNOCK at the door.
VOICE (O.S.)
Steve, you coming to breakfast?
Steve doesn’t answer. He’s still trying to figure out what happened last night.
Another parade of KNOCKING
VOICE (O.S.)
(Louder)
STEVE!
STEVE
Yeah, I’m coming! Just let me get dressed!
He grabs a pair of jeans near his bed and puts them on. Steve then stands up and looks at his floor. It’s covered in clothes all in need of washing. He steps over the clothes to get to his chest of draws.
He opens one drawer and it’s completely empty. He shuts that and opens another. There’s just one sock in that one.
He closes that draw and makes his way over to his cupboard. Empty.
He sieves through the pile on the floor and pulls out a T-shirt. He puts it on unbeknownst that there’s a stain near the bottom of it. He’s now looks around for something else.
STEVE
Trainers would be useful.
6 INT. CANTEEN – BREAKFAST
Steve is sat at one of the many rows of tables in the Froebel canteen with DAVE (18). They’re both eating breakfast off of blue plastic trays. The both eat in silence for a few minutes.
DAVE
Where do you go at night?
Steve looks up from his food.
A quite flashy MONTAGE is inserted of flashing Fruit Machine (like the ‘Viva Las Vegas’ montages in Snatch when ever gambling is mentioned around Frankie Four Fingers).
Back to Steve…
STEVE
(Beat)
I don’t know.
DAVE
I heard someone come in through the front door this morning.
STEVE
(beat)
It must’ve been one of the girls coming home late last night.
Steve carries on tucking into his breakfast.
DAVE
(Unsatisfied)
Right.
Steve looks up to a FIT GIRL walk past behind Dave who’s too busy eating his food. The girl joins the canteen queue to get her breakfast.
STEVE
Any ways, what is up with the breakfast today? I know it normally never great but today it’s especially crap. This sausage tastes like it’s 90% plastic!
DAVE
Fuck man, and it stinks.
STEVE
Yeah, lets not mention that. I think it might be me.
Dave takes a whiff.
DAVE
Man… did you fart again?
STEVE
No it’s my clothes. I haven’t got anything clean to wear.
DAVE
Then go do some washing!
STEVE
I can’t. I haven’t got any change for the machine. I’ve only got a fiver.
DAVE
Go to the bar and get some.
Steve pauses…
Fruit Machine Montage
Back to Steve…
STEVE
Nah. I’ll try the shops instead.
DAVE
On a Sunday? Good luck with that!
Steve chooses to ignore that last comment and instead watches the fit girl as she leaves the queue with her tray.
7 EXT. DIGBY VENDING AREA – LUNCH TIME7
Steve enters the vending area with his note in his hand. He approaches only to notice the section with the cash register has the shutters pulled down and is closed for the weekend. He leaves.
8 EXT. BOOKSHOP8
Steve walks up the steps to the bookshop but it’s shut too.
9 EXT. LIBRARY9
Steve enters through the automatic doors but the main entrance is closed too so he turns around.
10 EXT. FROEBEL CAFÉ10
Steve enters the café only to find the shutters down here as well.
Steve thinks for a second then turns around and heads out.
11 EXT. BELFRY BAR – (CONT.)11
Unlike the other night the bar is open this time. Steve steps into frame and just looks contemplates going in. He carries on walking towards the bar.
He arrives at the French Doors again just like the other night. He gazes through the glass.
VOICE (O.S.)
I’m in here, Steve.
Steve’s a bit freaked out by just hearing that voice but walks in none the less.
12 INT. BELFRY BAR (CONT.)12
Steve enters the bar and looks around. His attention is immediately drawn to the bar.
Behind the bar there’s a cash register and it’s on and in use. The camera PULLS BACK to reveal a bar woman.
VOICE (OS)
Over here, Steve.
Steve turns around to see where the voice is coming from.
The camera PUSHES IN on a Fruit Machine as the same sounds as from the FLASHY MONTAGE starts to play.
Steve motions for the bar.
FRUIT MACHINE
Where are you going, Steve?
(beat)
I just want to talk.
Steve sighs and walks over.
FRUIT MACHINE
Why don’t you have a quick go, Steve?
(beat)
You know you want to.
STEVE
I cant. I need to go do my washing.
FRUIT MACHINE
Why?
STEVE
Because I’ve got no clean clothes and people are starting to think I stink.
FRUIT MACHINE
I don’t think you smell.
STEVE
That’s because you don’t have a nose!
FRUIT MACHINE
But even if I did I wouldn’t run away from you just because of it.
STEVE
That’s because you don’t have any feet.
(beat)
You don’t even have any wheels!
FRUIT MACHINE
Come on, one game wont hurt.
Steve looks down at the £5 note in his hand.
FRUIT MACHINE
That’s ok, just go to the bar and get some change.
Steve looks at the bar.
FRUIT MACHINE
You might as well get a drink while you’re up there too. Treat yourself.
Steve heads over to the bar. He asks the bar woman for change. She breaks into the note. Suddenly Steve turns around.
The fit girl from this morning just walked into the bar.
Steve’s in awe.
The girl walks over to the bar just as Steve is leaving. Steve isn’t watching where he’s going because he’s too busy watching the girl notices and turns around the flash a smile.
FRUIT MACHINE (OS)
Steve.
Steve turns round to look at the Fruit Machine and then walks into a table. He stumbles for a second and then halts.
FRUIT MACHINE
Come over here, Steve.
Steve is almost hypnotized by the flashing lights on the fruit machine.
He shakes it off and looks at the girl at the bar who’s still giggling from Steve’s little accident. The camera PANS UP to the drink prices above her which are really cheap.
Steve looks down at the change in his hand and contemplates.
He then spots his stained top and decides to cover it up and run out of the bar.
13 INT. STEVE’S ROOM13
The door handle turns and in walks Steve. He picks all his dirty washing up off the floor and puts it all in a bag or two. He then grabs a box of Persil and bags that before leaving.
14. INT. LAUNDRY ROOM14
Steve empties out his bags of washing into the washing machine. He puts two Persil tablets in the drawstring bag and throws that in there before shutting the washer door. He then pulls change out of his pocket and slots it in the machine.
Steve is staring at the machine setting buttons. He’s about to press one.
Suddenly he has another FLASHY MONTAGE of the Fruit Machine’s showy lighted buttons.
Steve stares at the settings trying to decide which one to press.
CU Steve’s Hand: His finger rolls over the buttons before finally deciding to hit the return button.
With his other hand he catches the change.
DISSOLVE TO:
15. INT. BELFRY BAR – FRUIT MACHINE - LATER15
CU Steve’s Hand: Still has change in his hand but this time it’s slotting it into the Fruit Machine.
Steve is bar in bar on the Machine. He plays the machine with fixed concentration and wins 5 quid.
He collects the money as it falls out the bottom.
He looks up on top of the machine and reaches for his pint. There’s only a tiny bit. He looks towards the bar. He then finishes off what’s left and heads off in that direction.
16. INT. BELFRY BAR – BAR (CONT.)16
Steve is leaning on the bar. He looks down the bar and sees the fit girl from earlier waiting to be served as well.
The bar woman walks past. Steve gets her attention.
STEVE
Hey!
(beat)
Can I get pint of Carling and whatever she wants for that girl over there?
The bar woman pulls Steve a pint. While he’s taking a zip the barwoman takes a bottle of Smirnoff Ice over to the fit girl.
The fit girl looks baffled and asks who it’s from. She points towards Steve. The fit girl looks and smiles. She takes the drink and starts walking over.
Steve is getting excited but then he notices that as she’s coming closer she’s being put off by something. She’s smelt something.
Steve smells himself and then checks the stain on the T-Shirt. She clocks it too and seems a bit put off. He just covers it with his arm and smiles.
STEVE
Hi.
17. INT BELFRY BAR – LATER17
Steve and the fit girl are sat at table with their drinks. Steve is sat opposite the fit girl.
STEVE
So what do you do?
FIT GIRL
I’m an art student.
Steve notices that directly behind the Fit Girl is the Fruit Machine.
STEVE
(Suddenly realising he’s in conversation)
Oh, really?
(beat)
What’s that like?
FIT GIRL
Well I like doing art but it’s so much work. It cuts into all my free time. And the art teachers here are complete bitches. We have these two Welsh women…
Steve starts losing interest and stops listening as she carries on talking. His attention is firmly held by the Fruit Machine.
FRUIT MACHINE
Forget her, Steve. You don’t need her.
FIT GIRL
Don’t you think so?
Steve snaps out of his trance unaware of what’s been happening around him.
STEVE
Yeah, sure.
In the background two guys approach the Fruit Machine and start playing. Steve turns green with envy. The girl looks over her shoulder to see what’s bothering him.
FIT GIRL
Do you know them?
STEVE
What?
FIT GIRL
Those guys.
STEVE
No.
FIT GIRL
OK. You just seemed a bit distracted by them.
STEVE
No, not at all. I’m just listening to what you were saying. Carry on.
FIT GIRL
(Smiles)
Ok.
(beat)
Where was I?
STEVE
Errr… something about…
(thinks)
…You know… the art thing?
FIT GIRL
…Oh yeah. As I was saying… I think it might be hereditary or something because my mum used to be good at art too. But not as good as me of course. She always makes up excuses about how she never got to…
Steve’s attention drifts again. The two guys don’t win anything on the Fruit Machine and leave.
FRUIT MACHINE
Come on, Steve.
(beat)
I’m free now.
(beat)
Those other guys don’t push my buttons like you do.
(beat)
Forget her. Just come and have a quick go on me.
(beat)
You know you want to!
STEVE
I can’t!
FIT GIRL
(shocked)
Why not?
STEVE
(confused)
What?
FIT GIRL
Is it the money? I can pay you back later if you want.
STEVE
Huh?
FIT GIRL
I only wanted a glass of red wine.
STEVE
Oh!
The Fit Girl looks over her shoulder and is losing her patience a bit.
FIT GIRL
Do I have something on my shoulder?
STEVE
No.
FIT GIRL
Then why do you keep looking over there whenever I start talking?
STEVE
That’s just my eyes. I have a stigmatism.
FIT GIRL
(Embarrassed)
I’m so sorry, I didn’t know.
STEVE
That’s ok, don’t worry about it. Really. I’m just going to pop off to the little boys’ room and then I’ll get that glass of red wine for you.
FIT GIRL
(Smiles)
Thanks.
Steve stands up.
STEVE
Don’t go anywhere.
FIT GIRL
I wont.
Steve heads out the doors.
18. INT TOILETS – (CONT.)18
Steve is in a toilet cubicle going through the money in his wallet. He hasn’t got much change left.
STEVE
Ah crap.
19. INT. BELFRY BAR – (CONT.) 19
The fit girl is still sat at the table. She looks bored. She checks her watch. She looks over at the doors.
Reverse Shot: The doors. Steve doesn’t come through them.
She starts tapping the table in patiently.
She picks up her bottle of Smirnoff and shakes it to make sure it’s empty.
She hears a noise behind her in the background.
VOICE (O.S.)
Woohoo!
She looks over her shoulder.
It’s Steve and he’s on the Fruit Machine with a pint in his hand. He’s just won a few quid and happy.
The fit girl isn’t impressed. She stands up and puts her coat on.
Steve counts his money then looks behind him to see the fit girl heading for the door.
Steve quickly finishes off his pint. He then sees a several half empty glasses of red wine at an abandoned table. Thinking fast he pours all the glasses into one cup and races off after her.
He manages to cut the fit girl off just as she opens the door.
STEVE
Where are you going?
FIT GIRL
I’m leaving.
STEVE
Why?
FIT GIRL
Why? Because you left me waiting there like an idiot!
STEVE
But I went to get you your drink.
FIT GIRL
You were on the fruit machine!
STEVE
(beat)
Only because I couldn’t find you.
FIT GIRL
I was sitting right where you left me. IN FRONT OF THE FRUIT MACHINE! HOW COULD YOU NOT SEE ME?!
STEVE
(beat)
My stigmatism…
(beat)
I couldn’t see you because of my stigmatism. I thought you just decided to leave while I was in the toilets.
FIT GIRL
So you decided to play on the Fruit Machine?
STEVE
Yeah.
FIT GIRL
(pointing)
I was sitting right there.
STEVE
I know. I’m sorry. Just give me one more chance. Even baseball players get 3 strikes before they’re out. How about you take your drink and we go back and grab our seats again?
FIT GIRL
Fine.
STEVE
Great.
20. INT. BELFRY BAR – TABLE (CONT.)20
They sit back down tonight at the same table for the second time tonight in exactly the same positions as before. The fit girl with her back to the Fruit Machine and Steve directly in front of both of them.
FIT GIRL
Well I’ve told you about me. Why don’t you tell me a little about you?
STEVE
What’s there to tell?
FIT GIRL
Well what do you do?
Steve is looking at the Fruit Machine again.
STEVE
Err… Spanish combined with Business studies.
Steve’s POV: The fruit machine.
FRUIT MACHINE
Steve….
FIT GIRL (OS)
Business studies, eh? You must like to make a lot of money then.
FRUIT MACHINE
Steve…
STEVE (OS)
Yeah… money is fun.
FRUIT MACHINE
Steve…
Angle on Fit Girl: She takes a zip of the wine that Steve ‘got’ her.
Steve’s POV: The fruit machine.
FIT GIRL (OS)
Urgh… there’s something wrong with this red wine.
(beat)
Steve?
The POV whip pans to the Fit Girl
FIT GIRL
There’s something wrong with this red wine.
STEVE
What’s wrong with it?
FIT GIRL
It tastes dirty.
STEVE
It’s red wine, it’s supposed to taste dirty.
FRUIT MACHINE (OS)
Steve…
The POV whip pans back to the Fruit Machine.
FRUIT MACHINE