INT. DRUG DEN
SUBTITLE: THE NEXT DAY
Sad Boy's sitting on a rotten beanbag in the middle of the room. He's smoking a cigarette and has a bottle of whiskey and a rather heavy carryout by his side.
Darren's sitting opposite him on the floor.
SAD BOY:
I didn't get the job.
DARREN:
No shit.
SAD BOY:
I'm broke again. Spent the last of my allowance on my own self-pity.
DARREN:
Same. So we can't afford the skeg anymore?
SAD BOY:
(Sighs)
What do you think?
DARREN:
I think we need to go on the prowl again, Mate.
INT. ORANGE HALL
Sad Boy and Darren are dressed in the marching uniforms of a local marching band. They're inside a local Orange Hall fundraiser. They blend in pretty well.
They're pouring each other a drink and enjoying it until an older, well built man walks over to them. He taps them on their shoulders and watches as they turn around.
MAN:
Alright Lads?
He examines then closer. Especially Sad Boy.
You aren't from these parts, are ye?
SAD BOY:
I recently joined the Crown Prince Lodge. I was introduced by this fella here.
(Points to Darren)
He started a few weeks before me and is a good Lad.
MAN:
What's your names?
SAD BOY:
I'm William. And he's Albert. We'd been looking for a lodge for a while. You know how hard it is to find one round here in Bandit Country?
MAN:
(Nodding)
It can be very difficult. Well, we have a tradition 'round here where the new members perform a song for everyone.
SAD BOY:
(Smiling)
We'd be more than happy to perform. I can sing and Albert can play the piano.
DARREN:
Of course.
MAN:
Well, go ahead and make your way up to the front of the hall. I'll introduce you both.
Sad Boy and Darren begin walking over to the front of the hall where the stage is.
SAD BOY:
(Whispered)
Where's Carlos?
DARREN:
(Shrugging)
No idea. More to the point, what are we gonna play?
SAD BOY:
You know The Sash right? Play it. I know the words from the cross community project I done.
DARREN:
Alright.
Darren sits by the piano and Sad Boy confidently stands by the main microphone, absorbing the atmosphere. The lights are blinding him but he fights it off.
The Man stands infront of them, tapping the microphone to make sure it works.
MAN:
May I introduce to you our dear friends, William and Albert. They've recently joined a local lodge and are here to sing for us. Let's give them a warm welcome as they entertain us.
The man turns to Sad Boy, smirking and awaiting patiently for him to mess up.
He doesn't take the bait. He confidently stands up to the mic and says:
SAD BOY:
We're going to sing a good ol' traditional song for you. You can join in if you like.
(Looking over at Darren)
We're ready when you are, Albert.
Darren starts playing his own introduction to The Sash. Sad Boy taps and claps along. Everyone else is getting in the mood.
SAD BOY:
(Singing)
So sure I'm an Ulster Orangeman, from Erin's isle I came, to see my British brethren all of honour and of fame.
(Clapping and getting the crowd all fired up.)
And to tell them of my forefathers who fought in days of yore, that I might have the right to wear the sash my father wore!
Everyone now!
People are off their seats dancing and elated. Having a good time.
EVERYONE:
It is old but it is beautiful, and its colours they are fine.
It was worn at Derry, Aughrim, Enniskillen and the
Boyne. My father wore it as a youth in bygone days of yore, and on the Twelfth, I love to wear the sash my father wore.
A hand and figure is sneaking around the place, crawling under chairs at the back, away from tbe stage area and stealing money. Slipping it into a coat, going unnoticed.
SAD BOY:
For those brave men who crossed the Boyne have not fought or died in vain.
Our Unity, Religion, Laws, and Freedom to maintain, if the call should come we'll follow the drum, and cross that river once more
That tomorrow's Ulsterman may wear the sash my father wore!
EVERYONE:
It is old but it is beautiful, and its colours they are fine.
It was worn at Derry, Aughrim, Enniskillen and the Boyne. My father wore it as a youth in bygone days of yore, and on the Twelfth, I love to wear the sash my father wore.
The figure sneaks out the back, through the exit.
There's a loud banging noise outside. Sad Boy stops singing but Darren keeps playing on.
Everyone pauses.
There' s a second bang. Darren stops playing too.
Everyone is distracted and there is a commotion. A third bang comes again and people are scared. The power suddenly cuts out. Sad Boy and Darren run outside through the stage exit. Their silhouettes are enlightened.
An older man is outside smoking. He notices them running over to the car and jumping in.
The car moves away fast.
He realises what's happening but it's too late to alert people by the time they are gone.
The car is now taking off downthe main road, speeding.
Carlos is driving it and the other two are in the back feeling giddy. Carlos smirks too.
SAD BOY:
Nice work back there.
CARLOS:
You too, Comrade.
WIDE: The car speeding along the road and through a tunnel/bridge.
The scene fades into black.
YOU ARE READING
FLANK
Short StoryA recovering* addict contemplates his values in life and tries to be a good person. That ain't the easiest thing to do... especially when trouble's only a knock away. (CONCEPT: PILOT RELEASED AS A COMPLETED ROUGH DRAFT).
