HONEY # 3 (to end of Act One)

...following on from HONEY # 2...

61 EXT. BACK STREET. NIGHT

DANIEL, running fast, turns into a back street, stops, looks back, waits for a moment. There is no sign of the policeman.   

62 STREET OUTSIDE BUILDING SITE. NIGHT 

CONSTABLE DAVID opens the back door to there paddy wagon for HONEY as the Fire Engine drives off. 

HONEY I want to sit up front with you. 

CONSTABLE DAVID  You can't. 

HONEY (grins) That's not a nice thing to call a lady! 

CONSTABLE DAVID laughs. 

63 INT. PADDY WAGON. NIGHT 

HONEY sits between CONSTABLE DAVID and the SECOND POLICEMAN - her backpack in her lap. 

HONEY No-one in particular. 

CONSTABLE DAVID Everybody's gotta be someone. 

HONEY  Okay, you can call me 'someone'. What about you guys? 

The TWO COPS exchange looks.

CONSTABLE DAVID  Constable Timmins.  

HONEY Your first name's 'Constable?!'

CONSTABLE DAVID  David. 

HONEY Davo. And you? 

SECOND POLICEMAN Trevor. 

HONEY Trev and Davo. You both got girlfriends? Boyfriends? 

64 DARKROOM 

DANIEL, bathed in red dark room light, immerses a white sheet of photographic paper in a tray of developing solution. A ghost image appears. It is Honey - her arms held out, the expression on her face a plea for help. 

65 POLICE STATION. NIGHT 

HONEY draws a caricature of the DUTY SERGEANT in her journal. TREVOR and DAVID and OTHER POLICE are in the room. 

HONEY  I'm hungry and I've got my period so I need tampons. 

The POLICE are not sure how to deal with HONEY. 

HONEY and a meat pie or something. I'm starving. And...

DUTY SERGEANT  Now hang on a second, missy 'someone'! You cant just...order us around like you own the place! 

HONEY  Police are public servants, right? 

The DUTY SERGEANT nods warily. 

HONEY   I'm a member of the public, right? 

The DUTY SERGEANT smiles. The OTHER POLICEMEN  laugh.

HONEY Don't suppose any of you guys have a fag do you? 

The DUTY SERGEANT holds a packet of cigarettes out to HONEY. She looks at him, smiles, takes a cigarette

66 INT. DANIEL’S STUDIO. NIGHT

DANIEL stands in front of a rack with a dozen or so 10 x 8 photos hanging from it. We see them from behind, their white backs only. As DANIEL looks at them it becomes clear that there is one, in particular, that excites him.

67 EXT. SUBURBAN STREET. NIGHT

As he approaches his house DANIEL  switches off the engine of his Harley and cruises the last 50 meters silently. There is just a hint of dawn in the eastern sky.

68 INT. DANIEL AND HELEN’S BEDROOM DAWN

DANIEL creeps into the bedroom, sees JASPER asleep in his and Helen’s bed. He walks to the window, looks out, sees:

Through window of the Granny Flat at the back of the yard, HELEN sitting on the bed staring into space.

69 INT. GRANNY FLAT. DAWN

DANIEL appears in the doorway, a photo in his hand. HELEN doesn’t see him. She is looking at a framed family photo resting in her lap; lost in her memories. DANIEL moves towards her. She becomes aware of him and reacts with shock, wiping the tears from her eyes dismissively. DANIEL sits beside her, tries to put his arm around her. She pulls away, stands up, holds up her hands: “No”. DANIEL gestures ”OK”.

HELEN Sorry…

DANIEL gestures “OK” again. HELEN looks at DANIEL coldly, speaks with calculated sarcasm:

HELEN  Did you score?

DANIEL shakes his head, stands, walks towards the door. HELEN covers her face with her hands for a moment – confused, emotionally labile - then rushes to intercept DANIEL at the door. She clings to him, crying. DANIEL strokes her gently. HELEN takes the photo from his hands, looks at it.

HELEN Wow!

70 EXT. POLICE STATION. DAY

HELEN walks from a police station towards her car.

HELEN (voice off) Officially, cops couldn’t tell me anything…protocols, procedures, bla bla…

71 EXT. ART GALLERY. NIGHT

DANIEL, HELEN and JASPER (all dressed up in their best) make their way towards the Gallery entrance.

HELEN …unofficially…she’s in Juvenile Detention. Spoke to her Welfare Officer – Rebecca – who told me that she won’t tell them who she is…They call her ‘someone’…

DANIEL Thanks.  

HELEN Nervous?

DANIEL nods. HELEN takes his hand.

HELEN Me too. Meeting your ‘photos’!

DANIEL laughs, kisses HELEN on the cheek, turns to JASPER as they walk past the DOORMAN and into the gallery. 

72 INT. ART GALLERY. NIGHT

From JASPER’S  point of view, looking up at DANIEL.

DANIEL  You want to meet my photos? 

JASPER nods excitedly, takes in the well dressed PATRONS drinking champagne, eating canapés, looking at black and white photos of street people on the walls.

JASPER Specially Jasmin…oh shit, there she is?

HELEN Jasper! Language.

JASPER  She looks just like her photo. 

JASMIN wearing high heels, short skirt, breasts barely contained in an uplift bra, talks animatedly with a PATRON.

As they move into the crowded gallery JASPER can’t take her eyes off JASMIN as DANIEL is greeted by FRIENDS and PATRONS.

We follow JASPER at the level of her eyes as she moves through the crowd – eyes open, observing, glancing at photos, looking up at PATRONS, stopping in front of a large photo of Jasmin:

Dressed in a micro-mini skirt, tight tank-top, argues with a policeman - hands on hips, exasperated, at the end of his tether. Jasmin challenges him - finger pointed just an inch from the policeman's face.

JASPER stares at the photo, points her finger at it in imitation of Jasmin's gesture. She turns to see, through the crowd, DANIEL and HELEN walking up to JASMIN. Introductions. 

On the other side of the gallery

DANIEL  My wife, Helen.

JASMIN smiles warmly.

JASMIN  Hi Helen.

HELEN smiles nervously.

HELEN Hi Jasmin.

JASMIN  You’re even more beautiful than Danny Boy said.

HELEN looks at DANIEL, smiles, links her arm through his.

JASMIN You do know your husband is mad as a cut snake, don’t you?

HELEN nods, laughs, relaxes.

On the other side of the gallery JASPER watches with interest as HELEN and JASMIN talk with increasing animation. 

Elsewhere in the gallery DANIEL stands in front of a photo (unseen at this point) that is clearly an exhibition favourite. The TEEN MODEL Daniel flirted with at his studio, flirts with DANIEL now. 

TEEN MODEL  She's awesome...her eyes...wow! All the photos...I mean...

HELEN, talking with JASMIN, observes: the TEEN MODEL laughing as she chats with DANIEL – at one point touching him on the chest as she throws her head back to laugh; then a journalist (MIRIAM), note pad in hand, tapping DANIEL on the shoulder. 

Back with DANIEL and the TEEN MODEL as he turns. 

MIRIAM I'm Miriam Coulter. From 'Art Today.' 

DANIEL is pleasantly surprised. 

MIRIAM Have you got a moment? 

Elsewhere in the gallery HELEN and JASMIN continue their talk. DANIEL and MIRIAM can be seen talking in the background.

HELEN …from your photo…I thought you were pretty scary.

JASMIN (laughs) It’s all an act. I’m a closet wimp…

HELEN smiles, sips her champagne.

HELEN  Jasmin, I hope you don’t mind…what… I mean…if you don’t mind my asking…

JASMIN ‘What’s a nice girl like you doing working in a place like this?’

HELEN laughs. MIRIAM writes in her note book. JASMIN and HELEN can be seen talking in the background. JASMIM is doing most of the talking. HELEN nods, listens - intrigued; fascinated.

MIRIAM And you really haven't exhibited before?

DANIEL shakes his head. MIRIAM raises her eyebrows; surprised.

MIRIAM This is good work, Daniel. Very good. You should be proud. The photo of the girl...marvellous. That smile...

MIRIAM gestures to the photo with the crowd in front of it.

Back with HELEN and JASMIN. HELEN’S glass is being re-filled with champagne by a WAITER.

HELEN (laughs) My fantasies!? Don’t get me started…

JASMIN Nothing shocks me anymore… French, Golden showers, B & D. I actually quite like B & D. Whipping men! Yeah! I’m not too keen on Greek, though…

HELEN, fascinated, does not notice JASPER'S approach.

HELEN Greek!

JASMIN Anal. And I won't kiss 'em. Not for any money. That's where I draw my line.

JASPER (voice off) Who won't you kiss for money?

JASMIN Hello sweetheart.

HELEN  is shocked to discover JASPER standing beside her.

JASMIN What's your name? I'm Jasmin.

JASPER I'm Jasper. This is my mother, Helen.

JASMIN Let me guess, Jasper. Nine? Ten?

JASPER Nine and a half.

JASMIN My son is...nine and three quarters. Donald.

JASPER You have a son?

JASMIN (nods) And a daughter, Abigail. Abbie's three now.

JASPER Jasmin, what do prostitutes actually do to men?

JASMIN laughs. HELEN tenses up.

JASMIN (laughs) You should talk with your mum about that.

JASMIN looks up at HELEN but she is blushing and speechless.

JASPER Mum?

HELEN, lost for words, laughs a little nervously.

GALLERY OWNER (voice off) Everyone!

The GALLERY OWNER, microphone in hand, stands in front of a large black and white photo of a bearded hobo (Grant) pushing a shopping trolley filled with his worldly possessions.

GALLERY OWNER Well, Daniel, here we are. How many years has it taken? Eight?

DANIEL  Nine.

GALLERY OWNER  For nine years Daniel has been stalking the streets of Sydney late at night terrorising his subjects with his camera...No, seriously...

73 EXT. ENTRANCE. ART GALLERY. NIGHT

GRANT,  pushing his shopping trolley, approaches the front entrance to the art gallery.

GALLERY OWNER  (voice off) It is through Daniel's photos that we come to know those in our community that are all too often out of sight, out of mind; hidden from view. It is...

74 INT. ART GALLERY. NIGHT

HELEN looks proudly at DANIEL; JASPER swells with pride.

GALLERY OWNER...through Daniel's ability to get to know these men and women as individuals and not merely as subjects...

75 EXT. ENTRANCE. ART GALLERY. NIGHT

The GALLERY OWNER continues with his speech as GRANT stands smiling at the confused and embarrassed DOORMAN.

GALLERY OWNER  (voice off)...his ability to breach the gap between 'us' and 'them'...

DOORMAN I'm sorry sir but the gallery's not open to the public this evening.

GALLERY OWNER  (voice off) It is through Daniel's ability to get to know his subjects as his friends...

76 INT. ART GALLERY. NIGHT 

Through the crowd DANIEL can see the DOORMAN trying to block GRANT'S entrance to the gallery. 

GALLERY OWNER (voice off)...and through his skill with a lens that war may meet these unfortunate men and women who have fallen through society's many cracks. 

PATRONS look towards the entrance. 

DOORMAN I'm sorry sir. 

77 EXT. ENTRANCE. ART GALLERY. NIGHT 

The DOORMAN blocks GRANT'S entrance. 

GALLERY OWNER (voice off)...but who demand our understanding, our compassion. 

GRANT Nonsense. 

GRANT pushes past the DOORMAN with his trolley. 

GALLERY OWNER (voice off) Each of these men and women has a name, a history. They are someone's son, someone's daughter, someone's mother, father...

78 INT. ART GALLERY. NIGHT 

All eyes turn to GRANT, smiling, pushing his shopping trolley towards DANIEL - delighted to see him. 

DANIEL Everyone, this is my friend, Grant. 

GRANT holds his hand aloft to greet the PATRONS.

GRANT I changed my mind. So where is it? 

DANIEL points to the photo of Grant. GRANT walks up, looks at it for a moment, leans close to DANIEL. 

GRANT (sotto voce) Still prefer m'memories. 

The gallery PATRONS wait patiently and silently as DANIEL and GRANT have their sotto voce conversation. 

GRANT  Remember when old Charlie put his shoes on the wrong feet...

GRANT chuckles. DANIEL feels a little awkward. 

HELEN  Perhaps Grant would likes to say a few words on behalf of the...men and women on the other side of the lens. 

GRANT shakes his head. HELEN takes the microphone from the GALLERY OWNER, hands it to GRANT. He looks at the assembled PATRONS, in no hurry, sees JASPER, smiles. JASPER smiles back. GRANT surveys the photos in the gallery as he speaks. 

GRANT   I'm proud to have Daniel as a friend. He's a good bloke. There's been a lot of nights...GRANT sees the photo that drew so much attention earlier. He walks towards it, stands in front of it, looks at it closely: 

Honey, held firmly by two angry-looking policemen, stares defiantly out at the viewer with a Mona Lisa smile. Her partially unbuttoned short is open and part of one of her breasts can be seen. A powerful photo.

GRANT  What's her name, Daniel? 

All eyes turn to DANIEL - all his defences, pretences, down. 

DANIEL  I don't know. 

A deathly silence envelops the gallery. Tears well in HELEN'S eyes. JASPER takes HELEN'S hand. 

DANIEL  I took it last night. I don't know who she is. 

MIRIAM  I don't understand...you mean you donut have her consent? DANIEL shakes his head.

...to be continued...